Compaq Armada 1700 Reference Manual page 123

The setup password prevents unauthorized users from changing
your computer configuration through Computer Setup.
Setup passwords can also be used by the network administrator to
protect and access the configuration of computers in a network.
After you establish the setup password, you must enter it
each time you want to change the computer configuration.
1. Run Computer Setup by turning on or restarting the computer
(Start Æ Shut Down ÆRestart). When the blinking cursor
appears in the upper-right corner of the screen, press F10.
2. Click the System Features icon ÆSecurity Management box.
3. Under the Setup Password section, Passwords tab, click Set.
4. Enter your new setup password. (You may use up to eight
alphanumeric characters, and you may use the same password
you are using for the power-on password.)
Type carefully because the password does not display as
you type it.
5. Enter the password again to verify it.
6. Click OK Æ Exit Æ Save.
You will be prompted to enter your setup password the next time
you try to change the computer configuration using Computer
Setup.