LENOVO LOQ 15IAX9 (01) PDF MANUAL

This manual contains service and reference information for Lenovo products: Lenovo LOQ 15AHP9, Lenovo LOQ 15ARP9, Lenovo LOQ 15IAX9, Lenovo LOQ 15IAX9I, and Lenovo LOQ 15IRX9.

This manual is intended only for trained service technicians who are familiar with Lenovo products.

Observe good housekeeping in the area of the machines during and after maintenance.

Do not perform any action that causes hazards to the customer, or that makes the equipment unsafe.

Before starting the machine, ensure that other service technicians and the customer’s personnel are not in a hazardous position.

Place removed covers and other parts in a safe place, away from all personnel, while servicing the machine.

Keep your tool case away from walk areas so that other people will not trip over it.

Do not wear loose clothing that can be trapped in the moving parts of a machine. Ensure that your sleeves are fastened or rolled up above your elbows. If your hair is long, fasten it.

Insert the ends of your necktie or scarf inside clothing or fasten it with a non-conductive clip, about 8 centimeters (3 inches) from the end.

Do not wear jewelry, chains, metal-frame eyeglasses, or metal fasteners for your clothing. Metal objects are good electrical conductors.

Wear safety glasses when hammering, drilling, soldering, cutting wire, attaching springs, using solvents, or working in any other conditions that might be hazardous to your eyes.

After service, reinstall all safety shields, guards, labels, and ground wires. Replace any safety device that is worn or defective.

Reinstall all covers correctly before returning the machine to the customer.

Fan louvers on the machine help to prevent overheating of internal components. Do not obstruct fan louvers or cover them with labels or stickers.

Make sure that you can stand safely without slipping.

Distribute the weight of the object equally between your feet.

Use a slow lifting force. Never move suddenly or twist when attempting to lift.

Lift by standing or by pushing up with your leg muscles; this action removes the strain from the muscles in your back. Do not attempt to lift any object that weighs more than 16 kg (35 lb) or that you think is too heavy for you.

Use only approved tools and test equipment. Some hand tools have handles covered with a soft material that does not insulate when working with live electrical currents.

Many customers have, near their equipment, rubber floor mats that contain small conductive fibers to decrease electrostatic discharges. Do not use this type of mat to protect yourself from electrical shock.

Find the room emergency power-off (EPO) switch, disconnecting switch, or electrical outlet. If an electrical accident occurs, you can then operate the switch or unplug the power cord quickly.

Do not work alone under hazardous conditions or near equipment that has hazardous voltages.

Regularly inspect and maintain electrical hand tools for safe operational condition.

Do not use worn or broken tools and testers.

Always look carefully for possible hazards in your work area. Examples of these hazards are moist floors, non-grounded power extension cables, power surges, and missing safety grounds.

Do not touch live electrical circuits with the reflective surface of a plastic dental mirror. The surface is conductive; such touching can cause personal injury and machine damage.

Do not assume that power has been disconnected from a circuit. First, check that it has been powered off.

Disconnect all power before performing a mechanical inspection or working near power supplies.

Ensure that another person, familiar with the power-off controls, is near you. This person must be there to switch off the power, if necessary.

Use only one hand when working with powered-on electrical equipment; keep the other hand in your pocket or behind your back. This prevents a current from passing through your body.

When using testers, set the controls correctly and use the approved probe leads and accessories for that tester.

Stand on suitable rubber mats (obtained locally, if necessary) to insulate from grounds such as metal floor strips and machine frames.

Do not service the following parts with the power on when they are removed from their normal operating places in a machine:

Power supply units

Pumps

Blowers and fans

Motor generators

Similar units as listed above

This practice ensures correct grounding of the units.

Use caution; do not become a victim yourself.

Switch off power.

Send another person to get medical aid.

The purpose of this inspection guide is to assist in identifying potentially unsafe conditions. As each machine was designed and built, required safety items were installed to protect users and service technicians from injury. This guide addresses only those items. Good judgment should be used to identify potential safety hazards due to attachment of non-Lenovo features or options not covered by this inspection guide.

The following items might indicate damage caused by activities beyond normal use:

LCD panel cracked from the application of excessive force or from being dropped.

Scratched (cosmetic) parts.

Distortion, deformation, or discoloration of the cosmetic parts.

Plastic parts, latches, pins, or connectors that have been cracked or broken by excessive force.

Damage caused by liquid spilled into the system.

Damage caused by the improper insertion of a personal-computer card (PC card) or the installation of an incompatible card.

Improper disc insertion or use of an external optical drive.

Fuses blown by attachment of a non-supported device.

Forgotten computer password (making the computer unusable).

Sticky keys caused by spilling a liquid onto the keyboard.

Use of an incorrect ac power adapter on laptop products.

Missing parts might be a symptom of unauthorized service or modification.

Obvious damage to a hard disk drive. If the spindle of a hard disk drive becomes noisy, the hard disk drive might have been dropped or subject to excessive force.

Begin the checks with the power off, and the power cord disconnected.

Check exterior covers for damage (loose, broken, or sharp edges).

Power off the computer. Disconnect the power cord.

Check the power cord for:

A third-wire ground connector is in good condition. Use a meter to measure third-wire ground continuity for 0.1 ohm or less between the external ground pin and the frame ground.

The power cord should be the authorized type specified for your computer.

Insulation must not be frayed or worn.

Check for cracked or bulging batteries.

Remove the cover.

Check for any obvious non-Lenovo alterations. Use good judgment as to the safety of any non-Lenovo alterations.

Check inside the unit for any obvious unsafe conditions, such as metal filings, contamination, water or other liquids, or signs of fire or smoke damage.

Check for worn, frayed, or pinched cables.

Check that the power-supply cover fasteners (screws or rivets) have not been removed or tampered with.

Any computer part containing transistors or integrated circuits (ICs) should be considered sensitive to electrostatic discharge (ESD).

ESD damage can occur when there is a difference in charge between objects. Protect against ESD damage by equalizing the charge so that the machine, the part, the work mat, and the person handling the part are all at the same charge.

When handling ESD-sensitive parts:

Keep the parts in protective packages until they are inserted into the product.

Avoid contact with other people.

Wear a grounded wrist strap against your skin to eliminate static on your body.

Prevent the part from touching clothing. Most clothing is insulative and retains a charge even when wearing a wrist strap.

Use a grounded work mat to provide a static-free work surface. The mat is especially useful when handling ESD-sensitive devices.

Select a grounding system to provide protection that meets the specific service requirement.

The use of a grounding system to guard against ESD damage is desirable but not necessary.

Attach the ESD ground clip to any frame ground, ground braid, or green-wire ground.

When working on a double-insulated or battery-operated system, use an ESD common ground or reference point. Coax or connector-outside shells can be used on these systems.

Use the round ground prong of the ac plug on ac-operated computers.

Electrical grounding of the computer is required for operator safety and correct system function. Proper grounding of the electrical outlet can be verified by a certified electrician.

Before the computer is powered on after FRU replacement, make sure that all screws, springs, and other small parts are in place and are not left loose inside the computer. Verify this by shaking the computer and listening for rattling sounds. Metallic parts or metal flakes can cause electrical short circuits.

Some standby batteries contain a small amount of nickel and cadmium. Do not disassemble a standby battery, recharge it, throw it into fire or water, or short-circuit it. Dispose of the battery as required by local ordinances or regulations. Use only the battery in the appropriate parts listing. Use of an incorrect battery can result in ignition or explosion of the battery.

The battery pack contains small amounts of nickel. Do not disassemble it, throw it into fire or water, or short-circuit it. Dispose of the battery as required by local ordinances or regulations. Use only the battery in the appropriate parts listing when replacing the battery pack. Use of an incorrect battery can result in ignition or explosion of the battery.

The lithium battery can cause a fire, an explosion, or a severe burn. Do not recharge it, remove its polarized connector, disassemble it, heat it above 100°C (212°F), incinerate it, or expose its cell contents to water. Dispose of the battery as required by local ordinances or regulations. Use only the battery in the appropriate parts listing. Use of an incorrect battery can result in ignition or explosion of the battery.

If the LCD breaks and the fluid from inside the LCD gets into your eyes or on your hands, immediately wash the affected areas with water for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical care if any symptoms from the fluid are present after washing.

To avoid shock, do not remove the plastic cover that protects the lower part of the inverter card.

Though the main batteries have low voltage, a short-circuited or grounded battery can produce enough current to burn personnel or combustible materials.

Unless hot swap is allowed for the FRU being replaced, do as follows before removing it: power off the computer, unplug all power cords from electrical outlets, remove the battery pack, and disconnect any interconnecting cables.

When returning an FRU, the following information must be included in the parts exchange form or parts return form:

Name and phone number of service technician

Date of service

Date on which the machine failed

Date of purchase

Failure symptoms, error codes appearing on the display, and beep symptoms

Procedure index and page number in which the failing FRU was detected

Failing FRU name and part number

Machine type, model number, and serial number

Customer’s name and address

* for selected models

The following table lists tools for servicing Lenovo computers. Tools with a cross mark (X) are needed for serving the product models as described by this PDF. They should be prepared before servicing the product.

T30 screw drivers are used to service the new Intel Xeon CPUs.

Hexagonal sockets are used to remove antenna connectors.

Do not try to service any computer unless you have been trained and certified. An untrained person runs the risk of damaging parts.

Begin by removing any FRUs that have to be removed before replacing the failing FRU. Any such FRUs are listed at the beginning of each FRU replacement procedure. Remove them in the order in which they are listed.

Follow the correct sequence in the steps for removing a FRU, as shown in the illustrations by the numbers in square callouts.

When removing a FRU, move it in the direction as shown by the arrow in the illustration.

To install a new FRU in place, perform the removal procedure in reverse and follow any notes that pertain to replacement.

When replacing a FRU, carefully retain and reuse all screws.

When replacing the base cover, reapply all labels that come with the replacement base cover. If some original labels are not included with the replacement base cover, peel them off from the original base cover and paste them on the replacement base cover.

Thermal interface materials are typically applied between a heat sink and a CPU (and/or GPU) die to enhance the heat transfer capability of the heat sink. If thermal interface materials are exposed during computer servicing, such as when replacing the heat sink or system board, it is important to handle them properly.

Completely remove the old thermal interface materials from the CPU and/or GPU die.

Apply new thermal interface materials onto the heat sink according to the type, quantity, and application areas specified in this PDF.

Make sure the computer has been shut down before servicing the computer.

Step 1. Place the computer upside down on a flat surface.

Step 2. Remove ten screws, pry up the latches, and then remove the lower case.

Prerequisite: “Remove the lower case”.

Step 1. Disconnect the battery pack cable from the system board, remove six screws, and remove the battery pack.

Use your fingernail to pull the connector to unplug it. Do not pull the cable.

Prerequisites: “Remove the lower case”, “Remove the battery pack”.

Step 1. Remove two screws and remove the touchpad bracket.

Prerequisites: “Remove the lower case”, “Remove the battery pack”.

Step 1. Disconnect the speakers cable from the system board, remove the speakers cable from the cable guide, and remove the speakers.

Prerequisites: “Remove the lower case”.

Step 1. Disconnect the battery pack cable from the system board, remove two screws, and remove the DC-in bracket.

Use your fingernail to pull the connector to unplug it. Do not pull the cable.

Prerequisites: “Remove the lower case”.

Step 1. Disconnect the battery pack cable from the system board and remove the Wi-Fi mylar.

Use your fingernail to pull the connector to unplug it. Do not pull the cable.

Step 2. Disconnect the antennas from Wi-Fi card, remove one screw, and remove the Wi-Fi card.

Prerequisites: “Remove the lower case”.

Step 1. Disconnect the battery pack cable from the system board, remove one screw, and remove the 2242 solid-state drive by pulling it away from the slot.

Use your fingernail to pull the connector to unplug it. Do not pull the cable.

The product supports up to two solid-state drives. Remove both if needed.

Prerequisites: “Remove the lower case”.

Step 1. Disconnect the battery pack cable from the system board, remove one screw, and remove the 2280 solid-state drive by pulling it away from the slot.

Use your fingernail to pull the connector to unplug it. Do not pull the cable.

The product supports up to two solid-state drives. Remove both if needed.

Prerequisites: “Remove the lower case”.

Step 1. Disconnect the battery pack cable from the system board.

Use your fingernail to pull the connector to unplug it. Do not pull the cable.

Step 2. Disconnect the CMOS battery cable from the system board and remove the CMOS battery.

Prerequisites: “Remove the lower case”.

Step 1. Disconnect the battery pack cable from the system board.

Use your fingernail to pull the connector to unplug it. Do not pull the cable.

Step 2. Peel back the mylar.

Step 3. Remove the DIMM shielding.

Prerequisites: “Remove the lower case”, “Remove the DIMM shielding”.

Step 1. Open the latches and remove the memory module.

Prerequisites: “Remove the lower case”.

Step 1. Disconnect the battery pack cable from the system board.

Use your fingernail to pull the connector to unplug it. Do not pull the cable.

Step 2. Remove two screws.

Step 3. Remove the strip cover.

Prerequisites: “Remove the lower case”, “Remove the strip cover”.

Step 1. Disconnect the battery pack cable from the system board, peel back the mylar, and disconnect the fan cables from the system board.

Use your fingernail to pull the connector to unplug it. Do not pull the cable.

Step 2. Loosen five heat sink screws in alphabetical order, remove two fan screws, and remove the thermal module.

Prerequisites: “Remove the lower case”, “Remove the DC-in bracket”, “Remove the Wi-Fi card”, “Remove the 2242 solid-state drive (for selected models)”, “Remove the 2280 solid-state drive (for selected models)”, “Remove the DIMM shielding”, “Remove the memory module”, “Remove the strip cover”, “Remove the thermal module”.

Step 1. Peel off four pieces of mylar.

Step 2. Disconnect the camera cable, speakers cable, keyboard backlight cable, touchpad cable, keyboard cable, and CMOS battery cable from the system board. Then, peel back the mylar that covers the EDP cable.

Step 3. Disconnect the EDP cable from the system board. Then, remove eight screws and remove the system board.

Both solid-state drive screws should be removed.

Some key product information and settings are stored in the ROMs of the PC’s system board. The information and settings are essential for using and servicing a Lenovo PC. After replacing a system board for a Lenovo PC, a Lenovo-provided software tool needs to be used to write key information-including machine type model (MTM), serial number (SN), and product name-as well as settings such as keyboard language to the replacement system board.

Take extra caution when entering the MTM and SN and when selecting the product name and keyboard language. Carefully verify these details before committing the writing action. Once recorded on the system board, they cannot be altered. Consult Lenovo service if you are uncertain about the MTM, SN, and product name for your PC.

Step 1. Connect the ac power adapter and turn on the computer.

Step 2. Download the tool package and double-click the WinMBDWizard.exe file to run the tool.

Step 3. Follow the on-screen instructions to input the MTM and SN, select the product name and keyboard language of the computer.

Step 4. Click Start Update to update the product information.

Step 5. Click Yes in the confirmation window to continue the update.

Step 6. Click Finish to close the tool.

Step 7. Click Yes in the confirmation window to restart the computer and apply the configuration on the system board.

Do not turn off the computer or disconnect the computer from ac power during the whole process.

Prerequisites: “Remove the lower case”, “Remove the DC-in bracket”, “Remove the Wi-Fi card”, “Remove the 2242 solid-state drive (for selected models)”, “Remove the 2280 solid-state drive (for selected models)”, “Remove the DIMM shielding”, “Remove the memory module”, “Remove the strip cover”, “Remove the thermal module”, “Remove the system board”.

Step 1. Remove the Type-C bracket.

Prerequisites: “Remove the lower case”, “Remove the DC-in bracket”, “Remove the Wi-Fi card”, “Remove the 2242 solid-state drive (for selected models)”, “Remove the 2280 solid-state drive (for selected models)”, “Remove the DIMM shielding”, “Remove the memory module”, “Remove the strip cover”, “Remove the thermal module”, “Remove the system board”.

Step 1. Remove two screws and remove the antennas from the cable guide.

Step 2. Remove four screws, remove the EDP cable, camera cable, and antennas from the cable guide, and remove the LCD module.

Before disassembling the LCD module, make sure it has been detached from the upper case assembly.

Prerequisites: “Remove the lower case”, “Remove the LCD module”.

Step 1. Remove the LCD bezel.

Prerequisites: “Remove the lower case”, “Remove the LCD module”, “Remove the LCD bezel”.

Step 1. Pull out two pieces of the removable tape. Then, turn over the LCD panel.

Step 2. Peel back the mylar, disconnect the EDP cable, and remove the LCD panel.

Prerequisites: “Remove the lower case”, “Remove the LCD module”, “Remove the LCD bezel”, “Remove the LCD panel”.

Step 1. Disconnect the camera cable from the camera and remove the camera board.

Prerequisites: “Remove the lower case”, “Remove the LCD module”, “Remove the LCD bezel”, “Remove the LCD panel”.

Step 1. Disconnect the camera cable from the camera board and remove the camera cable.

Prerequisites: “Remove the lower case”, “Remove the LCD module”, “Remove the LCD bezel”, “Remove the LCD panel”.

Step 1. Remove the EDP cable.

Prerequisites: “Remove the lower case”, “Remove the LCD module”, “Remove the LCD bezel”, “Remove the LCD panel”.

Step 1. Remove six screws and remove the hinges.

Prerequisites: “Remove the lower case”, “Remove the LCD module”, “Remove the LCD bezel”, “Remove the LCD panel”, “Remove the hinges”.

Step 1. Remove two screws and remove the hinge caps.

Prerequisites: “Remove the lower case”, “Remove the LCD module”, “Remove the LCD bezel”, “Remove the LCD panel”, “Remove the camera board”, “Remove the camera cable”, “Remove the EDP cable”, “Remove the hinges”, “Remove the hinge caps”.

There are no explicit steps for removing the LCD cover provided in the PDF beyond listing the prerequisites.

Labels attached to the base cover are country/region specific. They ensure that appropriate labels are applied to the replacement base cover.