Each time you start your computer, it compares the installed hardware with the system configuration information stored in NVRAM. If the computer detects a discrepancy, it generates an error message for each incorrect configuration setting.
You can use system settings as follows:
To set user-selectable options such as date and time or system password
To set the current configuration information such as the amount of memory or type of hard drive installed
You can view the current settings at any time. Dell recommends that you record the information for future reference. If you have a line printer connected to the parallel connector on your computer, you can print the system setup screens by pressing <Print Screen>.
When F2 = Setup appears in the upper-right corner of the screen,
press <F2>.
The System Setup menu appears.
NOTE: The message
F12=Network Boot
appears below F2=
Setup. Pressing <F12>
allows computers
attached to a server that
support remote booting to
boot from the NIC.
If you wait too long and your operating system begins to load into memory, let the computer complete the load operation; then restart the computer and try again.
NOTE: To ensure an
orderly system shutdown,
consult the documentation
that accompanied your
operating system.
Options — a scrollable box listing options that define the configuration of your computer, including installed hardware, power conservation, and security features.
Fields to the right of the option titles contain settings or values. Those that you can change appear bright on the screen. Those that you cannot change (because they are set by the computer) appear less bright. When <Enter> appears to the right of an option title, press <Enter> to access a pop-up menu of additional options.
Key functions — a line of boxes across the bottom of all screens that lists keys and their functions within system setup.
Help — press <F1> for information in the currently highlighted option.
Cycles through the options in a field. In many fields, you can also type the appropriate value. To access a field's pop-up options menu, press <Enter>.
Scrolls through help information.
Accesses the selected field's pop-up options menu.
spacebar or
In the selected field's pop-up options menu, cycles through the options in a field.
Exits system setup without rebooting the computer and returns the computer to the boot routine.
Exits system setup and reboots the computer, implementing any changes you have made.
Resets the selected option to its default setting.
NOTE: For most of the
options, any changes you
make are recorded but do
not take effect until the
next time you turn on the
computer. For a few
options (as noted in the
help area), the changes
take effect immediately.
This feature changes the boot sequence for one time only. On the next start-up, the computer boots according to the devices specified in system setup. This is helpful when you need to change boot devices quickly. For example, you can cause the computer to boot from the CD drive to run the Dell Diagnostics, but the computer boots from the hard drive when the diagnostic tests are complete.
Turn on your computer.
If your computer is already on, restart it.
When F2 = Setup appears in the upper-right corner of the screen,
press <Ctrl><Alt><F8>.
The Boot Device Menu appears.
Option settings:
Normal — The computer attempts to boot from the sequence of devices specified in system setup.
Diskette Drive — The computer attempts to boot from the floppy drive. If the computer finds a disk in the drive that is not bootable, an error message appears. If no disk is in the drive, an error message appears.
Hard Drive — The computer attempts to boot from the primary hard drive. If the computer does not find an OS on the drive, an error message appears.
IDE CD Drive — The computer attempts to boot from the IDECD drive. If the computer does not find a CD in the drive or if there is not an OS on the CD, an error message appears.
Press F2 when F2 = Setup appears in the upper-right corner of the
screen to enter system setup.
Use the arrow keys to highlight the Boot Sequence menu option and
press <Enter> to access the Boot Sequence option's pop-up menu.
NOTE: Write down your
current boot sequence in
case you want to restore
it.
Press the up- and down-arrow keys to move through the list of devices.
Press the spacebar to enable or disable a device (enabled devices
appear with a check mark).
Press plus (+) or minus (–) to move a selected device up or down the
list.
Option settings:
Diskette Drive A: — The system attempts to boot from the floppy drive. If the system finds a disk in the drive that is not bootable, an error message appears. If no disk is in the drive, the system attempts to boot from the next device in the list.
Hard Drive — The system attempts to boot from the primary hard drive. If the system does not find an operating system on the drive, it attempts to boot from the next device in the list.
CD Drive — The system attempts to boot from the CD drive. If the system does not find a CD in the drive or if there is not an operating system on the CD, the system attempts to boot from the next device in the list.
MBA — The system prompts you to press <Ctrl><Alt><b> at the Dell logo screen during boot. A menu appears that allows you to select a method for booting from a network server. If a boot routine is not available from the network server, the system attempts to boot from the next device in the list.
This option, under the Integrated Devices (LegacySelect) menu, enables or disables the integrated network adapter. This field also allows you to enable MBA support.
Option settings:
On — The integrated network adapter is enabled.
On w/ MBA — The integrated network adapter is enabled with MBA support.
Off — The integrated network adapter is disabled.
NOTE: You must restart
the computer before the
changes to the Network
Interface Controller
option settings will take
effect.
Remote Wake Up provides the ability either to remotely wake a computer from a low-power sleep state or to remotely start up a computer that is turned off but connected to a power source.
Option settings:
On — The computer will start up when the appropriate signal is received by the network adapter (WOL) or modem (WOR).
On w/ Boot to NIC — When the network adapter or modem receives the appropriate signal, the computer attempts to boot from a network server. If a boot routine is not available from the network server, the computer attempts to boot from the devices specified in the Boot Sequence.
The system setup options for network operations work together for particular functions. The following table describes the relationship of the various option settings:
Network Interface Controller
Boot Sequence
Remote Wake Up
Function
Off
MBA is not available
Not available
The computer attempts to boot from the devices specified in the Boot Sequence.
The computer cannot be remotely started.
On
MBA is not available
Available
The computer attempts to boot from the devices specified in the Boot Sequence.
The computer can be remotely started by WOL and/or WOR.
On w/ MBA
MBA is set as first boot device
Available
The computer prompts you to press <Ctrl><Alt><b> during start up, allowing you to select a network boot method.
The computer can be remotely started by WOL and/or WOR.
You computer has several integrated devices. For these devices to be accessible to the OS, the corresponding options insystem setup must be configured properly.
To enable or disable an integrated device, enter system setup, select Integrated Devices (LegacySelect), and change the setting for the appropriate device to On or Off:
