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.
NOTICE: Unless you are an expert computer user, do not change the settings for this program. Certain changes can make your computer work incorrectly.
Entering System Setup
Turn on (or restart) your computer.
When the blue DELL™ logo appears, press <F2> immediately.
NOTE: Keyboard failure may result when a key on the keyboard is held down for extended periods of time. To avoid possible keyboard failure, press and release <F2> in even intervals until the system setup screen appears.
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 with 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.
Press <Enter> to expand or contract each of the main option fields.
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, BIOS version, and installed devices, the items listed in this section may not appear, or may not appear exactly as listed.
System
System Info
Lists system information such as the computer name, the BIOS version number and date, system tags, and other system-specific information.
NOTE: The system name listed in the BIOS may not appear exactly as the name that appears on the computer or in the computer's documentation.
CPU Info
Identifies whether the computer's processor supports Hyper-Threading and lists the processor bus speed, processor ID, clock speed, and L2 cache.
Memory Info
Indicates the amount of installed memory, memory speed, channel mode (dual or single), and type of memory.
Date/Time
Displays current date and time settings.
Boot Sequence
The computer attempts to boot from the sequence of devices specified in this list.
NOTE: If you insert a boot device and restart the computer, the device appears in the system setup menu. To boot from a USB memory device, select the USB device and move it so that it becomes the first device in the list.
Drives
Diskette Drive
(Internal default)
Enables or disables floppy drives, and sets the read permission for the internal floppy drive.
Off — Disables all floppy drives.
USB — Enables the USB floppy drive.
Internal —Enables the internal floppy drive.
Read Only —Enables the internal drive controller and allows the internal floppy drive read-only permission.
NOTE: Operating systems with USB support will recognize USB floppy drives regardless of this setting.
Drive 0
(On default)
Enables or disables a SATA device (such as a hard drive). On (the default setting) enables the interface so that the device can be used.
Displays the controller type (SATA), the port number the drive is using, the drive ID number, capacity and link speed, and whether the drive is controlled by the BIOS.
Drive 1
(On default)
Enables or disables an ATA device (such as a CD or DVD drive). On (the default setting) enables the interface so that the device can be used.
Displays the controller type (ATA), the port number the drive is using, the drive ID number, capacity and link speed, and whether the drive is controlled by the BIOS.
SATA Operation
(ATA default)
Defines the SATA modes. You can set the SATA controller to AHCI or ATA mode.
Onboard Devices
Integrated NIC
(On default)
Enables or disables the integrated NIC controller. Settings are On, Off, or On w/PXE. When the On w/PXE setting is active(available only for setting up a future boot process), the computer prompts you 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 computer attempts to boot from the next device in the boot sequence list.
Integrated Audio
(On default)
Enables or disables the onboard audio controller.
Card Reader
Enables or disables the optional Media Card Reader.
1394 Controller
(On default)
Enables or disables IEEE 1394 connections.
USB for FlexBay
(On default)
Enables or disables internal USB for FlexBay.
NOTE: This USB option appears only if a FlexBay device is installed.
Set to On (default) so that USB devices will be detected and supported in the operating system. The No Boot option enables a USB controller, but it does not recognize a USB storage device.
Video
Primary Video
(Auto default)
Specifies which video controller is primary when two video controllers are present on the computer. Auto enables the add-in video controller. Onboard enables the integrated video controller.
Video Memory Size
(8 MB default)
Configures the system memory allocation reserved for the integrated video controller. Settings are 1MB and 8MB.
Performance
Hyper-Threading
(On default)
Determines whether the physical processor appears as one or two logical processors. The performance of some applications improves with additional logical processors installed. If your computer's processor supports Hyper-Threading, this option appears in the Options List.
Multiple CPU Core
This setting specifies whether more than one CPU core is enabled. The performance of some applications may improve with an additional core enabled. Defaults to On (second core enabled).
SpeedStep
(On default)
Allows the BIOS to modify the processor fan and speed based on processor temperature readings.
NOTE: Intel SpeedStep® is not supported by all processors; therefore, this option will appear only when a supported processor is installed.
HDD Acoustic Mode
(Bypass default)
Bypass — Your computer does not test or change the current acoustics mode setting.
Quiet (default) — The hard drive operates at its most quiet setting.
Suggested — The hard drive operates at the level suggested by the drive manufacturer.
Performance —The hard drive operates at its maximum speed.
NOTE: Switching to performance mode may increase the amount of noise generated by the hard drive, and the drive may not see an increase in data transfer rates.
NOTE: Changing the acoustics setting does not alter your hard drive image.
Security
Admin Password
(Not Set default)
Displays the current status of your System Setup program's password security feature and allows you to verify and assign a new admin password.
System Password
(Not Set default)
Displays the current status of the system's password security feature and allows a new system password to be assigned and verified.
Password Changes
(Unlocked default)
Determines the interaction between the System password and the Admin password.
Locked — Prevents a user without a valid Admin password from being able to modify the System password.
Unlocked — Allows a user without a valid Admin password to modify the System password.
Execute Disable
(On default)
Enables or disables Execute Disable memory protection technology.
Power Management
AC Recovery
(Off default)
Determines how the system responds when AC power is re-applied after a power loss.
Off — The system remains off when power is re-applied. You must press the front panel power button before the system turns on.
On — The system turns on when power is re-applied.
Last — The system returns to the last power state the system was in just before it was turned off.
Auto Power On
(Off default)
Sets the computer to automatically turn on.
Off — Disables the Auto Power On feature.
Everyday — Turns the computer on every day at the time set in Auto Power Time.
Weekdays — Turns the computer on every day from Monday through Friday at the time set in Auto Power Time.
NOTE: This feature does not work if you turn off your computer using a power strip or surge protector.
Auto Power Time
Sets time to automatically turn on the computer.
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.
This feature does not work if you turn off your computer using a power strip or surge protector.
Suspend Mode
(S3 default)
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, but system memory remains active.
Quick Resume
Enables or disables the Intel® Quick Resume Technology mode for providing rapid response to power button presses.
Maintenance
SERR DMI Message
(On default)
Controls the SERR DMI message mechanism.
NOTE: Some graphics cards require that the SERR DMI message mechanism be disabled.
Load Defaults
Restores System Setup options to their factory defaults.
Event Log
Allows you to view the Event Log. Entries are marked R for Read and U for Unread. Mark All Entries Read puts an R to the left of all entries. Clear Log clears the Event Log.
POST Behavior
Fastboot
(On default)
When enabled, this feature reduces computer startup time by bypassing some compatibility steps.
Off — Does not skip any steps during computer startup.
On — Starts the system more quickly.
Numlock Key
(On default)
Determines the functionality of the numeric keys on the right side of your keyboard.
Off — Commands the right keypad keys to function as arrows.
On — Commands the right keypad keys to function as numbers.
POST Hotkeys
(Setup & Boot Menu default)
Determines whether the startup screen displays a message stating the keystroke sequence that is required to enter the System Setup program or the Quickboot feature.
Setup & Boot Menu — Displays both messages (F2=Setup and F12=Boot Menu).
Setup — Displays the setup message only (F2=Setup).
Boot Menu — Displays the Quickboot message only (F12=Boot Menu).
None — Displays no message.
Keyboard Errors
(Report default)
When set to Report 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) and an error is detected during POST, the BIOS will display the error message and continue booting the system.
Boot Sequence
This feature allows you to change the boot sequence for devices.
NOTICE: If you modify any boot sequence settings, save the new settings to avoid losing the changes.
Option Settings
NOTE: The computer attempts to boot from all bootable devices listed in the boot sequence. If no bootable device is detected the computer displays the error message No bootable devices. Press the <F1> key to retry the boot or press the <F2> key to enter the setup utility.
Onboard or USB Floppy Drive — The computer attempts to boot from the floppy drive. If there is no floppy disk in the drive, or there is no floppy drive installed, the computer attempts to boot from the next bootable device in the sequence.
NOTE: If there is a non-bootable floppy disk in the drive, the computer generates an error message. Follow the on-screen instructions to retry the boot.
Onboard SATA Hard Drive — The computer attempts to boot from the primary hard drive. If there is no operating system on the drive, the computer attempts to boot from the next bootable device in the sequence.
Onboard or USB CD-ROM Drive — The computer attempts to boot from the CD-ROM drive. If there is no CD in the drive, or if the CD in the drive is non-bootable, the computer attempts to boot from the next bootable device in the sequence.
Onboard Network Controller — The computer attempts to boot from the network. If no network is detected, the computer attempts to boot from the next bootable device in the sequence
NOTE: To boot from a network the onboard network controller must be set to On w/PXE.
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 the <F12> key. The BIOS detects the device and adds the USB flash option to the boot menu.
NOTE: To boot from a USB device, the device must be bootable. To verify that your device is bootable, check the device documentation.
Changing the Boot Sequence for the Current Boot
You can use this feature, for example, to restart your computer to a USB device such as a floppy drive, memory key, or CD-RW drive.
NOTE: If you are booting to a USB floppy drive, you must first set the floppy drive to OFF in system setup (see System Setup Options).
If you are booting to a USB device, connect the USB device to a USB connector (see About Your
Computer).
Turn on (or restart) your computer.
When the DELL logo appears, press <F12> immediately.
NOTE: Keyboard failure may result when a key on the keyboard is held down for extended periods of time. To avoid possible keyboard failure, press and release <F12> in even intervals until the Boot Device Menu appears.
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.
At the Boot Device Menu, use the up- and down-arrow keys or press the appropriate number on the
keyboard to highlight the device that is to be used for the current boot only, and then press <Enter>.
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.
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 then turn them on.
NOTE: In system setup (see System Setup), both system and administrator password options appear as Not Set. The password feature is enabled but a password is not assigned.
Assign a new system and/or administrator password, as needed.
Clearing CMOS Settings
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.
NOTE: This procedure does not clear or reset system and setup passwords.
