Lenovo T420i, T420, T420S-4171, 4236X29, 4236WA4PC11B760 User Manual

UserGuide

ThinkPadT420andT420i

Notes:Beforeusingthisinformationandtheproductitsupports,besuretoreadthefollowing:

•SafetyandWarrantyGuide

•RegulatoryNotice

•“Importantsafetyinformation”onpagevi

•AppendixC“Notices”onpage249

TheSafetyandWarrantyGuideandtheRegulatoryNoticehavebeenuploadedontheWebsite.T oreferto
them,gotohttp://www.lenovo.com/support,andthenclickUserguides&manuals.

SecondEdition(October2011)

©CopyrightLenovo2011.

LIMITEDANDRESTRICTEDRIGHTSNOTICE:IfdataorsoftwareisdeliveredpursuantaGeneralServicesAdministration
“GSA”contract,use,reproduction,ordisclosureissubjecttorestrictionssetforthinContractNo.GS-35F-05925.

Contents

Readthisrst..............v

Importantsafetyinformation..........vi

Conditionsthatrequireimmediateaction..vii

Safetyguidelines............vii

Chapter1.ProductOverview......1

Locatingcomputercontrols,connectors,and

indicators..................1

Frontview................2

Right-sideview..............5

Left-sideview..............7

Bottomview...............8

Rearview...............10

Statusindicators............11

Locatingimportantproductinformation.....13

Machinetypeandmodellabel.......13

FCCIDandICCerticationnumberlabel..14

CerticateofAuthenticitylabel......15

Features.................16

Specications...............17

Operatingenvironment...........18

ThinkVantageT echnologiesandsoftware....18

AccessingapplicationsinWindows7....19

AccessConnections..........20

ActiveProtectionSystem.........21

ClientSecuritySolution.........21

FingerprintSoftware...........21

LenovoSolutionCenter.........22

LenovoThinkVantageTools........22

LenovoThinkVantageToolbox.......22

MessageCenterPlus..........22

PasswordManager...........23

PowerManager............23

PresentationDirector..........23

ProductRecovery...........23

RescueandRecovery..........23

SimpleTap..............24

SystemUpdate............24

ThinkVantageGPS...........24

ThinkVantageProductivityCenter.....24

Chapter2.Usingyourcomputer...25

Registeryourcomputer...........25

Frequentlyaskedquestions.........25

Specialkeysandbuttons..........27

ThinkVantagebutton..........27

Numerickeypad............27

Functionkeycombinations........28

Volumeandmutebuttons........32

WindowskeyandApplicationkey.....33

UsingtheUltraNavpointingdevice.......34

UsingtheTrackPointpointingdevice....34

Usingthetouchpad...........36

BehavioroftheUltraNavandanexternal

mouse................37

AddingtheUltraNavicontothesystemtray.37

Powermanagement............38

Checkingbatterystatus.........38

Usingtheacpoweradapter........38

Chargingthebattery..........39

Maximizingbatterylife..........39

Managingyourbatterypower.......39

Power-savingmodes..........39

Handlingthebattery...........41

Connectingtothenetwork..........42

Ethernetconnections..........42

Wirelessconnections..........43

Usingthebuilt-inmodem.........50

Usingaprojectororexternaldisplay......69

Changingdisplaysettings........69

Connectingaprojectororexternaldisplay..70

Settingupapresentation.........74

Usingdualdisplays...........75

UsingtheNVIDIAOptimusGraphicsfeature...76

Usingaudiofeatures............77

Usinganintegratedcamera.........78

UsingtheThinkLightfeature.........78

Usingtheopticaldrive...........79

Usingthemediacardreader.........79

InsertinganExpressCard,aashmediacard,

orasmartcard.............79

RemovinganExpressCard,aashmediacard

orasmartcard.............80

Chapter3.Y ouandyourcomputer..83

Accessibilityandcomfort..........83

Ergonomicinformation..........83

Adjustingyourcomputertotyou.....84

Accessibilityinformation.........85

FullScreenMagnierfunction.......85

Travelingwithyourcomputer.........86

Traveltips...............86

Travelaccessories...........86

©CopyrightLenovo2011

i

Chapter4.Security..........89

Attachingamechanicallock.........89

Usingpasswords..............89

Passwordsandsleep(standby)mode....90

Typingpasswords...........90

Power-onpassword...........90

Harddiskpasswords..........91

Supervisorpassword..........93

Harddisksecurity.............95

Settingthesecuritychip...........96

Usingangerprintreader..........97

Noticeondeletingdatafromyourharddiskdrive

orsolidstatedrive.............100

Usingandunderstandingrewalls.......100

Protectingdataagainstviruses........101

Chapter5.Recoveryoverview...103

Creatingandusingrecoverymedia......103

Creatingrecoverymedia.........104

Usingrecoverymedia..........104

Performingbackupandrecoveryoperations...105

Performingabackupoperation......105

Performingarecoveryoperation......105

UsingtheRescueandRecoveryworkspace...106

Creatingandusingarescuemedium......107

Creatingarescuemedium........107

Usingarescuemedium.........107

Reinstallingpreinstalledapplicationsanddevice

drivers..................108

Solvingrecoveryproblems..........109

Chapter6.Replacingdevices....111

Staticelectricityprevention..........111

Replacingthebattery............111

Replacingtheharddiskdrive.........115

Replacingthekeyboard...........119

Replacingmemory.............123

InstallingandreplacingthemSA TAsolidstate

drive...................127

InstallingandreplacingaPCIExpressMiniCard

forwirelessLAN/WiMAXconnection......130

InstallingandreplacingthePCIExpressMiniCard

forwirelessWAN..............137

ReplacingtheSIMcard...........142

Replacingthesolidstatedrive........143

Chapter7.Enhancingyour

computer..............149

FindingThinkPadoptions..........149

UsingtheserialUltrabayenhanced......149

Replacingthedevice..........149

Performingahotswap..........150

Performingawarmswap.........151

Insertingtheharddiskdriveintothe

adapter................153

Insertingtheharddiskdriveadapterintothe

bay.................155

ThinkPadPortReplicatorSeries3,ThinkPadMini
DockSeries3,ThinkPadMiniDockPlusSeries3,
andThinkPadMiniDockPlusSeries3(170W)..156

Frontview...............156

Rearview...............159

AttachingaThinkPadPortReplicatorSeries3,
ThinkPadMiniDockSeries3,ThinkPadMini
DockPlusSeries3,orThinkPadMiniDock

PlusSeries3(170W)..........162

DetachingaThinkPadPortReplicatorSeries
3,ThinkPadMiniDockSeries3,ThinkPad
MiniDockPlusSeries3,ortheThinkPadMini

DockPlusSeries3(170W)........164

Securityfeature............166

Usingthesystemlockkey........168

Chapter8.Advanced

conguration............169

Installinganewoperatingsystem.......169

Beforeyoubegin............169

InstallingWindows7..........170

InstallingWindowsVista.........171

InstallingWindowsXP..........172

Installingdevicedrivers...........175

Installingthedriverforthe4-in-1MediaCard

Reader................175

InstallingThinkPadMonitorFileforWindows

2000/XP/Vista/7............175

ThinkPadSetup..............177

Congmenu..............177

Dateandtimemenu...........178

Securitymenu.............178

Startupmenu.............179

Restartmenu.............181

ThinkPadSetupitems..........181

UpdatingyoursystemUEFIBIOS.....191

Usingsystemmanagement..........192

Systemmanagement..........192

Settingmanagementfeatures.......193

Chapter9.Preventingproblems..195

Generaltipsforpreventingproblems......195

Makingsuredevicedriversarecurrent.....196

GettingthelatestdriversfromtheWebsite..196
GettingthelatestdriversusingSystem

Update................196

Takingcareofyourcomputer.........196

Cleaningthecoverofyourcomputer....199

iiUserGuide

Chapter10.T roubleshooting

computerproblems.........201

Diagnosingproblems............201

Troubleshooting..............202

Computerstopsresponding.......202

Spillsonthekeyboard..........203

Errormessages............203

Errorswithoutmessages.........205

Beeperrors..............206

Memoryproblems...........207

Modemandnetworking.........207

Keyboardandotherpointingdevices....214

Displayandmultimediadevices......215

Fingerprintreaderproblems........225

Batteryandpower...........225

Drivesandotherstoragedevices.....229

Softwareproblems...........231

Portsandconnectors..........231

UniversalSerialBusproblems.......232

Adockingstationorportreplicator

problem...............232

Chapter11.Gettingsupport....233

BeforeyoucontactLenovo..........233

Registeryourcomputer.........233

Downloadsystemupdates........233

Recordinformation...........233

Gettinghelpandservice...........234

Usingdiagnosticprograms........234

LenovoSupportWebsite.........234

CallingLenovo.............234

Purchasingadditionalservices........235

AppendixA.Regulatory

information.............237

Wirelessrelatedinformation.........237

LocationoftheUltraConnectwireless

antennas...............238

Locatingwirelessregulatorynotices....240

Exportclassicationnotice..........241

Electronicemissionnotices..........241

FederalCommunicationsCommission

DeclarationofConformity........241

IndustryCanadaClassBemissioncompliance

statement...............241

EuropeanUnion-Compliancetothe

ElectromagneticCompatibilityDirective...241

GermanClassBcompliancestatement...242

KoreaClassBcompliancestatement....242

JapaneseVCCIClassBstatement.....243

Japancompliancestatementforproducts

whichconnecttothepowermainswith

ratedcurrentlessthanorequalto20Aper

phase................243

Lenovoproductserviceinformationfor

Taiwan................243

Additionalregulatoryinformation.......243

AppendixB.WEEEandrecycling

statements.............245

ImportantWEEEInformation.........245

BatteryrecyclinginformationforJapan.....245

BatteryrecyclinginformationforBrazil.....246

BatteryrecyclinginformationforTaiwan.....246

BatteryrecyclinginformationforEuropean

Union..................247

BatteryrecyclinginformationforUnitedStatesand

Canada.................247

AppendixC.Notices.........249

Trademarks................250

AppendixD.RestrictionofHazardous

SubstancesDirective(RoHS)....251

ChinaRoHS................251

TurkishRoHS...............251

UkraineRoHS...............251

IndiaRoHS................252

©CopyrightLenovo2011

iii

ivUserGuide

Readthisrst

Besuretofollowtheimportanttipsgivenheretocontinuetogetthemostuseandenjoymentoutofyour
computer.Failuretodosomightleadtodiscomfortorinjury,orcauseyourcomputertofail.

Protectyourselffromtheheatthatyourcomputergenerates.

Whenyourcomputeristurnedonorthebatteryischarging,thebase,thepalm
rest,andsomeotherpartsmaybecomehot.Thetemperaturetheyreach
dependsontheamountofsystemactivityandthelevelofchargeinthebattery.

Extendedcontactwithyourbody,eventhroughclothing,couldcause
discomfortorevenaskinburn.

•Avoidkeepingyourhands,yourlap,oranyotherpartofyourbodyin
contactwithahotsectionofthecomputerforanyextendedtime.

•Periodicallytakehandsfromusingthekeyboardbyliftingyourhandsfrom
thepalmrest.

Protectyourselffromtheheatgeneratedbytheacpoweradapter.

Whentheacpoweradapterisconnectedtoanelectricaloutletandyour
computer,itgeneratesheat.

Extendedcontactwithyourbody,eventhroughclothing,maycauseaskin
burn.

•Donotplacetheacpoweradapterincontactwithanypartofyourbody
whileitisinuse.

•Neveruseittowarmyourbody.

Preventyourcomputerfromgettingwet.

Protectthecablesfrombeingdamaged.

©CopyrightLenovo2011

•Toavoidspillsandthedangerofelectricalshock,keepliquidsawayfrom
yourcomputer.

Applyingstrongforcetocablesmaydamageorbreakthem.

•Routecommunicationlines,orthecablesofanacpoweradapter,amouse,a
keyboard,aprinter,oranyotherelectronicdevice,sothattheycannotbe
walkedon,trippedover,pinchedbyyourcomputerorotherobjects,orin
anywaysubjectedtotreatmentthatcouldinterferewiththeoperationof
yourcomputer.

v

Protectyourcomputeranddatawhenmovingit.

Beforemovingacomputerequippedwithaharddiskdrive,dooneofthe
following,andmakesurethatthepowerswitchisofforisblinking:

•Turnitoff.

•PressFn+F4toputitinsleep(standby)mode

•PressFn+F12toputitinhibernationmode.

Thiswillhelptopreventdamagetothecomputer,andpossiblelossofdata.

Handleyourcomputergently.

•Donotdrop,bump,scratch,twist,hit,vibrate,push,orplaceheavyobjectson
yourcomputer,display,orexternaldevices.

Carryyourcomputercarefully.

•Useaqualitycarryingcasethatprovidesadequatecushioningandprotection.

•Donotpackyourcomputerinatightlypackedsuitcaseorbag.

•Beforeputtingyourcomputerinacarryingcase,makesurethatitisoff,insleep
(standby)mode(Fn+F4),orinhibernationmode(Fn+F12).Donotputacomputer
inacarryingcasewhileitisturnedon.

Importantsafetyinformation

Note:Readimportantsafetyinformationrst.

Thisinformationcanhelpyousafelyuseyournotebookpersonalcomputer.Followandretainallinformation
includedwithyourcomputer.Theinformationinthisdocumentdoesnotalterthetermsofyourpurchase
agreementortheLenovoLimitedWarranty.Formoreinformation,seetheSafetyandWarrantyGuide
camewithyourcomputer.

Customersafetyisimportant.Ourproductsaredevelopedtobesafeandeffective.However,personal
computersareelectronicdevices.Powercords,poweradapters,andotherfeaturescancreatepotential
safetyrisksthatcanresultinphysicalinjuryorpropertydamage,especiallyifmisused.Toreducethese
risks,followtheinstructionsincludedwithyourproduct,observeallwarningsontheproductandinthe
operatinginstructions,andreviewtheinformationincludedinthisdocumentcarefully.Bycarefullyfollowing
theinformationcontainedinthisdocumentandprovidedwithyourproduct,youcanhelpprotectyourself
fromhazardsandcreateasafercomputerworkenvironment.

Note:Thisinformationincludesreferencestopoweradaptersandbatteries.Inadditiontonotebook
computers,someproducts(suchasspeakersandmonitors)shipwithexternalpoweradapters.Ifyouhave
suchaproduct,thisinformationappliestoyourproduct.Inaddition,computerproductscontainacoin-sized
internalbatterythatprovidespowertothesystemclockevenwhenthecomputerisunplugged,sothe
batterysafetyinformationappliestoallcomputerproducts.

viUserGuide

Conditionsthatrequireimmediateaction

Productscanbecomedamagedduetomisuseorneglect.Someproductdamageisseriousenough
thattheproductshouldnotbeusedagainuntilithasbeeninspectedand,ifnecessary,repairedby
anauthorizedservicer.

Aswithanyelectronicdevice,paycloseattentiontotheproductwhenitisturnedon.Onveryrare
occasions,youmightnoticeanodororseeapuffofsmokeorsparksventfromyourproduct.Oryou
mighthearsoundslikepopping,crackingorhissing.Theseconditionsmightmerelymeanthatan
internalelectroniccomponenthasfailedinasafeandcontrolledmanner.Or,theymightindicate
apotentialsafetyissue.However,donottakerisksorattempttodiagnosethesituationyourself.
ContacttheCustomerSupportCenterforfurtherguidance.ForalistofServiceandSupportphone
numbers,seethefollowingWebsite:http://www.lenovo.com/support/phone.

Frequentlyinspectyourcomputeranditscomponentsfordamageorwearorsignsofdanger.Ifyou
haveanyquestionabouttheconditionofacomponent,donotusetheproduct.ContacttheCustomer
SupportCenterortheproductmanufacturerforinstructionsonhowtoinspecttheproductand
haveitrepaired,ifnecessary.

Intheunlikelyeventthatyounoticeanyofthefollowingconditions,orifyouhaveanysafetyconcerns
withyourproduct,stopusingtheproductandunplugitfromthepowersourceandtelecommunication
linesuntilyoucanspeaktotheCustomerSupportCenterforfurtherguidance.

•Powercords,plugs,poweradapters,extensioncords,surgeprotectors,orpowersuppliesthatare
cracked,broken,ordamaged.

•Signsofoverheating,smoke,sparks,orre.

•Damagetoabattery(suchascracks,dents,orcreases),dischargefromabattery,orabuildupofforeign
substancesonthebattery.

•Acracking,hissingorpoppingsound,orstrongodorthatcomesfromtheproduct.

•Signsthatliquidhasbeenspilledoranobjecthasfallenontothecomputerproduct,thepowercordor
poweradapter.

•Thecomputerproduct,powercord,orpoweradapterhasbeenexposedtowater.

•Theproducthasbeendroppedordamagedinanyway.

•Theproductdoesnotoperatenormallywhenyoufollowtheoperatinginstructions.

Note:Ifyounoticetheseconditionswithaproduct(suchasanextensioncord)thatisnotmanufacturedfor
orbyLenovo,stopusingthatproductuntilyoucancontacttheproductmanufacturerforfurtherinstructions,
oruntilyougetasuitablereplacement.

Safetyguidelines

Alwaysobservethefollowingprecautionstoreducetheriskofinjuryandpropertydamage.

Formoreinformation,seetheSafetyandWarrantyGuidecamewithyourcomputer.

Serviceandupgrades

DonotattempttoserviceaproductyourselfunlessinstructedtodosobytheCustomerSupportCenteror
yourdocumentation.OnlyuseaServiceProviderwhoisapprovedtorepairyourparticularproduct.

Note:Somecomputerpartscanbeupgradedorreplacedbythecustomer.Upgradestypicallyare
referredtoasoptions.ReplacementpartsapprovedforcustomerinstallationarereferredtoasCustomer
ReplaceableUnits,orCRUs.Lenovoprovidesdocumentationwithinstructionswhenitisappropriatefor
customerstoinstalloptionsorreplaceCRUs.Youmustcloselyfollowallinstructionswheninstallingor
replacingparts.TheOffstateofapowerindicatordoesnotnecessarilymeanthatvoltagelevelsinsidea

©CopyrightLenovo2011

vii

productarezero.Beforeyouremovethecoversfromaproductequippedwithapowercord,alwaysmake
surethatthepoweristurnedoffandthattheproductisunpluggedfromanypowersource.Ifyouhave
anyquestionsorconcerns,contacttheCustomerSupportCenter.

Althoughtherearenomovingpartsinyourcomputerafterthepowercordhasbeendisconnected,the
followingwarningsarerequiredforyoursafety.

CAUTION:
Hazardousmovingparts.Keepngersandotherbodypartsaway.

CAUTION:

BeforereplacinganyCRUs,turnoffthecomputerandwaitthreetoveminutestoletthecomputer
coolbeforeopeningthecover.

Powercordsandpoweradapters

DANGER

Useonlythepowercordsandpoweradapterssuppliedbytheproductmanufacturer.

Thepowercordsshallbesafetyapproved.ForGermany,itshallbeH05VV-F ,3G,0.75mm
better.Forothercountries,thesuitabletypesshallbeusedaccordingly.

Neverwrapapowercordaroundapoweradapterorotherobject.Doingsocanstressthecordin
waysthatcancausethecordtofray,crack,orcrimp.Thiscanpresentasafetyhazard.

Alwaysroutepowercordssothattheywillnotbewalkedon,trippedover,orpinchedbyobjects.

Protectpowercordandpoweradaptersfromliquids.Forinstance,donotleaveyourpowercordor
poweradapternearsinks,tubs,toilets,oronoorsthatarecleanedwithliquidcleansers.Liquids
cancauseashortcircuit,particularlyifthepowercordorpoweradapterhasbeenstressedby
misuse.Liquidsalsocancausegradualcorrosionofpowercordterminalsand/ortheconnector
terminalsonapoweradapter,whichcaneventuallyresultinoverheating.

Alwaysconnectpowercordsandsignalcablesinthecorrectorderandensurethatallpowercord
connectorsaresecurelyandcompletelypluggedintoreceptacles.

DonotuseanypoweradapterthatshowscorrosionattheACinputpinsorshowssignsof
overheating(suchasdeformedplastic)attheACinputoranywhereonthepoweradapter.

2

,or

Donotuseanypowercordswheretheelectricalcontactsoneitherendshowsignsofcorrosionor
overheatingorwherethepowercordappearstohavebeendamagedinanyway.

viiiUserGuide

Extensioncordsandrelateddevices

Ensurethatextensioncords,surgeprotectors,uninterruptiblepowersupplies,andpowerstripsthatyouuse
areratedtohandletheelectricalrequirementsoftheproduct.Neveroverloadthesedevices.Ifpowerstrips
areused,theloadshouldnotexceedthepowerstripinputrating.Consultanelectricianformoreinformation
ifyouhavequestionsaboutpowerloads,powerrequirements,andinputratings.

Plugsandoutlets

DANGER

Ifareceptacle(poweroutlet)thatyouintendtousewithyourcomputerequipmentappearstobe
damagedorcorroded,donotusetheoutletuntilitisreplacedbyaqualiedelectrician.

Donotbendormodifytheplug.Iftheplugisdamaged,contactthemanufacturertoobtain
areplacement.

Donotshareanelectricaloutletwithotherhomeorcommercialappliancesthatdrawlargeamounts
ofelectricity;otherwise,unstablevoltagemightdamageyourcomputer,data,orattacheddevices.

Someproductsareequippedwithathree-prongedplug.Thisplugtsonlyintoagrounded
electricaloutlet.Thisisasafetyfeature.Donotdefeatthissafetyfeaturebytryingtoinsertitinto
anon-groundedoutlet.Ifyoucannotinserttheplugintotheoutlet,contactanelectricianforan
approvedoutletadapterortoreplacetheoutletwithonethatenablesthissafetyfeature.Never
overloadanelectricaloutlet.Theoverallsystemloadshouldnotexceed80percentofthebranch
circuitrating.Consultanelectricianformoreinformationifyouhavequestionsaboutpowerloads
andbranchcircuitratings.

Besurethatthepoweroutletyouareusingisproperlywired,easilyaccessible,andlocatedclose
totheequipment.Donotfullyextendpowercordsinawaythatwillstressthecords.

Besurethatthepoweroutletprovidesthecorrectvoltageandcurrentfortheproductyouare
installing.

Carefullyconnectanddisconnecttheequipmentfromtheelectricaloutlet.

Powersupplystatement

DANGER

Neverremovethecoveronapowersupplyoranypartthathasthefollowinglabelattached.

Hazardousvoltage,current,andenergylevelsarepresentinsideanycomponentthathasthislabel
attached.Therearenoserviceablepartsinsidethesecomponents.Ifyoususpectaproblemwith
oneoftheseparts,contactaservicetechnician.

©CopyrightLenovo2011

ix

Externaldevices

CAUTION:
DonotconnectordisconnectanyexternaldevicecablesotherthanUniversalSerialBus(USB)and
1394cableswhilethecomputerpowerison;otherwise,youmightdamageyourcomputer.T oavoid
possibledamagetoattacheddevices,waitatleastvesecondsafterthecomputerisshutdownto
disconnectexternaldevices.

Batteries

DANGER

PersonalcomputersmanufacturedbyLenovocontainacoincellbatterytoprovidepowerto
thesystemclock.Inaddition,manymobileproducts,suchasnotebookcomputers,utilizea
rechargeablebatterypacktoprovidesystempowerwheninportablemode.Batteriessuppliedby
Lenovoforusewithyourproducthavebeentestedforcompatibilityandshouldonlybereplaced
withapprovedparts.

ThissystemdoesnotsupportbatteriesthatarenotgenuineLenovo-madeorauthorized.The
systemwillcontinuetoboot,butmaynotchargeunauthorizedbatteries.Attention:Lenovohasno
responsibilityfortheperformanceorsafetyofunauthorizedbatteries,andprovidesnowarranties
forfailuresordamagearisingoutoftheiruse.

Neverattempttoopenorserviceanybattery.Donotcrush,puncture,orincineratebatteriesor
shortcircuitthemetalcontacts.Donotexposethebatterytowaterorotherliquids.Onlyrecharge
thebatterypackstrictlyaccordingtoinstructionsincludedintheproductdocumentation.

Batteryabuseormishandlingcancausethebatterytooverheat,whichcancausegassesorame
to“vent”fromthebatterypackorcoincell.Ifyourbatteryisdamaged,orifyounoticeany
dischargefromyourbatteryorthebuildupofforeignmaterialsonthebatteryleads,stopusingthe
batteryandobtainareplacementfromthebatterymanufacturer.

Batteriescandegradewhentheyareleftunusedforlongperiodsoftime.Forsomerechargeable
batteries(particularlyLithiumIonbatteries),leavingabatteryunusedinadischargedstatecould
increasetheriskofabatteryshortcircuit,whichcouldshortenthelifeofthebatteryandcanalso
poseasafetyhazard.DonotletrechargeableLithium-Ionbatteriescompletelydischargeorstore
thesebatteriesinadischargedstate.

Rechargeablebatterynotice

DANGER

Donotattempttodisassembleormodifythebatterypack.Attemptingtodosocancausean
explosion,orliquidleakagefromthebatterypack.Abatterypackotherthantheonespeciedby
Lenovo,oradisassembledormodiedbatterypackisnotcoveredbythewarranty.

Iftherechargeablebatterypackisincorrectlyreplaced,thereisdangerofanexplosion.Thebattery
packcontainsasmallamountofharmfulsubstances.Toavoidpossibleinjury:

•ReplaceonlywithabatteryofthetyperecommendedbyLenovo.

•Keepthebatterypackawayfromre.

•Donotexposeittowaterorrain.

•Donotattempttodisassembleit.

•Donotshort-circuitit.

xUserGuide

•Keepitawayfromchildren.

•Donotdropthebatterypack.

Donotputthebatterypackintrashthatisdisposedofinlandlls.Whendisposingofthebattery,
complywithlocalordinancesorregulations.

Thebatterypackshouldbestoredatroomtemperature,chargedtoapproximately30to50%
ofcapacity.Werecommendthatbatterypackbechargedaboutonceperyeartoprevent
overdischarge.

Lithiumcoincellbatterynotice

DANGER

Dangerofexplosionifbatteryisincorrectlyreplaced.

Whenreplacingthelithiumcoincellbattery,useonlythesameoranequivalenttypethatis
recommendedbythemanufacturer.Thebatterycontainslithiumandcanexplodeifnotproperly
used,handled,ordisposedof.

Donot:

•Throworimmerseintowater

•Heattomorethan100°C(212°F)

•Repairordisassemble

Disposeofthebatteryasrequiredbylocalordinancesorregulations.

ThefollowingstatementappliestousersinthestateofCalifornia,U.S.A.

CaliforniaPerchlorateInformation:

ProductscontainingCR(manganesedioxide)lithiumcoincellbatteriesmaycontainperchlorate.

PerchlorateMaterial-specialhandlingmayapply.See
http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate.

Heatandproductventilation

DANGER

Computers,acpoweradapters,andmanyaccessoriescangenerateheatwhenturnedonandwhen
batteriesarecharging.Notebookcomputerscangenerateasignicantamountofheatduetotheir
compactsize.Alwaysfollowthesebasicprecautions:

•Whenyourcomputeristurnedonorthebatteryischarging,thebase,thepalmrest,andsome
otherpartsmaybecomehot.Avoidkeepingyourhands,yourlap,oranyotherpartofyour
bodyincontactwithahotsectionofthecomputerforanyextendedlengthoftime.Whenyou
usethekeyboard,avoidkeepingyourpalmsonthepalmrestforaprolongedperiodoftime.
Yourcomputergeneratessomeheatduringnormaloperation.Theamountofheatdependson
theamountofsystemactivityandthebatterychargelevel.Extendedcontactwithyourbody,
eventhroughclothing,couldcausediscomfortorevenaskinburn.Periodicallytakebreaks

©CopyrightLenovo2011

xi

fromusingthekeyboardbyliftingyourhandsfromthepalmrest;andbecarefulnottouse
thekeyboardforanyextendedlengthoftime.

•Donotoperateyourcomputerorchargethebatterynearammablematerialsorinexplosive
environments.

•Ventilationslots,fansand/orheatsinksareprovidedwiththeproductforsafety,comfort,and
reliableoperation.Thesefeaturesmightinadvertentlybecomeblockedbyplacingtheproducton
abed,sofa,carpet,orotherexiblesurface.Neverblock,cover,ordisablethesefeatures.

•Whentheacpoweradapterisconnectedtoanelectricaloutletandyourcomputer,itgenerates
heat.Donotplacetheadapterincontactwithanypartofyourbodywhileusingit.Neverusethe
acpoweradaptertowarmyourbody.Extendedcontactwithyourbody,eventhroughclothing,
maycauseaskinburn.

Foryoursafety,alwaysfollowthesebasicprecautionswithyourcomputer:

•Keepthecoverclosedwheneverthecomputerispluggedin.

•Regularlyinspecttheoutsideofthecomputerfordustaccumulation.

•Removedustfromventsandanyperforationsinthebezel.Morefrequentcleaningsmightbe
requiredforcomputersindustyorhigh-trafcareas.

•Donotrestrictorblockanyventilationopenings.

•Donotoperateyourcomputerinsidefurniture,asthismightincreasetheriskofoverheating.

•Airowtemperaturesintothecomputershouldnotexceed35°C(95°F).

Electricalcurrentsafetyinformation

DANGER

Electriccurrentfrompower ,telephone,andcommunicationcablesishazardous.

Toavoidashockhazard:

•Donotuseyourcomputerduringalightningstorm.

•Donotconnectordisconnectanycablesorperforminstallation,maintenance,orreconguration
ofthisproductduringanelectricalstorm.

•Connectallpowercordstoaproperlywiredandgroundedelectricaloutlet.

•Connecttoproperlywiredoutletsanyequipmentthatwillbeattachedtothisproduct.

•Wheneverpossible,useonehandonlytoconnectordisconnectsignalcables.

•Neverturnonanyequipmentwhenthereisevidenceofre,water,orstructuraldamage.

•Disconnecttheattachedpowercords,batterypack,andallthecablesbeforeyouopenthe
devicecovers,unlessinstructedotherwiseintheinstallationandcongurationprocedures.

•Donotuseyoucomputeruntilallinternalpartsenclosuresarefastenedintoplace.Neveruse
thecomputerwheninternalpartsandcircuitsareexposed.

xiiUserGuide

DANGER

•Connectanddisconnectcablesasdescribedinthefollowingprocedureswheninstalling,
moving,oropeningcoversonthisproductorattacheddevices.

Toconnect:

1.TurneverythingOFF.

2.First,attachallcablestodevices.

3.Attachsignalcablestoconnectors.

4.Attachpowercordstooutlets.

5.TurndevicesON.

Todisconnect:

1.TurneverythingOFF.

2.First,removepowercordsfromoutlets.

3.Removesignalcablesfromconnectors.

4.Removeallcablesfromdevices.

Thepowercordmustbedisconnectedfromthewalloutletorreceptaclebeforeinstallingallother
electricalcablesconnectedtothecomputer.

Thepowercordmaybereconnectedtothewalloutletorreceptacleonlyafterallotherelectrical
cableshavebeenconnectedtothecomputer.

Modemsafetyinformation

DANGER

ForNorthAmericaType:

CAUTION:
Toreducetheriskofre,useonlyNo.26AWGorlarger(forexample,No.24AWG)
telecommunicationlinecordlistedbyUnderwritersLaboratories(UL)orcertiedbytheCanadian
StandardsAssociation(CSA).

Toreducetheriskofre,electricalshock,orinjurywhenusingtelephoneequipment,always
followbasicsafetyprecautionsasthefollowing:

•Donotconnectthecabletoordisconnectitfromthetelephoneoutletonthewallduringa
lightningstorm.

•Donotinstalltelephonejacksinwetlocations.Donotuseyourcomputernearwater.

•Donottouchuninsulatedtelephonewiresorterminalsunlessthetelephonelinehasbeen
disconnectedatthenetworkinterface.

•Usecautionwheninstallingormodifyingtelephonelines.

•Donotuseyourcomputerwiththetelephonecableconnectionduringanelectricalstorm.There
maybearemoteriskofelectricshockfromlightning.

•Donotuseatelephone(otherthanacordlesstype)duringanelectricalstorm.

•Donotusethetelephonetoreportagasleakinthevicinityoftheleak.

•DonotconnectthetelephonecabletotheEthernetconnector.

Lasercompliancestatement

CAUTION:
Whenlaserproducts(suchasCD-ROMs,DVDdrives,beropticdevices,ortransmitters)are
installed,notethefollowing:

•Donotremovethecovers.Removingthecoversofthelaserproductcouldresultinexposureto
hazardouslaserradiation.Therearenoserviceablepartsinsidethedevice.

©CopyrightLenovo2011

xiii

•Useofcontrolsoradjustmentsorperformanceofproceduresotherthanthosespeciedherein
mightresultinhazardousradiationexposure.

DANGER

SomelaserproductscontainanembeddedClass3AorClass3Blaserdiode.Notethefollowing.

Laserradiationwhenopen.Donotstareintothebeam,donotviewdirectlywithoptical
instruments,andavoiddirectexposuretothebeam.

Liquidcrystaldisplay(LCD)notice

CAUTION:
Forproductswithmercury-containinguorescentlamps(i.e.,non-LED)

•Theuorescentlampintheliquidcrystaldisplaycontainsmercury;disposeaccordingtolocal,
state,orfederallaws.

•TheLCDismadeofglass,androughhandlingordroppingthecomputercancausetheLCDto
break.IftheLCDbreaksandtheinternaluidgetsintoyoureyesoronyourhands,immediately
washtheaffectedareaswithwaterforatleast15minutes;ifanysymptomsarepresentafter
washing,getmedicalcare.

Usingheadphonesorearphones

Ifyourcomputerhasbothaheadphoneconnectorandanaudio-outconnector,alwaysusetheheadphone
connectorforheadphones(alsocalledaheadset)orearphones.

CAUTION:
Excessivesoundpressurefromearphonesandheadphonescancausehearingloss.Adjustmentof
theequalizertomaximumincreasestheearphonesandheadphonesoutputvoltageandthereforethe
soundpressurelevel.

Excessiveuseofheadphonesorearphonesforalongperiodoftimeathighvolumecanbedangerousifthe
outputoftheheadphoneorearphoneconnectorsdonotcomplywithspecicationsofEN50332-2.The
headphoneoutputconnectorofyourcomputercomplieswithEN50332-2Subclause7.Thisspecication
limitsthecomputer’smaximumwidebandtrueRMSoutputvoltageto150mV.Tohelpprotectagainst
hearingloss,ensurethattheheadphonesorearphonesyouusealsocomplywithEN50332-2(Clause7
limits)forawidebandcharacteristicvoltageof75mV.UsingheadphonesthatdonotcomplywithEN
50332-2canbedangerousduetoexcessivesoundpressurelevels.

IfyourLenovocomputercamewithheadphonesorearphonesinthepackage,asaset,thecombinationof
theheadphonesorearphonesandthecomputeralreadycomplieswiththespecicationsofEN50332-1.
Ifdifferentheadphonesorearphonesareused,ensurethattheycomplywithEN50332-1(Clause6.5
LimitationValues).UsingheadphonesthatdonotcomplywithEN50332-1canbedangerousdueto
excessivesoundpressurelevels.

Additionalsafetyinformation

DANGER

Plasticbagscanbedangerous.Keepplasticbagsawayfrombabiesandchildrentoavoiddanger
ofsuffocation.

NoticeforTabletPCusers

SafetyNoticeforusersinAustralia:

xivUserGuide

DANGER

Donotconnectphonelinewhileusingtabletmode.

NoticeforusersintheU.S.A.

ManyPCproductsandaccessoriescontaincords,cablesorwires,suchaspowercordsorcordstoconnect
theaccessorytoaPC.Ifthisproducthassuchacord,cableorwire,thenthefollowingwarningapplies:

WARNING

Handlingthecordonthisproductorcordsassociatedwithaccessoriessoldwiththisproductwillexpose
youtolead,achemicalknowntotheStateofCaliforniatocausecancer,andbirthdefectsorother
reproductiveharm.Washhandsafterhandling.

Savetheseinstructions.

©CopyrightLenovo2011

xv

xviUserGuide

Chapter1.ProductOverview

Thischapterprovidesinformationaboutthelocationsofconnectors,locatingimportantproductinformation,
computerfeatures,specications,operatingenvironment,andpreinstalledsoftwareprograms.

Thischaptercontainsthefollowingtopics:

•“Locatingcomputercontrols,connectors,andindicators”onpage1

•“Locatingimportantproductinformation”onpage13

•“Features”onpage16

•“Specications”onpage17

•“Operatingenvironment”onpage18

•“ThinkVantageTechnologiesandsoftware”onpage18

Locatingcomputercontrols,connectors,andindicators

Thissectionintroducesyoutothehardwarefeaturesofyourcomputer,andthengivesyouthebasic
informationyou'llneedtostarttakingadvantageofitsfunctions.

•“Frontview”onpage2

•“Right-sideview”onpage5

•“Left-sideview”onpage7

•“Rearview”onpage10

•“Bottomview”onpage8

•“Statusindicators”onpage11

©CopyrightLenovo2011

1

Frontview

Figure1.ThinkPadT420/T420ifrontview

1Computerdisplay

3Fingerprintreader4TrackPointbuttons

5TrackPointpointingstick6ThinkVantagebutton

7Systemandpower-statusindicators8UltraConnectwirelessantennas(left)

9Built-inmicrophone(left)

11ThinkLight

13UltraConnectwirelessantennas(right)14Built-instereospeaker(left)

15ForwardandBackkeys16Bluetoothantenna

17Touchpad18Touchpadbuttons

19Fnkey

21Built-instereospeaker(left)

1Computerdisplay

2Powerswitch

10Integratedcamera

12Built-inmicrophone(right)

20CapsLockkeyindicator

22Volumecontrolbuttons

Thehigh-resolution,thin-lmtransistor(TFT)displayprovidesclearandbrillianttextandgraphics.

Fordetails,refertotheinstructionsin“Changingdisplaysettings”onpage69.

2Powerswitch

Usethepowerswitchtoturnonthecomputer.Toturnoffyourcomputer,usetheStartmenushutdown
options.

Ifyoucannotturnoffthecomputerbythismethod,pressandholdthepowerswitchfor2seconds.

2UserGuide

Ifyourcomputerstopsresponding,andyoucannotturnitoff,pressandholdthepowerswitchfor4seconds
ormore.Ifthesystemisstillnotreset,removetheacpoweradapterandthebattery.

3Fingerprintreader

Somemodelshaveangerprintreader.Thengerprintauthenticationtechnologyenablesyoutouseyour
ngerprinttostartthecomputerandentertheThinkPadSetup.

Fordetails,refertotheinstructionsin“Usingangerprintreader”onpage97.

UltraNav

4T rackPointbuttons
5T rackPointpointingstick
17T ouchpad
18Touchpadbuttons

ThekeyboardcontainstheuniqueTrackPoint

®

®

pointingdevice.Pointing,selecting,anddraggingareallpart

ofasingleprocessthatyoucanperformwithoutmovingyourngersfromtypingposition.

MoveyourngertipacrosstheUltraNavtouchpadtomovethepointer.

TheTrackPointandtouchpadbuttonsprovidefunctionssimilartothoseofamouseanditsbuttons.

6ThinkVantagebutton

PresstheThinkVantagebuttontolaunchtheSimpleTapprogram(forWindows
ProductivityCenterprogram(forWindowsXPandWindowsVista

®

).

®

7)ortheThinkVantage

Note:Dependingonthedatewhenyourcomputerwasmanufactured,yourcomputermighthavethe
LenovoThinkVantageToolboxprogrampreinstalledinsteadoftheSimpleT approgramortheThinkVantage
ProductivityCenterprogram.

YoualsocanusetheThinkVantagebuttontointerruptthestartupsequenceofyourcomputerandstartthe
RescueandRecovery®workspace.Formoreinformation,see“ThinkVantagebutton”onpage27

.

7Systemandpower-statusindicators

Yourcomputerhasthesystemstatusindicatorsandthepowerstatusindicators.Forthedetailedinformation
aboutthelocationandmeaningofeachindicator,see“System-statusindicators”onpage11
“Power-statusindicators”onpage12

8UltraConnect™wirelessantennas(left)
13UltraConnectwirelessantennas(right)

.

and

Thebuilt-inantennasforthewirelesscommunicationarelocatedatthetopleftandthetoprightportionsof
yourcomputerdisplay.

Forthespeciclocationsofeachantenna,referto“LocationoftheUltraConnectwirelessantennas”on
page238

9Built-inmicrophone(left)
12Built-inmicrophone(right)

.

Thebuilt-inmicrophonecapturessoundandvoicewhenitisusedwithanapplicationprogramcapable
ofhandlingaudio.

Chapter1.ProductOverview3

10Integratedcamera

Somemodelshaveanintegratedcamera.Byusingthiscamera,youcantakepicturesorholdavideo
conference.

Formoreinformationabouthowtousethecamera,referto“Usinganintegratedcamera”onpage78.

11ThinkLight

Youcanuseyourcomputerunderlessthanperfectlightingconditions.

Toilluminatethekeyboard,turnontheThinkLight

®

bypressingFn+PgUp.Toturnitoff,pressFn+PgUp

again.

14Built-instereospeaker(right)
21Built-instereospeaker(left)

Thestereospeakersarebuiltintoyourcomputer.

Fordetails,refertotheinstructionsin“Volumeandmutebuttons”onpage32

15ForwardandBackkeys

.

TheForwardandBackkeysonyourkeyboardnearthecursor-controlkeysareusedwithyourInternet
browser,suchasInternetExplorer

®

.Theyfunctionliketheforwardandbackarrowsinthebrowserthat

moveyoubackandforwardtopagesyouhaveviewedintheorderthatyouopenedthem.

16Bluetoothantenna

Ifyourcomputerhasintegratedbluetoothfeatures,referto“UsingBluetooth”onpage44formore
information.

19Fnkey

UsetheFnkeytotakeadvantageofThinkPad

®

functions,suchasturningontheThinkLight.Touse

ThinkPadfunctions,pressFn+therequiredfunctionkeymarkedinblue.

20CapsLockkeyindicator

TheindicatorofCapsLockislocatedontheCapsLockkey.

FormoreinformationaboutCapsLockindicator,see“System-statusindicators”onpage11.

22Volumecontrolbuttons

Thebuilt-involumebuttonsenableyoutoquicklyadjustthevolumeormutethesoundfromyourcomputer.

Fordetails,refertotheinstructionsin“Volumeandmutebuttons”onpage32.

4UserGuide

Right-sideview

Figure2.ThinkPadT420/T420iright-sideview

1Securitykeyhole2USBconnector

3eSATA/USBcomboconnector4ExpressCardslot

5Mediacardreaderslot6Wirelessradioswitch

7SerialUltrabayenhanced8Comboaudiojack

1Securitykeyhole

Yourcomputercomeswithasecuritykeyhole.Youcanpurchaseasecuritycableandlocktotthiskeyhole.

2USBconnector

TheUniversalSerialBusconnectorisusedforconnectingdevicescompatiblewithaUSBinterface,suchas
aprinteroradigitalcamera.

Note:Y ourcomputeriscompatiblewithUSB1.1and2.0.

3eSATA/USBcomboconnector

TheUniversalSerialBusconnectorsareusedforconnectingdevicescompatiblewithaUSBinterface,
suchasaprinteroradigitalcamera.

Note:Y ourcomputeriscompatiblewithUSB1.1and2.0.

YoucanalsoconnectanexternalSATAdevice,suchasanexternalharddiskdrive,tothisconnector
onsomemodels.

Note:Toavoiddamagingtheconnector,becarefulwhenyouattachacablefromtheexternalSATAdevice
totheconnector.

4ExpressCardslot

YourcomputerhastheExpressCardslotfora34mm-widecard.

Chapter1.ProductOverview5

Fordetails,refertotheinstructionsin“Usingthemediacardreader”onpage79.

5Mediacardreaderslot

Dependingonthemodel,yourcomputermayhaveamediacardreaderslot.Themediacardreader
supportsthefollowingcards:

•SDcard

•SDHCcard

•SDXCcard

•MultiMediaCard

Note:Y ourcomputerdoesnotsupportCPRMfeatureforSDcard.

Fordetails,refertotheinstructionsin“Usingthemediacardreader”onpage79.

6Wirelessradioswitch

Youcanquicklyturnthewirelessfeaturesofyourcomputeronandoffusingthisswitch.

7SerialUltrabayenhanced

YourcomputerhasabayforserialUltrabay™enhanceddevices.Anopticaldriveisinstalledinthebay.

Note:Y oucaninstalla9.5-mm-thickserialUltrabayslimora12.7-mm-thickserialUltrabayenhanced
deviceintheserialUltrabayenhanced.

8Comboaudiojack

Tolistentothesoundfromyourcomputer,connectaheadphoneoraheadsetthathasa3.5mm4-pole
plug,tothecomboaudiojack.

Notes:

•Ifyouareusingaheadsetwithafunctionswitch,forexample,aheadsetforaniPhone

®

mobiledigital
device,donotpressthisswitchwhileusingtheheadset.Ifyoupressit,theheadsetmicrophonewill
bedisabled,andtheinternalmicrophonewillbeenabledinstead.

•Thecomboaudiojackdoesnotsupportaconventionalmicrophone.Formoreinformationaboutthe
audiodevicessupportedbythecomboaudiojackofyourcomputerandtheaudiojacksofThinkPadMini
DockSeries3andThinkPadMiniDockPlusSeries3,andThinkPadMiniDockPlusSeries3(170W),
see“Usingaudiofeatures”onpage77

.

6UserGuide

Left-sideview

Figure3.ThinkPadT420/T420ileft-sideview

1Fanlouvers(left)

3Ethernetconnector4DisplayPortconnector

5USBconnector(left)6Smartcardslot

1Fanlouvers(left)

2Monitorconnector

Theinternalfanandlouversenableairtocirculateinthecomputerandcoolthecentralprocessor.

Note:T oavoidimpedingairow,donotplaceanyobstacleinfrontofthefan.

2Monitorconnector

Youcanattachanexternalmonitororaprojectortoyourcomputertodisplaycomputerinformation.

Note:IfyouattachyourcomputertotheThinkPadPortReplicatorSeries3,ThinkPadMiniDockSeries
3,ThinkPadMiniDockPlusSeries3,andThinkPadMiniDockPlusSeries3(170W)anduseamonitor
connector,usethemonitorconnectorontheThinkPadPortReplicatorSeries3,ThinkPadMiniDockSeries
3,ThinkPadMiniDockPlusSeries3,andThinkPadMiniDockPlusSeries3(170W),nottheoneonthe
computer.

Fordetails,refertotheinstructionsin“Attachinganexternalmonitor”onpage70

3Ethernetconnector

.

ConnectyourcomputertoaLANwiththeEthernetconnector.

DANGER

Toavoidtheriskofelectricalshock,donotconnectthetelephonecabletotheEthernetconnector.
YoucanonlyconnectanEthernetcabletothisconnector.

Chapter1.ProductOverview7

Twoindicators,tothelowerrightandleftoftheconnector,showthestatusofthenetworkconnection.When
yourcomputerconnectstoaLANandasessionwiththenetworkisavailable,thelowerrightindicatoris
solidgreen.Whiledataisbeingtransmitted,thelowerleftindicatorblinksyellow.

Fordetails,refertotheinstructionsin“AccessConnections”onpage20.

Note:IfyouattachyourcomputertotheThinkPadPortReplicatorSeries3,ThinkPadMiniDockSeries
3,ThinkPadMiniDockPlusSeries3,andThinkPadMiniDockPlusSeries3(170W)anduseanEthernet
connector,usetheEthernetconnectorontheThinkPadPortReplicatorSeries3,ThinkPadMiniDock
Series3,ThinkPadMiniDockPlusSeries3,andThinkPadMiniDockPlusSeries3(170W),nottheone
onthecomputer.

4DisplayPortconnector

YourcomputersupportstheDisplayPort,anext-generationdigitaldisplayinterfacethatconnectsa
compatibleprojector,externalmonitor,orHDTVtoyourcomputer.

5USBconnector(left)

TheUniversalSerialBusconnectorsareusedforconnectingdevicescompatiblewithaUSBinterface,
suchasaprinteroradigitalcamera.

Note:Y ourcomputeriscompatiblewithUSB1.1and2.0.

6Smartcardslot

YourcomputerhastheSmartcardslot.

Fordetails,refertotheinstructionsin“Usingthemediacardreader”onpage79

Bottomview

Figure4.ThinkPadT420/T420ibottomview

.

8UserGuide

1SIMcardslot

3Dockingconnector4Memory-upgradeslot

5Harddiskdriveorsolidstatedrive

1SIMcardslot

2Battery

6PCIExpressMiniCardslotforwirelessWANcardor

mSATAsolidstatedrive

IfyourcomputerhasawirelessWANfeature,itmayrequireaSIM(SubscriberIdenticationModule)cardto
establishawirelessWAN(WideAreaNetwork)connections.Dependingonthecountryofdelivery,theSIM
cardmaybealreadyinstalledintheSIMcardslot.

2Battery

Useyourcomputerwithbatterypowerwheneveracpowerisunavailable.

Byinstallingasecondbattery,availableasanoption,intheserialUltrabayslim,youcanextendtheoperating
timeofthecomputer.YoucanalsousePowerManagertoadjustyourpowersettingasneeded.

Fordetails,refertotheinstructionsin“PowerManager”onpage23.

3Dockingconnector

WithaThinkPadPortReplicatorSeries3,ThinkPadMiniDockSeries3,ThinkPadMiniDockPlusSeries
3,andThinkPadMiniDockPlusSeries3(170W),youcanextendthecomputercapabilitieswhenyou
areinyourofceorathome.

4Memory-upgradeslot

Youcanincreasetheamountofmemoryinyourcomputerbyinstallingamemorymoduleinthememory
bay.Memorymodulesareavailableasoptions.

5Harddiskdriveorsolidstatedrive

Yourcomputermayhavealarge-capacity,customer-upgradableharddiskdrivethatcanmeetavarietyof
storagedemands.Tokeepthedrivesafe,ActiveProtectionSystem™isinstalledonyourcomputer.For
details,referto“ActiveProtectionSystem”onpage21.

Ifyouwish,youcanpurchaseanotherharddiskdriveandinstallitintheserialUltrabayslim.

WithLenovo

®

technologiesadvancingtoprovideyouwiththebestengineeredsystems,somemodels
areequippedwithasolidstatedrivefordatastorage.Thiscutting-edgetechnologyenablesnotebook
computerstobelighter,smallerandfaster.

Note:Thehiddenservicepartitionisthereasonwhythereislessfreespacethanexpectedonyourhard
diskdriveorsolidstatedrivedrive.Thisreductionismorenoticeableonthesolidstatedrivedrivebecause
ofitssmallercapacity.

6PCIExpressMiniCardslotforwirelessWANcardormSAT Asolidstatedrive

YourcomputermightincludeaPCIExpressMiniCardinthePCIExpressMiniCardslotwhichenables
wirelessWANcommunications.

WithLenovotechnologiesadvancingtoprovideyouwiththebestengineeredsystems,somemodelsare
equippedwithamSATAsolidstatedrivefordatastorage.

Chapter1.ProductOverview9

Rearview

Figure5.ThinkPadT420/T420irearview.

1ModemconnectororIEEE1394

3Powerjack

1ModemconnectororIEEE1394

2AlwaysOnUSBconnector(rear)

4Fanlouvers(rear)

•Ifyourcomputerhasamodemconnector,connectyourcomputertoatelephonelinewiththemodem
connector.Fordetails,refertotheinstructionsin“Dialupconnections”onpage68.

•IfyourcomputerhasanIEEE1394connector,whichisusedforconnectingdevicesthatarecompatible
withtheIEEE1394interface,suchasdigitalvideocamerasandexternalharddiskdrives.

Note:Dependingonyourmodel,yourcomputermighthaveneithermodemconnectornorIEEE1394
connector.

2AlwaysOnUSBconnector(rear)

TheAlwaysOnUniversalSerialBusconnectorisusedforconnectingdevicescompatiblewithaUSB
interface,suchasaprinteroradigitalcamera.

Bydefault,evenifyourcomputerisinsleep(standby)mode,theAlwaysOnUSBconnectorstillenables
youtochargesomedevices,suchasiPod

®

,iPhone,andBlackBerry®smartphones,byattachingthe

devicestotheconnector.

However,withtheacpoweradapterattached,ifyouwanttochargethesedeviceswhenyourcomputer
isinhibernationmodeorpoweredoff,youwillneedtoopenthePowerManagerprogramandcongure
correspondingsettingstoenabletheAlwaysOnUSBconnectorfunction.Fordetailsabouthowtoenable
theAlwaysOnUSBconnectorfunction,refertotheon-linehelpofthePowerManagerprogram.

Note:Y ourcomputeriscompatiblewithUSB1.1and2.0.

3Powerjack

Theacpoweradaptercableconnectstothecomputerpowerjacktoprovidepowertothecomputerand
chargethebattery.

10UserGuide

4Fanlouvers(rear)

Theinternalfanandlouversenableairtocirculateinthecomputerandcoolthecentralprocessor.

Note:T oavoidimpedingairow,donotplaceanyobstacleinfrontofthefan.

Statusindicators

Thestatusindicatorsshowthecurrentstatusofyourcomputer.

System-statusindicators

1DeviceAccess

Aharddiskdriveoranoptionaldrive,suchasadriveintheUltrabay,isbeingusedtoreadorwritedata.

Whenthisindicatorisblinking,donotputthecomputerintosleep(standby)mode,removethe
devicefromthebay,orturnoffthecomputer.

2PowerOn

Thepowerswitchstayslitwheneverthecomputerison,blinkswhenthecomputerisinsleep(standby)
mode,andisoffwhenthecomputerisoff.

3CapsLock

CapsLockmodeisenabled.Youcanenterallalphabeticcharacters(A-Z)inuppercasewithoutpressing
theShiftkey.

4Numericlock

Bydefault,whenthenumericlockison,thenumericlockindicatorisdisplayedonthescreen.Tochangethe
settingsofthenumericlockindicator,see“Changingdisplaysettings”onpage69.

Note:Anothermodeavailableforyourcomputer,thoughthereisnoindicatorforit,isScrollLockmode.
Whenthismodeisenabled,thearrowkeyscanbeusedasfunctionkeysforscreen-scrolling,butnotfor

Chapter1.ProductOverview11

movingthecursor.Toenableordisablethismode,pressScrLk.Notallapplicationprogramssupport
thisfunction.

Power-statusindicators

Thecomputerhasstatusindicatorsthatshowthemode(sleep/standby,hibernation,ornormal),acpower
status,thestatusofthebattery.Thefollowingshowsthelocationandthemeaningoftheindicators:

1Sleep(standbyinWindowsXP)status

•Green:Thecomputerisinsleep(standby)mode.

•Blinkinggreen:Thecomputerisenteringsleep(standby)orhibernationmode,orisresumingnormal
operation.

2Batterystatus

•Green:Thebatteryhasmorethan20%charge.

•Orange:Thebatteryhasbetween5%and20%charge

•Fastblinkingorange:Thebatteryhaslessthan5%charge.

Note:Thebatterymaybecharging.

•Slowblinkingorange:Thebatteryisbeingcharged.Whenitreaches20%,theblinkingcolorchangesto
green.

•Slowblinkinggreen:Thebatteryhasbetween20%and80%charge,andchargingiscontinuing.
Whenthebatteryreaches80%charge,blinkingstops,butthechargingmaycontinueuntilthebatteryis
100%charged.

Note:Ifthecomputerisoperatingonbatterypower,theBatterystatusindicatordoesnotworkwhilethe
computeristurnedofforisinsleep(standby)modeorhibernationmode.

•Quickblinkingorange:Anerrorhasbeenoccurredinthebattery.

•Thebatterystatusindicatorblinksthreetimes:Theacpoweradapterisattachedtothecomputer.

•Thebatterystatusindicatorisoff:Thebatteryisfullychargedorthebatteryisdetached.

12UserGuide