Summary of the content on the page No. 1
®
ThinkPad A30 Series
Service and Troubleshooting Guide
Summary of the content on the page No. 2
Summary of the content on the page No. 3
® ThinkPad A30 Series Service and Troubleshooting Guide
Summary of the content on the page No. 4
Note Before using this information and the product it supports, be sure to read the general information under “Appendix A. Important safety instructions” on page 37 and “Appendix B. Product warranties and notices” on page 43 . DANGER v To avoid electric shock hazard, connect and disconnect cables appropriately when installing, moving or opening the covers of this product or attached devices. Use the power cord with a properly grounded outlet. v Do not leave the base of your computer in contact w
Summary of the content on the page No. 5
Finding information with Access ThinkPad Find answers to your questions about your computer and view IBM Web sites by pressing the ThinkPad button shown in the previous illustration to open Access ThinkPad, your on-board computer help center. © Copyright IBM Corp. 2001 iii
Summary of the content on the page No. 6
Learn about the many features of your ThinkPad computer. ThinkPad Features provides a visual display of your computer and components. Once you are familiar with the hardware features of your system, use the Tools and Tips category to get the most out of those features like wireless networking, maximizing your battery life, etc... Click Access Help to open a comprehensive help system offering information such as how to change or upgrade the memory in your computer. Visit these IBM Web sites to jo
Summary of the content on the page No. 7
Some of the topics in your help system contain brief video clips that show you how to perform certain tasks, such as replacing your battery, inserting a PC Card, or upgrading your memory. Finding information with Access ThinkPad v
Summary of the content on the page No. 8
® vi ThinkPad A30 Series Service and Troubleshooting Guide
Summary of the content on the page No. 9
Contents Finding information with Access ThinkPad iii Getting help on the Web........32 Getting help by fax .........33 Calling IBM............33 Chapter 1. Overview of your new ThinkPad computer.............1 Your ThinkPad at a glance .......2 Appendix A. Important safety instructions 37 Features..............3 Modem safety information .......39 Specifications............5 Laser compliance statement.......40 Caring for your ThinkPad computer ....6 Appendix B. Product warranties and Chapter 2. S
Summary of the content on the page No. 10
® viii ThinkPad A30 Series Service and Troubleshooting Guide
Summary of the content on the page No. 11
Chapter 1. Overview of your new ThinkPad computer Your ThinkPad at a glance .......2 Specifications............5 Features..............3 Caring for your ThinkPad computer ....6 © Copyright IBM Corp. 2001 1
Summary of the content on the page No. 12
Your ThinkPad at a glance Your ThinkPad at a glance Front view Rear view ® 2 ThinkPad A30 Series Service and Troubleshooting Guide
Summary of the content on the page No. 13
Features Features Processor ® ® v Mobile Intel Pentium III processor-M Memory v Built-in: 128MB v Maximum: 1 GB Storage device v 2.5-inch hard disk drive: Up to 48 GB, depending on the model Display The color display uses TFT technology: v Size: 14.1 or 15.0 inch, depending on the model v Resolution: – LCD: Up to 1600-by-1200, depending on the model – External monitor: Up to 2048-by-1536 v Brightness control Keyboard v 84-key, 85-key, or 89-key ® v TrackPoint v Fn key function v ThinkPad button
Summary of the content on the page No. 14
Features Diskette drive To get the best performance from your diskette drives, use high-quality diskettes (such as IBM diskettes) that meet or exceed the following standards: v 1-MB, 3.5-inch, unformatted diskette: – ANSI (American National Standards Institute) X3.137 – ISO (International Standards Organization) 8860 – ECMA (European Computer Manufacturers Association) 100 v 2-MB, 3.5-inch, unformatted diskette: – ANSI X3.171 – ISO 9529 – ECMA 125 External interface v Serial connector (EIA-RS232
Summary of the content on the page No. 15
Specifications Specifications Size v Width: 329 mm (13.0 in.) v Depth: 272.5 mm (10.8 in.) v Height: 39.6 mm (1.6 in.) to 46.8 mm (1.9 in.) Environment v Maximum altitude without pressurization: 3048 m (10,000 ft) v Temperature – At altitudes up to 2438 m (8000 ft) - Operating with no diskette: 5° to 35°C (41° to 95°F) - Operating with a diskette: 10° to 35°C (50° to 95°F) - Not operating: 5° to 43°C (41° to 110°F) – At altitudes above 2438 m (8000 ft) - Maximum operating temperature, 31.3°C (88
Summary of the content on the page No. 16
Caring for your ThinkPad computer Caring for your ThinkPad computer Though your computer is designed to function reliably in normal work environments, you need to use common sense in handling it. By following these important tips, you will get the most use and enjoyment out of your computer. Important tips: Be careful about where and how you work v Do not leave the base of your computer in contact with your lap or any part of your body for an extended period when the computer is functioning or w
Summary of the content on the page No. 17
Caring for your ThinkPad computer v Use a quality carrying case that provides adequate cushion and protection. Do not pack your computer in a tightly packed suitcase or bag. Handle storage media and drives properly v If your computer comes with a diskette drive, avoid inserting diskettes at an angle and attaching multiple or loose diskette labels, as these can lodge in the drive. v If your computer comes with a CD or DVD drive, do not touch the surface of a CD or DVD, or the lens on the CD or DV
Summary of the content on the page No. 18
Caring for your ThinkPad computer v Do not modify or tape the latches to keep the display open or closed. v Take care not to turn your computer over while the ac adapter is plugged in. This could break the adapter plug. v Turn off your computer if you are replacing a device in a device bay, or else verify that the device is warm- or hot-swappable. v If you exchange drives in your computer, reinstall the plastic bezel faces (if supplied). v Store your external and removable hard disk, diskette, C
Summary of the content on the page No. 19
Chapter 2. Solving computer problems Troubleshooting...........10 Standby or hibernation problems....18 Diagnosing problems.........10 Computer screen problems......21 Problems and solutions ........11 Battery problems .........22 Error messages..........11 Hard disk drive problems ......23 Errors without messages.......14 Other problems..........23 A password problem........15 Using BIOS Setup Utility........25 A power switch problem.......15 Recovering pre-installed software.....26 Keyboard pr
Summary of the content on the page No. 20
Solving computer problems Troubleshooting Access ThinkPad, your on-board help system, provides a full set of suggestions for troubleshooting. For access to that help system, press the ThinkPad button. This troubleshooting section deals only with problems that might prevent you from getting access to Access ThinkPad. Diagnosing problems If you have a problem with your computer, you can test it by using ® ® PC-Doctor for Windows . To run PC-Doctor for Windows, do as follows: 1. Click Start. 2. Mov
