Assigning A System Password And Setup Password; Deleting Or Changing An Existing System And/Or Setup Password - Dell Precision 3520 Owner's Manual

Password type Description
System password Password that you must enter to log on to your system.
Setup password Password that you must enter to access and make changes to the BIOS settings of your computer.
CAUTION: The password features provide a basic level of security for the data on your computer.
CAUTION: Anyone can access the data stored on your computer if it is not locked and left unattended.
NOTE: Your computer is shipped with the system and setup password feature is disabled.

Assigning a system password and setup password

You can assign a new System Password only when the status is in Not Set.
To enter the system setup, press F2 immediately after a power-on or re-boot.
1 In the System BIOS or System Setup screen, select Security and press Enter.
The Security screen is displayed.
2 Select System Password and create a password in the Enter the new password field.
Use the following guidelines to assign the system password:
• A password can have up to 32 characters.
• The password can contain the numbers 0 through 9.
• Only lower case letters are valid, upper case letters are not allowed.
• Only the following special characters are allowed: space, ("), (+), (,), (-), (.), (/), (;), ([), (\), (]), (`).
3 Type the system password that you entered earlier in the Confirm new password field and click OK.
4 Press Esc and a message prompts you to save the changes.
5 Press Y to save the changes.
The computer reboots.
Deleting or changing an existing system and/or setup
password
Ensure that the Password Status is Unlocked (in the System Setup) before attempting to delete or change the existing System and/or
Setup password. You cannot delete or change an existing System or Setup password, if the Password Status is Locked.
To enter the System Setup, press F2 immediately after a power-on or reboot.
1 In the System BIOS or System Setup screen, select System Security and press Enter.
The System Security screen is displayed.
2 In the System Security screen, verify that Password Status is Unlocked.
3 Select System Password, alter or delete the existing system password and press Enter or Tab.
4 Select Setup Password, alter or delete the existing setup password and press Enter or Tab.
NOTE: If you change the System and/or Setup password, re-enter the new password when promoted. If you delete the
System and/or Setup password, confirm the deletion when promoted.
5 Press Esc and a message prompts you to save the changes.
6 Press Y to save the changes and exit from System Setup.
The computer reboots.
System setup options 73