Dell Latitude L400 User Manual page 69

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Using the System Setup Program: Dell™ Latitude™ L400 User's Guide
Overview
Entering the System Setup Program
Changing the Boot Sequence
NOTE: This section provides general information on using the system setup program. For detailed information on options and settings,
see "Using the System Setup Program" in the computer User's Guide at the Dell support Web site at http://support.dell.com.
Overview
Each time you turn on your computer, it compares the installed hardware with the system configuration information stored in nonvolatile random-
access memory (NVRAM). If the system detects a discrepancy, it generates an error message for each incorrect configuration setting.
To adjust the configuration settings for APM operating systems, such as Microsoft® NT®, you can use the system setup program.
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ACPI operating systems, such as Windows® 98, Windows 2000, and Windows Me, automatically configure most of the setup options
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available in the system setup program. In such cases, the operating system overrides system setup options entered through the system
setup program. One exception is the External Hot Key option, which you can disable or enable only through the system setup program. For
more information on configuring features for these operating systems, see your Microsoft Windows Help.
You can use the system setup program as follows:
To set or change user-selectable features — for example, your password or power management features
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To verify information about your computer's current configuration, such as the amount of system memory
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After you set up your computer, run the system setup program to familiarize yourself with your system configuration information and optional
settings. Dell recommends that you write down the information for future reference.
Entering the System Setup Program
To enter the system setup program, turn on the computer and press <F2> as soon as you see either the system information screen or the Dell logo
screen, and before the Microsoft Windows logo screen appears.
NOTE: If the Quiet Boot option on the main screen of the system setup program is set to Enabled (the default), the Dell logo screen
appears at system boot (to achieve a faster boot); if Quiet Boot is set to Disabled, the system information screen appears at system
boot. To enter the system setup program, press <F2> immediately when one of these screens appears.
The computer reboots automatically when you exit the system setup program.
The system setup screens display the current setup and configuration information and optional settings for your computer. Information on the
screens is organized in four areas:
The menu across the top of each screen lists the six top-level screens (Main, Advanced, Security, Power, Boot, and Exit) to aid you in
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moving from screen to screen.
The large box on the left two-thirds of each screen lists options that define the installed hardware and the power conservation and security
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features of your computer.
The smaller box on the right third of the screen provides item-specific help information about the currently selected option.
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The information across the bottom of all screens lists keys and their functions within the system setup program.
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To exit the system setup program, press <Esc> and select one of the exit options.
NOTE: To reset the default values for each option in a menu, press <F9> and then press <Enter> to confirm. To save the current values
and exit the system setup program, press <F10> and then press <Enter> to confirm.
Following are brief overviews of some of the more commonly used system setup options. For more information on using these and other options,
see the item-specific help provided on the right side of each screen.
Changing the Boot Sequence
Assigning Passwords
Using the Battery Auto-Learning Utility