ThinkPad Training

Getting to Know Your New ThinkPad

Topics Getting Starting with your ThinkPad Caring for your ThinkPad Maintaining your ThinkPad Extending Battery Life Backup, Backup, Backup your data Wireless and Internet Connections Returning your ThinkPad Getting Help

Getting Started with the ThinkPadPower On Your ThinkPad with the Silver

button at the top of the keyboard

Touch Pad and Pointing Stick

Pointing Stick: Move cursor around with your index finger

Left and right mouse button clicks

Touch Pad: Move cursoraround with your index finger

Left and right mouse button clicks

Center button is for scrolling

Using the Blue Button Your ThinkPad comes equipped with the blue button called, ThinkVantage. This button that has several important functions:

Rescue and Recovery Functions (Backup data/recover data)

Power On or Off Wireless Radios (Wireless and Bluetooth)

Find Wireless Networks Welcome (Take a tour of the ThinkVantage

button)

Your ThinkPad’s Function Keys Fn F5 – Turn wireless functions on or off (Wireless and

Bluetooth)NOTE: T60’s Bluetooth is turned off by default when

you get your ThinkPad.

You must turn Bluetooth radio on before trying to use Wireless accessories.

When you are not using your Wireless radio, you should turn it off to help save battery power.

You may also press the Blue button (ThinkVantage) and choose Manage my connections, Power On/Off Wireless Radios to turn Wireless functions on or off.

Your ThinkPad’s Function Keys Fn F12 - Places the computer in hibernation

mode, in which all tasks are stopped and memory data and current system status are stored on the hard-disk drive.

Closing the lid also puts computer in hibernation.

Wait for the moon to stop blinking before putting in book bag.

Press Power (Silver) button briefly to return from hibernation mode.

Your ThinkPad’s Function Keys

Fn Home –Increases the LCD brightness

Fn End – Decreases the LCD brightness (helps save battery power)

Fn PgUp – Toggles reading light on and off

Find out more functions by going to Start, ThinkVantage Productivity Center, Learn and get help, or press the Blue Button (ThinkVantage)

Powering Off your ThinkPad

Do not use the Power button to shut down your ThinkPad!

Use Shut Down from the Start Menu instead.

Caring for your ThinkPad

Don’t EVER leave your laptop unattended!!!!

Don’t leave your laptop in your car, both because of theft and because of extreme temperatures

Caring for your ThinkPad Avoid extreme temperatures. 

Avoid temperatures below 40ºF (4ºC)

Avoid temperatures above 95ºF (35ºC). 

Even if it is turned off, never expose your laptop to temperatures below 20ºF (-7ºC).  If it does get very cold, let it warm up to room temperature before you attempt to turn it on.

Caring for your ThinkPad Closing the cover of your ThinkPad puts it in

hibernate mode. But don’t put it in the carrying case until the half moon stops blinking.

Reboot your laptop at least once a day

Never jam your ThinkPad into an overstuffed carrying case. Screen and hard drive damage may occur. Carry your computer in the carrying case provided.

Do not use your laptop carrying case as a book bag.

Caring for your ThinkPad 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 pack your computer in a tightly packed suitcase or bag. The compression might cause internal damage.

Caring for your ThinkPad Do not disassemble your computer. Only an

authorized ThinkPad repair person 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 keyboard or under the keyboard.

Caring for your ThinkPad Do not pick up or hold your computer by the

display. When picking up your open computer, hold it by the bottom (keyboard) half.

Do not turn your computer over while the AC

Adapter is plugged in. This could break the adapter plug.

Do not place your computer closer than 13 cm (5 in.) from any electrical appliance that generates a strong magnetic field, such as a motor, magnet, TV, refrigerator, or large audio speakers.

Caring for your ThinkPad

Do not crush, drop, or physically punish the external or removable hard drive, diskette drive, or CD-ROM drive when it is outside of your computer.

Do not press on the middle part of the diskette drive.

Do not insert a diskette at an angle. Not inserting the diskette straight into the drive can damage the drive.

Caring for your ThinkPad Do not place more than one label on a

diskette. Multiple or loose labels can detach or tear and then lodge in the drive.

Do not touch the lens on the CD-ROM tray. You should hold the compact disc by the edges and not touch its surface.

Do not connect a PBX (private branch exchange) or other digital telephone extension line. Your computer can use only a public-switched telephone network (PSTN).

Caring for your ThinkPadCarrying your computer

When carrying your computer, follow these instructions to prevent possible damage to your computer and data:

Remove any media from the CD-ROM drive, diskette drive or USB port.

Turn off all attached devices.

Carry your computer in the carrying case provided.

Caring for your ThinkPadCarrying your computer (con’t)

Turn off the computer and close the LCD screen.

Unplug all external cables and cords connected to your computer.

Make sure all computer doors and covers are closed.

Use the quality carrying case that was provided.

Maintaining your ThinkPad Update your anti-virus software weekly

Your computer has Symantec AntiVirus installed – updates to virus definitions are automatically done every week, you can update the virus definitions manually by going to Start, Symantec, Update when your laptop is connected to the SCSU network.

Scan the hard drive weekly – set up automatic scans

Maintaining your ThinkPad Check for software updates

Start Menu, All Programs, ThinkVantage, Update My System.

Clean up temporary files

Disk Cleanup tool located on the Start Menu under All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Disk Cleanup

NOTE: This might take a while the first time you do it.

Maintaining your ThinkPadCleaning your computer

You should occasionally clean your computer as follows:

Use a soft lint-free cloth moistened with non-alkaline detergent to wipe the exterior of the computer.

Don't spray cleaner directly on the display or keyboard.

Gently wipe the LCD with a dry, soft lint-free cloth. If a stain remains, moisten the cloth with LCD cleaner and wipe the stain again. Be sure to dry the LCD before closing it.

Maintaining your ThinkPad

DANGER: Isopropyl Alcohol is a flammable liquid. Do not use this cleaner near an exposed flame or when the system is on.

Note: A 50-50 mixture of isopropyl alcohol and water or water alone may be used as a LCD cleaner to moisten your cloth. Antistatic LCD cleaning cloths and Kim Wipes are also acceptable alternatives.

Extending Your Battery Life

The amount of battery power consumed by your computer depends on such conditions as how often you use it, the operating temperature, and the period in storage (if unused). The following tips can help you to extend the life of your battery:

Extending Your Battery Life Do not charge the battery pack until all of its

power is used. Recharging a battery pack that is not completely discharged can shorten battery life.

Once you start charging the battery pack, do not use it until it is fully charged.

Extending Your Battery Life Whenever possible, use the ThinkPad

battery power-saving modes: Standby: The LCD and the hard drive are

turned off. Suspend: All tasks are stopped and

stored in memory to save power. Hibernation: All tasks are stopped. The

memory data and the current status of the computer are stored in the hard drive; then the power is turned off.

Extending Your Battery Life Decrease the LCD brightness.

Use Advanced Power Management (APM). Each operating system comes with its own APM.

Stop the power supply to a serial device if it is not in use.

Remove the battery pack and keep it in a cool place if you will not be using the computer for a long period

Backing Up Your Data Files – Why?

It is YOUR responsibility to backup your files!

You can lose access to your files if Windows stops running correctly.

You can accidentally delete needed files. Files can become unreadable/corrupt. You could suffer a hard drive crash and not

be able to even boot up your machine. In short, because it’s not a matter of IF

you will ever need to recover files, but WHEN.

Backing Up Your Data Files – How?

Use the Blue Button and choose Protect my data, then Backup and restore my data.

You should backup your files regularly, at least once a week – You can schedule backups.

Data will backup to a hidden, protected folder on C: to store and manage backups. You can restore contents of hard disk even in the event of a complete operating system failure (i.e. Windows will not load).

Backing Up your Data Files – WHERE?

Save important files to a USB device, or write them to a CD.

This will be in addition to regular backups you create on C:

This will be in addition to the rescue CDs you create.

Backing Up your Data Files – More Info For more information on Rescue and

Recovery and options, ThinkVantage Button, Learn & get help, Learn about my computer, Protect & Recover.

Your Hard Drive’s Partitions

Each Student at the University is given access to a secure, user specific network drive called the Home Directory (H: Drive).

Data stored on the H: drive is stored on a network server and is pulled down when you log onto the computer. This allows you the flexibility to retrieve your information on any of the computers on the SCSU network, once you have logged on the computer as yourself.

Accessing the H: Drive is no different from accessing a floppy disk or a jump/flash drive. Your H: drive can be found under the network drives on My Computer, or you can pull it up from various applicationsusing the open or save commands.

**Please note, to access your H drive, you must be connected to SCSU network. Therefore you cannot connect to your H: Drive off campus.

The Home Directory (H: Drive)

Connecting to the SCSU Wireless Network

Wireless access is available across campus in various academic buildings, classrooms, the Library and in residence halls.

Connect to the wireless network by taking your machine to a wireless access area and using ThinkVantage to select a wireless connection, as follows:

Connecting to the SCSU Wireless Network – Using ThinkVantage

Click the Access Connections icon located near the clock on the Windows system tray, or 

Click the ThinkVantage Button and choose Find Wireless Network.

Connecting to the SCSU Wireless Network – Using ThinkVantage (cont.)

After clicking the icon, you will see a menu listing all of the available wireless network connections. Click on the connection with the strongest signal. Click connect.

Connecting to the SCSU Wireless Network – Using ThinkVantage Your laptop will automatically connect you to

the wireless network.  While it is connecting, you will see a window that looks similar to this:

Try It: Using Wireless Internet After the connection is complete,

Start Internet Explorer or Firefox to check your connection.

Connecting to your Home Internet Connection or Other Off-Campus Networks using ThinkVantage

You may connect your laptop to the wired campus network or off-campus networks by creating profiles.

When connecting at home or away from campus, you must have an internet carrier when you are attempting to connect to the internet.

You cannot access the SCSU Wireless connection when you are off campus.

Remember, when connecting to any Wireless Connections, you must have your Wireless Radio powered on.

Returning Your ThinkPad All ThinkPads must be returned to the

Project ASSET office by the due date at the end of each semester. NO EXCEPTIONS!!

Students will be notified of the return dates and location prior to the last day of classes.

The will be late fees (per day) added to your account for not returning your laptop by the deadline. NO EXCEPTIONS!!! Per your student contract, you will be subject to criminal charges for not returning your laptop at all.

There are also charges for not return all of the accessories along with your laptop. NO EXCEPTIONS!!!!

PLEASE READ YOUR STUDENT CONTRACTS CAREFULLY BEFORE SIGNING.

Please delete all files and/or software you have saved on your computer. (Except: University 101 students) Please remember to remove all CD’s/DVD’s from your computer and please do not leave any of your personal items in the carrying case. Project ASSET staff is not responsible for any items left in the computer and/or in the carrying case. All disks, etc. will be discarded.

Returning Your ThinkPad

Getting Help Learn more about your ThinkPad by

choosing Learn and get help under the Blue Button.

Call 536-8111 or 516-4554 or 516-4795 with questions about your ThinkPad

Bring your ThinkPad to the Project ASSET Service Center in Belcher Hall on the 3rd Floor.

Email questions or concerns to: laptopsupport@scsu.edu.

Website address: www.scsu.edu/asset.

Q & A

Questions?