DELL 3000 User Manual

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Dell Inspiron 3000 Reference and Troubleshooting Guide
S
etup Program 
  
 
Your computer retains system configuration information 
in the nonvolatile random-access memory (NVRAM) 
maintained by your computer’s backup battery. Each 
time you turn on your computer, the system compares the 
installed hardware with the system configuration infor-
mation stored in NVRAM. If the system detects a 
discrepancy, it generates an error message that identifies 
the incorrect configuration setting. The system then 
prompts you to enter the Setup program to correct the 
setting.   
You can use the Setup program as follows:
To set or change user-selectable features—for exam-
ple, power management or security features
To verify information about your computer’s current 
configuration, such as the amount of system memory
To change your system configuration information 
after you add, change, or remove hardware con-
nected to or installed inside your computer
Accessing the Setup Program     
To access the Setup program, press <F2> when prompted 
during start-up. The computer reboots automatically 
when you exit the Setup program.     
The Main menu of the Setup program shows how the 
computer is configured. In addition to the Main menu 
(see Figure 2-1), you can also access the System Devices 
menu, Security menu, Power menu, Boot menu, and Exit 
menu.
NOTE: When you press <F9>, the computer resets the 
default values for each option in that menu. When you 
press <F10>, the computer saves the current values and 
exits the Setup program.
Main Menu Options 
The following subsections explain each option in the 
Main menu of the Setup program. The same information 
is also available in the topic titled “Main Menu” in the 
online System User’s Guide  
CAUTION: To avoid data loss, exit any application
programs before rebooting the computer to enter
the Setup program.
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