Abstract: In a device having a central processing unit, a non-volatile includes a pre-boot program section including an upgrade section, a boot program section, and a functional program section. The pre-boot section includes a predetermined location. When an upgrade is requested, the upgrade program causes a preselected signal to be removed from predetermined location in the pre-boot program. When the upgrade process is complete, the upgrade program causes the preselected signal to be restored to the predetermined location. During execution of the pre-boot program section, when the preselected signal is not present in the predetermined location, then the pre-boot program causes the upgrade program to be executed. The pre-boot program is executed in response to a power on or a reset signal.