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Using the System Setup Program: Dell™ PowerEdge™ 8450
Systems User's Guide
Overview • When to Use the System Setup Program
• Entering the System Setup
Program • System Setup Screens
• Using the System Setup Program
• Main Menu Categories • Advanced Menu Categories • Security Menu Categories • Server Menu Categories • Boot Menu Categories • Using the System Password Features • Responding to Error Messages • Disabling a Forgotten Password
• Recovering the BIOS
Each time you turn on or reboot your computer system, the system
compares the hardware installed in the system to the hardware listed in the system
configuration information stored in nonvolatile random-access memory (NVRAM) on the system
board. If the system detects a discrepancy, it generates error messages that identify the
incorrect configuration settings. Some of these settings are established using the system
setup program, while others are set using the System Setup utility (SSU). The system then
prompts you to enter the system setup program to correct the setting.
You can use the system setup program as follows:
- To change the system configuration information default settings
- To set or change user-selectable options
- To enable or disable integrated devices in your system
 |
CAUTION: Whenever you add or
remove Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) expansion cards that affect system
resources (such as ports and interrupt requests [IRQs]), you must run the SSU, make any
necessary changes, and save the system configuration information. Failure to do so may
cause resource conflicts between PCI devices (such as PCI expansion cards, the integrated
video controller, or the integrated small computer system interface [SCSI] host adapter).
See Resource Configuration
Add-In for more information about how PCI devices are configured based on settings in
the SSU. |
After you set up your system, run the system setup program to
familiarize yourself with your system configuration information and optional settings.
Dell recommends that you print the system setup screens (by pressing the <Print
Screen> key) or write down the information for future reference.
To enter the system setup program, perform the following steps:
- Turn on your system.
If your system is already on, shut it down and then turn it on again.
- Press the <F2> function key immediately after you see the
following message:
Press <F2> to enter Setup
If you wait too long and your operating system begins to load into
memory, let the system complete the load operation; 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.
The system setup screens display the current setup and
configuration information and optional settings for your system. Information on the system
setup screens is organized as shown in Table 1:
Table 1. System Setup Screen Components
| Item |
Function |
| Menu
bar |
Lists
the five top-level menus: the Main Menu,
the Advanced Menu, the Security Menu, the Server Menu, and the Boot Menu. |
| Configuration
options and systems data |
Lists
system setup program options, which define the installed hardware in your computer. |
| Help |
Displays
help information. |
| Key
functions |
Lists
keys and their functions within the system setup program. |
Table 2 lists the keys you use to view or change information on the
system setup screens and to exit the program.
Table 2. System Setup Navigation Keys
| Keys |
Action |
| <F1> |
Displays
help for specific categories. |
| <Enter> |
Activates
submenus, selects options. |
| Left
or right arrow |
Moves
the cursor to the previous or following top-level menu. |
| Up or
down arrow |
Selects
previous or following field in a menu. |
| <+> |
Changes
value of a field to previous item in list. |
| <-> |
Changes
value of field to following value in list. |
| <F9> |
Loads
the default option values for all fields. |
| <Esc>
|
Exits
the current option or submenu. If pressed while in a top-level menu, the Exit menu is displayed. |
| <F10>
|
Exits
the system setup program and reboots the system, implementing any changes you have made. |
The following tables list each of the options on the system setup
screens for the Main Menu and its various submenus. The default for each
field is listed in bold text.
Feature |
Option |
Description |
| System Time |
HH:MM:SS |
Sets the system
time. To change the time, type numbers in each of the appropriate fields. |
| System Date |
MM/DD/YYYY |
Sets the system
date. To change the date, type numbers in each of the appropriate fields. |
| Legacy Diskette
A: |
Disabled
360 Kb, 5 ¼"
1.2 Mb, 5 ¼"
720 Kb, 3 ½"
1.44/1.25 Mb, 3 ½"
2.88 Mb, 3 ½" |
Selects the
diskette drive type for drive A. |
| Legacy Diskette
B: |
Disabled
360 Kb, 5 ¼"
1.2 Mb, 5 ¼"
720 Kb, 3 ½"
1.44/1.25 Mb, 3 ½"
2.88 Mb, 3 ½" |
Selects the
diskette drive type for drive B. |
| Primary Master |
|
Highlight
these fields and press <Enter> to select the IDE
submenu. |
| Primary Slave |
| Processor
Information |
Highlight this
field and press <Enter> to select the Processor Information submenu. |
| Keyboard
Features |
Highlight this
field and press <Enter> to select the Keyboard
Features submenu. |
| Language |
English
(US)
French
German
Italian
Spanish |
Selects language
used by the BIOS. |
| NOTE:
For the full name of an abbreviation or acronym used in this table, see the Glossary. |
Feature |
Option |
Description |
| Autotype Fixed Disk |
Auto
On
Off |
Applies only to an IDE
hard-disk drive and is not used. |
| Type |
User
Auto
1-39
CD-ROM |
Specifies the type of drive. |
Cylinders
Heads
Sectors
Maximum Capacity
Multisector Transfers
LBA Mode Control |
|
Apply only to IDE
hard-disk drives and are not used. |
| 32-bit I/O |
Disabled
Enabled |
Enables 32-bit data
transfers. |
| Transfer Mode |
Standard
Fast PIO 1, 2, 3, or 4 |
Determine how
data is transferred to and from the drive. They are set by the system BIOS. |
| Ultra DMA Mode |
Disabled
Mode 0, 1, or 2 |
| NOTE:
For the full name of an abbreviation or acronym used in this table, see the Glossary. |
The Processor Information Submenu displays the
stepping value and L2 cache size for all microprocessors installed in the system. These
values cannot be modified.
Feature |
Option |
Description |
| Numlock |
Auto
On
Off |
Selects the default state of
the Num Lock key |
| Key Click |
Disabled
Enabled |
Enables audible key clicks
from the system speaker |
| Keyboard auto-repeat rate |
30/sec
26.7/sec
21.8/sec
18.5/sec
13.3/sec
10/sec
6/sec
2/sec |
Determines the rate at which
characters are input if a key is pressed and held down |
| Keyboard auto-repeat delay |
¼ sec
½ sec
¾ sec
1 sec |
Determines how long a key is
pressed before additional characters are input to the system |
| NOTE:
For the full name of an abbreviation or acronym used in this table, see the Glossary. |
The following tables list each of the options on the system setup
screens for the Advanced Menu and its various submenus. The default for
each field is listed in bold text.
|
CAUTION: Setting fields in these
menus to incorrect values may cause the system to malfunction. |
Feature |
Option |
Description |
| Processor Serial Number |
Disabled
Enabled |
This option disables the processor serial number
feature. |
| Reset Configuration Data |
No
Yes |
If this option is set to Yes,
the system BIOS clears all system configuration data during the next system boot and
resets this field's value to No. |
| Use Multiprocessor
Specification |
1.1
1.4 |
This field specifies the MPS
number used by the operating system. Some operating systems require version 1.1 for
compatibility reasons. |
| Large Disk Access Mode |
CHS
LBA |
This field selects the drive
access method for IDE drives. |
| Pause Before Boot |
Disabled
Enabled |
If this field is set to enabled,
the system BIOS pauses for 5 seconds after system power is applied before booting the
operating system. |
| Hot-plug PCI Master Control |
Disabled
Enabled |
If this field is set to enabled,
the system reserves resources for use by each of the expansion slots in the system. |
| Hot-plug PCI Allocation Level |
Disabled
Minimum
Maximum |
This field specifies the level of system
resources allocated to each PCI expansion slot. |
| PCI Configuration |
Highlight this field and
press <Enter> to select the PCI
Configuration submenu. |
| I/O Device
Configuration |
Highlight this field and
press <Enter> to select the I/O
Device Configuration submenu. |
| Advanced Chip Set
Control |
Highlight this field and
press <Enter> to select the Advanced
Chip Set Control submenu. |
| NOTE:
For the full name of an abbreviation or acronym used in this table, see the Glossary. |
Feature |
Option |
Description |
| PCI Device, Embedded SCSI A |
Highlight this field and press <Enter> to select
the PCI Mode submenu for the SCSI
controller on the I/O board. |
| PCI Devices |
Highlight this field and press <Enter> to select
the PCI Mode submenu for the PCI
expansion card slots on the I/O board. |
| NOTE:
For the full name of an abbreviation or acronym used in this table, see the Glossary. |
Feature |
Option |
Description |
| Option ROM Scan |
Disabled
Enabled |
Enables option ROM scan. |
| Enable Master |
Disabled
Enabled |
Enables device(s) as a PCI bus master. |
| Latency Timer |
Default
0020h
0040h
0060h
0080h
00A0h
00C0h
00E0h |
Specifies the minimum guaranteed number of
PCI bus clocks that a device may be a master of on a PCI bus. All values are in
hexadecimal format. |
| NOTE:
For the full name of an abbreviation or acronym used in this table, see the Glossary. |
Feature |
Option |
Description |
| Serial Port A |
Disabled
Enabled
Auto
OS Controlled |
Enables serial port A. If set
to Auto, the system BIOS configures the port. If set to OS
Controlled, the operating system configures the port. |
| Base I/O Address |
3F8h
2F8h
3E8h
2E8h |
Selects the base I/O address
for serial port A. |
| Interrupt |
IRQ 3
IRQ 4 |
Selects the IRQ for serial
port A. |
| Serial Port B |
Disabled
Enabled
Auto
OS Controlled |
Enables serial port B. If set
to Auto, the system BIOS configures the port. If set to OS
Controlled, the operating system configures the port. |
| Base I/O Address |
3F8h
2F8h
3E8h
2E8h |
Selects the base I/O address
for serial port B. |
| Interrupt |
IRQ 3
IRQ 4 |
Selects the IRQ for serial
port B. |
| Parallel Port |
Disabled
Enabled
Auto
OS Controlled |
Enables the parallel port. If
set to Auto, the system BIOS configures the port. If set to OS
Controlled, the operating system configures the port. |
| Mode |
Output only
Bi-directional
EPP
ECP |
Selects the mode of the
parallel port. If ECP mode is selected, DMA3 is used. |
| Base I/O Address |
378h
278h
178h
3BCh |
Selects the base I/O address for the
parallel port. Address 178h is only available when the LPT port is in EPP
mode. Otherwise, 3BCh is available. |
| Interrupt |
IRQ 5
IRQ 7 |
Selects the IRQ for the parallel port |
| Floppy disk controller |
Disabled
Enabled
Auto |
Enables the diskette drive controller on
the I/O board |
| NOTE: For the full name
of an abbreviation or acronym used in this table, see the Glossary. |
Feature |
Option |
Description |
| Extended RAM Step |
1 MB
1 KB
Every location |
Selects the thoroughness of
the extended memory. If 1 MB is selected, the BIOS tests each 1 MB
boundary. If 1 KB is selected, the BIOS tests each 1 KB boundary. If Every
location is selected, the BIOS tests every byte. The BIOS defaults to the fastest
test. |
| L2 Cache |
Disabled
Enabled |
Enables the L2 cache. |
| Multi-Boot Support |
Disabled
Enabled |
If less than eight bootable
devices are installed in the system, enabling this field allows multiple boot devices. |
| Override PCI Hot-Plug Switches |
Disabled
Enabled |
If enabled, the system applies power to all
expansion-card connectors in the system. If disabled, only expansion card connectors
enabled by the Hot-Plug PCI software or switches will have power applied. |
| NOTE:
For the full name of an abbreviation or acronym used in this table, see the Glossary. |
The following tables list each of the options on the system setup
screens for the Security Menu and its various submenus. The default for
each field is listed in bold text.
Feature |
Option |
Description |
| User Password Is |
Set
Clear |
Displays the
status of the user password option. |
| Administrator
Password Is |
Set Clear |
Displays the
status of the administrative password option. |
| Set User Password |
Press Enter |
Establishes a new
user password. |
| Set
Administrative Password |
Press Enter |
Establishes a new
administrative password. |
| Password on Boot |
Disabled
Enabled |
If this field is
set to Enabled, you must enter a password before the system boots. Password
On Boot takes precedence over Secure Mode Boot. |
| Diskette access |
User
Administrator |
Limits
functionality of the diskette drive if a user or administrative password is enabled. |
| Secure Mode
Timer |
Disabled
1 min
2 min
5 min
10 min
20 min
1 hr
2 hr |
Determines the
period of keyboard or mouse inactivity before Secure Mode activates. (A
password is required for Secure Mode to function.) |
| Secure Mode Hot Key
(Ctrl-Alt-?) |
Disabled
[A, B, ..., Z] |
Assigns a hot-key sequence
that invokes Secure Mode. |
| Secure Mode Boot |
Disabled
Enabled |
If set to Enabled,
the system boots in Secure Mode. The user must enter a
password to unlock the system. |
| Video Blanking |
Disabled
Enabled |
Turns off video output from
the system while in Secure Mode. A password is required
to unlock the system. |
| Floppy Write Protect |
Disabled
Enabled |
Enabling this field causes the
diskette drive to be disabled when the system is in Secure Mode.
A password is required to reenable the diskette drive. |
| Front Panel Lockout |
Disabled
Enabled |
Enabling the field disables
the power switch on the system front panel when the system is in Secure Mode.
A password is required to unlock the system. |
| NOTE: For the full name of an abbreviation or acronym used in this table, see the Glossary. |
The following tables list each of the options on the system setup
screens for the Server Menu and its various submenus. The default for
each field is listed in bold text.
Feature |
Option |
Description |
| System Management |
Highlighting this field and
pressing <Enter> selects the System
Management submenu. |
| Console Redirection |
|
Highlighting this field and
pressing <Enter> selects the Console Redirection submenu. |
| Processor Retest |
No
Yes |
Setting this field to Yes
clears all historical processor status information and retests all processors on the next
boot. |
| EMP Password Switch |
Disabled
Enabled |
Enables the EMP password
(when supported) |
| EMP ESC Sequence |
|
These fields are
updated from the front panel controller firmware and are not user-selectable. |
| EMP Hangup Line String |
|
| Modem Initialization String |
|
| EMP Access Mode |
Pre-Boot Only
Always Active
Disabled |
Functions when the EMP is set
to Enabled. If set to Always Active, the EMP is always
enabled. If set to Pre-Boot Only, the EMP is enabled during shutdown or
POST only. If set to Disabled, the EMP is disabled. |
| EMP Restricted Mode Access |
Disabled
Enabled |
If set to Enabled,
the Power Down, Front Panel NMI,
and Reset Control options via the EMP are disabled. |
| EMP Direct Connect / Modem
Mode |
Direct Connect
Modem Mode |
Allows the user to connect
the EMP directly to a local system without using a modem (when supported). |
| NOTE:
For the full name of an abbreviation or acronym used in this table, see the Glossary. |
Feature |
Option |
Description |
| Firmware SMIs |
Disabled
Enabled |
Enables SMI generation. |
| System Event Logging |
Disabled
Enabled |
Enables logging of critical
events. |
| Clear Event Log |
Disabled
Enabled |
Clears the System Event Log.
This feature is reset to Disabled each time the system boots. |
| Memory Scrubbing |
Disabled
Enabled |
Enables the system chipset to automatically
detect and correct single-bit memory errors |
| AERR Enable |
Disabled
Enabled |
Enables the AERR signal. |
| Assert NMI on BERR |
Disabled
Enabled |
Enables the BERR signal to be
reported as a critical event via NMI. The Firmware SMIs
option must also be enabled. |
| Assert NMI on PERR |
Disabled
Enabled |
Enables the PERR signal to be
reported as a critical event via NMI. The Assert NMI on SERR option must
also be enabled. |
| Assert NMI on SERR |
Disabled
Enabled |
Enables the SERR signal to be
reported as a critical event via NMI. |
| Enable Host Bus Error |
Disabled
Enabled |
Enables reporting of
single-bit and multi-bit errors. |
| FPC Error Check |
Disabled
Enabled |
If enabled, the BIOS verifies that it can
connect with the Front Panel Controller during system boot. |
| HSC Error Check |
Disabled
Enabled |
If enabled, the BIOS verifies that it can
connect with the Hot Swap Controller during system boot. |
| Server Management
Info |
Highlighting this field and
pressing <Enter> selects the Server Management Information
submenu. |
| NOTE:
For the full name of an abbreviation or acronym used in this table, see the Glossary. |
The Server Management Information submenu displays
part numbers and serial numbers for the Dell PowerEdge 8450 input/output (I/O) board,
system, chassis, baseboard management controller (BMC), and front panel controller (FPC)
firmware revision number. Users cannot define these values.
Feature |
Option |
Description |
| COM Port Address |
Disabled
3F8
2F8
3E8 |
Determines the I/O port used for console
redirection. |
| IRQ # |
3
4 |
Determines the IRQ used for console
redirection |
| Baud Rate |
9600
19.2K
38.4K
115.2K |
Sets the transfer rate used. The maximum
baud rate supported by the EMP is 19.2K. (The EMP is not presently
supported.) |
| Flow Control |
No Flow Control
CTS/RTS
XON/XOFF
CTS/RTS + CD |
Specifies the type of flow control used. |
| NOTE:
For the full name of an abbreviation or acronym used in this table, see the Glossary. |
The following tables list each of the options on the system setup
screens for the Boot Menu and its various submenus. The default for each
field is listed in bold text.
Feature |
Option |
Description |
| Floppy Check |
Disabled
Enabled |
If set to Enabled,
the system always verifies the diskette drive type during boot. Selecting Disabled
results in a faster boot. |
| Boot Device Priority |
ATAPI CD-ROM drive
Removable devices
Hard drive
|
Determines the boot search
order for the types of boot devices. To change the order of the devices in the list, use
the up-arrow and down-arrow keys. Press <Esc> to exit the list. |
| Hard Drive |
|
Determines the boot search
order for the hard-disk drives connected to the system. To change the order of the devices
in the list, use the up-arrow and down-arrow keys. Press <Esc> to exit the list. |
| Removable Devices |
|
Determines the order in which
removable devices are assigned drive letters by the operating system. To change the order
of the devices in the list, use the up-arrow and down-arrow keys. Press <Esc> to
exit the list. |
| Maximum Number of I2O
Drives |
1
4 |
Selects the maximum number of
I2O drives that will be assigned a DOS drive letter. |
| Message Timeout Multiplier |
1
2
4
8
10
50
100
1000 |
All I2O message
timeout values are multiplied by this number. |
| Pause During POST |
Disabled
Enabled |
Enabling this field starts the IRTOS
manually. |
| NOTE:
For the full name of an abbreviation or acronym used in this table, see the Glossary. |
Option |
Description |
| Exit Saving Changes |
Select this option to exit
the system setup program and save changes. |
| Exit Discarding Changes |
Select this option to exit
the system setup program without saving changes. |
| Load Setup Defaults |
Select this option to reset
all system setup fields to their default values. |
| Load Custom Defaults |
Select this option to reset
all system setup fields to their custom default values. |
| Save Custom Defaults |
This filed will save all
current system setup field values as custom defaults. If the system CMOS fails, the BIOS
will restore all system setup values to these custom default values, if available. If not,
the BIOS uses the factory default values. |
| Discard Changes |
Select this option to restore
all system setup fields to their previous values. |
| Save changes |
Select this option to save
changes without exiting the system setup program. |
| NOTE:
For the full name of an abbreviation or acronym used in this table, see the Glossary. |
|
CAUTION: The password features
provide a basic level of security for the data on your system. However, 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. |
Your Dell system is shipped to you without the system password
feature enabled. If system security is a concern, you should operate your system only with
system password protection. Two types of passwords can be established—an administrative password and a user password.
|
CAUTION: If you leave your system
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 switch setting,
anyone can access the data stored on your hard-disk drive. |
Your Dell system is shipped with the administrative password feature
set to Disabled, which allows you to enter the system setup program and
assign a password. When the Administrator Password Is option (or the Administrator
Password option in the SSU) is enabled, the computer system prompts you for the
administrative password whenever you enter the system setup program. If system security is
a concern, you should operate your system with administrative password protection.
You can assign an administrative password whenever you use the
system setup program. Once an administrative password is assigned, only those who know the
password have full use of the system setup program. To delete or change an existing
administrative password, you must know the administrative password (see Deleting or Changing an Existing
Administrative Password).
If you assign and then forget an administrative password, a trained
service technician must open the computer and change a switch setting to disable the
administrative password feature (see Disabling a
Forgotten Password). Note that the user password is erased at the same time.
An administrative password can be assigned
only when the Administrator Password Is option (or the Administrator
Password option in the SSU) is set to Clear. Select the Set
Administrative Password option and press <Enter> to display a dialog box in
which you can enter the password. After you verify the password, the
Administrator Password Is setting automatically changes to Enabled.
The next time you attempt to enter the system setup program, the system prompts you for
the administrative password.
Keep the following tips in mind when setting your password:
- You can use up to seven alphanumeric characters in your password
(passwords are not case sensitive).
- As you press each character key (or the Spacebar for a blank space),
a placeholder appears in the field.
- To erase a character when entering your password, press the
<Backspace> key.
|
NOTES: Certain key combinations are not valid. If you enter one
of these combinations, a beep sounds. |
|
To exit the field without assigning an administrative password,
press <Esc> at any time before setting a new password. |
Operating With an Administrative Password Enabled
If the administrative password protection is
enabled, you must enter the correct password before you can modify any system setup
categories. The following message appears if you run the system setup program and
have assigned an administrator password:
Enter password: (1)
After you enter the correct administrator password and press
<Enter>, you can use the system setup program as usual.
If a wrong or incomplete password is entered, the following message
appears on the screen:
Enter password: (2)
Enter the password again. If an incorrect or incomplete
administrator password is entered again, the same message appears on the screen. The third
time an incorrect or incomplete password is entered, the system setup program will run,
but in read-only mode. You will not be able to modify any of the categories.
Deleting or Changing an Existing
Administrative Password
To disable the administrator password, run the
system setup program. From the Security menu, select Set
Administrative Password, press <Enter> to display the Set Password
dialog box, enter the current administrator password, and then press <Enter> two
more times. When the Administrator Password Is category displays Clear,
you can assign an administrator password or operate the system with no password assigned.
To change an existing administrator password, first enter the system
setup program, select the Set Administrative Password category, and enter
the current administrator password. Then assign a new password as described in Assigning an Administrative Password.
Using
the User Password Feature
Your Dell system is shipped to you with the user password feature
set to Disabled. After you assign a user password, the computer system
prompts you for the user password during the boot process. If system security is a
concern, you should operate your system with user password protection.
You can assign a user password, as described in Assigning a User Password, whenever you use the
system setup program. Once you assign a user password, only those who know the password
have full use of the system.
|
NOTE: You can also assign, delete, or change a user password
through the SSU. |
If you assign and then forget a user password, a trained
service technician must remove the cover of the computer (which may require unlocking the
computer’s keylock) and change a switch setting to temporarily disable the user
password feature (see Disabling a Forgotten
Password). Note that the administrator password is erased at the same time.
|
CAUTION: If you leave your system
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 switch setting,
anyone can access the data stored on your hard-disk drive. |
Assigning
a User Password
From the Security menu, highlight
the Set User Password category and press <Enter> to display a
dialog box in which you can enter a user password. Keep the following tips in mind when
setting your password:
- You can use up to seven alphanumeric characters in
your password (passwords are not case sensitive).
- As you press each character key (or the Spacebar for
a blank space), a placeholder appears in the field.
- To erase a character when entering your password,
press the <Backspace> key.
|
NOTES: 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, a beep sounds. To exit the field without assigning a user
password, press <Esc> at any time before setting a new password. |
Using Your User Password to Secure Your
System
Each time you turn on your system, reboot the
system, or press the Reset button, the following prompt appears on the
screen if you have assigned a user password:
Enter password: (1)
After you enter the correct user password and press
<Enter>, your system boots and you can use the keyboard to operate your system as
usual.
If a wrong or incomplete password is entered, the
following message appears on the screen:
Enter password: (2)
Enter the password again. If an incorrect or
incomplete user password is entered again, the same message appears on the screen.
The third time an incorrect or incomplete password
is entered, the keyboard locks up and the system displays the following message:
Invalid password: System Halted!
Deleting or Changing an Existing User
Password
To disable the user password, enter the system setup
program, select Set User Password from the Security Menu, and press <Enter> to
display the Set Password dialog box. Enter the current user password, and
then press <Enter> two more times.
When the User Password Is category
displays Clear, you can assign a user password or operate the system with
no password assigned.
To change an existing user password, enter the
system setup program, select the Set User Password category from the Security
Menu, and enter the current user password. Then assign a new password as
described in Assigning a User Password.
If an error message appears on your monitor screen while the system
is booting, make a note of the message. Then, before entering the system setup program,
refer to "System Beep Codes" and "System Messages" in your system's Installation
and Troubleshooting Guide for an explanation of the message and suggestions for
correcting errors.
If you forget your system or setup password, you cannot operate your
system or change settings in the system setup program, respectively, until a trained
service technician opens the computer chassis, changes the password switch setting to
disable the passwords, and erases the existing passwords. This procedure is described in
"Jumpers, Switches, and Connectors" in the Installation and Troubleshooting
Guide.
If the system basic input/output system (BIOS) is corrupted, you can reboot the system
by using a separate recovery BIOS. To recover the BIOS, perform the following steps:
- Shut down the system.
- Have a trained service technician change the BIOS Recovery switch to the recovery
position. See "Jumpers, Switches, and Connectors" in the Installation and
Troubleshooting Guide for the location of this switch.
- Place the BIOS Recovery diskette in the diskette drive and restart the system.
- The recovery BIOS will boot the system from the diskette and reflash the system BIOS.
This procedure will take up to five minutes. If the procedure is completed sucessfully,
the system will beep twice.
- Shut down the system and remove the BIOS recovery diskette.
- Have a trained service technician return the BIOS Recovery switch to the normal
position.
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