The System Setup program is the BIOS program that enables you to manage your system hardware and specify BIOS-level options. From the System Setup program, you can:
Change the NVRAM settings after you add or remove hardware
View the system hardware configuration
Enable or disable integrated devices
Set performance and power management thresholds
Manage system security
Choosing the System Boot Mode
The System Setup program also enables you to specify the boot mode for installing your operating system:
BIOS boot mode (the default) is the standard BIOS-level boot interface.
Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) boot mode is an enhanced 64-bit boot interface based on UEFI specifications that overlays the system BIOS. See Entering the UEFI Boot Manager for more information on this interface.
You must select the boot mode in the Boot Mode field of the Boot Settings Screen of the System Setup program. Once you specify the boot mode, the system boots in the specified boot mode and you proceed then to install your operating system from that mode. Thereafter, you must boot the system to the same boot mode (BIOS or UEFI) to access the installed operating system. Trying to boot the operating system from the other boot mode causes the system to halt immediately at startup.
NOTE: Operating systems must be UEFI-compatible (for example, Microsoft® Windows Server® 2008 x64 version) to be installed from the UEFI boot mode. DOS and 32-bit operating systems do not support UEFI and can only be installed from the BIOS boot mode.
Entering the System Setup Program
Turn on or restart your system.
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.
Responding to Error Messages
If an error message appears while the system is booting, make a note of the message. 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 display a message the first time you start your system.
Using the 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.
<Enter>, 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
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 in the following sections, where applicable.
Displays information related to processors (speed, cache size, and so on). See Processor Settings Screen.
SATA Settings
Displays a screen to enable or disable the integrated SATA controller and ports. See SATA Settings Screen.
Boot Settings
Displays a screen to specify the boot mode (BIOS or UEFI). For BIOS boot mode, you can also specify the boot devices. See Boot Settings Screen.
Integrated Devices
Displays a screen to enable or disable integrated device controllers and ports, and to specify related features and options. See Integrated Devices Screen.
PCI IRQ Assignment
Displays a screen to change the IRQ assigned to each of the integrated devices on the PCI bus, and any installed expansion card that requires an IRQ. See PCI IRQ Assignments Screen.
Serial Communication
Displays a screen to enable or disable the serial ports and specify related features and options. See Serial Communication Screen.
Power Management
Enables you to manage power usage of the processor, fans, and memory modules with preconfigured or customized settings. See Power Management Screen.
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.
F1/F2 Prompt on Error (Enabled default)
Enables the system to halt on errors during POST, which allows the user to observe events that may scroll by unnoticed during normal POST. The user can press <F1> to continue or <F2> to enter the System Setup program.
CAUTION: When setting this option to Disabled, the system does not halt if an error occurs during POST. Any critical errors are displayed and logged in the system event log.
Memory Settings Screen
Option
Description
System Memory Size
Displays the amount of system memory.
System Memory Type
Displays the type of system memory.
System Memory Speed
Displays the system memory speed.
Video Memory
Displays the amount of video memory.
System Memory Testing (Enabled default)
Specifies whether system memory tests are run at system boot. Options are Enabled and Disabled.
Processor Settings Screen
Option
Description
64-bit
Specifies if the processor supports 64-bit extensions.
Core Speed
Displays the processor clock speed.
Bus Speed
Displays the processor bus speed.
Logical Processor (Enabled default)
On processors that support Simultaneous Multi-Threading (SMT) technology, each processor core supports up to two logical processors. If this field is set to Enabled, the BIOS reports both logical processors. If set to Disabled, only one logical processor is monitored by the BIOS.
Virtualization Technology (Disabled default)
Enabledpermits virtualization software to use the virtualization technology incorporated in the processor.
NOTE: Disable this feature if your system will not be running virtualization software.
Execute Disable (Enabled default)
Enables or disables Execute Disable Memory Protection Technology.
Number of Cores per Processor (All default)
If set to All, the maximum number of cores in each processor is enabled.
C States (Enabled default)
When set to Enabled, the processor can operate in all available power states.
Turbo Mode (Enabled default)
If Turbo Boost Technology is supported by the processor, enables or disables Turbo Mode.
Processor 1 Family - Model-Stepping
Displays the family, model, level 2 cache size, level 3, cache size, and number of cores of the processor.
Level 2 Cache
Displays the amount of cache memory for the processor. This option does not have user-selectable settings.
Number of Cores
Displays the number of cores in the processor. This option does not have user-selectable settings.
SATA Settings Screen
Option
Description
SATA Controller (AHCI default)
Allows the embedded SATA to be set to Off, ATA, AHCI, or RAID modes.
NOTE: The UEFI support is disabled if SATA is set to the RAID mode.
Port A (Off default)
Auto enables BIOS support for the device attached to SATA port A. Off disables BIOS support for the device.
Port B (Off default)
Auto enables BIOS support for the device attached to SATA port B. Off disables BIOS support for the device.
Port C (Off default)
Auto enables BIOS support for the device attached to SATA port C. Off disables BIOS support for the device.
Port D (Off default)
Auto enables BIOS support for the device attached to SATA port D. Off disables BIOS support for the device.
Port E (Off default)
Auto enables BIOS support for the device attached to SATA port E. Off disables BIOS support for the device.
eSATA Port (Off default)
Auto enables BIOS support for the device attached to the eSATA port. Off disables BIOS support for the device.
Boot Settings Screen
Option
Description
Boot Mode (BIOS default)
CAUTION: Switching the boot mode could prevent the system from booting if the operating system was not installed in the same boot mode.
If the operating system supports Unified Extensible Firmware Interface, you can set this option to UEFI. Setting this field to BIOS allows compatibility with non-UEFI operating systems.
NOTE: Setting this field to UEFI disables the Boot Sequence, Hard-Disk Drive Sequence, and USB Flash Drive Emulation Type fields.
Boot Sequence
If Boot Mode is set to BIOS, this field tells the system where the operating system files needed for startup are located. If Boot Mode is set to UEFI, you can access the UEFI boot manager utility by rebooting the system and pressing <F11> when prompted to do so.
Hard-Disk Drive Sequence
Determines the order in which the BIOS will attempt to boot from hard drives in the system during system startup.
USB Flash Drive Emulation 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 removable diskette drive.
Auto automatically chooses the appropriate emulation type for the device. If you install a device in this slot that is configured as a removable diskette drive, you must manually set the emulation type to Floppy.
Boot Sequence Retry (Disabled default)
If this field is enabled and the system has failed to boot, the system will reattempt to boot after 30 seconds.
Integrated Devices Screen
Option
Description
User Accessible USB Ports (All Ports On default)
Enables or disables the user accessible USB ports. Options are All Ports On, Only Back Ports On, and All Ports Off.
Internal USB Port (On default)
Enables or disables the internal USB port.
Embedded Gb NIC1 (NIC1 default: Enabled with PXE; Other NICs: Enabled)
Enables or disables the integrated NIC. Options are Enabled, Enabled with PXE, Enabled with iSCSI Boot, and Disabled. PXE support allows the system to boot from the network.
MAC Address
Displays the MAC address for the integrated NIC.
OS Watchdog Timer (Disabled default)
Sets a timer to monitor the operating system for activity, and aids in recovery if the system stops responding. When Enabled, the operating system is allowed to initialize the timer. When Disabled, the timer is not initialized.
NOTE: This feature is usable only with operating systems that support WDAT implementations of the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) 3.0b specification.
Embedded Video Controller (Enabled default)
Enables or disables BIOS support for the integrated video controller.
NOTE: This field can be disabled only if an add-in video card is present. If this field is disabled, remote access features such as virtual KVM are not available.
PCI IRQ Assignments Screen
Option
Description
<PCIe device>
Use the <+> and <-> keys to manually select an IRQ for a given device, or select Default to allow the BIOS to select an IRQ value at system startup.
Serial Communication Screen
Option
Description
Serial Communication (On without Console Redirection default)
Selects whether the serial communication devices (Serial Device 1 and Serial Device 2) are enabled in BIOS. BIOS console redirection can also be enabled and the port address used can be specified.
Options are On without Console Redirection, On with Console Redirectionvia COM1, On with Console Redirectionvia COM2, and Off.
Serial Port Address (Serial Device 1=COM1, Serial Device2=COM2 default)
Sets the serial port addresses for the two serial devices.
NOTE: Only Serial Device 2 can be used for Serial Over LAN (SOL). To use console redirection by SOL, configure the same port address for console redirection and the serial device.
External Serial Connector (Serial Device1 default)
Specifies whether Serial Device 1, Serial Device 2, or Remote Access Device has access to the external serial connector.
NOTE: Only Serial Device 2 can be used for SOL. To use console redirection by SOL, configure the same port address for console redirection and the serial device.
Failsafe Baud Rate (115200 default)
Displays the failsafe baud rate used for console redirection. BIOS attempts to determine the baud rate automatically. This failsafe baud rate is used only if the attempt fails. This rate should not be adjusted.
Remote Terminal Type (VT 100/VT220 default)
Sets the remote console terminal type, either VT100/VT220 or ANSI.
Redirection After Boot (Enabled default)
Enables or disables BIOS console redirection when the operating system is loaded.
Power Management Screen
Option
Description
Power Management (Active Power Controller default)
Options are OS Control, Active Power Controller, Custom, or Maximum Performance. For all but the Custom setting, the BIOS pre-configures the power settings on this screen as follows:
OS Control sets the CPU power to OS DBPM, the fan power to Minimum Power, and the memory power to Maximum Performance. In this setting, all processor performance information is passed from the system BIOS to the operating system for control. The operating system sets the processor performance based on processor utilization.
Active Power Controller sets the CPU power to System DBPM, the fan power to Minimum Power, and the memory power to Maximum Performance. The BIOS sets the processor performance based on processor utilization.
Maximum Performance sets all fields to Maximum Performance.
If you select Custom, you can configure each option independently.
CPU Power and Performance Management
Options are OS DBPM, System DBPM, Maximum Performance,or Minimum Power.
Fan Power and Performance Management
Options are Maximum Performance or Minimum Power.
Memory Power and Performance Management
Options are Maximum Performance, a specified frequency, or Minimum Power.
System Security Screen
Option
Description
System Password
Displays the current status of the password security feature and allows a new system password assignment and verification.
Sets the reporting of the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) in the system.
If Off, the presence of the TPM is not reported to the operating system.
If On with Pre-boot Measurements, the system reports the TPM to the operating system and stores the pre-boot measurements to the TPM during POST.
If On without Pre-boot Measurements, the system reports the TPM to the operating system and bypasses pre-boot measurements.
TPM Activation (No Change default)
When set to Activate, the TPM is enabled to default settings. When set to Deactivate, the TPM is disabled. The No Change state initiates no action. The operational state of the TPM remains unchanged (all user settings for the TPM are preserved).
NOTE: This field is read-only when TPM Security is set to Off.
TPM Clear (No default)
CAUTION: Clearing the TPM will lose all encryption keys in the TPM. This option prevents booting to the operating system and results in data loss if the encryption keys cannot be restored. Back up the TPM keys prior to enabling this option.
When set to Yes, all TPM contents are cleared.
NOTE: This field is read-only when TPM Security is set to Off.
Power Button (Enabled default)
If Enabled, the power button can turn the system's power off and on. On an ACPI-compliant operating system, the system performs an orderly shutdown before power is turned off.
When Disabled, the button can only turn on system power.
AC Power Recovery (Last default)
Determines how the system reacts when power is restored. If set to Last, the system returns to the last power state. On turns on the system after power is restored. Off allows the system to remain off after power is restored.
AC Power Recovery Delay (Immediate default)
Determines when the system restarts after power is restored. Options are Immediate, Random (a random value of 45 to 240 seconds), or a user-defined value of 45 to 240 seconds.
User Defined Delay
Determines the user defined AC Power Recovery Delay. You can enter a value between 45 and 240 seconds. You can also view the Current AC Recovery Delay value.
NOTE: This field is active when AC Power Recovery Delay is set to User Defined.
Exit Screen
Press <Esc> to exit the System Setup program; the Exit screen displays:
Save Changes and Exit
Discard Changes and Exit
Return to Setup
Entering the UEFI Boot Manager
NOTE: Operating systems must be 64-bit UEFI-compatible (for example, Microsoft® Windows Server® 2008 x64 version) to be installed from the UEFI boot mode. DOS and 32-bit operating systems can only be installed from the BIOS boot mode.
NOTE: The Boot Mode must be set to UEFI in the System Setup program to access the UEFI Boot Manager.
The UEFI Boot Manager enables you to:
Add, delete, and arrange boot options
Access the System Setup program and BIOS-level boot options without rebooting
To enter the UEFI Boot Manager:
Turn on or restart your system.
Press <F11> after you see the following message:
<F11> = UEFI Boot Manager
NOTE: The system does not respond until the USB keyboard is active.
If your operating system begins to load before you press <F11>, allow the system to finish booting, and then restart your system and try again.
Using the UEFI Boot Manager Navigation Keys
Keys
Action
Up arrow
Moves to and highlights the previous field.
Down arrow
Moves to and highlights the next field.
Spacebar, <Enter>, <+>, <–>, left and right arrows
Cycles through the settings in a field.
<Esc>
Refreshes the UEFI Boot Manager screen, or returns to the UEFI Boot Manager screen from the other program screens.
<F1>
Displays the UEFI Boot Manager help file.
UEFI Boot Manager Screen
Option
Description
Continue
The system attempts to boot to devices starting with the first item in the boot order. If the boot attempt fails, the system will continue with the next item in the boot order until the boot is successful or no more boot options are found.
<Boot options>
Displays the list of available boot options (marked with asterisks). Select the boot option you wish to use and press Enter.
NOTE: If you hot-add a boot device, press <ESC> to refresh the list of boot options.
UEFI Boot Settings
Enables you to add, delete, enable, or disable boot options; change boot order; or execute a one-time boot option.
System Utilities
Enables you to access the System Setup program, System Services (Unified Server Configurator [USC]), Diagnostics, and BIOS-level boot options.
UEFI Boot Settings Screen
Option
Description
Add Boot Option
Adds a new boot option.
Delete Boot Option
Deletes an existing boot option.
Enable/Disable Boot Option
Disables and enables a boot option in the boot option list.
Change Boot Order
Changes the order of the boot option list.
One-Time Boot From File
Sets a one-time boot option not included in the boot option list.
System Utilities Screen
Option
Description
System Setup
Accesses the System Setup program without rebooting.
System Services (USC)
Restarts the system and accesses the USC, which allows you to run utilities such as system diagnostics.
BIOS Boot Manager
Accesses the BIOS-level boot options list without rebooting. This option enables you to conveniently switch to BIOS boot mode if you need to boot to a device with a non-UEFI operating system, such as a bootable DOS media with diagnostics software.
Your system is shipped without the system password feature enabled. Operate the system only with system password protection.
CAUTION: The password features provide a basic level of security for the data on your system.
CAUTION: Anyone can access the data stored on your system if the system is running and unattended.
Using the System Password
When a system password is assigned, the system prompts for the system password after the system starts and only those with the password have full use of the system.
Assigning a System Password
Before assigning a system password, enter the System Setup program and check the System Password option.
When a system password is assigned, System Password is Enabled. If Password Status is Unlocked, you can change the system password. If Locked, you cannot change the system password. Disabling the password jumper on the system board sets System Password to 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 position, System Password is Not Enabled and Password Status is Unlocked. To assign a system password:
Verify that Password Status is 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 type, placeholders appear in the field.
The password assignment is not case-sensitive. Certain key combinations are invalid and if you enter one, the system beeps. To erase a character, 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> prior to completing step 5.
Press <Enter>.
To confirm your password, type it a second time and press <Enter>.
System Password changes to Enabled. Exit the System Setup program and begin using your system.
Either reboot the system now for the password protection to take effect or
continue working.
NOTE: Password protection does not take effect until the system reboots.
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 Password Status is Unlocked, you have the option to leave the password security enabled or to disable 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 Password Status is Locked, you must type the password and press <Enter> when prompted at reboot.
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 that the system has halted and shuts down.
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 protect your system from unauthorized changes.
Deleting or Changing an Existing System Password
Enter the System Setup program and select the System Security.
Highlight Setup Password, press <Enter> to access the setup password
window. Press <Enter> twice to clear the existing setup password.
You can assign a setup password only when the Setup Password is 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.
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. The system password cannot be used in place of the setup password.
You can use up to 32 characters in your password.
As you type, placeholders appear in the field.
The password assignment is not case-sensitive. Certain key combinations are invalid and if you enter one, the system beeps. To erase a character, press <Backspace> or the left-arrow key.
When you verify the password, the Setup Password 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 Enabled, you must enter the correct setup password before modifying most of the System Setup options.
If you do not enter the correct password in three attempts, the system lets you view, but not modify, the System Setup screens. The following options are exceptions: If System Password is not Enabled and is not locked through thePassword Status option, you can assign a system password. 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.
Highlight Setup Password, press <Enter> to access the setup password
window. Press <Enter> twice to clear the existing setup password.
The USC is an embedded utility that enables systems and storage management tasks from an embedded environment throughout the server's lifecycle.
The USC can be started during the boot sequence and can function independent of the operating system.
NOTE: Certain platform configurations may not support the full set of features provided by USC.
The following features of USC are supported on systems with Baseboard Management Controller (BMC):
Installing an operating system
Running diagnostics to validate the memory, I/O devices, processors, physical disks, and other peripherals
For more information about setting up USC, configuring hardware and firmware, and deploying the operating system, see the Unified Server Configurator documentation on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com/manuals.
Baseboard Management Controller Configuration
The BMC enables configuring, monitoring, and recovery of systems remotely. BMC provides the following features:
Enables fault logging and SNMP alerting
Provides access to system event log and sensor status
Allows control of system functions including power on and off
Functions independently of the system's power state or the system's operating system
Provides text console redirection for system setup, text-based utilities, and operating system consoles
NOTE: To remotely access the BMC through the integrated NIC, you must connect the network connection to integrated NIC1.
For additional information on using BMC, see the documentation for the BMC and systems management applications.
Entering the BMC Setup Module
Turn on or restart your system.
Press <Ctrl><E> when prompted after POST.
If your operating system begins to load before you press <Ctrl><E>, allow the system to finish booting, and then restart your system and try again.
