Using The System Password Feature; Assigning A System Password - Dell OptiPlex GXi Reference And Installation Manual

•
indicates the entire amount of
SYSTEM MEMORY
installed memory detected in your system, except for
memory on Expanded Memory Specification (EMS)
expansion cards. After adding memory, check this
category to confirm that the new memory is installed
correctly and is recognized by the system.
•
displays the system's five-character
SERVICE TAG
service tag number, which was programmed into
NVRAM by Dell during the manufacturing process.
Refer to this number during technical assistance or
service calls. The service tag number is also
accessed by certain Dell support software, including
the diagnostics software.
•
displays the customer-programmable
ASSET TAG
asset tag number for the system if an asset tag num-
ber has been assigned. You can use the Asset Tag
utility, which is included with your software support
utilities, to enter an asset tag number up to ten char-
acters long into NVRAM. For information on this
utility, see "Using Drivers and Utilities" in your
online System User's Guide.
U
sing the System Password Feature
CAUTION: The password features provide a basic
level of security for the data on your system. How-
ever, they are not foolproof. If your data requires
more security, it is your responsibility to obtain and
use additional forms of protection, such as data
encryption programs.
Your Dell system is shipped to you without the system
password feature enabled. If system security is a concern,
you should operate your system only with system pass-
word protection.
You can assign a system password, as described in the
next subsection, "Assigning a System Password," when-
ever you use the System Setup program. After a system
password is assigned, only those who know the password
have full use of the system.
When the
SYSTEM PASSWORD
the computer system prompts you for the system pass-
word just after the system boots.
Dell OptiPlex GX i Midsize Systems Reference and Installation Guide
2-10
category is set to
ENABLED
To change an existing system password, you must know
the password (see "Deleting or Changing an Existing
System Password" found later in this section). If you
assign and later forget a system password, you need to
be able to remove the computer cover to change a
jumper setting that disables the system password fea-
ture (see "Disabling a Forgotten Password" found
later in this chapter). Note that you erase the setup
password at the same time.
CAUTION: If you leave your system running and
unattended without having a system password
assigned or leave your computer unlocked so that
someone can disable the password by changing a
jumper setting, anyone can access the data stored
on your hard-disk drive.

Assigning a System Password

Before you can assign a system password, you must enter
the System Setup program and check the
category.
WORD
With a system password assigned, the status shown in the
SYSTEM PASSWORD
system password feature disabled by a jumper setting
on the system board, the option shown is
. You cannot change or enter a new system
BY JUMPER
password if either of these options is displayed.
With no system password assigned and with the pass-
word jumper on the system board in the enabled position
(its default setting), the status shown for the
category is
PASSWORD
category is set to
password, using the following procedure:
1. Verify that the
to
UNLOCKED
For instructions on changing the setting for
WORD STATUS
in this chapter.
2. Highlight the
then press the left- or right-arrow key.
The category heading changes to
,
followed by an empty seven-character field in square
brackets.
SYSTEM PASS-
category is
ENABLED
. Only when this
NOT ENABLED
can you assign a system
NOT ENABLED
category is set
PASSWORD STATUS
.
, see "Password Status" found earlier
category, and
SYSTEM PASSWORD
ENTER PASSWORD
. With the
DISABLED
SYSTEM
PASS-
,