Dell Precision 610 - Manual (Page 30)

Enter the System Setup program by pressing <F2>. For instructions on changing the setting for Password Status, see
"
Password Status ".
2. Highlight the System Security setting and press <Enter>.
3. Highlight the System Password setting and press <Enter>.
4. To delete an existing system password, press <Enter> in the Enter Password field and in the Confirm Password field. To
change an existing system password, type the new password in the Enter Password field and press <Enter>, and then type
the new system password in the Confirm Password field and press <Enter>.
If a character is illegal for password use, the system emits a beep. If the system password is deleted, the System Password
setting changes to Not Enabled. If the system password is changed, the System Password option remains Enabled.
NOTE: An existing system password can also be disabled when the system is rebooted, as explained in " Using
Your System Password to Secure Your System ".
If you want to assign a new system password, follow the procedure in " Assigning a System Password ".
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 the next subsection, 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
To assign a setup password, follow these steps:
1. Enter the System Setup program.
2. Highlight the System Security option and press <Enter>.
3. Highlight the Setup Password option and press <Enter>.
4. Type the desired setup password in the Enter Password field and press <Enter>.
If a character is illegal for password use, the system emits a beep.
5. Type the desired setup password in the Confirm Password field and press <Enter>.
The setup password is now assigned and is Enabled.
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.
A change to the Setup Password setting 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.