Back to Contents PageSystem Setup UtilityDell™ Inspiron™ 300/400 Service ManualOverviewClearing Forgotten Passwords and CMOS SettingsFlashing the BIOSOverviewUse system setup utility to:l Change the system configuration information after you add, change, or remove any hardware in your computerl Set or change a user-selectable option such as the user passwordl Read the current amount of memory or set the type of hard drive installedEntering System Setup Utility1. Turn on (or restart) your computer.2. When the DELL™ logo is displayed, watch for the F2 prompt to appear and then press immediately.System Setup ScreensThe system setup screen displays current or changeable configuration information for your computer. Information on the screen is divided into three areas: thesetup item, active help screen, and key functions.System Setup OptionsCAUTION: Unless you are an expert computer user, do not change the settings for this program. Certain changes can make your computer workincorrectly.NOTE: Before you change system setup, it is recommended that you write down the system setup screen information for future reference.NOTE: The F2 prompt indicates that the keyboard has initialized. This prompt can appear very quickly, so you must watch for it, and then press. If you press before the F2 prompt, this keystroke will be lost. If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue towait until you see the Microsoft® Windows® desktop. Then, shut down your computer (see Turning Off Your Computer) and try again.Setup Item — This field appears on the left side of the system setupwindow. The field is a scrollable list containing features that define theconfiguration of your computer, including installed hardware, powerconservation, and security features.Scroll up and down the list with the up- and down-arrow keys. As an optionis highlighted, the Help Screen displays more information about that optionand available settings.Help Screen — This field appears on the right side of the system setupwindow and contains information about each option listed in the Setup Item.In this field you can view information about your computer and make changesto your current settings.Press the up-arrow and down-arrow keys to highlight an option. Press to make that selection active and return to the Setup Item.NOTE: Not all settings listed in the Setup Item are changeable.Key Functions — This field appears below the Help Screen and lists keys and their functions within the active system setup field.NOTE: Depending on your computer and installed devices, the items listed in this section may appear, or may not appear exactly as listed.System InfoSystem Displays the system nameBIOS Version Displays the BIOS version numberService Tag Displays the service tag of the computer when the service tag is presentAsset Tag Displays the asset tag of the computer when the asset tag is presentProcessor Type Displays the processor informationProcessor L2 Cache Displays the L2 cache sizeMemory Installed Indicates the amount of memory installed in MB
