IBM THINKPAD A20M User manual

Note
Before using this information and the product it supports, be sure to read the general information under “Safety
information” on page v and “Notices” on page 41.
First Edition (January 2000)
The following paragraph does not apply in the United Kingdom or any other 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 of 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 2000. All rights reserved. Note to U.S. 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.

Contents
Safety information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v
Laser compliance statement .................... viii
Handling the ThinkPad computer ................. xi
ThinkPad don'ts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xi
ThinkPad do's . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xiii
Cleaning your computer ..................... xiii
Carrying your computer ..................... xiv
Extending the life of your computer's battery ......... xiv
Chapter 1. System overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Using your online user's guide .................... 6
Starting BIOS Setup Utility ...................... 7
Chapter 2. Protecting your computer .............. 9
Using password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Power-on password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Screen saver password ..................... 10
Hard-disk passwords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Windows password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Supervisor password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Network password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Passwords and standby mode .................. 12
Using the locks and the security screw .............. 13
Attaching the mechanical lock .................. 13
Using the security screw ..................... 13
Using the Asset RF ID feature ................... 14
Chapter 3. Solving computer problems ............ 15
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Error codes or messages .................... 16
No error codes or messages .................. 19
A power switch problem ..................... 20
Input problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Standby or hibernation problems ................ 22
LCD problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Battery problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Hard-disk-drive problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Software problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
 Copyright IBM Corp. 2000 iii

Other problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Testing your computer ........................ 30
Backing up your system ....................... 30
Backing up your system configuration ............. 30
Backing up your data ....................... 31
Recovering lost or damaged software ............. 32
Getting service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
ThinkPad Web site ........................ 36
Recording sheets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Appendix A. Product warranty and notices .......... 39
Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Year 2000 readiness and instructions ............. 41
Trademarks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Electronic emission notices ................... 43
Telecommunication notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Industry Canada requirements .................. 47
Product notice requirements ................... 49
Notice for European Union countries .............. 49
iv IBM ThinkPad A20 User's Reference

Safety information
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
Electric current from power, telephone, and
communication 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.
Turn everything OFF.
Turn everything OFF.
First, attach all cables to devices. First, remove the power cord from
the outlet.
Attach the signal cables to
receptacles.
Remove signal cables from
receptacles.
Attach the power cord to an outlet.
Remove all cables from devices.
Turn the device ON.
To Connect To Disconnect
 Copyright IBM Corp. 2000 v

DANGER
Reduce the risk of fire and electric shock by always
following basic safety precautions, including the
following:
Do not use your computer in or near water.
During electrical storms:
– Do not use your computer with the telephone
cable connection.
– Do not connect the cable to or disconnect it from
the telephone outlet on the wall.
DANGER
If the rechargeable battery pack is incorrectly replaced,
there is danger of an explosion. The battery pack
contains a small amount of harmful substances. To
avoid possible injury:
Replace only with a battery of the type recommended
by IBM, or an equivalent.
Keep the battery pack away from fire.
Do not expose it to water or rain.
Do not attempt to disassemble it.
Do not short-circuit it.
Keep it away from children.
Do not put the battery pack in trash that is disposed of
in landfills. When disposing of the battery, comply with
local ordinances or regulations and your company's
safety standards. In the United States, call IBM at
1-800-IBM-4333 for information on disposal.
vi IBM ThinkPad A20 User's Reference

DANGER
There is a danger of an explosion if the backup battery
is incorrectly replaced.
The lithium battery (IBM P/N 02K6541 UL-recognized
component [file no. MH12210]) contains lithium and can
explode if it is not properly handled or disposed of.
Replace only with a battery of the same type.
To avoid possible injury or death, do not: (1) throw or
immerse the batter into water, (2) allow it to heat to more
than 100 °C (212 °F), or (3) attempt to repair or
disassemble it. Dispose of it as required by local
ordinances or regulations and your company's safety
standards.
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,
immediately wash the affected areas with water for at least 15
minutes; if any symptoms are present after washing, get
medical care.
CAUTION:
To reduce the risk of fire, use only No. 26 AWG or larger
(thicker) telephone cable.
Safety information vii

Laser compliance statement
The CD-ROM or DVD drive, which can be installed in the IBM
ThinkPad A20, is a laser product. The drive's classification label
(shown below) is on the surface of the drive.
CLASS 1 LASER PRODUCT
LASER KLASSE 1
LUOKAN 1 LASERLAITE
APPAREIL A LASER DE CLASSE 1
KLASS 1 LASER APPARAT
The drive is certified in the U.S. to conform to the requirements of
the Department of Health and Human Services 21 Code of Federal
Regulations (DHHS 21 CFR) Subchapter J for Class I laser products.
In other countries, the drive is certified to conform to the
requirements of EN60825.
DANGER
Do not open the CD-ROM or DVD drive unit; no user
adjustments or serviceable parts are inside.
Use of controls, adjustments, or the performance of
procedures other than those specified might result in
hazardous radiation exposure.
Class 1 laser products are not considered hazardous. The design of
the laser system and the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive ensures that
there is no exposure to laser radiation above a Class 1 level during
normal operation, user maintenance, or servicing.
viii IBM ThinkPad A20 User's Reference

Some drives contain an embedded Class 3A laser diode. Note this
warning:
DANGER
Emits visible and invisible laser radiation when open.
Avoid direct eye exposure. Do not stare into the beam
or view it directly with optical instruments.
Safety information ix

xIBM ThinkPad A20 User's Reference