Using the Password Features

Using the System Password Feature
Assigning a System Password
Using the System Password to Secure the System
Changing an Existing System Password
Using the Setup Password Feature
Assigning a Setup Password
Operating With a Setup Password Enabled
Disabling a Setup Password
Changing an Existing Setup Password
Disabling a Forgotten Password

Using the System Password Feature

NOTE: The password features provide a basic level of security for the data on the system. However, they are not foolproof.

The system is shipped with the system password feature NOT ENABLED.

When the SYSTEM PASSWORD category is set to ENABLED, the computer system prompts for the system password just after the system boots.

If a system password is forgotten, the key is needed to get inside the computer in order to change the jumper setting to disable the system password feature. See Disabling a Forgotten Password. Note that the setup password is erased at the same time.

CAUTION: If the system is left running and unattended without a system password assigned, anyone can access the data stored in the system.

Assigning a System Password

With a system password assigned, the status shown in the SYSTEM PASSWORD category is ENABLED. With the system password feature disabled by a jumper setting on the system board, the status shown is DISABLED BY JUMPER. A new system password cannot be changed or entered if either of these options is displayed.

With no system password assigned and with the password jumper on the system board in the enable position (default), the status shown in the SYSTEM PASSWORD category field is NOT ENABLED. Only when NOT ENABLED is displayed can a system password be assigned.

1. Press the left- or right-arrow key.
   The category heading changes to ENTER PASSWORD, followed by an empty 7-character field.
2. Type in the new system password.
3. Press <ENTER>.
4. To confirm the password, type it in a second time and then press <ENTER>.
   The password setting changes to ENABLED. 

Using the System Password to Secure the System

Whenever the system is turned on, whenever the reset button is pressed, or whenever the system is rebooted by pressing <CTRL-ALT-DEL>, the following prompt appears on the screen:

Type in the password and ...


- press <ENTER> to leave password security enabled.


- press <CTRL><ENTER> to disable password security.


Enter password:

After entering the correct system password and pressing <ENTER>, the system boots and the keyboard can be used as usual.

If a wrong or incomplete system password is entered, the following message appears on the screen:

** Incorrect password. **


Enter password:

Enter the password again. If an incorrect or incomplete system password is entered again, the same message appears on the screen. After the 3rd incorrect password the following message appears:

** Incorrect password. **


Number of unsuccessful password attempts: 3


System halted! Must power down.

Changing an Existing System Password

To disable an existing password, perform the following steps:

1. Reboot the system to force it to prompt for a system password.
2. When prompted, type in the system password.
3. Instead of pressing <ENTER> to continue with the normal operation of the system, press <CTRL-ENTER> to disable the existing system password.
4. Confirm that NOT ENABLED is displayed for the SYSTEM PASSWORD category of the System Setup program.
   
   Enter the System Setup program by pressing<CTRL-ALT-ENTER>. Press <ALT-P> to move to Page 2.  If NOT ENABLED appears in the SYSTEM PASSWORD category, go to step 5. If NOT ENABLED is not displayed, press  <ALT-B> to reboot the system. Repeat steps 1 through 4.                                                                                                  
   
5. To assign a new password, follow the procedure in Assigning a System Password.

Using the Setup Password Feature

NOTE: This feature is available only on OptiPlex systems.

The system is shipped without the setup password feature enabled. Once a setup password is assigned, only those who know it have full use of System Setup. See Assigning a Setup Password for instructions on how to assign a setup password.

Assigning a Setup Password

A setup password can be assigned (or changed) only when the SETUP PASSWORD category is set to NOT ENABLED. To assign a setup password, highlight the SETUP PASSWORD category and press the left- or right-arrow key. Enter and verify the password. If a character is illegal for password use, the system emits a beep. The setup password can be the same as the system password.

After the password is verified, the SETUP PASSWORD setting changes to ENABLED. From now on the System Setup program prompts for the setup password.

Operating With a Setup Password Enabled

When SETUP PASSWORD is ENABLED, the setup password must be typed in before the majority of the System Setup categories can be modified (with the exceptions listed below):

• DATE, TIME, CPU SPEED, NUM LOCK and SPEAKER categories can still be modified.
• If SYSTEM PASSWORD is not enabled, a system password can still be assigned (but not disabled or changed). 

Disabling a Setup Password

Enter the System Setup program, highlight the SETUP PASSWORD category, and press the left- or right-arrow key. The setting changes to NOT ENABLED. Now a setup password can be assigned or the system can be operated with no password assigned.

Changing an Existing Setup Password

Enter the System Setup program, and disable the current password as described in Disabling a Setup Password.

With the SETUP PASSWORD category set to NOT ENABLED, assign a new setup password as described in Assigning a Setup Password.

Disabling a Forgotten Password

The password jumper setting on the system board must be changed.

1. Remove the cover. See Removing the Cover.
2. Remove the jumper plug from the EPWD jumper.
3. Replace the computer cover, reconnect to power sources, and turn on.
   This erases the old password.
   
4. Repeat step 1.
5. Replace the EPWD jumper plug.
6. Replace the computer cover, reconnect to power sources, and turn on.
7. Assign a new system and/or setup password.