IBM NetVista A21 User Manual

Also see for 2254: Hardware Maintenance Manual Hardware Maintenance Manual

Contents

Appendix B. Updating System ProgramsThe following contains information about updating system programs (POST/BIOS)and how to recover from a POST/BIOS update failure.System programsSystem 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 Configuration/Setup Utility program. POST is a set of tests andprocedures that is performed each time you turn on your computer. BIOS is a layerof software that translates instructions from other layers of software into electricalsignals that the computer hardware can understand. You can use theConfiguration/Setup Utility program to view and change the configuration and setupof your computer.Your computer system board has a module called electrically erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EEPROM, also referred to as flash memory). Youcan easily update POST, BIOS, and the Configuration/Setup Utility program bystarting your computer using a flash update diskette.IBM might make changes and enhancements to the system programs. Whenupdates are released, they are available as downloadable files on the World WideWeb (see the Quick Reference). Instructions for using the system program updatesare available in a README file that is included in the update files.To update system programs (flash the EEPROM):1. Insert a system program update (flash) diskette into the diskette drive (drive A)in your computer. System program updates are available athttp://www.pc.ibm.com/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.Recovering from a POST/BIOS update failureIf power to your computer is interrupted while POST/BIOS is being updated (flashupdate), your computer might not restart correctly. If this happens, follow the stepsfor “Erasing a lost or forgotten password (clearing CMOS)” on page 56.© Copyright IBM Corp. 2001 61