Sony PCG-8A1M Instruction & Operation Manual Download

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Using your notebook

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There is a ventilation slot located on the left side of the back panel. Do not cover the ventilation slot when the computer is on.

Ventilation slot

Printer connector

(page 74)

DC In

(page 19)

USB port

(page 71)

Ethernet connector (network)

(page 79)

AV Out connector

(page 65)

Monitor/VGA connector

(page 62)

Modem connector

(page 50)

Summary of Contents for PCG-8A1M

Page 1: ...N Sony notebook user guide P C G G R X S e r i e s ...

Page 2: ...ision Corporation and other rights owners Use of this copyright protection technology must be authorized by Macrovision Corporation and is intended for home and other limited viewing uses only unless otherwise authorized by Macrovision Corporation Reverse engineering or disassembly is prohibited Sony Corporation reserves the right to make any modification to this manual or the information containe...

Page 3: ...espective owners ENERGY STAR As an ENERGY STAR Partner Sony has determined that this product meets the ENERGY STAR guidelines for energy efficiency The International ENERGY STAR Office Equipment Program is an international program that promotes energy saving through the use of computers and their office equipment The program backs the development and dissemination of products with functions that e...

Page 4: ...ck do not open the cabinet Refer servicing to qualified personnel only To prevent fire or shock hazard do not expose your VAIO notebook to rain or moisture Avoid using the modem during a severe electrical storm Do not use the modem or a telephone to report a gas leak in the vicinity of the leak To change the backup battery please contact your nearest Sony Service Center Before you connect peripher...

Page 5: ...ying telephone lines Use your notebook only with the supplied AC adapter To disconnect your notebook completely from mains voltage unplug the AC adapter Please make sure that the socket outlet is easily accessible Never touch uninsulated telephone wire or terminals unless the telephone line has been disconnected at the network interface Optical disc drive Misuse of optical instruments can cause ey...

Page 6: ...ing areas residential commercial and light industrial This product has been tested and found compliant with the limits set out in the EMC Directive for using connection cables not longer than 3 metres 9 8 feet The optical disc drive is classified as a CLASS 1 LASER PRODUCT and complies with the Laser Product Safety Standard EN 60825 1 Repair and maintenance only by authorized Sony technicians Impr...

Page 7: ...hazard if mistreated Do not disassemble heat above 60 C 140 F or incinerate Keep away from children In some areas the disposal of lithium ion batteries in household or business waste may be prohibited Use the public collection system Disposing of internal memory backup battery Your notebook is equipped with an internal memory backup battery that should not have to be replaced during the lifetime o...

Page 8: ...tions games and entertainment software Multimedia features Enjoy audio and video CDs Interconnectivity Your computer has MagicGate Memory Stick Ethernet and i LINK functionalities Memory Stick is Sony s universal storage medium i LINK is a bi directional digital interface for exchanging data Windows Your system includes the Microsoft Windows XP operating system Communications Access popular online...

Page 9: ... notebook as well as troubleshooting and VAIO Link information Your Sony Guarantee conditions A Safety Regulations flyer A Modem Regulations flyer Online documentation 1 The Sony Notebook User Guide Using your notebook shows you how to use the standard components of your system In this part of the manual you will also find out what you can do with a Memory Stick Connecting peripheral devices expla...

Page 10: ...talling and updating applications explains how to install run or uninstall a software application Managing drivers explains how to install update or uninstall a driver Using the Product Recovery CD ROMs explains how to perform a system and application recovery Using partitioned drives tells you what you can do with partitioned drives 3 Refer to the Specifications online document for details on you...

Page 11: ...rdware items are in the box Depending on your model See the Specifications online document 1 Main unit 6 Weight saver 2 Product recovery CD ROMs 7 Phone plug country specific 3 Documentation pack 8 Phone cable 4 AC adapter 9 Power cord 5 Rechargeable battery pack 10 DVD ROM or CD RW DVD ROM ...

Page 12: ...f you 1 Keep your forearms horizontal 2 with your wrists in a neutral comfortable position 3 while using the keyboard touchpad or external mouse Let your upper arms hang naturally at your sides Have breaks during sessions with your computer Excessive use of the computer may strain muscles or tendons Furniture and posture Sit in a chair with good back support Adjust the level of the chair so your f...

Page 13: ... Choose a location where windows and lights do not create glare and reflection on the display Use indirect lighting to avoid bright spots on the display You can also purchase accessories for your display that help reduce glare Proper lighting adds to your comfort and work effectiveness Positioning an external display When using an external display set the display at a comfortable viewing distance ...

Page 14: ...trols and connectors page 14 Connecting a power source page 19 Starting your notebook page 27 Shutting down your notebook page 28 Using the keyboard page 29 Using the touchpad page 34 Using the Jog Dial page 35 Using PC Cards page 38 Using Memory Stick page 41 Using the modem page 50 Using power saving modes page 51 Using the CD RW DVD ROM drive or DVD ROM drive page 53 Using the weight saver page...

Page 15: ...k 14 n N Locating controls and connectors Right Do not cover the ventilation slot when the computer is on 1 Battery bay page 20 2 Hard disk drive 3 Ventilation slot 4 Headphone connector page 68 5 Microphone connector page 69 6 USB port page 71 ...

Page 16: ...he Specifications online document 1 Memory Stick slot page 41 2 USB port page 71 3 i LINK IEEE1394 S400 port page 77 4 PC Card slots page 38 5 Multi purpose bay for weight saver or second battery with weight saver or removable CD RW DVD ROM drive or DVD ROM drive page 57 page 53 page 23 ...

Page 17: ... 32 4 Scroll Lock indicator page 32 5 Power indicator page 32 6 Battery 1 indicator page 32 7 Battery 2 indicator page 32 8 Hard disk drive indicator page 32 9 LCD screen page 33 10 Keyboard page 33 11 Speakers page 33 12 Left right buttons page 34 13 Touchpad page 34 14 Jog Dial page 35 15 Back button for Jog Dial page 35 16 Power button page 27 ...

Page 18: ...n the left side of the back panel Do not cover the ventilation slot when the computer is on 1 Ventilation slot 5 Printer connector page 74 2 DC In page 19 6 USB port page 71 3 Ethernet connector network page 79 7 AV Out connector page 65 4 Monitor VGA connector page 62 8 Modem connector page 50 ...

Page 19: ...Sony Notebook User Guide Using your notebook 18 n N Bottom 1 Port replicator connector cover page 59 2 Memory module cover page 95 3 Multi purpose bay release lever page 57 ...

Page 20: ...ter 2 Plug one end of the power cord 3 into the AC adapter 3 Plug the other end of the power cord into an AC outlet Use your notebook only with the supplied AC adapter To disconnect your notebook completely from mains voltage unplug the AC adapter Make sure that the socket outlet is easily accessible Some models may be supplied with 2 power cords respectively for a UK and for a Continental power o...

Page 21: ...e battery pack supplied with your computer is not fully charged at the time of purchase Inserting the battery pack To insert the battery pack proceed as follows 1 Open the cover of the battery bay 2 Insert the battery pack with the label facing up into the battery bay on the right side of the computer 3 Close the cover of the battery bay until it clicks When the computer is directly connected to A...

Page 22: ...ns off This process takes a few hours when the system is off on To charge the battery completely continue charging for an additional hour There are two battery indicator lights on the computer 1 indicates the status of the battery pack in the battery bay on the right side of the computer 2 indicates the status of the battery pack in the multi purpose bay on the left side of the computer Battery in...

Page 23: ...battery pack supplied with your computer is a lithium ion battery and can be recharged any time Charging a partially discharged battery does not affect battery life The battery indicator light is on while you use the battery pack as a power source When the battery life is nearly depleted the battery indicator starts flashing For some software applications and some peripheral devices your computer ...

Page 24: ...d not connected to the AC adapter or if you remove the battery while the computer is in Standby mode Using the second battery pack You can purchase a second rechargeable battery pack With two battery packs you can extend the time you use your computer with battery power When using two battery packs the battery pack you insert first charges first The battery pack you insert second charges when the ...

Page 25: ...on 3 Attach the weight saver 3 to the computer to stabilize the battery pack 4 Slide the eject lever on the bottom of the weight saver toward the front of the computer to lock it If you attach two battery packs you can remove one of them without shutting down the computer When removing one battery pack make sure that the other battery pack indicator is on If the indicator of the battery pack you a...

Page 26: ...attery pack To charge the second battery pack proceed as follows 1 Keep the battery pack 1 3 in the computer while it is connected to AC power The battery indicator 2 flashes while the battery is charging 2 When the battery indicator stops flashing the battery is 85 charged ...

Page 27: ...the second battery pack To remove the second battery pack proceed as follows 1 Slide the multi purpose bay release lever on the bottom of the computer in the direction of the arrow 2 Remove the weight saver 3 Pull out the battery pack 4 Reinsert the weight saver ...

Page 28: ...and lift the cover 2 Press the power button 2 of the computer until the green power indicator 3 light turns on 3 If necessary press Fn F5 to adjust the brightness controls for the LCD display To increase the brightness use the up or right arrow keys To decrease use the down or left arrow keys If you press the power button for more than four seconds the computer will turn off ...

Page 29: ... save documents or to consider other users If you are unable to shut down your computer Close all software in use If applicable remove the PC Card To do so double click the Safely Remove Hardware icon in the taskbar Select the hardware you want to unplug and click Stop Disconnect any USB devices Press Alt F4 and select Turn Off from the screen that appears If this does not work you can press the p...

Page 30: ...Sony Notebook User Guide Using your notebook 29 n N Using the keyboard Your keyboard is very similar to a desktop computer s but has additional keys that perform specific notebook related tasks ...

Page 31: ...is equivalent to clicking the right mouse button Numeric keypad area 7 Contains the keys found on a typical calculator Use the numeric keypad area to type numbers or to perform mathematical calculations such as addition and subtraction Note that you must press the Num Lock key to activate the numeric keypad When you do so the Num Lock indicator illuminates Operator keys 8 11 12 Several keys are al...

Page 32: ... folder This is equivalent to selecting Search and then All files and folders from the Start menu Ctrl F Displays the Search Results Computers window where you can locate other computers M Minimizes all displayed windows Shift M Returns all minimized windows to their previous size R Displays the Run window This is equivalent to selecting Run from the Start menu Fn Insert Displays the System Proper...

Page 33: ...from or written to the hard drive Do not enter Standby mode or turn off the computer when this indicator light is on The hard drive is not being accessed Num Lock Turns on when the number keys in the numeric keypad are active Turns off when the alphanumeric character keys in the keypad area are active Caps Lock Turns on when the characters appear in uppercase as you type The Shift key lowers the c...

Page 34: ...F4 and then or To decrease volume press Fn F4 and then or Fn F5 brightness control Adjusts the brightness of the LCD To increase lightness intensity press Fn F5 and then or To decrease light intensity press Fn F5 and then or Fn F7 switch to the external display Toggles between the LCD external display connected to the monitor connector and both LCD and external display Fn F8 Toggles between the LC...

Page 35: ...e pointer 2 on an item or object Click Press the left button 3 once Double click Press the left button twice Right click Press the right button 4 once In many applications this action displays a shortcut menu Drag Slide one finger while pressing the left button Scroll Move your finger along the right edge of the touchpad to scroll vertically Move your finger along the bottom to scroll horizontally...

Page 36: ...ebook 35 n N Using the Jog Dial Your computer is equipped with a Jog Dial with Back button on your computer near the touchpad You can turn and or press the Jog Dial to scroll the window select software adjust the internal speaker volume etc ...

Page 37: ...next to an item in the Jog Dial window you can display a submenu for that item by selecting it and pressing the Jog Dial The Jog Dial window switches to Guide mode when you start an application and its window becomes active Depending on the application the Jog Dial window displays different commands that you can select or execute by rotating or pressing the Jog Dial You can adjust the size of the ...

Page 38: ... function 3 Turn or press the Jog Dial to use the Jog Dial function 4 To select another item switch to Launcher mode and repeat this procedure 5 Use the Back button on the right of the Jog Dial to go back to the previous state of the Jog Dial window Software supporting the Jog Dial If the Sony software supporting the Jog Dial is active you can use the Jog Dial functions allocated to each software ...

Page 39: ...cally detected by your system The Safely Remove Hardware icon appears in the system tray Some devices may not function properly if you repeat Returning to Normal mode from Standby mode or Hibernate mode The computer will return to its original state if you restart it The PC Card slots can accommodate at the same time two Types I two Types II or one Type III PC Card These slots are compatible with ...

Page 40: ...ou may find that a device connected to your system is not recognized Reboot your system to correct the problem Do not carry your notebook while touching the head of a PC Card as pressure or shock may damage the connector pins Removing a PC Card Follow the steps below to remove the PC Card while your computer is on If it is not removed properly your system may not work properly If you want to remov...

Page 41: ... PC Card icon in the taskbar and close the card Close any applications that use the PC Card before removing the card Otherwise data may be lost While the card is inserted your computer may not enter the Hibernate power management mode It may enter Standby mode It is recommended that you remove the card when your computer enters Hibernate mode by pressing the Fn F12 keys or by using the PowerPanel ...

Page 42: ...e Memory Stick can already be used with an ever increasing range of compatible products including Audio systems Visual devices VAIO products CLIE handhelds Mobile phones There are currently two different types of Memory Stick The generic Memory Stick coloured blue The MagicGate Memory Stick coloured white You can purchase Memory Sticks from the Sony Style website http www sonystyle europe com or f...

Page 43: ...bust structure of the stick gives it a longer lifespan than other storage devices Durability the same Memory Stick can be used tens of thousands of times Forward compatibility the Memory Stick s current format is designed to be compatible with future products and higher capacity Memory Sticks The future of Memory Stick Memory Stick s potential is virtually unlimited with the number of compatible p...

Page 44: ...can expand the capabilities of your VAIO computer in the following scenarios With your still digital camera share your holiday pictures instantly by e mail From your handycam to your VAIO make the most of your captured moments with the VAIO s movie editing tools Carry pictures on you by copying image files from the Internet to your VAIO to your CLIE handheld With your voice recorder add your voice...

Page 45: ...ollowing features 32MB 64MB and 128MB capacity versions Storage of up to 120 minutes of audio data Download and save digital music pictures movies and more Combine data files to add music to your home movies for example Transfer and share data between several digital products MagicGate Copyright Protection Technology SDMI Secure Digital Music Initiative Compliance SonicStage software So that you f...

Page 46: ...y designed to manage the digital music content downloaded to the PC from CDs the Internet and or other sources Software installed on the PC records music content in encrypted form onto the hard disk As well as allowing you to enjoy music on the PC this technology protects against unauthorized distribution on the Internet Since it is compatible with MagicGate you can use SonicStage to transfer musi...

Page 47: ...a without worrying about copyright infringement Literary works that are recorded by individuals are permitted for private usage only Compatible devices There are nearly 80 Memory Stick enabled products on the market or announced for introduction world wide ranging from camcorders and portable music players to voice recorders and many other electronic devices You can currently use Memory Sticks wit...

Page 48: ...o insert a Memory Stick proceed as follows 1 Once you have stored your data from your digital device insert the Memory Stick with the arrow facing up and toward the Memory Stick slot 2 Carefully slide the Memory Stick into the slot until it clicks in place The Memory Stick is automatically detected by your system and appears in your My Computer window as a local drive under the appropriate letter ...

Page 49: ...emory Stick into the slot if it does not insert smoothly Removing a Memory Stick To remove a Memory Stick proceed as follows 1 Check that the access light is off 2 Push the Memory Stick in towards the notebook The Memory Stick ejects 3 Pull the Memory Stick out of the slot Always remove the Memory Stick gently or it may pop out unexpectedly It is recommended that you remove the Memory Stick before...

Page 50: ...valuable data from accidental erasure or overwriting Move the tab to the right or left to set or release write protection When the erasure prevention switch is off data can be saved on the Memory Stick When the erasure prevention switch is on data can be read from but not saved on the Memory Stick The 128 MB Memory Stick has a vertical lock LOCK LOCK LOCK ...

Page 51: ...he wall jack We recommend that you use the supplied plug because the usage of any other phone plug can decrease the connection quality Your computer cannot be connected to a coin operated telephone and may not work with multiple phone lines or a private branch exchange PBX If you connect the modem to a parallel connected phone line the modem or the other connected device may not function properly ...

Page 52: ...alls below 10 percent you should either attach the AC adapter to recharge the battery or shut down your computer and insert a fully charged battery Using Normal mode This is the normal state of your computer when it is in use The green power indicator light is on in this mode To save power while not working you can turn off a specific device such as the LCD or the hard disk Using Standby mode The ...

Page 53: ...Turn Off Computer In the Turn off computer screen hold down the Shift key and press Hibernate To return to Normal mode proceed as follows Turn on the computer by pressing the power button The computer returns to its previous state When the computer is in Hibernate mode you cannot insert a disc Hibernate mode requires more time than Standby mode to be activated It takes more time to return to norma...

Page 54: ...computer is equipped with a CD RW DVD ROM drive or DVD ROM drive To insert a disc proceed as follows 1 Turn on the computer 2 Press the eject button 1 to open the drive The tray slides out 3 Place a disc in the middle of the tray with the label side facing up until the disc clicks into place 4 Close the tray by pushing it gently ...

Page 55: ...hieve optimum performance when playing DVD ROM discs you should follow these recommendations You can play DVDs using the DVD ROM drive and the WinDVD software See the help file on the WinDVD software for details Your computer should not be connected to the port replicator while playing DVD movies or using DVD applications Close all open applications before playing a DVD ROM movie When playing DVD ...

Page 56: ... labeled on your DVD disc or on the packaging you cannot play the disc on this player Do not try to change the region code settings of the DVD ROM drive Any difficulties caused by changing the region code settings of DVD ROM drive are out of warranty When a DVD video disc is inserted in the DVD ROM drive you cannot toggle between LCD and TV by pressing Fn F8 When a TV is connected a part of the vi...

Page 57: ...low the instructions included with your software Only use circular discs Do not use discs with any other shape star heart card etc as this may damage the CD RW drive Do not strike or shake the computer while writing data to a disc For optimal writing speed deactivate the screensaver before writing data to a disc Memory resident disc utilities may cause unstable operation or data loss Deactivate th...

Page 58: ... when they are installed in the multi purpose bay To attach the weight saver proceed as follows 1 If another device is in the multi purpose bay remove the device 2 Slide the weight saver in the direction of the arrow until it clicks into place To remove the weight saver proceed as follows 1 Slide the multi purpose bay release lever on the bottom of the computer in the direction of the arrow 2 Remo...

Page 59: ...licator page 59 Connecting an external display page 62 Connecting external speakers page 68 Connecting an external microphone page 69 Connecting an external mouse or keyboard page 70 Connecting a Universal Serial Bus USB device page 71 Connecting a printer page 74 Connecting an i LINK device page 77 Connecting to a network LAN page 79 Hot plug and play devices should be plugged when the computer i...

Page 60: ...eplicator or the AC outlet when using the port replicator this may cause data damage or hardware malfunctions When connecting video cables to S Video out and Video out simultaneously only the S Video out connector can be used 1 DC In port page 19 7 S Video out connector page 65 2 USB port page 71 8 Ethernet netwerk port 10BASE T 100BASE TX page 79 3 Serial port page 76 9 Monitor VGA port page 62 4...

Page 61: ...dicator DC IN of the port replicator turns green 4 Align the bottom connector of the notebook with the connector on the port replicator and push down until it clicks into place 5 Turn on the notebook When you use the port replicator for the first time the installation of the network drivers starts automatically When attaching your computer to the port replicator do not attempt to insert or remove ...

Page 62: ... port replicator to disconnect the computer from the port replicator 3 Lift the notebook away from the port replicator 4 Close the port replicator connector cover on the bottom of your computer It is extremely important to close the port replicator connector cover after removing your computer from the port replicator If the cover is left open dust may get inside and damage the computer To disconne...

Page 63: ...ay monitor Multimedia computer display TV Projector Turn off your computer and the peripherals unplug the AC adapter and the power cord before connecting the external display Connect the power cord after connecting all other cables Turn on the peripherals then turn on your computer Connected external displays are used as second screens On Windows systems only you can also use an external display t...

Page 64: ...t replicator To connect a computer display proceed as follows 1 Plug the display cable 1 not supplied into the monitor VGA connector 2 on the notebook or the port replicator 2 If necessary plug one end of the display s power cord 3 into the display and the other end into an AC outlet You cannot use the monitor connector on your notebook when the port replicator is connected to the notebook ...

Page 65: ...y that includes built in speakers and a microphone To connect a multimedia computer display proceed as follows 1 Plug the display cable 1 into the monitor VGA connector 2 on the computer or on the port replicator 2 Plug the speaker cable 3 into the headphone connector 4 on the computer 3 Plug the microphone cable 5 into the microphone connector 6 on the computer ...

Page 66: ...mation on installation and use If you insert a DVD in your DVD ROM drive to watch a video on your TV the Fn F8 key combination might not activate the function to toggle between your LCD and TV Solution 1 Eject your DVD from your computer 2 Once the DVD is ejected toggle between your LCD and your TV with the combination Fn F8 Your image displays now on both LCD and TV Re insert your DVD to launch y...

Page 67: ...le 1 optional into the right and left line out and the Video out connector 2 and the other end into the Audio Left and Audio Right connectors and the Video connector on your TV 3 Plug one end of the S video cable 3 optional into the S Video out connector 4 and the other end into the S video connector on your TV 4 Switch the input channel of the TV to external input 5 Set up the TV configuration sy...

Page 68: ...e symbol 2 Plug the audio cable 3 not supplied into the earphone connector 4 identified by the symbol 3 Plug the RGB signal cable and the audio cable into the connectors of the projector 5 4 Connect the power cord 6 of the projector into an AC outlet You may not be able to display the computer s LCD and the external display together depending on the types of computer display and projector used You...

Page 69: ...nect external speakers proceed as follows 1 Plug the speaker cable 1 into the headphone connector 2 2 Plug the other end of the speaker cable into the external speaker 3 Turn down the volume of the speakers before you turn them on Make sure your speakers are designed for computer use Do not place diskettes on the speakers their magnetic field may damage the data on the diskettes ...

Page 70: ...n internal microphone If you need to use a sound input device for example to chat on the Internet you need to plug in an external microphone To connect an external microphone proceed as follows 1 Plug the microphone cable 1 into the microphone connector 2 identified by the symbol Make sure your microphone is designed for computer use ...

Page 71: ...time Of course you can always connect an external USB mouse or keyboard See Connecting a Universal Serial Bus USB device page 71 Before you connect or disconnect the mouse or the keyboard turn off the computer To connect an external mouse or keyboard proceed as follows 1 Plug the mouse cable 1 or the keyboard cable 2 with the symbol facing up into the PS 2 mouse keyboard connector 3 identified by ...

Page 72: ... using the USB device There are 3 USB ports on your notebook at the back at the left at the right and 2 USB ports at the back of the optional port replicator Connecting a USB mouse To connect a USB mouse proceed as follows 1 Choose the USB connector you prefer to use at the back left or right of the notebook 1 or the optional port replicator 2 Plug the USB mouse cable 2 into the USB connector You ...

Page 73: ...urchase a USB floppy disk drive and connect it to your computer To connect a USB floppy disk drive proceed as follows 1 Choose the USB connector you prefer to use 2 Plug the USB floppy disk drive cable 1 into the USB connector 2 The VAIO logo on the disk drive should be facing up Your USB floppy disk drive is now ready for use ...

Page 74: ...d then unplug the USB cable If the floppy disk drive is not removed properly your system may crash and you may lose any unsaved data If your computer is off you can directly unplug the USB cable from the computer Inserting a floppy disk To insert a floppy disk proceed as follows 1 Hold the disk 1 with the label side facing up 2 Gently push the disk into the drive 2 until it clicks into place ...

Page 75: ...py disk drive from the computer Do not press the eject button while the LED indicator is on It may damage the floppy disk Connecting a printer You can connect a Windows compatible printer to your computer to print documents Connecting a printer using the USB connector You can connect a USB printer compatible with your version of Windows to your computer To connect a printer using the USB connector...

Page 76: ... 2 Plug the printer power cord into an AC outlet Before using the printer you may need to change the Printer settings in the Sony Notebook Setup software Turn off your computer and the printer unplug the AC adapter and the power cord before connecting the printer ...

Page 77: ...equipped with a printer connector To connect a printer using the printer connector proceed as follows 1 Plug the printer cable 1 supplied with the printer into the printer connector 2 identified by the symbol 2 Plug the printer power cord 3 into an AC outlet Before using the printer you may need to change the Printer settings in the Sony Notebook Setup software ...

Page 78: ...lable may vary depending on the software applications you use Refer to the documentation that came with your software for more information i LINK cables compatible with your VAIO notebook include cables with the following part numbers VMC IL4415A a 1 5 meter cable with a 4 pin connector at each end VMC IL4408Series a 0 8 meter cable with a 4 pin connector at each end An i LINK connection with othe...

Page 79: ...deo camera recorder 2 Launch the DVgate application On Sony digital video cameras connectors labeled DV Out DV In Out or i LINK are i LINK compatible The Sony digital video camera recorder is an example your digital video camera recorder may need to be connected differently If your digital video camera recorder includes a Memory Stick slot you can copy images from it to your computer via a Memory ...

Page 80: ...rt replicator to 10BASE T 100BASE TX type networks via an Ethernet network cable For the detailed settings and devices needed to connect to the network consult your Network Administrator The default settings make your computer able to connect to the network If the main unit is docked you can only use the Ethernet network connector on the port replicator For more information about connecting your n...

Page 81: ... your notebook A Customer Guide where you will find all the basic information you need to start using your notebook as well as troubleshooting and VAIO Link information Your Sony Guarantee conditions A Safety Regulations flyer A Modem Regulations flyer Online user guides on your hard disk drive 1 The Sony Notebook User Guide Using your notebook shows you how to use the standard components of your ...

Page 82: ... explains how to set your system and power management Installing and updating applications explains how to install run or uninstall a software application Managing drivers explains how to install update or uninstall a driver Using the Product Recovery CD ROMs explains how to perform a system and application recovery Using partitioned drives tells you what you can do with partitioned drives 3 Refer...

Page 83: ...tures described in this manual Troubleshooting This section describes how to solve common problems you might encounter when using your notebook Many problems have simple solutions Please try these suggestions before contacting VAIO Link About the computer and software My computer does not start Check that the computer is plugged into a power source and that it is turned on Check that the power ind...

Page 84: ...eed as follows to initialize the BIOS 1 Turn off the computer 2 Remove any peripheral devices connected to the computer 3 Turn on the computer and press F2 when the Sony logo appears The BIOS setup menu screen appears 4 Set the date month day year 5 Press Enter 6 Press the arrow keys to select System Time 7 Set the time hour minute second 8 Press Enter 9 Press the arrow keys to select the Exit men...

Page 85: ...AC adapter and remove the battery pack from your computer My computer locks up If you suspect one application is locking your system you can try to stop it To do this press Ctrl Alt Delete simultaneously If you have not changed the default settings you will enter the Task Manager Select the application or process that is locking your system and then click End Task If the above method does not work...

Page 86: ...installed Check that the USB mouse is plugged into the USB connector About the display My LCD does not display anything Check that the computer and display are both plugged into a power source and that they are turned on Check that the power indicator on the front panel of the computer is on Check that the battery packs are inserted properly and that they are charged Adjust the brightness of the L...

Page 87: ...t button on the disc drive If the eject button does not work you can open the tray by inserting a sharp pointed object into the hole to the right of the eject button I cannot play a CD ROM After inserting the CD wait for a few seconds for the system to detect it before you try to access it Make sure the label of the disc is facing up If the disc requires software make sure the software is installe...

Page 88: ... speakers and the computer In the Device Manager check that the correct drivers are installed properly To display the Device Manager click Start and select Control Panel Double click the System icon On the Hardware tab click the Device Manager button A dirty or damaged disc may cause the computer to hang while it tries to read the disc If necessary reboot the computer remove the disc and then chec...

Page 89: ... You must insert the application CD into your CD ROM drive appears and the software does not start Some titles require specific files that are located on the application CD ROM Insert the disc and try starting the program again Make sure you place the disc in the tray with the label side facing up The disc tray does not eject even when the eject button is pressed Check that the notebook is turned ...

Page 90: ...ve A To set the UFD5 to A proceed as follows 1 Turn the system power on 2 Connect the UFD5 3 Select Control Panel from the Start menu 4 Double click System 5 Select the Hardware tab then click Device Manager 6 Select Universal Serial Bus controllers then Y E Data USB Floppy 7 From the Action menu click Uninstall 8 Keep clicking OK until the Confirmation of deletion of device message appears 9 Sele...

Page 91: ...he speakers check that the batteries are inserted properly and that they are charged If you have connected an audio cable or a set of headphones to the headphone connector disconnect the cable The sound of my notebook s fan is too loud Use the PowerPanel utility to change the Thermal Control Strategy setting to Quiet This setting slows down the CPU speed See PowerPanel Help for more information My...

Page 92: ...your telephone line My modem connection is slow Many factors influence modem connection speed including telephone line noise or compatibility with telephone equipment such as fax machines or other modems If you think your modem is not connecting properly to other PC based modems fax machines or your Internet Service Provider check the following Have your phone company check that your phone line is...

Page 93: ...g other brands may cause problems with the i LINK devices My PC Card is not working Make sure the PC Card is compatible with your version of Windows Use the Sony Notebook Setup utility to disable devices you are not currently using If you are using two PC Cards use the Sony Notebook Setup utility to disable the devices you are not currently using I cannot print Check that the printer cables are co...

Page 94: ...se all open applications and restart your computer Frequent recording of images to a digital video device while using DVgate sometimes causes this error Your DV device will need to have DV In Out in order to be able to transfer your files to the DV device About power management The power management setting is not responding Your notebook s operating system may become unstable if a lower power stat...

Page 95: ...een two VAIO computers Disconnect then reconnect the i LINK cable If you still have no connection after waiting for a while restart both computers If either computer has just returned from a power saving mode the connection may be affected In this case make sure you perform a full restart before connecting them ...

Page 96: ...install memory modules to expand the functionality of your notebook Depending on the model you purchased either 256 MB of memory is preinstalled in one of the two available memory module bays 256 MB x 1 or 512 MB of memory is preinstalled using both memory module bays 256 MB x 2 When only 256 MB of memory is preinstalled you can add an optional 256 MB memory module to increase memory up to 512 MB ...

Page 97: ... metal portion of the chassis while performing the procedure Do not open the memory module package until you are ready to install the module The package protects the module from ESD Use the special bag delivered with the memory module or wrap the module in aluminium foil to protect it from electrostatic discharge Do not place the memory module in places subject to Heat sources such as radiators or...

Page 98: ...remove the battery pack 3 Wait until the computer cools down 4 Turn your computer upside down 5 Open the cover on the bottom by unscrewing the screw turn counter clockwise 6 To remove the memory module pull the tabs in the direction of the arrows 1 The memory module is released 7 Pull the memory module in the direction of arrow 2 8 Close the cover 9 Gently tighten the screw Not possible on PCG GRX...

Page 99: ...onnect all peripheral devices 2 Unplug the computer and remove the battery packs 3 Wait until the computer cools down 4 Turn your computer upside down 5 Open the cover on the bottom by unscrewing the screw turn counter clockwise 6 Remove the new memory module from its packaging 7 Install the memory module by sliding it into the memory module slot ...

Page 100: ...rn on the computer Viewing the amount of memory To view the amount of memory proceed as follows 1 Turn on the computer 2 Go to Sony Notebook Setup via the Start menu The Sony Notebook Setup dialog box appears 3 In the About this Computer tab you can view the amount of system memory If the additional memory does not appear repeat the whole procedure and restart the notebook ...

Page 101: ... while the power is on Do not turn off the power or restart the computer while reading or writing data Do not use your computer in a place subject to extreme change of temperature If the hard disk is damaged the data cannot be restored On handling the LCD screen Do not leave the LCD facing the sun as it can damage the LCD Be careful when using the computer near a window Do not scratch the LCD or e...

Page 102: ...ower surges such as those that may occur during an electrical storm Do not place heavy objects on the power cord To disconnect the cord pull it out by the plug Never pull the cord itself Unplug your computer from the wall outlet if you will not be using the computer for a long time When the AC adapter is not used unplug it from the AC outlet Use only the supplied AC adapter Do not use any other AC...

Page 103: ...adio signals and may cause interference to radio or TV reception Should this occur relocate the computer a suitable distance away from the set Use only specified peripheral equipment and interface cables otherwise problems may result Do not use cut or damaged connection cables Your computer cannot be connected to a coin operated telephone and may not work with a private branch exchange PBX If the ...

Page 104: ...d errors Always hold the disc by its edge and its central hole as shown Proper care of the disc is essential to its continuous reliability Do not use solvents such as benzine thinning agents commercially available cleaners or anti static spray as they may cause damage to the disc For normal cleaning hold the disc by its edge and use a soft cloth to wipe the surface from the center out If the disc ...

Page 105: ...ats up This is normal and is not cause for concern Keep the battery pack away from all sources of heat Keep the battery pack dry Do not open or try to disassemble the battery pack Do not expose the battery pack to any mechanical shock If you are not using the computer for an extended period of time remove the battery pack from the computer to prevent damage to the battery If after fully charging t...

Page 106: ... and extended play If you experience a ringing in your ears reduce the volume or discontinue use On handling the Memory Stick Do not touch the Memory Stick connector with your finger or metallic objects Use only the label supplied with the Memory Stick as a label Do not bend drop or apply strong shock to the Memory Stick Do not disassemble or modify Memory Sticks Do not let Memory Sticks get wet D...

Page 107: ...CPI a CD ROM player can be turned off by the operating system if it is not in use Application recovery A recovery process that enables you to recover any of the applications initially available on the computer Performing an application recovery is useful when an individual application does not run properly or to reinstall a driver when a device does not work properly Application recovery CD ROM CD...

Page 108: ...tional peripherals such as printers or monitors Driver A driver is software enabling you to use hardware devices For example in order for you to be able to use a printer you must first install its driver Many drivers such as the mouse driver come with the operating system DVD ROM Short for Digital Video Disc A type of read only CD with a minimum capacity of 4 7 GB maximum capacity can reach 17 GB ...

Page 109: ...hnology using liquid crystals and light polarisation to provide sharp flicker free images on a screen comprised of millions of tiny cells Color can be produced by two basic techniques Passive matrix is the less expensive of the two technologies The active matrix technology or TFT produces better quality but is also more expensive LED Short for Light Emitting Diode A semiconductor device that light...

Page 110: ...computer It defines how the computer reads and writes information to its disks and other hardware Windows 2000 Windows Millennium Edition Windows XP Professional and Windows XP Home Edition are examples of operating systems found on VAIOs Partition A partition is a logical division of a computer s hard disk A two partition hard drive would typically contain C and D drives Partitioning is particula...

Page 111: ... A port replicator is similar to a docking station but does not include additional slots for adding expansion boards or storage devices Processor The processor is the brains of the computer it processes the instructions of your system s programs The processor is also known as the CPU or microprocessor and can be found on the motherboard see this word of your computer Product recovery CD ROM The pr...

Page 112: ...a system recovery is useful in the event of a serious system crash or if you want to modify the size of your partitions System recovery CD ROM CD ROM that is supplied with your computer and that enables a VAIO computer user to recover the hard disk image that was available when the computer was purchased TFT Short for Thin Film Transistor Top of the range notebook display for excellent picture qua...

Page 113: ...rmation Technology IT skills WAN WAN Wide Area Network is a computer network connected together and covering a relatively large geographical area This is in contrast to LAN where the network is usually set up within one building or small geographical area The largest existing WAN is the Internet XGA Short for Extended Graphic Array a graphics standard An XGA board can provide up to 1 024 x 768 pix...

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