Back to Contents Page

Using the System Setup Program

Dell™ PowerEdge™ 1750 Systems Service Manual

  Entering the System Setup Program

  System Setup Options

  System and Setup Password Features

  Disabling a Forgotten Password

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

You can use the System Setup program to:

• Change the system configuration stored in NVRAM after you add, change, or remove hardware
  
  
• Set or change user-selectable options—for example, the time or date
  
  
• Enable or disable integrated devices
  
  
• Correct discrepancies between the installed hardware and configuration settings
  
  

Entering the System Setup Program

1. Turn on or restart your system.
   
   
2. Press <F2> immediately after you see the following message:
   
   

<F2> = System Setup

If your operating system begins to load before you press <F2>, allow the system to finish booting, and then restart your system and try again.

NOTE: To ensure an orderly system shutdown, see the documentation that accompanied your operating system.

Responding to Error Messages

You can enter the System Setup program by responding to certain error messages. If an error message appears while the system is booting, make a note of the message. Before entering the System Setup program, see "System Beep Codes" and "System Messages" for an explanation of the message and suggestions for correcting errors.

NOTE: After installing a memory upgrade, it is normal for your system to send a message the first time you start your system.

Using the System Setup Program

Table 6-1 lists the keys that you use to view or change information on the System Setup program screens and to exit the program.

Table 6-1. System Setup Program Navigation Keys 

NOTE: For most of the options, any changes that you make are recorded but do not take effect until you restart the system.

System Setup Options

Main Screen

When you enter the System Setup program, the main System Setup program screen appears. See Figure 6-1.

Figure 6-1. Main System Setup Program Screen

Table 6-2 lists the options and descriptions for the information fields that appear on the main System Setup program screen.

NOTE: The System Setup program defaults are listed under their respective options, where applicable.

Table 6-2. System Setup Program Options 

Integrated Devices Screen

Table 6-3 lists the options and descriptions for the information fields that appear on the Integrated Devices screen.

Table 6-3. Integrated Devices Screen Options 

Console Redirection Screen

Table 6-4 lists the options and descriptions for the information fields that appear on the Console Redirection screen. For more information about using console redirection, see "Using Console Redirection" in the User's Guide.

Table 6-4. Console Redirection Screen Options 

System Security Screen

Table 6-5 lists the options and descriptions for the information fields that appear on the System Security screen.

Table 6-5. System Security Screen Options 

Exit Screen

After you press <Esc> to exit the System Setup program, the Exit screen displays the following options:

• Save Changes and Exit
  
  
• Discard Changes and Exit
  
  
• Return to Setup
  
  

System and Setup Password Features

NOTICE: The password features provide a basic level of security for the data on your system. If your data requires more security, use additional forms of protection, such as data encryption programs.

NOTICE: Anyone can access the data stored on your system if you leave the system running and unattended without having a system password assigned or if you leave your system unlocked so that someone can disable the password by changing a jumper setting.

The system is shipped without the system password feature enabled. If system security is a concern, operate the system only with system password protection.

To change or delete an existing password, you must know the password. See "Deleting or Changing an Existing System Password." If you forget the password, you cannot operate the system or change settings in the System Setup program until a trained service technician changes the password jumper setting to disable the passwords, and erases the existing passwords. See "Disabling a Forgotten Password."

Using the System Password

After a system password is assigned, only those who know the password have full use of the system. When the System Password option is set to Enabled, the system prompts you for the system password after the system starts.

Assigning a System Password

Before you assign a system password, enter the System Setup program and check the System Password option.

When a system password is assigned, the setting shown for the System Password option is Enabled. If the setting shown for the Password Status is Unlocked, you can change the system password. If the Password Status option is Locked, you cannot change the system password. When the system password feature is disabled by a jumper setting, the system password is Disabled, and you cannot change or enter a new system password.

When a system password is not assigned and the password jumper on the system board is in the enabled (default) position, the setting shown for the System Password option is Not Enabled and the Password Status field is Unlocked. To assign a system password:

1. Verify that the Password Status option is set to Unlocked.
   
   
2. Highlight the System Password option and press <Enter>.
   
   
3. 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 is not case-sensitive. However, certain key combinations are not valid. If you enter one of these combinations, the system beeps. 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 <Enter> to move to another field, or press <Esc> at any time prior to completing step 5.

4. Press <Enter>.
   
   
5. To confirm your password, type it a second time and press <Enter>.
   
   

The setting shown for the System Password changes to Enabled. Exit the System Setup program and begin using your system.

6. Either reboot your system now for your password protection to take effect or continue working.
   
   

NOTE: Password protection does not take effect until you reboot the system.

Using Your System Password to Secure Your System

NOTE: If you have assigned a setup password (see "Using the Setup Password"), the system accepts your setup password as an alternate system password.

When the Password Status option is set to Unlocked, you have the option to leave the password security enabled or to disable the password security.

To leave the password security enabled:

1. Turn on or reboot your system by pressing <Ctrl><Alt><Del>.
   
   
2. Press <Enter>.
   
   
3. Type your password and press <Enter>.
   
   

To disable the password security:

1. Turn on or reboot your system by pressing <Ctrl><Alt><Del>.
   
   
2. Press <Ctrl><Enter>.
   
   

When the Password Status option is set to Locked whenever you turn on your system or reboot your system by pressing <Ctrl><Alt><Del>, type your password and press <Enter> at the prompt.

After you type the correct system password and press <Enter>, your system operates as usual.

If an incorrect system password is entered, the system displays a message and prompts you to re-enter your password. You have three attempts to enter the correct password. After the third unsuccessful attempt, the system displays an error message showing the number of unsuccessful attempts and that the system has halted and will shut down. This message can alert you to an unauthorized person attempting to use your system.

Even after you shut down and restart the system, the error message continues to be displayed until the correct password is entered.

NOTE: You can use the Password Status option in conjunction with the System Password and Setup Password options to further protect your system from unauthorized changes.

Deleting or Changing an Existing System Password

1. When prompted, press <Ctrl><Enter> to disable the existing system password.
   
   

If you are asked to enter your setup password, contact your network administrator.

2. Enter the System Setup program by pressing <F2> during POST.
   
   
3. Select the System Security screen field to verify that the Password Status option is set to Unlocked.
   
   
4. When prompted, type the system password.
   
   
5. Confirm that Not Enabled is displayed for the System Password option.
   
   

If Not Enabled is displayed for the System Password option, the system password has been deleted. If Enabled is displayed for the System Password option, press the <Alt><b> key combination to restart the system, and then repeat steps 2 through 5.

Using the Setup Password

Assigning a Setup Password

You can assign (or change) a setup password only when the Setup Password option is set to Not Enabled. To assign a setup password, highlight the Setup Password option and press the <+> or <–> key. The system prompts you to enter and verify the password. If a character is illegal for password use, the system beeps.

NOTE: 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.

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 is not case-sensitive. However, certain key combinations are not valid. If you enter one of these combinations, the system beeps. To erase a character when entering your password, press <Backspace> or the left-arrow key.

After you verify the password, the Setup Password setting changes to Enabled. The next time you enter the System Setup program, the system prompts you for the setup password.

A change to the Setup Password option becomes effective immediately (restarting the system is not required).

Operating With a Setup Password Enabled

If Setup Password is set to Enabled, you must enter the correct setup password before you can modify most of the System Setup options. When you start the System Setup program, the program prompts you to enter a password.

If you do not enter the correct password in three attempts, the system lets you view, but not modify, the System Setup screens—with the following exception: If System Password is not set to Enabled and is not locked through the Password Status option, you can assign a system password (however, you cannot disable or change an existing system password).

NOTE: You can use the Password Status option in conjunction with the Setup Password option to protect the system password from unauthorized changes.

Deleting or Changing an Existing Setup Password

1. Enter the System Setup program and select the System Security option.
   
   
2. Highlight the Setup Password option, press <Enter> to access the setup password window, and press <Enter> twice to clear the existing setup password.
   
   

The setting changes to Not Enabled.

3. If you want to assign a new setup password, perform the steps in "Assigning a Setup Password."
   
   

Disabling a Forgotten Password

You can use the password jumper on the system board to enable or disable the password features or clear any password(s) currently in use.

To disable a forgotten system password or setup password, perform the following steps.

CAUTION: Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system cover and access any of the components inside the system. See your System Information Guide for complete information about safety precautions, working inside the computer, and protecting against electrostatic discharge.

1. Open the system covers. See "Opening the System Covers."
   
   
2. See Figure 5-2 for the location of the password jumper (labeled "PASSWD") on the system board.
   
   
3. Remove the jumper plug from the PASSWD jumper.
   
   
4. Close the system covers. See "Closing the System Covers."
   
   
5. Reconnect the system to an electrical outlet and turn it on.
   
   

The existing passwords are not disabled (erased) until the system boots with the PASSWD jumper plug removed. However, before you assign a new system and/or setup password, you must reinstall the jumper plug.

NOTE: If you assign a new system and/or setup password with the jumper plug still removed, the system disables the new password(s) the next time it boots.

6. Repeat step 1.
   
   
7. Install the jumper plug on the PASSWD jumper.
   
   
8. Close the system covers, and then reconnect the system and peripherals to their electrical outlets and turn them on.
   
   
9. Assign a new system and/or setup password.
   
   

To assign a new passwords using the System Setup program, see "Assigning a System Password" in the User's Guide.

Back to Contents Page