Component Protection; Data Protection; Locking The Keyboard; Updating System Programs - IBM IntelliStation M Pro 6220 User Manual

Component protection

Each component in your computer has a serial number that you can register with a
security company. You can register the components individually, or you can register
the entire computer. By registering computer components, you can improve the
chances of identifying the components if they are ever stolen and recovered. For
more information about component registration, go to
http://www.ibm.com/pc/support/.

Data protection

You can lose data from the hard disk for a variety of reasons. Security violations,
viruses, or hard disk drive failures can all contribute to data loss. To help protect
against the loss of valuable information, IBM has incorporated the following
data-saving features in your computer.
v SMART hard disk drive
v Virus protection

Locking the keyboard

You can lock the keyboard so that others are unable to use it. If a user password is
set using the Configuration/Setup Utility program, the keyboard is locked when you
turn on the computer. You must type the password to unlock the keyboard. See
"Using passwords" on page 25.
Some operating systems have a keyboard and mouse lock-up feature. See the
documentation that comes with your operating system for more information.

Updating system programs

System programs are the basic layer of software built into your computer. They
include the power-on self-test (POST), the basic input/output system (BIOS) code,
and the Configuration/Setup Utility program. POST is a set of tests and procedures
that are performed each time you turn on your computer. BIOS is a layer of
software that translates instructions from other layers of software into electrical
signals that the computer hardware can understand. You can use the
Configuration/Setup Utility program to view and change the configuration and setup
of your computer.
System programs are stored in electrically erasable programmable read-only
memory (EEPROM) on the system board. This is sometimes referred to as flash
memory.
IBM occasionally makes changes and enhancements to the system programs.
When updates are released, they are available as downloadable files on the World
Wide Web (see Appendix A, "Getting help and technical assistance," on page 109).
You can update system programs by starting your computer using a flash update
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IBM IntelliStation M Pro Types 6220 and 6230: User's Guide
Your computer comes with a self-monitoring and reporting technology (SMART)
hard disk drive that is enabled to report potential hard disk failures. If an error is
detected, a Desktop Management Interface (DMI) compliant warning message is
sent to the monitor screen and, if the computer is part of a network, to an
administrator console. When an error is detected, the data on the hard disk can
be backed up and the drive replaced.
Your computer has built-in virus protection that can be enabled through the IBM
Configuration/Setup Utility program. This built-in protection checks for viruses in
the boot record only. Also, Norton AntiVirus for IBM is available on the hard disk.