Dell OptiPlex Gxi - Manual (Page 41)

Using the System Setup Program 2-11
Assigning a System Password
Before you can assign a system password, you must enter
the System Setup program and check the
SYSTEM PASS-
WORD category.
When a system password is assigned, the option shown in
the
SYSTEM PASSWORD category is ENABLED . When
the system password feature is disabled by a jumper set-
ting on the system board, the option shown is
DISABLED
BY JUMPER . You cannot change or enter a new system
password if either of these options is displayed.
When no system password is assigned and the password
jumper on the system board is in the enabled position (its
default setting), the option shown for the
SYSTEM PASS-
WORD category is NOT ENABLED . Only when this
category is set to NOT ENABLED can you assign a system
password, using the following procedure:
1. Verify that the PASSWORD STATUS category is set
to UNLOCKED .
For instructions on changing the setting for PASS-
WORD STATUS , see “Password Status” found earlier
in this chapter.
2. Highlight the SYSTEM PASSWORD category, and
then press the left- or right-arrow key.
The category heading changes to ENTER PASSWORD ,
followed by an empty seven-character field in square
brackets.
3. Type in your new system password.
You can use up to seven characters in your password.
As you press each character key (or the < SPACEBAR >
for a blank space), a placeholder appears in the field.
The password assignment operation recognizes keys
by their location on the keyboard, without distin-
guishing 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.
NOTE: To escape from the field without assigning a
system password, press the <
TAB > key or the
< SHIFT >< TAB > key combination to move to another
field, or press the key at any time prior to
completing step 5.
4. Press < ENTER >.
If the new system password is less than seven char-
acters, the whole field fills with placeholders. Then
the category heading changes to
VERIFY PASSWORD ,
followed by another empty seven-character field in
square brackets.
5. To confirm your password, type it in a second
time and press <
ENTER >.
The password setting changes to ENABLED. Your
system password is now set; you can exit the System
Setup program and begin using your system. Note,
however, that password protection does not take
effect until you reboot the system by pressing the
reset button or by turning the system off and then on
again.
Using Your System Password to Secure
Your System
Whenever you turn your system on, press the reset
button, or reboot the system by pressing the
<
CTRL >< ALT >< DEL > key combination, the following
prompt appears on the screen:
Type in the password and ...
— press to leave password
security enabled.
— press to disable password
security.
Enter password:
After you type the correct system password and press
<
ENTER >, your system boots and you can use the key-
board to operate your system as usual.
NOTE: If you have assigned a setup password (see
“Using the Setup Password Feature” found later in this
chapter), the system accepts your setup password as an
alternate system password.
CAUTION: If you leave your system running and
unattended without having a system password
assigned or leave your computer unlocked so that
someone can disable the password by changing a
jumper setting, anyone can access the data stored
on your hard-disk drive.