Lenovo N200 User Manual

Lenovo 3000 N200 Service

and Troubleshooting Guid e

Lenovo 3000 N200 Service

and Troubleshooting Guid e

Note

Before using this information and the product it supports, be sure to read the following:

v Safety and Warranty Guide included in the package with this publication.

v Wireless related information in online Access Help and Appendix D, “Notices,” on page 49.

v Regulatory Notice included in the package with this publication.

First Edition (March 2007)

U.S. GOVERNMENT USERS – RESTRICTED RIGHTS: Our products and/or services are provided with RESTRICTED RIGHTS. Use, duplication or disclosure by the Government is subject to the GSA ADP Schedule contract with Lenovo Group Limited, if any, or the standard terms of this commercial license, or if the agency is unable to accept this Program under these terms, then we provide this Program under the provisions set forth in Commercial Computer Software–Restricted Rights at FAR 52.227-19, when applicable, or under Rights in Data-General, FAR 52.227.14 (Alternate III).

Read first . . . . . . . . . . . . .v

Chapter 1. Finding information . . . . .1

This guide and other publications . . . . .1

Finding information with the Lenovo Care

button . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Chapter 2. Caring for your computer . . .3

Important tips . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Be careful about where and how you work 3

Be gentle with your computer . . . . .4

Carry your computer properly . . . . .4

Handle storage media and drives properly 4

Take care in setting passwords . . . . .5

Other important tips . . . . . . . .5

Cleaning the cover of your computer . . .6

Cleaning your computer keyboard . . . .6

Cleaning your computer display . . . .6

Care for the fingerprint reader . . . . .6

Chapter 3. Solving computer problems . .9

Frequently asked questions . . . . . . .10

Diagnosing problems . . . . . . . . .11

Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . .11

Error messages . . . . . . . . . .11

Errors without messages . . . . . . .15

A password problem . . . . . . . .16

Keyboard problems . . . . . . . .16

Sleep or hibernation problems . . . . .16

Computer screen problems . . . . . .18

Battery problems . . . . . . . . .20

A hard disk drive problem . . . . . .21

A startup problem . . . . . . . . .21

A fingerprint authentication problem . . .21

Read first

When your computer is turned on or the battery is charging, the base, the palm rest, and some other parts may become hot. Avoid keeping your hands, your lap, or any other part of your body in contact with a hot section of the computer for any extended length of time. When you use the keyboard, avoid keeping your palms on the palm rest for a prolonged period of time.

Your computer generates some heat during normal operation. The amount of heat depends on the amount of system activity and the battery charge level. Extended contact with your body, even through clothing, could cause discomfort or even a skin burn. Periodically take breaks from using the keyboard by lifting your hands from the palm rest; and be careful not to use the keyboard for any extended length of time.

When the ac adapter is connected to an electrical outlet and your computer, it generates heat. Do not place the adapter in contact with any part of your body while using it. Never use the ac adapter to warm your body. Extended contact with your body, even through clothing, may cause a skin burn.

Route the cables of an ac adapter, a mouse, a keyboard, a printer, or any other electronic device, or communication lines, so that they cannot be walked on, tripped over, pinched by your computer or other objects, or in any way subjected to treatment that could disturb the operation of your computer. Applying strong force to the cables may damage or break them.

Before moving your computer, do one of the following: turn it off, press Fn+F4 to put it in sleep mode, or press Fn+F12 to put it in hibernation mode.

Before moving the computer, make sure that the power on indicator is off. This will help to prevent damage to the hard disk drive, and possible loss of data.

Do not drop, bump, scratch, twist, hit, vibrate, push or place heavy objects on your computer, display, or external devices.

Use a quality carrying case that provides adequate cushion and protection. Do not pack your computer in a tightly packed suitcase or bag.

vi Lenovo 3000 N200 Service and Troubleshooting Guide

Place liquids away from your computer to avoid spills, and keep your computer away from water to avoid the danger of electrical shock.

Read first vii

viii Lenovo 3000 N200 Service and Troubleshooting Guide

Chapter 1. Finding information

This guide and other publications

Setup Instructions

helps you to unpack your computer and get started. It includes a few tips for first-time users, and introduces software preinstalled by Lenovo™.

This Service and Troubleshooting Guide

provides information about caring for your computer, basic troubleshooting information, some recovery procedures, help and service information, and warranty information for your computer. The troubleshooting information in this Guide applies only to problems that might prevent you from accessing the comprehensive online manual, called Access Help, preinstalled on your computer.

Access Help

is a comprehensive online manual that provides answers to most of your questions about your computer, helps you to configure preinstalled features and tools, or solve problems. To open Access Help, do either of the following:

v Press the Lenovo Care

Care, click Access on-system help.

v Click Start, move the pointer to All Programs; then to Lenovo

Care. Click Access Help.

button. Under Quick Links in the Lenovo

Lenovo

Care

provides an easy access to software tools and key Lenovo sites, eliminating the need to carry other reference manuals around. To open Lenovo Care, press the Lenovo Care button on your keyboard. For more information about using the Lenovo Care button, see “Finding information with the Lenovo Care button” on page 2.

Safety and Warranty Guide

includes general safety instructions and complete Lenovo Limited Warranty.

Regulatory Notice

supplements this Guide. Read it before you use the wireless features of your computer. Your computer complies with the radio frequency and safety standards of any country or region in which it has been approved for wireless use. Yo u are requested to install and use your computer in strict accordance with the local RF regulations.

Finding information

Finding information with the Lenovo Care button

The Lenovo Care button can help you in many situations when your computer is working normally, and even when it is not. Press the Lenovo Care button to open the Lenovo Care and get access to informative illustrations and easy-to-follow instructions for getting started and staying productive.

You can also use the Lenovo Care button to turn on your computer and immediately enter the Rescue and Recovery™ workspace, which runs independently of the Windows® operating system and is hidden from it.

2 Lenovo 3000 N200 Service and Troubleshooting Guide

Chapter 2. Caring for your computer

Though your computer is designed to function reliably in normal work environments, you need to use common sense in handling it. By following these important tips, you will get the most use and enjoyment out of your computer.

Important tips

Be careful about where and how you work

v Do not leave the base of your computer, or any other part that becomes hot

during operation, in contact with your lap or any part of your body for an extended period when the computer is functioning or when the battery is charging. Your computer dissipates some heat during normal operation. This heat is a function of the level of system activity and battery charge level. Extended contact with your body, even through clothing, could cause discomfort or, eventually, a skin burn.

v When the ac adapter is connected to an electrical outlet and your computer,

it generates heat. Do not place the adapter in contact with any part of your body while using it. Never use the ac adapter to warm your body. Extended contact with your body, even through clothing, may cause a skin burn.

v Route the cables of an ac adapter, a mouse, a keyboard, a printer, or any

other electronic device, or communication lines, so that they cannot be walked on, tripped over, pinched by your computer or other objects, or in any way subjected to treatment that could disturb the operation of your computer. Applying strong force to the cables may damage or break them.

v Place liquids away from your computer to avoid spills, and keep your

computer away from water (to avoid the danger of electrical shock).

v Store packing materials safely out of the reach of children to prevent the

risk of suffocation from plastic bags.

v Keep your computer away from magnets, activated cellular phones,

electrical appliances, or speakers (within 13 cm or 5 in).

v Avoid subjecting your computer to extreme temperatures (below 5°C/41°F

or above 35°C/95°F).

v Some appliances, such as certain portable desktop fans or air purifiers, can

produce negative ions. If a computer is close to such an appliance, and is exposed for an extended time to air containing negative ions, it may become electrostatically charged. Such a charge may be discharged through your hands when you touch the keyboard or other parts of the computer,

Caring for your computer

or through connectors on I/O devices connected to it. Even though this kind of electrostatic discharge (ESD) is the opposite of a discharge from your body or clothing to the computer, it poses the same risk of a computer malfunction.

Your computer is designed and manufactured to minimize any effects of electrostatic charge. An electrostatic charge above a certain limit, however, can increase the risk of ESD. Therefore, when using the computer close to an appliance that can produce negative ions, give special attention to the following: – Avoid directly exposing your computer to the air from an appliance that

can produce negative ions.

– Keep your computer and peripherals as far as possible from such an

appliance.

– Wherever possible, ground your computer to facilitate safe electrostatic

discharge.

Not all such appliances cause a significant electrostatic charge.

Note:

Be gentle with your computer

v Avoid placing any objects (including paper) between the display and the

keyboard or under the keyboard.

v Do not drop, bump, scratch, twist, hit, vibrate, push, or place heavy objects

on your computer, display, or external devices.

v Your computer display is designed to be opened and used at an angle

slightly greater than 90 degrees. Do not open the display beyond 135 degrees, as this might damage the computer hinge.

Carry your computer properly

v Before moving your computer, be sure to remove any media, turn off

attached devices, and disconnect cords and cables.

v Be sure your computer is in sleep or hibernation mode, or turned off,

before moving it. This will prevent damage to the hard disk drive and data loss.

v When picking up your open computer, hold it by the bottom. Do not pick

up or hold your computer by the display.

v Use a quality carrying case that provides adequate cushion and protection.

Do not pack your computer in a tightly packed suitcase or bag.

Handle storage media and drives properly

v If your computer comes with an optical drive, do not touch the surface of a

disc or the lens on the tray.

v Wait until you hear the CD or DVD click into the center pivot of an optical

drive before closing the tray.

4 Lenovo 3000 N200 Service and Troubleshooting Guide

Caring for your computer

v When installing your hard disk, follow the instructions shipped with your

hardware, and apply pressure only where needed on the device.

Take care in setting passwords

v Remember your passwords. If you forget a supervisor or hard disk

password, Lenovo authorized service provider will not reset it, and you might have to replace your system board or hard disk drive.

Other important tips

v Your computer modem might use only an analog telephone network, or

public-switched telephone network (PSTN). Do not connect the modem to a PBX (private branch exchange) or any other digital telephone extension line because this could damage your modem. Analog phone lines are often used in homes, while digital phone lines are often used in hotels or office buildings. If you are not sure which kind of phone line you are using, contact your telephone company.

v Your computer might have both an Ethernet connector and a modem

connector. If so, be sure to connect your communication cable to the correct one, so your connector is not damaged.

v Register your Lenovo products with Lenovo (refer to the Web page:

http://www.lenovo.com/register). This can help authorities return your computer to you if it is lost or stolen. Registering your computer also enables Lenovo to notify you about possible technical information and upgrades.

v Only an authorized Lenovo repair technician should disassemble and repair

your computer.

v Do not modify or tape the latches to keep the display open or closed.

v Take care not to turn your computer over while the ac adapter is plugged

in. This could break the adapter plug.

v Turn off your computer if you are replacing a device, or else verify that the

device is warm- or hot-swappable.

v Before you install any of the following devices, touch a metal table or a

grounded metal object. This action reduces any static electricity from your body. The static electricity could damage the device.

– ExpressCard

– Smart Card

– Memory Card, such as SD Card, Memory Stick, MultiMediaCard,

xD-Picture Card, and Memory Stick Pro card.

– Memory module

– PCI Express Mini Card

When transferring data to or from a Flash Media Card, such as an SD card,

do not put your computer in sleep or hibernation mode before the data transfer is complete. To do so might cause damage to your data.

Chapter 2. Caring for your computer 5

Caring for your computer

Cleaning the cover of your computer

Occasionally clean your computer as follows:

1. Prepare a mixture of a gentle kitchen-use detergent (one that does not

contain abrasive powder or strong chemicals such as acid or alkaline). Use 5 parts water to 1 part detergent.

2. Absorb the diluted detergent into a sponge.

3. Squeeze excess liquid from the sponge.

4. Wipe the cover with the sponge, using a circular motion and taking care

not to let any excess liquid drip.

5. Wipe the surface to remove the detergent.

6. Rinse the sponge with clean running water.

7. Wipe the cover with the clean sponge.

8. Wipe the surface again with a dry, soft lint-free cloth.

9. Wait for the surface to dry completely and remove any cloth fibers from

the computer surface.

Cleaning your computer keyboard

1. Absorb some isopropyl rubbing alcohol on a soft, dust-free cloth.

2. Wipe each keytop surface with the cloth. Wipe the keys one by one; if you

wipe several keys at a time, the cloth may hook onto an adjacent key and possibly damage it. Make sure that no liquid drips onto or between the keys.

3. Allow to dry.

4. To remove any crumbs and dust from beneath the keys, you can use a

camera blower with a brush or cool air from a hair drier.

Note: Avoid spraying cleaner directly on the display or the keyboard.

Cleaning your computer display

1. Gently wipe the display with a dry, soft lint-free cloth. If you see a

scratchlike mark on your display, it might be a stain transferred from the keyboard when the cover was pressed from the outside.

2. Wipe or dust the stain gently with a soft, dry cloth.

3. If the stain remains, moisten a soft, lint-free cloth with water or a 50-50

mixture of isopropyl alcohol and water that does not contain impurities.

4. Wring out as much of the liquid as you can.

5. Wipe the display again; do not let any liquid drip into the computer.

6. Be sure to dry the display before closing it.

Care for the fingerprint reader

The following actions could damage the fingerprint reader (in some models) or cause it not to work properly:

6 Lenovo 3000 N200 Service and Troubleshooting Guide

Caring for your computer

v Scratching the surface of the reader with a hard, pointed object.

v Scraping the surface of the reader with your nail or anything hard.

v Using or touching the reader with a dirty finger.

you notice any of the following conditions, gently clean the surface of the

If reader with a dry, soft, lint-free cloth:

v The surface of the reader is dirty or stained.

v The surface of the reader is wet.

v The reader often fails to enroll or authenticate your fingerprint.

Chapter 2. Caring for your computer 7

Caring for your computer

8 Lenovo 3000 N200 Service and Troubleshooting Guide

Chapter 3. Solving computer problems

Frequently asked questions . . . . . . .10

Diagnosing problems . . . . . . . . .11

Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . .11

Error messages . . . . . . . . . .11

Errors without messages . . . . . . .15

A password problem . . . . . . . .16

Keyboard problems . . . . . . . .16

Sleep or hibernation problems . . . . .16

Computer screen problems . . . . . .18

Battery problems . . . . . . . . .20

A hard disk drive problem . . . . . .21

A startup problem . . . . . . . . .21

A fingerprint authentication problem . . .21

Frequently asked questions

This section lists frequently asked questions and tells where you can find detailed answers. For details about each publication included in the package with your computer, see “This guide and other publications” on page 1.

What safety precautions should I follow when using my computer?

See the separate Safety and Warranty Guide for detailed information about safety.

How can I prevent problems with my computer?

See “Read first” on page v, and also Chapter 2, “Caring for your computer,” on page 3 of this Guide. More tips can be found in the "Preventing problems" section in online Access Help.

What are the main hardware features of my new computer?

See the “Lenovo 3000 tour” section in online Access Help.

Where can I find the detailed specifications for my computer?

See http://www.lenovo.com/support.

I need to upgrade a device or I need to replace one of the following: the hard disk drive, memory, or the keyboard.

See the Appendix B, “Customer Replaceable Units (CRUs),” on page 43of this Guide for the list of Customer Replaceable Units and the location of the instructions for removing or replacing components.

My computer is not operating properly.

Study the “Problem solving ” section in online Access Help. This Guide describes only problems that might prevent you from accessing the online help system.

Where are the recovery discs?

Your computer did not come with a recovery disc or Windows disc. For an explanation of the alternative recovery methods offered by Lenovo, see the “Restoring factory contents” on page 23 of this Guide.

How can I contact the Customer Support Center?

See Chapter 6, “Getting help and service,” on page 35 of this Guide. For the phone numbers of the Customer Support Center nearest to you, see “Worldwide telephone list” on page 37.

10 Lenovo 3000 N200 Service and Troubleshooting Guide

Where can I find warranty information?

Diagnosing problems

If you have a problem with your computer, you can test it by using PC-Doctor® for Windows. To run PC-Doctor for Windows, do as follows:

1. Click Start.

2. Move the pointer to All Programs and then to PC-Doctor for Windows.

3. Click PC-Doctor.

For more information about PC-Doctor for Windows, see the Help for the program.

Attention

Running any tests can take up to several minutes or longer. Make sure you have time to run the entire test; do not interrupt the test while it is running.

Solving computer problems

See the separate Safety and Warranty Guide for detailed warranty information. For the warranty applicable to your computer, including the warranty period and type of warranty service, see Appendix A, “Warranty information,” on page 41.

When preparing to contact the Customer Support Center, be sure to print the

test log so that you can rapidly provide information to the help technician.

Troubleshooting

If you do not find your problem here, see Access Help. The following section only describes problems that might prevent you from accessing this help system.

Error messages

The following is a list of the messages that the BIOS can display. Most of them occur during POST. Some of them display information about a hardware device, e.g., the amount of memory installed. Others may indicate a problem with a device, such as the way it has been configured. Following the list are explanations of the messages and remedies for reported problems. If your system displays one of the messages marked below with an asterisk (*), write down the message and contact your marketing representative. If your system fails after you make changes in the BIOS Setup Utility menus, reset the computer, enter BIOS Setup Utility and configure default settings or correct the error.

Chapter 3. Solving computer problems 11

+ 49 hidden pages

Lenovo N200 User Manual

Contents

Read first

Chapter 1. Finding information

This guide and other publications

Finding information with the Lenovo Care button

Chapter 2. Caring for your computer

Important tips

Be careful about where and how you work

Be gentle with your computer

Carry your computer properly

Handle storage media and drives properly

Take care in setting passwords

Other important tips

Cleaning the cover of your computer

Cleaning your computer keyboard

Cleaning your computer display

Care for the fingerprint reader

Chapter 3. Solving computer problems

Frequently asked questions

Diagnosing problems

Troubleshooting

Error messages