Dell Precision M2300 Dell Precision M2300 User's Guide - Page 64

Hard drive administrators or service technicians access to computers for repair or reconfiguration l Allows you to restrict access to system setup in the same way a primary password restricts access to the computer l Can be used instead of the primary password l Helps protect the data on your hard drive from unauthorized access NOTE: Some hard drives do not support hard drive passwords. NOTE: Passwords provide a high level of security for data in your computer or hard drive. However, they are not foolproof. For security, the Dell Precision™ M2300 ships with a smart card reader. If you forget any of your passwords, contact Dell (see Contacting Dell). For your protection, Dell technical support staff will ask you for proof of your identity to ensure that only an authorized person can use the computer. Using a Primary (or System) Password The primary password allows you to protect the computer from unauthorized access. When you first start your computer, you must assign a primary password at the prompt. If you do not enter a password within 2 minutes, the computer returns to its previous operating state. NOTICE: If you disable the administrator password, the primary password is also disabled. To add or change passwords, access User Accounts from the Control Panel. If you have assigned an administrator password, you can use it instead of the primary password. The computer does not specifically prompt you for the administrator password. Using an Administrator Password The administrator password is designed to give system administrators or service technicians access to computers for repair or reconfiguration. The administrators or technicians can assign identical administrator passwords to groups of computers, allowing you to assign a unique primary password. To set or change administrator passwords, access User Accounts from the Control Panel. When you set an administrator password, the Configure Setup option becomes available in system setup. The Configure Setup option allows you to restrict access to system setup in the same way that a primary password restricts access to the computer. The administrator password can be used instead of the primary password. Whenever you are prompted to enter the primary password, you can enter the administrator password. NOTICE: If you disable the administrator password, the primary password is also disabled. 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. If you forget the primary password and do not have an administrator password assigned, or if you have both a primary and an administrator password assigned but forget them both, contact your system administrator or contact Dell (see Obtaining Assistance). Using a Hard Drive Password The hard drive password helps protect the data on your hard drive from unauthorized access. To assign or change a hard drive password, enter system setup (see System Setup Program).