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System Setup Options: Dell Latitude CPx H-Series/J-Series User's Guide
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System Setup Options: Dell™ Latitude™ CPx
H-Series/J-Series User's Guide
AC
AC, an option under Power Management, allows you to
set different time-outs for the following options when you operate your computer from AC
power: Display Time-out, Disk Time-out, Suspend Time-out, S2D
Time-out, Smart CPU Mode, Display Close, and Brightness.
A change to the AC option takes effect immediately (rebooting is not
required).
Admin Password
Admin Password displays the current status of your
administrator password and allows you to assign or change this password. Settings for this
option are:
- Disabled (the default) — Indicates that no administrator
password is assigned.
- Enabled — Indicates that an administrator password is
currently assigned. All system setup functions, except passwords, are locked out.
The administrator password is designed for use by system
administrators and service technicians in corporate environments. If an administrator
password is assigned, you can use it to access the computer even if you do not know the
primary password.
| NOTICE: The password features
provide a high level of security for the data in your computer. However, they are not
foolproof. If your data requires more security, you should obtain and use additional forms
of protection, such as data encryption programs or PC Cards with encryption features. |
Alarm Resume
The Alarm Resume option directs the computer to resume normal
operation when it is in suspend mode and detects an alarm from the real-time clock (RTC).
Such alarms can be set through various application programs. In order for the alarms in
these programs to work, the Alarm Resume option must be set to Enabled.
 |
NOTE: With systems running under ACPI, settings
for power management features, such as suspend/sleep mode are controlled from the Power
Management Properties window in the Control Panel. |
Settings for this option are:
- Enabled (the default) — Resumes normal operation when the
computer detects an alarm.
- Disabled — Keeps the computer in suspend mode even if the
computer detects an alarm.
A change to the Alarm Resume option takes effect immediately
(rebooting is not required).
Asset Tag
The Asset Tag option displays the asset tag code if you or
your organization assigned one to your computer.
For more information, see "Asset Tag Utility."
Audio Mode
Audio Mode manages the audio resources of the computer and
the external devices you use with it. This mode is set to Full Duplex, which allows
the computer's audio system to play and record sounds simultaneously.
|
NOTE: The system does not allow you to select this
mode for change. |
Battery
Battery, an option of Power Management, allows you to
set different time-outs for the following options when you operate your computer from
battery power: Display Time-out, Disk Time-out, Suspend Time-out, S2D
Time-out, Smart CPU Mode, Display Close, and Brightness.
A change to the Battery option takes effect immediately
(rebooting is not required).
Battery Status
Battery Status (page 3 of the System Setup screens) is a
graphical representation of the approximate amount of charge left in the main and
secondary batteries. No user-selectable settings are available for this option. If a
battery is not installed in the main battery compartment or in the modular bay, the
battery gauge illustration indicates Battery Status: Not Installed.
If you are not in the System Setup program, you can see the battery
gauge illustration at any time by pressing <Fn><F3>.
|
NOTE: Certain key combinations
may not function with the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) or
may require activation with the Power Management Properties window in the
Control Panel. |
BIOS Version
BIOS Version displays the version number and release date of
the BIOS in your computer. A service technician may ask you for this version number if you
call Dell for technical assistance.
|
NOTE: Dell may periodically offer
revisions of the BIOS that add features or solve specific problems. Because the BIOS for
your computer is stored on a reprogrammable flash-memory chip, you can use the Flash BIOS
Update program to update your computer's BIOS entirely through software. |
Boot First Device
Boot First device determines which disk device your computer
uses to find the software needed to start the operating system.
The term boot refers to the computer's start-up procedure.
When you turn on the computer, it "bootstraps" itself into an operational state
by loading into memory a small program, which in turn loads the necessary operating
system. Boot First device tells the computer where to look first for the files that
it needs to load.
Settings for this option are:
- Diskette Drive (the default) — Causes your computer to
attempt first to boot from a bootable diskette loaded in a diskette drive in the system
modular bay. This option will also cause your computer to attempt first boot from
the media in an LS-120 drive if there is no diskette drive attached to the system and the
LS-120 drive is installed in the system modular bay.
- Internal HDD — Causes your computer to boot from the
hard-disk drive
- CD/DVD/CD-RW Drive — Causes your computer to attempt
first to boot from a bootable CD, DVD, or CD-RW when that drive is installed in the system
modular bay.
- Modular Bay HDD — Causes your computer to attempt first
to boot from the second hard-disk drive installed in the modular bay
- None — Causes your computer to skip the
boot option
- PCI Slot NIC — Causes your computer to
attempt first to boot from a network source connected to the NIC card installed in the
C/Dock or C/Dock II Station (if the feature is supported by the NIC card)
- Dock II/Port II NIC — Causes your
computer to attempt first to boot from a network source connected to the C/Dock II Station
or C/Port II Dock via the embedded NIC card.
- CardBus NIC — Causes your computer to attempt
first to boot from a network source connected to the PCMCIA card NIC (if this capability
is supported by the PCMCIA card).
For a change in the Boot First device option to take effect,
you must reboot your computer.
Boot Second Device
If the computer cannot find the software it needs to start the
operating system on the drive identified in Boot First device, it will search the
device named in Boot Second device.
Settings for the option are:
- Internal HDD (the default) — Causes your computer to
attempt to boot from the hard-disk drive
- Diskette Drive — Causes your computer to attempt first to
boot from a bootable diskette loaded in a diskette drive in the system modular bay.
This option will also cause your computer to attempt first boot from the media in an
LS-120 drive if there is no diskette drive attached to the system and the LS-120 drive is
installed in the system modular bay.
- CD/DVD/CD-RW Drive — Causes your computer to attempt
first to boot from a bootable CD, DVD, or CD-RW when that drive is installed in the system
modular bay.
- Modular Bay HDD — Causes your computer to boot from the
second hard-disk drive installed in the modular bay
- None — Causes your computer to skip the
boot option
- PCI Slot NIC — Causes your computer to
attempt first to boot from a network source connected to the NIC card installed in the
C/Dock or C/Dock II Station (if the feature is supported by the NIC card)
- Dock II/Port II NIC — Causes your
computer to attempt first to boot from a network source connected to the C/Dock II Station
or C/Port II Dock via the embedded NIC card
- CardBus NIC — Causes your computer to attempt
first to boot from a network source connected to the PCMCIA card NIC (if this capability
is supported by the PCMCIA card).
For a change in the Boot Second device option to take effect,
you must reboot your computer.
Boot Third Device
If the computer cannot find the software it needs to start the
operating system on the drive identified in Boot FIrst Device or Boot
Second device, it will search the device named in Boot Third device.
Settings for the option are:
- None (the default)
- Internal HDD — Causes your computer to attempt to boot
from the hard-disk drive
- Diskette Drive — Causes your computer to attempt first to
boot from a bootable diskette loaded in a diskette drive in the system modular bay.
This option will also cause your computer to attempt first boot from the media in an
LS-120 drive if there is no diskette drive attached to the system and the LS-120 drive is
installed in the system modular bay.
- CD/DVD/CD-RW Drive — Causes your computer to
attempt first to boot from a bootable CD, DVD, or CD-RW when that drive is installed in
the system modular bay.
- Modular Bay HDD — Causes your computer to attempt
to boot from the second hard-disk drive installed in the modular bay
- PCI Slot NIC — Causes your computer to
attempt first to boot from a network source connected to the NIC card installed in the
C/Dock or C/Dock II Station (if the feature is supported by the NIC card)
- Dock II/Port II NIC — Causes your
computer to attempt first to boot from a network source connected to the C/Dock II Station
or C/Port II Dock via the embedded NIC card
- CardBus NIC — Causes your computer to attempt
first to boot from a network source connected to the PCMCIA card NIC (if this capability
is supported by the PCMCIA card).
For a change in the Boot Third device option to take effect,
you must reboot your computer.
Boot Speed
Boot Speed allows you to choose between the computer's
processing speed (the default) and Compatible, a slower compatibility speed. The
compatibility speed varies, depending on the configuration of your system.
When you change the setting in the Boot Speed option, the
System Setup program stores and continues to display the new setting even if you do not
reboot your computer when you exit the System Setup program. If you start the System Setup
program again during your current work session, the processing speed displayed for the
Boot Speed option may not match the actual speed at which your computer is running.
For a change in the Boot Speed option to take effect, you
must reboot your computer.
Brightness
Brightness allows you to specify the brightness of the
display when the computer is operating on battery power. Use the left- and right-arrow
keys to change the brightness of the display. When the computer is powered by a battery,
the default is Minimum. If the computer is using AC power, the default is Maximum.
A change to the Brightness option takes effect immediately
(rebooting is not required).
Click Volume
Click Volume allows you to disable or adjust the volume of
the keyboard clicks if the Keyboard Click option is enabled. The default is Maximum.
A change to the Click Volume option takes effect immediately
(rebooting is not required).
|
NOTE: This option also controls the
volume of the PC Card and error message beep codes. |
Configure Setup
Configure Setup allows you to restrict access to the System
Setup program in the same way a system password restricts access to the system. Only
available when you set the administrator password.
CPU Serial Number enables support of the Intel?
Mobile Pentium? III processor serial number. This field allows you to enable or
disable recognition of the serial number of an Intel Mobile Pentium III processor.
Settings for this option are:
- Disabled (the default) — Indicates that the
serial number cannot be read.
- Enabled — Indicates that the serial number can
be read.
Date
Date resets the date on the computer's internal calendar.
Your computer automatically displays the day of the week
corresponding to the settings in the three fields that follow (month, day-of-the-month,
and year).
A change to the Date option takes effect immediately
(rebooting is not required). However, you must reboot to make the change apparent to the
operating system.
To change the date, press the right-arrow key to increase the number
in the highlighted field, or press the left-arrow key to decrease the number. If you
prefer, you can type in numbers in the month and day-of-the-month fields.
Disk Time-out
Disk Time-out lets you determine how long your hard-disk
drive remains idle before the drive motor turns off to conserve battery power.
|
NOTE: This feature does not
function with the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI). |
The AC option is set to Disabled. No user-selectable
settings are available for this option. Settings for Battery option are:
- Disabled
- 15 Seconds
- 1 Minute
- 2 Minutes
- 3 Minutes
- 4 Minutes
|
- 5 Minutes
- 10 Minutes
- 15 Minutes
- 30 Minutes
- 1 Hour
|
The default is 3 Minutes if the computer is powered by a
battery. To increase battery operating time, set Disk Time-out to a lower number.
However, if your software requires frequent hard-disk drive accesses, using a higher
time-out setting may save battery power and time by minimizing the number of times the
hard-disk drive must power up.
|
NOTE: Set Disk Time-out to Disabled
if using it causes compatibility problems with your software. |
A change to the Disk Time-out option takes effect immediately
(rebooting is not required).
If you are not in the System Setup program, you can turn off the
hard-disk drive immediately by pressing <Fn><h>. The drive resumes normal
operation automatically when it is accessed by the microprocessor.
|
NOTE: Certain key combinations
may not function with the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) or
may require configuration with the Power Management Properties window in
the Control Panel. See Power Management Settings. |
Diskette Drive A
Diskette Drive A identifies the location of the 3.5-inch
diskette drive: Modular Bay, Parallel Port, or Not Installed. No
user-selectable settings are available for this option.
Diskette Drive B
Diskette Drive B identifies the location of a second 3.5-inch
diskette drive: Parallel Port, Modular Bay, or Not Installed. No
user-selectable settings are available for this option.
Diskette Reconfig allows application programs that access the
diskette drive to run at their optimum speed. Settings are At Reboot Only and Any
Time.
When Diskette Reconfig is set to Any Time (the
default), you do not have to reboot after you install a diskette drive in the modular bay
or attach a diskette drive to the parallel connector on the back of the computer. However,
some application programs such as virus scans that access the diskette drive will run very
slowly if the diskette drive is not in the modular bay or connected to the parallel port.
When Diskette Reconfig is set to At Reboot Only, such application programs
run at normal speed, but you must reboot after installing or attaching a diskette drive.
Display Close
Display Close lets you determine whether your computer enters
suspend mode when the display is closed or whether only the display is turned off.
- Suspend (the default) — Allows the computer to
enter suspend mode when the display is closed.
- Active — Turns off the display, but does not put the
computer into suspend mode.
|
NOTE: With systems running under ACPI, settings
for these features are controlled from the Power Management Properties
window in the Control Panel. Under ACPI, suspend mode is referred to as
sleep mode. Activate the sleep mode by selecting Sleep from the Power
Management Properties window. |
Display Time-out
Display Time-out lets you decide how long the computer
operates with no input/output (I/O) activity before turning off the display to conserve
battery power.
Settings for this option in both the AC and Battery
categories are:
- Disabled
- 1 Minute
- 2 Minutes
- 3 Minutes
- 4 Minutes
|
- 5 Minutes
- 10 Minutes
- 15 Minutes
- 30 Minutes
- 1 Hour
|
The Battery default is 4 Minutes. To
increase battery operating time, set Display Time-out to a lower number of minutes.
|
NOTE: Set the Display
Time-out option to Disabled if using it causes compatibility problems with your
software. |
A change to the Display Time-out option takes effect
immediately (rebooting is not required).
If you are not in the System Setup program, you can turn off the
display immediately by pressing <Fn><d>. The display resumes normal operation
automatically when you press a key or move the cursor.
|
NOTE: With systems running under ACPI, settings
for this feature are controlled from the Power Management Properties
window in the Control Panel. Key combinations for power management
activities must be configured in the Power Management Properties window. |
Docking Ethernet
Docking Ethernet enables or disables the internal ethernet
controller in the a Dell Latitude C/Port Family Advanced Port Replicator (C/Port APR) or
C/Dock Family Expansion Station. A change to this option takes effect when you reboot.
Docking IRQ tells the computer which IRQ to assign to the
docking station or replicator during the boot sequence. If this option is set to
Optimized, the docking station or replicator is assigned a dedicated IRQ during the boot
sequence. Select IRQ 11 if a peripheral device requires the use of the dedicated IRQ.
Docking Status
Docking Status shows whether the computer is attached to a
Dell Latitude C/Port Family APR or C/Dock Family Expansion Station. No user-selectable
settings are available for this option.
External Hot Key
External Hot Key lets you use the <Scroll Lock> key on
the external keyboard the same way you use the <Fn> key on the computer's built-in
keyboard. Set this option to Scroll Lock (the default) if you are using an external
keyboard. Set this option to Not Installed to disable this function on the external
keyboard.
- System Modular Bay Password
Hard-disk drive password(s) displays the current
status of the primary hard-disk drive password and allows you to assign or change this
password. You can set a primary password for the system, the system modular bay, and the
dock media bay.
Settings for this option are:
- Disabled (the default) — Indicates that no
password is assigned
- Enabled — Indicates that a password is
currently assigned
| NOTICE: The password features
provide a high level of security for the data in your computer. However, they are not
foolproof. If your data requires more security, you should obtain and use additional forms
of protection, such as data encryption programs or PC Cards with encryption features. |
Infrared Data Port allows you to avoid resource conflicts by
remapping the address of the infrared ports or disabling the port. The COM1, COM2,
COM3, and COM4 settings allow you to take advantage of the computer's Fast
IR support.
|
NOTE: Before you enable infrared driver support,
you must enable the Infrared Data Port option by selecting a COM setting
(COM3 is recommended). You must also set the Infrared Mode
option to either Fast IR or Slow IR. |
Settings for this option are:
- Disabled (the default) — Disables the infrared data port
and makes the direct memory access (DMA), interrupt request (IRQ), and I/O resources
available for another serial device to use
- COM1 — Maps the infrared data port to COM1
- COM2 — Maps the infrared data port to COM2
- COM3 — Maps the infrared data port to COM3
- COM4 — Maps the infrared data port to COM4
For a change in the Infrared Data Port option to take effect,
you must reboot your computer.
Infrared Mode sets the data transfer rates of the
infrared transmitter in the system or the dock.
|
NOTE: Before you enable infrared
support, you must enable the Infrared Data Port option by selecting a COM
setting (COM3 is recommended). You must also set the Infrared
Mode option to either Fast IR or Slow IR. |
Keyboard Click
Keyboard Click lets you choose whether the built-in keyboard
makes audible clicking sounds. The Click Volume option must be enabled for this
option to function. The volume of the simulated key clicks is controlled by the setting in
the Click Volume option.
Settings for this option are Disabled (the default) and Enabled.
A change to the Keyboard Click option takes effect
immediately (rebooting is not required).
Level 2 Cache
Level 2 Cache tells you how much cache memory your
computer has. No user-selectable settings are available for this option.
Modular Bay
Modular Bay identifies the kind of device—Diskette
Drive, Battery, HDD (hard-disk drive—indicates the drive's
size), LS-120, DVD-ROM, CD-ROM, or CD-RW Drive—that
is installed in the modular bay. If the modular bay does not contain a device or if a
travel bay is installed, this option reads Not Installed. No user-selectable
settings are available for this option.
Microprocessor
Microprocessor displays the type and speed of the
microprocessor installed on your computer's system board. No user-selectable settings are
available for this option.
Num Lock determines if the system boots with the
Num Lock enabled or disabled when an external keyboard is attached.
Settings for this options are
- Disabled (the default)
- Enabled.
A change to the Num Lock option has no effect when the system
is booted unless an external keyboard is attached.
Parallel Mode
Parallel Mode controls whether the computer's integrated
parallel port acts as a Personal System/2 (PS/2)-compatible (Bidirectional) port,
Advanced Technology (AT)-compatible (Normal) port, or Extended Capabilities Port (ECP)-compatible
port. The default for Parallel Mode is ECP.
Windows 95 and 98 use ECP protocol automatically if it detects an
ECP-compatible device.
Set this option according to the type of peripheral device connected
to the parallel port. To determine the correct mode to use, see the documentation that
came with the device.
|
NOTE: The ECP setting also
works for most software written for the AT and PS/2 modes. Devices that use ECP
mode may come with special drivers that need to be installed in order to use these modes. |
Setting Parallel Mode to Disabled disables the
parallel port and its assigned LPT address, freeing its interrupt for another device to
use.
For a change in the Parallel Mode option to take effect, you
must reboot your computer.
Pointing Device
Pointing Device enables and disables the computer's touch pad
and track stick.
Settings for this option are:
- Touch Pad-PS/2 Mouse (the default)
- Serial Mouse — Disables the touch pad and track stick and
allows you to use a mouse connected to the serial connector on the I/O port
- PS/2 Mouse — Disables the integrated touch pad
when a PS/2 mouse is present.
If you want to use a serial mouse, you must first set the Pointing
Device option to Serial Mouse.
For a change in the Pointing Device option to take effect,
you must reboot your computer.
Power Management
Power Management allows you to enable or disable power
conservation features when the computer is being powered by a battery or AC power. When
this option is disabled, the related power management functions are not visible.
If you want to use any of the time-out options while using battery
power, set the Battery option to Enabled. If you want to use the time-out
options while using AC power, the set the AC option to Enabled.
|
NOTE: With systems running under ACPI, power
management settings are controlled from the Power Management Properties
window in the Control Panel. |
A change to the Power Management option takes effect
immediately (rebooting is not required).
Primary Hard Drive displays the capacity of your computer's
hard-disk drive. No user-selectable settings are available for this option.
Primary Password displays the current status of the primary
password and allows you to assign or change this password.
Settings for this option are:
- Disabled (the default) — Indicates that no primary
password is assigned
- Enabled — Indicates that a primary password is currently
assigned
If you assign a primary password, the computer prompts you for the
password each time you boot the computer.
| NOTICE: The password features
provide a high level of security for the data in your computer. However, they are not
foolproof. If your data requires more security, you should obtain and use additional forms
of protection, such as data encryption programs or PC Cards with encryption features. |
Ring/Event Resume
Ring/Event Resume lets you determine if the computer exits
suspend mode when an installed modem card receives an incoming call. This feature is
supported if the optional internal modem is installed; to use this feature with a modem PC
card, it must be supported by the PC Card and by your operating system.
|
NOTE: With systems running
under ACPI, power management settings are controlled from the Power Management
Properties window in the Control Panel. Certain features require
configuration through the Power Management Properties window and others
may not function with ACPI. |
Settings for this option are:
- Enabled (the default) — Resumes normal operation when the
computer detects a modem ring
- Disabled — Keeps the computer in suspend mode when the
computer detects a modem ring
|
NOTES: Dell recommends that you set Ring/Event
Resume to Disabled when an external serial device, other than a modem,
is connected to your computer. |
| In order for the Ring/Event Resume
option to work properly, this feature must be enabled in the device driver for your modem
PC Card. All drivers supplied by Dell with your computer are configured to allow the
computer to resume normal operation when a modem receives an incoming call. If you use a
PC Card that you did not receive from Dell, check the documentation to make sure this
feature is set to Enabled. |
A change to the Ring/Event Resume option takes effect
immediately (rebooting is not required).
S2D Time-out
S2D Time-out lets you determine how long your computer
remains idle (no I/O activity) before activating suspend-to-disk (S2D) mode to conserve
battery power.
|
NOTE: With systems running under ACPI, settings
for power management features, such as key combinations and suspend-to-disk mode, are
controlled from the Power Management Properties window in the Control
Panel. The key combinations of <Fn><a> or <Scroll
Lock><a> may not function with ACPI if the settings have not been
activated from the Power Management Properties window.
The suspend-to-disk mode is referred to as the hibernate mode for systems running
ACPI. To activate the hibernate mode, make sure that you have configured the appropriate
key combinations from the Power Management Properties window. |
Settings for this option in both the AC and Battery
categories are:
- Disabled
- 30 Minutes
- 1 Hour
- 2 Hours
- 3 Hours
|
- 4 Hours
- 6 Hours
- 8 Hours (default)
- 12 Hours
|
A change to the S2D Time-out option takes effect immediately
(rebooting is not required).
If you are not in the System Setup program, you can activate S2D
Time-out mode at any time by pressing <Fn><a>. Press the power
switch to resume from S2D mode.
Serial Port
Serial Port allows you to map the address of the serial port
or to disable the serial port.
Settings for this option are:
- COM1 (the default) — Maps the serial port to COM1
- COM2 — Maps the serial port to COM2
- COM3 — Maps the serial port to COM3
- COM4 — Maps the serial port to COM4
- Disabled — Disables the serial port and its assigned COM
address, freeing that interrupt for another device to use
For a change in the Serial Port option to take effect, you
must reboot your computer.
Service Tag
Service Tag displays the computer's service code, which was
programmed into NVRAM by Dell during the manufacturing process. Be prepared to supply this
identification during technical assistance or service calls. The service tag is also
accessed by certain Dell support software, including diagnostics. No user-selectable
settings are available for this option.
|
NOTE: Convert the service tag number
into an express service code when prompted to do so the first time you turn on the
computer (or use the program in the Dell Accessories folder). Keep the code handy
in case you call Dell for technical assistance. The code helps Dell's automated support
telephone system direct your call more efficiently. |
Smart CPU Mode
Smart CPU Mode allows the computer to slow down the
microprocessor automatically if it is not being actively used. This feature is a key
component to the thermal control of the system.
|
NOTE: With systems running
under ACPI, power management settings are controlled from the Power Management
Properties window in the Control Panel. Certain features require
configuration through the Power Management Properties window and others
may not function with ACPI. |
Settings for this option are:
- Enabled (the default) — Saves power, helps to lower
system temperatures, and extends battery life by allowing the computer to slow down the
microprocessor when it is inactive
- Disabled — Keeps the microprocessor running at its
normal operating speed regardless of microprocessor inactivity (can reduce battery life)
|
NOTES: In rare situations, some
communications software may not work properly when Smart CPU Mode is enabled. Dell
recommends that you set Smart CPU Mode to Disabled if your computer is
experiencing performance degradation. |
| Interactive application programs
should function well when Smart CPU Mode is set to Enabled. (Examples of
interactive programs include spreadsheet, text editor, graphics design, entertainment,
educational, and utility programs.) However, you may experience performance degradation
when recalculating a large spreadsheet or during an extensive screen redraw in a graphical
program. Benchmark utilities may not perform as intended when doing microprocessor speed
tests. If the software you use suffers significant performance degradation, set Smart
CPU Mode to Disabled. |
A change to the Smart CPU Mode option takes effect
immediately (rebooting is not required).
SpeedStep Setup allows you to set the performance level for
the microprocessor to maximum performance or minimum performance on battery or AC power.
|
NOTES: This utility is
available only for CPx J-Series systems. With
systems running under ACPI, power management settings are controlled from the Power
Management Properties window in the Control Panel. Certain
features require configuration through the Power Management Properties
window and others may not function with ACPI. |
Settings for this option are:
- Disabled (the default) — Sets the system to operate
in the lowest performance mode possible. When this option is selected, the SpeedStep
tab of the Power Management Properties window will not be available.
- Automatic — Allows the BIOS to set the system into either
AC performance or Battery performance mode at POST, based on AC availability.
- Maximum Optimized AC — Allows the BIOS to
set the microprocessor to highest performance mode possible, if the AC adapter is
inserted.
- Battery Optimized — Allows the BIOS to set the
microprocessor to the lowest performance mode possible, if the AC adapter is inserted.
Suspend Time-out
Suspend Time-out lets you determine how long your computer
remains idle before activating suspend mode to conserve battery power.
|
NOTE: With systems running
under ACPI, power management settings are controlled from the Power Management
Properties window in the Control Panel. Certain features require
configuration through the Power Management Properties window and others
may not function with ACPI. |
Settings for this option in both AC and Battery
categories are:
- Disabled
- 1 Minute
- 2 Minutes
- 3 Minutes
- 4 Minutes
|
- 5 Minutes
- 10 Minutes (default)
- 15 Minutes
- 30 Minutes
- 1 Hour
|
To increase battery operating time, set the Suspend Time-out
option to a lower number of minutes.
|
NOTE: Set the Suspend Time-out
option to Disabled if using it causes compatibility problems with your software. |
A change to the Suspend Time-out option takes effect
immediately (rebooting is not required).
If you are not in the System Setup program, you can activate suspend
mode at any time by pressing <Fn><Esc>. The computer resumes normal operation
automatically when you press the power button.
System Memory
System Memory displays the total amount of synchronous
dynamic random-access memory (SDRAM) installed in your computer. No user-selectable
settings are available for this option. The amount of memory displayed changes if you
install or remove a memory module.
System Primary
System Primary displays the current status of the primary
hard-disk drive password and allows you to assign or change this password.
Settings for this option are:
- Disabled (the default) — Indicates that no primary
hard-disk drive password is assigned
- Enabled — Indicates that a primary hard-disk drive
password is currently assigned
| NOTICE: The password features
provide a high level of security for the data in your computer. However, they are not
foolproof. If your data requires more security, you should obtain and use additional forms
of protection, such as data encryption programs or PC Cards with encryption features. |
Time
Time resets the time on the computer's internal clock. Time
is kept in a 24-hour format (hours:minutes:seconds).
|
NOTE: If a network server
controls the time reflected by the Time option, changing this option has no effect. |
A change to the Time option takes effect immediately
(rebooting is not required). However, you must reboot to make the change apparent to the
operating system.
Universal Connect
The Universal Connect option functions with the Dell Latitude
C/Port Family APR if the computer uses Windows 95 or Windows 98.
Set this option to Enabled (the default) if you often use
more than one C/Port APR and want to minimize the initialization time when you connect the
replicator to the computer. When this option is set to Disabled, the operating
system generates a new profile each time you connect to a different docking device.
Video Memory
Video Memory displays the amount of video memory
installed on the system board. No user-selectable settings are available for this option.
Wakeup on LAN enables the computer to power up when
triggered by a special LAN signal.
A change to the Wakeup on LAN option takes effect
immediately.
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