2–4 Security
Passwords
Coordinating passwords
A Computer Setup setup password and a Windows administrator
password have different functions. A Windows administrator
password cannot be used to access Computer Setup, and a
Computer Setup setup password cannot provide
administrator-level access to your computer contents.
You must use a Computer Setup password at a Computer
Setup password prompt and a Windows password at a Windows
password prompt. For example:
■ If a Computer Setup power-on password is set, the power-on
password (not a Windows password) must be entered when
the computer is turned on, restarted, or restored from
hibernation.
■ If a Windows standby password is set, a Windows password
(not a Computer Setup power-on password) must be entered
when the computer is resumed from standby.
Choosing a password
The same password used for a Computer Setup password can be
used for another Computer Setup password or for a Windows
password, with the following considerations:
■ Computer Setup passwords can be any combination of up
to 32 letters and numbers and are not case sensitive.
■ A Computer Setup password must be set and entered with
the same keys. For example, a Computer Setup password
set with keyboard number keys will not be recognized if
it is thereafter entered with embedded numeric keypad
number keys.