Chapter 11. Additional Service Information; Security Features; Hardware Controlled Passwords; Operating System Password - Lenovo ThinkCentre 8290 Hardware Maintenance Manual

Chapter 11. Additional Service Information

This chapter provides additional information that the service representative might
find helpful.

Security features

Security features in this section include the following:
v Passwords
v Vital Product Data
v Management Information Format (MIF)

Hardware controlled Passwords

Hardware controlled passwords are set using the CMOS Setup Utility program. For
more information about passwords, see "Using passwords" on page 51.

Operating system password

An operating system password is very similar to a power-on password and denies
access to the computer by an unauthorized user when the password is activated.
The computer is unusable until the password is entered and recognized by the
computer.

Vital product data

Each computer has a unique Vital Product Data (VPD) code stored in the
nonvolatile memory on the system board. After you replace the system board, the
VPD must be updated. To update the VPD, see "Flash update procedures" on page
184.

Management Information Format (MIF)

Management Information Format (MIF) is a file used to maintain a list of the
system unit serial number along with all serialized components (for example,
system board, riser card, memory, and processor).
At the time of computer manufacture, the EPROM is loaded with the serial
numbers of the system and all major components.
A company called Retain-a-Group is a central data warehouse offering serial
number data management. Retain-a-Group acts as a focal point to law
enforcement. The customer has the option to purchase serial number information
and services from Retain-a-Group. It is the customer's responsibility to maintain
the MIF file and to inform Retain-a-Group of any changes to the file.
Some customers might request that their servicers assist them in maintaining the
MIF file when serialized components are replaced during hardware service. This
assistance is between the customer and the servicer. The servicer can use the DMI
MIF Browser to update the MIF information in the EPROM. It is anticipated that
some servicers might charge for this service.
To update the EPROM using the DMI MIF Browser, use the following procedure.
1. Click Start from the desktop, then Programs.
© Lenovo 2005. Portions © IBM Corp. 2005.
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