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System Setup
Dell™Inspiron™518/519ServiceManual
Overview
Clearing Forgotten Passwords
Clearing CMOS Settings
Flashing the BIOS

Overview

Use system setup to:
lChange the system configuration information after you add, change, or remove any hardware in your computer
lSet or change a user-selectable option such as the user password
lRead the current amount of memory or set the type of hard drive installed

Entering System Setup

1. Turn on (or restart) your computer.
2. WhentheblueDELL™logoisdisplayed,watchfortheF2prompttoappearandthenpress<F2>immediately.
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 top of the system setup window. The tabbed options contain features that define the configuration of your
computer, including installed hardware, power conservation, and security features.
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 <Enter> to make that selection active.
Help Field — This field provides context sensitive help based on the options selected.
Key Functions — This field appears below the Option Field and lists keys and their functions within the active system setup field.

System Setup Options — DellInspiron™518

NOTICE: Unless you are an expert computer user, do not change the settings for this program. Certain changes can make your computer work
incorrectly.
NOTE: Before you use system setup, it is recommended that you write down the system setup screen information for future reference.
NOTE: The F2 prompt indicates that the keyboard has initialized. This prompt can appear very quickly, so you must watch for it to display, and
then press <F2>. If you press <F2> before you are prompted, this keystroke will be lost. 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 (see Turning Off Your Computer) and
try again.
NOTE: Depending on your computer and installed devices, the items listed in this section may not appear, or may not appear exactly as listed.
System Info
Inspiron 518
Shows the BIOS version number and date information
Shows the service tag of the computer
Shows the asset tag for the computer if present.
Lists the processor bus speed, processor ID, clock speed, and L2 cache.
Indicates amount of installed memory, memory speed, channel mode (dual or single), and type of memory installed.
Standard CMOS Features
Displays current date and time settings. Date in the mm:dd:yy format and time in the hh:mm:ss format.
Displays the SATA drives integrated in the system (SATA-0; SATA-1; SATA-2; SATA-3; SATA-4; SATA-5).
Auto detects the SATA connector to which the hard drive is attached.