Dell Dimension 9100 - Manual (Page 45)

Boot Sequence
This feature allows you to change the boot sequence for devices.
Option Settings
l Diskette Drive — The computer attempts to boot from the floppy drive. If the floppy in the drive is not bootable, the computer attempts to boot to the
hard drive.
l Hard Drive — The computer attempts to boot from the primary hard drive. If no operating system is on the drive, the computer attempts to boot to the
next bootable device.
l CD Drive — The computer attempts to boot from the CD drive. If no CD is in the drive, or if the CD has no operating system, the computer attempts to
boot to the next bootable device.
l USB Flash Device — Insert the memory device into a USB port and restart the computer. When F12 = Boot Menu appears in the upper-right corner of
the screen, press <F12>. The BIOS detects the device and adds the USB flash option to the boot menu.
Changing Boot Sequence for the Current Boot
HDD Acoustic Mode
NOTE: Switching to performance mode will cause the drive heads to move faster, causing the hard drive to be noisier. However, some
drives may not see an increase in data transfer rates.
NOTE: Changing the acoustics setting does not alter your hard drive image.
Security This section displays available system security options.
Admin Password
Displays the current status of the system setup password security feature and allows a new system setup password to be assigned
and verified.
System Password Displays the current status of the system's password security feature and allows a new system password to be assigned and verified.
Password Changes
This option locks the system password field with the setup password. When the field is locked, you can no longer disable password
security by pressing <Ctrl><Enter> when the computer starts. Also, a valid Admin password is required to change the system password
(defaults to Unlocked).
Execute Disable Enables or disables Execute Disable memory protection technology. On is the default setting.
Power Management
AC Recovery
Determines what happens when AC power is restored to the computer. On restarts the computer when power is restored after an
outage. Last returns the computer to its last state before power was removed. Off is the default setting.
Auto Power On
Sets the computer to automatically turn on. Choices are every day or every Monday through Friday.
The default setting is Off.
This feature does not work if you turn off your computer using a power strip or surge protector.
Auto Power Time
Sets time to automatically turn on the computer.
Time is kept in the standard 12-hour format (hours:minutes). Change the startup time by pressing the right- or left-arrow key to
increase or decrease the numbers, or type numbers in both the date and time fields.
This feature does not work if you turn off your computer using a power strip or surge protector.
Suspend Mode
The options are S1, a suspend state where the computer is running in a low-power mode, and S3, a standby state where the power is
reduced or turned off for most components, however, system memory remains active.
Maintenance
SERR DMI Message Some graphics cards require that the SERR DMI message be disabled. The default setting is On.
Asset Tag Displays the system asset tag.
Owner Tag Displays the system owner tag.
Load Defaults When Continue is selected, this setting restores the computer's default settings. The default setting is Cancel.
Event Log Displays the system event log.
POST Behavior
Fastboot When set to On (default), your computer starts more quickly because it skips certain configurations and tests.
Numlock Key
This option involves the rightmost bank of keys on your keyboard. When set to On (default), this option activates the numeric and
mathematical features shown at the top of each key. When set to Off, this option activates the cursor-control functions labeled on the
bottom of each key.
POST Hotkeys This option allows you to specify the function keys to display on the screen when the computer starts.
Keyboard Errors This option enables or disables keyboard error reporting when the computer starts.
NOTE: The computer attempts to boot to all bootable devices but if no bootable device is found, the computer generates the No boot device available
error message. Press the <F1> key to retry the boot, or press the <F2> key to enter the setup utility.
NOTE: To boot to a USB device, the device must be bootable. To ensure that your device is bootable, check the device documentation.