Using The Password Features; How Password Security Works - Dell 4100 User Manual

the cards rather than having to create a new configuration
file every time you change your configuration.
NOTE: To use modeling mode, you must run the EISA
Configuration Utility from the hard-disk drive.
To use the EISA Configuration Utility in modeling mode,
start the utility from your hard-disk drive by typing
at the operating system prompt and pressing <
use the advanced options in modeling mode, type
at the operating system prompt and press <
A dialog box appears with two options—
(to load an existing system configuration file) and
(to create a new file). Highlight the option you want, and
press < >. The screen shows a list of Dell EISA sys-
ENTER
tems. Choose the system you want to configure, and
press < >. At this point, you can modify or create a
ENTER
configuration file just as you would with the
option.
COMPUTER
Modeling mode also provides access to advanced system
board and expansion-card features, such as enabling or
disabling NMIs (see "Advanced Menu" found earlier in
this chapter). Ordinarily, you do not need to adjust these
features unless a Dell service technician instructs you to
do so.
When you finish modifying or creating a system configu-
ration file in modeling mode, select
from the Steps in Configuring Your Computer menu.
EXIT
A dialog box appears, offering two choices: to save the
configuration file and restart the computer or to discard
the configuration file and return to the Main Menu. If you
choose to save the configuration file, you are prompted to
type a filename for the new configuration file. Then you
are prompted to type a description of the configuration
file, which is stored with the configuration file.
>. (To
ENTER
>.)
ENTER
OPEN AS. . .
NEW
CONFIGURE
STEP 5: SAVE AND
U
sing the Password Features
CAUTION: The password features provide a
basic level of security for the data on your system.
However, they are not foolproof. If your data
requires more security, it is your responsibility to
obtain and use additional forms of protection,
such as data encryption programs.
Your Dell system is shipped to you with the supervisor
and user password features ready to use but with no pass-
words assigned. If system security is a concern, you
should operate your system with password protection.
You can assign a supervisor and/or user password
through the EISA Configuration Utility (as described
later in "Assigning or Changing a User Password" or
"Assigning or Changing a Supervisor Password") or
through the System Setup program (as described in
Chapter 4, "Using the System Setup Program"). Once
you assign a supervisor and/or user password, only those
who know the password(s) have full use of the system.
NOTE: You can also use the System Setup program to
assign, change, or delete a user or supervisor password.
See the appropriate sections in Chapter 4, "Using the
System Setup Program," for more information.

How Password Security Works

When a supervisor password is assigned and the
category is set to
WORD ON BOOT
prompts you for the supervisor password every time you
start or reboot your computer. After a supervisor pass-
word is assigned, the EISA Configuration Utility prompts
you for the supervisor password if you select
from the Main Menu. You must enter a super-
COMPUTER
visor password to be able to change any of the system
configuration parameters. Entering a user password
allows you to view, but not change, any of the system
configuration parameters.
Using the EISA Configuration Utility
PASS-
, the system
ENABLED
CONFIGURE
5-13