Using passwords
required for users. Users can start the computer without pro-
viding the supervisor password. The supervisor password is
required only to access the BIOS Setup Utility. It provides the
following security features:
Only a system administrator can access the BIOS Setup
Utility. If a supervisor password is set, a password prompt
appears if you try to start the BIOS Setup Utility.
The system administrator can set the same supervisor pass-
word on many ThinkPads to make administration easier.
Other password
Some Microsoft operating systems provide special Windows
passwords. Refer to that system's user's guide for information on
how to set, change, and use these passwords.
Entering a password
Once you set a power-on password, a password prompt ( )
appears at the top left corner of the screen. This prompt appears
each time you turn on your computer or when your computer returns
from suspend mode to normal operation.
To enter a password, do the following:
1. Type your password.
Don't hold down a key too long, because the same character will
be entered continuously.
2. Press the Enter key.
An OK appears if you enter the correct password, and an X
appears if you enter the wrong password. If you fail to enter the
correct password in three tries, you must turn off the computer,
wait 5 seconds, and then turn it on again and retry.
Chapter 3. Protecting your computer 73