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System Setup

Alienware Aurora Service Manual

  Overview

  Clearing Forgotten Passwords and CMOS Settings



Overview

Use the system setup utility to:

CAUTION: Unless you are an expert computer user, do not change the settings for this program. Certain changes can make your computer work incorrectly.
NOTE: Before you change system setup, it is recommended that you write down the system setup screen information for future reference.

Entering System Setup

  1. Turn on (or restart) your computer.

NOTE: Keyboard failure may result when a key on the keyboard is held down for extended periods of time. To avoid possible keyboard failure, press and release <F2> in even intervals until the System Setup screen appears.
  1. While the computer is booting, press <F2> immediately before the operating system logo appears to access the BIOS Setup Utility.

NOTE: If an error occurs during Power On Self Test (POST), press <F2> when the prompt appears to enter the BIOS Setup Utility.
NOTE: If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Microsoft Windows desktop, then shut down your desktop and try again.

System Setup Screens

The BIOS Setup Utility displays current or changeable configuration information for your desktop.

Key functions appear at the bottom of the BIOS Setup Utility screen and lists keys and their functions within the active field.

System Setup Options

NOTE: The items listed in this section may or may not appear exactly as listed depending on your computer model and installed devices.

Main

BIOS Information

Product Information

Build Date

Displays the BIOS release date.

Product Name

Displays the product name.

BIOS Version

Displays the BIOS version number.

Service Tag

Displays the service tag of the computer.

Asset Tag

Displays the asset tag of the computer.

Memory Information

Total Memory

Displays the total memory of the computer.

Memory Available

Displays the amount of memory available on the computer.

Memory Technology

Displays the type of memory technology used.

Memory Speed

Displays the memory speed.

CPU Information

CPU Type

Displays the processor type.

CPU ID

Displays the processor identification code.

CPU Speed

Displays the processor speed.

Cache L2

Displays the processor L2 cache size.

Cache L3

Displays the processor L3 cache size.

Advanced — Standard CMOS Features

System Date
(mm:dd:yy)

Displays current date.

System Time
(hh:mm:ss)

Displays the current time.

Device Information

SATA Port1

Displays the SATA 1 drive integrated in the computer.

SATA Port2

Displays the SATA 2 drive integrated in the computer.

SATA Port3

Displays the SATA 3 drive integrated in the computer.

SATA Port4

Displays the SATA 4 drive integrated in the computer.

SATA Port5

Displays the SATA 5 drive integrated in the computer.

SATA Port6

Displays the SATA 6 drive integrated in the computer.

SATA Port7

Displays the SATA 7 drive integrated in the computer.

SATA Port8

Displays the SATA 8 drive integrated in the computer.

Wait for `F1' If Errors

If enabled, the system will HALT during boot to display system errors.

Advanced — Advanced BIOS Features

 

Bootup Num-Lock

Select power-on state for num-lock.

OptionROM Display Screen

Allows you to enable or disable the RAID Option ROM screen during POST.

Advanced — CPU Configuration

 

Hyper-threading Technology

If disabled only one thread per enabled core is active.

XD Bit Capability

Enable XD Bit Capability to allow the processor to distinguish between the bits of code that can be executed and the ones that cannot be executed.

Intel(R) Speedstep tech

If enabled, the processor clock speed and core voltage are adjusted dynamically based on the processor load.

Intel(R) C-State Tech

If enabled, C-State: Processor idle is set to C2/C3/C4.

Advanced — Integrated Devices

 

USB Controller

Allows you to enable or disable the integrated USB controller.

HD Audio

Allows you to enable or disable the integrated audio controller.

Onboard IEEE1394 Controller

Allows you to enable or disable the onboard IEEE 1394 controller.

Onboard LAN Controller

Allows you to enable or disable the onboard LAN controller.

LAN Option ROM

Allows you to enable or disable the network controller's boot option.

Jmicron 362 ATA Controller

Allows you to enable or disable the ATA controller.

ICH SATA Configuration

 

SATA Mode

Allows you to configure the integrated hard drive controller to AHCI or RAID.

Advanced — Power Management Setup

Suspend Mode

Sets the energy-saving mode of the ACPI function.

AC Recovery

Sets what action the computer takes when power is restored.

Auto Power On

Allows the computer to start up at a certain time.

Advanced — Frequency/Voltage Control

Current CPU Frequency

Displays the current processor speed.

Current DRAM Frequency

Displays the current memory speed.

Adjust Cpu Ratio

Allows you to change the processor ratio.

Memory Ratio

Allows you to change the memory ratio.

Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P)

Allows you to change the extreme memory profile value.

DRAM Timing Mode

Allows you to change the memory timing mode.

Advance DRAM Configuration

Allows you to change the Advance DRAM Configuration.

Overclock Configuration

Allows you to access the Overclock Configuration submenu.

Overvoltage Configuration

Allows you to access the Overvoltage Configuration submenu.

Load Level 1 Defaults

Allows you to load Level 1 default setting.

NOTE: This setting may not be available for some processors.

Load Level 2 Defaults

Allows you to load Level 2 default setting.

NOTE: This setting may not be available for some processors.

Advanced — ME Subsystem

ME Version

Displays the ME version number.

ME subsystem

Allows you to enable or disable the ME subsystem.

End of Post Message

End of Post Message.

Execute MEBx

Allows you to enable or disable the Execute MEBx.

Integrated Clock Chip Configuration

Allows you to access the Integrated Clock Chip Configuration submenu.

Advanced — ME Subsystem — Integrated Clock Chip Configuration Submenu

ICC OverClocking Lib Version

Displays the ICC OverClocking Lib Version number.

Number of ICC Profiles:

Displays the number of ICC Profiles supported on your computer.

Current ICC Profile Index:

Displays the current ICC Profile Index value.

ICC Enable

Allows you to enable or disable the Integrated Clock Chip.

Advance DRAM Configuration Submenu

Memory-Z

Opens submenu to display the SPD configuration for each memory module.

Command Rate

Displays the Command Rate (editable in Manual Mode).

tCL

Displays the Column Address Strobe Latency (editable in Manual Mode).

tRCD

Displays timing of RAS to CAS delay (editable in Manual Mode).

tRP

Displays timing of RAS Precharge (editable in Manual Mode).

tRAS

Displays timing of Row Address Strobe (editable in Manual Mode).

tRFC

Displays timing of Refresh to Archive/Refresh cycle time (editable in Manual Mode).

tWR

Displays timing of Write Recover (editable in Manual Mode).

tWTR

Displays Write to Read Delay (editable in Manual Mode).

tRRD

Displays RAS to RAS delay (editable in Manual Mode).

tRTP

Displays Read to Precharge Command Delay (editable in Manual Mode).

tFAW

Displays the Four Activate Window (editable in Manual Mode).

tWCL

Displays the Write CAS Latency (editable in Manual Mode).

tCKE

Displays the Minimum CKE High and Low Pulse Width (editable in Manual Mode).

Overclock Configuration Submenu

Turbo Mode

If enabled, allows processor to run at faster frequencies than marked.

Long duration power limit

Allows you to change the long duration power limit.

Long duration maintained

Allows you to change the long duration time limit.

Short duration power limit

Allows you to change the short duration power limit.

1-Core Ratio Limit

Allows you to change the ratio limit of the processor's first core.

2-Core Ratio Limit

Allows you to change the ratio limit of the processor's second core.

3-Core Ratio Limit

Allows you to change the ratio limit of the processor's third core.

4-Core Ratio Limit

Allows you to change the ratio limit of the processor's fourth core.

VID Override for Max Turbo Ratio

Allows you to change the VID override for max turbo ration value.

Overvoltage Configuration Submenu

DDR3 Memory Voltage

Adjusts the DDR3 Memory Voltage.

Dynamic CPU VCore Offset

Allows you to change the Processor Core Voltage Offset value.

Adjust DDR_VREF_DQ_A

Adjusts the DDR3 Data VREF – Channel A.

Adjust DDR_VREF_DQ_B

Adjusts the DDR3 Data VREF – Channel B.

Adjust DDR_VREF_CA_A

Adjusts the DDR3 Address VREF – Channel A.

Adjust DDR_VREF_CA_B

Adjusts the DDR3 Address VREF – Channel B.

Security

Supervisor Password:

Allows you to change the supervisor password.

User Password:

Allows you to change the user password. You cannot use the user password to enter the BIOS setup, during POST.

Set Supervisor Password

Allows you to set a supervisor password.

Boot

Set Boot Priority

1st Boot Device

Displays the first boot device.

2nd Boot Device

Displays the second boot device.

3rd Boot Device

Displays the third boot device.

4th Boot Device

Displays the fourth boot device.

5th Boot Device

Displays the fifth boot device.

6th Boot Device

Displays the sixth boot device.

7th Boot Device

Displays the seventh boot device.

Hard Disk Drive BBS Priorities

Sets the hard drive boot priority. The items displayed are dynamically updated according to the hard drives detected.

CD/DVD ROM Drive BBS Priorities

Sets the CD/DVD drive boot priority.

Exit

 

Provides options to Save Changes and Reset, Discard Changes and Reset, Restore Defaults, and Reset System with ME disable Mode.


Clearing Forgotten Passwords and CMOS Settings

WARNING: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions that shipped with your computer.
WARNING: The computer must be disconnected from the electrical outlet to clear the password setting.
CAUTION: Only a certified service technician should perform repairs on your computer. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by your warranty.
CAUTION: To avoid electrostatic discharge, ground yourself by using a wrist grounding strap or by periodically touching an unpainted metal surface (such as a connector on your computer).
  1. Follow the instructions in Before You Begin.

  2. Remove the left side-panel (see Removing the Left Side-Panel).

  3. Reset the current password and CMOS settings:

    1. Locate the 3-pin CMOS or password-reset jumper on the system board (see System Board Components).

    1. Remove the jumper plug from the CMOS or password-reset jumper pins 2 and 3.

    2. Place the jumper plug on the CMOS or password-reset jumper pins 1 and 2 and wait for approximately five seconds.

    3. Remove the jumper plug and replace it on the CMOS or password reset jumper pins 2 and 3.

CMOS:

Password:

  1. Replace the left side-panel (see Replacing the Left Side-Panel).

  2. Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets and then turn them on.


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