Product Data Sheet / Brochure

Technical Reference
51
5.5 BIOS Security Features
The BIOS includes security features that restrict access to the BIOS Setup program and who can
boot the computer. A Supervisor and User password can be set for the BIOS Setup program and
for botting the computer, with the following restrictions:
• The Supervisor password gives unrestricted access to view and change all the Setup
options in the BIOS Setup program. This is Supervisor Mode.
• The User password gives restricted access to view and change Setup options in the BIOS
Setup program. This is User Mode.
• If only the Supervisor password is set, pressing the <Enter> key at the password prompt of
the BIOS Setup program allows the user restricted access to Setup.
• If both the Supervisor and User passwords are set, users can enter either the Supervisor or
User password to access Setup. Users have access to Setup regardless to which password
is used.
• Setting the User password restricts who can boot the computer. The password prompt
will be displayed before the computer boots. If only the Supervisor password is set, the
computer boots without asking for a password. If both passwords are set, the user can
enter either password to boot the computer.
• For enhanced security, use different passwords for the Supervisor and User passwords.
• Valid password characters are A-Z, a-z, 0-9, and special characters. Passwords may be up
to 20 characters in length.
• To clear a set password, enter a blank password after entering the existing password.
Table 24 shows the effects of setting the Supervisor password and User password. This table is
for reference only and is not displayed on the screen.
Table 24. Supervisor and User Password Functions
Password Set
Supervisor Mode
User Mode
Setup Options
Password to
Enter Setup
Password
During Boot
Neither
Any user can
change all options
Any user can change
all options
None
None
None
Supervisor only
Can change all
options
Can change a limited
number of options
Supervisor Password
Supervisor
None
User only
N/A
Can change all
options
Enter Password
Clear User Password
User
User
Supervisor and
User set
Can change all
options
Can change a limited
number of options
Supervisor Password
Enter Password
Supervisor or
User
Supervisor or
User
5.6 BIOS Error Messages
Table 25 lists the error messages and provides a brief description of each.
Table 25. BIOS Error Messages
Error Message
Explanation
CMOS Battery Failure
The battery may be losing power. Replace the battery soon.
CMOS Checksum Error
The CMOS checksum is incorrect. CMOS memory may have been corrupted. Run Setup to
reset values.
Memory Size Decreased
Memory size has decreased since the last boot. If no memory was removed, then the
memory may be bad.