Dell Inspiron 2000 System Reference Manual page 45

The hard-disk drive password helps protect the data on your hard-disk drive from unauthorized access.
NOTE: Hard-disk drives that are not purchased from Dell for use with your computer may not support the hard-disk drive password
option.
After assigning a hard-disk drive password, you must enter it each time you turn on the computer and each time you resume normal operation from
suspend mode or standby mode.
If the hard-disk drive password is enabled, the following message appears each time you turn on the computer:
Enter HD1 Password
To continue, enter the hard-disk drive password. Press <Esc> to return the computer to its previous state—suspend, standby, or off.
If you enter the wrong password, the following message appears:
Invalid password
[Press Enter to retry]
If the correct password is not entered in three attempts, you receive a message stating that the hard-disk drive cannot be accessed. If the hard-
disk drive is inaccessible and the
boot from another device. If all boot attempts are unsuccessful, the computer prompts you to enter the system setup program and modify the boot
options.
NOTES: If the hard-disk drive password is different from the
greater security.
The supervisor password
protected by a password.
Physically Securing the Computer and the Hard-Disk Drive
To prevent unauthorized removal of the computer, you can use a security cable to attach the computer to an immovable object. Your computer has
a security cable slot located on the right side of the computer next to the hard-disk drive
Description of Security Cable Slots
The security cable slot allows you to attach a commercially available antitheft device to the computer. Antitheft devices for portable computers
usually include a segment of metal-stranded cable with an attached locking device and associated key. You can use a security cable on your
computer whether it is undocked or docked in a Dell Latitude LS Advanced Port Replicator (APR).
Basic Instructions for Using Security Cable Slots
To prevent unauthorized removal of your computer, loop the cable around an immovable object, insert the locking device into the security cable
slot, and lock the device. See Figure 1 for an example of how to secure your computer. Complete instructions for installing this kind of antitheft
device are usually included with the device.
Figure 1. Securing the Computer
NOTE: Antitheft devices are of differing designs. Before purchasing such a device, make sure that it will work with the security cable slot
in your computer.
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boot options in the system setup program are set to allow booting from another device, the computer tries to
provides access to the computer, but it does not provide access to the hard-disk drive when the drive is
user password, you are prompted for both. Two different passwords provide
(see Figure 1).