Lenovo B490 BIOS Guide Overview | Generated by AI
Question: Introduction to the Lenovo G490 product and its InsydeH2O Setup Utility BIOS
Answer:
The Lenovo G490 does not appear to be an official or widely documented Lenovo laptop model based on available information. It is very likely a typo or misremembering of the Lenovo B490, which was a real budget/business-oriented laptop released around 2012–2013 as part of Lenovo’s Essential B Series (similar to models like B480/B490/B590). There is no evidence of a “G490” product in Lenovo’s lineup from that era or later; Lenovo’s G series included models like G400/G500/G40, but no G490 matches the description. The following introduction is therefore based on the closely related and well-documented Lenovo B490.
Lenovo B490 (likely intended as G490) Overview
The Lenovo B490 was a 14-inch entry-level/business notebook designed for home and office use, emphasizing reliable performance, security features, and affordability.
Key specifications (varied by configuration):
- Display: 14.0-inch HD (1366×768 resolution), high-glossy finish
- Processor: 3rd-generation Intel options, including:
- Intel Core i3 or i5 (HM77 chipset models)
- Intel Pentium or Celeron (HM70 chipset models)
- Graphics: Integrated Intel HD Graphics; some models had switchable discrete NVIDIA GeForce GT 635M (1GB) or GeForce 610M (1GB) via NVIDIA Optimus technology
- Memory: Up to 8GB DDR3-1600 MHz (2 slots on higher models; 1 slot/4GB max on lower models)
- Storage: 2.5-inch HDD (320GB–1TB, 5400 or 7200 RPM); some supported performance booster features
- Optical Drive: DVD/CD multi-burner (on most models)
- Connectivity: USB 3.0 (1–2 ports), USB 2.0 (2 ports), HDMI, VGA, RJ-45 Ethernet, 4-in-1 card reader, combo audio jack
- Wireless: Integrated Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n), optional Bluetooth combo; Gigabit Ethernet
- Other features: Webcam (0.3MP or 720p HD), stereo speakers, AccuType keyboard, optional fingerprint reader, one-key recovery button
- Battery: 6-cell Li-Ion (up to ~5–6 hours depending on configuration)
- Weight and dimensions: ~2.2 kg (4.9 lbs), 340 × 234.6 × 33.1 mm
- Operating systems: Originally shipped with Windows 7 (various editions), Windows 8, or FreeDOS/Ubuntu in some regions
It was positioned as a durable, practical machine with good build quality for its class (e.g., “stone crush” finish in some descriptions) and business-friendly features like enhanced security.
InsydeH2O Setup Utility (BIOS)
The Lenovo B490 (and many other Lenovo laptops from that generation, especially B/E/G/IdeaPad series) used InsydeH2O as its BIOS/UEFI firmware. InsydeH2O (Hardware-2-Operating System) was a common BIOS provider for OEM laptops in the early 2010s, including many Lenovo models.
How to access the BIOS Setup Utility:
- Power on or restart the laptop.
- Immediately and repeatedly press F2 (or sometimes Fn + F2) during the Lenovo logo screen.
- For older Lenovo B-series models like the B490, you could also use the small Novo Button (a pinhole/recovery button usually on the side or near the power button): Press it while the laptop is off to bring up a menu, then select “BIOS Setup”.
Typical InsydeH2O BIOS interface on such models:
- It features tabs like Information, Configuration, Security, Boot, and Exit.
- You can view system info (CPU, memory, etc.), adjust boot order, enable/disable devices (e.g., USB boot, webcam), set supervisor/user passwords, configure date/time, and restore defaults.
- Navigation uses arrow keys, Enter to select, Esc to go back, and often F9 for defaults + F10 to save and exit.
- Some Lenovo InsydeH2O versions had limited/hidden advanced options unless unlocked via specific key combinations (not standard on B490-era models).
Notes:
- This BIOS is legacy (pre-full UEFI on many units), though some configurations supported UEFI mode.
- Common issues included boot loops into BIOS (often due to dead CMOS battery, wrong boot order, or HDD failure).
- For modern use (e.g., installing newer OS like Windows 10/11), users often needed to enable Legacy/CSM boot if UEFI was problematic, or replace the old HDD with an SSD.
If this does not match your exact laptop (e.g., if it is actually a different model like G400/G410 or ThinkPad T490), provide more details such as the exact model number from the bottom sticker or processor generation for more accurate information.
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