Dell Inspiron 2000 - Manual (Page 44)

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Passwords and Security: Dell™ Inspiron™ 2000 System Reference
About Passwords
A user password prevents unauthorized access to the computer at start-up. A supervisor password provides access to the system setup program.
A hard-disk drive password helps prevent the unauthorized access of data on the hard-disk drive, even when the device is placed into another
computer.
NOTICE: The password features provide a high level of security for the data in your computer or hard-disk drive. However, they are
not foolproof. If your data requires more security, you should obtain and use additional forms of protection, such as data encryption
programs or PC Cards with encryption features.
If you forget any of your passwords, call Dell. For your protection, Dell ’s technical support staff will ask you for proof of your identity to make sure
that an unauthorized person is not trying to use the computer.
Using a Supervisor Password
The supervisor password is designed to give system administrators or service technicians in large companies access to computers for repair or
reconfiguration. The administrators or technicians can assign identical supervisor passwords to groups of computers as they are unpacked and
configured, leaving the
user password free to be assigned by the user.
The supervisor password overrides the user password. Whenever you are prompted to enter the user password, you can enter the supervisor
password instead.
If you forget the user password and do not have a supervisor password assigned, or if you have both a user and a supervisor password assigned
but forget them both, call Dell.
NOTICE: Disabling the supervisor password disables the user password.
Using a User Password
The user password allows you to protect the computer from unauthorized access.
After assigning a user password, you must enter it each time you turn on your computer. The following message appears at the bottom of the
screen each time you turn on the computer:
Enter Password
To continue, type your password and press <Enter>.
If you assigned a supervisor password, you can use it instead of the user password. The computer does not specifically prompt you for the
supervisor password.
NOTICE: Disabling the supervisor password disables the user password.
Using a Hard-Disk Drive Password
About Passwords Using a Hard-Disk Drive Password
Using a Supervisor Password Physically Securing the Computer and the Hard-Disk Drive
Using a User Password
NOTES: All three passwords are disabled when you receive your computer. You need to assign those passwords if you require
password security for your computer. Some companies may assign any or all of these passwords before distributing the computer.
Use the
system setup program to assign all passwords.
NOTE: The supervisor password provides access to the computer, but it does not provide access to the hard-disk drive when the drive is
protected by a
password .
NOTE: Before assigning a user password, you must set a supervisor password .