Lenovo ThinkCentre M79 User guide [en, id, uk]

ThinkCentreM79
UserGuide

MachineTypes:10CT,10CU,10CV,10CW,10J9,10JA,10JB,and
10JC

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.

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

i

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

iiThinkCentreM79UserGuide

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

iii

ivThinkCentreM79UserGuide

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

v

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

viThinkCentreM79UserGuide

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

vii

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.

viiiThinkCentreM79UserGuide

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

ix

xThinkCentreM79UserGuide

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

1

Locatingconnectors,controls,andindicatorsonthefrontofyour

1

2

computer

Thefollowingillustrationshowsthelocationsoftheconnectors,controls,andindicatorsonthefrontofyour
computer.

Figure1.Frontconnector,control,andindicatorlocations

1Opticaldriveeject/closebutton

3Powerindicator4Harddiskdriveactivityindicator

5USB2.0connector(USBconnector2)

7Headphoneconnector

2Powerbutton

6Microphoneconnector

8USB2.0connector(USBconnector1)

2ThinkCentreM79UserGuide

Locatingconnectorsontherearofyourcomputer

3

4

5

6

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

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.

4ThinkCentreM79UserGuide

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

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

6ThinkCentreM79UserGuide

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

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

•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

•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.

10ThinkCentreM79UserGuide

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

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.

12ThinkCentreM79UserGuide

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.

Chapter1.Productoverview13

–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:

14ThinkCentreM79UserGuide

–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.

Chapter1.Productoverview15

16ThinkCentreM79UserGuide

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.

©CopyrightLenovo2014,2016

17

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.

18ThinkCentreM79UserGuide

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.

Chapter2.Usingyourcomputer19

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.

20ThinkCentreM79UserGuide

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

Chapter2.Usingyourcomputer21

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.

22ThinkCentreM79UserGuide

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.

©CopyrightLenovo2014,2016

23

Glareandlighting

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

Whereitisimpossibletoavoidreflectionsortoadjustthelighting,anantiglarefilterplacedoverthescreen
mightbehelpful.However,thesefiltersmightaffecttheclarityoftheimageonthescreen;trythemonlyafter
youhaveexhaustedothermethodsofreducingglare.

Dustbuildupcompoundsproblemsassociatedwithglare.Remembertocleanyourmonitorscreen
periodicallyusingasoftclothasdirectedinyourmonitordocumentation.

Aircirculation

Yourcomputerandmonitorproduceheat.Thecomputerhasafanthatpullsinfreshairandforcesouthot
air.Themonitorletshotairescapethroughvents.Blockingtheairventscancauseoverheating,whichmight
resultinamalfunctionordamage.Placethecomputerandmonitorsothatnothingblockstheairvents;
usually,51mm(2inches)ofairspaceissufficient.Also,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.

24ThinkCentreM79UserGuide

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.

Chapter3.Youandyourcomputer25

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.

26ThinkCentreM79UserGuide

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

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

28ThinkCentreM79UserGuide

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.

©CopyrightLenovo2014,2016

29

Figure7.Installingapadlock

30ThinkCentreM79UserGuide

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

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.

32ThinkCentreM79UserGuide

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.

©CopyrightLenovo2014,2016

33

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.

34ThinkCentreM79UserGuide

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

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

36ThinkCentreM79UserGuide

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

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.

38ThinkCentreM79UserGuide

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.

Chapter5.Advancedconfiguration39

40ThinkCentreM79UserGuide

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.

©CopyrightLenovo2014,2016

41

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.

42ThinkCentreM79UserGuide

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

–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.

44ThinkCentreM79UserGuide

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.

©CopyrightLenovo2014,2016

45

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.

46ThinkCentreM79UserGuide

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

•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.

48ThinkCentreM79UserGuide

•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

•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:

50ThinkCentreM79UserGuide

•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.

Chapter7.Troubleshootinganddiagnostics51

–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.

52ThinkCentreM79UserGuide

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.

.

Chapter7.Troubleshootinganddiagnostics53

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:

54ThinkCentreM79UserGuide

•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.

Chapter7.Troubleshootinganddiagnostics55

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:

56ThinkCentreM79UserGuide

•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.

.

Chapter7.Troubleshootinganddiagnostics57

58ThinkCentreM79UserGuide

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.

©CopyrightLenovo2014,2016

59

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

60ThinkCentreM79UserGuide

•“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

Chapter8.Recoveryinformation61

.

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

62ThinkCentreM79UserGuide

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.

Chapter8.Recoveryinformation63

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.

64ThinkCentreM79UserGuide

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:

Chapter8.Recoveryinformation65

–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.

66ThinkCentreM79UserGuide

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

.

©CopyrightLenovo2014,2016

67

CAUTION:

5

6

3

4

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.

68ThinkCentreM79UserGuide

3.Removethefrontbezelbyreleasingthethreeplastictabsonthetopofthefrontbezelandpivoting

1

2

1

2

thefrontbezeloutwardtoremoveitfromthecomputer.Carefullylaythefrontbezelasidewithout
disconnectingthepowerswitchandlight-emittingdiode(LED)assemblycable.

Figure10.Removingthefrontbezel

4.Toreinstallthefrontbezel,aligntheotherthreeplastictabsonthebottomofthefrontbezelwiththe
correspondingholesinthechassis,thenpivotthefrontbezelinwarduntilitsnapsintoposition.

Figure11.Reinstallingthefrontbezel

Chapter9.Installingorreplacinghardware69

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

70ThinkCentreM79UserGuide

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.

Chapter9.Installingorreplacinghardware71

5.Locatethememoryslots.See“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage6.

6.Removeanypartsthatmightpreventaccesstothememoryslots.

7.Dependingonwhetheryouareinstallingorreplacingamemorymodule,dooneofthefollowing:

•Ifyouarereplacinganoldmemorymodule,opentheretainingclipsandgentlypullthememory
moduleoutofthememoryslot.

Figure14.Removingamemorymodule

•Ifyouareinstallingamemorymodule,opentheretainingclipsofthememoryslotintowhichyou
wanttoinstallthememorymodule.

Figure15.Openingtheretainingclips

72ThinkCentreM79UserGuide

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.

Chapter9.Installingorreplacinghardware73

5

6

3

4

Figure17.RemovingaPCIcard

Notes:

–Thecardfitstightlyintothecardslot.Ifnecessary,alternatemovingeachsideofthecardasmall

amountuntilitisremovedfromthecardslot.

–Ifthecardisheldinplacebyaretaininglatch,pressthecardretaininglatch

1asshownto

disengagethelatch.Graspthecardandgentlypullitoutoftheslot.

•IfyouareinstallingaPCIcard,removethescrewthatsecurestheappropriatemetalslotcover.
Then,removethemetalslotcover.

6.RemovethenewPCIcardfromitsstatic-protectivepackage.

74ThinkCentreM79UserGuide

7.InstallthenewPCIcardintotheappropriatePCIcardslotonthesystemboard.Then,installthescrew

5

6

3

4

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.

Chapter9.Installingorreplacinghardware75

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.

76ThinkCentreM79UserGuide

4.Notethelocationofthefourscrews1thatsecuretheharddiskdrive.Then,pivotthedrivebay
assemblyupward.

Figure21.Pivotingthedrivebayassembly

5.Holdtheharddiskdriveandremovethefourscrewsthatsecuretheharddiskdrive.Then,remove
theharddiskdrivefromthedrivebayassembly.

Figure22.Removingtheharddiskdrive

6.Disconnectthesignalcableandthepowercablefromtheharddiskdrivetocompletelyremovethehard
diskdrivefromthechassis.

Chapter9.Installingorreplacinghardware77

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

78ThinkCentreM79UserGuide

.

.

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.

Chapter9.Installingorreplacinghardware79

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.

.

80ThinkCentreM79UserGuide

6.Removethescrew1andthencarefullyslidethesolid-statedrivebracketupwardtoremovethebracket
fromthebottomoftheopticaldrivebay.

Figure27.Removingthesolid-statedrivebracket

7.Removethefourscrewsthatsecurethesolid-statedrivetothebracket.Then,slidethedriveasshown
toremoveitfromthebracket.

Figure28.Removingthesolid-statedrivefromthebracket

8.Takethenewsolid-statedriveoutofthestatic-protectivepackage.

Chapter9.Installingorreplacinghardware81

9.Slidethenewsolid-statedriveintothesolid-statedrivebracketasshownuntilthefourholesinthe
drivearealignedwiththecorrespondingholesinthebracket.Then,installthefourscrewstosecurethe
newsolid-statedrivetothebracket.

Figure29.Installingthesolid-statedriveintothebracket

10.Carefullyslidethesolid-statedrivebracketdownwarduntilitissecuredbythethreeretainingclips1on
thebottomoftheopticaldrivebay.

Figure30.Installingthesolid-statedrivebracket

82ThinkCentreM79UserGuide

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.

.

.

Chapter9.Installingorreplacinghardware83

6.Holdtheopticaldriveandremovethetwoscrewsthatsecuretheopticaldrive.

Figure32.Removingtheopticaldrivescrews

7.Slightlypressthedrivebayassemblyclip1inwardandpivotthedrivebayassemblydownwardas
shown.

Figure33.Loweringthedrivebayassembly

84ThinkCentreM79UserGuide

8.Slidetheopticaldriveoutofthefrontofthecomputer.

Figure34.Removingtheopticaldrive

9.Slidethenewopticaldriveintotheopticaldrivebayfromthefrontofthecomputer.

Figure35.Installinganewopticaldrive

Chapter9.Installingorreplacinghardware85

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:

86ThinkCentreM79UserGuide

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.

Chapter9.Installingorreplacinghardware87

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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