A primary (or system) password, an administrator password, and a hard drive password all prevent unauthorized access to your computer in different ways. The following table identifies types and features of passwords available on your computer.

Type of Password

Features

Primary (or system)

• Protects the computer from unauthorized access

Administrator

• Gives system administrators or service technicians

 

access to computers for repair or reconfiguration

 

• Allows you to restrict access to system setup in the same

 

way a primary password restricts access to the computer

 

• Can be used instead of the primary password

Hard drive

• Helps protect the data on your hard drive from

 

unauthorized access

NOTE: Some hard drives do not support hard drive passwords.

NOTE: Passwords provide a high level of security for data in your computer or hard drive. However, they are not foolproof. For security, the Dell PrecisionM2300 ships with a smart card reader.

If you forget any of your passwords, contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" on page 147). For your protection, Dell technical support staff will ask you for proof of your identity to ensure that only an authorized person can use the computer.

Using a Primary (or System) Password

The primary password allows you to protect the computer from unauthorized access.

When you first start your computer, you must assign a primary password at the prompt.

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

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

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

If you have assigned an administrator password, you can use it instead of the primary password. The computer does not specifically prompt you for the administrator password.

Using an Administrator Password

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 system setup. 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.

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Securing Your Computer

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Dell NY105 manual Using a Primary or System Password, Using an Administrator Password