If you need to set up your computer system yourself (rather than having it set up by a
network administrator), see "Getting Started" in the System Information
Guide that accompanied your system for instructions on connecting cables and turning
on your system for the first time.
After you correctly connect all the cables to your system and turn it on, see the setup
guide for your operating system to complete its installation. When the operating system is
installed, you can connect peripheral devices such as a printer or install application
programs not already installed by Dell.
The diskette-drive access indicator lights up when the drive is
reading data from or writing data to a diskette. Wait until the access indicator turns off
before removing a diskette from the drive.
The power button controls the system's AC input power.
For Microsoft Windows 95, the power button functions as follows:
- When the computer is turned off, pushing the power button turns on
the computer.
- When the computer is turned on, pushing the power button turns off
the computer.
For Microsoft Windows 98 and Windows NT, you can configure the power
button's function through the basic input/output system (BIOS) and through the operating
system. If you configure the power button, it functions as follows:
- When the computer is turned off, pushing the power button turns on
the computer.
- When the computer is turned on, pushing the power button and holding
it for more than 6 seconds turns off the computer.
- When the computer is turned on, pushing the power button and
releasing it either turns off the computer or places the computer in a suspended state,
depending on the operating system's Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI)
configuration.
- When the computer is in the suspended state, pushing the power button
and releasing it brings the computer out of the suspended state.
If the system does not turn off when you press the
power button, the system may be hung. Press and hold the power button until the system
turns off completely (this process may take several seconds). Alternatively, press the
reset button to reset the system and reboot. If the system is hung and both buttons fail
to function properly, unplug the AC power cable from the computer, wait for it to
completely stop running, plug in the AC power cable, and if it the system does not
restart, press the power button to restart the system.
The power indicator in the center of the power button lights up when
the computer is receiving power. Use the power indicator to help you identify a system
problem if the system does not boot when you press the power button to turn on the
computer:
- A blinking yellow power indicator before power-on self-test (POST)
while the hard-disk drive access indicator is off indicates that the power supply may be
faulty. In rare cases, the system board may be faulty. See "Getting
Help" for instructions on getting technical assistance from Dell.
- A solid green power indicator before POST while the hard-disk drive
access indicator is off indicates that a device on the system board may be faulty or is
incorrectly installed. Be sure that the microprocessor is properly seated, remove all expansion cards, and then
reboot. If the system does not boot, see "Getting Help"
for instructions on getting technical assistance from Dell.
- A solid green power indicator and a beep code during POST indicate
that a Rambus in-line memory module (RIMM) may be faulty or is not properly seated. Remove all RIMMs, install only one RIMM, install
continuity modules in the empty slots, and then reboot. Repeat this procedure until you
identify the faulty or improperly seated RIMM.
- A solid green power indicator and no beep code and no video during
POST indicate that the monitor or the integrated video controller may be faulty. See
"Troubleshooting the Monitor."
If the monitor is operating properly and is correctly connected, see "Getting Help" for instructions on getting technical assistance
from Dell.
- A solid green power indicator and no beep code with video during POST
indicate that an integrated system board device may be faulty. See "Getting Help" for instructions on getting technical assistance
from Dell.
The reset button allows you to reboot (restart) your system without
having to turn the power off and then on again. Rebooting the system in this manner
reduces stress on system components. However, be sure that you save and close all open
files and application programs (if possible) to avoid losing any data. Then perform an
orderly shutdown of the operating system (see your operating system documentation for
instructions).
The hard-disk drive access indicator lights when a CD-ROM drive is
active or when a hard-disk drive is reading data from, or writing data to, the drive.
Small-form-factor chassis: press both cover release buttons at the
same time to remove the computer cover.
Low-profile and midsize chassis: press both cover release buttons at
the same time to remove the computer cover.
Mini tower chassis: on the back of the chassis, slide the upper half
of the padlock ring to the left. Then
press the cover release button to remove the computer cover.
An integrated chassis intrusion alert displays the status
of the system chassis intrusion monitor. If the chassis has been opened, the setting
changes to Detected and the following message appears during the boot
sequence at system start-up:
Alert! Cover was previously removed.
Use System Setup to reset the
alarm so that future intrusions are detected.
The padlock ring, which slides in and out of the back cover (see Figure 5, Figure 6, Figure 7, or Figure 8 in "Inside Your
Computer"), allows you to use a padlock or security cable
with a locking device to secure the computer cover to the chassis to prevent unauthorized
access to the inside of the computer. To use the padlock ring, pull it into the extended
position, insert a commercially available padlock through the ring, and then lock the
padlock.
Security cables for personal computers usually include a segment of
galvanized cable with an attached locking device and key. To prevent unauthorized removal
of your computer, loop the cable around an immovable object, insert the locking device
into the security cable slot on the back of your computer, and lock the device with the
key provided. Security cables with an attached locking device can also be used to prevent
unauthorized removal of the computer and unauthorized access to the inside of the
computer. To use the device for this type of security setup, loop the cable around an
immovable object, pull out the padlock ring, insert the locking device into the security
cable slot, and lock the device with the key provided.
Complete instructions for installing this kind of antitheft
device are usually included with the device.
 |
NOTE: Antitheft devices are of
differing designs. Before purchasing such a device, make sure it works with the cable slot
on your computer. |
NOTICE: The password features provide a basic level of
security for the data on your system. However, 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.
Your Dell system is shipped to you without the system password
feature enabled. If system security is a concern, operate your system only with system
password protection.
You can assign a system password, as described in "Assigning a System Password", whenever you use System Setup. After a system password is assigned, only those who
know the password have full use of the system.
When System Password is set to Enabled,
the computer system prompts you for the system password just after the system boots. See
"Using Your System Password to Secure
Your System" for more information.
To change an existing system password, you must know the password
(see "Deleting or Changing an Existing System
Password"). If you assign and later forget a system password, you must remove the
computer cover to change a jumper setting that disables the system password feature (see
"Disabling a Forgotten Password").
Note that you erase the setup password at the same time.
NOTICE: If you leave your system 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-disk drive.
Before you can assign a system password, you must enter System Setup
and check the System Password option.
When a system password is assigned, the setting shown in System
Password is Enabled. When the system password feature is
disabled by a jumper setting on the system board, the setting shown is Disabled.
You cannot change or enter a new system password if either of these options is
displayed.
When no system password is assigned and the password jumper on the
system board is in the enabled position (its default setting), the option shown for the System
Password option is Not Enabled. Only when System
Password is set to Not Enabled can you assign a
system password, using the following procedure:
- Verify that Password Status is set to Unlocked.
For instructions on changing the setting for Password Status,
see "Password Status."
- Highlight System Password, and then
press the left- or right-arrow key.
The option heading
changes to Enter Password, followed by an empty
32-character field in square brackets.
- Type your new system password.
You can use up to 32 characters in your password.
As you press each character key (or the spacebar for a blank space),
a placeholder appears in the field. The password assignment operation recognizes keys by
their location on the keyboard, without distinguishing between lowercase and uppercase
characters. For example, if you have an M in your password, the system recognizes
either M or m as correct.
Certain key combinations are not valid. If you enter one of these
combinations, the speaker emits a beep.
To erase a character when entering your password, press the
<Backspace> key or the left-arrow key.
|
NOTE: To escape from the field without
assigning a system password, press the <Tab> key or the <Shift><Tab> key
combination to move to another field, or press the <Esc> key at any time prior to
completing step 5. |
- Press <Enter>.
If the new system password is less than 32 characters, the whole
field fills with placeholders. Then the option heading changes to Verify Password,
followed by another empty 32-character field in square brackets.
- To confirm your password, type it a second time and press
<Enter>.
The password setting changes to Enabled. Your
system password is now set; you can exit System Setup and begin using your system. Note,
however, that password protection does not take effect until you reboot the system by
pressing the reset button or by turning the system off and then on again.
Whenever you either turn on your system or press the reset button,
or when you reboot the system by pressing the <Ctrl><Alt><Del> key
combination, the following prompt appears on the screen when Password Status
is set to Unlocked:
Type in the password and
- press <ENTER> to leave password security enabled.
- press <CTRL><ENTER> to disable password security.
Enter password:
If Password Status is set to Locked,
the following prompt appears:
Type the password and press <Enter>.
After you type the correct system password and press <Enter>,
your system boots and you can use the keyboard and/or mouse to operate your system as
usual.
If you enter a wrong or incomplete system password, the following
message appears on the screen:
** Incorrect password. **
Enter password:
If you again enter an incorrect or incomplete system password, the
same message appears on the screen.
The third and subsequent times
you enter an incorrect or incomplete system password, the system displays the following
message:
** Incorrect password. **
Number of unsuccessful password attempts: 3
System halted! Must power down.
The number of unsuccessful attempts made to enter the correct system
password can alert you to an unauthorized person attempting to use your system.
Even after your system is turned off and on, the previous message is
displayed each time an incorrect or incomplete system password is entered.
|
NOTE: You can use Password Status
in conjunction with System Password and Setup
Password to further protect your system from unauthorized changes. |
To delete or change an existing system password, perform the
following steps:
- Enter System Setup by pressing <F2>,
and verify that Password Status
is set to Unlocked.
- Reboot your system to force it to prompt you for a system password.
- When prompted, type the system password.
- Press <Ctrl><Enter> to disable the existing system
password, instead of pressing <Enter> to continue with the normal operation of your
system.
- Confirm that Not Enabled is displayed for the System
Password option of System Setup.
If Not Enabled appears in the System
Password option, the system password has been deleted. If you want to assign a
new password, continue to step 6. If Not Enabled is not displayed for the
System Password option, press <Alt><B> to reboot the system,
and then repeat steps 3 through 5.
- To assign a new password, follow the procedure in "Assigning a System Password."
Your Dell system is shipped to you without the setup password
feature enabled. Since your system is also shipped with the DMI agent enabled and active
(allowing system settings to be changed remotely), Dell strongly recommends that you
enable and use the setup password feature to prevent unauthorized changes to system
settings.
You can assign a setup password, as described in "Assigning a Setup Password," whenever you use
System Setup. After you assign a setup password, only those who know the password have
full use of System Setup. See "Operating
Your System With A Setup Password Enabled" for more information.
To changing an
existing setup password, you must know the setup password. If you assign and later
forget a setup password, you need to remove the computer cover to change a jumper setting
that disables the setup password feature (see "Disabling a Forgotten Password"). Note that
you erase the system password at the same time.
You can assign a setup password only if Setup Password
is set to Not Enabled. To assign a setup password, highlight Setup
Password and press the left- or right-arrow key. The system prompts you to enter
and verify the password. If a character is illegal for password use, the system emits a
beep.
|
NOTES: The setup password can be the same
as the system password. If the two passwords are
different, the setup password can be used as an alternate system password. However, the
system password cannot be used in place of the setup password. |
After you verify the password, the Setup Password
setting changes to Enabled. The next time you enter System
Setup, the system prompts you for the setup password.
A change to Setup Password becomes effective
immediately (rebooting the system is not required).
If Setup Password is set to Enabled,
you must enter the correct setup password before you can modify any System Setup options.
When you start System Setup, the System Setup screen appears with Setup
Password highlighted, prompting you to type the password.
If you do not enter the correct password, the system lets you view,
but not modify, the System Setup screen.
|
NOTE: You can use Password Status in
conjunction with Setup Password to protect the system
password from unauthorized changes. |
To delete or change an existing setup password, perform the
following steps:
- Enter System Setup.
- Highlight Setup Password and press the left- or
right-arrow key to delete the existing setup password.
The setting changes to Not Enabled.
- If you want to assign a new setup password, perform the steps in
"Assigning a Setup Password."
If you forget your system or setup password, you cannot operate your
system or change settings in System Setup until you remove the computer cover, change the
password jumper setting to disable the passwords, and erase the existing passwords.
To disable a forgotten password, perform the following steps.
- Remove the computer cover according to the instructions in "Removing and Replacing the Computer Cover."
- Remove the jumper plug from the PSWD jumper to disable the password
feature.
Refer to "System
Board Jumpers" for jumper information and to Figure 10 in "Inside Your
Computer" for the location of the password jumper (labeled "PSWD") on the
system board.
- Replace the computer cover.
- Reconnect your computer and peripherals to an electrical outlet, and
then turn them on.
Booting your system with the PSWD jumper plug removed erases the
existing password(s).
- Enter System Setup, and verify that the
password is disabled. Proceed to step 6 if you want to assign a new password.
|
NOTE: Before you assign a new
system and/or setup password, you must replace the PSWD jumper plug.
|
- Remove the computer cover according to the instructions in "Removing and Replacing the Computer Cover."
- Replace the PSWD jumper plug.
- Replace the computer cover, and then reconnect the computer and
peripherals to an electrical outlet and turn them on.
Booting your system with the PSWD jumper installed reenables the
password feature. When you enter System Setup, both password options appear as Not
Enabled, meaning that the password feature is enabled but that no password has
been assigned.
- Assign a new system and/or setup password.
To assign a new system password, see "Assigning a System Password." To assign a
new setup password, see "Assigning a Setup
Password."
