Lenovo ThinkStation P300 User manual

ThinkStationP300
UserGuide
MachineTypes:30AJand30AK

Note:Beforeusingthisinformationandtheproductitsupports,besuretoreadandunderstandthe“ead
thisfirst:Importantsafetyinformation”onpagevandAppendixF“Notices”onpage143.
SecondEdition(November2014)
©Copyrightenovo2014.
LIMITEDANDESTICTEDIGHTSNOTICE:IfdataorsoftwareisdeliveredpursuantaGeneralServicesAdministration
“GSA”contract,use,reproduction,ordisclosureissubjecttorestrictionssetforthinContractNo.GS-35F-05925.

Contents
Readthisfirst:Importantsafety
information...............v
Serviceandupgrades.............v
Staticelectricityprevention...........v
Powercordsandpoweradapters........vi
Extensioncordsandrelateddevices.......vi
PolyvinylChloride(PVC)cableandcordnotice..vii
Plugsandoutlets..............vii
Externaldevices..............vii
Heatandproductventilation.........vii
Operatingenvironment...........viii
Lasercompliancestatement.........viii
Powersupplystatement............ix
Cleaningandmaintenance...........ix
Chapter1.Productoverview......1
Locations..................1
Locatingconnectors,controls,andindicators
onthefrontofyourcomputer........2
Locatingconnectorsontherearofyour
computer................3
Locatingcomponents...........5
Locatingpartsonthesystemboard.....6
Locatinginternaldrives..........7
Machinetypeandmodellabel........8
Features..................8
Specifications...............12
Lenovoprograms.............13
AccessingLenovoprogramsontheWindows
7operatingsystem...........13
AccessingLenovoprogramsontheWindows
8.1operatingsystem..........13
AnintroductiontoLenovoprograms....14
Chapter2.Usingyourcomputer...17
egisteringyourcomputer..........17
Usingkeyboardshortcuts..........17
Usingthewheelmouse...........18
Settingthecomputervolume.........18
Settingthevolumefromthedesktop....18
SettingthevolumefromControlPanel...19
Usingadisc................19
Usingtheopticaldrive..........19
Handlingandstoringadisc........20
Playingandremovingadisc.......20
ecordingadisc............20
NavigatingamongscreensontheWindows8.1
operatingsystem..............21
AccessingControlPanelontheWindows8.1
operatingsystem..............22
Frequentlyaskedquestions.........22
Chapter3.Youandyourcomputer..25
Accessibilityandcomfort..........25
Arrangingyourworkspace........25
Comfort...............25
Glareandlighting............26
Aircirculation.............26
Electricaloutletsandcablelengths.....26
Accessibilityinformation.........26
Movingyourcomputertoanothercountryor
region..................30
Chapter4.Security..........31
Lockingthecomputercover.........31
AttachingaKensington-stylecablelock.....32
Attachingacablelock............33
Usingpasswords..............33
BIOSpasswords............33
Windowspasswords..........34
Usingthecoverpresenceswitch.......34
Usingthefingerprintreader..........34
Usingandunderstandingfirewalls.......35
Protectingdataagainstviruses........35
Chapter5.Advancedconfiguration..37
UsingtheSetupUtilityprogram........37
StartingtheSetupUtilityprogram.....37
Viewingandchangingsettings......37
UsingBIOSpasswords.........38
Enablingordisablingadevice.......39
Selectingastartupdevice........40
EnablingErPLPScompliancemode....40
ICEperformancemode.........41
ICEthermalalert............41
ExitingtheSetupUtilityprogram......42
ConfiguringAID..............42
AIDLevel..............42
ConfiguringthesystemBIOStoenableSATA
AIDfunctionality............42
CreatingAIDvolumes.........43
DeletingAIDvolumes.........43
esettingdiskstonon-AID.......43
UpdatingorrecoveringtheBIOS.......44
Usingsystemprograms.........44
©CopyrightLenovo2014i

UpdatingtheBIOSfromadisc......44
UpdatingtheBIOSfromyouroperating
system................45
ecoveringfromaBIOSupdatefailure...45
Chapter6.Preventingproblems...47
Keepingyourcomputercurrent........47
Gettingthelatestdevicedriversforyour
computer...............47
Updatingyouroperatingsystem......47
UsingSystemUpdate..........48
Cleaningandmaintenance..........48
Basics................48
Cleaningyourcomputer.........48
Goodmaintenancepractices.......49
Movingyourcomputer...........50
Chapter7.Troubleshootingand
diagnostics..............53
Basictroubleshooting............53
Troubleshootingprocedure..........54
Troubleshooting..............54
Audioproblems............55
CDproblems.............55
DVDproblems.............56
Intermittentproblems..........57
Problemswiththekeyboardormouse...57
Monitorproblems............58
Networkingproblems..........59
Ihaveconnectedanoptiontomycomputer,
butitdoesnotwork...........61
Performanceandlockupproblems.....61
Theprinterdoesnotwork........62
Serialconnectorcannotbeaccessed....62
Softwareproblems...........62
MyUSBconnectorscannotbeaccessed..63
LenovoSolutionCenter...........63
Chapter8.Recoveryinformation...65
ecoveryinformationfortheWindows7operating
system..................65
Creatingandusingrecoverymedia.....65
Performingbackupandrecoveryoperations.66
Creatingandusingarescuemedium....68
einstallingprogramsanddevicedrivers..68
Solvingrecoveryproblems........70
ecoveryinformationfortheWindows8.1
operatingsystem..............70
efreshingyourcomputer........70
esettingyourcomputertothefactorydefault
settings................70
Usingtheadvancedstartupoptions....71
ecoveringyouroperatingsystemifWindows
8.1failstostart.............71
Chapter9.Installingorreplacing
hardware...............73
Handlingstatic-sensitivedevices.......73
Installingorreplacinghardware........73
Installingexternaloptions........73
emovingthecomputercover.......74
emovingandreinstallingthefrontbezel..74
Accessingthesystemboardcomponentsand
drives................76
Installingorreplacingamemorymodule...76
InstallingorreplacingaPCIcard......78
eplacingthebattery..........80
InstallingorreplacingthemSATAsolid-state
drive.................81
Installingorreplacingtheopticaldrive...87
Installingorreplacingthesolid-statedrive..90
eplacingthefrontaudioandUSB
assembly...............94
eplacingthesystemfan.........96
eplacingtheheatsinkandfanassembly..98
eplacingthepowersupplyassembly...101
eplacingtheprimaryharddiskdrive....106
eplacingthesecondaryharddiskdrive...108
eplacingtheWi-Fiunits.........112
InstallingorremovingthefrontWi-Fi
antenna...............117
InstallingorremovingtherearWi-Fi
antenna...............121
eplacingthekeyboardormouse.....122
Completingthepartsreplacement.....123
Chapter10.Gettinginformation,help,
andservice.............125
Informationresources............125
LenovoThinkVantageTools........125
HelpandSupport............125
SafetyandWarranty...........125
LenovoWebsite............125
LenovoSupportWebsite.........126
Helpandservice..............126
Usingthedocumentationanddiagnostic
program...............126
Callingforservice............126
Usingotherservices..........127
Purchasingadditionalservices......127
AppendixA.Systemmemory
speed................129
iiThinkStationP300UserGuide

AppendixB.Regulatory
information.............131
Exportclassificationnotice..........131
Electronicemissionsnotices.........131
FederalCommunicationsCommission
DeclarationofConformity........131
Eurasiancompliancemark..........133
Brazilregulatorynotice...........133
Mexicoregulatorynotice...........133
Additionalregulatoryinformation.......133
AppendixC.WEEEandrecycling
information.............135
ImportantWEEEinformation.........135
ecyclinginformationforJapan........135
ecyclinginformationforBrazil........136
BatteryrecyclinginformationforTaiwan.....136
BatteryrecyclinginformationfortheEuropean
Union..................136
AppendixD.RestrictionofHazardous
SubstancesDirective(RoHS)....139
EuropeanUnionoHS...........139
ChinaoHS................139
TurkishoHS...............139
UkraineoHS...............140
IndiaoHS................140
AppendixE.ENERGYSTARmodel
information.............141
AppendixF.Notices.........143
Trademarks................144
Index.................145
©CopyrightLenovo2014iii

ivThinkStationP300UserGuide

Readthisfirst:Importantsafetyinformation
CAUTION:
Beforeusingthismanual,besuretoreadandunderstandalltherelatedsafetyinformationforthis
product.RefertotheinformationinthissectionandthesafetyinformationintheSafety,Warranty,and
SetupGuidethatyoureceivedwiththisproduct.Readingandunderstandingthissafetyinformation
reducestheriskofpersonalinjuryanddamagetoyourproduct.
IfyounolongerhaveacopyoftheSafety,Warranty,andSetupGuide,youcanobtainaPortableDocument
Format(PDF)versionfromtheLenovo®SupportWebsiteathttp://www.lenovo.com/UserManuals.The
LenovoSupportWebsitealsoprovidestheSafety,Warranty,andSetupGuideandthisUserGuidein
additionallanguages.
Serviceandupgrades
DonotattempttoserviceaproductyourselfunlessinstructedtodosobytheCustomerSupportCenteror
yourdocumentation.OnlyuseaServiceProviderwhoisapprovedtorepairyourparticularproduct.
Note:Somecomputerpartscanbeupgradedorreplacedbythecustomer.Upgradestypicallyare
referredtoasoptions.eplacementpartsapprovedforcustomerinstallationarereferredtoasCustomer
eplaceableUnits,orCUs.Lenovoprovidesdocumentationwithinstructionswhenitisappropriatefor
customerstoinstalloptionsorreplaceCUs.Youmustcloselyfollowallinstructionswheninstallingor
replacingparts.TheOffstateofapowerindicatordoesnotnecessarilymeanthatvoltagelevelsinsidea
productarezero.Beforeyouremovethecoversfromaproductequippedwithapowercord,alwaysensure
thatthepoweristurnedoffandthattheproductisunpluggedfromanypowersource.Formoreinformation
onCUs,refertoChapter9“Installingorreplacinghardware”onpage73.Ifyouhaveanyquestionsor
concerns,contacttheCustomerSupportCenter.
Althoughtherearenomovingpartsinyourcomputerafterthepowercordhasbeendisconnected,the
followingwarningsarerequiredforyoursafety.
CAUTION:
Hazardousmovingparts.Keepfingersandotherbodypartsaway.
CAUTION:
Beforeyouopenthecomputercover,turnoffthecomputerandwaitseveralminutesuntilthe
computeriscool.
Staticelectricityprevention
Staticelectricity,althoughharmlesstoyou,canseriouslydamagecomputercomponentsandoptions.
Improperhandlingofstatic-sensitivepartscancausedamagetothepart.Whenyouunpackanoption
©CopyrightLenovo2014v

orCU,donotopenthestatic-protectivepackagecontainingthepartuntiltheinstructionsdirectyou
toinstallit.
WhenyouhandleoptionsorCUs,orperformanyworkinsidethecomputer,takethefollowingprecautions
toavoidstatic-electricitydamage:
•Limityourmovement.Movementcancausestaticelectricitytobuilduparoundyou.
•Alwayshandlecomponentscarefully.Handleadapters,memorymodules,andothercircuitboardsbythe
edges.Nevertouchexposedcircuitry.
•Preventothersfromtouchingcomponents.
•Whenyouinstallastatic-sensitiveoptionorCU,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,oronfloorsthatarecleanedwithliquidcleansers.Liquidscancausea
shortcircuit,particularlyifthepowercordorpoweradapterhasbeenstressedbymisuse.Liquidsalsocan
causegradualcorrosionofpowercordterminalsand/ortheconnectorterminalsonapoweradapter,
whichcaneventuallyresultinoverheating.
Ensurethatallpowercordconnectorsaresecurelyandcompletelypluggedintoreceptacles.
Donotuseanypoweradapterthatshowscorrosionattheacinputpinsorshowssignsofoverheating(such
asdeformedplastic)attheacinputoranywhereonthepoweradapter.
Donotuseanypowercordswheretheelectricalcontactsoneitherendshowsignsofcorrosionor
overheatingorwherethepowercordappearstohavebeendamagedinanyway.
Extensioncordsandrelateddevices
Ensurethatextensioncords,surgeprotectors,uninterruptiblepowersupplies,andpowerstripsthatyouuse
areratedtohandletheelectricalrequirementsoftheproduct.Neveroverloadthesedevices.Ifpowerstrips
areused,theloadshouldnotexceedthepowerstripinputrating.Consultanelectricianformoreinformation
ifyouhavequestionsaboutpowerloads,powerrequirements,andinputratings.
viThinkStationP300UserGuide

PolyvinylChloride(PVC)cableandcordnotice
Manypersonalcomputerproductsandaccessoriescontaincords,cablesorwires,suchaspowercordsor
cordstoconnecttheaccessorytoapersonalcomputer.Ifthisproducthassuchacord,cableorwire,then
thefollowingwarningapplies:
WARNING:Handlingthecordonthisproductorcordsassociatedwithaccessoriessoldwiththisproduct
willexposeyoutolead,achemicalknowntotheStateofCaliforniatocausecancer,andbirthdefectsor
otherreproductiveharm.Washhandsafterhandling.
Plugsandoutlets
Ifareceptacle(poweroutlet)thatyouintendtousewithyourcomputerequipmentappearstobedamaged
orcorroded,donotusetheoutletuntilitisreplacedbyaqualifiedelectrician.
Donotbendormodifytheplug.Iftheplugisdamaged,contactthemanufacturertoobtainareplacement.
Donotshareanelectricaloutletwithotherhomeorcommercialappliancesthatdrawlargeamountsof
electricity;otherwise,unstablevoltagemightdamageyourcomputer,data,orattacheddevices.
Someproductsareequippedwithathree-prongedplug.Thisplugfitsonlyintoagroundedelectricaloutlet.
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,waitatleastfivesecondsafterthecomputerisshutdowntodisconnect
externaldevices.
Heatandproductventilation
Computers,poweradapters,andmanyaccessoriescangenerateheatwhenturnedonandwhenbatteries
arecharging.Alwaysfollowthesebasicprecautions:
•Donotleaveyourcomputer,poweradapter,oraccessoriesincontactwithyourlaporanypartofyour
bodyforanextendedperiodwhentheproductsarefunctioningorwhenthebatteryischarging.Your
computer,poweradapter,andmanyaccessoriesproducesomeheatduringnormaloperation.Extended
contactwiththebodycouldcausediscomfortor,potentially,askinburn.
•Donotchargethebatteryoroperateyourcomputer,poweradapter,oraccessoriesnearflammable
materialsorinexplosiveenvironments.
©CopyrightLenovo2014vii

•Ventilationslots,fans,andheatsinksareprovidedwiththeproductforsafety,comfort,andreliable
operation.Thesefeaturesmightinadvertentlybecomeblockedbyplacingtheproductonabed,sofa,
carpet,orotherflexiblesurface.Neverblock,cover,ordisablethesefeatures.
Inspectyourdesktopcomputerfordustaccumulationatleastonceeverythreemonths.Beforeinspecting
yourcomputer,turnoffthepowerandunplugthecomputer'spowercordfromtheelectricaloutlet;then
removeanydustfromventsandperforationsinthebezel.Ifyounoticeexternaldustaccumulation,then
examineandremovedustfromtheinsideofthecomputerincludingheatsinkinletfins,powersupplyvents,
andfans.Alwaysturnoffandunplugthecomputerbeforeopeningthecover.Ifpossible,avoidoperating
yourcomputerwithintwofeetofhigh-trafficareas.Ifyoumustoperateyourcomputerinornearahigh-traffic
area,inspectand,ifnecessary,cleanyourcomputermorefrequently.
Foryoursafetyandtomaintainoptimumcomputerperformance,alwaysfollowthesebasicprecautions
withyourdesktopcomputer:
•Keepthecoverclosedwheneverthecomputerispluggedin.
•egularlyinspecttheoutsideofthecomputerfordustaccumulation.
•emovedustfromventsandanyperforationsinthebezel.Morefrequentcleaningsmightberequiredfor
computersindustyorhigh-trafficareas.
•Donotrestrictorblockanyventilationopenings.
•Donotstoreoroperateyourcomputerinsidefurniture,asthismightincreasetheriskofoverheating.
•Airflowtemperaturesintothecomputershouldnotexceed35°C(95°F).
•Donotinstallairfiltrationdevices.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
microwaveovenawayfromyourcomputerbecausethestrongmagneticfieldsgeneratedbythese
appliancescandamagethemonitoranddataontheharddiskdrive.
Donotplaceanybeveragesontopoforbesidethecomputerorotherattacheddevices.Ifliquidisspilledon
orinthecomputeroranattacheddevice,ashortcircuitorotherdamagemightoccur.
Donoteatorsmokeoveryourkeyboard.Particlesthatfallintoyourkeyboardcancausedamage.
asercompliancestatement
CAUTION:
Whenlaserproducts(suchasCD-ROMs,DVDdrives,fiberopticdevices,ortransmitters)are
installed,notethefollowing:
viiiThinkStationP300UserGuide

•Donotremovethecovers.Removingthecoversofthelaserproductcouldresultinexposureto
hazardouslaserradiation.Therearenoserviceablepartsinsidethedevice.
•Useofcontrolsoradjustmentsorperformanceofproceduresotherthanthosespecifiedherein
mightresultinhazardousradiationexposure.
DANGER
SomelaserproductscontainanembeddedClass3AorClass3Blaserdiode.Notethefollowing:
aserradiationwhenopen.Donotstareintothebeam,donotviewdirectlywithoptical
instruments,andavoiddirectexposuretothebeam.
Powersupplystatement
Neverremovethecoveronapowersupplyoranypartthathasthefollowinglabelattached.
Hazardousvoltage,current,andenergylevelsarepresentinsideanycomponentthathasthislabelattached.
Therearenoserviceablepartsinsidethesecomponents.Ifyoususpectaproblemwithoneoftheseparts,
contactaservicetechnician.
Cleaningandmaintenance
Keepyourcomputerandworkspaceclean.Shutdownthecomputerandthendisconnectthepower
cordbeforecleaningthecomputer.Donotsprayanyliquiddetergentdirectlyonthecomputeroruse
anydetergentcontainingflammablematerialtocleanthecomputer.Spraythedetergentonasoftcloth
andthenwipethecomputersurfaces.
©CopyrightLenovo2014ix

xThinkStationP300UserGuide

Chapter1.Productoverview
Thischapterprovidesthefollowinginformation:
•Locationsofconnectors
•Locationsofcomponents
•Locationsofpartsonthesystemboard
•Locationsofinternaldrives
•Computerfeatures
•SoftwareprogramsprovidedbyLenovo
ocations
Thissectionprovidesthefollowingtopics:
•“Locatingconnectors,controls,andindicatorsonthefrontofyourcomputer”onpage2
•“Locatingconnectorsontherearofyourcomputer”onpage3
•“Locatingcomponents”onpage5.
•“Locatingpartsonthesystemboard”onpage6
•“Locatinginternaldrives”onpage7
•“Machinetypeandmodellabel”onpage8
Note:Thecomponentsinyourcomputermightlookslightlydifferentfromtheillustrations.
©CopyrightLenovo20141

ocatingconnectors,controls,andindicatorsonthefrontofyour
computer
Thefollowingillustrationshowsthelocationsoftheconnectors,controls,andindicatorsonthefrontofyour
computer.
Figure1.Frontconnector,control,andindicatorlocations
1Opticaldriveeject/closebutton2Powerindicator
3Powerbutton4Harddiskdriveactivityindicator
5USB3.0connector6Microphoneconnector
7Headphoneconnector8USB3.0connector
2ThinkStationP300UserGuide

ocatingconnectorsontherearofyourcomputer
Thefollowingillustrationshowsthelocationsoftheconnectorsontherearofyourcomputer.Some
connectorsontherearofyourcomputerarecolor-codedtohelpyoudeterminewheretoconnectthe
cablesonyourcomputer.
4
3
5 6 7 8
Figure2.Rearconnectorlocations
1Power-cordconnector2VGAconnector
3Serialconnector4DisplayPort®connectors
5USB3.0connectors(4)6USB2.0connectors(2)
7Microphoneconnector8Audioline-outconnector
9Audioline-inconnector10PCI/PCI-Expresscardarea(differentcardsprovide
differentconnectors)
11Optionalserialconnector12Ethernetconnector
13Cable-lockslots(2)14PS/2keyboardandmouseconnectors(availableon
somemodels)
15Security-lockslot16Padlockloop
Note:Ifyourcomputerhasadiscretegraphicscard,anetworkinterfacecard,oranaudiocardinstalled
inoneofthePCIcardslots,ensurethatyouusetheconnectorsonthecardinsteadofthecorresponding
connectorsonthecomputer.
ConnectorDescription
Audioline-inconnectorUsedtoreceiveaudiosignalsfromanexternalaudiodevice,suchasastereo
system.Whenyouattachanexternalaudiodevice,acableisconnectedbetween
theaudioline-outconnectorofthedeviceandtheaudioline-inconnectorofthe
computer.
Audioline-outconnectorUsedtosendaudiosignalsfromthecomputertoexternaldevices,suchaspowered
stereospeakers(speakerswithbuilt-inamplifiers),headphones,multimedia
keyboards,ortheaudioline-inconnectoronastereosystemorotherexternal
recordingdevice.
Chapter1.Productoverview3

ConnectorDescription
DisplayPortconnectorUsedtoattachahigh-performancemonitor,adirect-drivemonitor,orotherdevices
thatuseaDisplayPortconnector.
EthernetconnectorUsedtoattachanEthernetcableforalocalareanetwork(LAN).
Note:TooperatethecomputerwithinFCCClassBlimits,useaCategory5eor
betterEthernetcable.
MicrophoneconnectorUsedtoattachamicrophonetoyourcomputerwhenyouwanttorecordsoundorif
youusespeech-recognitionsoftware.
PS/2keyboardconnector
(availableonsomemodels)
UsedtoattachakeyboardthatusesaPersonalSystem/2(PS/2)keyboard
connector.
PS/2mouseconnector
(availableonsomemodels)
Usedtoattachamouse,atrackball,orotherpointingdevicesthatuseaPS/2
mouseconnector.
SerialconnectorUsedtoattachanexternalmodem,aserialprinter,orotherdevicesthatusea
9-pinserialconnector.
USB3.0connectorUsedtoattachadevicethatrequiresaUSB2.0connector,suchasaUSB
keyboard,aUSBmouse,aUSBscanneroraUSBprinter.Ifyouhavemorethan
eightUSBdevices,youcanpurchaseaUSBhub,whichyoucanusetoconnect
additionalUSBdevices.
USB3.0connectorUsedtoattachadevicethatrequiresaUSB2.0or3.0connector,suchasaUSB
keyboard,aUSBmouse,aUSBscanneroraUSBprinter.Ifyouhavemorethan
eightUSBdevices,youcanpurchaseaUSBhub,whichyoucanusetoconnect
additionalUSBdevices.
VGAconnectorUsedtoattachaVGAmonitororotherdevicesthatuseaVideoGraphicsArray
(VGA)connector.
4ThinkStationP300UserGuide

ocatingcomponents
Thefollowingillustrationshowsthelocationsofthevariouscomponentsinyourcomputer.Toremovethe
computercover,see“emovingthecomputercover”onpage74.
Figure3.Componentlocations
1Heatsinkandfanassembly2Powersupplyassembly
3Memorymodules4Opticaldrive(availableonsomemodels)
5Cardreader(availableonsomemodels)6FrontaudioandUSBassembly
7Frontbezel8Systemfan
9Thermalsensor10Internalspeaker
11Coverpresenceswitch(Intrusionswitch)(available
onsomemodels)
12Harddiskdrive
13PCIcard(availableonsomemodels)14Heatsinkfanduct
Chapter1.Productoverview5

ocatingpartsonthesystemboard
Thefollowingillustrationshowsthelocationsofthepartsonthesystemboard.
Figure4.Systemboardpartlocations
1PS/2keyboardandmouseconnector24-pinpowerconnector
3Battery4Microprocessor
5Microprocessorfanconnector6Memoryslot1(DIMM1)
7Memoryslot2(DIMM2)8Memoryslot3(DIMM3)
9Memoryslot4(DIMM4)10Thermalsensorconnector
11Harddiskdrivefanconnector124-pinSATApowerconnectors
1314-pinpowerconnector14eSATAconnector
15SATAconnectors16Powerfanconnector
17Frontpanelconnector(forconnectingLEDindicators
andthepowerbutton)
18FrontUSB3.0connector(forconnectingUSB
connectorsonthefrontpanel)
19USB2.0connectororcardreaderconnector20USBhardwaredisableheader
21ClearCMOS(ComplementaryMetalOxide
Semiconductor)/ecoveryjumper
22Serial(COM2)connector
23Internalspeakerconnector24Frontaudioconnector
25PCIcardslot26PCIExpressx16cardslot(negotiablelinkwidthx4,
x1)
6ThinkStationP300UserGuide

27PCIExpressx1cardslot28PCIExpressx16graphicscardslot(availableon
somemodels)
29Systemfanconnector30Coverpresenceswitchconnector(Intrusionswitch
connector)
ocatinginternaldrives
Internaldrivesaredevicesthatyourcomputerusestoreadandstoredata.Youcanadddrivestoyour
computertoincreasestoragecapacityandenableyourcomputertoreadothertypesofmedia.Internal
drivesareinstalledinbays.
Wheninstallingorreplacinganinternaldrive,itisimportanttonotethetypeandsizeofthedrivethatyou
caninstallorreplaceineachbayandcorrectlyconnectthecablestothedriveinstalled.efertothe
appropriatesectionin“Installingorreplacinghardware”onpage73forinstructionsonhowtoinstallor
replaceinternaldrivesforyourcomputer.
Thefollowingillustrationshowsthelocationsofthedrivebays.
Figure.Drive-baylocations
1Optical-drivebay
Theopticaldrivebayssupportthefollowingtwodevices.Dependingonyourcomputermodel,oneof
themmightbeinstalled:
•Opticaldrive
•5.25-inchflexmoduleequippedwithsomeorallofthefollowingcomponents:
–Slimopticaldrive(9.5mm)
–Cardreader
–eSATAconnector
Chapter1.Productoverview7

–IEEE1394connector
2Card-readerbay
AcardreaderoranmSATAsolid-statedrivemightbeinstalledinthisbay.
3Secondaryharddiskdrivebay
A2.5-inchharddiskdriveorsolid-statedrivemightbeinstalledinthisbay.
4Primaryharddiskdrivebay
A3.5-inchharddiskdrive,3.5-inchhybriddrive,or2.5-inchsolid-statedrivemightbeinstalledinthisbay.
Machinetypeandmodellabel
Themachinetypeandmodellabelidentifiesyourcomputer.WhenyoucontactLenovoforhelp,themachine
typeandmodelinformationhelpssupporttechnicianstoidentifyyourcomputerandprovidefasterservice.
Thefollowingisasampleofthemachinetypeandmodellabel.
Machine Type: XXXX
Model Number: XXX
Figure6.Machinetypeandmodellabel
Features
Thissectionintroducesthecomputerfeatures.Theinformationcoversavarietyofmodels.
Microprocessor
Toviewthemicroprocessorinformationofyourcomputer,dothefollowing:
•OntheMicrosoft®Windows®7operationsystem,clickStart,right-clickComputer,andselectProperties
toviewtheinformation.
8ThinkStationP300UserGuide