User Guide

Setup password: Dell Dimension� XPS P90c/P100c/P120c/P133c/P150c/P166c

Using the Setup Password: Dell Dimension XPS P90c/P100c/P120c/P133c/P150c/P166c

Assigning a Setup Password | Operating With a Setup Password Enabled | Disabling a Setup Password | Changing an Existing Setup Password | Disabling a Forgotten 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. The system prompts the user to enter and verify the password. If a character is invalid for password use, the system emits a beep. The setup password can be the same as the system password.

After the user verifies the password, the SETUP PASSWORD setting changes to ENABLED. The next time the user enters the system setup program, the system prompts for the setup password.

Operating With a Setup Password Enabled

If SETUP PASSWORD is set to ENABLED, the user must enter the correct setup password before being able to modify the majority of the system setup categories (with the exceptions listed below).

When the user starts the system setup program, Page 2 of the system setup screens appears with the SETUP PASSWORD category highlighted, prompting the user to type in the password.
If the user fails to enter the correct password in 3 tries, the system lets the user view, but not modify, the system setup screenswith the following exceptions:

  The DATE, TIME, CPU SPEED, and NUM LOCK categories can still be modified.

  If SYSTEM PASSWORD is not enabled, the user can assign a system password (however, the user cannot      
  disable or change an existing system password).

Disabling a Setup Password

To disable the setup password, enter the system setup program, enter the current setup password, and press the left- or right-arrow key. The setting changes to NOT ENABLED. When the SETUP PASSWORD category is set to NOT ENABLED, the user can assign a setup password or operate with no password assigned.

Changing an Existing Setup Password

To change an existing setup password, first enter the system setup program and disable the current password as described in the previous subsection, "Disabling a Setup Password."

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

Disabling a Forgotten Password

If the user forgets the setup password, the user will be unable to operate the system or change settings in the system setup program until disabling the password. Disabling the password involves going inside the computer and changing a jumper setting (twice) on the system board.

To disable a forgotten password, perform the following steps:

1. Turn off the system and remove the cover.

2. Move the jumper plug on the ENA/DIS PSWD jumper to pins 2 and 3 to disable the password(s).

3. Turn on the computer.  Turning on the system with the ENA/DIS PSWD jumper set to the disabled position  
   erases existing password(s).  Before assigning a new setup password, the user must reset the ENA/DIS PSWD 
   jumper to the enabled position.

5. Turn off the computer.

6. Place a jumper plug on pins 1 and 2 of the ENA/DIS PSWD jumper to enable the password feature.

7. Replace the computer cover.

8. Assign a new setup password.