LegacySelect Technology Control
LegacySelect technology control offers legacy-full, legacy-reduced, or legacy-free solutions based on common platforms, hard-drive images, and help desk procedures. Control is provided to the administrator through system setup, Dell OpenManage™ IT Assistant, or Dell™ custom factory integration.
LegacySelect allows administrators to electronically activate or deactivate connectors and media devices that include serial and USB connectors, a parallel connector, a floppy drive, PCI slots, and a PS/2 mouse. Connectors and media devices that are deactivated make resources available. You must restart the computer to effect the changes.
Manageability
Alert Standard Format
ASF is a DMTF management standard that specifies "pre-operating system" or "operating system-absent" alerting techniques. The standard is designed to generate an alert on potential security and fault conditions when the operating system is in a sleep state or the system is powered down. ASF is designed to supersede previous operating system-absent alerting technologies.
Your computer supports the following ASF version 1.03 alerts and remote capabilities:
| Alert | Description |
|---|
Chassis: Chassis Intrusion – Physical Security Violation/Chassis Intrusion – Physical Security Violation Event Cleared | The computer chassis with the chassis intrusion feature installed and enabled has been opened or the chassis intrusion alert has been cleared. |
CPU: Emergency Shutdown Event | The processor temperature is too hot and the power supply has shut down. |
Cooling Device: Generic Critical Fan Failure/Generic Critical Fan Failure Cleared | The fan speed (rpm) is out of limits or the fan speed (rpm) problem has been resolved. |
Temperature: Generic Critical Temperature Problem/Generic Critical Temperature Problem Cleared | The computer temperature is out of limits or the computer temperature problem has been resolved. |
Battery Low | The system battery has reached a voltage of 2.2V or lower. |
For more information about Dell's ASF implementation, see the ASF User's Guide and the ASF Administrator's Guide, which are available on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com.
Dell OpenManage IT Assistant
IT Assistant configures, manages, and monitors computers and other devices on a corporate network. IT Assistant manages assets, configurations, events (alerts), and security for computers equipped with industry-standard management software. It supports instrumentation that conforms to SNMP, DMI, and CIM industry standards.
Dell OpenManage Client instrumentation, which is based on DMI and CIM, is available for your computer. For information on IT Assistant, see the Dell OpenManage IT Assistant User's Guide available on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com.
Dell OpenManage Client Instrumentation
Dell OpenManage Client Instrumentation is software that enables remote management programs such as IT Assistant to do the following:
- Access information about your computer, such as how many processors it has and what operating system it is running
- Monitor the status of your computer, such as listening for thermal alerts from temperature probes or hard-drive failure alerts from storage devices
- Change the state of your computer, such as updating its BIOS or shutting it down remotely
A managed system is one that has Dell OpenManage Client Instrumentation set up on a network that uses IT Assistant. For information about Dell OpenManage Client Instrumentation, see the Dell OpenManage Client Instrumentation User's Guide available on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com.
Security
Chassis Intrusion Detection
 | NOTE: When the admin password is enabled, you must know the admin password before you can reset the Chassis Intrusion setting. |
This feature, if installed and enabled, detects that the chassis was opened and alerts the user. To change the Chassis Intrusion setting:
- Enter system setup.
- Press the down-arrow keys to move to the System Security option.
- Press to access the System Security option's pop-up menu.
- Press the down-arrow key to move to the Chassis Intrusion setting.
- Press to select an option setting.
- Press again after you update the option setting.
- Exit and save system setup.
Option Settings
- On — If the computer cover is opened, the setting changes to Detected, and the following alert message displays during the boot routine at the next computer start-up:
Alert! Cover was previously removed.
To reset the Detected setting, enter system setup. In the Chassis Intrusion option, press the left- or right-arrow key to select Reset, and then choose On, On-Silent, or Off.
- On-Silent (default) — If the computer cover is opened, the setting changes to Detected. No alert message appears during the boot sequence at the next computer start-up.
- Off — No intrusion monitoring occurs and no messages appear.
Padlock Ring and Security Cable Slot
Use one of the following methods to secure your computer:
- Use a padlock alone or a padlock and looped security cable with the padlock ring.
A padlock alone prevents the computer from being opened.
A security cable looped around a stationary object is used in conjunction with a padlock to prevent unauthorized movement of the computer.
- Attach a commercially available antitheft device to the security cable slot on the back of the computer.
| | NOTE: Before you purchase an antitheft device, make sure that it works with the security cable slot on your computer. |
Antitheft devices usually include a segment of metal-stranded cable with an attached locking device and key. The documentation that comes with the device contains instructions for installing it.
Password Protection
 | NOTICE: Although passwords provide security for the data on your computer, 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. |
System Password
| | NOTICE: If you leave your computer running and unattended without having a system password assigned, or if you 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 drive. |
Option Settings
You cannot change or enter a new system password if either of the following two options is displayed:
- Set — A system password is assigned.
- Disabled — The system password is disabled by a jumper setting on the system board.
You can only assign a system password when the following option is displayed:
- Not Set — No system password is assigned and the password jumper on the system board is in the enabled position (the default).
Assigning a System Password
To escape from the field without assigning a system password, press or the key combination to move to another field, or press at any time before you complete step 5.
- Enter system setup and verify that Password Status is set to Unlocked.
- Highlight System Password, and then press the left- or right-arrow key.
The option heading changes to Enter Password, followed by an empty 32-character field in square brackets.
- Type your new system password.
You can use up to 32 characters. To erase a character when entering your password, press or the left-arrow key. The password is not case sensitive.
Certain key combinations are not valid. If you enter one of these combinations, the speaker emits a beep.
As you press each character key (or the spacebar for a blank space), a placeholder appears in the field.
- Press .
If the new system password is less than 32 characters, the whole field fills with placeholders. Then the option heading changes to Verify Password, followed by another empty 32-character field in square brackets.
- To confirm your password, type it a second time and press .
The password setting changes to Set.
- Exit system setup.
Password protection takes effect when you restart the computer.
Typing Your System Password
When you start or restart your computer, one of the following prompts appears on the screen.
If Password Status is set to Unlocked:
Type in the password and
- press to leave password security enabled.
- press to disable password security.
Enter password:
If Password Status is set to Locked:
Type the password and press .
If you have assigned an admin password, the computer accepts your admin password as an alternate system password.
If you type a wrong or incomplete system password, the following message appears on the screen:
** Incorrect password. **
If you again type an incorrect or incomplete system password, the same message appears on the screen. The third and subsequent times you type an incorrect or incomplete system password, the computer displays the following message:
** Incorrect password. **
Number of unsuccessful password attempts: 3
System halted! Must power down.
Even after your computer is turned off and on, the previous message is displayed each time you type an incorrect or incomplete system password.
| | NOTE: You can use Password Status in conjunction with System Password and Admin Password to further protect your computer from unauthorized changes. |
Deleting or Changing an Existing System Password
- Enter system setup and verify that Password Status is set to Unlocked.
- Restart your computer.
- When prompted, type the system password.
- Press to disable the existing system password.
- Confirm that Not Set is displayed for the System Password option.
If Not Set is displayed, the system password is deleted. If Not Set is not displayed, press to restart the computer, and then repeat step 3 through step 5.
To assign a new password, follow the procedure in "Assigning a System Password."
- Exit system setup.
Admin Password
Option Settings
You cannot change or enter a new admin password if either of the following two options is displayed:
- Set — An admin password is assigned.
- Disabled — The admin password is disabled by a jumper setting on the system board.
You can only assign an admin password when the following option is displayed:
- Not Set — No admin password is assigned and the password jumper on the system board is in the enabled position (the default).
Assigning an Admin Password
The admin password can be the same as the system password.
| | NOTE: If the two passwords are different, the admin password can be used as an alternate system password. However, the system password cannot be used in place of the admin password. |
- Enter system setup and verify that Admin Password is set to Not Set.
- Highlight Admin Password and press the left- or right-arrow key.
The computer prompts you to type and verify the password. If a character is not permitted, the computer emits a beep.
- Type and then verify the password.
After you verify the password, the Admin Password setting changes to Set. The next time you enter system setup, the computer prompts you for the admin password.
- Exit system setup.
A change to Admin Password becomes effective immediately (no need to restart the computer).
Operating Your Computer With an Admin Password Enabled
When you enter system setup, the Admin Password option is highlighted, prompting you to type the password.
If you do not type the correct password, the computer lets you view, but not modify, system setup options.
| | NOTE: You can use Password Status in conjunction with Admin Password to protect the system password from unauthorized changes. |
Deleting or Changing an Existing Admin Password
To change an existing admin password, you must know the admin password.
- Enter system setup.
- Type the admin password at the prompt.
- Highlight Admin Password and press the left- or right-arrow key to delete the existing admin password.
The setting changes to Not Set.
To assign a new admin password, perform the steps in "Assigning an Admin Password."
- Exit system setup.
Disabling a Forgotten Password and Setting a New Password
To reset system and/or admin passwords, see "Clearing Forgotten Passwords."
System Setup
Overview
Use system setup as follows:
- To change the system configuration information after you add, change, or remove any hardware in your computer
- To set or change a user-selectable option such as the user password
- To read the current amount of memory or set the type of hard drive installed
Before you use system setup, it is recommended that you write down the system setup screen information for future reference.
Entering System Setup
- Turn on (or restart) your computer.
- When the blue DELL™ logo appears, press immediately.
If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Microsoft® Windows® desktop. Then shut down your computer and try again.
System Setup Screens
The system setup screen displays current or changeable configuration information for your computer. Information on the screen is divided into three areas: the options list, active options field, and key functions.
| Options List — This field appears on the left side of the system setup window. The field is a scrollable list containing features that define the configuration of your computer, including installed hardware, power conservation, and security features.
Scroll up and down the list by using the up and down arrow keys. As an option is highlighted, the Option Field displays more information about that option and the option's current and available settings. | Option Field — This field contains information about each option. In this field you can view your current settings and make changes to your settings. Use the right and left arrow keys to highlight an option. Press to make that selection active. |
| Key Functions — This field appears below the Option Field and lists keys and their functions within the active system setup field. |
System Setup Options
| | NOTE: Depending on your computer and installed devices, the items listed in this section may or may not appear. |
| System |
| System Info | Lists the computer name, BIOS version, and service tag. |
| CPU Info | Identifies whether the computer's processor supports Hyper-threading and identifies the CPU speed, bus speed, clock speed, and L2 cache. |
| Memory Info | Indicates amount of installed memory, computer memory speed, amount of video memory, size of the display cache, and channel mode (dual or single). |
| Date/Time | Displays current date and time settings. |
| Boot Sequence | The computer attempts to boot from the sequence of devices specified in this list. |
| Drives |
| Diskette Drive | This option enables or disables the floppy drive. The options are Off, Internal, USB, and Read Only. |
| Drive 0 through Drive n | Identifies and enables and disables the drives attached to the SATA or IDE connectors on the system board and lists the capacities for the hard drives. NOTE: These options appear as Drive 0 through Drive 3 for the small form-factor, small desktop and desktop computers and Drive 0 though Drive 5 for the small mini-tower and tower computers. |
| Drive Controller | Configures the serial ATA controller's operating mode. Normal enables the serial ATA controller to operate in its serial ATA native mode only. Compatible enables the serial ATA controller to operate in serial/parallel ATA combination mode. |
| Error Reporting | This setting determines whether hard drive errors are reported or not during system setup. |
| Onboard Devices |
| Audio Controller | Enables or disables the onboard audio controller |
| Mouse Port | Enables or disables the serial mouse port. (This setting appears only if an optional serial port adapter is installed.) |
| NIC Controller | You can set the NIC to On (default), Off, or On w/ PXE. When the On w/ PXE setting is active (available only for the future boot process), the computer prompts the user to press . Pressing this key combination causes a menu to display that allows you to select a method for booting from a network server. If a boot routine is not available from the network server, the system attempts to boot from the next device in the boot sequence list. |
| LPT Port Mode | This option sets the operating mode for the built-in parallel port. The settings are Off, AT, PS/2 (default), EPP, and ECP. - AT - the port is configured for IBM AT compatibility
- PS/2 - the port is configured for IBM PS/2 compatibility
- EPP - enhanced parallel port protocol
- ECP - extended capability port protocol
|
| LPT Port Address | This option sets the address that the built-in parallel port uses. The settings are 378h (default), 278h, and 3BCh. |
| PCI Slots | Enables or disables the PCI slots. |
| Serial Port #1 | Auto, the default setting, automatically configures a connector to a particular designation (COM1 or COM3). |
| Serial Port #2 | Auto, the default setting, automatically configures a connector to a particular designation (COM1 or COM3). (This setting appears only if an optional serial port adapter is installed.) |
| USB | USB devices are detected and supported in the operating system when this option is set to On. |
| USB Disable | Enables or disables the front USB connectors. The default setting is On. To disable the front connectors, select Off. |
| Performance |
| Hyper-threading | If your computer's processor supports hyper-threading, this option appears in the Options List. |
| HDD Acoustic Mode | - Quiet - the hard drive operates at its most quiet setting.
- Performance - the hard drive operates at its maximum speed.
- Bypass (default) - your computer does not test or change the current acoustics mode setting.
- Suggested - the hard drive operates at the level suggested by the drive manufacturer.
NOTE: Switching to performance mode may cause the drive to be noisier, but its performance is not affected.
Changing the acoustics setting does not alter your hard drive image. |
| Security | This section displays available system security options. See "Security" for more information. |
| Admin Password | This option provides restricted access to the computer's System Setup program in the same way that access to the system can be restricted with the System Password option. The settings are Set, Not Set, and Disabled. If the option is to Set, an admin password is assigned. If the option is to Not Set, no admin password is assigned and the password jumper on the system board is in the enabled position (the default). If the option is to Disabled, the admin password is disabled by a jumper setting on the system board. To disable the admin password, enter the password at the prompt and hit . |
| System Password | Displays the current status of the system's password security feature and allows a new system password to be assigned and verified. The settings are Set, Not Set, and Disabled. If the option is to Set, a system password is assigned. If the option is to Not Set, no system password is assigned and the password jumper on the system board is in the enabled position (the default). If the option is to Disabled, the system password is disabled by a jumper setting on the system board. To disable the system password, enter the password at the prompt and hit . |
| Drive Password | Set this password to prevent unauthorized users from accessing the hard drive. NOTE: The option appears for each installed hard drive. |
| Password Status | This option locks the system password field with the admin password. When the field is locked, the option to disable password security by pressing when the computer starts is no longer available. |
| Chassis Intrusion | When installed and enabled, this option alerts the user, during the next computer start-up, that the computer cover has been opened. The settings are On, On-Silent (default), and Off. |
| Intrusion Status | This option appears in system setup only if a chassis intrusion event occurred. The settings are Clear and Detected (default). Select Clear to clear the chassis intrusion status |
| Power Management |
| AC Recovery | Determines what happens when AC power is restored to the computer. |
| Auto Power On | Sets time and days of week to automatically turn on the computer. Choices are Everyday or Weekdays. The default setting is Off. This feature does not work if you turn off your computer using a power strip or surge protector. |
| Auto Power Time | Sets the specific time to automatically turn on the computer. Time is kept in a 24-hour format (hours:minutes). Change the start-up time by pressing the right- or left-arrow key to increase or decrease the numbers, or type numbers in both the date and time fields. Use this setting in conjunction with the Auto Power On setting. |
| Low Power Mode | When Low Power Mode is selected, remote wakeup events no longer power up from Hibernate or Off unless an additional NIC card is installed. NOTE: This setting affects only the integrated network controller. |
| Remote Wake-Up | This option allows the system to power up when a Network Interface Controller or Remote Wakeup-capable modem receives a wake up signal. Off is the default setting. On w/ Boot to NIC will allow the computer to attempt to boot from a network prior to using the boot sequence. NOTE: Normally, the system can be powered up remotely from suspend mode, hibernate mode, or when powered off. When Low Power Mode (in the Power Management menu) is enabled, the system can only be powered up remotely from Suspend. |
| Suspend Mode | The options are S1, a suspend state where the computer is running in a low-power mode, and S3, a standby state where the power is reduced or turned off for most components, however, system memory remains active. |
| Maintenance |
| CMOS Defaults | This setting will restore the computer's factory-installed default settings. The options are Cancel and Continue/Reset CMOS. |
| Event Log | Displays the system event log. |
| BIOS Update | Select the location of the BIOS update file. The options are Floppy Disk or Hard Drive. |
| Video |
| Primary Video | This setting specifies which video controller is primary when two video controllers are present on the computer. |
| POST Behavior |
| Fastboot | When set to On (default), your computer will start more quickly since it will skip certain configurations and tests. |
| Numlock Key | This option involves the rightmost bank of keys on your keyboard. When set to On (default), this option activates the numeric and mathematical features shown at the top of each key. When set to Off, this option activates the cursor-control functions labeled on the bottom of each key. |
| OS Install | This setting turns the OS Install Mode either On or Off (default). |
| POST Hotkeys | This setting specifies whether keystroke sequences are displayed when the computer starts. The default setting is Setup & Boot Menu. |
| Keyboard Errors | This option disables or enables keyboard error reporting when the computer starts. |
Boot Sequence
This feature allows you to change the boot sequence for devices.
Option Settings
- Onboard or USB Floppy Drive — The computer attempts to boot from the floppy drive. If the floppy disk in the drive is not bootable, or if no floppy disk is in the drive, the computer generates an error message.
- Onboard SATA Hard Drive — The computer attempts to boot from the primary serial ATA hard drive. If no operating system is on the drive, the computer generates an error message.
- Onboard IDE Hard Drive — The computer attempts to boot from the primary IDE hard drive, if applicable. If no operating system is on the drive, the computer generates an error message.
- Onboard or USB CD-ROM Drive — The computer attempts to boot from the CD drive. If no CD is in the drive, or if the CD has no operating system, the computer generates an error message.
Changing Boot Sequence for the Current Boot
You can use this feature, for example, to tell the computer to boot from the CD drive so that you can run the Dell Diagnostics on the Drivers and Utilities CD, but you want the computer to boot from the hard drive when the diagnostic tests are complete. You can also use this feature to restart your computer to a USB device such as a floppy drive, memory key, or CD drive.
| | NOTE: If you are booting to a USB floppy drive, you must first set the floppy drive to USB in system setup. |
- If you are booting to a USB device, connect the USB device to a USB connector.
- Turn on (or restart) your computer.
- When F2 = Setup, F12 = Boot Menu appears in the upper-right corner of the screen, press .
If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Microsoft Windows desktop. Then shut down your computer and try again.
The Boot Device Menu appears, listing all available boot devices. Each device has a number next to it.
- At the bottom of the menu, enter the number of the device that is to be used for the current boot only.
For example, if you are booting to a USB memory key, highlight USB Device and press .
| | NOTE: To boot to a USB device, the device must be bootable. To make sure your device is bootable, check the device documentation. |
Changing Boot Sequence for Future Boots
- Enter system setup.
- Use the arrow keys to highlight the Boot Sequence menu option and press to access the pop-up menu.
| | NOTE: Write down your current boot sequence in case you want to restore it. |
- Press the up- and down-arrow keys to move through the list of devices.
- Press the spacebar to enable or disable a device (enabled devices have a checkmark).
- Press or to move a selected device up or down the list.
Booting to a USB Device
| | NOTE: To boot to a USB device, the device must be bootable. To ensure that your device is bootable, check the device documentation. |
Memory Key
- Insert the memory key into a USB port and restart the computer.
- When F12 = Boot Menu appears in the upper-right corner of the screen, press .
The BIOS detects the device and adds the USB device option to the boot menu.
- From the boot menu, select the number that appears next to the USB device.
The computer boots to the USB device.
Floppy Drive
- In system setup, set the Diskette Drive option to USB.
- Save and exit system setup.
- Connect the USB floppy drive, insert a bootable floppy, and re-boot the system.
Clearing Forgotten Passwords
 | CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide. |
| | NOTICE: This process erases both the system and admin passwords. |
- Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin."
- Locate the 2-pin password jumper (PSWD) on the system board, and remove the jumper to clear the password.
| Small Form-Factor Computer |
| |
| Small Mini-Tower Computer |
| |
| Jumper | Setting | Description |
|---|
PSWD | (default) | Password features are enabled. |
| | Password features are disabled. |
RTCRST |  | Real-time clock reset. |
 jumpered  unjumpered
|
- Close the computer cover.
- Connect your computer and monitor to electrical outlets, and turn them on.
- After the Microsoft® Windows® desktop appears on your computer, shut down your computer.
- Turn off the monitor and disconnect it from the electrical outlet.
- Disconnect the computer power cable from the electrical outlet, and press the power button to ground the system board.
- Open the computer cover.
- Locate the 2-pin password jumper on the system board and attach the jumper to reenable the password feature.
- Replace the computer cover.
| | NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network wall jack and then plug it into the computer. |
- Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on.
| | NOTE: This procedure enables the password feature. When you enter system setup, both system and admin password options appear as Not Set—meaning that the password feature is enabled but no password is assigned. |
- Assign a new system and/or admin password.
Clearing CMOS Settings
| | CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide. |
- Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin."
- Reset the current CMOS settings:
- Locate the password (PSWD) and CMOS (RTC_RST) jumpers on the system board.
- Remove the password jumper plug from its pins.
- Place the password jumper plug on the RTC_RST pins and wait approximately 5 seconds.
- Remove the jumper plug from the RTC_RST pins and place it back on the password pins.
- Close the computer cover.
- Attach the computer stand, if used.
| | NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network wall jack and then plug it into the computer. |
- Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on.
Hyper-Threading
Hyper-Threading is an Intel® technology that can enhance overall computer performance by allowing one physical processor to function as two logical processors, capable of performing certain tasks simultaneously. It is recommended that you use the Microsoft® Windows® XP Service Pack 1 (SP1) or higher operating system because Windows XP is optimized to take advantage of Hyper-Threading technology. While many programs can benefit from Hyper-Threading, some programs have not been optimized for Hyper-Threading and may require an update from the software manufacturer. Contact the software manufacturer for updates and information about using Hyper-Threading with your software.
To determine if your computer is using Hyper-Threading technology:
- Click the Start button, right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
- Click Hardware and click Device Manager.
- In the Device Manager window, click the plus (+) sign next to the processor type. If Hyper- Threading is enabled, the processor is listed twice.
You can enable or disable Hyper-Threading through system setup.
Power Management
Your computer can be set to use less power when you are not working. You control the power usage through the operating system installed on your computer and certain option settings in system setup. These periods of reduced power are called "sleep states":
- Standby. In this sleep state, power is reduced or turned off for most components, including the cooling fans. However, system memory remains active.
This state is not supported by Windows NT 4.0.
| | NOTE: All components installed in the computer must support this feature and have the appropriate drivers loaded to enter standby. For more information, see the manufacturer's documentation for each component. |
- Hibernate. This sleep state reduces power consumption to a minimum by writing all data in system memory to a hard drive and then removing system power. Waking up from this state restarts the computer, and the memory contents are restored. Operation then resumes where the computer left off when it entered the hibernation state.
This state is not supported by Windows NT 4.0.
| | NOTE: All components installed in the computer must support this feature and have the appropriate drivers loaded to enter hibernation. For more information, see the manufacturer's documentation for each component. |
- Shutdown. This sleep state removes all power from the computer except a small auxiliary amount. As long as the computer remains connected to an electrical outlet, it can be automatically or remotely started. For example, the Auto Power On option in system setup allows the computer to automatically start at a specified time. Also, your network administrator can remotely start your computer using a power management event such as Remote Wake Up.
The following table lists the sleep states and the methods you can use to wake the computer from each state.
| Sleep State | Wake-Up Methods (Windows 2000 and XP) |
|---|
Standby | - Press the power button
- Auto power on
- Move or click the mouse
- Type on the keyboard
- USB device activity
- Power management event
|
Hibernate | - Press the power button
- Auto power on
- Power management event
|
Shutdown | - Press the power button
- Auto power on
- Power management event
|
| | NOTE: For more information on power management, see your operating system documentation. |
