DELL 3521 Laptop User Manual
- May 15, 2024
- Dell
Table of Contents
DELL 3521 Laptop
Product Information
Dell Command | Configure is a software tool that allows users to configure BIOS settings on supported Dell client systems. It supports various new BIOS features and ensures compatibility with WSMT for Windows virtualization-based security.
Product Usage Instructions
Installation and Setup:
- Visit www.dell.com/manuals
- Click on “Browse all products”, then select “Software” and click on “Client Systems Management”
- Select the required product name and version number to access the installation guide
Configuring BIOS Settings:
To configure BIOS settings using Dell Command | Configure:
- Launch the software on your Dell client system
- Select the desired BIOS feature to configure
- Make necessary changes or adjustments
- Save the settings before exiting
Accessing Additional Documentation:
For additional information and guides, visit dell.com/support and access the following documents:
- Dell Command | Configure Installation Guide
- Dell Command | Configure Command Line Interface Reference Guide
- Release Notes documentation
FAQs
- Q: What should I do if I encounter issues with Dell Command | Configure?
- A: If you experience problems or need assistance, refer to the Troubleshooting scenarios in Chapter 4 of the user’s guide. You can also contact Dell support for further help.
- Q: How do I provide feedback on Dell Command | Configure?
- A: To provide feedback on the software, follow the instructions provided in the user’s guide under “Providing feedback on Dell Command | Configure”.
Dell Command | Configure
Version 4.11.1 User’s Guide
January 2024 Rev. A01
Notes, cautions, and warnings
NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of
your product. CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates either potential damage to hardware
or loss of data and tells you how to avoid the problem. WARNING: A WARNING
indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death.
© 2024 Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries. All rights reserved. Dell Technologies,
Dell, and other trademarks are trademarks of Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries.
Other trademarks may be trademarks of their respective owners.
Introduction
Dell Command | Configure is a software package that provides BIOS
configuration capability for Dell client systems. IT administrators can use
this tool to configure BIOS settings and create BIOS packages using the Dell
Command | Configure User Interface (UI) or Command Line Interface (CLI). Dell
Command | Configure 4.11.1 supports the following Windows operating systems:
Windows 11 Windows 10 Windows Preinstallation Environment (Windows PE) For
information about using the CLI, see Dell Command | Configure Command Line
Interface Reference Guide available at dell.com/support.
NOTE: This software was rebranded as Dell Command | Configure after Dell
Client Configuration Toolkit version 2.2.1.
Topics:
· What’s new in this release · Other documents you may need
What’s new in this release
Updated InstallShield to generate the installer. Updated OpenSSL and Libxml2
to the latest versions. Supports the following new BIOS features:
HEVC HPDSensor Usb4Ports InternalDmaCompatibility UefiBtStack
ExtIPv4PXEBootTimeout LogoType PlutonSecProcessor
Other documents you may need
In addition to this guide, you can access the following documents at
dell.com/support: The Dell Command | Configure Installation Guide provides
information about installing Dell Command | Configure on
supported client systems. The guide is available at Dell Command | Configure
documentation page. The Dell Command | Configure Command Line Interface
Reference Guide provides information about configuring the BIOS
options on supported Dell client systems. The Release Notes documentation is
available as part of the Dell Command | Configure download on
dell.com/support, provides the latest available information for the
installation and operation of Dell Command | Configure .
Accessing documents from the Dell EMC support site
You can access the required documents by selecting your product.
Introduction to Dell Command | Configure 4.11.1
5
1. Go to www.dell.com/manuals. 2. Click Browse all products, click Software, and then click Client Systems Management. 3. To view the documents, click the required product name and version number.
6
Introduction to Dell Command | Configure 4.11.1
2
Windows SMM Security Mitigations Table
(WSMT) Compliance for Dell Command |
Configure 4.11.1
Windows (SMM) Security Mitigations Table contains information about the ACPI
table that was created for the Windows operating system, which supports
Windows virtualization-based security (VBS) features. Dell Command | Configure
is WSMT compatible. This is used for configuring the platform features on Dell
Client Systems with WSMT enabled BIOS.
Following are the behavioral changes due to WSMT compliance:
Configuration functionalities are available on the Dell Client Platforms,
which have the compatible version of BIOS supporting WMI or ACPI.
The following limited functionalities are available when the systems are
having incompatible BIOS: Dell Command | Configure user interface is used for
viewing all the configuration features. Dell Command | Configure generates SCE
for multiplatform packages. Dell Command | Configure generates the reports
with the configured values. Dell Command | Configure opens a saved package.
You may see the following warning messages with systems running an
incompatible BIOS. During installation: This system does not have a WMI-ACPI
compliant BIOS, so the limited functionality is available. Update the BIOS
with a compatible version, if available. For more information, see Dell
Command | Configure Release Notes. Using CLI: This system does not have a WMI-
ACPI compliant BIOS. Update the BIOS with a compatible version, if available.
For local system packages in the user interface: This system does not have a
WMI-ACPI compatible BIOS, and the local system SCE package does not work on
this system. Update the BIOS with a compatible version, if available. While
running the SCE packages: This system does not have a WMI-ACPI compliant BIOS.
Update the BIOS with a compatible version, if available.
Windows SMM Security Mitigations Table (WSMT) Compliance for Dell Command | Configure 4.11.1
7
3
Using user interface
for Dell Command | Configure 4.11.1
Dell Command | Configure Graphical User Interface (Dell Command | Configure
user interface) displays all BIOS configurations that are supported by Dell
Command | Configure . Using the Dell Command | Configure user interface, you
can perform the following: Create BIOS configuration for client systems. For
more information, see Creating a BIOS Package using GUI. Validate the BIOS
configuration against the BIOS configuration of the host system. For more
information, see BIOS option
validation. Export the customized BIOS configurations as a configuration file
(INI or CCTK), Self-Contained Executable (SCE), shell
script, or report. For more information, see Exporting the BIOS configuration.
NOTE: To apply the configuration using the Dell Command | Configure Command
Line Interface (CLI), run the required file (INI, CCTK, or SCE).
NOTE: This system does not have a WMI-ACPI compliant BIOS, so the limited
functionality is available. Update the BIOS with a compatible version, if
available. For more information, see the Dell Command | Configure Release
Notes.
Topics:
· Accessing Dell Command | Configure within Windows system · Accessing Dell
Command | Configure within Linux · Files and folders of Dell Command |
Configure · Accessing the Dell Command | Configure GUI · Creating a BIOS
package using the GUI · Advanced System Management · BIOS option validation ·
Exporting the BIOS configuration · Target system configuration · Log details
in Package History
Accessing Dell Command | Configure within Windows system
1. Click Windows icon. 2. Enter Dell Command | Configure.
Accessing Dell Command | Configure within Linux
Browse to /opt/dell/dcc directory. NOTE: On the systems running Ubuntu Core,
Dell Command | Configure can be accessed from any location using the following
command: dcc.cctk.
Files and folders of Dell Command | Configure
The following table displays the files and folders of Dell Command | Configure
on systems running the Windows operating system.
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Using user interface for Dell Command | Configure 4.11.1
Table 1. Files and folders of Dell Command | Configure
Files/Folders
Description
Dell Command | Configure Command Prompt
Allows access to the Dell Command | Configure command prompt.
Dell Command | Configure Wizard Allows access to the Dell Command | Configure GUI.
Dell Command | Configure WINPE Allows access to the Windows PE scripts to create a bootable image. For more details, see the Dell Command | Configure Installation Guide available at dell.com/support.
User’s Guide Online
Provides access
to the Dell Command | Configure documentation that is available at dell.com/support.
Accessing the Dell Command | Configure GUI
NOTE: Dell Command | Configure GUI is supported only on systems running the
Windows operating system.
To access the GUI, click Start > All Programs > Dell > Dell Command |
Configure Wizard or double-click Dell Command | Configure Wizard on the
desktop.
Creating a BIOS package using the GUI
Using the Dell Command | Configure user interface, you can create a BIOS
package containing valid settings to apply to target client systems.
To create a BIOS package:
1. Access the Configuration wizard. For more information, see Accessing Dell
Command | Configure GUI. The Create Multiplatform Package screen is displayed
with the following configuration options: Create Multiplatform Package–Click
to view the BIOS settings that are supported on all possible client systems.
Configure, validate, and export the settings as INI, CCTK, EXE, shell script,
or HTML file. Open a Dell Recommended Package–Click the Profile drop-down list
and select the profiles. For example, Security Profile supports security
features and the BIOS options in the system. Values that are recommended by
Dell Technologies are set in order to secure the system. There are options to
modify the values as per requirements, such as Configure, Validate, and Export
the settings as INI, CCTK, EXE, shell script, or HTML file. NOTE: The Dell
Recommended Package of BIOS attributes must be checked by the organization’s
security team prior to deployment. Dell is not responsible for security
vulnerabilities that may arise which is related to the deployment or
modification of the Dell Recommended Package of the BIOS attributes.
NOTE: The status changes to caution when you modify a value that is not
recommended by Dell.
For a complete list of the BIOS attributes, which are in the Dell Recommended
Package, see Dell Command | Configure Version 4.x Command Line Interface
Reference Guide.
Create Local System Package–Click to view the BIOS settings of the host
system. Configure, validate, and export the settings as INI, CCTK, EXE, or
HTML file. The file displays the supported and unsupported BIOS options for
the system.
Open a Saved Package–Click to import a saved configuration file. Configure,
validate, and export the settings as INI, CCTK, EXE, shell script, or HTML
file. NOTE: To open a saved package, click Open a Saved Package, browse to the
file location and then click Open.
2. Click the required option. All the options that are supported for
configuration are displayed. For more information, see Configuration options.
3. Click Edit or double-click the option. 4. From the Value to Set drop-down
list, select the values of the required option.
The Apply Settings check box of the edited options is displayed as selected.
5. Select the required export option to export the edited options.
For more information, see Exporting the BIOS configuration.
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NOTE: If you do not want to export an option, and then clear the Apply
Settings check box.
NOTE:
If the option accepts the string as an input, and then it is not required to
add an escape sequence to that option.
Related Links:
Configuration options Configuring the setup, system, and hard disk drive
passwords Clearing setup, system and hard disk drive passwords Configuring
auto on option Configuring boot order Configuring primary battery charging
Configuring advanced battery charging Configuring peak shift battery charging
Configuring the keyboardbacklightcolor option
Configure the general settings
In the General tab, you can update the source catalog location and the
download location, configure or modify Internet proxy settings for Dell
Command | Configure to gather information of the update experience.
To configure the general settings: 1. On the title bar, click Settings.
The Settings screen is displayed. 2. On the left pane, click General. 3. Click
Browse under Download File Location, click Browse to set the default location
or to change the default location.
NOTE: Dell Command | Configure automatically deletes the update files from
this location after installing the updates.
4. You have the following options to set the Internet proxy settings: To use
the current Internet proxy settings, select Use current Internet proxy
setting. To configure a proxy server and port, select Custom proxy setting. To
enable proxy authentication, select the Use Proxy Authentication and provide
proxy server, proxy port, username, and password.
NOTE: The username and password credentials are encrypted and saved.
5. On the left pane, click Sync. In the Sync tab, there are two options
available for the BIOS update: Update the BIOS feature from dell.com. Update
the BIOS feature offline. Select the appropriate option as per your
requirement.
NOTE: The sync feature is used to get Dell Command | Configure support for new
BIOS features that got added with the BIOS update. Sync feature version
displayed is for internal use. 6. Click CHECK to check for Dell Command |
Configure updates. If there are updates available for Dell Command |
Configure, a warning message is displayed Updates available. Would you like to
proceed?, click YES to proceed with the updates. NOTE: Internet connection is
mandatory to check for the updates.
7. To update the Dell Command | Configure without an internet connection, do
the following: a. Select Update The BIOS Feature Offline option, navigate to
the DellCommandConfigureCatalog.cab file, then click Check to update or
downgrade the BIOS feature. b. Download a local copy of
DellCommandConfigureCatalog.cab files from downloads.dell.com/catalog/. c.
Extract the .cab file and replace the syscfg.xml and resdictionary.xml with
the files that are available in Dell Command | Configure. The installation
path is C:Program Files (x86)DellCommand Configure. d. Replace
Optionames_
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Using user interface for Dell Command | Configure 4.11.1
Configuration options
You can customize the BIOS settings and create a configuration package using the available configuration options that are described in the following table:
Table 2. Configuration options
Options
Description
View/Change
Click to view or change the selected configuration and load a new
configuration. When you click View/Change to load a new configuration, the
configuration screen is displayed. After you have made the preferred
modifications, click Save to save the changes, or click Cancel to return to
the previous configuration.
NOTE: If you try to load a new configuration without exporting the configured
BIOS options, and then a screen is displayed. Click Discard Changes to discard
the configured values or click Cancel to go to the same configuration.
Edit Advanced view
Click to edit the loaded configuration.
Click to view the configuration details such as, command-line options and
possible values that you can set for the option, current value of the option,
options to apply settings, and description of the option.
NOTE: You can view the current value of an option if you have loaded the
settings of the host system.
Basic view
Click to view the configuration details such as, category to which the option
belongs, name of the option, possible values that you can set for the option,
current value of the option, options to apply settings, and the description of
the option.
NOTE: You can view the current value of an option if you have loaded the
settings of the
host system.
Validate Search Category
Click to validate the loaded configuration against the configuration of the
host system. For more information, see BIOS option validation.
Search for a text string in the table. Type the text in the search box and the
first occurrence of the text in the table is selected.
Click to select the required categories from the drop-down list. NOTE: You can
view this option only in Basic View.
Name
Value to set Present Value
Displays the name of the options. NOTE: You can view this option only in Basic
View.
Displays the value of the option. Double-click the row or click Edit to change
the values. Displays the current value of the option.
NOTE: You can view this option if you have loaded the settings of the host
system.
Apply settings Description Command-Line Options
Status
Select the check box to export the option. By default, all the options that
contain a value in the Value to set column are selected. Displays a short
description of the option. Displays the command-line representation of the
options.
NOTE: You can view this option only in Advance View.
Displays the status of the options of the loaded configuration. NOTE: The
Status column is displayed only when you validate.
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11
Configuring the setup, system, and hard disk drive passwords
You can set or change the setup password (setuppwd) also known as BIOS
password, the system password (syspwd), and the hard disk drive password
(hddpwd). To edit the setup, system, or hard disk drive password: 1. In the
Edit mode, click the Value to Set text box of the required option.
The corresponding password screen is displayed. NOTE: To display the password
as clear text, select Show Password. When you select Show Password, then the
Confirm Password text box is not displayed. Type the password in the Password
text box.
NOTE: The setup and system passwords must contain a minimum of four
characters. 2. Type the same password in the Confirm Password text box to
confirm the password.
If both the entries match, then a green color check mark is displayed next to
the Confirm Password text box. A red X mark is displayed if both entries do
not match. 3. Click SUBMIT. 4. To apply the modifications, export the
configuration in ,ini or .exe format. See, Exporting the BIOS configuration.
Clearing setup, system and hard disk drive passwords using the existing
password
You can clear the configured setup, system, and hard disk drive passwords
using the existing password.
NOTE: It is not possible to clear the password without knowing the existing
password.
To clear the passwords: 1. In the Edit mode, click the Value to Set text box
of the required option.
The corresponding password screen is displayed. NOTE: To display the password
as clear text, select Show Password. If you select Show Password, then the
Confirm Password text box is not displayed.
2. Enter a blank space in the Password text box. 3. Enter a blank space in
the Confirm Password text box to confirm the password.
If both the entries match, a green check mark is displayed next to the Confirm
Password text box. A red X mark is displayed if both entries do not match. 4.
Click SUBMIT. 5. To apply the modifications, export the configuration in ,ini
or .exe format. See, Exporting the BIOS configuration.
Password protection screen
A password protection screen is displayed while exporting a file or report
with a computer, setup, or hard drive password. To export the file with the
password as clear text, click Continue. To export the file without the
password, click Remove Password.
NOTE: On selecting the Remove Password option, the file is exported without
the computer, setup, or hard drive password and the password is not applied to
the computer during configuration.
Configuring the autoon option
You can configure the days on which you want the system to automatically turn
on using the autoon option from the Power and Performance Management category.
To configure the days: 1. Click the required option:
Create Multiplatform Package Create Local System Package
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Using user interface for Dell Command | Configure 4.11.1
Open a Dell Recommended Package Open a Saved Package
NOTE: To open a saved package, click Open a Saved Package, browse to the file
location, and then click Open.
2. Click Edit, or double-click the option. 3. In the autoon option row, click
View/Change in the Value to set column.
The auto on screen is displayed. 4. Select one of the following options from
Auto On screen:
Disabled — To turn off the feature. Weekdays — To turn on the target system
automatically only on weekdays. Every Day — To turn on the target system
automatically everyday. Selected Days — To choose the days on which the target
system has to turn on automatically. 5. Click OK. 6. To apply the
modifications, export the configuration in, ini or .exe format. See, Exporting
the BIOS configuration.
Configuring the BIOSConnect profiles
A BIOSConnect profile can be configured by using either the Connection,
CloudApp, Fota, Csos, or HttpBoot profile option from the BIOS Connect profile
category. You can edit or set the input data fields for the following
BIOSConnect profiles:
ConnectionProfile CloudAppProfile CsosProfile FotaProfile HttpBootProfile To
configure the BIOSConnect profile:
1. Click the required option: Create Multiplatform Package Create Local
System Package Open a Dell Recommended Package Open a Saved Package
NOTE: To open a saved package, click Open a Saved Package, browse to the file
location, and then click Open.
2. Click Edit, or double-click the option. 3. In the BIOSConnect profile
option, click View/Change in the Value to set column.
The profile screen is displayed with the current value for data fields.
To create a Multiplatform Package, update the value of data fields on the
profile screen. To create a Local System Package and to open a Saved Package,
update the existing value of data fields on the
profile screens. NOTE: Get for BIOSConnect profile is protected when the BIOS
password is Set. After you click the Local System Package, the BIOS password
screen is displayed. It allows 3 attempts to provide the correct password. If
the correct password is not provided within 3 attempts, enumeration of the
existing values for data field fails. If the correct password is provided, the
existing data for BIOSConnect profiles are displayed.
4. Click OK to save the configuration, or click CLOSE to discard the changes
and close the BIOSConnect profile screen. 5. To apply the modifications,
export the configuration in, an ini or .exe format. See, Exporting the BIOS
configuration.
NOTE: After selecting export config or export .exe option, a warning message
is displayed to mask the sensitive values. Select Mask to hide the values of
the sensitive data fields of BIOSConnect profiles. The masked values are set
as Hidden in exported .xml files. Select Continue to save the data fields in
plain text.
The following table displays the available data fields to be provided for
configuring BIOSConnect Profiles with Dell Command | Configure:
Using user interface for Dell Command | Configure 4.11.1
13
Table 3. BIOSConnect Profiles Profile ConnectionProfile
Data field NA
Preferred Interface
SSID Hidden
SSID Name Pre Shared Key
Auto Preferred Interface
CloudAppProfile
NA
URL Type URL Select Certificate
Response Format
Signed
Select Response Certificate
FotaProfile
NA
URL Type URL Select Certificate
Response Format
Signed
Select Response Certificate
CsosProfile
NA
URL Type URL
Description
This feature displays and configures the BIOSConnect connection interface.
Displays the preferred connection interface for Internet connectivity.
When SSID is hidden, this option must be enabled.
Displays the name of the SSID.
The data field is the authorization key to connect the SSID.
When an option is selected as a preferred interface, you can select a Wi-Fi or
a wired connection.
This feature displays and configures BIOSConnect for downloading recovery
applications.
Displays the URL type.
Displays the URL to download the files.
Allows you to import the certificate to connect the URL over https.
Displays the format in which responses are available or downloaded.
When enabled, this option displays the response information that is signed.
Allows you to import the key or certificate to validate the response
information.
This feature displays and configures the BIOSConnect to download the BIOS
catalogs.
Displays the URL type.
Displays the URL to download the files.
Allows you to import the certificate to connect the URL over https.
Displays the format in which responses are available or downloaded.
When enabled, this option displays the response information that is signed.
Allows you to import the key or certificate to validate the response
information.
This feature displays and configures the BIOSConnect to download the system
recovery files.
Displays the URL type.
Displays the URL to download the files.
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Using user interface for Dell Command | Configure 4.11.1
Table 3. BIOSConnect Profiles (continued)
Profile
Data field
Select Certificate
Response Format
Signed
Select Response Certificate
OAuth Enabled
OAuth URL Type OAuth URL OAuth Certificate
OAuth URL Format
Signed
Select OAuth Response Certificate
HttpBootProfile
ClientID Client Secret
OAuth Grant NA
URL Type URL Select Certificate
Description
Allows you to import the certificate to connect the URL over https.
Displays the format in which responses are available or downloaded.
When enabled, this option displays the response information that is signed.
Allows you to import the key or certificate to validate the response
information.
When enabled, this option ensures that the server requires OAuth to download
the required files.
Displays the URL type for OAuth.
Displays the URL for OAuth.
Allows you to import the certificate to connect the OAuth over https.
Displays the format of the OAuth response.
When enabled, this option displays the OAuth response information that is
signed.
Allows you to import the key or certificate to validate the response
information.
Displays the ClientID for the OAuth.
Displays the Client’s Secret for the OAuth.
Displays the OAuth Grant status.
This feature displays and configures the BIOSConnect to install the operating
system through HttpsBoot.
Displays the URL type.
Displays the URL to download the files.
Allows you to import the certificate to connect the URL over https.
NOTE: The CloudApp, Fota, and HttpBoot profile pages have fields to display the certificate validation details. You can proceed with the selected certificate even if the validation fails.
Configuring the bootorder option
You can configure the boot order of a client system using the bootorder option
from the Boot Management category. You can add, remove, enable, disable, or
change the boot order of the legacy and Unified Extensible Firmware Interface
(UEFI) boot items. To configure the boot order: 1. Click the required option:
Using user interface for Dell Command | Configure 4.11.1
15
Create Multiplatform Package Create Local System Package Open a Dell
Recommended Package Open a Saved Package
NOTE: To open a saved package, click Open a Saved Package, browse to the file
location, and then click Open.
2. Click Edit , or double-click the option. 3. In the bootorder option row,
click View/Change in the Value to set column.
The boot order screen is displayed with the current boot order type and boot
order options. For more information, see Configure boot order. To create a
multiplatform package, you can add devices. To create a local system package
and to open a saved package, you can add devices and edit the existing boot
order, if
present. NOTE: Use the arrow buttons at the bottom of the Boot Order screen to
change the boot order of the devices.
4. Click OK to save the configuration, or click CLOSE to discard the changes
and close the Boot Order screen. 5. To apply the modifications, export the
configuration in, ini or .exe format. See, Exporting the BIOS configuration.
Related Links: Adding a new device to the boot order Boot order type
Boot order screen
The following table displays the available options on the Dell Command | Configure – Boot Order screen.
Table 4. Options on the boot order screen
Options
Description
Active Boot List
You can configure or modify the Active Boot List for UEFI or Legacy based on
the requirement. If the active boot list is ON, and then the system boots with
UEFI or Legacy based on the boot order type.
NOTE: In Local System Package, you cannot modify Active Boot List if the
system supports only UEFI.
Device Type Device Instance Shortform
Description Status Delete
Displays the type of device.
Displays a unique number to identify the device on the system.
Displays the short form of the device name. If the system has many devices of
the same device type, and then the short form of the device is displayed with
a .
Displays a short description for the device.
Displays if the device is turned on or off.
Removes the device from the boot order. Click X to remove a device. NOTE: You
can view this option if the boot order screen is in Edit mode.
Adding a new device to the boot order
To add a new device to the boot order: 1. Click Add Device on the Boot Order
screen. 2. Select the device from the Device Type drop-down list.
The Shortform, Description, and Status fields are automatically populated. By
default, the Status of the device is On. 3. Select an instance for the device
from the Device Instance drop-down list. 4. Click OK.
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Using user interface for Dell Command | Configure 4.11.1
NOTE: If you select the same Device Type and Device Instance in the Boot Order
Type for UEFI or Legacy, and then the following warning message “Remove the
duplicate entry from the input list.” is displayed.
Boot order type
The boot order type displays the type of the loaded configuration. The two
types of boot order are Legacy and UEFI. If the host system file is loaded,
and then it displays the currently active boot order type. If a saved file is
loaded, and then it displays the boot order type that is saved in the file.
The common scenarios for boot order type are: If boot order type is not
specified in the file and if any UEFI devices are present on the system, and
then the system displays
the boot order type as UEFI. If the boot order type is not specified in the
file and if any legacy devices (other than hdd) are present on the system, and
then the system displays the boot order type as Legacy. If the boot order type
is not specified and the loaded configuration file has only hdd items, and
then the system prompts the
user to select the boot order type. If the boot order type is not specified
for a legacy system and if both UEFI and legacy devices are present, and then
the
system displays a warning message and removes the legacy or UEFI devices
depending on the order of occurrence of the device.
Configuring the primarybatterycfg option
You can configure the primary battery charging mode using the
primarybatterycfg option from the Power and Performance Management category.
To configure the primary battery charging option: 1. Click the required
option:
Create Multiplatform Package Create Local System Package Open a Dell
Recommended Package Open a Saved Package
NOTE: To open a saved package click Open a Saved Package, browse to the file
location and then click Open.
2. Click Edit, or double-click the option. 3. In the primarybatterycfg option
row, click View/Change in the Value to set column.
The Primary Battery screen is displayed. 4. Select the mode to charge the
battery in the Primary Battery screen.
Standard Charge — Charges the battery over a longer period of time. Express
Charge — Charges the battery using the express charging algorithm, Dell’s fast
charging technology. AC Use — Charges the battery while plugged-in. Auto
Charge — Charges the battery based on a periodic evaluation of battery usage
to deliver the best balance
capacity. Custom Charge — The battery charging starts and stops based on user
settings.
NOTE: If you have selected Custom Charge, then specify the Start Charging (50
95 %) and Stop Charging (55 100 %) values.
5. Click OK. 6. To apply the modifications, export the configuration in ,ini
or .exe format. See, Exporting the BIOS configuration.
Configuring the advbatterychargecfg option
You can configure the advanced battery charging mode using the
advbatterychargecfg option from the Power and Performance Management category.
Advanced Battery charge mode uses standard charging algorithm and other
methods during non-working hours to maximize battery health. During working
hours, ExpressCharge is used to charge the batteries
Using user interface for Dell Command | Configure 4.11.1
17
faster. You can configure the days and the work period during which the
battery has to be charged. To enable advanced battery charging, provide the
day, start time, and the duration of charging (optimal usage duration). To
configure the advanced battery charging option: 1. Click the required option:
Create Multiplatform Package Create Local System Package Open a Dell
Recommended Package Open a Saved Package
NOTE: To open a saved package, click Open a Saved Package, browse to the file
location, and then click Open.
2. Click Edit or double-click the option. 3. In the advbatterychargecfg
option row, click View/Change in the Value to set column.
The Advanced Battery Settings screen is displayed. 4. Enable Advanced Battery
Charge.
NOTE: If advanced battery charge mode is enabled in the BIOS Setup screen, the
Enable Advanced Battery Charge is selected by default.
5. Select the day of the week.
NOTE: To apply the same settings to all the days select the Apply these
settings to other days option.
6. In the Beginning of Day drop-down list, select the time at which the
advanced charging has to start. 7. In the Work Period drop-down list, select
the duration of advanced charging. 8. Click OK. 9. To apply the modifications,
export the configuration in ,ini or .exe format. See, Exporting the BIOS
configuration.
Configuring the peakshiftcfg option
You can configure the Peak Shift battery charging mode using the peakshiftcfg
option from the Power and Performance Management category. Using Peak Shift
configuration, you can minimize the consumption of AC power during the peak
power usage period of the day. You can set a start and end time for the Peak
Shift period. During this period, the system runs on battery if the battery
charge is above the set battery threshold value. After the Peak Shift period,
the system runs on AC power without charging the battery. The system functions
normally by using AC power and recharging the battery at the specified Charge
Start Time. To configure the Peak Shift Battery charging option: 1. Click the
required option:
Create Multiplatform Package Create Local System Package Open a Dell
Recommended Package Open a Saved Package
NOTE: To open a saved package, click Open a Saved Package, browse to the file
location and click Open.
2. Click Edit, or double-click the option. 3. In the peakshiftcfg option row,
click View/Change in the Value to set column.
The Peak Shift screen is displayed. 4. Enable the peak shift settings option.
5. Select the day of the week.
NOTE: To apply the same settings to all the days select the Apply these
settings to other days option.
6. From the Operate only on battery drop-down list, select the time from when
you want the system to operate only on battery.
7. From the Operate only on AC drop-down list, select the time from when you
want the system to operate only on AC. 8. From the Resume normal power/charge
drop-down list, select the time from when the system has to start using the AC
power and recharging the battery.
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Using user interface for Dell Command | Configure 4.11.1
NOTE: The system adjusts the value in the drop-down list to meet the following
criteria: Operate only on battery time should be less than or equal to the
time specified for Operate only on AC. Operate only on battery time and
Operate only on AC time should be less than or greater than the Resume
normal power/charge time.
9. Click OK. NOTE: Select Apply these settings to other days check box to
apply the same settings for all days of the week.
10. To apply the modifications, export the configuration in ,ini or .exe
format. See, Exporting the BIOS configuration.
Password Configuration option
This feature displays and configures the password rules those are applicable
to set SysPwd, SetupPwd, OwnerPwd, and HddPwd. To configure the password
configuration option: 1. Click the required option:
Create Multiplatform Package Create Local System Package Open a Dell
Recommended Package Open a Saved Package
NOTE: To open a saved package, click Open a Saved Package, browse to the file
location and click Open.
2. Click Edit, or double-click the option. 3. In the PasswordConfiguration
option row, click View/Change in the Value to set column.
The PasswordConfiguration screen is displayed. 4. Enable the Password
Configuration settings option. 5. Select Lower Case Character, Upper Case
Character, Digit, Special Character, and then set the minimum number
of characters that are mandatory for password. NOTE: If the criteria PwdMinLen
=8, PwdLowerCaseRqd=Enabled, and PwdUpperCaseRqd=Enabled is followed, then StrongPassword is Enabled. If this criteria is not followed, then StrongPassword is Disabled. Vice versa is also applicable.
6. To apply the modifications, export the configuration in ,ini or .exe format. See, Exporting the BIOS configuration.
Configuring the keyboardbacklightcolor option
You can configure the keyboard backlight color for the Dell Latitude rugged Extreme systems using the keyboardbacklightcolor option from the System Configuration category. You can enable supported colors, set active color, and configure customcolor1 and customcolor2. To configure the keyboard backlight color: 1. Click the required option:
Create Multiplatform Package Create Local System Package Open a Dell Recommended Package Open a Saved Package
NOTE: To open a saved package click Open a Saved Package, browse to the file location and then click Open.
2. Click Edit or double-click the option. 3. In the keyboardbacklightcolor option row, click View/Change in the Value to set column.
The Keyboard Backlight Color screen is displayed. 4. Select the colors that you want to enable for the keyboard backlight from the list Enable.
NOTE: You can select and enable multiple colors at a time.
Using user interface for Dell Command | Configure 4.11.1
19
If you select None, no color will be enabled. You cannot select other colors
if you have selected the option None.
5. Select the color that you want to set as an active color for the keyboard
backlight from the list Active.
NOTE: You can select only one active color for your keyboard backlight at a
time.
6. Configure the Red, Green, and Blue (RGB) values if you have selected
CustomColor1 or CustomColor2. To configure the RGB values for customcolor1 or
customcolor2, a. Click CHANGE. b. Choose the color from the color canvas. c.
Click Select.
7. Click OK. 8. To apply the modifications, export the configuration in ,ini
or .exe format. See, Exporting the BIOS configuration.
Advanced System Management
Advanced System Management (ASM) is a feature that is supported on Dell
Precision R7610, T5810 ,T7810, T7910, and later workstations. The feature
displays information about voltage, temperature, current, cooling device, and
power supply probes. The feature also allows you to set the noncritical upper
threshold values of voltage, current, cooling, and temperature probes. Contact
the support team for information about system models with this feature.
Setting the non-critical threshold values
NOTE: You can set the critical and non-critical upper threshold values only
for voltage, current, cooling and temperature probes.
To set the non-critical threshold values for the probes: 1. Click the required
option:
Create Multiplatform Package Create Local System Package Open a Saved Package
NOTE: To open a saved package, click Open a Saved Package, browse to the file
location, and then click Open.
2. Click Edit, or double-click the option. 3. In the advsm option row, click
View/Change in the Value to set column.
The Advanced System Management screen is displayed. NOTE: If you are setting
the non-critical threshold values for Create Local System Package, the columns
displayed are: Description, Type, Index, Location, Minimum, Maximum, Critical
Upper Threshold, NonCritical Upper Threshold, and Delete. The system displays
the details of the available probes. You cannot edit the Type and Index fields
of the listed probes. If you are setting the non-critical threshold values for
Create Multiplatform System Package, the columns displayed are: Type, Index,
NonCritical Upper Threshold and Delete. The system does not display any values
for the probes. You have to set the values for Index, and NonCritical Upper
Threshold fields for each of the selected probes. Set the value of Index
depending on the number of instances of the probes running on the system. The
value of NonCritical Upper Threshold must be within the critical upper
threshold range.
4. To set the non-critical threshold values for a new probe, click Add Probe,
and then type the values in the required fields. 5. To set the non-critical
threshold value for the listed probes, provide the value in the respective
column. 6. To delete a probe, click X mark. 7. Click OK. 8. To apply the
modifications, export the configuration in ,ini or .exe format. See, Exporting
the BIOS configuration.
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Using user interface for Dell Command | Configure 4.11.1
BIOS option validation
You can validate the options of a BIOS package against the configuration of
the host system using the Validate option. You can validate the settings of a
multiplatform package, local system package, or a saved package. You can
validate all the options except the bootorder, syspwd, and setuppwd options.
Validating a multiplatform package or saved package
To validate the options of a multiplatform or saved package: On the Create
Multiplatform Package screen, click Validate. If the option and the configured
value are supported on the host system, then a green check mark is displayed
in the Status
column. If the option is supported and if the configured value is not
supported on the host system, then a red X mark is displayed in
the Status column. All unsupported options are greyed out and the Status
column remains blank. All the supported options on the host system are
highlighted and the Status column remains blank with the Value to Set
field as Not Specified.
Validating a local system package
To validate the options of a local system package: On the Create Local System
Package screen, click Validate. All the options that are applicable on the
host system are highlighted, and a green check mark is displayed in the Status
column. All unsupported options are greyed out, and the Status column remains
blank.
NOTE: You can configure the supported options on the host system even after
you validate the local system package.
Exporting the BIOS configuration
You can export a customized configuration to apply the same settings on a
target client system. You can export both supported and unsupported options.
You can export certain options (asset and propowntag) without specifying any
values. To export an option: Select the Apply Settings check box of that
option, and then export in any of the following formats: Self-Contained
Executable–Click EXPORT.EXE to export the configuration settings as a SCE (EXE
file). For more
information, see Setup, system, or hard disk drive passwords screen.
Report–Click Report to export the configuration settings as a read-only HTML
file. Configuration file–Click EXPORT CONFIG to export the configuration
settings as a CCTK or INI file.
NOTE: To display and configure the options on the user interface, double-click
the CCTK file. Shell script–The shell script is generated at the location
where the SCE file is exported, and contains the same
configuration as that of the SCE file. The shell script is used to configure a
system running the Linux operating system.
Exporting the SCE (.EXE) file
Perform the following steps to export the BIOS configuration: 1. Click the
EXPORT.EXE option to export the BIOS configuration as an .exe file.
NOTE: The .exe file exported will be saved in an ACL protected directory that
is created during runtime. This safe directory is created as a child directory
to the path that is selected by the user while exporting. 2. The Setup, System
or Hard Disk Drive Password and the Encryption Passphrase screen is displayed
prompting you to type a password and an encryption passphrase. 3. The
Encryption Passphrase encrypts the data in the SCE Payload.
Using user interface for Dell Command | Configure 4.11.1
21
NOTE: Dell Command | Configure uses OpenSSL libraries to encrypt and decrypt
the payload data.
NOTE: If you do not want to provide an encryption passphrase, then select the
No passphrase is required option and click OK to continue with the Export .EXE
option.
NOTE: Encryption passphrase must contain the following: 10-32 characters 1
uppercase letter 1 lowercase letter 1 special character 1 numeric character
NOTE: If the Show Passphrase option on the Encryption Passphrase screen is not
selected, then the passphrase that is provided in the Confirm Passphrase
option must match the passphrase that is provided in the Passphrase field to
continue with the Export .EXE option.
Depending on the type of password set on the target system, determine which
password to provide based on the table below:
Figure 1. Password Reference Table
For example,
If the setup password is set in the system, and you want to configure BIOS
tokens/features, you need to provide setup password.
If the setup and system passwords are set in the system, and you want to
configure BIOS tokens/features, you must provide setup password.
If the setup and system passwords are set in the system, and if you want to
configure BIOS tokens/features as well as change system password, you must
provide both system and setup passwords.
If the setup, system and hard disk drive passwords are set in the system, and
if you want to configure BIOS tokens/ features as well as change hard disk
drive password, you need to provide both setup and hard disk drive passwords.
4. Provide appropriate password(s) in order to be able to configure the
desired settings. To provide a setup password, click Setup Password, then
select the Use the password information below option, and then type the setup
password. To provide a system password, click System Password, then select the
Use the password information below option and type the system password. To
provide a hard disk drive password, click Hard Disk Drive Password, then
select the Use the password information below option and type the hard disk
drive password.
5. If the target system does not have a setup, system, or hard disk drive
password, then select No password is required. 6. The following warning
message By exporting this BIOS configuration, your system, setup and hdd
passwords will no
longer be secure. If you would like to proceed with your passwords displayed
in clear text, select Contonue. If you want to hide your passwords, select
Mask is displayed. Click MASK to protect your password, else click Continue.
7. Click OK..
NOTE: SCE can be generated on non WMI-ACPI system using multisystem package.
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Using user interface for Dell Command | Configure 4.11.1
Exporting the configuration without setting values
To export asset and propowntag without specifying changes to values: Select
the Apply Settings check box of the corresponding option and export.
Target system configuration
You can apply the exported INI, CCTK, SCE, and shell script files to configure
the target client systems.
Applying INI or CCTK file
The prerequisites for applying INI file or CCTK file are as follows:
Administrator privileges Dell Command | Configure installed on the client
system To apply INI file or CCTK file, run cctk -i
NOTE: For systems running Ubuntu Core operating system, copy the file at
var/snap/dcc/current and run, dcc.cctk -i /var/snap/dcc/current/
Applying a shell script on Linux
1. Copy the script and INI file to a system running the Linux operation
system. 2. Run dos2unix on the system. 3. Run the script as: sh <filename.sh>
Applying a SCE file
NOTE: You must have Administrator privileges.
To apply SCE on a target computer, double-click the SCE, or from the command
prompt, go to the directory where SCE is located and type the name of the SCE
file. For example, C:UsersSystemNameDocuments>”
Important Notes
You cannot run SCE on Windows PE computers. For more information about
applying SCE on target computers running the Windows PE operating systems, see
Troubleshooting.
The generated SCE file does not work on non-WMI-ACPI computer. You must have
admin privileges to access the directory where SCE is exported. If you have
configured an Encryption Passphrase while exporting the SCE, then the SCE can
only be applied through the
command prompt. For more information, see SCE details section. For computers
running Windows 11 with Smart App Control enabled, there may be issues with
applying the SCE file. To avoid
the issues, digitally sign the generated SCE files before applying them.
SCE details
Some of the common scenarios in which you might use SCE are: When you apply
SCE on a target system, it performs a silent installation for the BIOS
settings on the target system. When
the installation is complete, SCE generates a log file with the SCE name at
the same location. The log file contains all the applied options and the
status of the SCE file.
NOTE: To generate the log file in the required location, specify the location
of the log file. For example, SCE.exe / l=”
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When you apply SCE on a target system from a read-only location, provide the
/nolog option to prevent generation of the log file. For example, SCE.exe
/nolog. The /nolog option helps the SCE to run successfully and informs that a
log file is not created as SCE is in a read-only location.
If you run SCE from a read-only location without providing /nolog, then SCE
fails to run. To apply SCE on Windows PE, extract SCE from a system running
the Window operating system using the /e option. For
example, SCE.exe /s /e=
the same password in the Setup, System, or Hard Disk Drive Password screen,
then you cannot double-click and apply SCE on the target system. However,
while applying SCE from the command prompt, you can provide the setup or
system password of the target system. If you have configured an Encryption
Passphrase while exporting the SCE, then provide the same Encryption
Passphrase while applying the SCE through the command prompt. NOTE: Example of
providing the Encryption Passphrase: C:WindowsCommand
ConfigureSCE>”
NOTE: Example of providing the setup password: C:WindowsCommand
ConfigureSCE>”
NOTE: Example of providing the system password: C:WindowsCommand
ConfigureSCE>”
Related Links: Exporting the BIOS configuration Exporting the configuration
without setting values
Log details in Package History
You can view the details of the BIOS configuration exports in the Package
History screen. The Package History displays the details such as time, date,
type of export, and the location to which the file is exported. Related Links:
Viewing a log file Deleting log details
Viewing a log file
Click Package History, on the Dell Command | Configure page.
Deleting log details
On the Package History page, click the Clear Log.
Providing feedback on Dell Command | Configure
You can provide feedback on the Dell Command | Configure using the link on
Dell Command | Configure GUI. 1. Click the Give us your feedback link to
launch the online survey page. 2. Provide your feedback and satisfactory
ratings. 3. Click Submit to share it with Dell.
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Using user interface for Dell Command | Configure 4.11.1
4
Troubleshooting
scenarios in Dell Command | Configure 4.11.1
Running Dell Command | Configure displays error messages
If you get the error message, Required BIOS interface not found or HAPI load
error. and then uninstall and reinstall Hardware Application Programming
Interface (HAPI).
Running Dell Command | Configure on 32-bit and 64-bit Windows supported system
Ensure that you are running cctk.exe based on the architecture of the system.
If you are running Dell Command | Configure on a 32-bit supported system,
browse to the x86 directory in the installation directory, and run Dell
Command | Configure commands. If you are running cctk.exe on a 64-bit
supported system, and then browse to the x86_64 directory and run Dell Command
| Configure commands. If you are running Dell Command | Configure for 32-bit
supported systems on a 64-bit supported system, and then an error message is
displayed: HAPI Driver Load Error. If you are running Dell Command | Configure
for 64-bit supported systems on a 32-bit supported system, and then an error
message is displayed: Not a valid Win32 application.
Running Dell Command | Configure on Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, or
Windows 10 when user account control is enabled
To run Dell Command | Configure on systems running Windows 7 or later with
User Account Control (UAC) enabled, right-click the Dell Command | Configure
Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
NOTE: On a Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 8.1, if UAC is enabled, and then a
user with Administrator privileges cannot install or uninstall Dell Command |
Configure in silent mode. Make sure that you have an administrative privilege
before installing Dell Command | Configure in silent mode.
Running Dell Command | Configure on Linux
When you install Dell Command | Configure on a system running the Linux
operating system, the entry, modprobe dcdbas, is added in the /etc/rc.modules
file. After uninstalling Dell Command | Configure , the entry is not removed.
TPM activation
Trusted Platform Module (TPM) is an industry standard cryptographic module
that provides attestation, integrity metrics and reporting, and a secure key
hierarchy. Client systems use TPM to verify if the state of the system has
changed between two boot cycles. To activate and check the TPM activation:
Troubleshooting scenarios in Dell Command | Configure 4.11.1
25
1. If not set, set the BIOS password on the system. Type:
cctk –setuppwd=
cctk –tpm=on 3. Reboot the system. 4. To activate TPM, type the following
command:
cctk –tpmactivation=activate –valsetuppwd=
cctk –tpmactivation
The status is displayed as activate. NOTE: If TPM does not support the system,
then the following error message is displayed: The option TpmActivation is not
available or cannot be configured through this tool.
SCE failing to run on Windows Preinstallation Environment (Windows PE)
The SCE generated using the Export option on the user interface is failing to
run on Windows PE. To configure BIOS using SCE, on the target system running
the Windows PE operating systems: 1. On systems running the Windows operating
systems, extract the contents of SCE to a folder using the following command:
SCE.exe /s /e=
NOTE: For more information about using the command, use /h switch. 2. Copy the
extracted contents to an accessible location on the system. 3. From the
location of the extracted contents, run the following command to apply the
configuration:
applyconfig.bat /logfile <A
valid file name>
For example, applyconfig.bat /logfile C:log.txt To apply the configuration on
a system, where setup or system password has been set, run the following
command: applyconfig.bat /logfile <A valid and existing folder with write
permission> “–valsetuppwd=
Topics:
· Contacting Dell
Contacting Dell
NOTE: If you do not have an active Internet connection, you can find contact
information on your purchase invoice, packing slip, bill, or Dell product
catalog.
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Troubleshooting scenarios in Dell Command | Configure 4.11.1
Dell provides several online and telephone-based support and service options. Availability varies by country and product, and some services may not be available in your area. To contact Dell for sales, technical support, or customer service issues: 1. Go to Dell.com/support. 2. Select your support category. 3. Verify your country or region in the Choose a Country/Region drop-down list at the bottom of the page. 4. Select the appropriate service or support link based on your need.
Troubleshooting scenarios in Dell Command | Configure 4.11.1
27