Each time you turn on or restart your computer system, the system
compares the hardware installed in the system to the hardware listed in the configuration
information stored in nonvolatile random-access memory (NVRAM) on the system board. If the
system detects a discrepancy between the two, it generates error messages that identify
the incorrect configuration settings. The system then prompts you to enter the system
setup program to correct the setting.
You can use the system setup program as follows:
To change the system configuration information after you add, change,
or remove any hardware in your system
To set or change user-selectable options — for example, the user
password
Dell recommends that you print the system setup program screens (by
pressing <Print Screen>) or write down the information for future reference.
The system setup screens are organized as follows:
At the top is a menu bar for accessing the main program screens.
The box on the left side of each screen lists options that define the
installed hardware in the system. Fields beside the options contain
settings or values. You can change those that are enclosed in brackets. Values that are
grayed out contain status information reported by the system.
The box on the right side of each screen displays help information
for the option with a currently highlighted field.
The bottom right area lists keys and their functions for the
currently displayed screen.
The menu bar provides access to the following screens:
Main screen —
Provides settings for the basic system configuration
Advanced screen
— Provides detailed settings for some system features
Security screen
— Provides indications and settings for system password and setup password
Boot screen —
Provides information about which device boots the system
Exit screen —
Provides selections for saving and loading the configurations and options
In addition to these screens, options identified by a right arrow
provide access to submenus.
If you wait too long and the operating system begins to load into memory, let the
system complete the load operation. Then shut down the system and try again.
Determines whether the system is configured to support Plug and
Play devices from the operating system or from the system BIOS. Leave this option set to No
so the BIOS handles all Plug and Play operation.
NOTE: Be
sure that this option is set to No before running Dell Diagnostics.
Otherwise, some diagnostics may incorrectly fail.
Reset Config Data
Permits resetting Plug and Play configuration data to default
values. Yes resets the data; No (default) retains the
current Plug and Play settings. If set to Yes, configuration data reverts
to default values the next time the system boots. This option automatically reverts back
to the No setting.
Numlock
Selects power on state for Numlock.
NOTE: The Glossary defines abbreviations and acronyms.
Configures the serial port. Set this option to Auto
(default), Enabled, or Disabled. Depending on the port
setting, you can set the following additional options:
Base I/OAddress
If port is set to Enabled, available
I/O addresses are 3F8, 3E8, 2F8 and 2E8.
Interrupt
If port is set to Enabled, available
interrupts are IRQ3 and IRQ4.
Parallel port
Configures the parallel port. Set this option to Auto
(default), Enabled, or Disabled. Depending on the port
setting, you can set the following additional options:
Mode
If port is set to Auto or Enabled,
available modes are OutputOnly, Bi-directional
(default), ECP, and EPP.
NOTE: See the device manufacturer's documentation
for information on which mode to use before changing this setting.
Base I/OAddress
If port is set to Enabled, available
I/O addresses are 378 (default), 278, and 228
Interrupt
If port is set to Enabled, available
interrupts are 7 and 5.
Legacy USB Support
Set to Disabled if legacy
USB support is not desired. Auto (default) and Enabled allow
support for legacy USB.
IRQ5
Reserved (default) indicates the IRQ is reserved
for use by legacy systems. Available indicates that a specific IRQ is
available on the system.
NOTE: The Glossary defines abbreviations and acronyms.
Configures the integrated primary and secondary EIDE
controllers and detects the types of drives attached to them. If set to Primary,
Secondary, or Both, the designated controller(s) are
enabled, and the types of drives attached are displayed. If set to either Primary
or Secondary, the other controller is not enabled and the IRQ it normally
uses becomes available. If set to Disabled, the system cannot detect any
drives attached to the controllers and displays None for all four IDE
drive options.
Primary IDE Master
Identifies the first drive attached to the primary
EIDE interface, usually the boot hard-disk drive. See "Primary IDE Master Submenu."
Primary IDE Slave
Identifies the second drive attached to the primary
EIDE interface, usually a second hard-disk drive. The format of this submenu is the same
as the one described in "Primary IDE Master Submenu."
Secondary IDE Master
Identifies the first drive attached to the secondary
EIDE interface, if there is one. The format of this submenu is the same as the one
described in "Primary
IDE Master Submenu."
Secondary IDE Slave
Identifies the second drive attached to the secondary
EIDE interface, usually a CD-ROM or tape drive. The format of this submenu is the same as
the one described in "Primary
IDE Master Submenu."
NOTE: The Glossary
defines abbreviations and acronyms.
Configures the diskette drive interface. Options are Enabled
(default) and Disabled.
Diskette A
Selects the diskette type from Not Installed,
360 KB 5 1/4", 1.2 MB 5 1/4", 720 KB 3 1/2",
1.44/1.25 MB 3 1/2",or 2.88 MB 3 1/2".
Diskette Write Protect
Protects a diskette from being written to when set to Enabled.
When this option is set to Disabled (default), the diskette is not
protected unless the write-protect tab is in place.
NOTE: The Glossary defines abbreviations and acronyms.
Sets the aperture size for the AGP controller to 64
MB (default) or 256 MB.
Primary Video Adapter
Supports the Windows� 98 and Windows 2000
multiple-monitor feature. Select AGP (default) to specify the AGP video
card as the primary video adapter. Select PCI to specify a PCI video card
as the primary video adapter.
NOTE: The Glossary defines abbreviations and acronyms.
Enabled (default) displays
the Dell logo. Disabled displays the normal POST messages.
Quick Boot
When set to Enabled, this option
shortens POST by eliminating some tests. If set to Disabled (default),
all POST tests occur.
Restore on AC/ Power Loss
Determines what state the system enters when AC power is
restored after a power loss. Settings are as follows:
Last State (default) —
System returns to the state it was in when power was lost.
Stays Off — System stays off when power is
restored; you must press the power button to restore power.
Power On — System turns on when power is
restored.
1st Boot Device
Determines which device the system tries to boot from
first. Use the up- or down-arrow key to highlight one of the following settings:
Floppy
ARMD FDD
ARMD HDD
IDE-HDD
ATAPI CDROM
OPTION ROM
SCSI*
Disabled
2nd Boot Device — 7th Boot Device
Determines which device the system tries to boot from
if it cannot boot from the previous boot device in the list. Settings for this option are
the same as for 1st Boot Device. If you select Disabled
for any of these devices, no further boot devices appear on the list.
NOTE: The system displays only the bootable devices that are installed.
Therefore, you may see less than seven settings in this option.
IDE Drive Configuration
Determines the primary master IDE, primary slave IDE,
secondary master IDE, and secondary slave IDE drive boot order.
* Where SCSI is the
name of the installed SCSI device.
NOTE: The Glossary
defines abbreviations and acronyms.
Saves any changes you have made, exits the system
setup program, and restarts the system.
Exit Discarding Changes
Discards any changes you have made, exits the system
setup program, and restarts the system.
Load Setup Defaults
Discards any changes you have made and reverts all
options to their defaults, but does not exit the system setup program.
Load Custom Defaults
Loads settings saved using SaveCustomDefaults option. Press <Enter>. Then press the spacebar to select Yes
or No at the confirmation pop-up menu, and press <Enter> again.
Save Custom Defaults
Saves any changes you have made, but does not exit the
system setup program.
Discard Changes
Discards any changes you have made and reverts all
options to their last saved settings, but does not exit the system setup program.
NOTE: The Glossary
defines abbreviations and acronyms.
� Pentium� III
microprocessor includes a processor serial number feature designed to provide additional
user security and manageability benefits. By default, this feature is disabled on Dell
systems to protect your privacy. However, it can be enabled through the Processor
Serial Number option in the system setup program.
NOTICE: Do not change this setting by any means
other than the system setup program. Otherwise, your system may become unusable.
Enter the
system setup program as described at the beginning of this appendix.
When the Main
screen appears, use the down-arrow key to highlight the Processor Serial Number
option, and then press <Enter>.
Select Enabled
from the menu, and then press <Enter>.
Use the
right-arrow key to highlight Exit, and then press <Enter>.
When
prompted to confirm the changes you made, press <Enter>.
The system restarts with the processor serial number feature enabled.
NOTE: The processor serial number feature remains enabled until
you disable it in the system setup program.
To disable the processor serial number feature, repeat steps 1
through 5, selecting Disabled in step 3.
