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ThinkCentre 
UserGuide
MachineTypes: 0041,0107,0163,and7543
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ThinkCentre 
UserGuide
MachineTypes:0041,0107,0163,and7543 
Page 4
Note:Beforeusingthisinformationandtheproductitsupports,besuretoreadandunderstandthe 
ThinkCentreSafetyandWarrantyGuideandAppendixA“Notices”onpage65. 
FirstEdition(November2010)
©CopyrightLenovo2010.
LENOVOproducts,data,computersoftware,andserviceshavebeendevelopedexclusivelyatprivateexpenseandare 
soldtogovernmentalentitiesascommercialitemsasdenedby48C.F .R.2.101withlimitedandrestrictedrightsto 
use,reproductionanddisclosure.
LIMITEDANDRESTRICTEDRIGHTSNOTICE:Ifproducts,data,computersoftware,orservicesaredeliveredpursuant 
aGeneralServicesAdministration“GSA”contract,use,reproduction,ordisclosureissubjecttorestrictionssetforth 
inContractNo.GS-35F-05925.
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Contents
Importantsafetyinformation......v
Chapter1.Productoverview......1
Features..................
Specications................
Softwareoverview..............
SoftwareprovidedwithyourWindows
operatingsystem.............
Locations..................
Locatingconnectors,controls,andindicators
onthefrontofyourcomputer........
Locatingconnectorsandpartsontherearof
yourcomputer..............
Locatingcomponents...........
Locatingpartsonthesystemboard....
Locatinginternaldrives.........
Chapter2.Installingorreplacing
hardware...............
Handlingstatic-sensitivedevices.......
Installingorreplacinghardware........
Installingexternaloptions........
Removingthecomputercover.......
Removingandreinstallingthefrontbezel..
InstallingorreplacingaPCIcard......
Installingorreplacingamemorymodule...
Replacingthebattery..........
Replacingthepowersupplyassembly...
Replacingthemicroprocessor.......
Replacingtheopticaldrive........
Replacingtheharddiskdrive.......
Replacingthecardreader........
ReplacingthefrontaudioandUSB
assembly...............
Replacingtherearfanassembly......
Replacingthekeyboard.........
Replacingthemouse..........
Completingthepartsreplacement.....
Obtainingdevicedrivers...........
Basicsecurityfeatures...........
Integratedcablelock..........
Padlock...............
Passwordprotection
Erasingalostorforgottenpassword(clearing
CMOS)................
Chapter3.Recoveryinformation...
Creatingandusingrecoverymedia......
Creatingrecoverymedia.........
Usingrecoverymedia..........
Performingbackupandrecoveryoperations...
Performingabackupoperation......
Performingarecoveryoperation......
UsingtheRescueandRecoveryworkspace...
Creatingandusingarescuemedium......
Creatingarescuemedium........
Usingarescuemedium.........
Installingorreinstallingdevicedrivers.....
Solvingrecoveryproblems..........
Chapter4.UsingtheSetupUtility
program................
StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram.......
Viewingorchangingsettings.........
Usingpasswords..............
Passwordconsiderations.........
Power-onpassword...........
Administratorpassword.........
Setting,changing,ordeletingapassword..
Enablingordisablingadevice........
Selectingastartupdevice..........
Selectingatemporarystartupdevice....
Viewingorchangingthestartupdevice
sequence...............
ExitingtheSetupUtilityprogram
Chapter5.Updatingsystem
programs...............
Usingsystemprograms...........
Updating(ashing)theBIOSfromadisc....
Updating(ashing)theBIOSfromyouroperating
system..................
RecoveringfromaPOSTandBIOSupdate
failure..................
Chapter6.Troubleshootingand
diagnosticprograms.........
Basictroubleshooting............
Diagnosticprograms............
LenovoThinkVantageT oolbox.......
PC-DoctorforDOS...........
Cleaninganopticalmouse..........
Chapter7.Gettinginformation,help,
andservice..............
©CopyrightLenovo2010
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Informationresources............
OnlineBooksfolder...........
LenovoThinkVantageT ools........
LenovoWelcome............
AccessHelp..............
Safetyandwarranty...........
LenovoWebsite(http://www.lenovo.com)..
Helpandservice..............
Usingthedocumentationanddiagnostic
programs...............
Callingforservice............
Usingotherservices
Purchasingadditionalservices......
AppendixA.Notices.........
Televisionoutputnotice...........
EuropeanconformanceCEmark.......
Trademarks................
Index..................
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Importantsafetyinformation 
CAUTION: 
Beforeusingthismanual,besuretoreadandunderstandalltherelatedsafetyinformationforthis 
product.RefertotheThinkCentreSafetyandWarrantyGuidethatyoureceivedwiththisproductfor  
thelatestsafetyinformation.Readingandunderstandingthissafetyinformationreducestheriskof 
personalinjuryandordamagetoyourproduct.
IfyounolongerhaveacopyoftheThinkCentreSafetyandWarrantyGuide,youcanobtainaPortable  
DocumentFormat(PDF)versionfromtheLenovo 
http://www.lenovo.com/support
®
SupportWebsiteat:
©CopyrightLenovo2010
v
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viThinkCentreUserGuide 
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Chapter1. 
Thischapterprovidesinformationaboutthecomputerfeatures,specications,softwareprogramsprovided 
byLenovo,andlocationsofconnectors,components,partsonthesystemboard,andinternaldrives.
Thischaptercontainsthefollowingtopics:
•
•
•
•
:Thissectionprovidesinformationaboutthecomputerfeatures.
:Thissectionliststhephysicalspecicationsforyourcomputer.
Features 
Thissectionprovidesinformationaboutthecomputerfeatures.
Systeminformation
Thefollowinginformationcoversavarietyofmodels.Forinformationaboutyourspecicmodel,usethe 
SetupUtilityprogram.SeeChapter4“UsingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage49
Microprocessor
Yourcomputercomeswithoneofthefollowingmicroprocessors(internalcachesizevariesbymodeltype):
•Intel
•IntelCorei5microprocessor
•IntelCorei7microprocessor
•IntelPentium
®
Core™i3microprocessor
®
microprocessor
.
Memorymodule(s)
Yourcomputersupportsuptofourdoubledatarate3dualinlinememorymodules(DDR3DIMMs).
Internaldrives
•Cardreader(availableinsomemodels)
•Opticaldrive(availableinsomemodels)
•SerialAdvancedT echnologyAttachment(SA TA)harddiskdrive
Videosubsystem
•IntegratedgraphicsfunctioningthroughaVideoGraphicsArray(VGA)connectorandaDigitalVideo 
Interface(DVI)connector(notapplicableonsomemodels)
•PeripheralComponentInterconnect(PCI)Expressx16graphicscardslotonthesystemboardfora 
discretegraphicscard
Audiosubsystem
•Integratedhigh-denition(HD)audio
©CopyrightLenovo2010
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•Headphoneconnectorandmicrophoneconnectoronthefrontpanel
•Audioline-inconnector,audioline-outconnector,andmicrophoneconnectorontherearpanel
•Internalspeaker(availableinsomemodels)
Connectivity
10/100/1000MbpsintegratedEthernetcontroller
Systemmanagementfeatures
•Abilitytostorethepower-onself-test(POST)hardwaretestresults
•AdvancedCongurationandPowerInterface(ACPI)
•Automaticpower-onstartup
•DesktopManagementInterface(DMI)
•IntelTrustedExecutionTechnology(IntelTXT)
•PrebootExecutionEnvironment(PXE)
•SystemManagement(SM)BasicInput/OutputSystem(BIOS)andSMsoftware
•WakeonLAN(WOL)
•WindowsManagementInstrumentation(WMI)(WMIistheinfrastructureformanagementdataand 
operationsonWindowsoperatingsystems.)
Input/Output (I/O)features 
•9-pinserialport(onestandardandoneoptional)
•OneDVImonitorconnector
•OneEthernetconnector
•Oneparallelport(availableinsomemodels)
•OnePersonalSystem/2(PS/2)keyboardconnector
•OnePS/2mouseconnector
•OneVGAmonitorconnector
•SixUniversalSerialBus(USB)2.0connectors(twoonthefrontpanelandfourontherearpanel)
•Threeaudioconnectorsontherearpanel 
(audioline-inconnector,audioline-outconnector,andmicrophoneconnector)
•T woaudioconnectorsonthefrontpanel(headphoneconnectorandmicrophoneconnector)
Formoreinformation,referto“Locatingconnectors,controls,andindicatorsonthefrontofyourcomputer” 
onpage6
and“Locatingconnectorsandpartsontherearofyourcomputer”onpage7.
Expansion
•Oneopticaldrivebay
•Oneslimcardreaderdrivebay
•OnePCIExpressx1cardslot
•OnePCIExpressx16graphicscardslot
•T woharddiskdrivebays(onestandardandoneoptional)
•T woPCIcardslots
Powersupply
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280-wattpowersupplywithmanualvoltage-selectionswitch
Securityfeatures
•Apower-onpasswordandanadministratorpasswordtodeterunauthorizeduseofyourcomputer
•Computrace
•Coverpresenceswitch(alsocalledintrusionswitch)(availableinsomemodels)
•EnablingordisablingSATAdevices
•Enablingordisablingtheserialport
•EnablingordisablingUSBconnectors
•Keyboardwithngerprintreader(shippedwithsomemodels)
•Startupsequencecontrol
•Startupwithoutkeyboardormouse
•Supportfortheadditionofanintegratedcablelock(Kensingtonlock.See“Integratedcablelock”on 
page40
formoreinformation.)
•Supportfortheadditionofapadlock(see“Padlock”onpage41formoreinformation)
Preinstalledsoftwareprograms
Yourcomputerispreinstalledwithsomesoftwareprogramstohelpyouworkmoreeasilyandsecurely.For 
moreinformation,see“Softwareoverview”onpage4.
Preinstalledoperatingsystem
YourcomputerispreinstalledwiththeMicrosoft
Operatingsystem(s),certiedortestedforcompatibility
•Linux
®
®
Windows
®
1
Specications
Thissectionliststhephysicalspecicationsforyourcomputer.
7operatingsystem.
(variesbymodeltype)
1.
press.AdditionaloperatingsystemsmightbeidentiedbyLenovoascompatiblewithyourcomputerfollowingthe 
publicationofthismanual.Thislistissubjecttochange.Todetermineifanoperatingsystemhasbeencertiedor 
testedforcompatibility,checktheWebsiteoftheoperatingsystemvendor.
Chapter1.Productoverview3  
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Dimensions
Width:160mm(6.3inches)
Height:388mm(15.28inches)
Depth:422mm(16.61inches)
Weight
Maximumcongurationasshipped:9.4kg(20.72lbs)
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
Softwareoverview 
Thecomputercomeswithapreinstalledoperatingsystemandseveralsoftwareprogramsprovidedby 
Lenovo.
SoftwareprovidedwithyourWindowsoperatingsystem 
ThissectionprovidesinformationaboutthesoftwareprovidedwithyourWindowsoperatingsystem.
SoftwareprovidedbyLenovo
ThefollowingsoftwareprogramsareprovidedbyLenovotohelpyouimproveproductivityandreducethe 
costassociatedwithmaintainingyourcomputer.Softwareprogramsprovidedwithyourcomputermight 
varydependingonyourmodeltypeandpreinstalledoperatingsystem.
4ThinkCentreUserGuide 
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LenovoThinkVantageT ools
TheLenovoThinkVantage
®
Toolsprogramguidesyoutoahostofinformationsourcesandprovideseasy 
accesstovarioustoolstohelpyouworkmoreeasilyandsecurely.Formoreinformation,see“Lenovo 
ThinkVantageTools”onpage61
.
LenovoWelcome
TheLenovoWelcomeprogramintroducessomeinnovativebuilt-infeaturesofLenovotoyouandguidesyou 
throughsomeimportantsetuptaskstohelpyoumakethemostofyourcomputer.
ProductRecovery
TheProductRecoveryprogramenablesyoutorestorethecontentsoftheharddiskdrivetothefactory 
defaultsettings.
ThinkVantageRescueandRecovery
TheThinkVantageRescueandRecovery®programisaonebuttonrecoveryandrestoresolutionthat 
includesasetofself-recoverytoolstohelpyoudiagnosecomputerproblems,gethelp,andrecoverfrom 
systemcrashes,evenifyoucannotstarttheWindowsoperatingsystem.
Note: IftheEnhancedBackupandRestoreiconintheLenovoThinkVantageToolsprogramisdimmed,it  
indicatesthatyouneedtoinstalltheRescueandRecoveryprogrammanuallybeforeenablingitsfeatures.T o 
installtheRescueandRecoveryprogram,dothefollowing:
1.ClickStart➙AllPrograms➙LenovoThinkVantageT ools,anddouble-clickEnhancedBackup      
andRestore .
2.Followtheinstructionsonthescreen.
3.Whentheinstallationprocesscompletes,theEnhancedBackupandRestoreiconisactivated. 
PasswordManager
ThePasswordManagerprogramautomaticallycapturesandllsinauthenticationinformationforWindows 
applicationsandWebsites.
Note: IfthePasswordVaulticonintheLenovoThinkVantageToolsprogramisdimmed,itindicatesthat  
youneedtoinstallthePasswordManagerprogrammanuallybeforeenablingitsfeatures.Toinstallthe 
PasswordManagerprogram,dothefollowing:
1.ClickStart➙AllPrograms➙LenovoThinkVantageTools,anddouble-clickPasswordVault.      
2.Followtheinstructionsonthescreen.
3.Whentheinstallationprocesscompletes,thePasswordVaulticonisactivated. 
PowerManager
ThePowerManagerprogramprovidesconvenient,exible,andcompletepowermanagementforyour 
ThinkCentre®computer.ByusingthePowerManagerprogram,youcanadjustyourpowersettingsto 
achievethebestbalancebetweensystemperformanceandpowersaving.
ThinkVantageSystemUpdate
TheThinkVantageSystemUpdateprogramhelpsyoukeepthesoftwareonyourcomputerup-to-dateby 
downloadingandinstallingsoftwarepackages(ThinkVantageapplications,devicedrivers,BIOSupdates, 
andotherthirdpartyapplications).
FingerprintSoftware
TheintegratedngerprintreaderprovidedonsomekeyboardsworkswiththeFingerprintSoftwareprogram 
toenableyoutoenrollyourngerprintandassociateitwithyourWindowspassword.Asaresult,ngerprint 
authenticationcanreplaceyourpasswordandenablesimpleandsecureuseraccess.Angerprintreader 
keyboardisavailablewithcertaincomputersorcanbepurchasedforcomputersthatsupportthisoption.
Chapter1.Productoverview5  
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LenovoThinkVantageT oolbox
TheLenovoThinkVantageToolboxprogramhelpsyoumaintainyourcomputer,improvecomputingsecurity, 
diagnosecomputerproblems,getfamiliarwiththeinnovativetechnologiesprovidedbyLenovo,andgetmore 
informationaboutyourcomputer.Formoreinformation,see“LenovoThinkVantageToolbox”onpage58
AdobeReader
TheAdobeReaderprogramisatoolusedtoview,print,andsearchPDFdocuments.
.
See“OnlineBooksfolder”onpage61
formoreinformationaboutaccessingandviewingthepublications.
Antivirussoftware
Yourcomputercomeswithantivirussoftwarethatyoucanusetodetectandeliminateviruses.Lenovo 
providesafullversionofantivirussoftwareonyourcomputerwithafree30-daysubscription.After30days, 
youmustrenewthelicensetocontinuereceivingtheantivirussoftwareupdates.
Formoreinformationabouthowtouseyourantivirussoftware,refertothehelpsystemofyourantivirus 
software.
Locations 
Thissectionprovidesinformationtohelpyoulocateyourcomputerconnectors,components,partson 
thesystemboard,andinternaldrives.
Locatingconnectors,controls,andindicatorsonthefrontofyour 
computer 
Figure1“Frontconnector,control,andindicatorlocations”onpage6showsthelocationsoftheconnectors, 
controls,andindicatorsonthefrontofyourcomputer.
Figure1.Frontconnector,control,andindicatorlocations
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1Harddiskdriveactivityindicator 
2PowerindicatorHeadphoneconnector  
3PowerswitchMicrophoneconnector  
4Opticaldriveeject/closebuttonUSBconnector  
5USBconnector 
Locatingconnectorsandpartsontherearofyourcomputer 
Figure2“Rearconnectorandpartlocations”onpage7showsthelocationsoftheconnectorsandparts 
ontherearofyourcomputer.Someconnectorsontherearofyourcomputerarecolor-codedtohelpyou 
determinewheretoconnectthecablesonyourcomputer.
Figure2.Rearconnectorandpartlocations
1Voltage-selectionswitch(availableonsome 
9Audioline-inconnector 
models)
2Powercordconnector 
3PS/2keyboardconnectorPCIExpressx1cardslot  
4DVImonitorconnector 
5VGAmonitorconnectorParallelport(availableinsomemodels)  
6USBconnectors(4)Serialport(availableinsomemodels)  
7MicrophoneconnectorEthernetconnector  
8Audioline-outconnector 
17PS/2mouseconnector 
10PCIExpressx16graphicscardslot 
12PCIcardslots(2) 
16Serialport 
Chapter1.Productoverview7  
Page 16
Connector
Audioline-inconnector
Audioline-outconnector
DVImonitorconnector
Ethernetconnector
Microphoneconnector
Parallelport
PS/2keyboardconnector
PS/2mouseconnector
Serialport
USBconnector
VGAmonitorconnector
Usedtoreceiveaudiosignalsfromanexternalaudiodevice,suchasastereo 
system.Whenyouattachanexternalaudiodevice,acableisconnectedbetween 
theaudioline-outconnectorofthedeviceandtheaudioline-inconnectorof 
thecomputer.
Usedtosendaudiosignalsfromthecomputertoexternaldevices,suchas 
poweredstereospeakers(speakerswithbuilt-inampliers),headphones, 
multimediakeyboards,theaudioline-inconnectoronastereosystem,orother 
externalrecordingdevices.
UsedtoattachanEthernetcableforalocalareanetwork(LAN). 
Note: TooperatethecomputerwithinFCCClassBlimits,useaCategory5 
Ethernetcable.
orifyouusespeech-recognitionsoftware.
port.
mouseconnector.
Usedtoattachanexternalmodem,aserialprinter,orotherdevicesthatusea 
9-pinserialport.
USBmouse,aUSBscanner,oraUSBprinter.IftheUSBconnectorsonyour 
computerarenotenoughforyoutoconnectallyourUSBdevices,youcan 
purchaseaUSBhub,whichyoucanusetoconnectadditionalUSBdevices.
Locatingcomponents 
Figure3“Componentlocations”onpage9showsthelocationsofthevariouscomponentsinyourcomputer. 
Toremovethecomputercoverandgainaccesstotheinsideofthecomputer,see“Removingthecomputer 
cover”onpage14
.
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Figure3.Componentlocations
1Heatsinkandfanassembly 
2Memorymodules(2)Systemboard  
3Frontbezel 
5Harddiskdrive 
7Rearfanassembly 
Chapter1.Productoverview9  
Page 18
4Opticaldrive(availableinsomemodels) 
8Powersupplyassembly 
Locatingpartsonthesystemboard 
Figure4“Systemboardpartlocations”onpage10showsthelocationsofthepartsonthesystemboard.
Figure4.Systemboardpartlocations
14-pinpowerconnector 
11ClearComplementaryMetalOxideSemiconductor 
(CMOS)/Recoveryjumper
2Microprocessor 
12Coverpresenceswitchconnector(alsocalledintrusion 
switchconnector)
3Microprocessorfanconnector 
4Memoryslots(4) 
5Serial(COM2)connectorPCIcardslots(2)  
624-pinpowerconnector 
7Powerfanconnector 
8SA TAconnectors(4)PCIExpressx16graphicscardslot  
9Frontpanelconnector 
10FrontUSBconnectors(2) 
13Internalspeakerconnector 
14Frontaudioconnector 
16PCIExpressx1cardslot 
17Battery 
19Systemfanconnector 
Locatinginternaldrives 
Internaldrivesaredevicesthatyourcomputerusestoreadandstoredata.Y oucanadddrivestoyour 
computertoincreasestoragecapacityandenableyourcomputertoreadothertypesofmedia.Internal 
drivesareinstalledinbays.Inthismanual,thebaysarereferredtoasbay1,bay2,andsoon.
10ThinkCentreUserGuide 
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Wheninstallingorreplacinganinternaldrive,itisimportanttonotethetypeandsizeofthedrivethatyou 
caninstallorreplaceineachbayandcorrectlyconnectthecablestothedriveinstalled.Refertothe 
appropriatesectioninChapter2“Installingorreplacinghardware”onpage13forinstructionsonhowto 
installorreplaceinternaldrivesforyourcomputer.
Figure5“Drivebaylocations”onpage11showsthelocationsofthedrivebaysinyourcomputer.
Figure5.Drivebaylocations
1Bay1-Opticaldrivebay(withanopticaldriveinstalledinsomemodels) 
2Bay2-Slimcardreaderdrivebay 
3Bay3-PrimarySAT Aharddiskdrivebay(witha3.5-inchSAT Aharddiskdriveinstalled) 
4Bay4-SecondarySA TAharddiskdrivebay 
Chapter1.Productoverview11  
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12ThinkCentreUserGuide 
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Chapter2. 
Thischapterprovidesinstructionsonhowtoinstallorreplacehardwareforyourcomputer.
Thischaptercontainsthefollowingtopics:
•
•
•
•
Handlingstatic-sensitivedevices 
Donotopenthestatic-protectivepackagecontainingthenewpartuntilthedefectiveparthasbeenremoved 
fromthecomputerandyouarereadytoinstallthenewpart.Staticelectricity,althoughharmlesstoyou,can 
seriouslydamagecomputercomponentsandparts.
Whenyouhandlecomputerpartsandcomponents,taketheseprecautionstoavoidstatic-electricitydamage:
•Limityourmovement.Movementcancausestaticelectricitytobuilduparoundyou.
•Alwayscarefullyhandlethepartsandothercomputercomponents.HandlePCIcards,memorymodules,
systemboards,andmicroprocessorsbytheedges.Nevertouchexposedcircuitry.
•Preventothersfromtouchingthepartsandothercomputercomponents.
•Beforeyoureplaceanewpart,touchthestatic-protectivepackagecontainingthenewparttoametal
expansion-slotcoverorotherunpaintedmetalsurfaceonthecomputerforatleasttwoseconds.This 
reducesstaticelectricityfromthepackageandyourbody.
•Removethenewpartfromthestatic-protectivepackageanddirectlyinstallitinthecomputerwithout
placingitonanyothersurface.Ifitishardforyoutodothisinyourspecicsituation,placethe 
static-protectivepackageofthenewpartonasmooth,levelsurface,andthenplacethenewparton 
thestatic-protectivepackage.
•Donotplacethepartonthecomputercoverorothermetalsurface.
Installingorreplacinghardware 
Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoinstallorreplacehardwareforyourcomputer.Youcanexpand 
thecapabilitiesofyourcomputerbyaddingmemorymodules,PCIcards,ordrives,andmaintainyour 
computerbyreplacingthefailinghardware.
Notes:
1.UseonlycomputerpartsprovidedbyLenovo.
2.Wheninstallingorreplacinganoption,usetheappropriateinstructionsinthissectionalongwiththe 
instructionsthatcomewiththeoption.
Installingexternaloptions 
Youcaninstallexternaloptionstoyourcomputer,suchasexternalspeakers,aprinter,orascanner.For 
someexternaloptions,youmustinstalladditionalsoftwareinadditiontomakingthephysicalconnection. 
Whenyouinstallanexternaloption,see“Locatingconnectors,controls,andindicatorsonthefrontofyour 
computer”onpage6and“Locatingconnectorsandpartsontherearofyourcomputer”onpage7to
©CopyrightLenovo2010
13
Page 22
identifytherequiredconnector.Then,usetheinstructionsthatcomewiththeoptiontohelpyoumakethe 
connectionandinstallsoftwareordevicedriversthatarerequiredfortheoption.
Removingthecomputercover 
Attention:
Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation” 
intheThinkCentreSafetyandWarrantyGuidethatcamewithyourcomputer.ToobtainacopyoftheThinkCentre   
SafetyandWarrantyGuide ,goto: 
http://www.lenovo.com/support
Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoremovethecomputercover.
CAUTION:
Turnoffthecomputerandwaitthreetoveminutestoletthecomputercoolbeforeremovingthe 
computercover.
Toremovethecomputercover,dothefollowing:
1.Removeallmediafromthedrives.Then,turnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.
2.Disconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.
3.Disconnectthepowercord,Input/Output(I/O)cables,andallothercablesthatareconnectedtothe 
computer.
4.Removeanylockingdevicethatsecuresthecomputercover,suchasanintegratedcablelockora 
padlock.See“Integratedcablelock”onpage40or“Padlock”onpage41.
5.Removethetwoscrewsthatsecurethecomputercoverandslidethecomputercovertotherearto 
removeit.
14ThinkCentreUserGuide 
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Figure6.Removingthecomputercover
Removingandreinstallingthefrontbezel 
Attention:
Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation” 
intheThinkCentreSafetyandWarrantyGuidethatcamewithyourcomputer.ToobtainacopyoftheThinkCentre   
SafetyandWarrantyGuide ,goto: 
http://www.lenovo.com/support
Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoremoveandreinstallthefrontbezel.
Toremoveandreinstallthefrontbezel,dothefollowing:
1.Removeallmediafromthedrivesandturnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.Then,disconnect 
allpowercordsfromelectricaloutletsanddisconnectallcablesthatareconnectedtothecomputer.
2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage14.
3.Removethefrontbezelbyreleasingthethreeplastictabsontheleftsideandpivotingthefrontbezel 
outward.
Chapter2.Installingorreplacinghardware15  
Page 24
Figure7.Removingthefrontbezel
4.Toreinstallthefrontbezel,aligntheotherthreeplastictabsontherightsideofthefrontbezelwith 
thecorrespondingholesinthechassis,thenpivotthefrontbezelinwarduntilitsnapsintoposition 
ontheleftside.
Figure8.Reinstallingthefrontbezel
5.Goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage38.
16ThinkCentreUserGuide 
Page 25
InstallingorreplacingaPCIcard 
Attention:
Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation” 
intheThinkCentreSafetyandWarrantyGuidethatcamewithyourcomputer.ToobtainacopyoftheThinkCentre   
SafetyandWarrantyGuide ,goto: 
http://www.lenovo.com/support
ThissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoinstallorreplaceaPCIcard.
YourcomputerhasonestandardPCIcardslot,twoPCIExpressx1cardslots,andonePCIExpressx16 
graphicscardslot.See“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage10.
ToinstallorreplaceaPCIcard,dothefollowing:
1.Removeallmediafromthedrivesandturnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.Then,disconnect 
allpowercordsfromelectricaloutletsanddisconnectallcablesthatareconnectedtothecomputer.
2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage14.
3.Attherearofthecomputer,removethescrewthatsecuresthePCIcardlatch.
Figure9.RemovingthescrewthatsecuresthePCIcardlatch
Chapter2.Installingorreplacinghardware17  
Page 26
4.Dooneofthefollowing:
•IfyouarereplacingaPCIcard,openthePCIcardlatchandremovetheoldPCIcardthatiscurrently 
installedasshowninFigure10“RemovingthePCIcard”onpage18
.
Note: IfthePCIcardissecuredinplacebyaretaininglatch
1,presstheretaininglatchtorelease 
thePCIcardfromthelatch.Then,graspthePCIcardbytheedgesandcarefullypullitoutofthe 
slot.Ifnecessary,alternatemovingeachsideofthePCIcardasmallandequalamountuntilit 
iscompletelyremovedfromthePCIcardslot.
Figure10.RemovingthePCIcard
•IfyouareinstallingaPCIcard,openthePCIcardlatchandremovetheappropriatePCIcardslot 
cover.See“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage10toidentifythetypesofPCIcardslots.
5.RemovethenewPCIcardfromitsstatic-protectivepackage.
18ThinkCentreUserGuide 
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6.InstallthenewPCIcardintotheappropriatePCIcardslotonthesystemboard.Then,pivotthePCIcard 
latchtotheclosedpositiontosecurethePCIcards.
Figure11.InstallingthePCIcard
7.ReinstallthescrewtosecurethePCIcardlatchinplace.
Whattodonext:
•T oworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.
•T ocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage38
.
Installingorreplacingamemorymodule 
Attention:
Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation” 
intheThinkCentreSafetyandWarrantyGuidethatcamewithyourcomputer.ToobtainacopyoftheThinkCentre   
SafetyandWarrantyGuide ,goto: 
http://www.lenovo.com/support
Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoinstallorreplaceamemorymodule.
YourcomputerhasfourmemoryslotsforinstallingorreplacingDDR3SDRAMDIMMsthatprovideuptoa 
maximumof16GBofsystemmemory.Wheninstallingorreplacingamemorymodule,use1GB,2GBor4 
GBDDR3SDRAMDIMMsinanycombinationuptoamaximumof16GBofsystemmemory.
Toinstallorreplaceamemorymodule,dothefollowing:
1.Removeallmediafromthedrivesandturnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.Then,disconnect 
allpowercordsfromelectricaloutletsanddisconnectallcablesthatareconnectedtothecomputer.
2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage14.
Chapter2.Installingorreplacinghardware19  
Page 28
3.Laythecomputeronitssideforeasieraccesstothesystemboard.
4.Locatethememoryslotsonthesystemboard.See“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage10.
5.Removeanypartsanddisconnectanycablesthatmightpreventyouraccesstothememoryslots.
6.Dooneofthefollowing:
•Ifyouarereplacingamemorymodule,opentheretainingclipsandremovetheoldmemorymodule 
thatiscurrentlyinstalled.
Figure12.Removingthememorymodule
•Ifyouareinstallingamemorymodule,opentheretainingclipsofthememoryslotintowhichyou 
wanttoinstallthememorymodule.
Figure13.Openingtheretainingclipsofthememoryslot
20ThinkCentreUserGuide 
Page 29
7.Positionthenewmemorymoduleoverthememoryslot.Makesurethatthenotch1onthenewmemory  
moduleisalignedwiththekey2inthememoryslot.Then,pressthenewmemorymodulestraightdown  
intothememoryslotuntiltheretainingclipscloseandthenewmemorymodulesnapsintoposition.
Figure14.Installingthememorymodule
8.Reinstallanypartsandreconnectanycablesthathavebeenremovedordisconnected.
Whattodonext:
•T oworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.
•T ocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage38
.
Replacingthebattery 
Attention:
Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation” 
intheThinkCentreSafetyandWarrantyGuidethatcamewithyourcomputer.ToobtainacopyoftheThinkCentre   
SafetyandWarrantyGuide ,goto: 
http://www.lenovo.com/support
Yourcomputerhasaspecialtypeofmemorythatmaintainsthedate,time,andcongurationinformationfor 
built-infeatures.Thebatterykeepsthisinformationactivewhenyouturnoffthecomputer.
Thebatterynormallyrequiresnochargingormaintenancethroughoutitslife;however,nobatterylasts 
forever.Ifthebatteryfails,thedate,time,andcongurationinformation,includingpasswords,arelost.An 
errormessageisdisplayedwhenyouturnonthecomputer.
Beforeperformingthefollowingprocedure,besuretoreadandunderstandtheinformationaboutreplacing 
anddisposingofthebatteryinthe“Batteries”and“Lithiumbatterynotice”sectionsoftheThinkCentre  
SafetyandWarrantyGuide .
Toreplacethebattery,dothefollowing:
1.Removeallmediafromthedrivesandturnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.Then,disconnect 
allpowercordsfromelectricaloutletsanddisconnectallcablesthatareconnectedtothecomputer.
2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage14.
3.Locatethebattery.See“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage10.
4.Removeanypartsanddisconnectanycablesthatmightpreventyouraccesstothebattery.
Chapter2.Installingorreplacinghardware21  
Page 30
5.Removetheoldbattery.
Figure15.Removingtheoldbattery
6.Installthenewbattery.
Figure16.Installingthenewbattery
7.Reinstallanypartsandreconnectanycablesthathavebeenremovedordisconnected.
8.Reinstallthecomputercoverandreconnectallexternalcables.See“Completingthepartsreplacement” 
onpage38.
9.Turnonthecomputerandallattacheddevices.
Note: Whenthecomputeristurnedonforthersttimeafterreplacingthebattery,anerrormessage 
mightbedisplayed.Thisisnormalafterreplacingthebattery.
10.UsetheSetupUtilityprogramtosetthedate,time,passwords,andanyothercongurationinformation. 
SeeChapter4“UsingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage49
.
Whattodonext:
•T oworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.
•T ocompletethereplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage38.
Replacingthepowersupplyassembly 
Attention:
Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation” 
intheThinkCentreSafetyandWarrantyGuidethatcamewithyourcomputer.ToobtainacopyoftheThinkCentre   
SafetyandWarrantyGuide ,goto: 
http://www.lenovo.com/support
Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreplacethepowersupplyassembly.
Althoughtherearenomovingpartsinyourcomputerafterthepowercordhasbeendisconnected,the 
followingwarningsarerequiredforyoursafetyandproperUnderwritersLaboratories(UL)certication.
22ThinkCentreUserGuide 
Page 31
DANGER
Hazardousmovingparts.Keepngersandotherbodypartsaway.
CAUTION: 
Neverremovethecoveronapowersupplyoranypartthathasthefollowinglabelattached.
Hazardousvoltage,current,andenergylevelsarepresentinsideanycomponentthathasthislabel 
attached.Therearenoserviceablepartsinsidethesecomponents.Ifyoususpectaproblemwith 
oneoftheseparts,contactaservicetechnician.
Toreplacethepowersupplyassembly,dothefollowing:
1.Removeallmediafromthedrivesandturnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.Then,disconnect 
allpowercordsfromelectricaloutletsanddisconnectallcablesthatareconnectedtothecomputer.
2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage14.
3.Disconnectthepowersupplyassemblycablesfromalldrivesandfromthe24-pinpowerconnectorand 
4-pinpowerconnectoronthesystemboard.See“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage10
Note: Youmightalsoneedtoreleasethepowersupplyassemblycablesfromsomecableclipsorties 
thatsecurethecablestothechassis.
.
Chapter2.Installingorreplacinghardware23  
Page 32
4.Laythecomputeronitssideandremovethefourscrewsthatsecurethepowersupplyassembly.Then, 
slidethepowersupplyassemblytothefrontofthechassis.
Figure17.Removingthepowersupplyassemblyscrews
5.Pivotthepowersupplyassemblyasshownandthenliftthepowersupplyassemblytoremoveit 
fromthechassis.
Figure18.Removingthepowersupplyassembly
6.Makesurethatthenewpowersupplyassemblyisthecorrectreplacement.Somepowersupply 
assembliesautomaticallysensethevoltage,somepowersupplyassembliesarevoltagespecic,and 
somepowersupplyassemblieshaveavoltage-selectionswitch.Ifyourpowersupplyassemblyhas 
avoltage-selectionswitch,makesurethatyousetthevoltage-selectionswitchtomatchthevoltage 
availableatyourelectricaloutlet.Ifnecessary,useaballpointpentoslidethevoltage-selectionswitch 
tothecorrectposition.
24ThinkCentreUserGuide 
Page 33
•Ifthevoltagesupplyrangeinyourlocalcountryorregionis100–127Vac,setthevoltage-selection 
switchto115V.
•Ifthevoltagesupplyrangeinyourlocalcountryorregionis200–240Vac,setthevoltage-selection 
switchto230V.
7.Installthenewpowersupplyassemblyintothechassissothatthescrewholesinthenewpowersupply 
assemblyarealignedwiththecorrespondingholesintherearofthechassis.
8.Installthefourscrewstosecurethenewpowersupplyassemblyinplace.
Note: UseonlyscrewsprovidedbyLenovo.
9.Connectthenewpowersupplyassemblycablestoalldrivesandthesystemboard.See“Locating 
partsonthesystemboard”onpage10.
Whattodonext:
•T oworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.
•T ocompletethereplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage38
.
Replacingtheheatsinkandfanassembly 
Attention:
Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation” 
intheThinkCentreSafetyandWarrantyGuidethatcamewithyourcomputer.ToobtainacopyoftheThinkCentre   
SafetyandWarrantyGuide ,goto: 
http://www.lenovo.com/support
Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreplacetheheatsinkandfanassembly.
CAUTION:
Theheatsinkandfanassemblymightbeveryhot.Turnoffthecomputerandwaitthreetove 
minutestoletthecomputercoolbeforeremovingthecomputercover.
Toreplacetheheatsinkandfanassembly,dothefollowing:
1.Removeallmediafromthedrivesandturnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.Then,disconnect 
allpowercordsfromelectricaloutletsanddisconnectallcablesthatareconnectedtothecomputer.
2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage14.
3.Laythecomputeronitssideforeasieraccesstothesystemboard.
4.Locatetheheatsinkandfanassembly.See“Locatingcomponents”onpage8.
5.Disconnectanycablesthatmightpreventyouraccesstotheheatsinkandfanassembly.
6.Disconnecttheheatsinkandfanassemblycablefromthemicroprocessorfanconnectoronthesystem 
board.See“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage10.
Chapter2.Installingorreplacinghardware25  
Page 34
7.Followthissequencetoremovethefourscrewsthatsecuretheheatsinkandfanassemblytothe 
systemboard:
a.Partiallyremovescrew1,thenfullyremovescrew2,andthenfullyremovescrew1.   
b.Partiallyremovescrew3,thenfullyremovescrew4,andthenfullyremovescrew3.   
Note: Carefullyremovethefourscrewsfromthesystemboardtoavoidanypossibledamagetothe 
systemboard.Thefourscrewscannotberemovedfromtheheatsinkandfanassembly.
Figure19.Screwsthatsecuretheheatsinkandfanassembly
8.Lifttheheatsinkandfanassemblyoffthesystemboard.
Notes:
a.Youmighthavetogentlytwisttheheatsinkandfanassemblytofreeitfromthemicroprocessor.
b.Whenhandlingtheheatsinkandfanassembly,donottouchthethermalgreaseonthebottomofit.
9.Placethenewheatsinkandfanassemblyonthesystemboardsothatthefourscrewsarealigned 
withthecorrespondingholesinthesystemboard.Makesurethatyouproperlyplacethenewheat 
sinkandfanassemblysothatyoucaneasilyconnectthenewheatsinkandfanassemblycabletothe 
microprocessorfanconnectoronthesystemboard.
10.Followthissequencetoinstallthefourscrewstosecurethenewheatsinkandfanassembly:
a.Partiallytightenscrew1,thenfullytightenscrew2,andthenfullytightenscrew1.   
b.Partiallytightenscrew3,thenfullytightenscrew4,andthenfullytightenscrew3.   
11.Connectthenewheatsinkandfanassemblycabletothemicroprocessorfanconnectoronthesystem 
board.See“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage10
.
12.Reconnectanycablesthathavebeenremoved.
Whattodonext:
•T oworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.
26ThinkCentreUserGuide 
Page 35
•T ocompletethereplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage38.
Replacingthemicroprocessor 
Attention:
Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation” 
intheThinkCentreSafetyandWarrantyGuidethatcamewithyourcomputer.ToobtainacopyoftheThinkCentre   
SafetyandWarrantyGuide ,goto: 
http://www.lenovo.com/support
Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreplacethemicroprocessor.
CAUTION:
Theheatsinkandmicroprocessormightbeveryhot.T urnoffthecomputerandwaitthreetove 
minutestoletthecomputercoolbeforeremovingthecomputercover.
Toreplacethemicroprocessor,dothefollowing:
1.Removeallmediafromthedrivesandturnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.Then,disconnect 
allpowercordsfromelectricaloutletsanddisconnectallcablesthatareconnectedtothecomputer.
2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage14.
3.Removetheheatsinkandfanassembly.See“Replacingtheheatsinkandfanassembly”onpage25.
Note: Placetheheatsinkandfanassemblyonitssidesothatthethermalgreaseonthebottomofit 
doesnotgetincontactwithanything.
4.Liftthesmallhandle1andopentheretainer2toaccessthemicroprocessor3.   
Figure20.Accessingthemicroprocessor
5.Liftthemicroprocessorstraightupandoutofthemicroprocessorsocket,asshowninFigure21 
“Removingthemicroprocessor”onpage28.
Chapter2.Installingorreplacinghardware27  
Page 36
Notes:
a.Yourmicroprocessorandsocketmightlookdifferentfromtheoneillustrated.
b.Notetheorientationofthemicroprocessorinthesocket.Youcaneitherlookforthesmalltriangle1 
ononecornerofthemicroprocessorornotetheorientationofthenotches2onthemicroprocessor.  
Thisisimportantwheninstallingthenewmicroprocessoronthesystemboard.
c.Touchonlytheedgesofthemicroprocessor.Donottouchthegoldcontactsonthebottom.
d.Donotdropanythingontothemicroprocessorsocketwhileitisexposed.Thesocketpinsmustbe
keptascleanaspossible.
Figure21.Removingthemicroprocessor
6.Makesurethatthesmallhandleisintheraisedposition.
7.Removetheprotectivecoverthatprotectsthegoldcontactsofthenewmicroprocessor.
8.Holdthenewmicroprocessorbyitssidesandalignthesmalltriangleononecornerofthenew 
microprocessorwiththecorrespondingsmalltriangleononecornerofthemicroprocessorsocket.
9.Lowerthenewmicroprocessorstraightdownintothemicroprocessorsocketonthesystemboard.
10.Lowerthesmallhandletosecurethenewmicroprocessorinthesocket.
11.Reinstalltheheatsinkandfanassembly.See“Replacingtheheatsinkandfanassembly”onpage25.
12.Reinstallanypartsandreconnectanycablesthathavebeenremovedordisconnected.
Whattodonext:
•T oworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.
•T ocompletethereplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage38.
28ThinkCentreUserGuide 
Page 37
Replacingtheopticaldrive 
Attention:
Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation” 
intheThinkCentreSafetyandWarrantyGuidethatcamewithyourcomputer.ToobtainacopyoftheThinkCentre   
SafetyandWarrantyGuide ,goto: 
http://www.lenovo.com/support
Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreplacetheopticaldrive.
Toreplacetheopticaldrive,dothefollowing:
1.Removeallmediafromthedrivesandturnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.Then,disconnect 
allpowercordsfromelectricaloutletsanddisconnectallcablesthatareconnectedtothecomputer.
2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage14.
3.Removethefrontbezel.See“Removingandreinstallingthefrontbezel”onpage15.
4.Disconnectthesignalcableandthepowercablefromtherearoftheopticaldrive.
5.Removethethreescrewsthatsecuretheopticaldrive.Then,slidetheopticaldriveoutofthefront 
ofthecomputer.
Figure22.Removingtheopticaldrive
Chapter2.Installingorreplacinghardware29  
Page 38
6.Slidethenewopticaldriveintothedrivebayfromthefrontandalignthescrewholesinthenewoptical 
drivewiththecorrespondingholesinthedrivebay.Then,installthethreescrewstosecurethenew 
opticaldriveinplace.
Figure23.Installingtheopticaldrive
7.Connectoneendofthesignalcabletotherearofthenewopticaldriveandtheotherendtoanavailable 
SATAconnectoronthesystemboard.See“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage10.Then, 
locateanavailableve-wirepowerconnectorandconnectittotherearofthenewopticaldrive.
Figure24.ConnectingaSATAopticaldrive
Whattodonext:
•T oworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.
•T ocompletethereplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage38.
30ThinkCentreUserGuide 
Page 39
Replacingtheharddiskdrive 
Attention:
Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation” 
intheThinkCentreSafetyandWarrantyGuidethatcamewithyourcomputer.ToobtainacopyoftheThinkCentre   
SafetyandWarrantyGuide ,goto: 
http://www.lenovo.com/support
Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreplacetheharddiskdrive.
Toreplacetheharddiskdrive,dothefollowing:
1.Removeallmediafromthedrivesandturnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.Then,disconnect 
allpowercordsfromelectricaloutletsanddisconnectallcablesthatareconnectedtothecomputer.
2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage14.
3.Locatetheprimaryharddiskdrive.See“Locatinginternaldrives”onpage10.
Note: Thereisalsoasecondaryharddiskdrivebayforyoutopurchaseandinstallasecondaryhard 
diskdrivebyyourself.Ifyouwanttoinstallasecondaryharddiskdrive,usethesamewayofinstalling 
theprimaryharddiskdrive.
4.Disconnectthesignalcableandthepowercablefromtherearoftheharddiskdrive.
5.Removethefourscrewsthatsecuretheharddiskdrive.Then,slidetheharddiskdriveoutofthechassis.
Figure25.Removingtheharddiskdrive
Chapter2.Installingorreplacinghardware31  
Page 40
6.Slidethenewharddiskdriveintotheharddiskdrivebayandalignthescrewholesinthenewhard 
diskdrivewiththecorrespondingholesinthedrivebay.Then,installthefourscrewstosecurethe 
newharddiskdriveinplace.
Figure26.Installingtheharddiskdrive
7.Connectoneendofthesignalcabletotherearofthenewharddiskdriveandtheotherendtoan 
availableSAT Aconnectoronthesystemboard.See“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage10. 
Then,locateanavailableve-wirepowerconnectorandconnectittotherearofthenewharddiskdrive.
Figure27.ConnectingaSATAharddiskdrive
Whattodonext:
•T oworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.
•T ocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage38.
32ThinkCentreUserGuide 
Page 41
Replacingthecardreader 
Attention:
Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation” 
intheThinkCentreSafetyandWarrantyGuidethatcamewithyourcomputer.ToobtainacopyoftheThinkCentre   
SafetyandWarrantyGuide ,goto: 
http://www.lenovo.com/support
Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreplacethecardreader.
Note: Thecardreaderisavailableonlyinsomemodels.
Toreplacethecardreader,dothefollowing:
1.Removeallmediafromthedrivesandturnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.Then,disconnect 
allpowercordsfromelectricaloutletsanddisconnectallcablesthatareconnectedtothecomputer.
2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage14.
3.Removethefrontbezel.See“Removingandreinstallingthefrontbezel”onpage15.
4.DisconnectthecardreadercablefromtheUSBconnectoronthesystemboard.See“Locatingpartson 
thesystemboard”onpage10.
5.Notethecardreadercableroutingandremovethescrew1thatsecuresthecardreader.Then,remove  
thecardreaderfromthechassis.
Figure28.Removingthecardreader
6.Positionthenewcardreadertothechassissothatthescrewholeinthenewcardreaderisalignedwith 
thecorrespondingholeinthechassis.
7.Installthescrewtosecurethenewcardreaderinplace.
8.ConnectthenewcardreadercabletotheUSBconnectoronthesystemboardandproperlyroutethe 
cableofthenewcardreader.See“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage10.
9.Reinstallthefrontbezel.See“Removingandreinstallingthefrontbezel”onpage15.
Chapter2.Installingorreplacinghardware33  
Page 42
Whattodonext:
•T oworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.
•T ocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage38.
ReplacingthefrontaudioandUSBassembly 
Attention:
Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation” 
intheThinkCentreSafetyandWarrantyGuidethatcamewithyourcomputer.ToobtainacopyoftheThinkCentre   
SafetyandWarrantyGuide ,goto: 
http://www.lenovo.com/support
ThissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreplacethefrontaudioandUSBassembly.
ToreplacethefrontaudioandUSBassembly,dothefollowing:
1.Removeallmediafromthedrivesandturnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.Then,disconnect 
allpowercordsfromelectricaloutletsanddisconnectallcablesthatareconnectedtothecomputer.
2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage14.
3.Removethefrontbezel.See“Removingandreinstallingthefrontbezel”onpage15.
4.DisconnectthefrontaudioandUSBassemblycablesfromthesystemboard.See“Locatingpartson 
thesystemboard”onpage10.
5.NotethefrontaudioandUSBassemblycableroutingandremovethescrewthatsecuresthefrontaudio 
andUSBassembly.Then,removethefrontaudioandUSBassemblyfromthechassis.
Figure29.RemovingthefrontaudioandUSBassembly
6.RoutethecablesofthenewfrontaudioandUSBassemblythroughtheholeinthechassis.
7.PositionthenewfrontaudioandUSBassemblytothechassissothatthescrewholeinthenewfront 
audioandUSBassemblyisalignedwiththecorrespondingholeinthechassis.
8.InstallthescrewtosecurethenewfrontaudioandUSBassemblyinplace.
34ThinkCentreUserGuide 
Page 43
9.ConnectthenewfrontaudioandUSBassemblycablestothesystemboard.See“Locatingpartsonthe 
systemboard”onpage10.
10.Reinstallthefrontbezel.See“Removingandreinstallingthefrontbezel”onpage15.
Whattodonext:
•T oworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.
•T ocompletethereplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage38.
Replacingtherearfanassembly 
Attention:
Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation” 
intheThinkCentreSafetyandWarrantyGuidethatcamewithyourcomputer.ToobtainacopyoftheThinkCentre   
SafetyandWarrantyGuide ,goto: 
http://www.lenovo.com/support
Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreplacetherearfanassembly.
Toreplacetherearfanassembly,dothefollowing:
1.Removeallmediafromthedrivesandturnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.Then,disconnect 
allpowercordsfromelectricaloutletsanddisconnectallcablesthatareconnectedtothecomputer.
2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage14.
3.Locatetherearfanassembly.See“Locatingcomponents”onpage8.
4.Disconnecttherearfanassemblycablefromthesystemfanconnectoronthesystemboard.See 
“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage10.
5.Therearfanassemblyisattachedtothechassisbyfourrubbermounts.Carefullyremovethefour 
rubbermountsfromtherearofthechassisbybreakingthemorcuttingthemwithscissors.
Note: Thenewrearfanassemblywillhavefournewrubbermountsattached.
Chapter2.Installingorreplacinghardware35  
Page 44
Figure30.Removingtherearfanassembly
6.Removetherearfanassemblyoutofthechassis.
7.Installthenewrearfanassemblybyaligningtherubbermountsoftherearfanassemblywiththeholes 
onthechassisandpushtherubbermountsthroughtheholes.
8.Pullonthetipsoftherubbermountsuntiltherearfanassemblyisinplace.
Figure31.Replacingtherearfanassembly
9.Connecttherearfanassemblycabletothesystemfanconnectoronthesystemboard.
10.Goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage38.
Replacingthekeyboard 
Attention:
Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation” 
intheThinkCentreSafetyandWarrantyGuidethatcamewithyourcomputer.ToobtainacopyoftheThinkCentre   
SafetyandWarrantyGuide ,goto: 
http://www.lenovo.com/support
Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreplacethekeyboard.
Toreplacethekeyboard,dothefollowing:
1.Removeallmediafromthedrives.Then,turnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.
2.Disconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.
3.Disconnecttheoldkeyboardcablefromthecomputer.
36ThinkCentreUserGuide 
Page 45
4.Connectanewkeyboardtotheappropriateconnectoronthecomputer.Y ourkeyboardmightbe 
connectedtoaPS/2keyboardconnector1oraUSBconnector2.Dependingonwhereyouwant   
toconnectyourkeyboard,see“Locatingconnectors,controls,andindicatorsonthefrontofyour 
computer”onpage6
Figure32.Keyboardconnectors
or“Locatingconnectorsandpartsontherearofyourcomputer”onpage7.
Whattodonext:
•T oworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.
•T ocompletethereplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage38.
Replacingthemouse 
Attention:
Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation” 
intheThinkCentreSafetyandWarrantyGuidethatcamewithyourcomputer.ToobtainacopyoftheThinkCentre   
SafetyandWarrantyGuide ,goto: 
http://www.lenovo.com/support
Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreplacethemouse.
Toreplacethemouse,dothefollowing:
1.Removeallmediafromthedrives.Then,turnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.
2.Disconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.
3.Disconnecttheoldmousecablefromthecomputer.
Chapter2.Installingorreplacinghardware37  
Page 46
4.Connectanewmousetotheappropriateconnectoronthecomputer.Y ourmousemightbeconnected 
toaPS/2mouseconnector1oraUSBconnector2.Dependingonwhereyouwanttoconnectyour   
mouse,see“Locatingconnectors,controls,andindicatorsonthefrontofyourcomputer”onpage6or 
“Locatingconnectorsandpartsontherearofyourcomputer”onpage7
Figure33.Mouseconnectors
Whattodonext:
•T oworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.
•T ocompletethereplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage38.
.
Completingthepartsreplacement 
Aftercompletingtheinstallationorreplacementforallparts,youneedtoreinstallthecomputercover 
andreconnectcables.
Toreinstallthecomputercoverandreconnectcablestoyourcomputer,dothefollowing:
1.Makesurethatallcomponentshavebeenreassembledcorrectlyandthatnotoolsorloosescrews 
areleftinsideyourcomputer.See“Locatingcomponents”onpage8forthelocationsofthevarious 
componentsinyourcomputer.
2.Ifyouhaveremovedthefrontbezel,reinstallit.See“Removingandreinstallingthefrontbezel”on 
page15
3.Properlyroutethecablesandkeepthemclearofthehingesandsidesofthecomputerchassisto 
avoidinterferencewithclosingthecomputercover.
.
38ThinkCentreUserGuide 
Page 47
4.Positionthecomputercoveronthechassissothattherailguidesonthebottomofthecomputercover 
engagetherails.Then,slidethecomputercovertothefrontofthecomputeruntilitsnapsintoposition 
andisclosed.Then,installthetwoscrewstosecurethecomputercover.
Figure34.Reinstallingthecomputercover
5.Lockthecomputercoverifyouhaveacomputercoverlock.See“Integratedcablelock”onpage 
40or“Padlock”onpage41.
6.Reconnectthepowercordandallotherexternalcablestothecomputer.Forconnectorlocations,see 
“Locatingconnectors,controls,andindicatorsonthefrontofyourcomputer”onpage6and“Locating 
connectorsandpartsontherearofyourcomputer”onpage7.
7.Dependingonthepartsyouinstalledorreplaced,youmightneedtoconrmtheupdatedinformationin 
theSetupUtilityprogram.SeeChapter4“UsingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage49
Note: Inmostareasoftheworld,LenovorequiresthereturnofthedefectiveCustomerReplaceableUnits 
(CRUs).InformationaboutthiswillcomewiththenewCRUsorwillcomeafewdaysafteryoureceivethe 
newCRUs.
.
Obtainingdevicedrivers 
Youcanobtaindevicedriversforoperatingsystemsthatarenotpreinstalledat 
http://www.lenovo.com/support.Installationinstructionsareprovidedinreadmeleswiththedevice-driver 
les.
Chapter2.Installingorreplacinghardware39  
Page 48
Basicsecurityfeatures 
Thereareseveralsecurityoptionsavailabletohelpyoupreventhardwaretheftandunauthorizedaccessto 
yourcomputer.Inadditiontophysicallocks,youcanalsopreventunauthorizeduseofyourcomputerbya 
softwarelockthatlocksthekeyboarduntilacorrectpasswordistypedin.
Integratedcablelock 
Anintegratedcablelock,sometimesreferredtoastheKensingtonlock,canbeusedtosecureyour 
computertoadesk,table,orothernon-permanentxture.Thecablelockattachestoasecurityslotatthe 
rearofyourcomputerandisoperatedwithakey.Thecablelockalsolocksthecomputercover.SeeFigure 
35“Installinganintegratedcablelock”onpage40 
computers.YoucanorderanintegratedcablelockfromLenovobysearchingforKensingtonat:  
http://www.lenovo.com/support
Note: Makesurethattheintegratedcablelockyouinstalleddoesnotinterferewithothercomputercables.
.Thisisthesametypeoflockusedwithmanynotebook
Figure35.Installinganintegratedcablelock
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Padlock 
Yourcomputerisequippedwithapadlockloopsothatthecomputercovercannotberemovedwhen 
apadlockisinstalled.
Figure36.Installingapadlock
Passwordprotection 
Todeterunauthorizeduseofyourcomputer,youcanusetheSetupUtilityprogramtosetapassword.When 
youturnonyourcomputer,youarepromptedtotypethepassword.Thecomputercannotbeuseduntil 
avalidpasswordistypedin.RefertoChapter4“UsingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage49 
information.
formore
Erasingalostorforgottenpassword(clearingCMOS) 
Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoerasealostorforgottenpassword,suchasauserpassword.
Toerasealostorforgottenpassword,dothefollowing:
1.Removeallmediafromthedrivesandturnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.Then,disconnect 
allpowercordsfromelectricaloutletsanddisconnectallcablesthatareconnectedtothecomputer.
2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage14.
3.LocatetheClearCMOS/Recoveryjumperonthesystemboard.See“Locatingpartsonthesystem 
board”onpage10.
4.RemoveanypartsanddisconnectanycablesthatmightpreventyouraccesstotheClearCMOS 
/Recoveryjumper.
5.Movethejumperfromthestandardposition(pin1andpin2)tothemaintenanceposition(pin2and 
pin3).
Chapter2.Installingorreplacinghardware41  
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6.Reinstallanypartsandreconnectanycablesthathavebeenremovedordisconnected.
7.Reinstallthecomputercoverandreconnectthepowercordsforthecomputerandmonitor.See 
“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage38.
8.Turnonthecomputerandleaveitonforapproximately10seconds.Then,turnoffthecomputerby 
holdingthepowerswitchforapproximatelyveseconds.
9.Repeatstep1throughstep4.
10.MovetheClearCMOS/Recoveryjumperbacktothestandardposition(pin1andpin2).
11.Reinstallanypartsandreconnectanycablesthathavebeenremovedordisconnected.
12.Reinstallthecomputercoverandreconnectallcables.See“Completingthepartsreplacement”on 
page38.
13.Turnonthecomputer.Y ourpasswordhasbeenerasedandyoucanusetheSetupUtilityprogramtoset 
anewpassword.SeeChapter4“UsingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage49
formoreinformation.
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Chapter3. 
ThischapterprovidesinformationabouttherecoverysolutionsprovidedbyLenovo.
Thischaptercontainsthefollowingtopics:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Notes:
1.TherecoveryinformationinthischapteronlyappliestothecomputersthathavetheRescueand 
RecoveryprogramortheProductRecoveryprograminstalled.IftheEnhancedBackupandRestore  
iconintheLenovoThinkVantageToolsprogramisdimmed,itindicatesthatyouneedtoinstall 
theRescueandRecoveryprogrammanuallybeforeenablingitsfeatures.T oinstalltheRescueand 
Recoveryprogram,dothefollowing:
a.ClickStart➙AllPrograms➙LenovoThinkVantageT ools,anddouble-clickEnhancedBackup      
andRestore .
b.Followtheinstructionsonthescreen.
c.Whentheinstallationprocesscompletes,theEnhancedBackupandRestoreiconisactivated. 
2.Thereareavarietyofmethodstochoosefromwhenconsideringhowtorecoverintheeventofa 
software-orhardware-relatedproblem.Somemethodsvarydependingonthetypeofyouroperating 
system.
3.Theproductontherecoverymediamaybeusedonlyforthefollowingpurposes:
•Restoretheproductpreinstalledonyourcomputer
•Reinstalltheproduct
•ModifytheproductusingtheAdditionalFiles
Creatingandusingrecoverymedia 
Youcanuserecoverymediatorestoretheharddiskdrivetothefactorydefaultsettings.Recoverymedia 
areusefulifyoutransferthecomputertoanotherarea,sellthecomputer,recyclethecomputer,orputthe 
computerinanoperationalstateafterallothermethodsofrecoveryhavefailed.Asaprecautionarymeasure, 
itisimportanttocreaterecoverymediaasearlyaspossible.
Note: Therecoveryoperationsyoucanperformusingrecoverymediavarydependingontheoperating 
systemfromwhichtherecoverymediawerecreated.Therecoverymediamightcontainabootmedium 
andadatamedium.YourMicrosoftWindowslicensepermitsyoutocreateonlyonedatamedium,soitis 
importantthatyoustoretherecoverymediainasafeplaceafteryouhavemadethem.
Creatingrecoverymedia 
ThissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtocreaterecoverymediaontheWindows7operatingsystem.
Note: OntheWindows7operatingsystem,youcancreaterecoverymediausingdiscsorexternalUSB 
storagedevices.
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TocreaterecoverymediaontheWindows7operatingsystem,click Start➙AllPrograms➙Lenovo   
ThinkVantageTools➙FactoryRecoveryDisks.Then,followtheinstructionsonthescreen.  
Usingrecoverymedia 
ThissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtouserecoverymediaontheWindows7operatingsystem.
OntheWindows7operatingsystem,youcanuserecoverymediatorestorethecomputertothefactory 
defaultsettingsonly.Youcanuserecoverymediatoputthecomputerinanoperationalstateafterall 
othermethodsofrecoveryhavefailed.
Attention: Whenyouuserecoverymediatorestorethecomputertothefactorydefaultsettings,alltheles 
currentlyontheharddiskdrivewillbedeletedandreplacedbythefactorydefaultsettings.
TouserecoverymediaontheWindows7operatingsystem,dothefollowing:
1.Dependingonthetypeofyourrecoverymedia,connectthebootmedium(memorykeyorotherUSB 
storagedevice)tothecomputer,orinsertthebootdiscintotheopticaldrive.
2.RepeatedlypressandreleasetheF12keywhenturningonthecomputer.WhentheStartupDevice  
Menu opens,releasetheF12key.
3.SelectthedesiredstartupdeviceandpressEnter.Therestoreprocessbegins.
4.Followtheinstructionsonthescreentocompletetheoperation.
Notes:
1.Afterrestoringyourcomputertothefactorydefaultsettings,youmighthavetoreinstalldevicedrivers 
forsomedevices.See“Installingorreinstallingdevicedrivers”onpage47.
2.SomecomputerscomewithMicrosoftOfceorMicrosoftWorkspreinstalled.Ifyouneedtorecover 
orreinstallyourMicrosoftOfceorMicrosoftWorksapplications,youmustusetheMicrosoftOfce  
CD orMicrosoftWorksCD.ThesediscsareprovidedonlywithcomputerspreinstalledwithMicrosoft  
OfceorMicrosoftWorks.
Performingbackupandrecoveryoperations 
TheRescueandRecoveryprogramenablesyoutobackupallyourharddiskdrivecontentsincludingthe 
operatingsystem,datales,softwareprograms,andpersonalsettings.Youcandesignatewherethe 
RescueandRecoveryprogramstoresthebackup:
•Inaprotectedareaofyourharddiskdrive
•Onthesecondaryharddiskdriveifasecondaryharddiskdriveisinstalledinyourcomputer
•OnanattachedexternalUSBharddiskdrive
•Onanetworkdrive
•Onrecordablediscs(arecordableopticaldriveisrequiredforthisoption)
Afteryouhavebackedupthecontentsontheharddiskdrive,youcanrestorethecompletecontentsofthe 
harddiskdrive,restoreonlytheselectedles,orrestoreonlytheWindowsoperatingsystemandapplications.
Performingabackupoperation 
ThissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoperformabackupoperationusingtheRescueandRecovery 
programontheWindows7operatingsystem.
ToperformabackupoperationusingtheRescueandRecoveryprogramontheWindows7operating 
system,dothefollowing:
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1.FromtheWindowsdesktop,click Start➙AllPrograms➙LenovoThinkVantageT ools➙Enhanced   
BackupandRestore.TheRescueandRecoveryprogramopens. 
2.IntheRescueandRecoverymainwindow,clicktheLaunchadvancedRescueandRecoveryarrow. 
3.ClickBackupyourharddriveandselectbackupoperationoptions.Then,followtheinstructionson  
thescreentocompletethebackupoperation.
Performingarecoveryoperation 
ThissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoperformarecoveryoperationusingtheRescueandRecovery 
programontheWindows7operatingsystem.
ToperformarecoveryoperationusingtheRescueandRecoveryprogramontheWindows7operating 
system,dothefollowing:
1.FromtheWindowsdesktop,clickStart➙AllPrograms➙LenovoThinkVantageT ools➙Enhanced        
BackupandRestore .TheRescueandRecoveryprogramopens.
2.IntheRescueandRecoverymainwindow,clicktheLaunchadvancedRescueandRecoveryarrow. 
3.ClicktheRestoreyoursystemfromabackupicon. 
4.Followtheinstructionsonthescreentocompletetherecoveryoperation.
FormoreinformationaboutperformingarecoveryoperationfromtheRescueandRecoveryworkspace,see 
“UsingtheRescueandRecoveryworkspace”onpage45.
UsingtheRescueandRecoveryworkspace 
TheRescueandRecoveryworkspaceresidesinaprotected,hiddenareaofyourharddiskdrivethat 
operatesindependentlyfromtheWindowsoperatingsystem.Thisenablesyoutoperformrecovery 
operationsevenifyoucannotstarttheWindowsoperatingsystem.Y oucanperformthefollowingrecovery 
operationsfromtheRescueandRecoveryworkspace:
•RescuelesfromyourharddiskdriveorfromabackupTheRescueandRecoveryworkspaceenables 
youtolocatelesonyourharddiskdriveandtransferthemtoanetworkdriveorotherrecordablemedia, 
suchasaUSBdeviceoradisc.Thissolutionisavailableevenifyoudidnotbackupyourlesorif 
changesweremadetothelessinceyourlastbackupoperation.Y oucanalsorescueindividuallesfrom 
aRescueandRecoverybackuplocatedonyourlocalharddiskdrive,aUSBdevice,oranetworkdrive.
•RestoreyourharddiskdrivefromaRescueandRecoverybackupIfyouhavebackedupyourharddisk 
driveusingtheRescueandRecoveryprogram,youcanrestoretheharddiskdrivefromaRescueand 
Recoverybackup,evenifyoucannotstarttheWindowsoperatingsystem.
•RestoreyourharddiskdrivetothefactorydefaultsettingsTheRescueandRecoveryworkspaceenables 
youtorestorethecompletecontentsofyourharddiskdrivetothefactorydefaultsettings.Ifyouhave 
multiplepartitionsonyourharddiskdrive,youhavetheoptiontorestorethefactorydefaultsettingstothe 
C:partitionandleavetheotherpartitionsintact.BecausetheRescueandRecoveryworkspaceoperates 
independentlyfromtheWindowsoperatingsystem,youcanrestorethefactorydefaultsettingsevenif 
youcannotstarttheWindowsoperatingsystem.
Attention: IfyourestoretheharddiskdrivefromaRescueandRecoverybackuporrestoretheharddisk 
drivetothefactorydefaultsettings,alllesontheprimaryharddiskdrivepartition(usuallydriveC:)willbe 
deletedintherecoveryprocess.Ifpossible,makecopiesofimportantles.Ifyouareunabletostartthe 
Windowsoperatingsystem,youcanusetherescuelesfeatureoftheRescueandRecoveryworkspaceto 
copylesfromyourharddiskdrivetoothermedia.
TostarttheRescueandRecoveryworkspace,dothefollowing:
1.Makesurethecomputeristurnedoff.
Chapter3.Recoveryinformation45  
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2.RepeatedlypressandreleasetheF11keywhenturningonthecomputer.Whenyouhearbeepsor 
seealogoscreen,releasetheF11key.
3.IfyouhavesetaRescueandRecoverypassword,typeyourpasswordwhenprompted.TheRescue 
andRecoveryworkspaceopensafterashortdelay.
Note: IftheRescueandRecoveryworkspacefailstoopen,see“Solvingrecoveryproblems”onpage48.
4.Dooneofthefollowing:
•T orescuelesfromyourharddiskdriveorfromabackup,clickRescuelesandfollowthe 
instructionsonthescreen.
•T orestoreyourharddiskdrivefromaRescueandRecoverybackuportorestoreyourharddiskdrive
tothefactorydefaultsettings,clickRestoreyoursystemandfollowtheinstructionsonthescreen. 
FormoreinformationaboutthefeaturesoftheRescueandRecoveryworkspace,clickHelp. 
Notes:
1.Afterrestoringyourharddiskdrivetothefactorydefaultsettings,youmighthavetoreinstalldevice 
driversforsomedevices.See“Installingorreinstallingdevicedrivers”onpage47.
2.SomecomputerscomewithMicrosoftOfceorMicrosoftWorkspreinstalled.Ifyouneedtorecover 
orreinstallyourMicrosoftOfceorMicrosoftWorksapplications,youmustusetheMicrosoftOfce  
CD orMicrosoftWorksCD.ThesediscsareprovidedonlywithcomputerspreinstalledwithMicrosoft  
OfceorMicrosoftWorks.
Creatingandusingarescuemedium 
Witharescuemedium,suchasadiscoraUSBharddiskdrive,youcanrecoverthecomputerfromfailures 
thatpreventyoufromgainingaccesstotheRescueandRecoveryworkspaceonyourharddiskdrive.
Notes:
1.Therecoveryoperationsyoucanperformusingarescuemediumvarydependingontheoperating 
system.
2.Therescuedisccanbestartedinalltypesofopticaldrives.
Creatingarescuemedium 
ThissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtocreatearescuemediumontheWindows7operatingsystem.
TocreatearescuemediumontheWindows7operatingsystem,dothefollowing:
1.FromtheWindowsdesktop,clickStart➙AllPrograms➙LenovoThinkVantageT ools➙Enhanced        
BackupandRestore .TheRescueandRecoveryprogramopens.
2.IntheRescueandRecoverymainwindow,clicktheLaunchadvancedRescueandRecoveryarrow. 
3.ClicktheCreateRescueMediaicon.TheCreateRescueandRecoveryMediawindowopens. 
4.IntheRescueMediaarea,selectthetypeoftherescuemediumyouwanttocreate.Y oucancreatea  
rescuemediumusingadisc,aUSBharddiskdrive,orasecondaryinternalharddiskdrive.
5.ClickOKandfollowtheinstructionsonthescreentocreatearescuemedium. 
Usingarescuemedium 
Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtousetherescuemediumyouhavecreated.
•Ifyouhavecreatedarescuemediumusingadisc,usethefollowinginstructionstousetherescuemedium:
1.Turnoffyourcomputer.
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2.RepeatedlypressandreleasetheF12keywhenturningonthecomputer.Whenthe StartupDevice 
Menuopens,releasetheF12key. 
3.OntheStartupDeviceMenu,selectthedesiredopticaldriveastherstbootdevice.Then,insert  
therescuediscintotheopticaldriveandpressEnter.Therescuemediumstarts.
•IfyouhavecreatedarescuemediumusingaUSBharddiskdrive,usethefollowinginstructionsto 
usetherescuemedium:
1.AttachtheUSBharddiskdrivetooneoftheUSBconnectorsonyourcomputer.
2.RepeatedlypressandreleasetheF12keywhenturningonthecomputer.WhentheStartupDevice  
Menu opens,releasetheF12key.
3.OntheStartupDeviceMenu,selecttheUSBharddiskdriveastherstbootdeviceandpressEnter.  
Therescuemediumstarts.
•Ifyouhavecreatedarescuemediumusingthesecondaryinternalharddiskdrive,setthesecondary 
internalharddiskdriveastherstbootdeviceinthestartupdevicesequencetostarttherescuemedium. 
See“Selectingastartupdevice”onpage51
Note: Inyourcomputer,thereisasecondaryharddiskdrivebayforyoutoinstallasecondaryharddisk 
drive.Youcanpurchaseasecondaryharddiskdrivebyyourself.Ifyouwanttoinstallasecondaryhard 
diskdrive,see“Replacingtheharddiskdrive”onpage31.
Whentherescuemediumstarts,theRescueandRecoveryworkspaceopens.Thehelpinformationfor 
eachfeatureisavailablefromtheRescueandRecoveryworkspace.Followtheinstructionstocomplete 
therecoveryprocess.
.
Installingorreinstallingdevicedrivers 
Beforeinstallingorreinstallingdevicedrivers,makesurethatyouhaveapreinstalledoperatingsystemand 
thedocumentationandsoftwaremediaforthedevice.
Devicedriversforfactory-installeddevicesarelocatedonthecomputerharddiskdrive(usuallydriveC:) 
intheSWTOOLS\DRIVERSsubdirectory.Thelatestdevicedriversforfactory-installeddevicesarealso 
availableathttp://www.lenovo.com/support.Otherdevicedriversareonthesoftwaremediathatcome 
withindividualdevices.
Toinstallorreinstallthedevicedriverforafactory-installeddevice,dothefollowing:
1.Turnonthecomputer.
2.UseWindowsExplorerorMyComputertodisplaythedirectorystructureofyourharddiskdrive. 
3.GototheC:\SWTOOLSdirectory.
4.OpentheDRIVERSfolder.WithintheDRIVERSfolder,thereareseveralsubfoldersnamedforvarious 
devicesinstalledinyourcomputer,suchasAUDIOorVIDEO.
5.Opentheappropriatedevicesubfolder.
6.Dooneofthefollowing:
•Inthedevicesubfolder,lookforaSETUP .exele.Double-clicktheleandfollowtheinstructionson
thescreentocompletetheinstallation.
•Inthedevicesubfolder,lookforaREADME.txtleoralewiththe.txtextension.Thislemightbe
namedaftertheoperatingsystem,suchasWIN98.txt.TheTXTlecontainsinformationabouthowto 
installthedevicedriver.Followtheinstructionstocompletetheinstallation.
•Ifthedevicesubfoldercontainsalewiththe.infextensionandyouwanttoinstallthedevice
driverusingtheINFle,refertoyourWindowsHelpandSupportinformationsystemfordetailed 
informationabouthowtoinstallthedevicedriver.
Chapter3.Recoveryinformation47  
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Solvingrecoveryproblems 
IfyouareunabletoaccesstheRescueandRecoveryworkspaceortheWindowsenvironment,doone 
ofthefollowing:
•UsearescuemediumtostarttheRescueandRecoveryworkspace.See“Creatingandusingarescue 
medium”onpage46
•Userecoverymediaifallothermethodsofrecoveryhavefailedandyouneedtorestoretheharddisk 
drivetothefactorydefaultsettings.See“Creatingandusingrecoverymedia”onpage43.
Note: IfyouareunabletoaccesstheRescueandRecoveryworkspaceortheWindowsenvironmentfrom 
arescuemedium,orrecoverymedia,youmightnothavetherescuedevice(aninternalharddiskdrive, 
adisc,aUSBharddiskdrive,orotherexternaldevices)setastherstbootdeviceinthestartupdevice 
sequence.Y oumustrstmakesurethatyourrescuedeviceissetastherstbootdeviceinthestartup 
devicesequenceintheSetupUtilityprogram.See“Selectingastartupdevice”onpage51fordetailed 
informationabouttemporarilyorpermanentlychangingthestartupdevicesequence.Formoreinformation 
abouttheSetupUtilityprogram,seeChapter4“UsingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage49
Itisimportanttocreatearescuemediumandasetofrecoverymediaasearlyaspossibleandstorethem 
inasafeplaceforfutureuse.
.
.
48ThinkCentreUserGuide 
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Chapter4. 
YoucanusetheSetupUtilityprogramtoviewandchangethecongurationsettingsofyourcomputer, 
regardlessofwhichoperatingsystemyouareusing.However,theoperatingsystemsettingsmightoverride 
anysimilarsettingsintheSetupUtilityprogram.
ThischapterprovidesinformationaboutthefollowingtopicstohelpyouusetheSetupUtilityprogram:
•
•
•
•
•
•
StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram 
ThissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtostarttheSetupUtilityprogram.
TostarttheSetupUtilityprogram,dothefollowing:
1.Makesureyourcomputeristurnedoff.
2.RepeatedlypressandreleasetheF1keywhenturningonthecomputer.Whenyouhearmultiplebeeps 
orseealogoscreen,releasetheF1key.TheSetupUtilityprogramopens.
Note: Ifapasswordhasbeenset,theSetupUtilityprogrammenuwillnotbedisplayeduntilyoutype 
thecorrectpassword.Formoreinformation,see“Usingpasswords”onpage49.
Viewingorchangingsettings 
TheSetupUtilityprogrammenulistsvariousitemsaboutthesystemcongurationsettings.Toviewor 
changethesettings,starttheSetupUtilityprogram.See“StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage
49.Then,followtheinstructionsonthescreen.
WhenworkingwiththeSetupUtilityprogram,youmustusethekeyboard.Thekeysusedtoperformvarious 
tasksaredisplayedatthebottomofeachscreen.
Usingpasswords 
ByusingtheSetupUtilityprogram,youcansetapasswordtopreventunauthorizedaccesstoyour 
computeranddata.Thefollowingoptionsareavailabletohelpyousetapower-onpasswordoran 
administratorpassword:
•SetPower-OnPassword 
•SetAdministratorPassword 
Youdonothavetosetapasswordtouseyourcomputer.However,usingapasswordimprovescomputing 
security.Ifyoudecidetosetapassword,readthefollowingsections.
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Passwordconsiderations 
Apasswordcanbeanycombinationofupto16(1to16)alphabeticandnumericcharacters.Forsecurity 
reasons,itisrecommendedtouseastrongpasswordthatcannotbeeasilycompromised.Tosetastrong 
password,usethefollowingguidelines:
Note: TheSetupUtilityprogrampasswordsarenotcasesensitive.
•Haveatleasteightcharactersinlength
•Containatleastonealphabeticcharacterandonenumericcharacter
•Notbeyournameoryourusername
•Notbeacommonwordoracommonname
•Besignicantlydifferentfromyourpreviouspasswords
Power-onpassword 
Afteryouhavesetapower-onpasswordusingtheSetPower-OnPasswordoption,apasswordpromptis  
displayedeachtimeyouturnonthecomputer.Youcannotusethecomputeruntilavalidpasswordistyped 
in.Formoreinformationabouthowtosetapassword,see“Setting,changing,ordeletingapassword” 
onpage50
.
Administratorpassword 
TheSetAdministratorPasswordoptionenablesyoutosetanadministratorpassword,whichdeters  
unauthorizedusersfromchangingcongurationsettings.Ifyouareresponsibleformaintainingthesettings 
ofseveralcomputers,youmightwanttosetanadministratorpassword.Formoreinformationabouthowto 
setapassword,see“Setting,changing,ordeletingapassword”onpage50
.
Afteryouhavesetanadministratorpassword,apasswordpromptisdisplayedeachtimeyoutrytoaccess 
theSetupUtilityprogram.Y oucannotaccesstheSetupUtilityprogramuntilavalidpasswordistypedin.
Ifyouhavesetbothapower-onpasswordandanadministratorpassword,youcantypeeitherpassword 
touseyourcomputer.However,tochangeanycongurationsettings,youmustuseyouradministrator 
password.
Setting,changing,ordeletingapassword 
Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoset,change,ordeleteapassword.
Toset,change,ordeleteapassword,dothefollowing:
1.StarttheSetupUtilityprogram.See“StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage49.
2.FromtheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu,selectSecurity➙SetPower-OnPasswordorSet    
AdministratorPassword .
3.Followtheinstructionsonthescreentoset,change,ordeleteapassword.
Note: Apasswordcanbeanycombinationofupto16(1to16)alphabeticandnumericcharacters. 
Formoreinformation,see“Passwordconsiderations”onpage50.
Enablingordisablingadevice 
Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoenableordisableuseraccesstoadevice.
50ThinkCentreUserGuide 
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SATAControllerWhenthisoptionissettoDisabled,alldevicesconnectedtotheSAT Aconnectors  
(suchastheharddiskdriveandtheopticaldrive)aredisabledandwillnotbe 
displayedinthesystemconguration.
USBSetup 
Toenableordisableadevice,dothefollowing:
1.StarttheSetupUtilityprogram.See“StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage49.
2.FromtheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu,selectDevices. 
3.Dependingonthedeviceyouwanttoenableordisable,dooneofthefollowing:
•SelectATADrivesSetup➙SAT AControllertoenableordisablethedevicesconnectedtothe   
SATAconnectorsonthesystemboard.
•SelectUSBSetupandfollowtheinstructionsonthescreentoenableordisabletheUSBconnector(s) 
ofyourchoice.
4.SelectthedesiredsettingsandpressEnter.
5.PressEsctoreturntotheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu.YoumighthavetopressEscseveraltimes.
6.PressF10tosavethenewsettingsandexittheSetupUtilityprogram.
Notes:
a.Ifyoudonotwanttosavethenewsettings,selectExit➙DiscardChangesandExit.   
b.Ifyouwanttoreturntothedefaultsettings,pressF9orselectExit➙LoadOptimalDefaults.   
Selectingastartupdevice 
Ifyourcomputerdoesnotstartupfromadevice(suchasaharddiskdriveorthediscinanopticaldrive)as 
expected,dooneofthefollowingtoselectthedesiredstartupdevice.
Selectingatemporarystartupdevice 
Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoselectatemporarystartupdevice.Y oucanusetheinstructions 
inthissectiontostartupfromanystartupdevice.
Note: Notalldiscsandharddiskdrivesarebootable.
Toselectatemporarystartupdevice,dothefollowing:
1.Turnoffyourcomputer.
2.RepeatedlypressandreleasetheF12keywhenturningonthecomputer.WhentheStartupDevice  
Menu opens,releasetheF12key.
3.SelectthedesiredstartupdeviceontheStartupDeviceMenuandpressEnter. 
Note: SelectingastartupdeviceontheStartupDeviceMenudoesnotpermanentlychangethestartup  
devicesequence.
Viewingorchangingthestartupdevicesequence 
Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtovieworpermanentlychangetheconguredstartupdevice 
sequence.
Tovieworpermanentlychangetheconguredstartupdevicesequence,dothefollowing:
1.StarttheSetupUtilityprogram.See“StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage49.
Chapter4.UsingtheSetupUtilityprogram51  
Page 60
2.SelectStartup➙PrimaryBootSequence.Readtheinformationdisplayedontherightsideofthe   
screen.
3.Selecttherstbootdevice,secondbootdevice,andsoon.
4.PressEsctoreturntotheStartupmenu.Then,selectthedevicesfortheAutomaticBootSequence   
andErrorBootSequence. 
5.PressEsctoreturntotheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu.YoumighthavetopressEscseveraltimes.
6.PressF10tosavethenewsettingsandexittheSetupUtilityprogram.
Notes:
a.Ifyoudonotwanttosavethenewsettings,selectExit➙DiscardChangesandExit.   
b.Ifyouwanttoreturntothedefaultsettings,pressF9orselectExit➙LoadOptimalDefaults.   
ExitingtheSetupUtilityprogram 
Afteryounishviewingorchangingsettings,pressEsctoreturntotheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu. 
YoumighthavetopressEscseveraltimes.Then,youcandooneofthefollowing:
•IfyouwanttosavethenewsettingsandexittheSetupUtilityprogram,pressF10.Otherwise,your 
changeswillnotbesaved.
•Ifyoudonotwanttosavethenewsettings,selectExit➙DiscardChangesandExit.   
•Ifyouwanttoreturntothedefaultsettings,pressF9orselectExit➙LoadOptimalDefaults.   
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Chapter5. 
ThischapterprovidesinformationaboutupdatingthePOSTandBIOS,andhowtorecoverfromaPOST 
andBIOSupdatefailure.
Thischaptercontainsthefollowingtopics:
•
•
•
•
Usingsystemprograms 
Systemprogramsarethebasiclayerofsoftwarebuiltintoyourcomputer.Systemprogramsincludethe 
POST,theBIOS,andtheSetupUtilityprogram.ThePOSTisasetoftestsandproceduresthatare 
performedeachtimeyouturnonyourcomputer.TheBIOSisalayerofsoftwarethattranslatesinstructions 
fromotherlayersofsoftwareintoelectricalsignalsthatthecomputerhardwarecanexecute.Youcanuse 
theSetupUtilityprogramtovieworchangethecongurationsettingsofyourcomputer.SeeChapter4 
“UsingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage49
Yourcomputersystemboardhasamodulecalledelectricallyerasableprogrammableread-onlymemory 
(EEPROM,alsoreferredtoasashmemory).Y oucaneasilyupdatethePOST,theBIOS,andtheSetup 
Utilityprogrambystartingyourcomputerwithasystem-program-updatediscorrunningaspecialupdate 
programfromyouroperatingsystem.
fordetailedinformation.
LenovomightmakechangesandenhancementstothePOSTandBIOS.Whenupdatesarereleased,they 
areavailableasdownloadablelesontheLenovoWebsiteathttp://www.lenovo.com.Instructionsforusing 
thePOSTandBIOSupdatesareavailableinaTXTlethatisincludedwiththeupdateles.Formost 
models,youcandownloadeitheranupdateprogramtocreateasystem-program-updatediscoranupdate 
programthatcanberunfromtheoperatingsystem.
Updating(ashing)theBIOSfromadisc
Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoupdate(ash)theBIOSfromadisc.
Note: Y oucandownloadaself-startingbootablediscimage(knownasanISOimage)withthesystem 
programupdatestocreateasystem-program-updatedisc.Goto: 
http://www.lenovo.com/support
Toupdate(ash)theBIOSfromadisc,dothefollowing:
1.Turnoffyourcomputer.
2.RepeatedlypressandreleasetheF12keywhenturningonthecomputer.WhentheStartupDevice  
Menu opens,releasetheF12key.
3.OntheStartupDeviceMenu,selectthedesiredopticaldriveasthestartupdevice.Then,insertthe  
discintothisopticaldriveandpressEnter.Theupdatebegins.
4.Whenpromptedtochangetheserialnumber,itissuggestedthatyoudonotmakethischangeby 
pressingN.However,ifyoudowanttochangetheserialnumber,pressY,thentypeintheserialnumber 
andpressEnter.
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5.Whenpromptedtochangethemachinetypeandmodel,itissuggestedthatyoudonotmakethis 
changebypressingN.However,ifyoudowanttochangethemachinetypeandmodel,pressY,then 
typeinthemachinetypeandmodelandpressEnter.
6.Followtheinstructionsonthescreentocompletetheupdate.Aftertheupdateiscompleted,removethe 
discfromtheopticaldrive.
Updating(ashing)theBIOSfromyouroperatingsystem
Note:BecauseLenovomakesconstantimprovementstoitsWebsites,theWebpagecontentsaresubject 
tochangewithoutnotice,includingthecontentsreferencedinthefollowingprocedure.
Toupdate(ash)theBIOSfromyouroperatingsystem,dothefollowing:
1.Gotohttp://www.lenovo.com/support.
2.Dothefollowingtolocatethedownloadablelesforyourmachinetype:
a.IntheEnteraproductnumbereld,typeyourmachinetypeandclickGo.  
b.ClickDownloadsanddrivers. 
c.SelectBIOSfromtheReneresultsdrop-downlistboxtoeasilylocatealltheBIOSrelatedlinks.  
d.ClicktheBIOSupdatelink.
3.ClicktheTXTlethatcontainstheinstructionsforupdating(ashing)theBIOSfromyouroperating 
system.
4.Printtheseinstructions.Thisisveryimportantbecausetheseinstructionswillnotbedisplayedon 
thescreenafterthedownloadbegins.
5.Followtheprintedinstructionstodownload,extract,andinstalltheupdate.
RecoveringfromaPOSTandBIOSupdatefailure 
IfthepowertoyourcomputerisinterruptedwhilethePOSTandBIOSisbeingupdated,yourcomputer 
mightnotrestartcorrectly.Ifthishappens,performthefollowingprocedure,whichiscommonlycalled 
Boot-blockRecovery.
1.Removeallmediafromthedrivesandturnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.Then,disconnect 
allpowercordsfromelectricaloutletsanddisconnectallcablesthatareconnectedtothecomputer.
2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage14.
3.LocatetheClearCMOS/Recoveryjumperonthesystemboard.See“Locatingpartsonthesystem 
board”onpage10.
4.RemoveanypartsanddisconnectanycablesthatmightpreventyouraccesstotheClearCMOS 
/Recoveryjumper.
5.Movethejumperfromthestandardposition(pin1andpin2)tothemaintenanceposition(pin2and 
pin3).
6.Reinstallanypartsandreconnectanycablesthathavebeenremovedordisconnected.
7.Reinstallthecomputercoverandreconnectthepowercordsforthecomputerandmonitor.See 
“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage38.
8.TurnonthecomputerandtheninsertthePOSTandBIOSupdate(ashupdate)discintotheoptical 
drive.Therecoverysessionbegins.Therecoverysessionwilltaketwotothreeminutes.Duringthis 
time,youwillhearaseriesofbeeps.
9.Aftertherecoverysessioniscompleted,therewillbenovideo,theseriesofbeepswillend,andthe 
systemwillautomaticallyturnoff.
10.Repeatstep1throughstep4.
11.Movethejumperbacktothestandardposition(pin1andpin2).
54ThinkCentreUserGuide 
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12.Reinstallanypartsandreconnectanycablesthathavebeenremovedordisconnected.
13.Reinstallthecomputercoverandreconnectpowercordsandallotherexternalcables.See“Completing 
thepartsreplacement”onpage38.
14.Turnonthecomputerandremovethediscfromtheopticaldrive.
Chapter5.Updatingsystemprograms55  
Page 64
56ThinkCentreUserGuide 
Page 65
Chapter6. 
Thischapterprovidesinformationaboutsomebasictroubleshootinganddiagnosticprograms.Ifyour 
computerproblemisnotdescribedinthischapter,seeChapter7“Gettinginformation,help,andservice”on 
page61
Thischaptercontainsthefollowingtopics:
•
•
•
Basictroubleshooting 
Thefollowingtableprovidessomebasicinformationtohelpyoutroubleshootyourcomputerproblems.
Note: Ifyoucannotsolvetheproblemafterdoingthebasictroubleshooting,havethecomputerserviced. 
RefertotheThinkCentreSafetyandWarrantyGuidethatcamewithyourcomputerforthesafetyand  
warrantyinformationandthelistofserviceandsupporttelephonenumbers.Youcanalsogetthelatest 
serviceandsupporttelephonenumbersandaPDFversionoftheThinkCentreSafetyandWarrantyGuide  
fromtheLenovoSupportWebsiteat: 
http://www.lenovo.com/support
Thecomputerdoesnotstart 
whenyoupressthepower 
switch.
Themonitorscreenisblank.
Thekeyboarddoesnotwork.
foradditionaltroubleshootingresources.
Symptom
Verifythat:
•Thepowercordiscorrectlyconnectedtotherearofthecomputerandtoa 
workingelectricaloutlet.
•Thepowerindicatoronthefrontofthecomputerison.
•Thecomputervoltagematchesthevoltageavailableattheelectricaloutletfor 
yourcountryorregion.
Verifythat:
•Themonitorsignalcableiscorrectlyconnectedtothemonitorandtothe 
appropriatemonitorconnectoronthecomputer.IfyourcomputerhasaPCI 
graphicscardinstalled,besuretousethemonitorconnectoronthegraphics 
cardratherthantheintegratedoneonthesystemboard.
•Themonitorpowercordiscorrectlyconnectedtothemonitorandtoaworking 
electricaloutlet.
•Themonitoristurnedonandthebrightnessandcontrastcontrolsareset 
correctly.
•Thecomputervoltagematchesthevoltageavailableattheelectricaloutletfor 
yourcountryorregion.
Verifythat:
©CopyrightLenovo2010
•Thecomputeristurnedon.
•Thekeyboardiscorrectlyconnectedtoanappropriatekeyboardconnector(the 
PS/2keyboardconnectororoneoftheUSBconnectors)onthecomputer.
•Nokeysarestuck.
57
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Symptom
Themousedoesnotwork.
Theoperatingsystemdoesnot 
start.
Thecomputerbeepsmultiple 
timesbeforetheoperating 
systemstarts.
Verifythat:
•Thecomputeristurnedon.
•Themouseiscorrectlyconnectedtoanappropriatemouseconnector(thePS/2 
mouseconnectororoneoftheUSBconnectors)onthecomputer.
•Themouseisclean.Referto“Cleaninganopticalmouse”onpage59
Verifythatyoulistthedevicewheretheoperatingsystemresidesinthestartup 
devicesequence.Usually,theoperatingsystemisontheharddiskdrive.Formore 
information,see“Selectingastartupdevice”onpage51
Verifythatnokeysarestuck.
.
.
Diagnosticprograms 
Diagnosticprogramsareusedtotesthardwarecomponentsofyourcomputer.Diagnosticprogramscan 
alsoreportoperating-system-controlledsettingsthatinterferewiththecorrectoperationofyoursystem.You 
canusethepreinstalledLenovoThinkVantageT oolboxprogramtodiagnosecomputerproblems,ifyour 
computerisrunningtheWindowsoperatingsystem.
Notes:
1.YoucanalsodownloadthePC-DoctorforDOSdiagnosticprogramfromhttp://www.lenovo.com/support. 
See“PC-DoctorforDOS”onpage58fordetailedinformation.
2.Ifyouareunabletoisolateandrepairtheproblemyourselfafterrunningtheprograms,saveandprint 
theloglescreatedbytheprograms.YouwillneedthelogleswhenyouspeaktoaLenovotechnical 
supportrepresentative.
LenovoThinkVantageT oolbox 
TheLenovoThinkVantageToolboxprogramhelpsyoumaintainyourcomputer,improvecomputingsecurity, 
diagnosecomputerproblems,getfamiliarwiththeinnovativetechnologiesprovidedbyLenovo,andget 
moreinformationaboutyourcomputer.YoucanusethediagnosticsfeatureoftheLenovoThinkVantage 
Toolboxprogramtotestdevices,diagnosecomputerproblems,createbootablediagnosticmedia,update 
systemdrivers,andviewsysteminformation.
ToruntheLenovoThinkVantageT oolboxprogramontheWindows7operatingsystem,clickStart➙All    
Programs ➙LenovoThinkVantageTools➙SystemHealthandDiagnostics.Followtheinstructionson     
thescreen.
ForadditionalinformationaboutrunningtheLenovoThinkVantageToolboxprogram,refertotheLenovo 
ThinkVantageToolboxhelpsystem.
PC-DoctorforDOS 
YoucanalsodownloadthelatestversionofthePC-DoctorforDOSdiagnosticprogramfrom 
http://www.lenovo.com/support.ThePC-DoctorforDOSdiagnosticprogramrunsindependentlyofthe 
Windowsoperatingsystem.UsethePC-DoctorforDOSdiagnosticprogramifyouareunabletostartthe 
Windowsoperatingsystem.YoucanrunthePC-DoctorforDOSdiagnosticprogramfromadiagnostic 
discthatyoucreated.
Creatingadiagnosticdisc
Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtocreateadiagnosticdisc.
58ThinkCentreUserGuide 
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Tocreateadiagnosticdisc,dothefollowing:
1.Downloadaself-startingbootablediscimage(knownasanISOimage)ofthediagnosticprogramfrom: 
http://www.lenovo.com/support
2.UseanydiscburningsoftwaretocreateadiagnosticdiscwiththeISOimage.
Runningthediagnosticprogramfromthediagnosticdisc
Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtorunthediagnosticprogramfromthediagnosticdiscthat 
youcreated.
Torunthediagnosticprogramfromthediagnosticdiscthatyoucreated,dothefollowing:
1.Makesureyourcomputeristurnedoff.
2.RepeatedlypressandreleasetheF12keywhenturningonthecomputer.WhentheStartupDevice  
Menu opens,releasetheF12key.
3.Insertthediagnosticdiscintotheopticaldrive.
4.SelecttheopticaldrivewiththediagnosticdiscasthestartupdeviceandpressEnter.Thediagnostic 
programopens.
5.Followtheinstructionsonthescreentorunthedesireddiagnostictest.Foradditionalhelp,press 
theF1key.
6.Removethediagnosticdiscfromtheopticaldriveaftercompletingthediagnostictest.
Cleaninganopticalmouse 
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.
Chapter6.Troubleshootinganddiagnosticprograms59  
Page 68
60ThinkCentreUserGuide 
Page 69
Chapter7. 
Thischapterprovidesinformationabouthelp,service,andtechnicalassistanceforLenovoproducts.
Thischaptercontainsthefollowingtopics:
•
•
Informationresources 
Youcanusetheinformationinthissectiontoaccessusefulresourcesrelatingtoyourcomputingneeds.
OnlineBooksfolder 
TheOnlineBooksfolderpreinstalledonyourcomputercontainstheThinkCentreUserGuide,whichprovides  
informationaboutyourcomputertohelpyousetup,use,andmaintainyourcomputer.Itrequiresno 
Internetaccesstoviewthepublication.
Toviewthepublication,clickStart➙AllPrograms➙OnlineBooks➙OnlineBooks,thendouble-click        
thepublicationforyourcomputer.ThepublicationisalsoavailableontheLenovoSupportWebsiteat: 
http://www.lenovo.com/support
Notes:
1.ThepublicationisinPDFversion.Toviewthepublication,youneedtohavetheAdobeReaderprogram 
preinstalledonyourcomputer.IftheAdobeReaderprogramhasnotbeeninstalledonyourcomputer,a 
messagewillbedisplayedwhenyouattempttoviewthePDFleandyouwillbeguidedthrough 
theAdobeReaderinstallation.
2.ThepublicationisavailableinotherlanguagesontheLenovoSupportWebsiteat: 
http://www.lenovo.com/support
3.IfyouwanttoinstalladifferentlanguageversionoftheAdobeReaderprogramratherthantheversion 
preinstalledonyourcomputer,downloadthedesiredlanguageversionfromtheAdobeWebsiteat: 
http://www.adobe.com
LenovoThinkVantageT ools 
TheLenovoThinkVantageToolsprogramhelpsyouworkmoreeasilyandsecurelybyprovidingeasyaccess 
tovarioustechnologies,suchas:
•LenovoThinkVantageToolbox
•PasswordManager
•PowerManager
•ProductRecovery
•RescueandRecovery
•SystemUpdate
ToaccesstheLenovoThinkVantageToolsprogram,clickStart➙AllPrograms➙LenovoThinkVantage      
Tools .
©CopyrightLenovo2010
61
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LenovoWelcome 
TheLenovoWelcomeprogramintroducessomeinnovativebuilt-infeaturesofLenovotoyouandguidesyou 
throughsomeimportantsetuptaskstohelpyoumakethemostofyourcomputer.
AccessHelp 
TheAccessHelpinformationsystemprovidesinformationaboutgettingstarted,doingbasictasks, 
customizingsettingsforyourpersonalpreference,protectingdata,expandingandupgrading,and 
troubleshooting.
ToopentheAccessHelpinformationsystemontheWindows7operatingsystem,clickStart➙Help    
andSupport ➙LenovoAccessHelp.  
AfteryouhaveopenedtheAccessHelpinformationsystem,usetheleftpaneltomakeaselectionfromthe
ContentstabortheIndextab,orusetheSearchtabtondaparticularwordorphrase.   
Safetyandwarranty 
TheThinkCentreSafetyandWarrantyGuidethatcamewithyourcomputercontainsinformationabout  
safety,warranty,serviceandsupportphonenumbers,CRUs,andothernoticesandinformationresources. 
YoucanalsogetthelatestserviceandsupporttelephonenumbersandaPDFversionoftheThinkCentre  
SafetyandWarrantyGuide fromtheLenovoSupportWebsiteat: 
http://www.lenovo.com/support
Beforeusingtheinformationinthismanualandtheproductitsupports,besuretoreadandunderstandthe 
ThinkCentreSafetyandWarrantyGuide andAppendixA“Notices”onpage65
.
LenovoWebsite(http://www.lenovo.com) 
TheLenovoWebsiteprovidesup-to-dateinformationandservicestohelpyoubuy,upgrade,andmaintain 
yourcomputer.Youcanalsodothefollowing:
•Shopfordesktopandnotebookcomputers,monitors,projectors,upgradesandaccessoriesforyour 
computer,andspecialoffers.
•Purchaseadditionalservices,suchassupportforhardware,operatingsystems,softwareprograms, 
networksetupandconguration,andcustominstallations.
•Purchaseupgradesandextendedhardwarerepairservices.
•Downloadthelatestdevicedriversandsoftwareupdatesforyourcomputermodel.
•Accesstheonlinemanualsforyourproducts.
•AccesstheLenovoLimitedWarranty.
•Accesstroubleshootingandsupportinformationforyourcomputermodelandothersupportedproducts.
•Findtheserviceandsupportphonenumbersforyourcountryorregion.
•FindaServiceProviderlocatednearyou.
Helpandservice 
Thissectionprovidesinformationaboutobtaininghelpandservice.
62ThinkCentreUserGuide 
Page 71
Usingthedocumentationanddiagnosticprograms 
Ifyouexperienceproblemswithyourcomputer,seeChapter6“T roubleshootinganddiagnosticprograms” 
onpage57.Forinformationaboutadditionalresourcestohelpyoutroubleshootyourcomputerproblems, 
see“Informationresources”onpage61.
Ifyoususpectasoftwareproblem,seethedocumentationthatcamewiththeoperatingsystemorsoftware 
program,includingreadmelesandonlinehelp.
Mostcomputerscomewithasetofdiagnosticprogramsthatyoucanusetohelpyouidentifyhardware 
problems.Forinstructionsonhowtousethediagnosticprogramsonyourcomputer,see“Diagnostic 
programs”onpage58
YoucangetthelatesttechnicalinformationanddownloaddevicedriversandupdatesfromtheLenovo 
SupportWebsiteat: 
http://www.lenovo.com/support
.
Callingforservice 
Duringthewarrantyperiod,youcangethelpandinformationfromtheLenovoCustomerSupportCenterby 
telephone.
Thefollowingservicesareavailableduringthewarrantyperiod:
•Problemdetermination-Trainedservicepersonnelareavailabletoassistyouwithdetermininga  
hardwareproblemanddecidingwhatactionisnecessarytosolvetheproblem.
•Hardwarerepair-Iftheproblemiscausedbyhardwareunderwarranty,trainedservicepersonnelare  
availabletoprovidetheapplicablelevelofservice.
•EngineeringChangemanagement-Theremightbechangesthatarerequiredafteraproducthas  
beensold.LenovooryourresellerwillmakeselectedEngineeringChanges(ECs)thatapplytoyour 
hardwareavailable.
Thefollowingitemsarenotcoveredbythewarranty:
•ReplacementoruseofpartsnotmanufacturedfororbyLenovoornon-warrantedLenovoparts
•Identicationofsoftwareproblemsources
•CongurationoftheBIOSaspartofaninstallationorupgrade
•Changes,modications,orupgradestodevicedrivers
•Installationandmaintenanceofnetworkoperatingsystems(NOS)
•Installationandmaintenanceofapplicationprograms
Refertothesafetyandwarrantyinformationthatisprovidedwithyourcomputerforacompleteexplanation 
ofwarrantyterms.Y oumustretainyourproofofpurchasetoobtainwarrantyservice.
ForalistoftheLenovoSupportphonenumbersforyourcountryorregion,goto 
http://www.lenovo.com/supportandclickSupportphonelistorrefertotheThinkCentreSafetyand   
WarrantyGuide thatisprovidedwithyourcomputer.
Note: Theserviceandsupportphonenumbersaresubjecttochangewithoutnotice.Ifthenumberforyour 
countryorregionisnotprovided,contactyourLenovoresellerorLenovomarketingrepresentative.
Ifpossible,beatyourcomputerwhenyoucallandhavethefollowinginformationavailable:
•Machinetypeandmodel
•Serialnumbersofyourhardwareproducts
•Descriptionoftheproblem
•Exactwordingofanyerrormessages
•Hardwareandsoftwarecongurationinformation
Chapter7.Gettinginformation,help,andservice63  
Page 72
Usingotherservices 
Ifyoutravelwithyourcomputerorrelocateittoacountrywhereyourdesktopornotebookcomputer 
machinetypeissold,yourcomputermightbeeligibleforInternationalWarrantyService,whichautomatically 
entitlesyoutoobtainwarrantyservicethroughoutthewarrantyperiod.Servicewillbeperformedby 
authorizedServiceProviders.
Servicemethodsandproceduresvarybycountry,andsomeservicesmightnotbeavailableinallcountries. 
InternationalWarrantyServiceisdeliveredthroughthemethodofservice(suchasdepot,carry-in,or 
on-siteservice)thatisprovidedintheservicingcountry.Servicecentersincertaincountriesmightnotbe 
abletoserviceallmodelsofaparticularmachinetype.Insomecountries,feesandrestrictionsmight 
applyatthetimeofservice.
TodeterminewhetheryourcomputeriseligibleforInternationalWarrantyServiceandtoviewalistofthe 
countrieswhereserviceisavailable,gotohttp://www.lenovo.com/support,clickWarranty,andfollow  
theinstructionsonthescreen.
FortechnicalassistancewiththeinstallationoforquestionsrelatedtoServicePacksforyour 
preinstalledMicrosoftWindowsproduct,refertotheMicrosoftProductSupportServicesWebsiteat 
http://support.microsoft.com/directoryoryoucancontacttheCustomerSupportCenter.Somefeesmight 
apply.
Purchasingadditionalservices 
Duringandafterthewarrantyperiod,youcanpurchaseadditionalservices,suchassupportforhardware, 
operatingsystems,andapplicationprograms;networksetupandconguration;upgradedorextended 
hardwarerepairservices;andcustominstallations.Serviceavailabilityandservicenamemightvaryby 
countryorregion.Formoreinformationabouttheseservices,gototheLenovoWebsiteat: 
http://www.lenovo.com
64ThinkCentreUserGuide 
Page 73
AppendixA. 
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.
©CopyrightLenovo2010
65
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Televisionoutputnotice 
Thefollowingnoticeappliestomodelsthathavethefactory-installedtelevision-outputfeature.
ThisproductincorporatescopyrightprotectiontechnologythatisprotectedbymethodclaimsofcertainU.S. 
patentsandotherintellectualpropertyrightsownedbyMacrovisionCorporationandotherrightsowners. 
UseofthiscopyrightprotectiontechnologymustbeauthorizedbyMacrovisionCorporation,andisintended 
forhomeandotherlimitedviewingusesonlyunlessotherwiseauthorizedbyMacrovisionCorporation. 
Reverseengineeringordisassemblyisprohibited.
EuropeanconformanceCEmark 
Trademarks 
Lenovo,theLenovologo,RescueandRecovery,ThinkCentre,andThinkVantagearetrademarksofLenovo 
intheUnitedStates,othercountries,orboth.
MicrosoftandWindowsaretrademarksoftheMicrosoftgroupofcompanies.
Intel,IntelCore,andPentiumaretrademarksofIntelCorporationintheUnitedStates,othercountries,or 
both.
LinuxisatrademarkofLinusT orvaldsintheUnitedStates,othercountries,orboth.
Othercompany,product,orservicenamesmaybetrademarksorservicemarksofothers.
66ThinkCentreUserGuide 
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Index 
A
arescuemedium,creatingandusing
B
backupandrecoveryoperations
C
cablelock,security
startupdevicesequence
removing
rear
front
andusingarescuemedium46 
creatingandusing
recoverymedia
completingtheinstallation
completingthereplacement
D
devicedrivers
installing
reinstalling
internal
DVImonitorconnector
E
environment,operating
F
failure,recoveringfromaPOSTandBIOSupdate
connectors,controls,indicators
removing,reinstalling
G
getting
help
information
service
H
harddiskdrive,replacing
replacing
AccessHelp
andservice
getting
I
importantsafetyinformation
getting
importantsafety
resources
safety
warranty
devicedrivers
securityfeatures
©CopyrightLenovo2010
67
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installing,replacing
memorymodule
internal
drives
internaldrives
K
keyboard
replacing
L
LenovoCustomerSupportCenter
M
media,creatingandusingrecoverymedia43 
memorymodule
installing,replacing
replacing
cleaning
opticalmouse
replacing
N
notice,televisionoutput
O
OnlineBooksfolder
replacing
P
padlock
considerations
erasing
lostorforgotten
setting,changing,deleting
installing,replacing
slots
features
replacing
R
rearconnectors
fromaPOSTandBIOSupdatefailure
software
Boot-blockRecovery
operations,backupand
problems,solving
devicedrivers
computercover
frontbezel
battery
cardreader
frontaudioandUSBassembly
harddiskdrive
heatsinkandfanassembly
keyboard
microprocessor
mouse
opticaldrive
powersupplyassembly
workspace,RescueandRecovery
S
safety
cablelock
enablingordisabling
features
padlock
68ThinkCentreUserGuide 
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startupdevice
temporarystartupdevice
andhelp
getting
LenovoCustomerSupportCenter
other
purchasingadditional
changing
viewing
recovering
sequence,changing
temporary,selecting
management
programs
locatingparts
location
V
VGAmonitorconnector
W
warrantyinformation
T
televisionoutputnotice
U
updating
(ashing)theBIOS
systemprograms
arescuemedium,creatingand
diagnosticprograms
documentation
otherservices
passwords
SetupUtilityprogram
©CopyrightLenovo2010
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70ThinkCentreUserGuide 
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Page 80
PartNumber:0A22610
PrintedinUSA
(1P)P/N:0A22610
*0A22610*