IBM 387, 393, 391, 389, 388, 441 Updating flashing the BIOS, Recovering from a BIOS update failure

2.Click Download & Drivers ➙ ThinkServer.

3.Find the product name and click the machine type of your server. To find the machine type information on the chassis, see “Machine type, model, and serial number label” on page 13.

4.Locate the BIOS update utility on the Web page and then click the version number of the BIOS update utility program. Follow the instructions on the Web page to download the ISO image or update package and the installation instructions in a TXT file.

5.If you will use an ISO image to update the BIOS, use any CD or DVD burning software to create a bootable disc with the ISO image. If you will use an update package to update the BIOS, extract the package to a local drive and copy all the files to a bootable USB key.

6.Print the TXT file that contains the installation instructions. You will need the instructions when performing the BIOS update or recovery procedure.

Updating (flashing) the BIOS

This topic provides instructions on how to update (flash) the BIOS.

Notes:

1.Update the BIOS on your server only if the newer BIOS version specifically solves a problem you have. We do not recommend BIOS updates for servers that do not need it. You can view the updated information for the new BIOS version in the installation instructions for the BIOS update utility program. See “Downloading the BIOS update utility program” on page 67.

2.Downgrading the BIOS to an earlier version is not recommended and might not be supported. An earlier BIOS version might not contain the support for the latest system configurations.

3.If the power to your server is interrupted while the POST and BIOS is being updated, your server might not restart correctly. Make sure that you perform the BIOS update procedure in an environment with a steady power supply. Besides, make sure that your server can restart successfully without encountering hardware problems.

4.If you have updated the BIOS firmware, all the BIOS settings become the default settings of the updated BIOS version. You need to check and reconfigure the BIOS settings for your specific needs. You

can note down your specific BIOS settings before updating the BIOS for an easier reconfiguration in the new BIOS version.

To update (flash) the BIOS, do the following:

1.Download a BIOS update utility program and its installation instructions from the Lenovo Support Web site. Then, make a bootable disc or a bootable USB key and print the TXT file that contains the installation instructions. See “Downloading the BIOS update utility program” on page 67.

2.Turn on the server and press the F1 key as soon as you see the logo screen to start the Setup Utility program. See “Starting the Setup Utility program” on page 55.

3.On the Security menu, check the BIOS Write Protect setting. To update (flash) the BIOS, the BIOS Write Protect item must be set to Disabled.

4.Press F10 to save settings and exit the Setup Utility program. Then, follow the installation instructions to update (flash) the BIOS using a disc or USB key.

5.The system will restart automatically after the update process is completed. Check and reconfigure the BIOS settings for your specific needs based on your note or refer to “Using the Setup Utility program” on page 55.

Recovering from a BIOS update failure

If the power to your server is interrupted while the BIOS is being updated, your server might not restart correctly. If this happens, perform the following procedure to recover from the BIOS update failure.

To recover from a BIOS update failure, do the following:

68ThinkServer User Guide