Lenovo ThinkCentre 3129, ThinkCentre 3133, ThinkCentre 3136, ThinkCentre 3141, ThinkCentre 3146 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:3129,3133,3136,3141,3146,3150,3156,3166,
3169,3175,3177,5036,and7338

Note:Beforeusingthisinformationandtheproductitsupports,besuretoreadandunderstandthe
“Importantsafetyinformation”onpagevandAppendixA“Notices”onpage109.

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..............4

SoftwareprovidedbyLenovo........5

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

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

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

Locatingconnectors,controls,andindicators

onthefrontofyourcomputer........8

Locatingconnectorsontherearofyour

computer................9

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

Locatingpartsonthesystemboard....11

Locatinginternaldrives.........14

Machinetypeandmodellabel.......15

Chapter2.Usingyourcomputer...17

Frequentlyaskedquestions.........17

Usingthekeyboard.............17

UsingWindowsshortcutkeys.......17

Usingangerprintreader........18

Usingthewheelmouse...........18

Adjustingaudio..............18

Aboutyourcomputeraudio........18

Settingthevolumefromthedesktop....19

SettingthevolumefromControlPanel...19

UsingCDsandDVDs............19

HandlingandstoringCDandDVDmedia..20

PlayingaCDorDVD..........20

RecordingaCDorDVD.........20

Accessibilityandcomfort..........23

Arrangingyourworkspace........23

Comfort...............23

Glareandlighting............24

Aircirculation.............24

Electricaloutletsandcablelengths.....24

Registeringyourcomputer..........25

Movingyourcomputertoanothercountryor

region..................25

Voltage-selectionswitch.........25

Replacementpowercords........26

Chapter4.Security..........27

Securityfeatures..............27

Lockingthecomputercover.........28

Attachinganintegratedcablelock.......29

Usingpasswords..............29

BIOSpasswords............29

Windowspasswords..........30

Conguringthengerprintreader.......30

Usingandunderstandingrewalls.......30

Protectingdataagainstviruses........30

Chapter5.Installingorreplacing

hardware...............33

Handlingstatic-sensitivedevices.......33

Installingorreplacinghardware........33

Installingexternaloptions........33

Removingthecomputercover.......34

Removingandreinstallingthefrontbezel..35

InstallingorreplacingaPCIcard......36

Installingorreplacingamemorymodule...39

Installingorreplacingtheopticaldrive...41

Replacingthebattery..........43

Replacingtheheatsinkandfanassembly..44

Replacingthepowersupplyassembly...46

Replacingthemicroprocessor.......47

Installingthesolidstatedrive.......50

Replacingtheprimaryharddiskdrive....51

Replacingtherearfanassembly......53

ReplacingthefrontaudioandUSB

assembly...............55

Replacingthekeyboard.........56

Replacingthemouse..........57

Completingthepartsreplacement.....58

Chapter3.Y ouandyourcomputer..23

©CopyrightLenovo2011,2012

Chapter6.Recoveryinformation...61

i

Creatingandusingrecoverymedia......61

Creatingrecoverymedia.........61

Usingrecoverymedia..........62

Performingbackupandrecoveryoperations...62

Performingabackupoperation......62

Performingarecoveryoperation......63

UsingtheRescueandRecoveryworkspace...63

Creatingandusingarescuemedium......64

Creatingarescuemedium........64

Usingarescuemedium.........65

Reinstallingpreinstalledapplicationsanddevice

drivers..................65

Reinstallingsoftwareprograms........66

Reinstallingdevicedrivers..........67

Solvingrecoveryproblems..........67

Chapter7.UsingtheSetupUtility

program................69

StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram.......69

Viewingandchangingsettings........69

Usingpasswords..............69

Passwordconsiderations.........70

Power-OnPassword..........70

AdministratorPassword.........70

HardDiskPassword...........70

Setting,changing,anddeletingapassword.70

Erasinglostorforgottenpasswords(clearing

CMOS)................71

Enablingordisablingadevice........71

Selectingastartupdevice..........72

Selectingatemporarystartupdevice....72

Selectingorchangingthestartupdevice

sequence...............72

EnablingErPcompliancemode........72

ExitingfromtheSetupUtilityprogram.....73

Chapter8.Updatingsystem

programs...............75

Usingsystemprograms...........75

Updating(ashing)theBIOSfromadisc....75

Updating(ashing)theBIOSfromyouroperating

system..................76

RecoveringfromaPOST/BIOSupdatefailure..76

Chapter9.Preventingproblems...79

Keepingyourcomputercurrent........79

Gettingthelatestdevicedriversforyour

computer...............79

Updatingyouroperatingsystem......79

UsingSystemUpdate..........80

Cleaningandmaintenance..........80

Basics................80

Cleaningyourcomputer.........81

Goodmaintenancepractices.......82

Movingyourcomputer...........82

Chapter10.Troubleshootingand

diagnostics..............85

Basictroubleshooting............85

Troubleshootingprocedure..........86

Troubleshooting..............86

Audioproblems............87

CDproblems.............88

DVDproblems.............89

Intermittentproblems..........91

Keyboard,mouse,orpointingdevice

problems...............91

Monitorproblems............93

Networkingproblems..........94

Optionproblems............97

Performanceandlockupproblems.....98

Printerproblems............100

Serialportproblems...........101

Softwareproblems...........101

USBproblems.............102

Diagnosticprograms............102

LenovoSolutionCenter.........103

LenovoThinkVantageT oolbox.......103

PC-DoctorforDOS...........103

Chapter11.Gettinginformation,help,

andservice.............105

Informationresources............105

LenovoThinkVantageT ools........105

LenovoWelcome............105

HelpandSupport............105

SafetyandWarranty...........105

LenovoWebsite(http://www.lenovo.com)..105

LenovoSupportWebsite.........106

Helpandservice..............106

Usingthedocumentationanddiagnostic

programs...............106

Callingforservice............106

Usingotherservices..........107

Purchasingadditionalservices......107

AppendixA.Notices.........109

Trademarks................110

AppendixB.Regulatory

information.............111

Exportclassicationnotice..........111

Televisionoutputnotice...........111

iiThinkCentreUserGuide

Electronicemissionsnotices.........111

FederalCommunicationsCommission

DeclarationofConformity........111

Additionalregulatoryinformation.......113

AppendixC.WEEEandrecycling

statements.............115

ImportantWEEEInformation.........115

Recyclinginformation............115

RecyclinginformationforBrazil........116

BatteryrecyclinginformationforT aiwan.....116

BatteryrecyclinginformationfortheEuropean

Union..................117

AppendixD.RestrictionofHazardous

SubstancesDirective(RoHS)....119

ChinaRoHS................119

TurkishRoHS...............119

UkraineRoHS...............119

IndiaRoHS................120

Index.................121

©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”onpage33
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”onpage69

Microprocessor

Yourcomputercomeswithoneofthefollowingmicroprocessors(internalcachesizevariesbymodeltype):

•Intel

®

Core™i3microprocessor

•IntelCorei5microprocessor

•IntelCorei7microprocessor

•IntelCeleron

•IntelPentium

®

microprocessor

®

microprocessor

Memory

.

Yourcomputersupportsupto2doubledatarate3dualinlinememorymodules(DDR3DIMMs).

Internaldrives

•Opticaldrive:DVD-ROMorDVD-R(availableinsomemodels)

•SerialAdvancedT echnologyAttachment(SATA)harddiskdrive

•SATAsolidstatedrive

Videosubsystem

•IntegratedgraphicsforaVideoGraphicsArray(VGA)connectorandaDigitalVideoInterface(DVI)
connector

•PeripheralComponentInterconnect(PCI)Expressx16graphicscardslotonthesystemboardfora
discretegraphicscard

Audiosubsystem

•Integratedhigh-denition(HD)audio

•Audioline-inconnector,audioline-outconnector,andmicrophoneconnectorontherearpanel

•Microphoneconnectorandheadphoneconnectoronthefrontpanel

•Internalspeaker(availableinsomemodels)

Connectivity

•100/1000MbpsintegratedEthernetcontroller

•PCIEx1Faxmodem(somemodels)

Systemmanagementfeatures

©CopyrightLenovo2011,2012

1

•Abilitytostorepower-onself-test(POST)hardwaretestresults

•DesktopManagementInterface(DMI)
DesktopManagementInterfaceprovidesacommonpathforuserstoaccessinformationaboutall

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

•ErPcompliancemode
Theenergy-relatedproductsdirective(ErP)compliancemodereducestheconsumptionofelectricity

whenyourcomputerisinstandbyoroffmode.Formoreinformation,see“EnablingErPcompliance
mode”onpage72.

•PrebootExecutionEnvironment(PXE)
ThePrebootExecutionEnvironmentisanenvironmenttostartcomputersusinganetworkinterface

independentofdatastoragedevices(suchastheharddiskdrive)orinstalledoperatingsystems.

•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.

Input/Output(I/O)features

•9-pinserialport(onestandardandoneoptional)

•SixUniversalSerialBus(USB)connectors(twoonthefrontpanelandfourontherearpanel)

•OneEthernetconnector

•OneDVIconnector

•OneVGAmonitorconnector

•OnePersonalSystem/2(PS/2)keyboardconnector

•OnePS/2mouseconnector

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

•Twoaudioconnectorsonthefrontpanel(microphoneconnectorandheadphoneconnector)

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

and“Locatingconnectorsontherearofyourcomputer”onpage9.

Expansion

•Twoharddiskdrivebays(onestandardandoneoptional)

•Oneopticaldrivebay

•Oneslimcardreaderdrivebay

•TwoPCIExpressx1cardslots

2ThinkCentreUserGuide

•OnePCIExpressx16graphicscardslot

Powersupply

Yourcomputercomeswithoneofthefollowingpowersupplies:

•280-wattpowersupplywithmanualvoltage-selectionswitch

•280-wattautomaticvoltage-sensingpowersupply

•320-wattautomaticvoltage-sensingpowersupply

Securityfeatures

•ComputraceAgentsoftwareembeddedinrmware

•Coverpresenceswitch(alsocalledintrusionswitch)(availableinsomemodels)

•Abilitytoenableordisableadevice

•AbilitytoenableanddisableUSBconnectorsindividually

•Keyboardwithngerprintreader(shippedwithsomemodels)

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

•Startupsequencecontrol

•Startupwithoutkeyboardormouse

•Supportforanintegratedcablelock(Kensingtonlock)

•Supportforapadlock

Formoreinformation,seeChapter4“Security”onpage27

.

Preinstalledsoftwareprograms

Yourcomputerispreinstalledwithsoftwareprogramstohelpyouworkmoreeasilyandsecurely.Formore
information,see“Softwareoverview”onpage4

.

Preinstalledoperatingsystem

Yourcomputerispreinstalledwithoneofthefollowingoperatingsystems:

•Microsoft

®

Windows

•MicrosoftWindowsVista

Operatingsystem(s),certiedortestedforcompatibility

•Linux

®

®

7

®

1

(variesbymodeltype)

•MicrosoftWindowsXPProfessionalSP3

1.Theoperatingsystem(s)listedherearebeingcertiedortestedforcompatibilityatthetimethispublicationgoesto

press.AdditionaloperatingsystemsmightbeidentiedbyLenovoascompatiblewithyourcomputerfollowingthe
publicationofthismanual.Thislistissubjecttochange.Todetermineifanoperatingsystemhasbeencertiedor
testedforcompatibility,checktheWebsiteoftheoperatingsystemvendor.

Chapter1.Productoverview3

Specications

Thissectionliststhephysicalspecicationsforyourcomputer.

Dimensions

Width:160mm(6.3inches)
Height:388mm(15.28inches)
Depth:422mm(16.61inches)

Weight

Maximumcongurationasshipped:8.16kg(17.99lb)(withoutpackage)
Maximumcongurationasshipped:11.66kg(25.71lb)(withpackage)

Environment

•Airtemperature:

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

•Humidity:

Operating:20%to80%(non-condensing)
Non-operating:20%to90%(non-condensing)

•Altitude:

Operating:-50to10000ft(-15.2to3048m)
Non-operating:-50to35000ft(-15.2to10668m)

Electricalinput

•Inputvoltage:

–Lowrange:

Minimum:100Vac
Maximum:127Vac
Inputfrequencyrange:50to60Hz
Voltage-selectionswitchsetting:115Vac

–Highrange:

Minimum:200Vac
Maximum:240Vac
Inputfrequencyrange:50to60Hz
Voltage-selectionswitchsetting:230Vac

Softwareoverview

Thecomputercomeswithapreinstalledoperatingsystemandseveralsoftwareprogramsprovidedby
Lenovo.

4ThinkCentreUserGuide

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

CreateRecoveryMedia

FingerprintSoftware(availableonsomemodels)FingerprintReader(availableonsomemodels)

LenovoSolutionCenterorLenovoThinkVantageToolboxSystemHealthandDiagnostics

ThinkVantagePasswordManagerPasswordVault

SimpleTapSimpleTap

ThinkVantagePowerManager

ThinkVantageRescueandRecovery

ThinkVantageSystemUpdate

ViewManagerViewManager

®

Toolsprogramguidesyoutoahostofinformationsourcesandprovideseasy

ProgramnameIconnameinLenovoThinkVantageTools

FactoryRecoveryDisks

PowerControls

®

EnhancedBackupandRestore

UpdateandDrives

LenovoWelcome

TheLenovoWelcomeprogramintroducesyoutosomeinnovativebuilt-infeaturesofLenovoandguidesyou
throughafewimportantsetuptaskstohelpyoumakethemostofyourcomputer.

FingerprintSoftware

Theintegratedngerprintreaderprovidedonsomekeyboardsenablesyoutoenrollyourngerprintand
associateitwithyourpower-onpassword,harddiskpassword,andWindowspassword.Asaresult,
ngerprintauthenticationcanreplacepasswordsandenablesimpleandsecureuseraccess.Angerprint
readerkeyboardisavailablewithselectcomputersorcanbepurchasedforcomputersthatsupportthis
option.

LenovoSolutionCenter

Note:Dependingonthedatewhenyourcomputerwasmanufactured,yourcomputerispreinstalledwith

eithertheLenovoSolutionCenterprogramortheLenovoThinkVantageToolboxprogramfordiagnostic
purposes.ForadditionalinformationabouttheLenovoThinkVantageToolboxprogram,see“Lenovo
ThinkVantageToolbox”onpage103.

TheLenovoSolutionCenterprogramenablesyoutotroubleshootandresolvecomputerproblems.It
combinesdiagnostictests,systeminformationcollection,securitystatus,andsupportinformation,along

Chapter1.Productoverview5

withhintsandtipsformaximumsystemperformance.See“LenovoSolutionCenter”onpage103for
detailedinformation.

SimpleTap

TheSimpleTapprogramprovidesyouwithaquickwaytocustomizesomebasiccomputersettingssuchas
mutingthespeakers,adjustingthevolume,lockingthecomputeroperatingsystem,launchingaprogram,
openingaWebpage,openingale,andsoon.YoualsocanusetheSimpleTapprogramtoaccessthe
LenovoAppShop,fromwhichyoucandownloadvariousapplicationsandcomputersoftware.

TostarttheSimpleTapprogram,doanyofthefollowing:

•ClickStart➙AllPrograms➙SimpleTap.

•ClickStart➙AllPrograms➙LenovoThinkVantageTools,anddouble-clickSimpleTap.

•ClicktheredSimpleT aplaunchpointonthedesktop.Theredlaunchpointisavailableonthedesktop
afteryouhavelaunchedtheSimpleTapprogramforthersttime.

•PresstheblueThinkVantagebuttonifyourkeyboardhasone.

Note:TheSimpleTapprogramisonlyavailableoncertainmodelspreinstalledwiththeWindows7operating
system.IfyourWindows7modelisnotpreinstalledwiththeSimpleTapprogram,youcandownloadit
fromhttp://www.lenovo.com/simpletap.

LenovoThinkVantageT oolbox

Note:Dependingonthedatewhenyourcomputerwasmanufactured,yourcomputerispreinstalledwith

eithertheLenovoSolutionCenterprogramortheLenovoThinkVantageToolboxprogramfordiagnostic
purposes.ForadditionalinformationabouttheLenovoSolutionCenterprogram,see“LenovoSolution
Center”onpage103.

TheLenovoThinkVantageToolboxprogramhelpsyoumaintainyourcomputer,improvecomputingsecurity,
diagnosecomputerproblems,getfamiliarwiththeinnovativetechnologiesprovidedbyLenovo,andgetmore
informationaboutyourcomputer.See“LenovoThinkVantageToolbox”onpage103fordetailedinformation.

ProductRecovery

TheProductRecoveryprogramenablesyoutorestorethecontentsoftheharddiskdrivetothefactory
defaultsettings.

ThinkVantageClientSecuritySolution

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

Note:TheThinkVantageClientSecuritySolutionprogramisonlyavailableoncomputerswiththeWindows
VistaoperatingsystemfromLenovo.

ThinkVantagePasswordManager

TheThinkVantagePasswordManagerprogramautomaticallycapturesandllsinauthenticationinformation
forWindowsapplicationsandWebsites.

Notes:

•TheThinkVantagePasswordManagerprogramisonlyavailableoncomputerspreinstalledwiththe
Windows7operatingsystemfromLenovo.

•IfthePasswordVaulticonintheLenovoThinkVantageToolsprogramisdimmed,itindicatesthatyou
needtoinstalltheThinkVantagePasswordManagerprogrammanuallybeforeenablingitsfeatures.To
installtheThinkVantagePasswordManagerprogram,dothefollowing:

6ThinkCentreUserGuide

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

2.Followtheinstructionsonthescreen.

3.Whentheinstallationprocesscompletes,thePasswordVaulticonisactivated.

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).

ViewManager

TheViewManagerprogramenablesyoutoautomatewindowlocations.Itenhancesproductivityby
providingtheabilitytomovewindowstohotcornersandquicklysnapthemtoapredeterminedsize.
Itenablesyoutoworkacrossmultiplemonitors.

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

1Harddiskdriveactivityindicator

2Powerindicator6Headphoneconnector

3Powerswitch7Microphoneconnector

4Opticaldriveeject/closebutton8USBconnector(USBport2)

5USBconnector(USBport1)

8ThinkCentreUserGuide

Locatingconnectorsontherearofyourcomputer

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

Figure2.Rearconnectorlocations

1Voltage-selectionswitch(availableonsome

10PCIExpressx16graphicscardslot

models)

2Powercordconnector

3PS/2keyboardconnector12Integratedcablelock(Kingstonlock)slot

4DVImonitorconnector13Padlockloop

5VGAmonitorconnector14Optionalserialport(Serialport2)

6USBconnectors(USBports3to6)

7Microphoneconnector

8Audioline-outconnector

9Audioline-inconnector

11PCIExpressx1cardslots(2)

15Ethernetconnector

16Serialport(Serialport1)

17PS/2mouseconnector

ConnectorDescription

Audioline-inconnector

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

Audioline-outconnector

Usedtosendaudiosignalsfromthecomputertoexternaldevices,suchaspowered
stereospeakers(speakerswithbuilt-inampliers),headphones,multimedia
keyboards,ortheaudioline-inconnectoronastereosystemorotherexternal
recordingdevice.

Chapter1.Productoverview9

ConnectorDescription

DVImonitorconnectorUsedtoattachaDVImonitororotherdevicesthatuseaDVImonitorconnector.

Ethernetconnector

Microphoneconnector

PS/2keyboardconnectorUsedtoattachakeyboardthatusesaPS/2keyboardconnector.

PS/2mouseconnectorUsedtoattachamouse,atrackball,orotherpointingdevicesthatuseaPS/2

Serialport

USBconnectorUsedtoattachadevicethatrequiresaUSBconnector,suchasaUSBkeyboard,a

VGAmonitorconnectorUsedtoattachaVGAmonitororotherdevicesthatuseaVGAmonitorconnector.

UsedtoattachanEthernetcableforalocalareanetwork(LAN).
Note:T ooperatethecomputerwithinFCCClassBlimits,useaCategory5Ethernet
cable.

Usedtoattachamicrophonetoyourcomputerwhenyouwanttorecordsoundorif
youusespeech-recognitionsoftware.

mouseconnector.

Usedtoattachanexternalmodem,aserialprinter,orotherdevicesthatusea
9-pinserialport.

USBmouse,aUSBscanner,oraUSBprinter.IfyouhavemorethaneightUSB
devices,youcanpurchaseaUSBhub,whichyoucanusetoconnectadditional
USBdevices.

10ThinkCentreUserGuide

Locatingcomponents

Figure3“Componentlocations”onpage11showsthelocationsofthevariouscomponentsinyour
computer.Toremovethecomputercover,see“Removingthecomputercover”onpage34.

Figure3.Componentlocations

1Heatsinkandfanassembly

2Microprocessor

3Memorymodules

4Frontbezel

5Opticaldrive

6FrontaudioandUSBassembly

7Harddiskdrive(orsolidstatedrive)

8PCIcard(installedinsomemodels)

9Systemboard

10Rearfanassembly

11Powersupplyassembly

Locatingpartsonthesystemboard

Yourcomputercomeswitheitherofthefollowingtypesofsystemboard.

Chapter1.Productoverview11

Figure4“Systemboardpartlocations”onpage12showsthelocationsofthepartsononetypeofsystem
board.

Figure4.Systemboardpartlocations

14-pinpowerconnector

2Microprocessor

12SATAconnectors(3)

13FrontUSBconnector2(forconnectinganadditionalUSB

device)

3Microprocessorfanconnector

14ClearCMOS(ComplementaryMetalOxideSemiconductor)

/Recoveryjumper

4Memoryslot1(DIMM1)

5Memoryslot2(DIMM2)16Coverpresenceswitchconnector(Intrusionswitch

15Battery

connector)

6Thermalsensorconnector

724-pinpowerconnector18Frontaudioconnector

8Powerfanconnector

9Parallelconnector

10Frontpanelconnector(forconnectingLED

17Serial(COM2)connector

19Internalspeakerconnector

20PCIExpressx1cardslots(2)

21PCIExpressx16graphicscardslot

indicatorsandthepowerswitch)

11FrontUSBconnector1(forconnectingUSB

22Systemfanconnector

connectors1and2onthefrontbezel)

12ThinkCentreUserGuide

Figure5“Systemboardpartlocations”onpage13showsthelocationsofthepartsontheothertype
ofsystemboard.

Figure5.Systemboardpartlocations

14-pinpowerconnector

2Microprocessor

13SATAconnectors(4)

14FrontUSBconnector1(forconnectingUSBconnectors1

and2onthefrontbezel)

3Microprocessorfanconnector

15FrontUSBconnector2(forconnectinganadditionalUSB

device)

4Memoryslot1(DIMM1)16Serial(COM2)connector

5Memoryslot2(DIMM2)

6Thermalsensorconnector18Frontaudioconnector

724-pinpowerconnector

8Battery

9Parallelconnector

10Powerfanconnector

17Internalspeakerconnector

19PCIcardslots(2)

20PCIExpressx1cardslot

21PCIExpressx16graphicscardslot

22Coverpresenceswitchconnector(Intrusionswitch

connector)

11ClearCMOS(ComplementaryMetalOxide

23Systemfanconnector

Semiconductor)/Recoveryjumper

12Frontpanelconnector(forconnectingLED

indicatorsandthepowerswitch)

Chapter1.Productoverview13

Locatinginternaldrives

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

Wheninstallingorreplacinganinternaldrive,itisimportanttonotethetypeandsizeofthedrivethatyou
caninstallorreplaceineachbayandcorrectlyconnectthecablestothedriveinstalled.Refertothe
appropriatesectionin“Installingorreplacinghardware”onpage33forinstructionsonhowtoinstallor
replaceinternaldrivesforyourcomputer.

Figure6“Drivebaylocations”onpage14

Figure6.Drivebaylocations

showsthelocationsofthedrivebays.

1Bay1-Opticaldrivebay(withanopticaldriveinstalledinsomemodels)

2Bay2-Slimcardreaderdrivebay

3Bay3-PrimarySATAharddiskdrivebay(forinstallinga3.5-inchharddiskdriveora2.5-inchsolidstatedrive)

4Bay4-SecondarySATAharddiskdrivebay(forinstallinga3.5-inchharddiskdriveora2.5-inchsolidstatedrive)

14ThinkCentreUserGuide

Machinetypeandmodellabel

Themachinetypeandmodellabelidentiesyourcomputer.WhenyoucontactLenovoforhelp,themachine
typeandmodelinformationhelpssupporttechnicianstoidentifyyourcomputerandprovidefasterservice.

Thefollowingisasampleofthemachinetypeandmodellabel.

Figure7.Machinetypeandmodellabel

Chapter1.Productoverview15

16ThinkCentreUserGuide

Chapter2.Usingyourcomputer

Thischapterprovidesinformationonusingsomeofthecomputercomponents.

Frequentlyaskedquestions

Thefollowingareafewtipsthatwillhelpyouoptimizetheuseofyourcomputer.

CanIgetmyuserguideinanotherlanguage?

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

Wherearemyrecoverydiscs?

Lenovoprovidesaprogramthatenablesyoutocreaterecoverydiscs.Fordetailsaboutcreatingrecovery
discs,see“Creatingrecoverymedia”onpage61.

Additionally,incaseofaharddiskfailure,youcanorderProductRecoverydiscsfromtheLenovoCustomer
SupportCenter.ForinformationaboutcontactingtheCustomerSupportCenter,seeChapter11“Getting
information,help,andservice”onpage105.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”onpage17

•“Usingangerprintreader”onpage18

UsingWindowsshortcutkeys

Boththestandardkeyboardandthengerprintreaderkeyboardprovidethreekeysyoucanusewithyour
MicrosoftWindowsoperatingsystem.

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

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

©CopyrightLenovo2011,2012

17

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.

18ThinkCentreUserGuide

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

Optionally,youcanconnectasetofpoweredstereospeakerstotheaudioline-outconnectortoenjoy
bettersoundwithmultimediaapplications.

Settingthevolumefromthedesktop

Thedesktopvolumecontrolisaccessiblethroughthevolumeiconinthetaskbar,whichislocatedatthe
bottom-rightcorneroftheWindowsdesktop.Clickthevolumeiconandmovethesliderupordownto
controlthevolume,orclicktheMuteicontoturntheaudiooff.Ifthevolumeiconisnotinthetaskbar,see
“Addingthevolumeicontothetaskbar”onpage19.

Addingthevolumeicontothetaskbar

ToaddthevolumeicontothetaskbarontheWindows7operatingsystem,dothefollowing:

1.FromtheWindowsdesktop,clickStart➙ControlPanel➙AppearanceandPersonalization.

2.IntheTaskbarandStartMenutopic,clickCustomizeiconsonthetaskbar.

3.ClickT urnsystemiconsonoroffandchangethevolumebehaviorsfromOfftoOn.

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.Usingyourcomputer19

–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.

20ThinkCentreUserGuide

FordetailedinformationaboutusingtheCorelDVDMovieFactoryprogram,seethehelpsystemforthe
program.

YoucanalsouseWindowsMediaPlayertorecordCDsanddataDVDs.Formoreinformation,see“Helpand
Support”onpage105.

Chapter2.Usingyourcomputer21

22ThinkCentreUserGuide

Chapter3.Youandyourcomputer

Thischapterprovidesinformationaboutaccessibility,comfort,andrelocatingyourcomputertoother
countriesorregions.

Accessibilityandcomfort

Goodergonomicpracticeisimportanttogetthemostfromyourpersonalcomputerandtoavoiddiscomfort.
Arrangeyourworkplaceandtheequipmentyouusetosuityourindividualneedsandthekindofwork
thatyouperform.Inaddition,usehealthyworkhabitstomaximizeyourperformanceandcomfortwhile
usingyourcomputer.

Thefollowingtopicsprovideinformationaboutarrangingyourworkarea,settingupyourcomputer
equipment,andestablishinghealthyworkhabits:

Lenovoiscommittedtoprovidingpeoplewithdisabilitiesgreateraccesstoinformationandtechnology.
Asaresult,thefollowinginformationprovideswaystohelpusersthathavehearing,vision,andmobility
limitationsgetthemostoutoftheircomputerexperience.

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

Arrangingyourworkspace

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

Comfort

Althoughnosingleworkingpositionisidealforeveryone,hereareafewguidelinestohelpyounda
positionthatsuitsyoubest.

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

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

©CopyrightLenovo2011,2012

23

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

24ThinkCentreUserGuide

.

Registeringyourcomputer

Whenyouregisteryourcomputer,informationisenteredintoadatabase,whichenablesLenovotocontact
youincaseofarecallorothersevereproblem.AfteryouregisteryourcomputerwithLenovo,youwillreceive
quickerservicewhenyoucallLenovoforhelp.Inaddition,somelocationsofferextendedprivilegesand
servicestoregisteredusers.

ToregisteryourcomputerwithLenovo,dooneofthefollowing:

•ConnectyourcomputertotheInternetandregisteryourcomputerthroughthepreinstalledLenovo
ProductRegistrationprogram.Theprogramlaunchesautomaticallyafteryouhaveusedyourcomputer
foratime.Followtheinstructionsonthescreentoregisteryourcomputer.

•Gotohttp://www.lenovo.com/registerandfollowtheinstructionsonthescreentoregisteryourcomputer.

Movingyourcomputertoanothercountryorregion

Whenyoumoveyourcomputertoanothercountryorregion,youmusttakelocalelectricalstandardsinto
consideration.Thissectionprovidesinformationonthefollowing:

•“Voltage-selectionswitch”onpage25

•“Replacementpowercords”onpage26

Voltage-selectionswitch

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

CAUTION:
Youmustknowthevoltageoftheelectricalconnection(outlet)whereyourcomputerwillbe
connected.Ifyoudonotknowthevoltage,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.

Chapter3.Youandyourcomputer25

Replacementpowercords

Ifyourelocateyourcomputertoacountryorregionthatusesanelectricaloutletstyledifferentfromthe
typeyouarecurrentlyusing,youwillhavetopurchaseeitherelectricalplugadaptersornewpowercords.
YoucanorderpowercordsdirectlyfromLenovo.

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

26ThinkCentreUserGuide

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”onpage69.

2.SettheAdministratorPassword.See“Setting,changing,anddeletingapassword”onpage70.

3.FromtheSecuritysubmenu,selectChassisIntrusionDetection➙Enabled.Thecoverpresence
switchconnectoronthesystemboardisenabled.

Whenthecoverpresenceswitchdetectsthatyourcomputercoverisnotproperlyinstalledorclosed
whenyouturnonthecomputer,anerrormessagewillbedisplayed.Tobypasstheerrormessageand
logintotheoperatingsystem,dothefollowing:

1.Properlyinstallorcloseyourcomputercover.See“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage58.

2.PressF1toentertheSetupUtilityprogram.ThenpressF10tosaveandexittheSetupUtility
program.Theerrormessagewillnotbedisplayedagain.

•AbilitytoenableanddisabledevicesandUSBconnectors
Formoreinformation,see“Enablingordisablingadevice”onpage71

•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”onpage72

•Startupwithoutkeyboardormouse
Yourcomputerisabletologintotheoperatingsystemwithoutkeyboardormouseconnected.

•TrustedPlatformModule(TPM)
TrustedPlatformModuleisasecurecryptoprocessorthatcanstorecryptographickeysthatprotect

informationstoredinyourcomputer.

.

.

©CopyrightLenovo2011,2012

27

Lockingthecomputercover

Lockingthecomputercoverhelpspreventunauthorizedpeoplefromgainingaccesstotheinsideofyour
computer.Yourcomputercomeswithapadlockloopsothatthecomputercovercannotberemoved
whenapadlockisinstalled.

Figure8.Installingapadlock

28ThinkCentreUserGuide

Attachinganintegratedcablelock

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

Figure9.Integratedcablelock

Usingpasswords

YoucansetavarietyofpasswordsthroughtheMicrosoftWindowsoperatingsystemandthroughtheBIOS
ofyourcomputertohelpdeterunauthorizeduseofyourcomputer.

BIOSpasswords

YoucanusetheBIOSSetupUtilityprogramtosetpasswordstopreventunauthorizedaccesstoyour
computeranddata.Thefollowingtypesofpasswordsareavailable:

•Power-OnPassword:WhenaPower-OnPasswordisset,youarepromptedtotypeavalidpassword
eachtimethecomputeristurnedon.Thecomputercannotbeuseduntilthevalidpasswordistyped
in.Formoreinformation,see“Power-OnPassword”onpage70

•HardDiskPassword:SettingaHardDiskPasswordpreventsunauthorizedaccesstothedataonthehard
diskdrive.WhenaHardDiskPasswordisset,youarepromptedtotypeavalidpasswordeachtimeyou
trytoaccesstheharddiskdrive.Formoreinformation,see“HardDiskPassword”onpage70.

.

Chapter4.Security29

•AdministratorPassword:SettinganAdministratorPassworddetersunauthorizedusersfromchanging
congurationsettings.Ifyouareresponsibleformaintainingthecongurationsettingsofseveral
computers,youmightwanttosetanAdministratorPassword.Formoreinformation,see“Administrator
Password”onpage70

Youdonothavetosetanypasswordstouseyourcomputer.However,usingpasswordsimproves
computingsecurity.

.

Windowspasswords

DependingonyourversionoftheWindowsoperatingsystem,youcanusepasswordsforavarietyof
features,includingcontrollingloginaccess,accesstosharedresources,networkaccess,andindividualuser
settings.Formoreinformation,see“HelpandSupport”onpage105

.

Conguringthengerprintreader

Ifyourkeyboardhasangerprintreader,youcancongurethengerprintreaderintheSetupUtilityprogram.

TheFingerprintSetupsubmenuundertheSecuritymenuoftheSetupUtilityprogramprovidesthe
followingoptions:

•PrebootAuthentication:enablesordisablesthengerprintauthenticationforaccessingtheBIOS.

•ErasingFingerprintData:clearsthengerprintdatastoredinangerprintreader.

Tocongurethengerprintreader,dothefollowing:

1.StarttheSetupUtilityprogram.

2.FromtheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu,selectSecurity➙FingerprintSetup,andpressEnter.
TheFingerprintSetupwindowopens.

3.SelectPrebootAuthenticationorErasingFingerprintDataasdesired,andpressEnter.

4.SelectthedesiredsettingsandpressEnter.

5.PressF10tosavechangesandexittheSetupUtilityprogram.PressEnterwhenpromptedtoconrm
theexit.

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”onpage105.

Protectingdataagainstviruses

Yourcomputerispreinstalledwithanantivirusprogramtohelpyouguardagainst,detect,andeliminate
viruses.

Lenovoprovidesafullversionofantivirussoftwareonyourcomputerwithafree30-daysubscription.After
30days,youmustrenewthelicensetocontinuereceivingtheantivirussoftwareupdates.

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

30ThinkCentreUserGuide

Formoreinformationabouthowtouseyourantivirussoftware,refertothehelpsystemofyourantivirus
software.

Chapter4.Security31

32ThinkCentreUserGuide

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware

Thischapterprovidesinstructionsonhowtoinstallorreplacehardwareforyourcomputer.

Handlingstatic-sensitivedevices

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

Whenyouhandlepartsandothercomputercomponents,taketheseprecautionstoavoidstatic-electricity
damage:

•Limityourmovement.Movementcancausestaticelectricitytobuilduparoundyou.

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

•Preventothersfromtouchingthepartsandothercomputercomponents.

•Beforeyoureplaceanewpart,touchthestatic-protectivepackagecontainingtheparttoametal
expansion-slotcoverorotherunpaintedmetalsurfaceonthecomputerforatleasttwoseconds.This
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”onpage9toidentifythe
requiredconnector.Then,usetheinstructionsthatcomewiththeoptiontohelpyoumaketheconnection
andinstallanysoftwareordevicedriversthatarerequiredfortheoption.

©CopyrightLenovo2011,2012

33

Removingthecomputercover

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoremovethecomputercover.

CAUTION:

Turnoffthecomputerandwaitthreetoveminutestoletthecomputercoolbeforeremovingthe
computercover.

Toremovethecomputercover,dothefollowing:

1.Removeanymediafromthedrivesandturnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.

2.Disconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

3.Disconnectthepowercords,Input/Outputcables,andanyothercablesthatareconnectedtothe

4.Removeanylockingdevicethatsecuresthecomputercover,suchasapadlockoranintegratedcable

5.Removethetwoscrewsthatsecurethecomputercoverandslidethecomputercovertotherearto

.

computer.See“Locatingconnectors,controls,andindicatorsonthefrontofyourcomputer”onpage8
and“Locatingconnectorsontherearofyourcomputer”onpage9.

lock.See“Lockingthecomputercover”onpage28and“Attachinganintegratedcablelock”onpage29.

removeit.

Figure10.Removingthecomputercover

34ThinkCentreUserGuide

Removingandreinstallingthefrontbezel

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoremoveandreinstallthefrontbezel.

Toremoveandreinstallthefrontbezel,dothefollowing:

1.T urnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage34.

3.Removethefrontbezelbyreleasingthethreeplastictabsontheleftsideandpivotingthefrontbezel

.

outward.

Figure11.Removingthefrontbezel

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware35

4.T oreinstallthefrontbezel,alignthethreeplastictabsontherightsideofthefrontbezelwiththe
correspondingholesinthechassis,thenpivotthefrontbezelinwardsuntilitsnapsintopositionon
theleftside.

Figure12.Reinstallingthefrontbezel

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage58

InstallingorreplacingaPCIcard

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.

ThissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoinstallorreplaceaPCIcard.

ToinstallorreplaceaPCIcard,dothefollowing:

1.T urnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage34.

.

36ThinkCentreUserGuide

3.Attherearofthecomputer,removethescrewthatsecuresthePCIcardlatch.

Figure13.RemovingthescrewthatsecuresthePCIcardlatch

4.DependingonwhetheryouareinstallingorreplacingaPCIcard,dooneofthefollowing:

•IfyouareinstallingaPCIcard,removetheappropriatemetalslotcover.

•IfyouarereplacinganoldPCIcard,grasptheoldcardthatiscurrentlyinstalledandgentlypullit
outoftheslot.

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware37

Figure14.RemovingthePCIcard

Notes:

a.Thecardtstightlyintothecardslot.Ifnecessary,alternatemovingeachsideofthecardasmall

amountuntilitisremovedfromthecardslot.

b.Ifthecardisheldinplacebyaretaininglatch,pressthecardretaininglatch1asshownto

disengagethelatch.Graspthecardandgentlypullitoutoftheslot.

5.RemovethenewPCIcardfromitsstatic-protectivepackage.

6.Installthenewcardintotheappropriateslotonthesystemboard.See“Locatingpartsonthesystem
board”onpage11.

Note:IfyouareinstallingaPCIExpressx16graphicscard,makesurethememoryslotretainingclips
areclosedbeforeyouinstallthegraphicscard.

38ThinkCentreUserGuide

7.PivotthecardlatchtotheclosedpositiontosecurethePCIcard.

Figure15.InstallingaPCIcard

8.ReinstallthescrewtosecurethePCIcardlatchinplace.

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage58.

Installingorreplacingamemorymodule

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoinstallorreplaceamemorymodule.

YourcomputerhastwoslotsforinstallingorreplacingDDR3DIMMsthatprovideuptoamaximumof16GB
systemmemory.Wheninstallingorreplacingamemorymodule,use2GB,4GB,or8GBDDR3DIMMs
inanycombinationuptoamaximumof16GB.

Toinstallorreplaceamemorymodule,dothefollowing:

1.T urnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage34.

3.Laythecomputeronitssideforeasieraccesstothesystemboard.

4.Locatethememoryslots.See“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage11.

5.Removeanypartsthatmightpreventyouraccesstothememoryslots.Dependingonyourcomputer
model,youmightneedtoremovethePCIExpressx16graphicscardforeasieraccesstothememory
slots.See“InstallingorreplacingaPCIcard”onpage36

.

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware39

6.Dependingonwhetheryouareinstallingorreplacingamemorymodule,dooneofthefollowing:

•Ifyouarereplacinganoldmemorymodule,opentheretainingclipsandgentlypullthememory
moduleoutofthememoryslot.

Figure16.Removingamemorymodule

•Ifyouareinstallingamemorymodule,opentheretainingclipsofthememoryslotintowhichyou
wanttoinstallthememorymodule.

Figure17.Openingtheretainingclips

40ThinkCentreUserGuide

7.Positionthenewmemorymoduleoverthememoryslot.Makesurethatthenotch1onthememory
modulealignscorrectlywiththeslotkey2onthesystemboard.Pushthememorymodulestraight
downintotheslotuntiltheretainingclipsclose.

Figure18.Installingamemorymodule

8.ReinstallthePCIExpressx16graphicscardifyouhaveremovedit.

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage58

.

Installingorreplacingtheopticaldrive

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoinstallorreplacetheopticaldrive.

Note:Theopticaldriveisonlyavailableinsomemodels.

Toinstallorreplaceanopticaldrive,dothefollowing:

1.T urnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage34.

3.Removethefrontbezel.See“Removingandreinstallingthefrontbezel”onpage35.

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware41

4.Removethethreescrewsthatsecuretheopticaldrive.Then,slidetheopticaldriveoutofthefront
ofthecomputer.

Figure19.Removingtheopticaldrive

5.Slidethenewopticaldriveintothedrivebayfromthefrontandalignthescrewholesinthenewoptical
drivewiththecorrespondingholesinthedrivebay.Then,installthethreescrewstosecurethenew
opticaldriveinplace.

Figure20.Installingtheopticaldrive

42ThinkCentreUserGuide

6.Connectoneendofthesignalcabletotherearofthenewopticaldriveandtheotherendtoanavailable
SATAconnectoronthesystemboard.See“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage11.Then,
locateanavailableve-wirepowerconnectorandconnectittotherearofthenewopticaldrive.

Figure21.ConnectingaSATAopticaldrive

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage58.

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.

Toreplacethebattery,dothefollowing:

1.T urnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage34.

3.Locatethebattery.See“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage11.

4.Removetheoldbattery.

Figure22.Removingtheoldbattery

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware43

5.Installanewbattery.

Figure23.Installinganewbattery

6.Reinstallthecomputercoverandconnectthecables.See“Completingthepartsreplacement”on
page58.

Note:Whenthecomputeristurnedonforthersttimeafterreplacingthebattery,anerrormessage
mightbedisplayed.Thisisnormalafterreplacingthebattery.

7.T urnonthecomputerandallattacheddevices.

8.UsetheSetupUtilityprogramtosetthedate,time,andanypasswords.SeeChapter7“UsingtheSetup
Utilityprogram”onpage69.

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage58.

Replacingtheheatsinkandfanassembly

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreplacetheheatsinkandfanassembly.

CAUTION:

Theheatsinkandfanassemblymightbeveryhot.T urnoffthecomputerandwaitthreetove
minutestoletthecomputercoolbeforeremovingthecomputercover.

Toreplacetheheatsinkandfanassembly,dothefollowing:

1.T urnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage34.

3.Laythecomputeronitssideforeasieraccesstothesystemboard.

4.Locatetheheatsinkandfanassembly.See“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage11.

5.Disconnecttheheatsinkandfanassemblycablefromthemicroprocessorfanconnectoronthesystem
board.See“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage11

.

44ThinkCentreUserGuide

6.Followthissequencetoremovethefourscrewsthatsecuretheheatsinkandfanassemblytothe
systemboard:

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

Note:Carefullyremovethefourscrewsfromthesystemboardtoavoidanypossibledamagetothe
systemboard.Thefourscrewscannotberemovedfromtheheatsinkandfanassembly.

Figure24.Removingtheheatsinkandfanassembly

7.Liftthefailingheatsinkandfanassemblyoffthesystemboard.

Notes:

a.Youmighthavetogentlytwisttheheatsinkandfanassemblytofreeitfromthemicroprocessor.
b.Donottouchthethermalgreasewhilehandlingtheheatsinkandfanassembly.

8.Positionthenewheatsinkandfanassemblyonthesystemboardsothatthefourscrewsarealigned
withtheholesonthesystemboard.

Note:Positionthenewheatsinkandfanassemblysothattheheatsinkandfanassemblycableis
towardthemicroprocessorfanconnectoronthesystemboard.

9.Followthefollowingsequencetoinstallthefourscrewstosecurethenewheatsinkandfanassembly.
Donotover-tightenthescrews.

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

10.Connecttheheatsinkandfanassemblycabletothemicroprocessorfanconnectoronthesystem
board.See“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage11

.

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage58.

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware45

Replacingthepowersupplyassembly

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreplacethepowersupplyassembly.

Althoughtherearenomovingpartsinyourcomputerafterthepowercordhasbeendisconnected,the
followingwarningsarerequiredforyoursafetyandproperUnderwritersLaboratories(UL)certication.

CAUTION:

Hazardousmovingparts.Keepngersandotherbodypartsaway.

CAUTION:
Neverremovethecoveronapowersupplyoranypartthathasthefollowinglabelattached.

.

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

Toreplacethepowersupplyassembly,dothefollowing:

1.T urnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage34.

3.Disconnectthepowersupplyassemblycablesfromalldrivesandfromthe24-pinpowerconnectorand
4-pinpowerconnectoronthesystemboard.See“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage11.

Note:Youmightalsoneedtoreleasethepowersupplyassemblycablesfromsomecableclipsorties
thatsecurethecablestothechassis.

46ThinkCentreUserGuide

4.Laythecomputeronitssideandremovethefourscrewsattherearofthechassisthatsecurethe
powersupplyassembly.

Figure25.Removingthescrewsforthepowersupplyassembly

5.Slidethepowersupplyassemblytothefrontofthecomputerandthenliftitoutofthechassis.

6.Makesurethatthenewpowersupplyassemblyisthecorrectreplacement.Somepowersupply
assembliesautomaticallysensethevoltage,somepowersupplyassembliesarevoltagespecic,and
somepowersupplyassemblieshaveavoltage-selectionswitch.Ifyourpowersupplyassemblyhas
avoltage-selectionswitch,makesurethatyousetthevoltage-selectionswitchtomatchthevoltage
availableatyourelectricaloutlet.Ifnecessary,useaballpointpentoslidethevoltage-selectionswitch
tothecorrectposition.

•Ifthevoltagesupplyrangeinyourlocalcountryorregionis100–127Vac,setthevoltage-selection

switchto115V.

•Ifthevoltagesupplyrangeinyourlocalcountryorregionis200–240Vac,setthevoltage-selection

switchto230V.

7.Installthenewpowersupplyassemblyintothechassissothatthescrewholesinthepowersupply
assemblyalignwiththoseinthechassis.

8.Installandtightenthefourscrewstosecurethepowersupplyassembly.

Note:UseonlyscrewsprovidedbyLenovo.

9.Reconnectthepowersupplyassemblycablestothesystemboardandeachofthedrives.

10.Securethepowersupplyassemblycableswiththecableclipsandtiesinthechassis.

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage58.

Replacingthemicroprocessor

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware47

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreplacethemicroprocessor.

CAUTION:

Theheatsinkandmicroprocessormightbeveryhot.T urnoffthecomputerandwaitthreetove
minutestoletthecomputercoolbeforeremovingthecomputercover.

Toreplacethemicroprocessor,dothefollowing:

1.Removeallmediafromthedrivesandturnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.Then,disconnect
allpowercordsfromelectricaloutletsanddisconnectallcablesthatareconnectedtothecomputer.

2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage34.

3.Laythecomputeronitssideforeasieraccesstothesystemboard.

4.Locatethesystemboardanddisconnectallcablesconnectedtothesystemboard.See“Locating
partsonthesystemboard”onpage11

.

5.Removetheheatsinkandfanassembly.See“Replacingtheheatsinkandfanassembly”onpage44.

Note:Placetheheatsinkandfanassemblyonitssidesothatthethermalgreaseonthebottomofit
doesnotgetincontactwithanything.

6.Liftthesmallhandle1andopentheretainer2toaccessthemicroprocessor3.

Figure26.Accessingthemicroprocessor

7.Liftthemicroprocessorstraightupandoutofthemicroprocessorsocket.

48ThinkCentreUserGuide

Figure27.Removingthemicroprocessor

Notes:

a.Yourmicroprocessorandsocketmightlookdifferentfromtheoneillustrated.
b.Notetheorientationofthemicroprocessorinthesocket.Youcaneitherlookforthesmalltriangle1

ononecornerofthemicroprocessorornotetheorientationofthenotches2onthemicroprocessor.
Thisisimportantwheninstallingthenewmicroprocessoronthesystemboard.

c.Touchonlytheedgesofthemicroprocessor.Donottouchthegoldcontactsonthebottom.
d.Donotdropanythingontothemicroprocessorsocketwhileitisexposed.Thesocketpinsmustbe

keptascleanaspossible.

8.Makesurethatthesmallhandleisintheraisedpositionandthemicroprocessorretainerisfullyopen.

9.Removetheprotectivecoverthatprotectsthegoldcontactsofthenewmicroprocessor.

10.Holdthenewmicroprocessorbyitssidesandalignthesmalltriangleononecornerofthenew
microprocessorwiththecorrespondingsmalltriangleononecornerofthemicroprocessorsocket.

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware49

11.Lowerthenewmicroprocessorstraightdownintothemicroprocessorsocketonthesystemboard.

Figure28.Installingthemicroprocessor

12.Closethemicroprocessorretainerandlockitintopositionwiththesmallhandletosecurethenew
microprocessorinthesocket.

13.Reinstalltheheatsinkandfanassembly.See“Replacingtheheatsinkandfanassembly”onpage44.

14.Reconnectallcablesthatweredisconnectedfromthesystemboard.

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

•Tocompletethereplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage58.

Installingthesolidstatedrive

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoinstallthe2.5-inchsolidstatedrive.

Toinstallthesolidstatedrive,dothefollowing:

50ThinkCentreUserGuide

1.Installthesolidstatedriveintothestorageconverter.Then,installthe4screwstosecurethesolid
statedrivetothestorageconverter.

Figure29.Installingthesolidstatedriveintothestorageconverter

2.Connectthesignalcableandthepowercabletothesolidstatedrive.

3.Installthesolidstatedriveintotheharddiskdrivebay.See“Replacingtheprimaryharddiskdrive”
onpage51.

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage58.

Replacingtheprimaryharddiskdrive

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreplacetheprimaryharddiskdrive.

Note:Dependingonyourmodeltype,yourcomputermightcomewitha2.5-inchsolidstatedrive.T oinstall
thesolidstatedrive,see“Installingthesolidstatedrive”onpage50.

Toreplacetheprimaryharddiskdrive,dothefollowing:

1.T urnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage34.

3.Locatetheprimaryharddiskdrive.See“Locatinginternaldrives”onpage14.

Note:Thereisalsoasecondaryharddiskdrivebayforyoutopurchaseandinstallasecondaryhard
diskdrivebyyourself.Ifyouwanttoinstallasecondaryharddiskdrive,usethesamewayofinstalling
theprimaryharddiskdrive.

4.Disconnectthesignalcableandthepowercablefromtheharddiskdrive.

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware51

5.Removethefourscrewsthatsecuretheharddiskdrive.Then,slidetheharddiskdriveoutofthechassis.

Figure30.Removingtheharddiskdrive

52ThinkCentreUserGuide

6.Slidethenewharddiskdriveintotheharddiskdrivebayandalignthescrewholesinthenewhard
diskdrivewiththecorrespondingholesinthedrivebay.Then,installthefourscrewstosecurethe
newharddiskdriveinplace.

Figure31.Installingtheharddiskdrive

7.Connectoneendofthesignalcabletotherearofthenewharddiskdriveandtheotherendtoan
availableSATAconnectoronthesystemboard.See“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage11
Then,locateanavailableve-wirepowerconnectorandconnectittotherearofthenewharddiskdrive.

Figure32.ConnectingaSATAharddiskdrive

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage58.

Replacingtherearfanassembly

.

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware53

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreplacetherearfanassembly.

Toreplacetherearfanassembly,dothefollowing:

1.T urnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage34.

3.Locatetherearfanassembly.See“Locatingcomponents”onpage11.

4.Disconnecttherearfanassemblycablefromthesystemfanconnectoronthesystemboard.See
“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage11.

5.Therearfanassemblyisattachedtothechassisbyfourrubbermounts.Removetherearfanassembly
bybreakingorcuttingtherubbermountsandgentlypullingtherearfanassemblyoutofthechassis.

Note:Thenewrearfanassemblywillhavefournewrubbermountsattached.

Figure33.Removingtherearfanassembly

6.Installthenewrearfanassemblybyaligningthenewrubbermountswiththecorrespondingholesinthe
chassisandpushtherubbermountsthroughtheholes.

54ThinkCentreUserGuide

7.Pullonthetipsoftherubbermountsuntiltherearfanassemblyissecuredinplace.

Figure34.Installingtherearfanassembly

8.Connecttherearfanassemblycabletothesystemfanconnectoronthesystemboard.

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage58

ReplacingthefrontaudioandUSBassembly

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.

ThissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreplacethefrontaudioandUSBassembly.

ToreplacethefrontaudioandUSBassembly,dothefollowing:

1.T urnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage34.

3.Removethefrontbezel.See“Removingandreinstallingthefrontbezel”onpage35.

4.LocatethefrontaudioandUSBassembly.See“Locatingcomponents”onpage11.

5.DisconnectthefrontaudioandUSBassemblycablesfromthesystemboard.See“Locatingpartson
thesystemboard”onpage11.

.

Note:Makesureyounotethelocationsofthecableswhenyoudisconnectthecablesfromthesystem
board.

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware55

6.RemovethescrewthatsecuresthefrontaudioandUSBassemblybrackettothechassistoremove
thebracketfromthechassis.

Figure35.RemovingthescrewthatsecuresthefrontaudioandUSBassemblytothechassis

7.RemovethetwoscrewsthatsecurethefrontaudioandUSBassemblytoitsbracketandremovethe
failingfrontaudioandUSBassemblyfromthebracket.

8.InstallanewfrontaudioandUSBassemblyintothebracketandinstallthetwoscrewstosecurethe
frontaudioandUSBassemblytothebracket.

9.InstallthefrontaudioandUSBassemblybracketintothechassisandalignthescrewholeinthe
bracketwiththecorrespondingholeinthechassis.

10.Installthescrewtosecurethebrackettothechassis.

11.ReconnectthefrontaudioandUSBassemblycablestothefrontaudioconnectorandthefrontUSB
connectoronthesystemboard.See“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage11.

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage58.

Replacingthekeyboard

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreplacethekeyboard.

Toreplacethekeyboard,dothefollowing:

1.Removeallmediafromthedrives.Then,turnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.

2.Disconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

56ThinkCentreUserGuide

3.Disconnecttheoldkeyboardcablefromthecomputer.

4.Connectanewkeyboardtotheappropriateconnectoronthecomputer.Yourkeyboardmightbe
connectedtoaPS/2keyboardconnector1oraUSBconnector2.Dependingonwhereyouwant
toconnectyourkeyboard,see“Locatingconnectors,controls,andindicatorsonthefrontofyour
computer”onpage8or“Locatingconnectorsontherearofyourcomputer”onpage9.

Figure36.Keyboardconnectors

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

•Tocompletethereplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage58

.

Replacingthemouse

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreplacethemouse.

Toreplacethemouse,dothefollowing:

1.Removeallmediafromthedrives.Then,turnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.

2.Disconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

3.Disconnecttheoldmousecablefromthecomputer.

4.Connectanewmousetotheappropriateconnectoronthecomputer.Yourmousemightbeconnected
toaPS/2mouseconnector
mouse,see“Locatingconnectors,controls,andindicatorsonthefrontofyourcomputer”onpage8
or“Locatingconnectorsontherearofyourcomputer”onpage9.

1oraUSBconnector2.Dependingonwhereyouwanttoconnectyour

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware57

Figure37.Mouseconnectors

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

•Tocompletethereplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage58.

Completingthepartsreplacement

Aftercompletingtheinstallationorreplacementforallparts,youneedtoreinstallthecomputercoverand
reconnectcables.Dependingonthepartsyouinstalledorreplaced,youmightneedtoconrmtheupdated
informationintheSetupUtilityprogram.RefertoChapter7“UsingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage69

Toreinstallthecomputercoverandreconnectcablestoyourcomputer,dothefollowing:

1.Makesurethatallcomponentshavebeenreassembledcorrectlyandthatnotoolsorloosescrews
areleftinsideyourcomputer.See“Locatingcomponents”onpage11
componentsinyourcomputer.

2.Ifyouhaveremovedthefrontbezel,reinstallit.See“Removingandreinstallingthefrontbezel”on
page35.

3.Makesurethatthecablesareroutedcorrectlybeforereinstallingthecomputercover.Keepcablesclear
ofthehingesandsidesofthecomputerchassistoavoidinterferencewithreinstallingthecomputer
cover.

forthelocationsofvarious

.

58ThinkCentreUserGuide

4.Positionthecomputercoveronthechassissothattherailguidesonthebottomofthecomputer
coverengagetherailsonthechassis.Then,pushthecovertothefrontofthecomputeruntilitsnaps
intoposition.

Figure38.Reinstallingthecomputercover

5.Installthescrewstosecurethecomputercover.

6.Ifthereisapadlockavailable,lockthecomputercover.See“Lockingthecomputercover”onpage28.

7.Ifthereisanintegratedcablelockavailable,lockthecomputer.See“Attachinganintegratedcable
lock”onpage29.

8.Reconnecttheexternalcablesandpowercordstothecomputer.See“Locatingconnectorsontherear
ofyourcomputer”onpage9.

9.T oupdateyourconguration,refertoChapter7“UsingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage69.

Note:Inmostareasoftheworld,LenovorequiresthereturnofthedefectiveCustomerReplaceableUnit
(CRU).InformationaboutthiswillcomewiththeCRUorwillcomeafewdaysaftertheCRUarrives.

Obtainingdevicedrivers

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

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware59

60ThinkCentreUserGuide

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

61

Note:OntheWindows7operatingsystem,youcancreaterecoverymediausingdiscsorexternalUSB

storagedevices.OntheWindowsVistaoperatingsystem,youcancreaterecoverymediausingonlydiscs,
sothisoperationisalsocalled“creatingProductRecoverydiscs.”

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

•TocreateProductRecoverydiscsontheWindowsVistaoperatingsystem,clickStart➙AllPrograms➙

ThinkVantage➙CreateProductRecoveryMedia.Then,followtheinstructionsonthescreen.

Usingrecoverymedia

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtouserecoverymediaondifferentoperatingsystems.

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”onpage67.

Performingbackupandrecoveryoperations

TheRescueandRecoveryprogramenablesyoutobackupallyourharddiskdrivecontentsincludingthe
operatingsystem,datales,softwareprograms,andpersonalsettings.Youcandesignatewherethe
RescueandRecoveryprogramstoresthebackup:

•Inaprotectedareaofyourharddiskdrive

•Onthesecondaryharddiskdriveifasecondaryharddiskdriveisinstalledinyourcomputer

•OnanattachedexternalUSBharddiskdrive

•Onanetworkdrive

•Onrecordablediscs(arecordableopticaldriveisrequiredforthisoption)

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

Performingabackupoperation

ThissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoperformabackupoperationusingtheRescueandRecovery
programondifferentoperatingsystems.

62ThinkCentreUserGuide

•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”onpage63.

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.Recoveryinformation63

•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”onpage67.

4.Dooneofthefollowing:

•Torescuelesfromyourharddiskdriveorfromabackup,clickRescuelesandfollowthe

instructionsonthescreen.

•TorestoreyourharddiskdrivefromaRescueandRecoverybackuportorestoreyourharddiskdrive

tothefactorydefaultsettings,clickRestoreyoursystemandfollowtheinstructionsonthescreen.

FormoreinformationaboutthefeaturesoftheRescueandRecoveryworkspace,clickHelp.

Note:Afterrestoringyourharddiskdrivetothefactorydefaultstate,youmighthavetoreinstalldevice
driversforsomedevices.See“Reinstallingdevicedrivers”onpage67.

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.

64ThinkCentreUserGuide

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.UseWindowsExplorerorComputertodisplaythedirectorystructureofyourharddiskdrive.

3.GototheC:\SWTOOLSdirectory.

4.Opentheappsfolder.Withintheappsfolder,thereareseveralsubfoldersnamedforvariousapplications
installedinyourcomputer.

5.Opentheappropriateapplicationsubfolder.

Chapter6.Recoveryinformation65

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

Reinstallingpreinstalleddevicedrivers

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreinstallpreinstalleddevicedrivers.

Attention:Whenyoureinstalldevicedrivers,youarechangingthecurrentcongurationofyourcomputer.
Reinstalldevicedriversonlywhenitisnecessarytocorrectaproblemwithyourcomputer.

Toreinstallthedevicedriverforafactory-installeddevice,dothefollowing:

1.T urnonthecomputer.

2.UseWindowsExplorerorComputertodisplaythedirectorystructureofyourharddiskdrive.

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
page79formoreinformation.

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.UseWindowsExplorerorComputertodisplaythedirectorystructureofyourharddiskdrive.

3.GototheC:\SWTOOLSdirectory.

4.OpentheAPPSfolder.WithintheAPPSfolder,thereareseveralsubfoldersnamedforvarious
applicationsinstalledinyourcomputer.

66ThinkCentreUserGuide

5.Opentheappropriateapplicationsubfolder.

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

Reinstallingdevicedrivers

Toreinstalladevicedriverforanoptionyouinstalled,refertothedocumentationthatcomeswiththeoption.

Whenyoureinstalldevicedrivers,youarechangingthecurrentcongurationofyourcomputer.Reinstall
devicedriversonlywhenitisnecessarytocorrectaproblemwithyourcomputer.

Formoreinformationaboutreinstallingdevicedriversthatcamewithyourcomputer,see“Reinstalling
preinstalledapplicationsanddevicedrivers”onpage65.

Solvingrecoveryproblems

IfyouareunabletoaccesstheRescueandRecoveryworkspaceortheWindowsenvironment,doone
ofthefollowing:

•UsearescuemediumtostarttheRescueandRecoveryworkspace.See“Creatingandusingarescue
medium”onpage64

•Userecoverymediaifallothermethodsofrecoveryhavefailedandyouneedtorestoretheharddisk
drivetothefactorydefaultsettings.See“Creatingandusingrecoverymedia”onpage61.

.

Note:IfyouareunabletoaccesstheRescueandRecoveryworkspaceortheWindowsenvironmentfrom
arescuemediumorrecoverymedia,youmightnothavetherescuedevice(aninternalharddiskdrive,a
disc,aUSBharddiskdrive,orotherexternaldevices)setastherstbootdeviceinthestartupdevice
sequence.Y oumustrstmakesurethatyourrescuedeviceissetastherstbootdeviceinthestartup
devicesequenceintheSetupUtilityprogram.See“Selectingastartupdevice”onpage72
informationabouttemporarilyorpermanentlychangingthestartupdevicesequence.Formoreinformation
abouttheSetupUtilityprogram,seeChapter7“UsingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage69.

Itisimportanttocreatearescuemediumandasetofrecoverymediaasearlyaspossibleandstorethem
inasafeplaceforfutureuse.

fordetailed

Chapter6.Recoveryinformation67

68ThinkCentreUserGuide

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”onpage69

WhenthePOSTdetectsthattheharddiskdrivehasbeenremovedfromyourcomputerorthememory
modulesizehasdecreased,anerrormessagewillbedisplayedwhenyoustartthecomputerandyouwillbe
promptedtodooneofthefollowing:

•PressF1toentertheSetupUtilityprogram.

Note:AfteryouentertheSetupUtilityprogram,selectSaveChangesandExitatthebottomofthe
screen.Theerrormessagewillnotbedisplayedagain.

•PressF2tobypasstheerrormessageandlogintotheoperatingsystem.

.

Viewingandchangingsettings

TheSetupUtilityprogrammenulistsvariousitemsaboutthesystemconguration.Tovieworchange
settings,starttheSetupUtilityprogram.See“StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage69.Then,follow
theinstructionsonthescreen.

YoucanuseeitherthekeyboardorthemousetonavigatethroughBIOSmenuchoices.Thekeysusedto
performvarioustasksaredisplayedatthebottomofeachscreen.

Usingpasswords

ByusingtheSetupUtilityprogram,youcansetpasswordstopreventunauthorizedaccesstoyourcomputer
anddata.Thefollowingtypesofpasswordsareavailable:

•Power-OnPassword

•AdministratorPassword

•HardDiskPassword

Youdonothavetosetanypasswordstouseyourcomputer.However,usingpasswordsimproves
computingsecurity.Ifyoudecidetosetanypasswords,readthefollowingsections.

©CopyrightLenovo2011,2012

69

Passwordconsiderations

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

•Haveatleasteightcharactersinlength

•Containatleastonealphabeticcharacterandonenumericcharacter

•SetupUtilityprogramandharddiskpasswordsarenotcasesensitive

•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”onpage69.

2.FromtheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu,selectSecurity.

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

4.Followtheinstructionsontherightsideofthescreentoset,change,ordeleteapassword.

70ThinkCentreUserGuide

Note:Apasswordcanbeanycombinationofupto64alphabeticandnumericcharacters.Formore

information,see“Passwordconsiderations”onpage70.

Erasinglostorforgottenpasswords(clearingCMOS)

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoeraselostorforgottenpasswords,suchasauserpassword.

Toerasealostorforgottenpassword,dothefollowing:

1.Removeallmediafromthedrivesandturnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.Then,disconnect
allpowercordsfromelectricaloutletsanddisconnectallcablesthatareconnectedtothecomputer.

2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage34.

3.LocatetheClearCMOS/Recoveryjumperonthesystemboard.See“Locatingpartsonthesystem
board”onpage11.

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

5.Reinstallthecomputercoverandconnectthepowercord.See“Completingthepartsreplacement”
onpage58.

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

7.Repeatstep1throughstep3.

8.MovetheClearCMOS/Recoveryjumperbacktothestandardposition(pin1andpin2).

9.Reinstallthecomputercoverandconnectthepowercord.See“Completingthepartsreplacement”
onpage58.

Enablingordisablingadevice

Thissectionprovidesinformationonhowtoenableordisableuseraccesstothefollowingdevices:

USBSetupUsethisoptiontoenableordisableaUSBconnector.WhenaUSBconnectoris

disabled,thedeviceconnectedtotheUSBconnectorcannotbeused.

SATAControllerWhenthisfeatureissettoDisable,alldevicesconnectedtotheSATAconnectors

(suchasharddiskdrivesortheopticaldrive)aredisabledandcannotbeaccessed.

ExternalSATAPortWhenthisoptionissettoDisable,thedeviceconnectedtotheExternalSAT A

connectorcannotbeaccessed.

Toenableordisableadevice,dothefollowing:

1.StarttheSetupUtilityprogram.See“StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage69.

2.FromtheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu,selectDevices.

3.Dependingonthedeviceyouwanttoenableordisable,dooneofthefollowing:

•SelectUSBSetuptoenableordisableaUSBdevice.

•SelectATADriveSetuptoenableordisableaninternalorexternalSATAdevice.

4.SelectthedesiredsettingsandpressEnter.

5.PressF10tosaveandexittheSetupUtilityprogram.See“ExitingfromtheSetupUtilityprogram”
onpage73.

Chapter7.UsingtheSetupUtilityprogram71

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”onpage69.

2.FromtheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu,selectStartup.

3.SelectthedevicesforthePrimaryStartupSequence,theAutomaticStartupSequence,andtheError
StartupSequence.Readtheinformationdisplayedontherightsideofthescreen.

4.PressF10tosaveandexittheSetupUtilityprogram.See“ExitingfromtheSetupUtilityprogram”
onpage73.

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:

72ThinkCentreUserGuide

•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.

ExitingfromtheSetupUtilityprogram

Afteryounishviewingorchangingsettings,pressEsctoreturntotheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu.
YoumighthavetopressEscseveraltimes.Dooneofthefollowing:

•Ifyouwanttosavethenewsettings,pressF10tosaveandexittheSetupUtilityprogram.

•Ifyoudonotwanttosavethesettings,selectExit➙DiscardChangesandExit.

•Ifyouwanttoreturntothedefaultsettings,pressF9toloadthedefaultsettings.

Chapter7.UsingtheSetupUtilityprogram73

74ThinkCentreUserGuide

Chapter8.Updatingsystemprograms

ThischapterprovidesinformationaboutupdatingthePOSTandBIOS,andhowtorecoverfromaPOST
andBIOSupdatefailure.

Usingsystemprograms

Systemprogramsarethebasiclayerofsoftwarebuiltintoyourcomputer.Systemprogramsincludethe
POST,theBIOS,andtheSetupUtilityprogram.ThePOSTisasetoftestsandproceduresthatare
performedeachtimeyouturnonyourcomputer.TheBIOSisalayerofsoftwarethattranslatesinstructions
fromotherlayersofsoftwareintoelectricalsignalsthatthecomputerhardwarecanexecute.Youcanuse
theSetupUtilityprogramtovieworchangethecongurationsettingsofyourcomputer.SeeChapter7
“UsingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage69

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

75

Updating(ashing)theBIOSfromyouroperatingsystem

Note:BecauseLenovomakesconstantimprovementstoitsWebsites,theWebpagecontentsaresubject

tochangewithoutnotice,includingthecontentsreferencedinthefollowingprocedure.

Toupdate(ash)theBIOSfromyouroperatingsystem,dothefollowing:

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

2.Dothefollowingtolocatethedownloadablelesforyourmachinetype:
a.ClickDownload&Drivers.
b.Intheleftpane,clickDownloadsanddrivers.
c.FromtheBranddrop-downlistbox,selectDesktops.
d.FromtheFamilydrop-downlistbox,selectthefamilyname.
e.ClickContinue.
f.FromtheReneresultsdrop-downlistbox,selectBIOS.
g.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.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage34.

3.LocatetheClearCMOS/Recoveryjumperonthesystemboard.See“Locatingpartsonthesystem
board”onpage11.

4.RemoveanycablesthatimpedeaccesstotheClearCMOS/Recoveryjumper.

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

6.ReconnectanycablesthatweredisconnectedandreinstallthePCIcardifremoved.

7.Reinstallthecomputercoverandreconnectthepowercordsforthecomputerandmonitortoelectrical
outlets.See“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage58.

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.Reinstallthecomputercoverandreconnectanycablesthatweredisconnected.

76ThinkCentreUserGuide

14.T urnonthecomputertorestarttheoperatingsystem.

Chapter8.Updatingsystemprograms77

78ThinkCentreUserGuide

Chapter9.Preventingproblems

Thischapterprovidesinformationthatcanhelpyouavoidcommonproblemsandkeepyourcomputer
runningsmoothly.

Keepingyourcomputercurrent

Insomesituationsyoumaynditnecessarytohavethemostcurrentsoftwareprograms,devicedrivers,or
operatingsystem.Thissectionexplainshowtogetthelatestupdatesforyourcomputer.

Selectanyofthefollowingtopics:

•“Gettingthelatestdevicedriversforyourcomputer”onpage79

•“Updatingyouroperatingsystem”onpage79

•“UsingSystemUpdate”onpage80

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”onpage79

ToaccesstheMicrosoftWindowsUpdatesite,dothefollowing:

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

2.Followtheinstructionsonthescreen.

©CopyrightLenovo2011,2012

formoreinformation.

79

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➙LenovoThinkVantageTools.

2.Double-clickUpdateandDrivers.

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

Cleaningandmaintenance

Withappropriatecareandmaintenanceyourcomputerwillserveyoureliably.Thefollowingtopicsoffer
informationtohelpyoukeepyourcomputerintopworkingorder.

•“Basics”onpage80

•“Cleaningyourcomputer”onpage81

–“Computer”onpage81
–“Keyboard”onpage81
–“Opticalmouse”onpage81
–“Displayscreen”onpage82

•“Goodmaintenancepractices”onpage82

Basics

Herearesomebasicpointsaboutkeepingyourcomputerfunctioningproperly:

•Keepyourcomputerinaclean,dryenvironment.Makesureitrestsonaat,steadysurface.

80ThinkCentreUserGuide

•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.Preventingproblems81

Displayscreen

Dustbuildupcompoundsproblemsassociatedwithglare.Remembertocleanyourmonitorscreen
periodically.See“Cleaningaat-panelmonitorsurface”onpage82or“Cleaningaglass-screensurface”
onpage82

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”onpage79
information.

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

•CreateProductRecoverydiscs.See“Creatingandusingrecoverymedia”onpage61formoreinformation
aboutusingProductRecoverydiscstorestoretheharddiskdrivetothefactorydefaultsettings.

•Createrescuemedia.See“Creatingandusingarescuemedium”onpage64
usingaRescuemediumsuchasaCDorDVDtorecoverfromfailuresthatpreventyoufromgaining
accesstotheWindowsenvironmentortheRescueandRecoveryworkspaceonyourharddiskdrive.

formoreinformationabout

Movingyourcomputer

Takethefollowingprecautionsbeforemovingyourcomputer.

82ThinkCentreUserGuide

formore

1.Backupalllesanddatafromtheharddiskdrive.Thereareavarietyofbackupprogramsavailable
commercially.Youroperatingsystemalsomighthaveabackupprogramthatyoucanuse.Lenovo
providestheRescueandRecoveryprogramtohelpyoubackupandrestoredata.See“Performing
backupandrecoveryoperations”onpage62formoreinformation.

2.Removeallmedia(diskettes,compactdiscs,tapes,andsoon)fromthedrives.

3.T urnoffthecomputerandallattacheddevices.Y ourharddiskdriveautomaticallyparkstheread/write
headinanondataarea.Thispreventsdamagetotheharddiskdrive.

4.Unplugthepowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

5.Disconnectcommunicationcables,suchasmodemornetworkcables,fromtheoutletsrst,andthen
disconnecttheotherendsfromthecomputer.

6.Notewhereanyremainingcablesareattachedtothecomputer;then,removethem.

7.Ifyousavedtheoriginalshippingcartonsandpackingmaterials,usethemtopacktheunits.Ifyouare
usingdifferentcartons,cushiontheunitstoavoiddamage.

Chapter9.Preventingproblems83

84ThinkCentreUserGuide

Chapter10.Troubleshootinganddiagnostics

Thischapterdescribessomebasictroubleshootinganddiagnosticprograms.Ifyourcomputerproblem
isnotdescribedhere,seeChapter11“Gettinginformation,help,andservice”onpage105
troubleshootingresources.

Basictroubleshooting

Thefollowingtableprovidesinformationtohelpyoutroubleshootyourcomputerproblems.

Note:Ifyoucannotcorrecttheproblem,havethecomputerserviced.Foralistofserviceandsupport
telephonenumbers,refertotheThinkCentreSafetyandWarrantyGuidethatcomeswithyourcomputeror
gototheLenovoSupportWebsiteathttp://www.lenovo.com/support/phone.

SymptomAction

Thecomputerdoesnotstart
whenyoupressthepower
switch.

Themonitorscreenisblank.

Thekeyboarddoesnotwork.

Themousedoesnotwork.

Verifythat:

•Thepowercordiscorrectlyconnectedtotherearofthecomputerandtoa
workingelectricaloutlet.

•Ifyourcomputerhasasecondarypowerswitchontherearofthecomputer,
makesurethatitisswitchedon.

•Thepowerindicatoronthefrontofthecomputerison.

•Thecomputervoltagematchesthevoltageavailableattheelectricaloutletfor
yourcountryorregion.

Verifythat:

•Themonitorsignalcableiscorrectlyconnectedtothemonitorandtothe
appropriatemonitorconnectoronthecomputer.

•Themonitorpowercordiscorrectlyconnectedtothemonitorandtoaworking
electricaloutlet.

•Themonitoristurnedonandthebrightnessandcontrastcontrolsareset
correctly.

•Thecomputervoltagematchesthevoltageavailableattheelectricaloutletfor
yourcountryorregion.

•Ifyourcomputerhastwomonitorconnectors,besuretousetheconnector
onthegraphicscard.

Verifythat:

•Thecomputeristurnedon.

•ThekeyboardissecurelyconnectedtoaUSBconnectoronthecomputer.

•Nokeysarestuck.

Verifythat:

•Thecomputeristurnedon.

•ThemouseissecurelyconnectedtoaUSBconnectoronthecomputer.

•Themouseisclean.Referto“Opticalmouse”onpage81

foradditional

forfurtherinformation.

©CopyrightLenovo2011,2012

85

SymptomAction

Theoperatingsystemdoesnot
start.

Thecomputerbeepsmultiple
timesbeforetheoperating
systemstarts.

Verifythat:

•Thestartupsequenceincludesthedevicewheretheoperatingsystemresides.
Usually,theoperatingsystemisontheharddiskdrive.Formoreinformation,
see“Selectingastartupdevice”onpage72

Verifythatnokeysarestuck.

.

Troubleshootingprocedure

Usethefollowingprocedureasastartingpointfordiagnosingproblemsyouareexperiencingwithyour
computer:

1.Verifythatthecablesforallattacheddevicesareconnectedcorrectlyandsecurely.

2.Verifythatallattacheddevicesthatrequireacpowerareconnectedtoproperlygrounded,functioning
electricaloutlets.

3.VerifythatallattacheddevicesareenabledintheBIOSsettingsofyourcomputer.Formoreinformation
aboutaccessingandchangingtheBIOSsettings,refertoyourChapter7“UsingtheSetupUtility
program”onpage69.

4.Gotothe“T roubleshooting”onpage86andfollowtheinstructionsforthetypeofproblemyouare
experiencing.IftheTroubleshootinginformationdoesnothelpyouresolveaproblem,continuewiththe
nextstep.

5.T ryusingapreviouslycapturedcongurationtoseeifarecentchangetohardwareorsoftwaresettings
hascausedaproblem.Beforerestoringapreviousconguration,captureyourcurrentcongurationin
casetheoldercongurationsettingsdonotsolvetheproblemorhaveadverseaffects.Torestorea
capturedconguration,dothefollowing:

•OntheWindowsVistaoperatingsystem,clickStart➙ControlPanel➙SystemandMaintenance

➙System➙SystemProtection➙SystemRestore.

•OntheWindows7operatingsystem,clickStart➙ControlPanel➙SystemandSecurity➙

System➙SystemProtection➙SystemRestore.

Ifthisdoesnotcorrecttheproblem,continuewiththenextstep.

6.Runthediagnosticprograms.See“Diagnosticprograms”onpage102formoreinformation.

•Ifthediagnosticprogramsdetectahardwarefailure,contacttheLenovoCustomerSupportCenter.

SeeChapter11“Gettinginformation,help,andservice”onpage105formoreinformation.

•Ifyouareunabletorunthediagnosticprograms,contacttheLenovoCustomerSupportCenter.See

Chapter11“Gettinginformation,help,andservice”onpage105formoreinformation.

•Ifthediagnosticprogramsdonotdetectahardwarefailure,continuewiththenextstep.

7.Useanantivirusprogramtoseeifyourcomputerhasbeeninfectedbyavirus.Iftheprogramdetectsa
virus,removethevirus.

8.Ifnoneoftheseactionssolvetheproblem,seektechnicalassistance.SeeChapter11“Getting
information,help,andservice”onpage105formoreinformation.

Troubleshooting

Usethetroubleshootinginformationtondsolutionstoproblemsthathavedenitesymptoms.

Ifthesymptomyourcomputerisexperiencingoccurredimmediatelyafteryouinstalledanewhardware
optionornewsoftware,dothefollowingbeforereferringtothetroubleshootinginformation:

86ThinkCentreUserGuide

1.Removethenewhardwareoptionorsoftware.Ifyoumustremovethecomputercovertoremovea
hardwareoption,makesureyoureviewandfollowtheelectricalsafetyinformationprovidedwithyour
computer.Foryoursafety,donotoperatethecomputerwiththecoverremoved.

2.Runthediagnosticprogramstoensureyourcomputerisoperatingcorrectly.

3.Reinstallthenewhardwareoptionorsoftwarefollowingthemanufacturer'sinstructions.

Selecttheproblemyourcomputerisexperiencingfromthefollowinglist:

•“Audioproblems”onpage87

•“CDproblems”onpage88

•“DVDproblems”onpage89

•“Intermittentproblems”onpage91

•“Keyboard,mouse,orpointingdeviceproblems”onpage91

•“Monitorproblems”onpage93

•“Networkingproblems”onpage94

•“Optionproblems”onpage97

•“Performanceandlockupproblems”onpage98

•“Printerproblems”onpage100

•“Serialportproblems”onpage101

•“Softwareproblems”onpage101

•“USBproblems”onpage102

Audioproblems

Selectyoursymptomfromthefollowinglist:

•“NoaudioinWindows”onpage87

•“AnaudiodiscorAutoPlay-enableddiscdoesnotautomaticallyplaywhenitisinsertedintoadrive”
onpage88

•“Soundcomesfromoneexternalspeakeronly”onpage88

•“NoaudioinDOSapplicationsorgames”onpage88

NoaudioinWindows

Symptom:NoaudioinWindows

Actions:

•IfyouareusingpoweredexternalspeakersthathaveanOn/Offcontrol,verifythattheOn/Offcontrolis
settotheOnpositionandthespeakerpowercableisconnectedtoaproperlygrounded,functionalac
electricaloutlet.

•Ifyourexternalspeakershaveavolumecontrol,verifythatthevolumecontrolisnotsettoolow.

•Double-clickthespeakericonintheWindowsnoticationarea.Amastervolume-controlwindowopens.
VerifythattheMutesettingsarenotcheckedandnoneofthevolumesettingsissettoolow.

•Somemodelshaveafrontaudiopanelyoucanusetoadjustvolume.Ifyouhaveafrontaudiopanel,
verifythatthevolumeisnotsettoolow.

•Verifythatyourexternalspeakers(andheadphones,ifused)areconnectedtothecorrectaudioconnector
onthecomputer.Mostspeakercablesarecolor-codedtomatchtheconnector.

Chapter10.Troubleshootinganddiagnostics87

Note:Whenexternal-speakerorheadphonecablesareattachedtotheaudioconnector,theinternal
speaker,ifpresent,isdisabled.Inmostcases,ifanaudioadapterisinstalledinoneoftheexpansionslots,
theaudiofunctionbuiltintothesystemboardisdisabled;usetheaudiojacksontheadapter.

•MakesurethattheprogramyouarerunningisdesignedforuseintheMicrosoftWindowsoperating
system.IftheprogramisdesignedtoruninDOS,theprogramdoesnotusetheWindowssoundfeature
andmustbeconguredtouseSoundBlasterProorSoundBlasteremulation.

•Verifythattheaudiodevicedriversarecorrectlyinstalled.SeeMicrosoftWindowshelpsystemformore
information.

Iftheseactionsdonotcorrecttheproblem,runthediagnosticprograms(see“Diagnosticprograms”on
page102
service”onpage105.

forinstructions).Ifyouneedtechnicalassistance,seeChapter11“Gettinginformation,help,and

AnaudiodiscorAutoPlay-enableddiscdoesnotautomaticallyplaywhenitis
insertedintoadrive

Symptom:AnaudiodiscorAutoPlay-enableddiscdoesnotautomaticallyplaywhenitisinsertedintoadrive

Action:See“CDproblems”onpage88.

Soundcomesfromoneexternalspeakeronly

Symptom:Soundcomesfromoneexternalspeakeronly.

Actions:

•Ensurethatthespeakercableisinsertedcompletelyintotheconnectoronthecomputer.

•Makesurethecablethatattachestheleftspeakertotherightspeakerissecurelyconnected.

•Double-clickthespeakericonintheWindowsnoticationarea.Amastervolume-controlwindowopens.
VerifythattheBalancesettingsaresetcorrectly.

Iftheseactionsdonotcorrecttheproblem,youmighthaveafailingspeaker.Havethespeakerserviced.If
youneedtechnicalassistance,seeChapter11“Gettinginformation,help,andservice”onpage105.

NoaudioinDOSapplicationsorgames

Symptom:NoaudioinDOSapplicationsorgames

Actions:

•MakesuretheDOSapplicationorgameisconguredtouseSoundBlasterProorSoundBlaster
emulation.Refertothedocumentationthatcomeswiththeapplicationorgameforinstructionson
settingsound-cardsettings.

•Iftheseactionsdonotcorrecttheproblem,runthediagnosticprograms(see“Diagnosticprograms”on
page102
andservice”onpage105.

forinstructions).Ifyouneedtechnicalassistance,seeChapter11“Gettinginformation,help,

CDproblems

Selectyoursymptomfromthefollowinglist:

•“AnaudiodiscorAutoPlay-enableddiscdoesnotautomaticallyplaywhenitisinsertedintoaCD
drive”onpage89

•“ACDorDVDdoesnotwork”onpage89

•“Unabletouseastartable(bootable)recoverymedium,suchastheProductRecoveryCD,tostart
yourcomputer”onpage89

88ThinkCentreUserGuide