Dell PP04X Trusted Platform Module TPM, Using a Hard Drive Password, Enabling the TPM Feature

The administrator password is designed to give system administrators or service technicians access to computers for repair or reconfiguration. The administrators or technicians can assign identical administrator passwords to groups of computers, allowing you to assign a unique primary password.

To set or change administrator passwords, access User Accounts from the Control Panel.

When you set an administrator password, the Configure Setup option becomes available in the system setup program. The Configure Setup option allows you to restrict access to system setup in the same way that a primary password restricts access to the computer.

The administrator password can be used instead of the primary password. Whenever you are prompted to enter the primary password, you can enter the administrator password.

NOTICE: If you disable the administrator password, the primary password is also disabled.

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.

If you forget the primary password and do not have an administrator password assigned, or if you have both a primary and an administrator password assigned but forget them both, contact your system administrator or contact Dell (see Contacting Dell).

Using a Hard Drive Password

The hard drive password helps protect the data on your hard drive from unauthorized access. You can also assign a password for an external hard drive (if one is being used) that can be the same as or different from the password for the primary hard drive.

After assigning a hard drive password, you must enter it each time you turn on the computer and each time you restore the computer to normal operation from standby mode.

If the hard drive password is enabled, you must enter it each time you turn on the computer: A message appears asking for the hard drive password.

To continue, enter your password (with no more than eight characters) and press <Enter>.

If you do not enter a password within 2 minutes, the computer returns to its previous operating state.

If you enter the wrong password, a message tells you that the password is invalid. Press <Enter> to try again.

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 the system setup program 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: 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 Archive and Restore section of the EMBASSY Security Center help file. 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>.