Back to Contents Page

Using the System Setup Program

Dell™ PowerEdge™ 2600 Systems Service Manual

  Entering the System Setup Program

  System Setup Options

  System and Setup Password Features

  Disabling a Forgotten Password

After you set up your system, run the System Setup program to familiarize yourself with your system configuration and optional settings. Print the System Setup screens by pressing <Print Screen> or record the information for future reference.

You can use the System Setup program to:

• Change the system configuration stored in NVRAM after you add, change, or remove hardware
  
  
• Set or change user-selectable options—for example, the time or date
  
  
• Enable or disable integrated devices
  
  
• Correct discrepancies between the installed hardware and configuration settings
  
  

Entering the System Setup Program

1. Turn on or restart your system.
   
   
2. Press <F2> immediately after you see the following message:
   
   

<F2> = System Setup

If your operating system begins to load before you press <F2>, allow the system to finish booting, and then restart your system and try again.

NOTE: To ensure an orderly system shutdown, see the documentation that accompanied your operating system.

Responding to Error Messages

You can enter the System Setup program by responding to certain error messages. If an error message appears while the system is booting, make a note of the message. Before entering the System Setup program, see "System Beep Codes" and "System Messages" for an explanation of the message and suggestions for correcting errors.

NOTE: After installing a memory upgrade, it is normal for your system to send a message the first time you start your system.

Using the System Setup Program

Table 6-1 lists the keys that you use to view or change information on the System Setup program screens and to exit the program.

Table 6-1. System Setup Program Navigation Keys 

NOTE: For most of the options, any changes that you make are recorded but do not take effect until you restart the system.

System Setup Options

The following subsections outline the options on the System Setup screens.

Main Screen

When the System Setup program runs, the main program screen appears (see Figure 6-1).

Figure 6-1 Main System Setup Screen

The following options and information fields appear on the main System Setup screen:

• System Time — Resets the time on the system's internal clock.
  
  
• System Date — Resets the date on the system's internal calendar.
  
  
• Diskette Drive A: — Displays a screen that allows you to select the type of diskette drive for your system.
  
  
• System Memory — Displays the amount of system memory. This option has no user-selectable settings.
  
  
• Video Memory — Displays the amount of video memory. This option has no user-selectable settings.
  
  
• OS Install Mode — Determines the maximum amount of memory available to the operating system. On sets the maximum memory available to the operating system to 256 MB. Off (default) makes all of the system memory available to the operating system. Some operating systems will not install with more than 2 GB of system memory. Turn this option On during operating system installation and Off after installation.
  
  
• CPU Information — Displays information related to the microprocessor bus and microprocessors. Enables or disables the logical processor.
  
  
• Boot Sequence — Displays the Boot Sequence screen, discussed later in this section.
  
  
• Hard-Disk Drive Sequence — Displays the Hard-Disk Drive Sequence screen, discussed later in this section.
  
  
• Integrated Devices — Displays the Integrated Devices screen, discussed later in this section.
  
  
• PCI IRQ Assignment — Displays a screen that allows you to change the IRQ assigned to each of the integrated devices on the PCI bus, and any installed expansion cards that require an IRQ.
  
  
• PCI-X Slot Information — Displays a menu of the four selectable fields: PCIX Bus 1 PCIX Bus 2, PCIX Bus 3, and PCIX Bus 4. Selecting any one of these fields displays the following information for the PCI-X bus you selected:
  
  
• Whether or not the PCI-X slot(s) for the bus are occupied.
  
  
• For occupied PCI-X slots, the operating frequency of the slot. For unoccupied slots, the maximum operating frequency of the slot.
  
  
• For occupied PCI-X slots, the operating mode of the slot (PCI or PCI-X). For unoccupied slots, the capable operating mode of the slot.
  
  
• Console Redirection — Displays a screen that allows you to configure console redirection, discussed later in this section. For more information on using console redirection, see your User's Guide.
  
  
• System Security — Displays a screen that allows you to configure the system password and setup password features. See "System and Setup Password Features" and "Using the Setup Password" for more information.
  
  
• Keyboard NumLock — Determines whether your system starts up with the NumLock mode activated on 101- or 102-key keyboards (does not apply to 84-key keyboards).
  
  
• Report Keyboard Errors — Enables or disables reporting of keyboard errors during the POST. This option is useful when applied to self-starting or host systems that have no permanently attached keyboard. In these situations, selecting Do Not Report suppresses all error messages relating to the keyboard or keyboard controller during POST. This setting does not affect the operation of the keyboard itself if a keyboard is attached to the system.
  
  
• Asset Tag — Displays the customer-programmable asset tag number for the system if an asset tag number has been assigned. To enter an asset tag number of up to 10 characters into NVRAM, see "Using the Asset Tag Utility."
  
  

Boot Sequence Screen

The Boot Sequence screen options determine the order in which the system looks for boot devices that it needs to load during system startup. Available options include the diskette drive, CD drive, network, and hard drives. You can enable or disable a device by selecting it and pressing the spacebar. To change the order in which devices are searched, use the <+> and <–> keys.

Hard-Disk Drive Sequence Screen

The Hard-Disk Drive Sequence screen options determine the order in which the system searches the hard drives for the files that it needs to load during system startup. The choices depend on the particular hard drives installed in your system. To change the order in which devices are searched, use the <+> and <–> keys. Press <Enter> to confirm your selection.

Integrated Devices Screen

This screen is used to configure the following devices:

• Embedded RAID Controller — Toggles between RAID, SCSI, or Off. The configurable options will vary, depending on whether the optional ROMB key and memory are installed.
  
  
• With the optional ROMB key and memory installed — To turn on the RAID functionality of the optional ROMB key and memory, select RAID Enabled. Select Off to turn off RAID functionality.
  
  

NOTE: If you have an optional RAID controller card, you may need to turn on the SCSI controller.

• Without the optional ROMB key and memory installed — To turn on the SCSI controller, select SCSI. To turn off the SCSI controller and mask the presence of the device, select Off.
  
  

• IDE CD-ROM Controller — Configures the integrated IDE controller. When set to Auto, each channel of the integrated IDE controller is enabled if IDE devices are attached to the channel and no external IDE controller is detected. Otherwise, the channel is disabled.
  
  
• Diskette Controller — Enables or disables the system's diskette drive controller. When Auto (default) is selected, the system turns off the controller when necessary to accommodate a controller card installed in an expansion slot. You can also set up the drive to be read-only. Using the read-only setting, the drive cannot be used to write to a disk.
  
  
• USB Controller — Allows you to enable the USB ports with BIOS support, enable the USB ports without BIOS support or disable the system's USB ports. Disabling the USB ports makes system resources available for other devices.
  
  
• Embedded 10/100/1000 NIC — Enables or disables the system's integrated NIC. Options are Enabled without PXE, Enabled with PXE, and Disabled. PXE support allows the system to boot from the network. Changes take effect after the system reboots.
  
  
• MAC Address — Displays the address of the MAC address for the 10/100/1000 NIC that is used by the corresponding integrated NIC. This field has no user-selectable settings.
  
  
• Mouse Controller — Toggles the built-in PS/2-compatible mouse On (default) or Off.
  
  
• Serial Port (1 and 2) — Configures the system's integrated serial ports. When set to Auto, the integrated port automatically maps to the next available port. Serial Port 1 tries to use COM1, then COM3. Serial Port 2 tries to use COM2, then COM4. If both addresses are in use for a specific port, the port is disabled.
  
  

If you set the serial port to Auto and add an expansion card with a port configured to the same designation, the system automatically remaps the integrated port to the next available port designation that shares the same IRQ setting.

• Parallel Port — Allows you to select the address for the parallel port. The default address is 378h.
  
  

The system automatically disables the built-in parallel port if an expansion card containing a parallel port at the same address is detected.

• Parallel Port Mode — Toggles the parallel port mode of operation between AT mode and PS/2 mode. In AT mode, the integrated parallel port can only output data to an attached device. In PS/2 mode, the built-in parallel port can both input and output data.
  
  
• Speaker — Toggles the integrated speaker On (default) or Off. A change to this option takes effect immediately (rebooting the system is not required).
  
  

System Security Screen

You can set the following security features through the System Security screen:

• Password Status — When Setup Password is set to Enabled, this feature allows you to prevent the system password from being changed or disabled at system start-up.
  
  

To lock the system password, you must first assign a setup password in the Setup Password option and then change the Password Status option to Locked. In this state, the system password cannot be changed through the System Password option and cannot be disabled at system start-up by pressing <Ctrl><Enter>.

To unlock the system password, you must enter the setup password in the Setup Password option and then change the Password Status option to Unlocked. In this state, the system password can be disabled at system start-up by pressing <Ctrl><Enter> and then changed through the System Password option.

• Setup Password — Allows you to restrict access to the System Setup program in the same way that you restrict access to your system with the system password feature.
  
  

NOTE: See "Using the Setup Password" for instructions on assigning a setup password and using or changing an existing setup password. See "Disabling a Forgotten Password" for instructions on disabling a forgotten setup password.

• System Password — Displays the current status of your system's password security feature and allows you to assign and verify a new system password.
  
  

NOTE: See "System and Setup Password Features" for instructions on assigning a system password and using or changing an existing system password. See "Disabling a Forgotten Password" for instructions on disabling a forgotten system password.

• Front-Bezel Chassis Intrusion — Selecting this field allows you to enable or disable the chassis-intrusion detection feature.
  
  

NOTE: You can still turn a system on using the power button, even if the Power Button option is set to Disabled.

• Power Button — When this option is set to Enabled, you can use the power button to turn the system off or shut down the system if you are running an operating system that is compliant with the ACPI specification. If the system is not running an ACPI-compliant operating system, power is turned off immediately after the power button is pressed. When this option is set to Disabled, you cannot use the power button to turn off the system or perform other system events.
  
  

NOTICE: Use the NMI button only if directed to do so by qualified support personnel or by the operating system's documentation. Pressing this button halts the operating system and displays a diagnostic screen.

• NMI Button — Toggles the NMI feature On or Off.
  
  

Console Redirection Screen

This screen is used to configure the console redirection feature:

• Console Redirection — Toggles the console redirection feature On (default) or Off.
  
  
• Remote Terminal Type — Allows you to select either VT 100/VT 220 (default) or ANSI.
  
  
• Redirection after Boot — Enables (default) or disables console redirection after your system restarts.
  
  

Exit Screen

After you press <Esc> to exit the System Setup program, the Exit screen displays the following options:

• Save Changes and Exit
  
  
• Discard Changes and Exit
  
  
• Return to Setup
  
  

System and Setup Password Features

NOTICE: The password features provide a basic level of security for the data on your system. If your data requires more security, use additional forms of protection, such as data encryption programs.

NOTICE: Anyone can access the data stored on your system if you leave the system running and unattended without having a system password assigned or if you leave your system unlocked so that someone can disable the password by changing a jumper setting.

Your system is shipped to you without the system password feature enabled. If system security is a concern, operate your system only with system password protection.

To change or delete an existing password, you must know the password (see "Deleting or Changing an Existing System Password"). If you forget your password, you cannot operate your system or change settings in the System Setup program until a trained service technician changes the password jumper setting to disable the passwords, and erases the existing passwords. This procedure is described in the Installation and Troubleshooting Guide.

Using the System Password

After a system password is assigned, only those who know the password have full use of the system. When the System Password option is set to Enabled, the system prompts you for the system password after the system starts.

Assigning a System Password

Before you assign a system password, enter the System Setup program and check the System Password option.

When a system password is assigned, the setting shown for the System Password option is Enabled. If the setting shown for the Password Status is Unlocked, you can change the system password. If the Password Status option is Locked, you cannot change the system password. When the system password feature is disabled by a jumper setting, the system password is Disabled, and you cannot change or enter a new system password.

When a system password is not assigned and the password jumper on the system board is in the enabled (default) position, the setting shown for the System Password option is Not Enabled and the Password Status field is Unlocked. To assign a system password:

1. Verify that the Password Status option is set to Unlocked.
   
   
2. Highlight the System Password option and press <Enter>.
   
   
3. Type your new system password.
   
   

You can use up to 32 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 is not case-sensitive. However, certain key combinations are not valid. If you enter one of these combinations, the system beeps. To erase a character when entering your password, press <Backspace> or the left-arrow key.

NOTE: To escape from the field without assigning a system password, press <Enter> to move to another field, or press <Esc> at any time prior to completing step 5.

4. Press <Enter>.
   
   
5. To confirm your password, type it a second time and press <Enter>.
   
   

The setting shown for the System Password changes to Enabled. Exit the System Setup program and begin using your system.

6. Either reboot your system now for your password protection to take effect or continue working.
   
   

NOTE: Password protection does not take effect until you reboot the system.

Using Your System Password to Secure Your System

NOTE: If you have assigned a setup password (see "Using the Setup Password"), the system accepts your setup password as an alternate system password.

When the Password Status option is set to Unlocked, you have the option to leave the password security enabled or to disable the password security.

To leave the password security enabled:

1. Turn on or reboot your system by pressing <Ctrl><Alt><Del>.
   
   
2. Press <Enter>.
   
   
3. Type your password and press <Enter>.
   
   

To disable the password security:

1. Turn on or reboot your system by pressing <Ctrl><Alt><Del>.
   
   
2. Press <Ctrl><Enter>.
   
   

When the Password Status option is set to Locked whenever you turn on your system or reboot your system by pressing <Ctrl><Alt><Del>, type your password and press <Enter> at the prompt.

After you type the correct system password and press <Enter>, your system operates as usual.

If an incorrect system password is entered, the system displays a message and prompts you to re-enter your password. You have three attempts to enter the correct password. After the third unsuccessful attempt, the system displays an error message showing the number of unsuccessful attempts and that the system has halted and will shut down. This message can alert you to an unauthorized person attempting to use your system.

Even after you shut down and restart the system, the error message continues to be displayed until the correct password is entered.

NOTE: You can use the Password Status option in conjunction with the System Password and Setup Password options to further protect your system from unauthorized changes.

Deleting or Changing an Existing System Password

1. When prompted, press <Ctrl><Enter> to disable the existing system password.
   
   

If you are asked to enter your setup password, contact your network administrator.

2. Enter the System Setup program by pressing <F2> during POST.
   
   
3. Select the System Security screen field to verify that the Password Status option is set to Unlocked.
   
   
4. When prompted, type the system password.
   
   
5. Confirm that Not Enabled is displayed for the System Password option.
   
   

If Not Enabled is displayed for the System Password option, the system password has been deleted. If Enabled is displayed for the System Password option, press the <Alt><b> key combination to restart the system, and then repeat steps 2 through 5.

Using the Setup Password

Assigning a Setup Password

You can assign (or change) a setup password only when the Setup Password option is set to Not Enabled. To assign a setup password, highlight the Setup Password option and press the <+> or <–> key. The system prompts you to enter and verify the password. If a character is illegal for password use, the system beeps.

NOTE: The setup password can be the same as the system password. If the two passwords are different, the setup password can be used as an alternate system password. However, the system password cannot be used in place of the setup password.

You can use up to 32 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 is not case-sensitive. However, certain key combinations are not valid. If you enter one of these combinations, the system beeps. To erase a character when entering your password, press <Backspace> or the left-arrow key.

After you verify the password, the Setup Password setting changes to Enabled. The next time you enter the System Setup program, the system prompts you for the setup password.

A change to the Setup Password option becomes effective immediately (restarting the system is not required).

Operating With a Setup Password Enabled

If Setup Password is set to Enabled, you must enter the correct setup password before you can modify most of the System Setup options. When you start the System Setup program, the program prompts you to enter a password.

If you do not enter the correct password in three attempts, the system lets you view, but not modify, the System Setup screens—with the following exception: If System Password is not set to Enabled and is not locked through the Password Status option, you can assign a system password (however, you cannot disable or change an existing system password).

NOTE: You can use the Password Status option in conjunction with the Setup Password option to protect the system password from unauthorized changes.

Deleting or Changing an Existing Setup Password

1. Enter the System Setup program and select the System Security option.
   
   
2. Highlight the Setup Password option, press <Enter> to access the setup password window, and press <Enter> twice to clear the existing setup password.
   
   

The setting changes to Not Enabled.

3. If you want to assign a new setup password, perform the steps in "Assigning a Setup Password."
   
   

Disabling a Forgotten Password

See "Jumpers and Connectors."

Back to Contents Page