Using A Primary Password; Using An Administrator Password; Using A Hard Drive Password - Dell precision m90 User Manual

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.
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Do not share passwords with other people.
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Ensure that people are not watching you when you type your password(s).
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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
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

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
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 standby mode.
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.
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Contacting Dell). For your protection, Dell technical support staff will ask you for proof of your identity to
Contacting
System Setup Program.
Dell.