Using the System Setup Program
2-1
Chapter 2
Using the System Setup Program
E
ach time you turn on your computer system or press
the reset button, the system compares the hardware
installed in the system to the hardware listed in the sys-
tem configuration information stored in nonvolatile
random-access memory (NVRAM) on the system board.
If the system detects a discrepancy, it generates error
messages that identify the incorrect configuration set-
tings. The system then prompts you to enter the System
Setup program to correct the setting.
You can use the System Setup program as follows:
•
To change the system configuration information
after you add, change, or remove any hardware in
your system
•
To set or change user-selectable options—for
example, the time or date on your system
You can view the current settings at any time. When you
change a setting, in many cases you must reboot the sys-
tem before the change takes effect.
After you set up your system, run the System Setup
program to familiarize yourself with your system
configuration information and optional settings. Dell rec-
ommends that you print out the System Setup screens (by
pressing the <
PRINT SCRN
> key) or write down the infor-
mation for future reference.
Before you use the System Setup program, you need to
know the kind of diskette drive(s) and hard-disk drive(s)
installed in your computer. If you are unsure of any of
this information, see the Manufacturing Test Report that
was shipped with your system. You can access the Manu-
facturing Test Report from the Dell Accessories folder or
program group.
E
ntering the System Setup
Program
Enter the System Setup program as follows:
1.
Turn on (or reboot) your system.
2.
Press <
CTRL
><
ALT
><
ENTER
> immediately after
your computer's speaker emits a beep.
If you wait too long and your operating system begins to
load into memory, let the system complete the load oper-
ation; then shut down the system and try again.
NOTES: To ensure an orderly system shutdown, consult
the documentation that accompanied your operating
system.
If your system is running Microsoft Windows 3.1x or
later, Microsoft Windows 95, or any other protected-
mode operating system, you are advised not to enter the
System Setup program from an MS-DOS window. Enter
the System Setup program as described in the previous
procedure. Alternatively, from Windows 95 you can press
<F8>
when the
Starting Windows 95
message
appears to get an MS-DOS prompt; then press
<CTRL><ALT><ENTER>
.
Another way of entering the System Setup program is to
shut down the system, boot from an MS-DOS diskette,
and then press <
CTRL
><
ALT
><
ENTER
>. If your system is
running MS-DOS, you can enter the System Setup pro-
gram from the operating system prompt by pressing
<CTRL><ALT><ENTER>
.
You can also enter the System Setup program by
responding to certain error messages (see “Responding to
Error Messages” at the end of this chapter).
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