Dell Latitude 120L - Manual (Page 67)

If the hard drive password, the external hard-drive password, and the primary password are the same, the computer prompts you only for the primary
password. If the hard drive password is different from the primary password, the computer prompts you for both. Two different passwords provide greater
security.
NOTE: The administrator password provides access to the computer, but it does not provide access to the hard drive when a hard drive password is
assigned.