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System Setup Options: Dell Latitude CS/CSx Portable Computers User's Guide
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System Setup Options: Dell™ Latitude™ CS/CSx
Portable Computers 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, 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
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
Alarm Resume 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. For the alarms in these programs to work, Alarm
Resume must be set to Enabled.
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 Alarm Resume takes effect immediately (rebooting is not required).
Asset Tag
Asset Tag 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 option is set to Full Duplex, which allows the computer's audio
system to play and record sounds simultaneously. No
user-selectable settings are available for this option.
Battery
Battery, an option under 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, and Brightness.
A change to Battery 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 battery. No user-selectable settings are
available for this option. If a battery is not installed, 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>.
BIOS Version
BIOS Version displays the version number and release date of the basic input/output
system (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
- Internal HDD — Causes your computer to attempt first to
boot from the hard-disk drive
- CD-ROM/DVD-ROM Drive — Causes your computer to attempt
first to boot from a bootable CD
- Ext Media Bay HDD — Causes your computer to attempt first
to boot from the second hard-disk drive installed in the external media bay
- PCI Slot NIC — Causes your computer to attempt
first to boot from a network interface controller (NIC) PC Card
- Dock II/Port II NIC — Causes your computer to
attempt first to bootfrom a NIC cardinstalled in the C/Port Family APR or C/Dock
Family Expansion Station
- None
For a change to Boot First device 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 to boot
from the diskette drive
- CD-ROM/DVD-ROM Drive — Causes your computer to attempt to
boot from a bootable CD
- Ext Media Bay HDD — Causes your computer to attempt to
boot from the second hard-disk drive installed in the external media bay
- PCI Slot NIC — Causes your computer to attempt
to boot from a NIC PC Card
- Dock II/Port II NIC — Causes your computer to
attempt to boot from a NIC cardinstalled
in the C/Port Family APR or C/Dock Family Expansion Station
- None
For a change to Boot Second device 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 Second device, it will search the device named in Boot
Third device.
Settings for the option are:
- Internal HDD — Causes your computer to attempt to boot
from the hard-disk drive
- Diskette Drive — Causes your computer to attempt to boot
from the diskette drive
- CD-ROM/DVD-ROM Drive — Causes your computer to
attempt to boot from a bootable CD
- Ext Media Bay HDD — Causes your computer to attempt to
boot from the second hard-disk drive installed in the external media bay
- PCI Slot NIC — Causes your computer to attempt
to boot from a NIC PC Card
- Dock II/Port II NIC — Causes your computer to
attempt to boot from a NIC cardinstalled
in the C/Port Family APR or C/Dock Family Expansion Station
For a change to Boot Third device 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 computer.
When you change the setting of Boot Speed, 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 Boot Speed
may not match the actual speed at which your computer is running.
For a change to Boot Speed 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 Brightness takes effect immediately (rebooting is
not required).
Click Volume
Click Volume allows you to disable or adjust the volume of the keyboard clicks if Keyboard
Click is enabled. The default is Maximum.
A change to Click Volume takes effect immediately (rebooting
is not required).
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.
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 Date 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 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.
The AC option is set to Disabled. No user-selectable
settings are available for this option. Settings for the Battery
option are:
- Disabled
- 15 Seconds
- 1 Minute
- 2 Minutes
- 3 Minutes
- 4 Minutes
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- 5 Minutes
- 10 Minutes
- 15 Minutes
- 30 Minutes
- 1 Hour
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If the computer is powered by a battery, the default is 3 Minutes.
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.
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NOTE: Set Disk Time-out to Disabled
if using it causes compatibility problems with your software. |
A change to Disk Time-out 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.
Diskette Drive A
Diskette Drive A identifies the location of the 3.5-inch diskette drive: External
Media 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: External
Media Bay, Parallel Port, or Not Installed. No user-selectable
settings are available for this option.
Diskette Reconfig
Diskette Reconfig allows hot plugging of a diskette drive and 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 external
media bay or attach a diskette drive to the parallel connector on the back of the
computer. However, when this option is set to Any Time, some application
programs (such as virus scans) that access the diskette drive will run very slowly if no
diskette drive is attached to the computer or installed in the docking option. 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
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 AC and Battery are:
- Disabled
- 1 Minute
- 2 Minutes
- 3 Minutes
- 4 Minutes
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- 5 Minutes
- 10 Minutes
- 15 Minutes
- 30 Minutes
- 1 Hour
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The default is 4 Minutes. To increase battery operating time,
set Display Time-out to a lower number of minutes.
|
NOTE: Set Display Time-out
to Disabled if using it causes compatibility problems with your software. |
A change to Display Time-out 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, move the cursor, or press the power button.
Docking Ethernet
Docking Ethernet enables and disables the internal ethernet controller in the Dell
Latitude C/Port Family Advanced Port Replicator (APR) or C/Dock Family Expansion Station.
A change to this option takes effect when you reboot.
Docking IRQ
Docking IRQ tells the computer which interrupt request (IRQ) to assign to the
docking station or replicator during the boot sequence. If Docking IRQ is set to Optimized,
the docking station or replicator is assigned a dedicated IRQ during the boot sequence.
Select IRQ11 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 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.
External Media Bay
External Media Bay identifies the type of device—Diskette Drive,
CD-ROM Drive, DVD-ROM Drive, or LS-120 Disk Drive—installed
in the external media bay. If the external media bay does not contain a device or is not
attached, this option reads Not Installed. No user-selectable settings are
available for this option.
Infrared Data Port
Infrared Data Port is available only when the computer is docked; otherwise, this
option is blue or dimmed. This option allows you to avoid resource conflicts by disabling
or remapping the address of the infrared port on the Dell Latitude C/Port Family APR or
C/Dock Family Expansion Station. The COM1, COM2, COM3, and COM4
settings allow you to take advantage of the computer's infrared
support.
Settings for this option are:
- Disabled — Disables the infrared data port and makes the
direct memory access (DMA), 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 (the default) — Maps the infrared data port to COM3
- COM4 — Maps the infrared data port to COM4
For a change to Infrared Data Port to take effect, you must reboot your
computer.
Infrared Mode
Infrared Mode is visible only when the computer is docked and Infrared
Data Port is enabled. Infrared Mode manages the infrared resources of the
computer and the external devices you use with it. This option lets you select Fast
IR (the default) or Slow IR to use with an infrared device.
For a change to Infrared Mode to take effect, you must reboot
your computer.
Internal Cache
Internal Cache displays the amount of internal cache your computer has. No
user-selectable settings are available for this option.
Keyboard Click
Keyboard Click lets you choose whether the computer's keyboard makes audible
clicking sounds. Click Volume must be enabled for Keyboard Click to
function. The volume of the simulated key clicks is controlled by the Click Volume
setting.
Settings for this option are Disabled (the default) and Enabled.
A change to Keyboard Click takes effect immediately
(rebooting is not required).
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.
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.
The Microsoft® Windows® 95 and
Windows 98 operating systems use ECP protocol automatically if it detects an
ECP-compatible device.
Set this option according to the type of device connected to the
parallel port. To determine the correct mode to use, see the documentation that came with
the device.
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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 Parallel Mode to take effect, you must reboot
your computer.
Pointing Device
Pointing Device enables and disables the computer's touch pad.
Settings for this option are:
- Touch Pad-PS/2 Mouse (the default)
- Serial Mouse — Disables the touch pad and allows you to
use a mouse connected to the serial connector on the I/O port
If you want to use a serial mouse, you must first set the Pointing Device option
to Serial Mouse.
For a change in Pointing Device to take effect, you must
reboot your computer.
Power Management
Power Management (Page 4 of the System Setup screens) allows you to enable or
disable power conservation features when the computer is being powered by a battery or AC
power.
If you want to use any of the time-out options while using battery
power, set Battery to Enabled. If you want to use the time-out options while
using AC power, set AC to Enabled.
A change to Power Management takes effect immediately
(rebooting is not required).
Primary Hard Drive
Primary Hard Drive displays the capacity of your computer's hard-disk drive. No
user-selectable settings are available for this option.
Primary Password
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 PC Card receives an incoming call. This feature must be supported by your
modem PC Card and your operating system.
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
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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. |
| For Ring/Event Resume 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 card's documentation to make sure that this feature is
set to Enabled. |
A change to Ring/Event Resume 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.
S2D Time-out settings for the AC and Battery
options are:
- Disabled
- 30 Minutes
- 1 Hour
- 2 Hours
- 3 Hours
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- 4 Hours
- 6 Hours
- 8 Hours (default)
- 12 Hours
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A change to S2D Time-out takes effect immediately (rebooting
is not required).
If you are not in the System Setup program and your computer is
running in Advanced Power Management (APM) mode, you can activate S2D mode at any
time by pressing <Fn><a>. Press the power button to resume operation from S2D
mode.
Serial Port
Serial Port allows you to disable or remap the address of the serial port on the
Dell Latitude C/Port Family APR or C/Dock Family Expansion Station. When the computer is
undocked, this option is blue or dimmed and has no user-selectable settings.
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 to Serial Port to take effect, you must reboot your computer.
Service Tag
Service Tag displays the computer's alphanumeric 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.
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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.
Settings for this option are:
- Enabled (the default) — Allows 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
When Smart CPU Mode is set to Enabled and the
microprocessor is inactive, the computer slows the microprocessor to save power.
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NOTES: Some communications software
may not work properly when Smart CPU Mode is enabled. Dell recommends that you set Smart
CPU Mode to Disabled if you are using communications software. |
| 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.) If your computer runs slowly while performing such
tasks as recalculating large spreadsheets, redrawing screens, or testing
the microprocessor, set Smart CPU Mode to Disabled. |
A change to Smart CPU Mode takes effect immediately
(rebooting is not required).
Suspend Time-out
Suspend Time-out lets you determine how long your computer remains idle before
activating suspend mode to conserve battery power.
Suspend Time-out settings for both AC and Battery
options 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 Suspend Time-out to a
lower number of minutes.
|
NOTE: Set Suspend Time-out to Disabled
if using it causes compatibility problems with your software. |
A change to Suspend Time-out 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).
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NOTE: If a network server
controls the time reflected by the Time option, changing this option has no effect. |
A change to Time 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
and/or C/Dock Family Expansion Station 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/or C/Dock Expansion Station and want to minimize the
initialization time when you connect an APR or expansion station to the computer. With Universal
Connect set to Enabled, the system creates only one profile for
each docking station family. If this option is set to Disabled, an APR or expansion
station is reinitialized each time it is connected to the computer, and a different
docking profile is created each time.
Video Memory
Video Memory displays the amount of video memory installed on the system board. No
user-selectable settings are available for this option.
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