Dell Precision 370 - Manual (Page 27)

access the data stored on your hard drive.
Option Settings
You cannot change or enter a new system password if either of the following two options is displayed:
Disabled — The system password is disabled by a jumper setting on the system board.
You can only assign a system password when the following option is displayed:
Set — A system password is assigned.
Not Enabled — No system password is assigned and the password jumper on the system board is in the enabled
position (the default).
Assigning a System Password
To escape from the field without assigning a system password, press <Tab> or the <Shift><Tab> key combination to move
to another field, or press <Esc> at any time before you complete step 5.
1. Enter system setup and verify that Password Status is set to Unlocked.
2. Highlight System Password, and then press <Enter>.
The option heading changes to Enter Password, followed by an empty 32-character field in square brackets.
3. Type your new system password.
You can use up to 32 characters. To erase a character when entering your password, press <Backspace> or the left-
arrow key. The password is not case sensitive.
Certain key combinations are not valid. If you enter one of these combinations, the cursor will not move.
As you press each character key (or the spacebar for a blank space), a placeholder appears in the field.
4. Press <Enter>.
If the new system password is less than 32 characters, the whole field fills with placeholders. Then the option heading
changes to Confirm Password, followed by another empty 32-character field in square brackets.
5. To confirm your password, type it a second time and press <Enter>.
The password setting changes to Set.
6. Exit system setup.
Password protection takes effect when you restart the computer.
Typing Your System Password