Service Manual

Using the System Password Feature
NOTICE: 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—a supervisor password and a user password.
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-disk drive.
Using the Supervisor Password Feature
Your Dell system is shipped with the supervisor password feature disabled, which allows you to enter the
System Setup program and assign a password. When the Supervisor Password Is option is enabled, the
system prompts you for the supervisor password whenever you enter the System Setup program. If system
security is a concern, you should operate your system with supervisor password protection.
You can assign a supervisor password whenever you use the System Setup program. After a supervisor
password is assigned, only those who know the password have full use of the System Setup program. To
delete or change an existing supervisor password, you must know the supervisor password (see "Disabling
or Changing an Existing Supervisor Password" ).
If you assign and then forget a supervisor password, a trained service technician must open the system and
change a jumper setting to disable the supervisor password feature (see "Disabling a Forgotten Password").
Note that the user password is erased at the same time.
Assigning a Supervisor Password (System Setup Only)
Before you can assign a supervisor password, you must enter the System Setup program and select the Set
Supervisor Password option.
NOTE: The supervisor password controls the user password access to the system setup.
When a supervisor password is assigned, the setting shown for the Set Supervisor Password option is
Installed.
When no supervisor password is assigned and the password jumper on the system board is in the
uninstalled position (its default), the setting shown for the Set Supervisor Password option is Not
Installed. Only when this option is set to Not Installed can you assign a supervisor password, using the
following procedure:
1. Enter the System Setup program by pressing <F2>.
2. Select the Security screen.
3. Verify that the Supervisor Password Is option is set to Not Installed.