Using the system, Setup program, Using the system setup program – Dell Latitude CPx J User Manual

Page 40

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Using the System Setup Program: Dell™ Latitude™ CPx H-
Series/J-Series User's Guide

Overview

Entering the System Setup Program

Using the System Setup Program

Overview

Each time you turn on your computer, it compares the installed hardware with the system configuration
information stored in nonvolatile random-access memory (NVRAM). If the system detects a discrepancy, it
generates an error message for each incorrect configuration setting.

Power Management Compliance (APM Versus ACPI)

The system configuration process differs depending on the type of power management scheme used by the
operating system. Microsoft® Windows® 95 and Windows NT use Advanced Power Management (APM).
Windows 2000 uses Advanced Configuration and Power Management (ACPI). Windows 98 can be either
APM- or ACPI-compliant, depending on the version you are using. If you have Windows 98, you can
determine which power scheme you have by accessing the System devices list in the Device Manager.

For Windows 98 with APM, click Start—> Settings—> Control Panel—> System—> Device Manager—>
System devices
.

For Windows 98 with ACPI, click Start—> Settings—> Control Panel—> System—> Hardware—>
Device Manager—> System devices
.

Either APM or ACPI options will appear at the top of the System devices list.

To adjust the configuration settings for APM operating systems, such as Microsoft Windows 95,
Windows 98 with APM, or Windows NT®, you can use the System Setup program.

ACPI operating systems, such as Windows 2000 and Windows 98 with ACPI, automatically configure
most of the setup options available in the System Setup program. In such cases, the operating system
overrides system setup options entered through the System Setup program. One exception is the
External Hot Key option, which you can disable or enable only through the System Setup program.
For more information on configuring features for these operating systems, see your Microsoft Windows
Help.

NOTE: For ACPI operating systems, the System Setup program is accessible only during the
system boot routine.

You can use the System Setup program as follows:

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