Table 11. System setup options—Passwords menu (continued)
Passwords
●
The system password is not prompted when the computer resumes from
standby mode.
Dell Technologies recommends using the system password in situations where it
is likely that a system may be lost or stolen.
Hard Drive Password
The Hard Drive Password can be set to prevent unauthorized access of the data
stored on the hard drive. The computer prompts for the hard drive password
during boot in order to unlock the drive. A password secured hard drive stays
locked even when removed from the computer or placed into another computer.
It prevents an attacker from accessing data on the drive without authorization.
The following rules and dependencies apply when the Hard Drive Password is
used -
●
The hard drive password option cannot be accessed when a hard drive is
disabled in the BIOS setup.
●
The computer shuts down when idle for approximately 10 minutes at the hard
drive password prompt.
●
The computer shuts down after three incorrect attempts to enter the hard
drive password and treats the hard drive as not available.
●
The hard drive does not accept password unlock attempts after five incorrect
attempts to enter the hard drive password from the BIOS Setup. The hard
drive password must be reset for the new password unlock attempts.
●
The computer treats the hard drive as not available when the
Esc
key is
pressed at the hard drive password prompt.
●
The hard drive password is not prompted when the computer resumes from
standby mode. When the hard drive is unlocked by the user before the
computer goes into standby mode, it remains unlocked after the computer
resumes from standby mode.
●
If the system and hard drive passwords are set to the same value, the hard
drive unlocks after the correct system password is entered.
Dell Technologies recommends using a hard drive password to protect
unauthorized data access.
Owner Password
The Owner Password is typically used when a system is loaned or leased, and the
end user sets their own system or hard drive password. The Owner Password
can provide override access to unlock the system when it is returned. The Owner
Password cannot be set via BIOS Setup. System lessors are given a tool which
enables them to configure the Owner Password.
The following rules and dependencies apply when the Owner Password is used -
●
The owner password cannot be set when the administrator password is
already set.
●
The owner password can be used in place of the administrator, system, or
hard drive passwords.
NOTE:
The hard drive password must have been set on the computer
with owner password.
Dell Technologies recommends that only system lessors use the owner password.
Strong Password
The Strong Password feature enforces stricter rules for administrator, owner, and
system passwords.
When enabled, the following rules are enforced -
●
The minimum length of the password is set to 8 characters.
●
The password is required to include at least 1 upper case and 1 lower case
character.
NOTE:
These requirements do not affect the hard drive password.
By default, the
Strong Password
option is enabled.
50
System setup
