Filter
Top Products
Appendix A. Updating System Programs
The following contains information about updating system programs (POST/BIOS)
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 IBM 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 IBM 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 IBM Setup Utility program by starting your computer using a
flash update diskette, or by running a special update program from your operating
system.
IBM 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 .txt file that is included in 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
1. Insert a system program update (flash) diskette into the diskette drive (drive A)
in your computer. System program updates are available at
http://www.ibm.com/pc/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.
Updating (flashing) BIOS from your operating system
Note: Due to constant improvements being made to the IBM Web site, Web page
content (including the links referenced in the following procedure) is subject
to change.
1. From your browser, type http://www.pc.ibm.com/support in the address
field and press Enter.
2. Click NetVista and NetVista Thin Client.
3. Click NetVista Personal Computer.
4. Click Downloadable files.
5. Under Select your product, choose your machine type and click Go.
6. In Downloadable file by category, click BIOS.
7. Under Downloadable files - BIOS by date, click your machine type.
8. Scroll down and look for the .txt file that has instructions for Flash BIOS
update from the operating system. Click the .txt file.
© Copyright IBM Corp. 2002 29