Updating (flashing) the BIOS from your operating system

Note: Because Lenovo makes constant improvements to its Web sites, the Web page contents are subject to change without notice, including the contents referenced in the following procedure.

To update (flash) the BIOS from your operating system, do the following:

1.Go to http://www.lenovo.com/support.

2.Do the following to locate the downloadable files for your machine type:

a.In the Enter a product number field, type your machine type and click Go.

b.Click Downloads and drivers.

c.Select BIOS from the Refine results drop-down list box to easily locate all the BIOS related links.

d.Click the BIOS update link.

3.Click the TXT file that contains the instructions for updating (flashing) the BIOS from your operating system.

4.Print these instructions. This is very important because these instructions will not be displayed on the screen after the download begins.

5.Follow the printed instructions to download, extract, and install the update.

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.Remove 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 15.

4.Remove any cables that impede access to the Clear CMOS /Recovery jumper.

5.Move the jumper from the standard position (pin 1 and pin 2) to the maintenance position (pin 2 and pin 3).

6.Reconnect any cables that were disconnected.

7.Reinstall the computer cover and reconnect the power cords for the computer and monitor to electrical outlets. See “Completing the parts replacement” on page 68.

8.Turn on the computer and then insert the POST and BIOS update (flash update) disc into the optical drive. Wait a few minutes. Then, the recovery session begins. The recovery session will take two to three minutes. During this time, a warning message will be displayed and no action is needed from you.

9.After the recovery session is completed, there will be no video, and your computer will automatically turn off.

10.Repeat step 1 through step 4.

11.Move the Clear CMOS /Recovery jumper back to the standard position (pin 1 and pin 2).

12.Reconnect any cables that were disconnected.

13.Reinstall the computer cover and reconnect any cables that were disconnected.

14.Turn on the computer to restart the operating system.

86ThinkCentre User Guide

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Lenovo 3294, 3281, 3280 Updating flashing the Bios from your operating system, Recovering from a POST/BIOS update failure

3293, 3280, 3292, 3309, 3291 specifications

The Lenovo 3294, 3314, 3311, 3297, and 3298 series are designed to cater to various user preferences, providing innovative technology and diverse features suitable for different environments, whether for personal use, education, or business.

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