Page 1
ThinkCentreM53 
UserGuide
MachineTypes: 10DB,10DC,10DD,10DE,10DV,10DW,10DX, 
10DY,10EC,10ED,10ER,and10ES
Page 2
Note: Beforeusingthisinformationandtheproductitsupports,besuretoreadandunderstandthe“Read 
thisfirst:Importantsafetyinformation”onpagev
andAppendixF“Notices”onpage131.
SecondEdition(December2014)
©CopyrightLenovo2014.
LIMITEDANDRESTRICTEDRIGHTSNOTICE:IfdataorsoftwareisdeliveredpursuantaGeneralServicesAdministration 
“GSA”contract,use,reproduction,ordisclosureissubjecttorestrictionssetforthinContractNo.GS-35F-05925.
Page 3
Contents
Readthisfirst:Importantsafety
information...............v
Beforeusingthismanual............
Serviceandupgrades.............
Staticelectricityprevention...........vi
Powercordsandpoweradapters........vi
Extensioncordsandrelateddevices.......vi
Plugsandoutlets..............
Externaldevices..............
Heatandproductventilation.........
Operatingenvironment...........
Lasercompliancestatement.........
Powersupplystatement............ix
Cleaningandmaintenance...........ix
Chapter1.Productoverview......1
Locations..................1
Locatingconnectors,controls,andindicators
onthefrontofyourcomputer........
Locatingconnectorsontherearofyour
computer................
Locatingcomponents...........
Locatingpartsonthesystemboard.....6
Locatingthemachinetypeandmodellabel..
Features..................7
Specifications...............
Lenovoprograms.............
AccessingLenovoprogramsontheWindows
7operatingsystem...........
AccessingLenovoprogramsontheWindows
8.1operatingsystem..........
AnintroductiontoLenovoprograms....
Chapter2.Usingyourcomputer...
Registeringyourcomputer..........
Usingkeyboardshortcuts..........
Usingthewheelmouse...........
Managingpower..............
Advancedconfigurationandpowerinterface
(ACPI)BIOS..............
AutomaticPower-onfeatures.......
Settingthecomputervolume.........
Settingthevolumefromthedesktop....
SettingthevolumefromControlPanel...
Usingadisc................
Usingtheopticaldrive..........
Handlingandstoringadisc........
Playingandremovingadisc.......
Recordingadisc............
NavigatingamongscreensontheWindows8.1
operatingsystem..............
AccessingControlPanelontheWindows8.1
operatingsystem..............
Frequentlyaskedquestions.........
Chapter3.Youandyourcomputer..
Accessibilityandcomfort..........
Arrangingyourworkspace........
Comfort...............
Glareandlighting............
Aircirculation.............
Electricaloutletsandcablelengths.....
Accessibilityinformation.........
Movingyourcomputertoanothercountryor
region..................
Chapter4.Security..........
AttachingaKensington-stylecablelock.....
Usingpasswords..............
BIOSpasswords............
Windowspasswords..........
Usingthecoverpresenceswitch.......
Usingthefingerprintreader..........
Usingandunderstandingfirewalls.......
Protectingdataagainstviruses........
Chapter5.Advancedconfiguration..
UsingtheSetupUtilityprogram........
StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram.....
Viewingandchangingsettings......
UsingBIOSpasswords.........
Enablingordisablingadevice.......
Selectingastartupdevice........
EnablingErPLPScompliancemode....
Smartperformancechoices........
ICEperformancemode.........
ICEthermalalert............
ExitingtheSetupUtilityprogram......
UpdatingorrecoveringtheBIOS.......
BIOSlevels..............
Usingsystemprograms.........
ChangingtheBIOSsettingsbeforeinstallinga
newoperatingsystem..........
UpdatingtheBIOSfromadisc......
UpdatingtheBIOSfromyouroperating
system................
©CopyrightLenovo2014
i
Page 4
RecoveringfromaBIOSupdatefailure...
Chapter6.Preventingproblems...
Keepingyourcomputercurrent........
Gettingthelatestdevicedriversforyour
computer...............
Updatingyouroperatingsystem......
UsingtheSystemUpdateprogram.....
Cleaningandmaintenance..........
Basics................
Cleaningyourcomputer.........
Goodmaintenancepractices.......
Movingyourcomputer...........
Chapter7.Troubleshootingand
diagnostics..............
Basictroubleshooting............
Troubleshootingprocedure..........
Troubleshooting..............
Audioproblems............
CDproblems.............
DVDproblems.............
Intermittentproblems..........
Harddiskdriveproblems.........
Problemswiththekeyboardormouse...
Monitorproblems............
Networkingproblems..........
Ihaveconnectedanoptiontomycomputer,
butitdoesnotwork...........
Performanceandlockupproblems.....
Theprinterdoesnotwork........
Serialconnectorcannotbeaccessed....
Softwareproblems...........
MyUSBconnectorscannotbeaccessed..
Diagnostics................
LenovoSolutionCenter.........
RecoveringyouroperatingsystemifWindows
8.1failstostart.............
Chapter9.Installingorreplacing
hardware...............
Handlingstatic-sensitivedevices.......
Installingorreplacinghardware........
Installingexternaloptions........
Installingandremovingtheacpoweradapter
bracket................
Installingandremovingtheacpower
adapter................
Installingandremovingtheverticalstand..
bracket................
Installingorreplacingtheexternaloptical
drive.................
Installingorreplacingtheexternalharddisk
drive.................
Removingthecomputercover.......
Replacingthemicroprocessorfan.....
Replacingtheheatsink.........
Replacingthememorymodule......
Installingorreplacingthecoverpresence
switch................
Replacingtheinternalspeaker.......
Replacingthepowerbuttonboard.....
Replacingtheharddiskdriveassembly...100
Replacingthecoin-cellbattery......102
InstallingorreplacingtheWi-Ficard
module................
InstallingandremovingthefrontWi-Fi
antenna...............105
InstallingandremovingtherearWi-Fi
antenna...............107
Installingorreplacingthekeyboardor
mouse................
Completingthepartsreplacement.....109
Chapter8.Recoveryinformation...
RecoveryinformationfortheWindows7operating
system..................
Creatingandusingrecoverymedia.....
Performingbackupandrecoveryoperations.
Creatingandusingarescuemedium....
Reinstallingprogramsanddevicedrivers..
Solvingrecoveryproblems........
RecoveryinformationfortheWindows8.1
operatingsystem..............
Refreshingyourcomputer........
Resettingyourcomputertothefactory-default
settings................
Usingtheadvancedstartupoptions....
iiThinkCentreM53UserGuide 
Chapter10.Gettinginformation,help,
andservice.............
Informationresources............113
LenovoThinkVantageTools........113
HelpandSupport............113
SafetyandWarranty...........
LenovoWebsite............113
LenovoSupportWebsite.........
Helpandservice..............114
Usingthedocumentationanddiagnostic
program...............
Callingforservice............
Usingotherservices..........115
Purchasingadditionalservices
Page 5
AppendixA.Regulatory
information.............
Exportclassificationnotice..........117
Electronicemissionsnotices.........
FederalCommunicationsCommission
DeclarationofConformity........117
Eurasiancompliancemark..........119
Brazilregulatorynotice...........
Mexicoregulatorynotice...........
Additionalregulatoryinformation.......119
AppendixB.WEEEandrecycling
information.............
ImportantWEEEinformation.........
RecyclinginformationforJapan........
RecyclinginformationforBrazil........122
BatteryrecyclinginformationforTaiwan.....122
BatteryrecyclinginformationfortheEuropean
Union..................122
AppendixC.RestrictionofHazardous
SubstancesDirective(RoHS)....
EuropeanUnionRoHS...........
ChinaRoHS................125
TurkishRoHS...............125
UkraineRoHS...............126
IndiaRoHS................
AppendixD.ChinaEnergyLabel..
AppendixE.ENERGYST ARmodel
information.............
AppendixF.Notices.........
Trademarks................132
Index.................
©CopyrightLenovo2014
iii
Page 6
ivThinkCentreM53UserGuide 
Page 7
Readthisfirst:Importantsafetyinformation
Thischaptercontainsthesafetyinformationthatyoumustbefamiliarwith.
Beforeusingthismanual 
CAUTION: 
Beforeusingthismanual,besuretoreadandunderstandalltherelatedsafetyinformationforthis 
product.RefertotheinformationinthissectionandthesafetyinformationintheSafety,Warranty,and  
SetupGuide thatyoureceivedwiththisproduct.Readingandunderstandingthissafetyinformation 
reducestheriskofpersonalinjuryanddamagetoyourproduct.
IfyounolongerhaveacopyoftheSafety,Warranty,andSetupGuide,youcanobtainaPortableDocument  
Format(PDF)versionfromtheLenovo 
LenovoSupportWebsitealsoprovidestheSafety,Warranty,andSetupGuideandthisUserGuidein   
additionallanguages.
®
SupportWebsiteathttp://www.lenovo.com/UserManuals.The
Serviceandupgrades 
DonotattempttoserviceaproductyourselfunlessinstructedtodosobytheCustomerSupportCenteror 
yourdocumentation.OnlyuseaServiceProviderwhoisapprovedtorepairyourparticularproduct.
Note: Somecomputerpartscanbeupgradedorreplacedbythecustomer.Upgradestypicallyare 
referredtoasoptions.ReplacementpartsapprovedforcustomerinstallationarereferredtoasCustomer 
ReplaceableUnits,orCRUs.Lenovoprovidesdocumentationwithinstructionswhenitisappropriatefor 
customerstoinstalloptionsorreplaceCRUs.Youmustcloselyfollowallinstructionswheninstallingor 
replacingparts.TheOffstateofapowerindicatordoesnotnecessarilymeanthatvoltagelevelsinsidea 
productarezero.Beforeyouremovethecoversfromaproductequippedwithapowercord,alwaysensure 
thatthepoweristurnedoffandthattheproductisunpluggedfromanypowersource.Formoreinformation 
onCRUs,refertoChapter9“Installingorreplacinghardware”onpage69 
concerns,contacttheCustomerSupportCenter.
Althoughtherearenomovingpartsinyourcomputerafterthepowercordhasbeendisconnected,the 
followingwarningsarerequiredforyoursafety.
CAUTION:
.Ifyouhaveanyquestionsor
Hazardousmovingparts.Keepfingersandotherbodypartsaway.
CAUTION:
Beforeyouopenthecomputercover,turnoffthecomputerandwaitseveralminutesuntilthe 
computeriscool.
©CopyrightLenovo2014
v
Page 8
Staticelectricityprevention 
Staticelectricity,althoughharmlesstoyou,canseriouslydamagecomputercomponentsandoptions. 
Improperhandlingofstatic-sensitivepartscancausedamagetothepart.Whenyouunpackanoption 
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,oronfloorsthatarecleanedwithliquidcleansers.Liquidscancausea 
shortcircuit,particularlyifthepowercordorpoweradapterhasbeenstressedbymisuse.Liquidsalsocan 
causegradualcorrosionofpowercordterminalsand/ortheconnectorterminalsonapoweradapter, 
whichcaneventuallyresultinoverheating.
Ensurethatallpowercordconnectorsaresecurelyandcompletelypluggedintoreceptacles.
Donotuseanypoweradapterthatshowscorrosionattheacinputpinsorshowssignsofoverheating(such 
asdeformedplastic)attheacinputoranywhereonthepoweradapter.
Donotuseanypowercordswheretheelectricalcontactsoneitherendshowsignsofcorrosionor 
overheatingorwherethepowercordappearstohavebeendamagedinanyway.
2
,orbetter.For
Extensioncordsandrelateddevices 
Ensurethatextensioncords,surgeprotectors,uninterruptiblepowersupplies,andpowerstripsthatyouuse 
areratedtohandletheelectricalrequirementsoftheproduct.Neveroverloadthesedevices.Ifpowerstrips
viThinkCentreM53UserGuide 
Page 9
areused,theloadshouldnotexceedthepowerstripinputrating.Consultanelectricianformoreinformation 
ifyouhavequestionsaboutpowerloads,powerrequirements,andinputratings.
Plugsandoutlets 
Ifareceptacle(poweroutlet)thatyouintendtousewithyourcomputerequipmentappearstobedamaged 
orcorroded,donotusetheoutletuntilitisreplacedbyaqualifiedelectrician.
Donotbendormodifytheplug.Iftheplugisdamaged,contactthemanufacturertoobtainareplacement.
Donotshareanelectricaloutletwithotherhomeorcommercialappliancesthatdrawlargeamountsof 
electricity;otherwise,unstablevoltagemightdamageyourcomputer,data,orattacheddevices.
Someproductsareequippedwithathree-prongedplug.Thisplugfitsonlyintoagroundedelectricaloutlet. 
Thisisasafetyfeature.Donotdefeatthissafetyfeaturebytryingtoinsertitintoanon-groundedoutlet.If 
youcannotinserttheplugintotheoutlet,contactanelectricianforanapprovedoutletadapterortoreplace 
theoutletwithonethatenablesthissafetyfeature.Neveroverloadanelectricaloutlet.Theoverallsystem 
loadshouldnotexceed80percentofthebranchcircuitrating.Consultanelectricianformoreinformation 
ifyouhavequestionsaboutpowerloadsandbranchcircuitratings.
Besurethatthepoweroutletyouareusingisproperlywired,easilyaccessible,andlocatedclosetothe 
equipment.Donotfullyextendpowercordsinawaythatwillstressthecords.
Besurethatthepoweroutletprovidesthecorrectvoltageandcurrentfortheproductyouareinstalling.
Carefullyconnectanddisconnecttheequipmentfromtheelectricaloutlet.
Externaldevices 
DonotconnectordisconnectanyexternaldevicecablesotherthanUniversalSerialBus(USB)cableswhile 
thecomputerpowerison;otherwise,youmightdamageyourcomputer.Toavoidpossibledamageto 
attacheddevices,waitatleastfivesecondsafterthecomputerisshutdowntodisconnectexternaldevices.
Heatandproductventilation 
Computers,poweradapters,andmanyaccessoriescangenerateheatwhenturnedonandwhenbatteries 
arecharging.Alwaysfollowthesebasicprecautions:
•Donotleaveyourcomputer,poweradapter,oraccessoriesincontactwithyourlaporanypartofyour 
bodyforanextendedperiodwhentheproductsarefunctioningorwhenthebatteryischarging.Your 
computer,poweradapter,andmanyaccessoriesproducesomeheatduringnormaloperation.Extended 
contactwiththebodycouldcausediscomfortor,potentially,askinburn.
•Donotchargethebatteryoroperateyourcomputer,poweradapter,oraccessoriesnearflammable 
materialsorinexplosiveenvironments.
•Ventilationslots,fans,andheatsinksareprovidedwiththeproductforsafety,comfort,andreliable 
operation.Thesefeaturesmightinadvertentlybecomeblockedbyplacingtheproductonabed,sofa, 
carpet,orotherflexiblesurface.Neverblock,cover,ordisablethesefeatures.
Inspectyourdesktopcomputerfordustaccumulationatleastonceeverythreemonths.Beforeinspecting 
yourcomputer,turnoffthepowerandunplugthecomputer'spowercordfromtheelectricaloutlet;then 
removeanydustfromventsandperforationsinthebezel.Ifyounoticeexternaldustaccumulation,then 
examineandremovedustfromtheinsideofthecomputerincludingheatsinkinletfins,powersupplyvents, 
andfans.Alwaysturnoffandunplugthecomputerbeforeopeningthecover.Ifpossible,avoidoperating
©CopyrightLenovo2014
vii
Page 10
yourcomputerwithintwofeetofhigh-trafficareas.Ifyoumustoperateyourcomputerinornearahigh-traffic 
area,inspectand,ifnecessary,cleanyourcomputermorefrequently.
Foryoursafetyandtomaintainoptimumcomputerperformance,alwaysfollowthesebasicprecautions 
withyourdesktopcomputer:
•Keepthecoverclosedwheneverthecomputerispluggedin.
•Regularlyinspecttheoutsideofthecomputerfordustaccumulation.
•Removedustfromventsandanyperforationsinthebezel.Morefrequentcleaningsmightberequiredfor 
computersindustyorhigh-trafficareas.
•Donotrestrictorblockanyventilationopenings.
•Donotstoreoroperateyourcomputerinsidefurniture,asthismightincreasetheriskofoverheating.
•Airflowtemperaturesintothecomputershouldnotexceed35°C(95°F).
•Donotinstallairfiltrationdevices.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 
microwaveovenawayfromyourcomputerbecausethestrongmagneticfieldsgeneratedbythese 
appliancescandamagethemonitoranddataontheharddiskdrive.
Donotplaceanybeveragesontopoforbesidethecomputerorotherattacheddevices.Ifliquidisspilledon 
orinthecomputeroranattacheddevice,ashortcircuitorotherdamagemightoccur.
Donoteatorsmokeoveryourkeyboard.Particlesthatfallintoyourkeyboardcancausedamage.
Lasercompliancestatement 
CAUTION: 
Whenlaserproducts(suchasCD-ROMs,DVDdrives,fiberopticdevices,ortransmitters)are 
installed,notethefollowing:
•Donotremovethecovers.Removingthecoversofthelaserproductcouldresultinexposureto 
hazardouslaserradiation.Therearenoserviceablepartsinsidethedevice.
•Useofcontrolsoradjustmentsorperformanceofproceduresotherthanthosespecifiedherein 
mightresultinhazardousradiationexposure.
viiiThinkCentreM53UserGuide 
Page 11
DANGER
SomelaserproductscontainanembeddedClass3AorClass3Blaserdiode.Notethefollowing:
Laserradiationwhenopen.Donotstareintothebeam,donotviewdirectlywithoptical 
instruments,andavoiddirectexposuretothebeam.
Powersupplystatement 
Neverremovethecoveronapowersupplyoranypartthathasthefollowinglabelattached.
Hazardousvoltage,current,andenergylevelsarepresentinsideanycomponentthathasthislabelattached. 
Therearenoserviceablepartsinsidethesecomponents.Ifyoususpectaproblemwithoneoftheseparts, 
contactaservicetechnician.
Cleaningandmaintenance 
Keepyourcomputerandworkspaceclean.Shutdownthecomputerandthendisconnectthepower 
cordbeforecleaningthecomputer.Donotsprayanyliquiddetergentdirectlyonthecomputeroruse 
anydetergentcontainingflammablematerialtocleanthecomputer.Spraythedetergentonasoftcloth 
andthenwipethecomputersurfaces.
©CopyrightLenovo2014
ix
Page 12
xThinkCentreM53UserGuide 
Page 13
Chapter1. 
Thischapterprovidesthefollowinginformation:
•Locationsofconnectors
•Locationsofcomponents
•Locationsofpartsonthesystemboard
•Locationsofinternaldrives
•Computerfeatures
•SoftwareprogramsprovidedbyLenovo
Locations 
Thissectionprovidesthefollowingtopics:
•
•
•
•
•
Note: Thecomponentsinyourcomputermightlookslightlydifferentfromtheillustrations.
©CopyrightLenovo2014
1
Page 14
Locatingconnectors,controls,andindicatorsonthefrontofyour
computer
Thefollowingillustrationshowsthelocationsoftheconnectors,controls,andindicatorsonthefrontofyour 
computer.
Figure1.Frontconnector,control,andindicatorlocations
1PowerbuttonBluetoothactivityindicator  
3WirelessactivityindicatorHarddiskdriveactivityindicator  
5Powerindicator 
7MicrophoneconnectorHeadsetconnector  
9Always-onUSB3.0connector 
6USB2.0connector 
2ThinkCentreM53UserGuide 
Page 15
Locatingconnectorsontherearofyourcomputer 
Thefollowingillustrationshowsthelocationsoftheconnectorsontherearofyourcomputer.Some 
connectorsontherearofyourcomputerarecolor-codedtohelpyoudeterminewheretoconnectthe 
cablesonyourcomputer.
Figure2.Rearconnectorlocations
1USB2.0connector 
3VGAconnectorUSB2.0connector  
5USB2.0connector 
7acpoweradapterconnector 
9Optionalconnector 
11Wi-Fiantennaslot 
2Ethernetconnector 
6DisplayPort 
8Security-lockslot 
10acpoweradaptercableloop 
®
connector
Notes:
•TheUSB2.0connector4supportsthesmartpoweronfeaturethatenablesyoutoturnonthecomputer  
orwakeitupfromS4hibernationmodebypressingAlt+Ponthekeyboard.Y oucanenableordisable 
thesmartpoweronfeaturefromtheSetupUtilityprogram.Fordetailedinformation,see“Enablingor 
disablingadevice”onpage35
.
•Ifyouusetheoptionalconnectorforinstallingaserialconnector,theserialconnectorandtheadjacent 
VGAconnectormightinterferewitheachotherwhenconnectingcables.Toavoidtheinterference,ensure 
thatyouusetheserialconnectorconvertcablethatcomeswiththecomputerwhenyouconnecta 
devicetotheserialconnector.
Chapter1.Productoverview3  
Page 16
Connector
DisplayPortconnector
Ethernetconnector
Headsetconnector
Microphoneconnector
USB2.0connector
USB3.0connector
VGAconnector
Usedtoattachahigh-performancemonitor,adirect-drivemonitor,orotherdevices 
thatuseaDisplayPortconnector.
UsedtoattachanEthernetcableforalocalareanetwork(LAN). 
Note: T ooperatethecomputerwithinFCCClassBlimits,useaCategory5eor 
betterEthernetcable.
speech-recognitionsoftware,listentomusic,orothersoundswithoutdisturbing 
anyone.Theheadsetconnectorisalsoknownasaudiojack.
Usedtoattachamicrophonetoyourcomputerwhenyouwanttorecordsoundorif 
youusespeech-recognitionsoftware.
keyboard,amouse,ascanner,aprinter,orapersonaldigitalassistant(PDA).
connection,suchasakeyboard,amouse,ascanner,aprinter,oraPDA.
(VGA)connector.
Locatingcomponents 
Thefollowingillustrationshowsthelocationsofthevariouscomponentsinyourcomputer.Toremovethe 
computercover,see“Removingthecomputercover”onpage89.
4ThinkCentreM53UserGuide 
Page 17
Figure3.Componentlocations
1Externalopticaldrive(somemodels)Externalharddiskdrive(somemodels)  
3VESA 
5acpoweradapterbracket(somemodels) 
7Microprocessorfan 
9Coverpresenceswitch(intrusionswitch)(somemodels) 
11Internalspeaker 
13Powerbuttonboard 
15Harddiskdriveassembly 
®
mountbracket(somemodels)4Computercover 
6acpoweradapter 
8Heatsink 
10Memorymodule 
12FrontWi-Fiantenna(somemodels) 
14Coin-cellbattery 
16Wi-Ficardmodule(somemodels) 
Chapter1.Productoverview5  
Page 18
17RearWi-Fiantenna(somemodels)Verticalstand(somemodels)  
19KeyboardMouse  
Locatingpartsonthesystemboard 
Thefollowingillustrationshowsthelocationsofthepartsonthesystemboard.
Figure4.Systemboardpartlocations
1Heatsink(withthemicroprocessorunderneath)ClearCMOS/Recoveryjumper  
3Cover-presence-switchconnector(intrusionswitch 
4Memoryslot 
connector)
5InternalspeakerconnectorPowerbuttonboardcableconnector  
7Coin-cellbatteryMiniPCIExpresscardslot  
9SATA2.0connector 
11Serial(COM)connectorOptionalUSB2.0connector  
13Microprocessorfanconnector 
10Harddiskdrivepowerconnector 
6ThinkCentreM53UserGuide 
Page 19
Locatingthemachinetypeandmodellabel 
Themachinetypeandmodellabelidentifiesyourcomputer.WhenyoucontactLenovoforhelp,themachine 
typeandmodelinformationhelpssupporttechnicianstoidentifyyourcomputerandprovidefasterservice.
Themachinetypeandmodellabelisattachedonthesideofyourcomputerasshown.
Figure5.Machinetypeandmodellabel
Features 
Thecomputerfeaturesintroducedinthissectioncoversavarietyofmodels.
Chapter1.Productoverview7  
Page 20
Microprocessor
Toviewthemicroprocessorinformationofyourcomputer,dothefollowing:
•OntheMicrosoft
®
Windows
®
7operationsystem,clickStart,right-clickComputer,andselectProperties   
toviewtheinformation.
•OntheMicrosoftWindows8.1operatingsystem,gotothedesktopandmoveyourpointertothe 
top-rightorbottom-rightcornerofthescreentodisplaythecharms.ThenclickSettings➙PCinfoto    
viewtheinformation.
Memory
Yourcomputersupportsuptoonedoubledatarate3smalloutlinedualinlinememorymodules(DDR3 
SODIMMs).
Todeterminetheamountofmemoryinstalledonyourcomputer,dothefollowing:
•OnWindows7,clickStart,right-clickComputer,andselectPropertiestoviewtheinformation.   
•OnWindows8.1,gotothedesktopandmoveyourpointertothetop-rightorbottom-rightcornerofthe 
screentodisplaythecharms.ThenclickSettings➙PCinfotoviewtheinformation.   
Formoreinformation,see“Replacingthememorymodule”onpage95
.
Internaldrives
•Externalopticaldrive(availableonsomemodels)
•Harddiskdrive
•Hybriddrive(availableonsomemodels)
•Solid-statedrive(availableonsomemodels)
Videofeatures
Integratedgraphicssupportsthefollowingconnectorsonyourcomputer:
•DisplayPortconnector
•VGAconnector
Audiofeatures
Integratedaudiocontrollersupportsthefollowingconnectorsanddevicesonyourcomputer:
•Headsetconnector
•Internalspeaker(availableonsomemodels)
•Microphoneconnector
Input/Output(I/O)features
•Audioconnectors(headsetconnectorandmicrophoneconnector)
•Displayconnectors(DisplayPortconnectorandVGAconnector)
•Ethernetconnector
•Optionalconnector
•USBconnectors
Formoreinformation,see“Locatingconnectors,controls,andindicatorsonthefrontofyourcomputer”on 
page2and“Locatingconnectorsontherearofyourcomputer”onpage3.
8ThinkCentreM53UserGuide 
Page 21
Expansion
•Externalopticaldrivebox(availableonsomemodels)
•Harddiskdrivebay
•Memoryslot
•MiniPCIExpresscardslot
Powersupply
Yourcomputercomeswitha65-wattacpoweradapter.
Wirelessfeatures
Dependingonyourcomputermodel,thefollowingwirelessfeaturesmightbesupported:
•Wirelesslocalareanetwork(LAN)
•Bluetooth
Systemmanagementfeatures
•Abilitytostorepower-onself-test(POST)hardwaretestresults
•DesktopManagementInterface(DMI) 
DesktopManagementInterfaceprovidesacommonpathforuserstoaccessinformationaboutall
aspectsofacomputer.Theinformationincludesprocessortype,installationdate,attachedprintersand 
otherperipherals,powersources,maintenancehistory,andsoon.
•ErPLPScompliancemode 
Theenergy-relatedproductsdirective(ErP)lowestpowerstate(LPS)compliancemodereducesthe
consumptionofelectricitywhenyourcomputerisinsleeporoffmode.Formoreinformation,see 
“EnablingErPLPScompliancemode”onpage36
.
•IntelligentCoolingEngine(ICE) 
TheIntelligentCoolingEngineisasystemthermalmanagementsolutionthatenablesyourcomputer
torunwithbetterthermalandacousticperformance.TheICEfunctionalsomonitorsthethermal 
performanceofyourcomputertoidentifythermalproblems.Formoreinformation,see“ICEperformance 
mode”onpage37
•Intel
®
StandardManageability
and“ICEthermalalert”onpage38.
IntelStandardManageabilityishardware-andfirmware-basedtechnologythatmakescomputerseasier 
andlessexpensiveforbusinessestomonitor,maintain,update,upgrade,andrepair.
•PrebootExecutionEnvironment(PXE) 
PrebootExecutionEnvironmentenablescomputerstostartthroughanetworkinterfaceindependentof
datastoragedevices(suchastheharddiskdrive)orinstalledoperatingsystems.
•SmartPerformanceChoice 
TheSmartPerformanceChoicefunctionenablesyourcomputertorunwithbetteracousticperformance
orbetterthermalperformance.See“Smartperformancechoices”onpage37
.
•SystemManagement(SM)BasicInput/OutputSystem(BIOS)andSMsoftware 
TheSMBIOSspecificationdefinesdatastructuresandaccessmethodsthatcanbeusedtoread
managementdatastoredintheBIOSofacomputer.
•WakeonLAN 
WakeonLANisanEthernetcomputernetworkingstandardthatallowsacomputertobeturnedon
orwokenupbyanetworkmessage.Themessageisusuallysentbyaprogramrunningonanother 
computeronthesameLAN.
Chapter1.Productoverview9  
Page 22
•WakeonRing 
WakeonRing,sometimesreferredtoasWakeonModem,isaspecificationthatallowssupported
computersanddevicestoresumefromsleeporhibernationmode.
•WindowsManagementInstrumentation(WMI) 
WindowsManagementInstrumentationisasetofextensionstotheWindowsDriverModel.Itprovidesan
operatingsysteminterfacethroughwhichinstrumentedcomponentsprovideinformationandnotification.
Securityfeatures
•AbilitytoenableanddisabledevicesandUSBconnectors 
Formoreinformation,see“Enablingordisablingadevice”onpage35
.
•Avarietyofpasswordstodeterunauthorizeduseofyourcomputer 
Formoreinformation,see“Usingpasswords”onpage29.
•ComputraceAgentsoftwareembeddedinfirmware 
TheComputraceAgentsoftwareisanITassetmanagementandcomputertheftrecoverysolution.
Thesoftwaredetectsifchangeshavebeenmadeonthecomputer,suchashardware,software,or 
thecomputercall-inlocation.YoumighthavetopurchaseasubscriptiontoactivatetheComputrace 
Agentsoftware.
•Coverpresenceswitch(alsocalledintrusionswitch)(availableonsomemodels) 
Formoreinformation,see“Usingthecoverpresenceswitch”onpage30.
•Keyboardwithfingerprintreader(availableonsomemodels) 
Formoreinformation,see“Usingthefingerprintreader”onpage30.
•Startupsequencecontrol 
Formoreinformation,see“Selectingorchangingthestartupdevicesequence”onpage36
.
•Startupwithoutkeyboardormouse 
Yourcomputerisabletologintotheoperatingsystemwithoutkeyboardormouseconnected.
•SupportforaKensington-stylecablelock 
Formoreinformation,see“AttachingaKensington-stylecablelock”onpage29.
Preinstalledoperatingsystem
Yourcomputerispreinstalledwithoneofthefollowingoperatingsystems:
•Windows7operatingsystem
•Windows8.1operatingsystem
Operatingsystem(s),certifiedortestedforcompatibility(variesbymodeltype)
Theoperatingsystem(s)listedherearebeingcertifiedortestedforcompatibilityatthetimethispublication 
goestopress.AdditionaloperatingsystemsmightbeidentifiedbyLenovoascompatiblewithyourcomputer 
followingthepublicationofthismanual.Thislistissubjecttochange.T odetermineifanoperatingsystem 
hasbeencertifiedortestedforcompatibility,checktheWebsiteoftheoperatingsystemprovider.
•Linux
®
10ThinkCentreM53UserGuide 
Page 23
Specifications
Thissectionliststhephysicalspecificationsforyourcomputer.
Dimensions
Width:179mm(7.05inches) 
Height:34.5mm(1.36inches) 
Depth:182mm(7.17inches)
Weight
Maximumconfigurationasshipped:4.86kg(10.71lb)(withpackage) 
Maximumconfigurationasshipped:4.14kg(9.13lb)(withoutpackage)
Environment
•Airtemperature:
Operating:From10°C(50°F)to35°C(95°F) 
Storageinoriginalshippingpackage:From-40°C(-40°F)to60°C(140°F) 
Storagewithoutpackage:From-10°C(14°F)to60°C(140°F)
•Humidity:
Operating:20%–80%(non-condensing) 
Storage:20%–90%(non-condensing)
•Altitude:
Operating:From-15.2m(-50ft)to3048m(10000ft) 
Storage:From-15.2m(-50ft)to10668m(35000ft)
Electricalinput
Inputvoltage:From100Vacto240Vac 
Inputfrequency:50/60Hz
Lenovoprograms 
YourcomputercomeswithLenovoprogramstohelpyouworkmoreeasilyandsecurely.Dependingon 
theWindowsoperatingsystempreinstalled,theprogramsmightvary.
AccessingLenovoprogramsontheWindows7operatingsystem 
YoucanaccessLenovoprogramsontheWindows7operatingsystemthroughWindowsSearchorfrom 
ControlPanel.TheiconnamedisplayedinthesearchresultorControlPanelmightbedifferentfromthe 
programname.YoucanfindtheprogrambyitsprogramnameoriconnameasshownintheLenovo  
programsavailableontheWindows7operatingsystem table.
Note: Ifyoudonotfindtheprogramyouneed,opentheLenovoThinkVantage 
dimmediconfortheprogram.Thendouble-clicktheicontoinstalltheprogram.
ToaccessLenovoprogramsthroughWindowsSearch,dothefollowing:
1.ClicktheStartbuttonandthentypetheprogramnameortheiconnameintothesearchbox. 
2.Locatetheprogrambytheprogramnameortheiconnameandthenclicktheprogramtolaunchit.
ToaccessLenovoprogramsfromControlPanel,dothefollowing:
®
Toolsprogramtofindthe
Chapter1.Productoverview11  
Page 24
Note: SomeLenovoprogramsmightnotbedisplayedinControlPanel.Tofindtheseprograms,use 
WindowsSearch.
1.ClickStart➙ControlPanel.ChangetheviewofControlPanelfromCategorytoLargeiconsorSmall    
icons.
2.Locatetheprogrambytheiconnameandthenclicktheprogramtolaunchit.
ThefollowingtableliststheprogramsavailableontheWindows7operatingsystem.
Note: Dependingonyourcomputermodel,someoftheLenovoprogramsmightnotbeavailable.
Table1.LenovoprogramsavailableontheWindows7operatingsystem
Programname
CommunicationsUtility
FingerprintManagerProor 
ThinkVantageFingerprintSoftware
LenovoBluetoothLock
LenovoReach
LenovoSHAREit
LenovoSolutionCenter
LenovoThinkVantageTools
PasswordManager
PCCloudManager
PowerManager
RecoveryMedia
RescueandRecovery
SystemUpdate
ViewManagementUtility
®
Lenovo-FingerprintManagerProorLenovo-FingerprintReader
Lenovo-PowerControls
Lenovo-FactoryRecoveryDisksorCreateRecoveryMedia
Lenovo-EnhancedBackupandRestore
Lenovo-UpdateandDrivers
AccessingLenovoprogramsontheWindows8.1operatingsystem 
ToaccessLenovoprogramsontheWindows8.1operatingsystem,dothefollowing:
1.PresstheWindowskey
2.Dooneofthefollowing:
•ClickaLenovoprogramtolaunchit.
•Ifyoucannotfindtheprogramyouneed,clickthearrowicon
screentogototheAppsscreen.Findthedesiredprogramintheappslistorsearchforitinthe 
searchboxinthetop-rightcornerofthescreen.
Note: Dependingonyourcomputermodel,someoftheLenovoprogramsmightnotbeavailable.
•FingerprintManagerProorThinkVantageFingerprintSoftware
•LenovoBluetoothLock
•LenovoCompanion
•LenovoReach
•LenovoSHAREit
12ThinkCentreM53UserGuide 
Page 25
•LenovoSolutionCenter
•LenovoT ools
•PasswordManager
•PCCloudManager
•PowerManager
•SystemUpdate
AnintroductiontoLenovoprograms 
ThistopicprovidesabriefintroductiontosomeLenovoprograms.
Note: Dependingonyourcomputermodel,someoftheLenovoprogramsmightnotbeavailable.
•CommunicationsUtility(Windows7)  
TheCommunicationsUtilityprogramprovidesacentrallocationforintegratedcameraandmicrophone
settings.ItcontrolsadvancedsettingsfortheintegratedmicrophoneandcameratooptimizeWeb 
conferencingandVoiceoverIP(VOIP)experience.
•FingerprintManagerProorThinkVantageFingerprintSoftware(Windows7andWindows8.1)  
Theintegratedfingerprintreaderprovidedonsomekeyboardsenablesyoutoenrollyourfingerprint
andassociateitwithyourpower-onpassword,harddiskpassword,andWindowspassword.Asa 
result,fingerprintauthenticationcanreplacepasswordsandenablesimpleandsecureuseraccess.A 
fingerprintreaderkeyboardisavailablewithselectcomputersorcanbepurchasedforcomputersthat 
supportthisoption.
•LenovoBluetoothLock(Windows7andWindows8.1)  
TheLenovoBluetoothLockprogramenablesyoutouseaBluetoothdevice(suchasyoursmartphone)as
aproximity-basedunitforlockingorunlockingyourcomputerautomatically.Bydetectingthedistance 
betweenyourcomputerandthepredefinedBluetoothdevicethatyouarecarrying,theLenovoBluetooth 
Lockprogramautomaticallylocksyourcomputerwhenyouwalkawayandunlocksyourcomputerwhen 
youcomeback.Thisisasimplewaytoprotectyourcomputeragainstunauthorizedaccessincase 
thatyouforgettolockyourcomputer.
•LenovoCompanion(Windows8.1)  
Yoursystem’sbestfeaturesshouldbeeasytoaccessandunderstand.WithCompanion,theyare. 
UseLenovoCompaniontoregisteryourcomputer,accessyourusermanual,managesystemhealthand
update,checkthewarrantystatus,andseeaccessoriescustomizedforyourcomputer.Youalsocan 
readhintsandtips,exploreLenovoforums,andstayup-to-dateontechnologynewswitharticlesand 
blogsfromtrustedsources.ThisappisfilledwithexclusiveLenovocontenttohelpyoulearnabout 
yournewsystem.
•LenovoReach(Windows7andWindows8.1)  
UsetheLenovoReachprogramtoenhanceyourcloudexperience.LenovoReachkeepsyouconnected
atalltimesandenablesyoutoaccessallyourfavoriteitemsfrompersonalcomputers,smartphones, 
ortablets.Asaresult,youcanaccess,edit,andshareyourfilesfromanywhere.WithLenovoReach, 
youalsocanaddyourfavoriteWebservicestoyourclouddesktopandstaylogged-intoWebsiteswith 
thecloudpasswordmanager.
•LenovoSHAREit(Windows7andWindows8.1)  
TheLenovoSHAREitprogramprovidesaquickandeasywaytosharefilesandfoldersamongcomputers,
smartphones,tablets,orsmartTVswiththeAndroidortheWindowsoperatingsysteminstalled.SHAREit 
usesanytypeofnetworkorevennonetworkatalltosharefilesandfolders.
Chapter1.Productoverview13  
Page 26
•LenovoSolutionCenter(Windows7andWindows8.1)  
TheLenovoSolutionCenterprogramenablesyoutotroubleshootandresolvecomputerproblems.It
combinesdiagnostictests,systeminformationcollection,securitystatus,andsupportinformation,along 
withhintsandtipsformaximumsystemperformance.
•LenovoThinkVantageT ools(Windows7)  
TheLenovoThinkVantageToolsprogramprovideseasyaccesstovarioustoolstohelpyouworkmore
easilyandsecurely.
•LenovoTools(Windows8.1)  
TheLenovoToolsprogramguidesyoutoahostofinformationsourcesandprovideseasyaccessto
varioustoolstohelpyouworkmoreeasilyandsecurely.
•PasswordManager(Windows7andWindows8.1)  
ThePasswordManagerprogramautomaticallycapturesandfillsinauthenticationinformationfor
WindowsprogramsandWebsites.
•PCCloudManager(Windows7andWindows8.1)  
ThePCCloudManager(PCM)programisabrowser-basedsolutionforclient-computermanagement.
ThePCMprogramhastwocomponents:PCMServerandPCMClient.PCMServerisinstalledonthe 
computer,wheretheadministratorperformsmanagementwork,suchaspowermanagementandsecurity 
management.PCMClientisinstalledontheclientcomputerstobemanaged.Theadministratorcanlog 
intoPCMServertomanagecomputerswithPCMClientinstalled,throughtheInternetWebbrowser.
•PowerManager(Windows7andWindows8.1)  
ThePowerManagerprogramprovidesconvenient,flexible,andcompletepowermanagementforyour
computer.Itenablesyoutoadjustyourcomputerpowersettingstoachievethebestbalancebetween 
performanceandpowersaving.
•RecoveryMedia(Windows7)  
TheRecoveryMediaprogramenablesyoutorestorethecontentsoftheharddiskdrivetothe
factory-defaultsettings.
•RescueandRecovery(Windows7)  
TheRescueandRecoveryprogramisaone-buttonrecoveryandrestoresolution.Itincludesasetof
self-recoverytoolstohelpyoudiagnosecomputerproblems,gethelp,andrecoverfromsystemcrashes, 
evenifyoucannotstarttheWindowsoperatingsystem.
•SystemUpdate(Windows7andWindows8.1)  
TheSystemUpdateprogramhelpsyoukeepthesoftwareonyourcomputerup-to-datebydownloading
andinstallingsoftwareupdatepackages.ExamplesofthesesoftwareupdatepackagesincludeLenovo 
programs,devicedrivers,UEFIBIOSupdates,andotherthird-partyprograms.
•ViewManagementUtility(Windows7)  
TheViewManagementUtilityprogramenablesyoutoeasilyorganizeyouropenwindows.Itdividesyour
screenintomultiplepartsandthenresizesandpositionsopenwindowsintodifferentpartstomakethe 
bestuseofyourdesktop.Theprogramalsoisabletoworkacrossmultiplemonitorstoimproveyour 
productivity.
14ThinkCentreM53UserGuide 
Page 27
Chapter2. 
Thischapterprovidesinformationaboutthefollowingtopics:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Registeringyourcomputer 
WhenyouregisteryourcomputerwithLenovo,youenterrequiredinformationintoaLenovodatabase.The 
informationenablesLenovotocontactyouwhenthereisarecallorothersevereproblemandprovide 
quickerservicewhenyoucallLenovoforhelp.Inaddition,somelocationsofferextendedprivilegesand 
servicestoregisteredusers.
ToregisteryourcomputerwithLenovo,ensurethatyourcomputerisconnectedtotheInternetandthen 
dooneofthefollowing:
•Gotohttp://www.lenovo.com/registerandfollowtheinstructionsonthescreentoregisteryourcomputer.
•Registeryourcomputerthroughapreinstalledregistrationprogramonyourcomputer:
–ForWindows7:ThepreinstalledLenovoProductRegistrationprogramlaunchesautomaticallyafteryou
haveusedyourcomputerforatime.Followtheinstructionsonthescreentoregisteryourcomputer.
–ForWindows8.1:OpentheLenovoCompanionprogramandfollowtheinstructionsonthescreento
registeryourcomputer.
Note: ForinformationabouthowtoopentheLenovoCompanionprogramonWindows8.1,see 
“AccessingLenovoprogramsontheWindows8.1operatingsystem”onpage12
.
Usingkeyboardshortcuts 
Akeyboardshortcutisonekeyorcombinationofmultiplekeys.Throughkeyboardshortcuts,youcan 
performtasksthatwouldtypicallyrequireamouseorotherpointingdevices.Keyboardshortcutsprovide 
aneasieralternativetointeractwithyourcomputerasyouworkwiththeWindowsoperatingsystemand 
mostapplications.
Formoreinformationaboutthekeyboardshortcuts,gotohttp://windows.microsoft.com/,andthentypeany 
ofthefollowingkeywordsforsearching:keyboardshortcuts,keycombinations,shortcutkeys.   
©CopyrightLenovo2014
15
Page 28
Usingthewheelmouse 
Thewheelmousehasthefollowingcontrols:
1Primarymousebutton:Usethisbuttontoselectorstartaprogramormenuitem. 
2Wheel:Usethewheeltocontrolthescrollingactionofthemouse.Thedirectioninwhichyourotatethe 
wheelcontrolsthedirectionofthescrollingaction.
3Secondarymousebutton:Usethisbuttontodisplayamenufortheactiveprogram,icon,orobject. 
Youcanviewandchangethesettingsofyourmousebydoingthefollowing:
1.OntheWindows7operatingsystem,clickStart➙ControlPanel➙HardwareandSound.Onthe      
Windows8.1operatingsystem,openControlPanelandclickHardwareandSound. 
Note: FordetailedinformationonhowtoopenControlPanelonWindows8.1,see“AccessingControl 
PanelontheWindows8.1operatingsystem”onpage21.
2.IntheDevicesandPrinterssection,clickMousetoviewandchangethesettings.  
Managingpower 
Powermanagementreducesthepowerconsumptionofcertaincomponentsofthecomputersuchasthe 
systempowersupply,processor,harddiskdrives,andsomemonitors.
Advancedconfigurationandpowerinterface(ACPI)BIOS
BeinganACPIBIOSsystem,theoperatingsystemisallowedtocontrolthepowermanagementfeatures 
ofthecomputerandthesettingforAdvancedPowerManagement(APM)BIOSmodeisignored.Not 
alloperatingsystemssupportACPIBIOSmode.
AutomaticPower-onfeatures 
TheAutomaticPower-OnfeatureswithinthePowerManagementmenuallowyoutoenableanddisable 
featuresthatturnonthecomputerautomatically.
•WakeUponAlarm:Youcanspecifyadateandtimeatwhichthecomputerwillbeturnedon  
automatically.Thiscanbeeitherasingleeventoradailyevent.
•WakeonLAN:Ifthecomputerhasaproperlyconfiguredtoken-ringorEthernetLANadaptercardthatis  
WakeonLAN-enabledandthereisremotenetworkmanagementsoftware,youcanusetheWakeonLAN 
feature.WhenyousetWakeonLANtoEnabled,thecomputerwillturnonwhenitreceivesaspecific  
signalfromanothercomputeronthelocalareanetwork(LAN).
16ThinkCentreM53UserGuide 
Page 29
ToenabletheWakeonLANfunctionortheWakeUponAlarmfunctionontheWindows8.1operating 
system,dothefollowing:
1.OpenControlPanel.
2.ClickHardwareandSound➙PowerOptions.   
3.Intheleftpanel,clickChoosewhatthepowerbuttondoes. 
4.IntheShutdownsettingsection,clearTurnonfaststartup.  
Note: Ifthesettingsareunavailable,clickChangesettingsthatarecurrentlyunavailable. 
5.ClickSavechanges. 
Settingthecomputervolume 
Anaudiocontrollerisbuiltintothecomputersystemboardtosupporttheaudioconnectorsonyour 
computer.See“Audiofeatures”onpage8.
ThissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtosetthecomputervolumefromthedesktopandControlPanel.
Settingthevolumefromthedesktop 
Tosetthecomputervolumefromthedesktop,dothefollowing:
1.Clickthevolumeicononthetaskbar.Youcanlocatethetaskbaratthebottom-rightcornerofthe 
desktop.
2.Movetheslideruptoincreaseordowntodecreasethevolume.Clickthemute-speakericontoturnoff 
theaudio.
Ifthevolumeiconisnotonthetaskbar,addthevolumeicontothetaskbar.T oaddthevolumeicon, 
dothefollowing:
•ForWindows7:
1.FromtheWindowsdesktop,clickStart➙ControlPanel➙AppearanceandPersonalization.     
2.IntheTaskbarandStartMenusection,clickCustomizeiconsonthetaskbar.  
3.ClickT urnsystemiconsonoroffandchangethevolumebehaviorsfromOfftoOn.   
4.ClickOKtosavethenewsettings. 
•ForWindows8.1:
1.OpenControlPanel,andclickAppearanceandPersonalization. 
Note: FordetailedinformationonhowtoopenControlPanelonWindows8.1,see“Accessing 
ControlPanelontheWindows8.1operatingsystem”onpage21.
2.IntheTaskbarandNavigationsection,clickCustomizeiconsonthetaskbar.  
3.ClickT urnsystemiconsonoroffandchangethevolumebehaviorfromOfftoOn.   
4.ClickOKtosavethenewsettings. 
SettingthevolumefromControlPanel 
TosetthecomputervolumefromControlPanel,dothefollowing:
1.OntheWindows7operatingsystem,clickStart➙ControlPanel➙HardwareandSound.Onthe      
Windows8.1operatingsystem,openControlPanelandclickHardwareandSound. 
Note: FordetailedinformationonhowtoopenControlPanelonWindows8.1,see“AccessingControl 
PanelontheWindows8.1operatingsystem”onpage21
.
Chapter2.Usingyourcomputer17  
Page 30
2.IntheSoundsection,clickAdjustsystemvolume.  
3.Movetheslideruptoincreaseordowntodecreasethevolume.
Usingadisc 
Thissectionprovidesinformationaboutthefollowingtopics:
•
•
•
•
Usingtheopticaldrive 
Dependingonthemodel,yourcomputerisequippedwithoneofthefollowingopticaldrives:
•CD-ROMdrive:UsedtoreadCDsonly.
•DVD-ROMdrive:UsedtoreadDVDsandCDs.
•BD-ROMdrive:Usedtoreadblu-raydiscs(BDs),DVDs,andCDs.
•Recordableopticaldrive:Usedtoreadandrecordadisc.
Whenusingtheopticaldrive,followtheseguidelines:
•Donotplacethecomputerinalocationwherethedriveisexposedtoanyofthefollowingconditions:
–Hightemperature 
–Highhumidity 
–Excessivedust 
–Excessivevibrationorsuddenshock 
–Aninclinedsurface 
–Directsunlight
•Donotinsertanyobjectotherthanadiscintothedrive.
•Donotinsertdamageddiscsintothedrive.Warped,scratched,ordirtydiscscandamagethedrive.
•Beforemovingthecomputer,removethediscfromthedrive.
Handlingandstoringadisc 
Whenhandlingandstoringadisc,followtheseguidelines:
•Holdthediscbyitsedges.Donottouchthesurfaceofthesidethatisnotlabeled.
•Toremovedustorfingerprints,wipethediscwithaclean,softclothfromthecentertotheoutside.Wiping 
thediscinacirculardirectionmightcauselossofdata.
•Donotwriteorstickpaperonthedisc.
•Donotscratchormarkthedisc.
•Donotplaceorstorethediscindirectsunlight.
•Donotusebenzene,thinners,orothercleanerstocleanthedisc.
•Donotdroporbendthedisc.
18ThinkCentreM53UserGuide 
Page 31
Playingandremovingadisc 
Toplayadisc,dothefollowing:
1.Withthecomputeron,presstheeject/closebuttononthefrontoftheopticaldrive.Thetrayslides 
outofthedrive.
2.Insertadiscintothetray.Someopticaldrivehasasnaphubinthecenterofthetray.Ifyourdrivehasa 
snaphub,supportthetraywithonehandandthenpushcenterofthediscuntilitsnapsintoplace.
3.Presstheeject/closebuttonagainorgentlypushthetrayforwardtoclosethetray.Thediscplayer 
programstartsautomatically.Formoreinformation,refertothehelpsystemofthediscplayerprogram.
Toremoveadiscfromtheopticaldrive,dothefollowing:
1.Withthecomputeron,presstheeject/closebuttononthefrontoftheopticaldrive.Thetrayslides 
outofthedrive.
2.Carefullyremovethediscfromthetray.
3.Presstheeject/closebuttonagainorgentlypushthetrayforwardtoclosethetray.
Note: Ifthetraydoesnotslideoutofthedrivewhenyoupresstheeject/closebutton,turnoffyourcomputer. 
Then,insertastraightenedpaperclipintotheemergency-ejectholeadjacenttotheeject/closebutton. 
Usetheemergencyejectonlyinanemergency.
Recordingadisc 
Ifyourcomputerisinstalledwitharecordableopticaldrive,youcanusethedrivetorecordadisc.
Torecordadisc,dothefollowing:
•OntheWindows7operatingsystem,useeithertheCorelDVDMovieFactoryLenovoEditionprogramor 
thePower2Goprograminstalledonyourcomputer.
–ToruntheCorelDVDMovieFactoryLenovoEditionprogram,clickStart➙AllPrograms➙Corel     
DVDMovieFactoryLenovoEdition ➙CorelDVDMovieFactoryLenovoEdition.Followthe   
instructionsonthescreen.
–TorunthePower2Goprogram,clickStart➙AllPrograms➙PowerDVDCreate➙Power2Go.       
Followtheinstructionsonthescreen.
•OntheWindows8.1operatingsystem,runthePower2Goprogrambydoingthefollowing:
1.OntheStartscreen,clickthedownarrowPower2Gointhesearchboxinthetop-rightcornerofthescreen. 
2.ClickPower2Gointhesearchresulttoopentheprogram. 
3.Followtheinstructionsonthescreen.
NavigatingamongscreensontheWindows8.1operatingsystem 
Tonavigateamongthedesktop,theStartscreen,andapplicationsopenedfromtheStartscreenonthe 
Windows8.1operatingsystem,dooneofthefollowing:
•FromtheStartscreen,dooneofthefollowingtonavigatetothemostrecentlyaccessedworkspace 
(application,setting,ordesktop):
–Usingapointingdevice:Movethepointertotheextremebottom-leftcornerofthescreenuntilthe
Windowsscreen-controlicon
–Usingatouchscreen:Swipeinandoutontheleftedgeofthescreen.Representationsofallavailable
workspacesaredisplayedalongtheleftedgeofthescreen.TaptheWindowsscreen-controlicon
atthebottom.
isdisplayed;thenclicktheicon.
Chapter2.Usingyourcomputer19  
Page 32
Note: TheWindowsscreen-controliconisdisplayedonlywhenyouhaveatleastoneactive  
workspaceinthebackgroundofthesystem.
•FromthedesktoporanyotherworkspacethatisopenedfromtheStartscreen,dooneofthefollowingto 
navigatetotheStartscreen:
–Usingapointingdevice:
–Fromthedesktop,clicktheWindowsscreen-controlicon
inthebottom-leftcornerofthescreen.
–Fromanyotherworkspace,movethepointertotheextremebottom-leftcornerofthescreenuntil
theWindowsscreen-controlicon
–Usingatouchscreen:Dooneofthefollowing:
–Fromthedesktop,taptheWindowsscreen-controlicon
inthebottom-leftcornerofthescreen.
–Fromanyotherworkspace,dooneofthefollowing:
•Swipeinandoutontheleftedgeofthescreen.Representationsofallavailableworkspaces 
aredisplayedalongtheleftedgeofthescreen.TaptheWindowsscreen-controlicon
thebottom.
•Swipeinfromtherightedgeofthescreentodisplaythecharms;thentapStart. 
•Fromanyworkspace(Startscreen,desktop,PCsettings,orapplicationopenedfromtheStartscreen),go 
toanotherpreviously-openedworkspaceusinganyofthefollowingprocedures:
–Tonavigatetoapreviouslyaccessedworkspace(application,setting,ordesktop),dooneofthe
following:
–Usingapointingdevice:
1.Dooneofthefollowing:
•Movethepointertotheextremetop-leftcornerofthescreenandthenmovethepointer 
downwardalongtheleftedgeofthescreen.
•Movethepointertotheextremebottom-leftcornerofthescreenandthenmovethepointer 
upwardalongtheleftedgeofthescreen.
Representationsofallavailableworkspacesaredisplayedalongtheleftedgeofthescreen.
Note: OnlyactiveworkspacesthatyouhaveaccessedduringthecurrentWindowssessionare 
displayedalongtheleftedge.Ifyoucloseanactiveworkspace,itsrepresentationwillnotbe 
displayedalongtheleftedgeofthescreen.
2.Clicktherepresentation.
–Usingatouchscreen:
•Method1
1.Swipeinandoutontheleftedgeofthescreen.Representationsofallavailableworkspaces 
aredisplayedalongtheleftedgeofthescreen.
2.Tapthedesiredworkspace.
•Method2
1.Swipeinfromtheleftedgeofthescreentonavigatetothenextavailableworkspace.
2.Repeatstep1untilyounavigatetothedesiredworkspace.
–Tonavigatetothemostrecentlyaccessedworkspace(application,PCsettings,ordesktop),doone
ofthefollowing:
–Usingapointingdevice:Movethepointertotheextremetop-leftcornerofthescreenuntilthe
Windowsscreen-controlicon
isdisplayed;thenclicktheicon.
20ThinkCentreM53UserGuide 
Page 33
–Usingatouchscreen:Swipeinfromtheleftedgeofthescreen.
ForinformationaboutusingotherfeaturesoftheWindows8.1operatingsystem,opentheHelp+Tips  
applicationfromtheStartscreenorAppsscreen.Alternatively,refertotheWindowsHelpandSupport 
informationsystem.Formoreinformation,see“HelpandSupport”onpage113
.
AccessingControlPanelontheWindows8.1operatingsystem 
OntheWindowsoperatingsystem,youcanviewandchangecomputersettingsthroughControlPanel.T o 
accessControlPanelontheWindows8.1operatingsystem,dooneofthefollowing:
•Fromthedesktop
1.Movethepointertothetop-rightorbottom-rightcornerofthescreentodisplaythecharms.
2.ClickSettings. 
3.ClickControlPanel. 
•FromtheStartscreen
1.Clickthedownarrow
2.Scrolltotherightside,andclickControlPanelintheWindowsSystemsection.  
Frequentlyaskedquestions 
Thefollowingaresomeofthefrequentlyaskedquestionsandtheiranswers.Theanswerscanhelpyou 
optimizetheuseofyourcomputer.
Fortheanswerstomorefrequentlyaskedquestionsaboutusingyourcomputer,goto: 
http://www.lenovo.com/support/faq
HowcanIgetmyuserguideinanotherlanguage?
Theuserguideisavailableinvariouslanguagesat: 
http://www.lenovo.com/UserManuals
HowcanIrestoremycomputersettings?
Yourcomputerprovidesaprogramthatenablesyoutorestorethecomputersettings.Formoreinformation, 
seeChapter8“Recoveryinformation”onpage61.
Additionally,incaseofahard-disk-drivefailure,youcanorderarecoverydiscsetfromtheLenovoCustomer 
SupportCenter.ForinformationaboutcontactingtheCustomerSupportCenter,seeChapter10“Getting 
information,help,andservice”onpage113 
thatcomeswiththediscset.
Note: Arecoverydiscsetmightcontainmultiplediscs.Ensurethatyouhaveallofthediscsreadybefore 
startingtherecoveryprocess.Duringtherecoveryprocess,youmightbepromptedtochangediscs.
WherecanIfindhelpabouttheWindowsoperatingsystem?
TheWindowsHelpandSupportinformationsystemprovidesyouwithdetailedinformationaboutusing 
theWindowsoperatingsystem.ToaccesstheWindowsHelpandSupportinformationsystem,doone 
ofthefollowing:
.Beforeusingtherecoverydiscset,refertothedocumentation
•OntheWindows7operatingsystem,clickStart➙HelpandSupport.   
•OntheWindows8.1operatingsystem,moveyourpointertothetop-rightorbottom-rightcornerofthe 
screentodisplaythecharms.ThenclickSettings➙Help.Additionally,theWindows8.1operating    
systemprovidesaHelp+TipsapplicationthatyoucanopenfromtheStartscreenorAppsscreen. 
Chapter2.Usingyourcomputer21  
Page 34
HowcanIchangetheWindows8.1startupbehaviortoopeneitherthedesktoportheStartscreen?
OntheWindows8.1operatingsystem,youcansetthecomputertoopeneitherthedesktoportheStart 
screenbydefault.T osetthedefaultstartupscreen,dothefollowing:
1.Onthedesktop,right-clickonthetaskbaratthebottomofthescreen.
2.ClickProperties.The“TaskbarandNavigationproperties”windowisdisplayed. 
3.OntheNavigationtab,locatetheStartscreensection,andthendooneofthefollowing:  
•Tosetthedesktopasyourdefaultstartupscreen,selectWhenIsigninorcloseallappsona  
screen,gotothedesktopinsteadofStart .
•TosettheStartscreenasyourdefaultstartupscreen,cleartheWhenIsigninorcloseallappson  
ascreen,gotothedesktopinsteadofStart checkbox.
4.ClickOKtosavethenewsetting. 
22ThinkCentreM53UserGuide 
Page 35
Chapter3. 
Thischapterprovidesinformationaboutaccessibility,comfort,andrelocatingyourcomputertoother 
countriesorregions.
Accessibilityandcomfort 
Goodergonomicpracticeisimportanttogetthemostfromyourpersonalcomputerandtoavoiddiscomfort. 
Arrangeyourworkplaceandtheequipmentyouusetosuityourindividualneedsandthekindofwork 
thatyouperform.Inaddition,usehealthyworkhabitstomaximizeyourperformanceandcomfortwhile 
usingyourcomputer.
Thefollowingtopicsprovideinformationaboutarrangingyourworkarea,settingupyourcomputer 
equipment,andestablishinghealthyworkhabits.
Arrangingyourworkspace 
Togetthemostfromyourcomputer,arrangeboththeequipmentyouuseandyourworkareatosuityour 
needsandthekindofworkyoudo.Yourcomfortisofforemostimportance,butlightsources,aircirculation, 
andthelocationofelectricaloutletscanalsoaffectthewayyouarrangeyourworkspace.
Comfort 
Althoughnosingleworkingpositionisidealforeveryone,hereareafewguidelinestohelpyoufinda 
positionthatsuitsyoubest.
Sittinginthesamepositionforalongtimecancausefatigue.Thebackrestandseatofyourchairshould 
adjustindependentlyandprovidegoodsupport.Theseatshouldhaveacurvedfronttorelievepressureon 
thethighs.Adjusttheseatsothatyourthighsareparalleltothefloorandyourfeetareeitherflatonthe 
floororonafootrest.
Whenusingthekeyboard,keepyourforearmsparalleltothefloorandyourwristsinacomfortableposition. 
Usealighttouchonthekeyboardandyourhandsandfingersrelaxed.Changetheangleofthekeyboard 
formaximumcomfortbyadjustingthepositionofthekeyboardfeet.
Adjustthemonitorsothetopofthescreenisat,orslightlybelow,eyelevel.Placethemonitorata 
comfortableviewingdistance,usually51–61cm(20–24inches).Then,positionthemonitorsothatyoucan 
viewitwithouttwistingyourbody.Also,positionotherequipmentyouuseregularly,suchasthetelephone 
oramouse,withineasyreach.
©CopyrightLenovo2014
23
Page 36
Glareandlighting 
Positionthemonitortominimizeglareandreflectionsfromoverheadlights,windows,andotherlightsources. 
Reflectedlightfromshinysurfacescancauseannoyingreflectionsonyourmonitorscreen.Placethe 
monitoratrightanglestowindowsandotherlightsources,whenpossible.Reduceoverheadlighting,if 
necessary,byturningofflightsorusinglowerwattagebulbs.Ifyouinstallthemonitornearawindow,use 
curtainsorblindstoblockthesunlight.Y oucanadjustthebrightnessandcontrastcontrolsonthemonitor 
astheroomlightingchangesthroughouttheday.
Whereitisimpossibletoavoidreflectionsortoadjustthelighting,anantiglarefilterplacedoverthescreen 
mightbehelpful.However,thesefiltersmightaffecttheclarityoftheimageonthescreen;trythemonlyafter 
youhaveexhaustedothermethodsofreducingglare.
Dustbuildupcompoundsproblemsassociatedwithglare.Remembertocleanyourmonitorscreen 
periodicallyusingasoftclothasdirectedinyourmonitordocumentation.
Aircirculation 
Yourcomputerandmonitorproduceheat.Thecomputerhasafanthatpullsinfreshairandforcesouthot 
air.Themonitorletshotairescapethroughvents.Blockingtheairventscancauseoverheating,whichmight 
resultinamalfunctionordamage.Placethecomputerandmonitorsothatnothingblockstheairvents; 
usually,51mm(2inches)ofairspaceissufficient.Also,ensurethattheventedairisnotblowingonpeople.
Electricaloutletsandcablelengths 
Thefollowingfactorsmightdeterminethefinalplacementofyourcomputer:
•Locationofelectricaloutlets
•Lengthofpowercords
•Lengthofthecablesthatareconnectedtothemonitorandotherdevices
Whenarrangingyourworkspace:
•Avoidtheuseofextensioncords.Whenpossible,plugthecomputerpowercorddirectlyintoanelectrical 
outlet.
•Keeppowercordsandcablesneatlyroutedawayfromwalkwaysandotherareaswheretheymight 
getkickedaccidentally.
Formoreinformationaboutpowercords,see“Powercordsandpoweradapters”onpagevi
.
Accessibilityinformation 
Lenovoiscommittedtoprovidingpeoplewithdisabilitiesgreateraccesstoinformationandtechnology. 
Sometechnologiesarealreadyprovidedinyouroperatingsystem.Otherscanbepurchasedthrough 
vendors.
UsersalsocanusetheEaseofAccessCenterprovidedintheWindowsoperatingsystemtoconfiguretheir 
computerstosuittheirphysicalandcognitiveneeds.TheEaseofAccessCenterisacentrallocationthat 
youcanusetoconfiguretheaccessibilitysettingsandprogramsavailableontheMicrosoftWindows 
operatingsystem.TousetheEaseofAccessCenter,openControlPanelandclickEaseofAccess  
➙ EaseofAccessCenter. 
Thefollowinginformationprovideswaystohelpuserswhohavehearing,vision,andmobilitylimitationsget 
themostoutoftheircomputerexperience.
24ThinkCentreM53UserGuide 
Page 37
On-screennotification
On-screennotificationhelpshearing-impairedpeoplebeawareofthestatusoftheircomputer.On-screen 
notificationreplacessoundswithvisualcuesortextcaptionstoindicatethatactivityishappeningonthe 
computer.Asaresult,systemalertsarenoticeableevenwhentheyarenotheard.Forexample,whenyou 
selectoneobjectwithyourkeyboard,theobjectishighlighted.Whenyoumovethepointertooneobject 
withyourmouse,theintroductorytextoftheobjectisdisplayed.
Touseon-screennotification,openControlPanel,clickEaseofAccess➙EaseofAccessCenter,and    
thenclickUsetextorvisualalternativesforsounds. 
Audionotification
Audionotificationhelpsvisuallyimpairedpeopleorpeoplewithweaksightbeawareofthestatusoftheir 
computer.
Touseaudionotification,openControlPanel,clickEaseofAccess➙EaseofAccessCenter➙Usethe     
computerwithoutadisplay,andthenselectTurnonAudioDescription. 
Narrator
Narratorisascreenreaderthatreadswhatisdisplayedonthescreenaloudanddescribeseventslike 
errormessages.
ToopenNarrator,dothefollowing:
•ForWindows7:ClicktheStartbutton.Then,typeNarratorintothesearchfield.Inthelistofresults,   
clickNarrator. 
•ForWindows8.1:Moveyourpointertothetop-rightorbottom-rightcornerofthescreentodisplaythe 
charmsandclickSearch.Then,typeNarratorintothesearchfield.Inthelistofresults,clickNarrator.   
FormoreinformationabouthowtouseandconfigureNarrator,seetheWindowsHelpandSupport 
informationsystem.
Screen-readertechnologies
Screen-readertechnologiesareprimarilyfocusedonsoftwareprograminterfaces,helpinformationsystems, 
andavarietyofonlinedocuments.Foradditionalinformationaboutscreenreaders,seethefollowing:
•UsingPDFswithscreenreaders: 
http://www.adobe.com/accessibility.html?promoid=DJGVE
•UsingtheJAWSscreenreader: 
http://www.freedomscientific.com/jaws-hq.asp
•UsingtheNVDAscreenreader: 
http://www.nvaccess.org/
SpeechRecognition
SpeechRecognitionenablesyoutocontrolyourcomputerbyvoice.
Usingonlyyourvoice,youcanstartprograms,openmenus,clickobjectsonthescreen,dictatetextinto 
documents,andwriteandsende-mails.Everythingyoudowiththekeyboardandmousecanbedonewith 
onlyyourvoice.
ToopenSpeechRecognition,dothefollowing:
•ForWindows7:ClicktheStartbutton.Then,typeSpeechRecognitionintothesearchfield.Inthelist   
ofresults,clickSpeechRecognition. 
Chapter3.Youandyourcomputer25  
Page 38
•ForWindows8.1:Moveyourpointertothetop-rightorbottom-rightcornerofthescreentodisplaythe 
charmsandclickSearch.Then,typeSpeechRecognitionintothesearchfield.Inthelistofresults,   
clickSpeechRecognition. 
FormoreinformationabouthowtouseandconfigureSpeechRecognition,seetheWindowsHelpand 
Supportinformationsystem.
Customizabletextsize
Dependingonyourpreference,youcanchangeonlythetextsizeinsteadofchangingthesizeofeverything 
onthedesktop.Tochangethetextsize,openControlPanelandclickAppearancesandPersonalization➙  
Display.Then,gotoChangeonlythetextsizeandsetatextsizethatmeetsyourneeds.  
Magnifier
YourcomputerisequippedwiththeMicrosoftMagnifiertohelpvisuallyimpairedpeopleusethecomputer 
morecomfortably.Magnifierisausefulutilitythatenlargestheentirescreenorpartofthescreensothatyou 
canseethewordsandimagesbetter.Y oucanopenMagnifierfromtheEaseofAccessCenter.
ToopenMagnifier,dothefollowing:
•ForWindows7:ClicktheStartbutton,clickAllPrograms➙Accessories➙EaseofAccess,and       
thenclickMagnifier. 
•ForWindows8.1:Moveyourpointertothetop-rightorbottom-rightcornerofthescreentodisplaythe 
charmsandclickSearch.Then,typeMagnierintothesearchfield.Inthelistofresults,clickMagnifier.   
FormoreinformationabouthowtouseandconfigureMagnifier,seetheWindowsHelpandSupport 
informationsystem.
Note: Fortouch-screencomputermodels,youalsocanzoominandzoomoutbyusingtouchgestures 
insteadofthekeyboard.See“Zoom”onpage26
.
Zoom
Youcanusethezoomfeaturetoenlargeorreducethesizeoftext,pictures,maps,orotherobjects.
•Fromthekeyboard:
–Zoomin:PresstheWindowslogokey+theplus-signkey(+)toenlargethesizeoftext,pictures,
maps,orotherobjects.
–Zoomout:PresstheWindowslogokey+theminus-sign(-)keytoreducethesizeoftext,pictures,
maps,orotherobjects.
•Fromthetouchscreen:
–Zoomin:Movetwofingersfartherapartonthetouchscreentoenlargethesizeoftext,pictures,
maps,orotherobjects.
–Zoomout:Movetwofingersclosertogetheronthetouchscreentoreducethesizeoftext,pictures,
maps,orotherobjects.
Screenresolution
Youcanmakeyourdocumentseasiertoreadbyadjustingthescreenresolutionofyourcomputer.Toadjust 
thescreenresolution,rightclickanywhereonthedesktop,clickScreenresolution,andthenadjustthe  
settingsasyouprefer.
Note: Settingtoolowofaresolutionmightpreventsomeitemsfromfittingonthescreen.
Foralternativesonincreasingthesizeoftextandotherobjects,seethefollowing:
26ThinkCentreM53UserGuide 
Page 39
•
•
•
EaseofAccesskeyboardshortcuts
Thefollowingtablecontainskeyboardshortcutsthatcanhelpmakeyourcomputereasiertouse.
Keyboardshortcut
Windowslogokey+U
RightShiftforeightseconds
Shiftfivetimes
NumLockforfiveseconds
LeftAlt+LeftShift+NumLock
LeftAlt+LeftShift+PrtScn(orPrtSc)
OpentheEaseofAccessCenter
TurnFilterKeysonoroff
TurnMouseKeysonoroff
Formoreinformation,gotohttp://windows.microsoft.com/,andthentypeanyofthefollowingkeywords 
forsearching:keyboardshortcuts,keycombinations,shortcutkeys.   
On-ScreenKeyboard
Ifyouprefertotypeorenterdataintoyourcomputerwithoutusingaphysicalkeyboard,youcanuse 
On-ScreenKeyboard.On-ScreenKeyboarddisplaysavisualkeyboardwithallthestandardkeys.Y oucan 
selectkeysusingthemouseoranotherpointingdevice,oryoucantaptoselectthekeysifyourcomputer 
supportsmulti-touchscreen.
ToopenOn-ScreenKeyboard,dothefollowing:
•ForWindows7:ClicktheStartbutton.Then,typeOn-ScreenKeyboardintothesearchfield.Inthelistof   
results,clickOn-ScreenKeyboard. 
•ForWindows8.1:Moveyourpointertothetop-rightorbottom-rightcornerofthescreentodisplaythe 
charmsandclickSearch.Then,typeOn-ScreenKeyboardintothesearchfield.Inthelistofresults,   
clickOn-ScreenKeyboard. 
FormoreinformationabouthowtouseandconfigureOn-ScreenKeyboard,seetheWindowsHelpand 
Supportinformationsystem.
Personalizedkeyboard
Thetactilebumpsonthekeyboardprovideareferencepointfromwhichyoucaneasilylocateallkeyson 
thekeyboardwithoutvisualassistance.
Toadjustyourkeyboardsettings,openControlPanel,clickEaseofAccess➙EaseofAccessCenter,    
andthenclickMakethekeyboardeasiertouse. 
Industry-standardconnectors
Yourcomputerprovidesindustry-standardconnectorsthatenableyoutoconnectassistivedevices, 
ifneeded.
Formoreinformationaboutthelocationandfunctionoftheconnectors,see“Locatingconnectors,controls, 
andindicatorsonthefrontofyourcomputer”onpage2
and“Locatingconnectorsontherearofyour
computer”onpage3.
Chapter3.Youandyourcomputer27  
Page 40
TTY/TDDconversionmodem
Yourcomputersupportstheuseofthetexttelephone(TTY)orthetelecommunicationsdeviceforthe 
deaf(TDD)conversionmodem.ThemodemmustbeconnectedbetweenyourcomputerandaTTY/TDD 
telephone.Then,youcantypeamessageonyourcomputerandsendittothetelephone.
Documentationinaccessibleformats
Lenovoprovideselectronicdocumentationinaccessibleformats,suchasproperlytaggedPDFfilesor 
HyperTextMarkupLanguage(HTML)files.Lenovoelectronicdocumentationisdevelopedtoensure 
thatvisuallyimpaireduserscanreadthedocumentationthroughascreenreader.Eachimageinthe 
documentationalsoincludesadequatealternativetextsothatvisuallyimpaireduserscanunderstandthe 
imagewhentheyuseascreenreader.
Movingyourcomputertoanothercountryorregion 
Whenyoumoveyourcomputertoanothercountryorregion,youmusttakelocalelectricalstandards 
intoconsideration.
Ifyourelocateyourcomputertoacountryorregionthatusesanelectricaloutletstyledifferentfromthe 
typeyouarecurrentlyusing,youwillhavetopurchaseeitherelectricalplugadaptersornewpowercords. 
YoucanorderpowercordsdirectlyfromLenovo.
Forpowercordinformationandpartnumbers,goto: 
http://www.lenovo.com/powercordnotice
28ThinkCentreM53UserGuide 
Page 41
Chapter4. 
Thischapterprovidesinformationabouthowtoprotectyourcomputerfromtheftandunauthorizeduse.
AttachingaKensington-stylecablelock 
YoucanuseaKensington-stylecablelocktosecureyourcomputertoadesk,table,orothernon-permanent 
fixture.Thecablelockattachestothesecurity-lockslotattherearofyourcomputer.Dependingonthetype 
selected,thecablelockcanbeoperatedwithakeyorcombination.Thecablelockalsolocksthebuttons 
usedtoopenthecomputercover.Thisisthesametypeoflockusedwithmanynotebookcomputers.You 
canordersuchacablelockdirectlyfromLenovobysearchingforKensingtonat:  
http://www.lenovo.com/support
Figure6.Kensington-stylecablelock
Usingpasswords 
YoucansetavarietyofpasswordsthroughtheMicrosoftWindowsoperatingsystemandthroughtheBIOS 
ofyourcomputertohelpdeterunauthorizeduseofyourcomputer.
BIOSpasswords 
YoucanusetheBIOSSetupUtilityprogramtosetpasswordstopreventunauthorizedaccesstoyour 
computeranddata.Thefollowingtypesofpasswordsareavailable:
•Administratorpassword
•Harddiskpassword
©CopyrightLenovo2014
29
Page 42
•Power-onpassword(POP)
FormoreinformationaboutBIOSpasswords,see“UsingBIOSpasswords”onpage34 
setanypasswordstouseyourcomputer.However,usingpasswordsimprovescomputingsecurity.
.Youdonothaveto
Windowspasswords 
DependingonyourversionoftheWindowsoperatingsystem,youcanuseWindowspasswordsforavariety 
offeatures,includingaccesscontrolandindividualusersettings.Formoreinformation,seetheWindows 
HelpandSupportinformationsystem.
Usingthecoverpresenceswitch 
Thecoverpresenceswitchpreventsyourcomputerfromloggingintotheoperatingsystemwhenthe 
computercoverisnotproperlyinstalledorclosed.Toenablethecover-presence-switchconnectoronthe 
systemboard,dothefollowing:
1.StarttheSetupUtilityprogram.See“StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage33.
2.Settheadministratorpassword.See“Setting,changing,anddeletingapassword”onpage34.
3.FromtheSecuritysubmenu,selectChassisIntrusionDetection➙Enabled.The     
cover-presence-switchconnectoronthesystemboardisenabled.
Whenyouturnonthecomputer,ifthecoverpresenceswitchdetectsthatyourcomputercoverisnot 
correctlyinstalledorclosed,anerrormessagewillbedisplayed.Tobypasstheerrormessageandloginto 
theoperatingsystem,dothefollowing:
1.Properlyinstallorcloseyourcomputercover.See“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage109.
2.PressF1toentertheSetupUtilityprogram.ThenpressF10tosaveandexittheSetupUtilityprogram. 
Theerrormessagewillnotbedisplayedagain.
Usingthefingerprintreader
Theintegratedfingerprintreaderprovidedonsomekeyboardsenablesyoutoenrollyourfingerprintand 
associateitwithyourpower-onpassword,harddiskpassword,andWindowspassword.Asaresult, 
fingerprintauthenticationcanreplacepasswordsandenablesimpleandsecureuseraccess.
ToopenFingerprintManagerProorThinkVantageFingerprintSoftwareandusethefingerprintreader, 
dothefollowing:
•OntheWindows7operatingsystem,see“AccessingLenovoprogramsontheWindows7operating 
system”onpage11.
•OntheWindows8.1operatingsystem,see“AccessingLenovoprogramsontheWindows8.1operating 
system”onpage12.
Toconfigurethefingerprintreader,dothefollowing:
1.StarttheSetupUtilityprogram.See“StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage33.
2.FromtheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu,selectSecurity➙FingerprintSetup,andpressEnter.    
TheFingerprintSetupwindowopens.
3.SelectPrebootAuthenticationorEraseFingerprintDataasdesired,andpressEnter.  
Note:
•PrebootAuthentication:enablesordisablesthefingerprintauthenticationforaccessingtheBIOS. 
•EraseFingerprintData:clearsthefingerprintdatastoredinafingerprintreader. 
30ThinkCentreM53UserGuide 
Page 43
4.SelectthedesiredsettingsandpressEnter.
5.PressF10tosavechangesandexittheSetupUtilityprogram.PressEnterwhenpromptedtoconfirm 
theexit.
Formoreinformationaboutusingthefingerprintreader,refertothehelpsystemofFingerprintManagerPro 
orThinkVantageFingerprintSoftware.
Usingandunderstandingfirewalls
Afirewallcanbehardware,software,oracombinationofbothdependingonthelevelofsecurityrequired. 
Firewallsworkonasetofrulestodeterminewhichinboundandoutboundconnectionsareauthorized.If 
yourcomputerispreinstalledwithafirewallprogram,ithelpsprotectagainstcomputerInternetsecurity 
threats,unauthorizedaccess,intrusions,andInternetattacks.Italsoprotectsyourprivacy.Formore 
informationabouthowtousethefirewallprogram,refertothehelpsystemofyourfirewallprogram.
TheWindowsoperatingsystempreinstalledonyourcomputerprovidestheWindowsFirewall.Fordetailson 
usingtheWindowsFirewall,referto“HelpandSupport”onpage113
.
Protectingdataagainstviruses 
Yourcomputerispreinstalledwithanantivirusprogramtohelpyouguardagainst,detect,andeliminate 
viruses.
Lenovoprovidesafullversionofantivirussoftwareonyourcomputerwithafree30-daysubscription.After 
30days,youmustrenewthelicensetocontinuereceivingtheantivirussoftwareupdates.
Note: Virusdefinitionfilesmustbekeptup-to-datetoguardagainstnewviruses.
Formoreinformationabouthowtouseyourantivirussoftware,refertothehelpsystemofyourantivirus 
software.
Chapter4.Security31  
Page 44
32ThinkCentreM53UserGuide 
Page 45
Chapter5.
Thischapterprovidesthefollowinginformationtohelpyouconfigurethecomputer:
•
•
UsingtheSetupUtilityprogram 
TheSetupUtilityprogramisusedtoviewandchangetheconfigurationsettingsofyourcomputer,regardless 
ofwhichoperatingsystemyouareusing.However,theoperatingsystemsettingsmightoverrideanysimilar 
settingsintheSetupUtilityprogram.
StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram 
TostarttheSetupUtilityprogram,dothefollowing:
1.Ensurethatyourcomputeristurnedoff.
2.RepeatedlypressandreleasetheF1keywhenturningonthecomputer.Whenyouhearmultiple 
beepsorseealogoscreen,releasetheF1key.
Note: Ifapower-onpasswordoranadministratorpasswordhasbeenset,theSetupUtilityprogram 
menuwillnotbedisplayeduntilyouenterthecorrectpassword.Formoreinformation,see“Using 
BIOSpasswords”onpage34
.
WhenthePOSTdetectsthattheharddiskdrivehasbeenremovedfromyourcomputerorthememorysize 
hasdecreased,anerrormessagewillbedisplayed.Youmustdooneofthefollowing:
•PressF1toentertheSetupUtilityprogram.
Note: AfteryouentertheSetupUtilityprogram,pressF10tosavechangesandexittheSetupUtility 
program.PressEnterwhenpromptedtoconfirmtheexit.Theerrormessagewillnotbedisplayedagain.
•PressF2tobypasstheerrormessageandlogintotheoperatingsystem.
Note: Y ouhavetoenabletheconfigurationchangedetectionfeatureforthePOSTtodetecttheremovalof 
theharddiskdrive.T oenabletheconfigurationchangedetectionfeature,dothefollowing:
1.StarttheSetupUtilityprogram.
2.FromtheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu,selectSecurity➙ConfigurationChangeDetection,    
andpressEnter.
3.SelectEnabledandpressEnter. 
4.PressF10tosavechangesandexittheSetupUtilityprogram.PressEnterwhenpromptedtoconfirm 
theexit.
Viewingandchangingsettings 
TheSetupUtilityprogrammenulistsvariousitemsaboutthesystemconfiguration.Tovieworchange 
settings,starttheSetupUtilityprogram.See“StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage33.Then,follow 
theinstructionsonthescreen.
Youcanuseeitherthekeyboardorthemousetonavigatethroughmenuchoices.Thekeysusedtoperform 
varioustasksaredisplayedatthebottomofeachscreen.
©CopyrightLenovo2014
33
Page 46
UsingBIOSpasswords 
ByusingtheSetupUtilityprogram,youcansetpasswordstopreventunauthorizedaccesstoyourcomputer 
anddata.
Youdonothavetosetanypasswordstouseyourcomputer.However,usingpasswordsimprovescomputer 
security.Ifyoudecidetosetanypasswords,readthefollowingtopics.
SetupUtilityprogrampasswordtypes
Thefollowingtypesofpasswordsareavailable:
•Power-onpassword 
Whenapower-onpasswordisset,youarepromptedtoenteravalidpasswordeachtimethecomputeris 
turnedon.Thecomputercannotbeuseduntilthevalidpasswordisentered.
•Administratorpassword 
Settinganadministratorpassworddetersunauthorizedusersfromchangingconfigurationsettings.Ifyou 
areresponsibleformaintainingtheconfigurationsettingsofseveralcomputers,youmightwanttoset 
anAdministratorpassword.
Whenanadministratorpasswordisset,youarepromptedtoenteravalidpasswordeachtimeyou 
trytoaccesstheSetupUtilityprogram.TheSetupUtilityprogramcannotbeaccesseduntilavalid 
passwordisentered.
Ifboththepower-onpasswordandadministratorpasswordareset,youcanentereitherpassword. 
However,youmustuseyourAdministratorpasswordtochangeanyconfigurationsettings.
•Harddiskpassword 
Settingaharddiskpasswordpreventsunauthorizedaccesstothedataontheharddiskdrive.Whena 
harddiskpasswordisset,youarepromptedtoenteravalidpasswordeachtimeyoutrytoaccessthe 
harddiskdrive.
Notes:
–Afteryousetaharddiskpassword,yourdataontheharddiskdriveisprotectedeveniftheharddisk
driveisremovedfromonecomputerandinstalledinanother.
–Iftheharddiskpasswordisforgotten,thereisnowaytoresetthepasswordorrecoverdatafromthe
harddiskdrive.
Passwordconsiderations
Apasswordcanbeanycombinationofupto64alphabeticandnumericcharacters.Forsecurityreasons,it 
isrecommendedtouseastrongpasswordthatcannotbeeasilycompromised.
Note: TheSetupUtilityprogrampasswordsarenotcasesensitive.
Tosetastrongpassword,considerthefollowingguidelines:
•Haveatleasteightcharactersinlength
•Containatleastonealphabeticcharacterandonenumericcharacter
•Notbeyournameoryourusername
•Notbeacommonwordoracommonname
•Besignificantlydifferentfromyourpreviouspasswords
Setting,changing,anddeletingapassword
Toset,change,ordeleteapassword,dothefollowing:
1.StarttheSetupUtilityprogram.See“StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage33.
2.FromtheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu,selectSecurity. 
34ThinkCentreM53UserGuide 
Page 47
3.Dependingonthepasswordtype,select SetPower-OnPassword,SetAdministratorPassword,or   
HardDiskPassword.
4.Followtheinstructionsontherightsideofthescreentoset,change,ordeleteapassword.
Note: Apasswordcanbeanycombinationofupto64alphabeticandnumericcharacters.Formore 
information,see“Passwordconsiderations”onpage34
.
Erasinglostorforgottenpasswords(clearingCMOS)
Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoeraselostorforgottenpasswords,suchasauserpassword.
Toerasealostorforgottenpassword,dothefollowing:
1.Removeallmediafromthedrivesandturnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.Then,disconnect 
allpowercordsfromelectricaloutletsanddisconnectallcablesthatareconnectedtothecomputer.
2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage89.
3.LocatetheClearCMOS/Recoveryjumperonthesystemboard.See“Locatingpartsonthesystem 
board”onpage6.
4.Movethejumperfromthestandardposition(pin1andpin2)tothemaintenanceposition(pin2and 
pin3).
5.Reinstallthecomputercoverandconnectthepowercord.See“Completingthepartsreplacement”on 
page109.
6.Turnonthecomputerandleaveitonforapproximately10seconds.Then,turnoffthecomputerby 
holdingthepowerbuttonforapproximatelyfiveseconds.
7.Repeatstep1throughstep2.
8.MovetheClearCMOS/Recoveryjumperbacktothestandardposition(pin1andpin2).
9.Reinstallthecomputercoverandconnectthepowercord.See“Completingthepartsreplacement”on 
page109.
Enablingordisablingadevice 
Thissectionprovidesinformationonhowtoenableordisableuseraccesstothefollowingdevices:
USBSetup 
disabled,thedeviceconnectedtotheUSBconnectorcannotbeused.
SATAController Disable,alldevicesconnectedtotheSATAconnectors 
(suchasharddiskdrivesoropticaldrives)aredisabledandcannotbeaccessed.
Toenableordisableadevice,dothefollowing:
1.StarttheSetupUtilityprogram.See“StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage33.
2.FromtheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu,selectDevices. 
3.Dependingonthedeviceyouwanttoenableordisable,dooneofthefollowing:
•SelectUSBSetuptoenableordisableaUSBdevice. 
•SelectAT ADriveSetuptoenableordisableaninternalorexternalSATAdevice. 
4.SelectthedesiredsettingsandpressEnter.
5.PressF10tosavechangesandexittheSetupUtilityprogram.See“ExitingtheSetupUtilityprogram” 
onpage38.
Chapter5.Advancedconfiguration35  
Page 48
Selectingastartupdevice 
Ifyourcomputerdoesnotstartupfromadeviceasexpected,dooneofthefollowingtoselectthestartup 
deviceyouwant.
Selectingatemporarystartupdevice
Usethisproceduretoselectatemporarystartupdevice.
Note: Notalldiscsandharddiskdrivesarebootable.
1.Turnonorrestartyourcomputer.
2.Whenyouseethelogoscreen,repeatedlypressandreleasetheF12key.TheStartupDeviceMenu 
windowisdisplayed.
3.SelectthedesiredstartupdeviceandpressEnter.Thecomputerwillstartupfromthedeviceyou 
selected.
Note: SelectingastartupdevicefromtheStartupDeviceMenuwindowdoesnotpermanentlychange 
thestartupsequence.
Selectingorchangingthestartupdevicesequence
Tovieworpermanentlychangetheconfiguredstartupdevicesequence,dothefollowing:
1.StarttheSetupUtilityprogram.See“StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage33.
2.FromtheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu,selectStartup. 
3.SelectthedevicesforthePrimaryStartupSequence,theAutomaticStartupSequence,andtheError 
StartupSequence.Readtheinformationdisplayedontherightsideofthescreen.
4.PressF10tosavechangesandexittheSetupUtilityprogram.See“ExitingtheSetupUtilityprogram” 
onpage38.
EnablingErPLPScompliancemode 
Lenovocomputersmeettheeco-designrequirementsoftheErPLot3regulation.Formoreinformation,go 
to: 
http://www.lenovo.com/ecodeclaration
YoucanenableErPLPScompliancemodeintheSetupUtilityprogramtoreducetheconsumptionof 
electricitywhenyourcomputerisofforinsleepmode.
ToenableErPLPScompliancemodeintheSetupUtilityprogram,dothefollowing:
1.StarttheSetupUtilityprogram.See“StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage33.
2.FromtheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu,selectPower➙EnhancedPowerSavingMode,and    
pressEnter.
3.SelectEnabledandpressEnter. 
4.FromthePowermenu,selectAutomaticPowerOnandpressEnter.  
5.SelectWakeonLanandpressEnter. 
6.SelectDisabledandpressEnter. 
7.PressF10tosavechangesandexittheSetupUtilityprogram.PressEnterwhenpromptedtoconfirm 
theexit.
WhenErPLPScompliancemodeisenabled,youcanwakeupyourcomputerbydoingoneofthefollowing:
•Pressthepowerbutton
•Enablethewakeuponalarmfeature
36ThinkCentreM53UserGuide 
Page 49
Thewakeuponalarmfeatureenablesyourcomputertowakeupatasettime.T oenablethewake 
uponalarmfeature,dothefollowing:
1.StarttheSetupUtilityprogram.
2.FromtheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu,selectPower➙AutomaticPowerOn,andpressEnter.   
3.SelectWakeUponAlarmandpressEnter.Thenfollowtheinstructionsonthescreen. 
4.PressF10tosavechangesandexittheSetupUtilityprogram.PressEnterwhenpromptedto 
confirmtheexit.
•Enabletheafterpowerlossfeature 
Theafterpowerlossfeatureenablesyourcomputertowakeupwhenthepowersupplyresumesaftera
suddenlossofelectricity.T oenabletheafterpowerlossfeature,dothefollowing:
1.StarttheSetupUtilityprogram.
2.FromtheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu,selectPower➙AfterPowerLoss,andpressEnter.   
3.SelectPowerOnandpressEnter. 
4.PressF10tosavechangesandexittheSetupUtilityprogram.PressEnterwhenpromptedto 
confirmtheexit.
Smartperformancechoices 
Youcanadjusttheacousticandthermalperformanceofyourcomputerthroughthe SmartPerformance 
Choicemenu.T wochoicesareavailable: 
•BetterAcousticPerformance(defaultchoice) 
•BetterThermalPerformance 
ByenablingBetterAcousticPerformance,yourcomputerwillrunwithlessnoiseatanormalthermal  
level.ByenablingBetterThermalPerformance,yourcomputerwillrunatabetterthermallevelwith  
normalacousticperformance.
Toswitchbetweenbetteracousticperformanceandbetterthermalperformance,dothefollowing:
1.StarttheSetupUtilityprogram.See“StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage33.
2.FromtheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu,selectPower. 
3.SelectSmartPerformanceChoice.TheSmartPerformanceChoicewindowisdisplayed. 
4.SelectBetterAcousticPerformanceorBetterThermalPerformanceasdesired.  
5.PressF10tosaveyoursettingandexittheSetupUtilityprogram.See“ExitingtheSetupUtility 
program”onpage38.
ICEperformancemode 
Youcanadjusttheacousticandthermalperformanceofyourcomputerthroughthe ICEPerformance 
Modemenu.T wochoicesareavailable: 
•BetterAcousticPerformance(defaultsetting) 
•BetterThermalPerformance 
ByenablingBetterAcousticPerformance,yourcomputerwillrunwithlessnoiseatanormalthermal  
level.ByenablingBetterThermalPerformance,yourcomputerwillrunatabetterthermallevelwith  
normalacousticperformance.
ToconfiguretheICEperformancemode,dothefollowing:
1.StarttheSetupUtilityprogram.See“StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage33.
Chapter5.Advancedconfiguration37  
Page 50
2.FromtheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu,selectPower. 
3.SelectIntelligentCoolingEngine(ICE).TheIntelligentCoolingEngine(ICE)windowisdisplayed. 
4.SelectICEPerformanceMode.TheICEPerformanceModewindowisdisplayed. 
5.SelectBetterAcousticPerformanceorBetterThermalPerformanceasdesired.  
6.PressF10tosavechangesandexittheSetupUtilityprogram.See“ExitingtheSetupUtilityprogram” 
onpage38.
ICEthermalalert 
Youcanmonitorthethermalfunctionofyourcomputerundercriticalthermalsituationsthroughthe ICE 
ThermalAlertmenu.Twochoicesareavailable: 
•Enabled(defaultsetting) 
•Disabled 
AfterenablingtheICEthermalalertfunction,whencriticalthermalsituationsoccur,suchasmalfunctioning 
fans,abnormallyhightemperature,andpoorcoolingperformances,analertlogwillbewrittenintothe 
Windowssystemlog.Thealertlogcanhelpyouidentifythethermalproblems.
ToconfiguretheICEthermalalertfunction,dothefollowing:
1.StarttheSetupUtilityprogram.See“StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage33.
2.FromtheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu,selectPower. 
3.SelectIntelligentCoolingEngine(ICE).TheIntelligentCoolingEngine(ICE)windowisdisplayed. 
4.SelectICEThermalAlert.TheICEThermalAlertwindowisdisplayed. 
5.SelectEnabledorDisabledasdesired.  
6.PressF10tosavechangesandexittheSetupUtilityprogram.See“ExitingtheSetupUtilityprogram” 
onpage38.
ExitingtheSetupUtilityprogram 
Afteryoufinishviewingorchangingsettings,pressEsctoreturntotheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu. 
YoumighthavetopressEscseveraltimes.Dooneofthefollowing:
•Ifyouwanttosavethenewsettings,pressF10tosavechangesandexittheSetupUtilityprogram.
•Ifyoudonotwanttosavethesettings,selectExit➙DiscardChangesandExit,andthenpressEnter.    
WhentheResetWithoutSavingwindowdisplays,selectYes,andthenpressEntertoexittheSetup  
Utilityprogram.
•Ifyouwanttoreturntothedefaultsettings,pressF9toloadthedefaultsettings,andthenpressF10to 
saveandexittheSetupUtilityprogram.
UpdatingorrecoveringtheBIOS 
LenovomightmakechangesandenhancementstotheBIOS.Whenupdatesarereleased,theyareavailable 
asdownloadablefilesontheLenovoWebsiteathttp://www.lenovo.com/drivers.Instructionsforusingthe 
BIOSupdatesareavailableinaTXTfilethatisincludedwiththeupdatefiles.Formostmodels,youcan 
downloadeitheranupdateprogramtocreateasystem-program-updatediscoranupdateprogramthat 
canberunfromtheoperatingsystem.
ThischapterprovidesinformationaboutupdatingtheBIOS,andhowtorecoverfromaBIOSupdatefailure.
38ThinkCentreM53UserGuide 
Page 51
BIOSlevels 
AnincorrectlevelofBIOScancausefalseerrorsandunnecessaryFRUreplacement.Usethefollowing 
informationtodeterminethecurrentlevelofBIOSinstalledinthecomputer,thelatestBIOSavailableforthe 
computer,andwheretoobtainthelatestlevelofBIOS.
•TodeterminethecurrentLevelofBIOS: 
–StarttheSetupUtility. 
–SelectMainmenu.
•SourcesforobtainingthelatestlevelBIOSavailable
1.Lenovosupportwebsite:http://www.lenovo.com/support/ 
2.LenovoCustomerSupportCenter
3.Levels1and2Support
ToupdatetheBIOS,see“UpdatingorrecoveringtheBIOS”onpage38.
Note: BIOSsettingsvarybyoperatingsystem.ChangetheBIOSsettingsbeforeinstallinganewoperating 
system.See“ChangingtheBIOSsettingsbeforeinstallinganewoperatingsystem”onpage39.
Usingsystemprograms 
Systemprogramsarethebasiclayerofsoftwarebuiltintoyourcomputer.Systemprogramsincludethe 
POST,theBIOS,andtheSetupUtilityprogram.ThePOSTisasetoftestsandproceduresthatare 
performedeachtimeyouturnonyourcomputer.TheBIOSisalayerofsoftwarethattranslatesinstructions 
fromotherlayersofsoftwareintoelectricalsignalsthatthecomputerhardwarecanexecute.Y oucanusethe 
SetupUtilityprogramtovieworchangetheconfigurationsettingsofyourcomputer.See“UsingtheSetup 
Utilityprogram”onpage33
fordetailedinformation.
Thesystemboardofyourcomputerhasamodulecalledelectricallyerasableprogrammableread-only 
memory(EEPROM,alsoreferredtoasflashmemory).ItenablesyoutoupdatethePOST,theBIOS,and 
theSetupUtilityprogrameasily.T operformsuchanupdate,youcaneitherstartyourcomputerwitha 
system-program-updatediscorrunaspecialupdateprogramfromyouroperatingsystem.
LenovomightmakechangesandenhancementstothePOSTandBIOS.Whenupdatesarereleased,they 
areavailableasdownloadablefilesontheLenovoWebsiteathttp://www.lenovo.com.Instructionsforusing 
thePOSTandBIOSupdatesareavailableinaTXTfilethatisincludedwiththeupdatefiles.Formost 
models,youcandownloadanupdateprogramthatcanbeusedtocreateasystem-program-updatedisc 
orberunfromtheoperatingsystem.
ChangingtheBIOSsettingsbeforeinstallinganewoperatingsystem 
BIOSsettingsvarybyoperatingsystem.ChangetheBIOSsettingsbeforeinstallinganewoperatingsystem.
TochangetheBIOSsettings,dothefollowing:
1.StarttheSetupUtilityprogram.See“StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage33.
2.FromtheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu,selectExit➙OSOptimizedDefault.   
3.Dependingontheoperatingsystemtobeinstalled,dooneofthefollowing:
•ToinstalltheWindows8.1(64-bit)operatingsystem,selectEnabled. 
•ToinstallanoperatingsystemotherthanWindows8.1(64-bit),selectDisabled. 
4.SelectY esinthewindowdisplayedandpressEntertoconfirmyourselection. 
5.PressF10tosavechangesandexittheSetupUtilityprogram.See“ExitingtheSetupUtilityprogram” 
onpage38.
Chapter5.Advancedconfiguration39  
Page 52
UpdatingtheBIOSfromadisc 
Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoupdate(flash)theBIOSfromadiscontheWindows8.1(64-bit) 
operatingsystemandonotheroperatingsystems.
Note: Youcandownloadaself-startingbootablediscimage(knownasanISOimage)withthesystem 
programupdatestocreateasystem-program-updatedisc.Goto: 
http://www.lenovo.com/support
Toupdate(flash)theBIOSfromadiscontheWindows8.1(64-bit)operatingsystem,dothefollowing:
1.StarttheSetupUtilityprogram.See“StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage33.
2.FromtheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu,selectExit➙OSOptimizedDefault➙Disabled.     
3.SelectY esinthewindowdisplayedandpressEntertoconfirmyourselection. 
4.PressF10tosavechangesandexittheSetupUtilityprogram.See“ExitingtheSetupUtilityprogram” 
onpage38.
5.Turnoffyourcomputer.
6.Pressthepowerbuttontoturnonthecomputer.ThenrepeatedlypressandreleasetheF12keyuntilthe 
StartupDeviceMenuwindowopens.
7.FromtheStartupDeviceMenuwindow,selectthedesiredopticaldriveasthestartupdevice.Then, 
insertthediscintothisopticaldriveandpressEnter.Theupdatebegins.
8.Whenpromptedtochangetheserialnumber,itissuggestedthatyoudonotmakethischangeby 
pressingN.However,ifyoudowanttochangetheserialnumber,pressY,andthentypeintheserial 
numberandpressEnter.
9.Whenpromptedtochangethemachinetypeandmodel,itissuggestedthatyoudonotmakethis 
changebypressingN.However,ifyoudowanttochangethemachinetypeandmodel,pressY,and 
thentypeinthemachinetypeandmodelandpressEnter.
10.Followtheinstructionsonthescreentocompletetheupdate.Aftertheupdateiscompleted,removethe 
discfromtheopticaldrive.
11.RestartyourcomputerandstarttheSetupUtilityprogram.See“StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram” 
onpage33.
12.FromtheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu,selectExit➙OSOptimizedDefault➙Enabled.     
13.SelectY esinthewindowdisplayedandpressEntertoconfirmyourselection. 
14.PressF10tosavechangesandexittheSetupUtilityprogram.See“ExitingtheSetupUtilityprogram” 
onpage38
.
ToupdatetheBIOSfromadisc,dothefollowing:
1.Turnoffyourcomputer.
2.Pressthepowerbuttontoturnonthecomputer.ThenrepeatedlypressandreleasetheF12keyuntilthe 
StartupDeviceMenuwindowopens.
3.FromtheStartupDeviceMenuwindow,selectthedesiredopticaldriveasthestartupdevice.Then, 
insertthediscintothisopticaldriveandpressEnter.Theupdatebegins.
4.Whenpromptedtochangetheserialnumber,itissuggestedthatyoudonotmakethischangeby 
pressingN.However,ifyoudowanttochangetheserialnumber,pressY,thentypeintheserialnumber 
andpressEnter.
5.Whenpromptedtochangethemachinetypeandmodel,itissuggestedthatyoudonotmakethis 
changebypressingN.However,ifyoudowanttochangethemachinetypeandmodel,pressY,then 
typeinthemachinetypeandmodelandpressEnter.
40ThinkCentreM53UserGuide 
Page 53
6.Followtheinstructionsonthescreentocompletetheupdate.Aftertheupdateiscompleted,removethe 
discfromtheopticaldrive.
UpdatingtheBIOSfromyouroperatingsystem 
LenovomakesconstantimprovementstoitsWebsites.TheWebpagecontentsaresubjecttochange 
withoutnotice,includingthecontentsreferencedinthefollowingprocedure.ToupdatetheBIOSfrom 
youroperatingsystem,dothefollowing:
1.Gotohttp://www.lenovo.com/driversandfollowtheinstructionsontheWebpagetolocatetheBIOS 
driverthatyouneed.
2.DownloadtheBIOSdriverandtheTXTfilethatcontainstheinstructions.
3.PrinttheTXTfilethatcontainstheinstallationinstructionsandfollowtheinstructionstoupdateyour 
BIOS.
RecoveringfromaBIOSupdatefailure 
TorecoverfromaBIOSupdatefailure,dothefollowing:
1.Removeallmediafromthedrivesandturnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.Then,disconnect 
allpowercordsfromelectricaloutletsanddisconnectallcablesthatareconnectedtothecomputer.
2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage89.
3.LocatetheClearCMOS/Recoveryjumperonthesystemboard.See“Locatingpartsonthesystem 
board”onpage6.
4.RemoveanycablesthatimpedeaccesstotheClearCMOS/Recoveryjumper.
5.Movethejumperfromthestandardposition(pin1andpin2)tothemaintenanceposition(pin2and 
pin3).
6.ReconnectanycablesthatweredisconnectedandreinstallthePCIcardifremoved.
7.Reinstallthecomputercoverandreconnectthepowercordsforthecomputerandmonitortoelectrical 
outlets.See“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage109.
8.PressthepowerbuttontoturnonthecomputerandinserttheBIOSupdatediscintotheopticaldrive. 
Waitafewminutes.Therecoveryprocessbegins.Aftertherecoveryprocessiscompleted,your 
computerwillbeturnedoffautomatically.
Note: Dependingonthecomputermodel,therecoveryprocesswilltaketwotothreeminutes.
9.Repeatstep1throughstep4.
10.MovetheClearCMOS/Recoveryjumperbacktothestandardposition(pin1andpin2).
11.ReconnectanycablesthatweredisconnectedandreinstallthePCIcardifremoved.
12.Reinstallthecomputercoverandreconnectanycablesthatweredisconnected.
13.Pressthepowerbuttontoturnonthecomputerandrestarttheoperatingsystem.
Chapter5.Advancedconfiguration41  
Page 54
42ThinkCentreM53UserGuide 
Page 55
Chapter6. 
Thischapterprovidesinformationthatcanhelpyouavoidcommonproblemsandkeepyourcomputer 
runningsmoothly.
Keepingyourcomputercurrent 
Insomesituationsyoumightfinditnecessarytohavethemostcurrentsoftwareprograms,devicedrivers,or 
operatingsystem.Thissectionexplainshowtogetthelatestupdatesforyourcomputer.
Gettingthelatestdevicedriversforyourcomputer 
Note:LenovomakesconstantimprovementstoitsWebsites.ThecontentsontheWebpagearesubjectto 
changewithoutnotice,includingthecontentsreferencedinthefollowingprocedure.
Togetthelatestdevicedriversforyourcomputer,dothefollowing:
1.Gotohttp://www.lenovo.com/supportandfollowtheinstructionsonthescreen.
2.Selectyourproductbydoingoneofthefollowing:
•Enteryourmachineinformationinthequickpath.
•Choosefromtheproductoptions.
3.Selectthecategoryofdeviceandtheoperatingsystemforwhichyouneedthedevicedriver.
4.Inthefilteredlist,downloadandinstalltheappropriatedevicedriver.
Attention: DonotdownloadthelatestdevicedriversfromtheWindowsUpdateWebsite.Thedevicedrivers 
providedontheWindowsUpdateWebsitehavenotbeentestedbyLenovoandusingthemmightcause 
unexpectedproblems.ObtainthelatestdevicedriversfromLenovo.
Updatingyouroperatingsystem 
Youcanupdateyouroperatingsystemthroughthesystemupdatefeatureprovidedbytheoperatingsystem. 
Systemupdatesincludesecurityfixes,newversionsofWindowscomponents,fixestootherportionsof 
theWindowsoperatingsystem,orenhancements.
Toupdateyouroperatingsystem,dothefollowing:
Note: EnsurethatyourcomputerisconnectedtotheInternet.
•ForWindows7:
1.FromtheWindowsdesktop,clickStart➙AllPrograms➙WindowsUpdate.     
2.ClickCheckforupdates. 
3.Ifanyupdatesareavailable,selecttheupdatesyouneedandclickInstallupdates. 
•ForWindows8.1:
1.Movethepointertothetop-rightorbottom-rightcornerofthescreentodisplaythecharms.Click 
Settings ➙ChangePCsettings➙Updateandrecovery➙WindowsUpdate.      
2.ClickChecknow. 
3.Ifanyupdatesareavailable,clickViewdetails,selecttheupdatesyouneed,andclickInstall.  
©CopyrightLenovo2014
43
Page 56
UsingtheSystemUpdateprogram 
TheSystemUpdateprogram(hereinafterreferredtoasSystemUpdate)providesregularaccesstosystem 
andsoftwareupdatesforyourcomputertokeepyoursystemandsoftwareup-to-date.SystemUpdate 
gathersinformationfromtheLenovoHelpCenteraboutnewupdatesforyourcomputer.ThenSystem 
Updatesortsanddisplayseachupdateascritical,recommended,oroptionaltohelpyouunderstandthe 
importance.Y ouhavecompletecontrolofwhichupdatestodownloadandinstall.Afteryouselectthe 
updatesyouwant,SystemUpdateautomaticallydownloadsandinstallstheupdateswithoutanyfurther 
interventionfromyou.
SystemUpdateispreinstalledonmostLenovocomputersandisreadytorun.Theonlyprerequisiteis 
anactiveInternetconnection.Youcanstarttheprogrammanually,oryoucanusetheschedulefeature 
toenabletheprogramtosearchforupdatesautomaticallyatspecifiedintervals.Youalsocanpredefine 
scheduledupdatestosearchbyseverity(criticalupdates,criticalandrecommendedupdates,orallupdates). 
Asaresult,thelistyouchoosefromcontainsonlythoseupdatetypesthatareofinteresttoyou.
ToopenSystemUpdate,see“AccessingLenovoprogramsontheWindows7operatingsystem”onpage11 
or“AccessingLenovoprogramsontheWindows8.1operatingsystem”onpage12.
IfSystemUpdateisnotcurrentlyinstalledonyourcomputer,youcandownloaditfromtheLenovoSupport 
Websiteat: 
http://www.lenovo.com/support
Cleaningandmaintenance 
Withappropriatecareandmaintenanceyourcomputerwillserveyoureliably.Thefollowingtopicsoffer 
informationtohelpyoukeepyourcomputerintopworkingorder.
Basics 
Herearesomebasicpointsaboutkeepingyourcomputerfunctioningproperly:
•Keepyourcomputerinaclean,dryenvironment.Ensurethatthecomputerrestsonaflat,steadysurface.
•Donotcoveranyoftheventsinthecomputerormonitor.Theseventsprovideairflowtokeepyour 
computerfromoverheating.
•Keepfoodanddrinksawayfromallpartsofyourcomputer.Foodparticlesandspillsmightmakethe 
keyboardandmousestickandunusable.
•Donotgetthepowerswitchesorothercontrolswet.Moisturecandamagethesepartsandcausean 
electricalhazard.
•Alwaysdisconnectapowercordbygraspingthepluginsteadofthecord.
Cleaningyourcomputer 
Itisagoodpracticetocleanyourcomputerperiodicallytoprotectthesurfacesandensuretrouble-free 
operation.
CAUTION: 
Besuretoturnoffthecomputerandmonitorbeforecleaningthecomputerandmonitorscreen.
Computer
Useonlymildcleaningsolutionsandadampclothtocleanthepaintedsurfacesofthecomputer.
Keyboard
Tocleanyourcomputerkeyboard,dothefollowing:
44ThinkCentreM53UserGuide 
Page 57
1.Applysomeisopropylrubbingalcoholtoasoft,dust-freecloth.
2.Wipeeachkeytopsurfacewiththecloth.Wipethekeysonebyone;ifyouwipeseveralkeysatatime, 
theclothmayhookontoanadjacentkeyandpossiblydamageit.Ensurethatnoliquiddripsonto 
orbetweenthekeys.
3.Toremoveanycrumbsordustfrombeneaththekeys,youcanuseacamerablowerwithabrush 
orcoolairfromahairdryer.
Note:Avoidsprayingcleanerdirectlyontothekeyboard. 
Opticalmouse
Anopticalmouseusesalight-emittingdiode(LED)andanopticalsensortonavigatethepointer.Ifthe 
pointeronthescreendoesnotmovesmoothlywiththeopticalmouse,youmightneedtocleanthemouse.
Tocleananopticalmouse,dothefollowing:
1.Turnoffyourcomputer.
2.Disconnectthemousecablefromthecomputer.
3.Turnthemouseupsidedowntocheckthelens.
•Ifthereisasmudgeonthelens,gentlycleantheareawithaplaincotton-tippedswab.
•Ifthereisdebrisinthelens,gentlyblowthedebrisawayfromthearea.
4.Checkthesurfaceonwhichyouareusingthemouse.Ifyouhaveaveryintricatepictureorpattern 
beneaththemouse,itmightbedifficultforthedigitalsignalprocessortodeterminechangesinthe 
mouseposition.
5.Reconnectthemousecabletothecomputer.
6.Turnyourcomputerbackon.
Displayscreen
Dustbuildupcompoundsproblemsassociatedwithglare.Remembertocleanyourmonitorscreen 
periodically.
Cleaningaflat-panelmonitorsurface
Tocleantheflexiblefilmsurfaceofaflat-panelcomputerdisplay,wipeitgentlywithasoft,drycloth,or 
blowonthescreentoremovegritandotherlooseparticles.ThenmoistenaclothwithLCDcleanerand 
wipethescreensurface.
Manycomputersupplystorescarrythespecialcleaningfluidsfordisplays.Usecleaningfluidsdevelopedfor 
LCDdisplaysonly.Firstapplythefluidtoalint-free,softcloth,thencleantheLCDdisplay.Somecomputer 
supplystorescarrypre-moistenedtowelettesforLCDmaintenance.
Cleaningaglass-screensurface
Tocleanaglass-screensurface,wipeitgentlywithasoft,drycloth,orblowonthescreentoremovegritand 
otherlooseparticles.Thenuseasoftclothmoistenedwithanonabrasiveliquidglasscleaner.
Goodmaintenancepractices 
Byperformingafewgoodmaintenancepractices,youcanmaintaingoodcomputerperformance,protect 
yourdata,andbepreparedincaseofacomputerfailure.
•Emptyyourrecyclebinonaregularbasis.
•Usethediskdefragmentationordiskoptimizationfeatureofyouroperatingsystemoccasionallyto 
preventperformanceproblemscausedbyanexcessivenumberoffragmentedfiles.
Chapter6.Preventingproblems45  
Page 58
•CleanoutyourInbox,SentItems,andDeletedItemsfoldersinyoure-mailapplicationonaregularbasis.
•Backupcriticaldataregularlyonremovablemediamemory,suchasdiscsandUSBstoragedevices, 
andstoretheremovablemediainasafelocation.Thefrequencyofmakingbackupcopiesdependson 
howcriticalthedataistoyouoryourbusiness.
•Backupyourentireharddiskdriveonaregularbasis.
•Keepyourcomputersoftware,devicedrivers,andoperatingsystemup-to-date.See“Keepingyour 
computercurrent”onpage43
•Keepalogbook.Entriesmightincludemajorsoftwareorhardwarechanges,device-driverupdates, 
intermittentproblemsandwhatyoudidtoresolvethem,andotherissuesyoumighthaveexperienced. 
Thecauseofaproblemmightbechangeinhardware,changeinsoftware,oranyotheractionsthatmight 
havetakenplace.AlogbookcanhelpyouoraLenovotechniciandeterminesthecauseofaproblem.
•CreateProductRecoverydiscs.See“Creatingandusingrecoverymedia”onpage61formoreinformation 
aboutusingProductRecoverydiscstorestoretheharddiskdrivetothefactory-defaultsettings.
•CreaterescuemediausingdiscsorUSBstoragedevicesasearlyaspossible.Youcanusearescue 
mediumtorecoverfromfailuresthatpreventyoufromgainingaccesstotheWindowsenvironmentorthe 
RescueandRecoveryworkspaceonyourharddiskdrive.
.
Movingyourcomputer 
Takethefollowingprecautionsbeforemovingyourcomputer:
1.Backupallfilesanddatafromtheharddiskdrive.Thereareavarietyofbackupprogramsavailable 
commercially.IfyouusetheWindows7operatingsystem,LenovoprovidestheRescueandRecovery 
programtohelpyoubackupandrestoredata.See“Performingbackupandrecoveryoperations” 
onpage62.
2.Removeallmediafromyourcomputer,suchasdiscs,USBstoragedevices,memorycards,andsoon.
3.Turnoffthecomputerandallattacheddevices.Yourharddiskdriveautomaticallyparkstheread/write 
headinanondataarea.Thispreventsdamagetotheharddiskdrive.
4.Unplugthepowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.
5.Disconnectcommunicationcables,suchasmodemornetworkcables,fromtheoutletsfirst,andthen 
disconnecttheotherendsfromthecomputer.
6.Notewhereanyremainingcablesareattachedtothecomputer;then,removethem.
7.Ifyousavedtheoriginalshippingcartonsandpackingmaterials,usethemtopacktheunits.Ifyouare 
usingdifferentcartons,cushiontheunitstoavoiddamage.
46ThinkCentreM53UserGuide 
Page 59
Chapter7. 
Thischapterprovidesinformationaboutdiagnosingandtroubleshootingcomputerproblems.Ifyour 
computerproblemisnotdescribedhere,seeChapter10“Gettinginformation,help,andservice”onpage 
113foradditionaltroubleshootingresources.
Basictroubleshooting 
Thefollowingtableprovidessomebasicinstructionstohelpyoutroubleshootyourcomputerproblems.
Note: Ifyoucannotcorrecttheproblem,havethecomputerserviced.Foralistofserviceandsupport 
telephonenumbers,refertotheSafety,Warranty,andSetupGuidethatcomeswithyourcomputerorgoto  
theLenovoSupportWebsiteat: 
http://www.lenovo.com/support/phone
Symptom
Thecomputerdoesnotstart 
whenyoupressthepower 
button.
Themonitorscreenisblank.
Thekeyboarddoesnotwork.
Themousedoesnotwork.
Ensurethat:
•Thepowercordiscorrectlyconnectedtotherearofthecomputerandtoa 
workingelectricaloutlet.
•Ifyourcomputerhasasecondarypowerswitchontherearofthecomputer, 
ensurethatitisswitchedon.
•Thepowerindicatoronthefrontofthecomputerison.
•Thecomputervoltagematchesthevoltageavailableattheelectricaloutletfor 
yourcountryorregion.
•Themonitorsignalcableiscorrectlyconnectedtothemonitorandtothe 
appropriatemonitorconnectoronthecomputer.
•Themonitorpowercordiscorrectlyconnectedtothemonitorandtoaworking 
electricaloutlet.
•Themonitoristurnedonandthebrightnessandcontrastissetcorrectly.
•Thecomputervoltagematchesthevoltageavailableattheelectricaloutletfor 
yourcountryorregion.
•Ifyourcomputerhasadiscretegraphicscardinstalled,besuretouseamonitor 
connectoronthediscretegraphicscard.
•Thecomputeristurnedon.
•ThekeyboardissecurelyconnectedtoaPS/2keyboardconnectororaUSB 
connectoronthecomputer.
•Nokeysarestuck.
•Thecomputeristurnedon.
•ThemouseissecurelyconnectedtoaPS/2mouseconnectororaUSB 
connectoronthecomputer.
•Themouseisclean.Referto“Opticalmouse”onpage45forfurtherinformation.
©CopyrightLenovo2014
47
Page 60
Symptom
Theoperatingsystemdoesnot 
start.
Thecomputerbeepsmultiple 
timesbeforetheoperating 
systemstarts.
Ensurethatthestartupsequenceincludesthedevicewheretheoperatingsystem 
resides.Usually,theoperatingsystemisontheharddiskdrive.Formore 
information,see“Selectingastartupdevice”onpage36
Ensurethatnokeysarestuck.
.
Troubleshootingprocedure 
Usethefollowingprocedureasastartingpointfordiagnosingproblemsyouareexperiencingwithyour 
computer:
1.Ensurethatthecablesforallattacheddevicesareconnectedcorrectlyandsecurely.
2.Ensurethatallattacheddevicesthatrequireacpowerareconnectedtoproperlygrounded,functioning 
electricaloutlets.
3.EnsurethatallattacheddevicesareenabledintheBIOSsettingsofyourcomputer.Formoreinformation 
aboutaccessingandchangingtheBIOSsettings,referto“UsingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage33.
4.Goto“Troubleshooting”onpage48andfollowtheinstructionsforthetypeofproblemyouare 
experiencing.IftheTroubleshootinginformationdoesnothelpyouresolveaproblem,continuewiththe 
nextstep.
5.Tryusingapreviouslycapturedconfigurationtoseeifarecentchangetohardwareorsoftwaresettings 
hascausedaproblem.Beforerestoringapreviousconfiguration,captureyourcurrentconfigurationin 
casetheolderconfigurationsettingsdonotsolvetheproblemorhaveadverseeffects.Torestorea 
capturedconfiguration,dothefollowing:
•ForWindows7:ClickStart➙ControlPanel➙SystemandSecurity➙System➙System         
Protection ➙SystemRestore.  
•ForWindows8.1:OpenControlPanel,andthenclickSystemandSecurity➙System➙System     
Protection➙SystemRestore. 
Note:FordetailedinformationonhowtoopenControlPanelonWindows8.1,see“Accessing 
ControlPanelontheWindows8.1operatingsystem”onpage21.
Ifthisdoesnotcorrecttheproblem,continuewiththenextstep.
6.Runthediagnosticprogram.See“LenovoSolutionCenter”onpage58formoreinformation.
•Ifthediagnosticprogramdetectsahardwarefailureorifyouareunabletorunthediagnostic
program,contacttheLenovoCustomerSupportCenter.SeeChapter10“Gettinginformation,help, 
andservice”onpage113formoreinformation.
•Ifthediagnosticprogramdoesnotdetectahardwarefailure,continuewiththenextstep.
7.Useanantivirusprogramtoseeifyourcomputerhasbeeninfectedbyavirus.Iftheprogramdetectsa 
virus,removethevirus.
8.Ifnoneoftheseactionssolvetheproblem,seektechnicalassistance.SeeChapter10“Getting 
information,help,andservice”onpage113
formoreinformation.
Troubleshooting 
Usethetroubleshootinginformationtofindsolutionstoproblemsthathavedefinitesymptoms.
Ifthesymptomoccurredimmediatelyafteryouinstallednewsoftwareoranewhardwareoption,dothe 
followingbeforereferringtothetroubleshootinginformation:
48ThinkCentreM53UserGuide 
Page 61
1.Removethenewhardwareoptionorsoftware.Ifyoumustremovethecomputercovertoremovea 
hardwareoption,ensurethatyoureviewandfollowtheelectricalsafetyinformationprovidedwithyour 
computer.Foryoursafety,donotoperatethecomputerwiththecoverremoved.
2.Runthediagnosticprogramtoensureyourcomputerisoperatingcorrectly.
3.Reinstallthenewhardwareoptionorsoftwarefollowingtheinstructionsprovidedbythemanufacturer.
Audioproblems 
Thissectionprovidessolutionstoaudio-relatedproblems.
NoaudioinWindows
Solutions:
•IfyouareusingpoweredexternalspeakersthathaveanOn/Offcontrol,ensurethefollowing:
–TheOn/OffcontrolissettotheOnposition.  
–Thespeakerpowercableisconnectedtoaproperlygrounded,functionalacelectricaloutlet.
•Ifyourexternalspeakershaveavolumecontrol,ensurethatthevolumeisnotsettoolow.
•OntheWindowsdesktop,clickthespeakericonintheWindowsnotificationarea.ThenclickMixer.  
Ensurethatthemutespeakerssettingsarenotselectedandnoneofthevolumesettingsissettoolow.
•Somemodelshaveafrontaudiopanelyoucanusetoadjustvolume.Ifyouhaveafrontaudiopanel, 
ensurethatthevolumeisnotsettoolow.
•Ensurethatyourexternalspeakers(andheadphones,ifused)areconnectedtothecorrectaudio 
connectoronthecomputer.Mostspeakercablesarecolor-codedtomatchtheconnector.
Note: Whenexternal-speakerorheadphonecablesareattachedtotheaudioconnector,theinternal 
speaker,ifpresent,isdisabled.Inmostcases,ifanaudioadapterisinstalledinoneoftheexpansion 
slots,theaudiofunctionbuiltintothesystemboardisdisabled.Therefore,youmustusetheaudio 
connectorsontheaudioadapter.
•EnsurethattheprogramyouarerunningisdesignedforuseintheMicrosoftWindowsoperatingsystem. 
IftheprogramisdesignedtoruninDOS,theprogramdoesnotusetheWindowssoundfeature.The 
programmustbeconfiguredtouseSoundBlasterProorSoundBlasteremulation.
•Ensurethattheaudiodevicedriversarecorrectlyinstalled.SeeWindowsHelpandSupportinformation 
systemformoreinformation.
Soundcomesfromoneexternalspeakeronly
Solutions:
•Ensurethatthespeakercableisinsertedcompletelyintotheconnectoronthecomputer.
•Ensurethatthecablethatattachestheleftspeakertotherightspeakerissecurelyconnected.
•ClickthespeakericonintheWindowsnotificationarea.Thenclickthespeakericonontopofthevolume 
control.ClicktheLevelstabandensurethattheBalancesettingsaresetcorrectly. 
CDproblems 
ThissectionprovidessolutionstoCD-relatedproblems.
AnaudiodiscorAutoPlay-enableddiscdoesnotautomaticallyplaywhenitis 
insertedintoaCDdrive
Solutions:
•IfyouhavemultipleCDorDVDdrivesinstalled(oracombinationofCDandDVDdrives),tryinsertingthe 
discintotheotherdrive.Insomecases,onlyoneofthedrivesisconnectedtotheaudiosubsystem.
Chapter7.Troubleshootinganddiagnostics49  
Page 62
•Ifthisdoesnotcorrecttheproblem,followthesolutionsfor“ACDorDVDdoesnotwork”onpage50.
ACDorDVDdoesnotwork
Solutions:
•Ensurethatthediscisinsertedcorrectly,withitslabelup.
•Ensurethatthediscyouareusingisclean.Toremovedustorfingerprints,wipethedisccleanwithasoft 
clothfromthecentertotheoutside.Wipingadiscinacircularmotionmightcauselossofdata.
•Ensurethatthediscyouareusingisnotscratchedordamaged.Tryinsertinganotherdiscthatyou 
knowisgood.Ifyoucannotreadfromaknown-gooddisc,youmighthaveaproblemwithyouroptical 
driveorthecablingtoyouropticaldrive.Ensurethatthepowercableandsignalcablearesecurely 
connectedtothedrive.
Unabletouseabootablerecoverymedium,suchastheProductRecoveryCD,to 
startyourcomputer
Solution:EnsurethattheCDorDVDdriveisinthestartupsequencebeforetheharddiskdrive.Referto 
“Selectingorchangingthestartupdevicesequence”onpage36forinformationonviewingandchanging 
thestartupsequence.Notethatonsomemodelsthestartupsequenceispermanentlysetandcannot 
bechanged.
DVDproblems 
ThissectionprovidessolutionstoDVD-relatedproblems.
BlackscreeninsteadofDVDvideo
Solutions:
•RestarttheDVDplayerprogram.
•Tryalowerscreenresolutionorcolordepth.
•Closeanyopenfiles,andthenrestartthecomputer.
DVDmoviedoesnotplay
Solutions:
•Ensurethatthediscsurfaceiscleanandnotscratched.
•Checkthediscorpackageforregionalcoding.Y oumightneedtopurchaseadiscwithcodingfor 
theregionwhereyouareusingyourcomputer.
NoaudioorintermittentaudiowhileplayingaDVDmovie
Solutions:
•Checkthevolumecontrolsettingsonyourcomputerandonyourspeakers.
•Ensurethatthediscsurfaceiscleanandnotscratched.
•Checkallcableconnectionstoandfromthespeakers.
•UsetheDVDmenuforthevideotoselectadifferentaudiotrack.
Playbackissloworchoppy
Solutions:
•Disableanybackgroundprograms,suchasAntiVirusorDesktopThemes.
•Ensurethatvideoresolutionissettolessthan1152x864pixels.
50ThinkCentreM53UserGuide 
Page 63
Invaliddiscornodiscfoundmessage
Solutions:
•EnsurethataDVDdiscisinthedrivewiththeshinysideofthediscfacingdown.
•Ensurethatvideoresolutionissettolessthan1152x864pixels.
•OncomputersthathaveaCD-ROMorCD-RWdriveinadditiontoaDVD-ROMdrive,ensurethatthe 
DVDdiscisinthedrivelabeled“DVD”.
Intermittentproblems 
Someproblemsoccuronlyoccasionallyandaredifficulttorepeat.
Solutions:
•Ensurethatallcablesandcordsaresecurelyconnectedtothecomputerandattacheddevices.
•Ensurethatwhenthecomputerison,thefangrillisnotblocked(thereisairflowaroundthegrill),andthe 
fansareworking.Ifairflowisblockedorthefansarenotworking,thecomputermightoverheat.
•IfSmallComputerSystemInterface(SCSI)devicesareinstalled,ensurethatthelastexternaldevicein 
eachSCSIchainisterminatedcorrectly.Formoreinformation,seeyourSCSIdocumentation.
Harddiskdriveproblems 
Selectyoursymptomfromthefollowinglist:
•
•
SomeorallharddiskdrivesmissingfromtheSetupUtilityprogram
Symptom:SomeorallharddiskdrivesmissingfromtheSetupUtilityprogram
Actions:
•Ensurethatallharddiskdrivesignalcablesandpowercablesareconnectedcorrectly.
•Ensurethatyourcomputerisconfiguredcorrectlytosupporttheharddiskdrives.
–IfyourcomputerisinstalledwithfiveSATAharddiskdrives,ensurethattheSATAharddiskdrive
enablementmodule(onetofiveharddiskdrives)isinstalled.
–IfyourcomputerisinstalledwithSASharddiskdrives,ensurethattheSASharddiskdriveenablement
module(onetofiveharddiskdrives)ortheLSIMegaRAIDSASadapterisinstalled.
Iftheseactionsdonotcorrecttheproblem,runthediagnosticprogramLenovoSolutionCenter.See 
“LenovoSolutionCenter”onpage58 
help,andservice”onpage113.
.Ifyouneedtechnicalassistance,seeChapter10“Gettinginformation,
"NoOperatingSystemFound"messageorthesystemnotstartingfromthecorrect 
harddiskdrive
Symptom:"NoOperatingSystemFound"messageorthesystemnotstartingfromthecorrectharddiskdrive
Actions:
•Ensurethatallharddiskdrivesignalcablesandpowercablesareconnectedcorrectly.
•EnsurethattheharddiskdriveyourcomputerstartsfromislistedasthefirststartupdeviceintheSetup 
Utilityprogram.Referto“Selectingastartupdevice”onpage36
.
Chapter7.Troubleshootinganddiagnostics51  
Page 64
Note: Inrarecases,theharddiskdrivewiththeoperatingsystemmightgetcorruptedordamaged.Insuch 
cases,youmightneedtoreplacetheharddiskdrive.Referto“Replacingtheharddiskdriveassembly”on 
page100.
Iftheseactionsdonotcorrecttheproblem,runthediagnosticprogramLenovoSolutionCenter.See 
“LenovoSolutionCenter”onpage58.
Problemswiththekeyboardormouse 
Thissectionprovidessolutionstokeyboard-relatedandmouse-relatedproblems.
Keysonthekeyboarddonotwork
Solutions:
•ConnectthekeyboardcabletoaUSBconnectororPS/2keyboardconnector.
•IfyouareusingaUSBkeyboard,enabletheUSBconnectorsintheBIOSsettings.Formoreinformation, 
see“Enablingordisablingadevice”onpage35.
•IfyouareusinganEnhancedPerformanceUSBkeyboard,usethehelpsystemintheEnhanced 
PerformanceCustomizationKeyboardprogramtohelpdiagnoseproblems.
ToopentheEnhancedPerformanceCustomizationKeyboardprogram,dooneofthefollowing:
–OnWindows7:
1.ClickStart➙ControlPanel.   
2.ClickHardwareandSound. 
3.ClickDevicesandPrinters. 
4.Double-clickUSBEnhancedPerformanceKeyboard. 
–OnWindows8.1:
1.OpenControlPanel.Formoreinformation,see“AccessingControlPanelontheWindows8.1 
operatingsystem”onpage21.
2.ClickHardwareandSound. 
3.ClickDevicesandPrinters. 
4.Double-clickUSBEnhancedPerformanceKeyboard. 
Themousedoesnotwork
Solutions:
•ConnectthemousecabletoaUSBconnectororPS/2mouseconnector.
Note: Dependingonyourkeyboard,integratedUSBconnectorsmightbeavailabletobeusedto 
connectaUSBmouse.
•Installthedevicedriversforthemouse.
•IfyouareusingaUSBmouse,enabletheUSBconnectorsintheBIOSsettings.Formoreinformation, 
see“Enablingordisablingadevice”onpage35
.
Thepointeronthescreendoesnotmovesmoothlywiththemouse
Solution:Cleanthemouse.Formoreinformation,see“Opticalmouse”onpage45.
Thefingerprintreaderonthekeyboarddoesnotwork
Note:Thekeyboardwithfingerprintreaderisonlyavailableonsomemodels. 
Solutions:
52ThinkCentreM53UserGuide 
Page 65
•Enrollyourfingerprintcorrectly.
•Neverscratchthesurfaceofthereaderwithahard,pointedobject.
•Neverscrapthesurfaceofthereaderwithyournailoranythinghard.
•Useortouchthereaderwithacleanfinger.
•Ensurethatthesurfaceofyourfingeristhesamewiththeonewhenyoulastenrolled.
Thewirelesskeyboarddoesnotwork
Solutions:
•IfthetransceivercommunicationsLEDisnoton,reconnectthetransceiverandthekeyboard.
•IfthewirelesskeyboarddoesnotworkwhenthetransceivercommunicationsLEDison,restartyour 
computer.
Iftheproblempersistsaftertherestart,ensurethat:
•Thebatteriesareinstalledcorrectly.
•Thebatteriesstillretaintheircurrent.
•Thedistancefromthewirelesskeyboardtothetransceiverislessthan10m(393.7inches).
•Thetransceiverisinstalledfully.
Monitorproblems 
Thissectionprovidessolutionstomonitor-relatedproblems.
Myscreengoesblankwhilethecomputerison
Solutions:Y ourscreensaverorpowermanagementmighthavebeenenabled.Dooneofthefollowing:
•Pressakeytoexitthescreensaver.
•Pressthepowerbuttontoresumethecomputerfromsleeporhibernationmode.
ThemonitorworkswhenIturnonthecomputer,butgoesblankwhenIstartsome 
applicationprograms
Solutions:
•Connectthemonitorsignalcablefromyourmonitortoanappropriateconnectoronthecomputer.A 
loosecablemightcauseintermittentproblems.
•Installthedevicedriversfortheapplicationprograms.Refertothedocumentationfortheaffected 
applicationprogramtocheckwhetheranydevicedriversarerequired.
Theimageappearstobeflickering
Solution:Resettherefreshrate.
1.OpenControlPanel.
Note: ToopenControlPanelonWindows8.1,see“AccessingControlPanelontheWindows8.1 
operatingsystem”onpage21
2.ClickHardwareandSound➙Adjustscreenresolution➙Advancedsettings.     
3.ClicktheMonitortabtoresettherefreshrate.  
Settherefreshratetobethehighest,noninterlacedrefreshratesupportedonyourcomputer.Referto
thedocumentationthatcomeswithyourmonitorforthesupportedrefreshrates.
Chapter7.Troubleshootinganddiagnostics53  
Page 66
Theimageisdiscolored
Solution:Themonitormightbeaffectedbyinterferencefromnearbyequipment.Movefluorescentdesk 
lightingoranyequipmentthatproducesmagneticfieldsfurtherawayfromthemonitor.Iftheproblem 
persists,dothefollowing:
1.Turnoffthemonitor.
2.Adjusttheplacementofthemonitorandotherdevicessothattheyareatleast305mm(12inches)apart.
3.Turnonthemonitor.
Networkingproblems 
Thissectionprovidessolutionstonetworking-relatedproblems.
Ethernetproblems
Mycomputercannotbeconnectedtothenetwork
Solutions:
•ConnectthecablefromtheEthernetconnectortotheRJ45connectorofthehub.
•Havethelatestdevicedriverinstalledonyourcomputer. 
Tocheckwhetheryouareusingthelatestdevicedriver,dooneofthefollowing:
–OnWindows7:
1.ClickStart➙ControlPanel.   
2.ClickHardwareandSound. 
3.ClickDeviceManager.T ypetheadministratorpasswordorprovideconfirmationifprompted. 
4.IfanexclamationmarkisdisplayednexttoanadapternameunderNetworkadapters,theadapter  
drivermightnotbethelatestorisdisabled.Right-clickthehighlightedadaptertoupdatethedriver.
5.ClickUpdateDriverSoftware,andthenfollowtheinstructionsonthescreen. 
–OnWindows8.1:
1.OpenControlPanel.Formoreinformation,see“AccessingControlPanelontheWindows8.1 
operatingsystem”onpage21.
2.ClickHardwareandSound. 
3.ClickDeviceManager.T ypetheadministratorpasswordorprovideconfirmationifprompted. 
4.IfanexclamationmarkisdisplayednexttoanadapternameunderNetworkadapters,theadapter  
drivermightnotbecorrectorisdisabled.Right-clickthehighlightedadaptertoupdatethedriver.
5.ClickUpdateDriverSoftware,andthenfollowtheinstructionsonthescreen. 
•Setthesameduplexfortheswitchportandtheadapter. 
Ifyouconfiguredtheadapterforfullduplex,ensurethattheswitchportisalsoconfiguredforfullduplex.
Settingthewrongduplexmodemightdegradeperformance,causedataloss,orresultinlostconnections.
•Installallnetworkingsoftwarethatisnecessaryforyournetworkenvironment. 
CheckwithyourLANadministratorforthenecessarynetworkingsoftware.
Theadapterstopsworkingfornoreason
Solution:Thenetworkdriverfilesmightbecorruptormissing.Updatethedriverbyreferringtothe“Solution” 
descriptionforthepreviousproblemtoensurethatthelatestdevicedriverisinstalled.
TheWakeOnLANfeatureisnotworking
Solution:EnabletheWakeOnLAN(WOL)featureintheBIOSprogram.
54ThinkCentreM53UserGuide 
Page 67
MycomputerisaGigabitEthernetmodelandIuseaspeedof1000Mbps,buttheconnectionfails 
orerrorsoccur
Solution:ConnectthenetworkcabletotheEthernetconnectorusingCategory5wiringanda100BASE-T 
hub/switch(not100BASE-X).
MycomputerisaGigabitEthernetmodel,butitcannotbeconnectedtothenetworkat1000Mbps, 
butatonly100Mbps
Solutions:
•Tryanothercable.
•Setthelinkpartnertoauto-negotiate.
•Settheswitchtobe802.3ab-compliant(gigabitovercopper).
IcannotconnecttoawirelessLANusingthebuilt-inwirelessnetworkingcard
Solutions:
•InstallthelatestwirelessLANdrivers.
•Placeyourcomputerwithintherangeofawirelessaccesspoint.
•Enablethewirelessradio.
•CheckNetworkName(SSID)andyourpassword.
–OnWindows7:
1.ClickStart➙LenovoThinkVantageTools➙AccessConnections.     
2.SwitchtotheAdvancedview,andthenclicktheMobileHotspottabtocheckyourSSIDand  
password.
–OnWindows8.1:
1.OpenControlPanel.Formoreinformation,see“AccessingControlPanelontheWindows8.1 
operatingsystem”onpage21.
2.ClickNetworkandInternet➙NetworkandSharingCentertocheckyourSSIDandpassword.   
SounddoesnotcomefromtheBluetoothheadsetorheadphonebutcomesfrom 
thelocalspeakereventhoughtheheadsetorheadphoneisconnectedusingthe 
HeadsetprofileorAVprofile
Solution:
1.Exittheapplicationthatusesthesounddevice(forexample,WindowsMediaPlayer).
2.OpenControlPanel.
Note: FordetailedinformationonhowtoopenControlPanelonWindows8.1,see“AccessingControl 
PanelontheWindows8.1operatingsystem”onpage21.
3.ClickHardwareandSound➙Sound.   
4.SelectthePlaybacktab. 
5.IfyouareusingtheHeadsetprofile,selectBluetoothHands-freeAudio,andthenclickSetDefault.If   
youareusingtheAVprofile,selectStereoAudio,andthenclickSetDefault.  
6.ClickOK. 
Note: Bluetoothissupportedonlyonsomecomputermodels.
Chapter7.Troubleshootinganddiagnostics55  
Page 68
Ihaveconnectedanoptiontomycomputer,butitdoesnotwork 
Solution:Refertothedocumentationthatcomeswiththeoptiontoensurethatyouhaveconnectedthe 
optioncorrectly.
Performanceandlockupproblems 
Thissectionprovidessolutionstoperformance-relatedproblemsofyourcomputer.
Insufficientfreeharddiskdrivespace
Solution:Freeupharddiskdrivespace.
•Method1
1.ClickStart➙ComputeronWindows7oropenFileExploreronWindows8.1.   
2.Right-clickyourCdriveentryandthenclickProperties. 
3.ClickDiskCleanup,andthenfollowtheinstructionsonthescreen. 
•Method2
1.OpenControlPanel.
Note: FordetailedinformationonhowtoopenControlPanelonWindows8.1,see“Accessing 
ControlPanelontheWindows8.1operatingsystem”onpage21.
2.ClickPrograms. 
3.ClickT urnWindowsfeaturesonoroff,andthenfollowtheinstructionsonthescreen. 
•Method3
1.ClickStart➙ComputeronWindows7oropenFileExploreronWindows8.1.   
2.Right-clickyourCdriveentryandthenclickProperties. 
3.ClickDiskCleanup. 
4.ClickCleanupsystemfiles. 
5.ClicktheMoreOptionstab. 
6.ClickCleanupintheProgramsandFeaturesarea,andthenfollowtheinstructionsonthescreen.  
•CleanoutyourInbox,SentItems,andDeletedItemsfoldersfromyoure-mailapplication.Thefolder 
namesandproceduresvarydependingonyoure-mailapplication.Ifyouneedassistance,seethe 
helpsystemforyoure-mailapplication.
Excessivenumberoffragmentedfiles
Solution:UsetheWindowsdiskdefragmentationordiskoptimizationfeaturetocleanupthefiles.
Note: Dependingonthevolumeoftheharddiskdrivesandamountofdatastoredontheharddiskdrives, 
thedisk-defragmentationprocessmighttakeuptoseveralhours.
•OnWindows7:
1.Closeanyopenprogramsandwindows.
2.ClickStart➙Computer.   
3.Right-clickyourCdriveentryandthenclickProperties. 
4.ClickDefragmentnowundertheToolstabtostartadisk-defragmentationprocess.  
•OnWindows8.1:
1.Closeanyopenprogramsandwindows.
2.OpenFileExplorer.
56ThinkCentreM53UserGuide 
Page 69
3.Right-clickyourCdriveentryandthenclickProperties. 
4.ClickOptimizeundertheToolstabtostartadisk-defragmentationprocess.  
Insufficientmemory
Solution:Installadditionalmemorymodules.Forinstructionsoninstallingmemorymodules,see“Replacing 
thememorymodule”onpage95.
Topurchasememorymodules,goto: 
http://www.lenovo.com
Theprinterdoesnotwork 
Solutions:
•IfyouareusingIEEE-approvedprintersignalcables,dothefollowing:
1.Connecttheprintersignalcablefirmlytothecorrectparallel,serial,orUSBconnectoronthe 
computer.
2.Loadthepapercorrectly.
3.Turnontheprinterandkeeptheprinteronline.
•Ifyouareusingnon-IEEE-approvedprintersignalcables,dothefollowing:
1.Correctlyinstalldevicedriversandsoftwarethatcomewiththeprinter.
2.Assigntheprinterportcorrectlyinyouroperatingsystem,applicationprogram,orBIOSsettings.For 
moreinformationaboutBIOSsettings,see“UsingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage33
.
Iftheproblempersists,runthetestsdescribedinthedocumentationthatcomeswithyourprinter.Ifyou 
cannotcorrecttheproblem,havethecomputerserviced.SeeChapter10“Gettinginformation,help,and 
service”onpage113
.
Serialconnectorcannotbeaccessed 
Solutions:
•Connecttheserialcabletotheserialconnectoronthecomputerandtotheserialdevice.Iftheserial 
devicehasitsownpowercord,attachthepowercordtoagroundedelectricaloutlet.
•Turnontheserialdeviceandkeepthedeviceonline.
•Installanyapplicationprogramssuppliedwiththeserialdevice.Refertothedocumentationthatcomes 
withtheserialdeviceformoreinformation.
•Ifyouaddedoneserial-connectoradapter,installtheadaptercorrectly.
Softwareproblems 
Thissectionprovidessolutionstosoftware-relatedproblems.
Whenusingasortfeature,datescannotbesortedinthecorrectorder
Solution:Someprogramsdevelopedbeforetheyear2000usedonlythelasttwodigitsofayeartosort 
dates,assumingthefirsttwodigitswere19.Consequently,datescannotbesortedinthecorrectorder. 
Checkwithyoursoftwaremanufacturertoseeifanyupdatesareavailable.Manysoftwaremanufacturers 
makeupdatesavailablefromtheWorldWideWeb.
Someapplicationprogramsdonotworkasexpected
Solutions:
Chapter7.Troubleshootinganddiagnostics57  
Page 70
•Ifyouarehavingdifficultywithperformingaspecifictaskwithinanapplicationprogram,refertothe 
helpsystemfortheprogram.
•IfyouarehavingdifficultywiththeWindowsoperatingsystemoroneofitscomponents,refertothe 
Windowshelpsystem.
•Checkwhethertheproblemsarecausedbyanewly-installedapplicationprogram.
1.Ensurethatthesoftwareiscompatiblewithyourcomputer.Refertotheinformationsuppliedwiththe 
softwareformoreinformation.
2.Verifythatothersoftwareworkscorrectlyonyourcomputer.
3.Verifythatthesoftwareyouareusingworksonanothercomputer.
•Ifyoureceivedanyerrormessageswhileusingtheprogram,seetheprinteddocumentationthatcomes 
withtheprogramorthehelpsystemforsolutions.
•CheckifanyupdatesareavailablefromyourmanufacturerorWebsite.Manysoftwaremanufacturers 
makeupdatesavailablefromtheWorldWideWeb.
•Ifthesoftwareprogramusedtoworkcorrectly,butdoesnotworkcorrectlynow,uninstalltheapplication 
programandreinstallit.
MyUSBconnectorscannotbeaccessed 
Solutions:
•ConnecttheUSBcablefromtheUSBconnectortotheUSBdevice.IftheUSBdevicehasitsownpower 
cord,attachthepowercordtoagroundedelectricaloutlet.
•TurnontheUSBdeviceandkeepthedeviceonline.
•InstallanydevicedriversorapplicationprogramssuppliedwiththeUSBdevice.Refertothe 
documentationthatcomeswiththeUSBdeviceformoreinformation.
•DetachandreattachtheUSBconnectortoresettheUSBdevice.
Diagnostics 
Thediagnosticprogramisusedtotesthardwarecomponentsofyourcomputer.Thediagnosticprogramcan 
alsoreportoperating-system-controlledsettingsthatinterferewiththecorrectoperationofyourcomputer. 
Youcanusethepreinstalleddiagnosticprogramtodiagnosecomputerproblems,ifyourcomputeris 
runningtheWindowsoperatingsystem.
Notes:
1.YourcomputerispreinstalledwiththeLenovoSolutionCenterprogramfordiagnosticpurposes.For 
moreinformationabouttheLenovoSolutionCenterprogram,see“LenovoSolutionCenter”onpage58.
2.Ifyouareunabletoisolateandrepairtheproblemyourselfafterrunningthediagnosticprogram,save 
andprintthelogfilescreatedbythediagnosticprogram.Y ouwillneedthelogfileswhenyouspeaktoa 
Lenovotechnicalsupportrepresentative.
LenovoSolutionCenter 
TheLenovoSolutionCenterprogramenablesyoutotroubleshootandresolvecomputerproblems.It 
combinesdiagnostictests,systeminformationcollection,securitystatus,andsupportinformation,along 
withhintsandtipsformaximumsystemperformance.
•YourcandownloadtheLenovoSolutionCenterprogramfromhttp://www.lenovo.com/diags.
•IfyouareusingaWindowsoperatingsystemotherthanWindows7orWindows8.1,goto 
http://www.lenovo.com/diagsforthelatestinformationondiagnosticsforyourcomputer.
58ThinkCentreM53UserGuide 
Page 71
ToruntheLenovoSolutionCenterprogram,see“Lenovoprograms”onpage11.
Note: Ifyoucannotisolateandrepairtheproblemyourselfafterrunningtheprogram,saveandprintthelog 
files.YouwillneedthelogfileswhenyouspeaktoaLenovotechnicalsupportrepresentative.
Foradditionalinformation,refertotheLenovoSolutionCenterhelpsystem.
Chapter7.Troubleshootinganddiagnostics59  
Page 72
60ThinkCentreM53UserGuide 
Page 73
Chapter8. 
Thischapterprovidesinformationabouttherecoverysolutions.Thereareavarietyofmethodstochoose 
fromwhenconsideringhowtorecoverfromasoftware-orhardware-relatedproblem.Somemethods 
varydependingonthetypeofoperatingsystemthatisinstalled.Youcanrestorethecomputersettings 
usingaprogramortherecoverydiscset.Formoreinformationaboutusingtherecoverydiscset,see 
thedocumentationthatcomeswiththediscset.
Thischaptercontainsthefollowingtopics:
•
•
RecoveryinformationfortheWindows7operatingsystem 
TherecoveryinformationinthissectiononlyappliestothecomputersthathavetheRescueandRecovery 
programortheProductRecoveryprograminstalled.IftheEnhancedBackupandRestoreiconinthe  
LenovoThinkVantageT oolsprogramisdimmed,itindicatesthatyoumustinstalltheRescueandRecovery 
programmanuallybeforeenablingitsfeatures.ToinstalltheRescueandRecoveryprogram,dothefollowing:
1.ClickStart➙AllPrograms➙LenovoThinkVantageTools,anddouble-clickEnhancedBackup       
andRestore .
2.Followtheinstructionsonthescreen.
3.Whentheinstallationprocessfinishes,theEnhancedBackupandRestoreiconisactivated. 
Thissectioncontainsthefollowingtopics:
•
•
•
•
•
Creatingandusingrecoverymedia 
Recoverymediaenableyoutorestoretheharddiskdrivetothefactory-defaultstateandputthecomputerin 
anoperationalstateafterallotherrecoverymethodshavefailed.Recoverymediaareusefulifyoutransfer 
thecomputertoanotherarea,sellthecomputer,orrecyclethecomputer.Asaprecautionarymeasure,itis 
importanttocreaterecoverymediaasearlyaspossible.Thedataontherecoverymediacanbeusedfor 
thefollowingpurposes:
•Reinstalltheprogramsanddevicedriversonyourcomputer
•Reinstalltheoperatingsystem
•ModifythedatafilesontheharddiskdriveusingtheAdditionalFiles
Note: Therecoveryoperationsyoucanperformusingrecoverymediavarydependingontheoperating 
systemfromwhichtherecoverymediawerecreated.Therecoverymediamightcontainabootmedium 
andadatamedium.YourMicrosoftWindowslicensepermitsyoutocreateonlyonedatamedium.Itis 
recommendedthatyoustoretherecoverymediainasafeplaceafteryouhavemadethem.
©CopyrightLenovo2014
61
Page 74
Creatingrecoverymedia
Note:OntheWindows7operatingsystem,youcancreaterecoverymediausingdiscsorexternalUSB 
storagedevices.
TocreaterecoverymediaontheWindows7operatingsystem,clickStart➙AllPrograms➙Lenovo     
ThinkVantageTools➙FactoryRecoveryDisks.Then,followtheinstructionsonthescreen.  
Usingrecoverymedia
Attention:Whenyouuserecoverymediatorestoretheharddiskdrivetothefactory-defaultstate,allthe 
filescurrentlyontheharddiskdrivewillbedeleted.Thesefileswillbereplacedbythefactory-defaultfiles.
TouserecoverymediaontheWindows7operatingsystem,dothefollowing:
1.Dependingonthetypeofyourrecoverymedia,connectthebootUSBstoragedevicetothecomputer, 
orinsertthebootdiscintotheopticaldrive.
2.Turnonorrestartyourcomputer.
3.Whenyouseethelogoscreen,repeatedlypressandreleasetheF12key.TheStartupDeviceMenu 
windowisdisplayed.
4.SelectthedesiredstartupdeviceandpressEnter.Therestoreprocessbegins.
5.Followtheinstructionsonthescreentocompletetheoperation.
Note: Afterrestoringyourcomputerharddiskdrivetothefactory-defaultstate,youmighthavetoreinstall 
devicedriversforsomedevices.See“Reinstallingprogramsanddevicedrivers”onpage64.
Performingbackupandrecoveryoperations 
TheRescueandRecoveryprogramenablesyoutobackupallyourharddiskdrivecontentsincluding 
theoperatingsystem,datafiles,softwareprograms,andpersonalsettings.Youcanstorethebackupat 
thefollowinglocations:
•TheRescueandRecoveryworkspace
•Thesecondaryharddiskdriveifasecondaryharddiskdriveisinstalledinyourcomputer
•AnexternalUSBharddiskdriveconnectedtoyourcomputer
•Anetworkdrive
•Recordablediscs(arecordableopticaldriveisrequiredforthisoption)
Afteryouhavecompletedthebackupoperation,youcanrestorepartsorwholeofthedataonthehard 
diskdrive.
Performingabackupoperation
ToperformabackupoperationusingtheRescueandRecoveryprogramontheWindows7operating 
system,dothefollowing:
1.FromtheWindowsdesktop,clickStart➙AllPrograms➙LenovoThinkVantageT ools➙Enhanced        
BackupandRestore .TheRescueandRecoveryprogramopens.
2.IntheRescueandRecoverymainwindow,clicktheLaunchadvancedRescueandRecoveryarrow. 
3.ClickBackupyourharddriveandselectbackupoperationoptions.Then,followtheinstructionson  
thescreentocompletethebackupoperation.
Performingarecoveryoperation
Thissectionprovidesthefollowingtopics:
•
62ThinkCentreM53UserGuide 
Page 75
•
PerformingarecoveryoperationfromWindows7
ToperformarecoveryoperationusingtheRescueandRecoveryprogramontheWindows7operating 
system,dothefollowing:
1.FromtheWindowsdesktop,clickStart➙AllPrograms➙LenovoThinkVantageT ools➙Enhanced        
BackupandRestore .TheRescueandRecoveryprogramopens.
2.IntheRescueandRecoverymainwindow,clicktheLaunchadvancedRescueandRecoveryarrow. 
3.ClicktheRestoreyoursystemfromabackupicon. 
4.Followtheinstructionsonthescreentocompletetherecoveryoperation.
PerformingarecoveryoperationfromtheRescueandRecoveryworkspace
TheRescueandRecoveryworkspaceresidesinaprotectedandhiddenareaofyourharddiskdrivethat 
operatesindependentlyfromtheWindowsoperatingsystem.TheRescueandRecoveryworkspaceenables 
youtoperformrecoveryoperationsevenifyoucannotstarttheWindowsoperatingsystem.Youcanperform 
thefollowingrecoveryoperationsfromtheRescueandRecoveryworkspace:
•Rescuefilesfromyourharddiskdriveorfromabackup: 
Youcanlocatefilesonyourharddiskdriveandtransferthemtoanetworkdriveorotherrecordable 
media,suchasaUSBdeviceoradisc.Thissolutionisavailableevenifyoudidnotbackupyourfilesorif 
changesweremadetothefilessinceyourlastbackupoperation.Youalsocanrescueindividualfilesfrom 
aRescueandRecoverybackuplocatedonyourlocalharddiskdrive,aUSBdevice,oranetworkdrive.
•RestoreyourharddiskdrivefromaRescueandRecoverybackup: 
IfyouhavebackedupyourharddiskdriveusingtheRescueandRecoveryprogram,youcanrestorethe 
harddiskdrivefromaRescueandRecoverybackup,evenifyoucannotstarttheWindowsoperating 
system.
•Restoreyourharddiskdrivetothefactory-defaultstate: 
Youcanrestorethecompletecontentsofyourharddiskdrivetothefactory-defaultstateevenifyou 
cannotstarttheWindowsoperatingsystem.Ifyouhavemultiplepartitionsonyourharddiskdrive,you 
havetheoptiontorestoretheC:partitionandleavetheotherpartitionsintact.
Attention: YoucanrestoretheharddiskdrivefromaRescueandRecoverybackuporrestoretheharddisk 
drivetothefactory-defaultsettings.Duringeitherprocess,allfilesontheprimaryharddiskdrivepartition 
(usuallydriveC:)willbedeleted.Ifpossible,makecopiesofimportantfiles.IfyoucannotstarttheWindows 
operatingsystem,youcanusetherescuefilesfeatureoftheRescueandRecoveryworkspacetocopyfiles 
fromyourharddiskdrivetoothermedia.
ToperformarecoveryoperationfromtheRescueandRecoveryworkspace,dothefollowing:
1.Turnonorrestartyourcomputer.
2.Whenyouseethelogoscreen,pressEnter,andthenpressF11toentertheRescueandRecovery 
workspace.
3.IfyouhavesetaRescueandRecoverypassword,enteryourpasswordwhenprompted.TheRescue 
andRecoveryworkspaceopensafterashortdelay.
Note: IftheRescueandRecoveryworkspacefailstoopen,see“Solvingrecoveryproblems”onpage66.
4.Dooneofthefollowing:
•Torescuefilesfromyourharddiskdrive,clickRescuefilesandfollowtheinstructionsonthescreen. 
•TorestoreyourharddiskdrivefromaRescueandRecoverybackuportorestoreyourharddiskdrive
tothefactory-defaultstate,clickFullRestoreandfollowtheon-screeninstructions. 
Note: Afterrestoringyourcomputerharddiskdrivetothefactory-defaultstate,youmighthaveto 
reinstalldevicedriversforsomedevices.See“Reinstallingprogramsanddevicedrivers”onpage64
Chapter8.Recoveryinformation63  
.
Page 76
FormoreinformationaboutthefeaturesoftheRescueandRecoveryworkspace,clickHelp. 
Creatingandusingarescuemedium 
CreaterescuemediausingdiscsorUSBstoragedevicesasearlyaspossible.Youcanusearescuemedium 
torecoverfromfailuresthatpreventyoufromgainingaccesstotheWindowsenvironmentortheRescue 
andRecoveryworkspaceonyourharddiskdrive.
Notes:
•Therecoveryoperationsyoucanperformusingarescuemediumvarydependingontheoperatingsystem.
•Therescuedisccanbestartedinalltypesofopticaldrives.
Creatingarescuemedium
TocreatearescuemediumontheWindows7operatingsystem,dothefollowing:
1.FromtheWindowsdesktop,clickStart➙AllPrograms➙LenovoThinkVantageT ools➙Enhanced        
BackupandRestore .TheRescueandRecoveryprogramopens.
2.IntheRescueandRecoverymainwindow,clicktheLaunchadvancedRescueandRecoveryarrow. 
3.ClicktheCreateRescueMediaicon.The“CreateRescueandRecoveryMedia”windowopens. 
4.IntheRescueMediaarea,selectthetypeoftherescuemediumyouwanttocreate.Youcancreatea  
rescuemediumusingadisc,aUSBstoragedevicewithsufficientcapacity,orasecondaryinternal 
harddiskdrive.
5.ClickOKandfollowtheinstructionsonthescreentocreatearescuemedium. 
Usingarescuemedium
DependingonwhetheryouhavecreatedarescuemediumusingadiscoraUSBharddiskdrive,doone 
ofthefollowing:
•Ifyouhavecreatedarescuemediumusingadisc,dothefollowing:
1.Turnonorrestartyourcomputer.
2.Whenyouseethelogoscreen,repeatedlypressandreleasetheF12key.TheStartupDeviceMenu 
windowisdisplayed.
3.Selectthedesiredopticaldriveasthefirstbootdevice.Then,inserttherescuediscintotheoptical 
driveandpressEnter.Therescuemediumstarts.
•IfyouhavecreatedarescuemediumusingaUSBharddiskdrive,dothefollowing:
1.ConnecttheUSBharddiskdrivetooneoftheUSBconnectorsonyourcomputer.
2.Turnonorrestartyourcomputer.
3.Whenyouseethelogoscreen,repeatedlypressandreleasetheF12key.TheStartupDeviceMenu 
windowisdisplayed.
4.SelecttheUSBharddiskdriveasthefirstbootdeviceandpressEnter.Therescuemediumstarts.
Whentherescuemediumstarts,theRescueandRecoveryworkspaceopens.Thehelpinformationfor 
eachfeatureisavailablefromtheRescueandRecoveryworkspace.Followtheinstructionstocomplete 
therecoveryprocess.
Reinstallingprogramsanddevicedrivers 
Thissectionprovidesthefollowingitems:
•
•
64ThinkCentreM53UserGuide 
Page 77
Reinstallingpreinstalledprogramsanddevicedrivers
Yourcomputerenablesyoutoreinstallpreinstalledprogramsanddevicedrivers.
Reinstallingpreinstalledprograms
ToreinstallprogramspreinstalledonyourLenovocomputer,dothefollowing:
1.Turnonthecomputer.
2.GotoC:\SWTOOLS. 
3.Opentheappsfolderandlocatethesubfolderthatisnamedaftertheprogrampreinstalledonyour 
computer.
4.OpenthesubfolderandlocatetheEXEfile.
5.Double-clicktheEXEfileandfollowtheinstructionsonthescreentocompletetheinstallation.
Reinstallingpreinstalleddevicedrivers 
Attention:Reinstallingdevicedriverswillchangethecurrentconfigurationofyourcomputer.Reinstall 
devicedriversonlywhenitisnecessarytocorrectaproblemwithyourcomputer.
Toreinstallthedevicedriverforafactory-installeddevice,dothefollowing:
1.Turnonthecomputer.
2.GotoC:\SWTOOLS. 
3.OpentheDRIVERSfolderandlocatethesubfolderthatisnamedafterthefactory-installeddevicein 
yourcomputer,suchasAUDIOorVIDEO.
4.Openthesubfolder.
5.Dooneofthefollowing:
•LocatetheEXEfile.Double-clicktheEXEfileandfollowtheinstructionsonthescreentocomplete
theinstallation.
•Locatethereadmefilewiththe.txtextension.Thedevicedriverinstallationinformationisincludedin
thereadmefile.Followtheinstructionstocompletetheinstallation.
•IfthedevicesubfoldercontainsanINFfileandyouwanttoinstallthedevicedriverusingtheINFfile,
seetheWindowsHelpandSupportinformationsystemfordetailedinformation.
Note: Formoreinformationaboutthelatestdevicedrivers,see“Gettingthelatestdevicedriversforyour 
computer”onpage43.
Reinstallingprogramsanddevicedriversthatarenotpreinstalled
Yourcomputerenablesyoutoreinstallprogramsanddevicedriversthatarenotpreinstalled.
Reinstallingprogramsthatarenotpreinstalled
Ifasoftwareprogramyouinstalledonyourcomputerisnotworkingcorrectly,youmightneedtouninstall 
andthenreinstallit.Reinstallingaprogramoverwritestheexistingprogramfilesandusuallyfixesany 
problemsthatyoumighthavehadwiththeprogram.
Touninstallaprogramfromyoursystem,refertotheMicrosoftWindowshelpsystem.
Toreinstallmostcommerciallyavailableprogramsonyoursystem,refertotheMicrosoftWindowshelp 
systemtogetherwiththedocumentationprovidedwiththeprogram.
Reinstallingdevicedriversthatarenotpreinstalled
Toreinstalladevicedriverforanoptionyouinstalled,refertothedocumentationthatcomeswiththeoption.
Chapter8.Recoveryinformation65  
Page 78
Note: Reinstalldevicedriverswillchangethecurrentconfigurationofyourcomputer.Reinstalldevicedrivers 
onlywhenitisnecessarytocorrectaproblemwithyourcomputer.
Solvingrecoveryproblems 
Note:Ensurethatyourrescuedeviceissetasthefirstbootdeviceinthestartupdevicesequencein 
theSetupUtilityprogram.See“Selectingastartupdevice”onpage36fordetailedinformationabout 
temporarilyorpermanentlychangingthestartupdevicesequence.FormoreinformationabouttheSetup 
Utilityprogram,see“UsingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage33.
IfyoucannotaccesstheRescueandRecoveryworkspaceortheWindowsenvironment,dooneofthe 
following:
•UsearescuemediumtostarttheRescueandRecoveryworkspace.See“Creatingandusingarescue 
medium”onpage64
•Userecoverymediaifallothermethodsofrecoveryhavefailedandyoumustrestoretheharddiskdrive 
tothefactory-defaultsettings.See“Creatingandusingrecoverymedia”onpage61
Itisimportanttocreatearescuemediumandasetofrecoverymediaasearlyaspossibleandstorethem 
inasafeplaceforfutureuse.
.
.
RecoveryinformationfortheWindows8.1operatingsystem 
Thissectioncontainsthefollowingtopics:
•
•
•
•
Refreshingyourcomputer 
Ifyourcomputerdoesnotperformwellandtheproblemmightbecausedbyarecentlyinstalledprogram, 
youcanrefreshyourcomputer.
Attention: Ifyourefreshyourcomputer,theprogramspreinstalledonyourcomputerandtheprogramsthat 
youinstalledfromWindowsStorewillbereinstalled.However,allotherprogramswillbeuninstalled.
Torefreshyourcomputer,dothefollowing:
1.Movethepointertothetop-rightorbottom-rightcornerofthescreentodisplaythecharms.Click 
Settings ➙ChangePCsettings➙Updateandrecovery➙Recovery.      
2.IntheRefreshyourPCwithoutaffectingyourfilessection,clickGetstarted.  
Resettingyourcomputertothefactory-defaultsettings 
Youcanresetyourcomputertothefactory-defaultsettings.Resettingthecomputerwillreinstallthe 
operatingsystemandalltheprogramsthatcomewithyourcomputer.
Attention: Ifyouresetyourcomputer,allyourpersonalfilesandsettingswillbedeleted.Toavoiddataloss, 
makeabackupcopyofallthedatathatyouwanttokeep.
Toresetyourcomputer,dothefollowing:
1.Movethepointertothetop-rightorbottom-rightcornerofthescreentodisplaythecharms.Click
Settings➙ChangePCsettings➙Updateandrecovery➙Recovery.   
66ThinkCentreM53UserGuide 
Page 79
2.Inthe RemoveeverythingandreinstallWindowssection,clickGetstarted. 
Usingtheadvancedstartupoptions 
AdvancedstartupoptionsenableyoutochangethestartupsettingsofyourWindowsoperatingsystem, 
startthecomputerfromanexternaldevice,orrestoretheWindowsoperatingsystemfromasystemimage.
Tousetheadvancedstartupoptions,dothefollowing:
1.Movethepointertothetop-rightorbottom-rightcornerofthescreentodisplaythecharms.Click 
Settings ➙ChangePCsettings➙Updateandrecovery➙Recovery.      
2.IntheAdvancedstartupsection,clickRestartnow➙Troubleshoot➙Advancedoptions.      
3.Restartyourcomputerfollowingtheinstructionsonthescreen.
RecoveringyouroperatingsystemifWindows8.1failstostart 
TheWindowsrecoveryenvironmentonyourcomputeriscapableofoperatingindependentlyfromthe 
Windows8.1operatingsystem.ItenablesyoutorecoverorrepairtheoperatingsystemeveniftheWindows
8.1operatingsystemfailstostart.
Aftertwoconsecutivefailedbootattempts,theWindowsrecoveryenvironmentstartsautomatically.Then 
youcanchooserepairandrecoveryoptionsbyfollowingtheinstructionsonthescreen.
Note: Ensurethatyourcomputerisconnectedtoacpowerduringtherecoveryprocess.
FormoredetailsabouttherecoverysolutionsprovidedoncomputerspreinstalledwiththeWindows8.1 
operatingsystem,refertothehelpinformationsystemoftheWindows8.1operatingsystem.
Chapter8.Recoveryinformation67  
Page 80
68ThinkCentreM53UserGuide 
Page 81
Chapter9. 
Thischapterprovidesinstructionsonhowtoinstallorreplacehardwareforyourcomputer.
Handlingstatic-sensitivedevices 
Donotopenthestatic-protectivepackagecontainingthenewpartuntilthedefectiveparthasbeenremoved 
andyouarereadytoinstallthenewpart.Staticelectricity,althoughharmlesstoyou,canseriouslydamage 
computercomponentsandparts.
Whenyouhandlepartsandothercomputercomponents,taketheseprecautionstoavoidstatic-electricity 
damage:
•Limityourmovement.Movementcancausestaticelectricitytobuilduparoundyou.
•Alwayshandlepartsandothercomputercomponentscarefully.HandlePCIcards,memorymodules, 
systemboards,andmicroprocessorsbytheedges.Nevertouchanyexposedcircuitry.
•Preventothersfromtouchingthepartsandothercomputercomponents.
•Touchthestatic-protectivepackagecontainingtheparttoametalexpansion-slotcoverorother 
unpaintedmetalsurfaceonthecomputerforatleasttwoseconds.Thisreducesstaticelectricityfrom 
thepackageandyourbodybeforeyouinstallorreplaceanewpart.
•Whenpossible,removethenewpartfromthestatic-protectivepackage,andinstallitdirectlyinthe 
computerwithoutsettingthepartdown.Whenthisisnotpossible,placethestatic-protectivepackage 
thatthepartcameinonasmooth,levelsurfaceandplacethepartonthepackage.
•Donotplacethepartonthecomputercoverorothermetalsurface.
Installingorreplacinghardware 
Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoinstallorreplacehardwareforyourcomputer.Youcanexpand 
thecapabilitiesofyourcomputerandmaintainyourcomputerbyinstallingorreplacinghardware.
Attention: Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Read 
thisfirst:Importantsafetyinformation”onpagev.
Notes:
•Formachinetypes10DV,10DW,10DX,10DY,youmustinstallyourcomputeronthematchedmonitor. 
Therefore,thestepsofinstallingsomepartsmightbedifferentfromthestepsinthechapter.Formore 
information,refertotheuserguideintheCDthatcomeswiththemonitor.
•UseonlycomputerpartsprovidedbyLenovo.
•Wheninstallingorreplacinganoption,usetheappropriateinstructionsinthissectionalongwiththe 
instructionsthatcomewiththeoption.
Installingexternaloptions 
Youcanconnectexternaloptionstoyourcomputer,suchasexternalspeakers,aprinter,orascanner.For 
someexternaloptions,youmustinstalladditionalsoftwareinadditiontomakingthephysicalconnection. 
Wheninstallinganexternaloption,see“Locatingconnectors,controls,andindicatorsonthefrontofyour 
computer”onpage2 
requiredconnector.Usetheinstructionsshippedwiththeoptiontohelpyoumaketheconnectionandinstall 
anysoftwareordevicedriversthatarerequiredfortheoption.
and“Locatingconnectorsontherearofyourcomputer”onpage3toidentifythe
©CopyrightLenovo2014
69
Page 82
Installingandremovingtheacpoweradapterbracket 
Attention: Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Read 
thisfirst:Importantsafetyinformation”onpagev.
Note: TheacpoweradapterbracketisinstalledontheVideoElectronicsStandardsAssociation(VESA) 
mountbracket.TheacpoweradapterbracketandtheVESAmountbracketareonlyavailableonsome 
models.
Toinstalltheacpoweradapterbracket,dothefollowing:
1.Slidetheacpoweradapterintotheacpoweradapterbracket.Ensurethattheacpoweradapteris 
securedbythebracket.
2.AlignthetwotabsontheacpoweradapterbracketwiththeslotsintheVESAmountbracket.Then, 
slidetheacpoweradapterbracketasshowntoinstallitontheVESAmountbracket.
Figure7.Installingtheacpoweradapterbracket
Toremovetheacpoweradapterbracket,dothefollowing:
1.Removeallmediafromthedrivesandturnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.Then,disconnect 
allpowercordsfromelectricaloutletsanddisconnectallcablesthatareconnectedtothecomputer.
70ThinkCentreM53UserGuide 
Page 83
2.Pullthetab1andthenslidetheacpoweradapterbracketasshowntoremoveitfromtheVESA 
mountbracket.
Figure8.Removingtheacpoweradapterbracket
3.Removetheacpoweradapterfromtheacpoweradapterbracket.
Installingandremovingtheacpoweradapter 
Attention:Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Read 
thisfirst:Importantsafetyinformation”onpagev.
Toinstalltheacpoweradapter,dothefollowing:
Chapter9.Installingorreplacinghardware71  
Page 84
1.Connecttheacpoweradaptertotheacpoweradapterconnectorattherearofyourcomputeranda 
workableelectricaloutlet.Then,securethepowercordintothepoweradaptercableloopattherear 
ofthecomputerasshown.
Figure9.Installingtheacpoweradapter
2.Iftheacpoweradapterbracketisavailable,installtheacpoweradapterbracket.See“Installingand 
removingtheacpoweradapterbracket”onpage70
.
Toremovetheacpoweradapter,dothefollowing:
1.Removeallmediafromthedrivesandturnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.Then,disconnect 
allpowercordsfromelectricaloutletsanddisconnectallcablesthatareconnectedtothecomputer.
2.Iftheacpoweradapterbracketisavailable,removetheacpoweradapterbracket.See“Installingand 
removingtheacpoweradapterbracket”onpage70.
72ThinkCentreM53UserGuide 
Page 85
3.Removethepowercordfromtheacpoweradaptercableloopattherearofthecomputerandthen 
disconnecttheacpoweradapterfromthecomputer.
Figure10.Removingtheacpoweradapter
Installingandremovingtheverticalstand 
Attention:Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Read 
thisfirst:Importantsafetyinformation”onpagev.
Note: TheverticalstandandVESAmountbracketareonlyavailableonsomemodels.Ifyourcomputer 
comeswiththeVESAmountbracketinstalled,ensurethatyouremovetheVESAmountbracketbefore 
youinstalltheverticalstand.ToremovetheVESAmountbracket,see“InstallingandremovingtheVESA 
mountbracket”onpage75.
Toinstalltheverticalstand,dothefollowing:
1.Removeallmediafromthedrivesandturnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.Then,disconnect 
allpowercordsfromelectricaloutletsanddisconnectallcablesthatareconnectedtothecomputer.
Chapter9.Installingorreplacinghardware73  
Page 86
2.Aligntherearofthecomputerwiththerearoftheverticalstandandpositionthecomputeronthe
verticalstandasshown.
Figure11.Installingtheverticalstand
Toremovetheverticalstand,dothefollowing:
1.Removeallmediafromthedrivesandturnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.Then,disconnect 
allpowercordsfromelectricaloutletsanddisconnectallcablesthatareconnectedtothecomputer.
74ThinkCentreM53UserGuide 
Page 87
2.Liftthecomputertoremoveitfromtheverticalstand.
Figure12.Removingthecomputerfromtheverticalstand
InstallingandremovingtheVESAmountbracket 
Attention:Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Read 
thisfirst:Importantsafetyinformation”onpagev
Note: TheVESAmountbracketisonlyavailableonsomemodels.
ToinstalltheVESAmountbracket,dothefollowing:
1.Removeallmediafromthedrivesandturnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.Then,disconnect 
allpowercordsfromelectricaloutletsanddisconnectallcablesthatareconnectedtothecomputer.
.
Chapter9.Installingorreplacinghardware75  
Page 88
2.SlidethecomputerintotheVESAmountbracket.
Figure13.InstallingtheVESAmountbracket
3.InstallthetwoscrewstosecuretheVESAmountbrackettothecomputer.
Figure14.InstallingthescrewsthatsecuretheVESAmountbracket
4.Iftheacpoweradapterbracketisavailable,installtheacpoweradapterbracket.See“Installingand 
removingtheacpoweradapterbracket”onpage70.
ToremovetheVESAmountbracket,dothefollowing:
1.Removeallmediafromthedrivesandturnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.Then,disconnect 
allpowercordsfromelectricaloutletsanddisconnectallcablesthatareconnectedtothecomputer.
2.Iftheacpoweradapterbracketisavailable,removetheacpoweradapterbracket.See“Installingand 
removingtheacpoweradapterbracket”onpage70.
76ThinkCentreM53UserGuide 
Page 89
3.RemovethetwoscrewsthatsecuretheVESAmountbrackettothecomputer.
Figure15.RemovingthescrewsthatsecuretheVESAmountbracket
4.SlidethecomputerfromthefrontoftheVESAmountbrackettoremovetheVESAmountbracket 
fromthecomputer.
Figure16.RemovingtheVESAmountbracket
Installingorreplacingtheexternalopticaldrive 
Attention:Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Read 
thisfirst:Importantsafetyinformation”onpagev
Note: Theexternalopticaldriveisonlyavailableonsomemodels.
Toinstallorreplacetheexternalopticaldrive,dothefollowing:
1.Removeallmediafromthedrivesandturnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.Then,disconnect 
allpowercordsfromelectricaloutletsanddisconnectallcablesthatareconnectedtothecomputer.
.
Chapter9.Installingorreplacinghardware77  
Page 90
2.Ifyouarereplacingtheexternalopticaldrive,disconnecttheexternalopticaldrivecablefromtheUSB
connectoronthecomputer.
3.RemovethescrewthatsecurestheexternalopticaldriveboxontheVESAmountbracketandthenslide 
theexternalopticaldriveboxtoremoveitfromtheVESAmountbracket.
Figure17.Removingtheexternalopticaldrivebox
78ThinkCentreM53UserGuide 
Page 91
4.Removethescrewthatsecurestheexternalopticaldriveintheexternalopticaldrivebox.Usethe 
screwdrivertoslidetheexternalopticaldriveforwardandthenremovetheexternalopticaldrivefrom 
theexternalopticaldrivebox.
Figure18.Removingtheexternalopticaldrivefromtheexternalopticaldrivebox
5.Removethetwoscrewsthatsecuretheexternalopticaldrivemetalplateandthenremovethemetal 
platefromtheexternalopticaldrive.
Figure19.Removingtheexternalopticaldrivemetalplate
Chapter9.Installingorreplacinghardware79  
Page 92
6.Alignthetwoscrewholesintheexternalopticaldrivemetalplatewiththecorrespondingholesin 
thenewexternalopticaldriveandtheninstallthetwoscrewstosecurethemetalplateonthenew 
externalopticaldrive.
Figure20.Installingtheexternalopticaldrivemetalplate
7.Slidethenewexternalopticaldriveintotheexternalopticaldriveboxuntilitsnapsintoposition.
Figure21.Installingtheexternalopticaldriveintotheexternalopticaldrivebox
80ThinkCentreM53UserGuide 
Page 93
8.Installthescrewthatsecurestheexternalopticaldriveintheexternalopticaldrivebox.
Figure22.Installingthescrewthatsecurestheexternalopticaldrive
Chapter9.Installingorreplacinghardware81  
Page 94
9.AlignthescrewholesintheexternalopticaldriveboxwiththetwoscrewsontheVESAmountbracket
andthenslidetheexternalopticaldriveboxtoinstallitontheVESAmountbracket.
Figure23.Installingtheexternalopticaldrivebox
82ThinkCentreM53UserGuide 
Page 95
10.InstallthescrewthatsecurestheexternalopticaldriveboxontheVESAmountbracket.
Figure24.Installingthescrewthatsecurestheexternalopticaldrivebox
11.ConnecttheexternalopticaldrivecabletoaUSBconnectoronthecomputer.See“Locatingconnectors 
ontherearofyourcomputer”onpage3.
Installingorreplacingtheexternalharddiskdrive 
Attention:Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Read 
thisfirst:Importantsafetyinformation”onpagev.
Notes:
•Theexternalharddiskdrive,externalhybriddrive,andexternalsolid-statedriveareonlyavailableon 
somemodels.
•Toinstallorreplacetheexternalhybriddriveorexternalsolid-statedrive,followthestepsofinstallingor 
replacingtheexternalharddiskdrive.
Toinstallorreplacetheexternalharddiskdrive,dothefollowing:
1.Removeallmediafromthedrivesandturnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.Then,disconnect 
allpowercordsfromelectricaloutletsanddisconnectallcablesthatareconnectedtothecomputer.
2.Ifyouarereplacingtheexternalharddiskdrive,disconnecttheexternalharddiskdrivecablefrom 
theUSBconnectoronthecomputer.
Chapter9.Installingorreplacinghardware83  
Page 96
3.RemovethescrewthatsecurestheopticaldriveboxontheVESAmountbracketandthenslidethe
opticaldriveboxasshowntoremoveitfromtheVESAmountbracket.
Figure25.Removingtheopticaldrivebox
4.Slidethereleasebuttonontheopticaldriveboxandthenremovetheexternalharddiskdriveadapter 
fromtheopticaldrivebox.
Figure26.Removingtheexternalharddiskdriveadapterfromtheopticaldrivebox
84ThinkCentreM53UserGuide 
Page 97
5.Flexthesidesoftheexternalharddiskdriveadapterbracketandthenpivottheexternalharddiskdrive 
adaptertoremovetheadapterfromtheadapterbracket.
Figure27.Removingtheexternalharddiskdriveadapterfromtheadapterbracket
6.Toremovetheexternalharddiskdrivefromtheadapter,lifttheadapterretaininglatch.Slidetheexternal 
harddiskdrivetowardstheretaininglatchandthenlifttheexternalharddiskdriveoutoftheadapter.
Figure28.Removingtheexternalharddiskdrivefromtheadapter
7.Installthefourscrewstothenewexternalharddiskdrive.
Figure29.Installingthefourscrewstotheexternalharddiskdrive
Chapter9.Installingorreplacinghardware85  
Page 98
8.Installthenewexternalharddiskdriveintotheadapterasshown.Then,lowertheadapterretaining 
latchuntilitsnapsintoposition.
Figure30.Installinganewexternalharddiskdriveintotheadapter
9.Positiontheadapterintotheadapterbracketandthenpivottheadapterdownwarduntilitsnapsinto 
position.
Figure31.Installingtheexternalharddiskdriveadapterintotheadapterbracket
86ThinkCentreM53UserGuide 
Page 99
10.Slidetheadapterbracketintotheopticaldriveboxuntilitsnapsintoposition.
Figure32.Installingtheadapterbracketintotheopticaldrivebox
Chapter9.Installingorreplacinghardware87  
Page 100
11.AlignthescrewholesintheopticaldriveboxwiththetwoscrewsontheVESAmountbracketandthen
slidetheopticaldriveboxtoinstallitontheVESAmountbracket.
Figure33.Installingtheopticaldrivebox
88ThinkCentreM53UserGuide