Lenovo ThinkCentre M73 User Guide [en, br, id, uk]

ThinkCentreM73
UserGuide

MachineTypes:10B0,10B1,10B2,10B3,10HJ,and10HK

Note:Beforeusingthisinformationandtheproductitsupports,besuretoreadandunderstandthe

“Importantsafetyinformation”onpagev

andAppendixA“Notices”onpage113.

SeventhEdition(May2016)

©CopyrightLenovo2013,2016.

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

Contents

Importantsafetyinformation......v

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

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

Powercordsandpoweradapters........vi

Extensioncordsandrelateddevices.......vi

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

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

Heatandproductventilation.........vii

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

Lasercompliancestatement.........viii

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

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

Chapter1.Productoverview......1

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

Specifications................5

Lenovoprograms..............5

Accessingaprogramonyourcomputer....5

AnintroductiontoLenovoprograms.....6

Locations..................8

Locatingconnectors,controls,andindicators

onthefrontofyourcomputer........9

Locatingconnectorsontherearofyour

computer...............10

Locatingcomponents..........12

Locatingpartsonthesystemboard....12

Locatinginternaldrives.........14

Machinetypeandmodellabel.......15

Chapter2.Usingyourcomputer...17

Frequentlyaskedquestions.........17

NavigatingamongscreensontheWindows8and

Windows8.1operatingsystems........17

NavigatingonWindows8........17

NavigatingonWindows8.1........19

AccessingControlPanelontheWindows8or

Windows8.1operatingsystem........20

UsingWindowsshortcutkeys.........20

Usingthewheelmouse...........21

Settingthecomputervolume.........21

AddinganicontotheWindowsnotificationarea.21

UsingCDsandDVDs............22

HandlingandstoringCDandDVDmedia..22

PlayingaCDorDVD..........23

RecordingaCDorDVD.........23

Arrangingyourworkspace........25

Comfort...............25

Glareandlighting............26

Aircirculation.............26

Electricaloutletsandcablelengths.....26

Accessibilityinformation.........26

Registeringyourcomputer..........29

Movingyourcomputertoanothercountryor

region..................29

Chapter4.Security..........31

Securityfeatures..............31

Lockingthecomputercover.........32

AttachingaKensington-stylecablelock.....33

Preventingunauthorizedaccesstoyour

computer.................33

Usingfingerprintauthentication........34

Usingandunderstandingfirewalls.......34

Protectingdataagainstviruses........34

Chapter5.Installingorreplacing

hardware...............35

Handlingstatic-sensitivedevices.......35

Installingorreplacinghardware........35

Installingexternaloptions........35

Removingthecomputercover.......36

Removingandreinstallingthefrontbezel..37

InstallingorreplacingaPCIExpresscard..38

Installingorreplacingamemorymodule...41

Installingorreplacingtheopticaldrive...43

Replacingthebattery..........45

Replacingtheheatsinkandfanassembly..46

Replacingthepowersupplyassembly...48

Replacingthemicroprocessor.......49

Installingthesolid-statedrive.......52

Replacingtheprimaryharddiskdrive....53

Replacingtherearfanassembly......55

ReplacingthefrontaudioandUSB

assembly...............57

ReplacingtheWiFiunits.........58

InstallingorremovingtherearWiFiantenna.64

InstallingorremovingthefrontWiFiantenna.65

Replacingthekeyboard.........67

Replacingthemouse..........68

Completingthepartsreplacement.....69

Chapter3.Y ouandyourcomputer..25

Accessibilityandcomfort..........25

©CopyrightLenovo2013,2016

Chapter6.Recoveryinformation...71

i

RecoveryinformationfortheWindows7operating

system..................71

Creatingandusingrecoverymedia.....71

Performingbackupandrecoveryoperations.72
UsingtheRescueandRecoveryworkspace.73

Creatingandusingarescuemedium....74

Reinstallingpreinstalledapplicationsand

devicedrivers.............75

Reinstallingsoftwareprograms......76

Reinstallingdevicedrivers........76

Solvingrecoveryproblems........76

RecoveryinformationfortheWindows8or

Windows8.1operatingsystem........77

Refreshingyourcomputer........77

Resettingyourcomputertothefactorydefault

settings................77

Usingtheadvancedstartupoptions....77

RecoveringyouroperatingsystemifWindows

8orWindows8.1failstostart.......78

RecoveryinformationforWindows10.....78

Chapter7.UsingtheSetupUtility

program................81

StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram.......81

Viewingandchangingsettings........81

UsingBIOSpasswords...........81

Passwordconsiderations.........82

Power-OnPassword..........82

AdministratorPassword.........82

HardDiskPassword...........82

Setting,changing,anddeletingapassword.82
Erasinglostorforgottenpasswords(clearing

CMOS)................83

Enablingordisablingadevice........83

Selectingastartupdevice..........83

Selectingatemporarystartupdevice....84

Selectingorchangingthestartupdevice

sequence...............84

EnablingErPLPScompliancemode......84

ICEperformancemode...........85

ICEthermalalert..............85

ExitingfromtheSetupUtilityprogram.....86

Gettingthelatestsystemupdates.....89

Cleaningandmaintenance..........89

Basics................90

Cleaningyourcomputer.........90

Goodmaintenancepractices.......91

Movingyourcomputer...........92

Chapter10.T roubleshootingand

diagnostics..............93

Basictroubleshooting............93

Troubleshootingprocedure..........94

Troubleshooting..............95

Audioproblems............95

CDproblems.............96

DVDproblems.............97

Intermittentproblems..........98

Keyboard,mouse,orpointingdevice

problems...............99

Monitorproblems............100

Networkingproblems..........101

Optionproblems............104

Performanceandlockupproblems.....104

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

Serialconnectorproblems........106

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

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

LenovoSolutionCenter...........108

Chapter11.Gettinginformation,help,

andservice.............109

Informationresources............109

Windowshelpsystem..........109

SafetyandWarranty...........109

LenovoWebsite............109

LenovoSupportWebsite.........110

Helpandservice..............110

Usingthedocumentationanddiagnostic

program...............110

Callingforservice............110

Usingotherservices..........111

Purchasingadditionalservices......111

Chapter8.Updatingsystem

programs...............87

Usingsystemprograms...........87

UpdatingtheBIOS.............87

RecoveringfromaPOST/BIOSupdatefailure..87

Chapter9.Preventingproblems...89

Keepingyourcomputercurrent........89

Gettingthelatestdevicedriversforyour

computer...............89

iiThinkCentreM73UserGuide

AppendixA.Notices.........113

Trademarks................114

AppendixB.Regulatory

information.............115

Exportclassificationnotice..........115

Televisionoutputnotice...........115

Electronicemissionsnotices.........115

FederalCommunicationsCommission

DeclarationofConformity........115

Eurasiancompliancemark..........118

Brazilaudionotice.............118

Mexicowireless-radiocomplianceinformation..118

Additionalregulatoryinformation.......118

AppendixC.WEEEandrecycling

information.............119

ImportantWEEEinformation.........119

RecyclinginformationforJapan........119

RecyclinginformationforBrazil........120

BatteryrecyclinginformationforT aiwan.....120

BatteryrecyclinginformationfortheEuropean

Union..................121

AppendixD.RestrictionofHazardous

Substances(RoHS)Directive....123

EuropeanUnionRoHS...........123

TurkishRoHS...............123

UkraineRoHS...............123

IndiaRoHS................123

ChinaRoHS................124

TaiwanRoHS...............124

AppendixE.ChinaEnergyLabel..125

AppendixF .ENERGYSTARmodel

information.............127

Index.................129

©CopyrightLenovo2013,2016

iii

ivThinkCentreM73UserGuide

Importantsafetyinformation

CAUTION:
Beforeusingthismanual,besuretoreadandunderstandalltherelatedsafetyinformationforthis
product.RefertotheinformationinthissectionandthesafetyinformationintheSafety,Warranty,and
SetupGuidethatyoureceivedwiththisproduct.Readingandunderstandingthissafetyinformation
reducestheriskofpersonalinjuryanddamagetoyourproduct.

IfyounolongerhaveacopyoftheSafety,Warranty,andSetupGuide,youcanobtainaPortableDocument
Format(PDF)versionfromtheLenovo
SupportWebsitealsoprovidestheSafety,Warranty,andSetupGuideandthisUserGuideinadditional
languages.

®

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

Serviceandupgrades

DonotattempttoserviceaproductyourselfunlessinstructedtodosobytheCustomerSupportCenteror
yourdocumentation.OnlyuseaServiceProviderwhoisapprovedtorepairyourparticularproduct.

Note:Somecomputerpartscanbeupgradedorreplacedbythecustomer.Upgradestypicallyare
referredtoasoptions.ReplacementpartsapprovedforcustomerinstallationarereferredtoasCustomer
ReplaceableUnits,orCRUs.Lenovoprovidesdocumentationwithinstructionswhenitisappropriatefor
customerstoinstalloptionsorreplaceCRUs.Youmustcloselyfollowallinstructionswheninstallingor
replacingparts.TheOffstateofapowerindicatordoesnotnecessarilymeanthatvoltagelevelsinsidea
productarezero.Beforeyouremovethecoversfromaproductequippedwithapowercord,alwaysmake
surethatthepoweristurnedoffandthattheproductisunpluggedfromanypowersource.Formore
informationonCRUs,refertoChapter5“Installingorreplacinghardware”onpage35
questionsorconcerns,contacttheCustomerSupportCenter.

Althoughtherearenomovingpartsinyourcomputerafterthepowercordhasbeendisconnected,the
followingwarningsarerequiredforyoursafety.

CAUTION:

.Ifyouhaveany

Hazardousmovingparts.Keepfingersandotherbodypartsaway.

CAUTION:

Beforeyouopenthecomputercover,turnoffthecomputerandwaitseveralminutesuntilthe
computeriscool.

Staticelectricityprevention

Staticelectricity,althoughharmlesstoyou,canseriouslydamagecomputercomponentsandoptions.
Improperhandlingofstatic-sensitivepartscancausedamagetothepart.Whenyouunpackanoption

©CopyrightLenovo2013,2016

v

orCRU,donotopenthestatic-protectivepackagecontainingthepartuntiltheinstructionsdirectyou
toinstallit.

WhenyouhandleoptionsorCRUs,orperformanyworkinsidethecomputer,takethefollowingprecautions
toavoidstatic-electricitydamage:

•Limityourmovement.Movementcancausestaticelectricitytobuilduparoundyou.

•Alwayshandlecomponentscarefully.Handleadapters,memorymodules,andothercircuitboardsbythe

edges.Nevertouchexposedcircuitry.

•Preventothersfromtouchingcomponents.

•Whenyouinstallastatic-sensitiveoptionorCRU,touchthestatic-protectivepackagecontainingthe

parttoametalexpansion-slotcoverorotherunpaintedmetalsurfaceonthecomputerforatleasttwo
seconds.Thisreducesstaticelectricityinthepackageandyourbody.

•Whenpossible,removethestatic-sensitivepartfromthestatic-protectivepackagingandinstallthepart

withoutsettingitdown.Whenthisisnotpossible,placethestatic-protectivepackagingonasmooth,
levelsurfaceandplacethepartonit.

•Donotplacethepartonthecomputercoverorothermetalsurface.

Powercordsandpoweradapters

Useonlythepowercordsandpoweradapterssuppliedbytheproductmanufacturer.Donotusetheac
powercordforotherdevices.

Thepowercordsshallbesafetyapproved.ForGermany,itshallbeH03VV-F,3G,0.75mm
connectedtothepoweradapter),H05VV-F,3G,0.75mm
supplyassembly),orbetter.Forothercountries,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

(thepowercordconnectedtotheinternalpower

2

(thepowercord

Extensioncordsandrelateddevices

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

viThinkCentreM73UserGuide

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)and1394
cableswhilethecomputerpowerison;otherwise,youmightdamageyourcomputer.Toavoidpossible
damagetoattacheddevices,waitatleastfivesecondsafterthecomputerisshutdowntodisconnect
externaldevices.

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
yourcomputerwithintwofeetofhigh-trafficareas.Ifyoumustoperateyourcomputerinornearahigh-traffic
area,inspectand,ifnecessary,cleanyourcomputermorefrequently.

©CopyrightLenovo2013,2016

vii

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.

DANGER

SomelaserproductscontainanembeddedClass3AorClass3Blaserdiode.Notethefollowing:

Laserradiationwhenopen.Donotstareintothebeam,donotviewdirectlywithoptical
instruments,andavoiddirectexposuretothebeam.

viiiThinkCentreM73UserGuide

Powersupplystatement

Neverremovethecoveronapowersupplyoranypartthathasthefollowinglabelattached.

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

Cleaningandmaintenance

Keepyourcomputerandworkspaceclean.Shutdownthecomputerandthendisconnectthepower
cordbeforecleaningthecomputer.Donotsprayanyliquiddetergentdirectlyonthecomputeroruse
anydetergentcontainingflammablematerialtocleanthecomputer.Spraythedetergentonasoftcloth
andthenwipethecomputersurfaces.

©CopyrightLenovo2013,2016

ix

xThinkCentreM73UserGuide

Chapter1.Productoverview

Thischapterprovidesinformationaboutthecomputerfeatures,specifications,softwareprogramsprovided
byLenovo,andlocationsofconnectors,components,partsonthesystemboard,andinternaldrives.

Features

Thissectionintroducesthecomputerfeatures.Theinformationcoversavarietyofmodels.

Toviewtheinformationaboutyourspecificmodel,dooneofthefollowing:

•OntheMicrosoft
toviewtheinformation.

•OntheMicrosoftWindows8orWindows8.1operatingsystem,gotothedesktopandmoveyourpointer
tothetop-rightorbottom-rightcornerofthescreentodisplaythecharms.ThenclickSettings➙PC
infotoviewtheinformation.

•OntheMicrosoftWindows10operatingsystem,clicktheStartbuttontoopentheStartmenu.Then,click

Settings➙System➙Abouttoviewtheinformation.

Microprocessor

Toviewthemicroprocessorinformationofyourcomputer,dothefollowing:

•OntheMicrosoftWindows7operationsystem,clickStart,right-clickComputer,andselectProperties
toviewtheinformation.

•OntheMicrosoftWindows8orWindows8.1operatingsystem,gotothedesktopandmoveyourpointer
tothetop-rightorbottom-rightcornerofthescreentodisplaythecharms.ThenclickSettings➙PC
infotoviewtheinformation.

•OntheMicrosoftWindows10operatingsystem,clicktheStartbuttontoopentheStartmenu.Then,click
Settings➙System➙Abouttoviewtheinformation.

®

Windows

®

7operationsystem,clickStart,right-clickComputer,andselectProperties

Memory

Yourcomputersupportsupto2doubledatarate3dualinlinememorymodules(DDR3DIMMs).

Internaldrives

•Opticaldrive:DVD-ROMorDVD-R

•Hybriddrive

•SerialAdvancedT echnologyAttachment(SATA)harddiskdrive

•SATAsolid-statedrive

Videosubsystem

•IntegratedgraphicsforaVideoGraphicsArray(VGA)connectorandaDisplayPort®connector

•PeripheralComponentInterconnect(PCI)Expressx16graphicscardslotonthesystemboardfora
discretegraphicscard

Audiosubsystem

•Integratedhigh-definition(HD)audio

•Audioline-inconnector,audioline-outconnector,andmicrophoneconnectorontherearpanel

©CopyrightLenovo2013,2016

1

•Microphoneconnectorandheadphoneconnectoronthefrontpanel

•Internalspeaker(availableinsomemodels)

Connectivity

•100/1000MbpsintegratedEthernetcontroller

•PCIEx1Faxmodem(somemodels)

Systemmanagementfeatures

•Abilitytostorepower-onself-test(POST)hardwaretestresults

•DesktopManagementInterface(DMI)
DesktopManagementInterfaceprovidesacommonpathforuserstoaccessinformationaboutall

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

•ErPLPScompliancemode
Theenergy-relatedproductsdirective(ErP)lowestpowerstate(LPS)compliancemodereducesthe

consumptionofelectricitywhenyourcomputerisinsleeporoffmode.Formoreinformation,see
“EnablingErPLPScompliancemode”onpage84

.

•PrebootExecutionEnvironment(PXE)
ThePrebootExecutionEnvironmentisanenvironmenttostartcomputersusinganetworkinterface

independentofdatastoragedevices(suchastheharddiskdrive)orinstalledoperatingsystems.

•IntelligentCoolingEngine(ICE)
TheIntelligentCoolingEngineisasystemthermalmanagementsolutionthatenablesyourcomputer

torunwithbetterthermalandacousticperformance.TheICEfunctionalsomonitorsthethermal
performanceofyourcomputertoidentifythermalproblems.Formoreinformation,see“ICEperformance
mode”onpage85and“ICEthermalalert”onpage85.

•SystemManagement(SM)BasicInput/OutputSystem(BIOS)andSMsoftware
TheSMBIOSspecificationdefinesdatastructuresandaccessmethodsinaBIOSthatallowsauseror

applicationtostoreandretrieveinformationspecificaboutthecomputerinquestion.

•WakeonLAN
WakeonLANisanEthernetcomputernetworkingstandardthatallowsacomputertobeturnedon

orwokenupbyanetworkmessage.Themessageisusuallysentbyaprogramrunningonanother
computeronthesamelocalareanetwork.

•WakeonRing
WakeonRing,sometimesreferredtoasWakeonModem,isaspecificationthatallowssupported

computersanddevicestoresumefromsleeporhibernationmode.

•WindowsManagementInstrumentation(WMI)
WindowsManagementInstrumentationisasetofextensionstotheWindowsDriverModel.Itprovidesan

operatingsysteminterfacethroughwhichinstrumentedcomponentsprovideinformationandnotification.

2ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

Input/Output(I/O)features

•9-pinserialconnector(onestandardandoneoptional)

•OneEthernetconnector

•OneDisplayPortconnector

•OneVGAmonitorconnector

•OnePersonalSystem/2(PS/2)keyboardconnector

•OnePS/2mouseconnector

•FourUniversalSerialBus(USB)2.0connectors(twoonthefrontpanelandtwoontherearpanel)

•TwoUSB3.0connectorsontherearpanel

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

•Twoaudioconnectorsonthefrontpanel(microphoneconnectorandheadphoneconnector)

Formoreinformation,see“Locatingconnectors,controls,andindicatorsonthefrontofyourcomputer”on
page9

and“Locatingconnectorsontherearofyourcomputer”onpage10.

Expansion

•Oneopticaldrivebay

•Twoharddiskdrivebays(onestandardandoneoptional)

•Oneslimcardreaderdrivebay

•OnePCIExpressx16graphicscardslot

•TwoPCIExpressx1cardslots

Formoreinformation,see“Locatinginternaldrives”onpage14.

Powersupply

Yourcomputercomeswithoneofthefollowingpowersupplies:

•280-wattpowersupplywithmanualvoltage-selectionswitch

•280-wattautomaticvoltage-sensingpowersupply

•450-wattautomaticvoltage-sensingpowersupply

Securityfeatures

•Abilitytoenableordisableadevice

•AbilitytoenableanddisableUSBconnectorsindividually

•ComputraceAgentsoftwareembeddedinfirmware

•Coverpresenceswitch(alsocalledintrusionswitch)(availableinsomemodels)

•Keyboardwithfingerprintreader(shippedwithsomemodels)

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

•Startupsequencecontrol

•Startupwithoutkeyboardormouse

•SupportforaKensington-stylecablelock

•Supportforapadlock

Chapter1.Productoverview3

Formoreinformation,seeChapter4“Security”onpage31.

Preinstalledsoftwareprograms

Yourcomputerispreinstalledwithsoftwareprogramstohelpyouworkmoreeasilyandsecurely.Formore
information,see“Lenovoprograms”onpage5.

Preinstalledoperatingsystem

Yourcomputerispreinstalledwithoneofthefollowingoperatingsystems:

•MicrosoftWindows7operatingsystem

•MicrosoftWindows8operatingsystem

•MicrosoftWindows8.1operatingsystem

•MicrosoftWindows10operatingsystem

Operatingsystem(s),certifiedortestedforcompatibility

•Linux

®

1

(variesbymodeltype)

1.Theoperatingsystem(s)listedherearebeingcertifiedortestedforcompatibilityatthetimethispublicationgoesto
press.AdditionaloperatingsystemsmightbeidentifiedbyLenovoascompatiblewithyourcomputerfollowingthe
publicationofthismanual.Thislistissubjecttochange.Todetermineifanoperatingsystemhasbeencertifiedor
testedforcompatibility,checktheWebsiteoftheoperatingsystemvendor.

4ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

Specifications

Thissectionliststhephysicalspecificationsforyourcomputer.

Dimensions

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

Weight

Maximumconfigurationasshipped:7.5kg(16.5lb)(withoutpackage)
Maximumconfigurationasshipped:10.5kg(23.1lb)(withpackage)

Environment

•Airtemperature:

Operating:10°Cto35°C(50°Fto95°F)
Storageinoriginalshippingpackage:-40°Cto60°C(-40°Fto140°F)
Storagewithoutpackage:-10°Cto60°C(14°Fto140°F)

•Humidity:

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

•Altitude:

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

Electricalinput

•Inputvoltage:

–Lowrange:

Minimum:100Vac
Maximum:127Vac
Inputfrequency:50/60Hz
Voltage-selectionswitchsetting:115Vac

–Highrange:

Minimum:200Vac
Maximum:240Vac
Inputfrequency:50/60Hz
Voltage-selectionswitchsetting:230Vac

Lenovoprograms

YourcomputercomeswithLenovoprogramstohelpyouworkmoreeasilyandsecurely.Dependingon
theWindowsoperatingsystempreinstalled,theprogramsmightvary.

Accessingaprogramonyourcomputer

Note:ForWindows7,someoftheLenovoprogramsmightbereadytobeinstalled,soyouneedtoinstall

themmanually.Then,youcanaccessandusetheseprograms.T oinstallaprogramthatisreadytobe
installed,opentheLenovoThinkVantage

®

Toolsprogram,andthenviewtheprogramiconsusingTiles.

Chapter1.Productoverview5

Followtheinstructionsundergreyed-outiconstolocatetheiconforthedesiredprogram.Double-click
theicontoinstalltheprogram.

Toaccessaprogramonyourcomputer,dooneofthefollowing:

•ForWindows7orWindows10:

–FromWindowsSearch:

1.DependingonyourWindowsversion,dooneofthefollowing:

–ForWindows7:ClicktheStartbuttontoopentheStartmenu,andthentypetheprogram

nameintothesearchbox.

–ForWindows10:TypetheprogramnameintothesearchboxnexttotheStartbutton.

2.Inthesearchresults,clickthenameofthedesiredprogramtolaunchtheprogram.

–FromtheStartmenuorControlPanel:

1.ClicktheStartbuttontoopentheStartmenu.Then,clickthenameofthedesiredprogramto
launchtheprogram.

2.Iftheprogramnameisnotdisplayed,clickAllProgramsforWindows7orAllappsforWindows
10todisplaytheprogramlist.Fromthelistorafolderinthelist,clickthenameofthedesired
programtolaunchtheprogram.

3.IftheprogramnameisnotdisplayedontheStartmenu,accesstheprogramfromControlPanel.
a.DependingonyourWindowsversion,dooneofthefollowing:

–ForWindows7:ClickControlPanelontheStartmenu.
–ForWindows10:Right-clicktheStartbuttontoopentheStartcontextmenu,andthen

clickControlPanel.

b.ViewControlPanelusingLargeiconsorSmallicons,andthenclickthenameofthedesired

programtolaunchtheprogram.

•ForWindows8orWindows8.1:

1.PresstheWindowskeytogototheStartscreen.Clickthenameofthedesiredprogramto
launchtheprogram.

2.Ifyoucannotfindtheprogramyouneed,dependingonyourWindowsversion,dooneofthefollowing:

–ForWindows8:Movethepointertothebottom-rightcornerofthescreentodisplaythecharms.

ThenclicktheSearchcharmtosearchforthedesiredprogram.

–ForWindows8.1:Clickthearrowiconinthebottom-leftcornerofthescreentogotothe

Appsscreen.Findthedesiredprogramintheappslistorsearchforitinthesearchboxinthe
top-rightcornerofthescreen.

AnintroductiontoLenovoprograms

ThissectionprovidesinformationaboutthemajorLenovoprogramsavailableonyouroperatingsystem.

Note:Dependingonyourcomputermodel,someofthefollowingprogramsmightnotbeavailable.

•ForWindows7only:

–CreateRecoveryMedia

TheCreateRecoveryMediaprogramenablesyoutorestoreonlytheCdriveortheentirestorage
drivetothefactory-defaultsettings.

–LenovoPowerENGAGE

TheLenovoPowerENGAGEprogramenablesyoutoregisteryourcomputerwithLenovo.

6ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

–MessageCenterPlus

TheMessageCenterPlusprogramautomaticallydisplaysmessagesinformingyouaboutimportant
noticesfromLenovo,suchasalertsonsystemupdatesandalertsonconditionsthatrequireyour
attention.

–RescueandRecovery

®

TheRescueandRecoveryprogramisaone-buttonrecoveryandrestoresolution.Itincludesaset
ofself-recoverytoolstohelpyoudiagnosecomputerproblems,gethelp,andrecoverfromsystem
crashes,evenifyoucannotstarttheWindowsoperatingsystem.

•ForWindows10only:

–LenovoID

TheLenovoIDprogramenablesyoutocreateyourLenovoIDandaccessallsupportedLenovo
programsandwebportalswithsinglesign-on.

•ForWindows8andWindows8.1:

–LenovoSupport

TheLenovoSupportprogramenablesyoutoregisteryourcomputerwithLenovo,checkthecomputer
healthconditionandbatterystatus,downloadandviewusermanualsforyourcomputer,getthe
warrantyinformationofyourcomputer,andexplorehelpandsupportinformation.

•ForWindows7,Windows8,andWindows8.1:

–FingerprintManagerProorThinkVantageFingerprintSoftware

TheFingerprintManagerProorThinkVantageFingerprintSoftwareprogramenablesyoutousea
fingerprintreader.Theintegratedfingerprintreaderprovidedonsomekeyboardsenablesyoutoenroll
yourfingerprintandassociateitwithyourpower-onpassword,harddiskpassword,andWindows
password.Asaresult,fingerprintauthenticationcanreplacepasswordsandenablesimpleandsecure
useraccess.

–PasswordManager

ThePasswordManagerprogramautomaticallycapturesandfillsinauthenticationinformationfor
WindowsprogramsandWebsites.

–SystemUpdate

TheSystemUpdateprogramprovidesregularaccesstothesystemupdatesforyourcomputer,such
asdevicedriverupdates,softwareupdates,andBIOSupdates.Theprogramgathersinformationfrom
theLenovoHelpCenteraboutnewupdatesforyourcomputer,thensortsanddisplaystheupdatesfor
downloadandinstallation.Youhavecompletecontrolofwhichupdatestodownloadandinstall.

•ForWindows7,Windows8.1,andWindows10:

–LenovoBluetoothLock

TheLenovoBluetoothLockprogramenablesyoutouseaBluetoothdevice(suchasyoursmartphone)
asaproximity-basedunitforlockingorunlockingyourcomputerautomatically.Bydetectingthe
distancebetweenyourcomputerandthepredefinedBluetoothdevicethatyouarecarrying,theLenovo
BluetoothLockprogramautomaticallylocksyourcomputerwhenyouwalkawayandunlocksyour
computerwhenyoucomeback.Thisisasimplewaytoprotectyourcomputeragainstunauthorized
accessincasethatyouforgettolockyourcomputer.

–PCCloudManager

ThePCCloudManager(PCM)programisabrowser-basedsolutionforclient-computermanagement.
ThePCMprogramhastwocomponents:PCMServerandPCMClient.PCMServerisinstalledon
thecomputer,wheretheadministratorperformsmanagementwork,suchaspowermanagement
andsecuritymanagement.PCMClientisinstalledontheclientcomputerstobemanaged.The
administratorcanlogintoPCMServertomanagecomputerswithPCMClientinstalled,throughthe
InternetWebbrowser.

Chapter1.Productoverview7

•ForWindows8,Windows8.1,andWindows10:

–LenovoCompanion

Yourcomputer’sbestfeaturesandcapabilitiesshouldbeeasytoaccessandunderstand.WithLenovo
Companion,theyare.UseLenovoCompaniontodothefollowing:

–Optimizeyourcomputer’sperformance,monitoryourcomputer’shealth,andmanageupdates.
–Accessyouruserguide,checkwarrantystatus,andviewaccessoriescustomizedforyourcomputer.
–Readhow-toarticles,exploreLenovoforums,andstayup-to-dateontechnologynewswitharticles

andblogsfromtrustedsources.

LenovoCompanionisfilledwithexclusiveLenovocontenttohelpyoulearnmoreaboutwhatyou
candowithyourcomputer.

•ForWindows7,Windows8,Windows8.1,andWindows10:

–LenovoDeviceExperienceorLenovoPCExperience

TheLenovoDeviceExperienceorLenovoPCExperienceprogramhelpsyouworkmoreeasilyand
securely.TheprogramprovideseasyaccesstoLenovoThinkVantageToolsorLenovoTools,important
settingsandinformationaboutyourcomputer,theLenovoSupportWebsite,andsoon.

–LenovoSolutionCenter

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

–PowerManager

ThePowerManagerprogramprovidesconvenient,flexible,andcompletepowermanagementfor
yourcomputer.Itenablesyoutoadjustyourcomputerpowersettingstoachievethebestbalance
betweenperformanceandpowersaving.

–REACHitorLenovoReach

TheREACHitorLenovoReachprogramenhancesyourcloudexperience.Thisprogramkeepsyou
connectedatalltimesandenablesyoutoaccessallyourfavoriteitemsfrompersonalcomputers,
smartphones,ortablets.Asaresult,youcanaccess,edit,andshareyourfilesfromanywhere.Y ou
alsocanaddyourfavoriteWebservicestoyourclouddesktopandstaylogged-intoWebsiteswith
thecloudpasswordmanager.

–SHAREitorLenovoSHAREit

TheSHAREitorLenovoSHAREitprogramprovidesaquickandeasywaytosharefilesandfolders
amongcomputers,smartphones,tablets,orsmartTVswiththeAndroidortheWindowsoperating
systeminstalled.SHAREitorLenovoSHAREitusesanytypeofnetworkorevennonetworkatallto
sharefilesandfolders.

Locations

Thissectionprovidesinformationtohelpyoulocatetheconnectorsonthefrontandrearofyourcomputer,
partsonthesystemboard,andcomponentsandinternaldrivesinyourcomputer.

8ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

Locatingconnectors,controls,andindicatorsonthefrontofyour computer

Figure1“Frontconnector,control,andindicatorlocations”onpage9showsthelocationsoftheconnectors,
controls,andindicatorsonthefrontofyourcomputer.

Figure1.Frontconnector,control,andindicatorlocations

1Harddiskdriveactivityindicator2Powerindicator

3Powerbutton

5USB2.0connector

7Microphoneconnector

4Opticaldriveeject/closebutton

6Headphoneconnector

8USB2.0connector

Chapter1.Productoverview9

Locatingconnectorsontherearofyourcomputer

Figure2“Rearconnectorlocations”onpage10showsthelocationsoftheconnectorsontherearofyour
computer.Someconnectorsontherearofyourcomputerarecolor-codedtohelpyoudeterminewhereto
connectthecablesonyourcomputer.

Figure2.Rearconnectorlocations

1Powercordconnector

3PS/2keyboardconnector

5VGAmonitorconnector6USB3.0connectors(2)

7USB2.0connectors(2)

9Audioline-outconnector10Audioline-inconnector

11PCIExpressx16graphicscardslot12PCIExpressx1cardslots(2)

13Security-lockslot

15Ethernetconnector

2PS/2mouseconnector

4DisplayPortconnector

8Microphoneconnector

14Padlockloop

16Serialconnector

ConnectorDescription

Audioline-inconnector

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

Audioline-outconnector

Usedtosendaudiosignalsfromthecomputertoexternaldevices,suchaspowered
stereospeakers(speakerswithbuilt-inamplifiers),headphones,multimedia
keyboards,ortheaudioline-inconnectoronastereosystemorotherexternal
recordingdevice.

10ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

ConnectorDescription

DisplayPortconnector

Usedtoattachahigh-performancemonitor,adirect-drivemonitor,orotherdevices
thatuseaDisplayPortconnector.
Note:TheDisplayPortconnectorisnotapplicableonsomemodels.Ifyour
computerhasagraphicscardinstalled,besuretouseamonitorconnectoron
thegraphicscard.

Ethernetconnector

UsedtoattachanEthernetcableforalocalareanetwork(LAN).
Note:TooperatethecomputerwithinFCCClassBlimits,useaCategory5eor
betterEthernetcable.

Microphoneconnector

Usedtoattachamicrophonetoyourcomputerwhenyouwanttorecordsoundorif
youusespeech-recognitionsoftware.

PS/2keyboardconnectorUsedtoattachakeyboardthatusesaPS/2keyboardconnector.

PS/2mouseconnectorUsedtoattachamouse,atrackball,orotherpointingdevicesthatuseaPS/2

mouseconnector.

Serialconnector

Usedtoattachanexternalmodem,aserialprinter,orotherdevicesthatusea
9-pinserialconnector.

USB2.0connectorUsedtoattachadevicethatrequiresaUSB2.0connection,suchasakeyboard,a

mouse,ascanner,aprinter,orapersonaldigitalassistant(PDA).

USB3.0connectorUsedtoattachadevicethatrequiresaUSB2.0or3.0connection,suchasa

keyboard,amouse,ascanner,aprinter,orapersonaldigitalassistant(PDA).A
USB3.0connectorprovideshightransmissionspeedstoreducethetimethatis
requiredfordatatransmission.

VGAmonitorconnectorUsedtoattachaVGAmonitororotherdevicesthatuseaVGAmonitorconnector.

Note:TheVGAconnectorisnotapplicableonsomemodels.Ifyourcomputerhas
agraphicscardinstalled,besuretouseamonitorconnectoronthegraphicscard.

Chapter1.Productoverview11

Locatingcomponents

Figure3“Componentlocations”onpage12showsthelocationsofthevariouscomponentsinyour
computer.Toremovethecomputercover,see“Removingthecomputercover”onpage36.

Figure3.Componentlocations

1Heatsinkandfanassembly

3Memorymodules4Frontbezel

5Opticaldrive6Slimcardreader

7FrontaudioandUSBassembly8Harddiskdrive(orsolid-statedrive)

9PCIExpresscard10Systemboard

11Coverpresenceswitch(Intrusionswitch)

(availableinsomemodels)

13Powersupplyassembly

2Microprocessor

12Rearfanassembly

Locatingpartsonthesystemboard

Yourcomputercomeswitheitherofthefollowingtypesofsystemboard.

12ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

Figure4“Systemboardpartlocations”onpage13showsthelocationsofthepartsononetypeofsystem
board.

Figure4.Systemboardpartlocations

14-pinpowerconnector

3Memoryslot1(DIMM1)4Memoryslot2(DIMM2)

5Thermalsensorconnector

714-pinpowerconnector8Parallelconnector

9SATA3.0connectors

11SATA2.0connector12Frontpanelconnector(forconnectingLEDindicatorsand

2Microprocessorfanconnector

64-pinpowerconnectors(numberandlocationvarybymodel)

10Powerfanconnector

powerswitch)

13FrontUSBconnector1(forconnectingUSB

ports1and2onthefrontbezel)

15Coverpresenceswitchconnector(intrusion

switchconnector)

17Serial(COM2)connector

19PCIExpressx1cardslots(2)20PCIExpressx16graphicscardslot

21Systemfanconnector

23Microprocessor

14FrontUSBconnector2(forconnectinganadditionalUSB

device)

16ClearCMOS(ComplementaryMetalOxideSemiconductor)

/Recoveryjumper

18Frontaudioconnector

22Battery

Chapter1.Productoverview13

Locatinginternaldrives

Internaldrivesaredevicesthatyourcomputerusestoreadandstoredata.Youcanadddrivestoyour
computertoincreasestoragecapacityandenableyourcomputertoreadothertypesofmedia.Internal
drivesareinstalledinbays.

Wheninstallingorreplacinganinternaldrive,itisimportanttonotethetypeandsizeofthedrivethatyou
caninstallorreplaceineachbayandcorrectlyconnectthecablestothedriveinstalled.Refertothe
appropriatesectionin“Installingorreplacinghardware”onpage35
replaceinternaldrivesforyourcomputer.

Figure5“Drivebaylocations”onpage14showsthelocationsofthedrivebays.

forinstructionsonhowtoinstallor

Figure5.Drivebaylocations

1Bay1-Opticaldrivebay(withanopticaldriveinstalledinsomemodels)

2Bay2-Slimcardreaderdrivebay(withaslimcardreaderinstalledinsomemodels)

3Bay3-PrimarySATAharddiskdrivebay(witha3.5-inchharddiskdriveora2.5-inchsolid-statedriveinstalled)

4Bay4-SecondarySA TAharddiskdrivebay(witha3.5-inchharddiskdrive,a2.5-inchsolid-statedrive,orahybrid

driveinstalledinsomemodels)

14ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

Machinetypeandmodellabel

Machine Type: XXXX
Model Number: XXX

Themachinetypeandmodellabelidentifiesyourcomputer.WhenyoucontactLenovoforhelp,themachine
typeandmodelinformationhelpssupporttechnicianstoidentifyyourcomputerandprovidefasterservice.

Thefollowingisasampleofthemachinetypeandmodellabel.

Figure6.Machinetypeandmodellabel

Chapter1.Productoverview15

16ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

Chapter2.Usingyourcomputer

Thischapterprovidesinformationonusingsomeofthecomputercomponents.

Frequentlyaskedquestions

Thefollowingareafewtipsthatwillhelpyouoptimizetheuseofyourcomputer.

CanIgetmyuserguideinanotherlanguage?

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

WhereismyrecoverydiscsetorrecoveryUSBkey?

DependingonyourWindowsversion,yourcomputercomeswitharecoverydiscsetorrecovery
USBkey.Ifyourcomputerdoesnotcomewithit,contacttheLenovoCustomerSupportCenterto
orderarecoverydiscsetorrecoveryUSBkey.ForalistofLenovoSupportphonenumbers,goto
http://www.lenovo.com/support/phone.Ifyoucannotfindthesupporttelephonenumberforyourcountry
orregion,contactyourLenovoreseller.

WherecanIfindhelpabouttheWindowsoperatingsystem?

See“Windowshelpsystem”onpage109.

CanIchangetheWindows8.1startupbehaviortoopeneitherthedesktoportheStartscreen?

OntheWindows8.1operatingsystem,youcansetthecomputertoopeneitherthedesktoportheStart
screenbydefault.Tosetthedefaultstartupscreen,dothefollowing:

1.Onthedesktop,moveyourpointertothetaskbaratthebottomofthescreenandright-clickonthe
taskbar.

2.ClickProperties.TheT askbarandNavigationpropertieswindowisdisplayed.

3.OntheNavigationtab,locatetheStartscreensection,andthendooneofthefollowing:

•Tosetthedesktopasyourdefaultstartupscreen,selectWhenIsigninorcloseallappsona

screen,gotothedesktopinsteadofStartsoacheckisvisible.

•TosettheStartscreenasyourdefaultstartupscreen,removethecheckfromtheWhenIsigninor

closeallappsonthescreen,gotodesktopinsteadofStartcheckbox.

4.ClickOKtosavethenewsetting.

ThisfeatureisnotavailableontheWindows8operatingsystem.

NavigatingamongscreensontheWindows8andWindows8.1operating systems

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtonavigateamongthedesktop,theStartscreen,andapplications
thatwereopenedfromtheStartscreenontheWindows8andWindows8.1operatingsystems.Fordetailed
instructions,see“NavigatingonWindows8”onpage17

or“NavigatingonWindows8.1”onpage19.

NavigatingonWindows8

Tonavigateamongthedesktop,theStartscreen,andapplicationsthatwereopenedfromtheStartscreen
ontheWindows8operatingsystem,dooneofthefollowing:

©CopyrightLenovo2013,2016

17

•FromtheStartscreen,dooneofthefollowingtonavigatetothemostrecentlyaccessedworkspace
(application,PCsettings,ordesktop):

–Usingapointingdevice:Movethepointertotheextremebottom-leftcornerofthescreenuntilasmall

representationoftheworkspaceisdisplayed;thenclicktherepresentation.

–Usingatouchscreen:Swipeinandoutontheleftedgeofthescreen.Representationsofallavailable

workspacesaredisplayedalongtheleftedgeofthescreen.Taptherepresentationoftheworkspaceat
thebottom.

Note:Therepresentationofaworkspaceisdisplayedonlyifyouhaveatleastoneactiveworkspacein
thebackgroundofthesystem.

•FromthedesktoporanyotherworkspacethatisopenedfromtheStartscreen,dooneofthefollowingto
navigatetotheStartscreen:

–Usingapointingdevice:Movethepointertotheextremebottom-leftcornerofthescreenuntilasmall

representationoftheStartscreenisdisplayed;thenclicktherepresentation.

–Usingatouchscreen:Dooneofthefollowing:

–Swipeinandoutontheleftedgeofthescreen.Representationsofallavailableworkspacesare

displayedalongtheleftedgeofthescreen.TaptherepresentationoftheStartscreenatthebottom.

–Swipeinfromtherightedgeofthescreentodisplaythecharms;thentapStart.

•Fromanyworkspace(Startscreen,desktop,PCsettings,orapplicationopenedfromtheStartscreen),
useanyofthefollowingprocedurestogotoanotherworkspacethatyouhavepreviouslyopened:

–Tonavigatetoapreviouslyaccessedworkspace(application,PCsettings,ordesktop),dooneofthe

following:

–Usingapointingdevice:

1.Dooneofthefollowing:

•Movethepointertotheextremetop-leftcornerofthescreenandthenmovethepointer
downwardalongtheleftedgeofthescreen.

•Movethepointertotheextremebottom-leftcornerofthescreenandthenmovethepointer
upwardalongtheleftedgeofthescreen.

Representationsofallavailableworkspacesaredisplayedalongtheleftedgeofthescreen.

Note:OnlyactiveworkspacesthatyouhaveaccessedduringthecurrentWindowssession
aredisplayedalongtheleftedge.Ifyoucloseanactiveworkspace,itsrepresentationdoes
notdisplayalongtheleftedgeofthescreen.

2.Clicktherepresentation.

–Usingatouchscreen:

•Method1

1.Swipeinandoutontheleftedgeofthescreen.Representationsofallavailableworkspaces
aredisplayedalongtheleftedgeofthescreen.

2.T apthedesiredworkspace.

•Method2

1.Swipeinfromtheleftedgeofthescreentonavigatetothenextavailableworkspace.

2.Repeatstep1untilyounavigatetothedesiredworkspace.

–Tonavigatetothemostrecentlyaccessedworkspace(application,PCsettings,ordesktop),doone

ofthefollowing:

–Usingapointingdevice:Movethepointertotheextremetop-leftcornerofthescreenuntilasmall

representationoftheworkspaceisdisplayed;thenclicktherepresentation.

18ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

–Usingatouchscreen:Swipeinfromtheleftedgeofthescreen.

ForinformationaboutusingotherfeaturesoftheWindows8operatingsystem,refertotheWindowshelp
system.Formoreinformation,see“Windowshelpsystem”onpage109.

NavigatingonWindows8.1

Tonavigateamongthedesktop,theStartscreen,andapplicationsthatwereopenedfromtheStartscreen
ontheWindows8.1operatingsystem,dooneofthefollowing:

•FromtheStartscreen,dooneofthefollowingtonavigatetothemostrecentlyaccessedworkspace
(application,setting,ordesktop):

–Usingapointingdevice:Movethepointertotheextremebottom-leftcornerofthescreenuntilthe

Windowsscreen-controlicon

–Usingatouchscreen:Swipeinandoutontheleftedgeofthescreen.Representationsofallavailable

workspacesaredisplayedalongtheleftedgeofthescreen.TaptheWindowsscreen-controlicon

atthebottom.

Note:TheWindowsscreen-controliconisdisplayedonlyifyouhaveatleastoneactiveworkspace
inthebackgroundofthesystem.

•FromthedesktoporanyotherworkspacethatisopenedfromtheStartscreen,dooneofthefollowingto
navigatetotheStartscreen:

–Usingapointingdevice:

isdisplayed;thenclicktheicon.

–Fromthedesktop,clicktheWindowsscreen-controlicon
–Fromanyotherworkspace,movethepointertotheextremebottom-leftcornerofthescreenuntil

theWindowsscreen-controlicon

–Usingatouchscreen:Dooneofthefollowing:

–Fromthedesktop,taptheWindowsscreen-controliconinthebottom-leftcornerofthescreen.
–Fromanyotherworkspace,dooneofthefollowing:

•Swipeinandoutontheleftedgeofthescreen.Representationsofallavailableworkspaces
aredisplayedalongtheleftedgeofthescreen.TaptheWindowsscreen-controlicon

thebottom.

•Swipeinfromtherightedgeofthescreentodisplaythecharms;thentapStart.

•Fromanyworkspace(Startscreen,desktop,PCsettings,orapplicationopenedfromtheStartscreen),
useanyofthefollowingprocedurestogotoanotherworkspacethatyouhavepreviouslyopened:

–Tonavigatetoapreviouslyaccessedworkspace(application,setting,ordesktop),dooneofthe

following:

–Usingapointingdevice:

1.Dooneofthefollowing:

•Movethepointertotheextremetop-leftcornerofthescreenandthenmovethepointer
downwardalongtheleftedgeofthescreen.

•Movethepointertotheextremebottom-leftcornerofthescreenandthenmovethepointer
upwardalongtheleftedgeofthescreen.

isdisplayed;thenclicktheicon.

inthebottom-leftcornerofthescreen.

at

Representationsofallavailableworkspacesaredisplayedalongtheleftedgeofthescreen.

Chapter2.Usingyourcomputer19

Note:OnlyactiveworkspacesthatyouhaveaccessedduringthecurrentWindowssession
aredisplayedalongtheleftedge.Ifyoucloseanactiveworkspace,itsrepresentationdoes
notdisplayalongtheleftedgeofthescreen.

2.Clicktherepresentation.

–Usingatouchscreen:

•Method1

1.Swipeinandoutontheleftedgeofthescreen.Representationsofallavailableworkspaces
aredisplayedalongtheleftedgeofthescreen.

2.T apthedesiredworkspace.

•Method2

1.Swipeinfromtheleftedgeofthescreentonavigatetothenextavailableworkspace.

2.Repeatstep1untilyounavigatetothedesiredworkspace.

–Tonavigatetothemostrecentlyaccessedworkspace(application,PCsettings,ordesktop),doone

ofthefollowing:

–Usingapointingdevice:Movethepointertotheextremetop-leftcornerofthescreenuntilthe

Windowsscreen-controlicon

–Usingatouchscreen:Swipeinfromtheleftedgeofthescreen.

ForinformationaboutusingotherfeaturesoftheWindows8.1operatingsystem,opentheHelp+Tips
applicationfromtheStartscreenorAppsscreen,orrefertotheWindowshelpsystem.Formoreinformation,
see“Windowshelpsystem”onpage109.

isdisplayed;thenclicktheicon.

AccessingControlPanelontheWindows8orWindows8.1operating system

OntheWindowsoperatingsystem,youcanviewandchangecomputersettingsthroughControlPanel.To
accessControlPanelontheWindows8orWindows8.1operatingsystem,dooneofthefollowing:

•Fromthedesktop

1.Movethepointertothetop-rightorbottom-rightcornerofthescreentodisplaythecharms.

2.ClickSettings.

3.ClickControlPanel.

•FromtheStartscreen

–ForWindows8:

1.Movethepointertothetop-rightorbottom-rightcornerofthescreentodisplaythecharms.

2.ClickSearch.

3.OntheAppsscreen,scrolltotherightside,andclickControlPanelintheWindowsSystem
section.

–ForWindows8.1:

1.Clickthearrowiconinthebottom-leftcornerofthescreentogototheAppsscreen.

2.Scrolltotherightside,andclickControlPanelintheWindowsSystemsection.

UsingWindowsshortcutkeys

Boththestandardkeyboardandthefingerprintreaderkeyboardprovidethreekeysyoucanusewithyour
MicrosoftWindowsoperatingsystem.

20ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

•ThetwoWindowslogokeysarelocatedbesidetheAltkeyoneithersideofthespacebar.Theyfeature
theWindowslogo.OntheWindows7orWindows10operatingsystem,presstheWindowskeyto
opentheStartmenu.OntheWindows8orWindows8.1operatingsystem,presstheWindowskey

toswitchbetweenthecurrentworkspaceandtheStartscreen.ThestyleoftheWindowslogovaries
dependingonthekeyboardtype.

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

Note:YoucanusethemouseortheUpandDownarrowkeystohighlightmenuselections.

Usingthewheelmouse

Thewheelmousehasthefollowingcontrols:

1PrimarymousebuttonUsethisbuttontoselectorstartaprogramormenuitem.

2Wheel

3Secondarymousebutton

Youcanswitchthefunctionoftheprimaryandsecondarymousebuttonsandchangeotherdefaultbehavior
throughthemousepropertiesfunctionintheWindowsControlPanel.

Usethewheeltocontrolthescrollingactionofthemouse.Thedirectioninwhichyou
rotatethewheelcontrolsthedirectionofthescrollingaction.

Usethisbuttontodisplayamenufortheactiveprogram,icon,orobject.

Settingthecomputervolume

Tosetthecomputervolume,dothefollowing:

1.ClickthevolumeiconintheWindowsnotificationareaonthetaskbar.

Note:IfthevolumeiconisnotdisplayedintheWindowsnotificationarea,addtheicontothe
notificationarea.See“AddinganicontotheWindowsnotificationarea”onpage21

2.Followtheinstructionsonthescreentoadjustthevolume.Clickthespeakericontomutetheaudio.

.

AddinganicontotheWindowsnotificationarea

ToaddanicontotheWindowsnotificationarea,dothefollowing:

1.Clickthearrownexttothenotificationareatoviewhiddenicons.Then,clickthedesirediconand
dragittothenotificationarea.

2.Iftheiconisnotdisplayed,turnontheicon.
a.DependingonyourWindowsversion,dooneofthefollowing:

Chapter2.Usingyourcomputer21

•ForWindows7:ClicktheStartbuttontoopentheStartmenu,andthenclickControlPanel.
ViewControlPanelusingLargeiconsorSmallicons,andthenclickNotificationAreaIcons➙
Turnsystemiconsonoroff.

•ForWindows8orWindows8.1:OpenControlPanel.ViewControlPanelusingLargeiconsor
Smallicons,andthenclickNotificationAreaIcons➙Turnsystemiconsonoroff.

Note:FordetailedinformationonhowtoopenControlPanelonWindows8andWindows8.1,
see“AccessingControlPanelontheWindows8orWindows8.1operatingsystem”onpage20

•ForWindows10:ClicktheStartbuttontoopentheStartmenu.Then,clickSettings➙System
➙Notifications&actions➙Turnsystemiconsonoroff.

b.Turnonthedesiredicon.

3.IftheiconisstillnotdisplayedintheWindowsnotificationarea,repeatstep1.

UsingCDsandDVDs

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

FollowtheseguidelineswhenusingtheDVDdrive:

.

•Donotplacethecomputerinalocationwherethedriveisexposedtothefollowing:

–Hightemperature
–Highhumidity
–Excessivedust
–Excessivevibrationorsuddenshock
–Aninclinedsurface
–Directsunlight

•DonotinsertanyobjectotherthanaCDorDVDintothedrive.

•Beforemovingthecomputer,removetheCDorDVDfromthedrive.

HandlingandstoringCDandDVDmedia

CDandDVDmediaaredurableandreliable,buttheydorequiresomecareandspecialhandling.When
handlingandstoringaCDorDVD,followtheseguidelines:

•Holdthediscbyitsedges.Donottouchthesurfaceofthesidethatisnotlabeled.

•Toremovedustorfingerprints,wipethediscwithaclean,softclothfromthecentertotheoutside.Wiping
thediscinacirculardirectionmightcauselossofdata.

•Donotwriteorstickpaperonthedisc.

•Donotscratchormarkthedisc.

•Donotplaceorstorethediscindirectsunlight.

•Donotusebenzene,thinners,orothercleanerstocleanthedisc.

•Donotdroporbendthedisc.

•Donotinsertdamageddiscsintothedrive.Warped,scratched,ordirtydiscscandamagethedrive.

22ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

PlayingaCDorDVD

IfyourcomputercomeswithaDVDdrive,youcanlistentoaudioCDsorwatchDVDmovies.Toplaya
CDorDVD,dothefollowing:

1.PresstheEject/LoadbuttonontheDVDdrivetoopenthetray.

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

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

ToremoveaCDorDVDfromtheDVDdrive,dothefollowing:

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

2.ClosethetraybypressingtheEject/Loadbuttonorbygentlypushingthetrayforward.

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

RecordingaCDorDVD

Ifyouropticaldrivesupportsrecording,youcanrecordaCDorDVD.

TorecordaCDorDVD,dothefollowing:

1.Insertarecordablediscintotheopticaldrivethatsupportsrecording.

2.OpenthePowerDVDCreate,PowerProducer,orPower2Goprogram.See“Accessingaprogramon
yourcomputer”onpage5.

3.Followtheinstructionsonthescreen.

Chapter2.Usingyourcomputer23

24ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

Chapter3.Youandyourcomputer

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,usually51to61cm(20to24inches),andpositionitsoyoucanviewit
withouthavingtotwistyourbody.Also,positionotherequipmentyouuseregularly,suchasthetelephoneor
amouse,withineasyreach.

©CopyrightLenovo2013,2016

25

Glareandlighting

Positionthemonitortominimizeglareandreflectionsfromoverheadlights,windows,andotherlightsources.
Reflectedlightfromshinysurfacescancauseannoyingreflectionsonyourmonitorscreen.Placethe
monitoratrightanglestowindowsandotherlightsources,whenpossible.Reduceoverheadlighting,if
necessary,byturningofflightsorusinglowerwattagebulbs.Ifyouinstallthemonitornearawindow,use
curtainsorblindstoblockthesunlight.Youcanadjustthebrightnessandcontrastcontrolsonthemonitor
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,makesuretheventedairisnotblowingonpeople.

Electricaloutletsandcablelengths

Thelocationofelectricaloutlets,thelengthofpowercordsandcablesthatconnecttothemonitor,printer,
andotherdevicesmightdeterminethefinalplacementofyourcomputer.

Whenarrangingyourworkspace:

•Avoidtheuseofextensioncords.Whenpossible,plugthecomputerpowercorddirectlyintoanelectrical
outlet.

•Keeppowercordsandcablesneatlyroutedawayfromwalkwaysandotherareaswheretheymight
getkickedaccidentally.

Formoreinformationaboutpowercords,see“Powercordsandpoweradapters”onpagevi.

Accessibilityinformation

Lenovoiscommittedtoprovidinguserswhohavehearing,vision,andmobilitylimitationswithgreater
accesstoinformationandtechnology.Thissectionprovidesinformationaboutthewaystheseuserscanget
themostoutoftheircomputerexperience.Youalsocangetthemostup-to-dateaccessibilityinformation
fromthefollowingWebsite:
http://www.lenovo.com/accessibility

Keyboardshortcuts

Thefollowingtablecontainskeyboardshortcutsthatcanhelpmakeyourcomputereasiertouse.

Note:Dependingonyourkeyboard,someofthefollowingkeyboardshortcutsmightnotbeavailable.

KeyboardshortcutFunction

Windowslogokey+U

RightShiftforeightseconds

ShiftfivetimesTurnonorturnoffStickyKeys

26ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

OpenEaseofAccessCenter

TurnonorturnoffFilterKeys

KeyboardshortcutFunction

NumLockforfivesecondsTurnonorturnoffT oggleKeys

LeftAlt+LeftShift+NumLock

LeftAlt+LeftShift+PrtScn(orPrtSc)TurnonorturnoffHighContrast

TurnonorturnoffMouseKeys

Formoreinformation,gotohttp://windows.microsoft.com/,andthenperformasearchusinganyofthe
followingkeywords:keyboardshortcuts,keycombinations,shortcutkeys.

EaseofAccessCenter

EaseofAccessCenterontheWindowsoperatingsystemenablesuserstoconfiguretheircomputersto
suittheirphysicalandcognitiveneeds.

TouseEaseofAccessCenter,dothefollowing:

1.DependingonyourWindowsversion,dooneofthefollowing:

•ForWindows7:ClicktheStartbuttontoopentheStartmenu,andthenclickControlPanel.View
ControlPanelusingLargeiconsorSmallicons,andthenclickEaseofAccessCenter.

•ForWindows8orWindows8.1:Movethepointertothetop-rightorbottom-rightcornerofthescreen
todisplaythecharms.Then,clickSettings➙ChangePCsettings➙EaseofAccess.

•ForWindows10:ClicktheStartbuttontoopentheStartmenu.Then,clickSettings➙Easeof
Access.

2.Choosetheappropriatetoolbyfollowingtheinstructionsonthescreen.

EaseofAccessCentermainlyincludesthefollowingtools:

•Magnifier
Magnifierisausefulutilitythatenlargestheentirescreenorpartofthescreensothatyoucansee

theitemsbetter.

•Narrator
Narratorisascreenreaderthatreadsaloudwhatisdisplayedonthescreenanddescribeseventssuchas

errormessages.

•On-ScreenKeyboard
Ifyouprefertotypeorenterdataintoyourcomputerusingamouse,joystick,orotherpointingdevice

insteadofaphysicalkeyboard,youcanuseOn-ScreenKeyboard.On-ScreenKeyboarddisplaysavisual
keyboardwithallthestandardkeys.

•HighContrast
HighContrastisafeaturethatheightensthecolorcontrastofsometextandimagesonyourscreen.Asa

result,thoseitemsaremoredistinctandeasiertoidentify.

•Personalizedkeyboard
Adjustkeyboardsettingstomakeyourkeyboardeasiertouse.Forexample,youcanuseyourkeyboard

tocontrolthepointerandtypecertainkeycombinationseasier.

•Personalizedmouse
Adjustmousesettingstomakeyourmouseeasiertouse.Forexample,youcanchangethepointer

appearanceandmakeiteasiertomanagewindowswiththemouse.

SpeechRecognition

SpeechRecognitionenablesyoutocontrolyourcomputerbyvoice.

Chapter3.Y ouandyourcomputer27

Usingonlyyourvoice,youcanstartprograms,openmenus,clickobjectsonthescreen,dictatetextinto
documents,andwriteandsende-mails.Everythingyoudowiththekeyboardandmousecanbedonewith
onlyyourvoice.

TouseSpeechRecognition,dothefollowing:

1.DependingonyourWindowsversion,dooneofthefollowing:

•ForWindows7:ClicktheStartbuttontoopentheStartmenu,andthenclickControlPanel.

•ForWindows8orWindows8.1:OpenControlPanel.See“AccessingControlPanelontheWindows
8orWindows8.1operatingsystem”onpage20.

•ForWindows10:Right-clicktheStartbuttontoopentheStartcontextmenu,andthenclickControl
Panel.

2.ViewControlPanelusingLargeiconsorSmallicons,andthenclickSpeechRecognition.

3.Followtheinstructionsonthescreen.

Screen-readertechnologies

Screen-readertechnologiesareprimarilyfocusedonsoftwareprograminterfaces,helpinformationsystems,
andvariousonlinedocuments.Foradditionalinformationaboutscreenreaders,seethefollowing:

•UsingPDFswithscreenreaders:
http://www.adobe.com/accessibility.html?promoid=DJGVE

•UsingtheJAWSscreenreader:
http://www.freedomscientific.com/jaws-hq.asp

•UsingtheNVDAscreenreader:
http://www.nvaccess.org/

Screenresolution

Youcanmakethetextandimagesonyourscreeneasiertoreadbyadjustingthescreenresolutionofyour
computer.

Toadjustthescreenresolution,dothefollowing:

1.Right-clickablankareaonthedesktop.

2.DependingonyourWindowsversion,dooneofthefollowing:

•ForWindows7,Windows8,orWindows8.1:ClickScreenresolution.

•ForWindows10:ClickDisplaysettings.OntheDisplaytab,clickAdvanceddisplaysettings.

3.Followtheinstructionsonthescreen.

Note:Settingtheresolutiontoolowmightpreventsomeitemsfromfittingonthescreen.

Customizableitemsize

Youcanmaketheitemsonyourscreeneasiertoreadbychangingtheitemsize.

•Tochangetheitemsizetemporarily,usetheMagnifiertoolinEaseofAccessCenter.See“Easeof
AccessCenter”onpage27

.

•Tochangetheitemsizepermanently,dothefollowing:

–Changethesizeofalltheitemsonyourscreen.

1.Right-clickablankareaonthedesktop.

2.DependingonyourWindowsversion,dooneofthefollowing:

28ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

–ForWindows7,Windows8,orWindows8.1:ClickScreenresolution➙Maketextandother

itemslargerorsmaller.

–ForWindows10:ClickDisplaysettings.

3.Changetheitemsizebyfollowingtheinstructionsonthescreen.

4.ClickApply.Thischangewilltakeeffectthenexttimeyoulogintotheoperatingsystem.

–ChangethesizeoftheitemsonaWebpage.

PressandholdCtrl,andthenpresstheplus-signkey(+)toenlargeortheminus-signkey(-)to
reducethetextsize.

–Changethesizeoftheitemsonthedesktoporawindow.

Note:Thisfunctionmightnotworkonsomewindows.
Ifyourmousehasawheel,pressandholdCtrl,andthenscrollthewheeltochangetheitemsize.

Industry-standardconnectors

Yourcomputerprovidesindustry-standardconnectorsthatenableyoutoconnectassistivedevices.

Formoreinformationaboutthelocationandfunctionoftheconnectors,see“Locations”onpage8.

TTY/TDDconversionmodem

Yourcomputersupportstheuseofatexttelephone(TTY)orthetelecommunicationsdeviceforthedeaf
(TDD)conversionmodem.ThemodemmustbeconnectedbetweenyourcomputerandaTTY/TDD
telephone.Then,youcantypeamessageonyourcomputerandsendittothetelephone.

Documentationinaccessibleformats

Lenovoprovideselectronicdocumentationinaccessibleformats,suchasproperlytaggedPDFfilesor
HyperTextMarkupLanguage(HTML)files.Lenovoelectronicdocumentationisdevelopedtoensure
thatvisuallyimpaireduserscanreadthedocumentationthroughascreenreader.Eachimageinthe
documentationalsoincludesadequatealternativetextsothatvisuallyimpaireduserscanunderstandthe
imagewhentheyuseascreenreader.

Registeringyourcomputer

WhenyouregisteryourcomputerwithLenovo,youenterrequiredinformationintoaLenovodatabase.The
informationenablesLenovotocontactyouwhenthereisarecallorothersevereproblemandprovide
quickerservicewhenyoucallLenovoforhelp.Inaddition,somelocationsofferextendedprivilegesand
servicestoregisteredusers.

ToregisteryourcomputerwithLenovo,ensurethatyourcomputerisconnectedtotheInternet.Then,goto
http://www.lenovo.com/registerandfollowtheinstructionsonthescreen.

Movingyourcomputertoanothercountryorregion

Whenyoumoveyourcomputertoanothercountryorregion,youmusttakelocalelectricalstandards
intoconsideration.

Ifyourelocateyourcomputertoacountryorregionthatusesanelectricaloutletstyledifferentfromthe
typeyouarecurrentlyusing,youwillhavetopurchaseeitherelectricalplugadaptersornewpowercords.
YoucanorderpowercordsdirectlyfromLenovo.

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

Chapter3.Y ouandyourcomputer29

30ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

Chapter4.Security

Thischapterprovidesinformationabouthowtoprotectyourcomputerfromtheftandunauthorizeduse.

Securityfeatures

Thefollowingsecurityfeaturesareavailableonyourcomputer:

•ComputraceAgentsoftwareembeddedinfirmware
TheComputraceAgentsoftwareisanITassetmanagementandcomputertheftrecoverysolution.

Thesoftwaredetectsifchangeshavebeenmadeonthecomputer,suchashardware,software,or
thecomputercall-inlocation.

Note:YoumighthavetopurchaseasubscriptiontoactivatetheComputraceAgentsoftware.

•Coverpresenceswitch(alsocalledintrusionswitch)
Thecoverpresenceswitchpreventsyourcomputerfromloggingintotheoperatingsystemwhenthe

computercoverisnotproperlyinstalledorclosed.Toenablethecoverpresenceswitchconnector
onthesystemboard,tothefollowing:

1.StarttheSetupUtilityprogram.See“StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage81.

2.SettheAdministratorPassword.See“Setting,changing,anddeletingapassword”onpage82.

3.FromtheSecuritysubmenu,selectChassisIntrusionDetection➙Enabled.Thecoverpresence
switchconnectoronthesystemboardisenabled.

Whenthecoverpresenceswitchdetectsthatyourcomputercoverisnotproperlyinstalledorclosed
whenyouturnonthecomputer,anerrormessagewillbedisplayed.Tobypasstheerrormessageand
logintotheoperatingsystem,dothefollowing:

1.Properlyinstallorcloseyourcomputercover.See“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage69.

2.PressF1toentertheSetupUtilityprogram.ThenpressF10tosaveandexittheSetupUtility
program.Theerrormessagewillnotbedisplayedagain.

•AbilitytoenableanddisabledevicesandUSBconnectors
Formoreinformation,see“Enablingordisablingadevice”onpage83.

•Integratedfingerprintreader(availableonsomemodels)
Dependingonthemodelsofyourcomputer,thekeyboardmayhaveanintegratedfingerprintreader.

ByenrollingyourfingerprintandassociatingitwithaPower-onPassword,aHardDiskPassword,or
bothpasswordsbeforehand,youcanstartthecomputer,logontothesystem,andentertheSetup
Utilityprogrambyswipingyourfingeroverthereader,withouttypingapassword.Thusfingerprint
authenticationcanreplacepasswordsandenablesimpleandsecureuseraccess.

•Startupsequencecontrol
Formoreinformation,see“Selectingorchangingthestartupdevicesequence”onpage84

•Startupwithoutkeyboardormouse
Yourcomputerisabletologintotheoperatingsystemwithoutkeyboardormouseconnected.

•TrustedPlatformModule(TPM)(availableonsomemodels)
TrustedPlatformModuleisasecurecryptoprocessorthatcanstorecryptographickeysthatprotect

informationstoredinyourcomputer.

.

©CopyrightLenovo2013,2016

31

Lockingthecomputercover

Lockingthecomputercoverhelpspreventunauthorizedpeoplefromgainingaccesstotheinsideofyour
computer.Y ourcomputercomeswithapadlockloopsothatthecomputercovercannotberemoved
whenapadlockisinstalled.

Figure7.Installingapadlock

32ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

AttachingaKensington-stylecablelock

YoucanuseaKensington-stylecablelocktosecureyourcomputertoadesk,table,orothernon-permanent
fixture.Thecablelockattachestothesecurity-lockslotattherearofyourcomputerandisoperatedwitha
keyorcombinationdependingonthetypeselected.Thecablelockalsolocksthebuttonsusedtoopenthe
computercover.Thisisthesametypeoflockusedwithmanynotebookcomputers.Youcanordersucha
cablelockdirectlyfromLenovobysearchingforKensingtonat:
http://www.lenovo.com/support

Figure8.Kensington-stylecablelock

Preventingunauthorizedaccesstoyourcomputer

YoucanuseBIOSpasswordsandWindowsaccountstopreventunauthorizedaccesstoyourcomputerand
data.

•TouseBIOSpasswords,see“UsingBIOSpasswords”onpage81

•TouseWindowsaccounts,dothefollowing:

1.DependingonyourWindowsversion,dooneofthefollowing:

–ForWindows7:ClicktheStartbuttontoopentheStartmenu,andthenclickControlPanel➙

UserAccounts.

–ForWindows8orWindows8.1:Movethepointertothetop-rightorbottom-rightcornerofthe

screentodisplaythecharms.Then,clickSettings➙ChangePCsettings➙Accounts.

–ForWindows10:ClicktheStartbuttontoopentheStartmenu,andthenclickSettings➙

Accounts.

2.Followtheinstructionsonthescreen.

.

Chapter4.Security33

Usingfingerprintauthentication

Ifyourkeyboardhasafingerprintreader,youcanusefingerprintauthenticationtoreplacepasswordsfor
simpleandsecureuseraccess.Tousefingerprintauthentication,firstenrollyourfingerprintsandassociate
themwithyourpasswords(suchasthepower-onpassword,harddiskpassword,andWindowspassword).
Usethefingerprintreaderandthefingerprintprogramtocompletethisprocedure.

Tousefingerprintauthentication,dooneofthefollowing:

•ForWindows7,Windows8,orWindows8.1:UsetheFingerprintManagerProorThinkVantage
FingerprintSoftwareprogramprovidedbyLenovo.Toopentheprogram,see“Accessingaprogramon
yourcomputer”onpage5.Formoreinformationaboutusingtheprogram,refertothehelpsystem
oftheprogram.

•ForWindows10:UsethefingerprinttoolprovidedbyWindows.ClicktheStartbuttontoopentheStart
menu,andthenclickSettings➙Accounts➙Sign-inoptions.Followtheinstructionsonthescreen.

Tousethefingerprintreader,refertothedocumentationshippedwiththefingerprintkeyboardorlocatedon
theLenovoSupportWebsiteathttp://www.lenovo.com/support/keyboards.

Usingandunderstandingfirewalls

Afirewallcanbehardware,software,oracombinationofbothdependingonthelevelofsecurityrequired.
Firewallsworkonasetofrulestodeterminewhichinboundandoutboundconnectionsareauthorized.If
yourcomputerispreinstalledwithafirewallprogram,ithelpsprotectagainstcomputerInternetsecurity
threats,unauthorizedaccess,intrusions,andInternetattacks.Italsoprotectsyourprivacy.Formore
informationabouthowtousethefirewallprogram,refertothehelpsystemofyourfirewallprogram.

TheWindowsoperatingsystempreinstalledonyourcomputerprovidestheWindowsFirewall.Fordetailson
usingtheWindowsFirewall,referto“Windowshelpsystem”onpage109

.

Protectingdataagainstviruses

Yourcomputerispreinstalledwithanantivirusprogramtohelpyouguardagainst,detect,andeliminate
viruses.

Lenovoprovidesafullversionofantivirussoftwareonyourcomputerwithafree30-daysubscription.After
30days,youmustrenewthelicensetocontinuereceivingtheantivirussoftwareupdates.

Note:Virusdefinitionfilesmustbekeptup-to-datetoguardagainstnewviruses.

Formoreinformationabouthowtouseyourantivirussoftware,refertothehelpsystemofyourantivirus
software.

34ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware

Thischapterprovidesinstructionsonhowtoinstallorreplacehardwareforyourcomputer.

Handlingstatic-sensitivedevices

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

Whenyouhandlepartsandothercomputercomponents,taketheseprecautionstoavoidstatic-electricity
damage:

•Limityourmovement.Movementcancausestaticelectricitytobuilduparoundyou.

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

•Preventothersfromtouchingthepartsandothercomputercomponents.

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

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

•Donotplacethepartonthecomputercoverorothermetalsurface.

Installingorreplacinghardware

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoinstallorreplacehardwareforyourcomputer.Y oucanexpand
thecapabilitiesofyourcomputerandmaintainyourcomputerbyinstallingorreplacinghardware.

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.

Notes:

•UseonlycomputerpartsprovidedbyLenovo.

•Wheninstallingorreplacinganoption,usetheappropriateinstructionsinthissectionalongwiththe
instructionsthatcomewiththeoption.

Installingexternaloptions

Youcanconnectexternaloptionstoyourcomputer,suchasexternalspeakers,aprinter,orascanner.For
someexternaloptions,youmustinstalladditionalsoftwareinadditiontomakingthephysicalconnection.
Wheninstallinganexternaloption,see“Locatingconnectors,controls,andindicatorsonthefrontofyour
computer”onpage9and“Locatingconnectorsontherearofyourcomputer”onpage10toidentifythe
requiredconnector.Then,usetheinstructionsthatcomewiththeoptiontohelpyoumaketheconnection
andinstallanysoftwareordevicedriversthatarerequiredfortheoption.

©CopyrightLenovo2013,2016

35

Removingthecomputercover

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoremovethecomputercover.

CAUTION:

Beforeyouopenthecomputercover,turnoffthecomputerandwaitseveralminutesuntilthe
computeriscool.

Toremovethecomputercover,dothefollowing:

1.Removeanymediafromthedrivesandturnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.

2.Disconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

3.Disconnectthepowercord,Input/Outputcables,andanyothercablesthatareconnectedtothe
computer.See“Locatingconnectors,controls,andindicatorsonthefrontofyourcomputer”onpage9
and“Locatingconnectorsontherearofyourcomputer”onpage10.

4.Removeanylockingdevicethatsecuresthecomputercover,suchasapadlockoranintegrated
cablelock.See“Lockingthecomputercover”onpage32and“AttachingaKensington-stylecable
lock”onpage33.

5.Removethetwoscrewsthatsecurethecomputercoverandslidethecomputercovertotherearto
removeit.

Figure9.Removingthecomputercover

36ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

Removingandreinstallingthefrontbezel

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoremoveandreinstallthefrontbezel.

Toremoveandreinstallthefrontbezel,dothefollowing:

1.T urnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage36.

3.Removethefrontbezelbyreleasingthethreeplastictabsontheleftsideandpivotingthefrontbezel
outward.

Figure10.Removingthefrontbezel

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware37

4.T oreinstallthefrontbezel,alignthethreeplastictabsontherightsideofthefrontbezelwiththe
correspondingholesinthechassis,thenpivotthefrontbezelinwardsuntilitsnapsintopositionon
theleftside.

Figure11.Reinstallingthefrontbezel

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage69.

InstallingorreplacingaPCIExpresscard

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.

ThissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoinstallorreplaceaPCIExpresscard.

ToinstallorreplaceaPCIExpresscard,dothefollowing:

1.T urnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage36.

38ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

3.Attherearofthecomputer,removethescrewthatsecuresthePCIExpresscardlatch.

Figure12.RemovingthescrewthatsecuresthePCIExpresscardlatch

4.DependingonwhetheryouareinstallingorreplacingaPCIExpresscard,dooneofthefollowing:

•IfyouareinstallingaPCIExpresscard,removetheappropriatemetalslotcover.

•IfyouarereplacinganoldPCIExpresscard,grasptheoldcardthatiscurrentlyinstalledandgently
pullitoutoftheslot.

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware39

Figure13.RemovingthePCIExpresscard

Notes:

–Thecardfitstightlyintothecardslot.Ifnecessary,alternatemovingeachsideofthecardasmall

amountuntilitisremovedfromthecardslot.

–Ifthecardisheldinplacebyaretaininglatch,pressthecardretaininglatch1asshownto

disengagethelatch.Graspthecardandgentlypullitoutoftheslot.

5.RemovethenewPCIExpresscardfromitsstatic-protectivepackage.

6.Installthenewcardintotheappropriateslotonthesystemboard.See“Locatingpartsonthesystem
board”onpage12

.

Note:IfyouareinstallingaPCIExpressx16graphicscard,makesurethememoryslotretainingclips
areclosedbeforeyouinstallthegraphicscard.

40ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

7.PivotthecardlatchtotheclosedpositiontosecurethePCIExpresscard.

Figure14.InstallingaPCIExpresscard

8.ReinstallthescrewtosecurethePCIExpresscardlatchinplace.

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage69

Installingorreplacingamemorymodule

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoinstallorreplaceamemorymodule.

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

Toinstallorreplaceamemorymodule,dothefollowing:

1.T urnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage36.

3.Laythecomputeronitssideforeasieraccesstothesystemboard.

4.Locatethememoryslots.See“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage12.

5.Removeanypartsthatmightpreventyouraccesstothememoryslots.Dependingonyourcomputer
model,youmightneedtoremovethePCIExpressx16graphicscardforeasieraccesstothememory
slots.See“InstallingorreplacingaPCIExpresscard”onpage38.

.

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware41

6.Dependingonwhetheryouareinstallingorreplacingamemorymodule,dooneofthefollowing:

•Ifyouarereplacinganoldmemorymodule,opentheretainingclipsandgentlypullthememory
moduleoutofthememoryslot.

Figure15.Removingamemorymodule

•Ifyouareinstallingamemorymodule,opentheretainingclipsofthememoryslotintowhichyou
wanttoinstallthememorymodule.

Figure16.Openingtheretainingclips

42ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

7.Positionthenewmemorymoduleoverthememoryslot.Makesurethatthenotch1onthememory
modulealignscorrectlywiththeslotkey2onthesystemboard.Pushthememorymodulestraight
downintotheslotuntiltheretainingclipsclose.

Figure17.Installingamemorymodule

8.ReinstallthePCIExpressx16graphicscardifyouhaveremovedit.

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage69.

Installingorreplacingtheopticaldrive

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoinstallorreplacetheopticaldrive.

Note:Theopticaldriveisonlyavailableinsomemodels.

Toinstallorreplaceanopticaldrive,dothefollowing:

1.T urnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage36.

3.Removethefrontbezel.See“Removingandreinstallingthefrontbezel”onpage37.

.

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware43

4.Removethethreescrewsthatsecuretheopticaldrive.Then,slidetheopticaldriveoutofthefront
ofthecomputer.

Figure18.Removingtheopticaldrive

5.Slidethenewopticaldriveintothedrivebayfromthefrontandalignthescrewholesinthenewoptical
drivewiththecorrespondingholesinthedrivebay.Then,installthethreescrewstosecurethenew
opticaldriveinplace.

Figure19.Installingtheopticaldrive

44ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

6.Connectoneendofthesignalcabletotherearofthenewopticaldriveandtheotherendtoanavailable
SATAconnectoronthesystemboard.See“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage12.Then,
locateanavailablefour-wirepowerconnectorandconnectittotherearofthenewopticaldrive.

Figure20.ConnectingaSA TAopticaldrive

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage69.

Replacingthebattery

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.

Yourcomputerhasaspecialtypeofmemorythatmaintainsthedate,time,andsettingsforbuilt-infeatures,
suchasparallel-portassignments(configuration).Abatterykeepsthisinformationactivewhenyouturn
offthecomputer.

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

Refertothe“Lithiumbatterynotice”intheSafety,Warranty,andSetupGuideforinformationaboutreplacing
anddisposingofthebattery.

Toreplacethebattery,dothefollowing:

1.T urnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage36.

3.Locatethebattery.See“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage12.

4.Removetheoldbattery.

Figure21.Removingtheoldbattery

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware45

5.Installanewbattery.

Figure22.Installinganewbattery

6.Reinstallthecomputercoverandconnectthecables.See“Completingthepartsreplacement”on
page69.

Note:Whenthecomputeristurnedonforthefirsttimeafterreplacingthebattery,anerrormessage
mightbedisplayed.Thisisnormalafterreplacingthebattery.

7.T urnonthecomputerandallattacheddevices.

8.UsetheSetupUtilityprogramtosetthedate,time,andanypasswords.SeeChapter7“UsingtheSetup
Utilityprogram”onpage81

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage69.

.

Replacingtheheatsinkandfanassembly

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreplacetheheatsinkandfanassembly.

CAUTION:

Theheatsinkandfanassemblymightbeveryhot.Beforeyouopenthecomputercover,turnoffthe
computerandwaitseveralminutesuntilthecomputeriscool.

Toreplacetheheatsinkandfanassembly,dothefollowing:

1.T urnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage36.

3.Laythecomputeronitssideforeasieraccesstothesystemboard.

4.Locatetheheatsinkandfanassembly.See“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage12.

5.Disconnecttheheatsinkandfanassemblycablefromthemicroprocessorfanconnectoronthesystem
board.See“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage12.

46ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

6.Followthefollowingsequencetoremovethefourscrewsthatsecuretheheatsinkandfanassembly
tothesystemboard:

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

Note:Carefullyremovethefourscrewsfromthesystemboardtoavoidanypossibledamagetothe
systemboard.Thefourscrewscannotberemovedfromtheheatsinkandfanassembly.

Figure23.Removingtheheatsinkandfanassembly

7.Liftthefailingheatsinkandfanassemblyoffthesystemboard.

Notes:

•Youmighthavetogentlytwisttheheatsinkandfanassemblytofreeitfromthemicroprocessor.

•Donottouchthethermalgreasewhilehandlingtheheatsinkandfanassembly.

8.Positionthenewheatsinkandfanassemblyonthesystemboardsothatthefourscrewsarealigned
withtheholesonthesystemboard.

Note:Positionthenewheatsinkandfanassemblysothattheheatsinkandfanassemblycableis
towardthemicroprocessorfanconnectoronthesystemboard.

9.Followthefollowingsequencetoinstallthefourscrewstosecurethenewheatsinkandfanassembly.
Donotover-tightenthescrews.

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

10.Connecttheheatsinkandfanassemblycabletothemicroprocessorfanconnectoronthesystem
board.See“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage12.

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware47

•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage69.

Replacingthepowersupplyassembly

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreplacethepowersupplyassembly.

Althoughtherearenomovingpartsinyourcomputerafterthepowercordhasbeendisconnected,the
followingwarningsarerequiredforyoursafetyandproperUnderwritersLaboratories(UL)certification.

CAUTION:

Hazardousmovingparts.Keepfingersandotherbodypartsaway.

CAUTION:
Neverremovethecoveronapowersupplyoranypartthathasthefollowinglabelattached.

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

Toreplacethepowersupplyassembly,dothefollowing:

1.T urnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage36.

3.Disconnectthepowersupplyassemblycablesfromalldrivesandfromthe24-pinpowerconnectorand
4-pinpowerconnectoronthesystemboard.See“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage12.

Note:Youmightalsoneedtoreleasethepowersupplyassemblycablesfromsomecableclipsorties
thatsecurethecablestothechassis.

48ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

4.Laythecomputeronitssideandremovethefourscrewsattherearofthechassisthatsecurethe
powersupplyassembly.

Figure24.Removingthescrewsforthepowersupplyassembly

5.Slidethepowersupplyassemblytothefrontofthecomputerandthenliftitoutofthechassis.

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

•Ifthevoltagesupplyrangeinyourlocalcountryorregionis100–127Vac,setthevoltage-selection

switchto115V.

•Ifthevoltagesupplyrangeinyourlocalcountryorregionis200–240Vac,setthevoltage-selection

switchto230V.

7.Installthenewpowersupplyassemblyintothechassissothatthescrewholesinthepowersupply
assemblyalignwiththoseinthechassis.

8.Installandtightenthefourscrewstosecurethepowersupplyassembly.

Note:UseonlyscrewsprovidedbyLenovo.

9.Reconnectthepowersupplyassemblycablestothesystemboardandeachofthedrives.

10.Securethepowersupplyassemblycableswiththecableclipsandtiesinthechassis.

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage69.

Replacingthemicroprocessor

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware49

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreplacethemicroprocessor.

CAUTION:

Theheatsinkandmicroprocessormightbeveryhot.Beforeyouopenthecomputercover,turnoff
thecomputerandwaitseveralminutesuntilthecomputeriscool.

Toreplacethemicroprocessor,dothefollowing:

1.Removeallmediafromthedrivesandturnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.Then,disconnect
allpowercordsfromelectricaloutletsanddisconnectallcablesthatareconnectedtothecomputer.

2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage36.

3.Laythecomputeronitssideforeasieraccesstothesystemboard.

4.Locatethesystemboardanddisconnectallcablesconnectedtothesystemboard.See“Locating
partsonthesystemboard”onpage12.

5.Removetheheatsinkandfanassembly.See“Replacingtheheatsinkandfanassembly”onpage46.

Note:Placetheheatsinkandfanassemblyonitssidesothatthethermalgreaseonthebottomofit
doesnotgetincontactwithanything.

6.Liftthesmallhandle1andopentheretainer2toaccessthemicroprocessor3.

Figure25.Accessingthemicroprocessor

50ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

7.Liftthemicroprocessorstraightupandoutofthemicroprocessorsocket.

Notes:

•Yourmicroprocessorandsocketmightlookdifferentfromtheoneillustrated.

•Touchonlytheedgesofthemicroprocessor.Donottouchthegoldcontactsonthebottom.

•Donotdropanythingontothemicroprocessorsocketwhileitisexposed.Thesocketpinsmustbe
keptascleanaspossible.

Figure26.Removingthemicroprocessor

8.Ensurethatthesmallhandleisintheraisedpositionandthemicroprocessorretainerisfullyopen.

9.Removetheprotectivecoverthatprotectsthegoldcontactsofthenewmicroprocessor.

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware51

10.Notetheorientationofthenewmicroprocessor.Holdthenewmicroprocessorbyitsedgesandalign
thenotches

1onitwiththetabs2inthemicroprocessorsocket.Then,carefullylowerthenew

microprocessorstraightdownintothemicroprocessorsocket.

Note:Thesmalltriangle3ononecornerofthenewmicroprocessoristhemicroprocessororientation
indicator.Thenewmicroprocessorisinthecorrectorientationwhenthisindicatorpointstothebeveled
corner4ofthemicroprocessorsocket.

Figure27.Installingthemicroprocessor

11.Closethemicroprocessorretainerandlockitintopositionwiththesmallhandletosecurethenew
microprocessorinthesocket.

12.Reinstalltheheatsinkandfanassembly.See“Replacingtheheatsinkandfanassembly”onpage46.

13.Reconnectallcablesthatweredisconnectedfromthesystemboard.

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

•Tocompletethereplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage69.

Installingthesolid-statedrive

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoinstallthe2.5-inchsolid-statedrive.

Toinstallthesolid-statedrive,dothefollowing:

.

52ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

1.Installthesolid-statedriveintothestorageconverter.Then,installthe4screwstosecurethesolid-state
drivetothestorageconverter.

Figure28.Installingthesolid-statedriveintothestorageconverter

2.Connectthesignalcableandthepowercabletothesolid-statedrive.

3.Installthesolid-statedriveintotheharddiskdrivebay.See“Replacingtheprimaryharddiskdrive”
onpage53

.

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage69.

Replacingtheprimaryharddiskdrive

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreplacetheprimaryharddiskdrive.

Note:Thissectionalsoappliestocomputermodelswitha2.5-inchsolid-statedrive.

Toreplacetheprimaryharddiskdrive,dothefollowing:

1.T urnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage36.

3.Locatetheprimaryharddiskdrive.See“Locatinginternaldrives”onpage14.

Note:Thereisalsoasecondaryharddiskdrivebayforyoutopurchaseandinstallasecondaryhard
diskdrivebyyourself.Ifyouwanttoinstallasecondaryharddiskdrive,usethesamewayofinstalling
theprimaryharddiskdrive.

4.Disconnectthesignalcableandthepowercablefromtheharddiskdrive.

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware53

5.Removethefourscrewsthatsecuretheharddiskdrive.Then,slidetheharddiskdriveoutofthechassis.

Figure29.Removingtheharddiskdrive

54ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

6.Slidethenewharddiskdriveintotheharddiskdrivebayandalignthescrewholesinthenewhard
diskdrivewiththecorrespondingholesinthedrivebay.Then,installthefourscrewstosecurethe
newharddiskdriveinplace.

Figure30.Installingtheharddiskdrive

7.Connectoneendofthesignalcabletotherearofthenewharddiskdriveandtheotherendtoan
availableSA TAconnectoronthesystemboard.See“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage12.
Then,locateanavailablefour-wirepowerconnectorandconnectittotherearofthenewharddiskdrive.

Figure31.ConnectingaSA TAharddiskdrive

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage69.

Replacingtherearfanassembly

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware55

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreplacetherearfanassembly.

Toreplacetherearfanassembly,dothefollowing:

1.T urnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage36.

3.Locatetherearfanassembly.See“Locatingcomponents”onpage12.

4.Disconnecttherearfanassemblycablefromthesystemfanconnectoronthesystemboard.See
“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage12.

5.Therearfanassemblyisattachedtothechassisbyfourrubbermounts.Removetherearfanassembly
bybreakingorcuttingtherubbermountsandgentlypullingtherearfanassemblyoutofthechassis.

Note:Thenewrearfanassemblywillhavefournewrubbermountsattached.

Figure32.Removingtherearfanassembly

6.Installthenewrearfanassemblybyaligningthenewrubbermountswiththecorrespondingholesinthe
chassisandpushtherubbermountsthroughtheholes.

56ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

7.Pullonthetipsoftherubbermountsuntiltherearfanassemblyissecuredinplace.

Figure33.Installingtherearfanassembly

8.Connecttherearfanassemblycabletothesystemfanconnectoronthesystemboard.

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage69.

ReplacingthefrontaudioandUSBassembly

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev

ThissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreplacethefrontaudioandUSBassembly.

ToreplacethefrontaudioandUSBassembly,dothefollowing:

1.T urnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage36.

3.Removethefrontbezel.See“Removingandreinstallingthefrontbezel”onpage37.

4.LocatethefrontaudioandUSBassembly.See“Locatingcomponents”onpage12.

5.DisconnectthefrontaudioandUSBassemblycablesfromthesystemboard.See“Locatingpartson

.

thesystemboard”onpage12.

Note:Makesureyounotethelocationsofthecableswhenyoudisconnectthecablesfromthesystem
board.

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware57

6.RemovethescrewthatsecuresthefrontaudioandUSBassemblybrackettothechassistoremove
thebracketfromthechassis.

Figure34.RemovingthescrewthatsecuresthefrontaudioandUSBassemblytothechassis

7.RemovethetwoscrewsthatsecurethefrontaudioandUSBassemblytoitsbracketandremovethe
failingfrontaudioandUSBassemblyfromthebracket.

8.InstallanewfrontaudioandUSBassemblyintothebracketandinstallthetwoscrewstosecurethe
frontaudioandUSBassemblytothebracket.

9.InstallthefrontaudioandUSBassemblybracketintothechassisandalignthescrewholeinthe
bracketwiththecorrespondingholeinthechassis.

10.Installthescrewtosecurethebrackettothechassis.

11.ReconnectthefrontaudioandUSBassemblycablestothefrontaudioconnectorandthefrontUSB
connectoronthesystemboard.See“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage12.

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage69.

ReplacingtheWiFiunits

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.

ThissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreplacetheWiFiunits.TheWiFiunitsincludeaWiFiadapter
card,aWiFicardmodule,andarearWiFiantennacable.

ReplacingtheWiFiunitsinvolvesthefollowingoperations:

•“RemovingtheWiFiadaptercard”onpage59

58ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

•“RemovingtheWiFicardmodule”onpage60

•“InstallingtheWiFiunits”onpage61

RemovingtheWiFiadaptercard

ToremoveaWiFiadaptercard,dothefollowing:

1.T urnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage36.

3.IfyourcomputercomeswithaWiFicardmodulethatsupportstheBluetoothfunction,disconnect
theBluetoothcablefromtheWiFiadaptercard.

Figure35.DisconnectingtheBluetoothcable

Note:TheBluetoothcableconnectstheBluetoothconnectorontheWiFiadaptercardtothefrontUSB
connectoronthesystemboardtosupporttheBluetoothfunction.

4.Attherearofthecomputer,removethescrewthatsecuresthePCIcardlatch.

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware59

5.GrasptheWiFiadaptercardthatiscurrentlyinstalledandgentlypullitoutoftheslot.

Figure36.RemovingtheWiFiadaptercard

Note:Thecardfitstightlyintothecardslot.Ifnecessary,alternatemovingeachsideofthecarda
smallamountuntilitisremovedfromthecardslot.

RemovingtheWiFicardmodule

ToremovetheWiFicardmodule,dothefollowing:

1.RemovetheWiFiadaptercardfromthecomputer,andthendisconnectthefrontandrearWiFiantenna
cablesfromtheWiFicardmodule.

Figure37.RemovingtheWiFiantennacables

60ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

2.RemovethetwoscrewsthatsecuretheWiFicardmoduletotheWiFiadaptercard.

Figure38.RemovingthescrewsthatsecuretheWiFicardmodule

3.PulltheWiFicardmoduleoutoftheminiPCIExpressslottoremoveitfromtheWiFiadaptercard.

Figure39.RemovingtheWiFicardmodule

InstallingtheWiFiunits

ToinstalltheWiFiunits,dothefollowing:

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware61

1.InserttheWiFicardmoduleintotheminiPCIExpressslot,andtheninstallthetwoscrewstosecure
theWiFicardmoduletotheWiFiadaptercard.

Figure40.InstallingtheWiFicardmodule

62ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

2.ConnectthefrontantennacableandrearantennacabletotheWiFicardmodule.

Figure41.InstallingtheWiFiantennacables

3.InstalltheWiFiadaptercardintothePCIExpressx1slotonthesystemboard.See“Locatingpartson
thesystemboard”onpage12.

4.IftheinstalledWiFicardmodulesupportstheBluetoothfunction,useaBluetoothcabletoconnectthe
BluetoothconnectorontheWiFiadaptercardtothefrontUSBconnectoronthesystemboard.

5.PivotthecardlatchtotheclosedpositiontosecuretheWiFiadaptercard.

Figure42.InstallingtheWiFiadaptercard

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware63

•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage69.

InstallingorremovingtherearWiFiantenna

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.

ThissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoinstallorremovetherearWiFiantenna.

InstallingtherearWiFiantenna

ToinstalltherearWiFiantenna,dothefollowing:

1.T urnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

2.InstalltherearWiFiantennatotherearWiFiantennacableconnectorattachedontherearofthe
computer.

3.Adjusttheangleoftherearantennatolowertheriskofbreakingtheantennabyaccident.

Figure43.InstallingtherearWiFiantenna

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage69.

RemovingtherearWiFiantenna

ToremovetherearWiFiantenna,dothefollowing:

1.T urnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

2.StraightentherearWiFiantennasothatitcanbemoreeasilytwisted.

64ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

3.HoldthethickerendoftherearWiFiantennaandunscrewtheWiFiantennafromtherearofthe
computer.

Figure44.RemovingtherearWiFiantenna

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage69.

InstallingorremovingthefrontWiFiantenna

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.

ThissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoinstallorremovethefrontWiFiantenna.

InstallingthefrontWiFiantenna

ToinstallthefrontWiFiantenna,dothefollowing:

1.T urnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage36.

3.Removethefrontbezel.See“Removingandreinstallingthefrontbezel”onpage37.

4.Peeloffthepaperthatprotectsthestickersonthefrontantenna.

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware65

Figure45.Peelingoffthepaperthatprotectsthestickers

5.Stickthefrontantennatothefrontpanelasshown.Theninsertthefrontantennacablethroughthe
holeinthefrontpanel.

Figure46.InstallingthefrontWiFiantenna

6.ConnectthefrontantennacabletotheWiFicardmodule.

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

66ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage69.

RemovingthefrontWiFiantenna

ToremovethefrontWiFiantenna,dothefollowing:

1.T urnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage36.

3.Removethefrontbezel.See“Removingandreinstallingthefrontbezel”onpage37.

4.DisconnectthefrontantennacablefromtheWiFicardmodule.

5.Removethefrontantennaandcablefromthefrontofthecomputer.

Figure47.RemovingthefrontWiFiantenna

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage69.

Replacingthekeyboard

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreplacethekeyboard.

Toreplacethekeyboard,dothefollowing:

1.Removeallmediafromthedrives.Then,turnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.

2.Disconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

3.Disconnecttheoldkeyboardcablefromthecomputer.

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware67

4.Connectanewkeyboardtotheappropriateconnectoronthecomputer.Y ourkeyboardmightbe
connectedtoaPS/2keyboardconnector

1oraUSBconnector2.Dependingonwhereyouwant

toconnectyourkeyboard,see“Locatingconnectors,controls,andindicatorsonthefrontofyour
computer”onpage9or“Locatingconnectorsontherearofyourcomputer”onpage10.

Figure48.Keyboardconnectors

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

•Tocompletethereplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage69.

Replacingthemouse

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreplacethemouse.

Toreplacethemouse,dothefollowing:

1.Removeallmediafromthedrives.Then,turnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.

2.Disconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

3.Disconnecttheoldmousecablefromthecomputer.

4.Connectanewmousetotheappropriateconnectoronthecomputer.Yourmousemightbeconnected
toaPS/2mouseconnector1oraUSBconnector2.Dependingonwhereyouwanttoconnectyour
mouse,see“Locatingconnectors,controls,andindicatorsonthefrontofyourcomputer”onpage9
“Locatingconnectorsontherearofyourcomputer”onpage10.

or

Figure49.Mouseconnectors

68ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

•Tocompletethereplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage69.

Completingthepartsreplacement

Aftercompletingtheinstallationorreplacementforallparts,youneedtoreinstallthecomputercoverand
reconnectcables.Dependingonthepartsyouinstalledorreplaced,youmightneedtoconfirmtheupdated
informationintheSetupUtilityprogram.RefertoChapter7“UsingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage81.

Toreinstallthecomputercoverandreconnectcablestoyourcomputer,dothefollowing:

1.Makesurethatallcomponentshavebeenreassembledcorrectlyandthatnotoolsorloosescrews
areleftinsideyourcomputer.See“Locatingcomponents”onpage12forthelocationsofvarious
componentsinyourcomputer.

2.Ifyouhaveremovedthefrontbezel,reinstallit.Toreinstallthefrontbezel,alignthethreeplastictabson
therightsideofthefrontbezelwiththecorrespondingholesinthechassis,thenpivotthefrontbezel
inwardsuntilitsnapsintopositionontheleftside.

3.Makesurethatthecablesareroutedcorrectlybeforereinstallingthecomputercover.Keepcablesclear
ofthehingesandsidesofthecomputerchassistoavoidinterferencewithreinstallingthecomputer
cover.

4.Positionthecomputercoveronthechassissothattherailguidesonthebottomofthecomputer
coverengagetherailsonthechassis.Then,pushthecovertothefrontofthecomputeruntilitsnaps
intoposition.

Figure50.Reinstallingthecomputercover

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware69

5.Installthescrewstosecurethecomputercover.

6.Ifthereisapadlockavailable,lockthecomputercover.See“Lockingthecomputercover”onpage32.

7.Ifthereisanintegratedcablelockavailable,lockthecomputer.See“AttachingaKensington-style
cablelock”onpage33.

8.Reconnecttheexternalcablesandpowercordstothecomputer.See“Locatingconnectorsonthe
rearofyourcomputer”onpage10.

9.T oupdateyourconfiguration,refertoChapter7“UsingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage81.

Note:Inmostareasoftheworld,LenovorequiresthereturnofthedefectiveCustomerReplaceableUnit
(CRU).InformationaboutthiswillcomewiththeCRUorwillcomeafewdaysaftertheCRUarrives.

Obtainingdevicedrivers

Youcanobtaindevicedriversthatarenotpreinstalledinyouroperatingsystemsat
http://www.lenovo.com/support.Installationinstructionsareprovidedinreadmefileswiththedevice-driver
files.

70ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

Chapter6.Recoveryinformation

Thischapterprovidesinformationabouttherecoverysolutions.

•“RecoveryinformationfortheWindows7operatingsystem”onpage71

•“RecoveryinformationfortheWindows8orWindows8.1operatingsystem”onpage77

•“RecoveryinformationforWindows10”onpage78

RecoveryinformationfortheWindows7operatingsystem

Thissectioncontainsthefollowingtopics:

•Creatingandusingrecoverymedia

•Performingbackupandrecoveryoperations

•UsingtheRescueandRecoveryworkspace

•Creatingandusingarescuemedium

•Installingorreinstallingdevicedrivers

•Solvingrecoveryproblems

Notes:

1.TherecoveryinformationinthischapteronlyappliestothecomputersthathavetheRescueand
RecoveryprogramortheProductRecoveryprograminstalled.IftheEnhancedBackupandRestore
iconintheLenovoThinkVantageToolsprogramisdimmed,itindicatesthatyouneedtoinstall
theRescueandRecoveryprogrammanuallybeforeenablingitsfeatures.T oinstalltheRescueand
Recoveryprogram,dothefollowing:

a.ClickStart➙AllPrograms➙LenovoThinkVantageTools,anddouble-clickEnhancedBackup

andRestore.
b.Followtheinstructionsonthescreen.
c.Whentheinstallationprocesscompletes,theEnhancedBackupandRestoreiconisactivated.

2.Thereareavarietyofmethodstochoosefromwhenconsideringhowtorecoverintheeventofa
software-orhardware-relatedproblem.Somemethodsvarydependingonthetypeofoperatingsystem
thatisinstalled.

3.Theproductontherecoverymediamaybeusedonlyforthefollowingpurposes:

•Restoretheproductpreinstalledonyourcomputer

•Reinstalltheproduct

•ModifytheproductusingtheAdditionalFiles

Creatingandusingrecoverymedia

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

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

©CopyrightLenovo2013,2016

71

Creatingrecoverymedia

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtocreaterecoverymediaondifferentoperatingsystems.

Note:OntheWindows7operatingsystem,youcancreaterecoverymediausingdiscsorexternalUSB
storagedevices.

TocreaterecoverymediaontheWindows7operatingsystem,clickStart➙AllPrograms➙Lenovo

ThinkVantageT ools➙FactoryRecoveryDisks.Then,followtheinstructionsonthescreen.

Usingrecoverymedia

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtouserecoverymedia.

OntheWindows7operatingsystem,youcanuserecoverymediatorestorethecontentsoftheharddisk
drivetothefactorydefaultstate.Also,youcanuserecoverymediatoputthecomputerinanoperational
stateafterallothermethodsofharddiskdriverecoveryhavefailed.

Attention:Whenyouuserecoverymediatorestorethecontentsoftheharddisktothefactorydefaultstate,
allthefilescurrentlyontheharddiskdrivewillbedeletedandreplacedbythefactorydefaultfiles.

TouserecoverymediaontheWindows7operatingsystem,dothefollowing:

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

2.RepeatedlypressandreleasetheF12keywhenturningonthecomputer.WhenthePleaseselect
bootdevicewindowopens,releasetheF12key.

3.SelectthedesiredstartupdeviceandpressEnter.Therestoreprocessbegins.

4.Followtheinstructionsonthescreentocompletetheoperation.

Note:Afterrestoringyourcomputerharddiskdrivetothefactorydefaultstate,youmighthavetoreinstall
devicedriversforsomedevices.See“Reinstallingdevicedrivers”onpage76.

Performingbackupandrecoveryoperations

TheRescueandRecoveryprogramenablesyoutobackupallyourharddiskdrivecontentsincludingthe
operatingsystem,datafiles,softwareprograms,andpersonalsettings.Y oucandesignatewherethe
RescueandRecoveryprogramstoresthebackup:

•Inaprotectedareaofyourharddiskdrive

•Onthesecondaryharddiskdriveifasecondaryharddiskdriveisinstalledinyourcomputer

•OnanattachedexternalUSBharddiskdrive

•Onanetworkdrive

•Onrecordablediscs(arecordableopticaldriveisrequiredforthisoption)

Afteryouhavebackedupthecontentsoftheharddiskdrive,youcanrestorethecompletecontentsofthe
harddiskdrive,restoreselectedfilesonly,orrestoretheWindowsoperatingsystemandapplicationsonly
whilekeepingtheotherdataonyourharddiskdrive.

Performingabackupoperation

ThissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoperformabackupoperationusingtheRescueandRecovery
program.

ToperformabackupoperationusingtheRescueandRecoveryprogramontheWindows7operating
system,dothefollowing:

72ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

1.FromtheWindowsdesktop,clickStart➙AllPrograms➙LenovoThinkVantageT ools➙Enhanced
BackupandRestore.TheRescueandRecoveryprogramopens.

2.IntheRescueandRecoverymainwindow,clicktheLaunchadvancedRescueandRecoveryarrow.

3.ClickBackupyourharddriveandselectbackupoperationoptions.Then,followtheinstructionson
thescreentocompletethebackupoperation.

Performingarecoveryoperation

ThissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoperformarecoveryoperationusingtheRescueandRecovery
program.

ToperformarecoveryoperationusingtheRescueandRecoveryprogramontheWindows7operating
system,dothefollowing:

1.FromtheWindowsdesktop,clickStart➙AllPrograms➙LenovoThinkVantageT ools➙Enhanced
BackupandRestore.TheRescueandRecoveryprogramopens.

2.IntheRescueandRecoverymainwindow,clicktheLaunchadvancedRescueandRecoveryarrow.

3.ClicktheRestoreyoursystemfromabackupicon.

4.Followtheinstructionsonthescreentocompletetherecoveryoperation.

FormoreinformationaboutperformingarecoveryoperationfromtheRescueandRecoveryworkspace,see
“UsingtheRescueandRecoveryworkspace”onpage73.

UsingtheRescueandRecoveryworkspace

TheRescueandRecoveryworkspaceresidesinaprotected,hiddenareaofyourharddiskdrivethat
operatesindependentlyfromtheWindowsoperatingsystem.Thisenablesyoutoperformrecovery
operationsevenifyoucannotstarttheWindowsoperatingsystem.Youcanperformthefollowingrecovery
operationsfromtheRescueandRecoveryworkspace:

•Rescuefilesfromyourharddiskdriveorfromabackup:TheRescueandRecoveryworkspaceenables
youtolocatefilesonyourharddiskdriveandtransferthemtoanetworkdriveorotherrecordablemedia,
suchasaUSBdeviceoradisc.Thissolutionisavailableevenifyoudidnotbackupyourfilesorif
changesweremadetothefilessinceyourlastbackupoperation.Y oucanalsorescueindividualfilesfrom
aRescueandRecoverybackuplocatedonyourlocalharddiskdrive,aUSBdevice,oranetworkdrive.

•RestoreyourharddiskdrivefromaRescueandRecoverybackup:Ifyouhavebackedupyourharddisk
driveusingtheRescueandRecoveryprogram,youcanrestoretheharddiskdrivefromaRescueand
Recoverybackup,evenifyoucannotstarttheWindowsoperatingsystem.

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

Attention:IfyourestoretheharddiskdrivefromaRescueandRecoverybackuporrestoretheharddisk
drivetothefactorydefaultsettings,allfilesontheprimaryharddiskdrivepartition(usuallydriveC:)willbe
deletedintherecoveryprocess.Ifpossible,makecopiesofimportantfiles.Ifyouareunabletostartthe
Windowsoperatingsystem,youcanusetherescuefilesfeatureoftheRescueandRecoveryworkspaceto
copyfilesfromyourharddiskdrivetoothermedia.

TostarttheRescueandRecoveryworkspace,dothefollowing:

1.Makesurethecomputeristurnedoff.

Chapter6.Recoveryinformation73

2.RepeatedlypressandreleasetheF11keywhenturningonthecomputer.Whenyouhearbeepsor
seealogoscreen,releasetheF11key.

3.IfyouhavesetaRescueandRecoverypassword,typeyourpasswordwhenprompted.TheRescue
andRecoveryworkspaceopensafterashortdelay.

Note:IftheRescueandRecoveryworkspacefailstoopen,see“Solvingrecoveryproblems”onpage76

4.Dooneofthefollowing:

•Torescuefilesfromyourharddiskdriveorfromabackup,clickRescuefilesandfollowthe

instructionsonthescreen.

•TorestoreyourharddiskdrivefromaRescueandRecoverybackuportorestoreyourharddiskdrive

tothefactorydefaultsettings,clickRestoreyoursystemandfollowtheinstructionsonthescreen.

FormoreinformationaboutthefeaturesoftheRescueandRecoveryworkspace,clickHelp.

Note:Afterrestoringyourharddiskdrivetothefactorydefaultstate,youmighthavetoreinstalldevice
driversforsomedevices.See“Reinstallingdevicedrivers”onpage76.

Creatingandusingarescuemedium

Witharescuemedium,suchasadiscoraUSBharddiskdrive,youcanrecoverthecomputerfromfailures
thatpreventyoufromgainingaccesstotheRescueandRecoveryworkspaceonyourharddiskdrive.

Notes:

•Therecoveryoperationsyoucanperformusingarescuemediumvarydependingontheoperatingsystem.

•Therescuedisccanbestartedinalltypesofopticaldrives.

Creatingarescuemedium

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtocreatearescuemedium.

.

TocreatearescuemediumontheWindows7operatingsystem,dothefollowing:

1.FromtheWindowsdesktop,clickStart➙AllPrograms➙LenovoThinkVantageT ools➙Enhanced
BackupandRestore.TheRescueandRecoveryprogramopens.

2.IntheRescueandRecoverymainwindow,clicktheLaunchadvancedRescueandRecoveryarrow.

3.ClicktheCreateRescueMediaicon.TheCreateRescueandRecoveryMediawindowopens.

4.IntheRescueMediaarea,selectthetypeoftherescuemediumyouwanttocreate.Youcancreatea
rescuemediumusingadisc,aUSBharddiskdrive,orasecondaryinternalharddiskdrive.

5.ClickOKandfollowtheinstructionsonthescreentocreatearescuemedium.

Usingarescuemedium

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtousetherescuemediumyouhavecreated.

•Ifyouhavecreatedarescuemediumusingadisc,usethefollowinginstructionstousetherescuemedium:

1.T urnoffyourcomputer.

2.RepeatedlypressandreleasetheF12keywhenturningonthecomputer.WhenthePleaseselect
bootdevicewindowopens,releasetheF12key.

3.InthePleaseselectbootdevicewindow,selectthedesiredopticaldriveasthefirstbootdevice.
Then,inserttherescuediscintotheopticaldriveandpressEnter.Therescuemediumstarts.

•IfyouhavecreatedarescuemediumusingaUSBharddiskdrive,usethefollowinginstructionsto
usetherescuemedium:

1.AttachtheUSBharddiskdrivetooneoftheUSBconnectorsonyourcomputer.

74ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

2.RepeatedlypressandreleasetheF12keywhenturningonthecomputer.WhenthePleaseselect
bootdevicewindowopens,releasetheF12key.

3.InthePleaseselectbootdevicewindow,selecttheUSBharddiskdriveasthefirstbootdeviceand
pressEnter.Therescuemediumstarts.

Whentherescuemediumstarts,theRescueandRecoveryworkspaceopens.Thehelpinformationfor
eachfeatureisavailablefromtheRescueandRecoveryworkspace.Followtheinstructionstocomplete
therecoveryprocess.

Reinstallingpreinstalledapplicationsanddevicedrivers

Yourcomputerhasprovisionsthatenableyoutoreinstallselectedfactory-installedapplicationsanddevice
drivers.

Reinstallingpreinstalledapplications

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreinstallpreinstalledapplications.

ToreinstalltheselectedapplicationspreinstalledonyourLenovocomputer,dothefollowing:

1.T urnonthecomputer.

2.UseWindowsExplorerorComputertodisplaythedirectorystructureofyourharddiskdrive.

3.GototheC:\SWTOOLSdirectory.

4.Opentheappsfolder.Withintheappsfolder,thereareseveralsubfoldersnamedforvariousapplications
installedinyourcomputer.

5.Opentheappropriateapplicationsubfolder.

6.Intheapplicationsubfolder,lookforaSETUP.EXEfileorotherappropriateEXEfilesforsetup.
Double-clickthefileandfollowtheinstructionsonthescreentocompletetheinstallation.

Reinstallingpreinstalleddevicedrivers

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreinstallpreinstalleddevicedrivers.

Attention:Whenyoureinstalldevicedrivers,youarechangingthecurrentconfigurationofyourcomputer.
Reinstalldevicedriversonlywhenitisnecessarytocorrectaproblemwithyourcomputer.

Toreinstallthedevicedriverforafactory-installeddevice,dothefollowing:

1.T urnonthecomputer.

2.UseWindowsExplorerorComputertodisplaythedirectorystructureofyourharddiskdrive.

3.GototheC:\SWTOOLSdirectory.

4.OpentheDRIVERSfolder.WithintheDRIVERSfolder,thereareseveralsubfoldersnamedforvarious
devicesinstalledinyourcomputer,suchasAUDIOorVIDEO.

5.Opentheappropriatedevicesubfolder.

6.Dooneofthefollowing:

•Inthedevicesubfolder,lookforaSETUP .exefile.Double-clickthefileandfollowtheinstructionson

thescreentocompletetheinstallation.

•Inthedevicesubfolder,lookforaREADME.txtfileorafilewiththe.txtextension.Thisfilemightbe

namedaftertheoperatingsystem,suchasWIN98.txt.TheTXTfilecontainsinformationabouthowto
installthedevicedriver.Followtheinstructionstocompletetheinstallation.

•Ifthedevicesubfoldercontainsafilewiththe.infextensionandyouwanttoinstallthedevicedriver

usingtheINFfile,refertotheWindowshelpsystemfordetailedinformationabouthowtoinstall
thedevicedriver.

Chapter6.Recoveryinformation75

Note:Ifyouneedupdateddevicedrivers,see“Gettingthelatestdevicedriversforyourcomputer”on
page89formoreinformation.

Reinstallingsoftwareprograms

Ifasoftwareprogramyouinstalledonyourcomputerisnotworkingcorrectly,youmightneedtoremove
andreinstallit.Reinstallingoverwritestheexistingprogramsfilesandusuallyfixesanyproblemsthat
youmighthavehadwiththatprogram.

Toremoveaprograminyoursystem,seeMicrosoftWindowshelpsystemfordetailedinformation.

Toreinstalltheprogram,dooneofthefollowing:

Note:Themethodofreinstallingaprogramvariesfromprogramtoprogram.Refertothedocumentation
providedwiththeprogramtoseeifyourprogramhasspecialinstallationinstructions.

•Toreinstallmostcommerciallyavailableprogramsinyoursystem,seeMicrosoftWindowshelpsystem
formoreinformation.

•ToreinstallselectedapplicationprogramsthatcamepreinstalledfromLenovo,dothefollowing:

1.T urnonthecomputer.

2.UseWindowsExplorerorComputertodisplaythedirectorystructureofyourharddiskdrive.

3.GototheC:\SWTOOLSdirectory.

4.OpentheAPPSfolder.WithintheAPPSfolder,thereareseveralsubfoldersnamedforvarious
applicationsinstalledinyourcomputer.

5.Opentheappropriateapplicationsubfolder.

6.Intheapplicationsubfolder,lookforaSETUP.EXEfileorotherappropriateEXEfilesforsetup.
Double-clickthefileandfollowtheinstructionsonthescreentocompletetheinstallation.

Reinstallingdevicedrivers

Toreinstalladevicedriverforanoptionyouinstalled,refertothedocumentationthatcomeswiththeoption.

Whenyoureinstalldevicedrivers,youarechangingthecurrentconfigurationofyourcomputer.Reinstall
devicedriversonlywhenitisnecessarytocorrectaproblemwithyourcomputer.

Formoreinformationaboutreinstallingdevicedriversthatcamewithyourcomputer,see“Reinstalling
preinstalledapplicationsanddevicedrivers”onpage75.

Solvingrecoveryproblems

IfyouareunabletoaccesstheRescueandRecoveryworkspaceortheWindowsenvironment,doone
ofthefollowing:

•UsearescuemediumtostarttheRescueandRecoveryworkspace.See“Creatingandusingarescue
medium”onpage74.

•Userecoverymediaifallothermethodsofrecoveryhavefailedandyouneedtorestoretheharddisk
drivetothefactorydefaultsettings.See“Creatingandusingrecoverymedia”onpage71.

Note:IfyouareunabletoaccesstheRescueandRecoveryworkspaceortheWindowsenvironmentfrom
arescuemediumorrecoverymedia,youmightnothavetherescuedevice(aninternalharddiskdrive,a
disc,aUSBharddiskdrive,orotherexternaldevices)setasthefirstbootdeviceinthestartupdevice
sequence.Youmustfirstmakesurethatyourrescuedeviceissetasthefirstbootdeviceinthestartup
devicesequenceintheSetupUtilityprogram.See“Selectingastartupdevice”onpage83fordetailed
informationabouttemporarilyorpermanentlychangingthestartupdevicesequence.Formoreinformation
abouttheSetupUtilityprogram,seeChapter7“UsingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage81.

76ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

Itisimportanttocreatearescuemediumandasetofrecoverymediaasearlyaspossibleandstorethem
inasafeplaceforfutureuse.

RecoveryinformationfortheWindows8orWindows8.1operating system

Thissectionprovidesinformationabouttherecoverysolutionsprovidedoncomputerspreinstalledwith
theWindows8orWindows8.1operatingsystem.

Refreshingyourcomputer

Ifyourcomputerdoesnotperformwellandtheproblemmightbecausedbyarecentlyinstalledprogram,
youcanrefreshyourcomputerwithoutlosingyourpersonalfilesorchangingyoursettings.

Attention:Ifyourefreshyourcomputer,theprogramsthatcamewithyourcomputerandtheprogramsthat
youinstalledfromWindowsStorewillbereinstalled,butallotherprogramswillberemoved.

Torefreshyourcomputer,dooneofthefollowing:

•ForWindows8:

1.Movethepointertothetop-rightorbottom-rightcornerofthescreentodisplaythecharms.Click
Settings➙ChangePCsettings➙General.

2.IntheRefreshyourPCwithoutaffectingyourfilessection,clickGetstarted.

•ForWindows8.1:

1.Movethepointertothetop-rightorbottom-rightcornerofthescreentodisplaythecharms.Click
Settings➙ChangePCsettings➙Updateandrecovery➙Recovery.

2.IntheRefreshyourPCwithoutaffectingyourfilessection,clickGetstarted.

Resettingyourcomputertothefactorydefaultsettings

Youcanresetyourcomputertothefactorydefaultsettings.Resettingthecomputerwillreinstallthe
operatingsystem,andreinstallalltheprogramsandsettingsthatcamewithyourcomputer.

Attention:Ifyouresetyourcomputer,allyourpersonalfilesandsettingswillbedeleted.Toavoiddataloss,
makeabackupcopyofallthedatathatyouwanttokeep.

Toresetyourcomputer,dooneofthefollowing:

•ForWindows8:

1.Movethepointertothetop-rightorbottom-rightcornerofthescreentodisplaythecharms.Click
Settings➙ChangePCsettings➙General.

2.IntheRemoveeverythingandreinstallWindowssection,clickGetstarted.

•ForWindows8.1:

1.Movethepointertothetop-rightorbottom-rightcornerofthescreentodisplaythecharms.Click
Settings➙ChangePCsettings➙Updateandrecovery➙Recovery.

2.IntheRemoveeverythingandreinstallWindowssection,clickGetstarted.

Usingtheadvancedstartupoptions

AdvancedstartupoptionsenableyoutochangethestartupsettingsofyourWindowsoperatingsystem,
startthecomputerfromanexternaldevice,orrestoretheWindowsoperatingsystemfromasystemimage.

Tousetheadvancedstartupoptions,dothefollowing:

Chapter6.Recoveryinformation77

•ForWindows8:

1.Movethepointertothetop-rightorbottom-rightcornerofthescreentodisplaythecharms.Click
Settings➙ChangePCsettings➙General.

2.IntheAdvancedstartupsection,clickRestartnow➙Troubleshoot➙Advancedoptions.

3.Restartyourcomputerfollowingtheinstructionsonthescreen.

•ForWindows8.1:

1.Movethepointertothetop-rightorbottom-rightcornerofthescreentodisplaythecharms.Click
Settings➙ChangePCsettings➙Updateandrecovery➙Recovery.

2.IntheAdvancedstartupsection,clickRestartnow➙Troubleshoot➙Advancedoptions.

3.Restartyourcomputerfollowingtheinstructionsonthescreen.

RecoveringyouroperatingsystemifWindows8orWindows8.1fails tostart

TheWindowsrecoveryenvironmentonyourcomputeriscapableofoperatingindependentlyfromthe
Windows8orWindows8.1operatingsystem.Thisenablesyoutorecoverorrepairtheoperatingsystem
eveniftheWindows8orWindows8.1operatingsystemfailstostart.

Aftertwoconsecutivefailedbootattempts,theWindowsrecoveryenvironmentstartsautomatically.Then
youcanchooserepairandrecoveryoptionsbyfollowingtheinstructionsonthescreen.

Note:Ensurethatyourcomputerisconnectedtoacpowerduringtherecoveryprocess.

FormoredetailsabouttherecoverysolutionsprovidedoncomputerspreinstalledwiththeWindows8
orWindows8.1operatingsystem,refertothehelpinformationsystemoftheWindows8orWindows

8.1operatingsystem.

RecoveryinformationforWindows10

TorecoveryourWindows10operatingsystem,usethefollowingsolutions:

•UseWindowsrecoverysolutions.

–UserecoverysolutionsinWindowsSettings.

1.ClicktheStartbuttontoopentheStartmenu.

2.ClickSettings➙Update&security➙Recovery.

3.Choosetheappropriaterecoverysolutionbyfollowingtheinstructionsonthescreen.

–UseSystemRestoretorestoresystemfilesandsettingstoanearlierpoint.

1.Right-clicktheStartbuttontoopentheStartcontextmenu.

2.ClickControlPanel.ViewControlPanelusingLargeiconsorSmallicons,andthenclick
Recovery➙OpenSystemRestore.

3.Followtheinstructionsonthescreen.

–UsetheFileHistorytooltorestoreyourfilesfromabackup.

Note:IfyouusetheFileHistorytooltorestoreyourfilesfromabackup,ensurethatyoubackedup
yourdataearlierwiththetool.

1.Right-clicktheStartbuttontoopentheStartcontextmenu.

2.ClickControlPanel.ViewControlPanelusingLargeiconsorSmallicons,andthenclickFile
History➙Restorepersonalfiles.

3.Followtheinstructionsonthescreen.

78ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

–UsetheWindowsrecoveryenvironmentbydoingoneofthefollowing:

–Afterseveralconsecutivefailedbootattempts,theWindowsrecoveryenvironmentmightstart

automatically.Followtheinstructionsonthescreentochoosetheappropriaterecoverysolution.

–SelecttherecoverymediumyoucreatedearlierwiththeWindowstoolasthestartupdevice.See

“Selectingatemporarystartupdevice”onpage84

.Then,followtheinstructionsonthescreen

tochoosetheappropriaterecoverysolution.

Note:Tocreatearecoverymedium,see“Goodmaintenancepractices”onpage91.

•UsetherecoveryUSBkeyprovidedbyLenovotorestoretheentirestoragedrivetothefactory-default
settings.

–IfyourcomputercomeswiththerecoveryUSBkey,followtheinstructionsshippedwiththeUSBkey.
–IfyourcomputerdoesnotcomewiththerecoveryUSBkey,contacttheLenovoCustomer

SupportCentertoorderarecoveryUSBkey.ForalistofLenovoSupportphonenumbers,goto
http://www.lenovo.com/support/phone.Ifyoucannotfindthesupporttelephonenumberforyour
countryorregion,contactyourLenovoreseller.

Chapter6.Recoveryinformation79

80ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

Chapter7.UsingtheSetupUtilityprogram

TheSetupUtilityprogramisusedtoviewandchangetheconfigurationsettingsofyourcomputer,regardless
ofwhichoperatingsystemyouareusing.However,theoperatingsystemsettingsmightoverrideanysimilar
settingsintheSetupUtilityprogram.

StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram

TostarttheSetupUtilityprogram,dothefollowing:

1.Makesureyourcomputeristurnedoff.

2.RepeatedlypressandreleasetheF1keywhenturningonthecomputer.Whenyouhearmultiple
beepsorseealogoscreen,releasetheF1key.

Note:IfaPower-OnPasswordoranAdministratorPasswordhasbeenset,theSetupUtilityprogram
menuwillnotbedisplayeduntilyoutypethecorrectpassword.Formoreinformation,see“Using
BIOSpasswords”onpage81

WhenthePOSTdetectsthattheharddiskdrivehasbeenremovedfromyourcomputerorthememory
modulesizehasdecreased,anerrormessagewillbedisplayedwhenyoustartthecomputerandyouwillbe
promptedtodooneofthefollowing:

•PressF1toentertheSetupUtilityprogram.

Note:AfteryouentertheSetupUtilityprogram,pressF10tosavechangesandexittheSetupUtility
program.PressEnterwhenpromptedtoconfirmtheexit.Theerrormessagewillnotbedisplayedagain.

•PressF2tobypasstheerrormessageandlogintotheoperatingsystem.

.

Note:Y ouhavetoenabletheconfigurationchangedetectionfeatureforthePOSTtodetecttheremoval
oftheharddiskdriveandmemorymodulesizedecrease.Toenabletheconfigurationchangedetection
feature,dothefollowing:

1.StarttheSetupUtilityprogram.

2.FromtheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu,selectSecurity➙ConfigurationChangeDetection,
andpressEnter.

3.SelectEnabledandpressEnter.

4.PressF10tosavechangesandexittheSetupUtilityprogram.PressEnterwhenpromptedtoconfirm
theexit.

Viewingandchangingsettings

TheSetupUtilityprogrammenulistsvariousitemsaboutthesystemconfiguration.Tovieworchange
settings,starttheSetupUtilityprogram.See“StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage81.Then,follow
theinstructionsonthescreen.

YoucanuseeitherthekeyboardorthemousetonavigatethroughBIOSmenuchoices.Thekeysusedto
performvarioustasksaredisplayedatthebottomofeachscreen.

UsingBIOSpasswords

ByusingtheSetupUtilityprogram,youcansetpasswordstopreventunauthorizedaccesstoyourcomputer
anddata.

©CopyrightLenovo2013,2016

81

Youdonothavetosetanypasswordstouseyourcomputer.However,usingpasswordsimproves
computingsecurity.Ifyoudecidetosetanypasswords,readthefollowingsections.

Passwordconsiderations

Apasswordcanbeanycombinationofupto64alphabeticandnumericcharacters.Forsecurityreasons,it
isrecommendedtouseastrongpasswordthatcannotbeeasilycompromised.Tosetastrongpassword,
usethefollowingguidelines:

•Haveatleasteightcharactersinlength

•Containatleastonealphabeticcharacterandonenumericcharacter

•SetupUtilityprogramandharddiskpasswordsarenotcasesensitive

•Notbeyournameoryourusername

•Notbeacommonwordoracommonname

•Besignificantlydifferentfromyourpreviouspasswords

Power-OnPassword

WhenaPower-OnPasswordisset,youarepromptedtotypeavalidpasswordeachtimethecomputeris
turnedon.Thecomputercannotbeuseduntilthevalidpasswordistypedin.

AdministratorPassword

SettinganAdministratorPassworddetersunauthorizedusersfromchangingconfigurationsettings.Ifyou
areresponsibleformaintainingtheconfigurationsettingsofseveralcomputers,youmightwanttosetan
AdministratorPassword.

WhenanAdministratorPasswordisset,youarepromptedtotypeavalidpasswordeachtimeyoutryto
accesstheSetupUtilityprogram.TheSetupUtilityprogramcannotbeaccesseduntilavalidpassword
istypedin.

IfboththePower-OnPasswordandAdministratorPasswordareset,youcantypeeitherpassword.However,
youmustuseyourAdministratorPasswordtochangeanyconfigurationsettings.

HardDiskPassword

SettingaHardDiskPasswordpreventsunauthorizedaccesstothedataontheharddiskdrive.Whena
HardDiskPasswordisset,youarepromptedtotypeavalidpasswordeachtimeyoutrytoaccessthe
harddiskdrive.

Notes:

•AfteryousetaHardDiskPassword,yourdataontheharddiskdriveisprotectedeveniftheharddisk
driveisremovedfromonecomputerandinstalledinanother.

•IftheHardDiskPasswordisforgotten,thereisnowaytoresetthepasswordorrecoverdatafromthe
harddiskdrive.

Setting,changing,anddeletingapassword

Toset,change,ordeleteapassword,dothefollowing:

1.StarttheSetupUtilityprogram.See“StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage81.

2.FromtheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu,selectSecurity.

3.Dependingonthepasswordtype,selectSetPower-OnPassword,SetAdministratorPassword,or

HardDiskPassword.

82ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

4.Followtheinstructionsontherightsideofthescreentoset,change,ordeleteapassword.

Note:Apasswordcanbeanycombinationofupto64alphabeticandnumericcharacters.Formore
information,see“Passwordconsiderations”onpage82.

Erasinglostorforgottenpasswords(clearingCMOS)

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoeraselostorforgottenpasswords,suchasauserpassword.

Toerasealostorforgottenpassword,dothefollowing:

1.Removeallmediafromthedrivesandturnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.Then,disconnect
allpowercordsfromelectricaloutletsanddisconnectallcablesthatareconnectedtothecomputer.

2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage36.

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

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

5.Reinstallthecomputercoverandconnectthepowercord.See“Completingthepartsreplacement”
onpage69.

6.T urnonthecomputerandleaveitonforapproximately10seconds.Whenyouhearshortbeeps,turn
offthecomputerbyholdingthepowerswitchforapproximatelyfiveseconds.

7.Repeatstep1throughstep3.

8.MovetheClearCMOS/Recoveryjumperbacktothestandardposition(pin1andpin2).

9.Reinstallthecomputercoverandconnectthepowercord.See“Completingthepartsreplacement”
onpage69.

Enablingordisablingadevice

Thissectionprovidesinformationonhowtoenableordisableuseraccesstothefollowingdevices:

USBSetupUsethisoptiontoenableordisableaUSBconnector.WhenaUSBconnectoris

disabled,thedeviceconnectedtotheUSBconnectorcannotbeused.

SATAControllerWhenthisfeatureissettoDisable,alldevicesconnectedtotheSATAconnectors

(suchasharddiskdrivesortheopticaldrive)aredisabledandcannotbeaccessed.

Toenableordisableadevice,dothefollowing:

1.StarttheSetupUtilityprogram.See“StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage81.

2.FromtheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu,selectDevices.

3.Dependingonthedeviceyouwanttoenableordisable,dooneofthefollowing:

•SelectUSBSetuptoenableordisableaUSBdevice.

•SelectATADriveSetuptoenableordisableaninternalorexternalSATAdevice.

4.SelectthedesiredsettingsandpressEnter.

5.PressF10tosaveandexittheSetupUtilityprogram.See“ExitingfromtheSetupUtilityprogram”
onpage86.

Selectingastartupdevice

Ifyourcomputerdoesnotstartupfromadevicesuchasthediscorharddiskdriveasexpected,dooneof
thefollowingtoselectthestartupdeviceyouwant.

Chapter7.UsingtheSetupUtilityprogram83

Selectingatemporarystartupdevice

Usethisproceduretoselectatemporarystartupdevice.

Note:Notalldiscsandharddiskdrivesarebootable.

1.T urnoffyourcomputer.

2.RepeatedlypressandreleasetheF12keywhenturningonthecomputer.WhenthePleaseselect
bootdevicewindowdisplays,releasetheF12key.

3.SelectthedesiredstartupdeviceandpressEnter.Thecomputerwillstartupfromthedeviceyou
selected.

Note:SelectingastartupdevicefromthePleaseselectbootdevicewindowdoesnotpermanentlychange
thestartupsequence.

Selectingorchangingthestartupdevicesequence

Tovieworpermanentlychangetheconfiguredstartupdevicesequence,dothefollowing:

1.StarttheSetupUtilityprogram.See“StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage81.

2.FromtheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu,selectStartup.

3.SelectthedevicesforthePrimaryStartupSequence,theAutomaticStartupSequence,andtheError
StartupSequence.Readtheinformationdisplayedontherightsideofthescreen.

4.PressF10tosaveandexittheSetupUtilityprogram.See“ExitingfromtheSetupUtilityprogram”
onpage86

.

EnablingErPLPScompliancemode

Lenovocomputersmeettheeco-designrequirementsoftheErPLot3regulation.Formoreinformation,go
to:
http://www.lenovo.com/ecodeclaration

YoucanenableErPLPScompliancemodeintheSetupUtilityprogramtoreducetheconsumptionof
electricitywhenyourcomputerisofforinsleepmode.

ToenableErPLPScompliancemodeintheSetupUtilityprogram,dothefollowing:

1.Makesureyourcomputeristurnedoff.

2.RepeatedlypressandreleasetheF1keywhenturningonthecomputer.Whenyouhearmultiplebeeps
orseealogoscreen,releasetheF1key.TheSetupUtilityprogramstarts.

Note:IfaPower-OnPasswordoranAdministratorPasswordhasbeenset,theSetupUtilityprogram
mainmenuwillnotbedisplayeduntilyoutypethecorrectpassword.

3.FromtheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu,selectPower➙EnhancedPowerSavingMode,and
pressEnter.

4.SelectEnabledandpressEnter.

5.FromthePowermenu,selectAutomaticPowerOnandpressEnter.

6.SelectWakeonLanandpressEnter.

7.SelectDisabledandpressEnter.

8.PressF10tosavechangesandexittheSetupUtilityprogram.PressEnterwhenpromptedtoconfirm
theexit.

Note:WhenErPLPScompliancemodeisenabled,youcanwakeupyourcomputerbydoingoneof
thefollowing:

84ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

•Pressingthepowerswitch

•Enablingthewakeuponalarmfeature
Thewakeuponalarmfeatureenablesyourcomputertowakeupatasettime.Toenablethewake

uponalarmfeature,dothefollowing:

1.StarttheSetupUtilityprogram.

2.FromtheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu,selectPower➙AutomaticPowerOn,andpressEnter.

3.SelectWakeUponAlarmandpressEnter.Thenfollowtheinstructionsonthescreen.

4.PressF10tosavechangesandexittheSetupUtilityprogram.PressEnterwhenpromptedto
confirmtheexit.

•Enablingtheafterpowerlossfeature
Theafterpowerlossfeatureenablesyourcomputertowakeupwhenthepowersupplyresumesaftera

suddenlossofelectricity.Toenabletheafterpowerlossfeature,dothefollowing:

1.StarttheSetupUtilityprogram.

2.FromtheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu,selectPower➙AfterPowerLoss,andpressEnter.

3.SelectPowerOnandpressEnter.

4.PressF10tosavechangesandexittheSetupUtilityprogram.PressEnterwhenpromptedto
confirmtheexit.

ICEperformancemode

YoucanadjusttheacousticandthermalperformanceofyourcomputerthroughtheICEPerformance
Modemenu.Twochoicesareavailable:

•BetterAcousticPerformance(defaultsetting)

•BetterThermalPerformance

ByenablingBetterAcousticPerformance,yourcomputerwillrunwithlessnoiseatanormalthermal
level.ByenablingBetterThermalPerformance,yourcomputerwillrunatabetterthermallevelwith
normalacousticperformance.

ToconfiguretheICEperformancemode,dothefollowing:

1.StarttheSetupUtilityprogram.See“StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage81.

2.FromtheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu,selectPower.

3.SelectIntelligentCoolingEngine(ICE).TheIntelligentCoolingEngine(ICE)windowisdisplayed.

4.SelectICEPerformanceMode.TheICEPerformanceModewindowisdisplayed.

5.SelectBetterAcousticPerformanceorBetterThermalPerformanceasdesired.

6.PressF10tosavechangesandexittheSetupUtilityprogram.See“ExitingfromtheSetupUtility
program”onpage86.

ICEthermalalert

YoucanmonitorthethermalfunctionofyourcomputerundercriticalthermalsituationsthroughtheICE
ThermalAlertmenu.Twochoicesareavailable:

•Enabled(defaultsetting)

•Disabled

Chapter7.UsingtheSetupUtilityprogram85

AfterenablingtheICEthermalalertfunction,whencriticalthermalsituationsoccur,suchasmalfunctioning
fans,abnormallyhightemperature,andpoorcoolingperformances,analertlogwillbewrittenintothe
Windowssystemlog.Thealertlogcanhelpyouidentifythethermalproblems.

ToconfiguretheICEthermalalertfunction,dothefollowing:

1.StarttheSetupUtilityprogram.See“StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage81.

2.FromtheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu,selectPower.

3.SelectIntelligentCoolingEngine(ICE).TheIntelligentCoolingEngine(ICE)windowisdisplayed.

4.SelectICEThermalAlert.TheICEThermalAlertwindowisdisplayed.

5.SelectEnabledorDisabledasdesired.

6.PressF10tosavechangesandexittheSetupUtilityprogram.See“ExitingfromtheSetupUtility
program”onpage86

.

ExitingfromtheSetupUtilityprogram

Afteryoufinishviewingorchangingsettings,pressEsctoreturntotheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu.
YoumighthavetopressEscseveraltimes.Dooneofthefollowing:

•Ifyouwanttosavethenewsettings,pressF10tosaveandexittheSetupUtilityprogram.

•Ifyoudonotwanttosavethesettings,selectExit➙DiscardChangesandExit.

•Ifyouwanttoreturntothedefaultsettings,pressF9toloadthedefaultsettings.

86ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

Chapter8.Updatingsystemprograms

ThischapterprovidesinformationaboutupdatingthePOSTandBIOS,andhowtorecoverfromaPOST
andBIOSupdatefailure.

Usingsystemprograms

Systemprogramsarethebasiclayerofsoftwarebuiltintoyourcomputer.Systemprogramsincludethe
POST,theBIOS,andtheSetupUtilityprogram.ThePOSTisasetoftestsandproceduresthatare
performedeachtimeyouturnonyourcomputer.TheBIOSisalayerofsoftwarethattranslatesinstructions
fromotherlayersofsoftwareintoelectricalsignalsthatthecomputerhardwarecanexecute.Youcanuse
theSetupUtilityprogramtovieworchangetheconfigurationsettingsofyourcomputer.SeeChapter7
“UsingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage81

Yourcomputersystemboardhasamodulecalledelectricallyerasableprogrammableread-onlymemory
(EEPROM,alsoreferredtoasflashmemory).YoucaneasilyupdatethePOST,theBIOS,andtheSetup
Utilityprogrambystartingyourcomputerwithasystem-program-updatediscorrunningaspecialupdate
programfromyouroperatingsystem.

LenovomightmakechangesandenhancementstothePOSTandBIOS.Whenupdatesarereleased,they
areavailableasdownloadablefilesontheLenovoWebsiteathttp://www.lenovo.com.Instructionsforusing
thePOSTandBIOSupdatesareavailableinaTXTfilethatisincludedwiththeupdatefiles.Formost
models,youcandownloadeitheranupdateprogramtocreateasystem-program-updatediscoranupdate
programthatcanberunfromtheoperatingsystem.

fordetailedinformation.

UpdatingtheBIOS

Whenyouinstallanewprogram,hardwaredevice,ordevicedriver,youmightbeinformedtoupdate
theBIOS.YoucanupdatetheBIOSfromyouroperatingsystemoraflashupdatedisc(supportedonly
onsomemodels).

ToupdatetheBIOS,dothefollowing:

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

2.DownloadtheflashBIOSupdatedriverfortheoperatingsystemversionortheISOimageversion(used
tocreateaflashupdatedisc).Then,downloadtheinstallationinstructionsfortheflashBIOSupdate
driveryoudownload.

3.PrinttheinstallationinstructionsyoudownloadandfollowtheinstructionstoupdatetheBIOS.

Note:IfyouwanttoupdatetheBIOSfromaflashupdatedisc,theinstallationinstructionsmightnotprovide
theinformationabouthowtorecordtheupdatedisc.See“RecordingaCDorDVD”onpage23.

RecoveringfromaPOST/BIOSupdatefailure

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

1.Removeallmediafromthedrivesandturnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.Then,disconnect
allpowercordsfromelectricaloutletsanddisconnectallcablesthatareconnectedtothecomputer.

2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage36.

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

©CopyrightLenovo2013,2016

87

4.RemoveanycablesthatimpedeaccesstotheClearCMOS/Recoveryjumper.

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

6.ReconnectanycablesthatweredisconnectedandreinstallthePCIcardifremoved.

7.Reinstallthecomputercoverandreconnectthepowercordsforthecomputerandmonitortoelectrical
outlets.See“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage69.

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

9.Aftertherecoverysessioniscompleted,therewillbenovideo,andyourcomputerwillautomatically
turnoff.

10.Repeatstep1throughstep4.

11.MovetheClearCMOS/Recoveryjumperbacktothestandardposition(pin1andpin2).

12.ReconnectanycablesthatweredisconnectedandreinstallthePCIcardifremoved.

13.Reinstallthecomputercoverandreconnectanycablesthatweredisconnected.

14.T urnonthecomputertorestarttheoperatingsystem.

88ThinkCentreM73UserGuide