This section describes the System Setup program, which is used to change the system configuration information stored in NVRAM on the system board. If the system detects a discrepancy, an error message may appear on the screen that identifies the incorrect configuration settings. The system then prompts you to enter the System Setup program to correct the setting.
You can use the System Setup program as follows:
| NOTICE: Whenever you add or remove PCI expansion cards that affect system resources (such as ports and interrupt requests (IRQ), you must run the System Setup program, make any necessary changes, and save the system configuration information. Failure to do so may cause resource conflicts between PCI devices (such as the video PCI controller). |
After you set up your system, run the System Setup program to familiarize yourself with your system configuration information and optional settings. Dell recommends that you print the System Setup screens (by pressing the <Print Screen> key) or write down the information for future reference.
 |
NOTE: You must connect a monitor and keyboard to the PowerEdge 350 system before using the System Setup program. |
Enter the System Setup program by performing the following steps:
Press <F2> to enter Setup
If you wait too long and your operating system begins to load into memory, let the system complete the load operation, and then shut down the system and try again.
|
NOTE: To ensure an orderly system shutdown, consult the documentation that accompanied your operating system. |
You can also enter the System Setup program by responding to certain error messages. See "Responding to Error Messages."
The System Setup screens display the current setup and configuration information and optional settings for your system. Information on the System Setup screens is organized as shown in Table 1.
Table 1. System Setup Screen Components
| Item | Function |
|---|---|
| Menu bar | Lists the five top-level menus: the Main Menu, the Advanced Menu, the Security Menu, the Boot Menu, the System Management Menu, and the Exit Menu |
| Configuration options and systems data | Lists System Setup program options, which define the installed hardware in your system |
| Help | Displays help information |
| Key functions | Lists keys and their functions within the System Setup program |
Table 2 lists the keys you use to view or change information on the System Setup screens and to exit the program.
Table 2. System Setup Navigation Keys
| Keys | Action |
|---|---|
| <F1> | Displays help for specific categories |
| <Enter> | Activates submenus, selects options |
| Left or right arrow | Moves the cursor to the previous or following top-level menu |
| Up or down arrow | Selects previous or following field in a menu |
| <F9> | Loads the default option values for all fields |
| <Esc> | Exits the current option or submenu; if pressed while in a top-level menu, the Exit menu is displayed |
| <F10> | Exits the System Setup program and reboots the system, implementing any changes you have made |
The following tables list each of the options on the System Setup screens for the Main Menu and its various submenus.
Table 3. Main Menu Categories
| Feature | Default Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| BIOS version | Displays the version of the BIOS | |
| Processor type | Displays the internal operating speed of the microprocessor | |
| Processor serial number | Disabled* |
Disables or enables the processor serial number feature |
| Cache RAM | Displays the amount of Level 2 cache | |
| Total memory | Displays the amount of system memory | |
| Bank 0, Bank 1, Bank 2, Bank 3 | Displays the type of memory installed in each bank, if installed | |
| Language | English (US) | Sets the language used by the system BIOS |
| Memory configuration | ECC | Enables or disables memory error reporting |
| System time | HH:MM:SS | Sets the system time; to change the time, type numbers in each of the appropriate fields |
| System date | MM/DD/YYYY | Sets the system date; to change the date, type numbers in each of the appropriate fields |
*This option is only available on systems with a Pentium III processor..
NOTICE: Setting fields in these menus to incorrect values may cause the system to malfunction.
Table 4. Advanced Menu Categories
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Boot configuration | Selects the Boot Configuration submenu for system options |
| Peripheral configuration | Selects the Peripheral Configuration submenu for system I/O port options |
| IDE configuration | Selects the IDE Configuration submenu for IDE device options |
| Diskette configuration | Selects the Diskette Configuration submenu for diskette drive options |
| Event log configuration | Selects the Event Log submenu for system event log options |
Table 5. Boot Configuration Submenu Categories
| Feature | Default Value |
Description |
|---|---|---|
| Plug and play O/S | No | If set to No, the BIOS configures all devices in the system; if set to "Yes," the operating system can configure non-boot devices. |
| Reset config data | No | If set to Yes, the plug and play data is cleared when the system is rebooted |
| Num Lock | On | Selects the default state of the Num Lock key |
Table 6. Peripheral Configuration Submenu Categories
| Feature | Default Value |
Description |
|---|---|---|
| Serial Port A | Enabled | Enables serial port 1. |
| Serial Port B | Enabled | Enables serial port 2. |
| Legacy USB support | Disabled | Enables or disables support for legacy USB devices |
Table 7. IDE Configuration Menu Categories
| Feature | Default Value |
Description |
|---|---|---|
| IDE controller | Both | Disabled disables your system's integrated IDE controller. Primary enables only the primary IDE controller. Both enables both IDE controllers. |
| Hard-Disk Drive Pre-Delay | Not enabled | If enabled, selects delay interval before the BIOS searches for an IDE hard-disk drive |
| Primary IDE master Primary IDE slave Secondary IDE master Secondary IDE slave |
If one of these devices is detected, the IDE Configuration Submenu (shown later in this section) is displayed |
Table 8. Diskette Configuration Submenu Categories
| Feature | Default Value |
Description |
|---|---|---|
| Diskette controller | Enabled | Enables or disables the diskette controller |
| Floppy A | 1.44/1.25MB 3.5" | Determines the type of diskette drive installed |
| Diskette write protect | Disabled | Enables or disables diskette write protect |
Table 9. IDE Configuration Submenu Categories
| Feature | Default Value |
Description |
|---|---|---|
| Event log | Displayed if event log is functional | |
| Event log validity | Displayed if event log contents are valid | |
| Clear all event logs | No | If set to Yes, event log is reset on system boot |
| Event logging | Enabled | Enables logging of critical events |
| ECC event logging | Enabled | Enables logging of ECC events |
The following tables list each of the options on the System Setup screens for the Security Menu and its various submenus.
Table 10. Security Menu Categories
| Feature | Default Value |
Description |
|---|---|---|
| User Password is | Displays the status of the user password option | |
| Supervisor Password is | Displays the status of the supervisor password option | |
| Set User Password | Establishes a new user password up to seven alphanumeric characters long | |
| Set Supervisor Password | Establishes a new supervisor password up to seven alphanumeric characters long | |
| Clear User Password | Clears the current user password (displayed only after the supervisor password is set | |
| User Access Level | Full | Sets the level of user access to System Setup program |
Table 11. Boot Menu Categories
| Feature | Default Value |
Description |
|---|---|---|
| Quiet boot | Disabled | If set to Disabled, POST messages are displayed. If set to Enabled, a startup screen is displayed |
| Quick boot | Enabled | If set to Enabled, selected tests are bypassed, speeding up the boot sequence |
| After power failure | Last State | Determines how the system recovers from a loss of power |
| On modem ring | Stay Off | If Advanced Power Management is enabled, this option determines how the system reacts to a modem signal |
| On LAN | Power On | If Advanced Power Management is enabled, this option determines how the system reacts to a LAN wake up event |
| On PME | Stay Off | If Advanced Power Management is enabled, this option determines how the system reacts to a PCI Power Management enabled wake up event |
| Floppy check | Disabled | If set to Enabled, the system always verifies the diskette drive type during boot. Selecting Disabled results in a faster boot. |
| IDE drive configuration | Primary Master IDE | Determines the boot search order for IDE devices connected to the system |
| 1st to 8th boot devices | ATAPI CD-ROM | Determines the boot search order for the types of boot devices |
Table 12. System Management Menu Categories
| Feature | Default Value |
Description |
|---|---|---|
| Serial console redirection | Disabled | Enables or disables serial port console redirection |
| Baud rate | 19.2K | Sets the transfer rate for console redirection |
| Flow control | CTS/RTS | Specifies the type of flow control used |
Table 13. Exit Menu Categories
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Exit Saving Changes | Select this option to exit the System Setup program and save changes. |
| Exit Discarding Changes | Select this option to exit the System Setup program without saving changes. |
| Load Setup Defaults | Select this option to reset all System Setup fields to their default values. |
| Load Custom Defaults | This field saves all current System Setup field values as custom defaults. If the system CMOS fails, the BIOS restores all System Setup values to these custom values, if available. If not, the BIOS uses the factory default values. |
| Save Custom Defaults | Saves your system's custom settings. This option has no user-configurable settings. |
| Discard Changes | Select this option to restore all System Setup fields to their previous values. |
NOTICE: The password features provide a basic level of security for the data on your system. However, 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.
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. Two types of passwords can be established—a supervisor password and a user password.
NOTICE: If you leave your 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, anyone can access the data stored on your hard-disk drive.
Your Dell system is shipped with the supervisor password feature disabled, which allows you to enter the System Setup program and assign a password. When the Supervisor Password Is option is enabled, the system prompts you for the supervisor password whenever you enter the System Setup program. If system security is a concern, you should operate your system with supervisor password protection.
You can assign a supervisor password whenever you use the System Setup program. After a supervisor password is assigned, only those who know the password have full use of the System Setup program. To delete or change an existing supervisor password, you must know the supervisor password (see "Disabling or Changing an Existing Supervisor Password" ).
If you assign and then forget a supervisor password, a trained service technician must open the system and change a jumper setting to disable the supervisor password feature (see "Disabling a Forgotten Password"). Note that the user password is erased at the same time.
Before you can assign a supervisor password, you must enter the System Setup program and select the Set Supervisor Password option.
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NOTE: The supervisor password controls the user password access to the system setup. |
When a supervisor password is assigned, the setting shown for the Set Supervisor Password option is Installed.
When no supervisor password is assigned and the password jumper on the system board is in the uninstalled position (its default), the setting shown for the Set Supervisor Password option is Not Installed. Only when this option is set to Not Installed can you assign a supervisor password, using the following procedure:
The system prompts you to Enter Supervisor 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), an asterisk (*) placeholder appears in the field.
The password assignment operation recognizes keys by their location on the keyboard; it is case sensitive. This means that the software distinguishes between lowercase and uppercase characters. For example, if you have an M in your password, the system does not recognize either M or m as correct; your system will only accept M. Certain keys and key combinations are not valid. If you enter one of these keys or combinations, the system does not accept them. To erase a character when entering your password, press <Backspace> or the left-arrow key.
NOTE: To escape from the field without assigning a supervisor password, press the <Esc> key at any time before completing step 5.
The system prompts you to Confirm New Password, followed by another empty seven-character field in square brackets.
To confirm your new password, type it a second time and press <Enter>.
The system tells you the Password Successfully Installed.
The password setting changes to Installed. Your supervisor 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.
If the Supervisor Password Is option is set to Installed, the following prompt appears:
Enter CURRENT Password
After you type the correct supervisor password and press <Enter>, you can log on to the system as you normally would.
If a wrong or incomplete supervisor password is entered, the following message appears:
Enter CURRENT Password
If an incorrect or incomplete supervisor password is entered again, the same message appears.
The third and subsequent times an incorrect or incomplete supervisor password is entered, the system displays the following message:
Invalid Password-System Halted
To reboot the system and either set a new password, press <Ctrl><Alt><Del> or the reset button on the system unit.
The number of unsuccessful attempts made to enter the correct supervisor password can alert you to an unauthorized person attempting to use your system.
Even after your system is turned off and on, the previous message is displayed each time an incorrect or incomplete supervisor password is entered.
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NOTE: The supervisor password only
applies to the System Setup program. A user password should be installed to completely
secure your system. See "Assigning a
Supervisor Password (System Setup Only)." |
To delete or change an existing supervisor password, perform these steps:
The system prompts you to Enter Current Password.
The system prompts you to Enter
Supervisor Password.
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NOTE: If you want to delete the password
and not enter a new password, press <Enter> without typing in a new password,
leaving the Enter Supervisor Password field blank. |
Your system is shipped to you with the user password feature disabled. After you assign a user password, the system prompts you for the user password during the boot process. If system security is a concern, you should operate your system with user password protection.
You can assign a user password, as described in "Assigning a User Password," whenever you use the System Setup program. After you assign a user password, only those who know the password have full use of the system.
If you assign and then forget a user password, you must remove the system cover and change a jumper setting to temporarily disable the user password feature (see "Disabling a Forgotten Password"). Note that the supervisor password is erased at the same time.
| NOTICE: If you leave your 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, anyone can access the data
stored on your hard-disk drive. |
Before you can assign a user password, you must enter the System Setup program and select the Set User Password option.
To assign a user password, perform the following steps:
The system prompts you to Enter User 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), an asterisk (*) placeholder appears in the field.
The password assignment operation recognizes keys by their location on the keyboard; it is case sensitive. This means that the software distinguishes between lowercase and uppercase characters. For example, if you have an M in your password, the system does not recognize either M or m as correct; your system will only accept M. Certain keys and key combinations are not valid. If you enter one of these keys or combinations, the system does not accept them. To erase a character when entering your password, press <Backspace> or the left-arrow key.
NOTE: To escape from the field without assigning a user password, press
<Esc> at any time prior to completing step 4.
The system prompts you to Confirm New Password, followed by another empty seven-character field in square brackets.
The system tells you that the Password Successfully Installed.
The password setting changes to Installed. Your supervisor password is now set; you can exit the System Setup program and begin using your system. A change to the Set User Password option becomes effective immediately (rebooting the system is not required).
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NOTES: The
user password can be the same as the supervisor password. If the two passwords are different, the user password can be
used as an alternate supervisor password. However, the supervisor password cannot be used
in place of the user password. |
If Set User Password is set to Installed, you must enter the correct user password before you can modify the majority of the System Setup options. When you start the System Setup program, the program prompts you to type the password.
If you do not enter the correct password in three tries, the system displays the following message:
Invalid Password-System Halted
To delete or change an existing user password, perform the following steps:
The system prompts you to Enter Current Password.
The system prompts you to Enter User Password.
NOTE: If you want to delete the password and not enter a new password, press <Enter> without typing in a new password, leaving the Enter User Password field blank.
If the administrator or user forgets the supervisor or user password, you cannot operate the system or change settings in the System Setup program until a trained service technician opens the system chassis, changes the password jumper setting to disable the passwords, and erases the existing passwords.
To disable a forgotten supervisor password or user password, perform the following steps.
| NOTICE: See "Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge." |
|
NOTE: If you assign a new supervisor
and/or user password with the jumper plug still in place, the system disables the new
password(s) the next time it boots. |
If an error message appears on your monitor screen while the system is booting, make a note of the message. Before entering the System Setup program, refer to "POST Beep Codes" and "System Messages" in "Messages and Codes" for an explanation of the message and suggestions for correcting errors.
If the system BIOS is corrupted, you can reboot the system by using a separate recovery BIOS. To recover the BIOS, perform the following steps: