Dell P120F - Page 117

Table 39. System setup options—Passwords menu(continued)
Passwords
Dell Technologies recommends using an administrator password to prevent
unauthorized changes to BIOS setup options.
System Password The System Password prevents the computer from booting to an operating system
without entering the correct password.
The following rules and dependencies apply when the System Password is used -
● The computer shuts down when idle for approximately 10 minutes at the
computer password prompt.
● The computer shuts down after three incorrect attempts to enter the computer
password.
● The computer shuts down when the Esc key is pressed at the System Password
prompt.
● The computer password is not prompted when the computer resumes from
standby mode.
Dell Technologies recommends using the computer password in situations where it is
likely that a computer 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 computer and hard drive passwords are set to the same value, the hard
drive unlocks after the correct computer 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 computer is loaned or leased, and
the end user sets their own computer or hard drive password. The Owner Password
can provide override access to unlock the computer when it is returned. The Owner
Password cannot be set using 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, computer, or hard
drive passwords.
NOTE: The hard drive password must have been set on the computer with
the owner password.
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