Frequently asked questions

This section addresses frequently asked questions. Click the button in the following chart and do the specified action.
Questions Go to
How can I stop the screen from blanking?
How can I set the infrared port?
How can I set the serial connector?
How can I switch the TrackPoint and mouse?
How can I set the display resolution?
How can I set the external monitor?
How can I maximize battery life?
How can I install an operating system?
How can I use the Recovery CD?

To solve the problems discussed in this section, you need to use the ThinkPad Configuration program. To start the ThinkPad Configuration program, find the ThinkPad icon on the taskbar; then double-click the icon.
Note: You can also open the ThinkPad Configuration program as follows:
  1. Click Start.
  2. Move the cursor to Programs and ThinkPad; then click ThinkPad Configuration.

For more information on how to start the ThinkPad Configuration program User's Reference.

My screen keeps blanking when I do not want it to. How can I stop this?
You can disable any system timers, such as the LCD turnoff timer or the system standby timer, with the ThinkPad Configuration program.
  1. Start the ThinkPad Configuration program.
  2. Click the Power Management button; then click the Power Schemes tab.

    You can disable the system timers by selecting never rather than a specific time.

How can I use my infrared port as a communication port?
If the infrared port is disabled, you must enable it before you can use it again. To enable your infrared port, do as follows:
  1. Save your work and quit any program you are using.
  2. Start the ThinkPad Configuration program.
  3. Click the Infrared button.
  4. Select Enable from the Infrared list box.

    A "Warning" might appear, indicating that the hardware resource is being used by another communication device.

  5. Click Disable Device.

    Another "Warning" window prompts you to restart your computer.

  6. Click OK. The computer restarts.

Notes:

  1. If you check your infrared port and it is already enabled, you can use it immediately without changing any settings.

  2. You can disable your computer's serial connector to free resources for another communication device, such as the infrared port.

After your infrared port is enabled, you can use it as a communication port. If it does not work properly, you might have a problem with your communication software or the device that you are trying to communicate with. Check the online help for your communication software if the other device appears to be working properly.

How can I use my serial connector as a communication port?
If the serial connector is disabled, you must enable it before you can use it again. To enable your serial connector, do as follows:
  1. Save your work and any program you are using.
  2. Start the ThinkPad Configuration program.
  3. Click the Serial Port button.
  4. Select Enable from the Serial port list box.

    A "Warning" might appear, indicating that the hardware resource is being used by another communication device.

  5. Click Disable Device.

    Another "Warning" window prompts you to restart your computer.

  6. Click OK. The computer restarts.

Notes:

  1. If you check your serial connector and it is already enabled, you can use it immediately without changing any settings.

  2. You can disable your computer's infrared port to free resources for another communication device, such as the serial connector.

After your serial connector is enabled, you can use it as a communication port. If it does not work properly, you might have a problem with the communication software application or the cable or device attached to the serial connector. Check the online help system for your communication software if the cable and attached device appear to be working properly.

How can I use an external mouse when I am at my desk, but then use the TrackPoint when I am away from my desk?

The TrackPoint has an "auto disable" setting that disables it when you power on or restart the computer with an external mouse attached. When you want to enable the TrackPoint, remove the external mouse; then restart the computer.
Note: You can set up the TrackPoint manually with the ThinkPad Configuration program as follows:
  1. Start the ThinkPad Configuration program.
  2. Click the TrackPoint button.
  3. Select enable, disable, or auto disable from the TrackPoint list box.
  4. Click OK.

Why do I not get the highest possible resolution out of my external monitor when I am using the LCD and external monitor at the same time?
You can set any resolution for either the ThinkPad LCD or the external monitor. When you use both at the same time, the resolution of both is the same. If you set a higher resolution for the ThinkPad LCD, you can see only part of the screen at a time. You can see other parts by moving the image with the TrackPoint or another pointing device.
You can change the display output type to the LCD, external monitor (CRT), or both with the Display Device buttons of the ThinkPad Configuration program or with Fn + F7.

You can set up the external monitor as follows:

  1. Double-click My Computer, Control Panel, and then Display.

    The "Display Properties" window appears.

  2. Click the Settings tab.
  3. Click the Advanced... button.
  4. Click the Monitor tab.
  5. Click the Change... button.

    The "Update Device Driver Wizard" window appears.

  6. Click the Next button, and follow the instructions on the screen by selecting Display a list of all the drivers in a specific location, so you can select the driver you want and then Show all hardware.
  7. Select Manufacturers and Models for your monitor, and follow the instructions on the screen.
  8. Click Close to close the "Properties" window after updating the driver.
  9. Set Colors and Screen area in the "Display Properties" window.
  10. Click the OK button.

How can I set up the external monitor if the Windows plug-and-play feature does not detect it?
Do as follows:
  1. Make sure that the external monitor is a DDC or plug-and-play monitor (see the manual for the external monitor).
  2. Make sure you are using a D-Sub (Subminiature-D) connector cable. If you use the monitor that supports both a D-Sub connector and a 5BNC connector, use a D-Sub connector cable. A 5BNC connector cable does not support the plug-and-play function.
  3. Double-click My Computer, Control Panel, and then Display. The "Display Properties" window appears.
  4. Click the Settings tab.
  5. Click the Advanced... button.
  6. Click the Monitor tab.
  7. Make sure the Automatically detect Plug & Play monitors check box is selected.

    If not, select the check box, and click OK to close the window. Restart the computer; then make sure the plug-and-play feature detects the monitor.

  8. If your monitor is still not recognized, click the Change... button. The "Update Device Driver Wizard" window appears.
  9. Verify that the monitor information in the window is correct. If necessary, select the correct monitor type by following the instructions on the screen.
  10. Click the OK button.

How can I maximize battery life?
To maximize battery life, do the following:

How can I load a different operating system on my computer?
    -Or-
Where can I get ThinkPad device drivers for this operating system?
For information on installing Windows 98, Windows 95, or Windows NT and its device drivers Installing a new operating system and its device drivers

For information on installing Windows 3.1, OS/2 Warp, or DOS and its device drivers http://www.ibm.com/thinkpad/

How can I use the Recovery CD to reload my factory-installed ThinkPad operating system and applications?
User's Reference.