Dell Precision 610 - Manual (Page 31)

When you start the System Setup program, the System Setup screen appears with the Setup Password setting highlighted,
prompting you to type the password.
If you do not enter the correct password, the system lets you view, but not modify, the System Setup screen - with the following
exceptions:
You can still modify the System Date, System Time, CPU Speed, Keyboard Num Lock, and PC Speaker options.
If System Password is not enabled and is not locked via the Password Status option, you can assign a system password
(however, you cannot disable or change an existing system password).
NOTE: You can use the Password Status setting in conjunction with the Setup Password feature to protect the
system password from unauthorized changes. For more information, see " Password Status ".
Deleting or Changing an Existing Setup Password
To delete or change an existing setup password, follow these steps:
1. Enter the System Setup program.
2. Highlight the System Security setting and press <Enter>.
3. Highlight the Setup Password setting and press <Enter>.
4. To delete an existing setup password, press <Enter> in the Enter Password field and in the Confirm Password field. To
change an existing setup password, type the new password in the Enter Password field and press <Enter>, and then type
the new setup password in the Confirm Password field and press <Enter>.
If a character is illegal for password use, the system emits a beep. If the setup password is deleted, the Setup Password
setting changes to Not Enabled. If the setup password is changed, the Setup Password option remains Enabled.
If you want to assign a new setup password, follow the procedure in " Assigning a Setup Password ".
Disabling a Forgotten Password
If you forget your system or setup password, you cannot operate your system or change settings in the System Setup program
until you remove the computer cover, change the password jumper setting to disable the passwords, and erase the existing
passwords.
To disable a forgotten password, follow these steps:
1. Remove the computer cover according to the instructions in " Removing the Computer Cover ".
CAUTION: See " Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge ".
2. Remove the jumper plug from the PSWD jumper to disable the password feature.
Refer to Table B-1 for jumper information and to Figure B-1 for the location of the password jumper (labeled "PSWD") on
the system board.
3. Replace the computer cover.
4. Reconnect your computer and peripherals to their power sources, and then turn them on.
Booting your system with the PSWD jumper plug removed erases the existing password(s).
NOTE: After you remove and replace the cover, the chassis intrusion detector will cause the following message to
be displayed at the next system start-up:
ALERT! Cover was previously removed.
5. To reset the chassis intrusion detector, enter the System Setup program and reset Chassis Intrusion to Not Detected.
See " Chassis Intrusion " for instructions.
NOTE: If a setup password has been assigned by someone else, contact your network administrator for