IBM ThinkPad 390 User manual

i

Note: Before using this information and the product it supports, be sure to read the general information under
“Safety Information” on page viii, “Ergonomics Information” on page 38, and “Notices” on page 143.
First Edition (November 1998)
The following paragraph does not apply to the United Kingdom or any country where such provisions are
inconsistent with local law:
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION PROVIDES THIS PUBLICATION "AS IS" WITHOUT ANY
WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE LIMITED
WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Some states do not allow
disclaimers or express or implied warranties in certain transactions; therefore, this statement may not apply to you.
This publication could include technical inaccuracies or typographical errors. Changes are periodically made to the
information herein; these changes will be incorporated in new editions of the publication. IBM may make improvements
or changes in the products or the programs described in this publication at any time.
Requests for technical information about IBM products should be made to your IBM Authorized Dealer or your IBM
Marketing Representative.
 Copyright International Business Machines Corporation 1998. All rights reserved. Note to US Government
Users — Documentation related to restricted rights — Use, duplication, or disclosure is subject to restrictions set forth
in GSA ADP Schedule Contract with IBM Corp.

Thank You for Selecting an IBM ThinkPad 390 Computer
We at IBM have developed this ThinkPad computer to meet both your technical requirements and your high expec-
tations. To help us continue to build products that address your mobile computing needs, please take a moment to
complete the ThinkPad Registration.
 Copyright IBM Corporation 1998 iii

Functional Highlights
Functional Highlights
All-in-one design with core technology The well-balanced,
all-in-one design of the ThinkPad 390 brings ease-of-use
to your computing needs.
High-speed processor The Intel high-speed processor enables
high-speed data processing and provides advanced per-
formance.
Large-capacity hard disk drive The large-capacity hard disk drive
can respond to a wide variety of your business demands.
Large color LCD The large TFT (thin-film transistor) display provides
clear and brilliant text and graphics.
Nickel metal hydride or lithium-ion battery pack The large-
capacity battery pack extends the operating time of your
computer, further enhancing its portability.
Audio with 3D Stereo Sound Your computer is equipped with
internal audio record and playback capabilities including
3D audio from just two speakers. When you enable the
3D stereo feature, sounds will appear to be generated all
around you, even though only two speakers are used.
The audio feature supports the following:
Wave audio recording and playback of up to 16 bits,
stereo, and 48 KHz sampling.
DOS games using the Sound Blaster Pro** interface.
For more information on using the audio function
Online User's Guide.
ThinkPad Modem The ThinkPad modem enables you to send or
receive data and faxes over a telephone line.
For more information on using the ThinkPad modem
Online User's Guide.
TrackPoint with Enhanced Controls Your computer has an
enhanced TrackPoint function that enables you to make
selections merely by pressing on the TrackPoint. A new
iv

Functional Highlights
center button converts the TrackPoint into a scroll control-
ling device or a magnifying glass on the screen.
For more information on using the TrackPoint
“TrackPoint” on page 9.
PC Card Support Your computer provides two PC Card slots that
accept a 16–bit PC Card, CardBus Card, and Zoomed
Video Card.
For more information on installing PC Cards
“Inserting a PC Card” on page 69.
v

About This Book
About This Book This book contains information that will help you operate the IBM
ThinkPad 390 computer. Be sure to read the ThinkPad 390 Setup
Guide and Chapter 1 of this book before using the computer.
Appendix A, Features and Specifications describes the features
and specifications associated with your computer, including informa-
tion on power cords.
Appendix B, Product Warranties and Notices contains the war-
ranty statements for your computer and notices for this book.
vi

About This Book
The glossary defines terms appearing in this book. The book con-
cludes with an index.
Icons Used in This Book
For procedures or information unique to the operating system
installed in your computer:
Information for Microsoft Windows
98 users.
Information for Microsoft Windows
NT users.
Information for Microsoft Windows
95 users.
Information for Microsoft Windows
3.11 users.
Information for IBM DOS users.
Information for IBM Operating
System/2 (OS/2) users.
vii

Safety Information
Safety Information
Electrical Safety Notice
Note: In the U.K., by law:
The telephone line cable must be connected after the
power cord.
The power cord must be disconnected after the telephone
line cable.
DANGER
Electrical current from power, telephone, and communi-
cation cables is hazardous. To avoid shock hazard,
connect and disconnect cables as shown below when
installing, moving, or opening the covers of this product
or attached devices. The 3–pin power cord must be used
with a properly grounded outlet.
viii

Safety Information
DANGER
Do not disassemble, incinerate, or short-circuit the
rechargeable battery pack. Do not put it in trash that is
disposed of in landfills. Dispose of it as required by
local ordinances or regulations. In the United States, call
IBM at 1-800-IBM-4333 for information on disposal.
ix

Safety Information
CAUTION:
The lithium battery (IBM P/N 02K6502 UL-recognized
component—File No. MH12210) can be replaced only by your
dealer or an IBM service representative. It contains lithium and
can explode if not properly used, handled, or disposed of. Do
not: (1) throw or immerse into water, (2) heat to more than
100°C (212°F), or (3) attempt to repair or disassemble. Dispose
of it as required by local ordinances or regulations.
CAUTION:
The fluorescent lamp in the liquid crystal display (LCD) contains
mercury. Do not put it in trash that is disposed of in landfills.
Dispose of it as required by local ordinances or regulations.
The LCD is made of glass, and rough handling or dropping the
computer can cause the LCD to break. If the LCD breaks and
the internal fluid gets into your eyes or on your hands, imme-
diately wash the affected areas with water for at least 15
minutes; then get medical care if any symptoms are present
after washing.
Laser Compliance Statement
The CD-ROM drive of the ThinkPad 390 computer is a laser product.
The CD-ROM drive's classification label (shown below) is located on
the top of the drive.
CLASS 1 LASER PRODUCT
LASER KLASSE 1
LUOKAN 1 LASERLAITE
APPAREIL A LASER DE CLASSE 1
KLASS 1 LASER APPARAT
The CD-ROM drive is certified in the U.S. to conform to the require-
ments of the Department of Health and Human Services 21 Code of
Federal Regulations (DHHS 21 CFR) Subchapter J for Class 1 laser
products.
In other countries, the drive is certified to conform to the require-
ments of EN60825.
x

Safety Information
CAUTION:
Do not open the CD-ROM drive; no user adjustments or service-
able parts are inside.
Use of controls, adjustments, or the performance of procedures
other than those specified may result in hazardous radiation
exposure.
Class 1 laser products are not considered to be hazardous. The
CD-ROM drive has an internal, Class 1, 0.5-milliwatt, aluminum
gallium-arsenide laser that operates at a wavelength of 760 to 810
nanometers. The design of the laser system and the CD-ROM drive
ensures that there is no exposure to laser radiation above a Class 1
level during normal operation, user maintenance, or servicing condi-
tions.
xi

xii

Contents
Thank You for Selecting an IBM ThinkPad 390 Computer . iii
Functional Highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv
About This Book ............................ vi
Safety Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . viii
Electrical Safety Notice ...................... viii
Laser Compliance Statement ................... x
Chapter 1. Getting Familiar with Your Computer ....... 1
Identifying the Hardware Features .................. 2
Front View of the Computer .................... 2
Rear View of the Computer .................... 4
Bottom View of the Computer ................... 6
System Status Indicators ....................... 7
Distinctive Functions of Your Computer ............... 9
Keyboard Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
UltraBay FX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
ThinkPad Utility Programs .................... 17
Online User's Guide ........................ 28
Backing Up Your System ...................... 30
ThinkPad Customization CD ................... 30
Recovery CD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Diskette Factory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
ConfigSafe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
ThinkPad Web Site or Bulletin Board .............. 31
Replacing the Battery Pack ..................... 32
Handling Your Computer ...................... 33
ThinkPad Don'ts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
ThinkPad Do's . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Cleaning Your Computer ..................... 35
Carrying the Computer ...................... 35
Preserving Battery Pack Life ................... 36
Maximizing Battery-Powered Operation ............ 36
Ruggedized Mobile Computers ................. 37
Ergonomics Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
For More Information ....................... 40
 Copyright IBM Corporation 1998 xiii

Chapter 2. Extending the Features of Your Computer ... 41
Customizing the TrackPoint ..................... 42
Using the Press-to-Select Page ................. 43
Using the Sensitivity Page .................... 45
Using the Scrolling Page ..................... 46
Increasing Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Upgrading the Hard Disk Drive ................... 52
Replacing the UltraBay FX Device ................. 54
Attaching an External Mouse, Keypad or Keyboard ....... 58
Attaching an External Mouse or Numeric Keypad ...... 58
Attaching an External Keyboard and Mouse .......... 61
Disabling the TrackPoint ..................... 62
Attaching an External Monitor ................... 63
Display Output Location ..................... 64
Display Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Attaching a Printer .......................... 68
Inserting a PC Card ......................... 69
Removing the PC Card ...................... 70
Using a Port Replicator ....................... 72
Enabling the CardBus Sockets (for Windows 98) ....... 73
Chapter 3. Protecting Your Computer ............. 75
Using Passwords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Entering a Password ....................... 77
Setting a Password ........................ 78
Changing or Removing a Password .............. 79
Using Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Using the Security Screw ...................... 82
Chapter 4. Solving Computer Problems ............ 83
Frequently Asked Questions .................... 84
Hints, Tips and Limitations ..................... 91
Using a PC Card with the Port Replicator ........... 92
USB Connector Considerations ................. 92
Using a Second CardBus Card ................. 92
Using an External Condenser Microphone ........... 93
Troubleshooting Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Troubleshooting Charts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Error Codes or Messages .................... 96
No Error Codes or Messages .................. 97
Input Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
xiv

Suspend or Hibernation Problems ............... 100
LCD Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Indicator Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Battery Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
CD-ROM Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Infrared Communication Problems ............... 105
Audio Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Universal Serial Bus (USB) Problems ............. 106
Modem Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
PC Card Problems ........................ 109
Printer Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
External Monitor Problems .................... 111
Port Replicator Problems ..................... 113
Other Option Problems ...................... 114
Software Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Other Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Recovering Lost or Damaged Software .............. 117
Using the Diskette Factory .................... 118
Using the ThinkPad Customization CD ............. 118
Using the Recovery CD ..................... 119
Chapter 5. Getting Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Information on Your Computer ................... 122
Option List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Identification Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Problem Recording Sheet .................... 123
Customer Support and Service ................... 124
Help by Telephone ........................ 124
ThinkPad EasyServ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Getting Help Around the World ................. 125
Fax Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Electronic Support Services ................... 126
Purchasing Additional Services ................... 128
Enhanced PC Support Line ................... 128
Client Support Line ........................ 129
Network and Server Support Line ................ 129
Ordering Support Line Services ................. 129
Warranty and Repair Services .................. 130
Obtaining IBM Operating System Updates ............ 131
Getting Update Diskettes ..................... 131
Ordering Publications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
xv

Appendix A. Features and Specifications ........... 133
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
IBM Power Cords ........................... 138
Appendix B. Product Warranties and Notices ........ 139
Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Trademarks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Electronic Emission Notices ................... 144
Telecommunication Notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Industry Canada Requirements ................. 147
Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
xvi

Chapter 1. Getting Familiar with Your Computer
Identifying the Hardware Features .................. 2
Front View of the Computer .................... 2
Rear View of the Computer .................... 4
Bottom View of the Computer ................... 6
System Status Indicators ....................... 7
Distinctive Functions of Your Computer ............... 9
Keyboard Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
TrackPoint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Fn Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Numeric Keypad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
UltraBay FX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
CD-ROM Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
ThinkPad Utility Programs .................... 17
BIOS Setup Utility ....................... 18
ThinkPad Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Online User's Guide ........................ 28
Backing Up Your System ...................... 30
ThinkPad Customization CD ................... 30
Recovery CD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Diskette Factory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
ConfigSafe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
ThinkPad Web Site or Bulletin Board .............. 31
Replacing the Battery Pack ..................... 32
Handling Your Computer ...................... 33
ThinkPad Don'ts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
ThinkPad Do's . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Cleaning Your Computer ..................... 35
Carrying the Computer ...................... 35
Preserving Battery Pack Life ................... 36
Maximizing Battery-Powered Operation ............ 36
Creating the Hibernation Function .............. 37
Ruggedized Mobile Computers ................. 37
Ergonomics Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
For More Information ....................... 40
 Copyright IBM Corporation 1998 1

Identifying the Hardware Features
Front View of the Computer
2ThinkPad 390 User's Reference

Identifying the Hardware Features
(1) The LCD latches release the LCD when pressed and allow it to
be opened.
(2) The color LCD screen displays computer output.
(3) The built-in microphone captures sound and voice when it is
used with an application program capable of handling audio.
(4) The brightness control adjusts the brightness of the display.
(5) The internal modem port is used for connecting your com-
puter to an analog telephone line.
(6) The headphone jack, a ⅛inch (3.5mm) diameter jack, is where
you connect stereo headphones or external speakers.
(7) The line-in jack, a ⅛inch (3.5mm) diameter jack, is where
you connect an external audio device.
(8) The microphone jack, a ⅛inch (3.5mm) diameter jack, is
where you connect a self-powered stereo microphone.
Note: Do not plug any device into the microphone jack except a
microphone.
(9) The PC Card slots accept PC Cards.
(10) The PC Card eject buttons eject the PC Card from the PC Card
slot.
(11) The audio volume control adjusts the volume of the
speakers.
(12) The diskette drive (shown installed in the UltraBay FX).
(13) The diskette-drive-activity indicator lights up when the computer
is accessing the diskette drive.
(14) The diskette-eject button ejects the diskette from the diskette
drive.
(15) The CD-ROM drive (shown installed in the UltraBay FX).
(16) The CD-ROM access indicator is on when data is read from a
CD-ROM in the CD-ROM drive.
(17) The CD-ROM eject button ejects the CD-ROM tray .
(18) The manual-eject hole is used to eject the CD-ROM tray when it
does not open with the eject button.
(19) The TrackPoint buttons work with the TrackPoint (20) and func-
tion similar to the buttons on a mouse.
(20) The TrackPoint is a built-in pointing device that provides a func-
tion similar to that of a mouse.
(21) The Fn key is used with the function keys to activate the Fn key
functions.
(22) The indicator panel consists of the system-status indicators and
their associated symbols.
(23) The left and right internal speakers generate stereo sound.
Chapter 1. Getting Familiar with Your Computer 3

Identifying the Hardware Features
Rear View of the Computer
(1) The battery pack is a built-in power source for the computer.
(2) The infrared port allows the computer to communicate with
other devices that have infrared data-transfer capability.
(3) The power switch turns the computer on and off.
(4) The universal serial bus (USB) allows you to connect any
device that conforms to the USB standard.
(5) The power jack is where the AC Adapter cable is con-
nected.
(6) The external-monitor connector is where you attach the
external monitor.
(7) The serial connector is where you connect a 9–pin, serial-
device cable.
(8) The security keyhole is used with a mechanical lock.
(9) To remove the hard disk (10), loosen this hard disk screw.
(10) The hard disk drive is the built-in mass storage device for the
computer.
(11) The parallel connector is where you connect a parallel-
printer signal cable.
4ThinkPad 390 User's Reference