ThinkPad 390E Online User's Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

This section addresses frequently asked questions. Go to the page indicated in the following chart and do the specified action.

Questions	Page
How to stop the screen from blanking	***
How to set the infrared port	***
How to set the serial port	***
How to switch the TrackPoint and mouse	***
How to set the display resolution	***
How to set the external monitor	***
How to maximize the battery life	***
How to install the operating system	***
How to 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 on the icon.

The ThinkPad Configuration program window appears:

Note:

You can also start the ThinkPad Configuration program as follows: Click on Start. Move the cursor to Programs, ThinkPad; then click on ThinkPad Configuration.

My screen keeps blanking when I do not want it to. How do I stop this?

You can disable any system timers, such as the LCD turn off timer or the power management mode timers with the ThinkPad Configuration program. Start the ThinkPad Configuration program. Click on the Disable Screen Blanking ( ) button.

How do I use my infrared port as a communication port?

You can disable your ThinkPad's infrared port in order to free resources for another communication device, such as the serial port. If the infrared port is disabled, you need to enable it before you use it again. To enable your infrared port, do as follows: Save your work and quit any program you are using. Start the ThinkPad Configuration program. Click on the Infrared ( ) button. Click on Enable. A "Warning" might appear that the hardware resource is in use by another communication device. Click on OK. The computer restarts. Note: If you check your infrared port and it is already enabled, you can use it immediately without changing any settings. 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 the communication software application on your system or the device that you are trying to communicate with. Check the online help system for your communication software if the other device appears to be working properly.

How do I use my serial port as a communication port?

You can disable your ThinkPad's serial port in order to free resources for another communication device, such as the infrared port. If the serial port is disabled, you need to enable it before you use it again. To enable your serial port, do as follows: Save your work and quit any program you are using. Start the ThinkPad Configuration program. Click on the Serial Port ( ) button. Click on Enable. A "Warning" might appear that the hardware resource is in use by another communication device. Click on OK. The computer restarts. Note: If you check your serial port and it is already enabled, you can use it immediately without changing any settings. After your serial port 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 on your system or the device that you are trying to communicate with. Check the online help system for your communication software if the other device appears 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?

For an external PS/2 mouse: To use an external mouse, do as follows: Save your work and quit any program you are using. Turn off your computer. Connect the external mouse. Turn on the computer. The TrackPoint is automatically disabled. To use the TrackPoint again, do as follows: Save your work and quit any program you are using. Turn off your computer. Disconnect the external mouse. Turn on the computer. For a serial mouse or a mouse other than a PS/2 mouse: To use an external mouse, do as follows: Save your work and quit any program you are using. Connect the external mouse. Start the ThinkPad Configuration program. Click on the TrackPoint ( ) button. Select Disable. Click on OK. To use the TrackPoint again, do as follows: Start the ThinkPad Configuration program. Click on the TrackPoint ( ) button. Select Enable. Click on OK. Disconnect the external mouse.

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 other pointing device. You can change the display output type to the LCD, external monitor, 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: Start the ThinkPad Configuration program. Click on the External Display( ) button. The "Display Properties" window appears. Click on the Settings tab. Click on Advanced... button. Click on the Monitor tab. Click on the Change button. Select the Model and Manufacturer of your monitor. Click on OK; then Close. Set the Colors and Screen area in the "Display Properties" windows. Click on OK.

How can I set up the external monitor if the Windows plug-and-play feature does not detect it?

Do as follows: Start the ThinkPad Configuration program. Click on the External Display( ) button. The "Display Properties" window appears. Click on the Settings tab. Click on Advanced... button. Click on the Monitor tab. Make sure that Automatically detect Plug & Play monitors. is checked. If the option is checked and your monitor is still not recognized after you restart the computer, click on the Change button. Select the Model and Manufacturer of your monitor. Click on OK; then Close. If you are prompted to restart your computer, click on OK.

How do I maximize battery life?

To maximize battery life, do the following: Use the battery pack until the charge is completely depleted (until the battery status and power LEDs flash in unison). Recharge the battery pack completely before using (the battery is fully charged when the AC Adapter is plugged in and the battery status LED is green). For a new battery pack or a battery pack that you have not used recently: Use the battery pack until the charge is completely depleted (until the battery status and power LEDs flash in unison). Recharge the battery pack completely before using (the battery is fully charged when the AC Adapter is plugged in and the battery status LED is green). Repeat these steps three times. Always use power management features such as Advanced Power Management (APM), power modes, standby, suspend, and hibernation. For more detailed information about power management features Using Your Computer with a Battery Pack

How do I load a different operating system on my computer? --Or-- Where do I get the ThinkPad device drivers for this operating system?

See Installing Software for information on installing a new operating system and device drivers. You can get the ThinkPad device drivers by using the Diskette Factory. Before installing a new operating system, do the following: Print the software installation section of Installing Software. Make backup diskettes of the device drivers and applications for your new operating system with the Diskette Factory. See the User's Reference. Make a DOS system diskette that has the DOS FDISK.COM and FORMAT.COM utilities and the CD-ROM device driver for DOS.

How do I use the Recovery CD to reload my factory-installed ThinkPad operating system and applications?

See the User's Reference.