Using your system password to secure your system

NOTE: If you have assigned a setup password, the system accepts your setup password as an alternate system password.

1.Turn on or reboot your system.

2.Type your password and press <Enter>.

When Password Status is Locked, type the password and press <Enter> when prompted at reboot.

If an incorrect system password is entered, the system displays a message and prompts you to re-enter your password. You have three attempts to enter the correct password. After the third unsuccessful attempt, the system displays an error message that the system has halted and must be powered down.

Even after you shut down and restart the system, the error message is displayed until the correct password is entered.

NOTE: You can use the Password Status option in conjunction with the System Password and Setup Password options to protect your system from unauthorized changes.

Deleting or changing an existing system and/or setup password

Ensure that the Password jumper is set to enabled and the Password Status is Unlocked before attempting to delete or change the existing System and/or Setup password. You cannot delete or change an existing System or Setup password if the Password Status is Locked.

To delete or change the existing System and/or Setup password:

1.To enter System Setup, press <F2> immediately after a power-on or reboot.

2.In the System Setup Main Menu, select System BIOS and press <Enter>. The System BIOS screen is displayed.

3.In the System BIOS Screen, select System Security and press <Enter>. The System Security screen is displayed.

4.In the System Security screen, verify that Password Status is Unlocked.

5.Select System Password, alter or delete the existing system password and press <Enter> or <Tab>.

6.Select Setup Password, alter or delete the existing setup password and press <Enter> or <Tab>.

NOTE: If you change the System and/or Setup password a message prompts you to re-enter the new password. If you delete the System and/or Setup password, a message prompts you to confirm the deletion.

7.Press <Esc> to save the changes.

NOTE: You can disable password security while logging on to the system. To disable the password security, turn on or reboot your system, type your password and press <Ctrl><Enter>.

Operating with a setup password enabled

If Setup Password is Enabled, enter the correct setup password before modifying most of the System Setup options. If you do not enter the correct password in three attempts, the system displays the message

Incorrect Password! Number of unsuccessful password attempts: <x> System Halted! Must power down.

Even after you shut down and restart the system, the error message is displayed until the correct password is entered. The following options are exceptions:

•If System Password is not Enabled and is not locked through the Password Status option, you can assign a system password.