Users Guide

Passwords

NOTE: Passwords are disabled when you receive your computer.

A primary (or system) password, an administrator password, and a hard drive password all prevent unauthorized access to your computer

in different ways. The following table identifies types and features of passwords available on your computer.

Type of Password Features

Primary/System

• Protects the computer from unauthorized access

Administrator

• Gives system administrators or service technicians access to

computers for repair or re-configuration

• Allows you to restrict access to system setup in the same way

a primary password restricts access to the computer

• Can be used instead of the primary password

Hard drive

• Helps protect the data on your hard drive or external hard drive

(if one is being used) from unauthorized access

NOTE: Passwords provide a high level of security for data in your computer or hard drive. However, they are not

foolproof. If you require more security, obtain and use additional forms of protection, such as smart cards, data

encryption programs, or PC Cards with encryption features.

NOTE: Some hard drives do not support hard drive passwords.

If you forget any of your passwords, contact your system administrator or contact Dell (see "Contact Dell" ). For your protection, Dell

support personnel will ask you for proof of your identity to ensure that only an authorized person can use the computer.

Using a Primary/System Password

The primary (system) password allows you to protect the computer from unauthorized access.

Access User Accounts from the Control Panel to create user accounts and add or change passwords. After assigning a primary password,

you must enter it each time you turn on your computer.

If you do not enter a password within 2 minutes, the computer returns to its previous operating state.

NOTE:

If you disable the administrator password, the primary password is also disabled.

If you have assigned an administrator password, you can use it instead of the primary password. The computer does not specifically

prompt you for the administrator password.

Using an Administrator Password

The administrator password is designed to give system administrators or service technicians access to computers for repair or re-

configuration. The administrators or technicians can assign identical administrator passwords to groups of computers, allowing you to

assign a unique primary password.

To set or change administrator passwords, access User Accounts from the Control Panel.

When you set an administrator password, the Configure Setup option becomes available in the system setup program. The Configure

Setup option allows you to restrict access to system setup in the same way that a primary password restricts access to the computer.

The administrator password can be used instead of the primary password. Whenever you are prompted to enter the primary password,

you can enter the administrator password.

NOTE:

If you disable the administrator password, the primary password is also disabled.

NOTE: The administrator password provides access to the computer, but it does not provide access to the hard drive

when a hard-drive password is assigned.

If you forget the primary password and do not have an administrator password assigned, or if you have both a primary and an

administrator password assigned but forget them both, contact your system administrator or contact Dell.

Security