Updating and recovering the BIOS

The BIOS is the first program that the computer runs when you turn on the computer. The BIOS initializes the hardware components and loads the operating system and other programs.

Updating the BIOS

When you install a new program, hardware device, or device driver, you might be informed to update the BIOS. You can update the BIOS from your operating system or a flash update disc (available only on some models).

  1. Go to https://support.lenovo.com.
  2. To update the BIOS from your operating system, download the flash BIOS update driver according to your operating system version. To update the BIOS from a flash update disc, download the ISO image version (used to create a flash update disc). Then, download the installation instructions for the flash BIOS update driver.
Print the installation instructions you download and follow the instructions to update the BIOS.

Note: If you want to update the BIOS from a flash update disc, the installation instructions might not provide the instructions on how to record the update disc. See Recording a disc.

Recovering from a BIOS update failure

  1. Remove any media from the drives and turn off all connected devices and the computer. Then, disconnect all power cords from electrical outlets and disconnect all cables that are connected to the computer.
  2. Remove the computer cover. See Hardware removal and installation.
  3. Locate the Clear CMOS /Recovery jumper on the system board. See Hardware locations.
  4. Remove any parts and cables that impede your access to the Clear CMOS /Recovery jumper.
  5. Move the jumper from the standard position (pin 5 and pin 6) to the maintenance position (pin 2 and pin 4).
  6. Reinstall the parts and cables that were removed.
  7. Reinstall the computer cover and reconnect any cables that were disconnected. See Hardware removal and installation.

Turn on the computer and insert the BIOS update disc into the optical drive. Wait a few minutes. The recovery process begins. After the recovery process is completed, your computer will shut down automatically.

Note: If the computer does not start up from the disc, select the disc as the startup device. See Selecting a temporary startup device.