Lenovo ThinkCentre 6176 User manual

ThinkCentre
User Guide

Note
Before using this information and the product it supports, be sure to read and understand the ThinkCentre Safety and
Warranty Guide for this product and Appendix B, “Notices,” on page 43.
Third Edition (October 2008)
©Copyright Lenovo 2008. All rights reserved.
LENOVO products, data, computer software, and services have been developed exclusively at private expense and
are sold to governmental entities as commercial items as defined by 48 C.F.R. 2.101 with limited and restricted
rights to use, reproduction and disclosure.
LIMITED AND RESTRICTED RIGHTS NOTICE: If products, data, computer software, or services are delivered
pursuant aGeneral Services Administration ″GSA″contract, use, reproduction, or disclosure is subject to restrictions
set forth in Contract No. GS-35F-05925.

Contents
Introduction .............v
Chapter 1. Important safety information 1
Chapter 2. Features and specifications .3
Features ................3
Specifications ..............5
Chapter 3. Software overview .....7
Software provided with your Windows operating
system ................7
Software provided by Lenovo .......7
PC Doctor for Windows, PC Doctor for Windows
PE .................8
Adobe Reader .............8
Chapter 4. Using the Setup Utility....9
Starting the Setup Utility program .......9
Viewing and changing settings ........9
Using passwords .............9
Password considerations .........10
User Password ............10
Administrator Password .........10
Setting, changing, and deleting apassword...10
Enabling or disabling adevice ........10
Selecting astartup device ..........11
Selecting atemporary startup device .....11
Selecting or changing the startup device sequence 11
Advanced settings ............12
Exiting from the Setup Utility program .....12
Chapter 5. Updating system programs 13
Using system programs ..........13
Updating (flashing) BIOS from adiskette or disc ..13
Updating (flashing) BIOS from your operating
system ................14
Recovering from aPOST/BIOS update failure ...14
Chapter 6. Troubleshooting and
diagnostics .............15
Basic troubleshooting ...........15
Diagnostic programs ...........16
PC-Doctor for Windows .........17
PC-Doctor for DOS ...........17
PC-Doctor for Windows PE ........18
Cleaning the mouse ...........19
Optical mouse ............19
Non-optical mouse ...........20
Chapter 7. Recovering software ....23
Creating and using Product Recovery discs ....23
Performing backup and recovery operations ...24
Using the Rescue and Recovery workspace ....25
Creating and using rescue media .......26
Creating and using aRecovery Repair diskette ..27
Recovering or installing device drivers .....28
Setting arescue device in the startup sequence ..29
Solving recovery problems .........29
Chapter 8. Getting information, help,
and service .............31
Information resources ...........31
Online Books folder ..........31
ThinkVantage Productivity Center ......31
Access Help .............32
Safety and Warranty ..........32
Lenovo Web site (http://www.lenovo.com)...32
Help and service ............33
Using the documentation and diagnostic
programs ..............33
Calling for service ...........33
Using other services ..........34
Purchasing additional services .......34
Appendix A. Manual modem
commands .............35
Basic AT commands ...........35
Extended AT commands ..........37
MNP/V.42/V.42bis/V.44 commands ......38
Fax Class 1commands ..........39
Fax Class 2commands ..........39
Voice commands.............40
Appendix B. Notices .........43
Television output notice ..........44
Trademarks ..............44
Index ...............45
©Copyright Lenovo 2008 iii

iv User Guide

Introduction
This ThinkCentre User Guide contains the following information:
vChapter 1, “Important safety information,” on page 1provides information about
where to find safety information for this product.
vChapter 2, “Features and specifications,” on page 3provides information about
your computer features and specifications.
vChapter 3, “Software overview,” on page 7provides information on the
operating system and software applications that might be preloaded on your
computer.
vChapter 4, “Using the Setup Utility,” on page 9provides instructions on how to
view and change the configuration settings of your computer.
vChapter 5, “Updating system programs,” on page 13 provides information about
updating POST/BIOS and how to recover from aPOST/BIOS update failure.
vChapter 6, “Troubleshooting and diagnostics,” on page 15 provides information
about basic troubleshooting and diagnostic tools for your computer.
vChapter 7, “Recovering software,” on page 23 provides instructions on how to
use the ThinkVantage®Rescue and Recovery®program to create product
recovery disks, back up data, recover software, and restore the entire contents of
your hard disk drive to apreviously saved state.
vChapter 8, “Getting information, help, and service,” on page 31 provides
information about the wide variety of helpful resources available from Lenovo®.
vAppendix A, “Manual modem commands,” on page 35 provides commands for
manually programming your modem.
vAppendix B, “Notices,” on page 43 provides notices and trademark information.
©Copyright Lenovo 2008 v

vi User Guide

Chapter 1. Important safety information
CAUTION:
Before using this manual, it is important that you read and understand all the
related safety information for this product. Refer to the ThinkCentre 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 and or damage to your product.
If you no longer have acopy of the ThinkCentre Safety and Warranty Guide,you can
obtain one online from the Lenovo Support Web site at:
http://www.lenovo.com/support
©Copyright Lenovo 2008 1

2User Guide

Chapter 2. Features and specifications
This chapter provides an introduction to your computer features and specifications.
Features
This section provides an overview of the computer features and preinstalled
software.
System information
The following information covers avariety of models. For information for
your specific model, use the Setup Utility. See Chapter 4, “Using the Setup
Utility,” on page 9.
Microprocessor
vIntel®Pentium®dual-core processor
vIntel Celeron®processor
vIntel Core™2Quad processor
vIntel Core 2Duo processor
vInternal cache (size varies by model type)
Memory
vSupport for two DDR2 DIMMs (double data rate 2dual inline memory modules)
vFlash memory for system programs (varies by model type)
Internal drives
vSATA II (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment) internal hard disk drive
vOptical drive (some models)
Video subsystem
vAn integrated graphics controller for aVGA monitor
vIntel Graphics Media Accelerator 3100
Audio subsystem
vHD (High Definition) with ALC662 Audio Codec
vMicrophone and headphone connectors on the front panel
vAudio line-in, audio line-out, and microphone connectors on the rear panel
vMono internal speaker
Connectivity
v10/100/1000 Mbps integrated Ethernet controller
vPeripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) V.90 Data/Fax modem (some models)
System management features
vPreboot Execution Environment (PXE)
vWake on LAN®
©Copyright Lenovo 2008 3

vWake on Ring (in the Setup Utility program, this feature is called Serial Port
Ring Detect for an external modem)
vRemote Administration
vAutomatic power-on startup
vSystem Management (SM) BIOS and SM software
vAbility to store power-on self-test (POST) hardware test results
Input/output features
v25-pin Extended Capabilities Port (ECP)/Extended Parallel Port (EPP)
v9-pin serial port
vUSB connectors (two on the front panel and the number of the rear panel USB
connectors varies by model)
vStandard mouse connector
vStandard keyboard connector
vEthernet connector
vVGA monitor connector
vThree audio connectors (audio line-in, audio line-out, and microphone) on the
rear panel (some models)
vTwo audio connectors (microphone and headphone) on the front panel (some
models)
Expansion
vThree drive bays (some models)
vFive drive bays (some models)
vPCI adapter card slot (one or more varies by model)
vPCI Express adapter card slot (varies by model)
Power
v280 Watt, 310 Watt manual and auto
v280 Watt, 220 Watt manual and auto
v280 Watt, power supply with auto-sensing voltage-selection switch
vAutomatic 50/60 Hz input frequency switching
vAdvanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) support
Security features
vUser and administrator passwords for BIOS access
vSupport for the addition of an integrated cable lock (Kensington lock)
vKeyboard with fingerprint reader (some models, see the ThinkVantage
Productivity Center program for more information)
vCover presence switch (intrusion switch, some models)
vStartup sequence control
vStartup without diskette drive, keyboard, or mouse
vDiskette and hard disk drive I/O control
vSerial and parallel port I/O control
4User Guide

Preinstalled software
Your computer might come with preinstalled software. If it does, an operating
system, device drivers to support built-in features, and other support programs are
included.
Operating system, preinstalled
Microsoft®Windows Vista®
Note: Windows Vista might not be available or supported in all countries or
regions.
Operating systems, certified or tested for compatibility1(varies by model)
vLinux®
vMicrosoft Windows®XP
Specifications
This section lists the physical specifications for your computer.
For machine types: 6178, 6305, 7066, 7098, 9352, 9359, 9482, 9487, 9622, 9704, 9785,
9794, 9807, 9859, 9952
Dimensions
Width: 325 mm (12.8 inches)
Height: 107 mm (4.21 inches)
Depth: 410 mm (16.14 inches)
Weight
Maximum configuration as shipped: 7.3 kg (16 lbs)
For machine types: 6177, 7065, 7096, 9351, 9358, 9438, 9481, 9489, 9703, 9784, 9788,
9792, 9853, 9949
Dimensions
Width: 331 mm (13 inches)
Height: 104 mm (4.1 inches)
Depth: 412 mm (16.2 inches)
Weight
Maximum configuration as shipped: 8.8 kg (19.4 lbs)
1. The operating systems listed here are being certified or tested for compatibility at the time this publication goes to press.
Additional operating systems might be identified by Lenovo as compatible with your computer following the publication of this
booklet. Corrections and additions to this list are subject to change. To determine if an operating system has been certified or
tested for compatibility, check the Web site of the operating system vendor.
Chapter 2. Features and specifications 5

For machine types: 6176, 6179, 7064, 7094, 9349, 9356, 9357, 9439, 9488, 9702, 9708,
9709, 9789, 9851, 9948
Dimensions
Width: 175 mm (6.9 inches)
Height: 402 mm (15.8 inches)
Depth: 440 mm (17.3 inches)
Weight
Maximum configuration as shipped: 11 kg (24 lbs)
For all machine types
Environment
Air temperature:
Operating: 10° to 35°C (50° to 95°F)
Non-operating: 10° to 60°C (50° to 140°F)
Humidity:
Operating: 10% to 80% (10% per hour, non condensing)
Non-operating: 10% to 90% (10% per hour)
Transit: 0% to 90% (10% per hour)
Maximum altitude:
Operating: -50 to 10,000 ft (-15.2 to 3048 m)
Non-operating: -50 to 35,000 ft (-15.2 to 10,668 m)
Electrical input
Input voltage:
Low range:
Minimum: 100 VAC
Maximum: 127 VAC
Input frequency range: 50/60 Hz
Voltage-selection switch setting: 115 VAC
High range:
Minimum: 200 VAC
Maximum: 240 VAC
Input frequency range: 50/60 Hz
Voltage-selection switch setting: 230 VAC
6User Guide

Chapter 3. Software overview
The computer is manufactured with apreloaded operating system, Windows Vista,
and several preloaded applications.
Software provided with your Windows operating system
This section describes the Windows applications included with this product.
Software provided by Lenovo
The following software applications are provided by Lenovo to help you improve
productivity and reduce the cost associated with maintaining your computer.
Software provided with your computer may vary depending on your model.
ThinkVantage Productivity Center
The ThinkVantage Productivity Center program guides you to ahost of
information and tools to help you set up, understand, maintain, and enhance your
computer.
ThinkVantage Rescue and Recovery
The ThinkVantage Rescue and Recovery program is aone button recovery and
restore solution that includes aset of self recovery tools to help users diagnose, get
help, and recover from system crashes quickly, even if the primary operating
system will not start.
ThinkVantage Client Security Solution
This ThinkVantage Client Security Solution (CSS) is available on select Lenovo
computers. It helps protect your information, including vital security information
like passwords, encryption keys, and electronic credentials, while guarding against
unauthorized user access to data.
ThinkVantage System Update
ThinkVantage System Update (TVSU) is asoftware application that helps you keep
the software on your system up-to-date, by downloading and installing software
packages (TVT applications, device drivers, BIOS flashes, and other third party
applications). Some examples of software that you should keep updated are
programs provided by Lenovo, such as the Rescue and Recovery program and the
Productivity Center program.
System Migration Assistant
System Migration Assistant (SMA) is asoftware tool that enables system
administrators and individual users to migrate awork environment from one
computer to another.
Fingerprint Software
The integrated fingerprint reader provided on some keyboards enables you to
enroll your fingerprint and associate it with your power-on password, hard disk
drive password, and Windows password. As aresult, fingerprint authentication
can replace passwords and enable simple and secure user access. Afingerprint
reader keyboard is available with select computers or can be purchased for
computers that support this option.
©Copyright Lenovo 2008 7

PC Doctor for Windows, PC Doctor for Windows PE
The diagnostic programs are preinstalled from the factory on your hard disk drive.
Two diagnostic programs are available to assist you in diagnosing hardware
problems. PC-Doctor for Windows works through the Windows operating system
to diagnose hardware problems and report operating-system-controlled settings
that can cause hardware failures. The PC-Doctor for Windows PE diagnostic
program is part of the Rescue and Recovery workspace. Use PC-Doctor for
Windows PE if you are unable to start the Windows operating system or if
PC-Doctor for Windows has not been successful in isolating apossible problem.
Adobe Reader
Adobe Reader is atool used to view, print, and search PDF documents.
See “Online Books folder” on page 31 for more information about accessing the
online books and the Lenovo Web site.
8User Guide

Chapter 4. Using the Setup Utility
The Setup Utility program is used to view and change the configuration settings of
your computer, regardless of which operating system you are using. However, the
operating-system settings might override any similar settings in the Setup Utility
program.
Starting the Setup Utility program
To start the Setup Utility program, do the following:
1. If your computer is already on when you start this procedure, shut down the
operating system and turn off the computer.
2. Press and hold the F1 key and then turn on the computer. When you hear
multiple beeps, release the F1 key.
Notes:
a. If you are using aUSB keyboard and the Setup Utility program does not
display using this method, repeatedly press and release the F1 key rather
than leaving it pressed when turning on the computer.
b. If auser password or an administrator password has been set, the Setup
Utility program menu is not displayed until you type your password. For
more information, see “Using passwords.”
The Setup Utility program might start automatically when POST detects that
hardware has been removed or new hardware has been installed in your computer.
Viewing and changing settings
The Setup Utility program menu lists items that identify system configuration
topics. To view or change settings, see “Starting the Setup Utility program.”
When working with the Setup Utility program menu, you must use the keyboard.
The keys used to perform various tasks are displayed at the right side of each
screen.
Using passwords
By using the Setup Utility program, you can set passwords to prevent
unauthorized persons from gaining access to your computer and data. See
“Starting the Setup Utility program.” The following types of passwords are
available:
vUser Password
vAdministrator Password
You do not have to set any passwords to use your computer. However, if you
decide to set any passwords, read the following sections.
©Copyright Lenovo 2008 9

Password considerations
Apassword can be any combination of up to 16 characters (A-Z, a-z and 0-9). For
security reasons, it is agood idea to use astrong password that cannot be easily
compromised. Passwords should adhere to the following rules:
vContain at least one alphabetic character and one numeric character
vSetup Utility program and hard disk drive passwords are case sensitive
vNot be your name or your user name
vNot be acommon word or acommon name
vBe significantly different from your previous password
User Password
When aUser Password is set, the computer cannot be used until avalid password
is typed from the keyboard.
Administrator Password
When an Administrator Password is set, it deters unauthorized persons from
changing configuration settings. If you are responsible for maintaining the settings
of several computers, you might want to set an Administrator Password.
After you set an Administrator Password, apassword prompt is displayed each
time you try to access the Setup Utility program.
If both the user and administrator passwords are set, you can type either
password. However, to change any configuration settings, you must use your
administrator password.
Setting, changing, and deleting apassword
To set, change, or delete apassword, do the following:
Note: Apassword can be any combination of up to sixteen alphabetic and numeric
characters. For more information, see “Password considerations.”
1. Start the Setup Utility program. See Chapter 4, “Using the Setup Utility,” on
page 9.
2. From the Setup Utility program menu, select Security.
3. Select Set Administrator Password or Set User Password.Read the
information displayed on the right side of the screen.
Note: You need to set an Administrator Password in order to set aUser
Password.
Enabling or disabling adevice
This section provides information on how to enable or disable user access to the
following devices:
Floppy AWhen this feature is set to Disabled,the diskette drive cannot be
accessed.
SATA#1 Setup When this feature is set to Disabled,all devices connected to the
SATA connectors (such as hard disk drives or the optical drive)
are disabled and will not be displayed in the system
configuration.
10 User Guide

To enable or disable adevice, do the following:
1. Start the Setup Utility program. See “Starting the Setup Utility program” on
page 9.
2. From the Setup Utility program menu, select Device.
3. Select Floppy Drive Setup or ATA Drives Setup.
4. Select the desired devices and settings and press Enter.
5. Return to the Setup Utility program menu, select Exit and then Save Changes
and Exit.
Note: If you do not want to save the settings, select Discard Changes and Exit
or Discard Changes.
Selecting astartup device
If your computer does not start up from adevice such as the disc, diskette, or hard
disk drive as expected, use one of the following procedures to select astartup
device.
Selecting atemporary startup device
Use this procedure to start up from any start device.
Note: Not all discs, hard disk drives, and diskettes are bootable.
1. Turn off your computer.
2. Press and hold the F12 key, and then turn on the computer. When the Please
select boot device window displays, release the F12 key.
Note: If you are using aUSB keyboard and the Please select boot device
window does not display using this method, repeatedly press and
release the F12 key rather than leaving it pressed when turning on the
computer.
3. Select the desired startup device from the boot device list and press Enter to
begin.
Note: Selecting astartup device from the Please select boot device window does
not permanently change the startup sequence.
Selecting or changing the startup device sequence
To view or permanently change the configured startup device sequence, do the
following:
1. Start the Setup Utility program. See “Starting the Setup Utility program” on
page 9.
2. Select Boot.
3. Select the devices for the Primary Boot Sequence, the Automatic Boot Sequence,
and the Error Boot Sequence.
4. Select Exit from the Setup Utility menu and then Save Changes and Exit.
If you have changed these settings and want to return to the default settings, select
Load Optimal Defaults or Load Failsafe Defaults from the Exit menu.
Chapter 4. Using the Setup Utility 11

Advanced settings
On some computer models, the Advanced menu includes asetting to enable or
disable HyperThreading. This feature works only with HyperThreading-aware
operating systems, such as Windows Vista and Windows XP. The default setting
for HyperThreading is Enabled.However, if you select Set Defaults and are using
an operating system other than Windows Vista or Windows XP, your computer
performance might be degraded. Therefore, you should always set
HyperThreading to Disabled unless you are sure your operating system supports
HyperThreading.
Exiting from the Setup Utility program
After you finish viewing or changing settings, press Esc to return to the Setup
Utility program menu (you might have to press Esc several times). If you want to
save the new settings, select Save Changes and Exit.Otherwise, your changes will
not be saved.
12 User Guide