Setting Up System-Management Features

This section describes how to configure the network interface in your computer. You can change the settings of system-management features using the BIOS Setup Utility. The BIOS Setup Utility contains the following functions:

If administrator's (setup) password is set, but you did not specify it when you started BIOS Setup Utility, you cannot use these functions.

Enabling or Disabling Wake on LAN

This setting is used to enable or disable the Wake on LAN feature, which enables your computer to be powered on remotely by a network administrator from a management console. Remote network-management software, such as LCCM and NetFinity, must be used to support Wake on LAN.

Notes:

  1. This feature is valid only when a LAN adapter card with Wake on LAN is installed in the Port Replicator with Advanced Etherjet feature, and its signal line and auxiliary power line are connected to the adapter. The enable or disable setting in your computer is independent of what is set for the Port Replicator with Advanced Etherjet feature.

  2. When the Wake on LAN cables are connected to the Port Replicator with Advanced Etherjet feature correctly and the Wake on LAN function of your computer is "disabled" in the BIOS Setup Utility, the switch is turned on for your computer when the server sends a "wake" signal to it. Your computer's POST (Power On Self Test) recognizes the Wake on LAN status of your computer and turns the switch off a few seconds after it was turned on. This is not an error; however, the network administrator should not set Wake on LAN for LAN cards of the Port Replicator with Advanced Etherjet feature connected to ThinkPad computers that are Wake on LAN disabled.

Setting Up in the BIOS Setup Utility

You can enable or disable Wake on LAN from the Startup menu of the BIOS Setup Utility. When Wake on LAN is enabled, the network administrator can power on remote machines connected on a LAN using remote network-management software. Disable the function when your computer is not under system management of the network administrator. To set this function do either of the following:

  1. During POST (while the IBM ThinkPad logo is being displayed), press F1 to access the BIOS Setup Utility.
  2. Use the cursor up/down keys and select Config and press Enter.

    The "Config" menu appears.

  3. Use the cursor up/down keys and select Network and press Enter.

    The "Network" menu appears.

  4. Use the cursor up/down keys and select Wake On Lan. Use the - or space keys to enable or disable Wake On LAN.
  5. Press F10 to save the changes and press Enter to exit the BIOS Setup Utility.

Setting Up for NetFinity Service

If you have NetFinity Service 5.0 installed in the network and wish to use the Wake on LAN function, do the following:

For Windows 98 or Windows 95 systems:

Add the following line in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file in the root directory of the boot drive: 

SET NFWAKEONLAN=YES

For Windows NT systems:

  1. Log on to the system with administrator privilege.
  2. Click on Start.
  3. Move the cursor to Settings, then click on Control Panel
  4. Double-click on System, and click on the Environment tab.
  5. Click on one of the system variables.
  6. Change the variable name to NFWAKEONLAN and value to Yes, and click on the Set button.
  7. To save the new settings, click on OK.
  8. Restart the system.

Startup Sequence for Wake on LAN

The Startup Sequence for Wake on LAN settings determine the order in which devices in or attached to your computer will start when your computer is turned on remotely. To define a sequence:

  1. During POST (while the IBM ThinkPad logo is being displayed), press F1 to access the BIOS Setup Utility.
  2. Use the cursor up/down keys and select Startup and press Enter.

    The "Startup" menu appears.

  3. Use the cursor up/down keys and select Network and press Enter.

    The "Network" menu appears.

  4. Use the cursor up/down keys and select the device you want to change the startup sequence for; then use the plus/minus keys to move it up or down the list.
  5. Press F10 to save the changes and press Enter to exit the BIOS Setup Utility.
Note:If you want to change the settings back to their default values, press F9.

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 performed every time you turn on your computer. The BIOS is a layer of software that translates instructions from other layers of software into electrical signals that the computer hardware can understand.

In the past, the system programs were stored in a read-only memory (ROM) module on the system board. Generally, the contents of ROM modules cannot be modified after they have been originally programmed. However, a type of nonvolatile memory referred to as electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM) can be reprogrammed while it is in the computer and has replaced the ROM module on the system board in ThinkPad computers. System programs are stored in a type of EEPROM module referred to as Flash memory. The contents of Flash memory can be easily updated with an update (Flash) diskette. The process of updating system programs 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 Web site (http://www.ibm.com/thinkpad). Instructions for using the system programs updates will be available in a README file included in the downloaded files.