IBM Partner Pavilion 8123, 8138, 8137, 8131 Appendix A. Updating system programs, System programs

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 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 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 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 or CD-ROM

To update (flash) the BIOS from a diskette or CD_ROM, do the following:

1.Insert a system program update (flash) diskette or CD-ROM into the diskette drive or optical drive. System program updates are available at http://www.lenovo.com/think/support on the World Wide Web.

2.Turn on the computer. If it is on already, you must turn it off and back on again. The update begins.

3.When you are prompted to select a language, press the number on your keyboard which corresponds to the language then press Enter.

4.When prompted to change the serial number, press Y.

5.Type in the seven character serial number of your computer then press Enter.

6.When prompted to change the machine type/model, press Y.

7.Type in the seven character machine type/model of your computer then press Enter.

8.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 content (including the links referenced in the following procedure) is subject to change.

© Copyright IBM Corp. 2006 31