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Chapter 5. 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 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 4, "Using the Setup Utility program," on page 45
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 (flashing) the BIOS from a disc
This section provides instructions on how to update (flash) the BIOS from a disc.
Note: You can download a self-starting bootable disc image (known as an ISO
To update (flash) the BIOS from a disc, do the following:
1. Make sure the optical drive you want to use is set as the first boot device in the
2. Make sure the computer is turned on. Insert the disc into the optical drive.
3. Turn off the computer and back on again. The update begins.
4. When prompted to change the serial number, press N.
5. When prompted to change the machine type/model, press N.
© Copyright Lenovo 2010
image) with the system program updates to create a system-program-update
disc. Go to:
http://www.lenovo.com/support
startup device sequence. See "Selecting or changing the startup device
sequence" on page 48.
Note: If you want to change the serial number, press Y when prompted. Type
in the serial number and then press Enter.
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