3.9 Booting the System for the First Time
3.9.7 Password screens and the load setup defaults screen
There are two password screens that will be encountered in the BIOS setup:
  • User Password – This option allows the installation of a password that will keep the system from booting unless the proper password is entered. This option also prevents access to the BIOS, eliminating the possibility of other people changing the BIOS setup on the computer. This option is particularly useful when booting up the computer for the first time. It is recommended to follow the on-screen and password instructions in the motherboard user manual.
  • Supervisor Password – This feature is normally found only in large institutions (corporations, school districts, and so on) where BIOS settings are kept standardized by computer support personnel. Once set, these computer BIOS setups are locked with a master password only known to the network administrator or an administrator designee. The instructions for this option can also be found in the motherboard manual.

If no password is required but this screen is accidentally engaged, complete the following actions to move to the next screen:

  • When prompted for a password, press the Enter key without entering a password.
  • At the second screen labeled "Password Disabled", press any key to return to the main setup screen.

Load Setup Defaults Screen
The Load Setup Defaults screen resets the BIOS setup to default settings. This feature will not in any way affect those settings in the Standard CMOS Setup screen since they are the absolute minimums required for the system to function. When configuring the system for the first time and problems are encountered, this method can be used for restoring the system to its default settings.

Additional information regarding this feature can be found in the motherboard manual.