Dell PowerEdge 1950: Using the System Setup Program

Table 2-1. System Setup Program Navigation Keys

Keys Action

Up arrow or <Shift><Tab> Moves to the previous field.

Down arrow or <Tab> Moves to the next field.

Spacebar, <+>, <

–>, left and right

Cycles through the settings in a field. In many fields,

arrows

you can also type the appropriate value.

<Esc> Exits the System Setup program and restarts the system

if any changes were made.

<F1> Displays the System Setup program's help file.

NOTE: For most of the options, any changes that you make are recorded but do not take effect until you restart

the system.

System Setup Options

Main Screen

When you enter the System Setup program, the main System Setup program screen appears (see Figure 2-1).

32 Using the System Setup Program

Figure 2-1. Main System Setup Program Screen

Table 2-2 lists the options and descriptions for the information fields that appear on the main System Setup

program screen. For related information, see "System Security Screen Options" on page 37.

NOTE: The options for the System Setup program change based on the system configuration.

NOTE: The System Setup program defaults are listed under their respective options, where applicable.

Table 2-2. System Setup Program Options

Option Description

System Time Resets the time on the system's internal clock.

System Date Resets the date on the system's internal calendar.

Memory Information Displays information related to installed system, video, and redundant memory,

including size, type, and speed of memory modules, system memory test option

status, and redundant memory status.

CPU Information Displays information related to microprocessors (speed, cache size, and so on). See

"CPU Information Screen" on page 35."

SATA Port x Displays type and capacity of drive attached to port x.

Using the System Setup Program 33

Table 2-2. System Setup Program Options (continued)

Option Description

Boot Sequence Determines the order in which the system searches for boot devices during system

startup. Available options can include the diskette drive, CD drive, hard drives, and

network. If you have installed a RAC, additional options, such as virtual floppy and

virtual CD-ROM, may be present.

NOTE: System boot is not supported from an external device attached to a SAS or

SCSI adapter. See support.dell.com for the latest support information about booting

from external devices.

USB Flash Drive Type

Determines the emulation type for a USB flash drive. Hard disk allows the USB flash

(

Auto

default)

drive to act as a hard drive. Floppy allows the USB flash drive to act as a removal

diskette drive. Auto automatically chooses an emulation type.

Integrated Devices See "Integrated Devices Screen" on page 36.

PCI IRQ Assignment Displays a screen to change the IRQ assigned to each of the integrated devices on the

PCI bus, and any installed expansion cards that require an IRQ.

Serial Communication

Options are On with Console Redirection via COM2, and Off.

(Off default)

Failsafe Baud Rate

Displays the failsafe baud rate used for console redirection when the baud rate cannot

(57600 default)

be negotiated automatically with the remote terminal. This rate should not be

adjusted.

Remote Terminal Type

Select either VT 100/VT 220 or ANSI.

(VT 100/VT 220 default)

Redirection After Boot

Enables or disables BIOS console redirection after your system boots to the operating

(Enabled default)

system.

Embedded Server

Displays a screen to configure the front-panel LCD options and to set a user-defined

Management

LCD string. For more information, see the systems management software

documentation that describes the features, requirements, installation, and basic

operation of the embedded software.

System Security Displays a screen to configure the system password and setup password features. See

"System Security Screen" on page 37, "Using the System Password" on page 38, and

"Using the Setup Password" on page 40 for more information.

Keyboard NumLock

Determines whether your system starts up with the NumLock mode activated on 101-

(

On

default)

or 102-key keyboards (does not apply to 84-key keyboards).

Report Keyboard Errors

Enables or disables reporting of keyboard errors during the POST. Select Report for

(

Report

default)

host systems that have keyboards attached. Select Do Not Report to suppress all error

messages relating to the keyboard or keyboard controller during POST. This setting

does not affect the operation of the keyboard itself if a keyboard is attached to the

system.

34 Using the System Setup Program

CPU Information Screen

Table 2-3 lists the options and descriptions for the information fields that appear on the CPU Information

screen.

Table 2-3. CPU Information Screen

Option Description

Bus Speed Displays the bus speed of the processors.

Logical Processor

Displays when the processors support HyperThreading. Enabled

(Enabled default)

permits all logical processors to be used by the operating system.

Only the first logical processor of each processor installed in the

system is used by the operating system if Disabled is selected.

Virtualization Technology

Displays when the processor(s) support Virtualization Technology.

Enabled permits virtualization software to utilize Virtualization

(Disabled default)

Technology functions incorporated in the processor design. This

feature can only be used by software that supports Virtualization

Technology.

Adjacent Cache Line

Enables or disables optimal use of sequential memory access. Disable

Prefetch

this option for applications that require high use of random memory

(Enabled default)

access.

Hardware Prefetcher

Enables or disables the hardware prefetcher.

(Enabled default)

Demand-Based Power

Enables or disables demand-based power management. When

Management

enabled, the CPU Performance State tables will be reported to the

(Disabled default)

operating system; when disabled, the CPU Performance State tables

will not be reported to the operating system. If any of the CPUs do not

support demand-based power management, the field will become

read-only, and automatically set to Disabled.

Processor X ID Displays the family and model number of each processor. A submenu

displays processor and core speed, amount of level 2 cache, and the

number of cores.

Using the System Setup Program 35

Integrated Devices Screen

Table 2-4 lists the options and descriptions for the information fields that appear on the Integrated Devices

screen.

Table 2-4. Integrated Devices Screen Options

Option Description

Integrated SAS Controller

Enables or disables the integrated SAS controller.

(Enabled default)

Embedded SATA

Allows the integrated SATA controller to be set to Off or ATA mode.

Controller

(Off default)

IDE CD-ROM Controller

Enables the integrated IDE controller. When set to

Auto

, each channel of the integrated

(Auto default)

IDE controller is enabled if IDE devices are attached to the channel and an external IDE

controller is not detected.

NOTE: This CD-ROM option will not appear on this menu screen if your system

does not include this optional device.

User-Accessible USB Ports

Enables or disables the system's user-accessible ports. Options are All Ports On,

(All Ports On default)

Only Back Ports On, or All Ports Off. Disabling the USB ports makes system

resources available for other devices.

Embedded Gb NIC1

Enables or disables the system's integrated NIC1. Options are Enabled without PXE,

(Enabled with PXE

Enabled with PXE, and Disabled. PXE support allows the system to boot from the

default)

network. Changes take effect after the system reboots.

MAC Address Displays the MAC address for NIC1. This field does not have user-selectable settings.

TOE Capability Displays the TCP/IP Offload Engine (TOE) feature status of NIC1.

Embedded Gb NIC2

Enables or disables the system's integrated NIC2. Options are Enabled without PXE,

(Enabled without PXE

Enabled with PXE, and Disabled. PXE support allows the system to boot from the

default)

network. Changes take effect after the system reboots.

MAC Address Displays the MAC address for NIC2. This field does not have user-selectable settings.

TOE Capability Displays the TCP/IP Offload Engine (TOE) feature status of NIC2.

36 Using the System Setup Program

System Security Screen

Table 2-5 lists the options and descriptions for the information fields that appear on the System Security

screen.

Table 2-5. System Security Screen Options

Option Description

System Password Displays the current status of your system's password security feature and allows you

to assign and verify a new system password.

NOTE: See "Using the System Password" on page 38 for instructions on assigning a

system password and using or changing an existing system password.

Setup Password Restricts access to the System Setup program in the same way that you restrict access

to your system using the system password feature.

NOTE: See "Using the Setup Password" on page 40 for instructions on assigning a

setup password and using or changing an existing setup password.

Password Status Setting the Setup Password option to Enabled prevents the system password from

being changed or disabled at system start-up.

To lock the system password, assign a setup password in the Setup Password option

and then change the Password Status option to Locked. In this state, you cannot

change the system password using the System Password option and cannot be

disabled at system start-up by pressing <Ctrl><Enter>.

To unlock the system password, enter the setup password in the Setup Password field

and then change the Password Status option to Unlocked. In this state, you can

disable the system password at system start-up by pressing <Ctrl><Enter> and then

change the password using the System Password option.

Power Button

Turns system's power off and on.

• If you turn off the system using the power button and the system is running an ACPI-

compliant operating system, the system can perform an orderly shutdown before

power is turned off.

• If the system is not running an ACPI-compliant operating system, power is turned off

immediately after the power button is pressed.

The button is enabled in the System Setup program. When disabled, the button can

only turn on system power.

NOTE: You can still turn on the system by using the power button, even if the Power

Button option is set to Disabled.

NMI Button NOTICE: Use the NMI button only if directed to do so by qualified support

personnel or by the operating system's documentation. Pressing this button halts

the operating system and displays a diagnostic screen.

Enables or disables the NMI feature.

Using the System Setup Program 37

Table 2-5. System Security Screen Options (continued)

Option Description

AC Power Recovery

Determines how the system reacts when power is restored to the system. If system is

(Last default)

set to Last, the system returns to the last power state. On turns on the system after

power is restored. When set to Off, the system remains off after power is restored.

Exit Screen

After you press <Esc> to exit the System Setup program, the Exit screen displays the following options:

•

Save Changes and Exit

• Discard Changes and Exit

• Return to Setup

System and Setup Password Features

NOTICE: The password features provide a basic level of security for the data on your system. If your data

requires more security, use additional forms of protection, such as data encryption programs.

NOTICE: Anyone can access the data stored on your system if you leave the system running and unattended

without having a system password assigned or if you leave your system unlocked so that someone can disable the

password by changing a jumper setting.

Your system is shipped to you without the system password feature enabled. If system security is a concern,

operate your system only with system password protection.

To change or delete an existing password, you must know the password (see "Deleting or Changing an

Existing System Password" on page 40). If you forget your password, you cannot operate your system or

change settings in the System Setup program until a trained service technician changes the password jumper

setting to disable the passwords, and erases the existing passwords. This procedure is described in

"Disabling a Forgotten Password" on page 117.

Using the System Password

After a system password is assigned, only those who know the password have full use of the system. When

the System Password option is set to Enabled, the system prompts you for the system password after the

system starts.

Assigning a System Password

Before you assign a system password, enter the System Setup program and check the System Password

option.

38 Using the System Setup Program

When a system password is assigned, the setting shown for the System Password option is Enabled. If the

setting shown for the Password Status is Unlocked, you can change the system password. If the Password

Status option is Locked, you cannot change the system password. When the system password feature is

disabled by a jumper setting, the system password is Disabled, and you cannot change or enter a new system

password.

When a system password is not assigned and the password jumper on the system board is in the enabled

(default) position, the setting shown for the System Password option is Not Enabled and the Password

Status field is Unlocked. To assign a system password:

1

Verify that the

Password Status

option is set to

Unlocked

.

2

Highlight the

System Password

option and press <Enter>.

3

Type your new system password.

You can use up to 32 characters in your password.

As you press each character key (or the spacebar for a blank space), a placeholder appears in the field.

The password assignment is not case-sensitive. However, certain key combinations are not valid. To erase

a character when entering your password, press <Backspace> or the left-arrow key.

NOTE: To escape from the field without assigning a system password, press <Enter> to move to another

field, or press <Esc> at any time prior to completing step 5.

4

Press <Enter>.

5

To confirm your password, type it a second time and press <Enter>.

The setting shown for the

System Password

changes to

Enabled

. Exit the System Setup program and

begin using your system.

6

Either reboot your system now for your password protection to take effect or continue working.

NOTE: Password protection does not take effect until you reboot the system.

Using Your System Password to Secure Your System

NOTE: If you have assigned a setup password (see "Using the Setup Password" on page 40"), the system accepts

your setup password as an alternate system password.

When the Password Status option is set to Unlocked, you have the option to leave the password security

enabled or to disable the password security.

To leave the password security enabled:

1

Turn on or reboot your system by pressing <Ctrl><Alt><Del>.

2

Type your password and press <Enter>.

To disable the password security:

1

Turn on or reboot your system by pressing <Ctrl><Alt><Del>.

2

Type your password and press <Ctrl><Enter>.

Using the System Setup Program 39

When the Password Status option is set to Locked whenever you turn on your system or reboot your

system by pressing <Ctrl><Alt><Del>, type your password and press <Enter> at the prompt.

After you type the correct system password and press <Enter>, your system operates as usual.

If an incorrect system password is entered, the system displays a message and prompts you to re-enter your

password. You have three attempts to enter the correct password. After the third unsuccessful attempt, the

system displays an error message showing the number of unsuccessful attempts and that the system has

halted and will shut down. This message can alert you to an unauthorized person attempting to use your

system.

Even after you shut down and restart the system, the error message continues to be displayed until the

correct password is entered.

NOTE: You can use the Password Status option in conjunction with the System Password and Setup Password

options to further protect your system from unauthorized changes.

Deleting or Changing an Existing System Password

1

When prompted, press <Ctrl><Enter> to disable the existing system password.

If you are asked to enter your setup password, contact your network administrator.

2

Enter the System Setup program by pressing <F2> during POST.

3

Select the

System Security

screen field to verify that the

Password Status

option is set to

Unlocked

.

4

When prompted, type the system password.

5

Confirm that

Not Enabled

is displayed for the

System Password

option.

If

Not Enabled

is displayed for the

System Password

option, the system password has been deleted. If

Enabled

is displayed for the

System Password

option, press the <Alt><b> key combination to restart the

system, and then repeat steps 2 through 5.

Using the Setup Password

Read the information in the following sections to assign or change your setup password.

Assigning a Setup Password

You can assign (or change) a setup password only when the Setup Password option is set to Not Enabled.

To assign a setup password, highlight the Setup Password option and press the <+> or <–> key. The system

prompts you to enter and verify the password. If a character is illegal for password use, the system beeps.

NOTE: The setup password can be the same as the system password. If the two passwords are different, the setup

password can be used as an alternate system password. However, the system password cannot be used in place of

the setup password.

You can use up to 32 characters in your password.

As you press each character key (or the spacebar for a blank space), a placeholder appears in the field.

40 Using the System Setup Program

The password assignment is not case-sensitive. However, certain key combinations are not valid. If you

enter one of these combinations, the system beeps. To erase a character when entering your password, press

<Backspace> or the left-arrow key.

After you verify the password, the Setup Password setting changes to Enabled. The next time you enter the

System Setup program, the system prompts you for the setup password.

A change to the Setup Password option becomes effective immediately (restarting the system is not

required).

Operating With a Setup Password Enabled

If Setup Password is set to Enabled, you must enter the correct setup password before you can modify

most of the System Setup options. When you start the System Setup program, the program prompts you to

enter a password.

If you do not enter the correct password in three attempts, the system lets you view, but not modify, the

System Setup screens—with the following exception: If System Password is not set to Enabled and is not

locked through the Password Status option, you can assign a system password (however, you cannot

disable or change an existing system password).

NOTE: You can use the Password Status option in conjunction with the Setup Password option to protect the

system password from unauthorized changes.

Deleting or Changing an Existing Setup Password

1

Enter the System Setup program and select the

System Security

option.

2

Highlight the

Setup Password

option, press <Enter> to access the setup password window, and press

<Enter> twice to clear the existing setup password.

The setting changes to

Not Enabled

.

3

If you want to assign a new setup password, perform the steps in "Assigning a Setup Password" on

page 40.

Disabling a Forgotten Password

See "Disabling a Forgotten Password" on page 117.

Baseboard Management Controller Configuration

The Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) enables configuring, monitoring, and recovery of systems

remotely. BMC provides the following features:

• Uses the system’s integrated NIC

• Fault logging and SNMP alerting

• Access to system event log and sensor status

• Control of system functions including power on and off

Using the System Setup Program 41