ThinkPad Batteries

The ThinkPad battery is typically warrantied for one year from the date of the purchase of the ThinkPad.  The warranty usually starts in he Spring of the year that the ThinkPad model was originally deployed.  For instance, The T430s was deployed in the Summer of 2012.  Thus, the warranty started in the Spring of 2012 and will likely expire by the Spring of 2013.  The battery warranty for all older models is expired.  For the ThinkPad X1 Carbon, Yoga, and Helix, a four-year warranty has been purchased for faculty and staff.

After the one year warranty, replacement cost are the responsibility of the individual.  During the warranty period, if your ThinkPad battery is behaving weakly or failing to hold a charge, take it to the Service Desk as soon as possible before the warranty expires.

ThinkPad Warranty

The ThinkPad computer is typically warrantied for two years from the date of the purchase of the ThinkPad.  Again, the warranty usually starts in he Spring of the year that the ThinkPad model was originally deployed.  For the X1 Carbon, Yoga, and Helix, a four year warranty has been purchased for faculty and staff.

Faculty and staff are responsible for the full replacement value of the ThinkPad and its parts in cases of theft, loss, negligence or damage. Theft is a common occurrence since nobody looks weird carrying around laptop. Make sure you lock up the computer with cable lock when in the office and then lock it up in a cabinet or take it home with you at night.

General ThinkPad Care Instructions

• Make sure you lock up the computer with cable lock when in the office and then lock it up in a cabinet or take it home with you at night.
• Use a padded case to transport the ThinkPad.  Also, make sure that you do not stuff the padded case in a manner that creates a crushing condition on the ThinkPad.  The most expensive part of the ThinkPad, the screen, is also the easiest to damage.
• Be mindful of environmental conditions. A computer doesn’t want to spend a week in the trunk of your car in the winter months, nor the summer.
• To clean the screen, only use a slightly damp cotton cloth and never use alcohol wipes or other chemicals on the screen.
• Do not transport the ThinkPad while it is operating.  Like running with scissors, transporting a ThinkPad while is operating is dangerous (to your data).  The hard drive is spinning and movement may cause the disk drive head to contact and damage the disk drive media, i.e. your data.
  When you transport the ThinkPad, always:

• Shut down the ThinkPad (for longer trips like going home, etc.), or,
• Place the ThinkPad in Sleep Mode (for short trips like going to class, etc.) by closing the screen and then waiting until you see the “moon” icon on the outer cover light up before movement.

• It is important to shut down computer frequently. Don’t go weeks without shutting it down and restarting or you may find the ThinkPad will not function well.
• Do not allow Internet Service Providers (ISPs), TimeWarner, AT&T or others, install software to your ThinkPad.  Many times, the software will reconfigure the network settings on your ThinkPad and break your ability to connect on campus.  ISP representatives do not need to install software wo make your home Internet connection function.
• Backup your user data on a regular basis.  See the User Data Location and User Data Backup sections for your ThinkPad model.

See the Information Services Portal for more information: http://help.wfu.edu/public/computers/thinkpads/thinkpad-information/taking-care-of-the-thinkpad-and-your-data