Filter
Top Products
76 Securing Your Computer
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
If you do not enter the correct password in three attempts, the computer tries to start from another
bootable device if the
Boot First Device
option in system setup is set to allow start-up from
another device. If the
Boot First Device
option is not set to allow the computer to start from
another device, the computer returns to the operating state it was in when you turned it on.
If the hard drive password, the external hard-drive password, and the primary password are the
same, the computer prompts you only for the primary password. If the hard drive password is
different from the primary password, the computer prompts you for both. Two different passwords
provide greater security.
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.
Trusted Platform Module (TPM)
NOTE: Computers shipping into China are not equipped with the TPM feature.
NOTE: The TPM feature may not be supported in all countries.
NOTE: The TPM feature supports encryption only if the operating system supports TPM. For more
information, see the TPM software documentation and the help files that came with the software.
TPM is a hardware-based security feature that can be used to create and manage computer-
generated encryption keys. When combined with security software, the TPM enhances existing
network and computer security by enabling features such as file protection capabilities and
protected e-mail. The TPM feature is enabled through a system setup option.
NOTICE: To secure your TPM data and encryption keys, follow the backup procedures documented in
the Broadcom Secure Foundation Getting Started Guide. In the event of these backups being incomplete,
lost, or damaged, Dell will be unable to assist in the recovery of encrypted data.
Enabling the TPM Feature
1
Enable the TPM software:
a
Restart the computer and press <F2> during the Power On Self Test to enter the
system setup program.
b
Select
Security
→
TPM Security
and press <Enter>.
c
Under
TPM Security
, select
On
.
d
Press <Esc> to exit the setup program.
e
If prompted, click
Save/Exit
.
2
Activate the TPM setup program:
a
Restart the computer and press <F2> during the Power On Self Test to enter the
system setup program.
b
Select
Security
→
TPM Activation
and press <Enter>.
c
Under
TPM Activation
, select
Activate
and press <Enter>.