Security Features - Compal ACY25 series Service Manual

Security Features

Security features to be supported are passwords, electronic serial number, PC identification
string.
The Electronic Serial Number provides a unique way of identifying an individual notebook.
PC Identification strings allow the user or administrator to personalize the notebook for asset
tracking or identification if it is lost.
The Passwords, Serial Number, and PC Identification strings are to be stored in EEPROM.
2 Level Passwords
The notebook supports two levels of password protection. The password support consists of a
User Password and an Administrator Password. They each contain up to eight characters,
and are stored in EEPROM. Using the administration password to enter the setup utility allows
the user to access all the configurable fields. Whereas using the user password only allows
the user to configure a limited number of fields.
When the password is enabled, the notebook may display a suitable password prompt on the
main display in the following situations:.
• Turning on from off states. (No BIOS suspend/resume password)
• Entering to Setup.
The User will attempt to enter a password, then press ENTER. If the User fails to enter the
password in three tries the system will be halt.
User Password
The user can choose:
• The password will never be required
• Be required to boot.
• The user password may not be set unless the administrator password is set. If the user
wishes to only have one password then the administrator password is used.
Administrator Password
There are three primary uses for the Administrator Password:
• Protect users from changing system configuration that could cause the notebook to
malfunction.
• As the users password if only a single password is desired.
Passwords and Setup
There are individual checkbox items in Setup to allow the user to specify when to require a
password. The wording of these options should be:
Password Required to:
The following table lists the items in the Setup utility which can be modified by the User.
While setting new password, three failures to enter the old password will result in the system
turning off.
Valid Password Characters
Valid Password Characters
Chapter 2-5
Boot
Time & Date
User password
[Enabled]