Note Before using this information and the product it supports, be sure to read the general information under "Safety information" on page v and "Notices" on page 41. First Edition (January 2000) The following paragraph does not apply in the United Kingdom or any other country where such provisions are inconsistent with local law: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION PROVIDES THIS PUBLICATION "AS IS" WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE LIMITED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Some states do not allow disclaimers of express or implied warranties in certain transactions; therefore, this statement may not apply to you. This publication could include technical inaccuracies or typographical errors. Changes are periodically made to the information herein; these changes will be incorporated in new editions of the publication. IBM may make improvements or changes in the products or the programs described in this publication at any time. Requests for technical information about IBM products should be made to your IBM Authorized Dealer or your IBM Marketing Representative. © Copyright International Business Machines Corporation 2000. All rights reserved. Note to U.S. Government Users ­ Documentation related to restricted rights ­ Use, duplication, or disclosure is subject to restrictions set forth in GSA ADP Schedule Contract with IBM Corp. Contents Safety information .... Laser compliance statement ...................... .................... ........... ........... .......... .......... .......... ......... v viii xi xi xiii xiii xiv xiv 1 2 4 6 7 9 10 10 10 11 11 12 12 12 13 13 13 14 15 16 16 19 20 20 22 25 27 27 28 Handling the ThinkPad computer . . . . . . ThinkPad don'ts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ThinkPad do's . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cleaning your computer . . . . . . . . . . . Carrying your computer ........... Extending the life of your computer's battery Chapter 1. System overview Features . . . . . . . . . . . . Specifications . . . . . . . . . Using your online user's guide Starting BIOS Setup Utility . .................... ..................... ..................... .................... ..................... .............. .............. .............. .............. .............. .............. .............. .............. .............. .............. .............. .............. .............. ............ ............. ............. ............. ............. ............. ............. ............. ............. ............. ............. Chapter 2. Protecting your computer Using password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Power-on password . . . . . . . . . . ....... Screen saver password Hard-disk passwords . . . . . . . . . Windows password . . . . . . . . . . Supervisor password . . . . . . . . . Network password . . . . . . . . . . . Passwords and standby mode . . . . Using the locks and the security screw Attaching the mechanical lock . . . . Using the security screw . . . . . . . Using the Asset RF ID feature . . . . . Chapter 3. Solving computer problems Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Error codes or messages ....... No error codes or messages ..... A power switch problem . . . . . . . . Input problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Standby or hibernation problems . . . LCD problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Battery problems ............ Hard-disk-drive problems . . . . . . . . Software problems ........... © Copyright IBM Corp. 2000 iii Other problems . . . . . . . . . . . . Testing your computer . . . . . . . . . . Backing up your system . . . . . . . . . Backing up your system configuration Backing up your data . . . . . . . . . Recovering lost or damaged software Getting service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ThinkPad Web site . . . . . . . . . . Recording sheets . . . . . . . . . . . .............. .............. .............. ............. .............. ............. .............. .............. .............. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... 29 30 30 30 31 32 35 36 37 39 41 41 42 43 45 47 49 49 Appendix A. Product warranty and notices Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Year 2000 readiness and instructions . . . Trademarks .................. ......... Electronic emission notices Telecommunication notices ......... Industry Canada requirements . . . . . . . . Product notice requirements . . . . . . . . . Notice for European Union countries . . . . iv IBM ThinkPad A20 User's Reference Safety information Note: In the U.K., by law: The telephone line cable must be connected after the power cord. The power cord must be disconnected after the telephone line cable. DANGER Electric current from power, telephone, and communication cables is hazardous. To avoid shock hazard, connect and disconnect cables as shown below when installing, moving, or opening the covers of this product or attached devices. The 3-pin power cord must be used with a properly grounded outlet. To Connect Turn everything OFF. To Disconnect Turn everything OFF. First, attach all cables to devices. First, remove the power cord from the outlet. Remove signal cables from receptacles. Attach the signal cables to receptacles. Remove all cables from devices. Attach the power cord to an outlet. Turn the device ON. © Copyright IBM Corp. 2000 v DANGER Reduce the risk of fire and electric shock by always following basic safety precautions, including the following: Do not use your computer in or near water. During electrical storms: ­ Do not use your computer with the telephone cable connection. ­ Do not connect the cable to or disconnect it from the telephone outlet on the wall. DANGER If the rechargeable battery pack is incorrectly replaced, there is danger of an explosion. The battery pack contains a small amount of harmful substances. To avoid possible injury: Replace only with a battery of the type recommended by IBM, or an equivalent. Keep the battery pack away from fire. Do not expose it to water or rain. Do not attempt to disassemble it. Do not short-circuit it. Keep it away from children. Do not put the battery pack in trash that is disposed of in landfills. When disposing of the battery, comply with local ordinances or regulations and your company's safety standards. In the United States, call IBM at 1-800-IBM-4333 for information on disposal. vi IBM ThinkPad A20 User's Reference DANGER There is a danger of an explosion if the backup battery is incorrectly replaced. The lithium battery (IBM P/N 02K6541 UL-recognized component [file no. MH12210]) contains lithium and can explode if it is not properly handled or disposed of. Replace only with a battery of the same type. To avoid possible injury or death, do not: (1) throw or immerse the batter into water, (2) allow it to heat to more than 100 °C (212 °F), or (3) attempt to repair or disassemble it. Dispose of it as required by local ordinances or regulations and your company's safety standards. CAUTION: The fluorescent lamp in the liquid crystal display (LCD) contains mercury. Do not put it in trash that is disposed of in landfills. Dispose of it as required by local ordinances or regulations. The LCD is made of glass, and rough handling or dropping the computer can cause the LCD to break. If the LCD breaks and the internal fluid gets into your eyes or on your hands, immediately wash the affected areas with water for at least 15 minutes; if any symptoms are present after washing, get medical care. CAUTION: To reduce the risk of fire, use only No. 26 AWG or larger (thicker) telephone cable. Safety information vii Laser compliance statement The CD-ROM or DVD drive, which can be installed in the IBM ThinkPad A20, is a laser product. The drive's classification label (shown below) is on the surface of the drive. CLASS 1 LASER PRODUCT LASER KLASSE 1 LUOKAN 1 LASERLAITE APPAREIL A LASER DE CLASSE 1 KLASS 1 LASER APPARAT The drive is certified in the U.S. to conform to the requirements of the Department of Health and Human Services 21 Code of Federal Regulations (DHHS 21 CFR) Subchapter J for Class I laser products. In other countries, the drive is certified to conform to the requirements of EN60825. DANGER Do not open the CD-ROM or DVD drive unit; no user adjustments or serviceable parts are inside. Use of controls, adjustments, or the performance of procedures other than those specified might result in hazardous radiation exposure. Class 1 laser products are not considered hazardous. The design of the laser system and the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive ensures that there is no exposure to laser radiation above a Class 1 level during normal operation, user maintenance, or servicing. viii IBM ThinkPad A20 User's Reference Some drives contain an embedded Class 3A laser diode. Note this warning: DANGER Emits visible and invisible laser radiation when open. Avoid direct eye exposure. Do not stare into the beam or view it directly with optical instruments. Safety information ix x IBM ThinkPad A20 User's Reference Handling the ThinkPad computer By using common sense and by following these handling tips, you will get the most use and enjoyment out of your computer for a long time to come. This section provides tips for handling notebook computers in general. Some descriptions might not suit your situation. Check your shipping checklist to confirm the items you get with your computer. Notebook computers are precision machines that require careful handling. Though your computer is designed and tested to be a durable notebook computer that functions reliably in normal work environments, you need to use some common sense in handling it. ThinkPad don'ts Do not subject your computer to physical punishment, such as dropping or bumping. Do not place heavy objects on your computer. Do not spill or allow liquids into your computer. Do not use your computer in or near water (to avoid the danger of electrical shock). Do not pack your computer in a tightly packed suitcase or bag. Your LCD might be damaged. A scratchlike marking on your LCD might be a stain transferred from the keyboard (including from the TrackPoint stick) when the cover was pressed from the outside. Wipe such a stain gently with a dry soft cloth. If the stain remains, moisten the cloth with LCD cleaner and wipe the stain again. Be sure to dry the LCD before closing it. Do not disassemble your computer. Only an authorized IBM ThinkPad repair technician should disassemble and repair your computer. Do not scratch, twist, hit, or push the surface of your computer display. Do not place any objects between the display and the keyboard or under the keyboard. Do not pick up or hold your computer by the display. When picking up your open computer, hold it by the bottom (keyboard) half. © Copyright IBM Corp. 2000 xi Do not modify or tape the latches to keep the display open or closed. Do not turn your computer over while the ac adapter is plugged in. This could break the adapter plug. Do not move the computer when the hard disk drive is accessing data (when the indicator is blinking). Do not use or store your computer where the temperature is below 5° C or above 35° C (41° F and 95° F). Do not place your computer closer than 13 cm (5 in.) to any electrical appliance that generates a strong magnetic field, such as a motor, a magnet, a TV, a refrigerator, or large audio speakers. Do not put an operating cellular phone on the computer. The phone might cause a computer system malfunction. Do not hard-mount your computer in a vehicle or anywhere that it is subject to strong vibration. Do not crush, drop, or physically punish the external or removable hard disk, diskette, or CD-ROM drive when it is outside your computer. Do not press on the middle part of the diskette drive or the CD-ROM drive. Do not insert a diskette at an angle. Not inserting the diskette straight into the drive can damage the drive. Do not place more than one label on a diskette, and do not allow the label to be loose. Multiple or loose labels can detach or tear and then lodge in the drive. Do not touch the lens on the CD-ROM tray. Do not close the CD-ROM tray until you hear the CD-ROM click into the center pivot of the CD-ROM drive. Do not touch the surface of a compact disc; handle the compact disc only by its edges. Do not connect the modem to a PBX (private branch exchange) or other digital telephone extension line. Your computer can use only a public-switched telephone network (PSTN). Use of a phone line other than PSTN can damage your modem. If you are not sure which kind of phone line you are using, contact your telephone company. Many hotels or office buildings use digital telephone extension lines, so check before connecting the telephone cable in such places. Do not leave the base of your computer in contact with your lap or any part of your body ...