Dell OptiPlex XE User Manual

Dell™ OptiPlex™ XE —
Watchdog Timer

Dell OptiPlex Watchdog Timer allows you to:

• monitor your computer’s status.

• track programs listed in the Microsoft

• define the actions to be taken when a tracked program stops within a defined
interval of time.

You can download and install Watchdog Timer from the Dell support website at
support.dell.com/support/downloads.

Enabling Watchdog Timer on System Setup

You can enable Watchdog Timer from System Setup (BIOS).
Watchdog Timer’s hardware counter starts when you enable it in the
System Setup.

CAUTION: Enabling Watchdog Timer in System Setup without installing it first,

can cause your computer to reboot continuously.

NOTE: If you access Watchdog Timer without enabling it in the System Setup, a

message appears indicating that Watchdog Timer is disabled and you must enable it in
the System Setup.

NOTE: You must install Watchdog Timer before enabling it in the System Setup.

1

Turn on the computer and press the <F2> key when you see the Dell logo.
The System Setup screen appears.

2

Click

3

Select the

4

Click

Maintenance

Enable Watchdog Timer

Apply

and

Watchdog Timer Support

Exit

. The computer restarts.

®

Windows® Task Manager.

.

check box.

NOTE: Ensure that Watchdog Timer is disabled before performing an Operating System

reinstallation or if you pause your computer during the Power-on Self Test (POST).

March 2010

Accessing Watchdog Timer

To access Watchdog Timer:

•Click the

Dell OptiPlex XE Watchdog Timer

icon on your desktop.

The Watchdog Timer’s application interface window appears.

•Click

Start

Programs

DellDell OptiPlex XE Watchdog Timer

.

The Watchdog Timer’s application interface window appears.

Using Watchdog Timer

System Monitor It displays the current status of your computer. Watchdog Timer

monitors your computer during the following stages:

• Turning on the computer

• Loading the Operating System

• After loading the Operating System

In the Operating System interface, Watchdog Timer tracks the
programs running in the Windows task manager.

NOTE: If your computer stops responding within the defined

refresh interval, Watchdog Timer restarts your computer.

For information on changing the refresh interval,
see "Changing the Refresh Interval" on page 11.

Program Monitor Allows you to select the programs to be monitored by Watchdog

Timer from those listed in the Windows task manager.

NOTE: You can also view the status of the programs that are

tracked.

For information on tracking the programs,
see "Tracking the Programs" on page 11.

Configuration Allows you to change Watchdog Timer’s auto run and program

monitor log file related settings.
For information of setting auto-run feature,

see "Setting the Auto run Feature" on page 13.
For information on enabling the program monitor status log, see

"Enabling the Program Status Monitor Log" on page 13.

About It displays the Watchdog Timer’s version and copyright details.