Dell D630 Manual

							Using Cards81
9
Using Cards
 NOTE: Electrical and electronic devices are sensitive to electrostatic discharge 
(ESD). If a substantial ESD occurs, the device may reset and the device software 
may attempt to reinitialize a connection. If the software is not operational after an 
ESD occurrence, restart the modem software program.
Card Types
PC Cards
See PC Card on page 184 for information on supported PC Cards.
 NOTE: A PC Card is not a bootable device.
The PC Card slot has one connector that supports a single Type I or Type II 
card. The PC Card slot supports CardBus technology and extended PC Cards. 
Type of card refers to its thickness, not its functionality.
ExpressCards
See PC Card on page 184 for information on supported ExpressCards.
 NOTE: An ExpressCard is not a bootable device.
ExpressCards leverage PC Card technology to provide a fast and convenient way 
to add memory, wired and wireless network communications (including Mobile 
Broadband network [also known as WWAN] communications), multimedia, 
and security features to your computer. To use an ExpressCard in the PC Card 
slot, you must use an adapter (optional).
Smart Cards
Smart cards provide valuable tools for security, data storage, and special 
programs (see Smart Card on page 86). 
						

							82Using Cards
Card Blanks
Your computer shipped with a plastic blank installed in the card slots. Blanks 
protect unused slots from dust and other particles. Save the blank for use when 
no card is installed in the slots; blanks from other computers may not fit your 
computer.
To remove a blank, see Removing a Card or Blank on page 84.
Extended Cards
An extended PC Card (for example, a wireless network adapter) is longer than a 
standard PC Card and extends outside the computer. Follow these precautions 
when using extended PC Cards:
• Protect the exposed end of an installed card. Striking the end of the card 
can damage the system board.
• Always remove an extended PC Card before you pack the computer in its 
carrying case.
Installing a PC Card or ExpressCard
You can install a PC Card or ExpressCard in the computer while the computer is 
running. The computer automatically detects the card.
PC Cards and ExpressCards are generally marked with a symbol (such as a 
triangle or an arrow) to indicate which end to insert into the slot. The cards are 
keyed to prevent incorrect insertion. If card orientation is not clear, see the 
documentation that came with the card. 
 CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the 
safety instructions in the 
Product Information Guide.
PC Card
1Hold the card with its orientation symbol pointing into the slot and the 
top side of the card facing up. The latch may need to be in the in 
position before you insert the card.
2Slide the card into the slot until the card is completely seated in its 
connector. 
If you encounter too much resistance, do not force the card. Check the 
card orientation and try again.
  
						

							Using Cards83
The computer recognizes most PC Cards and automatically loads the 
appropriate device driver. If the configuration program tells you to load the 
manufacturers drivers, use the floppy disk or CD that came with the PC Card.
ExpressCards
1Place the ExpressCard in the adapter (the adapter is included with the 
ExpressCard).
2Install the ExpressCard with the adapter the same way as a PC Card. (See 
PC Cards on page 81) 
						

							84Using Cards
Removing a Card or Blank
 CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the 
safety instructions in the 
Product Information Guide.
 
NOTICE: Click the  icon in the taskbar to select a card and stop it from 
functioning before you remove it from the computer. If you do not stop the card in 
the configuration utility, you could lose data. Do not attempt to eject a card by 
pulling its cable, if one is attached.
Press the latch and remove the card or blank. For some latches, you must press 
the latch twice: once to pop the latch out, and then a second time to pop the 
card out. 
						

							Securing Your Computer85
10
Securing Your Computer
Security Cable Lock
 NOTE: Your computer does not ship with a security cable lock.
A security cable lock is a commercially available antitheft device. To use the 
lock, attach it to the security cable slot on your Dell™ computer. For more 
information, see the instructions included with the device.
 NOTICE: Before you buy an antitheft device, ensure that it will work with the 
security cable slot on your computer. 
						

							86Securing Your Computer
Smart Card
 NOTE: For information on how to secure your computer while traveling, see 
Traveling With Your Computer on page 179.
 
NOTE: The smart card feature may not be available on your computer.
About Smart Cards
Smart cards are portable credit-card shaped devices with internal integrated 
circuits. The top surface of the smart card usually contains an embedded 
processor under the gold contact pad. The combination of the small size and 
integrated circuits make smart cards valuable tools for security, data storage, and 
special programs. Using smart cards can improve system security by combining 
something a user has (the smart card) with something only the user should 
know (a PIN) to provide more secure user-authentication than passwords alone.
Installing a Smart Card
You can install a smart card in the computer while the computer is running. The 
computer automatically detects the card.
To install a smart card:
1Hold the card so that the gold contact pad is facing upward and pointing 
toward the smart card slot.
1gold contact pad2smart card (top)
1
2 
						

							Securing Your Computer87
2Slide the smart card into the smart card slot until the card is completely 
seated in its connector. The smart card will protrude approximately 1/2 
inch from the slot. The smart card slot is located below the PC Card slot.
If you encounter too much resistance, do not force the card. Check the 
card orientation and try again.
Passwords
Passwords prevent unauthorized access to your computer. When using 
passwords, observe the following guidelines:
• Choose a password that you can remember, but not one that is easy to 
guess. For example, do not use the names of family members or pets for 
passwords.
• It is recommended that you do not write down your password. If you do 
write it down, however, ensure that the password is stored in a secure place.
• Do not share your password with other people.
• Ensure that people are not watching you when you type your password. 
						

							88Securing Your Computer
 NOTICE: Passwords provide a high level of security for data in your computer or 
hard drive. However, they are not foolproof. If you require more security, obtain and 
use additional forms of protection, such as smart cards, data encryption programs, 
or PC Cards with encryption features. 
Use the User Accounts option in the Control Panel in the Microsoft® 
Windows® operating system to create user accounts or to change passwords. 
Once you create a user password, you must enter it each time you turn on or 
unlock your computer. If you do not enter a password within 2 minutes, the 
computer returns to its previous operating state. 
For more information, see your Windows documentation.
About Passwords
 NOTE: Passwords are disabled when you receive your computer.
A primary (or system) password, an administrator password, and a hard drive 
password all prevent unauthorized access to your computer in different ways. 
The following table identifies types and features of passwords available on your 
computer.
 NOTE: Some hard drives do not support hard drive passwords. 
 
NOTE: Passwords provide a high level of security for data in your computer or hard 
drive. However, they are not foolproof. For security, the Dell Latitude
™ D630/630c 
ships with a smart card reader. 
When using passwords, observe the following guidelines:
• Choose passwords that you can remember, but not ones that are easy to 
guess. For example, do not use the names of family members or pets for 
passwords.
Type of Password Features
Primary (or system)
• Protects the computer from unauthorized access
Administrator• Gives system administrators or service technicians 
access to computers for repair or reconfiguration
• Allows you to restrict access to system setup in the same 
way a primary password restricts access to the computer
• Can be used instead of the primary password
Hard drive• Helps protect the data on your hard drive from 
unauthorized access 
						

							Securing Your Computer89
• It is recommended that you do not write down passwords. If you do write it 
down, however, ensure that the password is stored in a secure place.
• Do not share passwords with other people.
• Ensure that people are not watching you when you type your password(s).
 NOTICE: Passwords provide a high level of security for data in your computer or 
hard drive. However, they are not foolproof. If you require more security, obtain and 
use additional forms of protection, such as smart cards, data encryption programs, 
or PC Cards with encryption features. 
If you forget any of your passwords, contact Dell (see Contacting Dell on 
page 199). For your protection, Dell technical support staff will ask you for proof 
of your identity to ensure that only an authorized person can use the computer.
Using a Primary (or System) Password
The primary password allows you to protect the computer from unauthorized 
access.
When you first start your computer, you must assign a primary password at the 
prompt.
If you do not enter a password within 2 minutes, the computer returns to its 
previous operating state.
 NOTICE: If you disable the administrator password, the primary password is also 
disabled.
To add or change passwords, access User Accounts from the Control Panel. 
If you have assigned an administrator password, you can use it instead of the 
primary password. The computer does not specifically prompt you for the 
administrator password.
Using an Administrator Password
The administrator password is designed to give system administrators or service 
technicians access to computers for repair or reconfiguration. The 
administrators or technicians can assign identical administrator passwords to 
groups of computers, allowing you to assign a unique primary password.
To set or change administrator passwords, access 
User Accounts from the 
Control Panel. 
						

							90Securing Your Computer
When you set an administrator password, the Configure Setup option becomes 
available in system setup. The 
Configure Setup option allows you to restrict 
access to system setup in the same way that a primary password restricts access 
to the computer.
The administrator password can be used instead of the primary password. 
Whenever you are prompted to enter the primary password, you can enter the 
administrator password.
 NOTICE: If you disable the administrator password, the primary password is also 
disabled.
 
NOTE: The administrator password provides access to the computer, but it does 
not provide access to the hard drive when a hard drive password is assigned. 
If you forget the primary password and do not have an administrator password 
assigned, or if you have both a primary and an administrator password assigned 
but forget them both, contact your system administrator or contact Dell (see 
Obtaining Assistance on page 193).
Using a Hard Drive Password
The hard drive password helps protect the data on your hard drive from 
unauthorized access. 
To assign or change a hard drive password, enter system setup (see System 
Setup Program on page 135).
After assigning a hard drive password, you must enter it each time you turn on 
the computer and each time you restore the computer to normal operation from 
standby
 mode.
If the hard drive password is enabled, you must enter it each time you turn on 
the computer: A message appears asking for the hard drive password.
To continue, enter your password (with no more than eight characters) and 
press . 
If you do not enter a password within two minutes, the computer returns to its 
previous operating state.
If you enter the wrong password, a message tells you that the password is invalid. 
Press  to try again.