The following Dell models contain Trusted Platform Modules

You left out the key piece of info...What PC model is this?  :emotion-3:

Inspiron 620  :emotion-1:

While waiting for a response, I went ahead and updated my BIOS from version A04 to A10.

That did nothing to change the message that appears when I try to turn BitLocker on.  It still says, "A compatible TPM Security Device must be present on the computer, but a TPM was not found."

Also, when viewing TPM Admin link in the BitLocker dialog, I see that TPM Management on Local Computer says pretty much the same thing... "TPM cannot be found on this computer.  Verify that this computer has a 1.2 TPM and it is turned on in BIOS".

This takes me back to a point in my OP, that I have read that some computers have TPMs that do not appear in the W7 TPM MMC due to a BIOS setting that hides the TPM by default, and it must be enabled in BIOS.  This info was found at a MS Technet site here --> http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee449438(v=ws.10).aspx#BKMK_HaveTPM 

I still can't find this setting in BIOS.  Any help will be surely appreciated.  Just trying to get BitLocker running on W7 Ultimate.

TY!

I see an entry in the manual for a BIOS option "HDD Protection Feature" (Disabled by default). That might be TPM in disguise.

See at what happens when you select that option and enable it. Be sure to save the change before exiting setup.

EDIT: Link fixed

As it turns out, that link goes to the manual for the 620s even though it's listed on the support page for the 620. That said, I see the same HDD protection setting in the real manual for the 620.

Not sure what to tell you except it appears your system doesn't support TPM. I'll see if my Dell tech contacts have any comments...

Unfortunately, nothing like that shows in my computer's Setup Utility.  "HDD Protection Feature" looked promising, too.

I wish I could show you a screenshot of what I see, but I'll outline it quickly below:

Five column headers... Main ; Advanced ; Boot ; Security and Exit.

Selecting 'Security', all I see on that page is as follows:

Unlock Setup Status    Unlocked

Admin Password Status    Not Installed

System Password Status    Not Installed

Yes, please check.  I'm discouraged, after purchasing the upgrade to Ultimate, to discover that this TPM issue may preclude me from going forward.  i think there is a way with USB, but it's not as secure.

TY

But when was that statement issued, relative to when your system first came out, before or after...? I dunno....

Still doesn't explain why the manuals list a HDD Protection option for both 620 and 620s that you can't find. Are the manuals just wrong? Naw...no way, impossible, never, ever could happen that a Dell made a mistake in a manual. :emotion-4:

Sorry 'bout that.

Maybe you should just use free TrueCrypt to encrypt certain files/folders on your HDD. I use it with Win 7 Pro to keep prying eyes out of certain things. :emotion-5:

Unfortunately, I just found this, if it is accurate...

http://www.dell.com/content/learnmore/learnmore.aspx?c=us&cs=04&~id=smartcard&~series=latit&~tab=recommendations

Yes, TrueCrypt had been my #1 focus when contemplating encryption, but then I started liking the idea of BitLocker being native, and I confess to a degree of confusion involving TC's recent "troubles".  I realize that a software does not have to be actively under development in order for it to be viable, but it sure helps, and given a choice, I would always prefer running a program that is not' abandonware'.

Is there anywhere else these settings could be?  I am tapping the F2 key on restart and entering what is called "Aptio Setup Utility".  It doesn't look quite as detailed as Setups I have played around with on some of the other Dell machines I have owned over the years.  Sigh.

"The Fritz Chip aka TPM is not available on Dimension or Inspiron models."

Thanks, SpeedStep.  That answers the question pretty definitively, I'd say.  If I elect to stay with BitLocker, I'll go the USB startup key route.

Thanks also to RoHe for your efforts to assist.  I appreciate your time, and might very well give TrueCrypt a try, though there appears to be a steep learning curve (for the likes of me).

Glad Speed gave you the answer you needed.

Not much learning curve for TrueCrypt. Took me ~10 min to create a 100 GB "file" on my 1.5T HDD and set up an encryption key (password). Once that's done you just launch TrueCrypt  and select that file from the TC home screen and mount it (assign an unused drive letter) so Windows sees it as a separate drive,  and then enter the encryption key.

From that point on, it looks just like any other drive. You can drag / drop files or folders into or out of the encrypted area, delete files or folders, open data files with their parent software (eg, Microsoft Office) just like they weren't encrypted. In other words it's totally transparent to Windows and to you as long as you don't forget the encryption key! :emotion-5:

If the file isn't mounted, Windows just shows it in Explorer as an ordinary file, except it can't open it.

Not much learning curve for TrueCrypt.

Famous last words, RoHe.  The User Guide is 150 pages long!  Written like a technical report.  Accidents waiting to happen everywhere you look.  I'm gonna wade in, but the water looks dangerous.  :emotion-42:

You posted that TPM is available on the Dell Vostro 1220, but I cannot see how to enable it in the bios not anywhere else. Bitlocker says it needs TPM. I seem to have a compatible laptop but what next?