User Guide

ThinkPad

User Guide

ThinkPad T420s and T420si

Notes: Before using this information and the product it supports, be sure to read the following:

Safety and Warranty Guide

• Regulatory Notice

• “Important safety information” on page vi

• Appendix C “Notices” on page 225

The Safety and Warranty Guide and the Regulatory Notice have been uploaded on the Web site. To refer to them, go to http://www.lenovo.com/support, and then click User guides & manuals.

Third Edition (May 2012)

© Copyright Lenovo 2012.

Contents

Read this first . v
Important safety information . vi
Conditions that require immediate action . vii
Safety guidelines . vii

Chapter 1. Product overview . 1
Locating computer controls, connectors, and indicators. 1
Front view. 2
Right-side view. 5
Left-side view. 6
Bottom view. 7
Rear View. 9
Status indicators . 10
Locating important product information. 13
Machine type and model label. 13
FCC ID and IC Certification number label . 14
Certificate of Authenticity label . 15
Features . 15
Specifications . 17
Operating environment . 17
ThinkVantage Technologies and software . 18
Accessing applications in Windows 7. 18
Access Connections . 20
Active Protection System. 20
Client Security Solution . 20
Fingerprint Software. 21
Lenovo Solution Center . 21
Lenovo ThinkVantage Tools. 21
Lenovo ThinkVantage Toolbox. 21
Message Center Plus . 22
Password Manager . 22
Power Manager . 22
Presentation Director . 22
Product Recovery . 23
Rescue and Recovery . 23
SimpleTap . 23
System Update . 23
ThinkVantage GPS . 23
ThinkVantage Productivity Center . 24

Chapter 2. Using your computer . 25
Register your computer . 25
Frequently asked questions . 25
Special keys and buttons . 27
ThinkVantage button . 27
Numeric keypad . 27

Function key combinations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Volume and mute buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Windows key and Application key

Chapter 4. Security ..... 71
Attaching a mechanical lock ..... 71
Using passwords. ..... 71
Passwords and sleep (standby) mode. ..... 72
Typing passwords ..... 72
Power-on password ..... 72
Hard disk passwords ..... 73
Supervisor password ..... 75
Hard disk security ..... 77
Setting the security chip ..... 78
Using a fingerprint reader ..... 79
Notice on deleting data from your hard disk drive or solid state drive ..... 82
Using and understanding firewalls ..... 82
Protecting data against viruses ..... 83
Chapter 5. Recovery overview ..... 85
Creating and using recovery media ..... 85
Creating recovery media ..... 86
Using recovery media ..... 86
Performing backup and recovery operations ..... 87
Performing a backup operation ..... 87
Performing a recovery operation ..... 87
Using the Rescue and Recovery workspace ..... 88
Creating and using a rescue medium ..... 89
Creating a rescue medium ..... 89
Using a rescue medium ..... 89
Reinstalling preinstalled applications and device drivers ..... 90
Solving recovery problems ..... 91
Chapter 6. Replacing devices ..... 93
Static electricity prevention ..... 93
Replacing memory ..... 93
Replacing the backup battery ..... 96
Replacing the battery ..... 97
Replacing the hard disk drive ..... 99
Replacing the keyboard ..... 102
Replacing the mSATA solid state drive ..... 107
Replacing the PCI Express Mini Card for wireless LAN/WiMAX connection ..... 110
Replacing the PCI Express Mini Card for Wireless WAN ..... 119
Replacing the SIM card ..... 123
Replacing the solid state drive ..... 124
Chapter 7. Enhancing your computer ..... 129
Finding ThinkPad options ..... 129
Using the Serial Ultrabay Slim ..... 129
Replacing the device ..... 129
Performing a hot swap ..... 130

Performing a warm swap .

Cleaning the cover of your computer ..... 178
Chapter 10. Troubleshooting
computer problems ..... 181
Diagnosing problems ..... 181
Troubleshooting ..... 182
Computer stops responding ..... 182
Spills on the keyboard ..... 183
Error messages ..... 183
Errors without messages ..... 185
Beep errors ..... 186
Memory problems ..... 187
Networking ..... 187
Keyboard and other pointing devices ..... 191
Display and multimedia devices ..... 193
Fingerprint reader problems ..... 202
Battery and power ..... 203
Drives and other storage devices ..... 206
Software problems ..... 208
Ports and connectors ..... 209
Universal Serial Bus problems ..... 209
A docking station or port replicator problem ..... 209
Chapter 11. Getting support ..... 211
Before you contact Lenovo ..... 211
Register your computer ..... 211
Download system updates ..... 211
Record information ..... 211
Getting help and service ..... 212
Using diagnostic programs ..... 212
Lenovo Support Web site ..... 212
Calling Lenovo ..... 212
Purchasing additional services ..... 213
Appendix A. Regulatory information ..... 215
Wireless related information ..... 215
Location of the UltraConnect wireless antennas ..... 216

Locating wireless regulatory notices ..... 217
Export classification notice ..... 218
Electronic emission notices ..... 218
Federal Communications Commission Declaration of Conformity ..... 218
Industry Canada Class B emission compliance statement ..... 218
European Union - Compliance to the Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive ..... 218
German Class B compliance statement ..... 219
Korea Class B compliance statement ..... 219
Japanese VCCI Class B statement ..... 220
Japan compliance statement for products which connect to the power mains with rated current less than or equal to 20 A per phase ..... 220
Lenovo product service information for Taiwan ..... 220
Appendix B. WEEE and recycling statements ..... 221
Important WEEE Information ..... 221
Japan recycling statements ..... 221
Battery recycling information for Brazil ..... 222
Battery