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Using the Setup Password Feature
Your system is shipped to you without the setup password feature enabled. If system security is a concern, you should operate your system with the setup
password feature enabled.
You can assign a setup password whenever you use the System Setup program. After a setup password is assigned, only those who know the password
have full use of the System Setup program.
To change an existing setup password, you must know the setup password (see "Deleting or Changing an Existing Setup Password"). If you assign and later
forget a setup password, you cannot operate your system or change settings in the System Setup program until you open the system, change the password
jumper setting to disable the passwords, and erase the existing passwords (see "Disabling a Forgotten Password").
Assigning a Setup Password
A setup password can be assigned (or changed) only when the Setup Password option is set to Not Enabled. To assign a setup password, highlight the
Setup Password option and press the + or - key. The system prompts you to enter and verify the password. If a character is illegal for password use, the
system emits a beep.
After you verify the password, the Setup Password setting changes to Enabled. The next time you enter the System Setup program, the system prompts you
for the setup password.
A change to the Setup Password option becomes effective immediately (restarting the system is not required).
Operating With a Setup Password Enabled
If Setup Password is set to Enabled, you must enter the correct setup password before you can modify the majority of the System Setup options. When you
start the System Setup program, the program prompts you to type the password.
If you do not enter the correct password in three tries, the system lets you view, but not modify, the System Setup screens—with the following exception. If
System Password is not set to Enabled and is not locked via the Password Status option, you can assign a system password (however, you cannot disable
or change an existing system password).
Deleting or Changing an Existing Setup Password
1. Enter the System Setup program and select the System Security option.
2. Highlight the Setup Password option, press <Enter> to access the setup password window, and press <Enter> twice to clear the existing setup
password.
The setting changes to Not Enabled.
3. If you want to assign a new setup password, perform the steps in "Assigning a Setup Password."
Disabling a Forgotten Password
The system's software security features include a system password and a setup password. The password jumper enables or disables these password
features and clears any password(s) currently in use.
1. Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet.
2. Remove the cover (see "Removing the Cover").
3. Remove the jumper plug from the password jumper.
See Figure5-2 to locate the password jumper (labeled "PASSWD") on the system board.
4. Replace the cover (see "Replacing the Cover").
5. Reconnect your system and peripherals to their electrical outlets, and turn on the system.
The existing passwords are not disabled (erased) until the system boots with the password jumper plug removed. However, before you assign a new
system and/or setup password, you must install the jumper plug.
6. Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet.
7. Remove the cover (see "Removing the Cover").
8. Install the jumper plug on the password jumper.
NOTE: The setup password can be the same as the system password. If the two passwords are different, the setup password can be used as an
alternate system password. However, the system password cannot be used in place of the setup password.
NOTE: You can use the Password Status option in conjunction with the Setup Password option to protect the system password from unauthorized
changes.
CAUTION: See "Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge" in the safety instructions in your System Information document.
NOTE: If you assign a new system and/or setup password with the jumper plug still removed, the system disables the new password(s) the next
time it boots.