A user password prevents unauthorized access to the computer at start-up. A supervisor password provides access to the system setup program. A hard-disk drive password helps prevent the unauthorized access of data on the hard-disk drive, even when the device is placed into another computer.

NOTES: All three passwords are disabled when you receive your computer. You need to assign those passwords if you require password security for your computer. Some companies may assign any or all of these passwords before distributing the computer. Usethe system setup program to assign all passwords.

NOTICE: The password features provide a high level of security for the data in your computer or hard-disk drive. However, they are not foolproof. If your data requires more security, you should obtain and use additional forms of protection, such as data encryption programs or PC Cards with encryption features.

If you forget any of your passwords, call Dell. For your protection, Dell’s technical support staff will ask you for proof of your identity to make sure that an unauthorized person is not trying to use the computer.

The supervisor password is designed to give system administrators or service technicians in large companies access to computers for repair or reconfiguration. The administrators or technicians can assignidentical supervisor passwords to groups of computers as they are unpacked and configured, leaving the user password free to be assigned by the user.

The supervisor password overrides the user password. Whenever you are prompted to enter the user password, you can enter the supervisor password instead.

NOTE: The supervisor password provides access to the computer, but it does not provide access to the hard-disk drive when the drive is protected by a password.

If you forget the user password and do not have a supervisor password assigned, or if you have both a user and a supervisor password assigned but forget them both, call Dell.

NOTICE: Disabling the supervisor password disables the user password.

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Using a User Password

The user password allows you to protect the computer from unauthorized access.

NOTE: Before assigning a user password, you must set a supervisor password.

After assigning a user password, you must enter it each time you turn on your computer. The following message appears at the bottom of the screen each time you turn on the computer:

Enter Password

To continue, type your password and press <Enter>.

If you assigned a supervisor password, you can use it instead of the user password. The computer does not specifically prompt you for the supervisor password.

NOTICE: Disabling the supervisor password disables the user password.

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Using a Hard-Disk Drive Password

The hard-disk drive password helps protect the data on your hard-disk drive from unauthorized access.

NOTE: Hard-disk drives that are not purchased from Dell for use with your computer may not support the hard-disk drive password option.

After assigning a hard-disk drive password, you must enter it each time you turn on the computer and each time you resume normal operation from suspend mode or standby mode.

If the hard-disk drive password is enabled, the following message appears each time you turn on the computer:

Enter HD1 Password

To continue, enter the hard-disk drive password. Press <Esc> to return the computer to its previous state—suspend, standby, or off.

If you enter the wrong password, the following message appears:

Invalid password
[Press Enter to retry]

If the correct password is not entered in three attempts, you receive a message stating that the hard-disk drive cannot be accessed. If the hard-disk drive is inaccessible and the boot options in the system setup program are set to allow booting from another device, the computer tries to boot from another device. If all boot attempts are unsuccessful, the computer prompts you to enter the system setup program and modify the boot options.

NOTES: If the hard-disk drive password is different from the user password, you are prompted for both. Two different passwords provide greater security. The supervisor password provides access to the computer, but it does not provide access to the hard-disk drive when the drive is protected by a password.

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Physically Securing the Computer and the Hard-Disk Drive

To prevent unauthorized removal of the computer, you can use a security cable to attach the computer to an immovable object. Your computer has a security cable slot located on the right side of the computer next to the hard-disk drive (see Figure 1).

Description of Security Cable Slots

The security cable slot allows you to attach a commercially available antitheft device to the computer. Antitheft devices for portable computers usually include a segment of metal-stranded cable with an attached locking device and associated key. You can use a security cable on your computer whether it is undocked or docked in a Dell Latitude LS Advanced Port Replicator (APR).

Basic Instructions for Using Security Cable Slots

To prevent unauthorized removal of your computer, loop the cable around an immovable object, insert the locking device into the security cable slot, and lock the device. See Figure 1 for an example of how to secure your computer. Complete instructions for installing this kind of antitheft device are usually included with the device.

Figure 1. Securing the Computer

NOTE: Antitheft devices are of differing designs. Before purchasing such a device, make sure that it will work with the security cable slot in your computer.

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