2-14 Dell OptiPlex GXa Mini Tower Systems Reference and Installation Guide
Assigning a Setup Password
A setup password can be assigned (or changed) only
when the Setup Password category is set to Not Enabled.
To assign a setup password, highlight the Setup P assword
category and press the left- or right-arrow key. The
system prompts you to enter and verify the password. If a
character is illegal for password use, the system emits a
beep.
NOTES: The setup password can be the same as the
system password.
If the two passwords are different, the setup password
can be used as an alternate system password. However,
the system password cannot be used in place of the setup
password.
After you verify the password, the Setup Password
setting changes to Enabled. The next time you enter the
System Setup program, the system prompts you for the
setup password.
A change to the Setup Password category becomes
effective immediately (rebooting the system is not
required).
Operating With a Setup Password
Enabled
If Setup Password is set to Enabled, you must enter the
correct setup password before you can modify the
majority of the System Setup categories.
When you start the System Setup program, Page 2 of the
System Setup screens appears with the Setup Password
category highlighted, prompting you to type the
password.
If you do not enter the correct password in three tries, the
system lets you view, but not modify, the System Setup
screens—with the following exceptions:
•You can still modify the Date, Time, CPU Speed,
Num Lock, and Speaker categories.
•If System Password is not enabled and is not locked
via the Password Status category, you can assign a
system password (however, you cannot disable or
change an existing system password).
NOTE: You can use the Password Status category in
conjunction with Setup Password to protect the sys-
tem password from unauthorized changes. For more
information, see “Password Status” found earlier in
this chapter.
Deleting or Changing an Existing Setup
Password
To delete or change an existing setup password, perform
the following steps:
1. Enter the System Setup program.
2. Highlight the Setup Password category, and press
the left- or right-arrow key to delete the existing
setup password.
The setting changes to Not Enabled.
3. If you want to assign a new setup password,
follow the procedure in “Assigning a Setup
Password” found earlier in this section.
Disabling a Forgotten Password
If you forget your system or setup password, you cannot
operate your system or change settings in the System
Setup program until you remove the computer cover,
change the password jumper setting to disable the
passwords, and erase the existing passwords.
To disable a forgotten password, perform the following
steps:
1. Remove the computer cover according to the
instructions in “Removing the Computer Cover”
in Chapter 5.
CAUTION: See “Protecting Against Electro-
static Discharge” in the safety instructions at
the front of this guide.