Dell PowerEdge 4600 - Manual (Page 26)

l Password Status — When Setup Password is set to Enabled, this feature allows you to prevent the system password from being changed or disabled
at system start-up.
To lock the system password, you must first assign a setup password in the Setup Password option and then change the Password Status option to
Locked. In this state, the system password cannot be changed through the System Password option and cannot be disabled at system start-up by
pressing <Ctrl><Enter>.
To unlock the system password, you must enter the setup password in the Setup Password option and then change the Password Status option to
Unlocked. In this state, the system password can be disabled at system start-up by pressing <Ctrl><Enter> and then changed through the System
Password option.
l Power Button — When this option is set to Enabled, you can use the power button to turn the system off or shut down the system if you are running
Microsoft® Windows® 2000 or another operating system that is compliant with the ACPI specification. When this option is set to Disabled, you cannot
use the power button to turn off the system or perform other system events.
l NMI Button — This button may be used for troubleshooting software and device drivers when running certain operating systems. If a malfunction occurs
when NMI Button set to Enabled, an NMI interrupt alerts the system. Enable this button only when directed to do so by the operating system's
documentation.
Exit Screen
After you press <Esc> to exit the System Setup program, the Exit screen displays the following choices:
l Save Changes and Exit
l Discard Changes and Exit
l Return to Setup
Using the System Password Feature
Your system is shipped to you without the system password feature enabled. If system security is a concern, you should operate your system only with
system password protection.
You can assign a system password whenever you use the System Setup program. After a system password is assigned, only those who know the password
have full use of the system.
When the System Password option is set to Enabled, the system prompts you for the system password just after the system starts.
To change an existing system password, you must know the password (see " Deleting or Changing an Existing System Password "). If you assign and later
forget a system password, a trained service technician must remove the system cover to change a jumper setting that disables the system password feature
(see "
Disabling a Forgotten Password "). Note that this erases the setup password at the same time.
Assigning a System Password
Before you can assign a system password, you must enter the System Setup program and check the System Password option.
When a system password is assigned, the setting shown for the System Password option is Enabled. If the Password Status option is Unlocked, you can
change the system password. If the Password Status option is Locked, you cannot change the system password. When the system password feature is
disabled by a jumper setting on the system board, the setting shown is Disabled, and you cannot change or enter a new system password.
When no system password is assigned and the password jumper on the system board is in the enabled (default) position, the setting shown for the System
Password option is Not Enabled and the Password Status field is Unlocked. To assign a system password, use the following procedure:
1. Verify that the Password Status option is set to Unlocked.
2. Highlight the System Password option and then press <Enter>.
3. Type your new system password.
You can use up to 32 characters in your password.
As you press each character key (or the spacebar key for a blank space), a placeholder appears in the field.
The password assignment operation recognizes keys by their location on the keyboard without distinguishing between lowercase and uppercase
characters. For example, if you have an M in your password, the system recognizes either M or m as correct. Certain key combinations are not valid. If
you enter one of these combinations, the speaker emits a beep. To erase a character when entering your password, press the <Backspace> key or the
left-arrow key.
4. Press <Enter>.
5. To confirm your password, type it a second time and press <Enter>.
NOTE: You can still turn a system on using the power button, even if the Power Button option is set to Disabled.
NOTICE: The password features provide a basic level of security for the data on your system. However, they are not foolproof. If your data requires
more security, it is your responsibility to obtain and use additional forms of protection, such as data encryption programs.
NOTICE: If you leave your system running and unattended without having a system password assigned or if you leave your system unlocked so that
someone can disable the password by changing a jumper setting, anyone can access the data stored on your hard drive.
NOTE: To escape from the field without assigning a system password, press <Enter> to move to another field, or press <Esc> at any time prior to
completing step 5.