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Securing Your Computer: Dell™ Latitude™ CPt C-Series/CPi R-Series User's Guide

About Passwords • Using a Primary Password • Using an Administrator Password • Using a Hard-Disk Drive Password • Physically Securing the Computer and the Hard-Disk Drive • Asset Tag Utility

About Passwords

A primary password prevents unauthorized access to the computer at start-up. An administrator password can be used in place of the primary password. 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. If you are using the Microsoft® Windows NT® operating system, use the System Setup program to assign all passwords.

CAUTION: 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.

Using a Primary Password

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

After assigning a primary password, you must enter it each time you turn on your computer. The following message appears each time you turn on the computer:

Please type in the primary or administrator password and press <Enter>.

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

NOTE: If no password is entered within 2 minutes, the computer returns to its previous state.

If you have assigned an administrator password, you can use it instead of the primary password. The computer does not specifically prompt you for the administrator password.

CAUTION: If you disable the administrator password, the primary password is also disabled.

Using an Administrator Password

The administrator 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 assign identical administrator passwords to groups of computers as they are unpacked and configured, leaving the primary password free to be assigned by the user.

When you set an administrator password, the Configure Setup option becomes available in the System Setup program. The Configure Setup option allows you to restrict access to the System Setup program in the same way a system password restricts access to the system.

The administrator password can be used in place of the primary password. Whenever you are prompted to enter the primary password, you can enter the administrator password instead.

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

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

CAUTION: If you disable the administrator password, the primary password is also disabled.

Using a Hard-Disk Drive Password

The hard-disk drive password helps protect the data on your hard-disk drive from unauthorized access. You can also assign a password for the modular hard-disk drive (if one is being used) that can be the same as or different from the password for the primary hard-disk drive.

NOTE: Only hard-disk drives purchased from Dell for use with the Latitude C-Family of portable computers 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:

Please type in the hard-disk drive password and press <Enter>.

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

NOTE: If no password is entered within 2 minutes, the computer returns to its previous state.

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, the computer tries to boot from another bootable device if the Boot First device option in the System Setup program is set to allow it. If the Boot First device option is not set to allow booting from another device, the computer returns to the state it was in when you turned it on—suspend or standby mode.

NOTES: If the hard-disk drive password, the modular hard-disk drive password, and the primary password are the same, you are prompted only for the primary password. If the hard-disk drive password is different from the primary password, you are prompted for both. Two different passwords provide greater security. The administrator password provides access to the system, but it does not provide access to the hard-disk drive when it is protected by a password.

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 two security cable slots: One security cable slot is located between the speaker and the hard-disk drive. (See Figure 1 in "Introduction.") The other security cable slot is located between the S-Video connector and the fan's air intake. (See Figure 2 in "Introduction.")

Description of Security Cable Slots

The security cable slots allow 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.

When your computer is installed in a Dell Latitude C/Dock Family Expansion Station, use the security cable slot located between the S-Video connector and the fan's air intake to secure your computer.

You can use either security cable slot to secure your computer when it is not docked to a Dell Latitude C/Dock Family Expansion Station. However, to lock your computer and prevent unauthorized removal of the hard-disk drive, insert the locking device into the security cable slot located between the hard-disk drive and the speaker, and lock the device with its associated key.

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 either of the security cable slots, 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.

Asset Tag Utility

Dell has installed the Asset Tag utility on your computer. The Asset Tag utility allows you to enter an asset tag number that you or your company assigns to the computer. The default System Setup screens do not show the asset tag number unless you enter one by using this utility.

You can also use the Asset Tag utility to enter an owner tag that appears in the system log-on screen and with the primary password prompt.

Viewing Existing Asset Tag and Service Numbers

To view existing asset tag and service tag numbers, perform the following steps:

1. Click the Start button, point to Programs, and click MS-DOS Prompt.
   
   
2. Type cd c:Dell\Util and press <Enter>.
   
   
3. Type asset and press <Enter>.

Assigning an Asset Tag Number

An asset tag number can have up to ten characters; any combination of characters excluding spaces is valid. To assign or change an asset tag number, perform the following steps:

1. Click the Start button, point to Programs, and click MS-DOS Prompt.
   
   
2. Type cd c:Dell\Util and press <Enter>.
   
   
3. Type asset and a space followed by the new number, and press <Enter>.
   
   For example, type the following command line and press <Enter>:
   
   asset 1234$ABCD&
   
   
4. When the system prompts you to verify the asset tag number, type y and press <Enter>.
   
   The system displays the new or modified asset tag number and the service tag number.

Deleting an Asset Tag Number

To delete the asset tag number without assigning a new one, perform the following steps:

1. Click the Start button, point to Programs, and click MS-DOS Prompt.
   
   
2. Type cd c:Dell\Util and press <Enter>.
   
   
3. Type asset /d and press <Enter>.

Assigning an Owner Tag

An owner tag can have up to 80 characters; any combination of letters, numbers, and spaces is valid. To assign an owner tag, perform the following steps:

1. Click the Start button, point to Programs, and click MS-DOS Prompt.
   
   
2. Type cd c:Dell\Util and press <Enter>.
   
   
3. Type asset /o and a space followed by the new owner tag, and press <Enter>.
   
   For example, type the following command line and press <Enter>:
   
   asset /o ABC Company
   
   
4. When the system prompts you to verify the owner tag, type y and press <Enter>.
   
   The system displays the new owner tag.

Deleting an Owner Tag

To delete the owner tag without assigning a new one, perform the following steps:

1. Click the Start button, point to Programs, and click MS-DOS Prompt.
   
   
2. Type cd c:Dell\Util and press <Enter>.
   
   
3. Type asset /o /d and press <Enter>.

NOTE: For security, you cannot set, change, or delete the owner tag if the primary or administrator passwords are set.

Table 1 lists the command-line options you can use with the Asset Tag utility. To use one of these options, open an MS-DOS® prompt, type asset and a space followed by the option, and then press <Enter>.

Table 1. Asset Tag Utility Command-Line Options

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