Chapter 8. Updating System Programs; Using System Programs; Updating The Bios; Recovering From A Post/Bios Update Failure - Lenovo ThinkCentre M73 User Manual

Chapter 8. Updating system programs

This chapter provides information about updating the POST and BIOS, and how to recover from a POST
and BIOS update failure.

Using system programs

System programs are the basic layer of software built into your computer. System programs include the
POST, the BIOS, and the Setup Utility program. The POST is a set of tests and procedures that are
performed each time you turn on your computer. The 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 or change the configuration settings of your computer. See Chapter 7
"Using the Setup Utility program" on page 89 for detailed information.
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 the POST, the BIOS, and the Setup
Utility program by starting your computer with a system-program-update disc or running a special update
program from your operating system.
Lenovo might make changes and enhancements to the POST and 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 and 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 disc or an update
program that can be run from the operating system.

Updating the BIOS

When you install a new program, hardware device, or device driver, you might be informed to update
the BIOS. You can update the BIOS from your operating system or a flash update disc (supported only
on some models).
To update the BIOS, do the following:
1. Go to http://www.lenovo.com/drivers.
2. Download the flash BIOS update driver for the operating system version or the ISO image version (used
to create a flash update disc). Then, download the installation instructions for the flash BIOS update
driver you download.
3. Print the installation instructions you download and follow the instructions to update the BIOS.
Note: If you want to update the BIOS from a flash update disc, the installation instructions might not provide
the information about how to record the update disc. See "Recording a CD or DVD" on page 23.

Recovering from a POST/BIOS update failure

If the power to your computer is interrupted while the POST and BIOS is being updated, your computer
might not restart correctly. If this happens, perform the following procedure to recover from the POST and
BIOS update failure. This procedure is commonly called Boot-block Recovery.
1. Remove all media from the drives and turn off all attached devices and the computer. Then, disconnect
all power cords from electrical outlets and disconnect all cables that are connected to the computer.
2. Open the computer cover. See "Removing the computer cover" on page 36.
3. Locate the Clear CMOS /Recovery jumper on the system board. See "Locating parts on the system
board" on page 13.
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