Lenovo 8129 : User Guide Personal Computer 8129, 8132, 8133, 8134, 8135, 8136 : Page 45

Appendix A. Updating system programs

This appendix contains information about updating system programs 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 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 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 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.

Updating (flashing) BIOS from a diskette or CD-ROM

Important

Start the Setup Utility program to view your system information. See

“Starting the Setup Utility” in your Quick Reference or the Hardware

Maintenance Manual. If the serial number and the machine type/model listed

on the Main menu do not match what is printed on the label of your

computer, you must update (flash) the BIOS to change the serial number and

the machine type/model.

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

1. Insert a system program update (flash) diskette or CD-ROM into the diskette

drive or optical drive. System program updates are available at

http://www.lenovo.com/think/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.

3. When you are prompted to select a language, press the number on your

keyboard which corresponds to the language then press Enter.

4. When prompted to change the serial number, press Y.

5. Type in the seven character serial number of your computer then press Enter.

6. When prompted to change the machine type/model, press Y.