Types Of Passwords; Bios Security Information; Troubleshooting Power And Post Issues; Objectives - Dell Latitude D Series Training

NOTE: Only hard drives purchased from Dell for use with Dell systems support hard drive passwords.
Types of Passwords
•
Primary password: Prevents a user from booting to any media. A password prompt appears as soon
as the system is switched on.
EXAMPLE: The computer system #CXD1601‐D35B, is protected by a password authentication
system. You cannot access the data on this computer without the correct password.
•
Administrator password: Allows a user to boot the operating system and use the system but
prevents them from making any changes in the BIOS.
•
Hard drive password: Required to unlock data on the hard drive if the system completes the Power‐
On Self Test (POST) and indicates that data is locked. Note that the hard drive password is stored on
the hard disk drive circuitry. This means that putting the drive in another system will cause a
password prompt to appear on that system.
EXAMPLE: Hard‐disk #QkrPD3513‐595B, the system Primary HDD, is protected by a password
authentication system. You cannot access data on this hard drive without the correct password.
The easiest way to identify which type of password needs to be cleared, if one has been set, is to
determine what password prompt is presented, or if you can access the BIOS, to check to see which is
enabled.
BIOS Security Information
Information required to clear BIOS passwords includes:
•
Service tag or the notebook ID
•
Hash encrypted serial number listed on the password prompt screen
•
Type of password needed
•
BIOS revision of the system
•
Proof of ownership, that is, a faxed or mailed letterhead with the request (requirements for proof of
ownership are region specific)
NOTE: Due to the value Dell places on our customers' privacy and security, Dell will not provide a BIOS
or hard drive password unless ownership of the Dell system has been properly verified.
Troubleshooting Power and POST issues
Objectives
Upon completion of this topic, you will have learned to identify and establish guidelines for
troubleshooting power and POST‐related faults in Dell Latitude, Precision and Vostro notebooks.
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