Lenovo Edge72 Tower Ug En User Manual (English) Guide Edge 72 Desktop (Think Centre) Type 3485
Lenovo-Thinkcentre-Edge-72-3484Jmu-Users-Manual-329502 lenovo-thinkcentre-edge-72-3484jmu-users-manual-329502
3484JMU to the manual ae939361-046a-417b-8f35-d913c7fba781
2012-06-19
User Manual: Lenovo Edge72 Tower Ug En (English) User Guide Edge 72 Desktop (ThinkCentre) - Type 3485 ThinkCentre Edge 72, 3485
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- Important safety information
- Chapter 1. Product overview
- Chapter 2. Using your computer
- Chapter 3. You and your computer
- Chapter 4. Security
- Chapter 5. Installing or replacing hardware
- Handling static-sensitive devices
- Installing or replacing hardware
- Installing external options
- Removing the computer cover
- Removing and reinstalling the front bezel
- Installing or replacing a PCI card
- Installing or replacing a memory module
- Replacing the battery
- Replacing the primary hard disk drive
- Replacing the optical drive
- Replacing the power supply assembly
- Replacing the heat sink and fan assembly
- Replacing the microprocessor
- Replacing the front audio and USB assembly
- Replacing the WiFi units
- Installing or removing the rear WiFi antenna
- Installing or removing the front WiFi antenna
- Replacing the keyboard or mouse
- Completing the parts replacement
- Chapter 6. Recovery information
- Chapter 7. Using the Setup Utility program
- Chapter 8. Updating system programs
- Chapter 9. Preventing problems
- Chapter 10. Troubleshooting and diagnostics
- Chapter 11. Getting information, help, and service
- Appendix A. Notices
- Appendix B. Regulatory information
- Appendix C. WEEE and recycling information
- Appendix D. Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS)
- Appendix E. ENERGY STAR model information
- Index

ThinkCentre
UserGuide
MachineTypes:3484,3485,and3492

Note:Beforeusingthisinformationandtheproductitsupports,besuretoreadandunderstandthe
“Importantsafetyinformation”onpagevandAppendixA“Notices”onpage111.
ThirdEdition(September2012)
©CopyrightLenovo2012.
LIMITEDANDRESTRICTEDRIGHTSNOTICE:IfdataorsoftwareisdeliveredpursuantaGeneralServicesAdministration
“GSA”contract,use,reproduction,ordisclosureissubjecttorestrictionssetforthinContractNo.GS-35F-05925.

Contents
Importantsafetyinformation......v
Serviceandupgrades.............v
Staticelectricityprevention...........v
Powercordsandpoweradapters........vi
Extensioncordsandrelateddevices.......vi
Plugsandoutlets..............vii
Externaldevices..............vii
Heatandproductventilation.........vii
Operatingenvironment...........viii
Modemsafetyinformation..........viii
Lasercompliancestatement..........ix
Powersupplystatement............ix
Cleaningandmaintenance...........ix
Chapter1.Productoverview......1
Features..................1
Specications................5
Lenovoprograms..............5
AccessingLenovoprogramsontheWindows
7operatingsystem............5
AccessingLenovoprogramsontheWindows
8operatingsystem............7
AnintroductiontoLenovoprograms.....7
Locations..................9
Locatingconnectors,controls,andindicators
onthefrontofyourcomputer.......10
Locatingconnectorsontherearofyour
computer...............11
Locatingcomponents..........12
Locatingpartsonthesystemboard....13
Locatinginternaldrives.........14
Machinetypeandmodellabel.......15
Chapter2.Usingyourcomputer...17
Frequentlyaskedquestions.........17
AccessingControlPanelontheWindows8
operatingsystem..............17
Usingthekeyboard.............18
UsingWindowsshortcutkeys.......18
UsingtheblueThinkVantagebutton....18
Usingangerprintreader........18
Usingthewheelmouse...........19
Adjustingaudio..............19
Aboutyourcomputeraudio........19
Settingthevolumefromthedesktop....19
SettingthevolumefromControlPanel...20
UsingCDsandDVDs............20
HandlingandstoringCDandDVDmedia..20
PlayingaCDorDVD..........21
RecordingaCDorDVD.........21
Chapter3.Youandyourcomputer..23
Accessibilityandcomfort..........23
Arrangingyourworkspace........23
Comfort...............23
Glareandlighting............24
Aircirculation.............24
Electricaloutletsandcablelengths.....24
Registeringyourcomputer..........25
Movingyourcomputertoanothercountryor
region..................25
Voltage-selectionswitch.........25
Replacementpowercords........26
Chapter4.Security..........27
Securityfeatures..............27
Lockingthecomputercover.........28
Attachinganintegratedcablelock.......29
Usingpasswords..............29
BIOSpasswords............29
Windowspasswords..........30
Conguringthengerprintreader.......30
Usingandunderstandingrewalls.......30
Protectingdataagainstviruses........30
Chapter5.Installingorreplacing
hardware...............33
Handlingstatic-sensitivedevices.......33
Installingorreplacinghardware........33
Installingexternaloptions........33
Removingthecomputercover.......34
Removingandreinstallingthefrontbezel..35
InstallingorreplacingaPCIcard......36
Installingorreplacingamemorymodule...39
Replacingthebattery..........41
Replacingtheprimaryharddiskdrive....42
Replacingtheopticaldrive........44
Replacingthepowersupplyassembly...47
Replacingtheheatsinkandfanassembly..48
Replacingthemicroprocessor.......50
ReplacingthefrontaudioandUSB
assembly...............53
ReplacingtheWiFiunits.........54
InstallingorremovingtherearWiFiantenna.59
InstallingorremovingthefrontWiFiantenna.60
©CopyrightLenovo2012i

Replacingthekeyboardormouse.....62
Completingthepartsreplacement.....63
Chapter6.Recoveryinformation...65
RecoveryinformationfortheWindows7operating
system..................65
Creatingandusingrecoverymedia.....65
Performingbackupandrecoveryoperations.66
UsingtheRescueandRecoveryworkspace.67
Creatingandusingarescuemedium....68
Reinstallingpreinstalledapplicationsand
devicedrivers.............69
Reinstallingsoftwareprograms......70
Reinstallingdevicedrivers........70
Solvingrecoveryproblems........70
RecoveryinformationfortheWindows8operating
system..................71
Chapter7.UsingtheSetupUtility
program................73
StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram.......73
Viewingandchangingsettings........73
Usingpasswords..............73
Passwordconsiderations.........74
Power-OnPassword..........74
AdministratorPassword.........74
HardDiskPassword...........74
Setting,changing,anddeletingapassword.74
Erasinglostorforgottenpasswords(clearing
CMOS)................75
Enablingordisablingadevice........75
Selectingastartupdevice..........76
Selectingatemporarystartupdevice....76
Selectingorchangingthestartupdevice
sequence...............76
EnablingErPcompliancemode........76
ExitingtheSetupUtilityprogram.......77
Chapter8.Updatingsystem
programs...............79
Usingsystemprograms...........79
Updating(ashing)theBIOSfromadisc....79
Updating(ashing)theBIOSfromyouroperating
system..................80
RecoveringfromaPOST/BIOSupdatefailure..80
Chapter9.Preventingproblems...81
Keepingyourcomputercurrent........81
Gettingthelatestdevicedriversforyour
computer...............81
Updatingyouroperatingsystem......81
UsingSystemUpdate..........82
Cleaningandmaintenance..........82
Basics................82
Cleaningyourcomputer.........83
Goodmaintenancepractices.......84
Movingyourcomputer...........84
Chapter10.Troubleshootingand
diagnostics..............87
Basictroubleshooting............87
Troubleshootingprocedure..........88
Troubleshooting..............88
Audioproblems............89
CDproblems.............90
DVDproblems.............91
Intermittentproblems..........93
Keyboard,mouse,orpointingdevice
problems...............93
Monitorproblems............95
Networkingproblems..........97
Optionproblems............99
Performanceandlockupproblems.....100
Printerproblems............102
Serialportproblems...........102
Softwareproblems...........103
USBproblems.............104
Diagnosticprograms............104
LenovoSolutionCenter.........104
LenovoThinkVantageToolbox.......105
PC-DoctorforDOS...........105
Chapter11.Gettinginformation,help,
andservice.............107
Informationresources............107
LenovoThinkVantageTools........107
LenovoWelcome............107
HelpandSupport............107
SafetyandWarranty...........107
LenovoWebsite............107
LenovoSupportWebsite.........108
Helpandservice..............108
Usingthedocumentationanddiagnostic
programs...............108
Callingforservice............108
Usingotherservices..........109
Purchasingadditionalservices......109
AppendixA.Notices.........111
Trademarks................112
AppendixB.Regulatory
information.............113
Exportclassicationnotice..........113
iiThinkCentreUserGuide

Televisionoutputnotice...........113
Electronicemissionsnotices.........113
FederalCommunicationsCommission
DeclarationofConformity........113
Additionalregulatoryinformation.......115
AppendixC.WEEEandrecycling
information.............117
ImportantWEEEinformation.........117
Recyclinginformation............117
RecyclinginformationforBrazil........118
BatteryrecyclinginformationforTaiwan.....118
BatteryrecyclinginformationfortheEuropean
Union..................119
AppendixD.RestrictionofHazardous
SubstancesDirective(RoHS)....121
ChinaRoHS................121
TurkishRoHS...............121
UkraineRoHS...............121
IndiaRoHS................122
123
Index.................
©CopyrightLenovo2012iii

ivThinkCentreUserGuide

Importantsafetyinformation
CAUTION:
Beforeusingthismanual,besuretoreadandunderstandalltherelatedsafetyinformationforthis
product.RefertotheinformationinthissectionandthesafetyinformationintheSafety,Warranty,and
SetupGuidethatyoureceivedwiththisproduct.Readingandunderstandingthissafetyinformation
reducestheriskofpersonalinjuryanddamagetoyourproduct.
IfyounolongerhaveacopyoftheSafety,Warranty,andSetupGuide,youcanobtainaPortableDocument
Format(PDF)versionfromtheLenovo®SupportWebsiteathttp://support.lenovo.com.TheLenovoSupport
WebsitealsoprovidestheSafety,Warranty,andSetupGuideandthisUserGuideinadditionallanguages.
Serviceandupgrades
DonotattempttoserviceaproductyourselfunlessinstructedtodosobytheCustomerSupportCenteror
yourdocumentation.OnlyuseaServiceProviderwhoisapprovedtorepairyourparticularproduct.
Note:Somecomputerpartscanbeupgradedorreplacedbythecustomer.Upgradestypicallyare
referredtoasoptions.ReplacementpartsapprovedforcustomerinstallationarereferredtoasCustomer
ReplaceableUnits,orCRUs.Lenovoprovidesdocumentationwithinstructionswhenitisappropriatefor
customerstoinstalloptionsorreplaceCRUs.Youmustcloselyfollowallinstructionswheninstallingor
replacingparts.TheOffstateofapowerindicatordoesnotnecessarilymeanthatvoltagelevelsinsidea
productarezero.Beforeyouremovethecoversfromaproductequippedwithapowercord,alwaysmake
surethatthepoweristurnedoffandthattheproductisunpluggedfromanypowersource.Formore
informationonCRUs,refertoChapter5“Installingorreplacinghardware”onpage33.Ifyouhaveany
questionsorconcerns,contacttheCustomerSupportCenter.
Althoughtherearenomovingpartsinyourcomputerafterthepowercordhasbeendisconnected,the
followingwarningsarerequiredforyoursafety.
CAUTION:
Hazardousmovingparts.Keepngersandotherbodypartsaway.
CAUTION:
BeforereplacinganyCRUs,turnoffthecomputerandwaitthreetoveminutestoletthecomputer
coolbeforeopeningthecover.
Staticelectricityprevention
Staticelectricity,althoughharmlesstoyou,canseriouslydamagecomputercomponentsandoptions.
Improperhandlingofstatic-sensitivepartscancausedamagetothepart.Whenyouunpackanoption
©CopyrightLenovo2012v

orCRU,donotopenthestatic-protectivepackagecontainingthepartuntiltheinstructionsdirectyou
toinstallit.
WhenyouhandleoptionsorCRUs,orperformanyworkinsidethecomputer,takethefollowingprecautions
toavoidstatic-electricitydamage:
•Limityourmovement.Movementcancausestaticelectricitytobuilduparoundyou.
•Alwayshandlecomponentscarefully.Handleadapters,memorymodules,andothercircuitboardsbythe
edges.Nevertouchexposedcircuitry.
•Preventothersfromtouchingcomponents.
•Whenyouinstallastatic-sensitiveoptionorCRU,touchthestatic-protectivepackagecontainingthe
parttoametalexpansion-slotcoverorotherunpaintedmetalsurfaceonthecomputerforatleasttwo
seconds.Thisreducesstaticelectricityinthepackageandyourbody.
•Whenpossible,removethestatic-sensitivepartfromthestatic-protectivepackagingandinstallthepart
withoutsettingitdown.Whenthisisnotpossible,placethestatic-protectivepackagingonasmooth,
levelsurfaceandplacethepartonit.
•Donotplacethepartonthecomputercoverorothermetalsurface.
Powercordsandpoweradapters
Useonlythepowercordsandpoweradapterssuppliedbytheproductmanufacturer.
Thepowercordsshallbesafetyapproved.ForGermany,itshallbeH05VV-F,3G,0.75mm2,orbetter.For
othercountries,thesuitabletypesshallbeusedaccordingly.
Neverwrapapowercordaroundapoweradapterorotherobject.Doingsocanstressthecordinwaysthat
cancausethecordtofray,crack,orcrimp.Thiscanpresentasafetyhazard.
Alwaysroutepowercordssothattheywillnotbewalkedon,trippedover,orpinchedbyobjects.
Protectpowercordandpoweradaptersfromliquids.Forinstance,donotleaveyourpowercordorpower
adapternearsinks,tubs,toilets,oronoorsthatarecleanedwithliquidcleansers.Liquidscancausea
shortcircuit,particularlyifthepowercordorpoweradapterhasbeenstressedbymisuse.Liquidsalsocan
causegradualcorrosionofpowercordterminalsand/ortheconnectorterminalsonapoweradapter,
whichcaneventuallyresultinoverheating.
Alwaysconnectpowercordsandsignalcablesinthecorrectorderandensurethatallpowercord
connectorsaresecurelyandcompletelypluggedintoreceptacles.
Donotuseanypoweradapterthatshowscorrosionattheacinputpinsorshowssignsofoverheating(such
asdeformedplastic)attheacinputoranywhereonthepoweradapter.
Donotuseanypowercordswheretheelectricalcontactsoneitherendshowsignsofcorrosionor
overheatingorwherethepowercordappearstohavebeendamagedinanyway.
Extensioncordsandrelateddevices
Ensurethatextensioncords,surgeprotectors,uninterruptiblepowersupplies,andpowerstripsthatyouuse
areratedtohandletheelectricalrequirementsoftheproduct.Neveroverloadthesedevices.Ifpowerstrips
areused,theloadshouldnotexceedthepowerstripinputrating.Consultanelectricianformoreinformation
ifyouhavequestionsaboutpowerloads,powerrequirements,andinputratings.
viThinkCentreUserGuide

Plugsandoutlets
Ifareceptacle(poweroutlet)thatyouintendtousewithyourcomputerequipmentappearstobedamaged
orcorroded,donotusetheoutletuntilitisreplacedbyaqualiedelectrician.
Donotbendormodifytheplug.Iftheplugisdamaged,contactthemanufacturertoobtainareplacement.
Donotshareanelectricaloutletwithotherhomeorcommercialappliancesthatdrawlargeamountsof
electricity;otherwise,unstablevoltagemightdamageyourcomputer,data,orattacheddevices.
Someproductsareequippedwithathree-prongedplug.Thisplugtsonlyintoagroundedelectricaloutlet.
Thisisasafetyfeature.Donotdefeatthissafetyfeaturebytryingtoinsertitintoanon-groundedoutlet.If
youcannotinserttheplugintotheoutlet,contactanelectricianforanapprovedoutletadapterortoreplace
theoutletwithonethatenablesthissafetyfeature.Neveroverloadanelectricaloutlet.Theoverallsystem
loadshouldnotexceed80percentofthebranchcircuitrating.Consultanelectricianformoreinformation
ifyouhavequestionsaboutpowerloadsandbranchcircuitratings.
Besurethatthepoweroutletyouareusingisproperlywired,easilyaccessible,andlocatedclosetothe
equipment.Donotfullyextendpowercordsinawaythatwillstressthecords.
Besurethatthepoweroutletprovidesthecorrectvoltageandcurrentfortheproductyouareinstalling.
Carefullyconnectanddisconnecttheequipmentfromtheelectricaloutlet.
Externaldevices
DonotconnectordisconnectanyexternaldevicecablesotherthanUniversalSerialBus(USB)and1394
cableswhilethecomputerpowerison;otherwise,youmightdamageyourcomputer.Toavoidpossible
damagetoattacheddevices,waitatleastvesecondsafterthecomputerisshutdowntodisconnect
externaldevices.
Heatandproductventilation
Computers,poweradapters,andmanyaccessoriescangenerateheatwhenturnedonandwhenbatteries
arecharging.Alwaysfollowthesebasicprecautions:
•Donotleaveyourcomputer,poweradapter,oraccessoriesincontactwithyourlaporanypartofyour
bodyforanextendedperiodwhentheproductsarefunctioningorwhenthebatteryischarging.Your
computer,poweradapter,andmanyaccessoriesproducesomeheatduringnormaloperation.Extended
contactwiththebodycouldcausediscomfortor,potentially,askinburn.
•Donotchargethebatteryoroperateyourcomputer,poweradapter,oraccessoriesnearammable
materialsorinexplosiveenvironments.
•Ventilationslots,fans,andheatsinksareprovidedwiththeproductforsafety,comfort,andreliable
operation.Thesefeaturesmightinadvertentlybecomeblockedbyplacingtheproductonabed,sofa,
carpet,orotherexiblesurface.Neverblock,cover,ordisablethesefeatures.
Inspectyourdesktopcomputerfordustaccumulationatleastonceeverythreemonths.Beforeinspecting
yourcomputer,turnoffthepowerandunplugthecomputer'spowercordfromtheelectricaloutlet;then
removeanydustfromventsandperforationsinthebezel.Ifyounoticeexternaldustaccumulation,then
examineandremovedustfromtheinsideofthecomputerincludingheatsinkinletns,powersupplyvents,
andfans.Alwaysturnoffandunplugthecomputerbeforeopeningthecover.Ifpossible,avoidoperating
yourcomputerwithintwofeetofhigh-trafcareas.Ifyoumustoperateyourcomputerinornearahigh-trafc
area,inspectand,ifnecessary,cleanyourcomputermorefrequently.
©CopyrightLenovo2012vii

Foryoursafetyandtomaintainoptimumcomputerperformance,alwaysfollowthesebasicprecautions
withyourdesktopcomputer:
•Keepthecoverclosedwheneverthecomputerispluggedin.
•Regularlyinspecttheoutsideofthecomputerfordustaccumulation.
•Removedustfromventsandanyperforationsinthebezel.Morefrequentcleaningsmightberequiredfor
computersindustyorhigh-trafcareas.
•Donotrestrictorblockanyventilationopenings.
•Donotstoreoroperateyourcomputerinsidefurniture,asthismightincreasetheriskofoverheating.
•Airowtemperaturesintothecomputershouldnotexceed35°C(95°F).
•Donotinstallairltrationdevices.Theymayinterferewithpropercooling.
Operatingenvironment
Theoptimalenvironmentinwhichtouseyourcomputeris10°C-35°C(50°F-95°F)withhumidityranging
between35%and80%.Ifyourcomputerisstoredortransportedintemperatureslessthan10°C(50°F),
allowthecoldcomputertoriseslowlytoanoptimaloperatingtemperatureof10°C-35°C(50°F-95°F)before
use.Thisprocesscouldtaketwohoursinextremeconditions.Failuretoallowyourcomputertorisetoan
optimaloperatingtemperaturebeforeusecouldresultinirreparabledamagetoyourcomputer.
Ifpossible,placeyourcomputerinawell-ventilatedanddryareawithoutdirectexposuretosunshine.
Keepelectricalappliancessuchasanelectricfan,radio,high-poweredspeakers,airconditioner,and
microwaveovenawayfromyourcomputerbecausethestrongmagneticeldsgeneratedbythese
appliancescandamagethemonitoranddataontheharddiskdrive.
Donotplaceanybeveragesontopoforbesidethecomputerorotherattacheddevices.Ifliquidisspilledon
orinthecomputeroranattacheddevice,ashortcircuitorotherdamagemightoccur.
Donoteatorsmokeoveryourkeyboard.Particlesthatfallintoyourkeyboardcancausedamage.
Modemsafetyinformation
CAUTION:
Toreducetheriskofre,useonlyNo.26AWGorlarger(forexample,No.24AWG)telecommunication
linecordlistedbyUnderwritersLaboratories(UL)orcertiedbytheCanadianStandardsAssociation
(CSA).
Toreducetheriskofre,electricalshock,orinjurywhenusingtelephoneequipment,alwaysfollowbasic
safetyprecautions,suchas:
•Neverinstalltelephonewiringduringalightningstorm.
•Neverinstalltelephonejacksinwetlocationsunlessthejackisspecicallydesignedforwetlocations.
•Nevertouchuninsulatedtelephonewiresorterminalsunlessthetelephonelinehasbeendisconnectedat
thenetworkinterface.
•Usecautionwheninstallingormodifyingtelephonelines.
•Avoidusingatelephone(otherthanacordlesstype)duringanelectricalstorm.Theremaybearemote
riskofelectricshockfromlightning.
•Donotusethetelephonetoreportagasleakinthevicinityoftheleak.
viiiThinkCentreUserGuide

Lasercompliancestatement
CAUTION:
Whenlaserproducts(suchasCD-ROMs,DVDdrives,beropticdevices,ortransmitters)are
installed,notethefollowing:
•Donotremovethecovers.Removingthecoversofthelaserproductcouldresultinexposureto
hazardouslaserradiation.Therearenoserviceablepartsinsidethedevice.
•Useofcontrolsoradjustmentsorperformanceofproceduresotherthanthosespeciedherein
mightresultinhazardousradiationexposure.
DANGER
SomelaserproductscontainanembeddedClass3AorClass3Blaserdiode.Notethefollowing:
Laserradiationwhenopen.Donotstareintothebeam,donotviewdirectlywithoptical
instruments,andavoiddirectexposuretothebeam.
Powersupplystatement
Neverremovethecoveronapowersupplyoranypartthathasthefollowinglabelattached.
Hazardousvoltage,current,andenergylevelsarepresentinsideanycomponentthathasthislabelattached.
Therearenoserviceablepartsinsidethesecomponents.Ifyoususpectaproblemwithoneoftheseparts,
contactaservicetechnician.
Cleaningandmaintenance
Keepyourcomputerandworkspaceclean.Shutdownthecomputerandthendisconnectthepower
cordbeforecleaningthecomputer.Donotsprayanyliquiddetergentdirectlyonthecomputeroruse
anydetergentcontainingammablematerialtocleanthecomputer.Spraythedetergentonasoftcloth
andthenwipethecomputersurfaces.
©CopyrightLenovo2012ix

xThinkCentreUserGuide

Chapter1.Productoverview
Thischapterprovidesinformationaboutthecomputerfeatures,specications,softwareprogramsprovided
byLenovo,andlocationsofconnectors,components,partsonthesystemboard,andinternaldrives.
Features
Thissectionintroducesthecomputerfeatures.Theinformationcoversavarietyofmodels.
Toviewtheinformationaboutyourspecicmodel,dooneofthefollowing:
•GointotheSetupUtilityprogrambyfollowingtheinstructionsinChapter7“UsingtheSetupUtility
program”onpage73.Then,selectMain➙SystemSummarytoviewtheinformation.
•OntheMicrosoft®Windows®7operationsystem,clickStart,right-clickComputer,andselectProperties
toviewtheinformation.
•OntheWindows8operatingsystem,moveyourcursortothetop-rightorbottom-rightcornerofthe
screentodisplaythecharms.ThenclickSettings➙PCinfotoviewtheinformation.
Microprocessor
Yourcomputercomeswithoneofthefollowingmicroprocessors(internalcachesizevariesbymodeltype):
•Intel®Core™i3microprocessor
•IntelCorei5microprocessor
•IntelCorei7microprocessor
•IntelCeleron®microprocessor
•IntelPentium®microprocessor
Memory
Yourcomputersupportsuptotwodoubledatarate3unbuffereddualinlinememorymodules(DDR3
UDIMMs).
Internaldrives
•Opticaldrive:DVD-ROMorDVD-R(optional)
•SerialAdvancedTechnologyAttachment(SATA)harddiskdrive
Videosubsystem
•IntegratedgraphicsforaVideoGraphicsArray(VGA)connectorandaDigitalVideoInterface(DVI)
connector
•PeripheralComponentInterconnect(PCI)Expressx16graphicscardslotonthesystemboardfora
discretegraphicscard
Audiosubsystem
•Integratedhigh-denition(HD)audio
•Audioline-inconnector,audioline-outconnector,andmicrophoneconnectorontherearpanel
•Microphoneconnectorandheadphoneconnectoronthefrontpanel
•Internalspeaker(installedinsomemodels)
©CopyrightLenovo20121

Connectivity
•100/1000MbpsintegratedEthernetcontroller
•PCIFaxmodem(somemodels)
Systemmanagementfeatures
•Abilitytostorepower-onself-test(POST)hardwaretestresults
•DesktopManagementInterface(DMI)
DesktopManagementInterfaceprovidesacommonpathforuserstoaccessinformationaboutall
aspectsofacomputer,includingprocessortype,installationdate,attachedprintersandotherperipherals,
powersources,andmaintenancehistory.
•ErPcompliancemode
Theenergy-relatedproductsdirective(ErP)compliancemodereducestheconsumptionofelectricity
whenyourcomputerisinstandbyoroffmode.Formoreinformation,see“EnablingErPcompliance
mode”onpage76.
•IntelStandardManageability
IntelStandardManageabilityishardwareandrmwaretechnologythatbuildscertainfunctionality
intocomputersinordertomakethemeasierandlessexpensiveforbusinessestomonitor,maintain,
update,upgrade,andrepair.
•IntelMatrixStorageManager
IntelMatrixStorageManagerisadevicedriverthatprovidessupportforSATARAID5arraysandSATA
RAID10arraysonspecicIntelchipsetsystemboardstoenhanceharddiskperformance.
•PrebootExecutionEnvironment(PXE)
ThePrebootExecutionEnvironmentisanenvironmenttostartcomputersusinganetworkinterface
independentofdatastoragedevices(suchastheharddiskdrive)orinstalledoperatingsystems.
•SystemManagement(SM)BasicInput/OutputSystem(BIOS)andSMsoftware
TheSMBIOSspecicationdenesdatastructuresandaccessmethodsinaBIOSthatallowsauseror
applicationtostoreandretrieveinformationspecicaboutthecomputerinquestion.
•WakeonLAN
WakeonLANisanEthernetcomputernetworkingstandardthatallowsacomputertobeturnedon
orwokenupbyanetworkmessage.Themessageisusuallysentbyaprogramrunningonanother
computeronthesamelocalareanetwork.
•WakeonRing
WakeonRing,sometimesreferredtoasWakeonModem,isaspecicationthatallowssupported
computersanddevicestoresumefromsleeporhibernationmode.
•WindowsManagementInstrumentation(WMI)
WindowsManagementInstrumentationisasetofextensionstotheWindowsDriverModel.Itprovidesan
operatingsysteminterfacethroughwhichinstrumentedcomponentsprovideinformationandnotication.
2ThinkCentreUserGuide

Input/Output(I/O)features
•OneEthernetconnector
•OneDVImonitorconnector
•Oneoptional9-pinserialport
•OneVGAmonitorconnector
•SixUniversalSerialBus(USB)connectors(twoonthefrontpanelandfourontherearpanel)
•Threeaudioconnectorsontherearpanel(audioline-inconnector,audioline-outconnector,and
microphoneconnector)
•Twoaudioconnectorsonthefrontpanel(microphoneconnectorandheadphoneconnector)
Formoreinformation,see“Locatingconnectors,controls,andindicatorsonthefrontofyourcomputer”on
page10and“Locatingconnectorsontherearofyourcomputer”onpage11.
Expansion
•Oneopticaldrivebay
•Oneslimcardreaderdrivebay
•OnePCIExpressx16graphicscardslot
•Twoharddiskdrivebays(onestandardandoneoptional)
•TwoPCIExpressx1cardslots
Powersupply
Yourcomputercomeswithoneofthefollowingpowersupplies:
•180-wattpowersupplywithamanualvoltage-selectionswitch
•280-wattautomaticvoltage-sensingpowersupply
Securityfeatures
•ComputraceAgentsoftwareembeddedinrmware
•Abilitytoenableordisableadevice
•AbilitytoenableanddisableUSBconnectorsindividually
•Power-onpassword(POP),administratorpassword,andharddiskdrivepasswordtodeterunauthorized
useofyourcomputer
•Startupsequencecontrol
•Startupwithoutkeyboardormouse
•Supportforanintegratedcablelock(Kensingtonlock)
•Supportforapadlock
Formoreinformation,seeChapter4“Security”onpage27.
Preinstalledsoftwareprograms
Yourcomputerispreinstalledwithsoftwareprogramstohelpyouworkmoreeasilyandsecurely.Formore
information,see“Lenovoprograms”onpage5.
Preinstalledoperatingsystem
Yourcomputerispreinstalledwithoneofthefollowingoperatingsystems:
Chapter1.Productoverview3

•MicrosoftWindows7operatingsystem
•MicrosoftWindows8operatingsystem
Operatingsystem(s),certiedortestedforcompatibility1(variesbymodeltype)
•Linux®
•MicrosoftWindowsXPProfessionalSP3
1.Theoperatingsystem(s)listedherearebeingcertiedortestedforcompatibilityatthetimethispublicationgoesto
press.AdditionaloperatingsystemsmightbeidentiedbyLenovoascompatiblewithyourcomputerfollowingthe
publicationofthismanual.Thislistissubjecttochange.Todetermineifanoperatingsystemhasbeencertiedor
testedforcompatibility,checktheWebsiteoftheoperatingsystemvendor.
4ThinkCentreUserGuide

Specications
Thissectionliststhephysicalspecicationsforyourcomputer.
Dimensions
Width:160mm(6.3inches)
Height:355mm(14inches)
Depth:355mm(14inches)
Weight
Maximumcongurationasshipped:7.5kg(16.5lb)(withoutpackage)
Maximumcongurationasshipped:10.5kg(23.1lb)(withpackage)
Environment
•Airtemperature:
Operating:10°Cto35°C(50°Fto95°F)
Non-operating:-40°Cto60°C(-40°Fto140°F)
Non-operating:-10°Cto60°C(14°Fto140°F)(withoutpackage)
•Humidity:
Operating:20%to80%(non-condensing)
Non-operating:20%to90%(non-condensing)
•Altitude:
Operating:-50to10000ft(-15.2to3048m)
Non-operating:-50to35000ft(-15.2to10668m)
Electricalinput
•Inputvoltage:
–Lowrange:
Minimum:100Vac
Maximum:127Vac
Inputfrequencyrange:50to60Hz
Voltage-selectionswitchsetting:115Vac
–Highrange:
Minimum:200Vac
Maximum:240Vac
Inputfrequencyrange:50to60Hz
Voltage-selectionswitchsetting:230Vac
Lenovoprograms
YourcomputercomeswithLenovoprogramstohelpyouworkmoreeasilyandsecurely.Dependingon
theWindowsoperatingsystempreinstalled,theprogramsmightvary.
AccessingLenovoprogramsontheWindows7operatingsystem
OntheWindows7operatingsystem,youcanaccessLenovoprogramsfromeithertheLenovo
ThinkVantage®ToolsprogramorfromControlPanel.
Chapter1.Productoverview5

AccessingLenovoprogramsfromtheLenovoThinkVantageToolsprogram
ToaccessLenovoprogramsfromtheLenovoThinkVantageToolsprogram,clickStart➙AllPrograms➙
LenovoThinkVantageTools.Thendouble-clickaprogramicontoaccesstheprogram.
Note:IfaprogramiconintheLenovoThinkVantageToolsprogramnavigationwindowisdimmed,it
indicatesthatyouneedtoinstalltheprogrammanually.Toinstalltheprogrammanually,double-clickthe
programicon.Then,followtheinstructionsonthescreen.Whentheinstallationprocesscompletes,the
programiconwillbeactivated.
Table1.ProgramsintheLenovoThinkVantageToolsprogram
ProgramIconname
CommunicationsUtilityWebConferencing
FingerprintSoftwareFingerprintReader
LenovoSolutionCenterSystemHealthandDiagnostics
PasswordManagerPasswordVault
PowerManagerPowerControls
RecoveryMediaFactoryRecoveryDisks
RescueandRecovery®EnhancedBackupandRestore
SimpleTapSimpleTap
SystemUpdateUpdateandDrivers
ViewManagementUtilityScreenLayout
Note:Dependingonyourcomputermodel,someoftheprogramsmightnotbeavailable.
AccessingLenovoprogramsfromControlPanel
ToaccessLenovoprogramsfromControlPanel,clickStart➙ControlPanel.Thendependingonthe
programyouwanttoaccess,clickthecorrespondingsectionandthenclickthecorrespondinggreentext.
Note:IfyoudonotndtheprogramyouneedinControlPanel,opentheLenovoThinkVantageTools
programnavigationwindowanddouble-clickthedimmedicontoinstalltheprogramyouneed.Then,
followtheinstructionsonthescreen.Whentheinstallationprocesscompletes,theprogramiconwillbe
activated,andyoucanndtheprograminControlPanel.
TheprogramsandthecorrespondingsectionsandgreentextsinControlPanelarelistedinthefollowing
table.
Table2.ProgramsinControlPanel
ProgramControlPanelsectionGreentextinControlPanel
CommunicationsUtilityHardwareandSoundLenovo-WebConferencing
FingerprintSoftwareSystemandSecurity
HardwareandSound
Lenovo-FingerprintReader
LenovoSolutionCenterSystemandSecurityLenovo-SystemHealthand
Diagnostics
PasswordManagerSystemandSecurity
UserAccountsandFamilySafety
Lenovo-PasswordVault
PowerManagerHardwareandSound
SystemandSecurity
Lenovo-PowerControls
6ThinkCentreUserGuide

Table2.ProgramsinControlPanel(continued)
ProgramControlPanelsectionGreentextinControlPanel
RecoveryMediaSystemandSecurityLenovo-FactoryRecoveryDisks
RescueandRecoverySystemandSecurityLenovo-EnhancedBackupand
Restore
SimpleTapProgramsLenovo-SimpleTap
SystemUpdateSystemandSecurityLenovo-UpdateandDrivers
ViewManagementUtilitySystemandSecurityLenovoViewManagementUtility
Note:Dependingonyourcomputermodel,someoftheprogramsmightnotbeavailable.
AccessingLenovoprogramsontheWindows8operatingsystem
IfyourcomputerispreinstalledwiththeWindows8operatingsystem,youcanaccessLenovoprogramsby
doingeitherofthefollowing:
•ClicktheLenovoQuickLaunchiconfromthetaskbar.Alistofprogramsisdisplayed.Double-clicka
Lenovoprogramtolaunchit.Ifadesiredprogramisnotinthelist,clicktheplusicon+.
•PresstheWindowskeytogototheStartscreen.ClickaLenovoprogramtolaunchit.Ifyoucannotnd
theprogramyouneed,movethepointertothebottom-rightcornerofthescreentodisplaythecharms.
ThenclicktheSearchcharmtosearchforthedesiredprogram.
YourcomputersupportsthefollowingLenovoprograms:
•FingerprintSoftware
•LenovoCompanion
•LenovoSettings
•LenovoSolutionCenter
•LenovoQuickLaunch
•LenovoSupport
•PasswordManager
•SystemUpdate
AnintroductiontoLenovoprograms
ThistopicprovidesabriefintroductiontosomeLenovoprograms.
Note:Dependingonyourcomputermodel,someoftheprogramsmightnotbeavailable.
•CommunicationsUtility
TheCommunicationsUtilityprogramprovidesacentrallocationforintegratedcameraandmicrophone
settings.ItcontrolsadvancedsettingsfortheintegratedmicrophoneandcameratooptimizeWeb
conferencingandVoiceoverIP(VOIP)experience.
•FingerprintSoftware
Theintegratedngerprintreaderprovidedonsomekeyboardsenablesyoutoenrollyourngerprint
andassociateitwithyourpower-onpassword,harddiskpassword,andWindowspassword.Asa
result,ngerprintauthenticationcanreplacepasswordsandenablesimpleandsecureuseraccess.A
ngerprintreaderkeyboardisavailablewithselectcomputersorcanbepurchasedforcomputersthat
supportthisoption.
•LenovoCloudStorage
Chapter1.Productoverview7

TheLenovoCloudStorageprogramisacloudstoragesolutionthatenablesyoutostoreyourles,such
asdocumentsandpictures,onaserver.YoucanaccessthestoredlesthroughtheInternetfrom
differentdevicessuchaspersonalcomputers,smartphones,ortablets.Formoreinformationaboutthe
LenovoCloudStorageprogram,gotohttp://www.lenovo.com/cloud.
•LenovoCompanion
ThroughtheLenovoCompanionprogram,youcangettheinformationabouttheaccessoriesforyour
computer,viewbolgsandarticlesaboutyourcomputer,andcheckforotherrecommendedprograms.
•LenovoSettings
UsetheLenovoSettingsprogramtoenhanceyourcomputingexperiencebyturningyourcomputerintoa
portablehotspot,conguringcameraandaudiosettings,optimizingyourpowerplansettings,and
creatingandmanagingmultiplenetworkproles.
•LenovoSolutionCenter
TheLenovoSolutionCenterprogramenablesyoutotroubleshootandresolvecomputerproblems.It
combinesdiagnostictests,systeminformationcollection,securitystatus,andsupportinformation,along
withhintsandtipsformaximumsystemperformance.
•LenovoQuickLaunch
TheLenovoQuickLaunchprogramprovidesyouwithquickaccesstoprogramsinstalledonyour
computer,includingLenovoprograms,Microsoftprograms,andotherthirdpartyprograms.
•LenovoSupport
TheLenovoSupportprogramenablesyoutoregisteryourcomputerwithLenovo,checkthecomputer
healthconditionandbatterystatus,downloadandviewusermanualsforyourcomputer,getthewarranty
informationofyourcomputer,andexplorehelpandsupportinformation.
•LenovoThinkVantageTools
TheLenovoThinkVantageToolsprogramguidesyoutoahostofinformationsourcesandprovideseasy
accesstovarioustoolstohelpyouworkmoreeasilyandsecurely.
•LenovoWelcome
TheLenovoWelcomeprogramintroducesyoutosomeinnovativebuilt-infeaturesofLenovoandguides
youthroughafewimportantsetuptaskstohelpyoumakethemostofyourcomputer.
•PasswordManager
ThePasswordManagerprogramautomaticallycapturesandllsinauthenticationinformationfor
WindowsprogramsandWebsites.
•PowerManager
ThePowerManagerprogramprovidesconvenient,exible,andcompletepowermanagementforyour
computer.Itenablesyoutoadjustyourcomputerpowersettingstoachievethebestbalancebetween
performanceandpowersaving.
•RecoveryMedia
TheRecoveryMediaprogramenablesyoutorestorethecontentsoftheharddiskdrivetothefactory
defaultsettings.
•RescueandRecovery
TheRescueandRecoveryprogramisaone-buttonrecoveryandrestoresolutionthatincludesasetof
self-recoverytoolstohelpyoudiagnosecomputerproblems,gethelp,andrecoverfromsystemcrashes,
evenifyoucannotstarttheWindowsoperatingsystem.
•SimpleTap
TheSimpleTapprogramprovidesyouwithaquickwaytocustomizesomebasiccomputersettingssuch
asmutingthespeakers,adjustingthevolume,lockingthecomputeroperatingsystem,launchinga
8ThinkCentreUserGuide

program,openingaWebpage,openingale,andsoon.YoualsocanusetheSimpleTapprogramto
accesstheLenovoAppShop,fromwhichyoucandownloadvariousapplicationsandcomputersoftware.
TostarttheSimpleTapprograminaquickway,doanyofthefollowing:
–ClicktheredSimpleTaplaunchpointonthedesktop.Theredlaunchpointisavailableonthedesktop
afteryouhavelaunchedtheSimpleTapprogramforthersttime.
–PresstheblueThinkVantagebuttonifyourkeyboardhasone.
Note:TheSimpleTapprogramisonlyavailableoncertainmodelspreinstalledwiththeWindows7
operatingsystem.IfyourWindows7modelisnotpreinstalledwiththeSimpleTapprogram,youcan
downloaditfromhttp://www.lenovo.com/support.
•SystemUpdate
TheSystemUpdateprogramhelpsyoukeepthesoftwareonyourcomputerup-to-datebydownloading
andinstallingsoftwareupdatepackages(Lenovoprograms,devicedrivers,UEFIBIOSupdates,and
otherthirdpartyprograms).
•ViewManagementUtility
TheViewManagementUtilityprogramenablesyoutoeasilyorganizeyouropenwindows.Itdividesyour
screenintomultiplepartsandthenresizesandpositionsopenwindowsintodifferentpartstomakethe
bestuseofyourdesktop.Theprogramalsoisabletoworkacrossmultiplemonitorstoimproveyour
productivity.
Locations
Thissectionprovidesinformationtohelpyoulocatetheconnectorsonthefrontandrearofyourcomputer,
partsonthesystemboard,andcomponentsandinternaldrivesinyourcomputer.
Chapter1.Productoverview9

Locatingconnectors,controls,andindicatorsonthefrontofyour
computer
Figure1“Frontconnector,control,andindicatorlocations”onpage10showsthelocationsofthe
connectors,controls,andindicatorsonthefrontofyourcomputer.
Figure1.Frontconnector,control,andindicatorlocations
1Harddiskdriveactivityindicator5USBconnector(USBport1)
2Powerindicator6Headphoneconnector
3Powerswitch7Microphoneconnector
4Opticaldriveeject/closebutton8USBconnector(USBport2)
10ThinkCentreUserGuide

Locatingconnectorsontherearofyourcomputer
Figure2“Rearconnectorlocations”onpage11showsthelocationsoftheconnectorsontherearofyour
computer.Someconnectorsontherearofyourcomputerarecolor-codedtohelpyoudeterminewhereto
connectthecablesonyourcomputer.
Figure2.Rearconnectorlocations
1Voltage-selectionswitch(availableonsome
models)
9PCIExpressx16graphicscardslot
2Powercordconnector10PCIExpressx1cardslots(2)
3DVImonitorconnector11Integratedcablelock(Kingstonlock)slot
4VGAmonitorconnector12Padlockloop
5USBconnectors(USBports3to6)13Optionalserialport
6Microphoneconnector14Ethernetconnector
7Audioline-outconnector15Optionalserialport
8Audioline-inconnector
ConnectorDescription
Audioline-inconnectorUsedtoreceiveaudiosignalsfromanexternalaudiodevice,suchasastereo
system.Whenyouattachanexternalaudiodevice,acableisconnectedbetween
theaudioline-outconnectorofthedeviceandtheaudioline-inconnectorofthe
computer.
Audioline-outconnectorUsedtosendaudiosignalsfromthecomputertoexternaldevices,suchaspowered
stereospeakers(speakerswithbuilt-inampliers),headphones,multimedia
keyboards,ortheaudioline-inconnectoronastereosystemorotherexternal
recordingdevice.
DVImonitorconnectorUsedtoattachaDVImonitororotherdevicesthatuseaDVImonitorconnector.
Chapter1.Productoverview11

ConnectorDescription
EthernetconnectorUsedtoattachanEthernetcableforalocalareanetwork(LAN).
Note:TooperatethecomputerwithinFCCClassBlimits,useaCategory5Ethernet
cable.
MicrophoneconnectorUsedtoattachamicrophonetoyourcomputerwhenyouwanttorecordsoundorif
youusespeech-recognitionsoftware.
SerialportUsedtoattachanexternalmodem,aserialprinter,orotherdevicesthatusea
9-pinserialport.
USBconnectorUsedtoattachadevicethatrequiresaUSBconnector,suchasaUSBkeyboard,a
USBmouse,aUSBscanner,oraUSBprinter.IfyouhavemorethaneightUSB
devices,youcanpurchaseaUSBhub,whichyoucanusetoconnectadditional
USBdevices.
VGAmonitorconnectorUsedtoattachaVGAmonitororotherdevicesthatuseaVGAmonitorconnector.
Locatingcomponents
Figure3“Componentlocations”onpage12showsthelocationsofthevariouscomponentsinyour
computer.Toremovethecomputercover,see“Removingthecomputercover”onpage34.
Figure3.Componentlocations
1Heatsinkandfanassembly5PCIcard(installedinsomemodels)
2Memorymodules(2)6PCIExpressx16graphicscardslot
3Frontbezel7Systemboard
4Harddiskdrive8Powersupplyassembly
12ThinkCentreUserGuide

Locatingpartsonthesystemboard
Figure4“Systemboardpartlocations”onpage13showsthelocationsofthepartsonthesystemboard.
Figure4.Systemboardpartlocations
14-pinpowerconnector12ClearCMOS(ComplementaryMetalOxideSemiconductor)
/Recoveryjumper
2Microprocessor13FrontUSBconnector2(forconnectinganadditionalUSB
device)
3Microprocessorfanconnector14FrontUSBconnector3(forconnectinganadditionalUSB
device)
4Memoryslot1(DIMM1)15Battery
5Memoryslot2(DIMM2)16Serial(COM2)connector
6Thermalsensorconnector17Frontaudioconnector
724-pinpowerconnector18Internalspeakerconnector
8Powerfanconnector19PCIExpressx1cardslots(2)
9SATAconnectors(3)20PCIExpressx16graphicscardslot
10Frontpanelconnector(forconnectingLED
indicatorsandthepowerswitch)
21Systemfanconnector
11FrontUSBconnector1(forconnectingUSB
ports1and2onthefrontbezel)
Chapter1.Productoverview13

Locatinginternaldrives
Internaldrivesaredevicesthatyourcomputerusestoreadandstoredata.Youcanadddrivestoyour
computertoincreasestoragecapacityandenableyourcomputertoreadothertypesofmedia.Internal
drivesareinstalledinbays.Inthismanual,thebaysarereferredtoasbay1,bay2,andsoon.
Wheninstallingorreplacinganinternaldrive,itisimportanttonotethetypeandsizeofthedrivethatyou
caninstallorreplaceineachbayandcorrectlyconnectthecablestothedriveinstalled.Refertothe
appropriatesectionin“Installingorreplacinghardware”onpage33forinstructionsonhowtoinstallor
replaceinternaldrivesforyourcomputer.
Figure5“Drivebaylocations”onpage14showsthelocationsofthedrivebays.
Figure5.Drivebaylocations
1Bay1-Opticaldrivebay(withanopticaldriveinstalledonsomemodels)
2Bay2-Slimcardreaderdrivebay
3Bay3-Primaryharddiskdrivebay(witha3.5-inchSATAharddiskdriveinstalled)
4Bay4-Secondaryharddiskdrivebay
14ThinkCentreUserGuide

Machinetypeandmodellabel
Themachinetypeandmodellabelidentiesyourcomputer.WhenyoucontactLenovoforhelp,themachine
typeandmodelinformationhelpssupporttechnicianstoidentifyyourcomputerandprovidefasterservice.
Thefollowingisasampleofthemachinetypeandmodellabel.
Figure6.Machinetypeandmodellabel
Chapter1.Productoverview15

16ThinkCentreUserGuide

Chapter2.Usingyourcomputer
Thischapterprovidesinformationonusingsomeofthecomputercomponents.
Frequentlyaskedquestions
Thefollowingareafewtipsthatwillhelpyouoptimizetheuseofyourcomputer.
CanIgetmyuserguideinanotherlanguage?
TheuserguideisavailableinvariouslanguagesontheLenovoSupportWebsiteat:
http://www.lenovo.com/ThinkCentreUserGuides
Wherearemyrecoverydiscs?
Lenovoprovidesaprogramthatenablesyoutocreaterecoverydiscs.Fordetailsaboutcreatingrecovery
discs,see“Creatingrecoverymedia”onpage66.
Additionally,incaseofaharddiskfailure,youcanorderProductRecoverydiscsfromtheLenovoCustomer
SupportCenter.ForinformationaboutcontactingtheCustomerSupportCenter,seeChapter11“Getting
information,help,andservice”onpage107.BeforeusingtheProductRecoverydiscs,refertothe
documentationthatcomeswiththediscs.
Attention:AProductRecoverydiscpackagemightcontainmultiplediscs.Makesureyouhaveallofthe
discsreadybeforestartingtherecoveryprocess.Duringtherecoveryprocess,youmightbeprompted
tochangediscs.
WherecanIndhelpabouttheWindowsoperatingsystem?
TheWindowsHelpandSupportinformationsystemprovidesyouwithdetailedinformationaboutusingthe
Windowsoperatingsystemtohelpyougetthemostofyourcomputer.ToaccesstheWindowsHelpand
Supportinformationsystem,dooneofthefollowing:
•OntheWindows7operatingsystem,clickStart➙HelpandSupport.
•OntheWindows8operatingsystem,moveyourcursortothetop-rightorbottom-rightcornerofthe
screentodisplaythecharms.ThenclickSettings➙Help.
AccessingControlPanelontheWindows8operatingsystem
OntheWindowsoperatingsystem,youcanviewandchangecomputersettingsthroughControlPanel.To
accessControlPanelontheWindows8operatingsystem,dooneofthefollowing:
•Fromthedesktop
1.Movethecursortothetop-rightorbottom-rightcornerofthescreentodisplaythecharms.
2.ClickSettings.
3.ClickControlPanel.
•FromtheStartscreen
1.Movethecursortothetop-rightorbottom-rightcornerofthescreentodisplaythecharms.
2.ClickSearch.
3.OntheAppsscreen,scrolltotherightside,andclickControlPanelintheWindowsSystemsection.
©CopyrightLenovo201217

Usingthekeyboard
Dependingonyourmodel,yourcomputercomeswitheitherastandardkeyboardorangerprintreader
keyboard.TheMicrosoftWindowsshortcutkeysareprovidedonbothkeyboardtypes.
Thissectionprovidesinformationaboutthefollowingtopics:
•“UsingWindowsshortcutkeys”onpage18
•“Usingangerprintreader”onpage18
UsingWindowsshortcutkeys
Boththestandardkeyboardandthengerprintreaderkeyboardprovidethreekeysyoucanusewithyour
MicrosoftWindowsoperatingsystem.
•ThetwoWindowslogokeysarelocatedbesidetheAltkeyoneithersideofthespacebar.Theyfeature
theWindowslogo.OntheWindows7operatingsystem,presstheWindowskeytoopentheStartmenu.
OntheWindows8operatingsystem,presstheWindowskeytoswitchbetweenthecurrentworkspace
andtheStartscreen.ThestyleoftheWindowslogovariesdependingonthekeyboardtype.
•Thecontext-menukeyislocatednexttotheCtrlkeyontherightsideoftheSpacebar.Pressingthe
context-menukeyopensthecontextmenufortheactiveprogram,icon,orobject.
Note:YoucanusethemouseortheUpandDownarrowkeystohighlightmenuselections.OntheWindows
7operatingsystem,youcanclosetheStartmenuorthecontextmenubyclickingthemouseorpressingEsc.
UsingtheblueThinkVantagebutton
SomekeyboardshaveablueThinkVantagebuttonthatyoucanusetoopenacomprehensiveon-boardhelp
andinformationcenterfromLenovo.PressingtheblueThinkVantagebuttonopenstheSimpleTapprogram
ontheWindows7operatingsystemortheLenovoPCDeviceExperienceprogramontheWindows8
operatingsystem.
Usingangerprintreader
Somecomputersmightcomewithakeyboardthathasangerprintreader.Formoreinformationaboutthe
ngerprintreader,see“AnintroductiontoLenovoprograms”onpage7.
ToopentheThinkVantageFingerprintSoftwareprogramandusethengerprintreader,see“Lenovo
programs”onpage5.
Followtheinstructionsonthescreen.Foradditionalinformation,refertotheThinkVantageFingerprint
Softwarehelpsystem.
18ThinkCentreUserGuide

Usingthewheelmouse
Thewheelmousehasthefollowingcontrols:
1PrimarymousebuttonUsethisbuttontoselectorstartaprogramormenuitem.
2WheelUsethewheeltocontrolthescrollingactionofthemouse.Thedirectioninwhichyou
rotatethewheelcontrolsthedirectionofthescrollingaction.
3SecondarymousebuttonUsethisbuttontodisplayamenufortheactiveprogram,icon,orobject.
Youcanswitchthefunctionoftheprimaryandsecondarymousebuttonsandchangeotherdefaultbehavior
throughthemousepropertiesfunctionintheWindowsControlPanel.
Adjustingaudio
Soundisanimportantpartofthecomputerexperience.Yourcomputerhasadigitalaudiocontrollerbuilt
intothesystemboard.Somemodelsalsohaveahigh-performanceaudioadapterinstalledinoneofthePCI
cardslots.
Aboutyourcomputeraudio
Ifafactory-installed,high-performanceaudioadapterisinstalledinyourcomputer,thesystem-board
audioconnectorsontherearofthecomputeraretypicallydisabled;usetheconnectorsprovidedonthe
audioadapter.
Eachaudiosolutionprovidesatleastthreeaudioconnectors:audioline-inconnector,audioline-out
connector,andMicrophoneconnector.Onsomemodels,afourthconnectorisprovidedfortheattachment
ofunpoweredstereospeakers(speakersthatdonotrequireanacpowersource).Theaudioadapter
providesyouwiththeabilitytorecordandplaybacksoundandmusic,aswellastoenjoysoundwith
multimediaapplicationsandworkwithspeech-recognitionsoftware.
Optionally,youcanconnectasetofpoweredstereospeakerstotheaudioline-outconnectortoenjoy
bettersoundwithmultimediaapplications.
Settingthevolumefromthedesktop
Thedesktopvolumecontrolisaccessiblethroughthevolumeiconinthetaskbar,whichislocatedatthe
bottom-rightcorneroftheWindowsdesktop.Clickthevolumeiconandmovethesliderupordownto
controlthevolume,orclicktheMuteicontoturntheaudiooff.Ifthevolumeiconisnotinthetaskbar,see
“Addingthevolumeicontothetaskbar”onpage19.
Addingthevolumeicontothetaskbar
ToaddthevolumeicontothetaskbarontheWindows7operatingsystem,dothefollowing:
Chapter2.Usingyourcomputer19

1.FromtheWindowsdesktop,clickStart➙ControlPanel➙AppearanceandPersonalization.
2.IntheTaskbarandStartMenusection,clickCustomizeiconsonthetaskbar.
3.ClickTurnsystemiconsonoroffandchangethevolumebehaviorsfromOfftoOn.
4.ClickOKtosavethenewsettings.
ToaddthevolumeicontothetaskbarontheWindows8operatingsystem,dothefollowing:
1.OpenControlPanel,andclickAppearanceandPersonalization.
2.IntheTaskbarsection,clickCustomizeiconsonthetaskbar.
3.ClickTurnsystemiconsonoroffandchangethevolumebehaviorsfromOfftoOn.
4.ClickOKtosavethenewsettings.
SettingthevolumefromControlPanel
YoucansetthecomputervolumefromControlPanel.TosetthecomputervolumefromControlPanel,
dothefollowing:
1.OntheWindows7operatingsystem,clickStart➙ControlPanel➙HardwareandSound.Onthe
Windows8operatingsystem,openControlPanel,andclickHardwareandSound.
2.IntheSoundsection,clickAdjustsystemvolume.
3.Movetheslidersupordowntoraiseorlowerthevolumeofyourcomputer.
UsingCDsandDVDs
YourcomputermighthaveaDVDROMdriveorrecordableDVDdriveinstalled.DVDdrivesuse
industry-standard,12cm(4.75-inch)CDmediaorDVDmedia.IfyourcomputercomeswithaDVDdrive,
thedrivecanreadDVD-ROMdiscs,DVD-Rdiscs,DVD-RAMdiscs,DVD-RWdiscs,andalltypesofCDs,
suchasCD-ROMdiscs,CD-RWdiscs,CD-Rdiscs,andaudioCDs.IfyouhavearecordableDVDdrive,
itcanalsorecordonDVD-Rdiscs,DVD-RWdiscs,typeIIDVD-RAMdiscs,CD-RWstandardandhigh
speeddiscs,andCD-Rdiscs.
FollowtheseguidelineswhenusingtheDVDdrive:
•Donotplacethecomputerinalocationwherethedriveisexposedtothefollowing:
–Hightemperature
–Highhumidity
–Excessivedust
–Excessivevibrationorsuddenshock
–Aninclinedsurface
–Directsunlight
•DonotinsertanyobjectotherthanaCDorDVDintothedrive.
•Beforemovingthecomputer,removetheCDorDVDfromthedrive.
HandlingandstoringCDandDVDmedia
CDandDVDmediaaredurableandreliable,buttheydorequiresomecareandspecialhandling.When
handlingandstoringaCDorDVD,followtheseguidelines:
•Holdthediscbyitsedges.Donottouchthesurfaceofthesidethatisnotlabeled.
•Toremovedustorngerprints,wipethediscwithaclean,softclothfromthecentertotheoutside.Wiping
thediscinacirculardirectionmightcauselossofdata.
20ThinkCentreUserGuide

•Donotwriteorstickpaperonthedisc.
•Donotscratchormarkthedisc.
•Donotplaceorstorethediscindirectsunlight.
•Donotusebenzene,thinners,orothercleanerstocleanthedisc.
•Donotdroporbendthedisc.
•Donotinsertdamageddiscsintothedrive.Warped,scratched,ordirtydiscscandamagethedrive.
PlayingaCDorDVD
IfyourcomputercomeswithaDVDdrive,youcanlistentoaudioCDsorwatchDVDmovies.Toplaya
CDorDVD,dothefollowing:
1.PresstheEject/LoadbuttonontheDVDdrivetoopenthetray.
2.Withthetrayfullyextended,inserttheCDorDVDintothetray.SomeDVDdriveshaveasnaphubinthe
centerofthetray.Ifyourdrivehasasnaphub,supportthetraywithonehandandthenpushonthe
centeroftheCDorDVDuntilitsnapsintoplace.
3.PresstheEject/Loadbuttonagainorgentlypushthetrayforwardtoclosethetray.TheCDorDVD
playerprogramstartsautomatically.Foradditionalinformation,refertotheCDorDVDplayerprogram
helpsystem.
ToremoveaCDorDVDfromtheDVDdrive,dothefollowing:
1.Withthecomputeron,presstheEject/Loadbutton.Whenthetrayslidesoutautomatically,carefully
removethedisc.
2.ClosethetraybypressingtheEject/Loadbuttonorbygentlypushingthetrayforward.
Note:IfthetraydoesnotslideoutofthedrivewhenyoupresstheEject/Loadbutton,insertastraightened
paperclipintotheemergency-ejectholelocatedonthefrontoftheDVDdrive.Besurethedriveispowered
offwhenusingtheemergencyeject.UsetheEject/Loadbuttoninsteadoftheemergencyejectexcept
inanemergency.
RecordingaCDorDVD
IfyourcomputercomeswitharecordableDVDdrive,youcanusethedrivetorecordCDsorDVDs.
TorecordaCDorDVD,dooneofthefollowing:
•OntheWindows7operatingsystem,youhaveeithertheCorelDVDMovieFactoryLenovoEditionprogram
orthePower2Goprograminstalledonyourcomputer.
–ToruntheCorelDVDMovieFactoryLenovoEditionprogram,clickStart➙AllPrograms➙Corel
DVDMovieFactoryLenovoEdition➙CorelDVDMovieFactoryLenovoEdition.Followthe
instructionsonthescreen.
–TorunthePower2Goprogram,clickStart➙AllPrograms➙PowerDVDCreate➙Power2Go.
Followtheinstructionsonthescreen.
•OntheWindows8operatingsystem,runthePower2Goprogrambydoingthefollowing:
1.Movethecursortothetop-rightorbottom-rightcornerofthescreentodisplaythecharms.Then
clickSearchandtypePower2Go.
2.ClickPower2Gointheleftpaneltoopentheprogram.
3.Followtheinstructionsonthescreen.
YoualsocanuseWindowsMedia®PlayertorecordCDsanddataDVDs.Formoreinformation,see“Help
andSupport”onpage107.
Chapter2.Usingyourcomputer21

22ThinkCentreUserGuide

Chapter3.Youandyourcomputer
Thischapterprovidesinformationaboutaccessibility,comfort,andrelocatingyourcomputertoother
countriesorregions.
Accessibilityandcomfort
Goodergonomicpracticeisimportanttogetthemostfromyourpersonalcomputerandtoavoiddiscomfort.
Arrangeyourworkplaceandtheequipmentyouusetosuityourindividualneedsandthekindofwork
thatyouperform.Inaddition,usehealthyworkhabitstomaximizeyourperformanceandcomfortwhile
usingyourcomputer.
Thefollowingtopicsprovideinformationaboutarrangingyourworkarea,settingupyourcomputer
equipment,andestablishinghealthyworkhabits.
Lenovoiscommittedtoprovidingpeoplewithdisabilitiesgreateraccesstoinformationandtechnology.
Asaresult,thefollowinginformationprovideswaystohelpusersthathavehearing,vision,andmobility
limitationsgetthemostoutoftheircomputerexperience.
Assistivetechnologiesenableuserstoaccessinformationinthemostappropriateway.Someofthese
technologiesarealreadyprovidedinyouroperatingsystem,otherscanbepurchasedthroughvendors,or
accessedthroughtheWorldWideWeb:
http://www.lenovo.com/healthycomputing
Arrangingyourworkspace
Togetthemostfromyourcomputer,arrangeboththeequipmentyouuseandyourworkareatosuityour
needsandthekindofworkyoudo.Yourcomfortisofforemostimportance,butlightsources,aircirculation,
andthelocationofelectricaloutletscanalsoaffectthewayyouarrangeyourworkspace.
Comfort
Althoughnosingleworkingpositionisidealforeveryone,hereareafewguidelinestohelpyounda
positionthatsuitsyoubest.
Sittinginthesamepositionforalongtimecancausefatigue.Thebackrestandseatofyourchairshould
adjustindependentlyandprovidegoodsupport.Theseatshouldhaveacurvedfronttorelievepressureon
thethighs.Adjusttheseatsothatyourthighsareparalleltotheoorandyourfeetareeitheratonthe
oororonafootrest.
Whenusingthekeyboard,keepyourforearmsparalleltotheoorandyourwristsinacomfortableposition.
Usealighttouchonthekeyboardandyourhandsandngersrelaxed.Changetheangleofthekeyboard
formaximumcomfortbyadjustingthepositionofthekeyboardfeet.
©CopyrightLenovo201223

Adjustthemonitorsothetopofthescreenisat,orslightlybelow,eyelevel.Placethemonitorata
comfortableviewingdistance,usually51to61cm(20to24inches),andpositionitsoyoucanviewit
withouthavingtotwistyourbody.Also,positionotherequipmentyouuseregularly,suchasthetelephoneor
amouse,withineasyreach.
Glareandlighting
Positionthemonitortominimizeglareandreectionsfromoverheadlights,windows,andotherlightsources.
Reectedlightfromshinysurfacescancauseannoyingreectionsonyourmonitorscreen.Placethe
monitoratrightanglestowindowsandotherlightsources,whenpossible.Reduceoverheadlighting,if
necessary,byturningofflightsorusinglowerwattagebulbs.Ifyouinstallthemonitornearawindow,use
curtainsorblindstoblockthesunlight.Youcanadjustthebrightnessandcontrastcontrolsonthemonitor
astheroomlightingchangesthroughouttheday.
Whereitisimpossibletoavoidreectionsortoadjustthelighting,anantiglarelterplacedoverthescreen
mightbehelpful.However,theseltersmightaffecttheclarityoftheimageonthescreen;trythemonlyafter
youhaveexhaustedothermethodsofreducingglare.
Dustbuildupcompoundsproblemsassociatedwithglare.Remembertocleanyourmonitorscreen
periodicallyusingasoftclothasdirectedinyourmonitordocumentation.
Aircirculation
Yourcomputerandmonitorproduceheat.Thecomputerhasafanthatpullsinfreshairandforcesouthot
air.Themonitorletshotairescapethroughvents.Blockingtheairventscancauseoverheating,whichmight
resultinamalfunctionordamage.Placethecomputerandmonitorsothatnothingblockstheairvents;
usually,51mm(2inches)ofairspaceissufcient.Also,makesuretheventedairisnotblowingonpeople.
Electricaloutletsandcablelengths
Thelocationofelectricaloutlets,thelengthofpowercordsandcablesthatconnecttothemonitor,printer,
andotherdevicesmightdeterminethenalplacementofyourcomputer.
Whenarrangingyourworkspace:
•Avoidtheuseofextensioncords.Whenpossible,plugthecomputerpowercorddirectlyintoanelectrical
outlet.
•Keeppowercordsandcablesneatlyroutedawayfromwalkwaysandotherareaswheretheymight
getkickedaccidentally.
Formoreinformationaboutpowercords,see“Powercordsandpoweradapters”onpagevi.
24ThinkCentreUserGuide

Registeringyourcomputer
Whenyouregisteryourcomputer,informationisenteredintoadatabase,whichenablesLenovotocontact
youincaseofarecallorothersevereproblem.AfteryouregisteryourcomputerwithLenovo,youwillreceive
quickerservicewhenyoucallLenovoforhelp.Inaddition,somelocationsofferextendedprivilegesand
servicestoregisteredusers.
ToregisteryourcomputerwithLenovo,dooneofthefollowing:
•Gotohttp://www.lenovo.com/registerandfollowtheinstructionsonthescreentoregisteryourcomputer.
•ConnectyourcomputertotheInternetandregisteryourcomputerthroughapreinstalledregistration
program:
–ForWindows7:ThepreinstalledLenovoProductRegistrationprogramlaunchesautomaticallyafteryou
haveusedyourcomputerforatime.Followtheinstructionsonthescreentoregisteryourcomputer.
–ForWindows8:OpentheLenovoSupportprogram.ThenclickRegistrationandfollowtheinstructions
onthescreentoregisteryourcomputer.
Movingyourcomputertoanothercountryorregion
Whenyoumoveyourcomputertoanothercountryorregion,youmusttakelocalelectricalstandardsinto
consideration.Thissectionprovidesinformationonthefollowing:
•“Voltage-selectionswitch”onpage25
•“Replacementpowercords”onpage26
Voltage-selectionswitch
Somecomputersareequippedwithavoltage-selectionswitchlocatednearthepower-cordconnection
pointonthecomputerandsomecomputersdonothaveavoltage-selectionswitch.Beforeyouinstall
yourcomputerorrelocateyourcomputertoanothercountryorregion,youmustbecertainthatyouhave
matchedyourcomputertothevoltageavailableatyourelectricaloutlet.
CAUTION:
Youmustknowthevoltageoftheelectricalconnection(outlet)whereyourcomputerwillbe
connected.Ifyoudonotknowthevoltage,contactyourlocalelectriccompanyorrefertoofcial
Websitesorotherliteraturefortravelerstothecountryorregionwhereyouarelocated.
Ifyourcomputerhasavoltage-selectionswitch,youmustsettheswitchtomatchthevoltageavailableat
yourelectricaloutlet.Settingthevoltage-selectionswitchincorrectlywillcausethecomputertomalfunction
andmightcausepermanentdamagetothecomputer.Donotconnectthecomputertoanelectrical
outletuntilyouhaveveriedthatthevoltage-selectionswitchsettingmatchesthevoltageavailableatthe
electricaloutlets.
Ifyourcomputerdoesnothaveavoltage-selectionswitch,inspectthevoltage-ratinglabelonthebottomof
thecomputerandnotethefollowing:
•Ifthevoltage-ratinglabelshowsarangeofeither“100-127V”or“200-240V,”youmustensurethatthe
voltageprovidedattheelectricaloutletmatchesthevoltageratingonthecomputerlabel.Ifitdoes
notmatch,donotattempttoconnectthecomputertotheelectricaloutlet,unlessanexternaldevice
suchasavoltage-convertingtransformerisused.
•Ifthevoltage-ratinglabelshowsadualrangeof“100-127V”and“200-240V,”thissigniesthatthe
computerissuitableforworldwideoperationandthecomputerwillautomaticallyadjusttothevoltageat
theelectricaloutletregardlessofthecountryorregionwherethecomputerisbeingconnected.
Chapter3.Youandyourcomputer25

Replacementpowercords
Ifyourelocateyourcomputertoacountryorregionthatusesanelectricaloutletstyledifferentfromthe
typeyouarecurrentlyusing,youwillhavetopurchaseeitherelectricalplugadaptersornewpowercords.
YoucanorderpowercordsdirectlyfromLenovo.
Forpowercordinformationandpartnumbers,goto:
http://www.lenovo.com/powercordnotice
26ThinkCentreUserGuide

Chapter4.Security
Thischapterprovidesinformationabouthowtoprotectyourcomputerfromtheftandunauthorizeduse.
Securityfeatures
Thefollowingsecurityfeaturesareavailableonyourcomputer:
•ComputraceAgentsoftwareembeddedinrmware
TheComputraceAgentsoftwareisanITassetmanagementandcomputertheftrecoverysolution.
Thesoftwaredetectsifchangeshavebeenmadeonthecomputer,suchashardware,software,or
thecomputercall-inlocation.
Note:YoumighthavetopurchaseasubscriptiontoactivatetheComputraceAgentsoftware.
•AbilitytoenableanddisabledevicesandUSBconnectors
Formoreinformation,see“Enablingordisablingadevice”onpage75.
•Integratedngerprintreader(availableonsomemodels)
Dependingonthemodelsofyourcomputer,thekeyboardmayhaveanintegratedngerprintreader.
ByenrollingyourngerprintandassociatingitwithaPower-onPassword,aHardDiskPassword,or
bothpasswordsbeforehand,youcanstartthecomputer,logontothesystem,andentertheSetup
Utilityprogrambyswipingyourngeroverthereader,withouttypingapassword.Thusngerprint
authenticationcanreplacepasswordsandenablesimpleandsecureuseraccess.
•Startupsequencecontrol
Formoreinformation,see“Selectingorchangingthestartupdevicesequence”onpage76.
•Startupwithoutkeyboardormouse
Yourcomputerisabletologintotheoperatingsystemwithoutkeyboardormouseconnected.
©CopyrightLenovo201227

Lockingthecomputercover
Lockingthecomputercoverhelpspreventunauthorizedpeoplefromgainingaccesstotheinsideofyour
computer.Yourcomputercomeswithapadlockloopsothatthecomputercovercannotberemoved
whenapadlockisinstalled.
Figure7.Installingapadlock
28ThinkCentreUserGuide

Attachinganintegratedcablelock
Anintegratedcablelock,sometimesreferredtoastheKensingtonlock,canbeusedtosecureyour
computertoadesk,table,orothernon-permanentxture.Thecablelockattachestotheintegratedcable
lockslotattherearofyourcomputerandisoperatedwithakey.Thecablelockalsolocksthebuttonsused
toopenthecomputercover.Thisisthesametypeoflockusedwithmanynotebookcomputers.Youcan
orderanintegratedcablelockdirectlyfromLenovobysearchingforKensingtonat:
http://support.lenovo.com
Figure8.Integratedcablelock
Usingpasswords
YoucansetavarietyofpasswordsthroughtheMicrosoftWindowsoperatingsystemandthroughtheBIOS
ofyourcomputertohelpdeterunauthorizeduseofyourcomputer.
BIOSpasswords
YoucanusetheBIOSSetupUtilityprogramtosetpasswordstopreventunauthorizedaccesstoyour
computeranddata.Thefollowingtypesofpasswordsareavailable:
•Power-OnPassword:WhenaPower-OnPasswordisset,youarepromptedtotypeavalidpassword
eachtimethecomputeristurnedon.Thecomputercannotbeuseduntilthevalidpasswordistyped
in.Formoreinformation,see“Power-OnPassword”onpage74.
•HardDiskPassword:SettingaHardDiskPasswordpreventsunauthorizedaccesstothedataonthehard
diskdrive.WhenaHardDiskPasswordisset,youarepromptedtotypeavalidpasswordeachtimeyou
trytoaccesstheharddiskdrive.Formoreinformation,see“HardDiskPassword”onpage74.
Chapter4.Security29

•AdministratorPassword:SettinganAdministratorPassworddetersunauthorizedusersfromchanging
congurationsettings.Ifyouareresponsibleformaintainingthecongurationsettingsofseveral
computers,youmightwanttosetanAdministratorPassword.Formoreinformation,see“Administrator
Password”onpage74.
Youdonothavetosetanypasswordstouseyourcomputer.However,usingpasswordsimproves
computingsecurity.
Windowspasswords
DependingonyourversionoftheWindowsoperatingsystem,youcanusepasswordsforavarietyof
features,includingcontrollingloginaccess,accesstosharedresources,networkaccess,andindividualuser
settings.Formoreinformation,see“HelpandSupport”onpage107.
Conguringthengerprintreader
Ifyourkeyboardhasangerprintreader,youcancongurethengerprintreaderintheSetupUtilityprogram.
TheFingerprintSetupsubmenuundertheSecuritymenuoftheSetupUtilityprogramprovidesthe
followingoptions:
•PrebootAuthentication:enablesordisablesthengerprintauthenticationforaccessingtheBIOS.
•ErasingFingerprintData:clearsthengerprintdatastoredinangerprintreader.
Tocongurethengerprintreader,dothefollowing:
1.StarttheSetupUtilityprogram.See“StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage73.
2.FromtheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu,selectSecurity➙FingerprintSetup,andpressEnter.
TheFingerprintSetupwindowopens.
3.SelectPrebootAuthenticationorErasingFingerprintDataasdesired,andpressEnter.
4.SelectthedesiredsettingsandpressEnter.
5.PressF10tosavechangesandexittheSetupUtilityprogram.PressEnterwhenpromptedtoconrm
theexit.
Usingandunderstandingrewalls
Arewallcanbehardware,software,oracombinationofbothdependingonthelevelofsecurityrequired.
Firewallsworkonasetofrulestodeterminewhichinboundandoutboundconnectionsareauthorized.If
yourcomputerispreintalledwitharewallprogram,ithelpsprotectagainstcomputerInternetsecurity
threats,unauthorizedaccess,intrusions,andInternetattacks.Italsoprotectsyourprivacy.Formore
informationabouthowtousetherewallprogram,refertothehelpsystemofyourrewallprogram.
TheWindowsoperatingsystempreinstalledonyourcomputerprovidestheWindowsFirewall.Fordetailson
usingtheWindowsFirewall,referto“HelpandSupport”onpage107.
Protectingdataagainstviruses
Yourcomputerispreinstalledwithanantivirusprogramtohelpyouguardagainst,detect,andeliminate
viruses.
Lenovoprovidesafullversionofantivirussoftwareonyourcomputerwithafree30-daysubscription.After
30days,youmustrenewthelicensetocontinuereceivingtheantivirussoftwareupdates.
Note:Virusdenitionlesmustbekeptup-to-datetoguardagainstnewviruses.
30ThinkCentreUserGuide

Formoreinformationabouthowtouseyourantivirussoftware,refertothehelpsystemofyourantivirus
software.
Chapter4.Security31

32ThinkCentreUserGuide

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware
Thischapterprovidesinstructionsonhowtoinstallorreplacehardwareforyourcomputer.
Handlingstatic-sensitivedevices
Donotopenthestatic-protectivepackagecontainingthenewpartuntilthedefectiveparthasbeenremoved
fromthecomputerandyouarereadytoinstallthenewpart.Staticelectricity,althoughharmlesstoyou,can
seriouslydamagecomputercomponentsandparts.
Whenyouhandlepartsandothercomputercomponents,taketheseprecautionstoavoidstatic-electricity
damage:
•Limityourmovement.Movementcancausestaticelectricitytobuilduparoundyou.
•Alwayshandlepartsandothercomputercomponentscarefully.HandlePCIcards,memorymodules,
systemboards,andmicroprocessorsbytheedges.Nevertouchanyexposedcircuitry.
•Preventothersfromtouchingthepartsandothercomputercomponents.
•Beforeyoureplaceanewpart,touchthestatic-protectivepackagecontainingtheparttoametal
expansion-slotcoverorotherunpaintedmetalsurfaceonthecomputerforatleasttwoseconds.This
reducesstaticelectricityfromthepackageandyourbody.
•Whenpossible,removethenewpartfromthestatic-protectivepackaging,andinstallitdirectlyinthe
computerwithoutsettingthepartdown.Whenthisisnotpossible,placethestatic-protectivepackage
thatthepartcameinonasmooth,levelsurfaceandplacethepartonit.
•Donotplacethepartonthecomputercoverorothermetalsurface.
Installingorreplacinghardware
Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoinstallorreplacehardwareforyourcomputer.Youcanexpand
thecapabilitiesofyourcomputerandmaintainyourcomputerbyinstallingorreplacinghardware.
Attention:
Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.
Notes:
1.UseonlycomputerpartsprovidedbyLenovo.
2.Wheninstallingorreplacinganoption,usetheappropriateinstructionsinthissectionalongwiththe
instructionsthatcomewiththeoption.
Installingexternaloptions
Youcanconnectexternaloptionstoyourcomputer,suchasexternalspeakers,aprinter,orascanner.For
someexternaloptions,youmustinstalladditionalsoftwareinadditiontomakingthephysicalconnection.
Wheninstallinganexternaloption,see“Locatingconnectors,controls,andindicatorsonthefrontofyour
computer”onpage10and“Locatingconnectorsontherearofyourcomputer”onpage11toidentifythe
requiredconnector.Then,usetheinstructionsthatcomewiththeoptiontohelpyoumaketheconnection
andinstallanysoftwareordevicedriversthatarerequiredfortheoption.
©CopyrightLenovo201233

Removingthecomputercover
Attention:
Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.
Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoremovethecomputercover.
CAUTION:
Turnoffthecomputerandwaitthreetoveminutestoletthecomputercoolbeforeremovingthe
computercover.
Toremovethecomputercover,dothefollowing:
1.Removeanymediafromthedrivesandturnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.
2.Disconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.
3.Disconnectthepowercords,Input/Outputcables,andanyothercablesthatareconnectedtothe
computer.See“Locatingconnectors,controls,andindicatorsonthefrontofyourcomputer”onpage
10and“Locatingconnectorsontherearofyourcomputer”onpage11.
4.Removeanylockingdevicethatsecuresthecomputercover,suchasapadlockoranintegratedcable
lock.See“Lockingthecomputercover”onpage28and“Attachinganintegratedcablelock”onpage29.
5.Removethetwoscrewsthatsecurethecomputercoverandslidethecomputercovertotherearto
removeit.
Figure9.Removingthecomputercover
34ThinkCentreUserGuide

Removingandreinstallingthefrontbezel
Attention:
Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.
Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoremoveandreinstallthefrontbezel.
Toremoveandreinstallthefrontbezel,dothefollowing:
1.Turnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.
2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage34.
3.Removethefrontbezelbyreleasingthethreeplastictabsontheleftsideandpivotingthefrontbezel
outward.
Figure10.Removingthefrontbezel
Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware35

4.Toreinstallthefrontbezel,alignthethreeplastictabsontherightsideofthefrontbezelwiththe
correspondingholesinthechassis,thenpivotthefrontbezelinwardsuntilitsnapsintopositionon
theleftside.
Figure11.Reinstallingthefrontbezel
Whattodonext:
•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.
•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage63.
InstallingorreplacingaPCIcard
Attention:
Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.
ThissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoinstallorreplaceaPCIcard.YourcomputerhastwoPCI
Expressx1cardslotsandonePCIExpressx16graphicscardslot.
ToinstallorreplaceaPCIcard,dothefollowing:
1.Turnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.
2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage34.
36ThinkCentreUserGuide

3.Attherearofthecomputer,removethescrewthatsecuresthePCIcardlatch.
Figure12.RemovingthescrewthatsecuresthePCIcardlatch
4.DependingonwhetheryouareinstallingorreplacingaPCIcard,dooneofthefollowing:
•IfyouareinstallingaPCIcard,removetheappropriatemetalslotcover.
Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware37

•IfyouarereplacinganoldPCIcard,grasptheoldcardthatiscurrentlyinstalledandgentlypullit
outoftheslot.
Figure13.RemovingaPCIcard
Notes:
a.Thecardtstightlyintothecardslot.Ifnecessary,alternatemovingeachsideofthecardasmall
amountuntilitisremovedfromthecardslot.
b.Ifthecardisheldinplacebyaretaininglatch,pressthecardretaininglatch1asshownto
disengagethelatch.Graspthecardandgentlypullitoutoftheslot.
5.RemovethenewPCIcardfromitsstatic-protectivepackage.
6.InstallthenewPCIcardintotheappropriateslotonthesystemboard.See“Locatingpartsonthe
systemboard”onpage13.
Note:IfyouareinstallingaPCIExpressx16graphicscard,makesurethememoryslotretainingclips
areclosedbeforeyouinstallthegraphicscard.
38ThinkCentreUserGuide

7.PivotthecardlatchtotheclosedpositiontosecurethePCIcard.
Figure14.InstallingaPCIcard
8.ReinstallthescrewtosecurethePCIcardlatchinplace.
Whattodonext:
•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.
•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage63.
Installingorreplacingamemorymodule
Attention:
Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.
Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoinstallorreplaceamemorymodule.
YourcomputerhastwoslotsforinstallingorreplacingDDR3UDIMMsthatprovideuptoamaximumof
8GBsystemmemory.Wheninstallingorreplacingamemorymodule,use1GB,2GB,or4GBDDR3
UDIMMsinanycombinationuptoamaximumof8GB.
Toinstallorreplaceamemorymodule,dothefollowing:
1.Turnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.
2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage34.
3.Laythecomputeronitssideforeasieraccesstothesystemboard.
4.Locatethememoryslots.See“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage13.
5.Removeanypartsthatmightpreventyouraccesstothememoryslots.Dependingonyourcomputer
model,youmightneedtoremovethePCIExpressx16graphicscardforeasieraccesstothememory
slots.See“InstallingorreplacingaPCIcard”onpage36.
Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware39

6.Dependingonwhetheryouareinstallingorreplacingamemorymodule,dooneofthefollowing:
•Ifyouarereplacinganoldmemorymodule,opentheretainingclipsandgentlypullthememory
moduleoutofthememoryslot.
Figure15.Removingamemorymodule
•Ifyouareinstallingamemorymodule,opentheretainingclipsofthememoryslotintowhichyou
wanttoinstallthememorymodule.
Figure16.Openingtheretainingclips
40ThinkCentreUserGuide

7.Positionthenewmemorymoduleoverthememoryslot.Makesurethatthenotch1onthememory
modulealignscorrectlywiththeslotkey2onthesystemboard.Pushthememorymodulestraight
downintotheslotuntiltheretainingclipsclose.
Figure17.Installingamemorymodule
8.ReinstallthePCIExpressx16graphicscardifyouhaveremovedit.
Whattodonext:
•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.
•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage63.
Replacingthebattery
Attention:
Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.
Yourcomputerhasaspecialtypeofmemorythatmaintainsthedate,time,andsettingsforbuilt-infeatures,
suchasparallel-portassignments(conguration).Abatterykeepsthisinformationactivewhenyouturn
offthecomputer.
Thebatterynormallyrequiresnochargingormaintenancethroughoutitslife;however,nobatterylasts
forever.Ifthebatteryfails,thedate,time,andcongurationinformation(includingpasswords)arelost.An
errormessageisdisplayedwhenyouturnonthecomputer.
Refertothe“Lithiumbatterynotice”intheSafety,Warranty,andSetupGuideforinformationaboutreplacing
anddisposingofthebattery.
Toreplacethebattery,dothefollowing:
1.Turnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.
2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage34.
3.Locatethebattery.See“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage13.
Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware41

4.Removetheoldbattery.
Figure18.Removingtheoldbattery
5.Installanewbattery.
Figure19.Installinganewbattery
6.Reinstallthecomputercoverandconnectthecables.See“Completingthepartsreplacement”on
page63.
Note:Whenthecomputeristurnedonforthersttimeafterreplacingthebattery,anerrormessage
mightbedisplayed.Thisisnormalafterreplacingthebattery.
7.Turnonthecomputerandallattacheddevices.
8.UsetheSetupUtilityprogramtosetthedate,time,andanypasswords.SeeChapter7“UsingtheSetup
Utilityprogram”onpage73.
Whattodonext:
•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.
•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage63.
Replacingtheprimaryharddiskdrive
Attention:
Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.
Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreplacetheprimaryharddiskdrive.
Toreplacetheprimaryharddiskdrive,dothefollowing:
1.Turnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.
2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage34.
3.Locatetheprimaryharddiskdrive.See“Locatinginternaldrives”onpage14.
Note:Thereisalsoasecondaryharddiskdrivebayforyoutopurchaseandinstallasecondaryhard
diskdrivebyyourself.Ifyouwanttoinstallasecondaryharddiskdrive,usethesamewayofinstalling
theprimaryharddiskdrive.
42ThinkCentreUserGuide

4.Disconnectthesignalcableandthepowercablefromtheharddiskdrive.
5.Removethefourscrewsthatsecuretheharddiskdrive.Then,slidetheharddiskdriveoutofthechassis.
Figure20.Removingtheprimaryharddiskdrive
Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware43

6.Slidethenewharddiskdriveintotheharddiskdrivebayandalignthescrewholesinthenewhard
diskdrivewiththecorrespondingholesinthedrivebay.Then,installthefourscrewstosecurethe
newharddiskdriveinplace.
Figure21.Installingtheharddiskdrive
7.Connectoneendofthesignalcabletotherearofthenewharddiskdriveandtheotherendtoan
availableSATAconnectoronthesystemboard.See“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage13.
Then,locateanavailableve-wirepowerconnectorandconnectittotherearofthenewharddiskdrive.
Figure22.ConnectingaSATAharddiskdrive
Whattodonext:
•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.
•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage63.
Replacingtheopticaldrive
Attention:
Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.
44ThinkCentreUserGuide

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoinstallorreplacetheopticaldrive.
Note:Theopticaldriveisonlyavailableinsomemodels.
Toreplaceanopticaldrive,dothefollowing:
1.Turnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.
2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage34.
3.Removethefrontbezel.See“Removingandreinstallingthefrontbezel”onpage35.
4.Removethethreescrewsthatsecuretheopticaldrive.Then,slidetheopticaldriveoutofthefront
ofthecomputer.
Figure23.Removingtheopticaldrive
Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware45

5.Slidethenewopticaldriveintothedrivebayfromthefrontandalignthescrewholesinthenewoptical
drivewiththecorrespondingholesinthedrivebay.Then,installthethreescrewstosecurethenew
opticaldriveinplace.
Figure24.Installingtheopticaldrive
6.Connectoneendofthesignalcabletotherearofthenewopticaldriveandtheotherendtoanavailable
SATAconnectoronthesystemboard.See“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage13.Then,
locateanavailableve-wirepowerconnectorandconnectittotherearofthenewopticaldrive.
Figure25.Connectingtheopticaldrive
Whattodonext:
•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.
•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage63.
46ThinkCentreUserGuide

Replacingthepowersupplyassembly
Attention:
Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.
Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreplacethepowersupplyassembly.
Althoughtherearenomovingpartsinyourcomputerafterthepowercordhasbeendisconnected,the
followingwarningsarerequiredforyoursafetyandproperUnderwritersLaboratories(UL)certication.
CAUTION:
Hazardousmovingparts.Keepngersandotherbodypartsaway.
CAUTION:
Neverremovethecoveronapowersupplyoranypartthathasthefollowinglabelattached.
Hazardousvoltage,current,andenergylevelsarepresentinsideanycomponentthathasthislabel
attached.Therearenoserviceablepartsinsidethesecomponents.Ifyoususpectaproblemwith
oneoftheseparts,contactaservicetechnician.
Toreplacethepowersupplyassembly,dothefollowing:
1.Turnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.
2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage34.
3.Disconnectthepowersupplyassemblycablesfromalldrivesandfromthe24-pinpowerconnectorand
4-pinpowerconnectoronthesystemboard.See“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage13.
Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware47

4.Laythecomputeronitssideandremovethefourscrewsattherearofthechassisthatsecurethe
powersupplyassembly.
Figure26.Removingthescrewsforthepowersupplyassembly
5.Slidethepowersupplyassemblytothefrontofthecomputerandthenliftitoutofthechassis.
6.Makesurethatthenewpowersupplyassemblyisthecorrectreplacement.Somepowersupply
assembliesautomaticallysensethevoltage,somepowersupplyassembliesarevoltagespecic,and
somepowersupplyassemblieshaveavoltage-selectionswitch.Ifyourpowersupplyassemblyhas
avoltage-selectionswitch,makesurethatyousetthevoltage-selectionswitchtomatchthevoltage
availableatyourelectricaloutlet.Ifnecessary,useaballpointpentoslidethevoltage-selectionswitch
tothecorrectposition.
•Ifthevoltagesupplyrangeinyourlocalcountryorregionis100–127Vac,setthevoltage-selection
switchto115V.
•Ifthevoltagesupplyrangeinyourlocalcountryorregionis200–240Vac,setthevoltage-selection
switchto230V.
7.Installthenewpowersupplyassemblyintothechassissothatthescrewholesinthepowersupply
assemblyalignwiththoseinthechassis.
8.Installandtightenthefourscrewstosecurethepowersupplyassembly.
Note:UseonlyscrewsprovidedbyLenovo.
9.Reconnectthepowersupplyassemblycablestothesystemboardandeachofthedrives.
10.Securethepowersupplyassemblycableswiththecableclipsandtiesinthechassis.
Whattodonext:
•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.
•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage63.
Replacingtheheatsinkandfanassembly
Attention:
Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.
48ThinkCentreUserGuide

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreplacetheheatsinkandfanassembly.
CAUTION:
Theheatsinkandfanassemblymightbeveryhot.Turnoffthecomputerandwaitthreetove
minutestoletthecomputercoolbeforeremovingthecomputercover.
Toreplacetheheatsinkandfanassembly,dothefollowing:
1.Turnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.
2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage34.
3.Laythecomputeronitssideforeasieraccesstothesystemboard.
4.Locatetheheatsinkandfanassembly.See“Locatingcomponents”onpage12.
5.Disconnecttheheatsinkandfanassemblycablefromthemicroprocessorfanconnectoronthesystem
board.See“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage13.
6.Followthissequencetoremovethefourscrewsthatsecuretheheatsinkandfanassemblytothe
systemboard:
a.Partiallyremovescrew1,thenfullyremovescrew2,andthenfullyremovescrew1.
b.Partiallyremovescrew3,thenfullyremovescrew4,andthenfullyremovescrew3.
Note:Carefullyremovethefourscrewsfromthesystemboardtoavoidanypossibledamagetothe
systemboard.Thefourscrewscannotberemovedfromtheheatsinkandfanassembly.
Figure27.Removingtheheatsinkandfanassembly
7.Liftthefailingheatsinkandfanassemblyoffthesystemboard.
Notes:
a.Youmighthavetogentlytwisttheheatsinkandfanassemblytofreeitfromthemicroprocessor.
Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware49

b.Whenhandlingtheheatsinkandfanassembly,donottouchthethermalgreaseonthebottom
oftheheatsinkandfanassembly.
8.Placethenewheatsinkandfanassemblyonthesystemboardsothatthefourscrewsarealignedwith
thecorrespondingholesinthesystemboard.
Note:Positionthenewheatsinkandfanassemblysothattheheatsinkandfanassemblycableis
towardthemicroprocessorfanconnectoronthesystemboard.
9.Followthefollowingsequencetoinstallthefourscrewstosecurethenewheatsinkandfanassembly.
Donotover-tightenthescrews.
a.Partiallytightenscrew1,thenfullytightenscrew2,andthenfullytightenscrew1.
b.Partiallytightenscrew3,thenfullytightenscrew4,andthenfullytightenscrew3.
10.Connectthenewheatsinkandfanassemblycabletothemicroprocessorfanconnectoronthesystem
board.See“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage13.
Whattodonext:
•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.
•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage63.
Replacingthemicroprocessor
Attention:
Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.
Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreplacethemicroprocessor.
CAUTION:
Theheatsinkandmicroprocessormightbeveryhot.Turnoffthecomputerandwaitthreetove
minutestoletthecomputercoolbeforeremovingthecomputercover.
Toreplacethemicroprocessor,dothefollowing:
1.Turnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.
2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage34.
3.Laythecomputeronitssideforeasieraccesstothesystemboard.
4.Removetheheatsinkandfanassembly.See“Replacingtheheatsinkandfanassembly”onpage48.
Note:Placetheheatsinkandfanassemblyonitssidesothatthethermalgreaseonthebottomofit
doesnotgetincontactwithanything.
50ThinkCentreUserGuide

5.Liftthesmallhandle1andopentheretainer2toaccessthemicroprocessor3.
Figure28.Accessingthemicroprocessor
6.Liftthemicroprocessorstraightupandoutofthemicroprocessorsocket.
Figure29.Removingthemicroprocessor
Notes:
a.Yourmicroprocessorandsocketmightlookdifferentfromtheoneillustrated.
Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware51

b.Notetheorientationofthemicroprocessorinthesocket.Youcaneitherlookforthesmalltriangle1
ononecornerofthemicroprocessorornotetheorientationofthenotches2onthemicroprocessor.
Thisisimportantwheninstallingthenewmicroprocessoronthesystemboard.
c.Touchonlytheedgesofthemicroprocessor.Donottouchthegoldcontactsonthebottom.
d.Donotdropanythingontothemicroprocessorsocketwhileitisexposed.Thesocketpinsmustbe
keptascleanaspossible.
7.Makesurethatthesmallhandleisintheraisedpositionandthemicroprocessorretainerisfullyopen.
8.Removetheprotectivecoverthatprotectsthegoldcontactsofthenewmicroprocessor.
9.Holdthenewmicroprocessorbyitssidesandalignthesmalltriangleononecornerofthenew
microprocessorwiththecorrespondingsmalltriangleononecornerofthemicroprocessorsocket.
10.Lowerthenewmicroprocessorstraightdownintothemicroprocessorsocketonthesystemboard.
Figure30.Installingthemicroprocessor
11.Closethemicroprocessorretainerandlockitintopositionwiththesmallhandletosecurethenew
microprocessorinthesocket.
12.Reinstalltheheatsinkandfanassembly.See“Replacingtheheatsinkandfanassembly”onpage48.
13.Reconnectallcablesthatweredisconnectedfromthesystemboard.
52ThinkCentreUserGuide

Whattodonext:
•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.
•Tocompletethereplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage63.
ReplacingthefrontaudioandUSBassembly
Attention:
Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.
ThissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreplacethefrontaudioandUSBassembly.
ToreplacethefrontaudioandUSBassembly,dothefollowing:
1.Turnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.
2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage34.
3.Removethefrontbezel.See“Removingandreinstallingthefrontbezel”onpage35.
4.LocatethefrontaudioandUSBassembly.
5.DisconnectthefrontaudioandUSBassemblycablesfromthesystemboard.See“Locatingpartson
thesystemboard”onpage13.
Note:Makesureyounotethelocationsofthecableswhenyoudisconnectthecablesfromthesystem
board.
6.RemovethescrewthatsecuresthefrontaudioandUSBassemblybrackettothechassistoremove
thebracketfromthechassis.
Figure31.RemovingthefrontaudioandUSBassembly
7.InstallthenewfrontaudioandUSBassemblyintothechassisandalignthescrewholeinthebracket
withthecorrespondingholeinthechassis.
8.InstallthescrewtosecurethenewfrontaudioandUSBassemblytothechassis.
Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware53

9.ReconnectthefrontaudioandUSBassemblycablestothefrontaudioconnectorandthefrontUSB
connectoronthesystemboard.See“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage13.
Whattodonext:
•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.
•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage63.
ReplacingtheWiFiunits
Attention:
Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.
ThissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreplacetheWiFiunits.TheWiFiunitsincludeaWiFiadapter
card,aWiFicardmodule,andarearWiFiantennacable.
ReplacingtheWiFiunitsinvolvesthefollowingoperations:
•“RemovingtheWiFiadaptercard”onpage54
•“RemovingtheWiFicardmodule”onpage55
•“InstallingtheWiFiunits”onpage56
RemovingtheWiFiadaptercard
ToremoveaWiFiadaptercard,dothefollowing:
1.Turnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.
2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage34.
3.Attherearofthecomputer,removethescrewthatsecuresthePCIcardlatch.
54ThinkCentreUserGuide

4.GrasptheWiFiadaptercardthatiscurrentlyinstalledandgentlypullitoutoftheslot.
Figure32.RemovingtheWiFiadaptercard
Note:Thecardtstightlyintothecardslot.Ifnecessary,alternatemovingeachsideofthecarda
smallamountuntilitisremovedfromthecardslot.
RemovingtheWiFicardmodule
ToremovetheWiFicardmodule,dothefollowing:
1.RemovetheWiFiadaptercardfromthecomputer,andthendisconnectthefrontandrearWiFiantenna
cablesfromtheWiFicardmodule.
Figure33.RemovingtheWiFiantennacables
Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware55

2.RemovethetwoscrewsthatsecuretheWiFicardmoduletotheWiFiadaptercard.
Figure34.RemovingthescrewsthatsecuretheWiFicardmodule
3.PulltheWiFicardmoduleoutoftheminiPCIExpressslottoremoveitfromtheWiFiadaptercard.
Figure35.RemovingtheWiFicardmodule
InstallingtheWiFiunits
ToinstalltheWiFiunits,dothefollowing:
56ThinkCentreUserGuide

1.InserttheWiFicardmoduleintotheminiPCIExpressslot,andtheninstallthetwoscrewstosecure
theWiFicardmoduletotheWiFiadaptercard.
Figure36.InstallingtheWiFicardmodule
Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware57

2.ConnectthefrontantennacableandrearantennacabletotheWiFicardmodule.
Figure37.InstallingtheWiFiantennacables
3.InstalltheWiFiadaptercardintothePCIExpressx1slotonthesystemboard.See“Locatingpartson
thesystemboard”onpage13.
4.PivotthecardlatchtotheclosedpositiontosecuretheWiFiadaptercard.
Figure38.InstallingtheWiFiadaptercard
Whattodonext:
•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.
•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage63.
58ThinkCentreUserGuide

InstallingorremovingtherearWiFiantenna
Attention:
Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.
ThissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoinstallorremovetherearWiFiantenna.
InstallingtherearWiFiantenna
ToinstalltherearWiFiantenna,dothefollowing:
1.Turnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.
2.InstalltherearWiFiantennatotherearWiFiantennacableconnectorattachedontherearofthe
computer.
3.Adjusttheangleoftherearantennatolowertheriskofbreakingtheantennabyaccident.
Figure39.InstallingtherearWiFiantenna
Whattodonext:
•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.
•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage63.
RemovingtherearWiFiantenna
ToremovetherearWiFiantenna,dothefollowing:
1.Turnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.
2.StraightentherearWiFiantennasothatitcanbemoreeasilytwisted.
Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware59

3.HoldthethickerendoftherearWiFiantennaandunscrewtheWiFiantennafromtherearofthe
computer.
Figure40.RemovingtherearWiFiantenna
Whattodonext:
•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.
•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage63.
InstallingorremovingthefrontWiFiantenna
Attention:
Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.
ThissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoinstallorremovethefrontWiFiantenna.
InstallingthefrontWiFiantenna
ToinstallthefrontWiFiantenna,dothefollowing:
1.Turnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.
2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage34.
3.Removethefrontbezel.See“Removingandreinstallingthefrontbezel”onpage35.
4.Peeloffthepaperthatprotectsthestickersonthefrontantenna.
60ThinkCentreUserGuide

Figure41.Peelingoffthepaperthatprotectsthestickers
5.Stickthefrontantennatothefrontpanelasshown.Theninsertthefrontantennacablethroughthe
holeinthefrontpanel.
Figure42.InstallingthefrontWiFiantenna
6.ConnectthefrontantennacabletotheWiFicardmodule.
Whattodonext:
•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.
Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware61

•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage63.
RemovingthefrontWiFiantenna
ToremovethefrontWiFiantenna,dothefollowing:
1.Turnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.
2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage34.
3.Removethefrontbezel.See“Removingandreinstallingthefrontbezel”onpage35.
4.DisconnectthefrontantennacablefromtheWiFicardmodule.
5.Removethefrontantennaandcablefromthefrontofthecomputer.
Figure43.RemovingthefrontWiFiantenna
Whattodonext:
•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.
•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage63.
Replacingthekeyboardormouse
Attention:
Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.
Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreplacethekeyboardormouse.
Toreplacethekeyboardormouse,dothefollowing:
1.Disconnecttheoldkeyboardcableormousecablefromthecomputer.
62ThinkCentreUserGuide

2.ConnectanewkeyboardormousetooneoftheUSBconnectorsonthecomputer.Dependingon
whereyouwanttoconnectthenewkeyboardormouse,see“Locatingconnectors,controls,and
indicatorsonthefrontofyourcomputer”onpage10or“Locatingconnectorsontherearofyour
computer”onpage11.
Figure44.ConnectingtheUSBkeyboardormouse
Whattodonext:
•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.
•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage63.
Completingthepartsreplacement
Aftercompletingtheinstallationorreplacementforallparts,youneedtoreinstallthecomputercoverand
reconnectcables.Dependingonthepartsyouinstalledorreplaced,youmightneedtoconrmtheupdated
informationintheSetupUtilityprogram.RefertoChapter7“UsingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage73.
Toreinstallthecomputercoverandreconnectcablestoyourcomputer,dothefollowing:
1.Makesurethatallcomponentshavebeenreassembledcorrectlyandthatnotoolsorloosescrews
areleftinsideyourcomputer.See“Locatingcomponents”onpage12forthelocationsofvarious
componentsinyourcomputer.
2.Makesurethatthecablesareroutedcorrectly.Keepcablesclearofthehingesandsidesofthe
computerchassistoavoidinterferencewithclosingthecomputercover.
3.Ifyouhaveremovedthefrontbezel,reinstallit.
Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware63

4.Positionthecomputercoveronthechassissothattherailguidesonthebottomofthecomputer
coverengagetherailsonthechassis.Then,pushthecovertothefrontofthecomputeruntilitsnaps
intoposition.
Figure45.Reinstallingthecomputercover
5.Ifthereisapadlockavailable,lockthecomputercover.See“Lockingthecomputercover”onpage28.
6.Ifthereisanintegratedcablelockavailable,lockthecomputer.See“Attachinganintegratedcable
lock”onpage29.
7.Reconnecttheexternalcablesandpowercordstothecomputer.See“Locatingconnectorsonthe
rearofyourcomputer”onpage11.
8.Toupdateyourconguration,refertoChapter7“UsingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage73.
Note:Inmostareasoftheworld,LenovorequiresthereturnofthedefectiveCustomerReplaceableUnit
(CRU).InformationaboutthiswillcomewiththeCRUorwillcomeafewdaysaftertheCRUarrives.
Obtainingdevicedrivers
Youcanobtaindevicedriversforoperatingsystemsthatarenotpreinstalledathttp://support.lenovo.com.
Installationinstructionsareprovidedinreadmeleswiththedevice-driverles.
64ThinkCentreUserGuide

Chapter6.Recoveryinformation
ThischapterprovidesinformationabouttherecoverysolutionsprovidedbyLenovo.
•“RecoveryinformationfortheWindows7operatingsystem”onpage65
•“RecoveryinformationfortheWindows8operatingsystem”onpage71
RecoveryinformationfortheWindows7operatingsystem
Thissectioncontainsthefollowingtopics:
•Creatingandusingrecoverymedia
•Performingbackupandrecoveryoperations
•UsingtheRescueandRecoveryworkspace
•Creatingandusingarescuemedium
•Installingorreinstallingdevicedrivers
•Solvingrecoveryproblems
Notes:
1.TherecoveryinformationinthischapteronlyappliestothecomputersthathavetheRescueand
RecoveryprogramortheProductRecoveryprograminstalled.IftheEnhancedBackupandRestore
iconintheLenovoThinkVantageToolsprogramisdimmed,itindicatesthatyouneedtoinstall
theRescueandRecoveryprogrammanuallybeforeenablingitsfeatures.ToinstalltheRescueand
Recoveryprogram,dothefollowing:
a.ClickStart➙AllPrograms➙LenovoThinkVantageT ools,anddouble-clickEnhancedBackup
andRestore.
b.Followtheinstructionsonthescreen.
c.Whentheinstallationprocesscompletes,theEnhancedBackupandRestoreiconisactivated.
2.Thereareavarietyofmethodstochoosefromwhenconsideringhowtorecoverintheeventofa
software-orhardware-relatedproblem.Somemethodsvarydependingonthetypeofoperatingsystem
thatisinstalled.
3.Theproductontherecoverymediamaybeusedonlyforthefollowingpurposes:
•Restoretheproductpreinstalledonyourcomputer
•Reinstalltheproduct
•ModifytheproductusingtheAdditionalFiles
Creatingandusingrecoverymedia
Youcanuserecoverymediatorestoretheharddiskdrivetothefactorydefaultstate.Recoverymediaare
usefulifyoutransferthecomputertoanotherarea,sellthecomputer,recyclethecomputer,orputthe
computerinanoperationalstateafterallothermethodsofrecoveryhavefailed.Asaprecautionarymeasure,
itisimportanttocreaterecoverymediaasearlyaspossible.
Note:Therecoveryoperationsyoucanperformusingrecoverymediavarydependingontheoperating
systemfromwhichtherecoverymediawerecreated.Therecoverymediamightcontainabootmedium
andadatamedium.YourMicrosoftWindowslicensepermitsyoutocreateonlyonedatamedium,soitis
importantthatyoustoretherecoverymediainasafeplaceafteryouhavemadethem.
©CopyrightLenovo201265

Creatingrecoverymedia
Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtocreaterecoverymediaondifferentoperatingsystems.
Note:OntheWindows7operatingsystem,youcancreaterecoverymediausingdiscsorexternalUSB
storagedevices.OntheWindowsVistaoperatingsystem,youcancreaterecoverymediausingonlydiscs,
sothisoperationisalsocalled“creatingProductRecoverydiscs.”
TocreaterecoverymediaontheWindows7operatingsystem,clickStart➙AllPrograms➙Lenovo
ThinkVantageTools➙FactoryRecoveryDisks.Then,followtheinstructionsonthescreen.
Usingrecoverymedia
Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtouserecoverymediaondifferentoperatingsystems.
OntheWindows7operatingsystem,youcanuserecoverymediatorestorethecontentsoftheharddisk
drivetothefactorydefaultstate.Also,youcanuserecoverymediatoputthecomputerinanoperational
stateafterallothermethodsofharddiskdriverecoveryhavefailed.
Attention:Whenyouuserecoverymediatorestorethecontentsoftheharddisktothefactorydefaultstate,
allthelescurrentlyontheharddiskdrivewillbedeletedandreplacedbythefactorydefaultles.
TouserecoverymediaontheWindows7operatingsystem,dothefollowing:
1.Dependingonthetypeofyourrecoverymedia,connectthebootmedium(memorykeyorotherUSB
storagedevice)tothecomputer,orinsertthebootdiscintotheopticaldrive.
2.RepeatedlypressandreleasetheF12keywhenturningonthecomputer.WhenthePleaseselect
bootdevicewindowopens,releasetheF12key.
3.SelectthedesiredstartupdeviceandpressEnter.Therestoreprocessbegins.
4.Followtheinstructionsonthescreentocompletetheoperation.
Note:Afterrestoringyourcomputerharddiskdrivetothefactorydefaultstate,youmighthavetoreinstall
devicedriversforsomedevices.See“Reinstallingdevicedrivers”onpage70.
Performingbackupandrecoveryoperations
TheRescueandRecoveryprogramenablesyoutobackupallyourharddiskdrivecontentsincludingthe
operatingsystem,datales,softwareprograms,andpersonalsettings.Youcandesignatewherethe
RescueandRecoveryprogramstoresthebackup:
•Inaprotectedareaofyourharddiskdrive
•Onthesecondaryharddiskdriveifasecondaryharddiskdriveisinstalledinyourcomputer
•OnanattachedexternalUSBharddiskdrive
•Onanetworkdrive
•Onrecordablediscs(arecordableopticaldriveisrequiredforthisoption)
Afteryouhavebackedupthecontentsoftheharddiskdrive,youcanrestorethecompletecontentsofthe
harddiskdrive,restoreselectedlesonly,orrestoretheWindowsoperatingsystemandapplicationsonly
whilekeepingtheotherdataonyourharddiskdrive.
Performingabackupoperation
ThissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoperformabackupoperationusingtheRescueandRecovery
programondifferentoperatingsystems.
•ToperformabackupoperationusingtheRescueandRecoveryprogramontheWindows7operating
system,dothefollowing:
66ThinkCentreUserGuide

1.FromtheWindowsdesktop,clickStart➙AllPrograms➙LenovoThinkVantageTools➙
EnhancedBackupandRestore.TheRescueandRecoveryprogramopens.
2.IntheRescueandRecoverymainwindow,clicktheLaunchadvancedRescueandRecoveryarrow.
3.ClickBackupyourharddriveandselectbackupoperationoptions.Then,followtheinstructionson
thescreentocompletethebackupoperation.
Performingarecoveryoperation
ThissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoperformarecoveryoperationusingtheRescueandRecovery
programondifferentoperatingsystems.
ToperformarecoveryoperationusingtheRescueandRecoveryprogramontheWindows7operating
system,dothefollowing:
1.FromtheWindowsdesktop,clickStart➙AllPrograms➙LenovoThinkVantageTools➙Enhanced
BackupandRestore.TheRescueandRecoveryprogramopens.
2.IntheRescueandRecoverymainwindow,clicktheLaunchadvancedRescueandRecoveryarrow.
3.ClicktheRestoreyoursystemfromabackupicon.
4.Followtheinstructionsonthescreentocompletetherecoveryoperation.
FormoreinformationaboutperformingarecoveryoperationfromtheRescueandRecoveryworkspace,see
“UsingtheRescueandRecoveryworkspace”onpage67.
UsingtheRescueandRecoveryworkspace
TheRescueandRecoveryworkspaceresidesinaprotected,hiddenareaofyourharddiskdrivethat
operatesindependentlyfromtheWindowsoperatingsystem.Thisenablesyoutoperformrecovery
operationsevenifyoucannotstarttheWindowsoperatingsystem.Youcanperformthefollowingrecovery
operationsfromtheRescueandRecoveryworkspace:
•Rescuelesfromyourharddiskdriveorfromabackup:TheRescueandRecoveryworkspaceenables
youtolocatelesonyourharddiskdriveandtransferthemtoanetworkdriveorotherrecordablemedia,
suchasaUSBdeviceoradisc.Thissolutionisavailableevenifyoudidnotbackupyourlesorif
changesweremadetothelessinceyourlastbackupoperation.Youcanalsorescueindividuallesfrom
aRescueandRecoverybackuplocatedonyourlocalharddiskdrive,aUSBdevice,oranetworkdrive.
•RestoreyourharddiskdrivefromaRescueandRecoverybackup:Ifyouhavebackedupyourharddisk
driveusingtheRescueandRecoveryprogram,youcanrestoretheharddiskdrivefromaRescueand
Recoverybackup,evenifyoucannotstarttheWindowsoperatingsystem.
•Restoreyourharddiskdrivetothefactorydefaultstate:TheRescueandRecoveryworkspaceenables
youtorestorethecompletecontentsofyourharddiskdrivetothefactorydefaultstate.Ifyouhave
multiplepartitionsonyourharddiskdrive,youhavetheoptiontorestoretheC:partitionandleavethe
otherpartitionsintact.BecausetheRescueandRecoveryworkspaceoperatesindependentlyfrom
theWindowsoperatingsystem,youcanrestoretheharddiskdrivetothefactorydefaultstateevenif
youcannotstarttheWindowsoperatingsystem.
Attention:IfyourestoretheharddiskdrivefromaRescueandRecoverybackuporrestoretheharddisk
drivetothefactorydefaultsettings,alllesontheprimaryharddiskdrivepartition(usuallydriveC:)willbe
deletedintherecoveryprocess.Ifpossible,makecopiesofimportantles.Ifyouareunabletostartthe
Windowsoperatingsystem,youcanusetherescuelesfeatureoftheRescueandRecoveryworkspaceto
copylesfromyourharddiskdrivetoothermedia.
TostarttheRescueandRecoveryworkspace,dothefollowing:
1.Makesurethecomputeristurnedoff.
Chapter6.Recoveryinformation67

2.Turnonyourcomputer.Whenyouseethelogoscreen,pressEnter,andthenpressF11toenterthe
RescueandRecoveryworkspace.
3.IfyouhavesetaRescueandRecoverypassword,typeyourpasswordwhenprompted.TheRescue
andRecoveryworkspaceopensafterashortdelay.
Note:IftheRescueandRecoveryworkspacefailstoopen,see“Solvingrecoveryproblems”onpage70.
4.Dooneofthefollowing:
•Torescuelesfromyourharddiskdrive,clickRescuelesandfollowtheinstructionsonthescreen.
•TorestoreyourharddiskdrivefromaRescueandRecoverybackuportorestoreyourharddiskdrive
tothefactorydefaultsettings,clickFullRestoreandfollowtheinstructionsonthescreen.
FormoreinformationaboutthefeaturesoftheRescueandRecoveryworkspace,clickHelp.
Note:Afterrestoringyourharddiskdrivetothefactorydefaultstate,youmighthavetoreinstalldevice
driversforsomedevices.See“Reinstallingdevicedrivers”onpage70.
Creatingandusingarescuemedium
Witharescuemedium,suchasadiscoraUSBharddiskdrive,youcanrecoverthecomputerfromfailures
thatpreventyoufromgainingaccesstotheRescueandRecoveryworkspaceonyourharddiskdrive.
Notes:
1.Therecoveryoperationsyoucanperformusingarescuemediumvarydependingontheoperating
system.
2.Therescuedisccanbestartedinalltypesofopticaldrives.
Creatingarescuemedium
Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtocreatearescuemediumondifferentoperatingsystems.
TocreatearescuemediumontheWindows7operatingsystem,dothefollowing:
1.FromtheWindowsdesktop,clickStart➙AllPrograms➙LenovoThinkVantageTools➙Enhanced
BackupandRestore.TheRescueandRecoveryprogramopens.
2.IntheRescueandRecoverymainwindow,clicktheLaunchadvancedRescueandRecoveryarrow.
3.ClicktheCreateRescueMediaicon.TheCreateRescueandRecoveryMediawindowopens.
4.IntheRescueMediaarea,selectthetypeoftherescuemediumyouwanttocreate.Youcancreatea
rescuemediumusingadisc,aUSBharddiskdrive,orasecondaryinternalharddiskdrive.
5.ClickOKandfollowtheinstructionsonthescreentocreatearescuemedium.
Usingarescuemedium
Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtousetherescuemediumyouhavecreated.
•Ifyouhavecreatedarescuemediumusingadisc,usethefollowinginstructionstousetherescuemedium:
1.Turnoffyourcomputer.
2.RepeatedlypressandreleasetheF12keywhenturningonthecomputer.WhenthePleaseselect
bootdevicewindowopens,releasetheF12key.
3.InthePleaseselectbootdevicewindow,selectthedesiredopticaldriveastherstbootdevice.
Then,inserttherescuediscintotheopticaldriveandpressEnter.Therescuemediumstarts.
•IfyouhavecreatedarescuemediumusingaUSBharddiskdrive,usethefollowinginstructionsto
usetherescuemedium:
1.AttachtheUSBharddiskdrivetooneoftheUSBconnectorsonyourcomputer.
68ThinkCentreUserGuide

2.RepeatedlypressandreleasetheF12keywhenturningonthecomputer.WhenthePleaseselect
bootdevicewindowopens,releasetheF12key.
3.InthePleaseselectbootdevicewindow,selecttheUSBharddiskdriveastherstbootdeviceand
pressEnter.Therescuemediumstarts.
Whentherescuemediumstarts,theRescueandRecoveryworkspaceopens.Thehelpinformationfor
eachfeatureisavailablefromtheRescueandRecoveryworkspace.Followtheinstructionstocomplete
therecoveryprocess.
Reinstallingpreinstalledapplicationsanddevicedrivers
Yourcomputerhasprovisionsthatenableyoutoreinstallselectedfactory-installedapplicationsanddevice
drivers.
Reinstallingpreinstalledapplications
Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreinstallpreinstalledapplications.
ToreinstalltheselectedapplicationspreinstalledonyourLenovocomputer,dothefollowing:
1.Turnonthecomputer.
2.GototheC:\SWTOOL Sdirectory.
3.Opentheappsfolder.Withintheappsfolder,thereareseveralsubfoldersnamedforvariousapplications
installedinyourcomputer.
4.Opentheappropriateapplicationsubfolder.
5.Intheapplicationsubfolder,lookforaSETUP.EXEleorotherappropriateEXElesforsetup.
Double-clicktheleandfollowtheinstructionsonthescreentocompletetheinstallation.
Reinstallingpreinstalleddevicedrivers
Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreinstallpreinstalleddevicedrivers.
Attention:Whenyoureinstalldevicedrivers,youarechangingthecurrentcongurationofyourcomputer.
Reinstalldevicedriversonlywhenitisnecessarytocorrectaproblemwithyourcomputer.
Toreinstallthedevicedriverforafactory-installeddevice,dothefollowing:
1.Turnonthecomputer.
2.GototheC:\SWTOOL Sdirectory.
3.OpentheDRIVERSfolder.WithintheDRIVERSfolder,thereareseveralsubfoldersnamedforvarious
devicesinstalledinyourcomputer,suchasAUDIOorVIDEO.
4.Opentheappropriatedevicesubfolder.
5.Dooneofthefollowing:
•Inthedevicesubfolder,lookforaSETUP .exele.Double-clicktheleandfollowtheinstructionson
thescreentocompletetheinstallation.
•Inthedevicesubfolder,lookforaREADME.txtleoralewiththe.txtextension.Thislemightbe
namedaftertheoperatingsystem,suchasWIN98.txt.TheTXTlecontainsinformationabouthowto
installthedevicedriver.Followtheinstructionstocompletetheinstallation.
•Ifthedevicesubfoldercontainsalewiththe.infextensionandyouwanttoinstallthedevice
driverusingtheINFle,refertoyourWindowsHelpandSupportinformationsystemfordetailed
informationabouthowtoinstallthedevicedriver.
Note:Ifyouneedupdateddevicedrivers,see“Gettingthelatestdevicedriversforyourcomputer”on
page81formoreinformation.
Chapter6.Recoveryinformation69

Reinstallingsoftwareprograms
Ifasoftwareprogramyouinstalledonyourcomputerisnotworkingcorrectly,youmightneedtoremove
andreinstallit.Reinstallingoverwritestheexistingprogramslesandusuallyxesanyproblemsthat
youmighthavehadwiththatprogram.
Toremoveaprograminyoursystem,seeMicrosoftWindowshelpsystemfordetailedinformation.
Toreinstalltheprogram,dooneofthefollowing:
Note:Themethodofreinstallingaprogramvariesfromprogramtoprogram.Refertothedocumentation
providedwiththeprogramtoseeifyourprogramhasspecialinstallationinstructions.
•Toreinstallmostcommerciallyavailableprogramsinyoursystem,seeMicrosoftWindowshelpsystem
formoreinformation.
•ToreinstallselectedapplicationprogramsthatcamepreinstalledfromLenovo,dothefollowing:
1.Turnonthecomputer.
2.GototheC:\SWTOOLSdirectory.
3.OpentheAPPSfolder.WithintheAPPSfolder,thereareseveralsubfoldersnamedforvarious
applicationsinstalledinyourcomputer.
4.Opentheappropriateapplicationsubfolder.
5.Intheapplicationsubfolder,lookforaSETUP.EXEleorotherappropriateEXElesforsetup.
Double-clicktheleandfollowtheinstructionsonthescreentocompletetheinstallation.
Reinstallingdevicedrivers
Toreinstalladevicedriverforanoptionyouinstalled,refertothedocumentationthatcomeswiththeoption.
Whenyoureinstalldevicedrivers,youarechangingthecurrentcongurationofyourcomputer.Reinstall
devicedriversonlywhenitisnecessarytocorrectaproblemwithyourcomputer.
Formoreinformationaboutreinstallingdevicedriversthatcamewithyourcomputer,see“Reinstalling
preinstalledapplicationsanddevicedrivers”onpage69.
Solvingrecoveryproblems
IfyouareunabletoaccesstheRescueandRecoveryworkspaceortheWindowsenvironment,doone
ofthefollowing:
•UsearescuemediumtostarttheRescueandRecoveryworkspace.See“Creatingandusingarescue
medium”onpage68.
•Userecoverymediaifallothermethodsofrecoveryhavefailedandyouneedtorestoretheharddisk
drivetothefactorydefaultsettings.See“Creatingandusingrecoverymedia”onpage65.
Note:IfyouareunabletoaccesstheRescueandRecoveryworkspaceortheWindowsenvironmentfrom
arescuemediumorrecoverymedia,youmightnothavetherescuedevice(aninternalharddiskdrive,a
disc,aUSBharddiskdrive,orotherexternaldevices)setastherstbootdeviceinthestartupdevice
sequence.Youmustrstmakesurethatyourrescuedeviceissetastherstbootdeviceinthestartup
devicesequenceintheSetupUtilityprogram.See“Selectingastartupdevice”onpage76fordetailed
informationabouttemporarilyorpermanentlychangingthestartupdevicesequence.Formoreinformation
abouttheSetupUtilityprogram,seeChapter7“UsingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage73.
Itisimportanttocreatearescuemediumandasetofrecoverymediaasearlyaspossibleandstorethem
inasafeplaceforfutureuse.
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RecoveryinformationfortheWindows8operatingsystem
Thissectionprovidesinformationabouttherecoverysolutionsprovidedoncomputerspreinstalledwiththe
Windows8operatingsystem.
Refreshingyourcomputer
Ifyourcomputerdoesnotperformwellandtheproblemmightbecausedbyarecentlyinstalledprogram,
youcanrefreshyourcomputerwithoutlosingyourpersonallesorchangingyoursettings.
Attention:Ifyourefreshyourcomputer,theprogramsthatcamewithyourcomputerandtheprogramsthat
youinstalledfromWindowsStorewillbereinstalled,butallotherprogramswillberemoved.
Torefreshyourcomputer,dothefollowing:
1.Movethecursortothetop-rightorbottom-rightcornerofthescreentodisplaythecharms.Click
Settings➙ChangePCsettings➙General.
2.IntheRefreshyourPCwithoutaffectingyourlessection,clickGetstarted.
Resettingyourcomputertothefactorydefaultsettings
Youcanresetyourcomputertothefactorydefaultsettings.Resettingthecomputerwillreinstallthe
operatingsystem,andreinstallalltheprogramsandsettingsthatcamewithyourcomputer.
Attention:Ifyouresetyourcomputer,allyourpersonallesandsettingswillbedeleted.Toavoiddataloss,
makeabackupcopyofallthedatathatyouwanttokeep.
Toresetyourcomputer,dothefollowing:
1.Movethecursortothetop-rightorbottom-rightcornerofthescreentodisplaythecharms.Click
Settings➙ChangePCsettings➙General.
2.IntheRemoveeverythingandreinstallWindowssection,clickGetstarted.
Advancedstartupoptions
AdvancedstartupoptionsenableyoutochangethestartupsettingsofyourWindowsoperatingsystem,
startthecomputerfromanexternaldevice,orrestoretheWindowsoperatingsystemfromasystemimage.
Tousetheadvancedstartupoptions,dothefollowing:
1.Movethecursortothetop-rightorbottom-rightcornerofthescreentodisplaythecharms.Click
Settings➙ChangePCsettings➙General.
2.IntheAdvancedstartupsection,clickRestartnow➙Troubleshoot➙Advancedoptions.
3.Restartyourcomputerfollowingtheinstructionsonthescreen.
FormoredetailsabouttherecoverysolutionsprovidedoncomputerspreinstalledwiththeWindows8
operatingsystem,refertothehelpinformationsystemoftheWindows8operatingsystem.
Chapter6.Recoveryinformation71

72ThinkCentreUserGuide

Chapter7.UsingtheSetupUtilityprogram
TheSetupUtilityprogramisusedtoviewandchangethecongurationsettingsofyourcomputer,regardless
ofwhichoperatingsystemyouareusing.However,theoperatingsystemsettingsmightoverrideanysimilar
settingsintheSetupUtilityprogram.
StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram
TostarttheSetupUtilityprogram,dothefollowing:
1.Makesureyourcomputeristurnedoff.
2.RepeatedlypressandreleasetheF1keywhenturningonthecomputer.Whenyouhearmultiple
beepsorseealogoscreen,releasetheF1key.
Note:IfaPower-OnPasswordoranAdministratorPasswordhasbeenset,theSetupUtilityprogram
menuwillnotbedisplayeduntilyoutypethecorrectpassword.Formoreinformation,see“Using
passwords”onpage73.
WhenthePOSTdetectsthattheharddiskdrivehasbeenremovedfromyourcomputerorthememory
modulesizehasdecreased,anerrormessagewillbedisplayedwhenyoustartthecomputerandyouwillbe
promptedtodooneofthefollowing:
•PressF1toentertheSetupUtilityprogram.
Note:AfteryouentertheSetupUtilityprogram,pressF10tosavechangesandexittheSetupUtility
program.PressEnterwhenpromptedtoconrmtheexit.Theerrormessagewillnotbedisplayedagain.
•PressF2tobypasstheerrormessageandlogintotheoperatingsystem.
Note:YouhavetoenablethecongurationchangedetectionfeatureforthePOSTtodetecttheremovalof
theharddiskdrive.Toenablethecongurationchangedetectionfeature,dothefollowing:
1.StarttheSetupUtilityprogram.
2.FromtheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu,selectSecurity➙CongurationChangeDetection,
andpressEnter.
3.SelectEnabledandpressEnter.
4.PressF10tosavechangesandexittheSetupUtilityprogram.PressEnterwhenpromptedtoconrm
theexit.
Viewingandchangingsettings
TheSetupUtilityprogrammenulistsvariousitemsaboutthesystemconguration.Tovieworchange
settings,starttheSetupUtilityprogram.See“StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage73.Then,follow
theinstructionsonthescreen.
YoucanuseeitherthekeyboardorthemousetonavigatethroughBIOSmenuchoices.Thekeysusedto
performvarioustasksaredisplayedatthebottomofeachscreen.
Usingpasswords
ByusingtheSetupUtilityprogram,youcansetpasswordstopreventunauthorizedaccesstoyourcomputer
anddata.Thefollowingtypesofpasswordsareavailable:
•Power-OnPassword
©CopyrightLenovo201273

•AdministratorPassword
•HardDiskPassword
Youdonothavetosetanypasswordstouseyourcomputer.However,usingpasswordsimproves
computingsecurity.Ifyoudecidetosetanypasswords,readthefollowingsections.
Passwordconsiderations
Apasswordcanbeanycombinationofupto64alphabeticandnumericcharacters.Forsecurityreasons,it
isrecommendedtouseastrongpasswordthatcannotbeeasilycompromised.Tosetastrongpassword,
usethefollowingguidelines:
•Haveatleasteightcharactersinlength
•Containatleastonealphabeticcharacterandonenumericcharacter
•SetupUtilityprogramandharddiskdrivepasswordsarenotcasesensitive
•Notbeyournameoryourusername
•Notbeacommonwordoracommonname
•Besignicantlydifferentfromyourpreviouspasswords
Power-OnPassword
WhenaPower-OnPasswordisset,youarepromptedtotypeavalidpasswordeachtimethecomputeris
turnedon.Thecomputercannotbeuseduntilthevalidpasswordistypedin.
AdministratorPassword
SettinganAdministratorPassworddetersunauthorizedusersfromchangingcongurationsettings.Ifyou
areresponsibleformaintainingthecongurationsettingsofseveralcomputers,youmightwanttosetan
AdministratorPassword.
WhenanAdministratorPasswordisset,youarepromptedtotypeavalidpasswordeachtimeyoutryto
accesstheSetupUtilityprogram.TheSetupUtilityprogramcannotbeaccesseduntilavalidpassword
istypedin.
IfboththePower-OnPasswordandAdministratorPasswordareset,youcantypeeitherpassword.However,
youmustuseyourAdministratorPasswordtochangeanycongurationsettings.
HardDiskPassword
SettingaHardDiskPasswordpreventsunauthorizedaccesstothedataontheharddiskdrive.Whena
HardDiskPasswordisset,youarepromptedtotypeavalidpasswordeachtimeyoutrytoaccessthe
harddiskdrive.
Notes:
•AfteryousetaHardDiskPassword,yourdataontheharddiskdriveisprotectedeveniftheharddisk
driveisremovedfromonecomputerandinstalledinanother.
•IftheHardDiskPasswordisforgotten,thereisnowaytoresetthepasswordorrecoverdatafromthe
harddiskdrive.
Setting,changing,anddeletingapassword
Toset,change,ordeleteapassword,dothefollowing:
1.StarttheSetupUtilityprogram.See“StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage73.
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2.FromtheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu,selectSecurity.
3.Dependingonthepasswordtype,selectSetPower-OnPassword,SetAdministratorPassword,or
HardDiskPassword.
4.Followtheinstructionsontherightsideofthescreentoset,change,ordeleteapassword.
Note:Apasswordcanbeanycombinationofupto64alphabeticandnumericcharacters.Formore
information,see“Passwordconsiderations”onpage74.
Erasinglostorforgottenpasswords(clearingCMOS)
Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoeraselostorforgottenpasswords,suchasauserpassword.
Toerasealostorforgottenpassword,dothefollowing:
1.Removeallmediafromthedrivesandturnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.Then,disconnect
allpowercordsfromelectricaloutletsanddisconnectallcablesthatareconnectedtothecomputer.
2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage34.
3.LocatetheClearCMOS/Recoveryjumperonthesystemboard.See“Locatingpartsonthesystem
board”onpage13.
4.Movethejumperfromthestandardposition(pin1andpin2)tothemaintenanceposition(pin2and
pin3).
5.Reinstallthecomputercoverandconnectthepowercord.See“Completingthepartsreplacement”
onpage63.
6.Turnonthecomputerandleaveitonforapproximately10seconds.Then,turnoffthecomputerby
holdingthepowerswitchforapproximatelyveseconds.
7.Repeatstep1throughstep3.
8.MovetheClearCMOS/Recoveryjumperbacktothestandardposition(pin1andpin2).
9.Reinstallthecomputercoverandconnectthepowercord.See“Completingthepartsreplacement”
onpage63.
Enablingordisablingadevice
Thissectionprovidesinformationonhowtoenableordisableuseraccesstothefollowingdevices:
USBSetupUsethisoptiontoenableordisableaUSBconnector.WhenaUSBconnectoris
disabled,thedeviceconnectedtotheUSBconnectorcannotbeused.
SATAControllerWhenthisfeatureissettoDisable,alldevicesconnectedtotheSATAconnectors
(suchasharddiskdrivesortheopticaldrive)aredisabledandcannotbeaccessed.
Toenableordisableadevice,dothefollowing:
1.StarttheSetupUtilityprogram.See“StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage73.
2.FromtheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu,selectDevices.
3.Dependingonthedeviceyouwanttoenableordisable,dooneofthefollowing:
•SelectUSBSetuptoenableordisableaUSBdevice.
•SelectATADrivesSetup➙SATAControllertoenableordisableaSATAdevice.
4.SelectthedesiredsettingsandpressEnter.
5.PressF10tosaveandexittheSetupUtilityprogram.See“ExitingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage77.
Chapter7.UsingtheSetupUtilityprogram75

Selectingastartupdevice
Ifyourcomputerdoesnotstartupfromadevicesuchasthediscorharddiskdriveasexpected,dooneof
thefollowingtoselectthestartupdeviceyouwant.
Selectingatemporarystartupdevice
Usethisproceduretoselectatemporarystartupdevice.
Note:Notalldiscsandharddiskdrivesarebootable.
1.Turnoffyourcomputer.
2.RepeatedlypressandreleasetheF12keywhenturningonthecomputer.WhenthePleaseselect
bootdevicewindowdisplays,releasetheF12key.
3.SelectthedesiredstartupdeviceandpressEnter.Thecomputerwillstartupfromthedeviceyou
selected.
Note:SelectingastartupdevicefromthePleaseselectbootdevicewindowdoesnotpermanentlychange
thestartupsequence.
Selectingorchangingthestartupdevicesequence
Tovieworpermanentlychangetheconguredstartupdevicesequence,dothefollowing:
1.StarttheSetupUtilityprogram.See“StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage73.
2.FromtheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu,selectStartup.
3.SelectthedevicesforthePrimaryStartupSequence,theAutomaticStartupSequence,andtheError
StartupSequence.Readtheinformationdisplayedontherightsideofthescreen.
4.PressF10tosaveandexittheSetupUtilityprogram.See“ExitingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage77.
EnablingErPcompliancemode
Youcanenabletheenergy-relatedproductsdirective(ErP)compliancemodethroughthePowermenuinthe
SetupUtilityprogramtoreducetheconsumptionofelectricitywhenyourcomputerisinstandbyoroffmode.
ToenableErPcompliancemodeintheSetupUtilityprogram,dothefollowing:
1.StarttheSetupUtilityprogram.See“StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage73.
2.FromtheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu,selectPower➙EnhancedPowerSavingMode,and
pressEnter.
3.SelectEnabledandpressEnter.
4.FromthePowermenu,selectAutomaticPowerOnandpressEnter.
5.SelectWakeonLanandpressEnter.
6.SelectDisabledandpressEnter.
7.PressF10tosavechangesandexittheSetupUtilityprogram.PressEnterwhenpromptedtoconrm
theexit.
Note:WhenErPcompliancemodeisenabled,youcanwakeupyourcomputerbydoingoneofthefollowing:
•Pressingthepowerswitch
•Enablingthewakeuponalarmfeature
Thewakeuponalarmfeatureenablesyourcomputertowakeupatasettime.Toenablethewake
uponalarmfeature,dothefollowing:
76ThinkCentreUserGuide

1.StarttheSetupUtilityprogram.See“StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage73.
2.FromtheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu,selectPower➙AutomaticPowerOn,andpressEnter.
3.SelectWakeUponAlarmandpressEnter.Thenfollowtheinstructionsonthescreen.
4.PressF10tosavechangesandexittheSetupUtilityprogram.PressEnterwhenpromptedto
conrmtheexit.
•Enablingtheafterpowerlossfeature
Theafterpowerlossfeatureenablesyourcomputertowakeupwhenthepowersupplyresumesaftera
suddenlossofelectricity.Toenabletheafterpowerlossfeature,dothefollowing:
1.StarttheSetupUtilityprogram.See“StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage73.
2.FromtheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu,selectPower➙AfterPowerLoss,andpressEnter.
3.SelectPowerOnandpressEnter.
4.PressF10tosavechangesandexittheSetupUtilityprogram.PressEnterwhenpromptedto
conrmtheexit.
ExitingtheSetupUtilityprogram
Afteryounishviewingorchangingsettings,pressEsctoreturntotheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu.
YoumighthavetopressEscseveraltimes.Dooneofthefollowing:
•Ifyouwanttosavethenewsettings,pressF10tosaveandexittheSetupUtilityprogram.
•Ifyoudonotwanttosavethesettings,selectExit➙DiscardChangesandExit,andthenpress
Enter.WhentheResetWithoutSavingwindowopens,selectYes,andthenpressEntertoexitthe
SetupUtilityprogram.
•Ifyouwanttoreturntothedefaultsettings,pressF9toloadthedefaultsettings,andthenpressF10to
saveandexittheSetupUtilityprogram.
Chapter7.UsingtheSetupUtilityprogram77

78ThinkCentreUserGuide

Chapter8.Updatingsystemprograms
ThischapterprovidesinformationaboutupdatingthePOSTandBIOS,andhowtorecoverfromaPOST
andBIOSupdatefailure.
Usingsystemprograms
Systemprogramsarethebasiclayerofsoftwarebuiltintoyourcomputer.Systemprogramsincludethe
POST,theBIOS,andtheSetupUtilityprogram.ThePOSTisasetoftestsandproceduresthatare
performedeachtimeyouturnonyourcomputer.TheBIOSisalayerofsoftwarethattranslatesinstructions
fromotherlayersofsoftwareintoelectricalsignalsthatthecomputerhardwarecanexecute.Youcanuse
theSetupUtilityprogramtovieworchangethecongurationsettingsofyourcomputer.SeeChapter7
“UsingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage73fordetailedinformation.
Yourcomputersystemboardhasamodulecalledelectricallyerasableprogrammableread-onlymemory
(EEPROM,alsoreferredtoasashmemory).YoucaneasilyupdatethePOST,theBIOS,andtheSetup
Utilityprogrambystartingyourcomputerwithasystem-program-updatediscorrunningaspecialupdate
programfromyouroperatingsystem.
LenovomightmakechangesandenhancementstothePOSTandBIOS.Whenupdatesarereleased,they
areavailableasdownloadablelesontheLenovoWebsiteathttp://www.lenovo.com.Instructionsforusing
thePOSTandBIOSupdatesareavailableinaTXTlethatisincludedwiththeupdateles.Formost
models,youcandownloadeitheranupdateprogramtocreateasystem-program-updatediscoranupdate
programthatcanberunfromtheoperatingsystem.
Updating(ashing)theBIOSfromadisc
Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoupdate(ash)theBIOSfromadisc.
Note:Youcandownloadaself-startingbootablediscimage(knownasanISOimage)withthesystem
programupdatestocreateasystem-program-updatedisc.Goto:
http://support.lenovo.com
Toupdate(ash)theBIOSfromadisc,dothefollowing:
1.Turnoffyourcomputer.
2.RepeatedlypressandreleasetheF12keywhenturningonthecomputer.WhentheStartupDevice
Menuwindowopens,releasetheF12key.
3.FromtheStartupDeviceMenuwindow,selectthedesiredopticaldriveasthestartupdevice.Then,
insertthediscintothisopticaldriveandpressEnter.Theupdatebegins.
4.Whenpromptedtochangetheserialnumber,itissuggestedthatyoudonotmakethischangeby
pressingN.However,ifyoudowanttochangetheserialnumber,pressY,thentypeintheserialnumber
andpressEnter.
5.Whenpromptedtochangethemachinetypeandmodel,itissuggestedthatyoudonotmakethis
changebypressingN.However,ifyoudowanttochangethemachinetypeandmodel,pressY,then
typeinthemachinetypeandmodelandpressEnter.
6.Followtheinstructionsonthescreentocompletetheupdate.Aftertheupdateiscompleted,removethe
discfromtheopticaldrive.
©CopyrightLenovo201279

Updating(ashing)theBIOSfromyouroperatingsystem
Note:BecauseLenovomakesconstantimprovementstoitsWebsites,theWebpagecontentsaresubject
tochangewithoutnotice,includingthecontentsreferencedinthefollowingprocedure.
Toupdate(ash)theBIOSfromyouroperatingsystem,dothefollowing:
1.Gotohttp://www.lenovo.com/support.
2.ClickDownloadDrivers&Software.
3.ClickUseQuickPath.
4.Typethe4-digitmachinetypeforyourcomputerintheQuickPatheldandthenclickFindMyProduct.
5.ClickBIOS.
6.LocatetheBIOSversionthatyouwanttodownload.
7.ClickClickforles.Allavailableleswillbedisplayed.
8.Clickthelinkforthereadmelethatcontainstheinstructionsforupdating(ashing)theBIOSfrom
youroperatingsystem.
9.Printtheseinstructions.Thisisveryimportantbecausetheseinstructionswillnotbedisplayedon
thescreenafterthedownloadbegins.
10.Followtheprintedinstructionstodownload,extract,andinstalltheupdate.
RecoveringfromaPOST/BIOSupdatefailure
IfthepowertoyourcomputerisinterruptedwhilethePOSTandBIOSisbeingupdated,yourcomputer
mightnotrestartcorrectly.Ifthishappens,performthefollowingproceduretorecoverfromthePOSTand
BIOSupdatefailure.ThisprocedureiscommonlycalledBoot-blockRecovery.
1.Removeallmediafromthedrivesandturnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.Then,disconnect
allpowercordsfromelectricaloutletsanddisconnectallcablesthatareconnectedtothecomputer.
2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage34.
3.LocatetheClearCMOS/Recoveryjumperonthesystemboard.See“Locatingpartsonthesystem
board”onpage13.
4.RemoveanycablesthatimpedeaccesstotheClearCMOS/Recoveryjumper.
5.Movethejumperfromthestandardposition(pin1andpin2)tothemaintenanceposition(pin2and
pin3).
6.ReconnectanycablesthatweredisconnectedandreinstallthePCIcardifremoved.
7.Reinstallthecomputercoverandreconnectthepowercordsforthecomputerandmonitortoelectrical
outlets.See“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage63.
8.TurnonthecomputerandtheninsertthePOSTandBIOSupdate(ashupdate)discintotheoptical
drive.Waitafewminutes.Then,therecoverysessionbegins.Therecoverysessionwilltaketwoto
threeminutes.Duringthistime,awarningmessagewillbedisplayedandnoactionisneededfromyou.
9.Aftertherecoverysessioniscompleted,therewillbenovideo,andyourcomputerwillautomatically
turnoff.
10.Repeatstep1throughstep4.
11.MovetheClearCMOS/Recoveryjumperbacktothestandardposition(pin1andpin2).
12.ReconnectanycablesthatweredisconnectedandreinstallthePCIcardifremoved.
13.Reinstallthecomputercoverandreconnectanycablesthatweredisconnected.
14.Turnonthecomputertorestarttheoperatingsystem.
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Chapter9.Preventingproblems
Thischapterprovidesinformationthatcanhelpyouavoidcommonproblemsandkeepyourcomputer
runningsmoothly.
Keepingyourcomputercurrent
Insomesituationsyoumaynditnecessarytohavethemostcurrentsoftwareprograms,devicedrivers,or
operatingsystem.Thissectionexplainshowtogetthelatestupdatesforyourcomputer.
Selectanyofthefollowingtopics:
•“Gettingthelatestdevicedriversforyourcomputer”onpage81
•“Updatingyouroperatingsystem”onpage81
•“UsingSystemUpdate”onpage82
Gettingthelatestdevicedriversforyourcomputer
YoucandownloadandinstallupdateddevicedriversfromtheLenovoWebsitebydoingthefollowing:
Note:BecauseLenovomakesconstantimprovementstoitsWebsites,theWebpagecontentsaresubject
tochangewithoutnotice,includingthecontentsreferencedinthefollowingprocedure.
Attention:DonotdownloadupdateddevicedriversfromtheWindowsUpdateWebsite.Thedevice
driversprovidedontheWindowsWebsitehavenotbeentestedbyLenovoandusingthemmightcause
unexpectedproblems.ObtainupdateddevicedriversfromLenovo.
1.Gotohttp://support.lenovo.com.
2.ClickDownload&Drivers.
3.Selectthemachinetypeofyourcomputerfromthemachinetypelist.
4.Clickthecategoryofdeviceforwhichyouneedthedevicedriver.
5.Clicktheappropriatedevicedriver.
6.Downloadandinstallthedevicedriver.
Updatingyouroperatingsystem
MicrosoftmakesupdatesavailableforthevariousWindowsoperatingsystemsthroughtheMicrosoft
WindowsUpdateWebsite.TheWebsiteautomaticallydetermineswhatWindowsupdatesareavailablefor
yourspeciccomputerandliststhoseupdatesonly.Updatescouldincludesecurityxes,newversionsof
Windowscomponents(suchasMediaPlayer),xestootherportionsoftheWindowsoperatingsystem,
orenhancements.
Attention:DonotdownloadupdateddevicedriversfromtheWindowsWebsite.Thedevicedrivers
providedontheWindowsWebsitehavenotbeentestedbyLenovoandusingthemmightcauseunexpected
problems.ObtainupdateddevicedriversfromLenovo.See“Gettingthelatestdevicedriversforyour
computer”onpage81formoreinformation.
ToaccesstheMicrosoftWindowsUpdatesite,dothefollowing:
1.Gotohttp://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/.
2.Followtheinstructionsonthescreen.
©CopyrightLenovo201281

UsingSystemUpdate
TheSystemUpdateprogramhelpsyoukeepthesoftwareonyourcomputerup-to-date.Updatepackages
arestoredonLenovoserversandcanbedownloadedfromtheLenovoSupportWebsite.Updatepackages
cancontainapplications,devicedrivers,BIOSashes,orsoftwareupdates.WhentheSystemUpdate
programconnectstotheLenovoSupportWebsite,theSystemUpdateprogramautomaticallyrecognizes
themachinetypeandmodelofyourcomputer,theinstalledoperatingsystem,andthelanguageofthe
operatingsystemtodeterminewhatupdatesareavailableforyourcomputer.TheSystemUpdateprogram
thendisplaysalistofupdatepackagesandcategorizeseachupdateascritical,recommended,and
optionaltohelpyouunderstandtheimportance.Youhavecompletecontrolofwhichupdatestodownload
andinstall.Afteryouselecttheupdatepackagesyouwant,theSystemUpdateprogramautomatically
downloadsandinstallstheupdateswithoutanyfurtherinterventionfromyou.
TheSystemUpdateprogramispreinstalledonmostLenovocomputersandisreadytorun.Theonly
prerequisiteisanactiveInternetconnection.Youcanstarttheprogrammanually,oryoucanusethe
schedulefeaturetoenabletheprogramtosearchforupdatesautomaticallyatspeciedintervals.Youalso
canpredenescheduledupdatestosearchbyseverity(criticalupdates,criticalandrecommendedupdates,
orallupdates)sothelistyouchoosefromcontainsonlythoseupdatetypesthatareofinteresttoyou.
ToopentheSystemUpdateprogram,see“AccessingLenovoprogramsontheWindows7operatingsystem”
onpage5or“AccessingLenovoprogramsontheWindows8operatingsystem”onpage7.
IftheSystemUpdateprogramisnotcurrentlyinstalledonyourcomputer,youcandownloaditfromthe
LenovoSupportWebsiteathttp://www.lenovo.com/support.
Cleaningandmaintenance
Withappropriatecareandmaintenanceyourcomputerwillserveyoureliably.Thefollowingtopicsoffer
informationtohelpyoukeepyourcomputerintopworkingorder.
•“Basics”onpage82
•“Cleaningyourcomputer”onpage83
–“Computer”onpage83
–“Keyboard”onpage83
–“Opticalmouse”onpage83
–“Displayscreen”onpage83
•“Goodmaintenancepractices”onpage84
Basics
Herearesomebasicpointsaboutkeepingyourcomputerfunctioningproperly:
•Keepyourcomputerinaclean,dryenvironment.Makesureitrestsonaat,steadysurface.
•Donotplaceitemsontopofthemonitororcoveranyoftheventsinthemonitororcomputer.These
ventsprovideairowtokeepyourcomputerfromoverheating.
•Keepfoodanddrinksawayfromallpartsofyourcomputer.Foodparticlesandspillsmightmakethe
keyboardandmousestickandunusable.
•Donotgetthepowerswitchesorothercontrolswet.Moisturecandamagethesepartsandcausean
electricalhazard.
•Alwaysdisconnectapowercordbygraspingtheplug,butnotthecord.
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Cleaningyourcomputer
Itisagoodpracticetocleanyourcomputerperiodicallytoprotectthesurfacesandensuretrouble-free
operation.
CAUTION:
Besuretoturnoffthecomputerandmonitorpowerswitchesbeforecleaningthecomputerand
monitorscreen.
Computer
Useonlymildcleaningsolutionsandadampclothtocleanthepaintedsurfacesofthecomputer.
Keyboard
Tocleanyourcomputerkeyboard,dothefollowing:
1.Applysomeisopropylrubbingalcoholtoasoft,dust-freecloth.
2.Wipeeachkeytopsurfacewiththecloth.Wipethekeysonebyone;ifyouwipeseveralkeysatatime,
theclothmayhookontoanadjacentkeyandpossiblydamageit.Makesurethatnoliquiddripsonto
orbetweenthekeys.
3.Toremoveanycrumbsordustfrombeneaththekeys,youcanuseacamerablowerwithabrush
orcoolairfromahairdryer.
Note:Avoidsprayingcleanerdirectlyontothedisplayorthekeyboard.
Opticalmouse
Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtocleananopticalmouse.
Anopticalmouseusesalight-emittingdiode(LED)andanopticalsensortonavigatethepointer.Ifthe
pointeronthescreendoesnotmovesmoothlywiththeopticalmouse,youmightneedtocleanthemouse.
Tocleananopticalmouse,dothefollowing:
1.Turnoffyourcomputer.
2.Disconnectthemousecablefromthecomputer.
3.Turnthemouseupsidedowntocheckthelens.
a.Ifthereisasmudgeonthelens,gentlycleantheareawithaplaincotton-tippedswab.
b.Ifthereisdebrisinthelens,gentlyblowthedebrisawayfromthearea.
4.Checkthesurfaceonwhichyouareusingthemouse.Ifyouhaveaveryintricatepictureorpattern
beneaththemouse,itmaybedifcultforthedigitalsignalprocessor(DSP)todeterminechanges
inthemouseposition.
5.Reconnectthemousecabletothecomputer.
6.Turnyourcomputerbackon.
Displayscreen
Dustbuildupcompoundsproblemsassociatedwithglare.Remembertocleanyourmonitorscreen
periodically.See“Cleaningaat-panelmonitorsurface”onpage83or“Cleaningaglass-screensurface”
onpage84.
Cleaningaat-panelmonitorsurface
Ifyouhaveaat-panelcomputerdisplaythathasaexiblelmsurface,dothefollowingtocleanthespecial
surface.Wipeitgentlywithasoft,drycloth,orblowonthescreentoremovegritandotherlooseparticles.
ThenmoistenaclothwithLCDcleanerandwipethescreensurface.
Chapter9.Preventingproblems83

Manycomputersupplystorescarrythespecialcleaninguidsfordisplays.Usecleaninguidsdevelopedfor
LCDdisplaysonly.Firstapplytheuidtoalint-free,softcloth,thencleantheLCDdisplay.Somecomputer
supplystorescarrypre-moistenedtowelettesforLCDmaintenance.
Cleaningaglass-screensurface
Tocleanaglass-screensurface,wipeitgentlywithasoft,drycloth,orblowonthescreentoremovegritand
otherlooseparticles.Thenuseasoftclothmoistenedwithanonabrasiveliquidglasscleaner.
Goodmaintenancepractices
Byperformingafewgoodmaintenancepractices,youcanmaintaingoodcomputerperformance,protect
yourdata,andbepreparedincaseofacomputerfailure.
•Emptyyourrecyclebinonaregularbasis.
•RuntheWindowsDiskDefragmenterprogramoccasionallytopreventperformanceproblemscausedby
anexcessivenumberoffragmentedles.
•CleanoutyourInbox,SentItems,andDeletedItemsfoldersinyoure-mailapplicationonaregularbasis.
•Makebackupcopiesofcriticaldataonremovablemediamemoryatregularintervalsandstorethe
removablemediainasafelocation.Thefrequencyofmakingbackupcopiesdependsonhowcriticalthe
dataistoyouoryourbusiness.Lenovomakesanumberofremovable-mediastoragedevicesavailable
asoptions,suchasCD-RWdrivesandrecordableDVDdrives.
•Backupyourentireharddiskdriveonaregularbasis.
•IfyouareusingtheWindowsVistaoperatingsystem,useorscheduleSystemRestoretotakeasystem
snapshotperiodically.
Note:Alwaystakeasnapshotbeforeinstallingnewdevicedrivers,updatingsoftware,orinstalling
newsoftware.
•Keepyourcomputersoftwareup-to-date.See“Keepingyourcomputercurrent”onpage81formore
information.
•Keepalogbook.Entriesmightincludemajorsoftwareorhardwarechanges,device-driverupdates,
intermittentproblemsandwhatyoudidtoresolvethem,andanyminorissuesyoumighthave
experienced.AlogbookcanhelpyouoraLenovotechniciandetermineifaproblemisrelatedtochange
inhardware,changeinsoftware,orsomeotheractionthatmighthavetakenplace.
•CreateProductRecoverydiscs.See“Creatingandusingrecoverymedia”onpage65formoreinformation
aboutusingProductRecoverydiscstorestoretheharddiskdrivetothefactorydefaultsettings.
•Createrescuemedia.See“Creatingandusingarescuemedium”onpage68formoreinformationabout
usingaRescuemediumsuchasaCDorDVDtorecoverfromfailuresthatpreventyoufromgaining
accesstotheWindowsenvironmentortheRescueandRecoveryworkspaceonyourharddiskdrive.
Movingyourcomputer
Takethefollowingprecautionsbeforemovingyourcomputer.
1.Backupalllesanddatafromtheharddiskdrive.Thereareavarietyofbackupprogramsavailable
commercially.Youroperatingsystemalsomighthaveabackupprogramthatyoucanuse.Lenovo
providestheRescueandRecoveryprogramtohelpyoubackupandrestoredata.See“Performing
backupandrecoveryoperations”onpage66formoreinformation.
2.Removeallmedia(diskettes,compactdiscs,tapes,andsoon)fromthedrives.
3.Turnoffthecomputerandallattacheddevices.Yourharddiskdriveautomaticallyparkstheread/write
headinanondataarea.Thispreventsdamagetotheharddiskdrive.
4.Unplugthepowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.
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5.Disconnectcommunicationcables,suchasmodemornetworkcables,fromtheoutletsrst,andthen
disconnecttheotherendsfromthecomputer.
6.Notewhereanyremainingcablesareattachedtothecomputer;then,removethem.
7.Ifyousavedtheoriginalshippingcartonsandpackingmaterials,usethemtopacktheunits.Ifyouare
usingdifferentcartons,cushiontheunitstoavoiddamage.
Chapter9.Preventingproblems85

86ThinkCentreUserGuide

Chapter10.Troubleshootinganddiagnostics
Thischapterdescribessomebasictroubleshootinganddiagnosticprograms.Ifyourcomputerproblem
isnotdescribedhere,seeChapter11“Gettinginformation,help,andservice”onpage107foradditional
troubleshootingresources.
Basictroubleshooting
Thefollowingtableprovidesinformationtohelpyoutroubleshootyourcomputerproblems.
Note:Ifyoucannotcorrecttheproblem,havethecomputerserviced.Foralistofserviceandsupport
telephonenumbers,refertotheSafety,Warranty,andSetupGuidethatcomeswithyourcomputerorgoto
theLenovoSupportWebsiteathttp://www.lenovo.com/support/phone.
SymptomAction
Thecomputerdoesnotstart
whenyoupressthepower
switch.
Verifythat:
•Thepowercordiscorrectlyconnectedtotherearofthecomputerandtoa
workingelectricaloutlet.
•Ifyourcomputerhasasecondarypowerswitchontherearofthecomputer,
makesurethatitisswitchedon.
•Thepowerindicatoronthefrontofthecomputerison.
•Thecomputervoltagematchesthevoltageavailableattheelectricaloutletfor
yourcountryorregion.
Themonitorscreenisblank.Verifythat:
•Themonitorsignalcableiscorrectlyconnectedtothemonitorandtothe
appropriatemonitorconnectoronthecomputer.
•Themonitorpowercordiscorrectlyconnectedtothemonitorandtoaworking
electricaloutlet.
•Themonitoristurnedonandthebrightnessandcontrastcontrolsareset
correctly.
•Thecomputervoltagematchesthevoltageavailableattheelectricaloutletfor
yourcountryorregion.
•Ifyourcomputerhastwomonitorconnectors,besuretousetheconnector
onthegraphicscard.
Thekeyboarddoesnotwork.Verifythat:
•Thecomputeristurnedon.
•ThekeyboardissecurelyconnectedtoaUSBconnectoronthecomputer.
•Nokeysarestuck.
Themousedoesnotwork.Verifythat:
•Thecomputeristurnedon.
•ThemouseissecurelyconnectedtoaUSBconnectoronthecomputer.
•Themouseisclean.Referto“Opticalmouse”onpage83forfurtherinformation.
©CopyrightLenovo201287

SymptomAction
Theoperatingsystemdoesnot
start.
Verifythat:
•Thestartupsequenceincludesthedevicewheretheoperatingsystemresides.
Usually,theoperatingsystemisontheharddiskdrive.Formoreinformation,
see“Selectingastartupdevice”onpage76.
Thecomputerbeepsmultiple
timesbeforetheoperating
systemstarts.
Verifythatnokeysarestuck.
Troubleshootingprocedure
Usethefollowingprocedureasastartingpointfordiagnosingproblemsyouareexperiencingwithyour
computer:
1.Verifythatthecablesforallattacheddevicesareconnectedcorrectlyandsecurely.
2.Verifythatallattacheddevicesthatrequireacpowerareconnectedtoproperlygrounded,functioning
electricaloutlets.
3.VerifythatallattacheddevicesareenabledintheBIOSsettingsofyourcomputer.Formoreinformation
aboutaccessingandchangingtheBIOSsettings,refertoyourChapter7“UsingtheSetupUtility
program”onpage73.
4.Gotothe“Troubleshooting”onpage88andfollowtheinstructionsforthetypeofproblemyouare
experiencing.IftheTroubleshootinginformationdoesnothelpyouresolveaproblem,continuewiththe
nextstep.
5.Tryusingapreviouslycapturedcongurationtoseeifarecentchangetohardwareorsoftwaresettings
hascausedaproblem.Beforerestoringapreviousconguration,captureyourcurrentcongurationin
casetheoldercongurationsettingsdonotsolvetheproblemorhaveadverseaffects.Torestorea
capturedconguration,dothefollowing:
•ForWindows7:ClickStart➙ControlPanel➙SystemandSecurity➙System➙System
Protection➙SystemRestore.
•ForWindows8:OpenControlPanel,andthenclickSystemandSecurity➙System➙System
Protection➙SystemRestore.
Ifthisdoesnotcorrecttheproblem,continuewiththenextstep.
6.Runthediagnosticprogram.See“LenovoSolutionCenter”onpage104formoreinformation.
•Ifthediagnosticprogramdetectsahardwarefailure,contacttheLenovoCustomerSupportCenter.
SeeChapter11“Gettinginformation,help,andservice”onpage107formoreinformation.
•Ifyouareunabletorunthediagnosticprogram,contacttheLenovoCustomerSupportCenter.See
Chapter11“Gettinginformation,help,andservice”onpage107formoreinformation.
•Ifthediagnosticprogramdoesnotdetectahardwarefailure,continuewiththenextstep.
7.Useanantivirusprogramtoseeifyourcomputerhasbeeninfectedbyavirus.Iftheprogramdetectsa
virus,removethevirus.
8.Ifnoneoftheseactionssolvetheproblem,seektechnicalassistance.SeeChapter11“Getting
information,help,andservice”onpage107formoreinformation.
Troubleshooting
Usethetroubleshootinginformationtondsolutionstoproblemsthathavedenitesymptoms.
Ifthesymptomyourcomputerisexperiencingoccurredimmediatelyafteryouinstalledanewhardware
optionornewsoftware,dothefollowingbeforereferringtothetroubleshootinginformation:
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1.Removethenewhardwareoptionorsoftware.Ifyoumustremovethecomputercovertoremovea
hardwareoption,makesureyoureviewandfollowtheelectricalsafetyinformationprovidedwithyour
computer.Foryoursafety,donotoperatethecomputerwiththecoverremoved.
2.Runthediagnosticprogramstoensureyourcomputerisoperatingcorrectly.
3.Reinstallthenewhardwareoptionorsoftwarefollowingthemanufacturer'sinstructions.
Selecttheproblemyourcomputerisexperiencingfromthefollowinglist:
•“Audioproblems”onpage89
•“CDproblems”onpage90
•“DVDproblems”onpage91
•“Intermittentproblems”onpage93
•“Keyboard,mouse,orpointingdeviceproblems”onpage93
•“Monitorproblems”onpage95
•“Networkingproblems”onpage97
•“Optionproblems”onpage99
•“Performanceandlockupproblems”onpage100
•“Printerproblems”onpage102
•“Serialportproblems”onpage102
•“Softwareproblems”onpage103
•“USBproblems”onpage104
Audioproblems
Selectyoursymptomfromthefollowinglist:
•“NoaudioinWindows”onpage89
•“AnaudiodiscorAutoPlay-enableddiscdoesnotautomaticallyplaywhenitisinsertedintoadrive”
onpage90
•“Soundcomesfromoneexternalspeakeronly”onpage90
•“NoaudioinDOSapplicationsorgames”onpage90
NoaudioinWindows
Symptom:NoaudioinWindows
Actions:
•IfyouareusingpoweredexternalspeakersthathaveanOn/Offcontrol,verifythattheOn/Offcontrolis
settotheOnpositionandthespeakerpowercableisconnectedtoaproperlygrounded,functionalac
electricaloutlet.
•Ifyourexternalspeakershaveavolumecontrol,verifythatthevolumecontrolisnotsettoolow.
•Double-clickthespeakericonintheWindowsnoticationarea.Amastervolume-controlwindowopens.
VerifythattheMutesettingsarenotcheckedandnoneofthevolumesettingsissettoolow.
•Somemodelshaveafrontaudiopanelyoucanusetoadjustvolume.Ifyouhaveafrontaudiopanel,
verifythatthevolumeisnotsettoolow.
•Verifythatyourexternalspeakers(andheadphones,ifused)areconnectedtothecorrectaudioconnector
onthecomputer.Mostspeakercablesarecolor-codedtomatchtheconnector.
Chapter10.Troubleshootinganddiagnostics89

Note:Whenexternal-speakerorheadphonecablesareattachedtotheaudioconnector,theinternal
speaker,ifpresent,isdisabled.Inmostcases,ifanaudioadapterisinstalledinoneoftheexpansionslots,
theaudiofunctionbuiltintothesystemboardisdisabled;usetheaudiojacksontheadapter.
•MakesurethattheprogramyouarerunningisdesignedforuseintheMicrosoftWindowsoperating
system.IftheprogramisdesignedtoruninDOS,theprogramdoesnotusetheWindowssoundfeature
andmustbeconguredtouseSoundBlasterProorSoundBlasteremulation.
•Verifythattheaudiodevicedriversarecorrectlyinstalled.SeeMicrosoftWindowshelpsystemformore
information.
Iftheseactionsdonotcorrecttheproblem,runthediagnosticprograms(see“Diagnosticprograms”on
page104forinstructions).Ifyouneedtechnicalassistance,seeChapter11“Gettinginformation,help,and
service”onpage107.
AnaudiodiscorAutoPlay-enableddiscdoesnotautomaticallyplaywhenitis
insertedintoadrive
Symptom:AnaudiodiscorAutoPlay-enableddiscdoesnotautomaticallyplaywhenitisinsertedintoadrive
Action:See“CDproblems”onpage90.
Soundcomesfromoneexternalspeakeronly
Symptom:Soundcomesfromoneexternalspeakeronly.
Actions:
•Ensurethatthespeakercableisinsertedcompletelyintotheconnectoronthecomputer.
•Makesurethecablethatattachestheleftspeakertotherightspeakerissecurelyconnected.
•Double-clickthespeakericonintheWindowsnoticationarea.Amastervolume-controlwindowopens.
VerifythattheBalancesettingsaresetcorrectly.
Iftheseactionsdonotcorrecttheproblem,youmighthaveafailingspeaker.Havethespeakerserviced.If
youneedtechnicalassistance,seeChapter11“Gettinginformation,help,andservice”onpage107.
NoaudioinDOSapplicationsorgames
Symptom:NoaudioinDOSapplicationsorgames
Actions:
•MakesuretheDOSapplicationorgameisconguredtouseSoundBlasterProorSoundBlaster
emulation.Refertothedocumentationthatcomeswiththeapplicationorgameforinstructionson
settingsound-cardsettings.
•Iftheseactionsdonotcorrecttheproblem,runthediagnosticprograms(see“Diagnosticprograms”on
page104forinstructions).Ifyouneedtechnicalassistance,seeChapter11“Gettinginformation,help,
andservice”onpage107.
CDproblems
Selectyoursymptomfromthefollowinglist:
•“AnaudiodiscorAutoPlay-enableddiscdoesnotautomaticallyplaywhenitisinsertedintoaCD
drive”onpage91
•“ACDorDVDdoesnotwork”onpage91
•“Unabletouseastartable(bootable)recoverymedium,suchastheProductRecoveryCD,tostart
yourcomputer”onpage91
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AnaudiodiscorAutoPlay-enableddiscdoesnotautomaticallyplaywhenitis
insertedintoaCDdrive
Symptom:AnaudiodiscorAutoPlay-enableddiscdoesnotautomaticallyplaywhenitisinsertedinto
aCDdrive.
Actions:
•IfyouhavemultipleCDorDVDdrivesinstalled(oracombinationofCDandDVDdrives),tryinsertingthe
discintotheotherdrive.Insomecases,onlyoneofthedrivesisconnectedtotheaudiosubsystem.
•IfyouareusingtheWindows7operatingsystem,followtheactionfor“ACDorDVDdoesnotwork”
onpage91.
Ifthisdoesnotcorrecttheproblem,followtheactionfor“ACDorDVDdoesnotwork”onpage91.
ACDorDVDdoesnotwork
Symptom:ACDorDVDdoesnotwork.
Actions:
•Verifythatthediscisinsertedcorrectly,withitslabelup.
•Makesurethatthediscyouareusingisclean.Toremovedustorngerprints,wipethedisccleanwitha
softclothfromthecentertotheoutside.Wipingadiscinacircularmotionmightcauselossofdata.
•Verifythatthediscyouareusingisnotscratchedordamaged.Tryinsertinganotherdiscthatyouknow
isgood.Ifyoucannotreadfromaknown-gooddisc,youmighthaveaproblemwithyourCDorDVD
driveorthecablingtoyourCDorDVDdrive.Makesurethatthepowercableandsignalcableare
securelyconnectedtothedrive.
Unabletouseastartable(bootable)recoverymedium,suchastheProductRecovery
CD,tostartyourcomputer
Symptom:Unabletouseastartable(bootable)recoverymedium,suchastheProductRecoveryCD,
tostartyourcomputer.
Action:MakesurethattheCDorDVDdriveisinthestartupsequencebeforetheharddiskdrive.Refer
toyour“Selectingorchangingthestartupdevicesequence”onpage76forinformationonviewingand
changingthestartupsequence.Notethatonsomemodelsthestartupsequenceispermanentlysetand
cannotbechanged.
Iftheseactionsdonotcorrecttheproblem,runthediagnosticprograms(see“Diagnosticprograms”on
page104forinstructions).Ifyouneedtechnicalassistance,seeChapter11“Gettinginformation,help,and
service”onpage107.
DVDproblems
Selectyoursymptomfromthefollowinglist:
•“BlackscreeninsteadofDVDvideo”onpage91
•“DVDmoviewillnotplay”onpage92
•“NoaudioorintermittentaudiowhileplayingDVDmovie”onpage92
•“Playbackisverysloworchoppy”onpage92
•“Invaliddiscornodiscfoundmessage”onpage92
BlackscreeninsteadofDVDvideo
Symptom:BlackscreeninsteadofDVDvideo
Chapter10.Troubleshootinganddiagnostics91

Actions:
•RestarttheDVDplayerprogram.
•Closeanyopenles,turnoffthecomputer,andthenrestartthecomputer.
•Tryalowerscreenresolutionorcolordepth.
Iftheseactionsdonotcorrecttheproblem,runthediagnosticprograms(see“Diagnosticprograms”on
page104forinstructions).Ifyouneedtechnicalassistance,seeChapter11“Gettinginformation,help,and
service”onpage107.
DVDmoviewillnotplay
Symptom:DVDmoviewillnotplay.
Actions:
•Makesurethatthediscsurfaceiscleanandnotscratched.
•Checkthediscorpackageforregionalcoding.Youmightneedtopurchaseadiscwithcodingfor
theregionwhereyouareusingyourcomputer.
Iftheseactionsdonotcorrecttheproblem,runthediagnosticprograms(see“Diagnosticprograms”on
page104forinstructions).Ifyouneedtechnicalassistance,seeChapter11“Gettinginformation,help,and
service”onpage107.
NoaudioorintermittentaudiowhileplayingDVDmovie
Symptom:NoaudioorintermittentaudiowhileplayingDVDmovie.
Actions:
•Checkthevolumecontrolsettingsonyourcomputerandonyourspeakers.
•Makesurethatthediscsurfaceiscleanandnotscratched.
•Checkallcableconnectionstoandfromthespeakers.
•UsetheDVDmenuforthevideotoselectadifferentaudiotrack.
Iftheseactionsdonotcorrecttheproblem,runthediagnosticprograms(see“Diagnosticprograms”on
page104forinstructions).Ifyouneedtechnicalassistance,seeChapter11“Gettinginformation,help,and
service”onpage107.
Playbackisverysloworchoppy
Symptom:Playbackisverysloworchoppy.
Actions:
•Disableanybackgroundprograms,suchasAntiVirusorDesktopThemes.
•Ensurethatvideoresolutionissettolessthan1152x864.
Iftheseactionsdonotcorrecttheproblem,runthediagnosticprograms(see“Diagnosticprograms”on
page104forinstructions).Ifyouneedtechnicalassistance,seeChapter11“Gettinginformation,help,and
service”onpage107.
Invaliddiscornodiscfoundmessage
Symptom:Invaliddiscornodiscfoundmessage
Actions:
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•EnsurethataDVDdiscisinthedrivewiththeshinysideofthediscfacingdown.
•Ensurethatvideoresolutionissettolessthan1152x864.
•OncomputersthathaveaCD-ROMorCD-RWdriveinadditiontoaDVD-ROMdrive,makesurethatthe
DVDdiscisinthedrivelabeled“DVD”.
Iftheseactionsdonotcorrecttheproblem,runthediagnosticprograms(see“Diagnosticprograms”on
page104forinstructions).Ifyouneedtechnicalassistance,seeChapter11“Gettinginformation,help,and
service”onpage107.
Intermittentproblems
Symptom:Aproblemoccursonlyoccasionallyandisdifculttorepeat.
Actions:
•Verifythatallcablesandcordsaresecurelyconnectedtothecomputerandattacheddevices.
•Verifythatwhenthecomputerison,thefangrillisnotblocked(thereisairowaroundthegrill),andthe
fansareworking.Ifairowisblockedorthefansarenotworking,thecomputermightoverheat.
•IfSCSIdevicesareinstalled,verifythatthelastexternaldeviceineachSCSIchainisterminatedcorrectly.
(SeeyourSCSIdocumentation.)
Iftheseactionsdonotcorrecttheproblem,runthediagnosticprograms(see“Diagnosticprograms”on
page104forinstructions).Ifyouneedtechnicalassistance,seeChapter11“Gettinginformation,help,and
service”onpage107.
Keyboard,mouse,orpointingdeviceproblems
Selectyoursymptomfromthefollowinglist:
•“Allorsomekeysonthekeyboarddonotwork”onpage93
•“Themouseorpointingdevicedoesnotwork”onpage94
•“Thepointeronthescreendoesnotmovesmoothlywiththemouse”onpage94
•“Thengerprintreaderdoesnotwork”onpage94
•“Thewirelesskeyboarddoesnotwork”onpage94
Allorsomekeysonthekeyboarddonotwork
Symptom:Allorsomekeysonthekeyboarddonotwork.
Actions:
•Verifythatthekeyboardcableissecurelyconnectedtothecorrectconnectoronthecomputer.
•IfyouareusinganEnhancedPerformanceUSBkeyboardandoneormoreoftheRapidAccessbuttons
aretheonlykeysthatarenotworking,thesebuttonsmighthavebeendisabledorhavenotbeenassigned
toafunction.UsethehelpsystemintheEnhancedPerformanceCustomizationKeyboardprogramto
helpdiagnoseproblemswiththeRapidAccessbuttons.
ToopentheEnhancedPerformanceCustomizationKeyboardprogram,dooneofthefollowing:
–OntheWindows7operatingsystem,dothefollowing:
1.ClickStart➙ControlPanel.
2.ClickHardwareandSound.
3.ClickDevicesandPrinters.
Chapter10.Troubleshootinganddiagnostics93

4.Double-clickUSBEnhancedPerformanceKeyboard.TheUSBEnhancedPerformance
KeyboardCustomizationprogramstarts.
–OntheWindows8operatingsystem,dothefollowing:
1.OpenControlPanel.
2.ClickHardwareandSound.
3.ClickDevicesandPrinters.
4.Double-clickUSBEnhancedPerformanceKeyboard.TheUSBEnhancedPerformance
KeyboardCustomizationprogramstarts.
Iftheseactionsdonotcorrecttheproblem,havethecomputerandkeyboardserviced.SeeChapter11
“Gettinginformation,help,andservice”onpage107fordetails.
Themouseorpointingdevicedoesnotwork
Symptom:Themouseorpointingdevicedoesnotwork.
Actions:
•Verifythatthemouseorpointing-devicecableissecurelyattachedtothecorrectconnectoronthe
computer.Dependingonthetypeofmouseyouhave,themousecablewillconnecttoeitherthe
mouse,serial,orUSBconnector.SomekeyboardshaveintegratedUSBconnectorsthatcanbeused
foraUSBmouseorpointingdevice.
•Verifythatthedevicedriversforthemouseorpointingdeviceareinstalledcorrectly.
•IfyouareusingaUSBkeyboardormouse,verifythattheUSBconnectorsareenabledintheBIOS
settings.See“Enablingordisablingadevice”onpage75.
Iftheseactionsdonotcorrecttheproblem,runthediagnosticprograms(see“Diagnosticprograms”on
page104forinstructions).Ifyouneedtechnicalassistance,seeChapter11“Gettinginformation,help,and
service”onpage107.
Thepointeronthescreendoesnotmovesmoothlywiththemouse
Symptom:Thepointeronthescreendoesnotmovesmoothlywiththemouse.
Action:Erraticmovementofthemousepointerisgenerallycausedbyabuildupofdirt,oils,andother
contaminantsontheballinsidethemouse.Cleanthemouse.See“Opticalmouse”onpage83for
instructions.
Thengerprintreaderdoesnotwork
Symptom:Thengerprintreaderdoesnotwork.
Action:Thefollowingcouldcausethengerprintreadernottooperateproperly:
•Notenrollingyourngerprintcorrectly.
•Scratchingthesurfaceofthereaderwithahard,pointedobject.
•Scrapingthesurfaceofthereaderwithyournailoranythinghard.
•Usingortouchingthereaderwithadirtynger.
•Thesurfaceofyourngerisverydifferentfromwhenyouenrolledyourngerprint.
Thewirelesskeyboarddoesnotwork
Symptom:Thewirelesskeyboarddoesnotwork.
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Action:IftheTransceiverCommunicationsLEDisonandthewirelessKeyboarddoesnotwork,restartyour
computer.Ifrestartingyourcomputerdoesnotsolvetheproblem,verifythatthefollowingconditionsaremet:
•Thebatteriesareproperlyinstalled.
•Thebatteriesstillretaintheircurrent.
•ThewirelessKeyboardislocatedlessthantenmetersawayfromthetransceiver.
•Thetransceiverisfullyinstalled.
Action:IftheTransceiverCommunicationsLEDisnoton,reconnectthetransceiverandthekeyboard.
Monitorproblems
Note:Manymonitorshavestatus-indicatorlightsandbuilt-incontrolsforadjustingbrightness,contrast,
width,height,andotherpictureadjustments.However,thecontrolsvaryfrommonitortypetomonitortype.
Forinformationaboutthestatuslightsandusingthecontrols,refertothedocumentationthatcomes
withyourmonitor.
Selectyoursymptomfromthefollowinglist:
•“Wrongcharactersappearonthescreen”onpage95
•“Themonitorworkswhenyouturnonthecomputer,butgoesblankaftersomeperiodofcomputer
inactivity”onpage95
•“Themonitorworkswhenyouturnonthecomputer,butgoesblankwhenyoustartsomeapplication
programs”onpage95
•“Theimageappearstobeickering”onpage96
•“Theimageisdiscolored”onpage96
Wrongcharactersappearonthescreen
Symptom:Wrongcharactersappearonthescreen.
Action:Havethecomputerserviced.Fordetails,seeChapter11“Gettinginformation,help,andservice”on
page107.
Themonitorworkswhenyouturnonthecomputer,butgoesblankaftersomeperiod
ofcomputerinactivity
Symptom:Themonitorworkswhenyouturnonthecomputer,butgoesblankaftersomeperiodofcomputer
inactivity.
Action:Thecomputerisprobablysetforenergysavingswiththepower-managementfeature.Ifthe
power-managementfeatureisenabled,disablingitorchangingthesettingsmightsolvetheproblem.
Iftheseactionsdonotcorrecttheproblem,runthediagnosticprograms(see“Diagnosticprograms”on
page104forinstructions).Ifyouneedtechnicalassistance,seeChapter11“Gettinginformation,help,and
service”onpage107.
Themonitorworkswhenyouturnonthecomputer,butgoesblankwhenyoustart
someapplicationprograms
Symptom:Themonitorworkswhenyouturnonthecomputer,butgoesblankwhenyoustartsome
applicationprograms.
Actions:
Chapter10.Troubleshootinganddiagnostics95

•Makesurethemonitorsignalcableissecurelyconnectedtothemonitorandthemonitorconnectoron
thecomputer.Aloosecablecancauseintermittentproblems.
•Verifythatthenecessarydevicedriversfortheapplicationprogramsareinstalled.Refertothe
documentationfortheaffectedapplicationprogramtoseeifdevicedriversarerequired.
Iftheseactionsdonotcorrecttheproblem,runthediagnosticprograms(see“Diagnosticprograms”on
page104forinstructions).Ifyouneedtechnicalassistance,seeChapter11“Gettinginformation,help,and
service”onpage107.
Theimageappearstobeickering
Symptom:Theimageappearstobeickering.
Actions:
•Themonitormightbeoperatinginalow-refreshratedisplaymode.Setthemonitortothehighest,
noninterlacedrefreshratesupportedbyyourmonitorandthevideocontrollerinyourcomputer.
Attention:Usingaresolutionorrefreshratethatisnotsupportedbyyourmonitormightdamageit.Check
thedocumentationthatcomeswithyourmonitortoverifythesupportedrefreshrates.
•Themonitormightbeaffectedbyinterferencefromnearbyequipment.Magneticeldsaroundother
devices,suchastransformers,appliances,uorescentlights,andothermonitorsmightbecausingthe
problem.Moveuorescentdesklightingoranyequipmentthatproducesmagneticeldsfartheraway
fromthemonitor.Ifthisdoesnotcorrecttheproblem,dothefollowing:
1.Turnoffthemonitor.(Movingacolormonitorwhileitisturnedonmightcausescreendiscoloration.)
2.Adjusttheplacementofthemonitorandotherdevicessothattheyareatleast305mm(12inches)
apart.
3.Turnonthemonitor.
•YoucanresettherefreshratethroughyouroperatingsystemControlPanel:
OntheWindows7operatingsystem,clickStart➙ControlPanel➙HardwareandSound➙Adjust
screenresolution➙AdvancedSettings.ThenclicktheMonitortabandselectanewrefreshrate.
OntheWindows8operatingsystem,openControlPanelandclickHardwareandSound➙Adjust
screenresolution➙AdvancedSettings.ThenclicktheMonitortabandselectanewrefreshrate.
•Seeyouroperatingsystemdocumentationorhelpforfurtherinformationonmonitorsettings.
Iftheseactionsdonotcorrecttheproblem,yourmonitormightneedservice.SeeChapter11“Getting
information,help,andservice”onpage107fordetails.
Theimageisdiscolored
Symptom:Theimageisdiscolored.
Action:Themonitormightbeaffectedbyinterferencefromnearbyequipment.Magneticeldsaroundother
devices,suchastransformers,appliances,uorescentlights,andothermonitorsmightbecausingthe
problem.Moveuorescentdesklightingoranyequipmentthatproducesmagneticeldsfurtherawayfrom
themonitor.Ifthisdoesnotcorrecttheproblem,dothefollowing:
1.Turnoffthemonitor.(Movingacolormonitorwhileitisturnedonmightcausescreendiscoloration.)
2.Adjusttheplacementofthemonitorandotherdevicessothattheyareatleast305mm(12inches)apart.
3.Turnonthemonitor.
Iftheseactionsdonotcorrecttheproblem,yourmonitormightneedservice.SeeChapter11“Getting
information,help,andservice”onpage107fordetails.
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Networkingproblems
Thefollowingarethemostcommonnetworkingproblems.Selectyournetworkingproblemfromthe
followinglist:
•“Ethernetproblems”onpage97
•“AwirelessLANproblem”onpage98
•“AwirelessWANproblem”onpage99
•“Bluetoothproblem”onpage99
Formoreinformation,see“HelpandSupport”onpage107.
Ethernetproblems
ForEthernetproblems,selectyoursymptomfromthefollowinglist:
•“Yourcomputercannotconnecttothenetwork”onpage97
•“Theadapterstopsworkingfornoapparentreason”onpage98
•“IfyourcomputerisaGigabitEthernetmodelandyouuseaspeedof1000Mbps,theconnectionfails
orerrorsoccur”onpage98
•“IfyourcomputerisaGigabitEthernetmodel,itcannotconnecttothenetworkat1000Mbps.Instead,
itconnectsat100Mbps”onpage98
Yourcomputercannotconnecttothenetwork
Symptom:Yourcomputercannotconnecttothenetwork.
Actions:Ensurethat:
•Thecableisinstalledproperly.
ThenetworkcablemustbesecurelyconnectedtoboththeEthernetconnectorofyourcomputerand
theRJ45connectorofthehub.Themaximumallowabledistancefromthecomputertohubis100
meters.Ifthecableisconnectedandthedistanceiswithinacceptablelimitsbuttheproblempersists,try
adifferentcable.
•Thecableisinstalledproperly.
•Youareusingthecorrectdevicedriver.
OntheWindows7operatingsystem,dothefollowing:
1.ClickStart➙ControlPanel.
2.ClickHardwareandSound.
3.ClickDeviceManager.Ifyouarepromptedforanadministratorpasswordorconrmation,typethe
passwordorprovideconrmation.
4.IfanexclamationmarkisdisplayednexttoanadapternameunderNetworkadapters,youmight
notbeusingthecorrectdriverorthedriverisnotenabled.Toupdatethedriver,right-clickthe
highlightedadapter.
5.ClickUpdateDriverSoftware,andthenfollowtheinstructionsonthescreen.
OntheWindows8operatingsystem,dothefollowing:
1.OpenControlPanel.
2.ClickHardwareandSound.
3.ClickDeviceManager.Ifyouarepromptedforanadministratorpasswordorconrmation,typethe
passwordorprovideconrmation.
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4.IfanexclamationmarkisdisplayednexttoanadapternameunderNetworkadapters,youmight
notbeusingthecorrectdriverorthedriverisnotenabled.Toupdatethedriver,right-clickthe
highlightedadapter.
5.ClickUpdateDriverSoftware,andthenfollowtheinstructionsonthescreen.
•Theswitchportandtheadapterhavethesameduplexsetting.
Ifyouconguredtheadapterforfullduplex,ensurethattheswitchportisalsoconguredforfullduplex.
Settingthewrongduplexmodecandegradeperformance,causedataloss,orresultinlostconnections.
•Youhaveinstalledallnetworkingsoftwarethatisnecessaryforyournetworkenvironment.
CheckwithyourLANadministratorforthenecessarynetworkingsoftware.
Theadapterstopsworkingfornoapparentreason
Symptom:Theadapterstopsworkingfornoapparentreason.
Action:Thenetworkdriverlesmaybecorruptormissing.Updatethedriverbyreferringtothe“Solution”
descriptionfortheproceduretomakesurethatthecorrectdevicedriverisinstalled.
TheWakeonLANfeatureisnotworking
Symptom:TheWakeonLAN(WOL)featureisnotworking.
Actions:
•MakesurethatWOLisenabledintheBIOSSetupUtilityprogram.
•Ifitis,checkwithyourLANadministratorforthenecessarysettings.
IfyourcomputerisaGigabitEthernetmodelandyouuseaspeedof1000Mbps,theconnection
failsorerrorsoccur
Symptom:IfyourcomputerisaGigabitEthernetmodelandyouuseaspeedof1000Mbps,theconnection
failsorerrorsoccur.
Actions:
•UseCategory5wiringandmakesurethatthenetworkcableissecurelyconnected.
•Connecttoa1000BASE-Thub/switch(not1000BASE-X).
IfyourcomputerisaGigabitEthernetmodel,itcannotconnecttothenetworkat1000Mbps.Instead,
itconnectsat100Mbps
Symptom:IfyourcomputerisaGigabitEthernetmodel,itcannotconnecttothenetworkat1000Mbps.
Instead,itconnectsat100Mbps.
Actions:
•Tryanothercable.
•Makesurethatthelinkpartnerissettoauto-negotiate.
•Makesurethattheswitchis802.3ab-compliant(gigabitovercopper).
AwirelessLANproblem
Symptom:Youcannotconnectusingthebuilt-inwirelessnetworkingcard.
Actions:
•MakesurethatyourwirelessLANdriveristhelatestversion.ChecktheWebsiteandverifythedriver
versionsupportedbyAccessConnectionsisthelatestdocumentedinthereadmele.
•Makesurethatyourcomputeriswithinrangeofawirelessaccesspoint.
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•Makesurethatthewirelessradioisenabledbydouble-clickingtheAccessConnectionsiconinthe
Windowsnoticationarea.
•CheckNetworkName(SSID),andyourencryptioninformation.UseAccessConnectionstoverifythis
case-sensitiveinformation.
AwirelessWANproblem
Message:UnauthorizedWANcardispluggedin-PoweroffandremovetheWANcard.
Action:TheWANcardisnotsupportedonthiscomputer.Removeit.
Note:SomecomputermodelsdonothaveawirelessWAN.
Bluetoothproblem
Symptom:SounddoesnotcomefromtheBluetoothheadsetorheadphonebutcomesfromthelocal
speakereventhoughtheheadsetorheadphoneisconnectedusingtheHeadsetproleorAVprole.
Action:Dothefollowing:
1.Exittheapplicationthatusesthesounddevice(forexample,WindowsMediaPlayer).
2.OpenControlPanel.
3.ClickHardwareandSound➙Sound.
4.SelectthePlaybacktab.
5.IfyouareusingtheHeadsetprole,selectBluetoothHands-freeAudioandclicktheSetDefault
button.IfyouareusingtheAVprole,selectStereoAudioandclicktheSetDefaultbutton.
6.ClickOKtoclosetheSoundwindow.
Optionproblems
UsethisinformationtodiagnoseproblemswithLenovohardwareoptionsthatdonothavetheirown
troubleshootinginformation.
Selectyoursymptomfromthefollowinglist:
•“Anoptionthatwasjustinstalleddoesnotwork”onpage99
•“Anoptionthatpreviouslyworkeddoesnotworknow”onpage100
Anoptionthatwasjustinstalleddoesnotwork
Symptom:Anoptionthatwasjustinstalleddoesnotwork.
Action:Verifythat:
•Theoptionisdesignedforyourcomputer.
•Youfollowedtheinstallationinstructionssuppliedwiththeoptionandtheinstallationinstructionsprovided
withyourcomputer,andalloptionles(suchasdevicedrivers,ifrequired)areinstalledcorrectly.
•Youhavenotloosenedotherinstalledoptionsorcables.
•Iftheoptionisanadapter,youhaveprovidedenoughhardwareresourcesfortheadaptertofunction
correctly.Seethedocumentationsuppliedwiththeadapter(aswellasthedocumentationforanyother
installedadapters)todeterminetheresourcesrequiredforeachadapter.
Iftheseactionsdonotcorrecttheproblem,runthediagnosticprograms(see“Diagnosticprograms”on
page104forinstructions).Ifyouneedtechnicalassistance,seeChapter11“Gettinginformation,help,and
service”onpage107.
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Anoptionthatpreviouslyworkeddoesnotworknow
Symptom:Anoptionthatpreviouslyworkeddoesnotworknow.
Actions:
•Verifythatalloptionhardwareandcableconnectionsaresecure.
•Iftheoptioncomeswithitsowntestinstructions,usethoseinstructionstotesttheoption.
•IfthefailingoptionisaSCSIoption,verifythat:
–ThecablesforallexternalSCSIoptionsareconnectedcorrectly.
–ThelastoptionineachSCSIchain,ortheendoftheSCSIcable,isterminatedcorrectly.
–AllexternalSCSIoptionsareturnedon.ExternalSCSIoptionsmustbeturnedonbeforethecomputer
isturnedon.Formoreinformation,seeyourSCSIdocumentation.
•Verifythattheoptionandanyrequireddevicedriversareinstalledcorrectly.
Iftheseactionsdonotcorrecttheproblem,runthediagnosticprograms(see“Diagnosticprograms”on
page104forinstructions).Ifyouneedtechnicalassistance,seeChapter11“Gettinginformation,help,and
service”onpage107.
Performanceandlockupproblems
Poorperformanceandlockupproblemscanbearesultofanyofthefollowing:
•“Insufcientfreeharddiskdrivespace”onpage100
•“Excessivenumberoffragmentedles”onpage101
•“Insufcientmemory”onpage101
Makeaselectionfromtheabovelisttondoutmoreaboutthecorrectiveactionsyoucantake.
Insufcientfreeharddiskdrivespace
Symptom:Insufcientfreeharddiskdrivespace
TheWindowsoperatingsystemwillslowdownandmightproduceerrorsiftheharddiskdrivegetstoofull.
TochecktheamountoffreespaceontheWindows7operatingsystem,dothefollowing:
1.ClickStart➙Computer.
2.Right-clickyourCdriveentryandthenclickProperties.Theamountoffreediskspaceisdisplayed.
TochecktheamountoffreespaceontheWindows8operatingsystem,dothefollowing:
1.OpentheWindowsExplorerandclickComputer.
2.Right-clickyourCdriveentryandthenclickProperties.Theamountoffreediskspaceisdisplayed.
Tofreeupdiskspace,doanyofthefollowing:
•Procedure1
1.OntheWindows7operatingsystem,clickStart➙Computer.OntheWindows8operatingsystem,
opentheWindowsExplorerandclickComputer.
2.Right-clickyourCdriveentryandthenclickProperties.
3.ClickDiskCleanup.
4.Alistofunnecessarylecategoriesisdisplayed.Selecteachlecategoryyouwanttodelete,
andthenclickOK.
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•Procedure2
1.OpenControlPanel.
2.ClickPrograms.
3.ClickTurnWindowsfeaturesonoroff.
4.AlistofoptionalWindowscomponentsisdisplayed.Followtheinstructionsonthescreen.
•Procedure3
1.OntheWindows7operatingsystem,clickStart➙Computer.OntheWindows8operatingsystem,
opentheWindowsExplorerandclickComputer.
2.Right-clickyourCdriveentryandthenclickProperties.
3.ClickDiskCleanup.
4.ClickCleanupsystemles.
5.ClicktheMoreOptionstab.
6.IntheProgramsandFeaturesarea,clicktheCleanupbutton.
7.Alistofinstalledprogramsisdisplayed.Selecttheprogramthatyouwanttoremove.Click
Uninstall/Change.
•CleanoutyourInbox,SentItems,andDeletedItemsfoldersfromyoure-mailapplication.Thefolder
namesandproceduresvarydependingonyoure-mailapplication.Ifyouneedassistance,seethe
helpsystemforyoure-mailapplication.
Excessivenumberoffragmentedles
Symptom:Excessivenumberoffragmentedles
Action:RuntheWindowsDiskDefragmenterprogram.
Note:Dependingonthesizeoftheharddiskdriveandamountofdatacurrentlystoredontheharddisk
drive,thedisk-defragmentationprocessmighttakeuptoseveralhourstocomplete.
OntheWindows7operatingsystem,dothefollowing:
1.Closeanyprogramsthatarecurrentlyrunningandcloseanyopenwindows.
2.ClickStart➙Computer.
3.Right-clickyourCdriveentryandthenclickProperties.
4.ClicktheT oolstab.
5.ClickDefragmentNow,thenclickContinue.
6.ClickDefragmentNowagaintostartadisk-defragmentationprocess.
OntheWindows8operatingsystem,dothefollowing:
1.Closeanyprogramsthatarecurrentlyrunningandcloseanyopenwindows.
2.OpentheWindowsExplorerandclickComputer.
3.Right-clickyourCdriveentryandthenclickProperties.
4.ClicktheT oolstab.
5.ClickOptimize.
6.ClickOptimizeagaintostartadisk-defragmentationprocess.
Insufcientmemory
Symptom:Insufcientmemory
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Ingeneral,themorememorythatisinstalled,thebettertheWindowsoperatingsystemruns.
Action:Installadditionalmemory.Forinformationaboutpurchasingmemory,seeChapter11“Getting
information,help,andservice”onpage107.Forstep-by-stepinstructionsoninstallingmemory,see
“Installingorreplacingamemorymodule”onpage39.
Iftheseactionsdonotcorrecttheproblem,runthediagnosticprograms(see“Diagnosticprograms”on
page104forinstructions).Ifyouneedtechnicalassistance,seeChapter11“Gettinginformation,help,and
service”onpage107.
Printerproblems
Symptom:Theprinterdoesnotwork.
Actions:Verifythat:
1.Theprinteristurnedonandisonline.
2.Paperisloadedcorrectly.
3.Theprintersignalcableissecurelyconnectedtothecorrectparallel,serial,orUSBconnectoronthe
computer.
Note:Non-IEEE-approvedprintersignalcablesmightcauseunpredictableproblems.
1.Anydevicedriversandothersoftwarethatcamewiththeprinterarecorrectlyinstalled.
2.Youhaveassignedtheprinterportcorrectlyinyouroperatingsystem,applicationprogram,orBIOS
settings.FormoreinformationaboutBIOSsettings,seeChapter7“UsingtheSetupUtilityprogram”
onpage73.
Iftheproblempersists,runthetestsdescribedinthedocumentationthatcomeswithyourprinter.Ifyou
cannotcorrecttheproblem,havethecomputerserviced.SeeChapter11“Gettinginformation,help,and
service”onpage107.
Serialportproblems
Usethisinformationtotroubleshoottheserialportanddevicesattachedtotheserialport.
Symptom:Serialportcannotbeaccessed.
Actions:
•Makesuretheserialcableissecurelyconnectedtotheserialportonthecomputerandtotheserialdevice.
Iftheserialdevicehasitsownpowercord,makesureitisattachedtoaproperlygroundedelectricaloutlet.
•IftheserialdevicehasitsownOn/Offswitch,makesureitisintheOnposition.
•IftheserialdevicehasanOnlineswitch,makesureitisintheOnlineposition.
•Iftheserialdeviceisaprinter,makesurepaperisloadedcorrectly.
•Verifythatanysoftwaresuppliedwiththeserialdeviceiscorrectlyinstalled.Refertothedocumentation
fortheserial-deviceoption.
•Makesurethattheserial-portadapter,ifyouaddedone,isproperlyinstalledandrmlyseated.
Iftheseactionsdonotcorrecttheproblem,runthediagnosticprograms(see“Diagnosticprograms”on
page104forinstructions).Ifyouneedtechnicalassistance,seeChapter11“Gettinginformation,help,and
service”onpage107.
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Softwareproblems
Selectyoursymptomfromthefollowinglist:
•“Whenusingasortfeature,datesdonotsortinthecorrectorder”onpage103
•“Softwaredoesnotworkasexpected”onpage103
Whenusingasortfeature,datesdonotsortinthecorrectorder
Symptom:Whenusingasortfeature,datesdonotsortinthecorrectorder.
Action:Somesoftwaredevelopedbeforetheyear2000usedonlythelasttwodigitsofayeartosort
dates,alwaysassumingthersttwodigitswere19.Consequently,theseprogramssortdatesoutoforder.
Checkwithyoursoftwaremanufacturertoseeifanyupdatesareavailable.Manysoftwaremanufacturers
makeupdatesavailablefromtheWorldWideWeb.
Softwaredoesnotworkasexpected
Symptom:Softwaredoesnotworkasexpected.
Actions:
•Mostsoftwareprogramshavebuilt-inhelpsystemsthatprovideinstructionsformosttasks.Ifyouare
havingdifcultyperformingaspecictaskwithinasoftwareprogram,refertothehelpsystemforthat
program.Helpsystemsaretypicallyaccessiblefromamenuorbuttonintheprogram,andfrequently
fromtheF1key.
•IfyouarehavingdifcultywiththeWindowsoperatingsystemoroneofitscomponents,refertothe
Windowshelpsystem.ItisaccessiblefromtheWindowsStartmenu.
•Todetermineifproblemsarecausedbynewlyinstalledsoftware,verifythat:
–Yourcomputerhastheminimummemoryrequirementsneededtousethesoftware.Seethe
informationsuppliedwiththesoftwaretoverifymemoryrequirements.(Ifyoujustinstalledanadapter
ormemory,youmighthaveamemory-addressconict.)
–Thesoftwareisdesignedtooperateonyourcomputer.
–Othersoftwareworksonyourcomputer.
–Thesoftwareyouareusingworkscorrectlyonanothercomputer.
•Ifyoureceivedanyerrormessageswhileusingthesoftwareprogram,seetheprinteddocumentation
suppliedwiththesoftwareorthehelpsystemforthatsoftwareforadescriptionofthemessagesand
solutionstotheproblem.
•Checkwithyoursoftwaremanufacturertoseeifanyupdatesareavailable.Manysoftwaremanufacturers
makeupdatesavailablefromtheWorldWideWeb.
•Ifthesoftwareprogramusedtoworkcorrectly,butdoesnotworkcorrectlynow,dothefollowing:
–OntheWindows7operatingsystem,clickStart➙ControlPanel➙SystemandSecurity➙System
➙SystemProtection➙SystemRestore.Then,followtheinstructionsonthescreen.
–OntheWindows8operatingsystem,openControlPanelandclickSystemandSecurity➙System➙
SystemProtection➙SystemRestore.Then,followtheinstructionsonthescreen.
•Ifyouareunabletoresolvetheproblemthroughothermethods,uninstallthesoftwareprogramand
reinstallit.
Iftheseactionsdonotcorrecttheproblem,youmightneedtechnicalassistance.Contactyoursoftware
manufacturerorseeChapter11“Gettinginformation,help,andservice”onpage107fordetails.
Chapter10.Troubleshootinganddiagnostics103

USBproblems
Symptom:TheUSBconnectorscannotbeaccessed.
Actions:
•MakesuretheUSBcableissecurelyconnectedtotheUSBconnectorandtotheUSBdevice.IftheUSB
devicehasitsownpowercord,makesureitisattachedtoaproperlygroundedelectricaloutlet.
•IftheUSBdevicehasitsownOn/Offswitch,makesureitisintheOnposition.
•IftheUSBdevicehasanOnlineswitch,makesureitisintheOnlineposition.
•IftheUSBdeviceisaprinter,makesurepaperisloadedcorrectly.
•MakesureanydevicedriversorothersoftwaresuppliedwiththeUSBdeviceiscorrectlyinstalled.
RefertothedocumentationfortheUSBdevice.
•ResetthedevicebydetachingandreattachingtheUSBconnector.
Iftheseactionsdonotcorrecttheproblem,runthediagnosticprogramstotesttheUSBconnector(see
“Diagnosticprograms”onpage104forinstructions).IftheUSBdevicecamewithitsowndiagnostics,run
thosediagnosticsagainsttheUSBdevice.Ifyouneedtechnicalassistance,seeChapter11“Getting
information,help,andservice”onpage107.
Diagnosticprograms
Diagnosticprogramsareusedtotesthardwarecomponentsofyourcomputer.Diagnosticprogramscan
alsoreportoperating-system-controlledsettingsthatinterferewiththecorrectoperationofyourcomputer.
Youcanusethepreinstalleddiagnosticprogramtodiagnosecomputerproblems,ifyourcomputeris
runningtheWindowsoperatingsystem.
Notes:
1.Dependingonthedatewhenyourcomputerwasmanufactured,yourcomputerispreinstalledwith
eithertheLenovoSolutionCenterprogramortheLenovoThinkVantageToolboxprogramfordiagnostic
purposes.FormoreinformationabouttheLenovoThinkVantageToolboxprogram,see“Lenovo
ThinkVantageToolbox”onpage105.FormoreinformationabouttheLenovoSolutionCenterprogram,
see“LenovoSolutionCenter”onpage104.
2.YoucanalsodownloadthePC-DoctorforDOSdiagnosticprogramfromhttp://www.lenovo.com/support.
See“PC-DoctorforDOS”onpage105fordetailedinformation.
3.Ifyouareunabletoisolateandrepairtheproblemyourselfafterrunningtheprograms,saveandprint
theloglescreatedbytheprograms.YouwillneedthelogleswhenyouspeaktoaLenovotechnical
supportrepresentative.
LenovoSolutionCenter
TheLenovoSolutionCenterprogramenablesyoutotroubleshootandresolvecomputerproblems.It
combinesdiagnostictests,systeminformationcollection,securitystatus,andsupportinformation,along
withhintsandtipsformaximumsystemperformance.
Notes:
•TheLenovoSolutionCenterprogramcanbedownloadedfromhttp://www.lenovo.com/diags.
•IfyouareusingotherWindowsoperatingsystemratherthanWindows7andWindows8,goto
http://www.lenovo.com/diagsforthelatestinformationondiagnosticsforyourcomputer.
ToruntheLenovoSolutionCenterprogram,see“Lenovoprograms”onpage5.
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Foradditionalinformation,refertotheLenovoSolutionCenterhelpsystem.
Note:Ifyouareunabletoisolateandrepairtheproblemyourselfafterrunningtheprogram,saveandprint
thelogles.YouwillneedthelogleswhenyouspeaktoaLenovotechnicalsupportrepresentative.
LenovoThinkVantageToolbox
TheLenovoThinkVantageToolboxprogramhelpsyoumaintainyourcomputer,improvecomputingsecurity,
diagnosecomputerproblems,getfamiliarwiththeinnovativetechnologiesprovidedbyLenovo,andget
moreinformationaboutyourcomputer.YoucanusethediagnosticsfeatureoftheLenovoThinkVantage
Toolboxprogramtotestdevices,diagnosecomputerproblems,createbootablediagnosticmedia,update
systemdrivers,andviewsysteminformation.
ToruntheLenovoThinkVantageToolboxprogramontheWindows7operatingsystem,clickStart➙All
Programs➙LenovoThinkVantageT ools➙SystemHealthandDiagnostics.Followtheinstructionson
thescreen.
Followtheinstructionsonthescreen.Foradditionalinformation,refertotheLenovoThinkVantageToolbox
helpsystem.
PC-DoctorforDOS
YoucanalsodownloadthelatestversionofthePC-DoctorforDOSdiagnosticprogramfrom
http://support.lenovo.com.ThePC-DoctorforDOSdiagnosticprogramrunsindependentlyoftheWindows
operatingsystem.UsethePC-DoctorforDOSdiagnosticprogramifyouareunabletostarttheWindows
operatingsystemorifthetwodiagnosticprogramspreinstalledonyourcomputerhavenotbeensuccessful
inisolatingapossibleproblem.YoucanrunthePC-DoctorforDOSdiagnosticprogramfromadiagnostic
discthatyoucreated.
Creatingadiagnosticdisc
Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtocreateadiagnosticdisc.
Tocreateadiagnosticdisc,dothefollowing:
1.Downloadaself-startingbootableCD/DVDimage(knownasanISOimage)ofthediagnosticprogram
from:
http://support.lenovo.com
2.UseanyCD/DVDburningsoftwaretocreateadiagnosticdiscwiththeISOimage.
Runningthediagnosticprogramfromadiagnosticdisc
Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtorunthediagnosticprogramfromadiagnosticdiscthatyou
created.
Torunthediagnosticprogramfromadiagnosticdiscthatyoucreated,dothefollowing:
1.Makesuretheopticaldriveyouwanttouseissetastherstbootdeviceinthestartupdevicesequence.
See“Selectingorchangingthestartupdevicesequence”onpage76.
2.Makesurethecomputeristurnedonandtheninsertthediscintotheopticaldrive.Thediagnostic
programopens.
Note:Youcaninsertthediscintotheopticaldrivewhenyouaresettingthestartupdevicesequence.
However,ifyouinsertthediscintotheopticaldrivewhenyouhavealreadyenteredtheoperating
system,youneedtorestartthecomputertoaccessthediagnosticprogram.
3.Followtheinstructionsonthescreentoselectthediagnostictestyouwanttorun.
Chapter10.Troubleshootinganddiagnostics105

Note:Foradditionalhelp,presstheF1key.
4.Removethediagnosticdiscfromtheopticaldrivewhenyoucompletethediagnosticprocess.
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Chapter11.Gettinginformation,help,andservice
Thischaptercontainsinformationabouthelp,service,andtechnicalassistanceforproductsmanufactured
byLenovo.
Informationresources
Youcanusetheinformationinthissectiontoaccessusefulresourcesrelatingtoyourcomputingneeds.
LenovoThinkVantageTools
TheLenovoThinkVantageToolsprogramguidesyoutoahostofinformationsourcesandprovideseasy
accesstovarioustoolstohelpyouworkmoreeasilyandsecurely.
ToaccesstheLenovoThinkVantageToolsprogram,clickStart➙AllPrograms➙LenovoThinkVantage
Tools.
LenovoWelcome
TheLenovoWelcomeprogramintroducesyoutosomeinnovativebuilt-infeaturesofLenovoandguidesyou
throughafewimportantsetuptaskstohelpyoumakethemostofyourcomputer.
HelpandSupport
TheWindowsHelpandSupportinformationsystemguidesyoutovarioushelpandsupportinformationfrom
LenovoandMicrosoft,suchasupdatingdrivers,accessingprograms,andaccessingusermanuals.
ToaccesstheWindowsHelpandSupportinformationsystem,dooneofthefollowing:
•OntheWindows7operatingsystem,clickStart➙HelpandSupport.
•OntheWindows8operatingsystem,movethecursortothetop-rightorbottom-rightcornerofthescreen
todisplaythecharms.ThenclickSettings➙Help.
SafetyandWarranty
TheSafety,Warranty,andSetupGuidethatisprovidedwithyourcomputercontainsinformationonsafety,
setup,warranty,andnotices.Readandunderstandallsafetyinformationbeforeusingthisproduct.
LenovoWebsite
TheLenovoWebsite(http://www.lenovo.com)providesup-to-dateinformationandservicestohelpyoubuy,
upgrade,andmaintainyourcomputer.Youcanalsodothefollowing:
•Shopfordesktopandnotebookcomputers,monitors,projectors,upgradesandaccessoriesforyour
computer,andspecialoffers.
•Purchaseadditionalservices,suchassupportforhardware,operatingsystems,applicationprograms,
networksetupandconguration,andcustominstallations.
•Purchaseupgradesandextendedhardwarerepairservices.
•Downloadthelatestdevicedriversandsoftwareupdatesforyourcomputermodel.
•Accesstheonlinemanualsforyourproducts.
•AccesstheLenovoLimitedWarranty.
©CopyrightLenovo2012107

•Accesstroubleshootingandsupportinformationforyourcomputermodelandothersupportedproducts.
•Findtheserviceandsupportphonenumbersforyourcountryorregion.
•FindaServiceProviderlocatednearyou.
LenovoSupportWebsite
TechnicalsupportinformationisavailableontheLenovoSupportWebsiteat:
http://www.lenovo.com/support
ThisWebsiteisupdatedwiththelatestsupportinformationsuchasthefollowing:
•Driversandsoftware
•Diagnosticsolutions
•Productandservicewarranty
•Productandpartsdetails
•Userguidesandmanuals
•Knowledgebaseandfrequentlyaskedquestions
Helpandservice
Thissectioncontainsinformationaboutobtaininghelpandservice.
Usingthedocumentationanddiagnosticprograms
Ifyouexperienceaproblemwithyourcomputer,seeChapter10“Troubleshootinganddiagnostics”on
page87.Forinformationonadditionalresourcestohelpyoutroubleshootyourcomputerproblem,see
“Informationresources”onpage107.
Ifyoususpectasoftwareproblem,seethedocumentationthatcomeswiththeoperatingsystemorsoftware
program,includingreadmelesandonlinehelp.
Mostcomputerscomewithasetofdiagnosticprogramsthathelpyouidentifyhardwareproblems.For
instructionsonusingthediagnosticprograms,see“Diagnosticprograms”onpage104.
YoucanalsogetthelatesttechnicalinformationanddownloaddevicedriversandupdatesfromLenovo
SupportWebsiteat:
http://support.lenovo.com
Callingforservice
Duringthewarrantyperiod,youcangethelpandinformationbytelephonethroughtheCustomerSupport
Center.
Thefollowingservicesareavailableduringthewarrantyperiod:
•Problemdetermination-Trainedservicepersonnelareavailabletoassistyouwithdetermininga
hardwareproblemanddecidingwhatactionisnecessarytoxtheproblem.
•Hardwarerepair-Iftheproblemiscausedbyhardwareunderwarranty,trainedservicepersonnelare
availabletoprovidetheapplicablelevelofservice.
•EngineeringChangemanagement-Theremightbechangesthatarerequiredafteraproducthas
beensold.LenovooryourresellerwillmakeselectedEngineeringChanges(ECs)thatapplytoyour
hardwareavailable.
108ThinkCentreUserGuide

Theseitemsarenotcoveredbythewarranty:
•ReplacementoruseofpartsnotmanufacturedfororbyLenovoornon-warrantedLenovoparts
•Identicationofsoftwareproblemsources
•CongurationofBIOSaspartofaninstallationorupgrade
•Changes,modications,orupgradestodevicedrivers
•Installationandmaintenanceofnetworkoperatingsystems(NOS)
•Installationandmaintenanceofapplicationprograms
RefertotheSafety,Warranty,andSetupGuidethatcomeswithyourcomputerforinformationaboutyour
warrantytypeandduration.Youmustretainyourproofofpurchasetoobtainwarrantyservice.
ForalistoftheLenovoSupportphonenumbersforyourcountryorregion,goto
http://www.lenovo.com/support/phoneorrefertotheSafety,Warranty,andSetupGuidethatcomeswith
yourcomputer.
Note:Phonenumbersaresubjecttochangewithoutnotice.Ifthenumberforyourcountryorregionisnot
provided,contactyourLenovoresellerorLenovomarketingrepresentative.
Ifpossible,beatyourcomputerwhenyoucall.Havethefollowinginformationavailable:
•Machinetypeandmodel
•Serialnumbersofyourhardwareproducts
•Descriptionoftheproblem
•Exactwordingofanyerrormessages
•Hardwareandsoftwarecongurationinformation
Usingotherservices
Ifyoutravelwithyourcomputerorrelocateittoacountrywhereyourdesktopornotebookcomputer
machinetypeissold,yourcomputermightbeeligibleforInternationalWarrantyService,whichautomatically
entitlesyoutoobtainwarrantyservicethroughoutthewarrantyperiod.Servicewillbeperformedbyservice
providersauthorizedtoperformwarrantyservice.
Servicemethodsandproceduresvarybycountry,andsomeservicesmightnotbeavailableinallcountries.
InternationalWarrantyServiceisdeliveredthroughthemethodofservice(suchasdepot,carry-in,or
on-siteservice)thatisprovidedintheservicingcountry.Servicecentersincertaincountriesmightnotbe
abletoserviceallmodelsofaparticularmachinetype.Insomecountries,feesandrestrictionsmight
applyatthetimeofservice.
TodeterminewhetheryourcomputeriseligibleforInternationalWarrantyServiceandtoviewalistofthe
countrieswhereserviceisavailable,gotohttp://support.lenovo.com,clickProduct&ServiceWarranty,
andfollowtheinstructionsonthescreen.
FortechnicalassistancewiththeinstallationoforquestionsrelatedtoServicePacksforyour
preinstalledMicrosoftWindowsproduct,refertotheMicrosoftProductSupportServicesWebsiteat
http://support.microsoft.com/directoryoryoucancontacttheCustomerSupportCenter.Somefeesmight
apply.
Purchasingadditionalservices
Duringandafterthewarrantyperiod,youcanpurchaseadditionalservices,suchassupportforhardware,
operatingsystems,andapplicationprograms;networksetupandcongurationservices;upgradedor
extendedhardwarerepairservices;andcustominstallationservices.Serviceavailabilityandservicename
mightvarybycountryorregion.Formoreinformationabouttheseservices,gototheLenovoWebsiteat:
http://www.lenovo.com
Chapter11.Gettinginformation,help,andservice109

110ThinkCentreUserGuide

AppendixA.Notices
Lenovomaynotoffertheproducts,services,orfeaturesdiscussedinthisdocumentinallcountries.Consult
yourlocalLenovorepresentativeforinformationontheproductsandservicescurrentlyavailableinyour
area.AnyreferencetoaLenovoproduct,program,orserviceisnotintendedtostateorimplythatonlythat
Lenovoproduct,program,orservicemaybeused.Anyfunctionallyequivalentproduct,program,orservice
thatdoesnotinfringeanyLenovointellectualpropertyrightmaybeusedinstead.However,itistheuser's
responsibilitytoevaluateandverifytheoperationofanyotherproduct,program,orservice.
Lenovomayhavepatentsorpendingpatentapplicationscoveringsubjectmatterdescribedinthis
document.Thefurnishingofthisdocumentdoesnotgiveyouanylicensetothesepatents.Youcansend
licenseinquiries,inwriting,to:
Lenovo(UnitedStates),Inc.
1009ThinkPlace-BuildingOne
Morrisville,NC27560
U.S.A.
Attention:LenovoDirectorofLicensing
LENOVOPROVIDESTHISPUBLICATION“ASIS”WITHOUTWARRANTYOFANYKIND,EITHEREXPRESS
ORIMPLIED,INCLUDING,BUTNOTLIMITEDTO,THEIMPLIEDWARRANTIESOFNON-INFRINGEMENT,
MERCHANTABILITYORFITNESSFORAPARTICULARPURPOSE.Somejurisdictionsdonotallow
disclaimerofexpressorimpliedwarrantiesincertaintransactions,therefore,thisstatementmaynotapply
toyou.
Thisinformationcouldincludetechnicalinaccuraciesortypographicalerrors.Changesareperiodically
madetotheinformationherein;thesechangeswillbeincorporatedinneweditionsofthepublication.
Lenovomaymakeimprovementsand/orchangesintheproduct(s)and/ortheprogram(s)describedinthis
publicationatanytimewithoutnotice.
Theproductsdescribedinthisdocumentarenotintendedforuseinimplantationorotherlifesupport
applicationswheremalfunctionmayresultininjuryordeathtopersons.Theinformationcontainedinthis
documentdoesnotaffectorchangeLenovoproductspecicationsorwarranties.Nothinginthisdocument
shalloperateasanexpressorimpliedlicenseorindemnityundertheintellectualpropertyrightsofLenovo
orthirdparties.Allinformationcontainedinthisdocumentwasobtainedinspecicenvironmentsandis
presentedasanillustration.Theresultobtainedinotheroperatingenvironmentsmayvary.
Lenovomayuseordistributeanyoftheinformationyousupplyinanywayitbelievesappropriatewithout
incurringanyobligationtoyou.
Anyreferencesinthispublicationtonon-LenovoWebsitesareprovidedforconvenienceonlyanddonotin
anymannerserveasanendorsementofthoseWebsites.ThematerialsatthoseWebsitesarenotpartof
thematerialsforthisLenovoproduct,anduseofthoseWebsitesisatyourownrisk.
Anyperformancedatacontainedhereinwasdeterminedinacontrolledenvironment.Therefore,theresult
obtainedinotheroperatingenvironmentsmayvarysignicantly.Somemeasurementsmayhavebeen
madeondevelopment-levelsystemsandthereisnoguaranteethatthesemeasurementswillbethesame
ongenerallyavailablesystems.Furthermore,somemeasurementsmayhavebeenestimatedthrough
extrapolation.Actualresultsmayvary.Usersofthisdocumentshouldverifytheapplicabledatafortheir
specicenvironment.
©CopyrightLenovo2012111

Trademarks
ThefollowingtermsaretrademarksofLenovointheUnitedStates,othercountries,orboth:
Lenovo
TheLenovologo
RescueandRecovery
ThinkCentre
ThinkVantage
MicrosoftandWindowsaretrademarksoftheMicrosoftgroupofcompanies.
Celeron,Intel,IntelCore,andPentiumaretrademarksofIntelCorporationintheU.S.and/orothercountries.
LinuxisatrademarkofLinusTorvaldsintheUnitedStates,othercountries,orboth.
Othercompany,product,orservicenamesmaybetrademarksorservicemarksofothers.
112ThinkCentreUserGuide

AppendixB.Regulatoryinformation
Exportclassicationnotice
ThisproductissubjecttotheUnitedStatesExportAdministrationRegulations(EAR)andhasanExport
ClassicationControlNumber(ECCN)of4A994.b.Itcanbere-exportedexcepttoanyoftheembargoed
countriesintheEARE1countrylist.
Televisionoutputnotice
Thefollowingnoticeappliestomodelsthathavethefactory-installedtelevision-outputfeature.
ThisproductincorporatescopyrightprotectiontechnologythatisprotectedbymethodclaimsofcertainU.S.
patentsandotherintellectualpropertyrightsownedbyMacrovisionCorporationandotherrightsowners.
UseofthiscopyrightprotectiontechnologymustbeauthorizedbyMacrovisionCorporation,andisintended
forhomeandotherlimitedviewingusesonlyunlessotherwiseauthorizedbyMacrovisionCorporation.
Reverseengineeringordisassemblyisprohibited.
Electronicemissionsnotices
ThefollowinginformationreferstoLenovopersonalcomputermachinetypes3484,3485,and3492.
FederalCommunicationsCommissionDeclarationofConformity
ThisequipmenthasbeentestedandfoundtocomplywiththelimitsforaClassBdigitaldevice,pursuant
toPart15oftheFCCRules.Theselimitsaredesignedtoprovidereasonableprotectionagainstharmful
interferenceinaresidentialinstallation.Thisequipmentgenerates,uses,andcanradiateradiofrequency
energyand,ifnotinstalledandusedinaccordancewiththeinstructions,maycauseharmfulinterference
toradiocommunications.However,thereisnoguaranteethatinterferencewillnotoccurinaparticular
installation.Ifthisequipmentdoescauseharmfulinterferencetoradioortelevisionreception,whichcanbe
determinedbyturningtheequipmentoffandon,theuserisencouragedtotrytocorrecttheinterferenceby
oneormoreofthefollowingmeasures:
•Reorientorrelocatethereceivingantenna.
•Increasetheseparationbetweentheequipmentandreceiver.
•Connecttheequipmentintoanoutletonacircuitdifferentfromthattowhichthereceiverisconnected.
•Consultanauthorizeddealerorservicerepresentativeforhelp.
Lenovoisnotresponsibleforanyradioortelevisioninterferencecausedbyusingotherthanspeciedor
recommendedcablesandconnectorsorbyunauthorizedchangesormodicationstothisequipment.
Unauthorizedchangesormodicationscouldvoidtheuser'sauthoritytooperatetheequipment.
ThisdevicecomplieswithPart15oftheFCCRules.Operationissubjecttothefollowingtwoconditions:(1)
thisdevicemaynotcauseharmfulinterference,and(2)thisdevicemustacceptanyinterferencereceived,
includinginterferencethatmaycauseundesiredoperation.
ResponsibleParty:
Lenovo(UnitedStates)Incorporated
1009ThinkPlace-BuildingOne
Morrisville,NC27560
PhoneNumber:919-294-5900
©CopyrightLenovo2012113

IndustryCanadaClassBemissioncompliancestatement
ThisClassBdigitalapparatuscomplieswithCanadianICES-003.
CetappareilnumériquedelaclasseBestconformeàlanormeNMB-003duCanada.
EuropeanUnion-CompliancetotheElectromagneticCompatibilityDirective
ThisproductisinconformitywiththeprotectionrequirementsofEUCouncilDirective2004/108/EConthe
approximationofthelawsoftheMemberStatesrelatingtoelectromagneticcompatibility.Lenovocannot
acceptresponsibilityforanyfailuretosatisfytheprotectionrequirementsresultingfromanon-recommended
modicationoftheproduct,includingtheinstallationofoptioncardsfromothermanufacturers.
ThisproducthasbeentestedandfoundtocomplywiththelimitsforClassBInformationTechnology
EquipmentaccordingtoEuropeanStandardEN55022.ThelimitsforClassBequipmentwerederived
fortypicalresidentialenvironmentstoprovidereasonableprotectionagainstinterferencewithlicensed
communicationdevices.
GermanClassBcompliancestatement
DeutschsprachigerEUHinweis:
HinweisfürGerätederKlasseBEU-RichtliniezurElektromagnetischenVerträglichkeit
DiesesProduktentsprichtdenSchutzanforderungenderEU-Richtlinie2004/108/EG(früher89/336/EWG)zur
AngleichungderRechtsvorschriftenüberdieelektromagnetischeVerträglichkeitindenEU-Mitgliedsstaaten
undhältdieGrenzwertederEN55022KlasseBein.
Umdiesessicherzustellen,sinddieGerätewieindenHandbüchernbeschriebenzuinstallierenundzu
betreiben.DesWeiterendürfenauchnurvonderLenovoempfohleneKabelangeschlossenwerden.
LenovoübernimmtkeineVerantwortungfürdieEinhaltungderSchutzanforderungen,wenndasProdukt
ohneZustimmungderLenovoverändertbzw.wennErweiterungskomponentenvonFremdherstellernohne
EmpfehlungderLenovogesteckt/eingebautwerden.
Deutschland:
EinhaltungdesGesetzesüberdieelektromagnetischeVerträglichkeitvonBetriebsmitteln
DiesesProduktentsprichtdem„GesetzüberdieelektromagnetischeVerträglichkeitvonBetriebsmitteln“
EMVG(früher„GesetzüberdieelektromagnetischeVerträglichkeitvonGeräten“).DiesistdieUmsetzungder
EU-Richtlinie2004/108/EG(früher89/336/EWG)inderBundesrepublikDeutschland.
ZulassungsbescheinigunglautdemDeutschenGesetzüberdieelektromagnetischeVerträglichkeit
vonBetriebsmitteln,EMVGvom20.Juli2007(früherGesetzüberdieelektromagnetische
VerträglichkeitvonGeräten),bzw.derEMVEGRichtlinie2004/108/EC(früher89/336/EWG),für
GerätederKlasseB.
DiesesGerätistberechtigt,inÜbereinstimmungmitdemDeutschenEMVGdasEG-Konformitätszeichen
-CE-zuführen.VerantwortlichfürdieKonformitätserklärungnachParagraf5desEMVGistdieLenovo
(Deutschland)GmbH,Gropiusplatz10,D-70563Stuttgart.
114ThinkCentreUserGuide

InformationeninHinsichtEMVGParagraf4Abs.(1)4:
DasGeräterfülltdieSchutzanforderungennachEN55024undEN55022KlasseB.
KoreaClassBcompliancestatement
JapaneseVCCIClassBstatement
Japancompliancestatementforproductswhichconnecttothepowermainswithratedcurrent
lessthanorequalto20Aperphase
LenovoproductserviceinformationforTaiwan
KeyboardandmousecompliancestatementforTaiwan
Additionalregulatoryinformation
Foradditionalregulatoryinformation,refertotheRegulatoryNoticeshippedwithyourcomputer.Depending
onthecongurationofyourcomputerandthecountryorregionwherethecomputerwaspurchased,
youmighthavereceivedadditionalprintedregulatorynotices.Allregulatorynoticesareavailableonthe
LenovoSupportWebsiteinelectronicformat.Toaccesselectroniccopiesofthedocumentation,goto
http://support.lenovo.comandclickUserGuides&Manuals.
AppendixB.Regulatoryinformation115

116ThinkCentreUserGuide

AppendixC.WEEEandrecyclinginformation
ImportantWEEEinformation
TheWEEEmarkingonLenovoproductsappliestocountrieswithWEEEande-wasteregulations(forexample,
EuropeanDirective2002/96/EC,IndiaE-WasteManagement&HandlingRules,2011).Appliancesare
labeledinaccordancewithlocalregulationsconcerningwasteelectricalandelectronicequipment(WEEE).
Theseregulationsdeterminetheframeworkforthereturnandrecyclingofusedappliancesasapplicable
withineachgeography.Thislabelisappliedtovariousproductstoindicatethattheproductisnottobe
thrownaway,butratherputintheestablishedcollectivesystemsforreclaimingtheseendoflifeproducts.
Usersofelectricalandelectronicequipment(EEE)withtheWEEEmarkingmustnotdisposeofendof
lifeEEEasunsortedmunicipalwaste,butusethecollectionframeworkavailabletothemforthereturn,
recycle,andrecoveryofWEEEandtominimizeanypotentialeffectsofEEEontheenvironmentand
humanhealthduetothepresenceofhazardoussubstances.ForadditionalWEEEinformationgoto:
http://www.lenovo.com/recycling
Recyclinginformation
Lenovoencouragesownersofinformationtechnology(IT)equipmenttoresponsiblyrecycletheirequipment
whenitisnolongerneeded.Lenovooffersavarietyofprogramsandservicestoassistequipmentownersin
recyclingtheirITproducts.ForinformationonrecyclingLenovoproducts,goto:
http://www.lenovo.com/recycling
©CopyrightLenovo2012117

CollectingandrecyclingadisusedLenovocomputerormonitor
IfyouareacompanyemployeeandneedtodisposeofaLenovocomputerormonitorthatistheproperty
ofthecompany,youmustdosoinaccordancewiththeLawforPromotionofEffectiveUtilizationof
Resources.Computersandmonitorsarecategorizedasindustrialwasteandshouldbeproperlydisposed
ofbyanindustrialwastedisposalcontractorcertiedbyalocalgovernment.InaccordancewiththeLaw
forPromotionofEffectiveUtilizationofResources,LenovoJapanprovides,throughitsPCCollectingand
RecyclingServices,forthecollecting,reuse,andrecyclingofdisusedcomputersandmonitors.Fordetails,
visittheLenovoWebsiteathttp://www.lenovo.com/social_responsibility/us/en/sustainability/ptb_japan.html.
PursuanttotheLawforPromotionofEffectiveUtilizationofResources,thecollectingandrecyclingof
home-usedcomputersandmonitorsbythemanufacturerwasbegunonOctober1,2003.Thisserviceis
providedfreeofchargeforhome-usedcomputerssoldafterOctober1,2003.Fordetails,visittheLenovo
Websiteathttp://www.lenovo.com/social_responsibility/us/en/sustainability/ptb_japan.html.
DisposingofLenovocomputercomponents
SomeLenovocomputerproductssoldinJapanmayhavecomponentsthatcontainheavymetalsorother
environmentalsensitivesubstances.Toproperlydisposeofdisusedcomponents,suchasaprintedcircuit
boardordrive,usethemethodsdescribedaboveforcollectingandrecyclingadisusedcomputerormonitor.
DisposingofdisusedlithiumbatteriesfromLenovocomputers
Abutton-shapedlithiumbatteryisinstalledonthesystemboardofyourLenovocomputertoprovidepower
tothecomputerclockwhilethecomputerisoffordisconnectedfromthemainpowersource.Ifyouwantto
replaceitwithanewone,contactyourplaceofpurchaseoraskforarepairserviceprovidedbyLenovo.If
youhavereplaceditbyyourselfandwanttodisposeofthedisusedlithiumbattery,insulateitwithvinyltape,
contactyourplaceofpurchase,andfollowtheirinstructions.IfyouuseaLenovocomputerathomeand
needtodisposeofalithiumbattery,youmustcomplywithlocalordinancesandregulations.
RecyclinginformationforBrazil
DeclaraçõesdeReciclagemnoBrasil
DescartedeumProdutoLenovoForadeUso
Equipamentoselétricoseeletrônicosnãodevemserdescartadosemlixocomum,masenviadosàpontosde
coleta,autorizadospelofabricantedoprodutoparaquesejamencaminhadoseprocessadosporempresas
especializadasnomanuseioderesíduosindustriais,devidamentecerticadaspelosorgãosambientais,de
acordocomalegislaçãolocal.
ALenovopossuiumcanalespecícoparaauxiliá-lonodescartedessesprodutos.Casovocêpossua
umprodutoLenovoemsituaçãodedescarte,ligueparaonossoSACouencaminheume-mailpara:
reciclar@lenovo.com,informandoomodelo,númerodesérieecidade,amdeenviarmosasinstruções
paraocorretodescartedoseuprodutoLenovo.
BatteryrecyclinginformationforTaiwan
118ThinkCentreUserGuide

BatteryrecyclinginformationfortheEuropeanUnion
Notice:ThismarkappliesonlytocountrieswithintheEuropeanUnion(EU).
BatteriesorpackagingforbatteriesarelabeledinaccordancewithEuropeanDirective2006/66/EC
concerningbatteriesandaccumulatorsandwastebatteriesandaccumulators.TheDirectivedeterminesthe
frameworkforthereturnandrecyclingofusedbatteriesandaccumulatorsasapplicablethroughoutthe
EuropeanUnion.Thislabelisappliedtovariousbatteriestoindicatethatthebatteryisnottobethrown
away,butratherreclaimeduponendoflifeperthisDirective.
InaccordancewiththeEuropeanDirective2006/66/EC,batteriesandaccumulatorsarelabeledtoindicate
thattheyaretobecollectedseparatelyandrecycledatendoflife.Thelabelonthebatterymayalso
includeachemicalsymbolforthemetalconcernedinthebattery(Pbforlead,Hgformercury,andCdfor
cadmium).Usersofbatteriesandaccumulatorsmustnotdisposeofbatteriesandaccumulatorsasunsorted
municipalwaste,butusethecollectionframeworkavailabletocustomersforthereturn,recycling,and
treatmentofbatteriesandaccumulators.Customerparticipationisimportanttominimizeanypotential
effectsofbatteriesandaccumulatorsontheenvironmentandhumanhealthduetothepotentialpresenceof
hazardoussubstances.Forpropercollectionandtreatment,goto:
http://www.lenovo.com/recycling
AppendixC.WEEEandrecyclinginformation119

120ThinkCentreUserGuide

AppendixD.RestrictionofHazardousSubstancesDirective
(RoHS)
ChinaRoHS
TurkishRoHS
TheLenovoproductmeetstherequirementsoftheRepublicofTurkeyDirectiveontheRestrictionoftheUse
ofCertainHazardousSubstancesinElectricalandElectronicEquipment(EEE).
UkraineRoHS
©CopyrightLenovo2012121

IndiaRoHS
RoHScompliantasperE-Waste(Management&Handling)Rules,2011.
122ThinkCentreUserGuide

Index
A
arescuemedium,creatingandusing68
Administrator,password74
audioline-inconnector11
audioline-outconnector11
audiosubsystem1
B
backupandrecoveryoperations66
basictroubleshooting87
battery,replacing41
boot-blockrecovery80
C
cablelock,security29
changing
password74
startupdevicesequence76
cleaninganopticalmouse83
CMOS,clearing75
components,internal12
computercover
removing34
computercover,reinstalling63
connector11
connectors
rear11
connectors,controls,indicators
front10
considerations,passwords74
creating
andusingarescuemedium68
creatingandusing
recoverymedia65
CRU
completingtheinstallation63
customersupportcenter108
D
deletingapassword74
Description11
devicedrivers64
devices,handlingstatic-sensitive33
diagnosticsprograms,using108
diagnostics,troubleshooting87
documentation,using108
drivers,device64
drives
bays14
specications14
DVImonitorconnector11
E
environment,operating5
Ethernet2
Ethernetconnector12
exiting,SetupUtility77
expansion3
externaloptions,installing33
F
failure,recoveringfromPOST/BIOS80
features1
ashingtheBIOS79
front
connectors,controls,indicators10
frontaudioandUSBassembly,replacing53
frontbezel
frontbezel,removing35
frontbezel,reinstalling35
frontWiFiantenna,installing,removing60
G
getting
help107
information107
service107
H
harddiskdrive,replacing42
heatsinkandfanassembly,replacing48
help
andservice108
getting107
HelpandSupport107
I
importantsafetyinformationv
information
getting107
importantsafetyv
resources107
safety107
warranty107
Input/Output(I/O)features3
installingoptions
memorymodule39
PCIcard36
internaldrives1
©CopyrightLenovo2012123

K
keyboard,replacing62
L
LenovoSolutionCenter104
LenovoThinkVantageToolbox105
LenovoThinkVantageTools107
LenovoWelcome107
locatingcomponents12
M
media,creatingandusingrecoverymedia65
memorymodule
installing,replacing39
systemboard39
Microphoneconnector12
microprocessor
replacing50
mouse,replacing62
N
notices111
O
operations,backupandrecovery66
opticaldrive,replacing44
opticalmouse
cleaning83
P
partsreplacement,completing63
password
Administrator74
considerations74
Power-OnPassword74
setting,changing,deleting74
passwords
erasing75
lostorforgotten75
passwords,using73
PCIcard36
installing,replacing36
slots36
physicalspecications5
power
features3
powersupplyassembly,replacing47
power-onself-test(POST)79
Power-On,Password74
programs,updatingsystem79
purchasingadditionalservices109
R
rearconnectors11
rearWiFiantenna,installing,removing59
recovering
fromaPOST/BIOSupdatefailure80
software65
recovery
boot-block80
operations,backupand66
problems,solving70
recoverymedia,creatingandusing65
removingcomputercover34
replacing
battery41
harddiskdrive42
heatsinkandfanassembly48
microprocessor50
RescueandRecovery65
workspace,RescueandRecovery67
RescueandRecoveryworkspace67
resources,information107
S
safetyv
safetyinformation107
security
cablelock29
enablingordisabling75
features3
selecting
startupdevice76
temporarystartupdevice76
serialport12
service
andhelp108
customersupportcenter108
getting107
services
other109
purchasingadditional109
setting
password74
settings
changing73
viewing73
SetupUtility73
SetupUtilityprogram,starting73
SetupUtility,exiting77
software
recovering65
solvingrecoveryproblems70
startingtheSetupUtilityprogram73
startupdevice76
sequence,changing76
temporary,selecting76
static-sensitivedevices,handling33
system
management2
programs79
124ThinkCentreUserGuide

systemboard
connectors13
locatingparts13
locations13
memorymodule39
T
temporarystartupdevice76
theBIOS,updating(ashing)79–80
trademarks112
troubleshooting,basic87
troubleshooting,diagnostics87
U
updating
(ashing)theBIOS79
systemprograms79
updating(ashing)theBIOS80
USBconnector12
using
arescuemedium,creatingand68
diagnosticprograms108
documentation108
otherservices109
passwords73
SetupUtility73
V
VGAmonitorconnector12
videosubsystem1
viewingandchangingsettings73
W
warrantyinformation107
WiFiunits,WiFiadaptercard,WiFicardmodule,WiFi
antennacable,replacing54
workspace,backupandrecovery67
©CopyrightLenovo2012125

126ThinkCentreUserGuide
