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System Setup Utility

Dell™ Inspiron™ 300/400 Service Manual

  Overview

  Clearing Forgotten Passwords and CMOS Settings

  Flashing the BIOS

Overview

Use system setup utility to:

• Change the system configuration information after you add, change, or remove any hardware in your computer
  
  
• Set or change a user-selectable option such as the user password
  
  
• Read the current amount of memory or set the type of hard drive installed
  
  

CAUTION: Unless you are an expert computer user, do not change the settings for this program. Certain changes can make your computer work incorrectly.

NOTE: Before you change system setup, it is recommended that you write down the system setup screen information for future reference.

Entering System Setup Utility

1. Turn on (or restart) your computer.
   
   
2. When the DELL™ logo is displayed, watch for the F2 prompt to appear and then press <F2> immediately.
   
   

NOTE: The F2 prompt indicates that the keyboard has initialized. This prompt can appear very quickly, so you must watch for it, and then press <F2>. If you press <F2> before the F2 prompt, this keystroke will be lost. If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Microsoft® Windows® desktop. Then, shut down your computer (see Turning Off Your Computer) and try again.

System Setup Screens

The system setup screen displays current or changeable configuration information for your computer. Information on the screen is divided into three areas: the setup item, active help screen, and key functions.

System Setup Options

NOTE: Depending on your computer and installed devices, the items listed in this section may appear, or may not appear exactly as listed.

System Info
System	Displays the system name
BIOS Version	Displays the BIOS version number
Service Tag	Displays the service tag of the computer when the service tag is present
Asset Tag	Displays the asset tag of the computer when the asset tag is present
Processor Type	Displays the processor information
Processor L2 Cache	Displays the L2 cache size
Memory Installed	Indicates the amount of memory installed in MB
Memory Speed	Indicates the memory speed in MHz
Memory Technology	Indicates the type of installed memory
Main
Service Tag Setting	Displays the service tag of the computer if the service tag is present or provides a field to input the service tag manually when the service tag is absent
System Time	Displays current time in hh:mm:ss format
System Date	Displays the current date in mm/dd/yy format
SATA-0	Displays the SATA drive connected to the SATA-0 connector
SATA-1	Displays the SATA drive connected to the SATA-1 connector
eSATA-0 (applicable for Inspiron 400 computer only)	Displays the eSATA drive connected to the eSATA-0 connector
eSATA-1 (applicable for Inspiron 400 computer only)	Displays the eSATA drive connected to the eSATA-1 connector
Keyboard Errors	Displays keyboard errors when set to Report Default is Report
Advanced Settings
Inspiron 300
CPU Feature	Limit CPUID Value—Enabled or Disabled (Disabled by default) CPU XD Support—Enabled or Disabled (Enabled by default) Hyper-Threading Technology—Enabled or Disabled (Enabled by default) Virtualization (Hidden if CPU is not supported)—Enabled or Disabled (Enabled by default)
Integrated Graphics Configuration	DVMT Mode Select—DVMT Mode DVMT/FIXED Memory—128 MB
Integrated Peripherals Configuration	Onboard Audio Controller—Enabled or Disabled (Enabled by default) Onboard LAN Controller—Enabled or Disabled (Enabled by default) Onboard LAN Boot ROM—Enabled or Disabled (Disabled by default)
Inspiron 400
CPU Feature	Secure Virtual Machine Mode—Enabled or Disabled (Enabled by default) AMD Cool 'N' Quiet—Enabled or Disabled (Enabled by default)
Integrated Graphics Configuration	UMA Frame Buffer Size—Auto, 32 MB, 64 MB, 128 MB, 256 MB, or 512 MB (Auto by default)
Integrated Peripherals Configuration	Onboard SATA Controller—Enabled or Disabled (Enabled by default) SATA Mode—ATA or AHCI (AHCI by default) Onboard Audio Controller—Enabled or Disabled (Enabled by default) Onboard LAN Controller—Enabled or Disabled (Enabled by default) Onboard LAN Boot ROM—Enabled or Disabled (Disabled by default)
USB Device Setting	USB Controller—Enabled or Disabled (Enabled by default) USB Operation Mode (Appears when "USB Controller" is enabled)—FullSpeed or HiSpeed (HiSpeed by default)
Numlock Key	On or Off (On by default)
Fast Boot	Enabled or Disabled (Enabled by default)
Power Management
ACPI Suspend Type	Specifies the suspend type Default is S3
AC Recovery	Power Off, Power On, or Last Power State (Off by default)
Low Power Mode (applicable for Inspiron 400 computer only)	Enabled or Disabled (Enabled by default)
Remote Wake Up	Enabled or Disabled (Enabled by default)
Auto Power On	Enabled or Disabled (Disabled by default)
Auto Power On Date (Displays only when "Auto Power On" is set to Enabled)	Specifies the power on date Default is 15
Auto Power On Time (Displays only when "Auto Power On" is set to Enabled)	Specifies the power on time Default is 12:30:30
Security Settings
Unlock Setup Status	Unlocked
Supervisor Password	Status of supervisor password installed
User Password	Status of user password installed
Boot Sequence
1st Boot Device	Specifies the boot sequence from the available devices Hard Disk; USB; CD/DVD; Removable; Network; Disabled (Hard Disk by default)
2nd Boot Device	Specifies the boot sequence from the available devices Hard Disk; USB; CD/DVD; Removable; Network; Disabled (USB by default)
3rd Boot Device	Specifies the boot sequence from the available devices Hard Disk; USB; CD/DVD; Removable; Network; Disabled (CD/DVD by default)
4th Boot Device	Specifies the boot sequence from the available devices Hard Disk; USB; CD/DVD; Removable; Network; Disabled (Removable by default)
5th Boot Device	Specifies the boot sequence from the available devices Hard Disk; USB; CD/DVD; Removable; Network; Disabled (Network by default)
Hard Disk Drives	Specifies the boot device priority sequence from the available hard disk drives
USB Drives	Specifies the boot device priority sequence from the available USB drives
CD/DVD Drives	Specifies the boot device priority sequence from the available CD/DVD drives
Removable Drives	Specifies the boot device priority sequence from the available removable drives
Network Drives	Specifies the boot device priority sequence from the available network drives
Exit
Exit Options	Provides options to Save Changes and Exit, Discard Changes and Exit, and Load Default Setting

Boot Sequence

This feature allows you to change the boot sequence for devices.

Boot Options

• Hard Drive — The computer attempts to boot from the primary hard drive. If no operating system is on the drive, the computer generates an error message.
  
  
• USB Flash Device — Insert the memory device into a USB port and restart the computer. When F12 Boot Options appears in the lower-right corner of the screen, press <F12>. The BIOS detects the device and adds the USB flash option to the boot menu.
  
  

NOTE: To boot to a USB device, the device must be bootable. To ensure that your device is bootable, check the device documentation.

• CD/DVD Drive — The computer attempts to boot from the CD/DVD drive. If no CD/DVD is in the drive, or if the CD/DVD has no operating system, the computer generates an error message.
  
  

Changing Boot Sequence for the Current Boot

You can use this feature to change the current boot sequence, for example, to boot from the CD/DVD drive to run the Dell Diagnostics on the Drivers and Utilities media. On completion of diagnostic tests, the previous boot sequence is restored.

1. If you are booting to a USB device, connect the USB device to a USB connector.
   
   
2. Turn on (or restart) your computer.
   
   
3. When F2 = Setup, F12 Boot Options appears in the lower-right corner of the screen, press <F12>.
   
   

If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Microsoft Windows desktop. Then shut down your computer and try again.

The Boot Device Menu appears, listing all available boot devices.

4. On the Boot Device Menu choose the device you want to boot from.
   
   

For example, if you are booting to a USB memory key, highlight USB Flash Device and press <Enter>.

NOTE: To boot to a USB device, the device must be bootable. To ensure your device is bootable, check the device documentation.

Changing Boot Sequence for Future Boots

1. Enter system setup utility (see Entering System Setup Utility).
   
   
2. Use the arrow keys to highlight the Boot menu option and press <Enter> to access the menu.
   
   

NOTE: Write down your current boot sequence in case you want to restore it.

3. Press the up- and down-arrow keys to move through the list of devices.
   
   
4. Press plus (+) or minus (–) to change the boot priority of the device.
   
   

Clearing Forgotten Passwords and CMOS Settings

WARNING: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions that shipped with your computer.

WARNING: The computer must be disconnected from the electrical outlet to clear the CMOS setting.

CAUTION: Only a certified service technician should perform repairs on your computer. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell™ is not covered by your warranty.

CAUTION: To avoid electrostatic discharge, ground yourself by using a wrist grounding strap or by periodically touching an unpainted metal surface (such as a connector on your computer).

CAUTION: Clearing the CMOS settings will also clear the password.

1. Follow the procedures in Before You Begin.
   
   
2. Remove the top cover (see Removing the Top Cover).
   
   
3. Remove the top bracket (see Removing the Top Bracket).
   
   
4. Remove the optical drive (see Removing the Optical Drive).
   
   
5. Remove the drive bay (see Removing the Drive Bay).
   
   
6. Locate the 3-pin CMOS connector on the system board (see System Board Components).
   
   
7. Remove the 2-pin jumper plug from pins 2 and 3 and fix it on pins 1 and 2.
   
   
8. Wait for approximately five seconds to clear the CMOS setting.
   
   
9. Remove the 2-pin jumper plug from pins 1 and 2 and replace it on pins 2 and 3.
   
   

Inspiron 300

Inspiron 400

10. Replace the drive bay (see Replacing the Drive Bay).
    
    
11. Replace the optical drive (see Replacing the Optical Drive).
    
    
12. Replace the top bracket (see Replacing the Top Bracket).
    
    
13. Replace the top cover (see Replacing the Top Cover).
    
    

CAUTION: Before turning on the computer, replace all screws and ensure that no stray screws remain inside the computer. Failure to do so may result in damage to the computer.

14. Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on.
    
    

Flashing the BIOS

1. Turn on the computer.
   
   
2. Go to the Dell Support website at support.dell.com.
   
   
3. Click Drivers & Downloads® Select Model.
   
   
4. Locate the BIOS update file for your computer:
   
   

NOTE: The Service Tag for your computer is located at the bottom of the computer.

If you have your computer's Service Tag:

1. Click Enter a Service Tag.
   
   
2. Enter your computer's Service Tag in the Enter a service tag: field, click Go, and proceed to step 5.
   
   

If you do not have your computer's Service Tag:

1. Select the type of product in the Select Your Product Family list.
   
   
2. Select the product brand in the Select Your Product Line list.
   
   
3. Select the product model number in the Select Your Product Model list.
   
   

NOTE: If you have selected a different model and want to start over again, click Start Over on the top right of the menu.

4. Click Confirm.
   
   
5. A list of results appear on the screen. Click BIOS.
   
   
6. Click Download Now to download the latest BIOS file.
   The File Download window appears.
   
   
7. Click Save to save the file on your desktop. The file downloads to your desktop.
   
   
8. Click Close if the Download Complete window appears.
   The file icon appears on your desktop and is titled the same as the downloaded BIOS update file.
   
   
9. Double-click the file icon on the desktop and follow the instructions on the screen.
   
   

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