LegacySelect technology control offers legacy-full, legacy-reduced, or legacy-free solutions based on common platforms, hard-drive images, and help desk procedures. Control is provided to the administrator through system setup, Dell OpenManage™ IT Assistant, or Dell™ custom factory integration.
LegacySelect allows administrators to electronically activate or deactivate connectors and media devices that include serial and USB connectors, a parallel connector, a floppy drive, PCI slots, and a PS/2 mouse. Connectors and media devices that are deactivated make resources available. You must restart the computer to effect the changes.
Manageability
Alert Standard Format
ASF is a DMTF management standard that specifies "pre-operating system" or "operating system-absent" alerting techniques. The standard is designed to generate an alert on potential security and fault conditions when the operating system is in a sleep state or the system is powered down. ASF is designed to supersede previous operating system-absent alerting technologies.
Your computer supports the following ASF alerts:
Alert
Description
BIOS: Corrupt BIOS/Corrupt BIOS Cleared
The BIOS has been corrupted or the BIOS corruption has been resolved.
Boot: Failure to Boot to BIOS
The BIOS did not complete loading upon initiation.
Password: System Password Violation
The system password is invalid (alert occurs after three failed attempts).
CPU: CPU DOA Alert/CPU DOA Alert Cleared
The microprocessor is not functioning.
Heartbeats: Entity Presence
Periodic heartbeats have been transmitted to verify system presence.
Temperature: Generic Critical Temperature Problem/Generic Critical Temperature Problem Cleared
The computer temperature is out of limits or the computer temperature problem has been resolved.
Voltage: Generic Critical Voltage Problem/Generic Critical Voltage Problem Cleared
The voltage from integrated voltage regulators is out of limits or the voltage problem has been resolved.
Power Supply: Critical Power Supply Problem/ Critical Power Supply Problem Cleared
The computer power supply voltage is out of limits or the computer power supply voltage problem has been resolved.
Cooling Device: Generic Critical Fan Failure/Generic Critical Fan Failure Cleared
The fan speed (rpm) is out of limits or the fan speed (rpm) problem has been resolved.
The ethernet connectivity is enabled or the ethernet connectivity is disabled.
For more information about Dell's ASF implementation, see the ASF User's Guide and the ASF Administrator's Guide, which are available on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com.
Dell OpenManage IT Assistant
IT Assistant configures, manages, and monitors computers and other devices on a corporate network. IT Assistant manages assets, configurations, events (alerts), and security for computers equipped with industry-standard management software. It supports instrumentation that conforms to SNMP, DMI, and CIM industry standards.
Dell OpenManage Client instrumentation, which is based on DMI and CIM, is available for your computer. For information on IT Assistant, see the Dell OpenManage IT Assistant User's Guide available on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com.
Dell OpenManage Client Instrumentation
Dell OpenManage Client Instrumentation is software that enables remote management programs such as IT Assistant to do the following:
Access information about your computer, such as how many processors it has and what operating system it is running
Monitor the status of your computer, such as listening for thermal alerts from temperature probes or hard-drive failure alerts from storage devices
Change the state of your computer, such as updating its BIOS or shutting it down remotely
A managed system is one that has Dell OpenManage Client Instrumentation set up on a network that uses IT Assistant. For information about Dell OpenManage Client Instrumentation, see the Dell OpenManage Client Instrumentation User's Guide available on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com.
Security
Chassis Intrusion Detection
NOTE: When the admin password is enabled, you must know the admin password before you can reset
the Chassis Intrusion setting.
This feature detects that the chassis was opened and alerts the user. To change the Chassis Intrusion setting:
Enter system setup.
Press the down-arrow keys to move to the System Security option.
Press <Enter> to access the menu.
Use the left- and right-arrow key to select an option setting.
Exit system setup.
Option Settings
Enabled — If the computer cover is opened, the setting changes to Detected, and the following alert message displays during the boot routine at the next computer start-up:
Alert! Cover was previously removed.
To reset the Detected setting, enter system setup. In the Chassis Intrusion option, press the left- or right-arrow key to select Reset, and then choose Enabled, Enabled-Silent, or Disabled.
Enabled-Silent (default) — If the computer cover is opened, the setting changes to Detected. No alert message appears during the boot sequence at the next computer start-up.
Antitheft devices usually include a segment of metal-stranded cable with an attached locking device and key. The documentation that comes with the device contains instructions for installing it.
Padlock Ring and Security Cable Slot
Use one of the following methods to secure your computer:
Use a padlock alone or a padlock and looped security cable with the padlock ring.
A padlock alone prevents the computer from being opened.
A security cable looped around a stationary object is used in conjunction with a padlock to prevent unauthorized movement of the computer.
Attach a commercially available antitheft device to the security cable slot on the back of the computer.
NOTE: Before you purchase an antitheft device, make sure that it works with the security cable slot on
your computer.
Antitheft devices usually include a segment of metal-stranded cable with an attached locking device and key. The documentation that comes with the device contains instructions for installing it.
Password Protection
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.
System Password
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.
Option Settings
You cannot change or enter a new system password if either of the following two options is displayed:
Disabled — The system password is disabled by a jumper setting on the system board.
You can only assign a system password when the following option is displayed:
Set — A system password is assigned.
Not Enabled — No system password is assigned and the password jumper on the system board is in the enabled position (the default).
Assigning a System Password
To escape from the field without assigning a system password, press <Tab> or the <Shift><Tab> key combination to move to another field, or press <Esc> at any time before you complete step 5.
The option heading changes to EnterPassword, followed by an empty 32-character field in square brackets.
Type your new system password.
You can use up to 32 characters. To erase a character when entering your password, press <Backspace> or the left-arrow key. The password is not case sensitive.
Certain key combinations are not valid. If you enter one of these combinations, the cursor will not move.
As you press each character key (or the spacebar for a blank space), a placeholder appears in the field.
Press <Enter>.
If the new system password is less than 32 characters, the whole field fills with placeholders. Then the option heading changes to Confirm 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 Set.
Exit system setup.
Password protection takes effect when you restart the computer.
Typing Your System Password
When you start or restart your computer, one of the following prompts appears on the screen.
If 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 PasswordStatus is set to Locked:
Type the system password and press <Enter>.
Enter password:
If you have assigned a setup password, the computer accepts your setup password as an alternate system password.
If you type a wrong or incomplete system password, the following message appears on the screen:
** Incorrect password. **
If you again type an incorrect or incomplete system password, the same message appears on the screen. The third and subsequent times you type 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 you type an incorrect or incomplete system password.
NOTE: You can use Password Status in conjunction with System Password and Admin Password to
further protect your computer from unauthorized changes.
Set — Does not allow assignment of setup passwords; users must enter a setup password to make changes to system setup
Not Set — Allows assignment of setup passwords; password feature is enabled but no password is assigned
Disabled —The admin password is disabled by a jumper setting on the system board
Assigning a Setup Password
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.
Enter system setup and verify that Admin Password is set to Not Enabled.
Highlight Admin Password and press the left- or right-arrow key.
The computer prompts you to type and verify the password. If a character is not permitted, the computer emits a beep.
Type and then verify the password.
After you verify the password, the Admin Password setting changes to Enabled. The next time you enter system setup, the computer prompts you for the setup password.
Exit system setup.
A change to Admin Password becomes effective immediately (no need to restart the computer).
Operating Your Computer With a Admin Password Enabled
When you enter system setup, the Admin Password option is highlighted, prompting you to type the password.
If you do not type the correct password, the computer lets you view, but not modify, system setup options.
NOTE: You can use Password Status in conjunction with Admin Password to protect the system
password from unauthorized changes.
Deleting or Changing an Existing Admin Password
To change an existing admin password, you must know the admin password.
To change the system configuration information after you add, change, or remove any hardware in your computer
To set or change a user-selectable option such as the user password
To read the current amount of memory or set the type of hard drive installed
Before you use system setup, it is recommended that you write down the system setup screen information for future reference.
Entering System Setup
Turn on (or restart) your computer.
When the blue DELL™ logo appears, press <F2> immediately.
If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Microsoft® Windows® desktop. Then shut down your computer and try again.
System Setup Screens
The system setup screen displays current or changeable configuration information for your computer. Information on the screen is divided into three areas: the options list, active options field, and key functions.
Options List — This field appears on the left side of the system setup window. The field is a scrollable list containing features that define the configuration of your computer, including installed hardware, power conservation, and security features.
Scroll up and down the list by using the up and down arrow keys. As an option is highlighted, the Option Field displays more information about that option and the option's current and available settings.
Option Field — This field contains information about each option. In this field you can view your current settings and make changes to your settings.
Use the right and left arrow keys to highlight an option. Press <Enter> to make that selection active.
Key Functions — This field appears below the Option Field and lists keys and their functions within the active system setup field.
System Setup Options
NOTE: Depending on your computer and installed devices, the items listed in this section may or may not
appear.
Info
System Info
Lists the computer name, version number of the BIOS, date of the BIOS, Asset Tag, Service Tag, and Ownership tag.
CPU Info
Identifies whether the computer's processor supports Hyper-Threading. IA-32e, and identifies the CPU speed, bus speed, clock speed, and L2 cache.
Memory Info
Indicates amount of installed memory, computer memory speed, amount of video memory, size of the display cache, and channel mode (dual or single).
Date/Time
Displays current date and time settings. You can modify these settings.
Boot Sequence
The computer attempts to boot from the sequence of devices specified in this list.
Drives
Diskette Drive
Enables and disables the diskette drives and sets read permission for the internal diskette drive. Off disables all diskette drives. Internal enables the internal diskette drive. USB disables the internal diskette drive and enables a USB drive if the USB controller is enabled and a USB drive is connected. Read Only enables the internal drive controller and allows the internal diskette drive read-only permission.
Drive 0
Identifies the primary serial hard drive attached to the SATA0 connector on the system board.
Drive 1
Identifies the secondary serial hard drive attached to the SATA1 connector on the system board.
Drive 2
Identifies the primary hard drive attached to the IDE1 connector on the system board.
Drive 3
Identifies the primary hard drive attached to the IDE1 connector on the system board.
Drive 4
Identifies the secondary hard drive attached to the IDE2 connector on the system board.
Drive 5
Identifies the secondary hard drive attached to the IDE2 connector on the system board.
Error Reporting
Control whether hard driver errors for internal IDE drives (Drive 0-6) are reported during system startup.
Onboard Devices
Audio Controller
Enables or disables the onboard audio controller
NIC Controller
You can set the NIC to On (default), Off, or On w/ PXE. When the On w/ PXE setting is active (available only for the future boot process), the computer prompts the user to press <Ctrl><Alt><b>. Pressing this key combination causes a menu to display that allows you to select a method for booting from a network server. If a boot routine is not available from the network server, the system attempts to boot from the next device in the boot sequence list.
LPT Port Mode
Determines the mode of operating of the internal parallel port. Off disables the port. AT configures the port for IBM AT compatibility. PS/2 configures the port for IBM PS/2 compatibility. EPP configures the port for the EPP bidirectional protocol. ECP configures the port for the ECP bidirectional protocol.
NOTE: If you set the LPT Port Mode to ECP, the LPT Port DMA appears in the option menu.
LPT Port Address
Determines the address that the built-in parallel port uses.
LPT Port DMA
Determines the address that the parallel port uses when it is in ECP mode. Off disables the DMA channel. DMA 1 selects the DMA 1 channel. DMA 3 selects the DMA 3 channel.
SATA2 Controller
Serial Port #1
Serial Port 1 appears as an option if you have a serial port card installed.
Auto, the default setting, automatically configures a connector to a particular designation (COM1 or COM3).
USB
Enables or disables the internal USB controller. Off disables controller. On enables the controller.
Performance
Hyper-Threading
Determines whether each physical processor appears as one or two logical processors. The performance of some applications improves with additional logical processors. On enables Hyper-Threading. Off disables Hyper-Threading.
IDE Performance
Quiet (default) - the hard drive operates at its most quiet setting.
Performance - the hard drive operates at its maximum speed.
Bypass - your computer does not test or change the current acoustics mode setting.
Suggested - the hard drive operates at the level suggested by the drive manufacturer.
NOTE: Switching to performance mode may cause the drive to be noisier, but its
performance is not affected.
NOTE: Changing the acoustics setting does not alter your hard drive image.
Security
Admin Password
This option provides restricted access to the computer's System Setup program in the same way that access to the system can be restricted with the System Password option.
System Password
Displays the current status of the system's password security feature and allows a new system password to be assigned and verified.
Drive Password
Password Status
This option locks the system password field with the admin password. When the field is locked, the option to disable password security by pressing <CTRL-ENTER> when the computer starts is no longer available.
Chassis Intrusion
When enabled, this option alerts the user, during the next computer start-up, that the computer cover has been opened.
Power Management
AC Power Recovery
Determines what happens when AC power is restored to the computer.
Auto Power On
Sets time and days of week to automatically turn on the computer. Choices are every day or every Monday through Friday.
Time is kept in a 24-hour format (hours:minutes). Change the start-up time by pressing the right- or left-arrow key to increase or decrease the numbers, or type numbers in both the date and time fields.
The default setting is Disabled.
This feature does not work if you turn off your computer using a power strip or surge protector.
Auto Power Time
Low Power Mode
When Low Power Mode is selected, remote wakeup events will no longer power up from Hibernate or Off from onboard network controller.
Remote Wake-Up
This option allows the system to power up when a Network Interface Controller or Remote Wakeup-capable modem receives a wake up signal.
On is the default setting. On w/ Boot to NIC will allow the computer to attempt to boot from a network prior to using the boot sequence.
NOTE: Normally, the system can be powered up remotely from suspend mode, hibernate
mode, or when powered off. When Low Power Mode (in the Power Management menu) is
enabled, the system can only be powered up remotely from Suspend.
Suspend Mode
The options are S1, a suspend state where the computer is running in a low-power mode, and S3, a standby state where the power is reduced or turned off for most components, however, system memory remains active.
Maintenance
BIOS Update
Allows you to select the location where you want your computer to look for BIOS update files. Diskette directs your computer to the root directory of a DOS diskette. Disk directs your computer to a hard-disk drive or a USB memory key partition (FAT16 only).
Event Log
Displays the system event log.
CMOS Defaults
This setting will restore the computer's factory-installed default settings.
Video
Primary Video
POST Behavior
Fastboot
When set to On (default), your computer will start more quickly since it will skip certain configurations and tests.
Numlock Key
This option involves the rightmost bank of keys on your keyboard. When set to On (default), this option activates the numeric and mathematical features shown at the top of each key. When set to Off, this option activates the cursor-control functions labeled on the bottom of each key.
OS Install
This setting turns the OS Install Mode either On or Off (default).
Keyboard Errors
When set to Report (enabled) and an error is detected during POST, the BIOS will display the error message and prompt you to press <F1> to continue or press <F2> to enter system setup. When set to Do Not Report (disabled), if an error is detected during POST, the BIOS will display the error message and continue booting the computer.
POST Hotkeys
Boot Sequence
This feature allows you to change the boot sequence for devices.
Option Settings
Onboard or USB Floppy Drive — The computer attempts to boot from the floppy drive. If the floppy disk in the drive is not bootable, or if no floppy disk is in the drive, the computer generates an error message.
Onboard SATA Hard Drive and Onboard IDE Hard Drive — The computer attempts to boot from the primary hard drive. If no operating system is on the drive, the computer generates an error message.
Onboard or USB CD Drive — The computer attempts to boot from the CD drive. If no CD is in the drive, or if the CD has no operating system, the computer generates an error message.
USB Device — Insert the memory device into a USB port and restart the computer. When F12 = Boot Menu appears in the upper-right corner of the screen, press <F12>. The BIOS detects the device and adds the USB flash option to the boot menu.
NOTE: To boot to a USB device, the device must be bootable. To make sure your device is bootable,
check the device documentation.
Changing Boot Sequence for the Current Boot
You can use this feature, for example, to tell the computer to boot from the CD drive so that you can run the Dell Diagnostics on the Drivers and Utilities CD, but you want the computer to boot from the hard drive when the diagnostic tests are complete. You can also use this feature to restart your computer to a USB device such as a floppy drive, memory key.
NOTE: If you are booting to a USB floppy drive, you must first set the floppy drive to OFF in system setup.
If you are booting to a USB device, connect the USB device to a USB connector.
Turn on (or restart) your computer.
When F2 = Setup, F12 = Boot Menu appears in the upper-right corner of the screen,
press <F12>.
If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Microsoft Windows desktop. Then shut down your computer and try again.
The Boot Device Menu appears, listing all available boot devices. Each device has a number next to it.
At the bottom of the menu, enter the number of the device that is to be used for the current
boot only.
For example, if you are booting to a USB memory key, highlight USB Flash Device and press <Enter>.
NOTE: To boot to a USB device, the device must be bootable. To make sure your device is bootable,
check the device documentation.
Locate the 3-pin password jumper (PSWD) on the system board, and attach the jumper plug
to pins 2 and 3 to clear the password. For more information for the mini-tower computer, see
"System Board Components" for the desktop computer, see "System Board Components."
NOTE: When you receive your computer, the jumper plug is attached to pins 1 and 2.
Locate the 3-pin password jumper on the system board and attach the jumper to pins 1 and 2
to reenable the password feature. For more information for the mini-tower computer, see
"System Board Components" for the desktop computer, see "System Board Components."
NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network wall jack and then plug it into
the computer.
Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on.
NOTE: This procedure enables the password feature. When you enter system setup, both system and
admin password options appear as Not Set—meaning that the password feature is enabled but no
password is assigned.
Assign a new system and/or setup password.
Clearing CMOS Settings
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide.
NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network wall jack and then plug it into
the computer.
Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on.
Power Management
Your computer can be set to use less power when you are not working. You control the power usage through the operating system installed on your computer and certain option settings in system setup. These periods of reduced power are called "sleep states":
Standby. In this sleep state, power is reduced or turned off for most components, including the cooling fans. However, system memory remains active.
NOTE: All components installed in the computer must support this feature and have the appropriate
drivers loaded to enter standby. For more information, see the manufacturer's documentation for each
component.
Hibernate. This sleep state reduces power consumption to a minimum by writing all data in system memory to a hard drive and then removing system power. Waking up from this state restarts the computer, and the memory contents are restored. Operation then resumes where the computer left off when it entered the hibernation state.
NOTE: All components installed in the computer must support this feature and have the appropriate
drivers loaded to enter hibernation. For more information, see the manufacturer's documentation for
each component.
Shutdown. This sleep state removes all power from the computer except a small auxiliary amount. As long as the computer remains connected to an electrical outlet, it can be automatically or remotely started. For example, the Auto Power On option in system setup allows the computer to automatically start at a specified time. Also, your network administrator can remotely start your computer using a power management event such as Remote Wake Up.
The following table lists the sleep states and the methods you can use to wake the computer from each state.
Sleep State
Wake-Up Methods (Windows XP)
Standby
Press the power button
Auto power on
Move or click the mouse
Type on the keyboard
USB device activity
Power management event
Hibernate
Press the power button
Auto power on
Power management event
Shutdown
Press the power button
Auto power on
Power management event
NOTE: For more information on power management, see your operating system documentation.
Hyper-Threading
Hyper-Threading is an Intel® technology that can enhance overall computer performance by allowing one physical processor to function as two logical processors, capable of performing certain tasks simultaneously. It is recommended that you use the Microsoft® Windows® XP Service Pack 1 (SP1) or higher operating system because Windows XP is optimized to take advantage of Hyper-Threading technology. While many programs can benefit from Hyper-Threading, some programs have not been optimized for Hyper-Threading and may require an update from the software manufacturer. Contact the software manufacturer for updates and information about using Hyper-Threading with your software.
To determine if your computer is using Hyper-Threading technology:
Click the Start button, right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
Click Hardware and click Device Manager.
In the Device Manager window, click the plus (+) sign next to the processor type. If Hyper-
Threading is enabled, the processor is listed twice.
You can enable or disable Hyper-Threading through system setup.
IEEE 1394
IEEE 1394 is a digital interface that can move large amounts of data between computers and peripheral devices. IEEE 1394 is ideal for use with multimedia devices because it speeds the transfer of data and large files, which enables a computer to connect directly to devices such as digital video cameras.
NOTE: The connector can accept 4-pin IEEE 1394 devices with the use of an adapter.
The Dell Precision 370 desktop computer has an optional front IEEE 1394 connector (see "Your Desktop Computer"). This connector is only available if you purchased an add-in IEEE 1394 card. To purchase a card, contact Dell.
U320 SCSI Controller
The optional U320 SCSI controller is PCI based and operates in a low voltage differential (LVD) mode while running at U320 (320 MBps) speeds. The bus is backward compatible and can run at U160 (160 MBps), Ultra2 (80 MBps), Ultra (40 MBps) speeds.
If single-ended (SE) devices are connected to the same bus as the LVD devices (such as U320, U160, or Ultra2), the SCSI bus operates in SE mode and runs at maximum of Ultra (40 MBps) speed.
For more information installing a SCSI device and SCSI ID settings for your mini-tower computer, see "Drives" for your desktop computer "Drives."
About RAID Configurations
This section provides an overview of the RAID configuration that you might have selected when you purchased your computer. Although there are several RAID configurations available in the computer industry for different types of uses, Dell offers either RAID level 0 or RAID level 1 on your Precision computer. A RAID level 0 configuration is recommended for high-performance applications, and a RAID level 1 configuration is recommended for users that desire a higher level of data integrity.
NOTE: RAID levels do not represent a hierarchy. A RAID level 1 configuration is not inherently better or
worse than a RAID level 0 configuration.
RAID Level 0
RAID level 0 uses a storage technique known as "data striping" to provide a high data access rate. Data striping is a method of writing consecutive segments, or stripes, of data sequentially across the physical drives to create a large virtual drive. Data striping allows one of the drives to read data while the other drive is searching for and reading the next block.
Another advantage of a RAID level 0 configuration is that it utilizes the full capacities of the drives. If you have two 160-GB drives installed, you have 320 GB on which to store data.
NOTICE: Because RAID level 0 provides no data redundancy, if one drive fails, then the data on the other
drive is also inaccessible. Therefore, ensure that you perform regular backups when you use a RAID
level 0 configuration.
RAID Level 1
RAID level 1 uses a data-redundancy storage technique known as "mirroring." When data is written to the primary drive, it is then duplicated, or mirrored, on the other drive. A RAID level 1 configuration sacrifices high data access rates for its data redundancy advantages.
If a drive failure occurs, subsequent read and write operations are directed to the surviving drive. A replacement drive can then be rebuilt using the data from the surviving drive. Also, because data is duplicated on both drives, two 160-GB RAID level 1 drives collectively have a maximum of 160-GB on which to store data.
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