Appendix B. Updating System Programs; System Programs; Recovering From A Post/Bios Update Failure - IBM 6339 User Manual

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Appendix B. 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 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 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

Configuration/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 Configuration/Setup Utility program by starting your

computer using a flash update diskette.

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 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 at

http://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.

If power to your computer is interrupted while POST/BIOS is being updated (flash

update), your computer might not restart correctly. If this happens, follow the steps

for "Erasing a lost or forgotten password (clearing CMOS)" on page 56.

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