Dell Vostro 2521 (Early 2013) - Manual (Page 38)

Password Type Description
System password Password that you must enter to log on to your system.
Setup password Password that you must enter to access and make changes to the BIOS settings of your
computer.
CAUTION: The password features provide a basic level of security for the data on your computer.
CAUTION: Anyone can access the data stored on your computer if is not locked and left unattended.
NOTE: Your computer is shipped with the system and setup password feature disabled.
Assigning a System Password and Setup Password
You can assign a new System Password and/or Setup Password or change an existing System Password and/or Setup
Password only when Password Status is Unlocked. If the Password Status is Locked, you cannot change the System
Password.
NOTE: If the password jumper is disabled, the existing System Password and Setup Password is deleted and you
need not provide the system password to log on to the computer.
To enter a system setup, press immediately after a power-on or reboot.
1. In the System BIOS or System Setup screen, select System Security and press .
The System Security screen appears.
2. In the System Security screen, verify that Password Status is Unlocked.
3. Select System Password , enter your system password, and press or .
Use the following guidelines to assign the system password:
– A password can have up to 32 characters.
– The password can contain the numbers 0 through 9.
– Only lower case letters are valid, upper case letters are not allowed.
– Only the following special characters are allowed: space, (”), (+), (,), (-), (.), (/), (;), ([), (\), (]), (`).
Re-enter the system password when prompted.
4. Type the system password that you entered earlier and click OK.
5. Select Setup Password, type your system password and press or .
A message prompts you to re-type the setup password.
6. Type the setup password that you entered earlier and click OK.
7. Press and a message prompts you to save the changes.
8. Press to save the changes.
The computer reboots.
Deleting or Changing an Existing System and/or Setup Password
Ensure that the Password Status is Unlocked (in the System Setup) before attempting to delete or change the existing
System and/or Setup password. You cannot delete or change an existing System or Setup password, if the Password
Status is Locked.
To enter the System Setup, press immediately after a power-on or reboot.
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