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ThinkCentreM79 
UserGuide
MachineTypes:10CT,10CU,10CV,10CW,10J9,10JA,10JB,and 
10JC
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Note:Beforeusingthisinformationandtheproductitsupports,besuretoreadandunderstandthe“Read 
thisfirst:Importantsafetyinformation”onpagev
andAppendixF“Notices”onpage131.
FourthEdition(May2016)
©CopyrightLenovo2014,2016.
LIMITEDANDRESTRICTEDRIGHTSNOTICE:IfdataorsoftwareisdeliveredpursuanttoaGeneralServices 
Administration“GSA”contract,use,reproduction,ordisclosureissubjecttorestrictionssetforthinContractNo. 
GS-35F-05925.
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Contents
Readthisfirst:Importantsafety
information...............v
Beforeusingthismanual............v
Serviceandupgrades.............v
Staticelectricityprevention...........vi
Powercordsandpoweradapters........vi
Extensioncordsandrelateddevices......vii
Plugsandoutlets..............vii
Externaldevices..............vii
Heatandproductventilation.........vii
Operatingenvironment...........viii
Lasercompliancestatement.........viii
Powersupplystatement............ix
Cleaningandmaintenance...........ix
Chapter1.Productoverview......1
Locations..................1
Locatingconnectors,controls,andindicators
onthefrontofyourcomputer........2
Locatingconnectorsontherearofyour
computer................3
Locatingcomponents...........5
Locatingpartsonthesystemboard.....6
Locatinginternaldrives..........7
Locatingthemachinetypeandmodellabel..8
Features..................8
Specifications...............12
Lenovoprograms.............12
Accessingaprogramonyourcomputer...12
AnintroductiontoLenovoprograms....13
Chapter2.Usingyourcomputer...17
UsingWindowsshortcutkeys.........17
Usingthewheelmouse...........17
Settingthecomputervolume.........18
AddinganicontotheWindowsnotificationarea.18
Usingadisc................18
Usingtheopticaldrive..........18
Handlingandstoringadisc........19
Playingandremovingadisc.......19
Recordingadisc............19
NavigatingamongscreensontheWindows8.1
operatingsystem..............20
AccessingControlPanelontheWindows8.1
operatingsystem..............21
Frequentlyaskedquestions.........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
Lockingthecomputercover.........29
AttachingaKensington-stylecablelock.....31
Preventingunauthorizedaccesstoyour
computer.................31
Usingfingerprintauthentication........32
Usingandunderstandingfirewalls.......32
Protectingdataagainstviruses........32
Chapter5.Advancedconfiguration..33
UsingtheSetupUtilityprogram........33
StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram.....33
Viewingandchangingsettings......33
UsingBIOSpasswords.........34
Enablingordisablingadevice.......35
Selectingastartupdevice........36
EnablingErPLPScompliancemode....36
ICEperformancemode.........37
ICEthermalalert............37
ExitingtheSetupUtilityprogram......38
UpdatingorrecoveringtheBIOS.......38
Usingsystemprograms.........38
UpdatingtheBIOS...........39
RecoveringfromaBIOSupdatefailure...39
Chapter6.Preventingproblems...41
Keepingyourcomputercurrent........41
Gettingthelatestdevicedriversforyour
computer...............41
Gettingthelatestsystemupdates.....41
Cleaningandmaintenance..........41
Basics................42
Cleaningyourcomputer.........42
Goodmaintenancepractices.......43
Movingyourcomputer...........44
©CopyrightLenovo2014,2016
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Chapter7.T roubleshootingand
diagnostics..............45
Basictroubleshooting............45
Troubleshootingprocedure..........46
Troubleshooting..............46
Audioproblems............47
CDproblems.............47
DVDproblems.............48
Intermittentproblems..........49
Harddiskdriveproblems.........49
Problemswiththekeyboardormouse...50
Monitorproblems............51
Networkingproblems..........52
Ihaveconnectedanoptiontomycomputer,
butitdoesnotwork...........54
Performanceandlockupproblems.....54
Theprinterdoesnotwork........55
Serialconnectorcannotbeaccessed....55
Softwareproblems...........55
MyUSBconnectorscannotbeaccessed..56
Diagnostics................57
LenovoSolutionCenter.........57
Chapter8.Recoveryinformation...59
RecoveryinformationfortheWindows7operating
system..................59
Creatingandusingrecoverymedia.....59
Performingbackupandrecoveryoperations.60
Creatingandusingarescuemedium....62
Reinstallingprogramsanddevicedrivers..62
Solvingrecoveryproblems........64
RecoveryinformationfortheWindows8.1
operatingsystem..............64
Refreshingyourcomputer........64
Resettingyourcomputertothefactory-default
settings................64
Usingtheadvancedstartupoptions....65
RecoveringyouroperatingsystemifWindows
8.1failstostart.............65
RecoveryinformationfortheWindows10operating
system..................65
Chapter9.Installingorreplacing
hardware...............67
Handlingstatic-sensitivedevices.......67
Installingorreplacinghardware........67
Installingexternaloptions........67
Removingthecomputercover.......67
Removingandreinstallingthefrontbezel..68 
Accessingthesystemboardcomponentsand
drives................70
Installingorreplacingamemorymodule...71
InstallingorreplacingaPCIcard......73
Replacingthebattery..........75
Replacingtheharddiskdrive.......76
Replacingthesolid-statedrive......78
Installingorreplacingtheopticaldrive...83
Replacingtheslimcardreader......86
Replacingtheheatsinkandfanassembly..88 
Replacingthepowersupplyassembly...91
Replacingthemicroprocessor.......94
ReplacingthefrontaudioandUSB
assembly...............97
Replacingthesystemfanassembly....98
Replacingthethermalsensor.......99
InstallingorremovingthefrontWi-Fi
antenna...............101
InstallingorremovingtherearWi-Fi
antenna...............103
ReplacingtheWi-Fiunits.........105
Replacingthekeyboardormouse.....109
Completingthepartsreplacement.....110
Chapter10.Gettinginformation,help,
andservice.............113
Informationresources............113
Windowshelpsystem..........113
SafetyandWarranty...........113
LenovoWebsite............113
LenovoSupportWebsite.........114
Helpandservice..............114
Usingthedocumentationanddiagnostic
program...............114
Callingforservice............114
Usingotherservices..........115
Purchasingadditionalservices......115
AppendixA.Regulatory
information.............117
Exportclassificationnotice..........117
Electronicemissionsnotices.........117
FederalCommunicationsCommission
DeclarationofConformity........117
Eurasiancompliancemark..........119
Brazilaudionotice.............119
Mexicowireless-radiocomplianceinformation..120
Additionalregulatoryinformation.......120
AppendixB.WEEEandrecycling
information.............121
ImportantWEEEinformation.........121
RecyclinginformationforJapan........121
RecyclinginformationforBrazil........122
BatteryrecyclinginformationforTaiwan.....122
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BatteryrecyclinginformationfortheEuropean
Union..................123
AppendixC.RestrictionofHazardous
Substances(RoHS)Directive....125
EuropeanUnionRoHS...........125
TurkishRoHS...............125
UkraineRoHS...............125
IndiaRoHS................125
ChinaRoHS................126
TaiwanRoHS...............126
AppendixD.ChinaEnergyLabel..127
AppendixE.ENERGYSTARmodel
information.............129
AppendixF .Notices.........131
Trademarks................132
Index.................133
©CopyrightLenovo2014,2016
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ivThinkCentreM79UserGuide
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Readthisfirst:Importantsafetyinformation
Thischaptercontainsthesafetyinformationthatyoumustbefamiliarwith.
Beforeusingthismanual
CAUTION: 
Beforeusingthismanual,besuretoreadandunderstandalltherelatedsafetyinformationforthis 
product.RefertotheinformationinthissectionandthesafetyinformationintheSafety,Warranty,and 
SetupGuidethatyoureceivedwiththisproduct.Readingandunderstandingthissafetyinformation 
reducestheriskofpersonalinjuryanddamagetoyourproduct.
IfyounolongerhaveacopyoftheSafety,Warranty,andSetupGuide,youcanobtainaPortableDocument 
Format(PDF)versionfromtheLenovo 
LenovoSupportWebsitealsoprovidestheSafety,Warranty,andSetupGuideandthisUserGuidein 
additionallanguages.
®
SupportWebsiteathttp://www.lenovo.com/UserManuals.The
Serviceandupgrades
DonotattempttoserviceaproductyourselfunlessinstructedtodosobytheCustomerSupportCenteror 
yourdocumentation.OnlyuseaServiceProviderwhoisapprovedtorepairyourparticularproduct.
Note:Somecomputerpartscanbeupgradedorreplacedbythecustomer.Upgradestypicallyare 
referredtoasoptions.ReplacementpartsapprovedforcustomerinstallationarereferredtoasCustomer 
ReplaceableUnits,orCRUs.Lenovoprovidesdocumentationwithinstructionswhenitisappropriatefor 
customerstoinstalloptionsorreplaceCRUs.Youmustcloselyfollowallinstructionswheninstallingor 
replacingparts.TheOffstateofapowerindicatordoesnotnecessarilymeanthatvoltagelevelsinsidea 
productarezero.Beforeyouremovethecoversfromaproductequippedwithapowercord,alwaysensure 
thatthepoweristurnedoffandthattheproductisunpluggedfromanypowersource.Formoreinformation 
onCRUs,refertoChapter9“Installingorreplacinghardware”onpage67 
concerns,contacttheCustomerSupportCenter.
Althoughtherearenomovingpartsinyourcomputerafterthepowercordhasbeendisconnected,the 
followingwarningsarerequiredforyoursafety.
CAUTION:
.Ifyouhaveanyquestionsor
Hazardousmovingparts.Keepfingersandotherbodypartsaway.
CAUTION:
BeforereplacinganyCRUs,turnoffthecomputerandwaitthreetofiveminutestoletthecomputer 
coolbeforeopeningthecover.
©CopyrightLenovo2014,2016
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Staticelectricityprevention
Staticelectricity,althoughharmlesstoyou,canseriouslydamagecomputercomponentsandoptions. 
Improperhandlingofstatic-sensitivepartscancausedamagetothepart.Whenyouunpackanoption 
orCRU,donotopenthestatic-protectivepackagecontainingthepartuntiltheinstructionsdirectyou 
toinstallit.
WhenyouhandleoptionsorCRUs,orperformanyworkinsidethecomputer,takethefollowingprecautions 
toavoidstatic-electricitydamage:
•Limityourmovement.Movementcancausestaticelectricitytobuilduparoundyou.
•Alwayshandlecomponentscarefully.Handleadapters,memorymodules,andothercircuitboardsbythe 
edges.Nevertouchexposedcircuitry.
•Preventothersfromtouchingcomponents.
•Whenyouinstallastatic-sensitiveoptionorCRU,touchthestatic-protectivepackagecontainingthe 
parttoametalexpansion-slotcoverorotherunpaintedmetalsurfaceonthecomputerforatleasttwo 
seconds.Thisreducesstaticelectricityinthepackageandyourbody.
•Whenpossible,removethestatic-sensitivepartfromthestatic-protectivepackagingandinstallthepart 
withoutsettingitdown.Whenthisisnotpossible,placethestatic-protectivepackagingonasmooth, 
levelsurfaceandplacethepartonit.
•Donotplacethepartonthecomputercoverorothermetalsurface.
Powercordsandpoweradapters
Useonlythepowercordsandpoweradapterssuppliedbytheproductmanufacturer.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
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Extensioncordsandrelateddevices
Ensurethatextensioncords,surgeprotectors,uninterruptiblepowersupplies,andpowerstripsthatyouuse 
areratedtohandletheelectricalrequirementsoftheproduct.Neveroverloadthesedevices.Ifpowerstrips 
areused,theloadshouldnotexceedthepowerstripinputrating.Consultanelectricianformoreinformation 
ifyouhavequestionsaboutpowerloads,powerrequirements,andinputratings.
Plugsandoutlets
Ifareceptacle(poweroutlet)thatyouintendtousewithyourcomputerequipmentappearstobedamaged 
orcorroded,donotusetheoutletuntilitisreplacedbyaqualifiedelectrician.
Donotbendormodifytheplug.Iftheplugisdamaged,contactthemanufacturertoobtainareplacement.
Donotshareanelectricaloutletwithotherhomeorcommercialappliancesthatdrawlargeamountsof 
electricity;otherwise,unstablevoltagemightdamageyourcomputer,data,orattacheddevices.
Someproductsareequippedwithathree-prongedplug.Thisplugfitsonlyintoagroundedelectricaloutlet. 
Thisisasafetyfeature.Donotdefeatthissafetyfeaturebytryingtoinsertitintoanon-groundedoutlet.If 
youcannotinserttheplugintotheoutlet,contactanelectricianforanapprovedoutletadapterortoreplace 
theoutletwithonethatenablesthissafetyfeature.Neveroverloadanelectricaloutlet.Theoverallsystem 
loadshouldnotexceed80percentofthebranchcircuitrating.Consultanelectricianformoreinformation 
ifyouhavequestionsaboutpowerloadsandbranchcircuitratings.
Besurethatthepoweroutletyouareusingisproperlywired,easilyaccessible,andlocatedclosetothe 
equipment.Donotfullyextendpowercordsinawaythatwillstressthecords.
Besurethatthepoweroutletprovidesthecorrectvoltageandcurrentfortheproductyouareinstalling.
Carefullyconnectanddisconnecttheequipmentfromtheelectricaloutlet.
Externaldevices
DonotconnectordisconnectanyexternaldevicecablesotherthanUniversalSerialBus(USB)cableswhile 
thecomputerpowerison;otherwise,youmightdamageyourcomputer.Toavoidpossibledamageto 
attacheddevices,waitatleastfivesecondsafterthecomputerisshutdowntodisconnectexternaldevices.
Heatandproductventilation
Computers,poweradapters,andmanyaccessoriescangenerateheatwhenturnedonandwhenbatteries 
arecharging.Alwaysfollowthesebasicprecautions:
•Donotleaveyourcomputer,poweradapter,oraccessoriesincontactwithyourlaporanypartofyour 
bodyforanextendedperiodwhentheproductsarefunctioningorwhenthebatteryischarging.Your 
computer,poweradapter,andmanyaccessoriesproducesomeheatduringnormaloperation.Extended 
contactwiththebodycouldcausediscomfortor,potentially,askinburn.
•Donotchargethebatteryoroperateyourcomputer,poweradapter,oraccessoriesnearflammable 
materialsorinexplosiveenvironments.
•Ventilationslots,fans,andheatsinksareprovidedwiththeproductforsafety,comfort,andreliable 
operation.Thesefeaturesmightinadvertentlybecomeblockedbyplacingtheproductonabed,sofa, 
carpet,orotherflexiblesurface.Neverblock,cover,ordisablethesefeatures.
©CopyrightLenovo2014,2016
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Inspectyourdesktopcomputerfordustaccumulationatleastonceeverythreemonths.Beforeinspecting 
yourcomputer,turnoffthepowerandunplugthecomputer'spowercordfromtheelectricaloutlet;then 
removeanydustfromventsandperforationsinthebezel.Ifyounoticeexternaldustaccumulation,then 
examineandremovedustfromtheinsideofthecomputerincludingheatsinkinletfins,powersupplyvents, 
andfans.Alwaysturnoffandunplugthecomputerbeforeopeningthecover.Ifpossible,avoidoperating 
yourcomputerwithintwofeetofhigh-trafficareas.Ifyoumustoperateyourcomputerinornearahigh-traffic 
area,inspectand,ifnecessary,cleanyourcomputermorefrequently.
Foryoursafetyandtomaintainoptimumcomputerperformance,alwaysfollowthesebasicprecautions 
withyourdesktopcomputer:
•Keepthecoverclosedwheneverthecomputerispluggedin.
•Regularlyinspecttheoutsideofthecomputerfordustaccumulation.
•Removedustfromventsandanyperforationsinthebezel.Morefrequentcleaningsmightberequiredfor 
computersindustyorhigh-trafficareas.
•Donotrestrictorblockanyventilationopenings.
•Donotstoreoroperateyourcomputerinsidefurniture,asthismightincreasetheriskofoverheating.
•Airflowtemperaturesintothecomputershouldnotexceed35°C(95°F).
•Donotinstallairfiltrationdevices.Theymayinterferewithpropercooling.
Operatingenvironment
Theoptimalenvironmentinwhichtouseyourcomputeris10°C–35°C(50°F–95°F)withhumidityranging 
between35%and80%.Ifyourcomputerisstoredortransportedintemperatureslessthan10°C(50°F), 
allowthecoldcomputertoriseslowlytoanoptimaloperatingtemperatureof10°C–35°C(50°F–95°F)before 
use.Thisprocesscouldtaketwohoursinextremeconditions.Failuretoallowyourcomputertorisetoan 
optimaloperatingtemperaturebeforeusecouldresultinirreparabledamagetoyourcomputer.
Ifpossible,placeyourcomputerinawell-ventilatedanddryareawithoutdirectexposuretosunshine.
Keepelectricalappliancessuchasanelectricfan,radio,high-poweredspeakers,airconditioner,and 
microwaveovenawayfromyourcomputerbecausethestrongmagneticfieldsgeneratedbythese 
appliancescandamagethemonitoranddataontheharddiskdrive.
Donotplaceanybeveragesontopoforbesidethecomputerorotherattacheddevices.Ifliquidisspilledon 
orinthecomputeroranattacheddevice,ashortcircuitorotherdamagemightoccur.
Donoteatorsmokeoveryourkeyboard.Particlesthatfallintoyourkeyboardcancausedamage.
Lasercompliancestatement
CAUTION: 
Whenlaserproducts(suchasCD-ROMs,DVDdrives,fiberopticdevices,ortransmitters)are 
installed,notethefollowing:
•Donotremovethecovers.Removingthecoversofthelaserproductcouldresultinexposureto 
hazardouslaserradiation.Therearenoserviceablepartsinsidethedevice.
•Useofcontrolsoradjustmentsorperformanceofproceduresotherthanthosespecifiedherein 
mightresultinhazardousradiationexposure.
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DANGER
SomelaserproductscontainanembeddedClass3AorClass3Blaserdiode.Notethefollowing:
Laserradiationwhenopen.Donotstareintothebeam,donotviewdirectlywithoptical 
instruments,andavoiddirectexposuretothebeam.
Powersupplystatement
Neverremovethecoveronapowersupplyoranypartthathasthefollowinglabelattached.
Hazardousvoltage,current,andenergylevelsarepresentinsideanycomponentthathasthislabelattached. 
Therearenoserviceablepartsinsidethesecomponents.Ifyoususpectaproblemwithoneoftheseparts, 
contactaservicetechnician.
Cleaningandmaintenance
Keepyourcomputerandworkspaceclean.Shutdownthecomputerandthendisconnectthepower 
cordbeforecleaningthecomputer.Donotsprayanyliquiddetergentdirectlyonthecomputeroruse 
anydetergentcontainingflammablematerialtocleanthecomputer.Spraythedetergentonasoftcloth 
andthenwipethecomputersurfaces.
©CopyrightLenovo2014,2016
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xThinkCentreM79UserGuide
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Chapter1.Productoverview
Thischapterprovidesthefollowinginformation:
•Locationsofconnectors
•Locationsofcomponents
•Locationsofpartsonthesystemboard
•Locationsofinternaldrives
•Computerfeatures
•SoftwareprogramsprovidedbyLenovo
Locations
Thissectionprovidesthefollowingtopics:
•“Locatingconnectors,controls,andindicatorsonthefrontofyourcomputer”onpage2
•“Locatingconnectorsontherearofyourcomputer”onpage3
•“Locatingcomponents”onpage5
•“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage6
•“Locatinginternaldrives”onpage7
•“Locatingthemachinetypeandmodellabel”onpage8
Note:Thecomponentsinyourcomputermightlookslightlydifferentfromtheillustrations.
©CopyrightLenovo2014,2016
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Locatingconnectors,controls,andindicatorsonthefrontofyour
computer
Thefollowingillustrationshowsthelocationsoftheconnectors,controls,andindicatorsonthefrontofyour 
computer.
Figure1.Frontconnector,control,andindicatorlocations
1Opticaldriveeject/closebutton
3Powerindicator4Harddiskdriveactivityindicator
5USB2.0connector(USBconnector2)
7Headphoneconnector
2Powerbutton
6Microphoneconnector
8USB2.0connector(USBconnector1)
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Locatingconnectorsontherearofyourcomputer
Thefollowingillustrationshowsthelocationsoftheconnectorsontherearofyourcomputer.Some 
connectorsontherearofyourcomputerarecolor-codedtohelpyoudeterminewheretoconnectthe 
cablesonyourcomputer.
Figure2.Rearconnectorlocations
1Powercordconnector
3PS/2keyboardconnector(availableonsome
2PS/2mouseconnector(availableonsomemodels)
4DisplayPort
®
connector
models)
5VGAconnector6USB3.0connectors(2)
7USB2.0connectors(2)
8Microphoneconnector
9Audioline-outconnector10Audioline-inconnector
11PCI/PCIExpresscardarea(differentcards
12Ethernetconnector
providedifferentconnectors)
13Security-lockslot14Serialconnector
15Padlockloop
Note:Adiscretegraphicscard,anetworkinterfacecard,oranaudiocardcanbeinstalledintheappropriate 
PCIorPCIExpresscardslot.Ifsuchacardisinstalled,ensurethatyouusetheconnectorsonthecard 
insteadofthecorrespondingconnectorsonthecomputer.
Chapter1.Productoverview3
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ConnectorDescription
Audioline-inconnector
Audioline-outconnector
DisplayPortconnector
Ethernetconnector
Microphoneconnector
PS/2keyboardconnector 
(availableonsomemodels)
PS/2mouseconnector 
(availableonsomemodels)
Serialconnector
USB2.0connectorUsedtoattachadevicethatrequiresaUSB2.0connection,suchasakeyboard,a
USB3.0connectorUsedtoattachadevicethatrequiresaUSB2.0or3.0connection,suchasa
VGAconnectorUsedtoattachaVGAmonitororotherdevicesthatuseaVideoGraphicsArray
Usedtoreceiveaudiosignalsfromanexternalaudiodevice,suchasastereo 
system.Whenyouattachanexternalaudiodevice,acableisconnectedbetween 
theaudioline-outconnectorofthedeviceandtheaudioline-inconnectorofthe 
computer.
Usedtosendaudiosignalsfromthecomputertoexternaldevices,suchaspowered 
stereospeakers(speakerswithbuilt-inamplifiers),headphones,ormultimedia 
keyboards.T oattachastereosystemorotherexternalrecordingdevice,acableis 
connectedbetweentheaudioline-inconnectorofthedeviceandtheaudioline-out 
connectorofthecomputer.
Usedtoattachahigh-performancemonitor,adirect-drivemonitor,orotherdevices 
thatuseaDisplayPortconnector.
UsedtoattachanEthernetcableforalocalareanetwork(LAN). 
Note:TooperatethecomputerwithinFCCClassBlimits,useaCategory5,5e,or 
6Ethernetcable.
Usedtoattachamicrophonetoyourcomputerwhenyouwanttorecordsoundorif 
youusespeech-recognitionsoftware.
UsedtoattachakeyboardthatusesaPersonalSystem/2(PS/2)keyboard 
connector.
Usedtoattachamouse,atrackball,orotherpointingdevicesthatuseaPS/2 
mouseconnector.
Usedtoattachanexternalmodem,aserialprinter,orotherdevicesthatusea 
9-pinserialconnector.
mouse,ascanner,aprinter,orapersonaldigitalassistant(PDA).
keyboard,amouse,ascanner,aprinter,orapersonaldigitalassistant(PDA).A 
USB3.0connectorprovideshightransmissionspeedstoreducethetimethatis 
requiredfordatatransmission.
(VGA)connector.
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Locatingcomponents
Thefollowingillustrationshowsthelocationsofthevariouscomponentsinyourcomputer.Toremovethe 
computercover,see“Removingthecomputercover”onpage67.
Figure3.Componentlocations
1Heatsinkandfanassembly
3Memorymodules
5FrontaudioandUSBassembly
7Slimcardreader8Frontfan(systemfan)assembly
9Harddiskdrive(orsolid-statedrive)10PCIExpresscard
11Heatsinkfanduct
2Powersupplyassembly
4Opticaldrive
6Frontbezel
Chapter1.Productoverview5
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Locatingpartsonthesystemboard
Thefollowingillustrationshowsthelocationsofthepartsonthesystemboard.
Figure4.Systemboardpartlocations
1Microprocessorpowerconnector
3Memoryslot14Memoryslot2
5Memoryslot36Memoryslot4
7Thermalsensorconnector
9Opticaldriveandharddiskdrivepower
2Microprocessorfanconnector
8Harddiskdrivefanconnector
10Systempowerconnector
connectors(2)
11Powerfanconnector
13SATA3.0connectors(2)14SATA3.0connector
15Frontpanelconnector(forconnectingLED
indicatorsandpowerbutton)
17FrontUSB2.0connector2(forconnectingan
additionalUSBdevice)
19Serialconnector
21Frontaudioconnector
23PCIExpressx1cardslots(2)24PCIExpressx16graphicscardslot
25Systemfanconnector
27Microprocessor
12Parallelconnector
16FrontUSB2.0connector1(forconnectingUSBconnectors
1and2onthefrontbezel)
18ClearCMOS(ComplementaryMetalOxideSemiconductor)
/Recoveryjumper
20Battery
22PCIcardslot
26DisplayPortconnector
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Locatinginternaldrives
Internaldrivesaredevicesthatyourcomputerusestoreadandstoredata.Youcanadddrivestoyour 
computertoincreasestoragecapacityandenableyourcomputertoreadothertypesofmedia.Internal 
drivesareinstalledinbays.
Whenyouinstallorreplaceaninternaldrive,notethetypeandsizeofthedrivethateachbaysupportsand 
correctlyconnecttherequiredcables.Refertotheappropriatesectionin“Installingorreplacinghardware” 
onpage67
Thefollowingillustrationshowsthelocationsofthedrivebays.
forinstructionsonhowtoinstallorreplaceinternaldrivesforyourcomputer.
Figure5.Drivebaylocations
1Secondarysolid-statedrivebay(witha2.5-inchsolid-statedriveorahybridharddiskdriveinstalledonsome
models)
2Opticaldrivebay(withanopticaldriveinstalledonsomemodels)
3Slimcardreaderdrivebay(withaslimcardreaderinstalledonsomemodels)
4Harddiskdrivebay(witha3.5-inchharddiskdriveora2.5-inchsolid-statedriveinstalled)
Chapter1.Productoverview7
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Locatingthemachinetypeandmodellabel
Themachinetypeandmodellabelidentifiesyourcomputer.WhenyoucontactLenovoforhelp,themachine 
typeandmodelinformationhelpssupporttechnicianstoidentifyyourcomputerandprovidefasterservice.
Themachinetypeandmodellabelisattachedonthesideofyourcomputerasshown.
Figure6.Machinetypeandmodellabel
Features
Thissectionintroducesthecomputerfeatures.Theinformationcoversavarietyofmodels.
Microprocessor
Toviewthemicroprocessorinformationofyourcomputer,dothefollowing:
•OntheMicrosoft 
toviewtheinformation.
•OntheMicrosoftWindows8.1operatingsystem,gotothedesktopandmoveyourpointertothe 
top-rightorbottom-rightcornerofthescreentodisplaythecharms.ThenclickSettings➙PCinfoto 
viewtheinformation.
•OntheMicrosoftWindows10operatingsystem,clicktheStartbuttontoopentheStartmenu.Then,click
Settings➙System➙Abouttoviewtheinformation.
Memory
Yourcomputersupportsuptofourdoubledatarate3unbuffereddualinlinememorymodules(DDR3 
UDIMMs).
Todeterminetheamountofmemoryinstalledonyourcomputer,dothefollowing:
•OntheMicrosoftWindows7operationsystem,clickStart,right-clickComputer,andselectProperties 
toviewtheinformation.
®
Windows
®
7operationsystem,clickStart,right-clickComputer,andselectProperties
8ThinkCentreM79UserGuide
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•OntheMicrosoftWindows8.1operatingsystem,gotothedesktopandmoveyourpointertothe 
top-rightorbottom-rightcornerofthescreentodisplaythecharms.ThenclickSettings➙PCinfoto 
viewtheinformation.
•OntheMicrosoftWindows10operatingsystem,clicktheStartbuttontoopentheStartmenu.Then,click 
Settings➙System➙Abouttoviewtheinformation.
Formoreinformation,see“Installingorreplacingamemorymodule”onpage71
.
Internaldrives
•Opticaldrive
•SerialAdvancedTechnologyAttachment(SATA)harddiskdrive
•SATAhybriddrive(availableonsomemodels)
•SATAsolid-statedrive(availableonsomemodels)
Videofeatures
•Integratedgraphicssupportsthefollowingconnectorsonyourcomputer:
–DisplayPortconnector 
–VGAconnector
•DiscretegraphicscardinstalledinoneofthePeripheralComponentInterconnect(PCI)Expressx16 
graphicscardslots(availableonsomemodels)(connectorsvarybygraphicscard)
Audiofeatures
•Integratedaudiocontrollersupportsthefollowingconnectorsanddevicesonyourcomputer:
–Audioline-inconnector 
–Audioline-outconnector 
–Headphoneconnector 
–Internalspeaker(availableonsomemodels) 
–Microphoneconnectors
•DiscreteaudiocardinstalledinoneofthePCIcardslots(availableonsomemodels)(theconnectors 
varybyaudiocard)
Input/Output(I/O)features
•9-pinserialconnectors
•Audioconnectors(audioline-inconnector,audioline-outconnector,headphoneconnector,and 
microphoneconnector)
•Ethernetconnector
•Displayconnectors(DisplayPortconnectorandVGAconnector)
•PersonalSystem/2(PS/2)keyboardconnector
•PS/2mouseconnector
•USBconnectors
Formoreinformation,see“Locatingconnectors,controls,andindicatorsonthefrontofyourcomputer”on 
page2
and“Locatingconnectorsontherearofyourcomputer”onpage3.
Expansion
•Cardreaderbay
Chapter1.Productoverview9
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•Harddiskdrivebays
•Memoryslots
•Opticaldrivebay
•PCIcardslot
•PCIExpressx1cardslots
•PCIExpressx16graphicscardslot
Formoreinformation,see“Locatinginternaldrives”onpage7and“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard” 
onpage6.
Powersupply
•180-wattautomaticvoltage-sensingpowersupply
•240-wattautomaticvoltage-sensingpowersupply
Wirelessfeatures
Dependingonyourcomputermodel,thefollowingwirelessfeaturesaresupported:
•Wirelesslocalareanetwork(LAN)
•Bluetooth
Systemmanagementfeatures
•Abilitytostorepower-onself-test(POST)hardwaretestresults
•DesktopManagementInterface(DMI) 
DesktopManagementInterfaceprovidesacommonpathforuserstoaccessinformationaboutall
aspectsofacomputer.Theinformationincludesprocessortype,installationdate,attachedprintersand 
otherperipherals,powersources,maintenancehistory,andsoon.
•ErPLPScompliancemode 
Theenergy-relatedproductsdirective(ErP)lowestpowerstate(LPS)compliancemodereducesthe
consumptionofelectricitywhenyourcomputerisinsleeporoffmode.Formoreinformation,see 
“EnablingErPLPScompliancemode”onpage36
.
•IntelligentCoolingEngine(ICE) 
TheIntelligentCoolingEngineisasystemthermalmanagementsolutionthatenablesyourcomputer
torunwithbetterthermalandacousticperformance.TheICEfunctionalsomonitorsthethermal 
performanceofyourcomputertoidentifythermalproblems.Formoreinformation,see“ICEperformance 
mode”onpage37and“ICEthermalalert”onpage37.
•PrebootExecutionEnvironment(PXE) 
PrebootExecutionEnvironmentenablescomputerstostartthroughanetworkinterfaceindependentof
datastoragedevices(suchastheharddiskdrive)orinstalledoperatingsystems.
•SystemManagement(SM)BasicInput/OutputSystem(BIOS)andSMsoftware 
TheSMBIOSspecificationdefinesdatastructuresandaccessmethodsthatcanbeusedtoread
managementdatastoredintheBIOSofacomputer.
•WakeonLAN 
WakeonLANisanEthernetcomputernetworkingstandardthatallowsacomputertobeturnedon
orwokenupbyanetworkmessage.Themessageisusuallysentbyaprogramrunningonanother 
computeronthesamelocalareanetwork.
•WindowsManagementInstrumentation(WMI) 
WindowsManagementInstrumentationisasetofextensionstotheWindowsDriverModel.Itprovidesan
operatingsysteminterfacethroughwhichinstrumentedcomponentsprovideinformationandnotification.
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Securityfeatures
•Abilitytoenableanddisableadevice
•AbilitytoenableanddisableUSBconnectorsindividually
•ComputraceAgentsoftwareembeddedinfirmware
•Coverpresenceswitch(alsocalledintrusionswitch)(availableonsomemodels)
•Keyboardwithfingerprintreader(shippedwithsomemodels)
•Power-onpassword(POP),administratorpassword,andharddiskpasswordtodeterunauthorized 
useofyourcomputer
•Startupsequencecontrol
•Startupwithoutkeyboardormouse
•SupportforaKensington-stylecablelock
•Supportforapadlock
•TrustedPlatformModule(TPM)
Formoreinformation,seeChapter4“Security”onpage29
.
Preinstalledoperatingsystem
Yourcomputerispreinstalledwithoneofthefollowingoperatingsystems:
•MicrosoftWindows7operatingsystem
•MicrosoftWindows8.1operatingsystem
•MicrosoftWindows10operatingsystem
Operatingsystem(s),certifiedortestedforcompatibility(variesbymodeltype)
Theoperatingsystem(s)listedherearebeingcertifiedortestedforcompatibilityatthetimethispublication 
goestopress.AdditionaloperatingsystemsmightbeidentifiedbyLenovoascompatiblewithyourcomputer 
followingthepublicationofthismanual.Thislistissubjecttochange.Todetermineifanoperatingsystem 
hasbeencertifiedortestedforcompatibility,checktheWebsiteoftheoperatingsystemvendor.
•Linux
®
Chapter1.Productoverview11
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Specifications
Thissectionliststhephysicalspecificationsforyourcomputer.
Dimensions
Width:99.7mm(3.93inches) 
Height:338mm(13.31inches) 
Depth:385mm(15.16inches)
Weight
Maximumconfigurationasshipped:6.6kg(14.55lb)(withoutpackage) 
Maximumconfigurationasshipped:8.96kg(19.75lb)(withpackage)
Environment
•Airtemperature:
Operating:From10°C(50°F)to35°C(95°F) 
Storageinoriginalshippingpackage:From-40°C(-40°F)to60°C(140°F) 
Storagewithoutpackage:From-10°C(14°F)to60°C(140°F)
•Humidity:
Operating:20%–80%(non-condensing) 
Storage:20%–90%(non-condensing)
•Altitude:
Operating:From-15.2m(-50ft)to3048m(10000ft) 
Storage:From-15.2m(-50ft)to10668m(35000ft)
Electricalinput
Inputvoltage:
•Lowrange:
Minimum:100Vac 
Maximum:127Vac 
Inputfrequency:50/60Hz
•Highrange:
Minimum:200Vac 
Maximum:240Vac 
Inputfrequency:50/60Hz
Lenovoprograms
YourcomputercomeswithLenovoprogramstohelpyouworkmoreeasilyandsecurely.Dependingon 
theWindowsoperatingsystempreinstalled,theprogramsmightvary.
Accessingaprogramonyourcomputer
Note:ForWindows7,someoftheLenovoprogramsmightbereadytobeinstalled,soyouneedtoinstall
themmanually.Then,youcanaccessandusetheseprograms.Toinstallaprogramthatisreadytobe 
installed,opentheLenovoThinkVantage 
Followtheinstructionsundergreyed-outiconstolocatetheiconforthedesiredprogram.Double-click 
theicontoinstalltheprogram.
®
Toolsprogram,andthenviewtheprogramiconsusingTiles.
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Toaccessaprogramonyourcomputer,dooneofthefollowing:
•ForWindows7orWindows10:
–FromWindowsSearch:
1.DependingonyourWindowsversion,dooneofthefollowing:
–ForWindows7:ClicktheStartbuttontoopentheStartmenu,andthentypetheprogram
nameintothesearchbox.
–ForWindows10:TypetheprogramnameintothesearchboxnexttotheStartbutton.
2.Inthesearchresults,clickthenameofthedesiredprogramtolaunchtheprogram.
–FromtheStartmenuorControlPanel:
1.ClicktheStartbuttontoopentheStartmenu.
2.DependingonyourWindowsversion,dooneofthefollowing:
–ForWindows7:ClickAllProgramstodisplaytheprogramlist.Fromthelistorafolderinthe
list,clickthenameofthedesiredprogramtolaunchtheprogram.
–ForWindows10:Fromtheprogramlistorafolderinthelist,clickthenameofthedesired
programtolaunchtheprogram.
3.IftheprogramnameisnotdisplayedontheStartmenu,dooneofthefollowing:
–ForWindows7:ClickControlPanelontheStartmenu. 
–ForWindows10:Right-clicktheStartbuttontoopentheStartcontextmenu,andthenclick
ControlPanel.
4.ViewControlPanelusinglargeiconsorsmallicons,andthenclickthenameofthedesired 
programtolaunchtheprogram.
•ForWindows8.1:
1.PresstheWindowskeytogototheStartscreen.Clickthenameofthedesiredprogramto 
launchtheprogram.
2.Clickthearrowiconinthebottom-leftcornerofthescreentogototheAppsscreen.Findthe 
desiredprogramintheappslistorsearchforitinthesearchboxinthetop-rightcornerofthescreen.
AnintroductiontoLenovoprograms
ThissectionprovidesinformationaboutthemajorLenovoprogramsavailableonyouroperatingsystem.
Note:Dependingonyourcomputermodel,someofthefollowingprogramsmightnotbeavailable.
•ForWindows7only:
–CreateRecoveryMedia
TheCreateRecoveryMediaprogramenablesyoutorestoreonlytheCdriveortheentirestorage 
drivetothefactory-defaultsettings.
–LenovoPowerENGAGE
TheLenovoPowerENGAGEprogramenablesyoutoregisteryourcomputerwithLenovo.
–MessageCenterPlus
TheMessageCenterPlusprogramautomaticallydisplaysmessagesinformingyouaboutimportant 
noticesfromLenovo,suchasalertsonsystemupdatesandalertsonconditionsthatrequireyour 
attention.
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–RescueandRecovery
®
TheRescueandRecoveryprogramisaone-buttonrecoveryandrestoresolution.Itincludesaset 
ofself-recoverytoolstohelpyoudiagnosecomputerproblems,gethelp,andrecoverfromsystem 
crashes,evenifyoucannotstarttheWindowsoperatingsystem.
•ForWindows8.1only:
–LenovoSupport
TheLenovoSupportprogramenablesyoutoregisteryourcomputerwithLenovo,checkthecomputer 
healthconditionandbatterystatus,downloadandviewusermanualsforyourcomputer,getthe 
warrantyinformationofyourcomputer,andexplorehelpandsupportinformation.
•ForWindows10only:
–LenovoID
TheLenovoIDprogramenablesyoutocreateyourLenovoIDandaccessallsupportedLenovo 
programsandwebportalswithsinglesign-on.
•ForWindows7andWindows8.1:
–FingerprintManagerProorThinkVantageFingerprintSoftware
TheFingerprintManagerProorThinkVantageFingerprintSoftwareprogramenablesyoutousea 
fingerprintreader.Theintegratedfingerprintreaderprovidedonsomekeyboardsenablesyoutoenroll 
yourfingerprintandassociateitwithyourpower-onpassword,harddiskpassword,andWindows 
password.Asaresult,fingerprintauthenticationcanreplacepasswordsandenablesimpleandsecure 
useraccess.
–LenovoBluetoothLock
TheLenovoBluetoothLockprogramenablesyoutouseaBluetoothdevice(suchasyoursmartphone) 
asaproximity-basedunitforlockingorunlockingyourcomputerautomatically.Bydetectingthe 
distancebetweenyourcomputerandthepredefinedBluetoothdevicethatyouarecarrying,theLenovo 
BluetoothLockprogramautomaticallylocksyourcomputerwhenyouwalkawayandunlocksyour 
computerwhenyoucomeback.Thisisasimplewaytoprotectyourcomputeragainstunauthorized 
accessincasethatyouforgettolockyourcomputer.
–PasswordManager
ThePasswordManagerprogramautomaticallycapturesandfillsinauthenticationinformationfor 
WindowsprogramsandWebsites.
–PowerManager
ThePowerManagerprogramprovidesconvenient,flexible,andcompletepowermanagementfor 
yourcomputer.Itenablesyoutoadjustyourcomputerpowersettingstoachievethebestbalance 
betweenperformanceandpowersaving.
–SystemUpdate
TheSystemUpdateprogramprovidesregularaccesstothesystemupdatesforyourcomputer,such 
asdevicedriverupdates,softwareupdates,andBIOSupdates.Theprogramgathersinformationfrom 
theLenovoHelpCenteraboutnewupdatesforyourcomputer,thensortsanddisplaystheupdatesfor 
downloadandinstallation.Y ouhavecompletecontrolofwhichupdatestodownloadandinstall.
•ForWindows8.1andWindows10:
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–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,Windows8.1,andWindows10:
–LenovoDeviceExperienceorLenovoPCExperience
TheLenovoDeviceExperienceorLenovoPCExperienceprogramhelpsyouworkmoreeasilyand 
securely.TheprogramprovideseasyaccesstoLenovoThinkVantageToolsorLenovoTools,important 
settingsandinformationaboutyourcomputer,theLenovoSupportWebsite,andsoon.
–LenovoSolutionCenter
TheLenovoSolutionCenterprogramenablesyoutotroubleshootandresolvecomputerproblems.It 
combinesdiagnostictests,systeminformationcollection,securitystatus,andsupportinformation, 
alongwithhintsandtipsformaximumsystemperformance.
–PCCloudManager
ThePCCloudManager(PCM)programisabrowser-basedsolutionforclient-computermanagement. 
ThePCMprogramhastwocomponents:PCMServerandPCMClient.PCMServerisinstalledon 
thecomputer,wheretheadministratorperformsmanagementwork,suchaspowermanagement 
andsecuritymanagement.PCMClientisinstalledontheclientcomputerstobemanaged.The 
administratorcanlogintoPCMServertomanagecomputerswithPCMClientinstalled,throughthe 
InternetWebbrowser.
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Chapter2.Usingyourcomputer
Thischapterprovidesinformationaboutthefollowingtopics:
•“UsingWindowsshortcutkeys”onpage17
•“Usingthewheelmouse”onpage17
•“Settingthecomputervolume”onpage18
•“AddinganicontotheWindowsnotificationarea”onpage18
•“Usingadisc”onpage18
•“NavigatingamongscreensontheWindows8.1operatingsystem”onpage20
•“AccessingControlPanelontheWindows8.1operatingsystem”onpage21
•“Frequentlyaskedquestions”onpage21
UsingWindowsshortcutkeys
Boththestandardkeyboardandthefingerprintreaderkeyboardprovidethreekeysyoucanusewithyour 
MicrosoftWindowsoperatingsystem.
•ThetwoWindowslogokeysarelocatedbesidetheAltkeyoneithersideofthespacebar.Theyfeature 
theWindowslogo.OntheWindows7orWindows10operatingsystem,presstheWindowskey 
toopentheStartmenu.OntheWindows8.1operatingsystem,presstheWindowskeytoswitch
betweenthecurrentworkspaceandtheStartscreen.ThestyleoftheWindowslogovariesdepending 
onthekeyboardtype.
•Thecontext-menukeyislocatednexttotheCtrlkeyontherightsideoftheSpacebar.Pressingthe 
context-menukeyopensthecontextmenufortheactiveprogram,icon,orobject.
Note:YoucanusethemouseortheUpandDownarrowkeystohighlightmenuselections.
Usingthewheelmouse
Thewheelmousehasthefollowingcontrols:
1PrimarymousebuttonUsethisbuttontoselectorstartaprogramormenuitem.
2Wheel
3Secondarymousebutton
Usethewheeltocontrolthescrollingactionofthemouse.Thedirectioninwhichyou 
rotatethewheelcontrolsthedirectionofthescrollingaction.
Usethisbuttontodisplayamenufortheactiveprogram,icon,orobject.
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Youcanswitchthefunctionoftheprimaryandsecondarymousebuttonsandchangeotherdefaultbehavior 
throughthemousepropertiesfunctionintheWindowsControlPanel.
Settingthecomputervolume
Tosetthecomputervolume,dothefollowing:
1.ClickthevolumeiconintheWindowsnotificationareaonthetaskbar.
Note:IfthevolumeiconisnotdisplayedintheWindowsnotificationarea,addtheicontothe 
notificationarea.See“AddinganicontotheWindowsnotificationarea”onpage18.
2.Followtheinstructionsonthescreentoadjustthevolume.Clickthespeakericontomutetheaudio.
AddinganicontotheWindowsnotificationarea
ToaddanicontotheWindowsnotificationarea,dothefollowing:
1.Clickthearrownexttothenotificationareatoviewhiddenicons.Then,clickthedesirediconand 
dragittothenotificationarea.
2.Iftheiconisnotdisplayed,turnontheicon. 
a.DependingonyourWindowsversion,dooneofthefollowing:
•ForWindows7:ClicktheStartbuttontoopentheStartmenu,andthenclickControlPanel. 
ViewControlPanelusingLargeiconsorSmallicons,andthenclickNotificationAreaIcons➙ 
Turnsystemiconsonoroff.
•ForWindows8.1:OpenControlPanel.ViewControlPanelusingLargeiconsorSmallicons,and 
thenclickNotificationAreaIcons➙T urnsystemiconsonoroff.
Note:FordetailedinformationonhowtoopenControlPanelonWindows8.1,see“Accessing 
ControlPanelontheWindows8.1operatingsystem”onpage21
•ForWindows10:ClicktheStartbuttontoopentheStartmenu.Then,clickSettings➙ 
Personalization➙Taskbar➙Turnsystemiconsonoroff.
b.Turnonthedesiredicon.
3.IftheiconisstillnotdisplayedintheWindowsnotificationarea,repeatstep1.
.
Usingadisc
Thissectionprovidesinformationaboutthefollowingtopics:
•“Usingtheopticaldrive”onpage18
•“Handlingandstoringadisc”onpage19
•“Playingandremovingadisc”onpage19
•“Recordingadisc”onpage19
Usingtheopticaldrive
Dependingonthemodel,yourcomputerisequippedwithoneofthefollowingopticaldrives:
•CD-ROMdrive:UsedtoreadCDsonly.
•DVD-ROMdrive:UsedtoreadDVDsandCDs.
•BD-ROMdrive:Usedtoreadblu-raydiscs(BDs),DVDs,andCDs.
•Recordableopticaldrive:Usedtoreadandrecordadisc.
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Whenusingtheopticaldrive,followtheseguidelines:
•Donotplacethecomputerinalocationwherethedriveisexposedtoanyofthefollowingconditions:
–Hightemperature 
–Highhumidity 
–Excessivedust 
–Excessivevibrationorsuddenshock 
–Aninclinedsurface 
–Directsunlight
•Donotinsertanyobjectotherthanadiscintothedrive.
•Donotinsertdamageddiscsintothedrive.Warped,scratched,ordirtydiscscandamagethedrive.
•Beforemovingthecomputer,removethediscfromthedrive.
Handlingandstoringadisc
Whenhandlingandstoringadisc,followtheseguidelines:
•Holdthediscbyitsedges.Donottouchthesurfaceofthesidethatisnotlabeled.
•Toremovedustorfingerprints,wipethediscwithaclean,softclothfromthecentertotheoutside.Wiping 
thediscinacirculardirectionmightcauselossofdata.
•Donotwriteorstickpaperonthedisc.
•Donotscratchormarkthedisc.
•Donotplaceorstorethediscindirectsunlight.
•Donotusebenzene,thinners,orothercleanerstocleanthedisc.
•Donotdroporbendthedisc.
Playingandremovingadisc
Toplayadisc,dothefollowing:
1.Withthecomputeron,presstheeject/closebuttononthefrontoftheopticaldrive.Thetrayslides 
outofthedrive.
2.Insertadiscintothetray.Someopticaldrivehasasnaphubinthecenterofthetray.Ifyourdrivehasa 
snaphub,supportthetraywithonehandandthenpushcenterofthediscuntilitsnapsintoplace.
3.Presstheeject/closebuttonagainorgentlypushthetrayforwardtoclosethetray.Thediscplayer 
programstartsautomatically.Formoreinformation,refertothehelpsystemofthediscplayerprogram.
Toremoveadiscfromtheopticaldrive,dothefollowing:
1.Withthecomputeron,presstheeject/closebuttononthefrontoftheopticaldrive.Thetrayslides 
outofthedrive.
2.Carefullyremovethediscfromthetray.
3.Presstheeject/closebuttonagainorgentlypushthetrayforwardtoclosethetray.
Note:Ifthetraydoesnotslideoutofthedrivewhenyoupresstheeject/closebutton,turnoffyourcomputer. 
Then,insertastraightenedpaperclipintotheemergency-ejectholeadjacenttotheeject/closebutton. 
Usetheemergencyejectonlyinanemergency.
Recordingadisc
Ifyouropticaldrivesupportsrecording,youcanrecordaCDorDVD.
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TorecordaCDorDVD,dothefollowing:
1.Insertarecordablediscintotheopticaldrivethatsupportsrecording.
2.OpenthePowerDVDCreate,PowerProducer,orPower2Goprogram.See“Accessingaprogramon 
yourcomputer”onpage12.
3.Followtheinstructionsonthescreen.
NavigatingamongscreensontheWindows8.1operatingsystem
Tonavigateamongthedesktop,theStartscreen,andapplicationsopenedfromtheStartscreenonthe 
Windows8.1operatingsystem,dooneofthefollowing:
•FromtheStartscreen,dooneofthefollowingtonavigatetothemostrecentlyaccessedworkspace 
(application,setting,ordesktop):
–Usingapointingdevice:Movethepointertotheextremebottom-leftcornerofthescreenuntilthe
Windowsscreen-controliconisdisplayed;thenclicktheicon.
–Usingatouchscreen:Swipeinandoutontheleftedgeofthescreen.Representationsofallavailable
workspacesaredisplayedalongtheleftedgeofthescreen.T aptheWindowsscreen-controlicon
atthebottom.
Note:TheWindowsscreen-controliconisdisplayedonlywhenyouhaveatleastoneactive 
workspaceinthebackgroundofthesystem.
•FromthedesktoporanyotherworkspacethatisopenedfromtheStartscreen,dooneofthefollowingto 
navigatetotheStartscreen:
–Usingapointingdevice:
–Fromthedesktop,clicktheWindowsscreen-controliconinthebottom-leftcornerofthescreen. 
–Fromanyotherworkspace,movethepointertotheextremebottom-leftcornerofthescreenuntil
theWindowsscreen-controliconisdisplayed;thenclicktheicon.
–Usingatouchscreen:Dooneofthefollowing:
–Fromthedesktop,taptheWindowsscreen-controliconinthebottom-leftcornerofthescreen. 
–Fromanyotherworkspace,dooneofthefollowing:
•Swipeinandoutontheleftedgeofthescreen.Representationsofallavailableworkspaces 
aredisplayedalongtheleftedgeofthescreen.TaptheWindowsscreen-controlicon
thebottom.
•Swipeinfromtherightedgeofthescreentodisplaythecharms;thentapStart.
•Fromanyworkspace(Startscreen,desktop,PCsettings,orapplicationopenedfromtheStartscreen),go 
toanotherpreviously-openedworkspaceusinganyofthefollowingprocedures:
–Tonavigatetoapreviouslyaccessedworkspace(application,setting,ordesktop),dooneofthe
following:
–Usingapointingdevice:
1.Dooneofthefollowing:
•Movethepointertotheextremetop-leftcornerofthescreenandthenmovethepointer 
downwardalongtheleftedgeofthescreen.
•Movethepointertotheextremebottom-leftcornerofthescreenandthenmovethepointer 
upwardalongtheleftedgeofthescreen.
at
Representationsofallavailableworkspacesaredisplayedalongtheleftedgeofthescreen.
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Note:OnlyactiveworkspacesthatyouhaveaccessedduringthecurrentWindowssessionare
displayedalongtheleftedge.Ifyoucloseanactiveworkspace,itsrepresentationwillnotbe 
displayedalongtheleftedgeofthescreen.
2.Clicktherepresentation.
–Usingatouchscreen:
•Method1
1.Swipeinandoutontheleftedgeofthescreen.Representationsofallavailableworkspaces 
aredisplayedalongtheleftedgeofthescreen.
2.Tapthedesiredworkspace.
•Method2
1.Swipeinfromtheleftedgeofthescreentonavigatetothenextavailableworkspace.
2.Repeatstep1untilyounavigatetothedesiredworkspace.
–Tonavigatetothemostrecentlyaccessedworkspace(application,PCsettings,ordesktop),doone
ofthefollowing:
–Usingapointingdevice:Movethepointertotheextremetop-leftcornerofthescreenuntilthe
Windowsscreen-controlicon
–Usingatouchscreen:Swipeinfromtheleftedgeofthescreen.
ForinformationaboutusingotherfeaturesoftheWindows8.1operatingsystem,opentheHelp+Tips 
applicationfromtheStartscreenorAppsscreen.Alternatively,refertotheWindowshelpsystem.Formore 
information,see“Windowshelpsystem”onpage113.
isdisplayed;thenclicktheicon.
AccessingControlPanelontheWindows8.1operatingsystem
OntheWindowsoperatingsystem,youcanviewandchangecomputersettingsthroughControlPanel.To 
accessControlPanelontheWindows8.1operatingsystem,dooneofthefollowing:
•Fromthedesktop
1.Movethepointertothetop-rightorbottom-rightcornerofthescreentodisplaythecharms.
2.ClickSettings.
3.ClickControlPanel.
•FromtheStartscreen
1.Clickthedownarrowinthebottom-leftcornerofthescreentogototheAppsscreen.
2.Scrolltotherightside,andclickControlPanelintheWindowsSystemsection.
Frequentlyaskedquestions
Thefollowingaresomeofthefrequentlyaskedquestionsandtheiranswers.Theanswerscanhelpyou 
optimizetheuseofyourcomputer.
Fortheanswerstomorefrequentlyaskedquestionsaboutusingyourcomputer,goto: 
http://www.lenovo.com/support/faq
HowcanIgetmyuserguideinanotherlanguage?
Theuserguideisavailableinvariouslanguagesat: 
http://www.lenovo.com/UserManuals
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WhereismyrecoverydiscsetorrecoveryUSBkey?
DependingonyourWindowsversion,yourcomputercomeswitharecoverydiscsetorrecovery 
USBkey.Ifyourcomputerdoesnotcomewithit,contacttheLenovoCustomerSupportCenterto 
orderarecoverydiscsetorrecoveryUSBkey.ForalistofLenovoSupportphonenumbers,goto 
http://www.lenovo.com/support/phone.Ifyoucannotfindthesupporttelephonenumberforyourcountry 
orregion,contactyourLenovoreseller.
WherecanIfindhelpabouttheWindowsoperatingsystem?
See“Windowshelpsystem”onpage113.
HowcanIchangetheWindows8.1startupbehaviortoopeneitherthedesktoportheStartscreen?
OntheWindows8.1operatingsystem,youcansetthecomputertoopeneitherthedesktoportheStart 
screenbydefault.Tosetthedefaultstartupscreen,dothefollowing:
1.Onthedesktop,right-clickonthetaskbaratthebottomofthescreen.
2.ClickProperties.The“TaskbarandNavigationproperties”windowisdisplayed.
3.OntheNavigationtab,locatetheStartscreensection,andthendooneofthefollowing:
•Tosetthedesktopasyourdefaultstartupscreen,selectWhenIsigninorcloseallappsona 
screen,gotothedesktopinsteadofStart.
•TosettheStartscreenasyourdefaultstartupscreen,cleartheWhenIsigninorcloseallappson 
ascreen,gotothedesktopinsteadofStartcheckbox.
4.ClickOKtosavethenewsetting.
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Chapter3.Youandyourcomputer
Thischapterprovidesinformationaboutaccessibility,comfort,andrelocatingyourcomputertoother 
countriesorregions.
Accessibilityandcomfort
Goodergonomicpracticeisimportanttogetthemostfromyourpersonalcomputerandtoavoiddiscomfort. 
Arrangeyourworkplaceandtheequipmentyouusetosuityourindividualneedsandthekindofwork 
thatyouperform.Inaddition,usehealthyworkhabitstomaximizeyourperformanceandcomfortwhile 
usingyourcomputer.
Thefollowingtopicsprovideinformationaboutarrangingyourworkarea,settingupyourcomputer 
equipment,andestablishinghealthyworkhabits.
Arrangingyourworkspace
Togetthemostfromyourcomputer,arrangeboththeequipmentyouuseandyourworkareatosuityour 
needsandthekindofworkyoudo.Yourcomfortisofforemostimportance,butlightsources,aircirculation, 
andthelocationofelectricaloutletscanalsoaffectthewayyouarrangeyourworkspace.
Comfort
Althoughnosingleworkingpositionisidealforeveryone,hereareafewguidelinestohelpyoufinda 
positionthatsuitsyoubest.
Sittinginthesamepositionforalongtimecancausefatigue.Thebackrestandseatofyourchairshould 
adjustindependentlyandprovidegoodsupport.Theseatshouldhaveacurvedfronttorelievepressureon 
thethighs.Adjusttheseatsothatyourthighsareparalleltothefloorandyourfeetareeitherflatonthe 
floororonafootrest.
Whenusingthekeyboard,keepyourforearmsparalleltothefloorandyourwristsinacomfortableposition. 
Usealighttouchonthekeyboardandyourhandsandfingersrelaxed.Changetheangleofthekeyboard 
formaximumcomfortbyadjustingthepositionofthekeyboardfeet.
Adjustthemonitorsothetopofthescreenisat,orslightlybelow,eyelevel.Placethemonitorata 
comfortableviewingdistance,usually51–61cm(20–24inches).Then,positionthemonitorsothatyoucan 
viewitwithouttwistingyourbody.Also,positionotherequipmentyouuseregularly,suchasthetelephone 
oramouse,withineasyreach.
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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,ensurethattheventedairisnotblowingonpeople.
Electricaloutletsandcablelengths
Thefollowingfactorsmightdeterminethefinalplacementofyourcomputer:
•Locationofelectricaloutlets
•Lengthofpowercords
•Lengthofthecablesthatareconnectedtothemonitorandotherdevices
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.
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KeyboardshortcutFunction
Windowslogokey+U
RightShiftforeightseconds
ShiftfivetimesTurnonorturnoffStickyKeys
NumLockforfivesecondsTurnonorturnoffToggleKeys
LeftAlt+LeftShift+NumLock
LeftAlt+LeftShift+PrtScn(orPrtSc)TurnonorturnoffHighContrast
OpenEaseofAccessCenter
TurnonorturnoffFilterKeys
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.
•ForWindows8.1:Movethepointertothetop-rightorbottom-rightcornerofthescreentodisplaythe 
charms.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.
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SpeechRecognition
SpeechRecognitionenablesyoutocontrolyourcomputerbyvoice.
Usingonlyyourvoice,youcanstartprograms,openmenus,clickobjectsonthescreen,dictatetextinto 
documents,andwriteandsende-mails.Everythingyoudowiththekeyboardandmousecanbedonewith 
onlyyourvoice.
TouseSpeechRecognition,dothefollowing:
1.DependingonyourWindowsversion,dooneofthefollowing:
•ForWindows7:ClicktheStartbuttontoopentheStartmenu,andthenclickControlPanel.
•ForWindows8.1:OpenControlPanel.See“AccessingControlPanelontheWindows8.1operating 
system”onpage21.
•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:
•ForWindows7orWindows8.1:ClickScreenresolution.
•ForWindows10:ClickDisplaysettings.OntheDisplaytab,clickAdvanceddisplaysettings.
3.Followtheinstructionsonthescreen.
Note:Settingtheresolutiontoolowmightpreventsomeitemsfromfittingonthescreen.
Customizableitemsize
Youcanmaketheitemsonyourscreeneasiertoreadbychangingtheitemsize.
•Tochangetheitemsizetemporarily,usetheMagnifiertoolinEaseofAccessCenter.See“Easeof 
AccessCenter”onpage25
.
•Tochangetheitemsizepermanently,dothefollowing:
–Changethesizeofalltheitemsonyourscreen.
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1.Right-clickablankareaonthedesktop.
2.DependingonyourWindowsversion,dooneofthefollowing:
–ForWindows7orWindows8.1:ClickScreenresolution➙Maketextandotheritemslarger
orsmaller.
–ForWindows10:ClickDisplaysettings.
3.Changetheitemsizebyfollowingtheinstructionsonthescreen.
–ChangethesizeoftheitemsonaWebpage.
PressandholdCtrl,andthenpresstheplus-signkey(+)toenlargeortheminus-signkey(-)to 
reducethetextsize.
–Changethesizeoftheitemsonthedesktoporawindow.
Note:Thisfunctionmightnotworkonsomewindows. 
Ifyourmousehasawheel,pressandholdCtrl,andthenscrollthewheeltochangetheitemsize.
Industry-standardconnectors
Yourcomputerprovidesindustry-standardconnectorsthatenableyoutoconnectassistivedevices.
Formoreinformationaboutthelocationandfunctionoftheconnectors,see“Locations”onpage1.
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.
Chapter3.Youandyourcomputer27
Page 40

Forpowercordinformationandpartnumbers,goto: 
http://www.lenovo.com/powercordnotice
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Chapter4.Security
Thischapterprovidesinformationabouthowtoprotectyourcomputerfromtheftandunauthorizeduse.
Securityfeatures
Thefollowingsecurityfeaturesareavailableonyourcomputer:
•ComputraceAgentsoftwareembeddedinfirmware 
TheComputraceAgentsoftwareisanITassetmanagementandcomputertheftrecoverysolution.
Thesoftwaredetectsifchangeshavebeenmadeonthecomputer,suchashardware,software,or 
thecomputercall-inlocation.
Note:YoumighthavetopurchaseasubscriptiontoactivatetheComputraceAgentsoftware.
•Coverpresenceswitch(alsocalledintrusionswitch) 
Thecoverpresenceswitchpreventsyourcomputerfromloggingintotheoperatingsystemwhenthe
computercoverisnotproperlyinstalledorclosed.Toenablethecoverpresenceswitchconnector 
onthesystemboard,dothefollowing:
1.StarttheSetupUtilityprogram.See“StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage33.
2.Settheadministratorpassword.See“Setting,changing,anddeletingapassword”onpage34.
3.FromtheSecuritysubmenu,selectChassisIntrusionDetection➙Enabled.Thecoverpresence 
switchconnectoronthesystemboardisenabled.
Whenyouturnonthecomputer,ifthecoverpresenceswitchdetectsthatyourcomputercoverisnot 
correctlyinstalledorclosed,anerrormessagewillbedisplayed.T obypasstheerrormessageand 
logintotheoperatingsystem,dothefollowing:
1.Properlyinstallorcloseyourcomputercover.See“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage110.
2.PressF1toentertheSetupUtilityprogram.ThenpressF10tosaveandexittheSetupUtility 
program.Theerrormessagewillnotbedisplayedagain.
•AbilitytoenableanddisabledevicesandUSBconnectors 
Formoreinformation,see“Enablingordisablingadevice”onpage35.
•Integratedfingerprintreader(availableonsomemodels) 
Fingerprintauthenticationcanreplacepasswordsandenablesimpleandsecureuseraccess.Formore
information,see“Usingfingerprintauthentication”onpage32.
•TrustedPlatformModule(TPM) 
TrustedPlatformModuleisasecurecryptoprocessorthatcanstorecryptographickeysthatprotect
informationstoredinyourcomputer.
Lockingthecomputercover
Lockingthecomputercoverhelpspreventunauthorizedpeoplefromgainingaccesstotheinsideofyour 
computer.Y ourcomputercomeswithapadlockloopsothatthecomputercovercannotberemoved 
whenapadlockisinstalled.
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Figure7.Installingapadlock
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AttachingaKensington-stylecablelock
YoucanuseaKensington-stylecablelocktosecureyourcomputertoadesk,table,orothernon-permanent 
fixture.Thecablelockattachestothesecurity-lockslotattherearofyourcomputer.Dependingonthetype 
selected,thecablelockcanbeoperatedwithakeyorcombination.Thecablelockalsolocksthebuttons 
usedtoopenthecomputercover.Thisisthesametypeoflockusedwithmanynotebookcomputers.Y ou 
canordersuchacablelockdirectlyfromLenovobysearchingforKensingtonat: 
http://www.lenovo.com/support
Figure8.Kensington-stylecablelock
Preventingunauthorizedaccesstoyourcomputer
YoucanuseBIOSpasswordsandWindowsaccountstopreventunauthorizedaccesstoyourcomputerand 
data.
•TouseBIOSpasswords,see“UsingBIOSpasswords”onpage34.
•TouseWindowsaccounts,dothefollowing:
1.DependingonyourWindowsversion,dooneofthefollowing:
–ForWindows7:ClicktheStartbuttontoopentheStartmenu,andthenclickControlPanel➙
UserAccounts.
–ForWindows8.1:Movethepointertothetop-rightorbottom-rightcornerofthescreentodisplay
thecharms.Then,clickSettings➙ChangePCsettings➙Accounts.
–ForWindows10:ClicktheStartbuttontoopentheStartmenu,andthenclickSettings➙
Accounts.
2.Followtheinstructionsonthescreen.
Chapter4.Security31
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Usingfingerprintauthentication
Ifyourkeyboardhasafingerprintreader,youcanusefingerprintauthenticationtoreplacepasswordsfor 
simpleandsecureuseraccess.Tousefingerprintauthentication,firstenrollyourfingerprintsandassociate 
themwithyourpasswords(suchasthepower-onpassword,harddiskpassword,andWindowspassword). 
Usethefingerprintreaderandthefingerprintprogramtocompletethisprocedure.
Tousefingerprintauthentication,dooneofthefollowing:
•ForWindows7orWindows8.1:UsetheFingerprintManagerProorThinkVantageFingerprintSoftware 
programprovidedbyLenovo.Toopentheprogram,see“Accessingaprogramonyourcomputer”on 
page12.Formoreinformationaboutusingtheprogram,refertothehelpsystemoftheprogram.
•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”onpage113.
Protectingdataagainstviruses
Yourcomputerispreinstalledwithanantivirusprogramtohelpyouguardagainst,detect,andeliminate 
viruses.
Lenovoprovidesafullversionofantivirussoftwareonyourcomputerwithafree30-daysubscription.After 
30days,youmustrenewthelicensetocontinuereceivingtheantivirussoftwareupdates.
Note:Virusdefinitionfilesmustbekeptup-to-datetoguardagainstnewviruses.
Formoreinformationabouthowtouseyourantivirussoftware,refertothehelpsystemofyourantivirus 
software.
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Chapter5.Advancedconfiguration
Thischapterprovidesthefollowinginformationtohelpyouconfigurethecomputer:
•“UsingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage33
•“UpdatingorrecoveringtheBIOS”onpage38
UsingtheSetupUtilityprogram
TheSetupUtilityprogramisusedtoviewandchangetheconfigurationsettingsofyourcomputer,regardless 
ofwhichoperatingsystemyouareusing.However,theoperatingsystemsettingsmightoverrideanysimilar 
settingsintheSetupUtilityprogram.
StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram
TostarttheSetupUtilityprogram,dothefollowing:
1.Ensurethatyourcomputeristurnedoff.
2.RepeatedlypressandreleasetheF1keywhenturningonthecomputer.Whenyouhearmultiple 
beepsorseealogoscreen,releasetheF1key.
Note:Ifapower-onpasswordoranadministratorpasswordhasbeenset,theSetupUtilityprogram 
menuwillnotbedisplayeduntilyouenterthecorrectpassword.Formoreinformation,see“Using 
BIOSpasswords”onpage34
.
WhenthePOSTdetectsthattheharddiskdrivehasbeenremovedfromyourcomputerorthememorysize 
hasdecreased,anerrormessagewillbedisplayed.Youmustdooneofthefollowing:
•PressF1toentertheSetupUtilityprogram.
Note:AfteryouentertheSetupUtilityprogram,pressF10tosavechangesandexittheSetupUtility 
program.PressEnterwhenpromptedtoconfirmtheexit.Theerrormessagewillnotbedisplayedagain.
•PressF2tobypasstheerrormessageandlogintotheoperatingsystem.
Note:YouhavetoenabletheconfigurationchangedetectionfeatureforthePOSTtodetecttheremovalof 
theharddiskdrive.Toenabletheconfigurationchangedetectionfeature,dothefollowing:
1.StarttheSetupUtilityprogram.
2.FromtheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu,selectSecurity➙ConfigurationChangeDetection, 
andpressEnter.
3.SelectEnabledandpressEnter.
4.PressF10tosavechangesandexittheSetupUtilityprogram.PressEnterwhenpromptedtoconfirm 
theexit.
Viewingandchangingsettings
TheSetupUtilityprogrammenulistsvariousitemsaboutthesystemconfiguration.Tovieworchange 
settings,starttheSetupUtilityprogram.See“StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage33.Then,follow 
theinstructionsonthescreen.
Youcanuseeitherthekeyboardorthemousetonavigatethroughmenuchoices.Thekeysusedtoperform 
varioustasksaredisplayedatthebottomofeachscreen.
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UsingBIOSpasswords
ByusingtheSetupUtilityprogram,youcansetpasswordstopreventunauthorizedaccesstoyourcomputer 
anddata.
Youdonothavetosetanypasswordstouseyourcomputer.However,usingpasswordsimproves 
computingsecurity.Ifyoudecidetosetanypasswords,readthefollowingsections.
SetupUtilityprogrampasswordtypes
Thefollowingtypesofpasswordsareavailable:
•Power-onpassword 
Whenapower-onpasswordisset,youarepromptedtoenteravalidpasswordeachtimethecomputeris 
turnedon.Thecomputercannotbeuseduntilthevalidpasswordisentered.
•Administratorpassword 
Settinganadministratorpassworddetersunauthorizedusersfromchangingconfigurationsettings.Ifyou 
areresponsibleformaintainingtheconfigurationsettingsofseveralcomputers,youmightwanttoset 
anAdministratorpassword.
Whenanadministratorpasswordisset,youarepromptedtoenteravalidpasswordeachtimeyou 
trytoaccesstheSetupUtilityprogram.TheSetupUtilityprogramcannotbeaccesseduntilavalid 
passwordisentered.
Ifboththepower-onpasswordandadministratorpasswordareset,youcanentereitherpassword. 
However,youmustuseyourAdministratorpasswordtochangeanyconfigurationsettings.
•Harddiskpassword 
Settingaharddiskpasswordpreventsunauthorizedaccesstothedataontheharddiskdrive.Whena 
harddiskpasswordisset,youarepromptedtoenteravalidpasswordeachtimeyoutrytoaccessthe 
harddiskdrive.
Notes:
–Afteryousetaharddiskpassword,yourdataontheharddiskdriveisprotectedeveniftheharddisk
driveisremovedfromonecomputerandinstalledinanother.
–Iftheharddiskpasswordisforgotten,thereisnowaytoresetthepasswordorrecoverdatafromthe
harddiskdrive.
Passwordconsiderations
Apasswordcanbeanycombinationofupto64alphabeticandnumericcharacters.Forsecurityreasons,it 
isrecommendedtouseastrongpasswordthatcannotbeeasilycompromised.
Note:TheSetupUtilityprogrampasswordsarenotcasesensitive.
Tosetastrongpassword,considerthefollowingguidelines:
•Haveatleasteightcharactersinlength
•Containatleastonealphabeticcharacterandonenumericcharacter
•Notbeyournameoryourusername
•Notbeacommonwordoracommonname
•Besignificantlydifferentfromyourpreviouspasswords
Setting,changing,anddeletingapassword
Toset,change,ordeleteapassword,dothefollowing:
1.StarttheSetupUtilityprogram.See“StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage33.
2.FromtheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu,selectSecurity.
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3.Dependingonthepasswordtype,selectSetPower-OnPassword,SetAdministratorPassword,or 
HardDiskPassword.
4.Followtheinstructionsontherightsideofthescreentoset,change,ordeleteapassword.
Note:Apasswordcanbeanycombinationofupto64alphabeticandnumericcharacters.Formore 
information,see“Passwordconsiderations”onpage34
.
Erasinglostorforgottenpasswords(clearingCMOS)
Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoeraselostorforgottenpasswords,suchasauserpassword.
Toerasealostorforgottenpassword,dothefollowing:
1.Removeallmediafromthedrivesandturnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.Then,disconnect 
allpowercordsfromelectricaloutletsanddisconnectallcablesthatareconnectedtothecomputer.
2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage67.
3.LocatetheClearCMOS/Recoveryjumperonthesystemboard.See“Locatingpartsonthesystem 
board”onpage6.
4.Movethejumperfromthestandardposition(pin1andpin2)tothemaintenanceposition(pin2and 
pin3).
5.Reinstallthecomputercoverandconnectthepowercord.See“Completingthepartsreplacement”on 
page110.
6.Turnonthecomputerandleaveitonforapproximately10seconds.Then,turnoffthecomputerby 
holdingthepowerbuttonforapproximatelyfiveseconds.
7.Repeatstep1throughstep2.
8.MovetheClearCMOS/Recoveryjumperbacktothestandardposition(pin1andpin2).
9.Reinstallthecomputercoverandconnectthepowercord.See“Completingthepartsreplacement”on 
page110.
Enablingordisablingadevice
Thissectionprovidesinformationonhowtoenableordisableuseraccesstothefollowingdevices:
USBSetupUsethisoptiontoenableordisableaUSBconnector.WhenaUSBconnectoris
disabled,thedeviceconnectedtotheUSBconnectorcannotbeused.
SATAControllerWhenthisoptionissettoDisable,alldevicesconnectedtotheSATAconnectors
(suchasharddiskdrivesoropticaldrives)aredisabledandcannotbeaccessed.
Toenableordisableadevice,dothefollowing:
1.StarttheSetupUtilityprogram.See“StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage33.
2.FromtheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu,selectDevices.
3.Dependingonthedeviceyouwanttoenableordisable,dooneofthefollowing:
•SelectUSBSetuptoenableordisableaUSBdevice.
•SelectATADriveSetuptoenableordisableaninternalorexternalSATAdevice.
4.SelectthedesiredsettingsandpressEnter.
5.PressF10tosavechangesandexittheSetupUtilityprogram.See“ExitingtheSetupUtilityprogram” 
onpage38.
Chapter5.Advancedconfiguration35
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Selectingastartupdevice
Ifyourcomputerdoesnotstartupfromadeviceasexpected,dooneofthefollowingtoselectthestartup 
deviceyouwant.
Selectingatemporarystartupdevice
Usethisproceduretoselectatemporarystartupdevice.
Note:Notalldiscsandharddiskdrivesarebootable.
1.Turnonorrestartyourcomputer.
2.Whenyouseethelogoscreen,repeatedlypressandreleasetheF12key.TheStartupDeviceMenu 
windowisdisplayed.
3.SelectthedesiredstartupdeviceandpressEnter.Thecomputerwillstartupfromthedeviceyou 
selected.
Note:SelectingastartupdevicefromtheStartupDeviceMenuwindowdoesnotpermanentlychange 
thestartupsequence.
Selectingorchangingthestartupdevicesequence
Tovieworpermanentlychangetheconfiguredstartupdevicesequence,dothefollowing:
1.StarttheSetupUtilityprogram.See“StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage33.
2.FromtheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu,selectStartup.
3.SelectthedevicesforthePrimaryStartupSequence,theAutomaticStartupSequence,andtheError 
StartupSequence.Readtheinformationdisplayedontherightsideofthescreen.
4.PressF10tosavechangesandexittheSetupUtilityprogram.See“ExitingtheSetupUtilityprogram” 
onpage38.
EnablingErPLPScompliancemode
Lenovocomputersmeettheeco-designrequirementsoftheErPLot3regulation.Formoreinformation,go 
to: 
http://www.lenovo.com/ecodeclaration
YoucanenableErPLPScompliancemodeintheSetupUtilityprogramtoreducetheconsumptionof 
electricitywhenyourcomputerisofforinsleepmode.
ToenableErPLPScompliancemodeintheSetupUtilityprogram,dothefollowing:
1.StarttheSetupUtilityprogram.See“StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage33.
2.FromtheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu,selectPower➙EnhancedPowerSavingMode,and 
pressEnter.
3.SelectEnabledandpressEnter.
4.FromthePowermenu,selectAutomaticPowerOnandpressEnter.
5.SelectWakeonLanandpressEnter.
6.SelectDisabledandpressEnter.
7.PressF10tosavechangesandexittheSetupUtilityprogram.PressEnterwhenpromptedtoconfirm 
theexit.
WhenErPLPScompliancemodeisenabled,youcanwakeupyourcomputerbydoingoneofthefollowing:
•Pressthepowerbutton
•Enablethewakeuponalarmfeature
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Thewakeuponalarmfeatureenablesyourcomputertowakeupatasettime.T oenablethewake 
uponalarmfeature,dothefollowing:
1.StarttheSetupUtilityprogram.
2.FromtheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu,selectPower➙AutomaticPowerOn,andpressEnter.
3.SelectWakeUponAlarmandpressEnter.Thenfollowtheinstructionsonthescreen.
4.PressF10tosavechangesandexittheSetupUtilityprogram.PressEnterwhenpromptedto 
confirmtheexit.
•Enabletheafterpowerlossfeature 
Theafterpowerlossfeatureenablesyourcomputertowakeupwhenthepowersupplyresumesaftera
suddenlossofelectricity.Toenabletheafterpowerlossfeature,dothefollowing:
1.StarttheSetupUtilityprogram.
2.FromtheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu,selectPower➙AfterPowerLoss,andpressEnter.
3.SelectPowerOnandpressEnter.
4.PressF10tosavechangesandexittheSetupUtilityprogram.PressEnterwhenpromptedto 
confirmtheexit.
ICEperformancemode
YoucanadjusttheacousticandthermalperformanceofyourcomputerthroughtheICEPerformance 
Modemenu.T wochoicesareavailable:
•BetterAcousticPerformance(defaultsetting)
•BetterThermalPerformance
ByenablingBetterAcousticPerformance,yourcomputerwillrunwithlessnoiseatanormalthermal 
level.ByenablingBetterThermalPerformance,yourcomputerwillrunatabetterthermallevelwith 
normalacousticperformance.
ToconfiguretheICEperformancemode,dothefollowing:
1.StarttheSetupUtilityprogram.See“StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage33.
2.FromtheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu,selectPower.
3.SelectIntelligentCoolingEngine(ICE).TheIntelligentCoolingEngine(ICE)windowisdisplayed.
4.SelectICEPerformanceMode.TheICEPerformanceModewindowisdisplayed.
5.SelectBetterAcousticPerformanceorBetterThermalPerformanceasdesired.
6.PressF10tosavechangesandexittheSetupUtilityprogram.See“ExitingtheSetupUtilityprogram” 
onpage38.
ICEthermalalert
YoucanmonitorthethermalfunctionofyourcomputerundercriticalthermalsituationsthroughtheICE 
ThermalAlertmenu.Twochoicesareavailable:
•Enabled(defaultsetting)
•Disabled
AfterenablingtheICEthermalalertfunction,whencriticalthermalsituationsoccur,suchasmalfunctioning 
fans,abnormallyhightemperature,andpoorcoolingperformances,analertlogwillbewrittenintothe 
Windowssystemlog.Thealertlogcanhelpyouidentifythethermalproblems.
ToconfiguretheICEthermalalertfunction,dothefollowing:
Chapter5.Advancedconfiguration37
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1.StarttheSetupUtilityprogram.See“StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage33.
2.FromtheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu,selectPower.
3.SelectIntelligentCoolingEngine(ICE).TheIntelligentCoolingEngine(ICE)windowisdisplayed.
4.SelectICEThermalAlert.TheICEThermalAlertwindowisdisplayed.
5.SelectEnabledorDisabledasdesired.
6.PressF10tosavechangesandexittheSetupUtilityprogram.See“ExitingtheSetupUtilityprogram” 
onpage38
.
ExitingtheSetupUtilityprogram
Afteryoufinishviewingorchangingsettings,pressEsctoreturntotheSetupUtilityprogrammainmenu. 
YoumighthavetopressEscseveraltimes.Dooneofthefollowing:
•Ifyouwanttosavethenewsettings,pressF10tosavechangesandexittheSetupUtilityprogram.
•Ifyoudonotwanttosavethesettings,selectExit➙DiscardChangesandExit,andthenpressEnter. 
WhentheResetWithoutSavingwindowdisplays,selectY es,andthenpressEntertoexittheSetup 
Utilityprogram.
•Ifyouwanttoreturntothedefaultsettings,pressF9toloadthedefaultsettings,andthenpressF10to 
saveandexittheSetupUtilityprogram.
UpdatingorrecoveringtheBIOS
LenovomightmakechangesandenhancementstotheBIOS.Whenupdatesarereleased,theyareavailable 
asdownloadablefilesontheLenovoWebsiteathttp://www.lenovo.com/drivers.Instructionsforusingthe 
BIOSupdatesareavailableinaTXTfilethatisincludedwiththeupdatefiles.Formostmodels,youcan 
downloadeitheranupdateprogramtocreateasystem-program-updatediscoranupdateprogramthat 
canberunfromtheoperatingsystem.
ThischapterprovidesinformationaboutupdatingtheBIOS,andhowtorecoverfromaBIOSupdatefailure.
Usingsystemprograms
Systemprogramsarethebasiclayerofsoftwarebuiltintoyourcomputer.Systemprogramsincludethe 
POST,theBIOS,andtheSetupUtilityprogram.ThePOSTisasetoftestsandproceduresthatare 
performedeachtimeyouturnonyourcomputer.TheBIOSisalayerofsoftwarethattranslatesinstructions 
fromotherlayersofsoftwareintoelectricalsignalsthatthecomputerhardwarecanexecute.Youcanusethe 
SetupUtilityprogramtovieworchangetheconfigurationsettingsofyourcomputer.See“UsingtheSetup 
Utilityprogram”onpage33
Thesystemboardofyourcomputerhasamodulecalledelectricallyerasableprogrammableread-only 
memory(EEPROM,alsoreferredtoasflashmemory).ItenablesyoutoupdatethePOST,theBIOS,and 
theSetupUtilityprogrameasily.Toperformsuchanupdate,youcaneitherstartyourcomputerwitha 
system-program-updatediscorrunaspecialupdateprogramfromyouroperatingsystem.
LenovomightmakechangesandenhancementstothePOSTandBIOS.Whenupdatesarereleased,they 
areavailableasdownloadablefilesontheLenovoWebsiteathttp://www.lenovo.com.Instructionsforusing 
thePOSTandBIOSupdatesareavailableinaTXTfilethatisincludedwiththeupdatefiles.Formost 
models,youcandownloadanupdateprogramthatcanbeusedtocreateasystem-program-updatedisc 
orberunfromtheoperatingsystem.
fordetailedinformation.
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UpdatingtheBIOS
Whenyouinstallanewprogram,hardwaredevice,ordevicedriver,youmightbeinformedtoupdate 
theBIOS.Y oucanupdatetheBIOSfromyouroperatingsystemoraflashupdatedisc(supportedonly 
onsomemodels).
ToupdatetheBIOS,dothefollowing:
1.Gotohttp://www.lenovo.com/drivers.
2.DownloadtheflashBIOSupdatedriverfortheoperatingsystemversionortheISOimageversion(used 
tocreateaflashupdatedisc).Then,downloadtheinstallationinstructionsfortheflashBIOSupdate 
driveryoudownload.
3.PrinttheinstallationinstructionsyoudownloadandfollowtheinstructionstoupdatetheBIOS.
Note:IfyouwanttoupdatetheBIOSfromaflashupdatedisc,theinstallationinstructionsmightnotprovide 
theinformationabouthowtorecordtheupdatedisc.See“Recordingadisc”onpage19.
RecoveringfromaBIOSupdatefailure
TorecoverfromaBIOSupdatefailure,dothefollowing:
1.Removeallmediafromthedrivesandturnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.Then,disconnect 
allpowercordsfromelectricaloutletsanddisconnectallcablesthatareconnectedtothecomputer.
2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage67.
3.LocatetheClearCMOS/Recoveryjumperonthesystemboard.See“Locatingpartsonthesystem 
board”onpage6
4.RemoveanycablesthatimpedeaccesstotheClearCMOS/Recoveryjumper.
5.Movethejumperfromthestandardposition(pin1andpin2)tothemaintenanceposition(pin2and 
pin3).
6.ReconnectanycablesthatweredisconnectedandreinstallthePCIcardifremoved.
7.Reinstallthecomputercoverandreconnectthepowercordsforthecomputerandmonitortoelectrical 
outlets.See“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage110.
8.PressthepowerbuttontoturnonthecomputerandinserttheBIOSupdatediscintotheopticaldrive. 
Waitafewminutes.Therecoveryprocessbegins.Aftertherecoveryprocessiscompleted,your 
computerwillbeturnedoffautomatically.
.
Note:Dependingonthecomputermodel,therecoveryprocesswilltaketwotothreeminutes.
9.Repeatstep1throughstep4.
10.MovetheClearCMOS/Recoveryjumperbacktothestandardposition(pin1andpin2).
11.ReconnectanycablesthatweredisconnectedandreinstallthePCIcardifremoved.
12.Reinstallthecomputercoverandreconnectanycablesthatweredisconnected.
13.Pressthepowerbuttontoturnonthecomputerandrestarttheoperatingsystem.
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40ThinkCentreM79UserGuide
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Chapter6.Preventingproblems
Thischapterprovidesinformationthatcanhelpyouavoidcommonproblemsandkeepyourcomputer 
runningsmoothly.
Keepingyourcomputercurrent
Inmostcases,itisagoodpracticetohavethemostup-to-dateoperatingsystemupdatepatches,software 
programs,anddevicedrivers.Thissectionprovidesinformationabouthowtogetthelatestupdatesforyour 
computer.
Gettingthelatestdevicedriversforyourcomputer
Attention:Reinstallingdevicedriverswillchangethecurrentconfigurationofyourcomputer.
Togetthelatestdevicedriversforyourcomputer,dooneofthefollowing:
•Downloadthedevicedriversthatarepreinstalledonyourcomputer.Gotohttp://www.lenovo.com/drivers.
•UsetheLenovoprogramorWindowsUpdate.See“Gettingthelatestsystemupdates”onpage41
Note:ThedevicedriversprovidedbyWindowsUpdatemightnotbetestedbyLenovo.Itisrecommended 
thatyougetdevicedriversfromLenovo.
Gettingthelatestsystemupdates
.
Togetthelatestsystemupdatesforyourcomputer,ensurethatyourcomputerisconnectedtotheInternet 
anddooneofthefollowing:
•UseoneofthefollowingLenovoprogramstogetthesystemupdates,suchasdevicedriverupdates, 
softwareupdates,andBIOSupdates:
–ForWindows7orWindows8.1:UsetheSystemUpdateprogram. 
–ForWindows10:UsetheLenovoCompanionprogram. 
ToopentheSystemUpdateorLenovoCompanionprogram,see“Accessingaprogramonyourcomputer”
onpage12
•UseWindowsUpdatetogetthesystemupdates,suchassecurityfixes,newversionsofWindows 
components,anddevicedriverupdates.
1.DependingonyourWindowsversion,dooneofthefollowing:
–ForWindows7:ClicktheStartbuttontoopentheStartmenu,andthenclickControlPanel.View
–ForWindows8.1:Movethepointertothetop-rightorbottom-rightcornerofthescreento
–ForWindows10:ClicktheStartbuttontoopentheStartmenu.Then,clickSettings➙Update&
2.Followtheinstructionsonthescreen.
.Formoreinformationaboutusingtheprogram,refertothehelpsystemoftheprogram.
ControlPanelusingLargeiconsorSmallicons,andthenclickWindowsUpdate.
displaythecharms.Then,clickSettings➙ChangePCsettings➙Updateandrecovery➙
WindowsUpdate.
security➙WindowsUpdate.
Cleaningandmaintenance
Withappropriatecareandmaintenanceyourcomputerwillserveyoureliably.Thefollowingtopicsoffer 
informationtohelpyoukeepyourcomputerintopworkingorder.
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Basics
Herearesomebasicpointsaboutkeepingyourcomputerfunctioningproperly:
•Keepyourcomputerinaclean,dryenvironment.Ensurethatthecomputerrestsonaflat,steadysurface.
•Donotcoveranyoftheventsinthecomputerormonitor.Theseventsprovideairflowtokeepyour 
computerfromoverheating.
•Keepfoodanddrinksawayfromallpartsofyourcomputer.Foodparticlesandspillsmightmakethe 
keyboardandmousestickandunusable.
•Donotgetthepowerswitchesorothercontrolswet.Moisturecandamagethesepartsandcausean 
electricalhazard.
•Alwaysdisconnectapowercordbygraspingthepluginsteadofthecord.
Cleaningyourcomputer
Itisagoodpracticetocleanyourcomputerperiodicallytoprotectthesurfacesandensuretrouble-free 
operation.
CAUTION: 
Besuretoturnoffthecomputerandmonitorbeforecleaningthecomputerandmonitorscreen.
Computer
Useonlymildcleaningsolutionsandadampclothtocleanthepaintedsurfacesofthecomputer.
Keyboard
Tocleanyourcomputerkeyboard,dothefollowing:
1.Applysomeisopropylrubbingalcoholtoasoft,dust-freecloth.
2.Wipeeachkeytopsurfacewiththecloth.Wipethekeysonebyone;ifyouwipeseveralkeysatatime, 
theclothmayhookontoanadjacentkeyandpossiblydamageit.Ensurethatnoliquiddripsonto 
orbetweenthekeys.
3.Toremoveanycrumbsordustfrombeneaththekeys,youcanuseacamerablowerwithabrush 
orcoolairfromahairdryer.
Note:Avoidsprayingcleanerdirectlyontothekeyboard.
Opticalmouse
Anopticalmouseusesalight-emittingdiode(LED)andanopticalsensortonavigatethepointer.Ifthe 
pointeronthescreendoesnotmovesmoothlywiththeopticalmouse,youmightneedtocleanthemouse.
Tocleananopticalmouse,dothefollowing:
1.Turnoffyourcomputer.
2.Disconnectthemousecablefromthecomputer.
3.Turnthemouseupsidedowntocheckthelens.
•Ifthereisasmudgeonthelens,gentlycleantheareawithaplaincotton-tippedswab.
•Ifthereisdebrisinthelens,gentlyblowthedebrisawayfromthearea.
4.Checkthesurfaceonwhichyouareusingthemouse.Ifyouhaveaveryintricatepictureorpattern 
beneaththemouse,itmightbedifficultforthedigitalsignalprocessortodeterminechangesinthe 
mouseposition.
5.Reconnectthemousecabletothecomputer.
6.Turnyourcomputerbackon.
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Displayscreen
Dustbuildupcompoundsproblemsassociatedwithglare.Remembertocleanyourmonitorscreen 
periodically.
Cleaningaflat-panelmonitorsurface
Tocleantheflexiblefilmsurfaceofaflat-panelcomputerdisplay,wipeitgentlywithasoft,drycloth,or 
blowonthescreentoremovegritandotherlooseparticles.ThenmoistenaclothwithLCDcleanerand 
wipethescreensurface.
Manycomputersupplystorescarrythespecialcleaningfluidsfordisplays.Usecleaningfluidsdevelopedfor 
LCDdisplaysonly.Firstapplythefluidtoalint-free,softcloth,thencleantheLCDdisplay.Somecomputer 
supplystorescarrypre-moistenedtowelettesforLCDmaintenance.
Cleaningaglass-screensurface
Tocleanaglass-screensurface,wipeitgentlywithasoft,drycloth,orblowonthescreentoremovegritand 
otherlooseparticles.Thenuseasoftclothmoistenedwithanonabrasiveliquidglasscleaner.
Goodmaintenancepractices
Byperformingafewgoodmaintenancepractices,youcanmaintaingoodcomputerperformance,protect 
yourdata,andbepreparedincaseofacomputerfailure.
•Keepyourcomputersoftware,devicedrivers,andoperatingsystemup-to-date.See“Keepingyour 
computercurrent”onpage41.
•Emptyyourrecyclebinonaregularbasis.
•CleanoutyourInbox,SentItems,andDeletedItemsfoldersinyoure-mailapplicationonaregularbasis.
•Cleanupfilesandfreeupstoragedrivespaceandmemoryspaceoccasionallytopreventperformance 
problems.See“Performanceandlockupproblems”onpage54.
•Keepalogbook.Entriesmightincludemajorsoftwareorhardwarechanges,device-driverupdates, 
intermittentproblemsandwhatyoudidtoresolvethem,andotherissuesyoumighthaveexperienced. 
Thecauseofaproblemmightbechangeinhardware,changeinsoftware,oranyotheractionsthatmight 
havetakenplace.AlogbookcanhelpyouoraLenovotechniciandeterminethecauseofaproblem.
•Backupyourdataonthestoragedriveregularly.Youcanrestorethestoragedrivefromabackup. 
Tobackupyourdata,dooneofthefollowing:
–ForWindows7:OpentheRescueandRecoveryprogram.See“Accessingaprogramonyour
computer”onpage12 
oftheprogram.
–ForWindows8.1:OpenControlPanel.ViewControlPanelusingLargeiconsorSmallicons,andthen
clickFileHistory.Followtheinstructionsonthescreen.
Note:FordetailedinformationonhowtoopenControlPanelonWindows8.1,see“AccessingControl 
PanelontheWindows8.1operatingsystem”onpage21
–ForWindows10:Right-clicktheStartbuttontoopentheStartcontextmenu,andthenclickControl
Panel.ViewControlPanelusingLargeiconsorSmallicons,andthenclickFileHistory.Followthe 
instructionsonthescreen.
•Createarecoverymediumasearlyaspossible.Y oucanusetherecoverymediumtorecoveryour 
operatingsystemevenifWindowsfailstostartup.
Tocreatearecoverymedium,dooneofthefollowing:
–ForWindows7:OpentheCreateRecoveryMediaprogram.See“Accessingaprogramonyour
computer”onpage12 
systemoftheprogram.
.Formoreinformationaboutbackingupyourdata,refertothehelpsystem
.
.Formoreinformationaboutcreatingarecoverymedium,refertothehelp
Chapter6.Preventingproblems43
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–ForWindows8.1:OpenControlPanel.ViewControlPanelusingLargeiconsorSmallicons,andthen
clickRecovery.Followtheinstructionsonthescreen.
Note:FordetailedinformationonhowtoopenControlPanelonWindows8.1,see“AccessingControl 
PanelontheWindows8.1operatingsystem”onpage21
–ForWindows10:Right-clicktheStartbuttontoopentheStartcontextmenu,andthenclickControl
Panel.ViewControlPanelusingLargeiconsorSmallicons,andthenclickRecovery.Followthe 
instructionsonthescreen.
•ForWindows7,createarescuemediumasearlyaspossible.Youcanusetherescuemediumto 
recoverfromfailuresthatpreventyoufromgainingaccesstotheRescueandRecoveryworkspace 
onyourstoragedrive.
Tocreatearescuemedium,opentheRescueandRecoveryprogram.See“Accessingaprogramonyour 
computer”onpage12 
oftheprogram.
.Formoreinformationaboutcreatingarescuemedium,refertothehelpsystem
.
Movingyourcomputer
Takethefollowingprecautionsbeforemovingyourcomputer:
1.Backupallfilesanddatafromtheharddiskdrive.Thereareavarietyofbackupprogramsavailable 
commercially.IfyouusetheWindows7operatingsystem,LenovoprovidestheRescueandRecovery 
programtohelpyoubackupandrestoredata.See“Performingbackupandrecoveryoperations” 
onpage60.
2.Removeallmediafromyourcomputer,suchasdiscs,USBstoragedevices,memorycards,andsoon.
3.Turnoffthecomputerandallattacheddevices.Yourharddiskdriveautomaticallyparkstheread/write 
headinanondataarea.Thispreventsdamagetotheharddiskdrive.
4.Unplugthepowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.
5.Disconnectcommunicationcables,suchasmodemornetworkcables,fromtheoutletsfirst,andthen 
disconnecttheotherendsfromthecomputer.
6.Notewhereanyremainingcablesareattachedtothecomputer;then,removethem.
7.Ifyousavedtheoriginalshippingcartonsandpackingmaterials,usethemtopacktheunits.Ifyouare 
usingdifferentcartons,cushiontheunitstoavoiddamage.
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Chapter7.Troubleshootinganddiagnostics
Thischapterprovidesinformationaboutdiagnosingandtroubleshootingcomputerproblems.Ifyour 
computerproblemisnotdescribedhere,seeChapter10“Gettinginformation,help,andservice”onpage 
113foradditionaltroubleshootingresources.
Basictroubleshooting
Thefollowingtableprovidessomebasicinstructionstohelpyoutroubleshootyourcomputerproblems.
Note:Ifyoucannotcorrecttheproblem,havethecomputerserviced.Foralistofserviceandsupport 
telephonenumbers,refertotheSafety,Warranty,andSetupGuidethatcomeswithyourcomputerorgoto 
theLenovoSupportWebsiteat: 
http://www.lenovo.com/support/phone
SymptomAction
Thecomputerdoesnotstart 
whenyoupressthepower 
button.
Themonitorscreenisblank.Ensurethat:
Thekeyboarddoesnotwork.Ensurethat:
Themousedoesnotwork.Ensurethat:
Ensurethat:
•Thepowercordiscorrectlyconnectedtotherearofthecomputerandtoa 
workingelectricaloutlet.
•Ifyourcomputerhasasecondarypowerswitchontherearofthecomputer, 
ensurethatitisswitchedon.
•Thepowerindicatoronthefrontofthecomputerison.
•Thecomputervoltagematchesthevoltageavailableattheelectricaloutletfor 
yourcountryorregion.
•Themonitorsignalcableiscorrectlyconnectedtothemonitorandtothe 
appropriatemonitorconnectoronthecomputer.
•Themonitorpowercordiscorrectlyconnectedtothemonitorandtoaworking 
electricaloutlet.
•Themonitoristurnedonandthebrightnessandcontrastissetcorrectly.
•Thecomputervoltagematchesthevoltageavailableattheelectricaloutletfor 
yourcountryorregion.
•Ifyourcomputerhasadiscretegraphicscardinstalled,besuretouseamonitor 
connectoronthediscretegraphicscard.
•Thecomputeristurnedon.
•ThekeyboardissecurelyconnectedtoaPS/2keyboardconnectororaUSB 
connectoronthecomputer.
•Nokeysarestuck.
•Thecomputeristurnedon.
•ThemouseissecurelyconnectedtoaPS/2mouseconnectororaUSB 
connectoronthecomputer.
•Themouseisclean.Referto“Opticalmouse”onpage42forfurtherinformation.
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SymptomAction
Theoperatingsystemdoesnot 
start.
Thecomputerbeepsmultiple 
timesbeforetheoperating 
systemstarts.
Ensurethatthestartupsequenceincludesthedevicewheretheoperatingsystem 
resides.Usually,theoperatingsystemisontheharddiskdrive.Formore 
information,see“Selectingastartupdevice”onpage36
Ensurethatnokeysarestuck.
.
Troubleshootingprocedure
Usethefollowingprocedureasastartingpointfordiagnosingproblemsyouareexperiencingwithyour 
computer:
1.Ensurethatthecablesforallattacheddevicesareconnectedcorrectlyandsecurely.
2.Ensurethatallattacheddevicesthatrequireacpowerareconnectedtoproperlygrounded,functioning 
electricaloutlets.
3.EnsurethatallattacheddevicesareenabledintheBIOSsettingsofyourcomputer.Formoreinformation 
aboutaccessingandchangingtheBIOSsettings,referto“UsingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage33.
4.Goto“T roubleshooting”onpage46andfollowtheinstructionsforthetypeofproblemyouare 
experiencing.IftheTroubleshootinginformationdoesnothelpyouresolveaproblem,continuewiththe 
nextstep.
5.Tryusingapreviouslycapturedconfigurationtoseeifarecentchangetohardwareorsoftwaresettings 
hascausedaproblem.Beforerestoringapreviousconfiguration,captureyourcurrentconfigurationin 
casetheolderconfigurationsettingsdonotsolvetheproblemorhaveadverseeffects.Torestorea 
capturedconfiguration,dothefollowing:
a.OpenControlPanelbydoingoneofthefollowing:
•ForWindows7:ClicktheStartbuttontoopentheStartmenu,andthenclickControlPanel.
•ForWindows8.1:See“AccessingControlPanelontheWindows8.1operatingsystem”on 
page21.
•ForWindows10:Right-clicktheStartbuttontoopentheStartcontextmenu,andthenclick 
ControlPanel.
b.ViewControlPanelusingLargeiconsorSmallicons,andthenclickRecovery➙OpenSystem
Restore. 
c.Followtheinstructionsonthescreen. 
Ifthisdoesnotcorrecttheproblem,continuewiththenextstep.
6.Runthediagnosticprogram.See“LenovoSolutionCenter”onpage57formoreinformation.
•Ifthediagnosticprogramdetectsahardwarefailureorifyouareunabletorunthediagnostic
program,contacttheLenovoCustomerSupportCenter.SeeChapter10“Gettinginformation,help, 
andservice”onpage113formoreinformation.
•Ifthediagnosticprogramdoesnotdetectahardwarefailure,continuewiththenextstep.
7.Useanantivirusprogramtoseeifyourcomputerhasbeeninfectedbyavirus.Iftheprogramdetectsa 
virus,removethevirus.
8.Ifnoneoftheseactionssolvetheproblem,seektechnicalassistance.SeeChapter10“Getting 
information,help,andservice”onpage113
formoreinformation.
Troubleshooting
Usethetroubleshootinginformationtofindsolutionstoproblemsthathavedefinitesymptoms.
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Ifthesymptomoccurredimmediatelyafteryouinstallednewsoftwareoranewhardwareoption,dothe 
followingbeforereferringtothetroubleshootinginformation:
1.Removethenewhardwareoptionorsoftware.Ifyoumustremovethecomputercovertoremovea 
hardwareoption,ensurethatyoureviewandfollowtheelectricalsafetyinformationprovidedwithyour 
computer.Foryoursafety,donotoperatethecomputerwiththecoverremoved.
2.Runthediagnosticprogramtoensureyourcomputerisoperatingcorrectly.
3.Reinstallthenewhardwareoptionorsoftwarefollowingtheinstructionsprovidedbythemanufacturer.
Audioproblems
Thissectionprovidessolutionstoaudio-relatedproblems.
NoaudioinWindows
Solutions:
•IfyouareusingpoweredexternalspeakersthathaveanOn/Offcontrol,ensurethefollowing:
–TheOn/OffcontrolissettotheOnposition. 
–Thespeakerpowercableisconnectedtoaproperlygrounded,functionalacelectricaloutlet.
•Ifyourexternalspeakershaveavolumecontrol,ensurethatthevolumeisnotsettoolow.
•OntheWindowsdesktop,clickthespeakericonintheWindowsnotificationarea.ThenclickMixer. 
Ensurethatthemutespeakerssettingsarenotselectedandnoneofthevolumesettingsissettoolow.
•Somemodelshaveafrontaudiopanelyoucanusetoadjustvolume.Ifyouhaveafrontaudiopanel, 
ensurethatthevolumeisnotsettoolow.
•Ensurethatyourexternalspeakers(andheadphones,ifused)areconnectedtothecorrectaudio 
connectoronthecomputer.Mostspeakercablesarecolor-codedtomatchtheconnector.
Note:Whenexternal-speakerorheadphonecablesareattachedtotheaudioconnector,theinternal 
speaker,ifpresent,isdisabled.Inmostcases,ifanaudioadapterisinstalledinoneoftheexpansion 
slots,theaudiofunctionbuiltintothesystemboardisdisabled.Therefore,youmustusetheaudio 
connectorsontheaudioadapter.
•EnsurethattheprogramyouarerunningisdesignedforuseintheMicrosoftWindowsoperatingsystem. 
IftheprogramisdesignedtoruninDOS,theprogramdoesnotusetheWindowssoundfeature.The 
programmustbeconfiguredtouseSoundBlasterProorSoundBlasteremulation.
•Ensurethattheaudiodevicedriversarecorrectlyinstalled.SeeWindowshelpsystemformore 
information.
Soundcomesfromoneexternalspeakeronly
Solutions:
•Ensurethatthespeakercableisinsertedcompletelyintotheconnectoronthecomputer.
•Ensurethatthecablethatattachestheleftspeakertotherightspeakerissecurelyconnected.
•ClickthespeakericonintheWindowsnotificationarea.Thenclickthespeakericonontopofthevolume 
control.ClicktheLevelstabandensurethattheBalancesettingsaresetcorrectly.
CDproblems
ThissectionprovidessolutionstoCD-relatedproblems.
AnaudiodiscorAutoPlay-enableddiscdoesnotautomaticallyplaywhenitis 
insertedintoaCDdrive
Solutions:
Chapter7.Troubleshootinganddiagnostics47
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•IfyouhavemultipleCDorDVDdrivesinstalled(oracombinationofCDandDVDdrives),tryinsertingthe 
discintotheotherdrive.Insomecases,onlyoneofthedrivesisconnectedtotheaudiosubsystem.
•Ifthisdoesnotcorrecttheproblem,followthesolutionsfor“ACDorDVDdoesnotwork”onpage48.
ACDorDVDdoesnotwork
Solutions:
•Ensurethatthediscisinsertedcorrectly,withitslabelup.
•Ensurethatthediscyouareusingisclean.T oremovedustorfingerprints,wipethedisccleanwithasoft 
clothfromthecentertotheoutside.Wipingadiscinacircularmotionmightcauselossofdata.
•Ensurethatthediscyouareusingisnotscratchedordamaged.T ryinsertinganotherdiscthatyou 
knowisgood.Ifyoucannotreadfromaknown-gooddisc,youmighthaveaproblemwithyouroptical 
driveorthecablingtoyouropticaldrive.Ensurethatthepowercableandsignalcablearesecurely 
connectedtothedrive.
Unabletouseabootablerecoverymedium,suchastheProductRecoveryCD,to 
startyourcomputer
Solution:EnsurethattheCDorDVDdriveisinthestartupsequencebeforetheharddiskdrive.Referto 
“Selectingorchangingthestartupdevicesequence”onpage36forinformationonviewingandchanging 
thestartupsequence.Notethatonsomemodelsthestartupsequenceispermanentlysetandcannot 
bechanged.
DVDproblems
ThissectionprovidessolutionstoDVD-relatedproblems.
BlackscreeninsteadofDVDvideo
Solutions:
•RestarttheDVDplayerprogram.
•Tryalowerscreenresolutionorcolordepth.
•Closeanyopenfiles,andthenrestartthecomputer.
DVDmoviedoesnotplay
Solutions:
•Ensurethatthediscsurfaceiscleanandnotscratched.
•Checkthediscorpackageforregionalcoding.Y oumightneedtopurchaseadiscwithcodingfor 
theregionwhereyouareusingyourcomputer.
NoaudioorintermittentaudiowhileplayingaDVDmovie
Solutions:
•Checkthevolumecontrolsettingsonyourcomputerandonyourspeakers.
•Ensurethatthediscsurfaceiscleanandnotscratched.
•Checkallcableconnectionstoandfromthespeakers.
•UsetheDVDmenuforthevideotoselectadifferentaudiotrack.
Playbackissloworchoppy
Solutions:
•Disableanybackgroundprograms,suchasAntiVirusorDesktopThemes.
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•Ensurethatvideoresolutionissettolessthan1152x864pixels.
Invaliddiscornodiscfoundmessage
Solutions:
•EnsurethataDVDdiscisinthedrivewiththeshinysideofthediscfacingdown.
•Ensurethatvideoresolutionissettolessthan1152x864pixels.
•OncomputersthathaveaCD-ROMorCD-RWdriveinadditiontoaDVD-ROMdrive,ensurethatthe 
DVDdiscisinthedrivelabeled“DVD”.
Intermittentproblems
Someproblemsoccuronlyoccasionallyandaredifficulttorepeat.
Solutions:
•Ensurethatallcablesandcordsaresecurelyconnectedtothecomputerandattacheddevices.
•Ensurethatwhenthecomputerison,thefangrillisnotblocked(thereisairflowaroundthegrill),andthe 
fansareworking.Ifairflowisblockedorthefansarenotworking,thecomputermightoverheat.
•IfSmallComputerSystemInterface(SCSI)devicesareinstalled,ensurethatthelastexternaldevicein 
eachSCSIchainisterminatedcorrectly.Formoreinformation,seeyourSCSIdocumentation.
Harddiskdriveproblems
Selectyoursymptomfromthefollowinglist:
•“SomeorallharddiskdrivesmissingfromtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage49
•“"NoOperatingSystemFound"messageorthesystemnotstartingfromthecorrectharddiskdrive” 
onpage49
SomeorallharddiskdrivesmissingfromtheSetupUtilityprogram
Symptom:SomeorallharddiskdrivesmissingfromtheSetupUtilityprogram
Actions:
•Ensurethatallharddiskdrivesignalcablesandpowercablesareconnectedcorrectly.
•Ensurethatyourcomputerisconfiguredcorrectlytosupporttheharddiskdrives.
–IfyourcomputerisinstalledwithfiveSAT Aharddiskdrives,ensurethattheSATAharddiskdrive
enablementmodule(onetofiveharddiskdrives)isinstalled.
–IfyourcomputerisinstalledwithSASharddiskdrives,ensurethattheSASharddiskdriveenablement
module(onetofiveharddiskdrives)ortheLSIMegaRAIDSASadapterisinstalled.
Iftheseactionsdonotcorrecttheproblem,runthediagnosticprogramLenovoSolutionCenter.See 
“LenovoSolutionCenter”onpage57 
help,andservice”onpage113.
.Ifyouneedtechnicalassistance,seeChapter10“Gettinginformation,
"NoOperatingSystemFound"messageorthesystemnotstartingfromthecorrect 
harddiskdrive
Symptom:"NoOperatingSystemFound"messageorthesystemnotstartingfromthecorrectharddiskdrive
Actions:
•Ensurethatallharddiskdrivesignalcablesandpowercablesareconnectedcorrectly.Referto 
“Replacingtheharddiskdrive”onpage76
.
Chapter7.Troubleshootinganddiagnostics49
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•EnsurethattheharddiskdriveyourcomputerstartsfromislistedasthefirststartupdeviceintheSetup 
Utilityprogram.Referto“Selectingastartupdevice”onpage36
Note:Inrarecases,theharddiskdrivewiththeoperatingsystemmightgetcorruptedordamaged.Insuch 
cases,youmightneedtoreplacetheharddiskdrive.Referto“Replacingtheharddiskdrive”onpage76
Iftheseactionsdonotcorrecttheproblem,runthediagnosticprogramLenovoSolutionCenter.See 
“LenovoSolutionCenter”onpage57.
.
Problemswiththekeyboardormouse
Thissectionprovidessolutionstokeyboard-relatedandmouse-relatedproblems.
Keysonthekeyboarddonotwork
Solutions:
•ConnectthekeyboardcabletoaUSBconnectororPS/2keyboardconnector.
•IfyouareusingaUSBkeyboard,enabletheUSBconnectorsintheBIOSsettings.Formoreinformation, 
see“Enablingordisablingadevice”onpage35.
•IfyouareusinganEnhancedPerformanceUSBkeyboard,usethehelpsystemintheEnhanced 
PerformanceCustomizationKeyboardprogramtohelpdiagnoseproblems.
ToopentheEnhancedPerformanceCustomizationKeyboardprogram,dooneofthefollowing:
–OnWindows7:
1.ClickStart➙ControlPanel.
2.ClickHardwareandSound.
3.ClickDevicesandPrinters.
4.Double-clickUSBEnhancedPerformanceKeyboard.
–OnWindows8.1:
1.OpenControlPanel.Formoreinformation,see“AccessingControlPanelontheWindows8.1 
operatingsystem”onpage21
2.ClickHardwareandSound.
3.ClickDevicesandPrinters.
4.Double-clickUSBEnhancedPerformanceKeyboard.
.
.
Themousedoesnotwork
Solutions:
•ConnectthemousecabletoaUSBconnectororPS/2mouseconnector.
Note:Dependingonyourkeyboard,integratedUSBconnectorsmightbeavailabletobeusedto 
connectaUSBmouse.
•Installthedevicedriversforthemouse.
•IfyouareusingaUSBmouse,enabletheUSBconnectorsintheBIOSsettings.Formoreinformation, 
see“Enablingordisablingadevice”onpage35
.
Thepointeronthescreendoesnotmovesmoothlywiththemouse
Solution:Cleanthemouse.Formoreinformation,see“Opticalmouse”onpage42.
Thefingerprintreaderonthekeyboarddoesnotwork
Solutions:
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•Enrollyourfingerprintcorrectly.
•Neverscratchthesurfaceofthereaderwithahard,pointedobject.
•Neverscrapthesurfaceofthereaderwithyournailoranythinghard.
•Useortouchthereaderwithacleanfinger.
•Ensurethatthesurfaceofyourfingeristhesamewiththeonewhenyoulastenrolled.
Thewirelesskeyboarddoesnotwork
Solutions:
•IfthetransceivercommunicationsLEDisnoton,reconnectthetransceiverandthekeyboard.
•IfthewirelesskeyboarddoesnotworkwhenthetransceivercommunicationsLEDison,restartyour 
computer.
Iftheproblempersistsaftertherestart,ensurethat:
•Thebatteriesareinstalledcorrectly.
•Thebatteriesstillretaintheircurrent.
•Thedistancefromthewirelesskeyboardtothetransceiverislessthan10m(393.7inches).
•Thetransceiverisinstalledfully.
Monitorproblems
Thissectionprovidessolutionstomonitor-relatedproblems.
Myscreengoesblankwhilethecomputerison
Solutions:Yourscreensaverorpowermanagementmighthavebeenenabled.Dooneofthefollowing:
•Pressakeytoexitthescreensaver.
•Pressthepowerbuttontoresumethecomputerfromsleeporhibernationmode.
ThemonitorworkswhenIturnonthecomputer,butgoesblankwhenIstartsome 
applicationprograms
Solutions:
•Connectthemonitorsignalcablefromyourmonitortoanappropriateconnectoronthecomputer.A 
loosecablemightcauseintermittentproblems.
•Installthedevicedriversfortheapplicationprograms.Refertothedocumentationfortheaffected 
applicationprogramtocheckwhetheranydevicedriversarerequired.
Theimageappearstobeflickering
Solutions:
•Thescreenmightbeaffectedbyinterferencefromnearbyequipment.Magneticfieldsaroundother 
devices,suchastransformers,appliances,fluorescentlights,andothermonitorsmightbecausingthe 
problem.Movefluorescentdesklightingoranyequipmentthatproducesmagneticfieldsfartheraway 
fromthescreen.Ifthisdoesnotcorrecttheproblem,turnoffthecomputer.Then,adjusttheplacementof 
thecomputerandotherdevicessothattheyareatleast305mm(12inches)apart.Turnonthecomputer.
•Resettherefreshratesupportedbyyourcomputer.
1.Right-clickablankareaonthedesktop.
2.DependingonyourWindowsversion,dooneofthefollowing:
–ForWindows7orWindows8.1:ClickScreenresolution➙Advancedsettings.
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–ForWindows10:ClickDisplaysettings.OntheDisplaytab,clickAdvanceddisplaysettings➙
Displayadapterproperties.
3.ClicktheMonitortab,andthenresettherefreshratetobethehighestandnoninterlaced.
Theimageisdiscolored
Solution:Themonitormightbeaffectedbyinterferencefromnearbyequipment.Movefluorescentdesk 
lightingoranyequipmentthatproducesmagneticfieldsfurtherawayfromthemonitor.Iftheproblem 
persists,dothefollowing:
1.Turnoffthemonitor.
2.Adjusttheplacementofthemonitorandotherdevicessothattheyareatleast305mm(12inches)apart.
3.Turnonthemonitor.
Networkingproblems
Thissectionprovidessolutionstonetworking-relatedproblems.
Ethernetproblems
Mycomputercannotbeconnectedtothenetwork
Solutions:
•ConnectthecablefromtheEthernetconnectortotheRJ45connectorofthehub.
•Havethelatestdevicedriverinstalledonyourcomputer. 
Tocheckwhetheryouareusingthelatestdevicedriver,dooneofthefollowing:
–OnWindows7:
1.ClickStart➙ControlPanel.
2.ClickHardwareandSound.
3.ClickDeviceManager.Typetheadministratorpasswordorprovideconfirmationifprompted.
4.IfanexclamationmarkisdisplayednexttoanadapternameunderNetworkadapters,theadapter 
drivermightnotbethelatestorisdisabled.Right-clickthehighlightedadaptertoupdatethedriver.
5.ClickUpdateDriverSoftware,andthenfollowtheinstructionsonthescreen.
–OnWindows8.1:
1.OpenControlPanel.Formoreinformation,see“AccessingControlPanelontheWindows8.1 
operatingsystem”onpage21.
2.ClickHardwareandSound.
3.ClickDeviceManager.Typetheadministratorpasswordorprovideconfirmationifprompted.
4.IfanexclamationmarkisdisplayednexttoanadapternameunderNetworkadapters,theadapter 
drivermightnotbecorrectorisdisabled.Right-clickthehighlightedadaptertoupdatethedriver.
5.ClickUpdateDriverSoftware,andthenfollowtheinstructionsonthescreen.
•Setthesameduplexfortheswitchportandtheadapter. 
Ifyouconfiguredtheadapterforfullduplex,ensurethattheswitchportisalsoconfiguredforfullduplex.
Settingthewrongduplexmodemightdegradeperformance,causedataloss,orresultinlostconnections.
•Installallnetworkingsoftwarethatisnecessaryforyournetworkenvironment. 
CheckwithyourLANadministratorforthenecessarynetworkingsoftware.
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Theadapterstopsworkingfornoreason
Solution:Thenetworkdriverfilesmightbecorruptormissing.Updatethedriverbyreferringtothe“Solution” 
descriptionforthepreviousproblemtoensurethatthelatestdevicedriverisinstalled.
TheWakeOnLANfeatureisnotworking
Solution:EnabletheWakeOnLAN(WOL)featureintheBIOSprogram.
MycomputerisaGigabitEthernetmodelandIuseaspeedof1000Mbps,buttheconnectionfails 
orerrorsoccur
Solution:ConnectthenetworkcabletotheEthernetconnectorusingCategory5wiringanda100BASE-T 
hub/switch(not100BASE-X).
MycomputerisaGigabitEthernetmodel,butitcannotbeconnectedtothenetworkat1000Mbps, 
butatonly100Mbps
Solutions:
•Tryanothercable.
•Setthelinkpartnertoauto-negotiate.
•Settheswitchtobe802.3ab-compliant(gigabitovercopper).
IcannotconnecttoawirelessLANusingthebuilt-inwirelessnetworkingcard
Solutions:
•InstallthelatestwirelessLANdrivers.
•Placeyourcomputerwithintherangeofawirelessaccesspoint.
•Enablethewirelessradio.
•CheckNetworkName(SSID)andyourpassword.
–OnWindows7:
1.ClickStart➙LenovoThinkVantageT ools➙AccessConnections.
2.SwitchtotheAdvancedview,andthenclicktheMobileHotspottabtocheckyourSSIDand 
password.
–OnWindows8.1:
1.OpenControlPanel.Formoreinformation,see“AccessingControlPanelontheWindows8.1 
operatingsystem”onpage21.
2.ClickNetworkandInternet➙NetworkandSharingCentertocheckyourSSIDandpassword.
SounddoesnotcomefromtheBluetoothheadsetorheadphonebutcomesfrom 
thelocalspeakereventhoughtheheadsetorheadphoneisconnectedusingthe 
HeadsetprofileorAVprofile
Solution:
1.Exittheapplicationthatusesthesounddevice(forexample,WindowsMediaPlayer).
2.OpenControlPanel.
Note:FordetailedinformationonhowtoopenControlPanelonWindows8.1,see“AccessingControl 
PanelontheWindows8.1operatingsystem”onpage21
3.ClickHardwareandSound➙Sound.
4.SelectthePlaybacktab.
5.IfyouareusingtheHeadsetprofile,selectBluetoothHands-freeAudio,andthenclickSetDefault.If 
youareusingtheAVprofile,selectStereoAudio,andthenclickSetDefault.
.
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6.ClickOK.
Note:Bluetoothissupportedonlyonsomecomputermodels.
Ihaveconnectedanoptiontomycomputer,butitdoesnotwork
Solution:Refertothedocumentationthatcomeswiththeoptiontoensurethatyouhaveconnectedthe 
optioncorrectly.
Performanceandlockupproblems
Thissectionprovidessolutionstoperformance-relatedproblemsofyourcomputer.
Insufficientfreeharddiskdrivespace
Solutions:Freeupharddiskdrivespace.
•CleanoutyourInbox,SentItems,andDeletedItemsfoldersfromyoure-mailapplication.
•CleanupyourCdrive.
1.DependingonyourWindowsversion,dooneofthefollowing:
–ForWindows7:ClicktheStartbuttontoopentheStartmenu,andthenclickComputer. 
–ForWindows8.1:OpenFileExplorer. 
–ForWindows10:ClicktheStartbuttontoopentheStartmenu,andthenclickFileExplorer➙
ThisPC.
2.Right-clickyourCdriveandthenclickProperties.
3.Checktheamountoffreespace,andthenclickDiskCleanup.
4.Alistofunnecessaryfilecategoriesisdisplayed.Selecteachfilecategoryyouwanttodelete, 
andthenclickOK.
•TurnsomeWindowsfeaturesofforremovesomeunnecessaryprograms.
1.OpenControlPanelbydoingoneofthefollowing:
–ForWindows7:ClicktheStartbuttontoopentheStartmenu,andthenclickControlPanel. 
–ForWindows8.1:See“AccessingControlPanelontheWindows8.1operatingsystem”onpage
.
21
–ForWindows10:Right-clicktheStartbuttontoopentheStartcontextmenu,andthenclick
ControlPanel.
2.ViewControlPanelusingLargeiconsorSmallicons,andthenclickProgramsandFeatures.
3.Dooneofthefollowing:
–ToturnsomeWindowsfeaturesoff,clickTurnWindowsfeaturesonoroff.Followthe
instructionsonthescreen.
–Toremovesomeunnecessaryprograms,selecttheprogramyouwanttoremove,andthenclick
Uninstall/ChangeorUninstall.
Excessivenumberoffragmentedfiles
Solution:UsetheWindowsdiskdefragmentationordiskoptimizationfeaturetocleanupthefiles.
Note:Dependingonthevolumeofthestoragedrivesandamountofdatastoredonthestoragedrives,the 
disk-defragmentationprocessmighttakeuptoseveralhours.
1.Closeanyopenprogramsandwindows.
2.DependingonyourWindowsversion,dooneofthefollowing:
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•ForWindows7:ClicktheStartbuttontoopentheStartmenu,andthenclickComputer.
•ForWindows8.1:OpenFileExplorer.
•ForWindows10:ClicktheStartbuttontoopentheStartmenu,andthenclickFileExplorer➙ 
ThisPC.
3.Right-clickyourCdriveandthenclickProperties.
4.ClicktheT oolstab.
5.DependingonyourWindowsversion,dooneofthefollowing:
•ForWindows7:ClickDefragmentnow.
•ForWindows8.1orWindows10:ClickOptimize.Selectthedesireddrive,andthenclickOptimize.
6.Followtheinstructionsonthescreen.
Insufficientmemory
Solution:Installadditionalmemorymodules.Forinstructionsoninstallingmemorymodules,see“Installing 
orreplacingamemorymodule”onpage71
Topurchasememorymodules,goto: 
http://www.lenovo.com
.
Theprinterdoesnotwork
Solutions:
•IfyouareusingIEEE-approvedprintersignalcables,dothefollowing:
1.Connecttheprintersignalcablefirmlytothecorrectparallel,serial,orUSBconnectoronthe 
computer.
2.Loadthepapercorrectly.
3.Turnontheprinterandkeeptheprinteronline.
•Ifyouareusingnon-IEEE-approvedprintersignalcables,dothefollowing:
1.Correctlyinstalldevicedriversandsoftwarethatcomewiththeprinter.
2.Assigntheprinterportcorrectlyinyouroperatingsystem,applicationprogram,orBIOSsettings.For 
moreinformationaboutBIOSsettings,see“UsingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage33.
Iftheproblempersists,runthetestsdescribedinthedocumentationthatcomeswithyourprinter.Ifyou 
cannotcorrecttheproblem,havethecomputerserviced.SeeChapter10“Gettinginformation,help,and 
service”onpage113.
Serialconnectorcannotbeaccessed
Solutions:
•Connecttheserialcabletotheserialconnectoronthecomputerandtotheserialdevice.Iftheserial 
devicehasitsownpowercord,attachthepowercordtoagroundedelectricaloutlet.
•Turnontheserialdeviceandkeepthedeviceonline.
•Installanyapplicationprogramssuppliedwiththeserialdevice.Refertothedocumentationthatcomes 
withtheserialdeviceformoreinformation.
•Ifyouaddedoneserial-connectoradapter,installtheadaptercorrectly.
Softwareproblems
Thissectionprovidessolutionstosoftware-relatedproblems.
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Whenusingasortfeature,datescannotbesortedinthecorrectorder
Solution:Someprogramsdevelopedbeforetheyear2000usedonlythelasttwodigitsofayeartosort 
dates,assumingthefirsttwodigitswere19.Consequently,datescannotbesortedinthecorrectorder. 
Checkwithyoursoftwaremanufacturertoseeifanyupdatesareavailable.Manysoftwaremanufacturers 
makeupdatesavailablefromtheWorldWideWeb.
Someapplicationprogramsdonotworkasexpected
Symptom:Softwaredoesnotworkasexpected.
Actions:
•Mostsoftwareprogramshavebuilt-inhelpsystemsthatprovideinstructionsformosttasks.Ifyouare 
havingdifficultyperformingaspecifictaskwithinasoftwareprogram,refertothehelpsystemforthat 
program.Helpsystemsaretypicallyaccessiblefromamenuorbuttonintheprogram,andfrequently 
fromtheF1key.
•IfyouhavedifficultywiththeWindowsoperatingsystemoroneofitscomponents,refertotheWindows 
helpsystem.
•Todetermineifproblemsarecausedbynewlyinstalledsoftware,verifythat:
–Yourcomputerhastheminimummemoryrequirementsneededtousethesoftware.Seethe
informationsuppliedwiththesoftwaretoverifymemoryrequirements.(Ifyoujustinstalledanadapter
ormemory,youmighthaveamemory-addressconflict.) 
–Thesoftwareisdesignedtooperateonyourcomputer. 
–Othersoftwareworksonyourcomputer. 
–Thesoftwareyouareusingworkscorrectlyonanothercomputer.
•Ifyoureceivedanyerrormessageswhileusingthesoftwareprogram,seetheprinteddocumentation 
suppliedwiththesoftwareorthehelpsystemforthatsoftwareforadescriptionofthemessagesand 
solutionstotheproblem.
•Checkwithyoursoftwaremanufacturertoseeifanyupdatesareavailable.Manysoftwaremanufacturers 
makeupdatesavailablefromtheWorldWideWeb.
•Ifthesoftwareprogramusedtoworkcorrectly,butdoesnotworkcorrectlynow,dothefollowing:
1.OpenControlPanelbydoingoneofthefollowing:
–ForWindows7:ClicktheStartbuttontoopentheStartmenu,andthenclickControlPanel. 
–ForWindows8.1:See“AccessingControlPanelontheWindows8.1operatingsystem”onpage
.
21
–ForWindows10:Right-clicktheStartbuttontoopentheStartcontextmenu,andthenclick
ControlPanel.
2.ViewControlPanelusingLargeiconsorSmallicons,andthenclickRecovery➙OpenSystem 
Restore.
3.Followtheinstructionsonthescreen.
•Ifyouareunabletoresolvetheproblemthroughothermethods,uninstallthesoftwareprogramand 
reinstallit.
Iftheseactionsdonotcorrecttheproblem,youmightneedtechnicalassistance.Contactyoursoftware 
manufacturerorseeChapter10“Gettinginformation,help,andservice”onpage113fordetails.
MyUSBconnectorscannotbeaccessed
Solutions:
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•ConnecttheUSBcablefromtheUSBconnectortotheUSBdevice.IftheUSBdevicehasitsownpower 
cord,attachthepowercordtoagroundedelectricaloutlet.
•TurnontheUSBdeviceandkeepthedeviceonline.
•InstallanydevicedriversorapplicationprogramssuppliedwiththeUSBdevice.Refertothe 
documentationthatcomeswiththeUSBdeviceformoreinformation.
•DetachandreattachtheUSBconnectortoresettheUSBdevice.
Diagnostics
Thediagnosticprogramisusedtotesthardwarecomponentsofyourcomputer.Thediagnosticprogramcan 
alsoreportoperating-system-controlledsettingsthatinterferewiththecorrectoperationofyourcomputer. 
Youcanusethepreinstalleddiagnosticprogramtodiagnosecomputerproblems,ifyourcomputeris 
runningtheWindowsoperatingsystem.
Notes:
1.Y ourcomputerispreinstalledwiththeLenovoSolutionCenterprogramfordiagnosticpurposes.For 
moreinformationabouttheLenovoSolutionCenterprogram,see“LenovoSolutionCenter”onpage57.
2.Ifyouareunabletoisolateandrepairtheproblemyourselfafterrunningthediagnosticprogram,save 
andprintthelogfilescreatedbythediagnosticprogram.Y ouwillneedthelogfileswhenyouspeaktoa 
Lenovotechnicalsupportrepresentative.
LenovoSolutionCenter
TheLenovoSolutionCenterprogramenablesyoutotroubleshootandresolvecomputerproblems.It 
combinesdiagnostictests,systeminformationcollection,securitystatus,andsupportinformation,along 
withhintsandtipsformaximumsystemperformance.
•YourcandownloadtheLenovoSolutionCenterprogramfromhttp://www.lenovo.com/diags.
•IfyouareusingaWindowsoperatingsystemotherthanWindows7,Windows8.1,orWindows10,goto 
http://www.lenovo.com/diagsforthelatestinformationondiagnosticsforyourcomputer.
ToruntheLenovoSolutionCenterprogram,see“Lenovoprograms”onpage12
Note:Ifyoucannotisolateandrepairtheproblemyourselfafterrunningtheprogram,saveandprintthelog 
files.YouwillneedthelogfileswhenyouspeaktoaLenovotechnicalsupportrepresentative.
Foradditionalinformation,refertotheLenovoSolutionCenterhelpsystem.
.
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Chapter8.Recoveryinformation
Thischapterprovidesinformationabouttherecoverysolutions.Thereareavarietyofmethodstochoose 
fromwhenconsideringhowtorecoverfromasoftware-orhardware-relatedproblem.Somemethods 
varydependingonthetypeofoperatingsystemthatisinstalled.Youcanrestorethecomputersettings 
usingaprogramortherecoverydiscset.Formoreinformationaboutusingtherecoverydiscset,see 
thedocumentationthatcomeswiththediscset.
Thischaptercontainsthefollowingtopics:
•“RecoveryinformationfortheWindows7operatingsystem”onpage59
•“RecoveryinformationfortheWindows8.1operatingsystem”onpage64
•“RecoveryinformationfortheWindows10operatingsystem”onpage65
RecoveryinformationfortheWindows7operatingsystem
TherecoveryinformationinthissectiononlyappliestothecomputersthathavetheRescueandRecovery 
programortheProductRecoveryprograminstalled.IftheEnhancedBackupandRestoreiconinthe 
LenovoThinkVantageToolsprogramisdimmed,itindicatesthatyoumustinstalltheRescueandRecovery 
programmanuallybeforeenablingitsfeatures.T oinstalltheRescueandRecoveryprogram,dothefollowing:
1.ClickStart➙AllPrograms➙LenovoThinkVantageTools,anddouble-clickEnhancedBackup 
andRestore.
2.Followtheinstructionsonthescreen.
3.Whentheinstallationprocessfinishes,theEnhancedBackupandRestoreiconisactivated.
Thissectioncontainsthefollowingtopics:
•“Creatingandusingrecoverymedia”onpage59
•“Performingbackupandrecoveryoperations”onpage60
•“Creatingandusingarescuemedium”onpage62
•“Reinstallingprogramsanddevicedrivers”onpage62
•“Solvingrecoveryproblems”onpage64
Creatingandusingrecoverymedia
Recoverymediaenableyoutorestoretheharddiskdrivetothefactory-defaultstateandputthecomputerin 
anoperationalstateafterallotherrecoverymethodshavefailed.Recoverymediaareusefulifyoutransfer 
thecomputertoanotherarea,sellthecomputer,orrecyclethecomputer.Asaprecautionarymeasure,itis 
importanttocreaterecoverymediaasearlyaspossible.Thedataontherecoverymediacanbeusedfor 
thefollowingpurposes:
•Reinstalltheprogramsanddevicedriversonyourcomputer
•Reinstalltheoperatingsystem
•ModifythedatafilesontheharddiskdriveusingtheAdditionalFiles
Note:Therecoveryoperationsyoucanperformusingrecoverymediavarydependingontheoperating 
systemfromwhichtherecoverymediawerecreated.Therecoverymediamightcontainabootmedium 
andadatamedium.Y ourMicrosoftWindowslicensepermitsyoutocreateonlyonedatamedium.Itis 
recommendedthatyoustoretherecoverymediainasafeplaceafteryouhavemadethem.
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Creatingrecoverymedia
Note:OntheWindows7operatingsystem,youcancreaterecoverymediausingdiscsorexternalUSB
storagedevices.
TocreaterecoverymediaontheWindows7operatingsystem,clickStart➙AllPrograms➙Lenovo
ThinkVantageT ools➙FactoryRecoveryDisks.Then,followtheinstructionsonthescreen.
Usingrecoverymedia
Attention:Whenyouuserecoverymediatorestoretheharddiskdrivetothefactory-defaultstate,allthe
filescurrentlyontheharddiskdrivewillbedeleted.Thesefileswillbereplacedbythefactory-defaultfiles.
TouserecoverymediaontheWindows7operatingsystem,dothefollowing:
1.Dependingonthetypeofyourrecoverymedia,connectthebootUSBstoragedevicetothecomputer, 
orinsertthebootdiscintotheopticaldrive.
2.Turnonorrestartyourcomputer.
3.Whenyouseethelogoscreen,repeatedlypressandreleasetheF12key.TheStartupDeviceMenu 
windowisdisplayed.
4.SelectthedesiredstartupdeviceandpressEnter.Therestoreprocessbegins.
5.Followtheinstructionsonthescreentocompletetheoperation.
Note:Afterrestoringyourcomputerharddiskdrivetothefactory-defaultstate,youmighthavetoreinstall 
devicedriversforsomedevices.See“Reinstallingprogramsanddevicedrivers”onpage62.
Performingbackupandrecoveryoperations
TheRescueandRecoveryprogramenablesyoutobackupallyourharddiskdrivecontentsincluding 
theoperatingsystem,datafiles,softwareprograms,andpersonalsettings.Youcanstorethebackupat 
thefollowinglocations:
•TheRescueandRecoveryworkspace
•Thesecondaryharddiskdriveifasecondaryharddiskdriveisinstalledinyourcomputer
•AnexternalUSBharddiskdriveconnectedtoyourcomputer
•Anetworkdrive
•Recordablediscs(arecordableopticaldriveisrequiredforthisoption)
Afteryouhavecompletedthebackupoperation,youcanrestorepartsorwholeofthedataonthehard 
diskdrive.
Performingabackupoperation
ToperformabackupoperationusingtheRescueandRecoveryprogramontheWindows7operating 
system,dothefollowing:
1.FromtheWindowsdesktop,clickStart➙AllPrograms➙LenovoThinkVantageTools➙Enhanced 
BackupandRestore.TheRescueandRecoveryprogramopens.
2.IntheRescueandRecoverymainwindow,clicktheLaunchadvancedRescueandRecoveryarrow.
3.ClickBackupyourharddriveandselectbackupoperationoptions.Then,followtheinstructionson 
thescreentocompletethebackupoperation.
Performingarecoveryoperation
Thissectionprovidesthefollowingtopics:
•“PerformingarecoveryoperationfromWindows7”onpage61
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•“PerformingarecoveryoperationfromtheRescueandRecoveryworkspace”onpage61
PerformingarecoveryoperationfromWindows7
ToperformarecoveryoperationusingtheRescueandRecoveryprogramontheWindows7operating 
system,dothefollowing:
1.FromtheWindowsdesktop,clickStart➙AllPrograms➙LenovoThinkVantageTools➙Enhanced 
BackupandRestore.TheRescueandRecoveryprogramopens.
2.IntheRescueandRecoverymainwindow,clicktheLaunchadvancedRescueandRecoveryarrow.
3.ClicktheRestoreyoursystemfromabackupicon.
4.Followtheinstructionsonthescreentocompletetherecoveryoperation.
PerformingarecoveryoperationfromtheRescueandRecoveryworkspace
TheRescueandRecoveryworkspaceresidesinaprotectedandhiddenareaofyourharddiskdrivethat 
operatesindependentlyfromtheWindowsoperatingsystem.TheRescueandRecoveryworkspaceenables 
youtoperformrecoveryoperationsevenifyoucannotstarttheWindowsoperatingsystem.Y oucanperform 
thefollowingrecoveryoperationsfromtheRescueandRecoveryworkspace:
•Rescuefilesfromyourharddiskdriveorfromabackup: 
Youcanlocatefilesonyourharddiskdriveandtransferthemtoanetworkdriveorotherrecordable 
media,suchasaUSBdeviceoradisc.Thissolutionisavailableevenifyoudidnotbackupyourfilesorif 
changesweremadetothefilessinceyourlastbackupoperation.Y oualsocanrescueindividualfilesfrom 
aRescueandRecoverybackuplocatedonyourlocalharddiskdrive,aUSBdevice,oranetworkdrive.
•RestoreyourharddiskdrivefromaRescueandRecoverybackup: 
IfyouhavebackedupyourharddiskdriveusingtheRescueandRecoveryprogram,youcanrestorethe 
harddiskdrivefromaRescueandRecoverybackup,evenifyoucannotstarttheWindowsoperating 
system.
•Restoreyourharddiskdrivetothefactory-defaultstate: 
Youcanrestorethecompletecontentsofyourharddiskdrivetothefactory-defaultstateevenifyou 
cannotstarttheWindowsoperatingsystem.Ifyouhavemultiplepartitionsonyourharddiskdrive,you 
havetheoptiontorestoretheC:partitionandleavetheotherpartitionsintact.
Attention:YoucanrestoretheharddiskdrivefromaRescueandRecoverybackuporrestoretheharddisk 
drivetothefactory-defaultsettings.Duringeitherprocess,allfilesontheprimaryharddiskdrivepartition 
(usuallydriveC:)willbedeleted.Ifpossible,makecopiesofimportantfiles.IfyoucannotstarttheWindows 
operatingsystem,youcanusetherescuefilesfeatureoftheRescueandRecoveryworkspacetocopyfiles 
fromyourharddiskdrivetoothermedia.
ToperformarecoveryoperationfromtheRescueandRecoveryworkspace,dothefollowing:
1.Turnonorrestartyourcomputer.
2.Whenyouseethelogoscreen,pressEnter,andthenpressF11toentertheRescueandRecovery 
workspace.
3.IfyouhavesetaRescueandRecoverypassword,enteryourpasswordwhenprompted.TheRescue 
andRecoveryworkspaceopensafterashortdelay.
Note:IftheRescueandRecoveryworkspacefailstoopen,see“Solvingrecoveryproblems”onpage64.
4.Dooneofthefollowing:
•Torescuefilesfromyourharddiskdrive,clickRescuefilesandfollowtheinstructionsonthescreen.
•TorestoreyourharddiskdrivefromaRescueandRecoverybackuportorestoreyourharddiskdrive
tothefactory-defaultstate,clickFullRestoreandfollowtheon-screeninstructions.
Note:Afterrestoringyourcomputerharddiskdrivetothefactory-defaultstate,youmighthaveto 
reinstalldevicedriversforsomedevices.See“Reinstallingprogramsanddevicedrivers”onpage62
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FormoreinformationaboutthefeaturesoftheRescueandRecoveryworkspace,clickHelp.
Creatingandusingarescuemedium
CreaterescuemediausingdiscsorUSBstoragedevicesasearlyaspossible.Y oucanusearescuemedium 
torecoverfromfailuresthatpreventyoufromgainingaccesstotheWindowsenvironmentortheRescue 
andRecoveryworkspaceonyourharddiskdrive.
Notes:
•Therecoveryoperationsyoucanperformusingarescuemediumvarydependingontheoperatingsystem.
•Therescuedisccanbestartedinalltypesofopticaldrives.
Creatingarescuemedium
TocreatearescuemediumontheWindows7operatingsystem,dothefollowing:
1.FromtheWindowsdesktop,clickStart➙AllPrograms➙LenovoThinkVantageTools➙Enhanced 
BackupandRestore.TheRescueandRecoveryprogramopens.
2.IntheRescueandRecoverymainwindow,clicktheLaunchadvancedRescueandRecoveryarrow.
3.ClicktheCreateRescueMediaicon.The“CreateRescueandRecoveryMedia”windowopens.
4.IntheRescueMediaarea,selectthetypeoftherescuemediumyouwanttocreate.Youcancreatea 
rescuemediumusingadisc,aUSBstoragedevicewithsufficientcapacity,orasecondaryinternal 
harddiskdrive.
5.ClickOKandfollowtheinstructionsonthescreentocreatearescuemedium.
Usingarescuemedium
DependingonwhetheryouhavecreatedarescuemediumusingadiscoraUSBharddiskdrive,doone 
ofthefollowing:
•Ifyouhavecreatedarescuemediumusingadisc,dothefollowing:
1.Turnonorrestartyourcomputer.
2.Whenyouseethelogoscreen,repeatedlypressandreleasetheF12key.TheStartupDeviceMenu 
windowisdisplayed.
3.Selectthedesiredopticaldriveasthefirstbootdevice.Then,inserttherescuediscintotheoptical 
driveandpressEnter.Therescuemediumstarts.
•IfyouhavecreatedarescuemediumusingaUSBharddiskdrive,dothefollowing:
1.ConnecttheUSBharddiskdrivetooneoftheUSBconnectorsonyourcomputer.
2.Turnonorrestartyourcomputer.
3.Whenyouseethelogoscreen,repeatedlypressandreleasetheF12key.TheStartupDeviceMenu 
windowisdisplayed.
4.SelecttheUSBharddiskdriveasthefirstbootdeviceandpressEnter.Therescuemediumstarts.
Whentherescuemediumstarts,theRescueandRecoveryworkspaceopens.Thehelpinformationfor 
eachfeatureisavailablefromtheRescueandRecoveryworkspace.Followtheinstructionstocomplete 
therecoveryprocess.
Reinstallingprogramsanddevicedrivers
Thissectionprovidesthefollowingitems:
•“Reinstallingpreinstalledprogramsanddevicedrivers”onpage63
•“Reinstallingprogramsanddevicedriversthatarenotpreinstalled”onpage63
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Reinstallingpreinstalledprogramsanddevicedrivers
Yourcomputerenablesyoutoreinstallpreinstalledprogramsanddevicedrivers.
Reinstallingpreinstalledprograms
ToreinstallprogramspreinstalledonyourLenovocomputer,dothefollowing:
1.Turnonthecomputer.
2.GotoC:\SWTOOLS.
3.Opentheappsfolderandlocatethesubfolderthatisnamedaftertheprogrampreinstalledonyour 
computer.
4.OpenthesubfolderandlocatetheEXEfile.
5.Double-clicktheEXEfileandfollowtheinstructionsonthescreentocompletetheinstallation.
Reinstallingpreinstalleddevicedrivers 
Attention:Reinstallingdevicedriverswillchangethecurrentconfigurationofyourcomputer.Reinstall
devicedriversonlywhenitisnecessarytocorrectaproblemwithyourcomputer.
Toreinstallthedevicedriverforafactory-installeddevice,dothefollowing:
1.Turnonthecomputer.
2.GotoC:\SWTOOLS.
3.OpentheDRIVERSfolderandlocatethesubfolderthatisnamedafterthefactory-installeddevicein 
yourcomputer,suchasAUDIOorVIDEO.
4.Openthesubfolder.
5.Dooneofthefollowing:
•LocatetheEXEfile.Double-clicktheEXEfileandfollowtheinstructionsonthescreentocomplete
theinstallation.
•Locatethereadmefilewiththe.txtextension.Thedevicedriverinstallationinformationisincludedin
thereadmefile.Followtheinstructionstocompletetheinstallation.
•IfthedevicesubfoldercontainsanINFfileandyouwanttoinstallthedevicedriverusingtheINFfile,
seetheWindowshelpsystemfordetailedinformation.
Note:Formoreinformationaboutthelatestdevicedrivers,see“Gettingthelatestdevicedriversforyour 
computer”onpage41.
Reinstallingprogramsanddevicedriversthatarenotpreinstalled
Yourcomputerenablesyoutoreinstallprogramsanddevicedriversthatarenotpreinstalled.
Reinstallingprogramsthatarenotpreinstalled
Ifasoftwareprogramyouinstalledonyourcomputerisnotworkingcorrectly,youmightneedtouninstall 
andthenreinstallit.Reinstallingaprogramoverwritestheexistingprogramfilesandusuallyfixesany 
problemsthatyoumighthavehadwiththeprogram.
Touninstallaprogramfromyoursystem,refertotheMicrosoftWindowshelpsystem.
Toreinstallmostcommerciallyavailableprogramsonyoursystem,refertotheMicrosoftWindowshelp 
systemtogetherwiththedocumentationprovidedwiththeprogram.
Reinstallingdevicedriversthatarenotpreinstalled
Toreinstalladevicedriverforanoptionyouinstalled,refertothedocumentationthatcomeswiththeoption.
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Note:Reinstalldevicedriverswillchangethecurrentconfigurationofyourcomputer.Reinstalldevicedrivers 
onlywhenitisnecessarytocorrectaproblemwithyourcomputer.
Solvingrecoveryproblems
Note:Ensurethatyourrescuedeviceissetasthefirstbootdeviceinthestartupdevicesequencein
theSetupUtilityprogram.See“Selectingastartupdevice”onpage36fordetailedinformationabout 
temporarilyorpermanentlychangingthestartupdevicesequence.FormoreinformationabouttheSetup 
Utilityprogram,see“UsingtheSetupUtilityprogram”onpage33.
IfyoucannotaccesstheRescueandRecoveryworkspaceortheWindowsenvironment,dooneofthe 
following:
•UsearescuemediumtostarttheRescueandRecoveryworkspace.See“Creatingandusingarescue 
medium”onpage62
•Userecoverymediaifallothermethodsofrecoveryhavefailedandyoumustrestoretheharddiskdrive 
tothefactory-defaultsettings.See“Creatingandusingrecoverymedia”onpage59
Itisimportanttocreatearescuemediumandasetofrecoverymediaasearlyaspossibleandstorethem 
inasafeplaceforfutureuse.
.
.
RecoveryinformationfortheWindows8.1operatingsystem
Thissectioncontainsthefollowingtopics:
•“Refreshingyourcomputer”onpage64
•“Resettingyourcomputertothefactory-defaultsettings”onpage64
•“Usingtheadvancedstartupoptions”onpage65
•“RecoveringyouroperatingsystemifWindows8.1failstostart”onpage65
Refreshingyourcomputer
Ifyourcomputerdoesnotperformwellandtheproblemmightbecausedbyarecentlyinstalledprogram, 
youcanrefreshyourcomputer.
Attention:Ifyourefreshyourcomputer,theprogramspreinstalledonyourcomputerandtheprogramsthat 
youinstalledfromWindowsStorewillbereinstalled.However,allotherprogramswillbeuninstalled.
Torefreshyourcomputer,dothefollowing:
1.Movethepointertothetop-rightorbottom-rightcornerofthescreentodisplaythecharms.Click 
Settings➙ChangePCsettings➙Updateandrecovery➙Recovery.
2.IntheRefreshyourPCwithoutaffectingyourfilessection,clickGetstarted.
Resettingyourcomputertothefactory-defaultsettings
Youcanresetyourcomputertothefactory-defaultsettings.Resettingthecomputerwillreinstallthe 
operatingsystemandalltheprogramsthatcomewithyourcomputer.
Attention:Ifyouresetyourcomputer,allyourpersonalfilesandsettingswillbedeleted.T oavoiddataloss, 
makeabackupcopyofallthedatathatyouwanttokeep.
Toresetyourcomputer,dothefollowing:
1.Movethepointertothetop-rightorbottom-rightcornerofthescreentodisplaythecharms.Click
Settings➙ChangePCsettings➙Updateandrecovery➙Recovery.
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2.IntheRemoveeverythingandreinstallWindowssection,clickGetstarted.
Usingtheadvancedstartupoptions
AdvancedstartupoptionsenableyoutochangethestartupsettingsofyourWindowsoperatingsystem, 
startthecomputerfromanexternaldevice,orrestoretheWindowsoperatingsystemfromasystemimage.
Tousetheadvancedstartupoptions,dothefollowing:
1.Movethepointertothetop-rightorbottom-rightcornerofthescreentodisplaythecharms.Click 
Settings➙ChangePCsettings➙Updateandrecovery➙Recovery.
2.IntheAdvancedstartupsection,clickRestartnow➙Troubleshoot➙Advancedoptions.
3.Restartyourcomputerfollowingtheinstructionsonthescreen.
RecoveringyouroperatingsystemifWindows8.1failstostart
TheWindowsrecoveryenvironmentonyourcomputeriscapableofoperatingindependentlyfromthe 
Windows8.1operatingsystem.ItenablesyoutorecoverorrepairtheoperatingsystemeveniftheWindows
8.1operatingsystemfailstostart.
Aftertwoconsecutivefailedbootattempts,theWindowsrecoveryenvironmentstartsautomatically.Then 
youcanchooserepairandrecoveryoptionsbyfollowingtheinstructionsonthescreen.
Note:Ensurethatyourcomputerisconnectedtoacpowerduringtherecoveryprocess.
FormoredetailsabouttherecoverysolutionsprovidedoncomputerspreinstalledwiththeWindows8.1 
operatingsystem,refertothehelpinformationsystemoftheWindows8.1operatingsystem.
RecoveryinformationfortheWindows10operatingsystem
TorecoveryourWindows10operatingsystem,usethefollowingsolutions:
•UseWindowsrecoverysolutions.
–UserecoverysolutionsinWindowsSettings.
1.ClicktheStartbuttontoopentheStartmenu.
2.ClickSettings➙Update&security➙Recovery.
3.Choosetheappropriaterecoverysolutionbyfollowingtheinstructionsonthescreen.
–UseSystemRestoretorestoresystemfilesandsettingstoanearlierpoint.
1.Right-clicktheStartbuttontoopentheStartcontextmenu.
2.ClickControlPanel.ViewControlPanelusingLargeiconsorSmallicons,andthenclick 
Recovery➙OpenSystemRestore.
3.Followtheinstructionsonthescreen.
–UsetheFileHistorytooltorestoreyourfilesfromabackup.
Note:IfyouusetheFileHistorytooltorestoreyourfilesfromabackup,ensurethatyoubackedup 
yourdataearlierwiththetool.
1.Right-clicktheStartbuttontoopentheStartcontextmenu.
2.ClickControlPanel.ViewControlPanelusingLargeiconsorSmallicons,andthenclickFile 
History➙Restorepersonalfiles.
3.Followtheinstructionsonthescreen.
–UsetheWindowsrecoveryenvironmentbydoingoneofthefollowing:
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–Afterseveralconsecutivefailedbootattempts,theWindowsrecoveryenvironmentmightstart
automatically.Followtheinstructionsonthescreentochoosetheappropriaterecoverysolution.
–SelecttherecoverymediumyoucreatedearlierwiththeWindowstoolasthestartupdevice.See
“Selectingatemporarystartupdevice”onpage36
.Then,followtheinstructionsonthescreen
tochoosetheappropriaterecoverysolution.
Note:Tocreatearecoverymedium,see“Goodmaintenancepractices”onpage43.
•UsetherecoveryUSBkeyprovidedbyLenovotorestoretheentirestoragedrivetothefactory-default 
settings.
–IfyourcomputercomeswiththerecoveryUSBkey,followtheinstructionsshippedwiththeUSBkey. 
–IfyourcomputerdoesnotcomewiththerecoveryUSBkey,contacttheLenovoCustomer
SupportCentertoorderarecoveryUSBkey.ForalistofLenovoSupportphonenumbers,goto 
http://www.lenovo.com/support/phone.Ifyoucannotfindthesupporttelephonenumberforyour 
countryorregion,contactyourLenovoreseller.
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Chapter9.Installingorreplacinghardware
Thischapterprovidesinstructionsonhowtoinstallorreplacehardwareforyourcomputer.
Handlingstatic-sensitivedevices
Donotopenthestatic-protectivepackagecontainingthenewpartuntilthedefectiveparthasbeenremoved 
andyouarereadytoinstallthenewpart.Staticelectricity,althoughharmlesstoyou,canseriouslydamage 
computercomponentsandparts.
Whenyouhandlepartsandothercomputercomponents,taketheseprecautionstoavoidstatic-electricity 
damage:
•Limityourmovement.Movementcancausestaticelectricitytobuilduparoundyou.
•Alwayshandlepartsandothercomputercomponentscarefully.HandlePCIcards,memorymodules, 
systemboards,andmicroprocessorsbytheedges.Nevertouchanyexposedcircuitry.
•Preventothersfromtouchingthepartsandothercomputercomponents.
•Touchthestatic-protectivepackagecontainingtheparttoametalexpansion-slotcoverorother 
unpaintedmetalsurfaceonthecomputerforatleasttwoseconds.Thisreducesstaticelectricityfrom 
thepackageandyourbodybeforeyouinstallorreplaceanewpart.
•Whenpossible,removethenewpartfromthestatic-protectivepackage,andinstallitdirectlyinthe 
computerwithoutsettingthepartdown.Whenthisisnotpossible,placethestatic-protectivepackage 
thatthepartcameinonasmooth,levelsurfaceandplacethepartonthepackage.
•Donotplacethepartonthecomputercoverorothermetalsurface.
Installingorreplacinghardware
Thissectionprovidesinstructionsonhowtoinstallorreplacehardwareforyourcomputer.Y oucanexpand 
thecapabilitiesofyourcomputerandmaintainyourcomputerbyinstallingorreplacinghardware.
Attention:Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Read 
thisfirst:Importantsafetyinformation”onpagev.
Notes:
•UseonlycomputerpartsprovidedbyLenovo.
•Wheninstallingorreplacinganoption,usetheappropriateinstructionsinthissectionalongwiththe 
instructionsthatcomewiththeoption.
Installingexternaloptions
Youcanconnectexternaloptionstoyourcomputer,suchasexternalspeakers,aprinter,orascanner.For 
someexternaloptions,youmustinstalladditionalsoftwareinadditiontomakingthephysicalconnection. 
Wheninstallinganexternaloption,see“Locatingconnectors,controls,andindicatorsonthefrontofyour 
computer”onpage2 
requiredconnector.Usetheinstructionsshippedwiththeoptiontohelpyoumaketheconnectionandinstall 
anysoftwareordevicedriversthatarerequiredfortheoption.
and“Locatingconnectorsontherearofyourcomputer”onpage3toidentifythe
Removingthecomputercover
Attention:Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Read
thisfirst:Importantsafetyinformation”onpagev
.
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CAUTION:
Turnoffthecomputerandwaitthreetofiveminutestoletthecomputercoolbeforeremovingthe 
computercover.
Toopenthecomputercover,dothefollowing:
1.Removeanymediafromthedrivesandturnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.
2.Disconnectallpowercordsfromelectricaloutlets.
3.Disconnectthepowercord,Input/Outputcables,andanyothercablesthatareconnectedtothe 
computer.See“Locatingconnectors,controls,andindicatorsonthefrontofyourcomputer”onpage2 
and“Locatingconnectorsontherearofyourcomputer”onpage3.
4.Removeanylockingdevicethatsecuresthecomputercover,suchasanintegratedcablelockora 
padlock.See“AttachingaKensington-stylecablelock”onpage31or“Lockingthecomputercover” 
onpage29.
5.Removethetwoscrewsthatsecurethecomputercoverandslidethecomputercovertotherearto 
removeit.
Figure9.Removingthecomputercover
Removingandreinstallingthefrontbezel
Attention:Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Read
thisfirst:Importantsafetyinformation”onpagev.
Toremoveandreinstallthefrontbezel,dothefollowing:
1.Removeanymediafromthedrivesandturnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.Then,disconnect 
allpowercordsfromelectricaloutletsanddisconnectallcablesthatareconnectedtothecomputer.
2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage67.
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3.Removethefrontbezelbyreleasingthethreeplastictabsonthetopofthefrontbezelandpivoting
thefrontbezeloutwardtoremoveitfromthecomputer.Carefullylaythefrontbezelasidewithout 
disconnectingthepowerswitchandlight-emittingdiode(LED)assemblycable.
Figure10.Removingthefrontbezel
4.Toreinstallthefrontbezel,aligntheotherthreeplastictabsonthebottomofthefrontbezelwiththe 
correspondingholesinthechassis,thenpivotthefrontbezelinwarduntilitsnapsintoposition.
Figure11.Reinstallingthefrontbezel
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Whattodonext:
•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.
•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage110.
Accessingthesystemboardcomponentsanddrives
Attention:Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Read
thisfirst:Importantsafetyinformation”onpagev.
Toaccessthesystemboardcomponentsanddrives,dothefollowing:
1.Removeanymediafromthedrivesandturnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.Then,disconnect 
allpowercordsfromelectricaloutletsanddisconnectallcablesthatareconnectedtothecomputer.
2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage67.
3.Removethefrontbezel.See“Removingandreinstallingthefrontbezel”onpage68.
4.Pivotthedrivebayassemblyupwardtoaccessalltheinternaldrives,cables,andothercomponents.
Figure12.Pivotingthedrivebayassemblyupward
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5.Tolowerthedrivebayassembly,slightlypressthedrivebayassemblyclip1inwardandpivotthedrive 
bayassemblydownwardasshown.
Figure13.Loweringthedrivebayassembly
Installingorreplacingamemorymodule
Attention:Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Read
thisfirst:Importantsafetyinformation”onpagev.
YourcomputerhasfourslotsforinstallingorreplacingDDR3UDIMMsthatprovideuptoamaximumof 
32GBsystemmemory.Wheninstallingorreplacingamemorymodule,use2GB,4GB,or8GBDDR3 
UDIMMsinanycombinationuptoamaximumof32GB.
Thefollowingtableprovidesinformationaboutthememorymoduleinstallationrulesthatyoushould 
considerwheninstallingorremovingamemorymodule.The“X”markindicatesthememoryslot(s)into 
whichthememorymodule(s)shouldbeinstalledindifferentsituations.Thenumbers1,2,3,and4indicate 
theinstallationsequence.Tolocatethememorymoduleslots,see“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard” 
onpage6
OneUDIMM
TwoUDIMMsX,1X,2
ThreeUDIMMsX,1X,3X,2
FourUDIMMsX,1X,3X,2X,4
Toinstallorreplaceamemorymodule,dothefollowing:
1.Removeanymediafromthedrivesandturnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.Then,disconnect
2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage67.
3.Laythecomputeronitssideforeasieraccesstothesystemboard.
4.Removetheheatsinkfanduct.See“Replacingtheheatsinkandfanassembly”onpage88.
.
UDIMMDIMM1DIMM2DIMM3DIMM4
X
allpowercordsfromelectricaloutletsanddisconnectallcablesthatareconnectedtothecomputer.
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5.Locatethememoryslots.See“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage6.
6.Removeanypartsthatmightpreventaccesstothememoryslots.
7.Dependingonwhetheryouareinstallingorreplacingamemorymodule,dooneofthefollowing:
•Ifyouarereplacinganoldmemorymodule,opentheretainingclipsandgentlypullthememory 
moduleoutofthememoryslot.
Figure14.Removingamemorymodule
•Ifyouareinstallingamemorymodule,opentheretainingclipsofthememoryslotintowhichyou 
wanttoinstallthememorymodule.
Figure15.Openingtheretainingclips
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8.Positionthenewmemorymoduleoverthememoryslot.Makesurethatthenotch1onthememory 
modulealignscorrectlywiththeslotkey2onthesystemboard.Pushthememorymodulestraight 
downintotheslotuntiltheretainingclipsclose.
Figure16.Installingamemorymodule
Whattodonext:
•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.
•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage110.
InstallingorreplacingaPCIcard
Attention:Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Read
thisfirst:Importantsafetyinformation”onpagev.
YourcomputerhasonestandardPCIcardslot,twoPCIExpressx1cardslots,andonePCIExpressx16 
graphicscardslot.
ToinstallorreplaceaPCIcard,dothefollowing:
1.Removeanymediafromthedrivesandturnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.Then,disconnect 
allpowercordsfromelectricaloutletsanddisconnectallcablesthatareconnectedtothecomputer.
2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage67.
3.Removethefrontbezel.See“Removingandreinstallingthefrontbezel”onpage68.
4.Pivotthedrivebayassemblyupward.See“Accessingthesystemboardcomponentsanddrives” 
onpage70.
5.DependingonwhetheryouareinstallingorreplacingaPCIcard,dooneofthefollowing:
•IfyouarereplacinganoldPCIcard,removethescrewthatsecurestheoldPCIcardandreleasethe
oldPCIcardfromthePCIcardslot.
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Figure17.RemovingaPCIcard
Notes:
–Thecardfitstightlyintothecardslot.Ifnecessary,alternatemovingeachsideofthecardasmall
amountuntilitisremovedfromthecardslot.
–Ifthecardisheldinplacebyaretaininglatch,pressthecardretaininglatch
1asshownto
disengagethelatch.Graspthecardandgentlypullitoutoftheslot.
•IfyouareinstallingaPCIcard,removethescrewthatsecurestheappropriatemetalslotcover. 
Then,removethemetalslotcover.
6.RemovethenewPCIcardfromitsstatic-protectivepackage.
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7.InstallthenewPCIcardintotheappropriatePCIcardslotonthesystemboard.Then,installthescrew
tosecurethenewPCIcardinplace.
Figure18.InstallingaPCIcard
8.Ifnecessary,connectanycablesbetweenthePCIcardandthesystemboard.See“Locatingpartson 
thesystemboard”onpage6toidentifythevariousconnectorsonthesystemboard.
Whattodonext:
•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.
•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage110.
Replacingthebattery
Attention:Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Read
thisfirst:Importantsafetyinformation”onpagev.
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.Removeanymediafromthedrivesandturnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.Then,disconnect 
allpowercordsfromelectricaloutletsanddisconnectallcablesthatareconnectedtothecomputer.
2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage67.
3.Locatethebattery.See“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage6.
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4.Removetheoldbattery.
Figure19.Removingtheoldbattery
5.Installanewbattery.
Figure20.Installinganewbattery
6.Reinstallthecomputercoverandconnectthecables.See“Completingthepartsreplacement”on 
page110.
Note:Whenthecomputeristurnedonforthefirsttimeafterreplacingthebattery,anerrormessage 
mightbedisplayed.Thisisnormalafterreplacingthebattery.
7.Turnonthecomputerandallattacheddevices.
8.UsetheSetupUtilityprogramtosetthedate,time,andanypasswords.See“UsingtheSetupUtility 
program”onpage33.
Whattodonext:
•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.
•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage110.
Replacingtheharddiskdrive
Attention:Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Read
thisfirst:Importantsafetyinformation”onpagev.
Toreplacetheharddiskdrive,dothefollowing:
1.Removeanymediafromthedrivesandturnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.Then,disconnect 
allpowercordsfromelectricaloutletsanddisconnectallcablesthatareconnectedtothecomputer.
2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage67.
3.Removethefrontbezel.See“Removingandreinstallingthefrontbezel”onpage68.
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4.Notethelocationofthefourscrews1thatsecuretheharddiskdrive.Then,pivotthedrivebay 
assemblyupward.
Figure21.Pivotingthedrivebayassembly
5.Holdtheharddiskdriveandremovethefourscrewsthatsecuretheharddiskdrive.Then,remove 
theharddiskdrivefromthedrivebayassembly.
Figure22.Removingtheharddiskdrive
6.Disconnectthesignalcableandthepowercablefromtheharddiskdrivetocompletelyremovethehard 
diskdrivefromthechassis.
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7.Connectoneendofthesignalcabletotherearofthenewharddiskdriveandtheotherendtoan 
availableSATAconnectoronthesystemboard.See“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage6. 
Then,locateanavailablefour-wirepowerconnectorandconnectittotherearofthenewharddiskdrive.
Figure23.ConnectingaSATAharddiskdrive
8.Positionthenewharddiskdriveintotheharddiskdrivebayandalignthescrewholesinthenewhard 
diskdrivewiththecorrespondingholesinthedrivebay.Then,installthefourscrewstosecurethe 
newharddiskdriveinplace.
Figure24.Installingtheharddiskdrive
Whattodonext:
•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.
•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage110.
Replacingthesolid-statedrive
Attention:Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Read
thisfirst:Importantsafetyinformation”onpagev.
Thesolid-statedriveisonlyavailableonsomemodels.Itmightbeinstalledintheharddiskdrivebayor 
onthebottomoftheopticaldrivebay.
•Toreplacethesolid-statedriveintheharddiskdrivebay,see“Replacingthesolid-statedriveinthehard 
diskdrivebay”onpage79
•Toreplacethesolid-statedriveonthebottomoftheopticaldrivebay,see“Replacingthesolid-statedrive 
onthebottomoftheopticaldrivebay”onpage80
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Replacingthesolid-statedriveintheharddiskdrivebay
Toreplacethestorageconverterwiththesolid-statedriveinstalledinit,youmightfollowthestepsof 
replacingtheharddiskdrive.See“Replacingtheharddiskdrive”onpage76.
Toreplacethesolid-statedriveinthestorageconverter,dothefollowing:
1.Removethefourscrewsthatsecurethesolid-statedrivetothestorageconverter.Then,removethe 
drivefromtheconverterasshown.
Figure25.Removingthesolid-statedrivefromthestorageconverter
2.Takethenewsolid-statedriveoutofthestatic-protectivepackage.
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3.Positionthesolid-statedriveintothestorageconvertersothattheholesinthedrivearealignedwith 
thecorrespondingholesintheconverter.Then,installthefourscrewstosecurethesolid-statedrive 
totheconverter.
Figure26.Installingthesolid-statedriveintothestorageconverter
Replacingthesolid-statedriveonthebottomoftheopticaldrivebay
Toreplacethesolid-statedriveonthebottomoftheopticaldrivebay,dothefollowing:
1.Removeanymediafromthedrivesandturnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.Then,disconnect 
allpowercordsfromelectricaloutletsanddisconnectallcablesthatareconnectedtothecomputer.
2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage67.
3.Removethefrontbezel.See“Removingandreinstallingthefrontbezel”onpage68.
4.Pivotthedrivebayassemblyupward.See“Accessingthesystemboardcomponentsanddrives” 
onpage70
5.Disconnectthesignalcableandthepowercablefromthesolid-statedrive.
.
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6.Removethescrew1andthencarefullyslidethesolid-statedrivebracketupwardtoremovethebracket 
fromthebottomoftheopticaldrivebay.
Figure27.Removingthesolid-statedrivebracket
7.Removethefourscrewsthatsecurethesolid-statedrivetothebracket.Then,slidethedriveasshown 
toremoveitfromthebracket.
Figure28.Removingthesolid-statedrivefromthebracket
8.Takethenewsolid-statedriveoutofthestatic-protectivepackage.
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9.Slidethenewsolid-statedriveintothesolid-statedrivebracketasshownuntilthefourholesinthe 
drivearealignedwiththecorrespondingholesinthebracket.Then,installthefourscrewstosecurethe 
newsolid-statedrivetothebracket.
Figure29.Installingthesolid-statedriveintothebracket
10.Carefullyslidethesolid-statedrivebracketdownwarduntilitissecuredbythethreeretainingclips1on 
thebottomoftheopticaldrivebay.
Figure30.Installingthesolid-statedrivebracket
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11.Installthescrew1tosecurethebracketonthebottomoftheopticaldrivebay.
Figure31.Installingthescrewtosecurethebracketonthebottomoftheopticaldrivebay
12.Connectoneendofthesignalcabletothebottomofthenewsolid-statedriveandtheotherendto 
anavailableSATAconnectoronthesystemboard.See“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”on 
page6.Then,locateanavailablefour-wirepowerconnectorandconnectittothebottomofthenew 
solid-statedrive.
Whattodonext:
•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.
•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage110
Installingorreplacingtheopticaldrive
Attention:Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Read
thisfirst:Importantsafetyinformation”onpagev.
Note:Theopticaldriveisonlyavailableonsomemodels.
Toinstallorreplaceanopticaldrive,dothefollowing:
1.Removeanymediafromthedrivesandturnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.Then,disconnect 
allpowercordsfromelectricaloutletsanddisconnectallcablesthatareconnectedtothecomputer.
2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage67.
3.Removethefrontbezel.See“Removingandreinstallingthefrontbezel”onpage68.
4.Pivotthedrivebayassemblyupward.See“Accessingthesystemboardcomponentsanddrives” 
onpage70
5.Disconnectthesignalcableandthepowercablefromtheopticaldrive.
.
.
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6.Holdtheopticaldriveandremovethetwoscrewsthatsecuretheopticaldrive.
Figure32.Removingtheopticaldrivescrews
7.Slightlypressthedrivebayassemblyclip1inwardandpivotthedrivebayassemblydownwardas 
shown.
Figure33.Loweringthedrivebayassembly
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8.Slidetheopticaldriveoutofthefrontofthecomputer.
Figure34.Removingtheopticaldrive
9.Slidethenewopticaldriveintotheopticaldrivebayfromthefrontofthecomputer.
Figure35.Installinganewopticaldrive
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10.Holdthenewopticaldriveandpivotthedrivebayassemblyupward.Alignthescrewholesinthenew 
opticaldrivewiththecorrespondingholesinthedrivebay.Then,installthetwoscrewstosecure 
thenewopticaldriveinplace.
Figure36.Installingtheopticaldrive
11.Connectoneendofthesignalcabletotherearofthenewopticaldriveandtheotherendtoanavailable 
SATAconnectoronthesystemboard.See“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage6.Then, 
locateanavailablefour-wirepowerconnectorandconnectittotherearofthenewopticaldrive.
Figure37.ConnectingaSATAopticaldrive
Whattodonext:
•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.
•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage110.
Replacingtheslimcardreader
Attention:Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Read
thisfirst:Importantsafetyinformation”onpagev.
Note:Theslimcardreaderisonlyavailableonsomemodels.
Toreplacetheslimcardreader,dothefollowing:
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1.Removeanymediafromthedrivesandturnoffallattacheddevicesandthecomputer.Then,disconnect 
allpowercordsfromelectricaloutletsanddisconnectallcablesthatareconnectedtothecomputer.
2.Removethecomputercover.See“Removingthecomputercover”onpage67.
3.Removethefrontbezel.See“Removingandreinstallingthefrontbezel”onpage68.
4.Recordthecableroutingoftheinstalledslimcardreaderanddisconnectthecableoftheslimcard 
readerfromthesystemboard.
5.Removethescrewthatsecurestheslimcardreaderbracketandthenremovethebracketfromthe 
chassis.
Figure38.Removingtheslimcardreaderbracket
6.Removethetwoscrewsthatsecuretheslimcardreadertothebracket.Then,slidetheslimcard 
readerasshowntoremoveitfromthebracket.
Note:Touchonlytheedgesoftheslimcardreader.Donottouchthecircuitboardofit.
Figure39.Removingtheslimcardreaderfromthebracket
7.Takethenewslimcardreaderoutofthestatic-protectivepackagebyitssides.
8.Alignthenewslimcardreaderintheslimcardreaderbracketandslidetheslimcardreaderintotherail 
asshownuntilitstops.Then,installthetwoscrewstosecurethenewslimcardreadertothebracket.
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Figure40.Installingthenewslimcardreaderintothebracket
9.Routethecableofthenewslimcardreaderthroughthecorrespondingholefortheslimcardreader 
bracketinthefrontofthechassis.
10.Installtheslimcardreaderbracketintothechassissothattheholeinthebracketisalignedwiththe 
correspondingholeinthechassis.Then,Installthescrewtosecuretheslimcardreaderbracketto 
thechassis.
Figure41.Installingtheslimcardreaderbracket
11.Connectthecableofthenewslimcardreadertothesystemboard.See“Locatingpartsonthesystem 
board”onpage6.
Whattodonext:
•Toworkwithanotherpieceofhardware,gototheappropriatesection.
•Tocompletetheinstallationorreplacement,goto“Completingthepartsreplacement”onpage110
Replacingtheheatsinkandfanassembly
Attention:Donotopenyourcomputerorattemptanyrepairbeforereadingandunderstandingthe“Read
thisfirst:Importantsafetyinformation”onpagev
88ThinkCentreM79UserGuide
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