Dell Alienware M17x R2 (Early 2010) - Manual (Page 28)

28 CHAPTER 3: USING YOUR LAPTOP
Free Fall Sensor
Free fall sensor protects your computer hard drive from possible damage, by
detecting a free fall state caused by accidentally dropping the computer. When a
free fall state is detected, the hard drive is placed in a safe state to protect against
damage to the read/write head and possible data loss. Your hard drive returns to
normal operation, when the free fall state is no longer detected.
Configuring the BIOS
System Setup
The System Setup options allow you to:
• Change the system configuration information after you add, change, or
remove any hardware in your laptop.
• Set or change a user-selectable option.
• View the installed amount of memory or set the type of hard drive installed.
Before you use System Setup, it is recommended that you write down the current
System Setup information for future reference.
CAUTION: Do not change the settings in System Setup unless you are
an expert computer user. Certain changes can cause your computer to
work incorrectly.
Entering System Setup
1. Turn on (or restart) your laptop.
2. While the laptop is booting, press <F2> immediately before the operating
system logo appears to access the BIOS Setup Utility.
If an error occurs during POST (Power On Self Test), you may also enter the
BIOS Setup Utility by pressing <F2> when prompted.
NOTE: If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue
to wait until you see the Microsoft ® Windows ® desktop, then shut down
your laptop and try again.
NOTE: Keyboard failure may result when a key on the keyboard is held down
for extended periods of time. To avoid possible keyboard failure, press and
release <F2> in even intervals until the System Setup screen appears.
System Setup Screens
The BIOS Setup Utility window displays current or changeable configuration
information for your laptop. Information is divided into five menus: Main,
Advanced, Security, Boot, and Exit.
Key functions appear at the bottom of the BIOS Setup Utility window and lists
keys and their functions within the active field.