To change the system configuration information after you add, change, or remove any hardware in your computer
To set or change a user-selectable option such as the user password
To read the current amount of memory or set the type of hard drive installed
Before you use System Setup, it is recommended that you write down the System Setup screen information for future reference.
CAUTION: Unless you are an expert computer user, do not change the settings for this program. Certain changes can make your computer work incorrectly.
Entering System Setup
Turn on (or restart) your computer.
When the DELL™ logo is displayed, you must watch for the F12 prompt
to appear.
Once the F12 prompt appears, press <F12> immediately. The Boot
Menu appears.
Use the up and down arrow keys to select System Setup and then press
<Enter>.
NOTE: The F12 prompt indicates that the keyboard has initialized. This prompt can appear very quickly, so you must watch for it to display, and then press <F12>. If you press <F12> before you are prompted, 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 and try again.
System Setup Screen
The System Setup screen displays current or changeable configuration information for your computer. Information on the screen is divided into two areas: the menu, and the main window.
Options List — This field appears on the left side of the system setup window. The field is a scrollable list containing features that define the configuration of your computer, including installed hardware, power conservation, and security features.
Option Field — This field contains information about each option. In this field you can view your current settings and make changes to your settings.
Use the Tab and Up/Down arrow keys on your keyboard to navigate or click to navigate using the mouse.
System Setup Options
NOTE: Depending on your computer and installed devices, the items listed in this section may not appear, or may not appear exactly as listed.
WARNING: eSATA is designed to function only if the SATA Operation mode in
system Setup (BIOS) is set to either IRRT or AHCI. If it is set to ATA, the eSATA
functionality is lost though the connector can still be used as a USB port.
General
System Board
Displays the following information:
System information: Displays BIOS Info, System Info, and the Service Tag.
Processor information: Displays the Processor Type, Processor Speed, Processor Bus Speed, Processor L2 cache, Processor ID.
PCI information: Displays available slots on the system board.
Date/Time
Displays the system date and time. Changes to the system date and time take effect immediately.
Boot Sequence
Specifies the order in which the computer attempts to find an operating system from the devices specified in this list.
Drives
Diskette drive
Identifies and defines the floppy drive attached to the FLOPPY connector on the system board as:
Disable
USB
Internal (default)
Read Only
SATA Operation
Configures the operating mode of the integrated hard drive controller to:
AHCI (default)
ATA
Legacy
S.M.A.R.T. Reporting
Enables or disables integrated drive errors to be reported during system startup.
This option is disabled by default.
Drives
Enables or disables the SATA or ATA drives connected to the system board.
System Configuration
Integrated NIC
Enables or disables the integrated network card. You can set the integrated NIC to:
Enable (default)
Disable
Enable with PXE
Enable with ImageSever
USB Controller
Enables or disables the integrated USB controller. You can set the USB controller to:
Enable (default)
Disable
No boot
Parallel Port
Identifies and defines the parallel port settings. You can set the parallel port to:
Disable
AT
PS/2 (default)
EPP
ECP No DMA
ECP DMA 1
ECP DMA 3
Parallel Port Address
Sets the base I/O address of the integrated parallel port.
Serial Port #1
Identifies and defines the serial port settings. You can set the serial port to:
Disable
Auto(default)
COM1
COM3
NOTE: Auto, the default setting, automatically configures a connector to a particular designation (COM1 or COM3).
Miscellaneous Devices
Enables or disables the following onboard devices:
Front USB
Rear Dual USB
Rear Quad USB
PCI slots
Audio
Video
Primary Video
Specifies which video controller is primary when two video controllers are present on the computer.
Auto(default)
Onboard/PEG
Performance
Multi Core Support
Specifies whether one or all the cores of the processor will be enabled.
NOTE: The performance of some applications improve with additional cores.
Intel® SpeedStep™
Enables or disables the Intel SpeedStep mode.
This option is disabled by default.
Limit CPUID Value
Enables or disables the CPUID limit.
This option is disabled by default.
HDD Acoustic Mode
Sets the performance speed and noise level of your hard drive to:
Bypass (default)
Quiet
Suggested
Performance
Virtulization Support
VT for Direct I/O
Enables or disables the Virtual Machine Monitor (VMM) from utilizing the additional hardware capabilities provided by Intel Virtulization technology for direct I/O.
Security
Administrative Password
Provides restricted access to the computer's system setup program in the same way that access to the system can be restricted with the System Password option.
This option is not set by default.
System Password
Displays the current status of the system's password security feature and allows a new system password to be assigned and verified.
This option is not set by default.
Password Changes
Enables or disables the user from changing the system password without the administrative password.
This option is enabled by default.
TPM Security
Enables or disables the trusted platform module (TPM) security.
You can set the TPM security to:
Deactivate(default)
Activate
Clear
NOTE: When TPM Security is set to Clear the system setup program clears the user information stored in the TPM.
CPU XD Support
Enables or disables the execute disable mode of the processor.
This option is enabled by default.
Computrace(R)
Enables or disables the optional Computrace® service designed for asset management.
You can set this option to:
Deactivate (default)
Disable
Activate
SATA-0 Password
Displays the current status of the password set for the hard drive connected to the SATA-0 connector on the system board.
You can also set a new password. This option is not set by default.
NOTE: The system setup program displays a password for each of the hard drives connected to your system board.
Power Management
AC Recovery
Determines how the system responds when AC power is re-applied after a power loss. You can set the AC Recovery to:
Power Off (default)
Power On
Last State
Auto On Time
Sets time to automatically turn on the computer.
Time is kept in the standard 12-hour format (hours:minutes:seconds).
Change the startup time by typing the values in the time and AM/PM fields.
NOTE: This feature does not work if you turn off your computer using the switch on a power strip or surge protector or if Auto Power On is set to disabled.
Low Power Mode
Enables or disables low power mode.
This option is disabled by default.
NOTE: When low power mode is enabled, the integrated network card is disabled.
Remote Wakeup
Allows the system to power up when a network interface controller receives a wake up signal. You can set Remote Wakeup to:
Disable (default)
Enable
Enable with Boot NIC
Suspend Mode
Sets the power management suspend mode to:
S1
S3 (default)
Fan Control Override
Controls the speed of the system fan.
NOTE: When enabled, the fan runs at full speed.
Maintenance
Service Tag
Displays the Service Tag of your computer.
Asset Tag
Allows you to create a system asset tag if an asset tag is not already set.
This option is not set by default.
SERR Messages
Controls the SERR Message mechanism.
This option is enabled by default.
Some graphics cards require the SERR Message mechanism be disabled.
Image Server
Lookup Method
Specifies how the ImageServer looksup the server address.
Static IP
DNS
NOTE: You must set the Integrated NIC to EnablewithImageServer to set the Lookup Method.
ImageServer IP
Specifies the primary static IP address of the ImageServer with which the client software communicates.
The default IP address is 255.255.255.255
NOTE: You must set the Integrated NIC to EnablewithImageServer to set the ImageServer IP.
ImageServer Port
Specifies the primary IP port of the image server with which the client software communicates.
The default IP port is 06910.
Client DHCP
Specifies how the client obtains the IP address.
Static IP
DHCP (default)
Client IP
Specifies the static IP address of the client.
The default IP address is 255.255.255.255
NOTE: To set Client IP you must set Client DHCP to Static IP
Client SubnetMask
Specifies the subnet mask for the client.
The default setting is 255.255.255.255
NOTE: To set Client SubnetMask you must set Client DHCP to Static IP
Client Gateway
Specifies the gateway IP address for the client.
The default setting is 255.255.255.255
NOTE: To set Client SubnetMask you must set Client DHCP to Static IP
License Status
Displays the current license status.
Post Behavior
Fast Boot
When enabled (default), your computer starts more quickly because it skips certain configurations and tests.
NumLock LED
Enables or disables the NumLock feature when your computer starts.
When enabled (default), this option activates the numeric and mathematical features shown at the top of each key. When disabled, this option activates the cursor-control functions labeled on the bottom of each key
POST Hotkeys
Allows you to specify the function keys to display on the screen when the computer starts.
Enable F2 = Setup (enabled by default)
Enable F12 = Boot menu (enabled by default)
Keyboard Errors
Enables or disables keyboard error reporting when the computer starts.
This option is enabled by default.
System Logs
BIOS Events
Displays the system event log and allows you to:
Clear Log
Mark all Entries
Boot Sequence
This feature allows you to change the Boot Device Property for devices.
Option Settings
Onboard USB Floppy Drive — The computer attempts to boot from the floppy drive.
Onboard SATA Hard Drive — The computer attempts to boot from the hard drive.
USB Device — The computer attempts to boot from a removable device, such as a USB key.
CD/DVD — The computer attempts to boot from the disc drive.
Changing the Boot Sequence for the Current Boot
You can use this feature, for example, to restart your computer to a USB device, such as a floppy drive, memory key, or optical drive.
If you are booting to a USB device, connect the USB device to a USB
connector.
Turn on (or restart) your computer.
When F12 = Boot Menu appears in the upper-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 Menu appears, listing all available boot devices.
Use the arrow keys to select the appropriate device (for the current boot
only).
NOTE: To boot to a USB device, the device must be bootable. To ensure that a device is bootable, check the device documentation.
Click to expand SystemBoard and then click Boot Sequence.
Highlight the appropriate device from the list of devices on the right and
then click the up or down arrows to move the item you want to change.
Click Apply to save the changes and then click Exit to exit System Setup
and resume the boot process.
Booting to a USB Device
NOTE: To boot to a USB device, the device must be bootable. To ensure that your device is bootable, check the device documentation.
Memory Key
Insert the memory key into a USB port and restart the computer.
When F12 = Boot Menu appears in the upper-right corner of the
screen, press <F12>.
The BIOS detects the device and adds the USB device option to the boot menu.
From the boot menu, select the number that appears next to the USB
device.
The computer boots to the USB device.
Floppy Drive
In system setup, set the Diskette Drive option to USB.
Save and exit system setup.
Connect the USB floppy drive, insert a bootable floppy, and re-boot the
computer.
Password Protection
CAUTION: Although passwords provide security for the data on your computer, they are not foolproof. If your data requires more security, it is your responsibility to obtain and use additional forms of protection, such as data encryption programs.
System Password
CAUTION: If you leave your computer running and unattended without having a system password assigned, or if you leave your computer unlocked so that someone can disable the password by changing a jumper setting, anyone can access the data stored on your hard drive.
Option Settings
You cannot change or enter a new system password if either of the following two options is displayed:
Set — A system password is assigned.
Disabled — The system password is disabled by a jumper setting on the system board.
You can only assign a system password when the following option is displayed:
Not Set — No system password is assigned and the password jumper on the system board is in the enabled position (the default setting).
Assigning a System Password
To exit without assigning a system password, press <Esc> at any time (before you press the OK button in step 4).
Select SystemPassword, and verify that Password Status is set to Not Set.
Type your new system password.
You can use up to 32 characters. To erase a character when entering your password, press <Backspace>. The password is case sensitive.
Certain key combinations are not valid. If you enter one of these invalid combinations, the speaker emits a beep.
As you press each character key (or the spacebar for a blank space), a placeholder appears.
Type your new password a second time to confirm and press OK button.
The password setting changes to Set.
Typing Your System Password
When you start or restart your computer, the following prompt appears on the screen.
If PasswordStatus is set to Locked:
Type the password and press <Enter>.
If you have assigned an administrator password, the computer accepts your administrator password as an alternate system password.
If you type a wrong or incomplete system password, the following message appears on the screen:
** Incorrect password. **
If you again type an incorrect or incomplete system password, the same message appears on the screen. The third and subsequent times you type an incorrect or incomplete system password, the computer displays the following message:
** Incorrect password. ** Number of unsuccessful password attempts: 3 System halted! Must power down.
Even after your computer is turned off and on, the previous message is displayed each time you type an incorrect or incomplete system password.
NOTE: You can use Password Status in conjunction with System Password and Admin Password to further protect your computer from unauthorized changes.
Press <Enter> twice to clear the existing system password. The setting
changes to Not Set.
If Not Set is displayed, the system password is deleted. If Not Set is not displayed, press <Alt><b> to restart the computer, and then repeat steps 3 and 4.
You cannot change or enter a new administrator password if either of the following two options is displayed:
Set — An administrator password is assigned.
Disabled — The administrator password is disabled by a jumper setting on the system board.
You can only assign an administrator password when the following option is displayed:
Not Set — No administrator password is assigned and the password jumper on the system board is in the enabled position (the default setting).
Assigning an Administrator Password
The administrator password can be the same as the system password.
NOTE: If the two passwords are different, the administrator password can be used as an alternate system password. However, the system password cannot be used in place of the administrator password.
Enter system setup (see Entering System Setup) and verify that Admin
Password is set to Not Set.
Select Admin Password and press <Enter>.
Type your new administrator password.
You can use up to 32 characters. To erase a character when entering your password, press <Backspace>. The password is case sensitive.
Certain key combinations are not valid. If you enter one of these invalid combinations, the speaker emits a beep.
As you press each character key (or the spacebar for a blank space), a placeholder appears.
Type your new password a second time to confirm and press OK button.
The password setting changes to Set.
Exit system setup.
A change to Admin Password becomes effective immediately (no need to restart the computer).
Operating Your Computer With an Administrator Password Enabled
When you enter system setup, the Admin Password option is highlighted, prompting you to type the password.
If you do not type the correct password, the computer lets you view, but not modify, system setup options.
NOTE: You can use Password Status in conjunction with Admin Password to protect the system password from unauthorized changes.
Deleting or Changing an Existing Administrator Password
To change an existing administrator password, you must know the administrator password.
The real-time clock is being reset (jumpered temporarily).
jumpered unjumpered
Clearing Forgotten Passwords
WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that
shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see
the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
CAUTION: This process erases both the system and administrator passwords.
CAUTION: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network wall jack and then plug it into the computer.
Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them
on.
NOTE: This procedure enables the password feature. When you enter system setup (see Entering System Setup), both system and administrator password options appear as Not Set—meaning that the password feature is enabled but no password is assigned.
Assign a new system and/or administrator password.
Clearing CMOS Settings
WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that
shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see
the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
CAUTION: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network wall jack and then plug it into the computer.
Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them
on.
Deploying Citrix® Provisioning Server (Dell) With
Client Static IP Configuration
In a secure environment where no DHCP service exists to assign IP addresses to clients and allow the clients to boot to the Provisioning Server, manually program static IP addresses for those clients in the system BIOS:
During boot, press <F2> to open System Setup.
Select ImageSever from the list of boot options.
Set Client DHCP to Static IP.
Select Accept in the window that opens asking you to confirm changing
the Client DHCP option.
Set the Client IP with your desired IP address. The default is
255.255.255.255.
Set the Client Subnet Mask to the address assigned to the client. The
default address is 255.255.255.255.
Set the Client Gateway to the gateway address assigned to the client. The
default address is 255.255.255.255.
Change the Lookup Method to Static IP.
Set the ImageServer IP with the primary Provisioning Server IP address.
The default address is 255.255.255.255.
