| Overview | System Setup Screen | ||
| Entering System Setup | System Setup Navigation Keys |
Each time you turn on your computer system or press the reset button, the system compares the hardware installed in the system to the hardware listed in the system configuration information stored in nonvolatile random-access memory (NVRAM) on the system board. If the system detects a discrepancy, it generates error messages that identify the incorrect configuration settings. The system then prompts you to enter System Setup to correct the setting.
You can use System Setup as follows:
You can view the current settings at any time. When you change a setting, in many cases you must reboot the system before the change takes effect.
After you set up your system, run System Setup to familiarize yourself with your system configuration information and optional settings. Dell recommends that you print the System Setup screens (by pressing the <Print Screen> key) or record the information for future reference.
Before you use System Setup, you need to know the kind of diskette drive(s) and hard-disk drive(s) installed in your computer. If you are unsure of this information, see the Manufacturing Test Report that was shipped with your system and is located in the Dell Accessories folder.
To enter System Setup, perform the following steps:
If you wait too long and your operating system begins to load into memory, let the system complete the load operation; then shut down the system and try again.
| NOTE: To ensure an orderly system shutdown, consult the documentation that accompanied your operating system. |
The System Setup screen displays the current setup and configuration information and optional settings for your system. Information on the System Setup screen is organized in four areas
(see Figure 1 for typical examples):Fields next to the options contain settings or values. You can change those values that appear bright on the screen. Options or values that you cannot change (because they are determined or calculated by the computer) appear less bright.
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Table 1 lists the keys you use to view or change information on the System Setup screen and to exit the program.
Table 1. System Setup Navigation Keys
| Keys | Action |
|---|---|
| Moves to the next field. | |
or |
Moves to the previous field. |
| Cycles through the options in a field. In many fields, you can also type the appropriate value. | |
| Scrolls through help information. | |
| Enters the selected field's pop-up options menu. | |
| spacebar or
|
In the selected field's pop-up options menu, cycles through the options in a field. |
| Exits System Setup without rebooting the system and returns the system to its previous statethe boot routine.1 | |
| Exits System Setup and reboots the system, implementing any changes you have made. | |
| Resets the selected option to its default setting. |
1For most of the options, any changes you make are recorded but do not take effect until the next time you boot the system. For a few options (as noted in the help area), the changes take effect immediately. |