Lenovo 9646, 6490, 9635, 9637, 9277, 9269, 9631, 9283 Updating system programs, Using system programs

Chapter 6. Updating system programs

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

Using 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 POST/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/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 image) of the diagnostics program from http://www.lenovo.com to support systems without a diskette drive.

Updating (flashing) BIOS from a diskette

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

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

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

3.Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the update.

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