IBM ThinkPad 380 or 380D User's Guide

Getting Started

Welcome to the world of ThinkPad computers!

The ThinkPad 380 or 380D computer is designed to meet your everyday mobile computing needs. It provides you with various features, unique to IBM products, which help your everyday work proceed easily and smoothly. You can use your ThinkPad 380 or 380D computer in the office or at home as a desktop computer by attaching an external keyboard, display, or other external devices. And, of course, you can easily carry your "on the go."

This chapter describes step-by-step instructions to help you set up your new computer.

Partial Table-of-Contents

Overall Setup Procedures

The following is a general outline of the overall procedure to take when using the computer for the first time. For details and actual procedures, refer to the spots indicated.

Set Up the Computer First, check whether your computer came with all the necessary items. See reference #1. Then, install the battery pack in the computer. Now you are ready to turn on the computer. Install Options If you have any options, such as memory cards, install the options. See reference #78. Customize Your Computer You can use the ThinkPad Features program to customize the performance of your computer. You can use Easy-Setup, a built-in system function, to set (for example) unauthorized use. For the ThinkPad Features program, see reference #15. For Easy-Setup, see reference #22.

Make a Backup of Your System Your computer comes with the necessary software already installed for you to use the computer right out of the box. This computer has the Diskette Factory program installed so you can create backup diskettes. Make a backup copy of all necessary files using the Diskette Factory program. You can also make a backup of Windows 95 operating system using the Create System Disk utility of the Windows 95 (see reference #5).

Checking Your Items

Remove the items from the shipping box and check that all necessary items are shipped with your computer.

1. Match the items, one by one, with the following figures.

   If any item is missing or damaged, contact your place of purchase. (Ref #2.)
   

   [ ] Computer	[ ] Battery Pack Supplies power to the computer for mobile operation.	[ ] AC Adapter
   [ ] Power Cord In some countries, your AC Adapter is a 3-pin AC Adapter (different from the one shown). In this case, make sure you read the safety notices on page reference #133.	[ ] Windows 95 User's guide with the Certificate of Authenticity In some countries, the Certificate of Authenticity of Windows 95 is on the front cover of the Windows 95 user's guide. The product ID number (ten digits) is in the Certificate. Keep it in safe place in case of you reinstall Windows 95.	[ ] Miscellaneous Items Envelope This envelope contains spare caps for the TrackPoint III and other items or certificates.

2. Turn the computer upside down. and record the identification numbers (1).

   • The machine type has a prefix of Type.

   • The serial number has a prefix of S/N.
   
   
   

These numbers are required when you order service. After recording the numbers, place the computer as it was (so that the side marked IBM ThinkPad faces upward).

Setting Up Your Computer

You are now ready to assemble and start your computer. The following steps guide you through the process.

1. Turn the computer upside down.

   
   
   

   DANGER!
   

   The battery pack provided with your computer contains a small amount of harmful substances. To avoid possible injury:

   • Keep the battery pack away from fire.

   • Do not expose the battery pack to water or rain.

   • Do not attempt to disassemble the battery pack.

   • Avoid mechanical shocks to the battery.

   • Always use battery packs recommended by IBM.

   • Keep the battery pack away from children.

   When disposing of the battery, comply with local ordinances or regulations or your company's safety standards.

2. Make sure the battery pack lock is upper position.

   If not, pull the battery pack lock upward.
   
   

3. Install the battery pack as shown (), slide the battery pack lock toward the rear of the computer ( ).
   
   

4. press the battery pack lock down ward.
   
   (Ref #4.)

5. Place the computer right side up. Make sure it is not turned on.

   
   
   

   DANGER!
   
   Do not attempt to open the AC Adapter case. The AC Adapter is permanently sealed and cannot be repaired.

   Attention:
   Always use an AC Adapter certified by IBM in the country where you will be using the computer. Operating the computer with an incorrect AC Adapter can cause damage to the battery pack and to the computer.

6. Connect the AC Adapter to the rear of the computer as shown.
   (Connect , , and then .)
   
   

7. Slide the latches on both sides of the liquid crystal display (LCD) outward () and open the LCD (). Position the LCD so that it is convenient for viewing.

   Note:

   The LCD opens up to 150°. Do not force the LCD to open flat (180°).

   
   
   

8. Press the power switch to turn on the computer ().

   Position the contrast ( ) for a DSTN display and the brightness control ( ) for a TFT display according to the figure.
   
   

9. After a single beep, one of the following panels appears, confirming that the system is operating correctly.
   

   Date and Time menu panel	Startup panel
   This menu instructs you to set the initial date and time. To set the date and time, see "Using Easy-Setup".	The preinstalled operating system panel (startup panel) appears. (The panel shown is an example of an operating system screen.)

If one of these panels do not appear, a failure might have occurred in the computer. See "Solving Computer Problems".

Congratulations! You have successfully completed the basic setup of your computer.

Getting Started

Going from Here

After you have completed setting up your computer, you can now start using your computer:

• Do you want to know more about your computer?

  If you like to know more about your 380 or 380D computer, read "Getting Familiar with Your Computer", which provides you with the basic features of your computer.

• Are you ready to use your computer?

  If you have any application programs to install, follow the instructions in the documentation that came with those programs.

• Do you need to reinstall the operating system?

  Note:

  Make a backup copy of all necessary files using the Diskette Factory and the Create System Disk utility program of Windows 95.

  If you are reinstalling the operating system to customize your computer, follow the instructions on reference #86.

• Do you need more hard disk space?

  Your computer did not come with the utility and device driver diskettes, and you have already made a backup copy of all necessary software using the Diskette Factory program. You can obtain more free hard disk space by deleting any preinstalled software you do not want to use.

  Click on the Diskette Factory icon; then follow the instructions on the screen to delete any preinstalled software.

Important

(Ref #5.) You should make a backup copy of the files on the hard disk drive, in case you accidentally erase preinstalled software or intentionally modify the hard disk drive. You can use the backup copy to restore your computer to the way it was at the time of purchase. You can create the device driver diskettes you need to install all necessary software, using the Diskette Factory program. You can also create the Windows 95 operating system using Create System Disk. To use the Diskette Factory: Click on the Diskette Factory icon () in your operating system. (The list of diskette names is shown with the number of necessary diskettes needed.) Click on the diskette names you want to create; then click on Build. Follow the instructions on the screen. To use the Create System Disk utility of Windows 95: Click on Start. Click on Programs. Click on Accessory. Click on System tool. Click on Create System Disk. Follow the instructions on the screen.