System passwords allow only those who know the password to have full use of the computer. Your computer does not have the system password feature enabled when you receive it.
NOTICE: Although passwords provide security for the data on your computer,
they are not foolproof. If your data requires more security, it is your
responsibility to obtain and use additional forms of protection, such as data
encryption programs.
NOTICE: If you leave your computer running and unattended without having
a system password assigned, or if you leave your computer unlocked so that
someone can disable the password by changing a jumper setting, anyone can
access the data stored on your hard drive.
NOTE: You cannot
change or enter a new
system password if either
Enabled or Disabled is
displayed. You can only
assign a system password
when System Password is
set to Not Enabled.
Enabled — a system password is assigned
Disabled — system password feature is disabled by a jumper setting on the system board
Not Enabled — no system password is assigned and the password jumper on the system board is in the enabled position (its default)
Highlight System Password and then press the left- or right-arrow key.
The option heading changes to Enter Password, followed by an empty 32-character field in square brackets.
Type your new system password.
You can use up to 32 characters.
As you press each character key (or the spacebar for a blank space), a placeholder appears in the field. The password assignment operation recognizes keys by their location on the keyboard, without distinguishing between lowercase and uppercase characters. For example, if you have an M in your password, the computer recognizes either M or m as correct.
Certain key combinations are not valid. If you enter one of these combinations, the speaker emits a beep.
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 <Tab>
or the <Shift><Tab>
combination to move to
another field, or press
<Esc> at any time
before completing step 5.
Press <Enter>.
If the new system password is less than 32 characters, the whole field fills with placeholders. Then the option heading changes to Verify Password, followed by another empty 32-character field in square brackets.
To confirm your password, type it a second time and press <Enter>.
The password setting changes to Enabled. Your system password is now set; you can exit system setup and begin using your computer. Password protection takes effect when you restart the computer.
When you start up the computer, the following prompt appears on the screen when Password Status is set to Unlocked:
Type in the password and
- press <ENTER> to leave password security enabled.
- press <CTRL><ENTER> to disable password security.
Enter password:
If Password Status is set to Locked, the following prompt appears:
Type the password and press <Enter>.
NOTE: If you have
assigned a setup
password, the computer
accepts your setup
password as an alternate
system password.
If you enter a wrong or incomplete system password, the following message appears on the screen:
** Incorrect password. **
Enter password:
If you again enter an incorrect or incomplete system password, the same message appears on the screen. The third and subsequent times you enter an incorrect or incomplete system password, the computer displays the following message:
** Incorrect password. **
Number of unsuccessful password attempts: 3
System halted! Must power down.
Even after your computer is turned off and on, the previous message is displayed each time an incorrect or incomplete system password is entered.
NOTE: To further protect
your computer from
unauthorized changes,
you can use the Password
Statussystem setup
option in conjunction with
the System Password and
Setup Password options.
Enter system setup, and verify that Password Status is set to Unlocked.
Reboot your computer to force it to prompt you for a system password.
When prompted, type the system password.
Press <Ctrl><Enter> to disable the existing system password,
instead of pressing <Enter> to continue with the normal operation of
your computer.
Confirm that Not Enabled is displayed for the System Password
option.
If Not Enabled appears in the System Password option, the system password has been deleted. If you want to assign a new password, continue to step 6. If Not Enabled is not displayed for the System Password option, press <Alt><B> to reboot the computer, and then repeat steps 3 through 5.
Setup passwords allow only those who know the password to have full use of system setup. Your computer does not have the setup password feature enabled when you receive it.
Enter system setup, and verify that Setup Password is set to Not
Enabled.
Highlight Setup Password and press the left- or right-arrow key.
The computer prompts you to enter and verify the password. If a character is illegal for password use, the computer emits a beep.
Type in and then verify the password.
After you verify the password, the Setup Password setting changes to Enabled. The next time you attempt to enter system setup, the computer prompts you for the setup password.
NOTE: The setup
password can be the same
as the system password.
NOTE: 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.
A change to Setup Password becomes effective immediately (rebooting the computer is not required).
When you start system setup, the Setup Password option is highlighted, prompting you to type the password.
If you do not enter the correct password, the computer lets you view, but not modify, system setup options.
NOTE: To further protect
your computer from
unauthorized changes,
you can use the Password
Status system setup
option in conjunction with
the System Password and
Setup Password options.
NOTICE: Before disconnecting a device from the computer, wait 10 to 20
seconds after disconnecting the computer from its electrical outlet. Before
removing a component from the system board, verify that the standby power
light on the system board has turned off. To locate this light, see "System
Board Components."
Turn off the computer and devices, disconnect them from their
electrical outlets, and wait 10 to 20 seconds.
Reconnect the computer and devices to their electrical outlets, and
turn them on.
The existing password(s) are erased.
NOTE: If enabled, the
Chassis Intrusion option
will cause the following
message to be displayed
at the next system start-
up: ALERT! Cover
was previously
removed.
Proceed to step 7 if you want to assign a new password.
NOTE: Before you assign
a new system and/or setup
password, you must
install the PSWD jumper
plug to reenable the
password feature.
Turn off the computer and devices, disconnect them from their
electrical outlets, and wait 10 to 20 seconds.
Reconnect the computer and devices to their electrical outlets, and
turn them on.
Turning on your computer with the PSWD jumper installed reenables the password feature. When you enter system setup, both password options appear as Not Enabled, meaning that the password feature is enabled but that no password is assigned.
