Chapter 6. Updating System Programs; Using System Programs; Updating (Flashing) Bios From A Diskette Or Cd-Rom - Lenovo ThinkCentre A57 9702 User Manual

Chapter 6. Updating system programs

This chapter contains information about updating POST/BIOS and how to recover
from a POST/BIOS update failure.

Using system programs

System programs are the basic layer of software built into your computer. They
include the power-on self-test (POST), the basic input/output system (BIOS) code,
and the Setup Utility program. POST is a set of tests and procedures that are
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 execute. You can use the 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 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 POST/BIOS. When updates
are released, they are available as downloadable files on the Lenovo Web site at
http://www.lenovo.com. Instructions for using the POST/BIOS 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.
Note: You can download a self starting bootable CD image (known as an .iso

Updating (flashing) BIOS from a diskette or CD-ROM

This section describes how to update (flash) the BIOS using a diskette or CD-ROM.
System program updates are available at http://www.lenovo.com/support on the
World Wide Web.
1. To update (flash) the BIOS:
2. Turn on the computer. If it is on already, you must turn it off and back on
3. When you are prompted to select a language, press the number on your
4. When prompted to change the serial number, press Y.
5. Type in the seven character serial number of your computer and then press
6. When prompted to change the machine type/model, press Y.
© Copyright Lenovo 2007, 2009
image) of the diagnostics program from http://www.lenovo.com to support
systems without a diskette drive.
v From a diskette, make sure the computer is turned off and insert a system
program update (flash diskette). Then turn the computer on. The update
begins.
v From a CD-ROM, make sure the computer is turned on. Insert the CD-ROM
into the optical drive.
again. The update begins.
keyboard that corresponds to the language and then press Enter.
Enter.
35