Lenovo ThinkCentre M800, Hardware Maintenance Manual, Page: 72 / 178

Using BIOS passwords
By using the Setup Utility program, you can set passwords to prevent unauthorized access to your computer
and data.
You do not have to set any passwords to use your computer. However, using passwords improves computer
security. If you decide to set any passwords, read the following topics.
Setup Utility program password types
The following types of passwords are available:
• Power-on password
When a power-on password is set, you are prompted to enter a valid password each time the computer is
turned on. The computer cannot be used until the valid password is entered.
• Administrator password
Setting an administrator password deters unauthorized users from changing configuration settings. If you
are responsible for maintaining the configuration settings of several computers, you might want to set
an administrator password.
When an administrator password is set, you are prompted to enter a valid password each time you
try to access the Setup Utility program. The Setup Utility program cannot be accessed until a valid
password is entered.
If both the power-on password and administrator password are set, you can enter either password.
However, you must use your administrator password to change any configuration settings.
• Hard disk password
Setting a hard disk password prevents unauthorized access to the data on the storage drive. When a
hard disk password is set, you are prompted to enter a valid password each time you try to access
the storage drive.
Notes:
– After you set a hard disk password, your data on the storage drive is protected even if the storage drive
is removed from one computer and installed in another.
– If the hard disk password is forgotten, there is no way to reset the password or recover data from
the storage drive.
Password considerations
A password can be any combination of up to 64 alphabetic and numeric characters. For security reasons, it
is recommended to use a strong password that cannot be easily compromised.
Note: The Setup Utility program passwords are not case sensitive.
To set a strong password, consider the following guidelines:
• Have at least eight characters in length
• Contain at least one alphabetic character and one numeric character
• Not be your name or your user name
• Not be a common word or a common name
• Be significantly different from your previous passwords
Setting, changing, and deleting a password
To set, change, or delete a password, do the following:
1. Start the Setup Utility program. See “Starting the Setup Utility program” on page 61.
2. Select Security .
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ThinkCentre M800 and M900 Hardware Maintenance Manual