NOTE: Your computer does not ship with a security cable lock.
A security cable lock is a commercially available antitheft device. To use the lock, attach it to the security cable slot on your Dell™ computer. For more information, see the instructions included with the device.
NOTICE: Before you buy an antitheft device, ensure that it will work with the security cable slot on your computer.
Smart cards are portable credit-card shaped devices with internal integrated circuits. The top surface of the smart card usually contains an embedded processor under the gold contact pad. The combination of the small size and integrated circuits make smart cards valuable tools for security, data storage, and special programs. Using smart cards can improve system security by combining something a user has (the smart card) with something only the user should know (a PIN) to provide more secure user-authentication than passwords alone.
Installing a Smart Card
You can install a smart card in the computer while the computer is running. The computer automatically detects the card.
To install a smart card:
Hold the card so that the gold contact pad is facing upward and pointing toward the smart card slot.
1
gold contact pad
2
smart card (top)
Slide the smart card into the smart card slot until the card is completely seated in its connector. The
smart card will protrude approximately 1/2 inch from the slot.
If you encounter too much resistance, do not force the card. Check the card orientation and try again.
1
smart card slot
2
smart card
3
ExpressCard slot
Passwords
About Passwords
NOTE: Passwords are disabled when you receive your computer.
A primary password, an administrator password, and a hard drive password all prevent unauthorized access to your computer in different ways. The following table identifies types and features of passwords available on your computer.
Type of Password
Features
Primary
Protects the computer from unauthorized access
Administrator
Gives system administrators or service technicians access to computers for repair or reconfiguration
Allows you to restrict access to system setup in the same way a primary password restricts access to the computer
Can be used instead of the primary password
Hard drive
Helps protect the data on your hard drive or external hard drive (if one is being used) from unauthorized access
NOTE: Some hard drives do not support hard drive passwords.
NOTICE: Passwords provide a high level of security for data in your computer or hard drive. However, they are not foolproof. If you require more security, obtain and use additional forms of protection, such as smart cards, data encryption programs, or PC Cards with encryption features.
When using passwords, observe the following guidelines:
Choose passwords that you can remember, but not ones that are easy to guess. For example, do not use the names of family members or pets for passwords.
It is recommended that you do not write down passwords. If you do write it down, however, ensure that the password is stored in a secure place.
Do not share passwords with other people.
Ensure that people are not watching you when you type your password(s).
NOTICE: Passwords provide a high level of security for data in your computer or hard drive. However, they are not foolproof. If you require more security, obtain and use additional forms of protection, such as smart cards, data encryption programs, or PC Cards with encryption features.
If you forget any of your passwords, contact Dell (see Contacting Dell). For your protection, Dell technical support staff will ask you for proof of your identity to ensure that only an authorized person can use the computer.
Using a Primary Password
The primary password allows you to protect the computer from unauthorized access.
When you first start your computer, you must assign a primary password at the prompt.
If you do not enter a password within 2 minutes, the computer returns to its previous operating state.
NOTICE: If you disable the administrator password, the primary password is also disabled.
To add or change passwords, access User Accounts from the Control Panel.
If you have assigned an administrator password, you can use it instead of the primary password. The computer does not specifically prompt you for the administrator password.
Using an Administrator Password
The administrator password is designed to give system administrators or service technicians access to computers for repair or reconfiguration. The administrators or technicians can assign identical administrator passwords to groups of computers, allowing you to assign a unique primary password.
To set or change administrator passwords, access User Accounts from the Control Panel.
When you set an administrator password, the Configure Setup option becomes available in system setup. The Configure Setup option allows you to restrict access to system setup in the same way that a primary password restricts access to the computer.
The administrator password can be used instead of the primary password. Whenever you are prompted to enter the primary password, you can enter the administrator password.
NOTICE: If you disable the administrator password, the primary password is also disabled.
NOTE: The administrator password provides access to the computer, but it does not provide access to the hard drive when a hard drive password is assigned.
If you forget the primary password and do not have an administrator password assigned, or if you have both a primary and an administrator password assigned but forget them both, contact your system administrator or contact Dell. See Contacting Dell.
Using a Hard Drive Password
The hard drive password helps protect the data on your hard drive from unauthorized access. You can also assign a password for an external hard drive (if one is being used) that can be the same as or different from the password for the primary hard drive.
To assign or change a hard drive password, enter system setup. See System Setup Program.
After assigning a hard drive password, you must enter it each time you turn on the computer and each time you restore the computer to normal operation from standbymode.
If the hard drive password is enabled, you must enter it each time you turn on the computer: A message appears asking for the hard drive password.
To continue, enter your password (with no more than eight characters) and press <Enter>.
If you do not enter a password within 2 minutes, the computer returns to its previous operating state.
If you enter the wrong password, a message tells you that the password is invalid. Press <Enter> to try again.
If you do not enter the correct password in three attempts, the computer tries to start from another bootable device if the Boot First Device option in system setup is set to allow start-up from another device. If the Boot First Device option is not set to allow the computer to start from another device, the computer returns to the operating state it was in when you turned it on.
If the hard drive password, the external hard-drive password, and the primary password are the same, the computer prompts you only for the primary password. If the hard drive password is different from the primary password, the computer prompts you for both. Two different passwords provide greater security.
NOTE: The administrator password provides access to the computer, but it does not provide access to the hard drive when a hard drive password is assigned.
Trusted Platform Module (TPM)
NOTE: The TPM feature supports encryption only if the operating system supports TPM. For more information, see the TPM software documentation and the help files that came with the software.
TPM is a hardware-based security feature that can be used to create and manage computer-generated encryption keys. When combined with security software, the TPM enhances existing network and computer security by enabling features such as file protection capabilities and protected e-mail. The TPM feature is enabled through a system setup option.
NOTICE: To secure your TPM data and encryption keys, follow the backup procedures documented in the Broadcom Secure Foundation Getting Started Guide. In the event of these backups being incomplete, lost, or damaged, Dell will be unable to assist in the recovery of encrypted data.
Enabling the TPM Feature
The TPM software is factory-installed in the C:\Dell\TPM directory. You can also download it from support.dell.com.
To install the TPM software, run the setup.exe file:
Follow the instructions to install the Broadcom Secure Foundation software.
To enable the TPM software:
Restart the computer and press <F2> during the Power On Self Test to enter the system setup
program.
Open the Security menu in system setup.
Select the TPM Security menu option and press <Enter>.
Set the TPM security option to On.
Press <Esc> to exit the setup program.
If prompted, click Save/Exit.
If the TPM on this computer is being used for the first time, proceed to step 3. If the TPM on this
system has been used before, skip step 3 and go to step 4.
Activate the TPM setup program:
Boot your computer to the Microsoft® Windows® operating system.
Click Start®Programs®Broadcom Security Platforms Tools. Then, click the icon for the
Security Platform Initialization Wizard.
Follow the instructions to activate the TPM setup program.
NOTE: You only need to activate the program once.
Once the process is complete, the computer either restarts automatically or prompts you to restart
your computer.
Physically activate the TPM:
Restart the computer and press <F2> during the Power On Self Test to enter the system setup
program again.
Open the Security menu and select the TPM Activation menu option.
Set the TPM activation state to Activate.
Save the changes and restart your computer.
Initialize the TPM owner and user passwords:
Boot your computer to the Microsoft Windows operating system.
Click Start®Programs®Broadcom Security Platforms Tools. Then, click the icon for the
Security Platform Initialization Wizard.
Follow the instructions for creating the TPM owner, user passwords, and credentials.
Computer Tracking Software
Computer tracking software may enable you to locate your computer if it is lost or stolen. The software is optional and may be purchased when you order your Dell™ computer, or you can contact your Dell sales representative for information about this security feature.
NOTE: Computer tracking software may not be available in certain countries.
NOTE: If you have computer tracking software and your computer is lost or stolen, you must contact the company that provides the tracking service to report the missing computer.
If Your Computer Is Lost or Stolen
Call a law enforcement agency to report the lost or stolen computer. Include the Service Tag in your description of the computer. Ask that a case number be assigned and write down the number, along with the name, address, and phone number of the law enforcement agency. If possible, obtain the name of the investigating officer.
NOTE: If you know where the computer was lost or stolen, call a law enforcement agency in that area. If you do not know, call a law enforcement agency where you live.
If the computer belongs to a company, notify the security office of the company.
Contact Dell customer service to report the missing computer. Provide the computer Service Tag, the case number, and the name, address, and phone number of the law enforcement agency to which you reported the missing computer. If possible, give the name of the investigating officer.
The Dell customer service representative will log your report under the computer Service Tag and record the computer as missing or stolen. If someone calls Dell for technical assistance and gives your Service Tag, the computer is identified automatically as missing or stolen. The representative will attempt to get the phone number and address of the caller. Dell will then contact the law enforcement agency to which you reported of the missing computer.
Alert Standard Format (ASF)
Alert Standard Format (ASF) is a Distributed Management Task Force (DMTF) management standard that specifies "pre-operating system" or "operating system absent" alerting techniques. The standard is designed to generate an alert on potential security and fault conditions when the operating system is in a sleep state or the system is turned off. ASF is designed to supersede previous operating system-absent alerting technologies.
Your computer supports the following ASF alerts and remote capabilities:
The docking device has been opened and the PCI slot has been compromised.
Failure to Boot to BIOS
The BIOS did not complete loading upon initiation.
System Password Violation
The system password is invalid (alert occurs after three failed attempts).
Entity Presence
Periodic heartbeats have been transmitted to verify system presence.
For more information about Dell's ASF implementation, see ASF for Dell Portable Computers and the ASF Administrator's Guide for Dell Portable Computers, which are available on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com.
