Intel BLKDX58SO-10PACK User Manual

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Intel Desktop Board DX58SO Technical Product Specification 
68 
 
3.10  BIOS Security Features 
The BIOS includes security features that restrict access to the BIOS Setup program 
and who can boot the computer.  A supervisor password and a user password can be 
set for the BIOS Setup program and for booting the computer, with the following 
restrictions: 
•  The supervisor password gives unrestricted access to view and change all the 
Setup options in the BIOS Setup program.  This is the supervisor mode. 
•  The user password gives restricted access to view and change Setup options in the 
BIOS Setup program.  This is the user mode.  
•  If only the supervisor password is set, pressing the <Enter> key at the password 
prompt of the BIOS Setup program allows the user restricted access to Setup. 
•  If both the supervisor and user passwords are set, users can enter either the 
supervisor password or the user password to access Setup.  Users have access to 
Setup respective to which password is entered.   
•  Setting the user password restricts who can boot the computer.  The password 
prompt will be displayed before the computer is booted.  If only the supervisor 
password is set, the computer boots without asking for a password.  If both 
passwords are set, the user can enter either password to boot the computer.   
•  For enhanced security, use different passwords for the supervisor and user 
passwords. 
•  Valid password characters are A-Z, a-z, and 0-9.  Passwords may be up to 
16 characters in length. 
Table 32 shows the effects of setting the supervisor password and user password.  
This table is for reference only and is not displayed on the screen. 
Table 32.  Supervisor and User Password Functions 
 
Password 
Set 
 
Supervisor 
Mode  
 
 
User Mode  
 
 
Setup Options 
Password 
to Enter 
Setup 
Password 
During 
Boot  
Neither 
Can change all 
options  
(Note)
 
Can change all 
options  
(Note)
 
None None 
None 
Supervisor 
only 
Can change all 
options 
Can change a 
limited number 
of options  
Supervisor Password 
Supervisor 
None 
User only 
N/A 
Can change all 
options 
Enter Password 
Clear User Password 
User User 
Supervisor 
and user set 
Can change all 
options 
Can change a 
limited number 
of options  
Supervisor Password 
Enter Password 
Supervisor or 
user  
Supervisor or 
user  
Note: 
If no password is set, any user can change all Setup options.