Security features. Lenovo E73z, 10Bl

Chapter 10. Additional service information

This chapter provides additional information that the service representative might find helpful.

Security features

Security features in this section include the following:

• Passwords

• Vital Product Data

Hardware controlled passwords

Hardware controlled passwords are set using the Setup Utility program. For more information about

passwords, see “Using passwords” on page 55.

Operating system password

An operating system password is very similar to a power-on password and denies access to the computer by an unauthorized user when the password is activated. The computer is unusable until the password is entered and recognized by the computer.

Vital product data

Each computer has a unique Vital Product Data (VPD) code stored in the nonvolatile memory on the system

board. After you replace the system board, the VPD must be updated. To update the VPD, see “Flash update procedures” on page 111.

BIOS levels

An incorrect level of BIOS can cause false errors and unnecessary FRU replacement. Use the following information to determine the current level of BIOS installed in the computer, the latest BIOS available for the computer, and where to obtain the latest level of BIOS.

• To determine the current Level of BIOS:

– Start the Setup Utility.

– Select Standard CMOS Features.

• Sources for obtaining the latest level BIOS available

1. Lenovo support web site: http://www.lenovo.com/support/

2. Lenovo Customer Support Center

3. Levels 1 and 2 Support

To update (flash) the BIOS, see “Flash update procedures” on page 111.

Note: BIOS settings vary by operating system. Change the BIOS settings before installing a new operating

system. See “Changing the BIOS settings before installing a new operating system” on page 58.

Flash update procedures

This section details how to flash (update) the BIOS.

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Updating (flashing) the BIOS from a disc

This section provides instructions on how to update (flash) the BIOS from a disc on the Windows 8 (64-bit) or

Windows 8.1 (64-bit) operating system and on other operating systems.

Note: You can download a self-starting bootable disc image (known as an ISO image) with the system program updates to create a system-program-update disc. Go to http://www.lenovo.com/support.

To update (flash) the BIOS from a disc on the Windows 8 (64-bit) or Windows 8.1 (64-bit) operating system, do the following:

1. Start the Setup Utility program. See “Starting the Setup Utility program” on page 55.

2. From the Setup Utility program main menu, select Exit ➙ OS Optimized Default ➙ Disabled .

3. Select Yes in the window displayed and press Enter to confirm your selection.

4. Press F10 to save changes and exit the Setup Utility program. See “Exiting the Setup Utility program” on page 58.

5. Repeatedly press and release F12 when turning on the computer. When the Startup Device Menu window opens, release F12.

6. From the Startup Device Menu window, select the desired optical drive as the startup device. Then, insert the disc into this optical drive and press Enter. The update begins.

7. When prompted to change the serial number, it is suggested that you do not make this change by pressing N. However, if you do want to change the serial number, press Y, and then type in the serial number and press Enter.

8. When prompted to change the machine type and model, it is suggested that you do not make this change by pressing N. However, if you do want to change the machine type and model, press Y, and then type in the machine type and model and press Enter.

9. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the update. After the update is completed, remove the disc from the optical drive.

10. Restart your computer and start the Setup Utility program. See “Starting the Setup Utility program” on page 55.

11. From the Setup Utility program main menu, select Exit ➙ OS Optimized Default ➙ Enabled .

12. Select Yes in the window displayed and press Enter to confirm your selection.

13. Press F10 to save changes and exit the Setup Utility program. See “Exiting the Setup Utility program” on page 58.

To update (flash) the BIOS from a disc on other operating systems, do the following:

1. Turn off your computer.

2. Repeatedly press and release F12 when turning on the computer. When the Startup Device Menu window opens, release F12.

3. From the Startup Device Menu window, select the desired optical drive as the startup device. Then, insert the disc into this optical drive and press Enter. The update begins.

4. When prompted to change the serial number, it is suggested that you do not make this change by pressing N. However, if you do want to change the serial number, press Y, and then type in the serial number and press Enter.

5. When prompted to change the machine type and model, it is suggested that you do not make this change by pressing N. However, if you do want to change the machine type and model, press Y, and then type in the machine type and model and press Enter.

6. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the update. After the update is completed, remove the disc from the optical drive.

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Updating (flashing) the BIOS from your operating system

Note: Because Lenovo makes constant improvements to its Web sites, the Web page contents are subject to change without notice, including the contents referenced in the following procedure.

To update (flash) the BIOS from your operating system, do the following:

1. Go to http://www.lenovo.com/support.

2. Click Download Drivers & Software .

3. Click Use Quick Path .

4. Type the 4-digit machine type for your computer in the Quick Path field and then click Find My Product .

5. Click BIOS .

6. Locate the BIOS version that you want to download.

7. Click Click for files . All available files will be displayed.

8. Click the link for the readme file that contains the instructions for updating (flashing) the BIOS from your operating system.

9. Print these instructions. This is very important because these instructions will not be displayed on the screen after the download begins.

10. Follow the printed instructions to download, extract, and install the update.

Recovering from a POST/BIOS update failure

If the power to your computer is interrupted while the POST and BIOS is being updated, your computer might not restart correctly. If this happens, perform the following procedure to recover from the POST and

BIOS update failure. This procedure is commonly called Boot-block Recovery.

1. Remove all media from the drives and turn off all attached devices and the computer. Then, disconnect all power cords from electrical outlets and disconnect all cables that are connected to the computer.

2. Open the computer cover. See “Removing the computer cover” on page 75.

3. Remove the hard disk drive. See “Replacing the 2.5-inch solid-state drive or hybrid hard disk drive” on

page 80 and “Replacing the 3.5-inch hard disk drive or hybrid hard disk drive” on page 78.

4. Locate the Clear CMOS /Recovery jumper on the system board. See “Locating parts on the system board” on page 69.

5. Remove any cables that impede access to the Clear CMOS /Recovery jumper.

6. Move the jumper from the standard position (pin 1 and pin 2) to the maintenance position (pin 2 and pin 3).

7. Reconnect any cables that were disconnected and reinstall the PCI card if removed.

8. Close the computer cover and reconnect the power cords for the computer and monitor to electrical

outlets. See “Completing the parts replacement” on page 108.

9. Turn on the computer and then insert the POST and BIOS update (flash update) disc into the optical drive. Wait a few minutes. Then, the recovery session begins. The recovery session will take two to three minutes. During this time, a warning message will be displayed and no action is needed from you.

10. After the recovery session is completed, there will be no video, and your computer will automatically turn off.

11. Repeat step 1 through step 5.

12. Move the Clear CMOS /Recovery jumper back to the standard position (pin 1 and pin 2).

13. Reconnect any cables that were disconnected and reinstall the PCI card if removed.

14. Close the computer cover and reconnect any cables that were disconnected.

15. Turn on the computer to restart the operating system.

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