mwill1280,
I have done this many times in our Cisco network Academy as it was a lab in the Cisco Lab book for the Academies
You must be running the latest edition of the Standard software and have a TFTP server (a computer running TFTP software) and have the "new" IOS in the proper directory for the TFTP server. If you are using a Windows XP or Vista machine - make sure your firewall allows TFTP communication!!!!
From the Menu -
1) set the IP address for the switch under the menu (I) and then (I) and (S) for the IP and subnet - the switch and TFTP server need to be on the same subnet!!!
2) Set the IP address of the TFTP server (S)
3) Set the file name (F) of the name of the "new" IOS
4) Once above is done select (T) for the firmware configuration - TFTP upgrade - the switch should ask you to confirm the upgrade, then proceed with the upgrade, the switch will be unresponsive for about 1 min. - this is normal.
5) If you had a "good" network setup with proper IP and subnet, the TFTP software was running and the IOS was in the right place AND the name matches what you put in - it should have updated the firmware/IOS and you will see new options on the menu (VLAN) as well as command line.
NOTE - the 1900 switch and the command line (CLI) that it uses is DIFFERENT then what is now tested on the CCNA exam - you should get a 2950 if that is what you are doing!!!!!
Hope this helps!!
E.A. Broda
CCNA, CCDA, CCAI, Network +