A
primary
(or
system) password, an
administrator
password, and a hard drive password
all prevent
unauthorized
access
to
your computer
in different
ways.
The
following table identifies types and
featur
es
of
passwords available
on
your
computer.
Type of
Password
F
eatures
Pr
i
m
a
r
y
/
S
y
s
t
e
m
•
Protects
the
computer
from
unauthorized access
Administrator
•
Gives system administrators
or
service
technicians
access
to
computers
for
repair
or
r
e
configuration
•
Allows you
to
restrict
access
to
system setup
in
the same
way a primary password restricts
access
to the
computer
•
Can be used instead
of the
primary
password
Hard drive
•
Helps protect
the
data on your hard drive
or
e
xternal
hard drive
(if
one is being used)
from unauthorized
access
NOTE:
Some hard drives do not support hard drive
passwords.
NOTICE:
Passwords provide a high level of security for data in your computer or hard drive. However, they are
not
foolproof.
If
you require more security, obtain and use additional forms of protection, such as smart cards,
data
encryption programs, or
PC Cards
with encryption
features.
If
you forget any
of
your passwords, contact your system
administrator
or
contact
Dell
(see
"Contacting
Dell"
on page
143). For your protection,
Dell
support staff
will
ask you
for
proof
of
your
identity to
ensur
e
that
only an authorized person can use
the computer.
NOTE:
Dell OpenManage
™
Client Instrumentation version
7.3
or later must be installed on the computer for
system
administrators to assign passwords remotely
.
Using a Primary/System
Password
The
primary (system) password allows you
to
protect
the
computer
from
unauthorized access.
Access
User Accounts
from the Control
Panel
to
create user accounts and add
or
change passwords.
After
assigning a primary password, you
must
enter
it
each
time
you
turn on
your
computer.
If
you
do not
enter a password
within 2
minutes,
the
computer returns
to its
previous operating
state.
NOTICE:
If
you disable the administrator password, the primary password is also
disabled.
If
you have assigned an
administrator
password, you can use
it
instead
of the
primary password.
The
computer does
not
specifically
prompt
you
for the
administrator
password.
Using an Administrator
Password
The
administrator
password is designed
to
give system administrators
or
service technicians
access
to
computers
for
repair
or
reconfiguration.
The
administrators
or
technicians can assign
identical
administrator
passwords
to
groups
of
computers, allowing you
to
assign a unique primary
password.
To
set
or
change administrator
passwords, access
User Accounts
from the Control
P
a
nel.
Securing Your Computer
65
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