Using Passwords
Supervisor password
The supervisor password is a tool provided for the system
administrator to control many ThinkPad computers. The
supervisor password is set by the system administrator and it is
not required for users. Users can start the computer without
providing the supervisor password. The supervisor password is
required only to access Easy-Setup. It provides the following
security features:
– Only a system administrator can access Easy-Setup. If a
supervisor password is set, a password prompt appears if
you try to start Easy-Setup.
– You can use a power-on password to protect your data from
unauthorized use.
– The system administrator can use the supervisor password
to access the computer even if you have set a power-on
password. The supervisor password overrides the power-on
password.
– The supervisor password has priority over the hard-disk-drive
password. The hard disk is protected by the supervisor
password so that unauthorized users cannot access data on
the hard disk.
– The system administrator can set the same supervisor
password on many ThinkPad computers to make
administration easier.
Other passwords
Some Microsoft operating systems provide special Windows
passwords. Refer to that system user's guide for information on
how to set, change, and use these passwords.
Entering a Password
Once you set a password, a password prompt appears at the top left
corner of the screen. This prompt appears each time you power on
your computer or when your computer returns from suspend mode to
normal operation.
However, a password prompt is not displayed if the computer returns
to normal operation because of a preset timer or an incoming call on
the modem, in which case you will have to display it by pressing a
key or moving the pointing device.
Chapter 3. Protecting Your Computer
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Title: C79FPMST CreationDate: 06/22/98 12:26:52