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Using the System Setup Program

Dell™ PowerEdge™ 1655MC Systems User's Guide

  Entering the System Setup Program

  System Setup Options

  Using the System Password Feature

  Using the Setup Password Feature

  Asset Tag Utility

Each server module has its own System Setup program. Throughout this section, the server modules are referred to as systems since each server module functions independently as a system.

Each time you turn on your system, the system compares the configuration of the hardware installed in the system to the hardware listed in the system configuration information stored in NVRAM on the system board. If the system detects a discrepancy, it generates error messages that identify the incorrect configuration settings. The system then prompts you to enter the System Setup program to correct the settings.

You can use the System Setup program as follows:

• To change the system configuration information after you add, change, or remove any hardware in your system
  
  
• To set or change user-selectable options—for example, the time or date on your system 
  
  
• To enable or disable any integrated device in your system
  
  

After you set up your system, run the System Setup program to familiarize yourself with your system configuration information and optional settings.

Entering the System Setup Program

1. Turn on your system.
   
   

If your system is already on, shut it down, and then turn it on again.

2. Press <F2> immediately after you see the following message in the upper-right corner of the screen:
   
   

<F2> = System Setup

You can also press <F10> to enter Utility mode or <F12> for PXE Boot. PXE Boot forces a system boot from the network.

If you wait too long and your operating system begins to load into memory, let the system complete the load operation, and then shut down the system and try again.

NOTE: To ensure an orderly system shutdown, consult the documentation that accompanied your operating system.

You can also enter the System Setup program by responding to certain error messages. See "Responding to Error Messages."

NOTE: For help using the System Setup program, press <F1> while in the program.

Responding to Error Messages

If an error message appears on your monitor screen while the system is starting up, make a note of the message. Before entering the System Setup program, see "System Beep Codes" and "System Messages" in your Installation and Troubleshooting Guide for an explanation of the message and suggestions for correcting any errors.

NOTE: After installing a memory upgrade, it is normal for your system to send a message the first time you start your system. In that situation, do not refer to "System Beep Codes" and "System Messages." Instead, see "Adding Memory" in your Installation and Troubleshooting Guide for instructions.

If you are given an option of pressing either <F1> to continue or <F2> to run the System Setup program, press <F2>.

Using the System Setup Program

Table 3-1 lists the keys that you use to view or change information on the System Setup screens and to exit the program.

Table 3-1. System Setup Navigation Keys 

For most of the options, any changes you make are recorded but do not take effect until the next time you start the system. For a few options (as noted in the help area), the changes take effect immediately.

System Setup Options

Main Screen

When the System Setup program runs, the main program screen appears (see Figure 3-1). Fields that display in blue do not have user-selectable options.

Figure 3-1. Main System Setup Screen

Table 3-2 shows the options and information fields in the System Setup program.

Table 3-2. System Setup Program Options 

Integrated Devices Screen

Table 3-3 shows the options for the Integrated Devices screen.

Table 3-3. Integrated Devices Screen Options 

Console Redirection Screen

Table 3-4 show the options used to configure the console redirection feature.

Table 3-4. Console Redirection Screen Options 

System Security Screen

You can set the following security features through the System Security screen:

• Password Status — When Setup Password is set to Enabled, this feature allows you to prevent the system password from being changed or disabled at system start-up.
  
  

To lock the system password, you must first assign a setup password in the Setup Password option and then change the Password Status option to Locked. In this state, the system password cannot be changed through the System Password option and cannot be disabled at system start-up by pressing <Ctrl><Enter>.

To unlock the system password, you must enter the setup password in the Setup Password option and then change the Password Status option to Unlocked. In this state, the system password can be disabled at system start-up by pressing <Ctrl><Enter> and then changed through the System Password option.

• Setup Password — Allows you to restrict access to the System Setup program in the same way that you restrict access to your system with the system password feature.
  
  

NOTE: See "Using the Setup Password Feature" for instructions on assigning a setup password and using or changing an existing setup password. See your Installation and Troubleshooting Guide for instructions about disabling a forgotten setup password.

• System Password — Displays the current status of your system's password security feature and allows you to assign and verify a new system password.
  
  

NOTE: See "Using the System Password Feature" for instructions on assigning a system password and using or changing an existing system password. See your Installation and Troubleshooting Guide for instructions about disabling a forgotten system password.

NOTE: You can still turn a system on using the power button, even if the Power Button option is set to Disabled.

Exit Screen

After you press <Esc> to exit the System Setup program, the Exit screen displays the following options:

• Save Changes and Exit
  
  
• Discard Changes and Exit
  
  
• Return to Setup
  
  

Using the System Password Feature

NOTICE: The password features provide a basic level of security for the data on your system. If your data requires more security, it is your responsibility to obtain and use additional forms of protection, such as data encryption programs.

Your system is shipped to you without the system password feature enabled. If system security is a concern, then operate your system with system password protection.

You can assign a system password whenever you use the System Setup program. After a system password is assigned, only those who know the password have full use of the system.

When the System Password option is set to Enabled, the system prompts you for the system password just after the system starts.

To change an existing system password, you must know the password (see "Deleting or Changing an Existing System Password"). If you assign and later forget a system password, a trained service technician must change a jumper setting that disables the system password feature (see your system Installation and Troubleshooting Guide). The setup password is erased at the same time.

NOTICE: If you leave your system running and unattended without having a system password assigned or if you leave your system unlocked so that someone can disable the password by changing a jumper setting, anyone can access the data stored on your hard drive.

Assigning a System Password

Before you can assign a system password, you must enter the System Setup program and check the System Password option.

When a system password is assigned, the setting shown for the System Password option is Enabled. If the Password Status option is Unlocked, you can change the system password. If the Password Status option is Locked, you cannot change the system password. When the system password feature is disabled by a jumper setting on the system board, the setting shown is Disabled, and you cannot change or enter a new system password.

When no system password is assigned and the password jumper on the system board is in the enabled (default) position, the setting shown for the System Password option is Not Enabled and the Password Status field is Unlocked. To assign a system password, perform the following steps:

1. Verify that the Password Status option is set to Unlocked.
   
   
2. Highlight the System Password option and then press <Enter>.
   
   
3. Type your new system password.
   
   

You can use up to 32 characters in your password.

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 system 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 the <Backspace> key 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> at any time prior to completing step 5.

4. Press <Enter>.
   
   
5. To confirm your password, type it a second time and press <Enter>.
   
   

The System Password option changes to Enabled. Your system password is now set. You can exit the System Setup program and begin using your system.

NOTE: Password protection does not take effect until you restart the system by turning the system off and then on again.

Using Your System Password to Secure Your System

Whenever you turn on or reboot your system by pressing the <Ctrl><Alt><Del> key combination, the following prompt appears on the screen when the Password Status option 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 the Password Status option is set to Locked, the following prompt appears:

Type the password and press <Enter>.

After you type the correct system password and press <Enter>, your system completes the startup sequence and you can use the keyboard or mouse to operate your system as usual.

NOTE: If you have assigned a setup password (see "Using the Setup Password Feature"), the system accepts your setup password as an alternate system password.

If a wrong or incomplete system password is entered, the following message appears:

** Incorrect password. **

Enter password:

If an incorrect or incomplete system password is entered again, the same message appears.

The third and subsequent times an incorrect or incomplete system password is entered, the system displays the following message:

** Incorrect password. **
Number of unsuccessful password attempts: 3
System halted! Must power down.

The number of unsuccessful attempts made to enter the correct system password can alert you to an unauthorized person attempting to use your system.

Even after your system is turned off and on, the previous message is displayed each time an incorrect or incomplete system password is entered.

NOTE: You can use the Password Status option in conjunction with the System Password and Setup Password options to further protect your system from unauthorized changes.

Deleting or Changing an Existing System Password

1. When prompted, press <Ctrl><Enter> to disable the existing system password, instead of pressing <Enter> to continue with the normal operation of your system.
   
   

If you are asked to enter your setup password, you may need to contact your network administrator who has the setup password.

2. Enter the System Setup program by pressing <F2> during POST.
   
   
3. Select the System Security screen field to verify that the Password Status option is set to Unlocked.
   
   
4. When prompted, type the system password.
   
   
5. Confirm that Not Enabled is displayed for the System Password option.
   
   

If Not Enabled is displayed for 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 the <Alt><b> key combination to restart the system, and then repeat steps 2 through 5.

6. To assign a new password, follow the procedure in "Assigning a System Password."
   
   

Using the Setup Password Feature

Your system is shipped to you without the setup password feature enabled. If system security is a concern, you should operate your system with the setup password feature enabled.

You can assign a setup password whenever you use the System Setup program. After a setup password is assigned, only those who know the password have full use of the System Setup program.

To change an existing setup password, you must know the setup password (see "Deleting or Changing an Existing Setup Password"). If you assign and later forget a setup password, you cannot operate your system or change settings in the System Setup program until a trained service technician changes the password jumper setting to disable the passwords, and erases the existing passwords. This procedure is described in the Installation and Troubleshooting Guide.

Assigning a Setup Password

A setup password can be assigned (or changed) only when the Setup Password option is set to 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. If a character is illegal for password use, the system emits a beep.

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. However, the system password cannot be used in place of the setup password.

After you verify the password, the Setup Password setting 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 set to Enabled, you must enter the correct setup password before you can modify the majority of the System Setup options. When you start the System Setup program, the program prompts you to type the password.

If you do not enter the correct password in three tries, the system lets you view, but not modify, the System Setup screens—with the following exception. If System Password is not set to Enabled and is not locked via the Password Status option, you can assign a system password (however, 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

1. Enter the System Setup program and select the System Security option.
   
   
2. Highlight the Setup Password option, press <Enter> to access the setup password window, and press <Enter> twice to clear the existing setup password.
   
   

The setting changes to Not Enabled.

3. If you want to assign a new setup password, perform the steps in "Assigning a Setup Password."
   
   

Asset Tag Utility

You can use the Asset Tag utility to assign a unique tracking number to your system. This number is displayed on the System Setup program main screen.

NOTE: The Asset Tag utility works only with operating systems that support MS-DOS®-based applications.

Creating the Asset Tag Utility Diskette

1. Insert the Dell OpenManage Server Assistant CD into the CD drive of a system running a Microsoft® Windows® operating system, and reboot the system.
   
   
2. Insert a blank diskette into the system's diskette drive.
   
   
3. Click System Tools on the Dell OpenManage Server Assistant main screen.
   
   
4. Select Create CD Boot Diskette.
   
   

Assigning or Deleting an Asset Tag Number

1. Insert the Asset Tag utility diskette that you created into the diskette drive, and reboot the system (see "Using the USB Diskette or USB CD Drives" in "System Overview").
   
   
2. You can either assign or delete an asset tag number.
   
   
   • To assign an asset tag number, type asset and a space followed by the new string.
     
     

An asset tag number can have up to 10 characters. Any combination of characters is valid. For example, at the a:\> prompt, type the following command and press <Enter>:

asset 12345abcde

• To delete an asset tag number without assigning a new one, type asset /d and press <Enter>.
  
  

3. When prompted to verify the change to the asset tag number, type y and press <Enter>.
   
   

To view the Asset Tag utility help screen, type asset /? and press <Enter>.

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