10 Password security and resetting CMOS

This computer supports security password features, which can be established through the Computer Setup Utilities menu.

This computer supports two security password features that are established through the Computer Setup Utilities menu: setup password and power-on password. When you establish only a setup password, any user can access all the information on the computer except Computer Setup. When you establish only a power-on password, the power-on password is required to access Computer Setup and any other information on the computer. When you establish both passwords, only the setup password will give you access to Computer Setup.

When both passwords are set, the setup password can also be used in place of the power-on password as an override to log in to the computer. This is a useful feature for a network administrator.

If you forget the password for the computer, you can clear that password so you can gain access to the information on the computer by resetting the password jumper.

CAUTION: Pushing the CMOS button will reset CMOS values to factory defaults. It is important to back up the computer CMOS settings before resetting them in case they are needed later. Back up is easily done through Computer Setup. See Computer Setup (F10) Utility on page 157 for information on backing up the CMOS settings.

Resetting the password jumper

CAUTION: If you enable the stringent security feature in Computer Setup and you forget the setup password or the power-on password, the computer is inaccessible and can no longer be used.

Enabling the stringent password disables the ability to reset the password by moving the jumper on the system board.

If you lose or forget the password, the system board must be replaced. This scenario is not covered under warranty.

To prevent the computer from becoming permanently unusable, record your configured setup password or power-on password in a safe place away from your computer. Without these passwords, the computer cannot be unlocked.

To disable the power-on or setup password features, or to clear the power-on or setup passwords, complete the following steps:

208 Chapter 10 Password security and resetting CMOS