User Manual

Technical Reference
49
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 23 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 23. 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 24 lists the error messages and provides a brief description of each.
Table 24. BIOS Error Messages