NOTE: Passwords are disabled when you receive your computer.
A primary password prevents unauthorized access to the computer at start-up. You can use an administrator password instead of the primary password. A hard drive password helps prevent unauthorized access to data on the drive, even when the drive is installed in another computer.
NOTE: Only hard drives purchased from Dell for use with the Dell™ Latitude™ D-Family computers support hard drive passwords.
NOTICE: Passwords provide a high level of security for data in your computer or hard drive. However,
they are not foolproof. If you require more security, obtain and use additional forms of protection, such as
smart cards, data encryption programs, or PC Cards with encryption features.
If you forget any of your passwords, contact your system administrator or call Dell. For your protection, Dell technical support staff will ask you for proof of your identity to ensure that only an authorized person can use the computer.
The following table identifies types and features of passwords available on your computer.
Type of Password
Features
Primary
Protects the computer from unauthorized access
Administrator
Gives system administrators or service technicians access to computers for repair or reconfiguration
Allows you to restrict access to the system setup program in the same way a system password restricts access to the computer
Can be used in place of the primary password
Hard drive
Helps protect the data on your hard drive or external hard drive (if one is being used) from unauthorized access
Using a Primary Password
The primary password allows you to protect the computer from unauthorized access.
After assigning a primary password, you must enter it each time you turn on your computer. The following message appears each time you turn on the computer:
Please type in the primary or administrator password and press <Enter>.
To continue, enter your password (maximum of eight characters).
If you do not enter a password within 2 minutes, the computer returns to its previous operating state.
If you have assigned an administrator password, you can use it instead of the primary password. The computer does not specifically prompt you for the administrator password.
NOTICE: If you disable the administrator password, the primary password is also disabled.
Using an Administrator Password
The administrator password is designed to give system administrators or service technicians access to computers for repair or reconfiguration. The administrators or technicians can assign identical administrator passwords to groups of computers, allowing you to assign the primary password.
When you set an administrator password, the Configure Setup option becomes available in the system setup program. The Configure Setup option allows you to restrict access to the system setup program in the same way a primary password restricts access to the computer.
The administrator password can be used in place of the primary password. Whenever you are prompted to enter the primary password, you can enter the administrator password instead.
NOTE: The administrator password provides access to the computer, but it does not provide access to the hard drive when a hard drive password is assigned.
If you forget the primary password and do not have an administrator password assigned, or if you have both a primary and an administrator password assigned but forget them both, contact your system administrator or contact Dell.
NOTICE: If you disable the administrator password, the primary password is also disabled.
Using a Hard Drive Password
The hard drive password helps protect the data on your hard drive from unauthorized access. You can also assign a password for an external hard drive (if one is being used) that can be the same as or different from the password for the primary hard drive.
After assigning a hard drive password, you must enter it each time you turn on the computer and each time you resume normal operation from standbymode.
If the hard drive password is enabled, the following message appears each time you turn on the computer:
Please type in the hard-disk drive password and press <Enter>.
To continue, enter your password (maximum of eight characters). Press <Esc> to return the computer to its previous operating state.
If you do not enter a password within 2 minutes, the computer returns to its previous operating state.
If you enter the wrong password, the following message appears:
Invalid password [Press Enter to retry]
If the correct password is not entered in three attempts, the computer tries to boot from another bootable device if the Boot First Device option in the system setup program is set to allow it. If the Boot First Device option is not set to allow booting from another device, the computer returns to the state it was in when you turned it on.
If the hard drive password, the external hard drive password, and the primary password are the same, you are prompted only for the primary password. If the hard drive password is different from the primary password, you are prompted for both. Two different passwords provide greater security.
NOTE: The administrator password provides access to the computer, but it does not provide access to a hard drive that is protected by a hard drive password.
Assigning an Asset Tag
The Asset Tag utility allows you to enter an asset tag that you or your company assigns to the computer. After you enter an asset tag, the tag appears in the system setup screens.
You can also use the Asset Tag utility to enter an owner tag that appears in the system log-on screen with the primary password prompt.
NOTE: The Drivers and Utilities CD for your computer is a bootable CD.
Viewing Existing Asset Tag and Service Tag
Boot the computer using a bootable floppy disk or CD.
Type cd c:\Dell\Util and press <Enter>.
Type asset and press <Enter>.
Assigning an Asset Tag
An asset tag can have up to ten characters; any combination of characters excluding spaces is valid.
Boot the computer using a bootable floppy disk or CD.
Type cd c:\dell\util and press <Enter>.
Type asset and a space followed by the new asset tag, and press <Enter>.
For example, type the following command line and press <Enter>:
asset 1234$ABCD&
When the computer prompts you to verify the asset tag, type y and press <Enter>.
The computer displays the new or modified asset tag and the Service Tag.
Deleting an Asset Tag
Boot the computer using a bootable floppy disk or CD.
Type cd c:\dell\util and press <Enter>.
Type asset /d and press <Enter>.
Assigning an Owner Tag
An owner tag can have up to 48 characters; any combination of letters, numbers, and spaces is valid.
Boot the computer using a bootable floppy disk or CD.
Type cd c:\dell\util and press <Enter>.
Type asset /o and a space followed by the new owner tag, and press <Enter>.
For example, type the following command line and press <Enter>:
asset /o ABC Company
When the computer prompts you to verify the owner tag, type y and press <Enter>.
The computer displays the new owner tag.
Deleting an Owner Tag
NOTE: For security, you cannot set, change, or delete the owner tag if the primary or administrator passwords are set.
Boot the computer using a bootable floppy disk or CD.
Type cd c:\dell\util and press <Enter>.
Type asset /o /d and press <Enter>.
Asset Tag Options
To use one of the asset tag options (see the following table):
Boot the computer using a bootable floppy disk or CD.
Type cd c:\dell\util and press <Enter>.
Type asset and a space followed by the option, and then press <Enter>.
