Dell PowerEdge 6400 - Manual (Page 76)

your data requires more security, it is your responsibility to obtain and use additional forms of protection, such as data encryption
programs.
Your Dell 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 System Password is set to Enabled, the computer system prompts you for the system password just after the system boots.
To change an existing system password , you must know the password. If you assign and later forget a system password, you need to be able to
remove the computer cover to change a jumper setting that disables the system password feature . Note that when you erase the system password,
you erase the setup password at the same time.
NOTICE: If you leave your system running and unattended without having a system password assigned, or if you 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.
Assigning a System Password
Before you can assign a system password, you must enter the System Setup program and check System Password.
When a system password is assigned, System Password is Enabled. When the system password feature is disabled by a jumper setting on the
system board, the status 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), the status shown for
System Password is Not Enabled. Only when System Password is set to Not Enabled can you assign a system password, by performing the
following steps:
1. Verify that Password Status is set to Unlocked.
2. Highlight System Password, and then press the left- or right-arrow key.
The heading changes to Enter Password, followed by an empty seven-character field in square brackets.
3. Type your new system password.
You can use up to seven 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 key or the left-arrow key.
4. Press .
If the new system password contains fewer than seven characters, the whole field fills with placeholders. Then the option heading changes to
Verify Password, followed by another empty seven-character field in square brackets.
5. To confirm your password, type it a second time and press .
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 turning the system off and then on again.
Using Your System Password to Secure Your System
Whenever you turn on your system or reboot by pressing the key combination, the following prompt appears when Password
Status is set to Unlocked:
Type in the password and...
-- press to leave password
security enabled.
-- press to disable password security.
Enter password:
NOTE: To escape from the field without assigning a system password, press the key or the key combination to
move to another field, or press the key at any time prior to completing step 5.