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Using System Setup: Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX100 System User's Guide

	Overview		System Setup Screen
	Entering System Setup		System Setup Navigation Keys

Overview

Each time you turn on your computer system or press the reset button, the system compares the hardware installed in the system to the hardware listed in the system configuration information stored in nonvolatile random-access memory (NVRAM) on the system board. If the system detects a discrepancy, it generates error messages that identify the incorrect configuration settings. The system then prompts you to enter System Setup to correct the setting.

You can use System Setup as follows:

• To change the system configuration information after you add, change, or remove any hardware in your system

• To set or change user-selectable options—for example, the time or date on your system

NOTE: You can change many of the same settings through the Desktop Management Interface (DMI) client by using the optional Dell OpenManage™ IT Assistant.

You can view the current settings at any time. When you change a setting, in many cases you must reboot the system before the change takes effect.

After you set up your system, run System Setup to familiarize yourself with your system configuration information and optional settings. Dell recommends that you print the System Setup screens (by pressing the <Print Screen> key) or record the information for future reference.

Before you use System Setup, you need to know the kind of diskette drive(s) and hard-disk drive(s) installed in your computer. If you are unsure of this information, see the Manufacturing Test Report that was shipped with your system and is located in the Dell Accessories folder.

Entering System Setup

To enter System Setup, perform the following steps:

1. Turn on your system.
   
   If your system is already on, shut it down and then turn it on again.
   
   
2. When the Press <F2> to Enter Setup prompt appears in the upper-right corner of the screen, press <F2>.

If you wait too long and your operating system begins to load into memory, let the operating system finish loading; then shut down the system and try again.

NOTE: To ensure an orderly system shutdown, use the shutdown option from the Start menu for any Microsoft® operating system. For other operating systems, see the documentation that accompanied the operating system.

System Setup Screen

The System Setup screen displays the current setup and configuration information and optional settings for your system. Information on the System Setup screen is organized in four areas:

• Title — The box at the top of all screens lists the system name.

• System data — The two boxes below the title box display your system processor, level 2 (L2) cache, service tag, and the version number of the basic input/output system (BIOS).

• Options — The main area of the screen is a scrollable window containing options that define the installed hardware in your computer and the power conservation and security features for your computer.

System Setup Navigation Keys

Table 1 lists the keys you use to view or change information on the System Setup screen and to exit the program.

Table 1. System Setup Navigation Keys

Keys	Action
or	Moves to the next field.
or	Moves to the previous field.
or	Cycles through the options in a field. In many fields, you can also type the appropriate value.
or	Scrolls through help information.
	Enters the selected field's pop-up options menu.
spacebar or    or	In the selected field's pop-up options menu, cycles through the options in a field.
	Exits System Setup without rebooting the system and returns the system to its previous state—the boot routine.1
	Exits System Setup and reboots the system, implementing any changes you have made.
	Resets the selected option to its default setting.

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