Erasing a lost or forgotten administrator password protected by enhanced
security:
Attention
When enhanced security is enabled, it is vital that you keep a record of your
administrator password in a secure place. If you forget or lose the administrator
password, the system board in your computer must be replaced in order to
regain access to the Configuration/Setup Utility program.
Updating system programs
System programs are the basic layer of software built into every IBM 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 every time you turn on your computer. 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.
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 at
http://www.ibm.com/pc/us/desktop/
or
through the PC Company Bulletin Board Service (see “Using electronic support
services” on page 144) 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
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Using Your Personal Computer
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