Responding to error messages, Disabling a forgotten password, Password. see – Dell PowerEdge 4400 User Manual
Page 81: You can, Assign a setup password
password have full use of the System Setup program.
To change an existing setup password, you must know the setup password (see "
Deleting or Changing an Existing Setup Password
"). If you
assign and later forget a setup password, you cannot operate your system or change settings in the System Setup program until a trained service
technician opens the computer chassis, changes the password jumper setting to disable the passwords, and erases the existing passwords. This
procedure is described in Appendix B of the Installation and Troubleshooting Guide.
Assigning a Setup Password
A setup password can be assigned (or changed) only when the Setup Password option is set to Not Enabled. To assign a setup password,
highlight the Setup Password option and press the left- or right-arrow key. The system prompts you to enter and verify the password. If a
character is illegal for password use, the system emits a beep.
After you verify the password, the Setup Password setting changes to Enabled. The next time you enter the System Setup program, the system
prompts you for the setup password.
A change to the Setup Password option becomes effective immediately (rebooting the system is not required).
Operating With a Setup Password Enabled
If Setup Password is set to Enabled, you must enter the correct setup password before you can modify the majority of the System Setup options.
When you start the System Setup program, Page 2 of the System Setup screens appears with the Setup Password option highlighted,
prompting you to type the password.
If you do not enter the correct password in three tries, the system lets you view, but not modify, the System Setup screens
—with the following
exceptions:
l
You can still modify the Date, Time, Processor Speed, Num Lock, and Speaker options.
l
If System Password is not enabled and is not locked via the Password Status option, you can assign a system password (however, you
cannot disable or change an existing system password).
Deleting or Changing an Existing Setup Password
To delete or change an existing setup password, perform the following steps:
1. Enter the System Setup program.
2. Highlight the Setup Password option and press the left- or right-arrow key to delete the existing setup password.
The setting changes to Not Enabled.
3. If you want to assign a new setup password, perform the steps in "
."
Disabling a Forgotten Password
If you forget your system or setup password, you cannot operate your system or change settings in the System Setup program until a trained
service technician opens the computer chassis, changes the password jumper setting to disable the passwords, and erases the existing
passwords. This procedure is described in Appendix B of the Installation and Troubleshooting Guide.
Responding to Error Messages
If an error message appears on your monitor screen while the system is booting, make a note of the message. Then, before entering the System
Setup program, refer to "System Beep Codes" and "System Messages" in "Messages and Codes" in the Installation and Troubleshooting Guide
for an explanation of the message and suggestions for correcting any errors. (An exception to this routine: It is normal to receive an error message
the first time you boot your system after installing a memory upgrade. In that situation, do not refer to "System Beep Codes" and "System
Messages." Instead, follow the instructions for performing a memory upgrade in "Adding Memory" in "Installing System Board Options" in the
Installation and Troubleshooting Guide.)
If you are given an option of pressing either <F1> to continue or <F2> to run the System Setup program, press the <F2> key.
NOTES: The setup password can be the same as the system password.
If the two passwords are different, the setup password can be used as an alternate system password. However, the system password
cannot be used in place of the setup password.
NOTE: You can use the Password Status option in conjunction with Setup Password to protect the system password from
unauthorized changes. For more information, see "
."