A data processing system and method are described for remotely accessing a client computer system's individual initialization settings. The client computer system is coupled to a server computer system to form a local area network. The server computer system transmits a command to the client computer system to access a selected one of the client computer system's initialization settings. In response to a receipt of this command by the client computer system, the client computer system accesses only selected ones of the initialization settings. The client computer system may be powered off while the initialization setting is accessed.