Laptop Care
 

Getting the most out of your battery

A document is available at IBM's site that discusses how to use the battery effectively and how to extend battery life on an IBM ThinkPad system. 

http://www-3.ibm.com/pc/support/

Cleaning your computer

Occasionally clean your computer as follows:

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

• Avoid spraying cleaner directly on the display or the keyboard.

• Gently wipe the display with a dry, soft cloth. If you see a scratch like mark on your display, it might be a stain transferred from the keyboard or the TrackPoint(R) pointer when the cover was pressed from the outside. Wipe or dust the stain gently with a soft, dry cloth. If the stain remains, moisten a soft, lint-free cloth with water that does not contain impurities, wring out as much of the water as you can, and then wipe the display again. Be sure to dry the display before closing it.

Screen Cleaning

One of the most expensive components of a computer system or laptop is the LCD monitor or screen. Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screens are easily susceptible to damage and scratches, so it's a good idea to make sure you clean it correctly.

Not all types of  cleaning solution is acceptable.  Using alcohol or ammonia - based cleaners repeatedly may cause permanent damage to the LCD. Over time using these types of cleaners could cause the surface of the screen to yellow. It can also make the screen brittle and eventually cause cracking on the screen surface.

NOTICE: The following cleaners should NOT be used:

• Acetone

• Ethyl alcohol

• Ethyl acid

• Ammonia

• Methyl chloride

The following types of cleaners are acceptable:

• Water

• Vinegar (mixed with water)

• Isopropyl Alcohol

• Petroleum Benzene

Some basic supplies needed to clean an LCD screen include:

• A soft cotton cloth. When cleaning the LCD screen it is important to use a soft cotton cloth, rather than an old rag. Some materials, such as paper towels, could cause scratches and damage the LCD screen.

• Solution of water and isopropyl alcohol. This solution can be used along with the soft cotton cloth.

• Computer wipes. Only use these if they specifically state on the package they are designed for LCD laptop screens. Computer wipes can come in handy for fast clean-ups or when you want to avoid mixing up a cleaning solution yourself.

To clean the LCD surface properly:

• Do not spray any liquids on the LCD screen directly, and do not use paper towels, this can cause the LCD screen to become scratched.

• Always apply the solution to your cloth first, not directly to the parts you are cleaning. You want to avoid dripping the solution directly into your computer or laptop.

• Stroke the cloth across the display in one direction, moving from the top of the display to the bottom.

IBM Ultra Bay 2000/Plus

Using the Ultra Bay 2000/Plus

Use the Ultrabay(TM) Plus for installing devices, such as a CD drive, DVD drive, CD-RW drive, CD-RW/DVD drive, or a hard disk drive. If an Ultrabay Plus device is not installed in your computer, or if you want to purchase a different Ultrabay Plus device, visit this Web site: http://www.ibm.com/thinkpad for further information.

To install a device in the Ultrabay(TM) Plus, do as follows:

Using Windows(R) XP you may replace the device while the computer is operating. For more details, refer to performing a hot swap.

1.  Turn off the computer; then disconnect the ac adapter and all cables from the computer. Slide the bay latch to pop out the handle.

2.  Pull the handle until it stops.

3.  Pull out the Ultrabay Plus device.

4.  Insert the replaceable device into the bay; then press the device firmly into the connector. Return the handle to its place by pressing it in.

If you insert a diskette drive into the Ultrabay Plus, it is shown in My Computer as follows:

For Windows(R) XP, it is shown as the A disk. When you remove the drive, the A disk disappears from the display.

Performing a hot swap

To do a hot swap is to connect, remove, or reconnect a device while the computer is operating. If you are using Windows(R) XP, you may be able to perform a hot swap.

To check whether hot swap is enabled, do as follows:

1.      Start the ThinkPad(R) Configuration Program. 

2.      Click Device Bay.

3.      Make sure that the display shows Enable. If it does not, select Enable from the dropdown menu, and restart your computer to make the change effective.

 To hot-swap the Ultrabay Plus device, do as follows:

1.      Slide the bay latch (1) to pop out the handle.

Attention: Make sure that when the handle pops out, the bay status indicator (2) is off and the pop-up window comes up, telling you that it is ready for replacing the device. 

2.      Pull the handle until it stops (1); then pull out the Ultrabay Plus device (2).

3.      Insert the replaceable device into the bay; then press the device firmly into the connector.

4.      Return the handle to its place by pressing it in. You can use the computer when the bay status indicator becomes on.

 
Overall Care of Laptop

Although 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

• Avoid leaving the base of your computer in contact with your lap or any part of your body for an extended period when the computer is turned on or when the battery is charging. Your computer generates some heat during normal operation. This amount of heat is a function of the level of system activity and battery charge level. Extended contact with your body, even through clothing, could cause discomfort or even a skin burn.

• Place liquids away from your computer to avoid spills, and keep your computer away from water (to avoid the danger of electrical shock).

• Store packing materials safely out of the reach of children to prevent the risk of suffocation from plastic bags.

• Keep your computer away from magnets, activated cellular phones, electrical appliances, or speakers (within 13 cm or 5 in).

• Avoid subjecting your computer to extreme temperatures (below 5 degrees Celsius/41 degrees Fahrenheit or above 35 degrees Celsius/95 degrees Fahrenheit).

Be gentle with your computer

• Avoid placing any objects (including paper) between the display and the keyboard or the palm rest.

• Do not drop, bump, scratch, twist, hit, vibrate, push or place heavy objects on your computer, display, or external devices.

• Your computer display is designed to be opened and used at an angle slightly greater than 90 degrees. Do not open the display beyond 180 degrees, as this might damage the computer hinge.

Carry your computer properly

• Before moving your computer, be sure to remove any media, turn off attached devices, and disconnect cords and cables.

• Be sure your computer is in standby or hibernation mode, or turned off, before moving it. This will help prevent damage to the hard disk drive and data loss.

• When picking up your open computer, hold it by the bottom. Do not pick up or hold your computer by the display.

• 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

• 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.

• If your computer comes with a CD, DVD, or CD-RW/DVD drive, do not touch the surface of a disc or the lens on the tray.

• Wait until you hear the CD or DVD click into the center pivot of the drive before closing the tray.

• When installing your hard disk, diskette, CD, DVD, or CD-RW/DVD drive, follow the instructions shipped with your hardware, and apply pressure only where needed on the device.

Other important tips

• Your computer modem may use only an analog telephone network, or public-switched telephone network (PSTN). Do not connect the modem to a PBX (private branch exchange) or any other digital telephone extension line because this could damage your modem. Analog phone lines are often used in homes, while digital phone lines are often used in hotels or office buildings. If you are not sure which kind of phone line you are using, contact your telephone company.

• Your computer might have both an Ethernet connector and a modem connector. If so, be sure to connect your communication cable to the correct one, so your connector is not damaged.

• Only an authorized IBM ThinkPad repair technician should disassemble and repair your computer.

• Do not modify or tape the latches to keep the display open or closed.

• Take care not to turn your computer over while the ac adapter is plugged in. This could break the adapter plug.

• 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.

• If you exchange drives in your computer, reinstall the plastic bezel faces (if supplied).

• Store your external and removable hard disk, diskette, CD, DVD, and CD-RW/DVD drives in the appropriate containers or packaging when they are not being used.

General tips for preventing problems

1. Check your hard disk drive capacity from time to time. Windows(R) will slow down and might produce errors if the hard disk drive gets too full.

Note: In Windows(R) XP, you can check your drive space by left-clicking "My Computer" from the "start" menu; then single right-clicking on the desired drive to produce a menu. From that menu, single left-click on "Properties."

2. Empty your recycle bin on a regular basis.

3. Use the Microsoft(R) Disk Defragmenter on your hard disk drive on a regular basis to improve data seek and read times. To start the Disk Defragmenter, access Start --> All Programs --> Accessories -->System Tools --> Disk Defragmenter.

4. To free up disk space, uninstall unused application programs.

Note: You might also want to look for application program duplication or overlapping versions.

5. Clean out your Inbox, Sent, and Trash folders from your e-mail client program.

6. At least once a week, make a point to back up your data. If critical data is present, it is a good idea to perform a daily backup. IBM(R) has many backup options available for your ThinkPad(R) computer. Zip drives, and CD-RW drives are available for most machines and are easily installed.

7. Use or schedule System Restore to take a system snapshot periodically.

Note: Always take a system snapshot before installing new drivers, updating software, or installing new software.

8. Update device drivers and BIOS when needed.

9. Profile your machine at http://www.pc.ibm.com/support to keep up to date with current drivers and revisions.

10. Keep up to date for device drivers on other non-IBM hardware. You might want to read the device driver information release notes prior to updating for compatibility or known issues.

11. Keep a log book. Entries might include major hardware or software changes, driver updates, minor issues you have experienced and how you resolved them.