Dell Precision T5400 (Late 2007) - Manual (Page 81)

Securing Your Computer 81
6 To confirm your password, type it a second time in the Confirm New
Password field and press <Enter>.
7 Press <Enter> at the prompt.
The system password setting changes to Set.
8 Exit the system setup program.
Password protection takes effect when you restart the computer.
Typing Your System Password
When you start or restart your computer, the following prompt appears on the
screen:
Type the system password and press <Enter>.
Enter password:
If you have assigned an administrator password, the computer accepts your
administrator password as an alternate system password.
If you type a wrong or incomplete system password, the following message
appears on the screen:
** Incorrect password. **
If you again type an incorrect or incomplete system password, the same message
appears on the screen. The third and subsequent times you type an incorrect or
incomplete system password, the computer displays the following message:
** Incorrect password. **
Number of unsuccessful password attempts: 3
System halted! Must power down.
Even after your computer is turned off and on, the previous message is displayed
each time you type an incorrect or incomplete system password.
NOTE: You can use Password Changes in conjunction with System Password and
Admin Password to further protect your computer from unauthorized changes.
Deleting or Changing an Existing System Password
To escape from the field without assigning a system password, press <Esc> at
any time before you complete step 5.
1 Enter the system setup program (see "System Setup" on page 89) and
verify whether an Unlock Setup field is present under Security.