Dell Inspiron 3800 - Manual (Page 24)

Using a Hard-Disk Drive Password
The hard-disk drive password helps protect the data on your hard-disk drive from unauthorized access. You can also assign a password for the
modular hard-disk drive (if one is being used) that can be the same as or different from the password for the primary hard-disk drive.
After assigning a hard-disk drive password, you must enter it each time you turn on the computer and each time you resume normal operation from
standby mode.
If the hard-disk drive password is enabled, the following message appears each time you turn on the computer:
Please type in the hard-disk drive password and press <Enter>.
To continue, enter the hard-disk drive password. Press <Esc> to return the computer to its previous state —standby mode.
If you enter the wrong password, the following message appears:
Invalid password
[Press Enter to retry]
If the correct password is not entered in three attempts, the computer tries to boot from another bootable device if the Boot First device option in
the System Setup program is set to allow it. If the Boot First device option is not set to allow booting from another device, the computer returns to
the state it was in when you turned it on
—standby mode.
Physically Securing the Computer and the Hard-Disk Drive
To prevent unauthorized removal of the computer, you can use a security cable to attach the computer to an immovable object. Your computer has
two security cable slots: One security cable slot is located between the speaker and the hard-disk drive. (See
Figure 1 in "Technical Overview.")
The other security cable slot is located between the TV-out S-video connector and the fan's air intake. (See Figure 2 in "Technical Overview.")
Description of Security Cable Slots
The security cable slots allow you to attach a commercially available antitheft device to the computer. Antitheft devices for portable computers
usually include a segment of metal-stranded cable with an attached locking device and associated key.
When your computer is installed in an advanced port replicator (APR), use the security cable slot located between the TV-out S-video connector
and the fan's air intake to secure your computer.
You can use either security cable slot to secure your computer when it is not docked to an APR. However, to lock your computer and prevent
unauthorized removal of the hard-disk drive, insert the locking device into the security cable slot located between the hard-disk drive and the
speaker, and lock the device with its associated key.
Basic Instructions for Using Security Cable Slots
To prevent unauthorized removal of your computer, loop the cable around an immovable object, insert the locking device into either of the security
cable slots, and lock the device. See Figure 1 for an example of how to secure your computer. Complete instructions for installing this kind of
antitheft device are usually included with the device.
Figure 1. Securing the Computer
NOTE: Only hard-disk drives purchased from Dell for use with your Dell computer support the hard-disk drive password
option.
NOTE: If no password is entered within 2 minutes, the computer returns to its previous state.
NOTES: If the hard-disk drive password, the modular hard-disk drive password, and the primary password are the same,
you are prompted only for the primary password. If the hard-disk drive password is different from the primary password,
you are prompted for both. Two different passwords provide greater security.
The administrator password provides access to the system, but it does not provide access to the hard-disk drive when it is
protected by a password.