Lenovo ThinkCentre 0267, ThinkCentre 0385, ThinkCentre 1981, ThinkCentre 4167, ThinkCentre 5025 User Guide [en, ar, bg, cs, da, de, el, es, fi, fr, he, hr, hu, id, it, ko, nl, pl, pt, ro, ru, sk, sl, sr, sv, th, tr, uk, zc, zh]

ThinkCentre
UserGuide

MachineTypes:0267,0385,1981,4167,5025,5032,5049,5070,
and7518

Note:Beforeusingthisinformationandtheproductitsupports,besuretoreadandunderstandthe
“Importantsafetyinformation”onpagevandAppendixA“Notices”onpage115.

FourthEdition(June2012)

©CopyrightLenovo2011,2012.

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

Contents

Importantsafetyinformation......v

Serviceandupgrades.............v

Staticelectricityprevention...........v

Powercordsandpoweradapters........vi

Extensioncordsandrelateddevices.......vi

Plugsandoutlets..............vii

Externaldevices..............vii

Heatandproductventilation.........vii

Operatingenvironment...........viii

Modemsafetyinformation..........viii

Lasercompliancestatement..........ix

Powersupplystatement............ix

Cleaningandmaintenance...........ix

Chapter1.Productoverview......1

Features..................1

Specications................4

Softwareoverview..............5

SoftwareprovidedbyLenovo........5

AdobeReader..............7

Antivirussoftware.............7

Locations..................7

Locatingconnectors,controls,andindicators

onthefrontofyourcomputer........8

Locatingconnectorsontherearofyour

computer................8

Locatingcomponents..........11

Locatingpartsonthesystemboard....12

Locatinginternaldrives.........13

Machinetypeandmodellabel.......13

Chapter2.Usingyourcomputer...15

Frequentlyaskedquestions.........15

Usingthekeyboard.............15

UsingWindowsshortcutkeys.......15

Usingangerprintreader........16

Usingthewheelmouse...........16

Adjustingaudio..............16

Aboutyourcomputeraudio........16

Settingthevolumefromthedesktop....17

SettingthevolumefromControlPanel...17

UsingCDsandDVDs............17

HandlingandstoringCDandDVDmedia..18

PlayingaCDorDVD..........18

RecordingaCDorDVD.........18

Chapter3.Y ouandyourcomputer..21

Accessibilityandcomfort..........21

Arrangingyourworkspace........21

Comfort...............21

Glareandlighting............22

Aircirculation.............22

Electricaloutletsandcablelengths.....22

RegisteryourcomputerwithLenovo......23

Movingyourcomputertoanothercountryor

region..................23

Voltage-selectionswitch.........23

Replacementpowercords........23

Chapter4.Security..........25

Securityfeatures..............25

Attachinganintegratedcablelock.......26

Usingpasswords..............26

BIOSpasswords............26

Windowspasswords..........27

SettinguptheintegratedSecurityChip.....27

SettingtheSecurityChip.........27

Usingandunderstandingrewalls.......28

Protectingdataagainstviruses........28

Chapter5.Installingorreplacing

hardware...............29

Handlingstatic-sensitivedevices.......29

Installingorreplacinghardware........29

Installingexternaloptions........29

Openingthecomputercover.......30

Removingandreinstallingthefrontbezel..30

Accessingthesystemboardcomponentsand

drives................32

Installingorreplacingamemorymodule...33

InstallingorreplacingaPCIcard......34

Installingorreplacingthecardreader....36

Replacingthebattery..........41

Installingthesolidstatedrive.......42

Replacingtheharddiskdrive.......44

Replacingtheopticaldrive........46

Replacingtheheatsinkandfanassembly..49

Replacingthepowersupplyassembly...52

Replacingthemicroprocessor.......57

Replacingtheinternalspeaker.......60

ReplacingthefrontaudioandUSB

assembly...............65

Replacingthekeyboardormouse.....67

Completingthepartsreplacement.....67

©CopyrightLenovo2011,2012

i

Chapter6.Recoveryinformation...69

Creatingandusingrecoverymedia......69

Creatingrecoverymedia.........69

Usingrecoverymedia..........70

Performingbackupandrecoveryoperations...70

Performingabackupoperation......70

Performingarecoveryoperation......71

UsingtheRescueandRecoveryworkspace...71

Creatingandusingarescuemedium......72

Creatingarescuemedium........72

Usingarescuemedium.........73

Reinstallingpreinstalledapplicationsanddevice

drivers..................73

Reinstallingsoftwareprograms........74

Reinstallingdevicedrivers..........75

Solvingrecoveryproblems..........75

Chapter7.UsingtheSetupUtility

program................77

StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram.......77

Viewingandchangingsettings........77

Usingpasswords..............77

Passwordconsiderations.........78

Power-OnPassword..........78

AdministratorPassword.........78

HardDiskPassword...........78

Setting,changing,anddeletingapassword.78

Erasinglostorforgottenpasswords(clearing

CMOS)................79

Enablingordisablingadevice........79

Selectingastartupdevice..........80

Selectingatemporarystartupdevice....80

Selectingorchangingthestartupdevice

sequence...............80

EnablingErPcompliancemode........80

Smartperformancechoices.........81

ExitingfromtheSetupUtilityprogram.....81

Chapter8.Updatingsystem

programs...............83

Usingsystemprograms...........83

Updating(ashing)theBIOSfromadisc....83

Updating(ashing)theBIOSfromyouroperating

system..................84

RecoveringfromaPOST/BIOSupdatefailure..84

Chapter9.Preventingproblems...85

Keepingyourcomputercurrent........85

Gettingthelatestdevicedriversforyour

computer...............85

Updatingyouroperatingsystem......85

UsingSystemUpdate..........86

Cleaningandmaintenance..........86

Basics................86

Cleaningyourcomputer.........87

Goodmaintenancepractices.......88

Movingyourcomputer...........88

Chapter10.Troubleshootingand

diagnostics..............91

Basictroubleshooting............91

Troubleshootingprocedure..........92

Troubleshooting..............92

Audioproblems............93

CDproblems.............94

DVDproblems.............95

Intermittentproblems..........97

Keyboard,mouse,orpointingdevice

problems...............97

Monitorproblems............99

Networkingproblems..........100

Optionproblems............103

Performanceandlockupproblems.....104

Printerproblems............106

Serialportproblems...........107

Softwareproblems...........107

USBproblems.............108

Diagnosticprograms............108

LenovoSolutionCenter.........109

LenovoThinkVantageT oolbox.......109

PC-DoctorforDOS...........109

Chapter11.Gettinginformation,help,

andservice.............111

Informationresources............111

LenovoThinkVantageT ools........111

ThinkVantageProductivityCenter.....111

LenovoWelcome............111

HelpandSupport............111

SafetyandWarranty...........112

LenovoWebsite............112

LenovoSupportWebsite.........112

Helpandservice..............112

Usingthedocumentationanddiagnostic

programs...............112

Callingforservice............113

Usingotherservices..........113

Purchasingadditionalservices......114

AppendixA.Notices.........115

Trademarks................116

iiThinkCentreUserGuide

AppendixB.Regulatory

information.............117

Exportclassicationnotice..........117

Televisionoutputnotice...........117

Electronicemissionsnotices.........117

FederalCommunicationsCommission

DeclarationofConformity........117

Additionalregulatoryinformation.......119

AppendixC.WEEEandrecycling

information.............121

ImportantWEEEInformation.........121

Recyclinginformation............121

RecyclinginformationforBrazil........122

BatteryrecyclinginformationforT aiwan.....122

BatteryrecyclinginformationfortheEuropean

Union..................123

AppendixD.RestrictionofHazardous

SubstancesDirective(RoHS)....125

ChinaRoHS................125

TurkishRoHS...............125

UkraineRoHS...............125

IndiaRoHS................126

Index.................127

©CopyrightLenovo2011,2012

iii

ivThinkCentreUserGuide

Importantsafetyinformation

CAUTION:
Beforeusingthismanual,besuretoreadandunderstandalltherelatedsafetyinformationforthis
product.RefertotheinformationinthissectionandthesafetyinformationintheThinkCentreSafety
andWarrantyGuidethatyoureceivedwiththisproduct.Readingandunderstandingthissafety
informationreducestheriskofpersonalinjuryanddamagetoyourproduct.

IfyounolongerhaveacopyoftheThinkCentreSafetyandWarrantyGuide,youcanobtainaPortable
DocumentFormat(PDF)versionfromtheLenovo
LenovoSupportWebsitealsoprovidestheThinkCentreSafetyandWarrantyGuideandthisThinkCentre
UserGuideinadditionallanguages.

®

SupportWebsiteathttp://www.lenovo.com/support.The

Serviceandupgrades

DonotattempttoserviceaproductyourselfunlessinstructedtodosobytheCustomerSupportCenteror
yourdocumentation.OnlyuseaServiceProviderwhoisapprovedtorepairyourparticularproduct.

Note:Somecomputerpartscanbeupgradedorreplacedbythecustomer.Upgradestypicallyare
referredtoasoptions.ReplacementpartsapprovedforcustomerinstallationarereferredtoasCustomer
ReplaceableUnits,orCRUs.Lenovoprovidesdocumentationwithinstructionswhenitisappropriatefor
customerstoinstalloptionsorreplaceCRUs.Y oumustcloselyfollowallinstructionswheninstallingor
replacingparts.TheOffstateofapowerindicatordoesnotnecessarilymeanthatvoltagelevelsinsidea
productarezero.Beforeyouremovethecoversfromaproductequippedwithapowercord,alwaysmake
surethatthepoweristurnedoffandthattheproductisunpluggedfromanypowersource.Formore
informationonCRUs,refertoChapter5“Installingorreplacinghardware”onpage29
questionsorconcerns,contacttheCustomerSupportCenter.

Althoughtherearenomovingpartsinyourcomputerafterthepowercordhasbeendisconnected,the
followingwarningsarerequiredforyoursafety.

CAUTION:

.Ifyouhaveany

Hazardousmovingparts.Keepngersandotherbodypartsaway.

CAUTION:

BeforereplacinganyCRUs,turnoffthecomputerandwaitthreetoveminutestoletthecomputer
coolbeforeopeningthecover.

Staticelectricityprevention

Staticelectricity,althoughharmlesstoyou,canseriouslydamagecomputercomponentsandoptions.
Improperhandlingofstatic-sensitivepartscancausedamagetothepart.Whenyouunpackanoption

©CopyrightLenovo2011,2012

v

orCRU,donotopenthestatic-protectivepackagecontainingthepartuntiltheinstructionsdirectyou
toinstallit.

WhenyouhandleoptionsorCRUs,orperformanyworkinsidethecomputer,takethefollowingprecautions
toavoidstatic-electricitydamage:

•Limityourmovement.Movementcancausestaticelectricitytobuilduparoundyou.

•Alwayshandlecomponentscarefully.Handleadapters,memorymodules,andothercircuitboardsbythe

edges.Nevertouchexposedcircuitry.

•Preventothersfromtouchingcomponents.

•Whenyouinstallastatic-sensitiveoptionorCRU,touchthestatic-protectivepackagecontainingthe

parttoametalexpansion-slotcoverorotherunpaintedmetalsurfaceonthecomputerforatleasttwo
seconds.Thisreducesstaticelectricityinthepackageandyourbody.

•Whenpossible,removethestatic-sensitivepartfromthestatic-protectivepackagingandinstallthepart

withoutsettingitdown.Whenthisisnotpossible,placethestatic-protectivepackagingonasmooth,
levelsurfaceandplacethepartonit.

•Donotplacethepartonthecomputercoverorothermetalsurface.

Powercordsandpoweradapters

Useonlythepowercordsandpoweradapterssuppliedbytheproductmanufacturer.

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

Neverwrapapowercordaroundapoweradapterorotherobject.Doingsocanstressthecordinwaysthat
cancausethecordtofray,crack,orcrimp.Thiscanpresentasafetyhazard.

Alwaysroutepowercordssothattheywillnotbewalkedon,trippedover,orpinchedbyobjects.

Protectpowercordandpoweradaptersfromliquids.Forinstance,donotleaveyourpowercordorpower
adapternearsinks,tubs,toilets,oronoorsthatarecleanedwithliquidcleansers.Liquidscancausea
shortcircuit,particularlyifthepowercordorpoweradapterhasbeenstressedbymisuse.Liquidsalsocan
causegradualcorrosionofpowercordterminalsand/ortheconnectorterminalsonapoweradapter,
whichcaneventuallyresultinoverheating.

Alwaysconnectpowercordsandsignalcablesinthecorrectorderandensurethatallpowercord
connectorsaresecurelyandcompletelypluggedintoreceptacles.

Donotuseanypoweradapterthatshowscorrosionattheacinputpinsorshowssignsofoverheating(such
asdeformedplastic)attheacinputoranywhereonthepoweradapter.

Donotuseanypowercordswheretheelectricalcontactsoneitherendshowsignsofcorrosionor
overheatingorwherethepowercordappearstohavebeendamagedinanyway.

2

,orbetter.For

Extensioncordsandrelateddevices

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

viThinkCentreUserGuide

Plugsandoutlets

Ifareceptacle(poweroutlet)thatyouintendtousewithyourcomputerequipmentappearstobedamaged
orcorroded,donotusetheoutletuntilitisreplacedbyaqualiedelectrician.

Donotbendormodifytheplug.Iftheplugisdamaged,contactthemanufacturertoobtainareplacement.

Donotshareanelectricaloutletwithotherhomeorcommercialappliancesthatdrawlargeamountsof
electricity;otherwise,unstablevoltagemightdamageyourcomputer,data,orattacheddevices.

Someproductsareequippedwithathree-prongedplug.Thisplugtsonlyintoagroundedelectricaloutlet.
Thisisasafetyfeature.Donotdefeatthissafetyfeaturebytryingtoinsertitintoanon-groundedoutlet.If
youcannotinserttheplugintotheoutlet,contactanelectricianforanapprovedoutletadapterortoreplace
theoutletwithonethatenablesthissafetyfeature.Neveroverloadanelectricaloutlet.Theoverallsystem
loadshouldnotexceed80percentofthebranchcircuitrating.Consultanelectricianformoreinformation
ifyouhavequestionsaboutpowerloadsandbranchcircuitratings.

Besurethatthepoweroutletyouareusingisproperlywired,easilyaccessible,andlocatedclosetothe
equipment.Donotfullyextendpowercordsinawaythatwillstressthecords.

Besurethatthepoweroutletprovidesthecorrectvoltageandcurrentfortheproductyouareinstalling.

Carefullyconnectanddisconnecttheequipmentfromtheelectricaloutlet.

Externaldevices

DonotconnectordisconnectanyexternaldevicecablesotherthanUniversalSerialBus(USB)and1394
cableswhilethecomputerpowerison;otherwise,youmightdamageyourcomputer.Toavoidpossible
damagetoattacheddevices,waitatleastvesecondsafterthecomputerisshutdowntodisconnect
externaldevices.

Heatandproductventilation

Computers,poweradapters,andmanyaccessoriescangenerateheatwhenturnedonandwhenbatteries
arecharging.Alwaysfollowthesebasicprecautions:

•Donotleaveyourcomputer,poweradapter,oraccessoriesincontactwithyourlaporanypartofyour
bodyforanextendedperiodwhentheproductsarefunctioningorwhenthebatteryischarging.Your
computer,poweradapter,andmanyaccessoriesproducesomeheatduringnormaloperation.Extended
contactwiththebodycouldcausediscomfortor,potentially,askinburn.

•Donotchargethebatteryoroperateyourcomputer,poweradapter,oraccessoriesnearammable
materialsorinexplosiveenvironments.

•Ventilationslots,fans,andheatsinksareprovidedwiththeproductforsafety,comfort,andreliable
operation.Thesefeaturesmightinadvertentlybecomeblockedbyplacingtheproductonabed,sofa,
carpet,orotherexiblesurface.Neverblock,cover,ordisablethesefeatures.

Inspectyourdesktopcomputerfordustaccumulationatleastonceeverythreemonths.Beforeinspecting
yourcomputer,turnoffthepowerandunplugthecomputer'spowercordfromtheelectricaloutlet;then
removeanydustfromventsandperforationsinthebezel.Ifyounoticeexternaldustaccumulation,then
examineandremovedustfromtheinsideofthecomputerincludingheatsinkinletns,powersupplyvents,
andfans.Alwaysturnoffandunplugthecomputerbeforeopeningthecover.Ifpossible,avoidoperating
yourcomputerwithintwofeetofhigh-trafcareas.Ifyoumustoperateyourcomputerinornearahigh-trafc
area,inspectand,ifnecessary,cleanyourcomputermorefrequently.

©CopyrightLenovo2011,2012

vii

Foryoursafetyandtomaintainoptimumcomputerperformance,alwaysfollowthesebasicprecautions
withyourdesktopcomputer:

•Keepthecoverclosedwheneverthecomputerispluggedin.

•Regularlyinspecttheoutsideofthecomputerfordustaccumulation.

•Removedustfromventsandanyperforationsinthebezel.Morefrequentcleaningsmightberequiredfor
computersindustyorhigh-trafcareas.

•Donotrestrictorblockanyventilationopenings.

•Donotstoreoroperateyourcomputerinsidefurniture,asthismightincreasetheriskofoverheating.

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

•Donotinstallairltrationdevices.Theymayinterferewithpropercooling.

Operatingenvironment

Theoptimalenvironmentinwhichtouseyourcomputeris10°C-35°C(50°F-95°F)withhumidityranging
between35%and80%.Ifyourcomputerisstoredortransportedintemperatureslessthan10°C(50°F),
allowthecoldcomputertoriseslowlytoanoptimaloperatingtemperatureof10°C-35°C(50°F-95°F)before
use.Thisprocesscouldtaketwohoursinextremeconditions.Failuretoallowyourcomputertorisetoan
optimaloperatingtemperaturebeforeusecouldresultinirreparabledamagetoyourcomputer.

Ifpossible,placeyourcomputerinawell-ventilatedanddryareawithoutdirectexposuretosunshine.

Keepelectricalappliancessuchasanelectricfan,radio,high-poweredspeakers,airconditioner,and
microwaveovenawayfromyourcomputerbecausethestrongmagneticeldsgeneratedbythese
appliancescandamagethemonitoranddataontheharddiskdrive.

Donotplaceanybeveragesontopoforbesidethecomputerorotherattacheddevices.Ifliquidisspilledon
orinthecomputeroranattacheddevice,ashortcircuitorotherdamagemightoccur.

Donoteatorsmokeoveryourkeyboard.Particlesthatfallintoyourkeyboardcancausedamage.

Modemsafetyinformation

CAUTION:
Toreducetheriskofre,useonlyNo.26AWGorlarger(forexample,No.24AWG)telecommunication
linecordlistedbyUnderwritersLaboratories(UL)orcertiedbytheCanadianStandardsAssociation
(CSA).

Toreducetheriskofre,electricalshock,orinjurywhenusingtelephoneequipment,alwaysfollowbasic
safetyprecautions,suchas:

•Neverinstalltelephonewiringduringalightningstorm.

•Neverinstalltelephonejacksinwetlocationsunlessthejackisspecicallydesignedforwetlocations.

•Nevertouchuninsulatedtelephonewiresorterminalsunlessthetelephonelinehasbeendisconnectedat
thenetworkinterface.

•Usecautionwheninstallingormodifyingtelephonelines.

•Avoidusingatelephone(otherthanacordlesstype)duringanelectricalstorm.Theremaybearemote
riskofelectricshockfromlightning.

•Donotusethetelephonetoreportagasleakinthevicinityoftheleak.

viiiThinkCentreUserGuide

Lasercompliancestatement

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

•Donotremovethecovers.Removingthecoversofthelaserproductcouldresultinexposureto
hazardouslaserradiation.Therearenoserviceablepartsinsidethedevice.

•Useofcontrolsoradjustmentsorperformanceofproceduresotherthanthosespeciedherein
mightresultinhazardousradiationexposure.

DANGER

SomelaserproductscontainanembeddedClass3AorClass3Blaserdiode.Notethefollowing.

Laserradiationwhenopen.Donotstareintothebeam,donotviewdirectlywithoptical
instruments,andavoiddirectexposuretothebeam.

Powersupplystatement

Neverremovethecoveronapowersupplyoranypartthathasthefollowinglabelattached.

Hazardousvoltage,current,andenergylevelsarepresentinsideanycomponentthathasthislabelattached.
Therearenoserviceablepartsinsidethesecomponents.Ifyoususpectaproblemwithoneoftheseparts,
contactaservicetechnician.

Cleaningandmaintenance

Keepyourcomputerandworkspaceclean.Shutdownthecomputerandthendisconnectthepower
cordbeforecleaningthecomputer.Donotsprayanyliquiddetergentdirectlyonthecomputeroruse
anydetergentcontainingammablematerialtocleanthecomputer.Spraythedetergentonasoftcloth
andthenwipethecomputersurfaces.

©CopyrightLenovo2011,2012

ix

xThinkCentreUserGuide

Chapter1.Productoverview

Thischapterprovidesinformationaboutthecomputerfeatures,specications,softwareprogramsprovided
byLenovo,andlocationsofconnectors,components,partsonthesystemboard,andinternaldrives.

Features

Thissectionprovidesinformationaboutthecomputerfeatures.Thefollowinginformationcoversavarietyof
models.Forinformationaboutyourspecicmodel,usetheSetupUtilityprogram.SeeChapter7“Using
theSetupUtilityprogram”onpage77

Microprocessor

Yourcomputercomeswithoneofthefollowingmicroprocessors(internalcachesizevariesbymodeltype):

•Intel

®

Core™i3microprocessor

•IntelCorei5microprocessor

•IntelCorei7microprocessor

•IntelCeleron

•IntelPentium

®

microprocessor

®

microprocessor

Memory

.

Yourcomputersupportsuptofourdoubledatarate3unbuffereddualinlinememorymodules(DDR3
UDIMMs).

Internaldrives

•Opticaldrive:DVD-ROMorDVD-R(optional)

•SerialAdvancedT echnologyAttachment(SATA)harddiskdrive

•SATAsolidstatedrive

Note:Y ourcomputersupportsSATA2.0andSATA3.0devices.Formoreinformation,see“Locating
partsonthesystemboard”onpage12

.

Videosubsystem

•IntegratedgraphicsforaVideoGraphicsArray(VGA)connectorandaDisplayPortconnector

•PeripheralComponentInterconnect(PCI)Expressx16graphicscardslotonthesystemboardfora
discretegraphicscard

Audiosubsystem

•Integratedhigh-denition(HD)audio

•Audioline-inconnector,audioline-outconnector,andmicrophoneconnectorontherearpanel

•Microphoneconnectorandheadphoneconnectoronthefrontpanel

•Internalspeaker(availableonsomemodels)

Connectivity

•100/1000MbpsintegratedEthernetcontroller

©CopyrightLenovo2011,2012

1

•PCIFaxmodem(somemodels)

Systemmanagementfeatures

•Abilitytostorepower-onself-test(POST)hardwaretestresults

•DesktopManagementInterface(DMI)
DesktopManagementInterfaceprovidesacommonpathforuserstoaccessinformationaboutall

aspectsofacomputer,includingprocessortype,installationdate,attachedprintersandotherperipherals,
powersources,andmaintenancehistory.

•IntelStandardManageability
IntelStandardManageabilityishardwareandrmwaretechnologythatbuildscertainfunctionality

intocomputersinordertomakethemeasierandlessexpensiveforbusinessestomonitor,maintain,
update,upgrade,andrepair.

•IntelMatrixStorageManager
IntelMatrixStorageManagerisadevicedriverthatprovidessupportforSATARAID5arraysandSATA

RAID10arraysonspecicIntelchipsetsystemboardstoenhanceharddiskperformance.

•PrebootExecutionEnvironment(PXE)
ThePrebootExecutionEnvironmentisanenvironmenttostartcomputersusinganetworkinterface

independentofdatastoragedevices(suchastheharddiskdrive)orinstalledoperatingsystems.

•SmartPerformanceChoice
TheSmartPerformanceChoicefunctionenablesyourcomputertorunwithbetteracousticperformance

orbetterthermalperformance.See“Smartperformancechoices”onpage81

.

•SystemManagement(SM)BasicInput/OutputSystem(BIOS)andSMsoftware
TheSMBIOSspecicationdenesdatastructuresandaccessmethodsinaBIOSthatallowsauseror

applicationtostoreandretrieveinformationspecicaboutthecomputerinquestion.

•WakeonLAN
WakeonLANisanEthernetcomputernetworkingstandardthatallowsacomputertobeturnedon

orwokenupbyanetworkmessage.Themessageisusuallysentbyaprogramrunningonanother
computeronthesamelocalareanetwork.

•WakeonRing
WakeonRing,sometimesreferredtoasWakeonModem,isaspecicationthatallowssupported

computersanddevicestoresumefromsleeporhibernationmode.

•WindowsManagementInstrumentation(WMI)
WindowsManagementInstrumentationisasetofextensionstotheWindowsDriverModel.Itprovidesan

operatingsysteminterfacethroughwhichinstrumentedcomponentsprovideinformationandnotication.

2ThinkCentreUserGuide

Input/Output(I/O)features

•9-pinserialport(onestandardandoneoptional)

•EightUniversalSerialBus(USB)connectors(twoonthefrontpanelandsixontherearpanel)

•OneEthernetconnector

•OneDisplayPortconnector

•OneVGAmonitorconnector

•OnePersonalSystem/2(PS/2)keyboardconnector(optional)

•OnePS/2mouseconnector(optional)

•Threeaudioconnectorsontherearpanel(audioline-inconnector,audioline-outconnector,and
microphoneconnector)

•Twoaudioconnectorsonthefrontpanel(microphoneconnectorandheadphoneconnector)

Formoreinformation,see“Locatingconnectors,controls,andindicatorsonthefrontofyourcomputer”on
page8

and“Locatingconnectorsontherearofyourcomputer”onpage8.

Expansion

•Oneharddiskdrivebay

•Oneopticaldrivebay

•TwoPCIcardslots

•OnePCIExpressx1cardslot

•OnePCIExpressx16graphicscardslot

Powersupply

Yourcomputercomeswith240-wattautomaticvoltage-sensingpowersupply.

Securityfeatures

•ComputraceAgentsoftwareembeddedinrmware

•Coverpresenceswitch(alsocalledintrusionswitch)

•Abilitytoenableordisableadevice

•AbilitytoenableanddisableUSBconnectorsindividually

•Keyboardwithngerprintreader(shippedwithsomemodels)

•Power-onpassword(POP),administratorpassword,andharddiskdrivepasswordtodeterunauthorized
useofyourcomputer

•Startupsequencecontrol

•Startupwithoutkeyboardormouse

•Supportforanintegratedcablelock(Kensingtonlock)

•TrustedPlatformModule(TPM)

Formoreinformation,seeChapter4“Security”onpage25

.

Preinstalledsoftwareprograms

Yourcomputerispreinstalledwithsoftwareprogramstohelpyouworkmoreeasilyandsecurely.Formore
information,see“Softwareoverview”onpage5.

Preinstalledoperatingsystem

Chapter1.Productoverview3

Yourcomputerispreinstalledwithoneofthefollowingoperatingsystems:

•Microsoft

®

Windows

•MicrosoftWindowsVista

®

7

®

Operatingsystem(s),certiedortestedforcompatibility

•Linux

®

1

•MicrosoftWindowsXPProfessionalSP3

Specications

Thissectionliststhephysicalspecicationsforyourcomputer.

Dimensions

Width:338mm(13.31inches)
Height:99.7mm(3.93inches)
Depth:385.4mm(15.17inches)

Weight

Maximumcongurationasshipped:7.5kg(16.53lb)

Environment

•Airtemperature:

Operating:10°Cto35°C(50°Fto95°F)
Storage:-40°Cto60°C(-40°Fto140°F)inoriginalshippingpackage
Storage:-10°Cto60°C(14°Fto140°F)withoutpackage

•Humidity:

Operating:20%to80%(non-condensing)
Storage:20%to90%(non-condensing)

•Altitude:

Operating:-50to10000ft(-15.2to3048m)
Storage:-50to35000ft(-15.2to10668m)

Electricalinput

•Inputvoltage:

–Lowrange:

Minimum:100Vac
Maximum:127Vac
Inputfrequencyrange:50to60Hz

–Highrange:

Minimum:200Vac
Maximum:240Vac
Inputfrequencyrange:50to60Hz

(variesbymodeltype)

1.Theoperatingsystem(s)listedherearebeingcertiedortestedforcompatibilityatthetimethispublicationgoesto
press.AdditionaloperatingsystemsmightbeidentiedbyLenovoascompatiblewithyourcomputerfollowingthe
publicationofthismanual.Thislistissubjecttochange.Todetermineifanoperatingsystemhasbeencertiedor
testedforcompatibility,checktheWebsiteoftheoperatingsystemvendor.

4ThinkCentreUserGuide

Softwareoverview

Thecomputercomeswithapreinstalledoperatingsystemandseveralsoftwareprogramsprovidedby
Lenovo.

SoftwareprovidedbyLenovo

ThefollowingsoftwareprogramsareprovidedbyLenovotohelpyouimproveproductivityandreducethe
costassociatedwithmaintainingyourcomputer.Softwareprogramsprovidedwithyourcomputermight
varydependingonyourcomputermodeltypeandpreinstalledoperatingsystem.

LenovoThinkVantageT ools

TheLenovoThinkVantage
accesstovarioustoolstohelpyouworkmoreeasilyandsecurely.

Note:TheLenovoThinkVantageT oolsprogramisonlyavailableoncomputerswiththeWindows7operating
systemfromLenovo.

ToaccesstheLenovoThinkVantageToolsprogram,clickStart➙AllPrograms➙LenovoThinkVantage
Tools.

ThefollowingtableliststheprogramsthatyoucanaccessfromtheLenovoThinkVantageToolsprogram.To
accessaprogram,double-clickthecorrespondingicon.

Table1.ProgramiconnamesinLenovoThinkVantageT ools

®

Toolsprogramguidesyoutoahostofinformationsourcesandprovideseasy

ProgramnameIconnameinLenovoThinkVantageTools

CreateRecoveryMedia

FingerprintSoftware

LenovoSolutionCenterorLenovoThinkVantageToolboxSystemHealthandDiagnostics

ThinkVantagePasswordManagerPasswordVault

ThinkVantagePowerManager

ThinkVantageRescueandRecovery

ThinkVantageSystemUpdate

®

FactoryRecoveryDisks

FingerprintReader

PowerControls

EnhancedBackupandRestore

UpdateandDrives

ThinkVantageProductivityCenter

TheThinkVantageProductivityCenterprogramguidesyoutoahostofinformationandtoolstohelpyouset
up,understand,maintain,andenhanceyourcomputer.

Note:TheThinkVantageProductivityCenterprogramisonlyavailableoncomputerspreinstalledwith
theWindowsVistaoperatingsystemfromLenovo.

Formoreinformation,see“ThinkVantageProductivityCenter”onpage111.

LenovoWelcome

TheLenovoWelcomeprogramintroducesyoutosomeinnovativebuilt-infeaturesofLenovoandguidesyou
throughafewimportantsetuptaskstohelpyoumakethemostofyourcomputer.

FingerprintSoftware

Theintegratedngerprintreaderprovidedonsomekeyboardsenablesyoutoenrollyourngerprintand
associateitwithyourpower-onpassword,harddiskdrivepassword,andWindowspassword.Asaresult,

Chapter1.Productoverview5

ngerprintauthenticationcanreplacepasswordsandenablesimpleandsecureuseraccess.Angerprint
readerkeyboardisavailablewithselectcomputersorcanbepurchasedforcomputersthatsupportthis
option.

LenovoSolutionCenter

Note:Dependingonthedatewhenyourcomputerwasmanufactured,yourcomputerispreinstalledwith

eithertheLenovoSolutionCenterprogramortheLenovoThinkVantageToolboxprogramfordiagnostic
purposes.ForadditionalinformationabouttheLenovoThinkVantageToolboxprogram,see“Lenovo
ThinkVantageToolbox”onpage6.

TheLenovoSolutionCenterprogramenablesyoutotroubleshootandresolvecomputerproblems.It
combinesdiagnostictests,systeminformationcollection,securitystatus,andsupportinformation,along
withhintsandtipsformaximumsystemperformance.See“LenovoSolutionCenter”onpage109for
detailedinformation.

LenovoThinkVantageT oolbox

Note:Dependingonthedatewhenyourcomputerwasmanufactured,yourcomputerispreinstalledwith

eithertheLenovoSolutionCenterprogramortheLenovoThinkVantageToolboxprogramfordiagnostic
purposes.ForadditionalinformationabouttheLenovoSolutionCenterprogram,see“LenovoSolution
Center”onpage109.

TheLenovoThinkVantageToolboxprogramhelpsyoumaintainyourcomputer,improvecomputingsecurity,
diagnosecomputerproblems,getfamiliarwiththeinnovativetechnologiesprovidedbyLenovo,andgetmore
informationaboutyourcomputer.See“LenovoThinkVantageToolbox”onpage109fordetailedinformation.

ProductRecovery

TheProductRecoveryprogramenablesyoutorestorethecontentsoftheharddiskdrivetothefactory
defaultsettings.

ThinkVantageClientSecuritySolution

TheThinkVantageClientSecuritySolutionprogramisavailableonselectLenovocomputers.Ithelpsprotect
yourinformation,includingvitalsecurityinformationlikepasswords,encryptionkeys,andelectronic
credentials,whileguardingagainstunauthorizeduseraccesstodata.

Note:TheThinkVantageClientSecuritySolutionprogramisonlyavailableoncomputerswiththeWindows
VistaoperatingsystemfromLenovo.

ThinkVantagePasswordManager

TheThinkVantagePasswordManagerprogramautomaticallycapturesandllsinauthenticationinformation
forWindowsapplicationsandWebsites.

Notes:

•TheThinkVantagePasswordManagerprogramisonlyavailableoncomputerswiththeWindows7

operatingsystemfromLenovo.

•IfthePasswordVaulticonintheLenovoThinkVantageToolsprogramisdimmed,itindicatesthatyou

needtoinstalltheThinkVantagePasswordManagerprogrammanuallybeforeenablingitsfeatures.To
installtheThinkVantagePasswordManagerprogram,dothefollowing:

1.ClickStart➙AllPrograms➙LenovoThinkVantageTools,anddouble-clickPasswordVault.

2.Followtheinstructionsonthescreen.

3.Whentheinstallationprocesscompletes,thePasswordVaulticonisactivated.

6ThinkCentreUserGuide

ThinkVantagePowerManager

TheThinkVantagePowerManagerprogramprovidesconvenient,exible,andcompletepowermanagement
foryourThinkCentre®computer.ByusingtheThinkVantagePowerManagerprogram,youcanadjustyour
powersettingstoachievethebestbalancebetweensystemperformanceandpowersaving.

ThinkVantageRescueandRecovery

TheThinkVantageRescueandRecoveryprogramisaonebuttonrecoveryandrestoresolutionthatincludes
asetofself-recoverytoolstohelpyoudiagnosecomputerproblems,gethelp,andrecoverfromsystem
crashes,evenifyoucannotstarttheWindowsoperatingsystem.

Note:IftheEnhancedBackupandRestoreiconintheLenovoThinkVantageToolsprogramisdimmed,it
indicatesthatyouneedtoinstalltheThinkVantageRescueandRecoveryprogrammanuallybeforeenabling
itsfeatures.T oinstalltheThinkVantageRescueandRecoveryprogram,dothefollowing:

1.ClickStart➙AllPrograms➙LenovoThinkVantageTools,anddouble-clickEnhancedBackup

andRestore.

2.Followtheinstructionsonthescreen.

3.Whentheinstallationprocesscompletes,theEnhancedBackupandRestoreiconisactivated.

ThinkVantageSystemUpdate

TheThinkVantageSystemUpdateprogramhelpsyoukeepthesoftwareonyourcomputerup-to-dateby
downloadingandinstallingsoftwarepackages(ThinkVantageapplications,devicedrivers,BIOSupdates,
andotherthirdpartyapplications).

AdobeReader

TheAdobeReaderprogramisatoolusedtoview,print,andsearchPDFdocuments.

Antivirussoftware

Yourcomputercomeswithantivirussoftwarethatyoucanusetodetectandeliminateviruses.Lenovo
providesafullversionofantivirussoftwareonyourharddiskdrivewithafree30-daysubscription.After30
days,youmustrenewthelicensetocontinuereceivingtheantivirusprogramupdates.

Locations

Thissectionprovidesinformationtohelpyoulocatetheconnectorsonthefrontandrearofyourcomputer,
partsonthesystemboard,andcomponentsandinternaldrivesinyourcomputer.

Chapter1.Productoverview7

Locatingconnectors,controls,andindicatorsonthefrontofyour
computer

Figure1“Frontconnector,control,andindicatorlocations”onpage8showsthelocationsoftheconnectors,
controls,andindicatorsonthefrontofyourcomputer.

Figure1.Frontconnector,control,andindicatorlocations

1Opticaldriveeject/closebutton5USBconnector(USBport2)

2Powerswitch6Microphoneconnector

3Harddiskdriveactivityindicator7Headphoneconnector

4Powerindicator

8USBconnector(USBport1)

Locatingconnectorsontherearofyourcomputer

Figure2“Rearconnectorlocations”onpage9showsthelocationsoftheconnectorsontherearofyour
computer.Someconnectorsontherearofyourcomputerarecolor-codedtohelpyoudeterminewhereto
connectthecablesonyourcomputer.

8ThinkCentreUserGuide

Figure2.Rearconnectorlocations

1Powercordconnector

2Serialport(Serialport1)11PCIcardslots

3VGAmonitorconnector12Optionalserialport(Serialport2)

4DisplayPortconnector

5USBconnectors(USBports3to8)

6Microphoneconnector

7Audioline-outconnector

8Audioline-inconnector

9PCIExpressx16graphicscardslot

10PCIExpressx1cardslot

13Cablelockslots(2)

14Ethernetconnector

15Integratedcablelock(Kingstonlock)slot

16Cover-releasebutton

17PS/2keyboardandmouseconnectors(optional)

ConnectorDescription

Audioline-inconnector

Usedtoreceiveaudiosignalsfromanexternalaudiodevice,suchasastereo
system.Whenyouattachanexternalaudiodevice,acableisconnectedbetween
theaudioline-outconnectorofthedeviceandtheaudioline-inconnectorofthe
computer.

Audioline-outconnector

Usedtosendaudiosignalsfromthecomputertoexternaldevices,suchas
poweredstereospeakers(speakerswithbuilt-inampliers),headphones,
multimediakeyboards,ortheaudioline-inconnectoronastereosystemorother
externalrecordingdevice.

DisplayPortconnector

Usedtoattachahigh-performancemonitor,adirect-drivemonitor,orother
devicesthatuseaDisplayPortconnector.

Ethernetconnector

UsedtoattachanEthernetcableforalocalareanetwork(LAN).
Note:TooperatethecomputerwithinFCCClassBlimits,useaCategory5
Ethernetcable.

Chapter1.Productoverview9

ConnectorDescription

MicrophoneconnectorUsedtoattachamicrophonetoyourcomputerwhenyouwanttorecordsoundor

ifyouusespeech-recognitionsoftware.

Serialport

PS/2keyboardconnector
(optional)

PS/2mouseconnector(optional)Usedtoattachamouse,atrackball,orotherpointingdevicesthatuseaPS/2

USBconnectorUsedtoattachadevicethatrequiresaUSBconnector,suchasaUSBkeyboard,

VGAmonitorconnectorUsedtoattachaVGAmonitororotherdevicesthatuseaVGAmonitorconnector.

Usedtoattachanexternalmodem,aserialprinter,orotherdevicesthatusea
9-pinserialport.

UsedtoattachakeyboardthatusesaPS/2keyboardconnector.

mouseconnector.

aUSBmouse,aUSBscanneroraUSBprinter.IfyouhavemorethaneightUSB
devices,youcanpurchaseaUSBhub,whichyoucanusetoconnectadditional
USBdevices.

10ThinkCentreUserGuide

Locatingcomponents

Figure3“Componentlocations”onpage11showsthelocationsofthevariouscomponentsinyour
computer.Toopenthecomputercover,see“Openingthecomputercover”onpage30.

Figure3.Componentlocations

1Heatsinkandfanassembly

2Powersupplyassembly

3Memorymodule

4Opticaldrive10Harddiskdrive(orsolidstatedrive)

5FrontaudioandUSBassembly11PCIcard(installedinsomemodels)

6Frontbezel

7Systemfanassembly

8Internalspeaker(installedinsomemodels)

9Coverpresenceswitch(Intrusionswitch)

12Heatsinkfanduct

Chapter1.Productoverview11

Locatingpartsonthesystemboard

Figure4“Systemboardpartlocations”onpage12showsthelocationsofthepartsonthesystemboard.

Figure4.Systemboardpartlocations

14-pinpowerconnector

2Microprocessor

3Microprocessorfanconnector

15eSATAconnector

16Powerfanconnector

17Frontpanelconnector(forconnectingLEDindicatorsand

powerswitch)

4Memoryslot1(DIMM1)18FrontUSBconnector1(forconnectingUSBports1and2

onthefrontbezel)

5Memoryslot2(DIMM2)19FrontUSBconnector2(forconnectingadditionalUSB

devices)

6Memoryslot3(DIMM3)20Serial(COM2)connector

7Memoryslot4(DIMM4)

8Thermalsensorconnector22Frontaudioconnector

924-pinpowerconnector

10Battery

11ClearCMOS(ComplementaryMetalOxide

21Internalspeakerconnector

23PCIcardslots(2)

24PCIExpressx1cardslot

25PCIExpressx16graphicscardslot

Semiconductor)/Recoveryjumper

12Parallelconnector

13SATAconnector1(SA TA3.0connector)27Coverpresenceswitchconnector(Intrusionswitch

26Systemfanconnector

connector)

14SA TAconnectors2and3(SATA2.0connectors)28PS/2keyboardandmouseconnector

12ThinkCentreUserGuide

Locatinginternaldrives

Internaldrivesaredevicesthatyourcomputerusestoreadandstoredata.Youcanadddrivestoyour
computertoincreasestoragecapacityandenableyourcomputertoreadothertypesofmedia.Internal
drivesareinstalledinbays.Inthismanual,thebaysarereferredtoasbay1,bay2,andsoon.

Wheninstallingorreplacinganinternaldrive,itisimportanttonotethetypeandsizeofthedrivethatyou
caninstallorreplaceineachbayandcorrectlyconnectthecablestothedriveinstalled.Refertothe
appropriatesectioninChapter5“Installingorreplacinghardware”onpage29forinstructionsonhowto
installorreplaceinternaldrivesforyourcomputer.

Figure5“Drivebaylocations”onpage13

Figure5.Drivebaylocations

showsthelocationsofthedrivebays.

1Bay1-Opticaldrivebay(withanopticaldriveinstalledinsomemodels)

2Bay2-Cardreaderdrivebay

3Bay3-SA TAharddiskdrivebay(forinstallinga3.5-inchharddiskdriveora2.5-inchsolidstatedrive)

Machinetypeandmodellabel

Themachinetypeandmodellabelidentiesyourcomputer.WhenyoucontactLenovoforhelp,themachine
typeandmodelinformationhelpssupporttechnicianstoidentifyyourcomputerandprovidefasterservice.

Chapter1.Productoverview13

Thefollowingisasampleofthemachinetypeandmodellabel.

Figure6.Machinetypeandmodellabel

14ThinkCentreUserGuide

Chapter2.Usingyourcomputer

Thischapterprovidesinformationonusingsomeofthecomputercomponents.

Frequentlyaskedquestions

Thefollowingareafewtipsthatwillhelpyouoptimizetheuseofyourcomputer.

CanIgetmyuserguideinanotherlanguage?

TheuserguideisavailableinvariouslanguagesontheLenovoSupportWebsiteat:
http://www.lenovo.com/ThinkCentreUserGuides

Wherearemyrecoverydiscs?

Lenovoprovidesaprogramthatenablesyoutocreaterecoverydiscs.Fordetailsaboutcreatingrecovery
discs,see“Creatingrecoverymedia”onpage69.

Additionally,incaseofaharddiskfailure,youcanorderProductRecoverydiscsfromtheLenovoCustomer
SupportCenter.ForinformationaboutcontactingtheCustomerSupportCenter,seeChapter11“Getting
information,help,andservice”onpage111.BeforeusingtheProductRecoverydiscs,refertothe
documentationthatcomeswiththediscs.

Attention:AProductRecoverydiscpackagemightcontainmultiplediscs.Makesureyouhaveallofthe
discsreadybeforestartingtherecoveryprocess.Duringtherecoveryprocess,youmightbeprompted
tochangediscs.

WherecanIndhelpabouttheWindowsoperatingsystem?

TheWindowsHelpandSupportinformationsystemprovidesyoudetailedinformationaboutusingthe
Windowsoperatingsystemtohelpyougetthemostofyourcomputer.ToaccesstheWindowsHelpand
Supportinformationsystem,clickStart➙HelpandSupport.

Usingthekeyboard

Dependingonyourmodel,yourcomputercomeswitheitherastandardkeyboardorangerprintreader
keyboard.TheMicrosoftWindowsshortcutkeysareprovidedonbothkeyboardtypes.

Thissectionprovidesinformationaboutthefollowingtopics:

•“UsingWindowsshortcutkeys”onpage15

•“Usingangerprintreader”onpage16

UsingWindowsshortcutkeys

Boththestandardkeyboardandthengerprintreaderkeyboardprovidethreekeysyoucanusewithyour
MicrosoftWindowsoperatingsystem.

•ThetwoStartmenukeysarelocatedbesidetheAltkeyoneithersideofthespacebar.Theyfeaturethe
Windowslogo.Whenyoupresseither,theWindowsStartmenuopens.ThestyleoftheWindowslogo
variesdependingonthekeyboardtype.

•Thecontext-menukeyislocatednexttotheCtrlkeyontherightsideoftheSpacebar.Pressingthe
context-menukeyopensthecontextmenufortheactiveprogram,icon,orobject.

©CopyrightLenovo2011,2012

15

Note:YoucanusethemouseortheUpandDownarrowkeystohighlightmenuselections.Youcanclose
theStartmenuorthecontextmenubyclickingthemouseorpressingEsc.

Usingangerprintreader

Somecomputersmightcomewithakeyboardthathasangerprintreader.Formoreinformationaboutthe
ngerprintreader,see“FingerprintSoftware”onpage5.

ToopentheThinkVantageFingerprintSoftwareprogramandusethengerprintreader,dooneofthe
following:

•OntheWindows7operatingsystem,clickStart➙AllPrograms➙LenovoThinkVantageTools➙
FingerprintReader.

•OntheWindowsVistaoperatingsystem,clickStart➙AllPrograms➙ThinkVantage➙ThinkVantage
FingerprintSoftware.

Followtheinstructionsonthescreen.Foradditionalinformation,refertotheThinkVantageFingerprint
Softwarehelpsystem.

Usingthewheelmouse

Thewheelmousehasthefollowingcontrols:

1PrimarymousebuttonUsethisbuttontoselectorstartaprogramormenuitem.

2Wheel

3Secondarymousebutton

Youcanswitchthefunctionoftheprimaryandsecondarymousebuttonsandchangeotherdefaultbehavior
throughthemousepropertiesfunctionintheWindowsControlPanel.

Usethewheeltocontrolthescrollingactionofthemouse.Thedirectioninwhichyou
rotatethewheelcontrolsthedirectionofthescrollingaction.

Usethisbuttontodisplayamenufortheactiveprogram,icon,orobject.

Adjustingaudio

Soundisanimportantpartofthecomputerexperience.Y ourcomputerhasadigitalaudiocontrollerbuilt
intothesystemboard.Somemodelsalsohaveahigh-performanceaudioadapterinstalledinoneofthePCI
cardslots.

Aboutyourcomputeraudio

Ifafactory-installed,high-performanceaudioadapterisinstalledinyourcomputer,thesystem-board
audioconnectorsontherearofthecomputeraretypicallydisabled;usetheconnectorsprovidedonthe
audioadapter.

16ThinkCentreUserGuide

Eachaudiosolutionprovidesatleastthreeaudioconnectors:audioline-inconnector,audioline-out
connector,andMicrophoneconnector.Onsomemodels,afourthconnectorisprovidedfortheattachment
ofunpoweredstereospeakers(speakersthatdonotrequireanacpowersource).Theaudioadapter
providesyouwiththeabilitytorecordandplaybacksoundandmusic,aswellastoenjoysoundwith
multimediaapplicationsandworkwithspeech-recognitionsoftware.

Optionally,youcanconnectasetofpoweredstereospeakerstotheaudioline-outconnectortoenjoy
bettersoundwithmultimediaapplications.

Settingthevolumefromthedesktop

Thedesktopvolumecontrolisaccessiblethroughthevolumeiconinthetaskbar,whichislocatedatthe
bottom-rightcorneroftheWindowsdesktop.Clickthevolumeiconandmovethesliderupordownto
controlthevolume,orclicktheMuteicontoturntheaudiooff.Ifthevolumeiconisnotinthetaskbar,see
“Addingthevolumeicontothetaskbar”onpage17.

Addingthevolumeicontothetaskbar

ToaddthevolumeicontothetaskbarontheWindows7operatingsystem,dothefollowing:

1.FromtheWindowsdesktop,clickStart➙ControlPanel➙AppearanceandPersonalization.

2.IntheTaskbarandStartMenutopic,clickCustomizeiconsonthetaskbar.

3.ClickTurnsystemiconsonoroffandchangethevolumebehaviorsfromOfftoOn.

4.ClickOKtosavethenewsettings.

ToaddthevolumeicontothetaskbarontheWindowsVistaoperatingsystem,dothefollowing:

1.FromtheWindowsdesktop,clickStart➙ControlPanel➙AppearanceandPersonalization.

2.IntheTaskbarandStartMenutopic,clickCustomizeiconsonthetaskbar.

3.OntheNoticationAreatab,selectVolumetoallowtheicontodisplay.

4.ClickApplytosavethenewsettings.

SettingthevolumefromControlPanel

YoucansetthecomputervolumefromControlPanel.TosetthecomputervolumefromControlPanel,
dothefollowing:

1.FromtheWindowsdesktop,clickStart➙ControlPanel➙HardwareandSound.

2.IntheSoundtopic,clickAdjustsystemvolume.

3.Movetheslidersupordowntoraiseorlowerthevolumeofyourcomputer.

UsingCDsandDVDs

YourcomputermighthaveaDVDROMdriveorrecordableDVDdriveinstalled.DVDdrivesuse
industry-standard,12cm(4.75-inch)CDmediaorDVDmedia.IfyourcomputercomeswithaDVDdrive,
thedrivecanreadDVD-ROMdiscs,DVD-Rdiscs,DVD-RAMdiscs,DVD-RWdiscs,andalltypesofCDs,
suchasCD-ROMdiscs,CD-RWdiscs,CD-Rdiscs,andaudioCDs.IfyouhavearecordableDVDdrive,
itcanalsorecordonDVD-Rdiscs,DVD-RWdiscs,typeIIDVD-RAMdiscs,CD-RWstandardandhigh
speeddiscs,andCD-Rdiscs.

FollowtheseguidelineswhenusingtheDVDdrive:

•Donotplacethecomputerinalocationwherethedriveisexposedtothefollowing:

–Hightemperature
–Highhumidity

Chapter2.Usingyourcomputer17

–Excessivedust
–Excessivevibrationorsuddenshock
–Aninclinedsurface
–Directsunlight

•DonotinsertanyobjectotherthanaCDorDVDintothedrive.

•Beforemovingthecomputer,removetheCDorDVDfromthedrive.

HandlingandstoringCDandDVDmedia

CDandDVDmediaaredurableandreliable,buttheydorequiresomecareandspecialhandling.When
handlingandstoringaCDorDVD,followtheseguidelines:

•Holdthediscbyitsedges.Donottouchthesurfaceofthesidethatisnotlabeled.

•Toremovedustorngerprints,wipethediscwithaclean,softclothfromthecentertotheoutside.Wiping
thediscinacirculardirectionmightcauselossofdata.

•Donotwriteorstickpaperonthedisc.

•Donotscratchormarkthedisc.

•Donotplaceorstorethediscindirectsunlight.

•Donotusebenzene,thinners,orothercleanerstocleanthedisc.

•Donotdroporbendthedisc.

•Donotinsertdamageddiscsintothedrive.Warped,scratched,ordirtydiscscandamagethedrive.

PlayingaCDorDVD

IfyourcomputercomeswithaDVDdrive,youcanlistentoaudioCDsorwatchDVDmovies.Toplaya
CDorDVD,dothefollowing:

1.PresstheEject/LoadbuttonontheDVDdrivetoopenthetray.

2.Withthetrayfullyextended,inserttheCDorDVDintothetray.SomeDVDdriveshaveasnaphubinthe
centerofthetray.Ifyourdrivehasasnaphub,supportthetraywithonehandandthenpushonthe
centeroftheCDorDVDuntilitsnapsintoplace.

3.PresstheEject/Loadbuttonagainorgentlypushthetrayforwardtoclosethetray.TheCDorDVD
playerprogramstartsautomatically.Foradditionalinformation,refertotheCDorDVDplayerprogram
helpsystem.

ToremoveaCDorDVDfromtheDVDdrive,dothefollowing:

1.Withthecomputeron,presstheEject/Loadbutton.Whenthetrayslidesoutautomatically,carefully
removethedisc.

2.ClosethetraybypressingtheEject/Loadbuttonorbygentlypushingthetrayforward.

Note:IfthetraydoesnotslideoutofthedrivewhenyoupresstheEject/Loadbutton,insertastraightened
paperclipintotheemergency-ejectholelocatedonthefrontoftheDVDdrive.Besurethedriveispowered
offwhenusingtheemergencyeject.UsetheEject/Loadbuttoninsteadoftheemergencyejectexcept
inanemergency.

RecordingaCDorDVD

IfyourcomputercomeswitharecordableDVDdrive,youcanusethedrivetorecordCDsorDVDs.To
recordaCDorDVD,dothefollowing:

1.ClickStart➙AllPrograms➙CorelDVDMovieFactoryLenovoEdition.

2.Followtheinstructionsonthescreen.

18ThinkCentreUserGuide

FordetailedinformationaboutusingtheCorelDVDMovieFactoryprogram,seethehelpsystemforthe
program.

YoucanalsouseWindowsMediaPlayertorecordCDsanddataDVDs.Formoreinformation,see“Helpand
Support”onpage111.

Chapter2.Usingyourcomputer19

20ThinkCentreUserGuide

Chapter3.Youandyourcomputer

Thischapterprovidesinformationaboutaccessibility,comfort,andrelocatingyourcomputertoother
countriesorregions.

Accessibilityandcomfort

Goodergonomicpracticeisimportanttogetthemostfromyourpersonalcomputerandtoavoiddiscomfort.
Arrangeyourworkplaceandtheequipmentyouusetosuityourindividualneedsandthekindofwork
thatyouperform.Inaddition,usehealthyworkhabitstomaximizeyourperformanceandcomfortwhile
usingyourcomputer.

Thefollowingtopicsprovideinformationaboutarrangingyourworkarea,settingupyourcomputer
equipment,andestablishinghealthyworkhabits:

Lenovoiscommittedtoprovidingpeoplewithdisabilitiesgreateraccesstoinformationandtechnology.
Asaresult,thefollowinginformationprovideswaystohelpusersthathavehearing,vision,andmobility
limitationsgetthemostoutoftheircomputerexperience.

Assistivetechnologiesenableuserstoaccessinformationinthemostappropriateway.Someofthese
technologiesarealreadyprovidedinyouroperatingsystem,otherscanbepurchasedthroughvendors,or
accessedthroughtheWorldWideWeb:
http://www.lenovo.com/healthycomputing

Arrangingyourworkspace

Togetthemostfromyourcomputer,arrangeboththeequipmentyouuseandyourworkareatosuityour
needsandthekindofworkyoudo.Yourcomfortisofforemostimportance,butlightsources,aircirculation,
andthelocationofelectricaloutletscanalsoaffectthewayyouarrangeyourworkspace.

Comfort

Althoughnosingleworkingpositionisidealforeveryone,hereareafewguidelinestohelpyounda
positionthatsuitsyoubest.

Sittinginthesamepositionforalongtimecancausefatigue.Thebackrestandseatofyourchairshould
adjustindependentlyandprovidegoodsupport.Theseatshouldhaveacurvedfronttorelievepressureon
thethighs.Adjusttheseatsothatyourthighsareparalleltotheoorandyourfeetareeitheratonthe
oororonafootrest.

Whenusingthekeyboard,keepyourforearmsparalleltotheoorandyourwristsinacomfortableposition.
Usealighttouchonthekeyboardandyourhandsandngersrelaxed.Changetheangleofthekeyboard
formaximumcomfortbyadjustingthepositionofthekeyboardfeet.

©CopyrightLenovo2011,2012

21

Adjustthemonitorsothetopofthescreenisat,orslightlybelow,eyelevel.Placethemonitorata
comfortableviewingdistance,usually51to61cm(20to24inches),andpositionitsoyoucanviewit
withouthavingtotwistyourbody.Also,positionotherequipmentyouuseregularly,suchasthetelephoneor
amouse,withineasyreach.

Glareandlighting

Positionthemonitortominimizeglareandreectionsfromoverheadlights,windows,andotherlightsources.
Reectedlightfromshinysurfacescancauseannoyingreectionsonyourmonitorscreen.Placethe
monitoratrightanglestowindowsandotherlightsources,whenpossible.Reduceoverheadlighting,if
necessary,byturningofflightsorusinglowerwattagebulbs.Ifyouinstallthemonitornearawindow,use
curtainsorblindstoblockthesunlight.Y oucanadjustthebrightnessandcontrastcontrolsonthemonitor
astheroomlightingchangesthroughouttheday.

Whereitisimpossibletoavoidreectionsortoadjustthelighting,anantiglarelterplacedoverthescreen
mightbehelpful.However,theseltersmightaffecttheclarityoftheimageonthescreen;trythemonlyafter
youhaveexhaustedothermethodsofreducingglare.

Dustbuildupcompoundsproblemsassociatedwithglare.Remembertocleanyourmonitorscreen
periodicallyusingasoftclothasdirectedinyourmonitordocumentation.

Aircirculation

Yourcomputerandmonitorproduceheat.Thecomputerhasafanthatpullsinfreshairandforcesouthot
air.Themonitorletshotairescapethroughvents.Blockingtheairventscancauseoverheating,whichmight
resultinamalfunctionordamage.Placethecomputerandmonitorsothatnothingblockstheairvents;
usually,51mm(2inches)ofairspaceissufcient.Also,makesuretheventedairisnotblowingonpeople.

Electricaloutletsandcablelengths

Thelocationofelectricaloutlets,thelengthofpowercordsandcablesthatconnecttothemonitor,printer,
andotherdevicesmightdeterminethenalplacementofyourcomputer.

Whenarrangingyourworkspace:

•Avoidtheuseofextensioncords.Whenpossible,plugthecomputerpowercorddirectlyintoanelectrical
outlet.

•Keeppowercordsandcablesneatlyroutedawayfromwalkwaysandotherareaswheretheymight
getkickedaccidentally.

Formoreinformationaboutpowercords,see“Powercordsandpoweradapters”onpagevi

22ThinkCentreUserGuide

.

RegisteryourcomputerwithLenovo

Toregisteryourcomputer,gotohttp://www.lenovo.com/register.Then,followtheinstructionsonthescreen
tocompletetheregistration.Thiscanhelpauthoritiesreturnyourcomputertoyouifitislostorstolen.
RegisteringyourcomputeralsoenablesLenovotonotifyyouaboutpossibletechnicalinformationand
upgrades.

Whenyouregisteryourcomputer,informationisenteredintoadatabase,whichenablesLenovotocontact
youincaseofarecallorothersevereproblem.Inaddition,somelocationsofferextendedprivilegesand
servicestoregisteredusers.

Movingyourcomputertoanothercountryorregion

Whenyoumoveyourcomputertoanothercountryorregion,youmusttakelocalelectricalstandardsinto
consideration.Thissectionprovidesinformationonthefollowing:

•“Voltage-selectionswitch”onpage23

•“Replacementpowercords”onpage23

Voltage-selectionswitch

Somecomputersareequippedwithavoltage-selectionswitchlocatednearthepower-cordconnection
pointonthecomputerandsomecomputersdonothaveavoltage-selectionswitch.Beforeyouinstall
yourcomputerorrelocateyourcomputertoanothercountryorregion,youmustbecertainthatyouhave
matchedyourcomputertothevoltageavailableatyourelectricaloutlet.

CAUTION:
Youmustknowthevoltageoftheelectricalconnection(outlet)whereyourcomputerwillbe
connected.Ifyoudonotknowthevoltage,contactyourlocalelectriccompanyorrefertoofcial
Websitesorotherliteraturefortravelerstothecountryorregionwhereyouarelocated.

Ifyourcomputerhasavoltage-selectionswitch,youmustsettheswitchtomatchthevoltageavailableat
yourelectricaloutlet.Settingthevoltage-selectionswitchincorrectlywillcausethecomputertomalfunction
andmightcausepermanentdamagetothecomputer.Donotconnectthecomputertoanelectrical
outletuntilyouhaveveriedthatthevoltage-selectionswitchsettingmatchesthevoltageavailableatthe
electricaloutlets.

Ifyourcomputerdoesnothaveavoltage-selectionswitch,inspectthevoltage-ratinglabelonthebottomof
thecomputerandnotethefollowing:

•Ifthevoltage-ratinglabelshowsarangeofeither“100-127V”or“200-240V,”youmustensurethatthe
voltageprovidedattheelectricaloutletmatchesthevoltageratingonthecomputerlabel.Ifitdoes
notmatch,donotattempttoconnectthecomputertotheelectricaloutlet,unlessanexternaldevice
suchasavoltage-convertingtransformerisused.

•Ifthevoltage-ratinglabelshowsadualrangeof“100-127V”and“200-240V,”thissigniesthatthe
computerissuitableforworldwideoperationandthecomputerwillautomaticallyadjusttothevoltageat
theelectricaloutletregardlessofthecountryorregionwherethecomputerisbeingconnected.

Replacementpowercords

Ifyourelocateyourcomputertoacountryorregionthatusesanelectricaloutletstyledifferentfromthe
typeyouarecurrentlyusing,youwillhavetopurchaseeitherelectricalplugadaptersornewpowercords.
YoucanorderpowercordsdirectlyfromLenovo.

Chapter3.Youandyourcomputer23

Forpowercordinformationandpartnumbers,goto:
http://www.lenovo.com/powercordnotice

24ThinkCentreUserGuide

Chapter4.Security

Thischapterprovidesinformationabouthowtoprotectyourcomputerfromtheftandunauthorizeduse.

Securityfeatures

Thefollowingsecurityfeaturesareavailableonyourcomputer:

•ComputraceAgentsoftwareembeddedinrmware
TheComputraceAgentsoftwareisanITassetmanagementandcomputertheftrecoverysolution.

Thesoftwaredetectsifchangeshavebeenmadeonthecomputer,suchashardware,software,or
thecomputercall-inlocation.

Note:YoumighthavetopurchaseasubscriptiontoactivatetheComputraceAgentsoftware.

•Coverpresenceswitch(alsocalledintrusionswitch)
Thecoverpresenceswitchpreventsyourcomputerfromloggingintotheoperatingsystemwhenthe

computercoverisnotproperlyinstalledorclosed.Toenablethecoverpresenceswitchconnector
onthesystemboard,tothefollowing:

1.StarttheSetupUtilityprogram.See“StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage77.

2.SettheAdministratorPassword.See“Setting,changing,anddeletingapassword”onpage78.

3.FromtheSecuritysubmenu,selectChassisIntrusionDetection➙Enabled.Thecoverpresence
switchconnectoronthesystemboardisenabled.

Whenthecoverpresenceswitchdetectsthatyourcomputercoverisnotproperlyinstalledorclosed
whenyouturnonthecomputer,anerrormessagewillbedisplayed.Tobypasstheerrormessageand
logintotheoperatingsystem,dothefollowing:

1.Properlyinstallorcloseyourcomputercover.See“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage67.

2.PressF1toentertheSetupUtilityprogram.ThenpressF10tosaveandexittheSetupUtility
program.Theerrormessagewillnotbedisplayedagain.

•AbilitytoenableanddisabledevicesandUSBconnectors
Formoreinformation,see“Enablingordisablingadevice”onpage79

•Integratedngerprintreader(availableonsomemodels)
Dependingonthemodelsofyourcomputer,thekeyboardmayhaveanintegratedngerprintreader.

ByenrollingyourngerprintandassociatingitwithaPower-onPassword,aHardDiskPassword,or
bothpasswordsbeforehand,youcanstartthecomputer,logontothesystem,andentertheSetup
Utilityprogrambyswipingyourngeroverthereader,withouttypingapassword.Thusngerprint
authenticationcanreplacepasswordsandenablesimpleandsecureuseraccess.

•Startupsequencecontrol
Formoreinformation,see“Selectingorchangingthestartupdevicesequence”onpage80

•Startupwithoutkeyboardormouse
Yourcomputerisabletologintotheoperatingsystemwithoutkeyboardormouseconnected.

•TrustedPlatformModule(TPM)
TrustedPlatformModuleisasecurecryptoprocessorthatcanstorecryptographickeysthatprotect

informationstoredinyourcomputer.

.

.

©CopyrightLenovo2011,2012

25

Attachinganintegratedcablelock

Anintegratedcablelock,sometimesreferredtoastheKensingtonlock,canbeusedtosecureyour
computertoadesk,table,orothernon-permanentxture.Thecablelockattachestotheintegratedcable
lockslotattherearofyourcomputerandisoperatedwithakey.Thecablelockalsolocksthebuttonsused
toopenthecomputercover.Thisisthesametypeoflockusedwithmanynotebookcomputers.Youcan
orderanintegratedcablelockdirectlyfromLenovobysearchingforKensingtonat:
http://www.lenovo.com/support

Figure7.Integratedcablelock

Usingpasswords

YoucansetavarietyofpasswordsthroughtheMicrosoftWindowsoperatingsystemandthroughtheBIOS
ofyourcomputertohelpdeterunauthorizeduseofyourcomputer.

BIOSpasswords

YoucanusetheBIOSSetupUtilityprogramtosetpasswordstopreventunauthorizedaccesstoyour
computeranddata.Thefollowingtypesofpasswordsareavailable:

•Power-OnPassword:WhenaPower-OnPasswordisset,youarepromptedtotypeavalidpassword
eachtimethecomputeristurnedon.Thecomputercannotbeuseduntilthevalidpasswordistyped
in.Formoreinformation,see“Power-OnPassword”onpage78.

•HardDiskPassword:SettingaHardDiskPasswordpreventsunauthorizedaccesstothedataonthehard
diskdrive.WhenaHardDiskPasswordisset,youarepromptedtotypeavalidpasswordeachtimeyou
trytoaccesstheharddiskdrive.Formoreinformation,see“HardDiskPassword”onpage78

26ThinkCentreUserGuide

.

•AdministratorPassword:SettinganAdministratorPassworddetersunauthorizedusersfromchanging
congurationsettings.Ifyouareresponsibleformaintainingthecongurationsettingsofseveral
computers,youmightwanttosetanAdministratorPassword.Formoreinformation,see“Administrator
Password”onpage78

Youdonothavetosetanypasswordstouseyourcomputer.However,usingpasswordsimproves
computingsecurity.

.

Windowspasswords

DependingonyourversionoftheWindowsoperatingsystem,youcanusepasswordsforavarietyof
features,includingcontrollingloginaccess,accesstosharedresources,networkaccess,andindividualuser
settings.Formoreinformation,see“HelpandSupport”onpage111

.

SettinguptheintegratedSecurityChip

Dependingonthemodelofyourcomputer,thekeyboardmighthaveanembeddedSecurityChip,a
cryptographicmicroprocessor.WiththeSecurityChipandtheClientSecuritySolutionprogram,your
computerwillhaveahigherlevelofsecurityacrossthelocalnetwork,theenterprise,ortheInternet.orthe
Internet.ThefollowingarethekeyfeaturesoftheClientSecuritySolutionprogram:

•SecuredataencryptiontoprotectagainstunauthorizedaccesstocondentialmateriallocatedonyourPC.

•Keyencryptiontohelpensureprivacy.

Note:Keyencryptionusesapairofencryptionkeys:apublickeyandaprivatekey.Thepublickeyand
privatekeyworktogethertoencryptanddecryptinformation.Thetwokeysarealsousedtoidentify
andauthenticateusers.

•Akeyarchiveandrecoverytooltoprotectagainstaharddiskdrivefailureorsystemboardfailure.

•Convenient,securestorageofWebsiteandapplicationlogininformationusingPasswordManager.

•Supportforadditionalsecuritydevices,suchasangerprintreader.

•AmeanstorecoveraforgottenWindowsorharddiskpassword.

•Anencryptedvirtualdiskdrive,whichautomaticallyencryptsanydatathatisstoredwithinthesecure
connesofthis“electronicsafe”.

•Atooltoviewasummaryofthesecuritysettingscurrentlysetonyourcomputer.

SettingtheSecurityChip

TheSecurityChipsubmenuundertheSecuritymenuoftheSetupUtilityprogramprovidesthefollowing
options:

•SecurityChip:activates,inactivates,ordisablestheSecurityChip.

•SecurityReportingOptions:enablesordisableseachSecurityReportingoption.

•ClearSecurityChip:clearstheencryptionkey.

Notes:

•MakesurethattheAdministratorPasswordhasbeensetintheSetupUtilityprogram.Otherwiseanyone
canchangethesettingsfortheSecurityChip.

•IfyouareusingtheClientSecuritySolutionprogram,handletheSecurityChipasfollows:

–DonotcleartheSecurityChip.Otherwise,thefunctionsassignedtothekeyswillbeerased.
–DonotdisabletheSecurityChip.Otherwise,theClientSecuritySolutionprogramwillnotwork.

•IftheSecurityChipisdisabled,ClearSecurityChipandSecurityReportingOptionswillnotbe
displayed.

Chapter4.Security27

•WhenyoucleartheSecurityChip,besuretoturnyourcomputeroffandthenturnitonagainafteryouset
theSecurityChiptoActive.Otherwise,theClearSecurityChipoptionwillnotbedisplayed.

TosetanitemontheSecurityChipsubmenu,dothefollowing:

1.Printtheseinstructions.

2.Saveallopenles,andexitallapplications.

3.T urnoffyourcomputer.

4.RepeatedlypressandreleasetheF1keywhenturningonthecomputer.Whenyouhearmultiplebeeps
orseealogoscreen,releasetheF1key.TheSetupUtilitywindowopens.

5.Usingthecursorkeys,movetoSecurity,andpressEnter.TheSecuritymenuopens.

6.Usingthecursorkeys,movetoSecurityChip,andpressEnter.TheSecurityChipsubmenuopens.

7.Usingthecursorkeys,movetoanitemyouwanttoset.Whentheitemyouwantishighlighted,press
Enter.

8.Settheitemsyouwanttoset.

9.PressF10tosaveandexittheSetupUtilityprogram.

10.ClickYesintheSetupConrmationwindow.

TosettheSecurityChip,youhavetoopentheClientSecuritySolutionprogram,andfollowtheinstructions
onthescreen.

Note:IfyourcomputerispreinstalledwiththeWindows7operatingsystem,theClientSecuritySolution
programisnotpreinstalledonyoursystem.Tocongurethesecuritychip,youneedtodownloadthelatest
versionoftheClientSecuritySolutionprogramfromtheLenovoWebsite.TodownloadtheClientSecurity
Solutionprogram,gotohttp://www.lenovo.com/support.Thenfollowtheinstructionsonthescreen.

Usingandunderstandingrewalls

Arewallcanbehardware,software,oracombinationofbothdependingonthelevelofsecurityrequired.
Firewallsworkonasetofrulestodeterminewhichinboundandoutboundconnectionsareauthorized.If
yourcomputerispreintalledwitharewallprogram,ithelpsprotectagainstcomputerInternetsecurity
threats,unauthorizedaccess,intrusions,andInternetattacks.Italsoprotectsyourprivacy.Formore
informationabouthowtousetherewallprogram,refertothehelpsystemofyourrewallprogram.

TheWindowsoperatingsystempreinstalledonyourcomputerprovidestheWindowsFirewall.Fordetailson
usingtheWindowsFirewall,referto“HelpandSupport”onpage111

.

Protectingdataagainstviruses

Yourcomputerispreinstalledwithanantivirusprogramtohelpyouguardagainst,detect,andeliminate
viruses.

Lenovoprovidesafullversionofantivirussoftwareonyourcomputerwithafree30-daysubscription.After
30days,youmustrenewthelicensetocontinuereceivingtheantivirussoftwareupdates.

Note:Virusdenitionlesmustbekeptup-to-datetoguardagainstnewviruses.

Formoreinformationabouthowtouseyourantivirussoftware,refertothehelpsystemofyourantivirus
software.

28ThinkCentreUserGuide

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware

Thischapterprovidesinstructionsonhowtoinstallorreplacehardwareforyourcomputer.

Handlingstatic-sensitivedevices

Donotopenthestatic-protectivepackagecontainingthenewpartuntilthedefectiveparthasbeenremoved
fromthecomputerandyouarereadytoinstallthenewpart.Staticelectricity,althoughharmlesstoyou,can
seriouslydamagecomputercomponentsandparts.

Whenyouhandlepartsandothercomputercomponents,taketheseprecautionstoavoidstatic-electricity
damage:

•Limityourmovement.Movementcancausestaticelectricitytobuilduparoundyou.

•Alwayshandlepartsandothercomputercomponentscarefully.HandlePCIcards,memorymodules,
systemboards,andmicroprocessorsbytheedges.Nevertouchanyexposedcircuitry.

•Preventothersfromtouchingthepartsandothercomputercomponents.

•Beforeyoureplaceanewpart,touchthestatic-protectivepackagecontainingtheparttoametal
expansion-slotcoverorotherunpaintedmetalsurfaceonthecomputerforatleasttwoseconds.This
reducesstaticelectricityinthepackageandyourbody.

•Whenpossible,removethenewpartfromthestatic-protectivepackaging,andinstallitdirectlyinthe
computerwithoutsettingthepartdown.Whenthisisnotpossible,placethestatic-protectivepackage
thatthepartcameinonasmooth,levelsurfaceandplacethepartonit.

•Donotplacethepartonthecomputercoverorothermetalsurface.

Installingorreplacinghardware

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoinstallorreplacehardwareforyourcomputer.Youcanexpand
thecapabilitiesofyourcomputerandmaintainyourcomputerbyinstallingorreplacinghardware.

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.

Notes:

1.UseonlycomputerpartsprovidedbyLenovo.

2.Wheninstallingorreplacinganoption,usetheappropriateinstructionsinthissectionalongwiththe
instructionsthatcomewiththeoption.

Installingexternaloptions

Youcanconnectexternaloptionstoyourcomputer,suchasexternalspeakers,aprinter,orascanner.For
someexternaloptions,youmustinstalladditionalsoftwareinadditiontomakingthephysicalconnection.
Wheninstallinganexternaloption,see“Locatingconnectors,controls,andindicatorsonthefrontofyour
computer”onpage8and“Locatingconnectorsontherearofyourcomputer”onpage8toidentifythe
requiredconnector.Then,usetheinstructionsthatcomewiththeoptiontohelpyoumaketheconnection
andinstallanysoftwareordevicedriversthatarerequiredfortheoption.

©CopyrightLenovo2011,2012

29

Openingthecomputercover

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoopenthecomputercover.

CAUTION:

Turnoffthecomputerandwaitthreetoveminutestoletthecomputercoolbeforeopeningthe
computercover.

Toopenthecomputercover,dothefollowing:

1.Removeanymediafromthedrivesandturnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.

2.Disconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

3.Disconnectthepowercords,Input/Outputcables,andanyothercablesthatareconnectedtothe
computer.See“Locatingconnectors,controls,andindicatorsonthefrontofyourcomputer”onpage8
and“Locatingconnectorsontherearofyourcomputer”onpage8.

4.Removeanylockingdevicethatsecuresthecomputercover,suchasanintegratedcablelock.See
“Attachinganintegratedcablelock”onpage26

5.Pressthecover-releasebuttononthebackofthecomputerandpivotthecomputercoverupward.

.

Figure8.Openingthecomputercover

Removingandreinstallingthefrontbezel

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoremoveandreinstallthefrontbezel.

Toremoveandreinstallthefrontbezel,dothefollowing:

1.Removeallmediafromthedrivesandturnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.Then,disconnect
allpowercordsfromelectricaloutletsanddisconnectallcablesthatareconnectedtothecomputer.

30ThinkCentreUserGuide

2.Openthecomputercover.See“Openingthecomputercover”onpage30.

3.Removethefrontbezelbyreleasingthethreeplastictabsonthetopofthefrontbezelandpivotingthe
frontbezeloutwardtoremoveitfromthecomputer.

Figure9.Removingthefrontbezel

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware31

4.T oreinstallthefrontbezel,aligntheotherthreeplastictabsonthebottomofthefrontbezelwiththe
correspondingholesinthechassis,thenpivotthefrontbezelinwarduntilitsnapsintoposition.

Figure10.Reinstallingthefrontbezel

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage67.

Accessingthesystemboardcomponentsanddrives

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoaccessthesystemboardcomponentsanddrives.

Toaccessthesystemboardcomponentsanddrives,dothefollowing:

1.Removeallmediafromthedrivesandturnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.Then,disconnect
allpowercordsfromelectricaloutletsanddisconnectallcablesthatareconnectedtothecomputer.

2.Openthecomputercover.See“Openingthecomputercover”onpage30.

3.Removethefrontbezel.See“Removingandreinstallingthefrontbezel”onpage30.

4.Removetheheatsinkfanduct.See“Replacingtheheatsinkandfanassembly”onpage49.

5.Removetheharddiskdrive.See“Replacingtheharddiskdrive”onpage44.

32ThinkCentreUserGuide

6.Pivottheopticaldrivebayupwardtoaccessthesystemboardcomponentsandthecables.See
“Replacingtheopticaldrive”onpage46.

Installingorreplacingamemorymodule

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoinstallorreplaceamemorymodule.

YourcomputerhasfourslotsforinstallingorreplacingDDR3UDIMMsthatprovideuptoamaximumof32
GBsystemmemory.Wheninstallingorreplacingamemorymodule,usethefollowingguidelines:

•Use1GB,2GB,4GB,or8GBDDR3UDIMMsinanycombinationuptoamaximumof32GB.

•InstallmemorymodulesinthesequenceofDIMM2,DIMM4,DIMM1,andDIMM3.See“Locating
partsonthesystemboard”onpage12.

Toinstallorreplaceamemorymodule,dothefollowing:

1.T urnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

2.Openthecomputercover.See“Openingthecomputercover”onpage30.

3.Removethefrontbezel.See“Removingandreinstallingthefrontbezel”onpage30.

4.Removetheheatsinkfanduct.See“Replacingtheheatsinkandfanassembly”onpage49.

5.Removetheharddiskdrive.See“Replacingtheharddiskdrive”onpage44.

6.Pivottheopticaldrivebayupwardtogainaccesstothememoryslots.See“Replacingtheoptical
drive”onpage46.

7.Locatethememoryslots.See“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage12.

8.Removeanypartsthatmightpreventaccesstothememoryslots.

9.Dependingonwhetheryouareinstallingorreplacingamemorymodule,dooneofthefollowing:

•Ifyouarereplacinganoldmemorymodule,opentheretainingclipsandgentlypullthememory

moduleoutofthememoryslot.

Figure11.Removingamemorymodule

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware33

•Ifyouareinstallingamemorymodule,opentheretainingclipsofthememoryslotintowhichyou
wanttoinstallthememorymodule.

Figure12.Openingtheretainingclips

10.Positionthenewmemorymoduleoverthememoryslot.Makesurethatthenotch1onthememory
modulealignscorrectlywiththeslotkey2onthesystemboard.Pushthememorymodulestraight
downintotheslotuntiltheretainingclipsclose.

Figure13.Installingamemorymodule

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage67.

InstallingorreplacingaPCIcard

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.

ThissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoinstallorreplaceaPCIcard.Yourcomputerhastwostandard
PCIcardslots,onePCIExpressx1cardslot,andonePCIExpressx16graphicscardslot.

ToinstallorreplaceaPCIcard,dothefollowing:

1.T urnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

34ThinkCentreUserGuide

2.Openthecomputercover.See“Openingthecomputercover”onpage30.

3.RotatethePCIcardretainertotheopenposition.

4.DependingonwhetheryouareinstallingorreplacingaPCIcard,dooneofthefollowing:

•IfyouareinstallingaPCIcard,removetheappropriatemetalslotcover.

•IfyouarereplacinganoldPCIcard,grasptheoldcardthatiscurrentlyinstalledandgentlypullit
outoftheslot.

Figure14.RemovingaPCIcard

Notes:

a.Thecardtstightlyintothecardslot.Ifnecessary,alternatemovingeachsideofthecardasmall

amountuntilitisremovedfromthecardslot.

b.Ifthecardisheldinplacebyaretaininglatch,pressthecardretaininglatch1asshownto

disengagethelatch.Graspthecardandgentlypullitoutoftheslot.

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware35

5.RemovethenewPCIcardfromitsstatic-protectivepackage.

6.Installthenewcardintotheappropriatecardslotonthesystemboardandrotatethecardretainertothe
closedposition.See“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage12.

Figure15.InstallingthePCIcard

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage67.

Installingorreplacingthecardreader

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoinstallorreplacethecardreader.

Note:Thecardreaderisonlyavailableinsomemodels.Fornewinstallation,see“Installingthecardreader”
onpage36.Forreplacement,see“Replacingthecardreader”onpage39.

Installingthecardreader

Toinstallthecardreader,dothefollowing:

1.Removeallmediafromthedrivesandturnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.Then,disconnect
allpowercordsfromelectricaloutletsanddisconnectallcablesthatareconnectedtothecomputer.

2.Openthecomputercover.See“Openingthecomputercover”onpage30.

3.Removethefrontbezel.See“Removingandreinstallingthefrontbezel”onpage30.

36ThinkCentreUserGuide

4.Locatethecardreaderdrivebay.See“Locatinginternaldrives”onpage13.

Note:Youmighthavetoremovethemetalcoverofthecardreaderdrivebay.

5.Installthenewcardreaderintothecardreaderbracket.Theninstallthetwoscrewstosecurethe
cardreadertothebracket.

6.Installthecardreaderbrackettothechassis.Thenpushthebrackettothelefttoalignthescrewholein
thebracketwiththecorrespondingholeinthechassis.

Figure16.Installingthecardreader

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware37

7.Installthescrewtosecurethecardreaderbrackettothechassis.

Figure17.Installingthescrewthatsecuresthecardreader

8.PivottheopticaldrivebayupwardandconnectthecardreadercabletooneoftheUSBconnectorson
thesystemboard.See“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage12

.

9.Reinstallthefrontbezel.See“Removingandreinstallingthefrontbezel”onpage30.

Note:Youmighthavetoremovethecardreadercover

2fromthefrontbezel.Toremovethecardread

cover,pivotthetworetainingclips1thatsecurethecardreadercoveroutwardsandthencompletely
disengagethecardreadercoverfromthefrontbezel.

Figure18.Removingthecardreadercover

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage67.

38ThinkCentreUserGuide

Replacingthecardreader

Toreplacethecardreader,dothefollowing:

1.Removeallmediafromthedrivesandturnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.Then,disconnect
allpowercordsfromelectricaloutletsanddisconnectallcablesthatareconnectedtothecomputer.

2.Openthecomputercover.See“Openingthecomputercover”onpage30.

3.Removethefrontbezel.See“Removingandreinstallingthefrontbezel”onpage30.

4.Locatethecardreaderdrivebay.See“Locatinginternaldrives”onpage13.

5.PivottheopticaldrivebayupwardanddisconnectthecardreadercablefromtheUSBconnectoronthe
systemboard.See“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage12.

6.Removethescrewthatsecuresthecardreaderbracket.Then,removethecardreaderbracketfrom
thechassis.

Figure19.Removingthescrewthatsecuresthecardreader

7.Removethetwoscrewsthatsecurethecardreadertoitsbracket.Thenremovethefailingcardreader
fromthebracket.

8.Installanewcardreaderintothebracketandinstallthetwoscrewstosecurethecardreadertothe
bracket.

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware39

9.Installthecardreaderbrackettothechassis.Thenpushthebrackettothelefttoalignthescrewholein
thebracketwiththecorrespondingholeinthechassis.

Figure20.Installingthecardreader

40ThinkCentreUserGuide

10.Installthescrewtosecurethecardreaderbrackettothechassis.

Figure21.Installingthescrewthatsecuresthecardreader

11.PivottheopticaldrivebayupwardandreconnectthecardreadercabletooneoftheUSBconnectors
onthesystemboard.See“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage12

.

12.Reinstallthefrontbezel.See“Removingandreinstallingthefrontbezel”onpage30.

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage67.

Replacingthebattery

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.

Yourcomputerhasaspecialtypeofmemorythatmaintainsthedate,time,andsettingsforbuilt-infeatures,
suchasparallel-portassignments(conguration).Abatterykeepsthisinformationactivewhenyouturn
offthecomputer.

Thebatterynormallyrequiresnochargingormaintenancethroughoutitslife;however,nobatterylasts
forever.Ifthebatteryfails,thedate,time,andcongurationinformation(includingpasswords)arelost.An
errormessageisdisplayedwhenyouturnonthecomputer.

Refertothe“Lithiumbatterynotice”intheThinkCentreSafetyandWarrantyGuideforinformationabout
replacinganddisposingofthebattery.

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware41

Toreplacethebattery,dothefollowing:

1.T urnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

2.Openthecomputercover.See“Openingthecomputercover”onpage30.

3.Locatethebattery.See“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage12.

4.Removetheoldbattery.

Figure22.Removingtheoldbattery

5.Installanewbattery.

Figure23.Installinganewbattery

6.Closethecomputercoverandconnectthecables.See“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage67.

Note:Whenthecomputeristurnedonforthersttimeafterreplacingthebattery,anerrormessage
mightbedisplayed.Thisisnormalafterreplacingthebattery.

7.T urnonthecomputerandallattacheddevices.

8.UsetheSetupUtilityprogramtosetthedate,time,andanypasswords.SeeChapter7“UsingtheSetup
Utilityprogram”onpage77

.

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage67.

Installingthesolidstatedrive

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoinstallthe2.5-inchsolidstatedrive.

Toinstallthesolidstatedrive,dothefollowing:

42ThinkCentreUserGuide

1.Installthesolidstatedriveintothestorageconverter.Then,installthe4screwstosecurethesolid
statedrivetothestorageconverter.

Figure24.Installingthesolidstatedriveintothestorageconverter

2.T oinstallthesolidstatedrivewiththestorageconverterintothe3.5-inchharddiskdrivebracket,ex
thebracketandalignpin1,pin2,pin3,andpin4onthebracketwiththecorrespondingholesin
thestorageconverter.

Figure25.Installingthesolidstatedrivewiththestorageconverterintotheharddiskdrivebracket

3.Connectthesignalcableandthepowercabletothesolidstatedrive.

4.Installthesolidstatedriveintotheharddiskdrivebay.See“Replacingtheharddiskdrive”onpage44.

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware43

•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage67.

Replacingtheharddiskdrive

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreplacetheharddiskdrive.

Note:Dependingonyourmodeltype,yourcomputermightcomewitha2.5-inchsolidstatedrive.T oinstall
thesolidstatedrive,see“Installingthesolidstatedrive”onpage42.

Toreplacetheharddiskdrive,dothefollowing:

1.T urnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

2.Openthecomputercover.See“Openingthecomputercover”onpage30.

3.Locatetheharddiskdrive.See“Locatingcomponents”onpage11.

4.Pullonthehandleoftheharddiskdrivebracketasshownandthenlifttheharddiskdrivebracket
upfromtheopticaldrivebay.

Figure26.Removingtheharddiskdrive

5.Disconnectthesignalcableandthepowercablefromtheharddiskdrivetocompletelyremovethehard
diskdrivefromthechassis.

44ThinkCentreUserGuide

6.Flextheretainingclipsasshowntoremovetheharddiskdrivefromthebracket.

Figure27.Removingtheharddiskdrivefromthebracket

7.T oinstallanewharddiskdriveintothebracket,exthebracketandalignpin1,pin2,pin4,andpin

5onthebracketwiththecorrespondingholesintheharddiskdrive.

Important:Donottouchthecircuitboard

3onthebottomoftheharddiskdrive.

8.Connectthesignalcableandthepowercabletothenewharddiskdrive.

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware45

9.Insertthetworetainingclips1oftheharddiskdrivebracketintothecorrespondingholesintheside
oftheopticaldrivebay,andthenpivottheharddiskdriveandbracketdownwardsuntilthehard
diskdrivebracketsnapsintoposition.

Figure28.Installingtheharddiskdrive

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage67.

Replacingtheopticaldrive

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreplacetheopticaldrive.

Toreplacetheopticaldrive,dothefollowing:

1.T urnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

2.Openthecomputercover.See“Openingthecomputercover”onpage30.

3.Removethefrontbezel.See“Removingandreinstallingthefrontbezel”onpage30.

4.Removetheharddiskdrive.See“Replacingtheharddiskdrive”onpage44.

46ThinkCentreUserGuide

5.Presstheblueretainingcliptopivottheopticaldrivebayupward.

Figure29.Pivotingtheopticaldrivebay

6.Disconnectthesignalcableandthepowercablefromtherearoftheopticaldrive.

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware47

7.Presstheopticaldrivelock1andslidetheopticaldriveoutoftherearofthedrivebayassembly.

Figure30.Removingtheoldopticaldrive

8.Installtheopticaldriveretaineronthesideofthenewopticaldrive.

Figure31.Installingtheopticaldriveretainer

48ThinkCentreUserGuide

9.Slidethenewopticaldriveintothedrivebayuntilitsnapsintoposition.

Figure32.Installinganewopticaldrive

10.Connectthesignalcableandthepowercabletotherearoftheopticaldrive.

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage67.

Replacingtheheatsinkandfanassembly

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreplacetheheatsinkandfanassembly.

CAUTION:

Theheatsinkandfanassemblymightbeveryhot.T urnoffthecomputerandwaitthreetove
minutestoletthecomputercoolbeforeremovingthecomputercover.

Toreplacetheheatsinkandfanassembly,dothefollowing:

1.Removeallmediafromthedrivesandturnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.Then,disconnect
allpowercordsfromelectricaloutletsanddisconnectallcablesthatareconnectedtothecomputer.

2.Openthecomputercover.See“Openingthecomputercover”onpage30.

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware49

3.Disconnecttheheatsinkandfanassemblycablefromthemicroprocessorfanconnectoronthesystem
board.See“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage12.

4.Followthissequencetoremovethefourscrewsthatsecuretheheatsinkandfanassemblytothe
systemboard:

a.Partiallyremovescrew1,thenfullyremovescrew2,andthenfullyremovescrew1.
b.Partiallyremovescrew3,thenfullyremovescrew4,andthenfullyremovescrew3.

Note:Carefullyremovethefourscrewsfromthesystemboardtoavoidanypossibledamagetothe
systemboard.Thefourscrewscannotberemovedfromtheheatsinkandfanassembly.

Figure33.Screwsthatsecuretheheatsinkandfanassembly

5.Lifttheheatsinkandfanassemblywiththefanductoffthesystemboard.

Notes:

a.Youmighthavetogentlytwisttheheatsinkandfanassemblytofreeitfromthemicroprocessor.
b.Whenhandlingtheheatsinkandfanassembly,donottouchthethermalgreaseonthebottom

oftheheatsinkandfanassembly.

50ThinkCentreUserGuide

6.Removethetwoscrewsthatsecuretheheatsinkfanduct.Thenremovetheheatsinkfanductfrom
thefailingheatsinkandfanassembly.

Figure34.Removingtheheatsinkfanduct

7.Placethenewheatsinkandfanassemblyonthesystemboardsothatthefourscrewsarealigned
withthecorrespondingholesinthesystemboard.Makesurethatyouproperlyplacethenewheat
sinkandfanassemblysothatyoucaneasilyconnectthenewheatsinkandfanassemblycabletothe
microprocessorfanconnectoronthesystemboard.

8.Followthissequencetoinstallthefourscrewstosecurethenewheatsinkandfanassembly,asshown
inFigure33“Screwsthatsecuretheheatsinkandfanassembly”onpage50:

a.Partiallytightenscrew1,thenfullytightenscrew2,andthenfullytightenscrew1.
b.Partiallytightenscrew3,thenfullytightenscrew4,andthenfullytightenscrew3.

9.Connectthenewheatsinkandfanassemblycabletothemicroprocessorfanconnectoronthesystem
board.See“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage12

.

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware51

10.Lowerandpositiontheheatsinkfanductonthetopoftheheatsinkandfanassemblyuntilthetwo
screwholesintheheatsinkfanductarealignedwiththoseintheheatsinkandfanassembly.Install
thetwoscrewstosecuretheheatsinkfanduct.

Figure35.Installingtheheatsinkfanduct

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

•Tocompletethereplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage67.

Replacingthepowersupplyassembly

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreplacethepowersupplyassembly.

Althoughtherearenomovingpartsinyourcomputerafterthepowercordhasbeendisconnected,the
followingwarningsarerequiredforyoursafetyandproperUnderwritersLaboratories(UL)certication.

CAUTION:

.

52ThinkCentreUserGuide

Hazardousmovingparts.Keepngersandotherbodypartsaway.

CAUTION:
Neverremovethecoveronapowersupplyoranypartthathasthefollowinglabelattached.

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

Toreplacethepowersupplyassembly,dothefollowing:

1.Removeallmediafromthedrivesandturnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.Then,disconnect
allpowercordsfromelectricaloutletsanddisconnectallcablesthatareconnectedtothecomputer.

2.Openthecomputercover.See“Openingthecomputercover”onpage30.

3.Removethefrontbezel.See“Removingandreinstallingthefrontbezel”onpage30.

4.Removetheharddiskdrive.See“Replacingtheharddiskdrive”onpage44.

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware53

5.Removethetwoscrewsthatsecuretheheatsinkfanduct,andthenlifttheheatsinkfanductoutof
thechassis.

Figure36.Removingtheheatsinkfanduct

54ThinkCentreUserGuide

6.Pivottheopticaldriveupwardanddisconnectthepowersupplyassemblycablesfromalldrivesand
frompowerconnectors1and2onthesystemboard.

Figure37.Powerconnectorsonthesystemboard

Note:Youmightalsoneedtoreleasethepowersupplyassemblycablesfromsomecableclipsorties
thatsecurethecablestothechassis.Makesurethatyounotethecableroutingbeforedisconnecting
thecables.

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware55

7.Attherearofthecomputer,removethethreescrewsthatsecurethepowersupplyassembly.Pressthe
powersupplyclip1downwardtoreleasethepowersupplyassemblyandthenslidethepowersupply
assemblytothefrontofthecomputer.Liftthepowersupplyassemblyoutofthecomputer.

Figure38.Removingthepowersupplyassembly

8.Makesurethatthenewpowersupplyassemblyisthecorrectreplacement.

9.Installthenewpowersupplyassemblyintothechassissothatthescrewholesinthenewpowersupply
assemblyarealignedwiththecorrespondingholesintherearofthechassis.Then,installthethree
screwstosecurethenewpowersupplyassemblyinplace.

Note:UseonlyscrewsprovidedbyLenovo.

Figure39.Installingthepowersupplyassembly

10.Connectthenewpowersupplyassemblycablestoalldrivesandthesystemboard.See“Locating
partsonthesystemboard”onpage12.

56ThinkCentreUserGuide

11.Lowerandpositiontheheatsinkfanductonthetopoftheheatsinkandfanassemblyuntilthetwo
screwholesintheheatsinkfanductarealignedwiththoseintheheatsinkandfanassembly.Install
thetwoscrewstosecuretheheatsinkfanduct.

Figure40.Installingtheheatsinkfanduct

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

•Tocompletethereplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage67.

Replacingthemicroprocessor

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreplacethemicroprocessor.

CAUTION:

Theheatsinkandmicroprocessormightbeveryhot.T urnoffthecomputerandwaitthreetove
minutestoletthecomputercoolbeforeremovingthecomputercover.

Toreplacethemicroprocessor,dothefollowing:

1.Removeallmediafromthedrivesandturnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.Then,disconnect

2.Openthecomputercover.See“Openingthecomputercover”onpage30.

.

allpowercordsfromelectricaloutletsanddisconnectallcablesthatareconnectedtothecomputer.

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware57

3.Locatethesystemboardanddisconnectallcablesconnectedtothesystemboard.See“Locating
partsonthesystemboard”onpage12.

4.Removetheheatsinkandfanassemblywiththefanduct.See“Replacingtheheatsinkandfan
assembly”onpage49.

Note:Donotletthethermalgreaseonthebottomoftheheatsinkandfanassemblygetincontact
withanything.

5.Liftthesmallhandle1andopentheretainer2toaccessthemicroprocessor3.

Figure41.Accessingthemicroprocessor

6.Liftthemicroprocessorstraightupandoutofthemicroprocessorsocket.

Figure42.Removingthemicroprocessor

Notes:

a.Yourmicroprocessorandsocketmightlookdifferentfromtheoneillustrated.

58ThinkCentreUserGuide

b.Notetheorientationofthemicroprocessorinthesocket.Youcaneitherlookforthesmalltriangle1

ononecornerofthemicroprocessorornotetheorientationofthenotches2onthemicroprocessor.
Thisisimportantwheninstallingthenewmicroprocessoronthesystemboard.

c.Touchonlytheedgesofthemicroprocessor.Donottouchthegoldcontactsonthebottom.
d.Donotdropanythingontothemicroprocessorsocketwhileitisexposed.Thesocketpinsmustbe

keptascleanaspossible.

7.Makesurethatthesmallhandleisintheraisedpositionandthemicroprocessorretainerisfullyopen.

8.Removetheprotectivecoverthatprotectsthegoldcontactsofthenewmicroprocessor.

9.Holdthenewmicroprocessorbyitssidesandalignthesmalltriangleononecornerofthenew
microprocessorwiththecorrespondingsmalltriangleononecornerofthemicroprocessorsocket.

10.Lowerthenewmicroprocessorstraightdownintothemicroprocessorsocketonthesystemboard.

Figure43.Installingthemicroprocessor

11.Closethemicroprocessorretainerandlockitintopositionwiththesmallhandletosecurethenew
microprocessorinthesocket.

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware59

12.Reinstalltheheatsinkandfanassemblywiththefanductasshown.See“Replacingtheheatsinkand
fanassembly”onpage49.

Figure44.Reinstallingtheheatsinkandfanassemblywiththefanduct

13.Reconnectallcablesthatweredisconnectedfromthesystemboard.

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

•Tocompletethereplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage67.

Replacingtheinternalspeaker

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreplacetheinternalspeaker.

Note:Theinternalspeakerisonlyavailableinsomemodels.

Toreplacetheinternalspeaker,dothefollowing:

1.T urnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

2.Openthecomputercover.See“Openingthecomputercover”onpage30.

60ThinkCentreUserGuide

3.Removethefrontbezelbyreleasingthethreeplastictabsandpivotingthefrontbezeloutward.

Figure45.Removingthefrontbezel

4.Locatetheinternalspeaker.See“Locatingcomponents”onpage11.

5.Disconnecttheinternalspeakercablefromtheinternalspeakerconnectoronthesystemboard.See
“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage12.

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware61

6.Removethescrewthatsecuresthecoverpresenceswitch(intrusionswitch)andremovethecover
presenceswitchfromthechassis.

Figure46.Removingthecoverpresenceswitch

62ThinkCentreUserGuide

7.Pushtheinternalspeakeroutwardthroughthehole1todisengageitfromthetwometaltabsonthe
chassis.Then,slidetheinternalspeakertotherighttoremoveitfromthechassis.

Figure47.Removingtheinternalspeaker

8.Alignthenewinternalspeakerwiththetwometalclipsonthechassis,andthenslidethespeaker
asshownuntilitsnapsintoposition.

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware63

Figure48.Installingthenewinternalspeaker

9.Reconnecttheinternalspeakercabletothesystemboard.See“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”
onpage12.

10.Positionthecoverpresenceswitchsothatthescrewholeinthecoverpresenceswitchisalignedwith
thecorrespondingholeinthechassis.

64ThinkCentreUserGuide

11.Installthescrewtosecurethecoverpresenceswitchtothechassis.

Figure49.Reinstallingthecoverpresenceswitch

12.T oreinstallthefrontbezel,alignthethreetabsonthefrontbezelwiththecorrespondingholesinthe
chassisandpivotthefrontbezelinwardsuntilitsnapsintoposition.

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage67.

ReplacingthefrontaudioandUSBassembly

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.

ThissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreplacethefrontaudioandUSBassembly.

ToreplacethefrontaudioandUSBassembly,dothefollowing:

1.Removeallmediafromthedrivesandturnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.Then,disconnect
allpowercordsfromelectricaloutletsanddisconnectallcablesthatareconnectedtothecomputer.

2.Openthecomputercover.See“Openingthecomputercover”onpage30.

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware65

3.Removethefrontbezel.See“Removingandreinstallingthefrontbezel”onpage30.

4.PivottheopticaldrivebayupwardanddisconnectthefrontaudioandUSBassemblycablesfromthe
systemboardandnotethecablesrouting.See“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage12.

5.RemovethescrewthatsecuresthefrontaudioandUSBassemblybracket.Thenremovethefront
audioandUSBassemblybracketfromthechassis.

Figure50.RemovingthefrontaudioandUSBassembly

6.RemovethetwoscrewsthatsecurethefrontaudioandUSBassemblytoitsbracket.Thenremovethe
failingfrontaudioandUSBassemblyfromthebracket.

7.InstallanewfrontaudioandUSBassemblyintothebracketandinstallthetwoscrewstosecurethe
frontaudioandUSBassemblytothebracket.

8.InstallthefrontaudioandUSBassemblybrackettothechassisandalignthescrewholeinthebracket
withthecorrespondingholeinthechassis.

9.InstallthescrewtosecurethefrontaudioandUSBassemblybrackettothechassis.

10.ReconnectthefrontUSBandfrontaudiocablestothesystemboard.See“Locatingpartsonthe
systemboard”onpage12.

11.Reinstallthefrontbezel.See“Removingandreinstallingthefrontbezel”onpage30.

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage67

66ThinkCentreUserGuide

.

Replacingthekeyboardormouse

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreplacethekeyboardormouse.

Toreplacethekeyboardormouse,dothefollowing:

1.Disconnecttheoldkeyboardcableormousecablefromthecomputer.

2.ConnectanewkeyboardormousetooneoftheUSBconnectorsonthecomputer.Dependingonwhere

.

youwanttoconnectthenewkeyboardormouse,see“Locatingconnectors,controls,andindicatorson
thefrontofyourcomputer”onpage8or“Locatingconnectorsontherearofyourcomputer”onpage8.

Figure51.Connectinganewkeyboardormouse

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage67.

Completingthepartsreplacement

Aftercompletingtheinstallationorreplacementforallparts,youneedtoclosethecomputercoverand
reconnectcables.Dependingonthepartsyouinstalledorreplaced,youmightneedtoconrmtheupdated
informationintheSetupUtilityprogram.RefertoChapter7“UsingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage77.

Toclosethecomputercoverandreconnectcablestoyourcomputer,dothefollowing:

1.Makesurethatallcomponentshavebeenreassembledcorrectlyandthatnotoolsorloosescrews
areleftinsideyourcomputer.See“Locatingcomponents”onpage11forthelocationsofvarious
componentsinyourcomputer.

2.Ifyouhaveremovedthefrontbezel,reinstallit.T oreinstallthefrontbezel,alignthethreetabson
thefrontbezelwiththecorrespondingholesinthechassisandpivotthefrontbezelinwardsuntil
itsnapsintoposition.

3.Makesurethatthecablesareroutedcorrectly.Keepcablesclearofthehingesandsidesofthe
computerchassistoavoidinterferencewithclosingthecomputercover.

4.Lowertheopticaldrivebay.

5.Closethecomputercover.

6.Ifthereisanintegratedcablelockavailable,lockthecomputer.

7.Reconnecttheexternalcablesandpowercordstothecomputer.See“Locatingconnectorsontherear
ofyourcomputer”onpage8.

8.T oupdateyourconguration,seeChapter7“UsingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage77.

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware67

Note:Inmostareasoftheworld,LenovorequiresthereturnofthedefectiveCustomerReplaceableUnit
(CRU).InformationaboutthiswillcomewiththeCRUorwillcomeafewdaysaftertheCRUarrives.

Obtainingdevicedrivers

Youcanobtaindevicedriversforoperatingsystemsthatarenotpreinstalledat
http://www.lenovo.com/support.Installationinstructionsareprovidedinreadmeleswiththedevice-driver
les.

68ThinkCentreUserGuide

Chapter6.Recoveryinformation

ThischapterprovidesinformationabouttherecoverysolutionsprovidedbyLenovo.

Thischaptercontainsthefollowingtopics:

•Creatingandusingrecoverymedia

•Performingbackupandrecoveryoperations

•UsingtheRescueandRecoveryworkspace

•Creatingandusingarescuemedium

•Installingorreinstallingdevicedrivers

•Solvingrecoveryproblems

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.Somemethodsvarydependingonthetypeofoperatingsystem
thatisinstalled.

3.Theproductontherecoverymediamaybeusedonlyforthefollowingpurposes:

•Restoretheproductpreinstalledonyourcomputer

•Reinstalltheproduct

•ModifytheproductusingtheAdditionalFiles

Creatingandusingrecoverymedia

Youcanuserecoverymediatorestoretheharddiskdrivetothefactorydefaultstate.Recoverymediaare
usefulifyoutransferthecomputertoanotherarea,sellthecomputer,recyclethecomputer,orputthe
computerinanoperationalstateafterallothermethodsofrecoveryhavefailed.Asaprecautionarymeasure,
itisimportanttocreaterecoverymediaasearlyaspossible.

Note:Therecoveryoperationsyoucanperformusingrecoverymediavarydependingontheoperating
systemfromwhichtherecoverymediawerecreated.Therecoverymediamightcontainabootmedium
andadatamedium.YourMicrosoftWindowslicensepermitsyoutocreateonlyonedatamedium,soitis
importantthatyoustoretherecoverymediainasafeplaceafteryouhavemadethem.

Creatingrecoverymedia

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtocreaterecoverymediaondifferentoperatingsystems.

©CopyrightLenovo2011,2012

69

Note:OntheWindows7operatingsystem,youcancreaterecoverymediausingdiscsorexternalUSB

storagedevices.OntheWindowsVistaoperatingsystems,youcancreaterecoverymediausingonlydiscs,
sothisoperationisalsocalled“creatingProductRecoverydiscs.”

•TocreaterecoverymediaontheWindows7operatingsystem,clickStart➙AllPrograms➙Lenovo
ThinkVantageTools➙FactoryRecoveryDisks.Then,followtheinstructionsonthescreen.

•TocreateProductRecoverydiscsontheWindowsVistaoperatingsystem,clickStart➙AllPrograms➙

ThinkVantage➙CreateProductRecoveryMedia.Then,followtheinstructionsonthescreen.

Usingrecoverymedia

ThissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtouserecoverymediaontheWindows7operatingsystem.

OntheWindows7operatingsystemandtheWindowsVistaoperatingsystem,youcanuserecoverymedia
torestorethecontentsoftheharddiskdrivetothefactorydefaultstate.Also,youcanuserecoverymediato
putthecomputerinanoperationalstateafterallothermethodsofharddiskdriverecoveryhavefailed.

Attention:Whenyouuserecoverymediatorestorethecontentsoftheharddisktothefactorydefaultstate,
allthelescurrentlyontheharddiskdrivewillbedeletedandreplacedbythefactorydefaultles.

TouserecoverymediaontheWindows7operatingsystemortheWindowsVistaoperatingsystem,
dothefollowing:

1.Dependingonthetypeofyourrecoverymedia,connectthebootmedium(memorykeyorotherUSB
storagedevice)tothecomputer,orinsertthebootdiscintotheopticaldrive.

2.RepeatedlypressandreleasetheF12keywhenturningonthecomputer.WhenthePleaseselect
bootdevicewindowopens,releasetheF12key.

3.SelectthedesiredstartupdeviceandpressEnter.Therestoreprocessbegins.

4.Followtheinstructionsonthescreentocompletetheoperation.

Note:Afterrestoringyourcomputerharddiskdrivetothefactorydefaultstate,youmighthavetoreinstall
devicedriversforsomedevices.See“Reinstallingdevicedrivers”onpage75.

Performingbackupandrecoveryoperations

TheRescueandRecoveryprogramenablesyoutobackupallyourharddiskdrivecontentsincludingthe
operatingsystem,datales,softwareprograms,andpersonalsettings.Y oucandesignatewherethe
RescueandRecoveryprogramstoresthebackup:

•Inaprotectedareaofyourharddiskdrive

•Onthesecondaryharddiskdriveifasecondaryharddiskdriveisinstalledinyourcomputer

•OnanattachedexternalUSBharddiskdrive

•Onanetworkdrive

•Onrecordablediscs(arecordableopticaldriveisrequiredforthisoption)

Afteryouhavebackedupthecontentsoftheharddiskdrive,youcanrestorethecompletecontentsofthe
harddiskdrive,restoreselectedlesonly,orrestoretheWindowsoperatingsystemandapplicationsonly
whilekeepingtheotherdataonyourharddiskdrive.

Performingabackupoperation

ThissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoperformabackupoperationusingtheRescueandRecovery
programondifferentoperatingsystems.

70ThinkCentreUserGuide

•ToperformabackupoperationusingtheRescueandRecoveryprogramontheWindows7operating
system,dothefollowing:

1.FromtheWindowsdesktop,clickStart➙AllPrograms➙LenovoThinkVantageTools➙
EnhancedBackupandRestore.TheRescueandRecoveryprogramopens.

2.IntheRescueandRecoverymainwindow,clicktheLaunchadvancedRescueandRecoveryarrow.

3.ClickBackupyourharddriveandselectbackupoperationoptions.Then,followtheinstructionson
thescreentocompletethebackupoperation.

•ToperformabackupoperationusingtheRescueandRecoveryprogramontheWindowsVistaoperating
system,dothefollowing:

1.FromtheWindowsdesktop,clickStart➙AllPrograms➙ThinkVantage➙RescueandRecovery.
TheRescueandRecoveryprogramopens.

2.IntheRescueandRecoverymainwindow,clickLaunchadvancedRescueandRecovery➙Back
upyourharddrive,andselectbackupoperationoptions.

3.Followtheinstructionsonthescreentocompletethebackupoperation.

Performingarecoveryoperation

ThissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoperformarecoveryoperationusingtheRescueandRecovery
programondifferentoperatingsystems.

•ToperformarecoveryoperationusingtheRescueandRecoveryprogramontheWindows7operating
system,dothefollowing:

1.FromtheWindowsdesktop,clickStart➙AllPrograms➙LenovoThinkVantageTools➙
EnhancedBackupandRestore.TheRescueandRecoveryprogramopens.

2.IntheRescueandRecoverymainwindow,clicktheLaunchadvancedRescueandRecoveryarrow.

3.ClicktheRestoreyoursystemfromabackupicon.

4.Followtheinstructionsonthescreentocompletetherecoveryoperation.

•ToperformarecoveryoperationusingtheRescueandRecoveryprogramontheWindowsVistaoperating
system,dothefollowing:

1.FromtheWindowsdesktop,clickStart➙AllPrograms➙ThinkVantage➙RescueandRecovery.
TheRescueandRecoveryprogramopens.

2.IntheRescueandRecoverymainwindow,clickLaunchadvancedRescueandRecovery.

3.ClicktheRestoreyoursystemfromabackupicon.

4.Followtheinstructionsonthescreentocompletetherecoveryoperation.

FormoreinformationaboutperformingarecoveryoperationfromtheRescueandRecoveryworkspace,see
“UsingtheRescueandRecoveryworkspace”onpage71.

UsingtheRescueandRecoveryworkspace

TheRescueandRecoveryworkspaceresidesinaprotected,hiddenareaofyourharddiskdrivethat
operatesindependentlyfromtheWindowsoperatingsystem.Thisenablesyoutoperformrecovery
operationsevenifyoucannotstarttheWindowsoperatingsystem.Youcanperformthefollowingrecovery
operationsfromtheRescueandRecoveryworkspace:

•Rescuelesfromyourharddiskdriveorfromabackup:TheRescueandRecoveryworkspaceenables
youtolocatelesonyourharddiskdriveandtransferthemtoanetworkdriveorotherrecordablemedia,
suchasaUSBdeviceoradisc.Thissolutionisavailableevenifyoudidnotbackupyourlesorif
changesweremadetothelessinceyourlastbackupoperation.Y oucanalsorescueindividuallesfrom
aRescueandRecoverybackuplocatedonyourlocalharddiskdrive,aUSBdevice,oranetworkdrive.

Chapter6.Recoveryinformation71

•RestoreyourharddiskdrivefromaRescueandRecoverybackup:Ifyouhavebackedupyourharddisk
driveusingtheRescueandRecoveryprogram,youcanrestoretheharddiskdrivefromaRescueand
Recoverybackup,evenifyoucannotstarttheWindowsoperatingsystem.

•Restoreyourharddiskdrivetothefactorydefaultstate:TheRescueandRecoveryworkspaceenables
youtorestorethecompletecontentsofyourharddiskdrivetothefactorydefaultstate.Ifyouhave
multiplepartitionsonyourharddiskdrive,youhavetheoptiontorestoretheC:partitionandleavethe
otherpartitionsintact.BecausetheRescueandRecoveryworkspaceoperatesindependentlyfrom
theWindowsoperatingsystem,youcanrestoretheharddiskdrivetothefactorydefaultstateevenif
youcannotstarttheWindowsoperatingsystem.

Attention:IfyourestoretheharddiskdrivefromaRescueandRecoverybackuporrestoretheharddisk
drivetothefactorydefaultsettings,alllesontheprimaryharddiskdrivepartition(usuallydriveC:)willbe
deletedintherecoveryprocess.Ifpossible,makecopiesofimportantles.Ifyouareunabletostartthe
Windowsoperatingsystem,youcanusetherescuelesfeatureoftheRescueandRecoveryworkspaceto
copylesfromyourharddiskdrivetoothermedia.

TostarttheRescueandRecoveryworkspace,dothefollowing:

1.Makesurethecomputeristurnedoff.

2.RepeatedlypressandreleasetheF11keywhenturningonthecomputer.Whenyouhearbeepsor
seealogoscreen,releasetheF11key.

3.IfyouhavesetaRescueandRecoverypassword,typeyourpasswordwhenprompted.TheRescue
andRecoveryworkspaceopensafterashortdelay.

Note:IftheRescueandRecoveryworkspacefailstoopen,see“Solvingrecoveryproblems”onpage75.

4.Dooneofthefollowing:

•Torescuelesfromyourharddiskdriveorfromabackup,clickRescuelesandfollowthe

instructionsonthescreen.

•TorestoreyourharddiskdrivefromaRescueandRecoverybackuportorestoreyourharddiskdrive

tothefactorydefaultsettings,clickRestoreyoursystemandfollowtheinstructionsonthescreen.

FormoreinformationaboutthefeaturesoftheRescueandRecoveryworkspace,clickHelp.

Note:Afterrestoringyourharddiskdrivetothefactorydefaultstate,youmighthavetoreinstalldevice
driversforsomedevices.See“Reinstallingdevicedrivers”onpage75.

Creatingandusingarescuemedium

Witharescuemedium,suchasadiscoraUSBharddiskdrive,youcanrecoverthecomputerfromfailures
thatpreventyoufromgainingaccesstotheRescueandRecoveryworkspaceonyourharddiskdrive.

Notes:

1.Therecoveryoperationsyoucanperformusingarescuemediumvarydependingontheoperating
system.

2.Therescuedisccanbestartedinalltypesofopticaldrives.

Creatingarescuemedium

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtocreatearescuemediumondifferentoperatingsystems.

•TocreatearescuemediumontheWindows7operatingsystem,dothefollowing:

1.FromtheWindowsdesktop,clickStart➙AllPrograms➙LenovoThinkVantageTools➙
EnhancedBackupandRestore.TheRescueandRecoveryprogramopens.

2.IntheRescueandRecoverymainwindow,clicktheLaunchadvancedRescueandRecoveryarrow.

72ThinkCentreUserGuide

3.ClicktheCreateRescueMediaicon.TheCreateRescueandRecoveryMediawindowopens.

4.IntheRescueMediaarea,selectthetypeoftherescuemediumyouwanttocreate.Youcancreate
arescuemediumusingadisc,aUSBharddiskdrive,orasecondaryinternalharddiskdrive.

5.ClickOKandfollowtheinstructionsonthescreentocreatearescuemedium.

•TocreatearescuemediumontheWindowsVistaoperatingsystem,dothefollowing:

1.FromtheWindowsdesktop,clickStart➙AllPrograms➙ThinkVantage➙CreateRecovery
Media.TheCreateRescueandRecoveryMediawindowopens.

2.IntheRescueMediaarea,selectthetypeoftherescuemediumyouwanttocreate.Youcancreate
arescuemediumusingadisc,aUSBharddiskdrive,orasecondaryinternalharddiskdrive.

3.ClickOKandfollowtheinstructionsonthescreentocreatearescuemedium.

Usingarescuemedium

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtousetherescuemediumyouhavecreated.

•Ifyouhavecreatedarescuemediumusingadisc,usethefollowinginstructionstousetherescuemedium:

1.T urnoffyourcomputer.

2.RepeatedlypressandreleasetheF12keywhenturningonthecomputer.WhenthePleaseselect
bootdevicewindowopens,releasetheF12key.

3.InthePleaseselectbootdevicewindow,selectthedesiredopticaldriveastherstbootdevice.
Then,inserttherescuediscintotheopticaldriveandpressEnter.Therescuemediumstarts.

•IfyouhavecreatedarescuemediumusingaUSBharddiskdrive,usethefollowinginstructionsto
usetherescuemedium:

1.AttachtheUSBharddiskdrivetooneoftheUSBconnectorsonyourcomputer.

2.RepeatedlypressandreleasetheF12keywhenturningonthecomputer.WhenthePleaseselect
bootdevicewindowopens,releasetheF12key.

3.InthePleaseselectbootdevicewindow,selecttheUSBharddiskdriveastherstbootdeviceand
pressEnter.Therescuemediumstarts.

Whentherescuemediumstarts,theRescueandRecoveryworkspaceopens.Thehelpinformationfor
eachfeatureisavailablefromtheRescueandRecoveryworkspace.Followtheinstructionstocomplete
therecoveryprocess.

Reinstallingpreinstalledapplicationsanddevicedrivers

Yourcomputerhasprovisionsthatenableyoutoreinstallselectedfactory-installedapplicationsanddevice
drivers.

Reinstallingpreinstalledapplications

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreinstallpreinstalledapplications.

ToreinstalltheselectedapplicationspreinstalledonyourLenovocomputer,dothefollowing:

1.T urnonthecomputer.

2.UseWindowsExplorerorMyComputertodisplaythedirectorystructureofyourharddiskdrive.

3.GototheC:\SWTOOLSdirectory.

4.Opentheappsfolder.Withintheappsfolder,thereareseveralsubfoldersnamedforvariousapplications
installedinyourcomputer.

5.Opentheappropriateapplicationsubfolder.

Chapter6.Recoveryinformation73

6.Intheapplicationsubfolder,lookforaSETUP.EXEleorotherappropriateEXElesforsetup.
Double-clicktheleandfollowtheinstructionsonthescreentocompletetheinstallation.

Reinstallingpreinstalleddevicedrivers

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreinstallpreinstalleddevicedrivers.

Attention:Whenyoureinstalldevicedrivers,youarechangingthecurrentcongurationofyourcomputer.
Reinstalldevicedriversonlywhenitisnecessarytocorrectaproblemwithyourcomputer.

Toreinstallthedevicedriverforafactory-installeddevice,dothefollowing:

1.T urnonthecomputer.

2.UseWindowsExplorerorMyComputertodisplaythedirectorystructureofyourharddiskdrive.

3.GototheC:\SWTOOLSdirectory.

4.OpentheDRIVERSfolder.WithintheDRIVERSfolder,thereareseveralsubfoldersnamedforvarious
devicesinstalledinyourcomputer,suchasAUDIOorVIDEO.

5.Opentheappropriatedevicesubfolder.

6.Dooneofthefollowing:

•Inthedevicesubfolder,lookforaSETUP .exele.Double-clicktheleandfollowtheinstructionson

thescreentocompletetheinstallation.

•Inthedevicesubfolder,lookforaREADME.txtleoralewiththe.txtextension.Thislemightbe

namedaftertheoperatingsystem,suchasWIN98.txt.TheTXTlecontainsinformationabouthowto
installthedevicedriver.Followtheinstructionstocompletetheinstallation.

•Ifthedevicesubfoldercontainsalewiththe.infextensionandyouwanttoinstallthedevice

driverusingtheINFle,refertoyourWindowsHelpandSupportinformationsystemfordetailed
informationabouthowtoinstallthedevicedriver.

Note:Ifyouneedupdateddevicedrivers,see“Gettingthelatestdevicedriversforyourcomputer”on
page85formoreinformation.

Reinstallingsoftwareprograms

Ifasoftwareprogramyouinstalledonyourcomputerisnotworkingcorrectly,youmightneedtoremove
andreinstallit.Reinstallingoverwritestheexistingprogramslesandusuallyxesanyproblemsthat
youmighthavehadwiththatprogram.

Toremoveaprograminyoursystem,seeMicrosoftWindowshelpsystemfordetailedinformation.

Toreinstalltheprogram,dooneofthefollowing:

Note:Themethodofreinstallingaprogramvariesfromprogramtoprogram.Refertothedocumentation
providedwiththeprogramtoseeifyourprogramhasspecialinstallationinstructions.

•Toreinstallmostcommerciallyavailableprogramsinyoursystem,seeMicrosoftWindowshelpsystem
formoreinformation.

•ToreinstallselectedapplicationprogramsthatcamepreinstalledfromLenovo,dothefollowing:

1.T urnonthecomputer.

2.UseWindowsExplorerorMyComputertodisplaythedirectorystructureofyourharddiskdrive.

3.GototheC:\SWTOOLSdirectory.

4.OpentheAPPSfolder.WithintheAPPSfolder,thereareseveralsubfoldersnamedforvarious
applicationsinstalledinyourcomputer.

74ThinkCentreUserGuide

5.Opentheappropriateapplicationsubfolder.

6.Intheapplicationsubfolder,lookforaSETUP .EXEleorotherappropriateEXElesforsetup.
Double-clicktheleandfollowtheinstructionsonthescreentocompletetheinstallation.

Reinstallingdevicedrivers

Toreinstalladevicedriverforanoptionyouinstalled,refertothedocumentationthatcomeswiththeoption.

Whenyoureinstalldevicedrivers,youarechangingthecurrentcongurationofyourcomputer.Reinstall
devicedriversonlywhenitisnecessarytocorrectaproblemwithyourcomputer.

Formoreinformationaboutreinstallingdevicedriversthatcamewithyourcomputer,see“Reinstalling
preinstalledapplicationsanddevicedrivers”onpage73.

Solvingrecoveryproblems

IfyouareunabletoaccesstheRescueandRecoveryworkspaceortheWindowsenvironment,doone
ofthefollowing:

•UsearescuemediumtostarttheRescueandRecoveryworkspace.See“Creatingandusingarescue
medium”onpage72

•Userecoverymediaifallothermethodsofrecoveryhavefailedandyouneedtorestoretheharddisk
drivetothefactorydefaultsettings.See“Creatingandusingrecoverymedia”onpage69.

.

Note:IfyouareunabletoaccesstheRescueandRecoveryworkspaceortheWindowsenvironmentfrom
arescuemediumorrecoverymedia,youmightnothavetherescuedevice(aninternalharddiskdrive,a
disc,aUSBharddiskdrive,orotherexternaldevices)setastherstbootdeviceinthestartupdevice
sequence.Y oumustrstmakesurethatyourrescuedeviceissetastherstbootdeviceinthestartup
devicesequenceintheSetupUtilityprogram.See“Selectingastartupdevice”onpage80
informationabouttemporarilyorpermanentlychangingthestartupdevicesequence.Formoreinformation
abouttheSetupUtilityprogram,seeChapter7“UsingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage77.

Itisimportanttocreatearescuemediumandasetofrecoverymediaasearlyaspossibleandstorethem
inasafeplaceforfutureuse.

fordetailed

Chapter6.Recoveryinformation75

76ThinkCentreUserGuide

Chapter7.UsingtheSetupUtilityprogram

TheSetupUtilityprogramisusedtoviewandchangethecongurationsettingsofyourcomputer,regardless
ofwhichoperatingsystemyouareusing.However,theoperatingsystemsettingsmightoverrideanysimilar
settingsintheSetupUtilityprogram.

StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram

TostarttheSetupUtilityprogram,dothefollowing:

1.Makesureyourcomputeristurnedoff.

2.RepeatedlypressandreleasetheF1keywhenturningonthecomputer.Whenyouhearmultiple
beepsorseealogoscreen,releasetheF1key.

Note:IfaPower-OnPasswordoranAdministratorPasswordhasbeenset,theSetupUtilityprogram
menuwillnotbedisplayeduntilyoutypethecorrectpassword.Formoreinformation,see“Using
passwords”onpage77

WhenthePOSTdetectsthattheharddiskdrivehasbeenremovedfromyourcomputerorthememory
modulesizehasdecreased,anerrormessagewillbedisplayedwhenyoustartthecomputerandyouwillbe
promptedtodooneofthefollowing:

•PressF1toentertheSetupUtilityprogram.

Note:AfteryouentertheSetupUtilityprogram,selectSaveChangesandExitatthebottomofthe
screen.Theerrormessagewillnotbedisplayedagain.

•PressF2tobypasstheerrormessageandlogintotheoperatingsystem.

.

Viewingandchangingsettings

TheSetupUtilityprogrammenulistsvariousitemsaboutthesystemconguration.Tovieworchange
settings,starttheSetupUtilityprogram.See“StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage77.Then,follow
theinstructionsonthescreen.

YoucanuseeitherthekeyboardorthemousetonavigatethroughBIOSmenuchoices.Thekeysusedto
performvarioustasksaredisplayedatthebottomofeachscreen.

Usingpasswords

ByusingtheSetupUtilityprogram,youcansetpasswordstopreventunauthorizedaccesstoyourcomputer
anddata.Thefollowingtypesofpasswordsareavailable:

•Power-OnPassword

•AdministratorPassword

•HardDiskPassword

Youdonothavetosetanypasswordstouseyourcomputer.However,usingpasswordsimproves
computingsecurity.Ifyoudecidetosetanypasswords,readthefollowingsections.

©CopyrightLenovo2011,2012

77

Passwordconsiderations

Apasswordcanbeanycombinationofupto64alphabeticandnumericcharacters.Forsecurityreasons,it
isrecommendedtouseastrongpasswordthatcannotbeeasilycompromised.T osetastrongpassword,
usethefollowingguidelines:

•Haveatleasteightcharactersinlength

•Containatleastonealphabeticcharacterandonenumericcharacter

•SetupUtilityprogramandharddiskdrivepasswordsarenotcasesensitive

•Notbeyournameoryourusername

•Notbeacommonwordoracommonname

•Besignicantlydifferentfromyourpreviouspasswords

Power-OnPassword

WhenaPower-OnPasswordisset,youarepromptedtotypeavalidpasswordeachtimethecomputeris
turnedon.Thecomputercannotbeuseduntilthevalidpasswordistypedin.

AdministratorPassword

SettinganAdministratorPassworddetersunauthorizedusersfromchangingcongurationsettings.Ifyou
areresponsibleformaintainingthecongurationsettingsofseveralcomputers,youmightwanttosetan
AdministratorPassword.

WhenanAdministratorPasswordisset,youarepromptedtotypeavalidpasswordeachtimeyoutryto
accesstheSetupUtilityprogram.TheSetupUtilityprogramcannotbeaccesseduntilavalidpassword
istypedin.

IfboththePower-OnPasswordandAdministratorPasswordareset,youcantypeeitherpassword.However,
youmustuseyourAdministratorPasswordtochangeanycongurationsettings.

HardDiskPassword

SettingaHardDiskPasswordpreventsunauthorizedaccesstothedataontheharddiskdrive.Whena
HardDiskPasswordisset,youarepromptedtotypeavalidpasswordeachtimeyoutrytoaccessthe
harddiskdrive.

Notes:

•AfteryousetaHardDiskPassword,yourdataontheharddiskdriveisprotectedeveniftheharddisk
driveisremovedfromonecomputerandinstalledinanother.

•IftheHardDiskPasswordisforgotten,thereisnowaytoresetthepasswordorrecoverdatafromthe
harddiskdrive.

Setting,changing,anddeletingapassword

Toset,change,ordeleteapassword,dothefollowing:

1.StarttheSetupUtilityprogram.See“StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage77.

2.FromtheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu,selectSecurity.

3.Dependingonthepasswordtype,selectSetPower-OnPassword,SetAdministratorPassword,or
HardDiskPassword.

4.Followtheinstructionsontherightsideofthescreentoset,change,ordeleteapassword.

78ThinkCentreUserGuide

Note:Apasswordcanbeanycombinationofupto64alphabeticandnumericcharacters.Formore

information,see“Passwordconsiderations”onpage78.

Erasinglostorforgottenpasswords(clearingCMOS)

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoeraselostorforgottenpasswords,suchasauserpassword.

Toerasealostorforgottenpassword,dothefollowing:

1.Removeallmediafromthedrivesandturnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.Then,disconnect
allpowercordsfromelectricaloutletsanddisconnectallcablesthatareconnectedtothecomputer.

2.Openthecomputercover.See“Openingthecomputercover”onpage30.

3.LocatetheClearCMOS/Recoveryjumperonthesystemboard.See“Locatingpartsonthesystem
board”onpage12.

4.Movethejumperfromthestandardposition(pin1andpin2)tothemaintenanceposition(pin2and
pin3).

5.Closethecomputercoverandconnectthepowercord.See“Completingthepartsreplacement”
onpage67.

6.T urnonthecomputerandleaveitonforapproximately10seconds.Then,turnoffthecomputerby
holdingthepowerswitchforapproximatelyveseconds.

7.Repeatstep1throughstep2.

8.MovetheClearCMOS/Recoveryjumperbacktothestandardposition(pin1andpin2).

9.Closethecomputercoverandconnectthepowercord.See“Completingthepartsreplacement”
onpage67.

Enablingordisablingadevice

Thissectionprovidesinformationonhowtoenableordisableuseraccesstothefollowingdevices:

USBSetupUsethisoptiontoenableordisableaUSBconnector.WhenaUSBconnectoris

disabled,thedeviceconnectedtotheUSBconnectorcannotbeused.

SATAControllerWhenthisfeatureissettoDisable,alldevicesconnectedtotheSATAconnectors

(suchasharddiskdrivesortheopticaldrive)aredisabledandcannotbeaccessed.

ExternalSATAPortWhenthisoptionissettoDisable,thedeviceconnectedtotheExternalSATA

connectorcannotbeaccessed.

Toenableordisableadevice,dothefollowing:

1.StarttheSetupUtilityprogram.See“StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage77.

2.FromtheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu,selectDevices.

3.Dependingonthedeviceyouwanttoenableordisable,dooneofthefollowing:

•SelectUSBSetuptoenableordisableaUSBdevice.

•SelectATADriveSetuptoenableordisableaninternalorexternalSATAdevice.

4.SelectthedesiredsettingsandpressEnter.

5.PressF10tosaveandexittheSetupUtilityprogram.See“ExitingfromtheSetupUtilityprogram”
onpage81.

Chapter7.UsingtheSetupUtilityprogram79

Selectingastartupdevice

Ifyourcomputerdoesnotstartupfromadevicesuchasthediscorharddiskdriveasexpected,dooneof
thefollowingtoselectthestartupdeviceyouwant.

Selectingatemporarystartupdevice

Usethisproceduretoselectatemporarystartupdevice.

Note:Notalldiscsandharddiskdrivesarebootable.

1.T urnoffyourcomputer.

2.RepeatedlypressandreleasetheF12keywhenturningonthecomputer.WhenthePleaseselect
bootdevicewindowdisplays,releasetheF12key.

3.SelectthedesiredstartupdeviceandpressEnter.Thecomputerwillstartupfromthedeviceyou
selected.

Note:SelectingastartupdevicefromthePleaseselectbootdevicewindowdoesnotpermanentlychange
thestartupsequence.

Selectingorchangingthestartupdevicesequence

Tovieworpermanentlychangetheconguredstartupdevicesequence,dothefollowing:

1.StarttheSetupUtilityprogram.See“StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage77.

2.FromtheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu,selectStartup.

3.SelectthedevicesforthePrimaryStartupSequence,theAutomaticStartupSequence,andtheError
StartupSequence.Readtheinformationdisplayedontherightsideofthescreen.

4.PressF10tosaveandexittheSetupUtilityprogram.See“ExitingfromtheSetupUtilityprogram”
onpage81.

EnablingErPcompliancemode

Youcanenabletheenergy-relatedproductsdirective(ErP)compliancemodethroughthePowermenuinthe
SetupUtilityprogramtoreducetheconsumptionofelectricitywhenyourcomputerisinstandbyoroffmode.

ToenableErPcompliancemodeintheSetupUtilityprogram,dothefollowing:

1.Makesureyourcomputeristurnedoff.

2.RepeatedlypressandreleasetheF1keywhenturningonthecomputer.Whenyouhearmultiplebeeps
orseealogoscreen,releasetheF1key.TheSetupUtilityprogramstarts.

Note:IfaPower-OnPasswordoranAdministratorPasswordhasbeenset,theSetupUtilityprogram
mainmenuwillnotbedisplayeduntilyoutypethecorrectpassword.

3.FromtheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu,selectPower➙EnhancedPowerSavingMode,and
pressEnter.

4.SelectEnabledandpressEnter.

5.FromthePowermenu,selectAutomaticPowerOnandpressEnter.

6.SelectWakeonLanandpressEnter.

7.SelectDisabledandpressEnter.

8.PressF10tosavechangesandexittheSetupUtilityprogram.PressEnterwhenpromptedtoconrm
theexit.

Note:WhenErPcompliancemodeisenabled,youcanwakeupyourcomputerbydoingoneofthefollowing:

80ThinkCentreUserGuide

•Pressingthepowerswitch

•Enablingthewakeuponalarmfeature
Thewakeuponalarmfeatureenablesyourcomputertowakeupatasettime.Toenablethewake

uponalarmfeature,dothefollowing:

1.StarttheSetupUtilityprogram.

2.FromtheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu,selectPower➙AutomaticPowerOn,andpressEnter.

3.SelectWakeUponAlarmandpressEnter.Thenfollowtheinstructionsonthescreen.

4.PressF10tosavechangesandexittheSetupUtilityprogram.PressEnterwhenpromptedto
conrmtheexit.

•Enablingtheafterpowerlossfeature
Theafterpowerlossfeatureenablesyourcomputertowakeupwhenthepowersupplyresumesaftera

suddenlossofelectricity.Toenabletheafterpowerlossfeature,dothefollowing:

1.StarttheSetupUtilityprogram.

2.FromtheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu,selectPower➙AfterPowerLoss,andpressEnter.

3.SelectPowerOnandpressEnter.

4.PressF10tosavechangesandexittheSetupUtilityprogram.PressEnterwhenpromptedto
conrmtheexit.

Smartperformancechoices

YoucanadjusttheacousticandthermalperformanceofyourcomputerthroughtheSmartPerformance
Choicemenu.T wochoicesareavailable:

•BetterAcousticPerformance(defaultchoice)

•BetterThermalPerformance

ByenablingBetterAcousticPerformance,yourcomputerwillrunwithlessnoiseatanormalthermal
level.ByenablingBetterThermalPerformance,yourcomputerwillrunatabetterthermallevelwith
normalacousticperformance.

Toswitchbetweenbetteracousticperformanceandbetterthermalperformance,dothefollowing:

1.StarttheSetupUtilityprogram.See“StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage77.

2.FromtheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu,selectPower.

3.SelectSmartPerformanceChoice.TheSmartPerformanceChoicewindowisdisplayed.

4.SelectBetterAcousticPerformanceorBetterThermalPerformanceasdesired.

5.PressF10tosaveyoursettingandexittheSetupUtilityprogram.See“ExitingfromtheSetupUtility
program”onpage81.

ExitingfromtheSetupUtilityprogram

Afteryounishviewingorchangingsettings,pressEsctoreturntotheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu.
YoumighthavetopressEscseveraltimes.Dooneofthefollowing:

•Ifyouwanttosavethenewsettings,pressF10tosaveandexittheSetupUtilityprogram.

•Ifyoudonotwanttosavethesettings,selectExit➙DiscardChangesandExit.

•Ifyouwanttoreturntothedefaultsettings,pressF9toloadthedefaultsettings.

Chapter7.UsingtheSetupUtilityprogram81

82ThinkCentreUserGuide

Chapter8.Updatingsystemprograms

ThischapterprovidesinformationaboutupdatingthePOSTandBIOS,andhowtorecoverfromaPOST
andBIOSupdatefailure.

Usingsystemprograms

Systemprogramsarethebasiclayerofsoftwarebuiltintoyourcomputer.Systemprogramsincludethe
POST,theBIOS,andtheSetupUtilityprogram.ThePOSTisasetoftestsandproceduresthatare
performedeachtimeyouturnonyourcomputer.TheBIOSisalayerofsoftwarethattranslatesinstructions
fromotherlayersofsoftwareintoelectricalsignalsthatthecomputerhardwarecanexecute.Youcanuse
theSetupUtilityprogramtovieworchangethecongurationsettingsofyourcomputer.SeeChapter7
“UsingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage77

Yourcomputersystemboardhasamodulecalledelectricallyerasableprogrammableread-onlymemory
(EEPROM,alsoreferredtoasashmemory).Y oucaneasilyupdatethePOST,theBIOS,andtheSetup
Utilityprogrambystartingyourcomputerwithasystem-program-updatediscorrunningaspecialupdate
programfromyouroperatingsystem.

LenovomightmakechangesandenhancementstothePOSTandBIOS.Whenupdatesarereleased,they
areavailableasdownloadablelesontheLenovoWebsiteathttp://www.lenovo.com.Instructionsforusing
thePOSTandBIOSupdatesareavailableinaTXTlethatisincludedwiththeupdateles.Formost
models,youcandownloadeitheranupdateprogramtocreateasystem-program-updatediscoranupdate
programthatcanberunfromtheoperatingsystem.

fordetailedinformation.

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.T urnoffyourcomputer.

2.RepeatedlypressandreleasetheF12keywhenturningonthecomputer.WhentheStartupDevice
Menuopens,releasetheF12key.

3.OntheStartupDeviceMenu,selectthedesiredopticaldriveasthestartupdevice.Then,insertthe
discintothisopticaldriveandpressEnter.Theupdatebegins.

4.Whenpromptedtochangetheserialnumber,itissuggestedthatyoudonotmakethischangeby
pressingN.However,ifyoudowanttochangetheserialnumber,pressY,thentypeintheserialnumber
andpressEnter.

5.Whenpromptedtochangethemachinetypeandmodel,itissuggestedthatyoudonotmakethis
changebypressingN.However,ifyoudowanttochangethemachinetypeandmodel,pressY,then
typeinthemachinetypeandmodelandpressEnter.

6.Followtheinstructionsonthescreentocompletetheupdate.Aftertheupdateiscompleted,removethe
discfromtheopticaldrive.

©CopyrightLenovo2011,2012

83

Updating(ashing)theBIOSfromyouroperatingsystem

Note:BecauseLenovomakesconstantimprovementstoitsWebsites,theWebpagecontentsaresubject

tochangewithoutnotice,includingthecontentsreferencedinthefollowingprocedure.

Toupdate(ash)theBIOSfromyouroperatingsystem,dothefollowing:

1.Gotohttp://www.lenovo.com/support.

2.Dothefollowingtolocatethedownloadablelesforyourmachinetype:
a.IntheEnteraproductnumbereld,typeyourmachinetypeandclickGo.
b.ClickDownloadsanddrivers.
c.SelectBIOSfromtheReneresultsdrop-downlistboxtoeasilylocatealltheBIOSrelatedlinks.
d.ClicktheBIOSupdatelink.

3.ClicktheTXTlethatcontainstheinstructionsforupdating(ashing)theBIOSfromyouroperating
system.

4.Printtheseinstructions.Thisisveryimportantbecausetheseinstructionswillnotbedisplayedon
thescreenafterthedownloadbegins.

5.Followtheprintedinstructionstodownload,extract,andinstalltheupdate.

RecoveringfromaPOST/BIOSupdatefailure

IfthepowertoyourcomputerisinterruptedwhilethePOSTandBIOSisbeingupdated,yourcomputer
mightnotrestartcorrectly.Ifthishappens,performthefollowingproceduretorecoverfromthePOSTand
BIOSupdatefailure.ThisprocedureiscommonlycalledBoot-blockRecovery.

1.Removeallmediafromthedrivesandturnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.Then,disconnect
allpowercordsfromelectricaloutletsanddisconnectallcablesthatareconnectedtothecomputer.

2.Openthecomputercover.See“Openingthecomputercover”onpage30.

3.LocatetheClearCMOS/Recoveryjumperonthesystemboard.See“Locatingpartsonthesystem
board”onpage12.

4.RemoveanycablesthatimpedeaccesstotheClearCMOS/Recoveryjumper.

5.Movethejumperfromthestandardposition(pin1andpin2)tothemaintenanceposition(pin2and
pin3).

6.ReconnectanycablesthatweredisconnectedandreinstallthePCIcardifremoved.

7.Closethecomputercoverandreconnectthepowercordsforthecomputerandmonitortoelectrical
outlets.See“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage67.

8.T urnonthecomputerandtheninsertthePOSTandBIOSupdate(ashupdate)discintotheoptical
drive.Waitafewminutes.Then,therecoverysessionbegins.Therecoverysessionwilltaketwoto
threeminutes.Duringthistime,awarningmessagewillbedisplayedandnoactionisneededfromyou.

9.Aftertherecoverysessioniscompleted,therewillbenovideo,andyourcomputerwillautomatically
turnoff.

10.Repeatstep1throughstep4.

11.MovetheClearCMOS/Recoveryjumperbacktothestandardposition(pin1andpin2).

12.ReconnectanycablesthatweredisconnectedandreinstallthePCIcardifremoved.

13.Closethecomputercoverandreconnectanycablesthatweredisconnected.

14.T urnonthecomputertorestarttheoperatingsystem.

84ThinkCentreUserGuide

Chapter9.Preventingproblems

Thischapterprovidesinformationthatcanhelpyouavoidcommonproblemsandkeepyourcomputer
runningsmoothly.

Keepingyourcomputercurrent

Insomesituationsyoumaynditnecessarytohavethemostcurrentsoftwareprograms,devicedrivers,or
operatingsystem.Thissectionexplainshowtogetthelatestupdatesforyourcomputer.

Selectanyofthefollowingtopics:

•“Gettingthelatestdevicedriversforyourcomputer”onpage85

•“Updatingyouroperatingsystem”onpage85

•“UsingSystemUpdate”onpage86

Gettingthelatestdevicedriversforyourcomputer

Note:BecauseLenovomakesconstantimprovementstoitsWebsites,theWebpagecontentsaresubject

tochangewithoutnotice,includingthecontentsreferencedinthefollowingprocedure.

YoucandownloadandinstallupdateddevicedriversfromtheLenovoWebsitebydoingthefollowing:

Attention:DonotdownloadupdateddevicedriversfromtheWindowsUpdateWebsite.Thedevice
driversprovidedontheWindowsWebsitehavenotbeentestedbyLenovoandusingthemmightcause
unexpectedproblems.ObtainupdateddevicedriversfromLenovo.

1.Gotohttp://www.lenovo.com/support.

2.ClickDownloadsanddrivers.

3.Selectthemachinetypeofyourcomputerfromthemachinetypelist.

4.Clickthecategoryofdeviceforwhichyouneedthedevicedriver.

5.Clicktheappropriatedevicedriver.

6.Downloadandinstallthedevicedriver.

Updatingyouroperatingsystem

MicrosoftmakesupdatesavailableforthevariousWindowsoperatingsystemsthroughtheMicrosoft
WindowsUpdateWebsite.TheWebsiteautomaticallydetermineswhatWindowsupdatesareavailablefor
yourspeciccomputerandliststhoseupdatesonly.Updatescouldincludesecurityxes,newversionsof
Windowscomponents(suchasMediaPlayer),xestootherportionsoftheWindowsoperatingsystem,
orenhancements.

Attention:DonotdownloadupdateddevicedriversfromtheWindowsWebsite.Thedevicedrivers
providedontheWindowsWebsitehavenotbeentestedbyLenovoandusingthemmightcauseunexpected
problems.ObtainupdateddevicedriversfromLenovo.See“Gettingthelatestdevicedriversforyour
computer”onpage85

ToaccesstheMicrosoftWindowsUpdatesite,dothefollowing:

1.Gotohttp://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/.

2.Followtheinstructionsonthescreen.

©CopyrightLenovo2011,2012

formoreinformation.

85

UsingSystemUpdate

TheSystemUpdateprogramhelpsyoukeepthesoftwareonyourcomputerup-to-date.Updatepackages
arestoredonLenovoserversandcanbedownloadedfromtheLenovoSupportWebsite.Updatepackages
cancontainapplications,devicedrivers,BIOSashes,orsoftwareupdates.WhentheSystemUpdate
programconnectstotheLenovoSupportWebsite,theSystemUpdateprogramautomaticallyrecognizes
themachinetypeandmodelofyourcomputer,theinstalledoperatingsystem,andthelanguageofthe
operatingsystemtodeterminewhatupdatesareavailableforyourcomputer.TheSystemUpdateprogram
thendisplaysalistofupdatepackagesandcategorizeseachupdateascritical,recommended,and
optionaltohelpyouunderstandtheimportance.Y ouhavecompletecontrolofwhichupdatestodownload
andinstall.Afteryouselecttheupdatepackagesyouwant,theSystemUpdateprogramautomatically
downloadsandinstallstheupdateswithoutanyfurtherinterventionfromyou.

TheSystemUpdateprogramispreinstalledonmostLenovocomputersandisreadytorun.Theonly
prerequisiteisanactiveInternetconnection.Youcanstarttheprogrammanually,oryoucanusethe
schedulefeaturetoenabletheprogramtosearchforupdatesautomaticallyatspeciedintervals.Y oualso
canpredenescheduledupdatestosearchbyseverity(criticalupdates,criticalandrecommendedupdates,
orallupdates)sothelistyouchoosefromcontainsonlythoseupdatetypesthatareofinteresttoyou.

IftheSystemUpdateprogramcamewithyourcomputer,youcanopenitbycompletingthefollowing
procedure:

OntheWindowsVistaoperatingsystem,dothefollowing:

1.ClickStart➙AllPrograms➙ThinkVantage.

2.ClickSystemUpdate.

OntheWindows7operatingsystem,dothefollowing:

1.ClickStart➙LenovoThinkVantageT ools.

2.Double-clickUpdateandDrivers.

IftheSystemUpdateprogramisnotcurrentlyinstalledonyourcomputer,youcandownloaditfromthe
LenovoSupportWebsiteathttp://www.lenovo.com/support.

Cleaningandmaintenance

Withappropriatecareandmaintenanceyourcomputerwillserveyoureliably.Thefollowingtopicsoffer
informationtohelpyoukeepyourcomputerintopworkingorder.

•“Basics”onpage86

•“Cleaningyourcomputer”onpage87

–“Computer”onpage87
–“Keyboard”onpage87
–“Opticalmouse”onpage87
–“Displayscreen”onpage88

•“Goodmaintenancepractices”onpage88

Basics

Herearesomebasicpointsaboutkeepingyourcomputerfunctioningproperly:

•Keepyourcomputerinaclean,dryenvironment.Makesureitrestsonaat,steadysurface.

86ThinkCentreUserGuide

•Donotplaceitemsontopofthemonitororcoveranyoftheventsinthemonitororcomputer.These
ventsprovideairowtokeepyourcomputerfromoverheating.

•Keepfoodanddrinksawayfromallpartsofyourcomputer.Foodparticlesandspillsmightmakethe
keyboardandmousestickandunusable.

•Donotgetthepowerswitchesorothercontrolswet.Moisturecandamagethesepartsandcausean
electricalhazard.

•Alwaysdisconnectapowercordbygraspingtheplug,butnotthecord.

Cleaningyourcomputer

Itisagoodpracticetocleanyourcomputerperiodicallytoprotectthesurfacesandensuretrouble-free
operation.

CAUTION:
Besuretoturnoffthecomputerandmonitorpowerswitchesbeforecleaningthecomputerand
monitorscreen.

Computer

Useonlymildcleaningsolutionsandadampclothtocleanthepaintedsurfacesofthecomputer.

Keyboard

Tocleanyourcomputerkeyboard,dothefollowing:

1.Applysomeisopropylrubbingalcoholtoasoft,dust-freecloth.

2.Wipeeachkeytopsurfacewiththecloth.Wipethekeysonebyone;ifyouwipeseveralkeysatatime,
theclothmayhookontoanadjacentkeyandpossiblydamageit.Makesurethatnoliquiddripsonto
orbetweenthekeys.

3.T oremoveanycrumbsordustfrombeneaththekeys,youcanuseacamerablowerwithabrush
orcoolairfromahairdryer.

Note:Avoidsprayingcleanerdirectlyontothedisplayorthekeyboard.

Opticalmouse

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtocleananopticalmouse.

Anopticalmouseusesalight-emittingdiode(LED)andanopticalsensortonavigatethepointer.Ifthe
pointeronthescreendoesnotmovesmoothlywiththeopticalmouse,youmightneedtocleanthemouse.

Tocleananopticalmouse,dothefollowing:

1.T urnoffyourcomputer.

2.Disconnectthemousecablefromthecomputer.

3.T urnthemouseupsidedowntocheckthelens.
a.Ifthereisasmudgeonthelens,gentlycleantheareawithaplaincotton-tippedswab.
b.Ifthereisdebrisinthelens,gentlyblowthedebrisawayfromthearea.

4.Checkthesurfaceonwhichyouareusingthemouse.Ifyouhaveaveryintricatepictureorpattern
beneaththemouse,itmaybedifcultforthedigitalsignalprocessor(DSP)todeterminechanges
inthemouseposition.

5.Reconnectthemousecabletothecomputer.

6.T urnyourcomputerbackon.

Chapter9.Preventingproblems87

Displayscreen

Dustbuildupcompoundsproblemsassociatedwithglare.Remembertocleanyourmonitorscreen
periodically.See“Cleaningaat-panelmonitorsurface”onpage88or“Cleaningaglass-screensurface”
onpage88

Cleaningaat-panelmonitorsurface

Ifyouhaveaat-panelcomputerdisplaythathasaexiblelmsurface,dothefollowingtocleanthespecial
surface.Wipeitgentlywithasoft,drycloth,orblowonthescreentoremovegritandotherlooseparticles.
ThenmoistenaclothwithLCDcleanerandwipethescreensurface.

Manycomputersupplystorescarrythespecialcleaninguidsfordisplays.Usecleaninguidsdevelopedfor
LCDdisplaysonly.Firstapplytheuidtoalint-free,softcloth,thencleantheLCDdisplay.Somecomputer
supplystorescarrypre-moistenedtowelettesforLCDmaintenance.

Cleaningaglass-screensurface

Tocleanaglass-screensurface,wipeitgentlywithasoft,drycloth,orblowonthescreentoremovegritand
otherlooseparticles.Thenuseasoftclothmoistenedwithanonabrasiveliquidglasscleaner.

.

Goodmaintenancepractices

Byperformingafewgoodmaintenancepractices,youcanmaintaingoodcomputerperformance,protect
yourdata,andbepreparedincaseofacomputerfailure.

•Emptyyourrecyclebinonaregularbasis.

•RuntheWindowsDiskDefragmenterprogramoccasionallytopreventperformanceproblemscausedby
anexcessivenumberoffragmentedles.

•CleanoutyourInbox,SentItems,andDeletedItemsfoldersinyoure-mailapplicationonaregularbasis.

•Makebackupcopiesofcriticaldataonremovablemediamemoryatregularintervalsandstorethe
removablemediainasafelocation.Thefrequencyofmakingbackupcopiesdependsonhowcriticalthe
dataistoyouoryourbusiness.Lenovomakesanumberofremovable-mediastoragedevicesavailable
asoptions,suchasCD-RWdrivesandrecordableDVDdrives.

•Backupyourentireharddiskdriveonaregularbasis.

•IfyouareusingtheWindowsVistaoperatingsystem,useorscheduleSystemRestoretotakeasystem
snapshotperiodically.

Note:Alwaystakeasnapshotbeforeinstallingnewdevicedrivers,updatingsoftware,orinstalling
newsoftware.

•Keepyourcomputersoftwareup-to-date.See“Keepingyourcomputercurrent”onpage85
information.

•Keepalogbook.Entriesmightincludemajorsoftwareorhardwarechanges,device-driverupdates,
intermittentproblemsandwhatyoudidtoresolvethem,andanyminorissuesyoumighthave
experienced.AlogbookcanhelpyouoraLenovotechniciandetermineifaproblemisrelatedtochange
inhardware,changeinsoftware,orsomeotheractionthatmighthavetakenplace.

•CreateProductRecoverydiscs.See“Creatingandusingrecoverymedia”onpage69formoreinformation
aboutusingProductRecoverydiscstorestoretheharddiskdrivetothefactorydefaultsettings.

•Createrescuemedia.See“Creatingandusingarescuemedium”onpage72
usingaRescuemediumsuchasaCDorDVDtorecoverfromfailuresthatpreventyoufromgaining
accesstotheWindowsenvironmentortheRescueandRecoveryworkspaceonyourharddiskdrive.

formoreinformationabout

Movingyourcomputer

Takethefollowingprecautionsbeforemovingyourcomputer.

88ThinkCentreUserGuide

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