Dell OptiPlex GX1 - Manual (Page 35)

Using the System Setup Program: Dell OptiPlex GX1 and GX1p Midsize Managed PC Systems
file:///C|/infodev/2013/eDoc/OpGX1/SIG/system.htm[2/21/2013 12:07:20 PM]
Using the Setup Password Feature
Your Dell system is shipped to you without the setup password feature enabled. If system security is a
concern, you should operate your system with setup password protection.
You can assign a setup password, as described in " Assigning a Setup Password ," whenever you use the
System Setup program. After a setup password is assigned, only those who know the 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 need to remove the
computer cover to change a jumper setting that disables the setup password feature (see " Disabling a
Forgotten Password "). Note that you erase the system password at the same time.
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, perform the following steps:
1. Enter the System Setup program and go to Page 2 of the System Setup screens.
Refer to " Entering the System Setup Program ." Press the <Alt><p> key combination to move to Page 2
of the System Setup screens.
2. 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.
NOTE: The setup password can be the same as the system password.
3. Enter and verify the password, and click OK.
A change to the Setup Password option becomes effective immediately (rebooting the system is not
required).
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.
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.
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.
Operating With a Setup Password Enabled