Lenovo PC 300GL Using your Personal Computer - PC300GL - 6561, 6591 - Page 47

System Programs, Updating the System BIOS

Get Lenovo PC 300GL PDF manuals and user guides View all Lenovo PC 300GL manuals
Add to My Manuals
Save this manual to your list of manuals

Page 47 highlights

small and helps prevent network congestion. Working off the hybrid images, the bootstrap program initiates the startup process from the hard disk drive of your computer. An advantage to Hybrid RPL is that the network load associated with standard RPL is avoided. System Programs System programs are the basic layer of software built into every IBM PC. 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 every time you turn on your PC. The BIOS is a layer of software that translates instructions from other layers of software into instructions that the computer hardware can understand. The Configuration/Setup Utility Program enables you to view and change the configuration and setup of your computer. In the past, the system programs were contained in a read-only memory (ROM) module on the system board. If you wanted to update POST routines, BIOS instructions, and the Configuration/Setup Utility Program, you had to disassemble the computer and replace modules, or you had to replace the system board. Now, the system programs are stored in an EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory) module, which is also referred to as a flash memory. The contents can be easily updated with an update (flash) diskette. The process of updating the system programs EEPROM is often referred to as flashing the BIOS. Updating the System BIOS As part of the continuing work to improve quality, IBM might make changes and enhancements to the system programs. When updates are released, they will be available on the World Wide Web (http://www.pc.ibm.com/desktop/) or through the PC Company Bulletin Board Service (see "Using Electronic Support Services" on page 103) in files that can be downloaded onto a diskette. Updates on the Web site or BBS will have the file name NZKTnnA.EXE, where nn is a release number. Instructions for using the system programs updates will be available in a README file included in the downloaded files. When updating system programs with a flash diskette, note the following: If you have set an administrator password, your computer will halt and request the administrator password. The update process will not begin until you enter the password. If you have set an administrator password, the system programs update will run only if you first perform a cold startup (the computer is turned off and then turned on). Chapter 3. Operating Your Personal Computer 33

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12
  • 13
  • 14
  • 15
  • 16
  • 17
  • 18
  • 19
  • 20
  • 21
  • 22
  • 23
  • 24
  • 25
  • 26
  • 27
  • 28
  • 29
  • 30
  • 31
  • 32
  • 33
  • 34
  • 35
  • 36
  • 37
  • 38
  • 39
  • 40
  • 41
  • 42
  • 43
  • 44
  • 45
  • 46
  • 47
  • 48
  • 49
  • 50
  • 51
  • 52
  • 53
  • 54
  • 55
  • 56
  • 57
  • 58
  • 59
  • 60
  • 61
  • 62
  • 63
  • 64
  • 65
  • 66
  • 67
  • 68
  • 69
  • 70
  • 71
  • 72
  • 73
  • 74
  • 75
  • 76
  • 77
  • 78
  • 79
  • 80
  • 81
  • 82
  • 83
  • 84
  • 85
  • 86
  • 87
  • 88
  • 89
  • 90
  • 91
  • 92
  • 93
  • 94
  • 95
  • 96
  • 97
  • 98
  • 99
  • 100
  • 101
  • 102
  • 103
  • 104
  • 105
  • 106
  • 107
  • 108
  • 109
  • 110
  • 111
  • 112
  • 113
  • 114
  • 115
  • 116
  • 117
  • 118
  • 119
  • 120
  • 121
  • 122
  • 123
  • 124
  • 125
  • 126
  • 127
  • 128
  • 129
  • 130
  • 131
  • 132
  • 133
  • 134
  • 135
  • 136
  • 137
  • 138
  • 139
  • 140
  • 141
  • 142
  • 143
  • 144
  • 145
  • 146
small and helps prevent network congestion.
Working off the hybrid images, the
bootstrap program initiates the startup process from the hard disk drive of your
computer.
An advantage to Hybrid RPL is that the network load associated with
standard RPL is avoided.
System Programs
System programs are the basic layer of software built into every IBM PC.
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 every time you turn on your PC.
The BIOS is a layer of software
that translates instructions from other layers of software into instructions that the
computer hardware can understand.
The Configuration/Setup Utility Program
enables you to view and change the configuration and setup of your computer.
In the past, the system programs were contained in a read-only memory (ROM)
module on the system board.
If you wanted to update POST routines, BIOS
instructions, and the Configuration/Setup Utility Program, you had to disassemble
the computer and replace modules, or you had to replace the system board.
Now,
the system programs are stored in an
EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable
read-only memory)
module, which is also referred to as a
flash memory
.
The contents
can be easily updated with an update (flash) diskette.
The process of updating the
system programs EEPROM is often referred to as
flashing the BIOS
.
Updating the System BIOS
As part of the continuing work to improve quality, IBM might make changes and
enhancements to the system programs.
When updates are released, they will be
available on the World Wide Web (http://www.pc.ibm.com/desktop/) or through
the PC Company Bulletin Board Service (see “Using Electronic Support Services” on
page
103) in files that can be downloaded onto a diskette.
Updates on the Web site
or BBS will have the file name NZKT
nn
A.EXE, where
nn
is a release number.
Instructions for using the system programs updates will be available in a README
file included in the downloaded files.
When updating system programs with a flash
diskette, note the following:
If you have set an administrator password, your computer will halt and request the
administrator password.
The update process will not begin until you enter the
password.
If you have set an administrator password, the system programs update
will run only if you first perform a cold startup (the computer is turned off and
then turned on).
Chapter
3.
Operating Your Personal Computer
33