Lenovo ThinkPad S3 – How to create and use recovery USB drive - Disassembling procedure – How to test the AC adapter

How to check the Power system 

To verify a power symptom, do the following:
1. Turn off the computer.
2. Connect the ac power adapter.
3. Turn on the computer. If the computer can be turned on, it means that either the battery pack or the ac power adapter is functional.
4. Insert a straightened paper clip into the emergency reset hole to reset the computer. If the computer is still powered on, it means that the ac power adapter is functional.
5. Turn off the computer.
6. Disconnect the ac power adapter and turn on the computer. If the computer can be turned on, it means that the battery pack is functional.
If you suspect a power problem, see the appropriate one of the following power supply checkouts:
“Checking the ac power adapter”

“Checking the built-in battery and operational charging”
“Checking the coin-cell battery”
Checking the ac power adapter
You are here because the computer fails only when the ac power adapter is used.
If the power problem occurs only when the docking station or the port replicator is used, replace the docking station or the port replicator.
If the system-status indicator does not blink three times when an ac power source is connected, check the power cord of the ac power adapter for correct continuity and installation.
To check the ac power adapter, do the following:
1. Unplug the ac power adapter cable from the computer.
2. Measure the output voltage at the plug of the ac power adapter cable. See the following illustration:

Note: Output voltage of pin 2 of the ac power adapter might differ from the one you are servicing.

3. If the voltage is not correct, replace the ac power adapter.
4. If the voltage is acceptable, replace the system board.
Note: Noise from the ac power adapter does not always indicate a defect.
Checking the built-in battery and operational charging
To check whether the battery charges properly during operation, do the following:
1. Discharge the battery until the remained battery power is less than 50%.
2. Connect the computer to ac power to charge the battery. If the battery status icon in the Windows notification area indicates that the battery is not charging, remove the battery and let it return to room temperature.
3. Reinstall the battery. If the battery is still not charging, replace the battery pack.
4. Check the battery status icon again. If the same error still exists, replace the system board.

Checking the coin-cell battery
To check the coin-cell battery, do the following:
1. Disconnect the battery connector.
2. Remove the coin-cell battery.
3. Measure the voltage of the coin-cell battery. See the following illustration.

If the voltage is correct, replace the system board.

If the voltage is not correct, replace the coin-cell battery.
If the coin-cell battery discharges quickly after replacement, replace the system board.

Creating and using a recovery USB drive
You can create a recovery USB drive as a backup for the Windows recovery programs. With the recovery USB drive, you can troubleshoot and fix the problems even if the preinstalled Windows recovery programs are damaged.
Creating a recovery USB drive
The USB drive that you use to create the recovery USB drive must be at least 16 GB of storage. The actual USB capacity that is required depends on the size of the recovery image.
Attention: The creation process deletes anything stored on the USB drive. To avoid data loss, make a backup copy of all the data that you want to keep.
To create a recovery USB drive, do the following:
Note: Ensure that your computer is connected to ac power during the following process.
1. Connect a proper USB drive (at least 16 GB of storage).
2. Type recovery in the search box on the task-bar. Then click Create a recovery drive.
3. Click Yes in the User Account Control window to allow the Recovery Media Creator program to start.
4. In the Recovery Drive window, follow the on-screen instructions to create a recovery USB drive.
Using the recovery USB drive
If you cannot start your computer, use the recovery USB drive to recover your computer.
To use a recovery USB drive, do the following:
Note: Ensure that your computer is connected to ac power.
1. Connect the recovery USB drive to the computer.
2. Turn on or restart the computer. Before the Windows operating system starts, repeatedly press the F12 key. The Boot Menu window opens.
3. Select the recovery USB drive as the boot device.
4. Select a preferred keyboard layout.
5. Click Troubleshoot to display the optional recovery solutions.
6. Select a corresponding recovery solution according to your situation. Then follow the instructions on the screen to complete the process.

DISASSEMBLING PROCEDURE 

How to remove the Keyboard

Remove the screws 1 that secure the keyboard.Push hard in the direction shown by the arrows 4 to unlatch the front edge of the keyboard (the edge that is close to you).

Note: Depending on the model, your computer might look different from the following illustration.

Pivot the keyboard slightly upward as shown by the arrow 5 . Then turn over the keyboard as shown by the arrow 6.

Note: Depending on the model, your computer might look different from the following illustration.

Detach the connectors and remove the keyboard.

How to remove Base cover assembly

Remove the screw caps 1 of the base cover assembly and the screw 2.

Loosen the rest of the screws that secure the base cover assembly.

Pry up the latches and then remove the base cover assembly.

Lenovo ThinkPadS3 – Disassembling procedure – How to test the AC adapter – How to test the Backup battery – How to remove the key board – How to remove the rare cover to replace battery.