Each time you start your computer, it compares the installed hardware with the system configuration information stored in nonvolatile random-access memory (NVRAM). If the system detects a discrepancy, it generates an error message for each incorrect configuration setting.
You can use system settings as follows:
To set user-selectable options such as date and time or system
password
To set the current configuration information such as the amount of
memory or type of hard drive installed
You can view the current settings at any time. Dell recommends that you record the information for future reference. If you have a line printer connected to the parallel port on your computer, you can print the system setup screens by pressing <Print Screen>.
Before you use system setup, you need to know the kind of diskette drive(s) and hard drive(s) installed in your computer. If you are unsure of this information, see the Manufacturing Test Report that came with your system and is located in the Dell Accessories folder.
When F2 = Setup 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 system complete the load operation; then restart the system and try again.
NOTE: To ensure an orderly system shutdown, consult the documentation that
accompanied your operating system.
The system setup screens display the current configuration information for your computer. Information on the screen is organized into four areas:
Title — the box at the top of all screens that lists the computer system
name.
Computer data — two boxes below the title box that display your
system processor, level 2 (L2) cache, service tag, and the version
number of the basic input/output system (BIOS).
Options — a scrollable box listing options that define the
configuration of your computer, including installed hardware, power
conservation, and security features.
Fields to the right of the option titles contain settings or values. Those that you can change appear bright on the screen. Those that you cannot change (because they are set by the computer) appear less bright. When <Enter> appears to the right of an option title, press <Enter> to access a pop-up menu of additional options.
Key functions — a line of boxes across the bottom of all screens that
lists keys and their functions within system setup.
Help — press <F1> for information in the currently highlighted
option.
Cycles through the options in a field. In many fields, you can also type the appropriate value.
Scrolls through help information.
Enters the selected field's pop-up options menu.
spacebar 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 the boot routine.
Exits system setup and reboots the system, implementing any changes you have made.
Resets the selected option to its default setting.
NOTE: For most of the options, any changes you make are recorded but do not
take effect until the next time you boot the computer. For a few options (as
noted in the help area), the changes take effect immediately.
The boot sequence allows you to specify the order of the devices from which the system attempts to boot.
Press <Enter> to access the Boot Sequence option's pop-up menu.
NOTE: Write down your current boot sequence in case you want to
restore it.
Press the up- and down-arrow keys to move through the list of devices.
Press the spacebar to enable or disable a device (enabled devices
appear with a check mark).
Press plus (+) or minus (–) to move a selected device up or down the
list.
Option settings:
Diskette Drive A: — The system attempts to boot from the diskette
drive. If the system finds a diskette in the drive that is not bootable, an
error message appears. If no diskette is in the drive, the system
attempts to boot from the next device in the list.
Hard Drive — The system attempts to boot from the primary hard
drive. If the system does not find an operating system on the drive, it
attempts to boot from the next device in the list.
CD-ROM Device — The system attempts to boot from the CD drive.
If the system does not find a CD in the drive or if there is not an
operating system on the CD, the system attempts to boot from the
next device in the list.
MBA (Onboard NIC) — The system prompts you to press
<Ctrl><Alt><b> at the Dell logo screen during boot. A menu
appears that allows you to select a method for booting from a network
server. If a boot routine is not available from the network server, the
system attempts to boot from the next device in the list.
Dell OpenManage IT Assistant is the premier Dell™ systems management application for configuring, managing, and monitoring computers and other devices on a corporate network. IT Assistant employs the latest remote management technology to provide asset management, configuration management, event (alert) management, and security management for systems equipped with industry-standard management software. Software of this type is called system management instrumentation.
IT Assistant supports instrumentation that conforms to the following industry standards:
Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)
Desktop Management Interface (DMI)
Common Information Model (CIM)
The instrumentation available for your computer is Dell OpenManage Client instrumentation, which is based on DMI and CIM. For more information on IT Assistant, see the Dell OpenManage IT Assistant User's Guide available on the Dell website.
Dell OpenManage Client Instrumentation is software that enables remote management application programs such as IT Assistant to do the following:
Access information about your computer, such as how many processors
it has and what operating system it is running
Monitor the status of your computer, such as listening for thermal
alerts from temperature probes or hard drive failure alerts from storage
devices
Change the state of your computer, such as updating its BIOS or
shutting it down remotely
Dell OpenManage Client Instrumentation can be installed on computers like yours, which, when set up on a network with IT Assistant, are called managed systems. For more information about Dell OpenManage Client Instrumentation, see the Dell OpenManage Client Instrumentation User's Guide available on the Dell website.
The chassis intrusion monitor can detect whether the chassis is opened. The Chassis Intrusion option in system setup displays the status of the monitor.
Press the down-arrow key to move to the System Security option.
Press <Enter> to access the System Security option's pop-up menu.
Press the down-arrow key to move to the Chassis Intrusion option.
Press the spacebar to select an option setting.
Option settings:
Enabled (the default) — When the computer cover is removed with
this setting, a DMI event is generated, the setting changes to
Detected, and the following message appears during the boot routine
at the next system start-up:
Alert! Cover was previously removed.
To reset the Detected setting, enter system setup during the system's power-on self-test (POST). In the Chassis Intrusion option, press the left- or right-arrow key to select Reset, and then choose Enabled, Enabled-Silent, or Disabled.
Enabled-Silent — When the computer cover is removed with this
setting, a DMI event is generated and the setting changes to Detected,
but the alert message does not appear during the boot sequence at the
next system start-up.
Disabled — No intrusion monitoring occurs and no messages appear.
NOTE: When the setup password is enabled, you must know the setup
password before you can reset the Chassis Intrusion option.
These features allow you to attach commercially available antitheft devices (see the following figure). To prevent unauthorized removal of your computer, loop the galvanized security cable around an immovable object, insert the attached locking device into the security cable slot on the back of your computer, and lock the device with the key provided.
NOTE: Before you purchase an antitheft device, make sure it works with the
cable slot on your computer.
System passwords allow only those who know the password to have full use of the system. Your Dell system does not have the system password feature enabled when you receive it.
NOTICE: Although passwords provide security for the data on your system,
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.
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 drive.
Verify that Password Status is set to Unlocked insystem setup.
Highlight SystemPassword and then press the left- or right-arrow key.
The option heading changes to EnterPassword, followed by an empty 32-character field in square brackets.
Type your new system password.
You can use up to 32 characters.
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 <Backspace> or the left-arrow key.
NOTE: To escape from the field without assigning a system password,
press <Tab> or the <Shift><Tab> combination to move to another
field, or press <Esc> at any time before 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. Password protection takes effect when you reboot the system by pressing the reset button or by turning the system off and then on again.
When you turn on your system or press the reset button, or when you reboot the system by pressing the <Ctrl><Alt><Del> 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 PasswordStatus is set to Locked, the following prompt appears:
Type the password and press <Enter>.
NOTE: If you have assigned a setup password, the system accepts your setup
password as an alternate system password.
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.
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, 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.
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.
Setup passwords allow only those who know the password to have full use of system setup. Your Dell system does not have the setup password feature enabled when you receive it.
Setup Password options in system setup:
Enabled — does not allow assignment of setup passwords; users must
enter a setup password to make changes to system setup
Not Enabled — allows assignment of setup passwords; password
feature is enabled but no password is assigned
Enter system setup, and verify that Setup Password is set to Not
Enabled.
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.
Type in and then verify the password.
After you verify the password, the Setup Password setting changes to Enabled. The next time you attempt to enter system setup, the system prompts you for the setup password.
NOTE: 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.
A change to Setup Password becomes effective immediately (rebooting the system is not required).
Replace the computer cover and 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 is assigned.
When you obtain software, check it for viruses with virus-scanning software before installing it on your computer's hard drive. Viruses, which are pieces of code that can replicate themselves, can quickly use all available system memory, damage or destroy data stored on the hard drive, and permanently affect the performance of the programs they infect. Several commercial virus-scanning programs are available for purchase, and most bulletin board services (BBSs) archive freely distributed virus-scanning programs that you can download with a modem.
Before you install a program, read its documentation to learn how the program works, what hardware it requires, and what its defaults are. A program usually includes installation instructions in its accompanying documentation and a software installation routine on its program diskette(s) or CD(s).
The software installation routine assists you in transferring the appropriate program files to your computer's hard drive. Installation instructions may provide details about how to configure your operating system to successfully run the program. Always read the installation instructions before running a program's installation routine. You may be instructed to modify some operating system start-up files, such as config.sys and autoexec.bat, or the installation routine may modify start-up files automatically.
When you run the installation routine, be prepared to respond to prompts for information about how your computer's operating system is configured, what type of computer you have, and what peripherals are connected to your computer.
Telephony Application Programming Interface (TAPI) enables Windows-based applications to operate with a wide variety of telephony devices, including voice, data, fax, video, and so forth. TAPI applications require a TAPI service provider (TSP), which is a software driver that allows TAPI applications to communicate with different types of TAPI hardware.
Microsoft® Windows® 2000, Windows XP, and Windows NT® provide a TSP called Unimodem, which is a "universal" modem service provider that supports a wide range of commonly used modems. For more information on Unimodem, see your Windows documentation. When using a TAPI device other than a modem, such as a Private Branch Exchange (PBX) or a voice processing card, you will need a TSP provided by the manufacturer of the device.
The TAPI system board connector uses a 4-pin cable to interface your internal TAPI-compliant expansion card with the audio system in your computer. To locate the TAPI system board connector, see "System Board Components." TAPI-compliant cards using the standard TAPI connector are supported. For example, you can connect your modem to the TAPI connector and then use your audio speakers and microphone as a speakerphone. The microphone carries your voice into the computer and then through the TAPI system board connector to your modem card. The caller's voice enters through the modem card to the TAPI system board connector and then out to the speakers. You can also use this configuration to record and play sound files over the phone.
You can install a TAPI-compliant sound card that has a standard TAPI connector. For example, you can connect your modem to the TAPI sound card connector and then use the audio capabilities as a speakerphone.
See the manufacturer's documentation for more information.
Enter system setup, select Integrated Devices and change the setting
for Sound to Off.
Connect external audio devices to the sound card's connectors. Do not
connect external audio devices to the microphone, line-out, or line-in
connectors on the system back panel (see "Back-Panel Connectors and
Indicators").
Connect the 4-pin TAPI cable to the TAPI sound card connector.
To locate the TAPI connector on the sound card, see the manufacturer's documentation.
Connect the 4-pin TAPI cable to the TAPI expansion card connector.
To locate the TAPI connector on the expansion card, see the manufacturer's documentation.
Replace the computer cover.
Reconnect your computer and peripherals to an electrical outlet, and
then turn them on.
Install the appropriate TSP for the TAPI devices.
See the manufacturer's documentation and your Windows documentation for more information.
Your computer can be set to use less power when you are not working. You control the power usage through the operating system (OS) installed on your computer and certain option settings in system setup. These periods of reduced power are called "sleep states."
Standby. In this sleep state, power to most components is reduced or
turned off. However, system memory remains active.
This state is not supported by Windows NT 4.0.
Hibernate. This sleep state reduces power consumption to a minimum
by writing all data in system memory to a hard drive and then
removing system power. Waking up from this state restarts the
computer, and the memory contents are restored. Operation then
resumes where the system left off when it entered the hibernation
state.
This state is supported by Windows 2000 and Windows XP only.
NOTE: All components installed in the computer must support this
feature and have the appropriate drivers loaded to enter hibernation. For
more information, see the manufacturer's documentation for each
component.
Shutdown. This sleep state removes all power from the system except
a small auxiliary amount. As long as the computer remains connected
to an electrical outlet, it can be automatically or remotely started. For
example, the Auto Power On feature allows the computer to
automatically start at a time you specify in system setup. Also, your
network administrator can remotely start your computer using a power
management event (PME) such as access through a network
connection (Wakeup On LAN).
The following table lists the sleep states available for each operating system as well as the methods you can use to "wake up" from each state.
(default)
jumpered 
unjumpered