Lenovo ThinkCentre M73 User Guide [en, br, id, it, pt, ro, ru, sk, sl, sv, uk]

ThinkCentreM73
UserGuide

MachineTypes:10AX,10AY,10DK,10DL,10DM,and10DN

Note:Beforeusingthisinformationandtheproductitsupports,besuretoreadandunderstandthe

“Importantsafetyinformation”onpagev

andAppendixA“Notices”onpage129.

FifthEdition(May2016)

©CopyrightLenovo2013,2016.

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

Contents

Importantsafetyinformation......v

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

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

Powercordsandpoweradapters........vi

Extensioncordsandrelateddevices.......vi

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

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

Generalbatterynotice............vii

Rechargeablebatterynotice.........viii

Heatandproductventilation.........viii

Operatingenvironment............ix

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

Powersupplystatement............x

Cleaningandmaintenance...........x

Chapter1.Productoverview......1

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

Specifications................4

Lenovoprograms..............4

Accessingaprogramonyourcomputer....4

AnintroductiontoLenovoprograms.....5

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

Locatingconnectors,controls,andindicators

onthefrontofyourcomputer........7

Locatingconnectorsontherearofyour

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

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

Locatingpartsonthesystemboard....12

Machinetypeandmodellabel.......13

Chapter2.Usingyourcomputer...15

Frequentlyaskedquestions.........15

NavigatingamongscreensontheWindows8and

Windows8.1operatingsystems........15

NavigatingonWindows8........15

NavigatingonWindows8.1........17

AccessingControlPanelontheWindows8or

Windows8.1operatingsystem........18

UsingWindowsshortcutkeys.........18

Usingthewheelmouse...........19

Settingthecomputervolume.........19

AddinganicontotheWindowsnotificationarea.19

UsingCDsandDVDs............20

HandlingandstoringCDandDVDmedia..20

PlayingaCDorDVD..........21

RecordingaCDorDVD.........21

Chapter3.Y ouandyourcomputer..23

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

Arrangingyourworkspace........23

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

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

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

Electricaloutletsandcablelengths.....24

Accessibilityinformation.........24

Registeringyourcomputer..........27

Movingyourcomputertoanothercountryor

region..................27

Chapter4.Security..........29

Securityfeatures..............29

AttachingaKensington-stylecablelock.....30

Preventingunauthorizedaccesstoyour

computer.................30

Usingfingerprintauthentication........31

Usingandunderstandingfirewalls.......31

Protectingdataagainstviruses........31

Chapter5.Installingorreplacing

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

Handlingstatic-sensitivedevices.......33

Installingorreplacinghardware........33

Installingexternaloptions........33

Installingorremovingtheacpoweradapter.34

Installingorremovingtheverticalstand...35

InstallingorremovingtheVESAmount

bracket................37

Installingorremovingtheacpoweradapter

bracket................39

Replacingtheopticaldrive........41

Replacingthesecondaryharddiskdrive...46

InstallingorremovingtheI/Obox.....52

Removingthecomputercover.......55

Installingorremovingtheharddiskdrive

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

Installingorreplacingamemorymodule...59

Replacingthebattery..........60

ReplacingthePowerbuttonboard.....62

ReplacingtheWi-Ficardmodule......63

InstallingorremovingthefrontWi-Fi

antenna...............65

InstallingorremovingtherearWi-Fiantenna.67

Replacingtheinternalspeaker.......69

Replacingthecoverpresenceswitch....71

Replacingthesystemfan.........73

Replacingthethermalmodule.......75

©CopyrightLenovo2013,2016

i

Replacingthemicroprocessor.......77

Replacingthekeyboardormouse.....79

Completingthepartsreplacement.....80

Chapter6.Recoveryinformation...83

RecoveryinformationfortheWindows7operating

system..................83

Creatingandusingrecoverymedia.....83

Performingbackupandrecoveryoperations.84
UsingtheRescueandRecoveryworkspace.85

Creatingandusingarescuemedium....86

Reinstallingpreinstalledapplicationsand

devicedrivers.............87

Reinstallingsoftwareprograms......88

Reinstallingdevicedrivers........88

Solvingrecoveryproblems........88

RecoveryinformationfortheWindows8or

Windows8.1operatingsystem........89

Refreshingyourcomputer........89

Resettingyourcomputertothefactorydefault

settings................89

Usingtheadvancedstartupoptions....89

RecoveringyouroperatingsystemifWindows

8orWindows8.1failstostart.......90

RecoveryinformationfortheWindows10operating

system..................90

Chapter7.UsingtheSetupUtility

program................93

StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram.......93

Viewingandchangingsettings........93

UsingBIOSpasswords...........93

Passwordconsiderations.........94

Power-OnPassword..........94

AdministratorPassword.........94

HardDiskPassword...........94

Setting,changing,anddeletingapassword.94
Erasinglostorforgottenpasswords(clearing

CMOS)................95

Enablingordisablingadevice........95

Selectingastartupdevice..........96

Selectingatemporarystartupdevice....96

Selectingorchangingthestartupdevice

sequence...............96

EnablingErPLPScompliancemode......96

ICEperformancemode...........97

ICEthermalalert..............97

ExitingtheSetupUtilityprogram.......98

Chapter8.Updatingsystem

programs...............99

Usingsystemprograms...........99

UpdatingtheBIOS.............99

RecoveringfromaPOST/BIOSupdatefailure..99

Chapter9.Preventingproblems..101

Keepingyourcomputercurrent........101

Gettingthelatestdevicedriversforyour

computer...............101

Gettingthelatestsystemupdates.....101

Cleaningandmaintenance..........102

Basics................102

Cleaningyourcomputer.........102

Goodmaintenancepractices.......103

Movingyourcomputer...........104

Chapter10.T roubleshootingand

diagnostics.............107

Basictroubleshooting............107

Troubleshootingprocedure..........108

Troubleshooting..............109

Audioproblems............109

CDproblems.............110

DVDproblems.............111

Intermittentproblems..........113

Keyboard,mouse,orpointingdevice

problems...............113

Monitorproblems............115

Networkingproblems..........116

Optionproblems............119

Performanceandlockupproblems.....120

Printerproblems............121

Serialconnectorproblems........122

Softwareproblems...........122

USBproblems.............123

LenovoSolutionCenter...........124

Chapter11.Gettinginformation,help,

andservice.............125

Informationresources............125

Windowshelpsystem..........125

SafetyandWarranty...........125

LenovoWebsite............125

LenovoSupportWebsite.........126

Helpandservice..............126

Usingthedocumentationanddiagnostic

program...............126

Callingforservice............126

Usingotherservices..........127

Purchasingadditionalservices......127

AppendixA.Notices.........129

Trademarks................130

iiThinkCentreM73UserGuide

AppendixB.Regulatory

information.............131

Exportclassificationnotice..........131

Electronicemissionsnotices.........131

FederalCommunicationsCommission

DeclarationofConformity........131

Eurasiancompliancemark..........133

Brazilaudionotice.............133

Mexicowireless-radiocomplianceinformation..133

Additionalregulatoryinformation.......134

AppendixD.RestrictionofHazardous

Substances(RoHS)Directive....139

EuropeanUnionRoHS...........139

TurkishRoHS...............139

UkraineRoHS...............139

IndiaRoHS................139

ChinaRoHS................140

TaiwanRoHS...............140

AppendixE.ChinaEnergyLabel..141

AppendixC.WEEEandrecycling

information.............135

ImportantWEEEinformation.........135

RecyclinginformationforJapan........135

RecyclinginformationforBrazil........136

BatteryrecyclinginformationforT aiwan.....136

BatteryrecyclinginformationfortheEuropean

Union..................137

AppendixF.ENERGYSTARmodel

information.............143

Index.................145

©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”onpage33
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.

Generalbatterynotice

DANGER

PersonalcomputersmanufacturedbyLenovomightcontainacoincellbatteryandarechargeable
batterypacktothesystem.BatteriessuppliedbyLenovoforusewithyourproducthavebeen
testedforcompatibilityandshouldonlybereplacedwithapprovedparts.

Neverattempttoopenorserviceanybattery.Donotcrush,puncture,orincineratebatteriesor
shortcircuitthemetalcontacts.Donotexposethebatterytowaterorotherliquids.Onlyrecharge
thebatterypackstrictlyaccordingtoinstructionsincludedintheproductdocumentation.

Batteryabuseormishandlingcancausethebatterytooverheat,whichcancausegassesorflame
to“vent”fromthebatterypackorcoincell.Ifyourbatteryisdamaged,orifyounoticeany
dischargefromyourbatteryorthebuildupofforeignmaterialsonthebatteryleads,stopusingthe
batteryandobtainareplacementfromthebatterymanufacturer.

Batteriescandegradewhentheyareleftunusedforlongperiodsoftime.Forsomerechargeable
batteries(particularlyLithiumIonbatteries),leavingabatteryunusedinadischargedstatecould
increasetheriskofabatteryshortcircuit,whichcouldshortenthelifeofthebatteryandalsocan

©CopyrightLenovo2013,2016

vii

poseasafetyhazard.DonotletrechargeableLithium-Ionbatteriescompletelydischargeorstore
thesebatteriesinadischargedstate.

Rechargeablebatterynotice

DANGER

Donotattempttodisassembleormodifythebatterypack.Attemptingtodosocancausean
explosion,orliquidleakagefromthebatterypack.Abatterypackotherthantheonespecifiedby
Lenovo,oradisassembledormodifiedbatterypackisnotcoveredbythewarranty.

Iftherechargeablebatterypackisincorrectlyreplaced,thereisdangerofanexplosion.Thebattery
packcontainsasmallamountofharmfulsubstances.Toavoidpossibleinjury:

•ReplaceonlywithabatteryofthetyperecommendedbyLenovo.

•Keepthebatterypackawayfromfire.

•Donotexposeittowaterorrain.

•Donotattempttodisassembleit.

•Donotshort-circuitit.

•Keepitawayfromchildren.

•Donotdropthebatterypack.

Donotputthebatterypackintrashthatisdisposedofinlandfills.Whendisposingofthebattery,
complywithlocalordinancesorregulations.

Thebatterypackshouldbestoredatroomtemperature,chargedtoapproximately30to50%
ofcapacity.Werecommendthatbatterypackbechargedaboutonceperyeartoprevent
overdischarge.

Heatandproductventilation

Computers,poweradapters,andmanyaccessoriescangenerateheatwhenturnedonandwhenbatteries
arecharging.Alwaysfollowthesebasicprecautions:

•Donotleaveyourcomputer,poweradapter,oraccessoriesincontactwithyourlaporanypartofyour
bodyforanextendedperiodwhentheproductsarefunctioningorwhenthebatteryischarging.Y our
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.

viiiThinkCentreM73UserGuide

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.

©CopyrightLenovo2013,2016

ix

Powersupplystatement

Neverremovethecoveronapowersupplyoranypartthathasthefollowinglabelattached.

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

Cleaningandmaintenance

Keepyourcomputerandworkspaceclean.Shutdownthecomputerandthendisconnectthepower
cordbeforecleaningthecomputer.Donotsprayanyliquiddetergentdirectlyonthecomputeroruse
anydetergentcontainingflammablematerialtocleanthecomputer.Spraythedetergentonasoftcloth
andthenwipethecomputersurfaces.

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

Yourcomputersupportsuptotwodoubledatarate3smalloutlinedualinlinememorymodules(DDR3
SODIMMs).

Internaldrives

•ExternalOpticaldrive:DVD-ROMorDVD-R(optional)

•Hybriddrive(optional)

•SerialAdvancedT echnologyAttachment(SATA)harddiskdrive

•Solid-statedrive(optional)

Videosubsystem

•IntegratedgraphicsforaVideoGraphicsArray(VGA)connectorandaDisplayPort®connector

Audiosubsystem

•Integratedhigh-definition(HD)audio

•Microphoneconnectorandheadsetconnector(alsoknownasaudiojack)onthefrontpanel

•Internalspeaker

©CopyrightLenovo2013,2016

1

Connectivity

•100/1000MbpsintegratedEthernetcontroller

•Wi-Ficardmodule(optional)

•Wi-FiwithBluetoothmodule(optional)

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”onpage96.

•Intel

®

StandardManageability

IntelStandardManageabilityishardwareandfirmwaretechnologythatbuildscertainfunctionality
intocomputersinordertomakethemeasierandlessexpensiveforbusinessestomonitor,maintain,
update,upgrade,andrepair.

•PrebootExecutionEnvironment(PXE)
ThePrebootExecutionEnvironmentisanenvironmenttostartcomputersusinganetworkinterface

independentofdatastoragedevices(suchastheharddiskdrive)orinstalledoperatingsystems.

•IntelligentCoolingEngine(ICE)
TheIntelligentCoolingEngineisasystemthermalmanagementsolutionthatenablesyourcomputer

torunwithbetterthermalandacousticperformance.TheICEfunctionalsomonitorsthethermal
performanceofyourcomputertoidentifythermalproblems.Formoreinformation,see“ICEperformance
mode”onpage97

and“ICEthermalalert”onpage97.

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

applicationtostoreandretrieveinformationspecificaboutthecomputerinquestion.

•WakeonLAN
WakeonLANisanEthernetcomputernetworkingstandardthatallowsacomputertobeturnedon

orwokenupbyanetworkmessage.Themessageisusuallysentbyaprogramrunningonanother
computeronthesamelocalareanetwork.

•WindowsManagementInstrumentation(WMI)
WindowsManagementInstrumentationisasetofextensionstotheWindowsDriverModel.Itprovidesan

operatingsysteminterfacethroughwhichinstrumentedcomponentsprovideinformationandnotification.

2ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

Input/Output(I/O)features

•OneDisplayPortconnector

•OneEthernetconnector

•Oneoptionalconnector(forinstallingaserialconnectororaUSB2.0connector)

•OneVGAmonitorconnector

•ThreeUniversalSerialBus(USB)2.0connectors(ontherearpanel)

•TwoUSB3.0connectors(onthefrontpanel)

•Twoaudioconnectorsonthefrontpanel(microphoneconnectorandheadsetconnector)

Formoreinformation,see“Locatingconnectors,controls,andindicatorsonthefrontofyourcomputer”on
page7

and“Locatingconnectorsontherearofyourcomputer”onpage9.

Expansion

•Oneexternalopticaldrivebox(optional,supportinganopticaldriveorasecondaryharddiskdrive)

•Oneharddiskdrivebay

•OneminiPCIExpresscardslot

Powersupply

Yourcomputercomeswitha65-wattacpoweradapter.

Securityfeatures

•Abilitytoenableordisableadevice

•AbilitytoenableanddisableUSBconnectorsindividually

•ComputraceAgentsoftwareembeddedinfirmware

•Coverpresenceswitch(alsocalledintrusionswitch)

•Keyboardwithfingerprintreader(shippedwithsomemodels)

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

•Startupsequencecontrol

•Startupwithoutkeyboardormouse

•SupportforaKensington-stylecablelock

Formoreinformation,seeChapter4“Security”onpage29

.

Preinstalledsoftwareprograms

Yourcomputerispreinstalledwithsoftwareprogramstohelpyouworkmoreeasilyandsecurely.Formore
information,see“Lenovoprograms”onpage4.

Preinstalledoperatingsystem

Yourcomputerispreinstalledwithoneofthefollowingoperatingsystems:

•MicrosoftWindows7operatingsystem

•MicrosoftWindows8operatingsystem

•MicrosoftWindows8.1operatingsystem

•MicrosoftWindows10operatingsystem

Chapter1.Productoverview3

Operatingsystem(s),certifiedortestedforcompatibility

•Linux

®

1

Specifications

Thissectionliststhephysicalspecificationsforyourcomputer.

Dimensions

Width:179mm(7.05inches)
Height:34.5mm(1.36inches)
Depth:182mm(7.17inches)

Weight

Maximumconfigurationasshipped:4.86kg(10.71lb)(withpackage)
Maximumconfigurationasshipped:4.14kg(9.13lb)(withoutpackage)

Environment

•Airtemperature:

Operating: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

Theacpoweradapterinputvoltage:100to240Vac
Inputfrequency:50/60Hz

(variesbymodeltype)

Lenovoprograms

YourcomputercomeswithLenovoprogramstohelpyouworkmoreeasilyandsecurely.Dependingon
theWindowsoperatingsystempreinstalled,theprogramsmightvary.

Accessingaprogramonyourcomputer

Note:ForWindows7,someoftheLenovoprogramsmightbereadytobeinstalled,soyouneedtoinstall

themmanually.Then,youcanaccessandusetheseprograms.T oinstallaprogramthatisreadytobe
installed,opentheLenovoThinkVantage
Followtheinstructionsundergreyed-outiconstolocatetheiconforthedesiredprogram.Double-click
theicontoinstalltheprogram.

Toaccessaprogramonyourcomputer,dooneofthefollowing:

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

4ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

®

Toolsprogram,andthenviewtheprogramiconsusingTiles.

•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:Clickthearrowicon

Appsscreen.Findthedesiredprogramintheappslistorsearchforitinthesearchboxinthe
top-rightcornerofthescreen.

inthebottom-leftcornerofthescreentogotothe

AnintroductiontoLenovoprograms

ThissectionprovidesinformationaboutthemajorLenovoprogramsavailableonyouroperatingsystem.

Note:Dependingonyourcomputermodel,someofthefollowingprogramsmightnotbeavailable.

•ForWindows7only:

–CreateRecoveryMedia

TheCreateRecoveryMediaprogramenablesyoutorestoreonlytheCdriveortheentirestorage
drivetothefactory-defaultsettings.

–LenovoPowerENGAGE

TheLenovoPowerENGAGEprogramenablesyoutoregisteryourcomputerwithLenovo.

–MessageCenterPlus

TheMessageCenterPlusprogramautomaticallydisplaysmessagesinformingyouaboutimportant
noticesfromLenovo,suchasalertsonsystemupdatesandalertsonconditionsthatrequireyour
attention.

Chapter1.Productoverview5

–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.

•ForWindows8,Windows8.1,andWindows10:

6ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

–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.

Note:Thecomponentsinyourcomputermightlookslightlydifferentfromtheillustrations.

Locatingconnectors,controls,andindicatorsonthefrontofyour computer

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

Chapter1.Productoverview7

Figure1.Frontconnector,control,andindicatorlocations

1Powerbutton2Bluetoothactivityindicator

3Wirelessactivityindicator4Harddiskdriveactivityindicator

5Powerindicator

7Microphoneconnector8Headsetconnector

9AlwaysOnUSB3.0connector

6USB3.0connector

Notes:

•Indicators2,3,4,and5arevisibleonlywhentheyarelit.

•Theheadsetconnector

8supportsamicrophone-integratedheadsetanddoesnotsupporta

conventionalmicrophone.

•Bydefault,theAlwaysOnUSB3.0connector9enablesyoutochargesomemobiledigitaldevicesand
smartphoneswhenyourcomputerisinsleeporhibernationmodeorispoweredoff.

8ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

Locatingconnectorsontherearofyourcomputer

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

Figure2.Rearconnectorlocations

1USB2.0connector

3VGAmonitorconnector4USB2.0connector

5USB2.0connector

7acpoweradapterconnector

9Optionalconnector

11Wi-Fiantennaslot

2Ethernetconnector

6DisplayPortconnector

8Security-lockslot

10acpoweradaptercableloop

Notes:

•TheUSB2.0connector

4supportsthesmartpoweronfeaturethatenablesyoutoturnonthecomputer

orwakeitupfromS4hibernationmodebypressingAlt+Ponthekeyboard.Youcanenableordisable
thesmartpoweronfeaturefromtheSetupUtilityprogram.Fordetailedinformation,see“Enablingor
disablingadevice”onpage95

.

•Ifyourcomputerisinstalledwithagraphicscard,ensurethatyouusethemonitorconnectorsonthe
graphicscard.

Chapter1.Productoverview9

ConnectorDescription

DisplayPortconnector

Ethernetconnector

OptionalconnectorUsedtoinstallaserialconnectororaUSB2.0connector.

USB2.0connectorUsedtoattachadevicethatrequiresaUSB2.0connection,suchasakeyboard,a

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

VGAmonitorconnectorUsedtoattachaVGAmonitororotherdevicesthatuseaVGAmonitorconnector.

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

UsedtoattachanEthernetcableforalocalareanetwork(LAN).
Note:TooperatethecomputerwithinFCCClassBlimits,useaCategory5Ethernet
cable.

Note:Ifyouusetheoptionalconnectorforinstallingaserialconnector,theserial
connectorandtheadjacentVGAmonitorconnectormightinterferewitheachother
whenconnectingcables.Toavoidtheinterference,ensurethatyouusetheserial
connectorconvertcablethatcomeswiththecomputerwhenyouconnectadevice
totheserialconnector.

mouse,ascanner,aprinter,orapersonaldigitalassistant(PDA).

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

Note:TheVGAconnectorisnotapplicableonsomemodels.Ifyourcomputerhas
agraphicscardinstalled,besuretouseamonitorconnectoronthegraphicscard.

10ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

Locatingcomponents

Figure3“Componentlocations”onpage11showsthelocationsofthevariouscomponentsinyour
computer.Toremovethecomputercover,see“Removingthecomputercover”onpage55.

Figure3.Componentlocations

Chapter1.Productoverview11

1Computercover2Systemfan

3Thermalmodule

5Internalspeaker6Microprocessor

7FrontWi-Fiantenna8Powerbuttonboard

9Powercord10acpoweradapter

11Memorymodules12Battery

13Wi-Ficardmodule14RearWi-Fiantennacable

15RearWi-Fiantenna

4Coverpresenceswitch(intrusionswitch)

16Harddiskdriveassembly(withaharddiskdriveorsolid-state

driveinstalled)

Locatingpartsonthesystemboard

Figure4“Systemboardpartlocations”onpage12showsthelocationsofthepartsonthesystemboard.

Figure4.Systemboardpartlocations

1Serial(COM1)connector2Systemfanconnector

3Microprocessor

4Coverpresenceswitchconnector(intrusionswitch

connector)

5ClearCMOS(ComplementaryMetalOxide

6Internalspeakerconnector

Semiconductor)/Recoveryjumper

7Powerbuttonboardcableconnector

9Battery

8Memoryslots(2)

10MiniPCIExpresscardslot

12ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

11SATA3.0connector

13OptionalUSB2.0connector

12Harddiskdrivepowerconnector

Machinetypeandmodellabel

Themachinetypeandmodellabelidentifiesyourcomputer.WhenyoucontactLenovoforhelp,themachine
typeandmodelinformationhelpssupporttechnicianstoidentifyyourcomputerandprovidefasterservice.

Thefollowingisasampleofthemachinetypeandmodellabel.

Figure5.Machinetypeandmodellabel

Chapter1.Productoverview13

14ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

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”onpage125.

CanIchangetheWindows8.1startupbehaviortoopeneitherthedesktoportheStartscreen?

OntheWindows8.1operatingsystem,youcansetthecomputertoopeneitherthedesktoportheStart
screenbydefault.T osetthedefaultstartupscreen,dothefollowing:

1.Onthedesktop,moveyourpointertothetaskbaratthebottomofthescreenandright-clickonthe
taskbar.

2.ClickProperties.TheTaskbarandNavigationpropertieswindowisdisplayed.

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”onpage15

or“NavigatingonWindows8.1”onpage17.

NavigatingonWindows8

Tonavigateamongthedesktop,theStartscreen,andapplicationsthatwereopenedfromtheStartscreen
ontheWindows8operatingsystem,dooneofthefollowing:

©CopyrightLenovo2013,2016

15

•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.

16ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

–Usingatouchscreen:Swipeinfromtheleftedgeofthescreen.

ForinformationaboutusingotherfeaturesoftheWindows8operatingsystem,refertotheWindowshelp
system.Formoreinformation,see“Windowshelpsystem”onpage125.

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.Usingyourcomputer17

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”onpage125.

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.

18ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

•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”onpage19

2.Followtheinstructionsonthescreentoadjustthevolume.Clickthespeakericontomutetheaudio.

.

AddinganicontotheWindowsnotificationarea

ToaddanicontotheWindowsnotificationarea,dothefollowing:

1.Clickthearrownexttothenotificationareatoviewhiddenicons.Then,clickthedesirediconand
dragittothenotificationarea.

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

Chapter2.Usingyourcomputer19

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

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

Note:FordetailedinformationonhowtoopenControlPanelonWindows8andWindows8.1,
see“AccessingControlPanelontheWindows8orWindows8.1operatingsystem”onpage18

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

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.

20ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

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”onpage4.

3.Followtheinstructionsonthescreen.

Chapter2.Usingyourcomputer21

22ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

Chapter3.Youandyourcomputer

Thischapterprovidesinformationaboutaccessibility,comfort,andrelocatingyourcomputertoother
countriesorregions.

Accessibilityandcomfort

Goodergonomicpracticeisimportanttogetthemostfromyourpersonalcomputerandtoavoiddiscomfort.
Arrangeyourworkplaceandtheequipmentyouusetosuityourindividualneedsandthekindofwork
thatyouperform.Inaddition,usehealthyworkhabitstomaximizeyourperformanceandcomfortwhile
usingyourcomputer.

Thefollowingtopicsprovideinformationaboutarrangingyourworkarea,settingupyourcomputer
equipment,andestablishinghealthyworkhabits.

Arrangingyourworkspace

Togetthemostfromyourcomputer,arrangeboththeequipmentyouuseandyourworkareatosuityour
needsandthekindofworkyoudo.Y ourcomfortisofforemostimportance,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

23

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

24ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

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 ouandyourcomputer25

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”onpage18.

•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”onpage25

.

•Tochangetheitemsizepermanently,dothefollowing:

–Changethesizeofalltheitemsonyourscreen.

1.Right-clickablankareaonthedesktop.

2.DependingonyourWindowsversion,dooneofthefollowing:

26ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

–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”onpage7.

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 ouandyourcomputer27

28ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

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”onpage93.

2.SettheAdministratorPassword.See“Setting,changing,anddeletingapassword”onpage94.

3.FromtheSecuritysubmenu,selectChassisIntrusionDetection➙Enabled.Thecoverpresence
switchconnectoronthesystemboardisenabled.

Whenthecoverpresenceswitchdetectsthatyourcomputercoverisnotproperlyinstalledorclosed
whenyouturnonthecomputer,anerrormessagewillbedisplayed.T obypasstheerrormessageand
logintotheoperatingsystem,dothefollowing:

1.Properlyinstallorcloseyourcomputercover.See“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage80.

2.PressF1toentertheSetupUtilityprogram.ThenpressF10tosaveandexittheSetupUtility
program.Theerrormessagewillnotbedisplayedagain.

•AbilitytoenableanddisabledevicesandUSBconnectors
Formoreinformation,see“Enablingordisablingadevice”onpage95.

•Integratedfingerprintreader(availableonsomemodels)
Dependingonthemodelsofyourcomputer,thekeyboardmayhaveanintegratedfingerprintreader.

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

•Startupsequencecontrol
Formoreinformation,see“Selectingorchangingthestartupdevicesequence”onpage96

•Startupwithoutkeyboardormouse
Yourcomputerisabletologintotheoperatingsystemwithoutkeyboardormouseconnected.

.

©CopyrightLenovo2013,2016

29

AttachingaKensington-stylecablelock

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

Figure6.Kensington-stylecablelock

Preventingunauthorizedaccesstoyourcomputer

YoucanuseBIOSpasswordsandWindowsaccountstopreventunauthorizedaccesstoyourcomputerand
data.

•TouseBIOSpasswords,see“UsingBIOSpasswords”onpage93.

•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.

30ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

Usingfingerprintauthentication

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

Tousefingerprintauthentication,dooneofthefollowing:

•ForWindows7,Windows8,orWindows8.1:UsetheFingerprintManagerProorThinkVantage
FingerprintSoftwareprogramprovidedbyLenovo.Toopentheprogram,see“Accessingaprogramon
yourcomputer”onpage4.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”onpage125

.

Protectingdataagainstviruses

Yourcomputerispreinstalledwithanantivirusprogramtohelpyouguardagainst,detect,andeliminate
viruses.

Lenovoprovidesafullversionofantivirussoftwareonyourcomputerwithafree30-daysubscription.After
30days,youmustrenewthelicensetocontinuereceivingtheantivirussoftwareupdates.

Note:Virusdefinitionfilesmustbekeptup-to-datetoguardagainstnewviruses.

Formoreinformationabouthowtouseyourantivirussoftware,refertothehelpsystemofyourantivirus
software.

Chapter4.Security31

32ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

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”onpage7and“Locatingconnectorsontherearofyourcomputer”onpage9toidentifythe
requiredconnector.Then,usetheinstructionsthatcomewiththeoptiontohelpyoumaketheconnection
andinstallanysoftwareordevicedriversthatarerequiredfortheoption.

©CopyrightLenovo2013,2016

33

Installingorremovingtheacpoweradapter

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoinstallorremovetheacpoweradapter.

Toinstalltheacpoweradapter,connecttheacpoweradaptertotheacpoweradapterconnectoratthe
rearofyourcomputerandaworkableelectricaloutlet.Securethepowercordintothepoweradapter
cableloopattherearofthecomputerasshown.

Figure7.Connectingtheacpoweradapter

Toremovetheacpoweradapter,dothefollowing:

1.T urnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

34ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

2.Removethepowercordfromtheacpoweradaptercableloopattherearofthecomputerandthen
disconnecttheacpoweradapterfromthecomputer.

Figure8.Disconnectingtheacpoweradapter

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

Installingorremovingtheverticalstand

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoinstallorremovetheverticalstand.

Note:TheverticalstandandVideoElectronicsStandardsAssociation(VESA
parts.IfyourcomputercomeswiththeVESAmountbracketinstalled,ensurethatyouremovetheVESA
mountbracketbeforeyouinstalltheverticalstand.ToremovetheVESAmountbracket,see“Installingor
removingtheVESAmountbracket”onpage37.

.

®

)mountbracketareoptional

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware35

Toinstalltheverticalstand,dothefollowing:

1.T urnoffthecomputer.

2.Aligntherearofthecomputerwiththerearoftheverticalstandandpositionthecomputeronthe
verticalstandasshown.

Figure9.Installingtheverticalstand

Toremovetheverticalstand,dothefollowing:

1.T urnoffthecomputer.

36ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

2.Liftthecomputertoremoveitfromtheverticalstand.

Figure10.Removingthecomputerfromtheverticalstand

InstallingorremovingtheVESAmountbracket

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.

ThissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoinstallorremovetheVESAmountbracket.

Note:TheVESAmountbracketisonlyavailableonsomemodels.

ToinstalltheVESAmountbracket,dothefollowing:

1.T urnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware37

2.SlidethecomputerintotheVESAmountbracket.

Figure11.InstallingtheVESAmountbracket

3.InstallthetwoscrewstosecuretheVESAmountbrackettothecomputer.

Figure12.InstallingthescrewsthatsecuretheVESAmountbracket

ToremovetheVESAmountbracket,dothefollowing:

1.T urnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromtheelectricaloutlets.

38ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

2.RemovethetwoscrewsthatsecuretheVESAmountbrackettothecomputer.

Figure13.RemovingthescrewsthatsecuretheVESAmountbracket

3.SlidethecomputerfromthefrontoftheVESAmountbrackettoremovetheVESAmountbracket
fromthecomputer.

Figure14.RemovingtheVESAmountbracket

Installingorremovingtheacpoweradapterbracket

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoinstallorremovetheacpoweradapterbracket.

Note:Theacpoweradapterbracketisonlyavailableonsomemodels.

Toremovetheacpoweradapterbracket,dothefollowing:

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware39

1.T urnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

2.Pullthetab1andthenslidetheacpoweradapterbracketasshowntoremoveitfromtheVESA
mountbracket.

Figure15.Removingtheacpoweradapterbracket

40ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

ToinstalltheacpoweradapterbrackettotheVESAmountbracket,alignthetwotabsontheacpower
adapterbracketwiththeslotsintheVESAmountbracket,andthenslidetheacpoweradapterbracket
asshowntoinstallitontheVESAmountbracket.

Figure16.Installingtheacpoweradapterbracket

Replacingtheopticaldrive

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreplacetheopticaldrive.

Note:Theopticaldriveisonlyavailableonsomemodels.

Toreplacetheopticaldrive,dothefollowing:

1.T urnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

2.DisconnecttheopticaldrivecablefromtheUSBconnectoronthecomputer.

.

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware41

3.RemovethescrewthatsecurestheopticaldriveboxontheVESAmountbracketandthenslidethe
opticaldriveboxtoremoveitfromtheVESAmountbracket.

Figure17.Removingtheopticaldrivebox

4.Removethescrewthatsecurestheopticaldriveintheopticaldrivebox.Usethescrewdrivertoslide
theopticaldriveforwardandthenremovetheopticaldrivefromtheopticaldrivebox.

Figure18.Removingtheopticaldrivefromtheopticaldrivebox

42ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

5.Removethetwoscrewsthatsecuretheopticaldrivemetalplateandthenremovethemetalplate
fromtheopticaldrive.

Figure19.Removingtheopticaldrivemetalplate

6.Alignthetwoscrewholesintheopticaldrivemetalplatewiththecorrespondingholesinthenewoptical
driveandtheninstallthetwoscrewstosecurethemetalplateonthenewopticaldrive.

Figure20.Installingtheopticaldrivemetalplate

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware43

7.Slidethenewopticaldriveintotheopticaldriveboxuntilitsnapsintoposition.

Figure21.Installingtheopticaldriveintotheopticaldrivebox

8.Installthescrewthatsecurestheopticaldriveintheopticaldrivebox.

Figure22.Installingthescrewthatsecurestheopticaldrive

44ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

9.AlignthescrewholesintheopticaldriveboxwiththetwoscrewsontheVESAmountbracketandthen
slidetheopticaldriveboxtoinstallitontheVESAmountbracket.

Figure23.Installingtheopticaldrivebox

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware45

10.InstallthescrewthatsecurestheopticaldriveboxontheVESAmountbracket.

Figure24.Installingthescrewthatsecurestheopticaldrivebox

11.ConnecttheopticaldrivecabletoaUSBconnectoronthecomputer.See“Locatingconnectorson
therearofyourcomputer”onpage9.

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage80.

Replacingthesecondaryharddiskdrive

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreplacethesecondaryharddiskdrive.

Note:Thesecondaryharddiskdriveisonlyavailableonsomemodels.

Toreplacethesecondaryharddiskdrive,dothefollowing:

1.T urnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

2.DisconnectthesecondaryharddiskdrivecablefromtheUSBconnectoronthecomputer.

46ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

3.RemovethescrewthatsecurestheopticaldriveboxontheVESAmountbracketandthenslidethe
opticaldriveboxasshowntoremoveitfromtheVESAmountbracket.

Figure25.Removingtheopticaldrivebox

4.Slidethereleasebuttonontheopticaldriveboxandthenremovethesecondaryharddiskdriveadapter
fromtheopticaldrivebox.

Figure26.Removingthesecondaryharddiskdriveadapterfromtheopticaldrivebox

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware47

5.Flexthesidesoftheharddiskdriveadapterbracketandthenpivottheharddiskdriveadapterto
removetheadapterfromtheadapterbracket.

Figure27.Removingtheharddiskdriveadapterfromtheadapterbracket

6.T oremovetheharddiskdrivefromtheadapter,lifttheadapterretaininglatch.Slidetheharddiskdrive
towardstheretaininglatchandthenlifttheharddiskdriveoutoftheadapter.

Figure28.Removingthesecondaryharddiskdrivefromtheadapter

7.Installthefourscrewstothenewharddiskdrive.

Figure29.Installingthefourscrewstotheharddiskdrive

48ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

8.Installthenewharddiskdriveintotheadapterasshown.Then,lowertheadapterretaininglatchuntil
itsnapsintoposition.

Figure30.Installinganewharddiskdriveintotheadapter

9.Positiontheadapterintotheadapterbracketandthenpivottheadapterdownwarduntilitsnapsinto
position.

Figure31.Installingtheharddiskdriveadapterintotheadapterbracket

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware49

10.Slidetheadapterbracketintotheopticaldriveboxuntilitsnapsintoposition.

Figure32.Installingtheadapterbracketintotheopticaldrivebox

50ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

11.AlignthescrewholesintheopticaldriveboxwiththetwoscrewsontheVESAmountbracketandthen
slidetheopticaldriveboxtoinstallitontheVESAmountbracket.

Figure33.Installingtheopticaldrivebox

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware51

12.InstallthescrewthatsecurestheopticaldriveboxontheVESAmountbracket.

Figure34.Installingthescrewthatsecurestheopticaldrivebox

13.ConnectthesecondaryharddiskdrivecabletoaUSBconnectoronthecomputer.See“Locating
connectorsontherearofyourcomputer”onpage9.

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage80.

InstallingorremovingtheI/Obox

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.

ThissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoinstallorremovetheI/Obox.

Note:TheI/Oboxisonlyavailableonsomemodels.

TheI/Oboxprovidesthefollowingconnectorsforconnectingtoexternaldevices:

•FourUSB2.0connectors(twoonthefrontandtwoontherear)

•Oneserialport

•TwoPS/2connectors(oneforkeyboardandoneformouse)

ToremovetheI/Obox,dothefollowing:

1.T urnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

2.DisconnecttheI/OboxcablefromtheUSBconnectoronthecomputer.

52ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

3.RemovethescrewthatsecurestheI/OboxontheVESAmountbracketandthenslidetheI/Oboxas
showntoremoveitfromtheVESAmountbracket.

Figure35.RemovingtheI/Obox

ToinstalltheI/Obox,dothefollowing:

1.T urnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware53

2.AlignthetwoholesintheI/OboxwiththetwoscrewsontheVESAmountbracketandthenslidetheI/O
boxasshowntoinstallitontheVESAmountbracket.

Figure36.InstallingtheI/Obox

54ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

3.InstallthescrewtosecuretheI/OboxontheVESAmountbracket.

Figure37.InstallingthescrewtosecuretheI/Obox

4.ConnecttheI/OboxcabletoaUSBconnectorontherearofyourcomputer.See“Locatingconnectors
ontherearofyourcomputer”onpage9.

Removingthecomputercover

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoremovethecomputercover.

CAUTION:

Beforeyouopenthecomputercover,turnoffthecomputerandwaitseveralminutesuntilthe
computeriscool.

Toremovethecomputercover,dothefollowing:

1.Removeanymediafromthedrivesandturnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.

2.Disconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

3.Disconnectthepowercord,Input/Outputcables,andanyothercablesthatareconnectedtothe

4.Removeanylockingdevicethatsecuresthecomputercover,suchasaKensington-stylecablelock.

.

computer.

See“AttachingaKensington-stylecablelock”onpage30.

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware55

5.Removethescrewthatsecuresthecomputercover.

Figure38.Removingthecomputercoverscrew

56ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

6.Slidethecomputercovertothefrontofthecomputerasmallamount.Then,liftthecomputercoverto
removeitfromthecomputer.

Figure39.Removingthecomputercover

Installingorremovingtheharddiskdriveassembly

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoinstallorremovetheharddiskdriveassembly.

Toremovetheharddiskdriveassembly,dothefollowing:

1.T urnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage55.

3.Locatetheharddiskdrive.See“Locatingcomponents”onpage11.

4.Disconnectthesignalcableandthepowercablefromtheharddiskdrive.

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware57

5.Removethetwoscrewsthatsecuretheharddiskdriveassembly.Slidetheharddiskdriveassemblyas
shown,andthenlifttheharddiskdriveassemblytoremoveitfromthecomputer.

Figure40.Removingtheharddiskdriveassembly

Toinstalltheharddiskdriveassembly,dothefollowing:

1.Positiontheharddiskdriveassemblyonthesystemboardsothatthetwoholesintheharddiskdrive
bracketarealignedwiththestandoffsonthesystemboard.Slidetheharddiskdriveassemblyasshown
untilthetwoscrewholes1arealignedwiththecorrespondingscrewpostsonthesystemboard.

Figure41.Installingtheharddiskdriveassembly

58ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

2.Installthetwoscrewstosecuretheharddiskdriveassembly.

Figure42.Installingthescrewstosecuretheharddiskdriveassembly

3.Connectthesignalcableandthepowercabletotheharddiskdrive.

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage80

.

Installingorreplacingamemorymodule

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoinstallorreplaceamemorymodule.

YourcomputerhastwoslotsforinstallingorreplacingDDR3SODIMMsthatprovideuptoamaximumof
16GBsystemmemory.Wheninstallingorreplacingamemorymodule,use2GB,4GB,or8GBDDR3
SODIMMsinanycombinationuptoamaximumof16GB.

Toinstallorreplaceamemorymodule,dothefollowing:

1.T urnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage55.

3.Locatethememoryslots.See“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage12.

4.Removetheharddiskdriveassemblytogetaccesstothememoryslots.See“Installingorremovingthe
harddiskdriveassembly”onpage57.

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware59

5.Ifyouarereplacinganoldmemorymodule,opentheretainingclipsandgentlypullthememorymodule
outofthememoryslot.

Figure43.Removingthememorymodule

6.Insertthenotchedend2ofthenewmemorymoduleintotheslot1.Pressthememorymodule
firmlyandpivotthememorymoduleuntilitsnapsintoplace.Makesurethatthememorymoduleis
securedintheslotanddoesnotmoveeasily.

Figure44.Installingamemorymodule

7.Reinstalltheharddiskdriveassembly.See“Installingorremovingtheharddiskdriveassembly”
onpage57.

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage80.

Replacingthebattery

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.

60ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

Yourcomputerhasaspecialtypeofmemorythatmaintainsthedate,time,andsettingsforbuilt-infeatures,
suchasparallel-connectorassignments(configuration).Abatterykeepsthisinformationactivewhenyou
turnoffthecomputer.

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

Refertothe“Lithiumcoincellbatterynotice”intheSafety,Warranty,andSetupGuideforinformationabout
replacinganddisposingofthebattery.

Toreplacethebattery,dothefollowing:

1.T urnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage55.

3.Locatethebattery.See“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage12.

4.Removetheharddiskdriveassemblytogetaccesstothebattery.See“Installingorremovingthe
harddiskdriveassembly”onpage57.

5.Removetheoldbattery.

Figure45.Removingtheoldbattery

6.Installanewbattery.

Figure46.Installinganewbattery

7.Reinstalltheharddiskdriveassembly.See“Installingorremovingtheharddiskdriveassembly”
onpage57.

8.Reinstallthecomputercoverandconnectthecables.See“Completingthepartsreplacement”on
page80.

Note:Whenthecomputeristurnedonforthefirsttimeafterreplacingthebattery,anerrormessage
mightbedisplayed.Thisisnormalafterreplacingthebattery.

9.T urnonthecomputerandallattacheddevices.

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware61

10.UsetheSetupUtilityprogramtosetthedate,time,andanypasswords.SeeChapter7“UsingtheSetup
Utilityprogram”onpage93

.

ReplacingthePowerbuttonboard

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.

ThissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreplacethePowerbuttonboard.

ToreplacethePowerbuttonboard,dothefollowing:

1.T urnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage55.

3.LocatethePowerbuttonboard.See“Locatingcomponents”onpage11.

4.Removetheharddiskdriveassembly.See“Installingorremovingtheharddiskdriveassembly”on
page57.

5.DisconnectthePowerbuttonboardcablefromthecorrespondingconnectoronthesystemboard.

6.RemovethescrewthatsecuresthePowerbuttonboardtothecomputer,andthenpullthePower
buttonboardtoremoveitfromthecomputer.

Figure47.RemovingthePowerbuttonboard

62ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

7.Alignthehole1inthenewPowerbuttonboardwiththetab2onthecomputerandpositionthenew
Powerbuttonboardinthecomputer.Then,installthescrewtosecurethenewPowerbuttonboard
onthechassis.

Figure48.InstallingthePowerbuttonboard

8.ConnectthePowerbuttonboardcabletothePowerbuttonboardcableconnectoronthesystemboard.
See“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage12.

9.Reinstalltheharddiskdriveassembly.See“Installingorremovingtheharddiskdriveassembly”
onpage57.

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage80.

ReplacingtheWi-Ficardmodule

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev

ThissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreplacetheWi-Ficardmodule.

Note:TheWi-Ficardmoduleisonlyavailableinsomemodels.

ToreplacetheWi-Ficardmodule,dothefollowing:

1.T urnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage55.

.

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware63

3.Removetheharddiskdriveassembly.See“Installingorremovingtheharddiskdriveassembly”on
page57.

4.LocatetheWi-Ficardmoduleinthecomputer.See“Locatingcomponents”onpage11.

5.DisconnecttheWi-FiantennacablesfromtheWi-Ficardmodule.

Figure49.RemovingtheWi-Ficardmodulecables

6.CarefullypivottheWi-Ficardmoduleuptoreleaseitfromtheplasticpostthatsecuresit.Then,pullthe
Wi-FicardmoduletoremoveitfromtheminiPCIExpresscardslot.

Note:DonotoverpivottheWi-Ficardmodule.

Figure50.RemovingtheWi-Ficardmodule

7.InsertthenewWi-FicardmoduleintotheminiPCIExpresscardslot.Then,pivottheWi-Ficardmodule
downwarduntilitsnapsintopositionandissecuredbytheplasticpost.

Note:DonottouchthenotchededgeoftheWi-Ficardmodule.

Figure51.InstallingtheWi-Ficardmodule

8.ConnecttheWi-FiantennacablestotheWi-Ficardmodule.

Figure52.ConnectingtheWi-Fiantennacables

9.Reinstalltheharddiskdriveassembly.See“Installingorremovingtheharddiskdriveassembly”
onpage57.

64ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage80.

InstallingorremovingthefrontWi-Fiantenna

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.

ThissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoinstallorremovethefrontWi-Fiantenna.

Note:ThefrontWi-Fiantennaisonlyavailableonsomemodels.

ToinstallthefrontWi-Fiantenna,dothefollowing:

1.T urnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage55.

3.Removetheharddiskdriveassembly.See“Installingorremovingtheharddiskdriveassembly”on
page57.

4.PeeloffthepaperthatprotectsthestickeronthebottomofthefrontWi-Fiantenna.

Figure53.Peelingoffthepaperthatprotectsthesticker

5.AlignthetwosmallcolumnsonthebottomofthefrontWi-Fiantennawiththetwoholesintheharddisk
drivebracketasshown.Then,stickthefrontWi-Fiantennaontotheharddiskdrivebracket.

Figure54.StickingthefrontWi-Fiantenna

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware65

6.RoutethefrontWi-Fiantennacablethroughthefivehooksintheharddiskdrivebracketasshown.

Figure55.RoutingthefrontWi-Fiantennacable

7.Reinstalltheharddiskdriveassemblywithoutconnectingthesignalcableandpowercable.See
“Installingorremovingtheharddiskdriveassembly”onpage57.

8.RoutethefrontWi-Fiantennacableasshown,andthenconnectittotheWi-Ficardmodule.

Figure56.InstallingthefrontWi-Fiantennacable

9.Reconnectthesignalcableandpowercabletotheharddiskdrive.

ToremovetherearWi-Fiantenna,dothefollowing:

1.T urnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

2.Disconnectthesignalcableandpowercablefromtheharddiskdrive.

3.DisconnectthefrontWi-FiantennacablefromtheWi-Ficardmodule.

4.Removetheharddiskdriveassembly.See“Installingorremovingtheharddiskdriveassembly”on
page57

.

66ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

5.ReleasethefrontWi-Fiantennacablefromthehooksontheharddiskdrivebracket.Then,unstickthe
frontWi-Fiantennafromtheharddiskdrivebracket.

Figure57.RemovingthefrontWi-Fiantennacable

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage80.

InstallingorremovingtherearWi-Fiantenna

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev

ThissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoinstallorremovetherearWi-Fiantenna.

Note:TherearWi-Fiantennaisonlyavailableonsomemodels.

ToinstalltherearWi-Fiantenna,dothefollowing:

1.T urnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

2.InstalltherearWi-FiantennatotherearWi-Fiantennacableconnectorattachedontherearofthe

.

computer.

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware67

3.Adjusttheangleoftherearantennatolowertheriskofbreakingtheantennabyaccident.

Figure58.InstallingtherearWi-Fiantenna

ToremovetherearWi-Fiantenna,dothefollowing:

1.T urnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

2.StraightentherearWi-Fiantennasothatitcanbemoreeasilytwisted.

3.HoldthethickerendoftherearWi-FiantennaandunscrewtheWi-Fiantennafromtherearofthe
computer.

Figure59.RemovingtherearWi-Fiantenna

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage80.

68ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

Replacingtheinternalspeaker

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreplacetheinternalspeaker.

Toreplacetheinternalspeaker,dothefollowing:

1.T urnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage55.

3.Locatetheinternalspeakerinthecomputer.See“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage12.

4.Removetheharddiskdriveassembly.See“Installingorremovingtheharddiskdriveassembly”on
page57.

5.Disconnecttheinternalspeakercablefromthesystemboard..

6.Releasetheinternalspeakercablefromtheretainingcliponthesideofthethermalmodulebracket.

Figure60.Releasingtheinternalspeakercable

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware69

7.Pressthetab1thatsecurestheinternalspeakerasshownandthenlifttheinternalspeakeroutof
theinternalspeakerholder.

Figure61.Removingtheinternalspeaker

8.Pressthetab1asshownandinsertthenewinternalspeakerintotheinternalspeakerholderuntilthe
newinternalspeakersnapsintopositionandissecuredbythetab1.

Figure62.Installingtheinternalspeaker

70ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

9.Securethecableofthenewinternalspeakerintheretainingcliponthesideofthethermalmodule
bracket.

Figure63.Securingtheinternalspeakercable

10.Connectthecableofthenewinternalspeakertotheinternalspeakerconnectoronthesystemboard.
See“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage12.

11.Reinstalltheharddiskdriveassembly.See“Installingorremovingtheharddiskdriveassembly”
onpage57.

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage80.

Replacingthecoverpresenceswitch

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreplacethecoverpresenceswitch(alsoknownasintrusion
switch).

Toreplacethecoverpresenceswitch,dothefollowing:

1.T urnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage55.

3.Locatethecoverpresenceswitchinthecomputer.See“Locatingcomponents”onpage11.

4.Disconnectthecoverpresenceswitchcablefromthesystemboard.

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware71

5.Pullthecoverpresenceswitchtoremoveitfromtheheatsinkbracket.

Figure64.Removingthecoverpresenceswitch

6.Attachthenewcoverpresenceswitchtothethermalmodule.

Figure65.Installingthecoverpresenceswitch

7.Connectthecableofthenewcoverpresenceswitchtothecoverpresenceswitchconnectoronthe
systemboard.See“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage12.

72ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage80.

Replacingthesystemfan

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreplacethesystemfan.

CAUTION:
Hazardousmovingparts.Keepfingersandotherbodypartsaway.

Toreplacethesystemfan,dothefollowing:

1.T urnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage55.

3.Locatethesystemfaninthecomputer.See“Locatingcomponents”onpage11.

4.Disconnectthesystemfancablefromthesystemboard.

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware73

5.Removethethreescrewsthatsecurethesystemfantothethermalmodule,andthenliftthesystem
fantoremoveitfromthecomputer.

Figure66.Removingthesystemfan

74ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

6.Positionthenewsystemfanonthechassissothatthethreescrewholesinthenewsystemfanare
alignedwiththescrewpostsonthethermalmodule.Then,installthethreescrewstosecurethe
systemfantothecomputer.

Figure67.Installingthesystemfan

7.Connectthecableofthenewsystemfantothesystemfanconnectoronthesystemboard.See
“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage12.

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage80.

Replacingthethermalmodule

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreplacethethermalmodule.

CAUTION:

Thethermalmodulemightbeveryhot.Beforeyouopenthecomputercover,turnoffthecomputer
andwaitseveralminutesuntilthecomputeriscool.

Toreplacethethermalmodule,dothefollowing:

1.T urnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage55.

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware75

3.Locatethethermalmoduleinthecomputer.See“Locatingcomponents”onpage11.

4.Removetheinternalspeaker.See“Replacingtheinternalspeaker”onpage69.

5.Removethecoverpresenceswitch.See“Replacingthecoverpresenceswitch”onpage71.

6.Removethesystemfan.See“Locatingcomponents”onpage11.

7.Followthefollowingsequencetoremovethefourscrewsthatsecurethethermalmoduletothesystem
board:

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

Notes:

•Carefullyremovethefourscrewsfromthesystemboardtoavoidanypossibledamagetothesystem

board.Thefourscrewscannotberemovedfromthethermalmodule.

•Donottouchthethermalgreasewhilehandlingthethermalmodule.

Figure68.Removingthethermalmodule

76ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

8.installthenewthermalmoduleintothechassisasshown.Ensurethatthefourscrewsonthenew
thermalmodulearealignedwithcorrespondingholesinthesystemboard.

Figure69.Positioningthenewthermalmodule

9.Followtheclockwisesequenceof2,4,1,and3toinstallthefourscrewstosecurethenewthermal
module.Donotover-tightenthescrews.

10.Reinstallthecoverpresenceswitch.See“Replacingthecoverpresenceswitch”onpage71.

11.Reinstalltheinternalspeaker.See“Replacingtheinternalspeaker”onpage69.

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage80.

Replacingthemicroprocessor

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreplacethemicroprocessor.

CAUTION:

Thethermalmodulemightbeveryhot.Beforeyouopenthecomputercover,turnoffthecomputer
andwaitseveralminutesuntilthecomputeriscool.

Toreplacethemicroprocessor,dothefollowing:

1.T urnoffthecomputeranddisconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.

2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage55.

3.Removethethermalmodule.See“Replacingthethermalmodule”onpage75.

Note:Placethethermalmoduleonitssidesothatthethermalgreaseonthebottomofitdoesnot
getincontactwithanything.

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware77

4.Liftthesmallhandle1andopentheretainer2toaccessthemicroprocessor3.

Figure70.Accessingthemicroprocessor

5.Liftthemicroprocessorstraightupandoutofthemicroprocessorsocket.

Notes:

•Yourmicroprocessorandsocketmightlookdifferentfromtheoneillustrated.

•Touchonlytheedgesofthemicroprocessor.Donottouchthegoldcontactsonthebottom.

•Donotdropanythingontothemicroprocessorsocketwhileitisexposed.Thesocketpinsmustbe
keptascleanaspossible.

Figure71.Removingthemicroprocessor

6.Ensurethatthesmallhandleisintheraisedpositionandthemicroprocessorretainerisfullyopen.

7.Removetheprotectivecoverthatprotectsthegoldcontactsofthenewmicroprocessor.

78ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

8.Notetheorientationofthenewmicroprocessor.Holdthenewmicroprocessorbyitsedgesandalign
thenotches

1onitwiththetabs2inthemicroprocessorsocket.Then,carefullylowerthenew

microprocessorstraightdownintothemicroprocessorsocket.

Note:Thesmalltriangle3ononecornerofthenewmicroprocessoristhemicroprocessororientation
indicator.Thenewmicroprocessorisinthecorrectorientationwhenthisindicatorpointstothebeveled
corner4ofthemicroprocessorsocket.

Figure72.Installingthemicroprocessor

9.Closethemicroprocessorretainerandlockitintopositionwiththesmallhandletosecurethenew
microprocessorinthesocket.

10.Reinstallthethermalmodule.See“Replacingthethermalmodule”onpage75.

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

•Tocompletethereplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage80

.

Replacingthekeyboardormouse

Attention:

Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Importantsafetyinformation”
onpagev.

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreplacethekeyboardormouse.

Toreplacethekeyboardormouse,dothefollowing:

1.Disconnecttheoldkeyboardcableormousecablefromthecomputer.

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware79

2.ConnectanewkeyboardormousetooneoftheUSBconnectorsonthecomputer.Dependingonwhere
youwanttoconnectthenewkeyboardormouse,see“Locatingconnectors,controls,andindicatorson
thefrontofyourcomputer”onpage7or“Locatingconnectorsontherearofyourcomputer”onpage9.

Figure73.ConnectingtheUSBkeyboardormouse

Whattodonext:

•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.

•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage80.

Completingthepartsreplacement

Aftercompletingtheinstallationorreplacementforallparts,youneedtoreinstallthecomputercoverand
reconnectcables.Dependingonthepartsyouinstalledorreplaced,youmightneedtoconfirmtheupdated
informationintheSetupUtilityprogram.RefertoChapter7“UsingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage93

.

Toreinstallthecomputercoverandreconnectcablestoyourcomputer,dothefollowing:

1.Ensurethatallcomponentshavebeenreassembledcorrectlyandthatnotoolsorloosescrewsareleft
insideyourcomputer.See“Locatingcomponents”onpage11
inyourcomputer.

2.Beforereinstallingthecomputercover,ensurethatthecablesareroutedcorrectly.Keepcablesclearof
thehingesandsidesofthecomputerchassistoavoidinterferencewithreinstallingthecomputercover.

forthelocationsofvariouscomponents

80ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

3.Positionthecomputercoveronthechassisandthenpushthecovertotherearofthecomputeruntil
itsnapsintoposition.

Figure74.Installingthecomputercover

Chapter5.Installingorreplacinghardware81

4.Installthescrewtosecurethecomputercover.

Figure75.Installingthecomputercoverscrew

5.IfthereisaKensington-stylecablelockavailable,lockthecomputer.See“AttachingaKensington-style
cablelock”onpage30

6.Reconnecttheexternalcablesandpowercordstothecomputer.See“Locatingconnectorsontherear
ofyourcomputer”onpage9.

7.T oupdateyourconfiguration,refertoChapter7“UsingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage93.

.

Note:Inmostareasoftheworld,LenovorequiresthereturnofthedefectiveCustomerReplaceableUnit
(CRU).InformationaboutthiswillcomewiththeCRUorwillcomeafewdaysaftertheCRUarrives.

Obtainingdevicedrivers

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

82ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

Chapter6.Recoveryinformation

ThischapterprovidesinformationabouttherecoverysolutionsprovidedbyLenovo.

•“RecoveryinformationfortheWindows7operatingsystem”onpage83

•“RecoveryinformationfortheWindows8orWindows8.1operatingsystem”onpage89

•“RecoveryinformationfortheWindows10operatingsystem”onpage90

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

83

Creatingrecoverymedia

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtocreaterecoverymedia.

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”onpage88.

Performingbackupandrecoveryoperations

TheRescueandRecoveryprogramenablesyoutobackupallyourharddiskdrivecontentsincludingthe
operatingsystem,datafiles,softwareprograms,andpersonalsettings.Youcandesignatewherethe
RescueandRecoveryprogramstoresthebackup:

•Inaprotectedareaofyourharddiskdrive

•Onthesecondaryharddiskdriveifasecondaryharddiskdriveisinstalledinyourcomputer

•OnanattachedexternalUSBharddiskdrive

•Onanetworkdrive

•Onrecordablediscs(arecordableopticaldriveisrequiredforthisoption)

Afteryouhavebackedupthecontentsoftheharddiskdrive,youcanrestorethecompletecontentsofthe
harddiskdrive,restoreselectedfilesonly,orrestoretheWindowsoperatingsystemandapplicationsonly
whilekeepingtheotherdataonyourharddiskdrive.

Performingabackupoperation

ThissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoperformabackupoperationusingtheRescueandRecovery
program.

ToperformabackupoperationusingtheRescueandRecoveryprogramontheWindows7operating
system,dothefollowing:

84ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

1.FromtheWindowsdesktop,clickStart➙AllPrograms➙LenovoThinkVantageTools➙Enhanced
BackupandRestore.TheRescueandRecoveryprogramopens.

2.IntheRescueandRecoverymainwindow,clicktheLaunchadvancedRescueandRecoveryarrow.

3.ClickBackupyourharddriveandselectbackupoperationoptions.Then,followtheinstructionson
thescreentocompletethebackupoperation.

Performingarecoveryoperation

ThissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoperformarecoveryoperationusingtheRescueandRecovery
program.

ToperformarecoveryoperationusingtheRescueandRecoveryprogramontheWindows7operating
system,dothefollowing:

1.FromtheWindowsdesktop,clickStart➙AllPrograms➙LenovoThinkVantageTools➙Enhanced
BackupandRestore.TheRescueandRecoveryprogramopens.

2.IntheRescueandRecoverymainwindow,clicktheLaunchadvancedRescueandRecoveryarrow.

3.ClicktheRestoreyoursystemfromabackupicon.

4.Followtheinstructionsonthescreentocompletetherecoveryoperation.

FormoreinformationaboutperformingarecoveryoperationfromtheRescueandRecoveryworkspace,see
“UsingtheRescueandRecoveryworkspace”onpage85.

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.Recoveryinformation85

2.T urnonyourcomputer.Whenyouseethelogoscreen,pressEnter,andthenpressF11toenterthe
RescueandRecoveryworkspace.

3.IfyouhavesetaRescueandRecoverypassword,typeyourpasswordwhenprompted.TheRescue
andRecoveryworkspaceopensafterashortdelay.

Note:IftheRescueandRecoveryworkspacefailstoopen,see“Solvingrecoveryproblems”onpage88

4.Dooneofthefollowing:

•Torescuefilesfromyourharddiskdrive,clickRescuefilesandfollowtheinstructionsonthescreen.

•TorestoreyourharddiskdrivefromaRescueandRecoverybackuportorestoreyourharddiskdrive

tothefactorydefaultsettings,clickFullRestoreandfollowtheinstructionsonthescreen.

FormoreinformationaboutthefeaturesoftheRescueandRecoveryworkspace,clickHelp.

Note:Afterrestoringyourharddiskdrivetothefactorydefaultstate,youmighthavetoreinstalldevice
driversforsomedevices.See“Reinstallingdevicedrivers”onpage88.

Creatingandusingarescuemedium

Witharescuemedium,suchasadiscoraUSBharddiskdrive,youcanrecoverthecomputerfromfailures
thatpreventyoufromgainingaccesstotheRescueandRecoveryworkspaceonyourharddiskdrive.

Notes:

•Therecoveryoperationsyoucanperformusingarescuemediumvarydependingontheoperatingsystem.

•Therescuedisccanbestartedinalltypesofopticaldrives.

Creatingarescuemedium

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtocreatearescuemedium.

.

TocreatearescuemediumontheWindows7operatingsystem,dothefollowing:

1.FromtheWindowsdesktop,clickStart➙AllPrograms➙LenovoThinkVantageTools➙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.

86ThinkCentreM73UserGuide

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.GototheC:\SWTOOL Sdirectory.

3.Opentheappsfolder.Withintheappsfolder,thereareseveralsubfoldersnamedforvariousapplications
installedinyourcomputer.

4.Opentheappropriateapplicationsubfolder.

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

Reinstallingpreinstalleddevicedrivers

Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoreinstallpreinstalleddevicedrivers.

Attention:Whenyoureinstalldevicedrivers,youarechangingthecurrentconfigurationofyourcomputer.
Reinstalldevicedriversonlywhenitisnecessarytocorrectaproblemwithyourcomputer.

Toreinstallthedevicedriverforafactory-installeddevice,dothefollowing:

1.T urnonthecomputer.

2.GototheC:\SWTOOL Sdirectory.

3.OpentheDRIVERSfolder.WithintheDRIVERSfolder,thereareseveralsubfoldersnamedforvarious
devicesinstalledinyourcomputer,suchasAUDIOorVIDEO.

4.Opentheappropriatedevicesubfolder.

5.Dooneofthefollowing:

•Inthedevicesubfolder,lookforaSETUP.exefile.Double-clickthefileandfollowtheinstructionson

thescreentocompletetheinstallation.

•Inthedevicesubfolder,lookforaREADME.txtfileorafilewiththe.txtextension.Thisfilemightbe

namedaftertheoperatingsystem,suchasWIN98.txt.TheTXTfilecontainsinformationabouthowto
installthedevicedriver.Followtheinstructionstocompletetheinstallation.

•Ifthedevicesubfoldercontainsafilewiththe.infextensionandyouwanttoinstallthedevicedriver

usingtheINFfile,refertoyourWindowshelpsystemfordetailedinformationabouthowtoinstall
thedevicedriver.

Note:Ifyouneedupdateddevicedrivers,see“Gettingthelatestdevicedriversforyourcomputer”on
page101

formoreinformation.

Chapter6.Recoveryinformation87

Reinstallingsoftwareprograms

Ifasoftwareprogramyouinstalledonyourcomputerisnotworkingcorrectly,youmightneedtoremove
andreinstallit.Reinstallingoverwritestheexistingprogramsfilesandusuallyfixesanyproblemsthat
youmighthavehadwiththatprogram.

Toremoveaprograminyoursystem,seeMicrosoftWindowshelpsystemfordetailedinformation.

Toreinstalltheprogram,dooneofthefollowing:

Note:Themethodofreinstallingaprogramvariesfromprogramtoprogram.Refertothedocumentation
providedwiththeprogramtoseeifyourprogramhasspecialinstallationinstructions.

•Toreinstallmostcommerciallyavailableprogramsinyoursystem,seeMicrosoftWindowshelpsystem
formoreinformation.

•ToreinstallselectedapplicationprogramsthatcamepreinstalledfromLenovo,dothefollowing:

1.T urnonthecomputer.

2.GototheC:\SWTOOL Sdirectory.

3.OpentheAPPSfolder.WithintheAPPSfolder,thereareseveralsubfoldersnamedforvarious
applicationsinstalledinyourcomputer.

4.Opentheappropriateapplicationsubfolder.

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

Reinstallingdevicedrivers

Toreinstalladevicedriverforanoptionyouinstalled,refertothedocumentationthatcomeswiththeoption.

Whenyoureinstalldevicedrivers,youarechangingthecurrentconfigurationofyourcomputer.Reinstall
devicedriversonlywhenitisnecessarytocorrectaproblemwithyourcomputer.

Formoreinformationaboutreinstallingdevicedriversthatcamewithyourcomputer,see“Reinstalling
preinstalledapplicationsanddevicedrivers”onpage87.

Solvingrecoveryproblems

IfyouareunabletoaccesstheRescueandRecoveryworkspaceortheWindowsenvironment,doone
ofthefollowing:

•UsearescuemediumtostarttheRescueandRecoveryworkspace.See“Creatingandusingarescue
medium”onpage86.

•Userecoverymediaifallothermethodsofrecoveryhavefailedandyouneedtorestoretheharddisk
drivetothefactorydefaultsettings.See“Creatingandusingrecoverymedia”onpage83.

Note:IfyouareunabletoaccesstheRescueandRecoveryworkspaceortheWindowsenvironmentfrom
arescuemediumorrecoverymedia,youmightnothavetherescuedevice(aninternalharddiskdrive,a
disc,aUSBharddiskdrive,orotherexternaldevices)setasthefirstbootdeviceinthestartupdevice
sequence.Youmustfirstmakesurethatyourrescuedeviceissetasthefirstbootdeviceinthestartup
devicesequenceintheSetupUtilityprogram.See“Selectingastartupdevice”onpage96
informationabouttemporarilyorpermanentlychangingthestartupdevicesequence.Formoreinformation
abouttheSetupUtilityprogram,seeChapter7“UsingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage93.

fordetailed

Itisimportanttocreatearescuemediumandasetofrecoverymediaasearlyaspossibleandstorethem
inasafeplaceforfutureuse.

88ThinkCentreM73UserGuide