System setup
NOTE:
Depending on the computer and its installed devices, the items listed in this section may or may not be displayed.
Topics:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Clearing BIOS (System Setup) and System passwords
System setup
CAUTION:
Unless you are an expert computer user, do not change the settings in the BIOS Setup program. Certain
changes can make your computer work incorrectly.
NOTE:
Before you change BIOS Setup program, it is recommended that you write down the BIOS Setup program screen
information for future reference.
Use the BIOS Setup program for the following purposes:
•
Get information about the hardware installed in your computer, such as the amount of RAM and the size of the hard drive.
•
Change the system configuration information.
•
Set or change a user-selectable option, such as the user password, type of hard drive installed, and enabling or disabling base devices.
Entering BIOS setup program
1. Turn on (or restart) your computer.
2. During POST, when the DELL logo is displayed, watch for the F2 prompt to appear, and then press F2 immediately.
NOTE:
The F2 prompt indicates that the keyboard is initialized. This prompt can appear very quickly, so you must
watch for it, and then press F2. If you press F2 before the F2 prompt, this keystroke is lost. If you wait too long and
the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the desktop. Then, turn off your computer and try
again.
Navigation keys
NOTE:
For most of the System Setup options, changes that you make are recorded but do not take effect until you
restart the system.
Keys
Navigation
Up arrow
Moves to the previous field.
Down arrow
Moves to the next field.
Enter
Selects a value in the selected field (if applicable) or follow the link in the field.
Spacebar
Expands or collapses a drop-down list, if applicable.
Tab
Moves to the next focus area.
4
System setup
61
