Lenovo IDEACENTRE K3 User manual

Version 4.0 2010.10
User Guide
IdeaCentre K3 Series
31046999
Machine type: 10062/7727

Important Safety Information
Before using this manual, it is important that you read and understand all of the
related safety information for this product. Refer to the Safety and Warranty Guide
that you received with this product for the latest safety information. Reading and
understanding this safety information reduces the risk of personal injury or damage
to your product.
Danger: Be aware of extremely hazardous or lethal situations.
Attention: Be aware of possible damage to programs, devices, or data.
Note: Pay attention to this important information.
© Copyright Lenovo 2007, 2010.

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Contents
Contents
Important Safety Information
Chapter 1 Using the Computer Hardware.............................. 1
1.1 Front view of the chassis .........................................................2
1.2 Rear view of the chassis ..........................................................4
1.3 Connecting your computer .....................................................5
1.4 Power Dial (Selected models only) .........................................11
Chapter 2 Using the Rescue System .................................... 15
2.1 OneKey Recovery..................................................................16
2.2 Driver and Application Installation ..........................................16
2.3 System Setup........................................................................17
2.4 System Backup .....................................................................18
2.5 System Recovery ..................................................................18
2.6 Create Recovery Disc ............................................................18
Chapter 3 Using the Computer Software ............................. 19
3.1 Lenovo Dynamic Brightness System......................................20
3.2 Lenovo Eye Distance System ................................................21
3.3 BackOn Track........................................................................22
Chapter 4 Troubleshooting and Confirming Setup.............. 25
4.1 Troubleshooting Display Problems .........................................26
4.2 Troubleshooting Audio Problems ...........................................27
4.3 Troubleshooting Software Problems.......................................27
4.4 Troubleshooting Problems with Optical Drives and
Hard Disks.............................................................................28
4.5 Special considerations for troubleshooting Windows .............29
4.6 Performing Daily Maintenance Tasks......................................30

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Chapter
This chapter contains the following
topics:
Computer hardware introduction
Information on computer connections
Note: The descriptions in this chapter
might be different from what you see on
your computer, depending on the computer
models and configurations.
User Guide 1
Using the Computer Hardware

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1.1 Front view of the chassis
Attention: Be careful not to block any air vents on the computer. Blocked
air vents can cause overheating.
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3
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2
4
5
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Power button
Power Dial indicator ON/OFF
File backup button
USB connector
Microphone connector
Headphone connector
Memory card reader (selected models only)
Optical drive (some models are equipped with only one optical drive)
Power Dial switch

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User Guide
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2
4
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6
Power button Headphone connector
USB connector Memory card reader
Microphone connector Optical drive

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1.2 Rear view of the chassis
Voltage selection switch (selected models only)
Power connector
PS/2 keyboard connector
PS/2 mouse connector
USB connectors (7)
Ethernet connector
7.1 Audio connectors (6)
On-board VGA connector (selected models only)
HDMI port (2)

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User Guide
1.3 Connecting your computer
Use the following information when connecting your computer.
• Lookforthesmallconnectoriconsonthebackofyourcomputer.Matchthe
connectors to the icons.
• Ifyourcomputercablesandconnectorpanelhavecolor-codedconnectors,
match the color of the cable end with the color of the connector.
Note: Your computer may not have all of the connectors described in this
section.
1.3.1 Check the position of the voltage-selection switch on
the rear of the computer. Use a ballpoint pen to slide the
switch if necessary.
Note: Some computers do not have a voltage switch. These computers
control voltage automatically.
• Ifthevoltagesupplyrangeis100-127VAC,settheswitchto115V.
• Ifthevoltagesupplyrangeis200-240VAC,settheswitchto230V.
115
230
1.3.2 Connect the keyboard cable to the appropriate keyboard
connector (PS/2 connector or USB connector).

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1.3.3 Connect the mouse cable to the appropriate mouse
connector (PS/2 connector or USB connector).
Note: If your computer is equipped with a wireless keyboard or mouse,
follow the installation instructions for those devices.
1.3.4 Connect the monitor cable to the monitor connector on
the computer.
• If you have a Video Graphics Array (VGA) Standard monitor, connect the
cable to the connector as shown.
Note: If your model has two monitor connectors, be sure to use the
connector on the graphics adapter.
• If you have an HDMI monitor, your computer must have an adapter that
supports the HDMI monitor installed. Connect the cable to the port as
shown.

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User Guide
1.3.5 If you have audio devices, attach them using the
following instructions.
Audio line-in This connector receives audio signals from an external audio
device, such as a stereo system.
Audio line-out This connector sends audio signals from the computer to
external devices, such as powered stereo speakers.
Microphone Use this connector to attach a microphone to your
computer when you want to record sound or if you use
speech-recognition software. This connector might be
located on the front of the computer.
Headphone Use this connector to attach headphones to your computer
when you want to listen to music or other sounds without
disturbing anyone. This connector might be located on the
front of the computer.

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1.3.6 7.1 Audio configuration instructions
Use the following illustration when connecting a 7.1 surround sound audio system:
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Side Speaker Out Mic In
Rear Speaker Out Front Speaker Out
Center/Subwoofer Speaker Out Line In
Note: For more detailed settings, click Start → Control panel → Hardware
and Sound → Lenovo HD Audio Manager. Follow the instructions to
configure advanced settings.
Sound configuration is as follows:
1. Right click the Sound icon in the system property bar and select the sounds
option to setup the sounds in the pop-up dialog box.
2. Select a playback device from the playback dialog box, then click the
configure button to configure it.
3. Select 7.1 surround from audio channels in the pop-up speaker setup dialog
box and proceed with the speaker setup by following the prompts.
4. 7.1 surround sound can be used once this configuration procedure is complete.

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User Guide
Note: If the audio configuration interfaces above are different from
those on your computer, you may use the above steps as a reference to
configure the 7.1 surround sound audio device system in your actual audio
configuration interface and read the electronic Help information for further
assistance.
1.3.7 Connect any additional devices that you have. Your
computer may not have all the connectors shown here.
USB connector Use this connector to attach a device that requires a USB
connection.
TV tuner
connector
Only supported on systems with optional TV tuner card.
Ethernet
connector
Use this connector to attach the computer to an Ethernet-
type local area network.
1.3.8 Connect the power cords properly to grounded electrical
outlets.

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1.3.9 If your computer is equipped with a Memory Card Reader
Connector, it can read/write data from the following:
Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, Memory Stick Duo,
Memory Stick PRO Duo.
Secure Digital Card, SD High Capacity Card, Mini Secure Digital Card,
Mini SD High Capacity Card, Multi Media Card, Reduced Size Multi Media
Card, Multi Media Card Plus, Multi Media Card Mobile, XD Micro Drive,
Compact Flash Type I, Compact Flash Type II
1.3.10 Keyboard and Mouse (wired)
LVT
LVT
LVT —— After entering Windows, press this key to launch the LVT (Lenovo
Vantage Technology) program, Lenovo’s pre-loaded Home PC software.
In addition to its own functions, the LVT program will allow you to start
other Windows compatible software, specially configured to run on this
model of computer. (Selected models only)
F2 —— Your computer has the Lenovo Rescue System installed.To learn more
about this program, repeatedly press and release the F2 key once
turning on the computer until the Lenovo Rescue System open.

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User Guide
1.4 Power Dial (Selected models only)
The Power Dial feature allows your computer to switch to different modes, thus
providing you with customized experiences during operations.
TURBO
TURBO mode
AUTO
AUTO mode
COOL
COOL mode
Operation of the Power Dial
The Power Dial function supports three operating modes: AUTO TURBO and
COOL. System resources are optimized by toggling between those three different
modes. Different modes are used for different applications.
Display the main screen of the software
Double click the Power Dial icon in the Quick Launch bar.

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Open the running status for
each component under the
Mode Switch:
GPU — Show the
percentage of
the current GPU
clock frequency
against the nominal
maximal GPU clock
frequency.
CPU — Show the
percentage of
the current CPU
clock frequency
against the nominal
maximal CPU clock
frequency.
ODD — The status of the
optical drive.
HDD — The status of the
hard disk drive.
AUTO
AUTO mode
AUTO

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User Guide
TURBO
Each component operates
as shown in the adjacent
picture. The numeric
values may vary because
each model is configured
differently.
AUTO
Each component operates
as displayed in the picture.
The numeric values may
vary because each model is
configured differently.
TURBO
TURBO mode
TURBO
Runs at full speed. The
system achieves its optimal
performance.
Turn the Power Dial knob
to the TURBO position to
enable this mode.

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If other applications such as the burner program or game software change the
parameter settings for COOL mode when it is launched, a prompt dialog box will
pop up indicating that your “COOL settings” have been changed. In this case, click
OK.
To restore the previous COOL mode settings, exit other applications then turn the
Power Dial knob mounted on the chassis to COOL.
Notes:
• Whenyouarerunningsystem-intensivegamesorotherprogramsthat
consume a high proportion of the system resources, you should choose
TURBO mode. This will allow you to achieve optimal performance.
• WhentheODDstatusisshownas“QUIET”,itindicatesthatthecurrent
maximal data CD reading speed is lower than the nominal maximal
reading speed of the ODD.
COOL
COOL mode
COOL
The CPU runs at low
frequency. The system
consumes minimum power.
Turn the Power Dial knob to
the COOL position to enable
this mode.
COOL
Each component operates
as shown in the adjacent
picture. The numeric
values may vary because
each model is configured
differently.

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Chapter
Using the Rescue System
This chapter contains the following
topics:
OneKey Recovery
Driver and Application Installation
System Setup
System Backup
System Recovery
Create Recovery Disc
Attention: Using this program will result in
loss of data.
• YoucanrestoretheC:driveofthecomputer
to factory default settings or to the last system
backup status using OneKey Recovery. If
you do this, all of the existing data on drive
C:willbelost,butthecontentandformatof
the other partitions of the hard disk drive will
remain unchanged.
• If you want to install an operating system and
back it up with OneKey Recovery, you must
formattheC:partitioninNTFS format and
installtheoperatingsystemontheC:partition.
Otherwise, the OneKey Recovery system
cannot run.
User Guide 15