Back to Contents Page

Using the System Setup Program

Dell™ PowerEdge™ 400SC Systems User's Guide

  Entering the System Setup Program

  System Setup Options

  System and Setup Password Features

  Disabling a Forgotten Password

  Asset Tag Utility


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:

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" in your Installation and Troubleshooting Guide 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 3-1 lists the keys that you use to view or change information on the System Setup program screens and to exit the program.

Table 3-1. System Setup Program Navigation Keys 

Keys

Action

Up arrow or <Shift><Tab>

Moves to the previous field.

Down arrow or <Tab>

Moves to the next field.

Spacebar, <+>, <–>, left and right arrows

Cycles through the settings in a field. In many fields, you can also type the appropriate value.

<Esc>

Exits the System Setup program and restarts the system if any changes were made.

<F1>

Displays the System Setup program's help file.
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

Main Screen

When you enter the System Setup program, the main System Setup program screen appears (see Figure 3-1).

Figure 3-1. Main System Setup Program Screen

Table 3-2 lists the options and descriptions for the information fields that appear on the main System Setup program screen.

NOTE: The System Setup program defaults are listed under their respective options, where applicable.

Table 3-2. System Setup Program Options 

Option

Description

System Time

Resets the time on the system's internal clock.

System Date

Resets the date on the system's internal calendar.

Drive Configuration

Displays a screen that allows you to configure all system drives including: enabling and disabling the diskette drive, configuring the drive type and drive geometry information for primary and secondary drives, and enabling and disabling DMA transfers for the internal IDE and SATA (when available) hard-drive interface.

Boot Sequence

Determines the order in which the system searches for boot devices during system startup. Available options can include the diskette drive, CD drive, hard drives, and network.

Memory Information

Displays the amount of installed system memory and memory speed. This option does not have user-selectable settings.

CPU Information

Displays information related to the processor (speed, cache size, and so on), and allows you to lower the speed at which the processor runs after system boot to accommodate speed-sensitive applications, and to enable Hyper-Threading (if supported by your processor).

Integrated Devices

See "Integrated Devices Screen."

Power Management

Displays a screen that allows you to configure the system's power-management features, including the suspend mode (S1 or S3), AC power recovery, and low-power mode.

System Security

Displays a screen that allows you to configure the security features of your system, including passwords, POST hotkeys, chassis intrusion, and Boot Integrity Services (BIS) requests. See "System and Setup Password Features" for more information about setting up passwords.

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. Enable this option for host systems that have keyboards attached. Select Do Not Report to suppress 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.

Auto Power On (Disabled default)

Displays a screen that allows you to configure the system's Auto Power On features, including setting the time and days of the week to turn on the system automatically. The selections are every day or every Monday through Friday.

Time is kept in a 24-hour format (hours:minutes). Change the start-up time by pressing the right- or left-arrow keys to increase or to decrease the numbers or type numbers in both the date and time fields.

This feature does not work if you turn off the system using a power strip or surge protector.

Remote Wake Up

When set to On, the system turns on when a NIC or a modem with Remote Wake Up capabilities receives a wake-up signal. When set to On w/Boot to NIC, the system attempts a network boot prior to using the boot sequence.

Normally, the system can be turned on remotely from a state of Suspend, Hibernate, or Off. When Low Power Mode is enabled (from the Power Management window), the system can only be turned on remotely from the Suspend state.

Fast Boot (On default)

Specifies how quickly the system boots if an operating system has requested a simple boot. When set to On, the system boots in 10 seconds or less, skipping certain configurations and tests. When set to Off, these tests and configurations are not skipped.

OS Install Mode
(Off default)

Determines the maximum amount of memory available to the operating system. On sets the maximum memory to 256 MB. Off makes all of the system memory available to the operating system. Some operating systems cannot be installed with more than 2 GB of system memory. Enable this option (On) during operating system installation and disable (Off) after installation.

IDE Hard Drive Acoustics Mode

Sets the hard drive's acoustic mode. When set to Bypass, the system does not test or change the mode. When set to Quiet, the drive operates at its most quiet setting. When set to Suggested, the drive operates at the acoustic level suggested by the manufacturer (between Quiet and Performance modes). When set to Performance, the drive operates normally.

NOTE: Any setting other than Performance may cause a loss in drive performance.

System Event Log

Displays a screen that allows you to view the system event log and its status and to clear the log.

Asset Tag

Displays the customer-programmable asset tag for the system if an asset tag has been assigned. To enter an asset tag of up to 10 characters into NVRAM, see "Asset Tag Utility."

Integrated Devices Screen

Table 3-3 lists the options and descriptions for the information fields that appear on the Integrated Devices screen.

Table 3-3. Integrated Devices Screen Options 

Option

Description

Network Interface Controller

Enables or disables the system's integrated NIC. Options are On, On w/PXE, and Off. PXE support allows the system to boot from the network. Changes take effect after the system reboots.

Mouse Port
(On default)

Sets the built-in PS/2-compatible mouse to On or Off.

USB Emulation (On default)

Allows USB devices to work with operating systems that do not have direct USB support. Options are On, Off, and No Boot. When set to No Boot, USB emulation continues, but boot devices are disabled.

NOTE: For emulation to work properly, the USB controller must be set to On.

USB Controller
(On default)

Enables or disables the system's USB ports. Options are On and Off. Disabling the USB ports makes system resources available for other devices.

Serial Port 1 and Serial Port 2 (Auto default)

Serial port 1 options are COM1, COM3, Auto, and Off.

Serial port 2 options are COM2, COM4, Auto, and Off.

When serial port 1 or 2 is set to Auto, the integrated port automatically maps to the next available port. Serial port 1 attempts to use COM1 first and then COM3. Serial port 2 attempts to use COM2 first and 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

Displays a screen that allows you to configure the system's parallel port.

Diskette Interface (Auto default)

Enables or disables the system's diskette drive controller. When Auto is selected, the system turns off the controller when necessary to accommodate a controller card installed in an expansion slot. You can also configure the drive as read-only. When using the read-only setting, the drive cannot be used to write to a disk.

PC Speaker
(On default)

Sets the integrated speaker to On or Off. A change to this option takes effect immediately (rebooting the system is not required).

Primary Video Controller (Auto default)

Specifies which video controller the system will use during boot.

System Security Screen

Table 3-4 lists the options and descriptions for the information fields that appear on the System Security screen.

Table 3-4. System Security Screen Options 

Option

Description

Password Status

Setting the Setup Password option to Enabled prevents the system password from being changed or disabled at system start-up.

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

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

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 Password" for instructions on assigning a system password and using or changing an existing system password.

Setup Password

Restricts access to the System Setup program in the same way that you restrict access to your system using the system password feature.

NOTE: See "Setup Password" for instructions on assigning a setup password and using or changing an existing setup password.

Post Hotkeys

Allows you to configure which hotkeys (<F2> or <F12>) are displayed on the screen during POST.

Chassis Intrusion

Enables or disables the chassis-intrusion detection feature. When set to Enabled-Silent, chassis intrusions are detected but no warning message is reported during start-up. When set to Enabled, this field displays DETECTED when the chassis cover has been removed. Pressing any edit key acknowledges the intrusion and arms the system to look for further security breaches.

PXE BIS Default Policy

Allows you to specify how the system responds to Boot Integrity Services (BIS) authentication requests when no certificate has been installed. When set to Deny, BIS requests are rejected. When set to Accept, requests are accepted. When set to Reset, BIS is reinitialized and set to Deny on the next boot.

Exit Screen

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

System and Setup Password Features

NOTICE: Although passwords provide security for the data on your system, 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 system running and unattended without having a system password assigned, or if you leave the system unlocked so that someone can disable the password by changing a jumper setting, anyone can access the data stored on the hard drives.

Option Settings

You cannot change or enter a new system password if either of the following two options are displayed:

You can only assign a system password when the following option is displayed:

Assigning a System Password

To escape from the field without assigning a system password, press <Tab> or the <Shift><Tab> key combination to move to another field, or press <Esc> at any time before you complete step 5.

  1. Enter System Setup (see "Entering the System Setup Program") and verify that Password Status is set to Unlocked.

  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.

  1. Type your new system password.

You can use up to 32 characters. To erase a character when entering your password, press <Backspace> 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 system emits a beep.

As you press each character key (or the spacebar for a blank space), a placeholder appears in the field.

  1. Press <Enter>.

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.

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

The password setting changes to Enabled.

  1. Exit System Setup.

Password protection takes effect when you restart the computer.

Typing Your System Password

When you start or restart the system, one of the following prompts appears on the screen.

If Password Status is set to Unlocked:

Type in the password and
- press <ENTER> to leave password security enabled.
- press <CTRL><ENTER> to disable password security.
Enter password:

If Password Status is set to Locked:

Type the password and press <Enter>.

If you have assigned a setup password, the system accepts your setup password as an alternate system password.

If you type a wrong or incomplete system password, the following message appears on the screen:

** Incorrect password. **

If you again type an incorrect or incomplete system password, the same message appears on the screen. The third and subsequent times you type an incorrect or incomplete system password, the system displays the following message:

** Incorrect password. **
Number of unsuccessful password attempts: 3
System halted! Must power down.

Even after the system is turned off and on, the previous message is displayed each time you type an incorrect or incomplete system password.

Deleting or Changing an Existing System Password

  1. Enter System Setup (see "Entering the System Setup Program") and verify that Password Status is set to Unlocked.

  2. Restart the system.

  3. When prompted, type the system password.

  4. Press <Ctrl><Enter> to disable the existing system password.

  5. Confirm that Not Enabled is displayed for the System Password option.

If Not Enabled is displayed, the system password is deleted. If Not Enabled is not displayed, press <Alt><b> to restart the computer, and then repeat step 3 through step 5.

To assign a new password, follow the procedure in "Assigning a System Password."

  1. Exit System Setup.

Setup Password

Option Settings

Assigning a Setup Password

The setup password can be the same as the system password.

  1. Enter System Setup (see "Entering the System Setup Program") and verify that Setup Password is set to Not Enabled.

  2. Highlight Setup Password and press the left- or right-arrow key.

The system prompts you to type and verify the password. If a character is not permitted, the system emits a beep.

  1. Type and then verify the password.

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

  1. Exit System Setup.

A change to Setup Password becomes effective immediately (no need to restart the computer).

Operating Your System With a Setup Password Enabled

When you enter System Setup, the Setup Password option is highlighted, prompting you to type the password.

If you do not type the correct password, the system lets you view, but not modify, system setup options.

Deleting or Changing an Existing Setup Password

To change an existing setup password, you must know the setup password.

  1. Enter System Setup (see "Entering the System Setup Program").

  2. Type the setup password at the prompt.

  3. Highlight Setup Password and press the left- or right-arrow key to delete the existing setup password.

The setting changes to Not Enabled.

To assign a new setup password, perform the steps in "Assigning a System Password."

  1. Exit System Setup.

Disabling a Forgotten Password

See your Installation and Troubleshooting Guide.

Asset Tag Utility

You can use the Asset Tag utility to assign a unique tracking number to your system. This number is displayed on the System Setup program main screen.

NOTE: The Asset Tag utility works only with operating systems that support MS-DOS®-based applications.

Creating the Asset Tag Utility Diskette

  1. Insert the System Support CD into the CD drive of a system running a Microsoft® Windows® operating system.

  2. Insert a blank diskette into the system's diskette drive.

  3. Select the system for which you want to create an asset tag and click Continue.

  4. On the Utilities and Drivers Page, select Dell: Bootable Diskette with Asset Tag Utility.

  5. Save the utility to the hard drive and then execute the utility to create a bootable diskette.

  6. Insert the diskette into the system for which you want to assign the asset tag and reboot the system.

Assigning or Deleting an Asset Tag Number

  1. Insert the Asset Tag utility diskette that you created into the diskette drive, and reboot the system.

  2. You can either assign or delete an asset tag number.

An asset tag number can have up to 10 characters. Any combination of characters is valid. For example, at the a:\> prompt, type the following command and press <Enter>:

asset 12345abcde

  1. When prompted to verify the change to the asset tag number, type y and press <Enter>.

To view the Asset Tag utility help screen, type asset /? and press <Enter>.

Back to Contents Page