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Flash update procedures
This section details how to flash (update) the BIOS.
Updating (flashing) BIOS from a diskette
1. Insert a system program update (flash) diskette into the diskette drive (drive A)
in the 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.ibm.com/pc/support/ in the address field
and press Enter.
2. Locate the Downloadable files for your machine type.
3. Under Select your product, choose your machine type and click Go.
4. In Downloadable file by category, click BIOS.
5. Under Download files - BIOS by date, click your machine type.
6. Scroll down and look for a .txt file that has instructions for Flash BIOS update
from the operating system. Click the .txt file.
7. Print these instructions. This is very important since they are not on the screen
after the download begins.
8. From your browser, Click Back to return to the list of files. Carefully follow the
printed instructions to download, extract, and install the update.
Recovering from a POST/BIOS update failure
If power to the computer is interrupted while POST/BIOS is being updated (flash
update), the computer might not restart correctly. If this happens, perform the
following procedure (also known as a Boot-block Recovery):
1. Turn off the computer and any attached devices, such as printers, monitors,
and external drives.
2. Unplug all power cords from electrical outlets, and open the cover. See
“Opening the cover” on page 25.
3. Locate the Clear CMOS/Recovery jumper on the system board. See
Identifying parts on the system board in the chapter for your model type.
4. If necessary, refer to Installing adapters to remove any adapters that impede
access to the Clear CMOS/Recovery jumper.
5. Move the jumper from the standard position (pins 1 and 2) to pins 2 and 3.
6. Replace the cover. See Replacing the cover and connecting the cables in the
chapter for your model type.
7. Reconnect the power cords for the computer and monitor to electrical outlets.
8. Insert the POST/BIOS update (flash) diskette into drive A, and turn on the
computer and the monitor.
9. After the update session is completed, there will be no video and the series of
beeps will end. Remove the diskette from the diskette drive, and turn off the
computer and monitor.
148 Hardware Maintenance Manual