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/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 or external |
| hard drive (if one is being used) from unauthorized |
| access |
NOTICE: Passwords provide a high level of security for data in your computer or hard drive. However, they are not foolproof. If you require more security, obtain and use additional forms of protection, such as smart cards, data encryption programs, or PC Cards with encryption features.
NOTE: Some hard drives do not support hard drive passwords.
If you forget any of your passwords, contact your system administrator or contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" on page 142). For your protection, Dell support staff will ask you for proof of your identity to ensure that only an authorized person can use the computer.
NOTE: Dell OpenManage™ Client Instrumentation version 7.3 or later must be installed on the computer for system administrators to assign passwords remotely.
Using a Primary/System Password
The primary (system) password allows you to protect the computer from unauthorized access.
Access User Accounts from the Control Panel to create user accounts and add or change passwords. After assigning a primary password, you must enter it each time you turn on your computer.
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.
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.
Securing Your Computer
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