After you set up your system, run the System Setup program to familiarize yourself with your system configuration and optional settings. 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
Turn on or restart your system.
Press <F2> immediately after you see the following message display briefly on the screen:
<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 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 2-1 lists the keys that you use to view or change information on the System Setup program screens and to exit the program.
Table 2-1. System Setup Program Navigation Keys
Keys
Action
Up arrow or <Shift><Tab>
Moves to the previous field.
Down arrow or <Tab>
Moves to the next field.
Spacebar, <+>, <–>, left and right arrows
Cycles through the settings in a field. In many fields, you can also type the appropriate value.
<Esc>
Exits the System Setup program and restarts the system if any changes were made.
<F1>
Displays the System Setup program's help file.
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 2-1).
Figure 2-1. Main System Setup Program Screen
Table 2-2 lists the options and descriptions for the information fields that appear on the main System Setup program screen.
NOTE: The options for the System Setup program change based on the system configuration.
NOTE: The System Setup program defaults are listed under their respective options, where applicable.
Table 2-2. System Setup Program Options
Option
Description
System Time
Resets the time on the system's internal clock.
System Date
Resets the date on the system's internal calendar.
Memory Information
Displays information related to installed system, video, and redundant memory, including size, type, and speed of memory modules, system video memory size, system memory test option, and redundant memory status.
CPU Information
Displays information related to microprocessors (speed, cache size, and so on). Enable or disable Hyper-Threading technology by changing the setting of the Logical Processor option. See Table 2-3.
SATA Port X
Displays type and capacity of SATA drive attached to Port X on the system board.
Boot Sequence
Determines the order in which the system searches for boot devices during system startup. Available options can include the diskette drive, CD drive, hard drives, and network.
NOTE: System boot is not supported from an external device attached to a SAS or SCSI adapter. See support.dell.com for the latest support information about booting from external devices.
USB Flash Drive Type (Auto default)
Determines the emulation type for a USB flash drive. Hard disk allows the USB flash drive to act as a hard drive. Floppy allows the USB flash drive to act as a removal diskette drive. Auto automatically chooses an emulation type.
Determines whether your system starts up with the NumLock mode activated on 101- or 102-key keyboards (does not apply to 84-key keyboards).
Report Keyboard Errors (Report default)
Enables or disables reporting of keyboard errors during the POST. Select Report for host systems that have keyboards attached. Select Do Not Report to suppress all error messages relating to the keyboard or keyboard controller during POST. This setting does not affect the operation of the keyboard itself if a keyboard is attached to the system.
Asset Tag
Displays the customer-programmable asset tag number for the system if an asset tag number has been assigned.
CPU Information Screens
Table 2-3 lists the options and descriptions for the information fields that appear on the CPU Information screen.
Table 2-3. CPU Information Screen
Option
Description
64-bit Technology
Specifies if the installed processor(s) support Intel 64-bit extensions.
Core Speed
Displays the clock speed of the processor(s).
Bus Speed
Displays the bus speed of the processor(s).
Logical Processor (Enabled default)
Displays when the processors support HyperThreading. Enabled permits all logical processors to be used by the operating system. Only the first logical processor of each processor installed in the system is used by the operating system if Disabled is selected.
Virtualization Technology (Disabled default)
Displays when the processor(s) support Virtualization Technology. Enabled permits virtualization software to use Virtualization Technology incorporated in the processor design. This feature can only be used by software that supports Virtualization Technology.
Adjacent Cache Line Prefetch (Enabled default)
Enables or disables optimal use of sequential memory access. Disable this option for applications that require high use of random memory access.
Hardware Prefetcher (Enabled default)
Enables or disables the hardware prefetcher.
Demand-Based Power Management (Disabled default)
Enables or disables demand-based power management. When enabled, the CPU Performance State tables will be reported to the operating system; when disabled, the CPU Performance State tables will not be reported to the operating system. If any of the CPUs do not support demand-based power management, the field will become read-only, and automatically set to Disabled.
Processor X ID
Displays the family and model number of each processor. A submenu displays processor core speed, amount of level 2 cache, and number of cores.
Integrated Devices Screen
Table 2-4 lists the options and descriptions for the information fields that appear on the Integrated Devices screen.
Table 2-4. Integrated Devices Screen Options
Option
Description
Integrated SAS Controller (Enabled default)
Enables or disables the integrated SAS controller. This option appears only if a SAS controller is installed.
Integrated RAID Controller (Enabled default)
Enables or disables the integrated RAID controller. This option appears only if a SAS RAID controller is installed.
Embedded SATA (Off default)
Allows the integrated SATA controller to be set to Off or ATA Mode.
IDE CD-ROM Controller (Auto default)
Enables the integrated IDE controller. When set to Auto, each channel of the integrated IDE controller is enabled if IDE devices are attached to the channel.
Diskette Controller (Auto default)
Enables or disables the system's diskette drive controller. When Auto is selected, the system turns off the controller when necessary to accommodate a controller card installed in an expansion slot. You can also configure the drive as Read-Only, or Off. When using the Read-Only setting, the drive cannot be used to write to a disk.
User Accessible USB Ports (All Ports Ondefault)
Enables or disables the system's user accessible USB ports. Options are All Ports On, Only Back Ports On, and All Ports Off.
Embedded Gb NIC1 (Enabled with PXEdefault)
Enables or disables the system's integrated NIC1. Options are Enabled without PXE, Enabled with PXE, and Disabled. PXE support allows the system to boot from the network. Changes take effect after the system reboots.
MAC Address
Displays the MAC address for the integrated 10/100/1000 NIC. This field does not have user-selectable settings.
TOE Capability
Displays the TCP/IP Offload Engine (TOE) feature status of NIC1.
Embedded Gb NIC2 (Enabled without PXE default)
Enables or disables the system's integrated NIC2. Options are Enabled without PXE, Enabled with PXE, and Disabled. PXE support allows the system to boot from the network. Changes take effect after the system reboots.
MAC Address
Displays the MAC address for the integrated 10/100/1000 NIC. This field does not have user-selectable settings.
TOE Capability
Displays the TOE feature status of NIC2.
Serial Communication Screen
Table 2-5 lists the options and descriptions for the information fields that appear on the Serial Communication screen.
Table 2-5. Serial Communication Screen Options
Option
Description
Serial Communication (Off default)
Options are On with Console Redirection via COM2,and Off.
Failsafe Baud Rate (57600 default)
Displays the failsafe baud rate used for console redirection when the baud rate cannot be negotiated automatically with the remote terminal. This rate should not be adjusted.
Remote Terminal Type (VT 100/VT 220 default)
Select either VT 100/VT 220 or ANSI.
Redirection After Boot (Enabled default)
Enables or disables BIOS console redirection after your system boots to the operating system.
System Security Screen
Table 2-6 lists the options and descriptions for the information fields that appear on the System Security screen.
Table 2-6. System Security Screen Options
Option
Description
System Password
Displays the current status of your system's password security feature and allows you to assign and verify a new system password.
NOTE: See Using the System Password for instructions on assigning a system password and using or changing an existing system password.
Setup Password
Restricts access to the System Setup program in the same way that you restrict access to your system using the system password feature.
NOTE: See Using the Setup Password for instructions on assigning a setup password and using or changing an existing setup password.
Password Status
Setting the Setup Password optionto Enabled prevents the system password from being changed or disabled at system start-up.
To lock the system password, assign a setup password in the Setup Password option and then change the Password Status option to Locked. In this state, you cannot change the system password using the System Password option and cannot be disabled at system start-up by pressing <Ctrl><Enter>.
To unlock the system password, enter the setup password in the Setup Password field and then change the Password Status option to Unlocked. In this state, you can disable the system password at system start-up by pressing <Ctrl><Enter> and then change the password using the System Password option.
Power Button
Turns system's power off and on.
If you turn off the system using the power button and the system is running an ACPI-compliant operating system, the system can perform an orderly shutdown before power is turned off.
If the system is not running an ACPI-compliant operating system, power is turned off immediately after the power button is pressed.
The button is enabled in the System Setup program. When disabled, the button can only turn on system power.
NOTE: You can still turn on the system by using the power button, even if the Power Button option is set to Disabled.
NMI Button
NOTICE: Use the NMI button only if directed to do so by qualified support personnel or by the operating system's documentation. Pressing this button halts the operating system and displays a diagnostic screen.
Sets the NMI feature On or Off.
AC Power Recovery (Last default)
Determines how the system reacts when power is restored to the system. If system is set to Last, the system returns to the last power state. On turns on the system after power is restored. When set to Off, the system remains off after power is restored.
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.
Your 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.
To change or delete an existing password, you must know the password (see Deleting or Changing an Existing System Password). If you forget your password, you cannot operate your 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 Enabledand the Password Status field is Unlocked. To assign a system password:
Verify that the Password Status option is set to Unlocked.
Highlight the System Password option and press <Enter>.
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, an error message appears. 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.
Press <Enter>.
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.
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:
Turn on or reboot your system by pressing <Ctrl><Alt><Del>.
Type your password and press <Enter>.
To disable the password security:
Turn on or reboot your system by pressing <Ctrl><Alt><Del>.
Type your password and press <Ctrl><Enter>.
When the Password Status option is set to Locked, wheneveryou 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
When prompted, press <Ctrl><Enter> to disable the existing system password.
If you are asked to enter your setup password, contact your network administrator.
Enter the System Setup program by pressing <F2> during POST.
Select the System Security screen field to verify that the Password Status option is set to Unlocked.
When prompted, type the system password.
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, an error message appears.
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, an error message appears. 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 thePassword 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
Enter the System Setup program and select the System Security option.
Highlight the Setup Password option, press <Enter> to access the setup password window, and press
<Enter> twice to clear the existing setup password.
