Lenovo ThinkCentre M720e User manual

M720e
User Guide

Read this first
Before using this documentation and the product it supports, ensure that you read and understand the
following:
• Appendi A “Important safety information” on page 67
• Safety and Warranty Guide
• Setup Guide
First Edition (September 2019)
© Copyright Lenovo 2019
LIMITED AND RESTRICTED RIGHTS NOTICE: If data or software is delivered pursuant to a General Services
Administration “GSA” contract, use, reproduction, or disclosure is subject to restrictions set forth in Contract No. GS-
35F-05925.

Contents
About this documentation iii
Chapter 1 Meet your computer 1
Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
System board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Features and specifications . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Statement on USB transfer rate . . . . . . . . 7
Chapter 2 Get started with your
computer 9
Get started with Windows 10 . . . . . . . . . . 9
Windows account . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Windows user interface . . . . . . . . . . 10
Connect to the wired Ethernet . . . . . . . . . 11
Use Lenovo Vantage . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Use multimedia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Use audio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Chapter 3 Explore your computer 13
Manage power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Set power button behaviors . . . . . . . . 13
Set the power plan . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Transfer data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Use the optical drive (for selected models) . . 13
Use a media card (for selected models). . . . 14
Use a smart cable clip . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Purchase accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Chapter 4 Secure your computer
and information 17
Lock the computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Log in to your computer securely . . . . . . . . 17
Use passwords . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Use the fingerprint reader . . . . . . . . . 19
Use software security solutions. . . . . . . . . 19
Use firewalls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Use antivirus programs . . . . . . . . . . 20
Use Computrace Agent software embedded
in firmware (for selected models) . . . . . . 20
Use BIOS security solutions . . . . . . . . . . 20
Erase all storage drive data . . . . . . . . 20
Use the cover presence switch . . . . . . . 21
Use Intel BIOS guard . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Use Smart USB Protection. . . . . . . . . 21
Chapter 5 UEFI BIOS 23
What is UEFI BIOS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Enter the BIOS menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Navigate in the BIOS interface . . . . . . . . . 23
Change the display language of UEFI BIOS . . . . 23
Set the system date and time . . . . . . . . . 24
Change the startup sequence . . . . . . . . . 24
Enable or disable the configuration change
detection feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Enable or disable the automatic power-on
feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Enable or disable the smart power-on feature . . . 25
Enable or disable the ErP LPS compliance mode . . 25
Enable or disable the ICE thermal alert feature . . . 26
Change the ICE performance mode . . . . . . . 26
Change the fan speed level . . . . . . . . . . 26
Change BIOS settings before installing a new
operating system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Update UEFI BIOS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Recover from a BIOS update failure . . . . . . . 27
Clear CMOS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Chapter 6 Troubleshooting,
diagnostics, and recovery 29
Basic procedure for resolving computer
problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Startup problems . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Audio problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Network problems . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Performance problems . . . . . . . . . . 33
Storage drive problems . . . . . . . . . . 34
CD or DVD problems . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Serial connector problems . . . . . . . . . 35
USB device problems . . . . . . . . . . 35
Software problems. . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Lenovo diagnostic tools . . . . . . . . . . 36
Lenovo Vantage . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Restore system files and settings to an earlier
point . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Restore your files from a backup . . . . . . 37
Reset your computer . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Use advanced options . . . . . . . . . . 37
Windows automatic recovery. . . . . . . . 37
Create and use a recovery USB device . . . . 37
Create and use a recovery USB device . . . . 38
Update the device driver . . . . . . . . . 39
© Copyright Lenovo 2019 i

Chapter 7 CRU replacement 41
What are CRUs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Replace a CRU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Vertical stand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Power cord. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Computer cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Front bezel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Optical drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Storage drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Power supply assembly . . . . . . . . . . 52
M.2 storage drive . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Coin-cell battery. . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Memory module . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
PCI E press card . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Chapter 8 Help and support 63
Self-help resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Call Lenovo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Before you contact Lenovo . . . . . . . . 64
Lenovo Customer Support Center . . . . . . 64
Purchase additional services. . . . . . . . . . 65
Appendix A Important safety
information 67
Appendix B Accessibility and
ergonomic information 81
Appendix C Supplemental
information about the Ubuntu operating
system 85
Appendix D Compliance
information 87
Appendix E Notices and
trademarks 99
ii M720e User Guide

About this documentation
• Illustrations in this documentation might look different from your product.
• Depending on the model, some optional accessories, features, and software programs might not be
available on your computer.
• Depending on the version of operating systems and programs, some user interface instructions might not
be applicable to your computer.
• Documentation content is subject to change without notice. Lenovo makes constant improvements on the
documentation of your computer, including this User Guide. To get the latest documentation, go to:
https://support.lenovo.com
• Microsoft® makes periodic feature changes to the Windows® operating system through Windows Update.
As a result, some information in this documentation might become outdated. Refer to Microsoft resources
for the latest information.
© Copyright Lenovo 2019 iii

iv M720e User Guide

Chapter 1 Meet your computer
Front
1. Optical drive eject/close
button* Eject or close the optical drive tray.
2. Optical drive status indicator* This indicator is on when the optical drive is in use.
3. Internal speaker* Enable you to e perience high-quality sound.
4. Storage drive status indicator This indicator is on when the storage drive is in use.
5. Card reader slot*
Supported cards:
• Secure Digital (SD) card
• Secure Digital eXtended-Capacity (SDXC) USH-1 card
• Secure Digital High-Capacity (SDHC) USH-1 card
Note: Your computer does not support the content protection for recordable
media (CPRM) feature for the SD card.
See “Use a media card (for selected models)” on page 14.
© Copyright Lenovo 2019 1

6. Power button
Press to turn on the computer.
To turn off the computer, open the Start menu, click Power, and then select
Shut down.
The indicator in the power button shows the system status of your computer.
• Blinking for three times: The computer is initially connected to power.
• On: The computer is on.
• Off: The computer is off or in hibernation mode.
• Blinking rapidly: The computer is entering sleep or hibernation mode.
• Blinking slowly: The computer is in sleep mode.
7. Microphone connector Connect a microphone.
8. Headset connector (also
known as combo audio jack) Connect a headset or headphones to your computer.
9. USB 3.1 connectors Gen 1 (2) Connect USB-compatible devices, such as a USB keyboard, USB mouse, USB
storage device, or USB printer.
10. ThinkCentre® LED This indicator is on when the computer is on.
* for selected models
2M720e User Guide

Rear
1. Audio line-out connector
Send audio signals from the computer to e ternal devices, such as powered
stereo speakers, headphones, or multimedia keyboards. To connect a stereo
system or other e ternal recording device, connect a cable between the audio
line-in connector of the device and the audio line-out connector of the computer.
Note: If your computer has both an audio line-out connector and a headset or
headphone connector, always use the headset or headphone connector for
earphones, headphones, or a headset. The headphone connector does not
support headset microphones.
2. DisplayPort® 1.2 out connector
Send audio and video signals from the computer to another audio or video device,
such as a high-performance monitor. For more information, see https://
www.vesa.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/DisplayPort-DevCon-Presentation-DP-
1.2-Dec-2010-rev-2b.pdf.
3. VGA-out connector Send video signals from the computer to another video device, such as a monitor.
4. USB 2.0 connectors (2) Connect USB-compatible devices, such as a USB keyboard, USB mouse, USB
storage device, or USB printer.
5. USB 3.1 connectors Gen 1 (2) Connect USB-compatible devices, such as a USB keyboard, USB mouse, USB
storage device, or USB printer.
6. Power cord connector Connect the power cord to your computer for power supply.
Chapter 1.Meet your computer 3

7. Serial connector Connect an e ternal modem, a serial printer, or other devices that use a serial
connector.
8. Ethernet connector
Connect to a local area network (LAN). When the green indicator is on, the
computer is connected to a LAN. When the yellow indicator blinks, data is being
transmitted.
9. Smart cable clip slots (2) Lock devices (such as the keyboard and the mouse) to your computer through a
smart cable clip.
10. Padlock loop Lock the computer cover through a padlock.
11. Security-lock slot Lock your computer to a desk, table, or other fi tures through a Kensington-style
cable lock.
12. Serial connector* Connect an e ternal modem, a serial printer, or other devices that use a serial
connector.
13. PCI-E press card area
Install PCI-E press cards into this area to improve the operating performance of
the computer. Depending on the computer model, the connectors in this area
vary.
* for selected models
4M720e User Guide

System board
1 4-pin CPU power connector 2 Microprocessor socket
3 Microprocessor fan connector 4 Memory slot (DIMM1)
5 Memory slot (DIMM2) 6 Coin-cell battery
7 6-pin power connector 8 ThinkCentre LED connector
9 Internal speaker connector 10 M.2 storage drive slot
11 4-pin SATA power connector 12 SATA 3.0 connector
13 SATA 3.0 connector 14 Front USB 2.0 connector (card reader connector)
15 Serial (COM2) connector 16 PCH
17 PCI E press 16 graphics card slot 18 Cover presence switch connector (Intrusion switch
connector)
19 PCI E press 1 card slot 20 Parallel connector
Chapter 1.Meet your computer 5

Features and specifications
Dimensions
• Width: 100 mm (3.9 inches)
• Height: 273.5 mm (10.8 inches)
• Depth: 303.5 mm (11.9 inches)
Weight (without the package) Ma imum configuration as shipped: 4.2 kg (11.3 lb)
Hardware configuration
1. Right-click the Start button to open the Start conte t menu.
2. Click Device Manager. Type the administrator password or provide
confirmation if prompted.
Power supply • 180-watt automatic voltage-sensing power supply
Electrical input • Input voltage: From 100 V ac to 240 V ac
• Input frequency: 50/60 Hz
Microprocessor To view the microprocessor information of your computer, right-click the Start
button and then click System.
Memory Double data rate 4 (DDR4) small outline dual in-line memory module (UDIMM)
Storage device
• 2.5-inch form factor, 7-mm (0.28-inch) height hard disk drive
• 3.5-inch form factor, 7-mm (0.28-inch) height hard disk drive
• M.2 solid-state drive
• Intel® Optane™ memory*
To know the storage drive capacity:
1. Right-click the Start button to open the Start conte t menu.
2. Click Disk Management.
Note: The storage drive capacity indicated by the system is less than the nominal
capacity.
Audio features
• The integrated audio card supports the following:
– Audio line-out connector
– Headset connector
– Internal speaker
– Microphone connector
• The optional discrete audio card provides an enhanced audio e perience and
e tended capabilities.
Expansion
• Card reader
• M.2 solid-state drive slot
• Memory slots
• Optical drive
• PCI E press 1 card slot
• PCI E press 16 graphics card slot
• Storage drive bay
Network features • Ethernet LAN
6M720e User Guide

* for selected models
Statement on USB transfer rate
Depending on many factors such as the processing capability of the host and peripheral devices, file
attributes, and other factors related to system configuration and operating environments, the actual transfer
rate using the various USB connectors on this device will vary and will be slower than the data rate listed
below for each corresponding device.
USB device Data rate (Gbit/s)
3.1 Gen 1 5
3.1 Gen 2 10
3.2 20
Chapter 1.Meet your computer 7

8M720e User Guide

Chapter 2 Get started with your computer
Get started with Windows 10
Learn the basics of Windows 10 and start working with it right away. For more information about Windows
10, see the Windows help information.
Windows account
A user account is required to use the Windows operating system. It can either be a Windows user account or
a Microsoft account.
Windows user account
When you start Windows for the first time, you are prompted to create a Windows user account. This first
account you created is of the “Administrator” type. With an Administrator account, you can create additional
user accounts or change account types by doing the following:
1. Open the Start menu and select Settings ➙ Accounts ➙ Family & other users.
2. Follow the on-screen instructions.
Microsoft account
You can also log in to the Windows operating system with a Microsoft account.
To create a Microsoft account, go to the Microsoft sign-up page at https://signup.live.com and follow the on-
screen instructions.
With a Microsoft account, you can:
• Enjoy one-time signing in if you are using other Microsoft services, such as OneDrive, Skype, and Outlook.
com.
• Sync personalized settings across other Windows-based devices.
© Copyright Lenovo 2019 9

Windows user interface
1. Account Change account settings, lock the computer, or sign out from the current account.
2. Documents Open the Documents folder, a default folder to save your received files.
3. Pictures Open the Pictures folder, a default folder to save your received pictures.
4. Settings Launch Settings.
5. Power Shut down, restart, or put the computer into sleep mode.
6. Start button Open the Start menu.
7. Windows Search Type what you are looking for in the search bo and get search results from your
computer and the Web.
8. Task View Display all opened apps and switch among them.
9. Windows notification area Display notifications and status of some features.
10. Battery status icon Display power status and change battery or power settings. When your computer
is not connected to ac power, the icon changes to .
11. Network icon Connect to an available wireless network and display the network status. When
connected to a wired network, the icon changes to .
12. Action center Display the latest notifications from apps and provide quick access to some
features.
Open the Start menu
• Click the Start button.
• Press the Windows logo key on the keyboard.
Open the Start context menu
Right-click the Start button.
10 M720e User Guide

Access Control Panel
• Open the Start menu and click Windows System ➙ Control Panel.
• Use Windows Search.
Launch an app
• Open the Start menu and select the app you want to launch.
• Use Windows Search.
Connect to the wired Ethernet
Connect your computer to a local network through the Ethernet connector on your computer with an
Ethernet cable.
Use Lenovo Vantage
The preinstalled Lenovo Vantage is a customized one-stop solution to help you maintain your computer with
automated updates and fi es, configure hardware settings, and get personalized support.
Access Lenovo Vantage
Open the Start menu and click Lenovo Vantage. You also can type Lenovo Vantage in the search bo .
To download the latest version of Lenovo Vantage, go to Microsoft Store and search by the app name.
Key features
Lenovo vantage enables you to:
• Know the device status easily and customize device settings.
• Download and install UEFI BIOS, firmware and driver updates to keep your computer up-to-date.
• Monitor your computer health, and secure your computer against outside threats.
• Look up warranty status (online).
• Access User Guide and helpful articles.
Notes:
• The available features vary depending on the computer model.
• Lenovo Vantage makes periodic updates of the features to keep improving your e perience with your
computer. The description of features might be different from that on your actual user interface.
Use multimedia
Use your computer for business or entertainment with the devices (such as a camera, a monitor, or
speakers).
Use audio
To enhance the audio e perience, connect speakers, headphones, or a headset to the audio connector.
Chapter 2.Get started with your computer 11

Adjust the volume
1. Click the volume icon in the Windows notification area on the taskbar.
2. Follow the on-screen instructions to adjust the volume. Click the speaker icon to mute the audio.
Change the sound settings
1. Go to Control Panel and view by category.
2. Click Hardware and Sound ➙ Sound.
3. Change the settings as you prefer.
12 M720e User Guide

Chapter 3 Explore your computer
Manage power
Use the information in this section to achieve the best balance between performance and power efficiency.
Set power button behaviors
You can define what the power button does according to your preference. For e ample, by pressing the
power button, you can turn off the computer or put the computer to sleep or hibernation mode.
To change what the power button does:
1. Go to Control Panel and view by large icons or small icons.
2. Click Power Options ➙ Choose what the power buttons do.
3. Change the settings as you prefer.
Set the power plan
For ENERGY STAR® compliant computers, the following power plan takes effect when your computers have
been idle for a specified duration:
Table 1. Default power plan (when plugged into ac power)
• Turn off the display: After 10 minutes
• Put the computer to sleep: After 25 minutes
To awaken the computer from Sleep mode, press any key on your keyboard.
To reset the power plan to achieve the best balance between performance and power saving:
1. Go to Control Panel and view by large icons or small icons.
2. Click Power Options, and then choose or customize a power plan of your preference.
Transfer data
Quickly share your files using the built-in Bluetooth technology among devices with the same features. You
also can install a disc or media card to transfer data.
Use the optical drive (for selected models)
If your computer has an optical drive, read the following information.
Know the type of your optical drive
1. Right-click the Start button to open the Start conte t menu.
2. Click Device Manager. Type the administrator password or provide confirmation, if prompted.
Install or remove a disc
1. With the computer on, press the eject/close button on the optical drive. The tray slides out of the drive.
2. Insert a disc into the tray or remove a disc from the tray, and then press the eject/close button again to
close the tray.
© Copyright Lenovo 2019 13

Note: If the tray does not slide out of the drive when you press the eject/close button, turn off the computer.
Then, insert a straightened paper clip into the emergency-eject hole adjacent to the eject/close button. Use
the emergency eject only in an emergency.
Record a disc
1. Insert a recordable disc into the optical drive that supports recording.
2. Do one of the following:
• Open the Start menu, and then click Settings ➙ Devices ➙ AutoPlay. Select or turn on Use
AutoPlay for all media and devices.
• Open Windows Media Player.
• Double-click the ISO file.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions.
Use a media card (for selected models)
If your computer has a SD-card slot, read the following information.
Install a media card
1. Locate the SD-card slot.
2. Ensure that the metal contacts on the card are facing the ones in the SD-card slot. Insert the card firmly
into the SD-card slot until it is secured in place.
Remove a media card
Attention: Before removing a media card, eject the card from the Windows operating system first.
Otherwise, data on the card might get corrupted or lost.
1. Click the triangular icon in the Windows notification area to show hidden icons. Then, right-click the
Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media icon.
2. Select the corresponding item to eject the card from the Windows operating system.
3. Press the card and remove it from your computer. Store the card safely for future use.
Use a smart cable clip
Note: You can purchase a smart cable clip from Lenovo.
14 M720e User Guide