You do not have to set any passwords to use your computer. However, if you decide to set any passwords, read the following sections.
Password considerations
If you are setting any of the various types of passwords on your computer, you should read and understand the following information:
vIf you type an incorrect password, you will see an error message. If you type an incorrect password three consecutive times, you must turn the computer off and start again.
vIf you set both a User Password and an IDE Drive User Password to the same string, you will be prompted for the password only once when you turn on your computer.
vDo not move an IDE hard disk drive to another computer if an IDE Drive User Password has been set unless that computer also supports the IDE Drive User password.
vIf your computer is connected to a local area network (LAN), Wake on LAN will not work unless both a User Password and an IDE Drive User Password are set using the same password.
User Password
When a User Password is set, the user is prompted to type a valid password each time the computer is turned on. The computer cannot be used until a valid password is typed from the keyboard.
Administrator Password
Setting an Administrator Password deters unauthorized persons from changing configuration settings. If you are responsible for maintaining the settings of several computers, you might want to set an Administrator Password.
After you set an Administrator Password, a password prompt is displayed each time you try to access the IBM Setup Utility program.
If both the user and administrator passwords are set, you can type either password. However, to change any configuration settings, you must use your administrator password.
IDE Drive User Password
The IDE Drive User Password is used to protect the data on the IDE hard disk drive(s). When this password is set, you are prompted to type a valid password before any hard disk drive can be used. This prompt is displayed each time you turn on your computer. If your computer has multiple hard disk drives, they all must use the same password.
Attention
If an IDE Drive User Password is set but no IDE Drive Master Password is set, there is no recovery in the event that the IDE Drive User Password is lost or forgotten. The hard disk drive must be replaced. See “IDE Drive Master Password” on page 27.
