Lenovo ThinkCentre M81 User manual

ThinkCentre
UserGuide
MachineTypes:0268,1730,1943,4166,4169,5030,5048,5069,
and7517

Note:Beforeusingthisinformationandtheproductitsupports,besuretoreadandunderstandthe
“Importantsafetyinformation”onpagevandAppendixA“Notices”onpage115.
FourthEdition(June2012)
©CopyrightLenovo2011,2012.
LIMITEDANDRESTRICTEDRIGHTSNOTICE:IfdataorsoftwareisdeliveredpursuantaGeneralServicesAdministration
“GSA”contract,use,reproduction,ordisclosureissubjecttorestrictionssetforthinContractNo.GS-35F-05925.

Contents
Importantsafetyinformation......v
Serviceandupgrades.............v
Staticelectricityprevention...........v
Powercordsandpoweradapters........vi
Extensioncordsandrelateddevices.......vi
Plugsandoutlets..............vii
Externaldevices..............vii
Heatandproductventilation.........vii
Operatingenvironment...........viii
Modemsafetyinformation..........viii
Lasercompliancestatement..........ix
Powersupplystatement............ix
Cleaningandmaintenance...........ix
Chapter1.Productoverview......1
Features..................1
Specications................5
Softwareoverview..............5
SoftwareprovidedbyLenovo........5
AdobeReader..............8
Antivirussoftware.............8
Locations..................8
Locatingconnectors,controls,andindicators
onthefrontofyourcomputer........9
Locatingconnectorsontherearofyour
computer...............10
Locatingcomponents..........12
Locatingpartsonthesystemboard....13
Locatinginternaldrives.........14
Machinetypeandmodellabel.......14
Chapter2.Usingyourcomputer...17
Frequentlyaskedquestions.........17
Usingthekeyboard.............17
UsingWindowsshortcutkeys.......17
Usingangerprintreader........18
Usingthewheelmouse...........18
Adjustingaudio..............18
Aboutyourcomputeraudio........18
Settingthevolumefromthedesktop....19
SettingthevolumefromControlPanel...19
UsingCDsandDVDs............19
HandlingandstoringCDandDVDmedia..20
PlayingaCDorDVD..........20
RecordingaCDorDVD.........20
Chapter3.Youandyourcomputer..23
Accessibilityandcomfort..........23
Arrangingyourworkspace........23
Comfort...............23
Glareandlighting............24
Aircirculation.............24
Electricaloutletsandcablelengths.....24
RegisteryourcomputerwithLenovo......25
Movingyourcomputertoanothercountryor
region..................25
Voltage-selectionswitch.........25
Replacementpowercords........25
Chapter4.Security..........27
Securityfeatures..............27
Lockingthecomputercover.........28
Attachinganintegratedcablelock.......29
Usingpasswords..............29
BIOSpasswords............29
Windowspasswords..........30
SettinguptheintegratedSecurityChip.....30
SettingtheSecurityChip.........30
Usingandunderstandingrewalls.......31
Protectingdataagainstviruses........31
Chapter5.Installingorreplacing
hardware...............33
Handlingstatic-sensitivedevices.......33
Installingorreplacinghardware........33
Installingexternaloptions........33
Removingthecomputercover.......34
Removingandreinstallingthefrontbezel..35
InstallingorreplacingaPCIcard......35
Installingorreplacingamemorymodule...38
Installingorreplacingtheopticaldrive...40
Installingorreplacingthecardreader....42
Replacingthebattery..........46
Replacingthepowersupplyassembly...47
Replacingtheheatsinkandfanassembly..49
Replacingthemicroprocessor.......51
Installingthesolidstatedrive.......54
Replacingtheprimaryharddiskdrive....55
Replacingthesecondaryharddiskdrive...57
Replacingthefrontfanassembly.....59
Replacingtherearfanassembly......61
ReplacingthefrontaudioandUSB
assembly...............63
Replacingtheinternalspeaker.......64
©CopyrightLenovo2011,2012i

Replacingthekeyboardormouse.....66
Completingthepartsreplacement.....67
Chapter6.Recoveryinformation...69
Creatingandusingrecoverymedia......69
Creatingrecoverymedia.........69
Usingrecoverymedia..........70
Performingbackupandrecoveryoperations...70
Performingabackupoperation......70
Performingarecoveryoperation......71
UsingtheRescueandRecoveryworkspace...71
Creatingandusingarescuemedium......72
Creatingarescuemedium........72
Usingarescuemedium.........73
Reinstallingpreinstalledapplicationsanddevice
drivers..................73
Reinstallingsoftwareprograms........74
Reinstallingdevicedrivers..........75
Solvingrecoveryproblems..........75
Chapter7.UsingtheSetupUtility
program................77
StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram.......77
Viewingandchangingsettings........77
Usingpasswords..............77
Passwordconsiderations.........78
Power-OnPassword..........78
AdministratorPassword.........78
HardDiskPassword...........78
Setting,changing,anddeletingapassword.78
Erasinglostorforgottenpasswords(clearing
CMOS)................79
Enablingordisablingadevice........79
Selectingastartupdevice..........80
Selectingatemporarystartupdevice....80
Selectingorchangingthestartupdevice
sequence...............80
EnablingErPcompliancemode........80
Smartperformancechoices.........81
ExitingfromtheSetupUtilityprogram.....81
Chapter8.Updatingsystem
programs...............83
Usingsystemprograms...........83
Updating(ashing)theBIOSfromadisc....83
Updating(ashing)theBIOSfromyouroperating
system..................84
RecoveringfromaPOST/BIOSupdatefailure..84
Chapter9.Preventingproblems...85
Keepingyourcomputercurrent........85
Gettingthelatestdevicedriversforyour
computer...............85
Updatingyouroperatingsystem......85
UsingSystemUpdate..........86
Cleaningandmaintenance..........86
Basics................86
Cleaningyourcomputer.........87
Goodmaintenancepractices.......88
Movingyourcomputer...........88
Chapter10.Troubleshootingand
diagnostics..............91
Basictroubleshooting............91
Troubleshootingprocedure..........92
Troubleshooting..............92
Audioproblems............93
CDproblems.............94
DVDproblems.............95
Intermittentproblems..........97
Keyboard,mouse,orpointingdevice
problems...............97
Monitorproblems............99
Networkingproblems..........100
Optionproblems............103
Performanceandlockupproblems.....104
Printerproblems............106
Serialportproblems...........107
Softwareproblems...........107
USBproblems.............108
Diagnosticprograms............108
LenovoSolutionCenter.........109
LenovoThinkVantageToolbox.......109
PC-DoctorforDOS...........109
Chapter11.Gettinginformation,help,
andservice.............111
Informationresources............111
LenovoThinkVantageTools........111
ThinkVantageProductivityCenter.....111
LenovoWelcome............111
HelpandSupport............111
SafetyandWarranty...........112
LenovoWebsite............112
LenovoSupportWebsite.........112
Helpandservice..............112
Usingthedocumentationanddiagnostic
programs...............112
Callingforservice............113
Usingotherservices..........113
Purchasingadditionalservices......114
iiThinkCentreUserGuide

AppendixA.Notices.........115
Trademarks................116
AppendixB.Regulatory
information.............117
Exportclassicationnotice..........117
Televisionoutputnotice...........117
Electronicemissionsnotices.........117
FederalCommunicationsCommission
DeclarationofConformity........117
Additionalregulatoryinformation.......119
AppendixC.WEEEandrecycling
information.............121
ImportantWEEEInformation.........121
Recyclinginformation............121
RecyclinginformationforBrazil........122
BatteryrecyclinginformationforTaiwan.....122
BatteryrecyclinginformationfortheEuropean
Union..................123
AppendixD.RestrictionofHazardous
SubstancesDirective(RoHS)....125
ChinaRoHS................125
TurkishRoHS...............125
UkraineRoHS...............125
IndiaRoHS................126
Index.................127
©CopyrightLenovo2011,2012iii

ivThinkCentreUserGuide

Importantsafetyinformation
CAUTION:
Beforeusingthismanual,besuretoreadandunderstandalltherelatedsafetyinformationforthis
product.RefertotheinformationinthissectionandthesafetyinformationintheThinkCentreSafety
andWarrantyGuidethatyoureceivedwiththisproduct.Readingandunderstandingthissafety
informationreducestheriskofpersonalinjuryanddamagetoyourproduct.
IfyounolongerhaveacopyoftheThinkCentreSafetyandWarrantyGuide,youcanobtainaPortable
DocumentFormat(PDF)versionfromtheLenovo®SupportWebsiteathttp://www.lenovo.com/support.The
LenovoSupportWebsitealsoprovidestheThinkCentreSafetyandWarrantyGuideandthisThinkCentre
UserGuideinadditionallanguages.
Serviceandupgrades
DonotattempttoserviceaproductyourselfunlessinstructedtodosobytheCustomerSupportCenteror
yourdocumentation.OnlyuseaServiceProviderwhoisapprovedtorepairyourparticularproduct.
Note:Somecomputerpartscanbeupgradedorreplacedbythecustomer.Upgradestypicallyare
referredtoasoptions.ReplacementpartsapprovedforcustomerinstallationarereferredtoasCustomer
ReplaceableUnits,orCRUs.Lenovoprovidesdocumentationwithinstructionswhenitisappropriatefor
customerstoinstalloptionsorreplaceCRUs.Youmustcloselyfollowallinstructionswheninstallingor
replacingparts.TheOffstateofapowerindicatordoesnotnecessarilymeanthatvoltagelevelsinsidea
productarezero.Beforeyouremovethecoversfromaproductequippedwithapowercord,alwaysmake
surethatthepoweristurnedoffandthattheproductisunpluggedfromanypowersource.Formore
informationonCRUs,referto“Installingorreplacinghardware”onpage33.Ifyouhaveanyquestionsor
concerns,contacttheCustomerSupportCenter.
Althoughtherearenomovingpartsinyourcomputerafterthepowercordhasbeendisconnected,the
followingwarningsarerequiredforyoursafety.
CAUTION:
Hazardousmovingparts.Keepngersandotherbodypartsaway.
CAUTION:
BeforereplacinganyCRUs,turnoffthecomputerandwaitthreetoveminutestoletthecomputer
coolbeforeopeningthecover.
Staticelectricityprevention
Staticelectricity,althoughharmlesstoyou,canseriouslydamagecomputercomponentsandoptions.
Improperhandlingofstatic-sensitivepartscancausedamagetothepart.Whenyouunpackanoption
©CopyrightLenovo2011,2012v

orCRU,donotopenthestatic-protectivepackagecontainingthepartuntiltheinstructionsdirectyou
toinstallit.
WhenyouhandleoptionsorCRUs,orperformanyworkinsidethecomputer,takethefollowingprecautions
toavoidstatic-electricitydamage:
•Limityourmovement.Movementcancausestaticelectricitytobuilduparoundyou.
•Alwayshandlecomponentscarefully.Handleadapters,memorymodules,andothercircuitboardsbythe
edges.Nevertouchexposedcircuitry.
•Preventothersfromtouchingcomponents.
•Whenyouinstallastatic-sensitiveoptionorCRU,touchthestatic-protectivepackagecontainingthe
parttoametalexpansion-slotcoverorotherunpaintedmetalsurfaceonthecomputerforatleasttwo
seconds.Thisreducesstaticelectricityinthepackageandyourbody.
•Whenpossible,removethestatic-sensitivepartfromthestatic-protectivepackagingandinstallthepart
withoutsettingitdown.Whenthisisnotpossible,placethestatic-protectivepackagingonasmooth,
levelsurfaceandplacethepartonit.
•Donotplacethepartonthecomputercoverorothermetalsurface.
Powercordsandpoweradapters
Useonlythepowercordsandpoweradapterssuppliedbytheproductmanufacturer.
Thepowercordsshallbesafetyapproved.ForGermany,itshallbeH05VV-F,3G,0.75mm2,orbetter.For
othercountries,thesuitabletypesshallbeusedaccordingly.
Neverwrapapowercordaroundapoweradapterorotherobject.Doingsocanstressthecordinwaysthat
cancausethecordtofray,crack,orcrimp.Thiscanpresentasafetyhazard.
Alwaysroutepowercordssothattheywillnotbewalkedon,trippedover,orpinchedbyobjects.
Protectpowercordandpoweradaptersfromliquids.Forinstance,donotleaveyourpowercordorpower
adapternearsinks,tubs,toilets,oronoorsthatarecleanedwithliquidcleansers.Liquidscancausea
shortcircuit,particularlyifthepowercordorpoweradapterhasbeenstressedbymisuse.Liquidsalsocan
causegradualcorrosionofpowercordterminalsand/ortheconnectorterminalsonapoweradapter,
whichcaneventuallyresultinoverheating.
Alwaysconnectpowercordsandsignalcablesinthecorrectorderandensurethatallpowercord
connectorsaresecurelyandcompletelypluggedintoreceptacles.
Donotuseanypoweradapterthatshowscorrosionattheacinputpinsorshowssignsofoverheating(such
asdeformedplastic)attheacinputoranywhereonthepoweradapter.
Donotuseanypowercordswheretheelectricalcontactsoneitherendshowsignsofcorrosionor
overheatingorwherethepowercordappearstohavebeendamagedinanyway.
Extensioncordsandrelateddevices
Ensurethatextensioncords,surgeprotectors,uninterruptiblepowersupplies,andpowerstripsthatyouuse
areratedtohandletheelectricalrequirementsoftheproduct.Neveroverloadthesedevices.Ifpowerstrips
areused,theloadshouldnotexceedthepowerstripinputrating.Consultanelectricianformoreinformation
ifyouhavequestionsaboutpowerloads,powerrequirements,andinputratings.
viThinkCentreUserGuide

Plugsandoutlets
Ifareceptacle(poweroutlet)thatyouintendtousewithyourcomputerequipmentappearstobedamaged
orcorroded,donotusetheoutletuntilitisreplacedbyaqualiedelectrician.
Donotbendormodifytheplug.Iftheplugisdamaged,contactthemanufacturertoobtainareplacement.
Donotshareanelectricaloutletwithotherhomeorcommercialappliancesthatdrawlargeamountsof
electricity;otherwise,unstablevoltagemightdamageyourcomputer,data,orattacheddevices.
Someproductsareequippedwithathree-prongedplug.Thisplugtsonlyintoagroundedelectricaloutlet.
Thisisasafetyfeature.Donotdefeatthissafetyfeaturebytryingtoinsertitintoanon-groundedoutlet.If
youcannotinserttheplugintotheoutlet,contactanelectricianforanapprovedoutletadapterortoreplace
theoutletwithonethatenablesthissafetyfeature.Neveroverloadanelectricaloutlet.Theoverallsystem
loadshouldnotexceed80percentofthebranchcircuitrating.Consultanelectricianformoreinformation
ifyouhavequestionsaboutpowerloadsandbranchcircuitratings.
Besurethatthepoweroutletyouareusingisproperlywired,easilyaccessible,andlocatedclosetothe
equipment.Donotfullyextendpowercordsinawaythatwillstressthecords.
Besurethatthepoweroutletprovidesthecorrectvoltageandcurrentfortheproductyouareinstalling.
Carefullyconnectanddisconnecttheequipmentfromtheelectricaloutlet.
Externaldevices
DonotconnectordisconnectanyexternaldevicecablesotherthanUniversalSerialBus(USB)and1394
cableswhilethecomputerpowerison;otherwise,youmightdamageyourcomputer.Toavoidpossible
damagetoattacheddevices,waitatleastvesecondsafterthecomputerisshutdowntodisconnect
externaldevices.
Heatandproductventilation
Computers,poweradapters,andmanyaccessoriescangenerateheatwhenturnedonandwhenbatteries
arecharging.Alwaysfollowthesebasicprecautions:
•Donotleaveyourcomputer,poweradapter,oraccessoriesincontactwithyourlaporanypartofyour
bodyforanextendedperiodwhentheproductsarefunctioningorwhenthebatteryischarging.Your
computer,poweradapter,andmanyaccessoriesproducesomeheatduringnormaloperation.Extended
contactwiththebodycouldcausediscomfortor,potentially,askinburn.
•Donotchargethebatteryoroperateyourcomputer,poweradapter,oraccessoriesnearammable
materialsorinexplosiveenvironments.
•Ventilationslots,fans,andheatsinksareprovidedwiththeproductforsafety,comfort,andreliable
operation.Thesefeaturesmightinadvertentlybecomeblockedbyplacingtheproductonabed,sofa,
carpet,orotherexiblesurface.Neverblock,cover,ordisablethesefeatures.
Inspectyourdesktopcomputerfordustaccumulationatleastonceeverythreemonths.Beforeinspecting
yourcomputer,turnoffthepowerandunplugthecomputer'spowercordfromtheelectricaloutlet;then
removeanydustfromventsandperforationsinthebezel.Ifyounoticeexternaldustaccumulation,then
examineandremovedustfromtheinsideofthecomputerincludingheatsinkinletns,powersupplyvents,
andfans.Alwaysturnoffandunplugthecomputerbeforeopeningthecover.Ifpossible,avoidoperating
yourcomputerwithintwofeetofhigh-trafcareas.Ifyoumustoperateyourcomputerinornearahigh-trafc
area,inspectand,ifnecessary,cleanyourcomputermorefrequently.
©CopyrightLenovo2011,2012vii

Foryoursafetyandtomaintainoptimumcomputerperformance,alwaysfollowthesebasicprecautions
withyourdesktopcomputer:
•Keepthecoverclosedwheneverthecomputerispluggedin.
•Regularlyinspecttheoutsideofthecomputerfordustaccumulation.
•Removedustfromventsandanyperforationsinthebezel.Morefrequentcleaningsmightberequiredfor
computersindustyorhigh-trafcareas.
•Donotrestrictorblockanyventilationopenings.
•Donotstoreoroperateyourcomputerinsidefurniture,asthismightincreasetheriskofoverheating.
•Airowtemperaturesintothecomputershouldnotexceed35°C(95°F).
•Donotinstallairltrationdevices.Theymayinterferewithpropercooling.
Operatingenvironment
Theoptimalenvironmentinwhichtouseyourcomputeris10°C-35°C(50°F-95°F)withhumidityranging
between35%and80%.Ifyourcomputerisstoredortransportedintemperatureslessthan10°C(50°F),
allowthecoldcomputertoriseslowlytoanoptimaloperatingtemperatureof10°C-35°C(50°F-95°F)before
use.Thisprocesscouldtaketwohoursinextremeconditions.Failuretoallowyourcomputertorisetoan
optimaloperatingtemperaturebeforeusecouldresultinirreparabledamagetoyourcomputer.
Ifpossible,placeyourcomputerinawell-ventilatedanddryareawithoutdirectexposuretosunshine.
Keepelectricalappliancessuchasanelectricfan,radio,high-poweredspeakers,airconditioner,and
microwaveovenawayfromyourcomputerbecausethestrongmagneticeldsgeneratedbythese
appliancescandamagethemonitoranddataontheharddiskdrive.
Donotplaceanybeveragesontopoforbesidethecomputerorotherattacheddevices.Ifliquidisspilledon
orinthecomputeroranattacheddevice,ashortcircuitorotherdamagemightoccur.
Donoteatorsmokeoveryourkeyboard.Particlesthatfallintoyourkeyboardcancausedamage.
Modemsafetyinformation
CAUTION:
Toreducetheriskofre,useonlyNo.26AWGorlarger(forexample,No.24AWG)telecommunication
linecordlistedbyUnderwritersLaboratories(UL)orcertiedbytheCanadianStandardsAssociation
(CSA).
Toreducetheriskofre,electricalshock,orinjurywhenusingtelephoneequipment,alwaysfollowbasic
safetyprecautions,suchas:
•Neverinstalltelephonewiringduringalightningstorm.
•Neverinstalltelephonejacksinwetlocationsunlessthejackisspecicallydesignedforwetlocations.
•Nevertouchuninsulatedtelephonewiresorterminalsunlessthetelephonelinehasbeendisconnectedat
thenetworkinterface.
•Usecautionwheninstallingormodifyingtelephonelines.
•Avoidusingatelephone(otherthanacordlesstype)duringanelectricalstorm.Theremaybearemote
riskofelectricshockfromlightning.
•Donotusethetelephonetoreportagasleakinthevicinityoftheleak.
viiiThinkCentreUserGuide

Lasercompliancestatement
CAUTION:
Whenlaserproducts(suchasCD-ROMs,DVDdrives,beropticdevices,ortransmitters)are
installed,notethefollowing:
•Donotremovethecovers.Removingthecoversofthelaserproductcouldresultinexposureto
hazardouslaserradiation.Therearenoserviceablepartsinsidethedevice.
•Useofcontrolsoradjustmentsorperformanceofproceduresotherthanthosespeciedherein
mightresultinhazardousradiationexposure.
DANGER
SomelaserproductscontainanembeddedClass3AorClass3Blaserdiode.Notethefollowing.
Laserradiationwhenopen.Donotstareintothebeam,donotviewdirectlywithoptical
instruments,andavoiddirectexposuretothebeam.
Powersupplystatement
Neverremovethecoveronapowersupplyoranypartthathasthefollowinglabelattached.
Hazardousvoltage,current,andenergylevelsarepresentinsideanycomponentthathasthislabelattached.
Therearenoserviceablepartsinsidethesecomponents.Ifyoususpectaproblemwithoneoftheseparts,
contactaservicetechnician.
Cleaningandmaintenance
Keepyourcomputerandworkspaceclean.Shutdownthecomputerandthendisconnectthepower
cordbeforecleaningthecomputer.Donotsprayanyliquiddetergentdirectlyonthecomputeroruse
anydetergentcontainingammablematerialtocleanthecomputer.Spraythedetergentonasoftcloth
andthenwipethecomputersurfaces.
©CopyrightLenovo2011,2012ix

xThinkCentreUserGuide

Chapter1.Productoverview
Thischapterprovidesinformationaboutthecomputerfeatures,specications,softwareprogramsprovided
byLenovo,andlocationsofconnectors,components,partsonthesystemboard,andinternaldrives.
Features
Thissectionprovidesinformationaboutthecomputerfeatures.Thefollowinginformationcoversavarietyof
models.Forinformationaboutyourspecicmodel,usetheSetupUtilityprogram.SeeChapter7“Using
theSetupUtilityprogram”onpage77.
Microprocessor
Yourcomputercomeswithoneofthefollowingmicroprocessors(internalcachesizevariesbymodeltype):
•Intel®Core™i3microprocessor
•IntelCorei5microprocessor
•IntelCorei7microprocessor
•IntelCeleron®microprocessor
•IntelPentium®microprocessor
Memory
Yourcomputersupportsuptofourdoubledatarate3unbuffereddualinlinememorymodules(DDR3
UDIMMs).
Internaldrives
•Opticaldrive:DVD-ROMorDVD-R(optional)
•SerialAdvancedTechnologyAttachment(SATA)harddiskdrive
•SATAsolidstatedrive
Note:YourcomputersupportsSATA2.0andSATA3.0devices.Formoreinformation,see“Locating
partsonthesystemboard”onpage13.
Videosubsystem
•IntegratedgraphicsforaVideoGraphicsArray(VGA)connectorandaDisplayPortconnector
•PeripheralComponentInterconnect(PCI)Expressx16graphicscardslotonthesystemboardfora
discretegraphicscard
Audiosubsystem
•Integratedhigh-denition(HD)audio
•Audioline-inconnector,audioline-outconnector,andmicrophoneconnectorontherearpanel
•Microphoneconnectorandheadphoneconnectoronthefrontpanel
•Internalspeaker(availableonsomemodels)
Connectivity
•100/1000MbpsintegratedEthernetcontroller
©CopyrightLenovo2011,20121

•PCIFaxmodem(somemodels)
Systemmanagementfeatures
•Abilitytostorepower-onself-test(POST)hardwaretestresults
•DesktopManagementInterface(DMI)
DesktopManagementInterfaceprovidesacommonpathforuserstoaccessinformationaboutall
aspectsofacomputer,includingprocessortype,installationdate,attachedprintersandotherperipherals,
powersources,andmaintenancehistory.
•IntelStandardManageability
IntelStandardManageabilityishardwareandrmwaretechnologythatbuildscertainfunctionality
intocomputersinordertomakethemeasierandlessexpensiveforbusinessestomonitor,maintain,
update,upgrade,andrepair.
•IntelMatrixStorageManager
IntelMatrixStorageManagerisadevicedriverthatprovidessupportforSATARAID5arraysandSATA
RAID10arraysonspecicIntelchipsetsystemboardstoenhanceharddiskperformance.
•PrebootExecutionEnvironment(PXE)
ThePrebootExecutionEnvironmentisanenvironmenttostartcomputersusinganetworkinterface
independentofdatastoragedevices(suchastheharddiskdrive)orinstalledoperatingsystems.
•SmartPerformanceChoice
TheSmartPerformanceChoicefunctionenablesyourcomputertorunwithbetteracousticperformance
orbetterthermalperformance.See“Smartperformancechoices”onpage81.
•SystemManagement(SM)BasicInput/OutputSystem(BIOS)andSMsoftware
TheSMBIOSspecicationdenesdatastructuresandaccessmethodsinaBIOSthatallowsauseror
applicationtostoreandretrieveinformationspecicaboutthecomputerinquestion.
•WakeonLAN
WakeonLANisanEthernetcomputernetworkingstandardthatallowsacomputertobeturnedon
orwokenupbyanetworkmessage.Themessageisusuallysentbyaprogramrunningonanother
computeronthesamelocalareanetwork.
•WakeonRing
WakeonRing,sometimesreferredtoasWakeonModem,isaspecicationthatallowssupported
computersanddevicestoresumefromsleeporhibernationmode.
•WindowsManagementInstrumentation(WMI)
WindowsManagementInstrumentationisasetofextensionstotheWindowsDriverModel.Itprovidesan
operatingsysteminterfacethroughwhichinstrumentedcomponentsprovideinformationandnotication.
2ThinkCentreUserGuide

Input/Output(I/O)features
•9-pinserialport(onestandardandoneoptional)
•EightUniversalSerialBus(USB)connectors(twoonthefrontpanelandsixontherearpanel)
•OneEthernetconnector
•OneDisplayPortconnector
•OneVGAmonitorconnector
•OnePersonalSystem/2(PS/2)keyboardconnector(optional)
•OnePS/2mouseconnector(optional)
•Threeaudioconnectorsontherearpanel(audioline-inconnector,audioline-outconnector,and
microphoneconnector)
•Twoaudioconnectorsonthefrontpanel(microphoneconnectorandheadphoneconnector)
Formoreinformation,see“Locatingconnectors,controls,andindicatorsonthefrontofyourcomputer”on
page9and“Locatingconnectorsontherearofyourcomputer”onpage10.
Expansion
•Twoharddiskdrivebays(onestandardandoneoptional)
•Twoopticaldrivebays
•TwoPCIcardslots
•OnePCIExpressx1cardslot
•OnePCIExpressx16graphicscardslot
Powersupply
Yourcomputercomeswith280-wattautomaticvoltage-sensingpowersupply.
Securityfeatures
•ComputraceAgentsoftwareembeddedinrmware
•Coverpresenceswitch(alsocalledintrusionswitch)
•Abilitytoenableordisableadevice
•AbilitytoenableanddisableUSBconnectorsindividually
•Keyboardwithngerprintreader(shippedwithsomemodels)
•Power-onpassword(POP),administratorpassword,andharddiskdrivepasswordtodeterunauthorized
useofyourcomputer
•Startupsequencecontrol
•Startupwithoutkeyboardormouse
•Supportforanintegratedcablelock(Kensingtonlock)
•Supportforapadlock
•TrustedPlatformModule(TPM)
Formoreinformation,seeChapter4“Security”onpage27.
Preinstalledsoftwareprograms
Yourcomputerispreinstalledwithsoftwareprogramstohelpyouworkmoreeasilyandsecurely.Formore
information,see“Softwareoverview”onpage5.
Chapter1.Productoverview3

Preinstalledoperatingsystem
Yourcomputerispreinstalledwithoneofthefollowingoperatingsystems:
•Microsoft®Windows®7
•MicrosoftWindowsVista®
Operatingsystem(s),certiedortestedforcompatibility1(variesbymodeltype)
•Linux®
•MicrosoftWindowsXPProfessionalSP3
1.Theoperatingsystem(s)listedherearebeingcertiedortestedforcompatibilityatthetimethispublicationgoesto
press.AdditionaloperatingsystemsmightbeidentiedbyLenovoascompatiblewithyourcomputerfollowingthe
publicationofthismanual.Thislistissubjecttochange.Todetermineifanoperatingsystemhasbeencertiedor
testedforcompatibility,checktheWebsiteoftheoperatingsystemvendor.
4ThinkCentreUserGuide

Specications
Thissectionliststhephysicalspecicationsforyourcomputer.
Dimensions
Width:175mm(6.89inches)
Height:414mm(16.30inches)
Depth:442mm(17.40inches)
Weight
Maximumcongurationasshipped:11kg(24.25lbs)
Environment
•Airtemperature:
Operating:10°Cto35°C(50°Fto95°F)
Storage:-40°Cto60°C(-40°Fto140°F)inoriginalshippingpackage
Storage:-10°Cto60°C(14°Fto140°F)withoutpackage
•Humidity:
Operating:20%to80%(non-condensing)
Storage:20%to90%(non-condensing)
•Altitude:
Operating:-50to10000ft(-15.2to3048m)
Storage:-50to35000ft(-15.2to10668m)
Electricalinput
•Inputvoltage:
–Lowrange:
Minimum:100Vac
Maximum:127Vac
Inputfrequencyrange:50to60Hz
–Highrange:
Minimum:200Vac
Maximum:240Vac
Inputfrequencyrange:50to60Hz
Softwareoverview
Thecomputercomeswithapreinstalledoperatingsystemandseveralsoftwareprogramsprovidedby
Lenovo.
SoftwareprovidedbyLenovo
ThefollowingsoftwareprogramsareprovidedbyLenovotohelpyouimproveproductivityandreducethe
costassociatedwithmaintainingyourcomputer.Softwareprogramsprovidedwithyourcomputermight
varydependingonyourcomputermodeltypeandpreinstalledoperatingsystem.
Chapter1.Productoverview5

LenovoThinkVantageTools
TheLenovoThinkVantage®Toolsprogramguidesyoutoahostofinformationsourcesandprovideseasy
accesstovarioustoolstohelpyouworkmoreeasilyandsecurely.
Note:TheLenovoThinkVantageToolsprogramisonlyavailableoncomputerswiththeWindows7operating
systemfromLenovo.
ToaccesstheLenovoThinkVantageToolsprogram,clickStart➙AllPrograms➙LenovoThinkVantage
Tools.
ThefollowingtableliststheprogramsthatyoucanaccessfromtheLenovoThinkVantageToolsprogram.To
accessaprogram,double-clickthecorrespondingicon.
Table1.ProgramiconnamesinLenovoThinkVantageTools
ProgramnameIconnameinLenovoThinkVantageTools
CreateRecoveryMediaFactoryRecoveryDisks
FingerprintSoftwareFingerprintReader
LenovoSolutionCenterorLenovoThinkVantageToolboxSystemHealthandDiagnostics
ThinkVantagePasswordManagerPasswordVault
ThinkVantagePowerManagerPowerControls
ThinkVantageRescueandRecovery®EnhancedBackupandRestore
ThinkVantageSystemUpdateUpdateandDrives
ThinkVantageProductivityCenter
TheThinkVantageProductivityCenterprogramguidesyoutoahostofinformationandtoolstohelpyouset
up,understand,maintain,andenhanceyourcomputer.
Note:TheThinkVantageProductivityCenterprogramisonlyavailableoncomputerspreinstalledwith
theWindowsVistaoperatingsystemfromLenovo.
Formoreinformation,see“ThinkVantageProductivityCenter”onpage111.
LenovoWelcome
TheLenovoWelcomeprogramintroducesyoutosomeinnovativebuilt-infeaturesofLenovoandguidesyou
throughafewimportantsetuptaskstohelpyoumakethemostofyourcomputer.
FingerprintSoftware
Theintegratedngerprintreaderprovidedonsomekeyboardsenablesyoutoenrollyourngerprintand
associateitwithyourpower-onpassword,harddiskdrivepassword,andWindowspassword.Asaresult,
ngerprintauthenticationcanreplacepasswordsandenablesimpleandsecureuseraccess.Angerprint
readerkeyboardisavailablewithselectcomputersorcanbepurchasedforcomputersthatsupportthis
option.
LenovoSolutionCenter
Note:Dependingonthedatewhenyourcomputerwasmanufactured,yourcomputerispreinstalledwith
eithertheLenovoSolutionCenterprogramortheLenovoThinkVantageToolboxprogramfordiagnostic
purposes.ForadditionalinformationabouttheLenovoThinkVantageToolboxprogram,see“Lenovo
ThinkVantageToolbox”onpage109.
TheLenovoSolutionCenterprogramenablesyoutotroubleshootandresolvecomputerproblems.It
combinesdiagnostictests,systeminformationcollection,securitystatus,andsupportinformation,along
6ThinkCentreUserGuide

withhintsandtipsformaximumsystemperformance.See“LenovoSolutionCenter”onpage109for
detailedinformation.
LenovoThinkVantageT oolbox
Note:Dependingonthedatewhenyourcomputerwasmanufactured,yourcomputerispreinstalledwith
eithertheLenovoSolutionCenterprogramortheLenovoThinkVantageToolboxprogramfordiagnostic
purposes.ForadditionalinformationabouttheLenovoSolutionCenterprogram,see“LenovoSolution
Center”onpage109.
TheLenovoThinkVantageToolboxprogramhelpsyoumaintainyourcomputer,improvecomputingsecurity,
diagnosecomputerproblems,getfamiliarwiththeinnovativetechnologiesprovidedbyLenovo,andgetmore
informationaboutyourcomputer.See“LenovoThinkVantageToolbox”onpage109fordetailedinformation.
ProductRecovery
TheProductRecoveryprogramenablesyoutorestorethecontentsoftheharddiskdrivetothefactory
defaultsettings.
ThinkVantageClientSecuritySolution
TheThinkVantageClientSecuritySolutionprogramisavailableonselectLenovocomputers.Ithelpsprotect
yourinformation,includingvitalsecurityinformationlikepasswords,encryptionkeys,andelectronic
credentials,whileguardingagainstunauthorizeduseraccesstodata.
Note:TheThinkVantageClientSecuritySolutionprogramisonlyavailableoncomputerswiththeWindows
VistaoperatingsystemfromLenovo.
ThinkVantagePasswordManager
TheThinkVantagePasswordManagerprogramautomaticallycapturesandllsinauthenticationinformation
forWindowsapplicationsandWebsites.
Notes:
•TheThinkVantagePasswordManagerprogramisonlyavailableoncomputerswiththeWindows7
operatingsystemfromLenovo.
•IfthePasswordVaulticonintheLenovoThinkVantageToolsprogramisdimmed,itindicatesthatyou
needtoinstalltheThinkVantagePasswordManagerprogrammanuallybeforeenablingitsfeatures.To
installtheThinkVantagePasswordManagerprogram,dothefollowing:
1.ClickStart➙AllPrograms➙LenovoThinkVantageT ools,anddouble-clickPasswordVault.
2.Followtheinstructionsonthescreen.
3.Whentheinstallationprocesscompletes,thePasswordVaulticonisactivated.
ThinkVantagePowerManager
TheThinkVantagePowerManagerprogramprovidesconvenient,exible,andcompletepowermanagement
foryourThinkCentre®computer.ByusingtheThinkVantagePowerManagerprogram,youcanadjustyour
powersettingstoachievethebestbalancebetweensystemperformanceandpowersaving.
ThinkVantageRescueandRecovery
TheThinkVantageRescueandRecoveryprogramisaonebuttonrecoveryandrestoresolutionthatincludes
asetofself-recoverytoolstohelpyoudiagnosecomputerproblems,gethelp,andrecoverfromsystem
crashes,evenifyoucannotstarttheWindowsoperatingsystem.
Note:IftheEnhancedBackupandRestoreiconintheLenovoThinkVantageToolsprogramisdimmed,it
indicatesthatyouneedtoinstalltheThinkVantageRescueandRecoveryprogrammanuallybeforeenabling
itsfeatures.ToinstalltheThinkVantageRescueandRecoveryprogram,dothefollowing:
Chapter1.Productoverview7

1.ClickStart➙AllPrograms➙LenovoThinkVantageTools,anddouble-clickEnhancedBackup
andRestore.
2.Followtheinstructionsonthescreen.
3.Whentheinstallationprocesscompletes,theEnhancedBackupandRestoreiconisactivated.
ThinkVantageSystemUpdate
TheThinkVantageSystemUpdateprogramhelpsyoukeepthesoftwareonyourcomputerup-to-dateby
downloadingandinstallingsoftwarepackages(ThinkVantageapplications,devicedrivers,BIOSupdates,
andotherthirdpartyapplications).
AdobeReader
TheAdobeReaderprogramisatoolusedtoview,print,andsearchPDFdocuments.
Antivirussoftware
Yourcomputercomeswithantivirussoftwarethatyoucanusetodetectandeliminateviruses.Lenovo
providesafullversionofantivirussoftwareonyourharddiskdrivewithafree30-daysubscription.After30
days,youmustrenewthelicensetocontinuereceivingtheantivirusprogramupdates.
Locations
Thissectionprovidesinformationtohelpyoulocatetheconnectorsonthefrontandrearofyourcomputer,
partsonthesystemboard,andcomponentsandinternaldrivesinyourcomputer.
8ThinkCentreUserGuide