Sony PCG-VX88 VAIO User Guide (primary manual) User Manual Download Page 47

Page: 47 / 184

To remove a floppy disk from the floppy disk drive

Close all applications that were opened from the disk and wait for the LED indicator to turn off.

Push the Eject button, and remove the disk.

Do not push the Eject button when the LED indicator is turned on; otherwise, you may lose data.

Rem ov ing a Floppy Disk

Page 47

Summary of Contents for PCG-VX88 VAIO User Guide (primary manual)

Page 1: ...IO computer from keyboard functions to preinstalled software applications In the left navigation window click the topics you want to learn more about and that information will be displayed in this main window Click here to find the latest updates and supplemental information about your computer Click here to view your computer s hardware specifications and software information Page 1 ...

Page 2: ...pects of your new computer Using the Keyboard VAIO Action Setup Using the Jog Dial Control Using Memory Stick Media Using PC Cards Using Power Saving Modes Connecting a Phone Cable Connecting to a Local Area Network Connecting to a Wireless Local Area Network Page 2 ...

Page 3: ...Using the Keyboard Your keyboard is very similar to a typewriter s but your computer keyboard has additional keys that perform specific computer related tasks Keyboard Page 3 ...

Page 4: ...y The Print Screen key takes an electronic snapshot of the screen and moves it to the Windows Clipboard You can then paste the screen shot into a document and print it Operator keys Shift Ctrl Alt keys Several keys are always used with at least one other key Ctrl Alt and Shift When held down with another key the Ctrl Control and Alt Alternate keys offer another way to give commands For example in ...

Page 5: ...u Ctrl F Displays the search results window where you can locate other computers This is the equivalent of selecting Search and then Computers from the Start menu M Minimizes all displayed windows with Num Lock off Shift M Returns all minimized windows to their previous size R Displays the Run window This is the equivalent of selecting Run from the Start menu Fn Insert Displays the System Properti...

Page 6: ... the Memory Stick media Do not enter Standby mode or turn off the computer when this indicator light is on When indicator is off the Memory Stick media is not being accessed Num Lock Lights up when the number keys area in the numeric keypad are active When indicator is off the alphanumeric character keys in the keypad area are active Caps Lock Lights up when the letters appear in uppercase as you ...

Page 7: ... To decrease the intensity press Fn F5 and or Fn F7 Switch to the external display Toggles between the LCD external display connected to the VGA Monitor port and both LCD and external display modes Fn F12 Hibernate Provides for the lowest level of power consumption When you execute this command the state of the system and state of the peripheral devices are written to the hard disk and the system ...

Page 8: ... a trademark of Sony used to designate that a product contains an IEEE 1394 connection The i LINK connection may vary depending on the software applications operating system and compatible i LINK devices A ll products with an i LINK connector may not communicate with each other Refer to the documentation that came with your compatible i LINK device for information on operating conditions and prope...

Page 9: ...is equipped with a center Jog Dial Control which enables you to scroll through applications folders and documents from a predefined list The Jog Dial Control is only compatible with preinstalled Sony software Using the Jog Dial Control Page 9 ...

Page 10: ...ntrol This section explains how to use the center Jog Dial Control For information on how to change the settings of the center Jog Dial Control right click the Jog Dial Utility icon or in the taskbar and click Help Topics Page 10 ...

Page 11: ... window or the Jog Dial Utility icon in the taskbar Alternatively you can press the center Jog Dial Control while the Jog Dial Control window is active to switch to launcher mode Jog Dial Launcher To select a desired item proceed as follows 1 Rotate the center Jog Dial Control to select the item you want and then press the center Jog Dial Control The Jog Dial Launcher window switches to guide mode...

Page 12: ...ng on the software you are using you can select items from the displayed list using the center Jog Dial Control You can switch between guide mode and launcher mode by pressing the Ctrl key and the center Jog Dial Control Using Guide mode The Jog Dial Control window displays the function of the center Jog Dial Control Page 12 ...

Page 13: ...Center Jog Dial back button The center Jog Dial Control includes a back button located to the right of the control Pressing this button brings you back to the previous screen Page 13 ...

Page 14: ...Sony software that supports the center Jog Dial Control is active you can use the functions of the center Jog Dial Control that are allocated to that software For more information on functions allocated to software see the software application s Help Page 14 ...

Page 15: ...rol to scroll the window or adjust the window size Using a Dialog box When a window such as Screen Properties is active the Dialog box is displayed in the Jog Dial window You can select an item in the window by rotating the center Jog Dial Control Pressing the center Jog Dial Control is the equivalent of pressing Enter or Select Jog Dial Guide Dialog Box Page 15 ...

Page 16: ... versatile recording medium has a data capacity exceeding that of a floppy disk The media is specially designed for exchanging and sharing digital data with compatible products Because it is removable you can use the media for external data storage Page 16 ...

Page 17: ...encryption technology Authentication technology ensures that protected content is only transferred between compliant devices and media Protected content is recorded and transferred in an encrypted format to prevent unauthorized duplication or playback Ensure that the MG Memory Stick media has the MG mark To insert a Memory Stick media 1 Hold the Memory Stick media with the label facing up and the ...

Page 18: ...ror message appears prompting you to continue or exit Reinsert the media into the slot and press Enter to continue This enables the media to finish reading or writing data 2 Push the media in toward the computer Memory Stick media indicator 3 When the media ejects pull it out The Memory Stick media may eject completely from the slot Page 18 ...

Page 19: ...ct valuable data from accidental erasure or overwriting Move the tab to the right or left to set or release write protection Write protect off Data can be saved on the Memory Stick media Write protect on Data can be read from but not saved on the Memory Stick media Using the Write protect tab Page 19 ...

Page 20: ...m that the media does not contain files you want to keep Do not try to format the Memory Stick using the Windows formatting function 1 Insert the Memory Stick media into the Memory Stick media slot See To insert a Memory Stick media for more information 2 Click Start and then My Computer The My Computer window appears 3 Right click Sony MemoryStick and then click Format The Format Sony MemoryStick...

Page 21: ...t remove the media or turn off the power while the access light is on Do not use the media in locations that are subject to static electricity or electrical noise Do not touch the media connector with your finger or metallic objects Do not attach labels other than the supplied label to a media Do not bend drop or shock the media Do not disassemble or modify the media Do not allow the media to get ...

Page 22: ...a PC Card slot which enables you to connect portable external devices such as an optical disc drive The PC Card slot accommodates a Type I or Type II PC Card This slot is compatible with Card Bus Type III PC Cards are not supported Page 22 ...

Page 23: ...y seated in the port and the release button pops out Do not force a PC Card into the slot It may damage the connector pins When a PC Card is inserted do not place your computer in a bag or case Pressure or shock to a PC Card may damage your computer Touching the head of the PC Card will not cause damage to the connector pins but damage can occur if the head of the PC Card is sticking out of the co...

Page 24: ... the taskbar The Safely Remove Hardware window appears 3 In the Hardware devices box select the appropriate PC Card name if it is not already selected and click Stop The Stop a Hardware device window appears 4 Make sure the appropriate PC Card name is selected and click OK A message appears stating it is safe to remove the hardware 5 Press the Release button The PC Card pops out 6 Gently grasp the...

Page 25: ...ook Setup to disable devices See Displaying the Sony Notebook Setup Screen for more information Be sure to use the most recent software driver provided by the PC Card manufacturer If an exclamation mark appears on the Device Manager tab in the System Properties dialog box remove the software driver and reinstall it You may not be able to use some PC Cards or some functions of the PC Card with this...

Page 26: ...ices your computer has two distinct power saving modes Standby and Hibernate When using battery power the computer automatically enters Hibernate mode when the remaining battery charge drops below 5 percent regardless of the power management setting you select If the battery level falls below 10 percent you should either attach the AC adapter to recharge the battery or turn off your computer and i...

Page 27: ... mode is the normal state of your computer when it is in use The power indicator displays green when your computer is in this mode To save power you can turn off a specific device such as the LCD or the hard disk Page 27 ...

Page 28: ... the system in RAM and switches off power to the CPU The amber power indicator flashes in this mode To activate Standby mode 1 Press the key combination Fn Esc You can also use the PowerPanel utility to enter Standby mode 2 Press any key to return to normal mode Page 28 ...

Page 29: ...r is off in this mode To activate Hibernate mode 1 Press the key combination Fn F12 or press the power button and release it immediately The Preparing to Hibernate screen appears and the computer enters Hibernate mode Do not move the computer until its power indicator turns off 2 Press the power button to return to normal mode Page 29 ...

Page 30: ...Notes on power saving modes Standby uses more power than Hibernate Standby requires less time than Hibernate to return to normal mode Page 30 ...

Page 31: ...Connecting a Phone Cable You need to connect a telephone cable not supplied to register your VAIO computer use online services and the Internet and use Sony Computing Support Page 31 ...

Page 32: ... the other end into the wall jack Your computer does not work with party lines cannot be connected to a coin operated telephone and may not work with multiple phone lines or a private branch exchange PBX Some of these connections may result in excess electrical current and could cause a malfunction in the internal modem If you connect a phone line coming through a splitter the modem or connected d...

Page 33: ...cting to LAN Warning Only connect 10BASE T and 100BASE TX cables to the Ethernet port Do not connect any other type of network cable or a telephone cable Connecting cables other than those listed above may result in an electric current overload and could cause a malfunction excessive heat or fire in the port To connect the unit to the network contact your network administrator If you enable Wake o...

Page 34: ... set up a network 1 From the Start menu point to All Programs Accessories Communications and Network Setup Wizard The Network Setup Wizard 2 Follow the on screen instructions Network Setup Wizard Page 34 ...

Page 35: ...s Wireless Local Area Network LAN functionality all compatible digital devices can communicate freely without cable connections A Wireless LAN is a network in which a mobile user can connect to a LAN through a wireless radio connection You can opt to purchase a Wireless LAN Access Point to set up a LAN Wireless LAN connection capabilities Page 35 ...

Page 36: ...AN functionality first locate the Wireless LAN switch that is located on the left side of the computer Move the switch to the ON position The Wireless LAN indicator on the bottom left front portion of the computer lights up Connecting to a wireless LAN Page 36 ...

Page 37: ...ed software with compatible devices Because a wireless LAN configuration requires no wiring you can operate multiple computers more freely than ever before You can also connect an access point to a telephone line Integrated Services Digital Network ISDN router cable modem or Digital Subscriber Line xDSL modem to share access to the Internet among multiple computers Communicating via Wireless LAN A...

Page 38: ...nter the network key when you connect thereafter To connect to an access point network 1 Locate the Wireless LAN switch that is located on the left side of the computer Move the switch to the ON position 2 From the Start menu point to Connect To and click Wireless Network Connection The Connect to a Wireless Network window appears 3 Select a network from the Available Networks list box 4 Type a ke...

Page 39: ...ey box In order for others to access your network you must give them the key 10 Click OK To check your connection status 1 Right click the Wireless Network Connection icon on the taskbar 2 Click Status in the pop up menu The Wireless Network Connection Status window appears To turn off the Wireless LAN functionality 1 Close all files that you are accessing through the network connection 2 Move the...

Page 40: ...click Wireless Network Connection The Connect to Wireless Lan window appears 3 Click Advanced The Wireless Network Connection Properties window appears Setting Wireless Network Connection Properties 4 Make sure the Wireless Networks tab is selected and click Add The Wireless Network Properties window appears 5 Type a name in the Network name SSID box 6 Click the Data encryption WEP enabled check b...

Page 41: ...our connection status 1 Right click the Wireless Network Connection icon on the taskbar 2 Click Status in the pop up menu The Wireless Network Connection Status window appears To turn off the Wireless LAN functionality 1 Close all files that you are accessing through the network connection 2 Move the Wireless LAN switch to the OFF position The Wireless LAN indicator turns off The Wireless LAN indi...

Page 42: ...dard cannot connect to devices using the IEEE 802 11b standard Wireless LAN communication occurs on divided frequency bands known as channels Third party Wireless LAN Access Point channels may be preset to different channels from Sony devices If using a Wireless LAN Access Point refer to connectivity information contained in those instructions Page 42 ...

Page 43: ...y Disk Drive Connecting an i LINK Optical Disc Drive Connecting a PC Card Drive Connecting a USB Mouse or Keyboard Connecting a USB Device Connecting a USB Printer Connecting an i LINK Audio Video Device Connecting an External Display Connecting with another VAIO computer Connecting External Speakers Connecting a Microphone Expanding Your Computer Capabilities Page 43 ...

Page 44: ...Connecting a Floppy Disk Drive You can connect a floppy disk drive not supplied to a USB port on your computer port replicator or docking station Page 44 ...

Page 45: ...sconnecting the floppy disk drive see To disconnect a floppy disk drive when the computer is on for more information 1 Before connecting this drive close any active applications to help prevent data loss 2 Plug the USB connector into the USB port The logo on the floppy disk drive should face upward Connecting an Floppy Disk Drive Page 45 ...

Page 46: ...To insert a floppy disk into the floppy disk drive 1 Hold the floppy disk with the label facing up 2 Gently push the floppy disk into the drive until it clicks into place Inserting a Floppy Disk Page 46 ...

Page 47: ... all applications that were opened from the disk and wait for the LED indicator to turn off 2 Push the Eject button and remove the disk Do not push the Eject button when the LED indicator is turned on otherwise you may lose data Removing a Floppy Disk Page 47 ...

Page 48: ...are icon in the taskbar The Safely Remove Hardware window appears 3 In the Hardware devices box select Y E Data USB Floppy and click Stop The Stop a Hardware device window appears 4 Make sure Y E Data USB Floppy is selected and click OK A message appears stating it is safe to remove the hardware 5 Unplug the floppy disk drive from the computer port replicator or docking station Page 48 ...

Page 49: ...To carry an floppy disk drive Fold the floppy disk drive cable and connector into the side compartment on the floppy disk drive Carrying an Floppy Disk Drive Page 49 ...

Page 50: ...n handling floppy disks Do not open the shutter manually and touch the surface of the floppy disk Keep floppy disks away from magnets Keep floppy disks away from direct sunlight and other heat sources Page 50 ...

Page 51: ...s a trademark of Sony used only to designate that a product contains an IEEE1394 connection The i LINK connection may vary depending on the software applications operating system and compatible i LINK devices A ll products with an i LINK connection may not communicate with each other Refer to the documentation that came with your compatible i LINK device for information on operating conditions and...

Page 52: ... straight shaped two prong connector of the peripheral cable into both the computer s i LINK port and DC OUT jack 4 The i LINK drive s power indicator lights up and the computer automatically detects and identifies the connected drive 5 Click Start on the Windows operating system taskbar and select My Computer to verify that an icon for the i LINK optical disc drive was added in the window The Son...

Page 53: ...emove Hardware window appears 3 In the Hardware devices box select the appropriate i LINK drive if it is not already selected and click Stop The Stop a Hardware device window appears 4 Make sure the appropriate i LINK drive is selected and click OK A message appears stating it is safe to remove the hardware 5 Unplug the i LINK optical disc drive from the computer port replicator or docking station...

Page 54: ...overy and System Recovery CDs with an i LINK optical disc drive See Application and System Recovery CDs for more information Do not use an optional i LINK optical disc drive and an optional optical disc drive with PC Card at the same time Connecting both drives may cause a system malfunction Page 54 ...

Page 55: ... running on battery power the battery life will be shorter The drive draws power from the computer through a PC Card If you connect a non Sony DVD drive to your VAIO computer the DVD playback may not function properly The DVD software supplied must be installed to play a DVD For best performance use a Sony compatible DVD drive Page 55 ...

Page 56: ...For specific instructions on using your supplied Application Driver and System Recovery CDs see Using Your Recovery CDs for more information 1 Remove the PC Card from the bottom side of the optical drive Removing PC Card 2 Insert the PC Card into the PC Card slot with the logo facing up See Using PC Cards for details Inserting PC Card A protective cover is attached to the lens of the optical drive...

Page 57: ...ce the disc in the tray with the label facing up 3 Push the disc onto the hub until the disc clicks into place Inserting Disc 4 Close the tray by pushing it in gently The Busy indicator on the drive flashes while your computer is reading data from the disc Flashing Busy Indicator Page 57 ...

Page 58: ...To remove the drive Remove the PC Card from the computer See To disconnect a floppy disk drive when the computer is on for more information Page 58 ...

Page 59: ...isc may cause data reading errors Proper care of the disc is essential to maintain its reliability Do not use solvents such as benzine thinner commercially available cleaners or anti static spray as they may damage the disc For normal cleaning hold the disc by its edge and use a soft cloth to wipe the surface from the center outward If the disc is badly soiled moisten a soft cloth with water wring...

Page 60: ...USB Mouse or Keyboard You can connect a universal serial bus USB mouse or keyboard to your computer port replicator or docking station Make sure the USB device is compatible with the Windows operating system Page 60 ...

Page 61: ...installed however the first time you connect a mouse on screen installation instructions may appear Press Enter to complete the on screen instructions Connecting a USB Mouse or Keyboard You can use an optional Sony USB mouse such as the PCGA UMS1 series optional with this notebook Since the USB mouse software driver is preinstalled in the notebook you simply plug the USB mouse into the USB port to...

Page 62: ...evice You can connect a universal serial bus USB device such as speakers or microphones to your computer port replicator or docking station Make sure the USB device is compatible with the Windows operating system Page 62 ...

Page 63: ...able not supplied into this port and plug the opposite end of the cable into the USB device if it is not already connected Connecting a USB Device to a USB Port See the manual that came with your USB device for more information on its installation and use Page 63 ...

Page 64: ...necting a USB Printer You can connect a universal serial bus USB printer to your computer port replicator or docking station Make sure the USB device is compatible with the Windows operating system Page 64 ...

Page 65: ...ort on your printer 3 Make sure your computer s printer settings are properly set See Displaying the Sony Notebook Setup Screen for more information To use a printer you need to install the driver software that came with your printer Connecting a USB Printer Cable See the manual that came with your printer for more information on its installation and use Page 65 ...

Page 66: ...nection may vary depending on the software application operating system and compatible i LINK devices A ll products with an i LINK connection may not communicate with each other Refer to the documentation that came with your compatible i LINK device for more information on operating conditions and proper connection Before connecting compatible i LINK PC peripherals to your system such as a C D RW ...

Page 67: ... cable not supplied into the i LINK port on the computer port replicator or docking station 2 Plug the opposite end of the i LINK cable into the DV IN OUT port on the digital video camera recorder Connecting Digital Video Camera Recorder to i LINK Port1 Page 67 ...

Page 68: ...s If the external device requires power from the i LINK port you cannot use the device with the computer The computer supports transfer rates up to 400 Mbps however the actual transfer rate is the lowest transfer rate of the external device The i LINK features available may vary depending on the software applications you use See the documentation that accompanied your software for more information...

Page 69: ...Connecting an External Display You can connect any of the following external displays to your computer port replicator or docking station Computer display monitor Projector Page 69 ...

Page 70: ...VGA Monitor port 4 Verify that the power cord is plugged into the computer display and an AC outlet 5 Turn on all external devices before turning on the computer Connecting an External Computer Display You cannot use the monitor port on your computer when the docking station is connected to the computer however you can use the monitor port on the docking station Page 70 ...

Page 71: ...appropriate port on the projector 4 Plug the audio cable not supplied into the Headphone jack and plug the opposite end into the appropriate port on the projector 5 Verify that the power cord is plugged into the projector and an AC outlet 6 Turn on all external devices before you turn on the computer Connecting a Projector See the manual that came with your projector for more information on its in...

Page 72: ...both devices Press the Fn F7 key combination to select a display See Selecting the Display Mode for more information To Press Result Switch to an external display Fn F7 Toggles between the LCD the external display connected to the Monitor port or both the LCD and external display Connect the external display to the notebook or port replicator before you turn on the unit otherwise the Fn F7 key com...

Page 73: ...en the two computers are networked together 1 i LINK is a trademark of Sony used to designate that a product contains an IEEE 1394 connection The i LINK connection may vary depending on the software applications operating system and compatible i LINK devices A ll products with an i LINK connector may not communicate with each other Refer to the documentation that came with your compatible i LINK d...

Page 74: ...Speakers You can enhance the sound quality of your computer by connecting external speakers not supplied Do not place floppy disks on the speakers the speakers magnetic field may damage the data on the floppy disks Page 74 ...

Page 75: ...omputer use 2 Turn down the volume of the speakers 3 Locate the Headphone jack and plug the speaker cable not supplied into this jack See the manual that came with your speakers for more information on its installation and use Connecting Speakers to the Headphone Jack Page 75 ...

Page 76: ...Connecting a Microphone You can enhance the quality of sound input by using a microphone not supplied Page 76 ...

Page 77: ...phone jack A protruding dot above the Microphone jack distinguishes this jack from the Headphone jack 3 Plug the microphone cable not supplied into the Microphone jack See the manual that came with your microphone for more information on its installation and use Connecting to a Microphone Jack Page 77 ...

Page 78: ...s 2 From the Options menu click Properties The Properties window appears 3 In the Adjust volume for box click the Recording option button to select it and then click OK The Recording Control window appears 4 If it is not already turned on click the Select check box at the bottom of the Microphone column Close the Recording Control window 5 Click Start on the taskbar and select All Programs Accesso...

Page 79: ... In the Volume Control column move the slider up for increased volume and down for decreased volume Sound device Function Volume Control Adjust the sound level from the speakers or headphones Wave Adjust the wavfile sound or the system sound of Windows SW Synth Adjusts the internal or external synthesizer volume CD Audio Adjust the volume of the CD in the optional optical drive Microphone Adjust t...

Page 80: ...r Capabilities You can connect the following peripheral devices to your computer to expand its capabilities and enhance its versatility to meet your needs A Personal Digital Assistant PDA A Wireless LAN Access Point Page 80 ...

Page 81: ...eek or month and even set an alarm to remind you of important events Keep your contact names addresses phone numbers and other details in the address book and find them when you need them Add tasks to the To Do List prioritize them and assign them due dates Synchronize your data with the software on your computer to back up your data Track expenses when you are out of the office and transfer the d...

Page 82: ...e Access Point into an AC power outlet installing the Wireless LAN PC Card in your computer and using the provided software Because a wireless LAN configuration requires no wiring you can operate multiple computers more freely than ever before You can also connect your Access Point to a telephone line Integrated Services Digital Network ISDN router cable modem or Digital Subscriber Line xDSL modem...

Page 83: ...be how to change your computer s default settings You can also refer to Sony Notebook Setup Help for more detailed information Displaying the Sony Notebook Setup Screen Controlling Power Management Displaying Battery Information Selecting the Display Mode Using the Multilingual User Interface Language Option Page 83 ...

Page 84: ...lay the Sony Notebook Setup screen 1 From the Start menu point to All Programs and then Sony Notebook Setup 2 From the Sony Notebook Setup menu click Sony Notebook Setup Sony Notebook Setup Screen 3 Select the tab for the item you want to change See Sony Notebook Setup tabs for more information 4 After you finish making your changes click OK Page 84 ...

Page 85: ...s and devices from which you want to load the operating system You can specify the hard drive as well as other drives inserted into your computer Touchpad Change touchpad settings or enable disable touchpad functionality if you are using an external mouse Power On Password Set the password to secure your computer Bass Boost Set the Bass Boost option For more information about each option click Hel...

Page 86: ...y information about system activity and battery life The following sections briefly describe how to conserve your computer s battery power You can also refer to PowerPanel Help for more detailed information To activate a profile or command see Power Management profiles and Power Management commands for more information Page 86 ...

Page 87: ...Life power management profile by default If you select a different power management profile while using battery power that profile is selected automatically the next time you use the battery pack to power your notebook Refer to the PowerPanel Help for information on customizing the Power Management toolbars To customize Power Management settings You can customize the power management settings such...

Page 88: ...t automatically loads the AC profile unless you disable this feature Games Disables the display and the Hard Disk Standby timer Presentation Keeps the display on at all times while it conserves power This option is ideal for slide show presentations You can establish settings for LCD Video Standby Hard Disk Standby and Standby mode to optimize power management for your system Camera Optimizes perf...

Page 89: ...m and peripheral devices in memory RAM Power consumption reduces to a minimum and the system remains on To return the system to the active state press any key on your computer Your notebook is preset to enter Standby mode after 25 minutes Hibernate Provides for the lowest level of power consumption The system writes the state of the system and peripheral devices to the hard disk and turns off the ...

Page 90: ...battery power When using your notebook with a battery the LCD display and the hard drive can be set to switch off automatically to conserve battery power See Power Management profiles for more information Page 90 ...

Page 91: ...You can display information for each of the batteries in your computer The following sections briefly describe how to display your computer s general battery information Refer to PowerPanel Help for more detailed information Page 91 ...

Page 92: ...ay the Battery Information window 1 Double click the current Profile icon on the taskbar The Battery Information window appears 2 Click Help in the lower right corner of the window for more information Page 92 ...

Page 93: ...tion toolbar appears on the taskbar If the Battery Information toolbar is hidden behind the taskbar icons right click the taskbar and deselect Lock the Taskbar then click and drag the edge of the Battery Information toolbar to the left Battery Information Toolbar Time indicator Displays estimated time hours minutes remaining before the battery fully discharges also known as the time to empty Page ...

Page 94: ...To close the Battery Information toolbar 1 Right click the Battery Information toolbar and point to Toolbars 2 Click Battery Information to cancel it The toolbar disappears from view Page 94 ...

Page 95: ...Battery icon descriptions Battery icon Battery status Charging Fully charged Discharging No battery Page 95 ...

Page 96: ...ab contains information such as battery charging time and battery charge duration Battery Information Window Customizing the Battery Information toolbar and alarm system You can customize the Battery Information toolbar and modify the alarm settings to suit your portable computing needs Refer to PowerPanel Help for more information Page 96 ...

Page 97: ...I Design Selector The UI Design Selector dialog box appears 4 Click or and select the desired design 5 Click Apply The UI Design Selector window design changes The window design for your Sony software will match the UI Design Selector window 6 To try another selection click or and then click OK This feature is available with UI Design Selector compatible software only Page 97 ...

Page 98: ...ich enables you to select the desired display when the computer is connected to an external monitor When you connect an external display you can switch the display mode between your notebook s LCD display and the external monitor See also Connecting an External Display Page 98 ...

Page 99: ...aphics Technology tab Intel 82815 Graphics Controller Properties Screen 4 Click the Graphics Properties button 5 Click the Device tab 6 Select the type of display You may not be able to display the computer LCD screen and an external display or projector at the same time depending on the types of computer displays and projectors you are using Turn on the computer after you turn on the peripheral d...

Page 100: ... the text controlled by Windows XP Professional operating system Menus help files and icons generated by Windows XP Professional are shown in your selected language All other software applications are displayed in English as the default language The multilingual user interface language option is not designed to replace a localized version of the Microsoft Windows XP Professional operating system U...

Page 101: ...e Languages tab 4 From the Language used in menus and dialogs drop down menu select the desired language English francais Português español 5 Click Apply then click OK 6 The Change Regional dialog box appears Click OK 7 Click Start in the Windows taskbar then click Logoff Restart your computer for the settings to take effect Additional users can also change to their desired language s without effe...

Page 102: ...n the Windows taskbar then click Control Panel 2 Click Date Time Language and Regional Options then click Regional and Language Options The Regional and Language Options dialog box appears 3 From the Regional Options tab click the Standards and formats drop down menu to view the available country choices Select the desired country 4 Click Customize to change the number currency time and date setti...

Page 103: ... amount of preinstalled memory Expansion memory modules are available as options For memory upgrades and information about which memory modules to use refer to the Specifications sheet This section provides you with information on removing and replacing a memory module Precautions and Procedures Removing and Installing a Memory Module Confirming Added Memory Capacity Page 103 ...

Page 104: ...and from any telecommunications links networks or modems before you open the system or follow any of the procedures described below Failure to do so may result in personal injury or equipment damage Electrostatic discharge ESD can damage disk drives and other components Perform the procedures described below only at an ESD workstation If such a station is not available do not work in a carpeted ar...

Page 105: ...Typical expansion memory configuration Total System Memory MB On board MB Slot MB 128 128 0 256 128 128 Page 105 ...

Page 106: ...propriate screwdriver to loosen and remove the five screws at the bottom of the computer To avoid damaging the computer do not remove or loosen any other screws Removing Bottom Screws 6 Turn the computer over so you are looking at the keyboard 7 Place your fingers behind the last row of keys 8 Gently lift the keyboard up and turn it over the touch pad Do not detach the cable when lifting the keybo...

Page 107: ...it into the open slot at a 45 degree angle Do not touch any part of the motherboard or the other components inside the computer Installing New Memory Module 14 Snap the connectors into place when the board is correctly seated 15 Close the computer cover and replace the five fastening screws on the bottom of the computer Page 107 ...

Page 108: ...s and then click Sony Notebook Setup 3 Click the About This Computer tab Verify that the System Memory displayed in the left panel matches the amount of memory installed The displayed memory may be less than the installed memory due to the amount used by the display adapter Sony Notebook Setup Dialog Box Page 108 ...

Page 109: ...r Computer Your VAIO computer is ready to help you work play learn and communicate as soon as you turn it on This section gives you the following Software Overview DVgate application notes Software Support Information Page 109 ...

Page 110: ...ultiple e mail accounts free Web pages online and live agent technical support instant messaging and parental controls DigitalPrint Sony Electronics Inc DigitalPrint image management software makes it easy and fun to import edit and organize your digital pictures in a photo album for rich digital printing to any standard color laser or inkjet printer Digital Print can also be used to make custom C...

Page 111: ... programming over the Internet RealPlayer software is your gateway to a superb Internet multimedia experience Smart Capture Sony Electronics Inc Smart Capture software is a fun new way to send multimedia messages via e mail It manages the i LINK connection between your computer and a Sony digital Handycam camcorder that supports the i LINK interface Smart Capture enables you to capture compressed ...

Page 112: ...terVideo Inc WinDVD 2000 software is a simple to use DVD player that offers all the features you would expect to find in a standard consumer DVD player including advanced display and navigation features such as zoom pan bookmark and time search Page 112 ...

Page 113: ...status cable connection while you are recording images to a digital video device using DVgate software close all open applications and restart your computer Frequent recording of images to a digital video device while using DVgate may cause this situation to occur For more information on DVgate software see the DVgate online help Page 113 ...

Page 114: ...status cable connection while you are recording images to a digital video device using DVgate software close all open applications and restart your computer Frequent recording of images to a digital video device while using DVgate may cause this situation to occur For more information on DVgate software see the DVgate online help Page 114 ...

Page 115: ... To check the resolution click the Setup button in the DVgate Motion Monitor window Point to Settings and then select Low Resolution The settings you change in this menu affect the images in the monitor window only Movie data imported to your hard drive and images recorded to DV devices will not be affected Page 115 ...

Page 116: ...nsuming the available space on your C partition To maintain optimum performance of DVgate you should defragment or format the D partition regularly To defragment a partition Before you begin to defragment a partition make sure you back up all files that you want to save Click the Start button in the Windows taskbar Click Programs Accessories System Tools and then click Disk Defragmenter The Disk D...

Page 117: ...ay Apple QuickTime Apple Computer Inc Web site http www apple com phone 800 692 7753 hours 7 days a week 24 hours a day EarthLink Network Total Access EarthLink Network Inc Web site http support earthlink net e mail support earthlink net phone 800 890 5128 800 890 6356 hours 7 days a week 24 hours a day PC Cillin 2000 Trend Micro Inc Web site http www antivirus com pc cillin phone 949 387 7800 e m...

Page 118: ... hours 7 days a week 24 hours a day 1 Support from 1 888 4 SO NY PC is free of charge for 90 days after the original date of purchase Windows Operating System Internet Explorer Word Microsoft Corp Web site http www sony com pcsupport phone 888 4 SONY PC 888 476 6972 1 hours 7 days a week 24 hours a day 1 Support from 1 888 4 SO NY PC is free of charge for 90 days after the original date of purchas...

Page 119: ...Sony Service Center For the Sony Service Center nearest you call 1 888 4 SONY PC 1 888 476 6972 or find Sony Computing Service on the Web at http www sony com pcsupport Page 119 ...

Page 120: ...Using the Recovery CDs This section provides you with details on your Sony Application Recovery and System Recovery CDs Application and System Recovery CDs Using Your Recovery CDs Page 120 ...

Page 121: ...ou to reinstall individual applications and device drivers if they become corrupted or are erased System Recovery CD s Sony Electronics Inc This CD enables you to restore the operating system and software that shipped with your computer if they become corrupted or are erased This CD restores your computer to its original factory settings so user data and applications installed since you started us...

Page 122: ...Using Your Recovery CDs The following sections describe how to use the Application Recovery and System Recovery utilities Page 122 ...

Page 123: ...lication Recovery program You may be prompted to insert the next CD depending on the application you wish to restore Reinstalling device drivers with the Application Recovery CD s 1 Turn on your computer If your computer is already on close all applications 2 When the Windows desktop appears insert Application Recovery CD No 1 into the optical disc drive 3 Click Start in the Windows taskbar and cl...

Page 124: ...tions are restored Recovery to Original Factory Defaults All data and partitions are removed from the hard disk drive All original factory settings operating system and preinstalled software is restored The System Recovery utility does not back up your system s data If you wish to retain your system data perform a backup to an external media Using the System Recovery CD s Your system may take a fe...

Page 125: ...insert the second CD once the information from the first CD has been installed The recovery process takes from 30 to 60 minutes to complete After recovering your system using the System Recovery CD s you may be prompted to insert your Application Recovery CD s after restarting Windows Insert the Application Recovery CD to automatically complete recovery of your system Page 125 ...

Page 126: ...t Consult the following sections Troubleshooting Your Computer Troubleshooting the Docking Station Troubleshooting the LCD Screen Troubleshooting the Mouse and Touchpad Troubleshooting Drives PC Cards and Peripheral Devices Troubleshooting the Software Troubleshooting i LINK Devices Troubleshooting the Modem Troubleshooting Audio Troubleshooting Memory Stick Media Troubleshooting Wireless LAN func...

Page 127: ... the power strip or UPS is turned on and working If you are using an external display make sure it is plugged into a power source and turned on Make sure the brightness and contrast controls are adjusted correctly See the manual that came with your display for details Take the battery pack off the computer unplug the power cord and plug it in again Turn on the power If the power control button doe...

Page 128: ... the power strip or UPS is turned on and working If you are using an external display make sure it is plugged into a power source and turned on Make sure the brightness and contrast controls are adjusted correctly See the manual that came with your display for details Take the battery pack off the computer unplug the power cord and plug it in again Turn on the power If the power control button doe...

Page 129: ...nd then set the time hour minute second 4 Press the Right Arrow key to select the Exit tab and then press the Down Arrow key to select Get Default Values The message Load default values for all SETUP items appears 5 Press Enter The Setup Confirmation window appears 6 Make sure Yes is selected and press Enter 7 Make sure Exit Save Changes is selected and press Enter The Setup Confirmation window ap...

Page 130: ...ss F2 when the Sony logo appears The BIOS setup menu window appears 6 Press the Right Arrow key to select the Exit menu 7 Press the Down Arrow key to select Get Default Values and then press Enter The message Load default values for all SETUP items appears 8 Press Enter The Setup Confirmation window appears 9 Make sure Yes is selected and press Enter 10 Make sure Exit Save Changes is selected and ...

Page 131: ...ick Turn Off Computer on the Windows Task Manager dialog box If your computer still does not turn off press and hold the power button for at least four seconds to turn off the power Unplug the computer from the AC adapter and remove the battery pack from your computer If your computer stops responding while playing a CD or DVD press Ctrl Alt Delete simultaneously and click Turn Off Computer on the...

Page 132: ...ompletely enters the lower power state To restore the computer to its normal operating stability 1 Close all open applications 2 Restart the computer by pressing Ctrl Alt Delete simultaneously and clicking Restart on the Windows Task Manager dialog box 3 If this procedure does not work press and hold the power button for four seconds or longer to turn off the computer Page 132 ...

Page 133: ...See PowerPanel Help for more information To reduce fan noise 1 Right click the CPU Performance Profile icon on the taskbar and select Edit Create Profiles The AC Power Profile Editor window appears 2 Double click System to open the file if it isn t already opened 3 Double click Thermal Control Strategy Performance and select Quiet 4 Restart your computer Page 133 ...

Page 134: ...box display a slower CPU speed than advertised This is normal Because your computer s CPU uses a type of CPU speed controlling technology System Properties may display the CPU s current speed instead of the maximum advertised speed Page 134 ...

Page 135: ...etwork switch when the computer is on This causes the computer to malfunction Set the i LINK network switch after removing all cables connected to the docking station 1 i LINK is a trademark of Sony used only to designate that a product contains an IEEE 1394 connection The i LINK connection may vary depending on the software applications operating system and compatible i LINK devices A ll products...

Page 136: ...etwork switch when the computer is on This causes the computer to malfunction Set the i LINK network switch after removing all cables connected to the docking station 1 i LINK is a trademark of Sony used only to designate that a product contains an IEEE 1394 connection The i LINK connection may vary depending on the software applications operating system and compatible i LINK devices A ll products...

Page 137: ...age appears while disconnecting the docking station even after following the correct procedure Close the software in use and disconnect other devices Try to disconnect the docking station from the computer Page 137 ...

Page 138: ...I cannot remove the disc You cannot remove the disc when the computer is in a power saving mode Return to normal mode and press the Eject button Page 138 ...

Page 139: ...The disc tray does not eject even after I press the Eject button Open the tray by inserting a thin straight object such as a paper clip in the manual eject hole Page 139 ...

Page 140: ...d on Verify the power indicator on the computer is on Verify the battery packs are inserted properly and are charged The computer may be in LCD Video Standby mode Press any key to activate the screen The display mode may be set to external display mode Press and hold the Fn key while pressing F7 several times Page 140 ...

Page 141: ...d on Verify the power indicator on the computer is on Verify the battery packs are inserted properly and are charged The computer may be in LCD Video Standby mode Press any key to activate the screen The display mode may be set to external display mode Press and hold the Fn key while pressing F7 several times Page 141 ...

Page 142: ...My LCD screen continues to show the previous screen Press the Windows key and D twice to refresh the screen Page 142 ...

Page 143: ...mage on my connected external display is not centered or sized properly Use the controls on your external display to adjust the image See the manual that came with your display for more information Page 143 ...

Page 144: ...Click Start on the taskbar and then Control Panel 2 Click Appearance and Themes and then click the Display icon The Display Properties dialog box appears 3 Click the Settings tab 4 Move the Screen resolution slider to change your video resolution Page 144 ...

Page 145: ...e is securely plugged into the USB port See Connecting a USB Mouse or Keyboard for more information If you are still experiencing problems use your supplied Application Recovery CD to reinstall the mouse drivers See To use the Application Recovery CD s for more information Page 145 ...

Page 146: ...e is securely plugged into the USB port See Connecting a USB Mouse or Keyboard for more information If you are still experiencing problems use your supplied Application Recovery CD to reinstall the mouse drivers See To use the Application Recovery CD s for more information Page 146 ...

Page 147: ...a double click adjust the button assignments Follow these steps 1 Press the Windows key and then press the Up Arrow key to select All Programs Press Enter 2 Press the Down Arrow key to select Sony Notebook Setup and press Enter 3 Make sure Sony Notebook Setup is selected and press Enter 4 Press the Right Arrow key to select the Touchpad tab and press Alt S simultaneously 5 Make sure the Buttons ta...

Page 148: ...Enter 4 Press R to restart the computer If you still cannot restart your computer press and hold the power button for more than four seconds to turn off the computer If the pointer does not move while playing a disc press Ctrl Alt Delete simultaneously to stop playback Restart the computer by pressing Alt U to display the Shut Down menu and press R to restart the computer If you are still experien...

Page 149: ...ar even though it is connected Make sure the floppy disk drive is properly connected Wait a few moments for the computer to recognize the drive Close all open applications and make sure there is no disk in the floppy disk drive Restart your computer with the connected floppy disk drive Page 149 ...

Page 150: ...ar even though it is connected Make sure the floppy disk drive is properly connected Wait a few moments for the computer to recognize the drive Close all open applications and make sure there is no disk in the floppy disk drive Restart your computer with the connected floppy disk drive Page 150 ...

Page 151: ...ite to a floppy disk If the floppy disk is write protected disable the write protect feature or use a floppy disk that is not write protected Make sure a formatted floppy disk is properly inserted into the floppy disk drive Page 151 ...

Page 152: ...lick Device Manager Make sure the correct drivers are properly installed Do not use adhesive labels to identify the CD The label may come off while the disc is in use in the optical drive and cause the drive to malfunction If a region code warning appears when you try to use your optical drive it may be that the DVD you are trying to play is incompatible with the optical drive Verify the region co...

Page 153: ...s it take longer for the optical disc drive to read some types of CDs The reading speed for a CD RW is slower than the reading speed for a CD ROM or CD R because these discs are formatted differently Page 153 ...

Page 154: ...Make sure the computer is turned on Press the Eject button on the optical drive If the Eject button does not work open the tray by inserting a thin straight object such as a paper clip in the hole to the right of the Eject button Page 154 ...

Page 155: ...your computer Disconnect the i LINK cable and connect it again 1 i LINK is a trademark of Sony used only to designate that a product contains an IEEE 1394 connection The i LINK connection may vary depending on the software applications operating system and compatible i LINK devices A ll products with an i LINK connection may not communicate with each other Refer to the documentation that came with...

Page 156: ... the PC Card is compatible with the Microsoft Windows operating system Use the Sony Notebook Setup utility to disable devices you are not currently using Make sure any necessary drivers were installed properly See To use the Application Recovery CD s for more information Page 156 ...

Page 157: ...hooting the Software My software program stops responding or crashes Contact the software publisher or designated provider for technical support See Software Support Information for contact information Page 157 ...

Page 158: ...hooting the Software My software program stops responding or crashes Contact the software publisher or designated provider for technical support See Software Support Information for contact information Page 158 ...

Page 159: ...start Some titles require specific files that are located on the Application Recovery CD Insert the disc and try starting the program again Make sure you place the CD in the tray with the label side facing up Make sure the optical drive is connected to your computer See Connecting an i LINK Optical Disc Drive for more information Page 159 ...

Page 160: ...station If this occurs an application you are using may not be able to find files To correct this condition do one of the following Remove the PC Card and restart your computer Do not insert the PC Card while using that application Change the drive letters of the disk drives of the docking station or of the PC Card Refer to the Windows help files or the application manuals to change the drive lett...

Page 161: ...oftware functions Use the preinstalled SonicStage software s Record function to create CDs on your VAIO computer if the specific model you purchased is preconfigured with all of the necessary components for CD R and CD RW capability Page 161 ...

Page 162: ...our computer is using the Ultimate Battery Life profile for its power saving mode you cannot use DVgate or Smart Connect software Please select another profile Preferably connect your computer to AC power when using these features Page 162 ...

Page 163: ...rs to establish a connection 1 i LINK is a trademark of Sony used only to designate that a product contains an IEEE 1394 connection The i LINK connection may vary depending on the software applications operating system and compatible i LINK devices A ll products with an i LINK connection may not communicate with each other Refer to the documentation that came with your compatible i LINK device for...

Page 164: ...rs to establish a connection 1 i LINK is a trademark of Sony used only to designate that a product contains an IEEE 1394 connection The i LINK connection may vary depending on the software applications operating system and compatible i LINK devices A ll products with an i LINK connection may not communicate with each other Refer to the documentation that came with your compatible i LINK device for...

Page 165: ...into an ordinary telephone and listening for a dial tone Make sure the telephone number the program is dialing is correct Make sure the software you are using is compatible with the computer s modem All preinstalled Sony programs are compatible If you are still experiencing problems use the supplied Application Recovery CD s to reinstall the modem drivers See To use the Application Recovery CD s f...

Page 166: ...into an ordinary telephone and listening for a dial tone Make sure the telephone number the program is dialing is correct Make sure the software you are using is compatible with the computer s modem All preinstalled Sony programs are compatible If you are still experiencing problems use the supplied Application Recovery CD s to reinstall the modem drivers See To use the Application Recovery CD s f...

Page 167: ...ased modems fax machines or your Internet service provider ISP do the following Ask your telephone company to verify your telephone cable is free of any line noise If your problem is fax related make sure there are no problems with the fax machine you are calling and that it is compatible with fax modems If you are having a problem connecting with your ISP make sure the ISP is not experiencing tec...

Page 168: ... enable is turned on 1 Click Start on the Windows taskbar and then Control Panel 2 Click Performance and Maintenance and then System The System Properties dialog box appears 3 Select the Hardware tab and then click Device Manager The Device Manager dialog box appears listing your computer hardware devices 4 Double click DVD CD ROM drives 5 Double click the listed drive name 6 Click the Properties ...

Page 169: ... enable is turned on 1 Click Start on the Windows taskbar and then Control Panel 2 Click Performance and Maintenance and then System The System Properties dialog box appears 3 Select the Hardware tab and then click Device Manager The Device Manager dialog box appears listing your computer hardware devices 4 Double click DVD CD ROM drives 5 Double click the listed drive name 6 Click the Properties ...

Page 170: ...lick Edit Create Profiles The AC Power Profile Editor dialog box appears 2 In the left portion of the window click the power management profile you want to set Maximum Battery Life is the default selection when your computer runs on battery power 3 In the right portion of the window double click CPU Control in the System folder A CPU control options list appears 4 Click Performance 5 Click the Fil...

Page 171: ...My microphone does not work If you are using an external microphone make sure the microphone is plugged into the Microphone jack See Connecting a Microphone for more information Page 171 ...

Page 172: ...ht arrows to view images If your images are stored in a folder open the folder to view your images The format of your Memory Stick media may not be compatible with the software you are using to view your image files When you reformat your Memory Stick media you lose the images and data stored on that media Copy the data from the Memory Stick media onto the hard disk drive of your computer to save ...

Page 173: ...ht arrows to view images If your images are stored in a folder open the folder to view your images The format of your Memory Stick media may not be compatible with the software you are using to view your image files When you reformat your Memory Stick media you lose the images and data stored on that media Copy the data from the Memory Stick media onto the hard disk drive of your computer to save ...

Page 174: ...ess the removable drive To locate the Memory Stick media icon in your My Computer folder 1 Click the View menu and select Refresh 2 Wait a few moments for the computer to recognize the Memory Stick media 3 Click the Sony MemoryStick icon Page 174 ...

Page 175: ...Wireless LAN PC Card is properly inserted Make sure power to the access point is on Make sure the access point is displayed in the Available networks window 1 Click Start and select Control Panel 2 Click Network and Internet Connections and then Network Connections 3 Right click Wireless Network Connection and select Properties The Wireless Network Connection Properties dialog box appears 4 Select...

Page 176: ...Wireless LAN PC Card is properly inserted Make sure power to the access point is on Make sure the access point is displayed in the Available networks window 1 Click Start and select Control Panel 2 Click Network and Internet Connections and then Network Connections 3 Right click Wireless Network Connection and select Properties The Wireless Network Connection Properties dialog box appears 4 Select...

Page 177: ...the Wireless LAN PC Card is properly inserted Check the access point settings Refer to the instructions supplied with the access point Check if your computer and the access point are connected to one another Move your computer away from obstructions or closer to any access point you may be using Page 177 ...

Page 178: ...maximize the data transfer speed move your computer away from obstructions or closer to any access point you may be using If you are using a Wireless LAN Access Point the device may be temporarily overloaded depending on the number of other devices communicating via the access point If your access point interferes with other access points change the access point channel See your access point instr...

Page 179: ...ed or slowed down when MPEG2 data is transferred The typical effective data transfer speed via an access point is 4 5 Mbps when adhering to the IEEE 802 11b standard High rate stream transfers with MPEG2 data may lower this rate Page 179 ...

Page 180: ... To avoid data transfer interruptions Move the computer closer to the access point Make sure the access point connection is intact Right click the Wireless Network Connection icon on the taskbar and click Status The Wireless Network Connection Status dialog box appears Change the access point channel See your access point instructions for more information Page 180 ...

Page 181: ...ing the printer port number 1 Click Start on the Windows taskbar and then Control Panel 2 Click Performance and Maintenance and then System The System Properties dialog box appears 3 Select the Hardware tab and click Device Manager The Device Manager dialog box appears 4 Double click Ports COM LPT and then ECP Printer Port LPT1 5 Select the Port Settings tab and choose a different LPT Port Number ...

Page 182: ...ing the printer port number 1 Click Start on the Windows taskbar and then Control Panel 2 Click Performance and Maintenance and then System The System Properties dialog box appears 3 Select the Hardware tab and click Device Manager The Device Manager dialog box appears 4 Double click Ports COM LPT and then ECP Printer Port LPT1 5 Select the Port Settings tab and choose a different LPT Port Number ...

Page 183: ...Getting Help Sony provides you with several support resources to answer questions about your VAIO computer or the preinstalled software Refer to these resources in the order they are listed Page 183 ...

Page 184: ...s of your applications network settings and other important software settings When your software is protected you can use VAIO Support Agent to repair software problems by restoring your software to any of the previously protected states 5 Sony Computing Support This service provides instant access to information on commonly encountered problems Enter a description of your problem and the Knowledg...

Search results

Summary of Contents for PCG-VX88 VAIO User Guide (primary manual)

Reviews:

Related manuals for PCG-VX88 VAIO User Guide (primary manual)

Brands by name

Popular brands

Sony PCG-VX88 VAIO User Guide (primary manual), User Manual

Search results

Summary of Contents for PCG-VX88 VAIO User Guide (primary manual)

Reviews:

Related manuals for PCG-VX88 VAIO User Guide (primary manual)

Brands by name

Popular brands