Setup program: dell™ inspiron™ 7500 – Dell Inspiron 7500 User Manual

Page 141

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Setup Program: Dell™ Inspiron™ 7500

Using the Setup Program

Your computer retains system configuration information in the nonvolatile random-access memory (NVRAM) maintained by your computer

’s

reserve battery. Each time you turn on your computer, the system compares the installed hardware with the system configuration information stored
in NVRAM. If the system detects a discrepancy, it generates an error message that identifies the incorrect configuration setting.

You can use the Setup program to perform the following tasks:

l

Change your system configuration information after you add, change, or remove hardware connected to or installed inside your computer

l

Verify information about your computer

’s current configuration, such as the amount of system memory

l

Set or change user-selectable features

—for example, power management or security features

 Accessing the Setup Program

NOTICE: To avoid data loss, exit any application programs before rebooting the computer to enter the Setup program.

To access the Setup program, turn on the computer and press <F2> as soon as you see the Dell logo screen and before the Windows logo screen
appears. The computer reboots automatically when you exit the Setup program.

The Main menu of the Setup program shows how the computer is configured. In addition to the Main menu (see Figure 1), you can also access the
System Devices menu, Security menu, Power menu, Boot menu, and Exit menu.

 Main Menu

See Figure 1 and Table 1 for an explanation of the options and settings on the Main menu.

Figure 1. PhoenixBIOS Setup Utility Main Menu

Using the Setup Program

Security Menu

Accessing the Setup Program

Power Menu

Main Menu

Boot Menu

System Devices Menu

Exit Menu

NOTE: Many of the options that are configured in the Setup program are overridden by the settings in the Microsoft® Windows® control

panels, such as the Power Management control panel. When your computer is running the Windows 98 operating system, it will use the
settings that are selected in the Windows control panels rather than those set in the Setup program.

NOTE: When you press <F9>, the computer resets the default values for each option in that menu. When you press <F10>, the

computer saves the current settings and exits the Setup program.

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