Appendix B. Updating Post/Bios; Post/Bios; Updating (Flashing) Bios From A Diskette; Updating (Flashing) Bios From Your Operating System - IBM 8183 - ThinkCentre S50 User Manual

Appendix B. Updating POST/BIOS

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

POST/BIOS

POST and BIOS 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 IBM 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 IBM 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 IBM Setup Utility program by starting your computer using a
flash update diskette or by running a special update program from your operating
system.
IBM might make changes and enhancements to the POST/BIOS. When updates are
released, they are available as downloadable files on the World Wide Web (see the
Quick Reference). 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

1. Insert a POST/BIOS update (flash) diskette into the diskette drive (drive A) in
2. Turn on the computer. If it is on already, you must turn it off and back on

Updating (flashing) BIOS from your operating system

Note: Due to constant improvements being made to the IBM Web site, Web page
1. From your browser, type http://www.pc.ibm.com/support in the address field
2. Locate Downloadable files for your type of computer.
3. Under Select your product, choose your machine type and click Go.
4.
5. Under Download files - BIOS by date, click your machine type.
© Copyright IBM Corp. 2004
image) of the diagnostics program from http://www.ibm.com/pc/support
to support systems without a diskette drive.
your computer. POST/BIOS updates are available at
http://www.ibm.com/pc/support/ on the World Wide Web.
again. The update begins.
content (including the links referenced in the following procedure) is subject
to change.
and press Enter.
In Downloadable file by category, click BIOS.
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