Dell OptiPlex 320 User Guide - Page 3

Password Protection NOTICE: Although passwords provide security for the data on your computer, they are not foolproof. If your data requires more security, it is your responsibility to obtain and use additional forms of protection, such as data encryption programs. System Password NOTICE: If you leave your computer 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 drive. Option Settings You cannot change or enter a new system password if either of the following two options is displayed: l Set - A system password is assigned. l 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: l Not Set - No system password is assigned and the password jumper on the system board is in the enabled position (the default setting). Assigning a System Password To escape from the field without assigning a system password, press or the key combination to move to another field, or press at any time before you complete step 5. 1. Enter system setup and verify that Password Status is set to Unlocked (see Entering System Setup). 2. Highlight System Password, and then press the left- or right-arrow key. 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 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 speaker emits a beep. As you press each character key (or the spacebar for a blank space), a placeholder appears in the field. 4. Press . If the new system password is less than 32 characters, the whole field fills with placeholders. Then the option heading changes to Verify Password, followed by another empty 32-character field in square brackets. 5. To confirm your password, type it a second time and press . The password setting changes to Set. 6. Exit system setup. Password protection takes effect when you restart the computer. Typing Your System Password When you start or restart your computer, one of the following prompts appears on the screen. If Password Status is set to Unlocked: Type in the password and - press to leave password security enabled. - press to disable password security. Enter password: If Password Status is set to Locked: Type the password and press . If you have assigned an administrator password, the computer accepts your administrator password as an alternate system password.