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Passwords
Using a Primary Password
The primary password allows you to protect the computer from unauthorized access.
After assigning a primary password, you must enter it each time you turn on your computer. The following
message appears each time you turn on the computer:
Please type in the primary or administrator password and press <Enter>.
To continue, enter your password (maximum of eight characters).
If you do not enter a password within 2 minutes, the computer returns to its previous operating state.
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.
NOTICE:
If you disable the administrator password, the primary password is also disabled.
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 the primary password.
When you set an administrator password, the Configure Setup option becomes available in the system setup
program. The Configure Setup option allows you to restrict access to the system setup program in the same
way a primary password restricts access to the computer.
The administrator password can be used in place of the primary password. Whenever you are prompted to
enter the primary password, you can enter the administrator password instead.
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.
NOTICE:
If you disable the administrator password, the primary password is also disabled.
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.
file://C:\Documents%20and%20Settings\rpaxman\Local%20Settings\Temp\~hh5EB8.htm
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9/19/2003
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