Appendix A. Updating system programs
This appendix contains information about updating system programs and how to
recover from a POST/BIOS update failure.
System programs
System programs are the basic layer of software that is built into your computer.
They include the power-on self-test (POST), the basic input/output system (BIOS)
code, and the CMOS Setup Utility program. POST is a set of tests and procedures
that is performed each time you turn on your computer. BIOS is a layer of
software that translates instructions from other layers of software into electrical
signals that the computer hardware can understand. You can use the CMOS Setup
Utility program to view and change the configuration and setup of your computer.
Your computer system board has a module called electrically erasable programmable
read-only memory (EEPROM, also referred to as flash memory). You can easily update
POST, BIOS, and the CMOS Setup Utility program by starting your computer
using a flash update diskette or by running a special update program from your
operating system.
Lenovo might make changes and enhancements to the system programs. When
updates are released, they are available as downloadable files on the World Wide
Web (see the Quick Reference). Instructions for using the system program updates
are available in a .txt file that is included with the update files. For most models,
you can download either an update program to create a system-program-update
(flash) diskette or an update program that can be run from the operating system.
Updating (flashing) BIOS from a diskette
1. Insert a system program update (flash) diskette into the diskette drive (drive A)
2. Turn on the computer. If it is on already, you must turn it off and back on
3. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the update.
Updating (flashing) BIOS from your operating system
Note: Due to constant improvements being made to the Web site, Web page
1. From your browser, type http://www.lenovo.com/think/support in the
2. Locate the Downloadable files for your machine type as follows:
© Copyright Lenovo 2005. © Portions Copyright IBM Corp. 2005.
in your computer. System program updates are available at
http://www.lenovo.com/think/support/ on the World Wide Web.
again. The update begins.
content (including the links referenced in the following procedure) is subject
to change.
address field and press Enter.
a. Under Use Quick path, type your machine type and click Go.
b. Click Continue.
c. Click Downloads and drivers.
d. Under the BIOS category, click the Flash BIOS update.
e. Click the .txt file that contains the installation instructions for the flash BIOS
update (flash from the operating system version).
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