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Frequently asked questions 

Why doesn't my PC Card work? 

Make sure the PC Card is inserted properly. See 

Inserting PC Cards

 for more information. 

Make sure the PC Card is compatible with the Microsoft

®

 Windows

®

 operating system installed on your computer. 

See the instructions that accompanied your PC Card. You may need to install driver software if you are not using a
Sony PC Card. 

Why doesn't my computer recognize attached devices? 

For some PC Cards, if you alternate between normal power operation and the Standby or Hibernate modes while the card
is inserted into the PC Card slot, the computer may not recognize the PC Card or the connected device. Restart your
computer. 

Why can't I insert my PC Card? 

Make sure you are inserting the card correctly. See 

Inserting PC Cards

 for more information. 

You may not be able to use some PC Cards or some functions of the PC Card with this computer. Check the guide
that accompanied your PC Card for more information on its use. 

Why does an exclamation mark (!) appear on the Device Manager tab in the System Properties dialog box? 

The exclamation mark indicates there is a problem with the specified device. Make sure all cable and power
connections are secure. 

You may not be using the most recent driver software provided by the PC Card manufacturer. Make sure the
necessary drivers are installed. You may need to remove the driver software, and reinstall it. 

Page 124

Summary of Contents for PCG-Z1WA VAIO User Guide (primary manual)

Page 1: ...the left navigation window click the topics you want to learn more about and that information will be displayed in this main window View the Electronic Flyer which provides updates and supplemental information about your computer Go to the Sony Online Support site to view the VAIO Computer Specifications which list your computer s hardware specifications and preinstalled software information For S...

Page 2: ...Your Computer This section provides information on how to safely use your Sony computer Applying Ergonomics Storing Your Computer Using Cables and Connections Cleaning Your Computer Handling the LCD Screen Page 2 ...

Page 3: ... on the floor A footrest may make you more comfortable Sit in a relaxed upright posture and avoid slouching forward or leaning far backward Viewing angle of the computer s display Tilt the display to find the best viewing angle Also try adjusting the brightness setting of the display Following these suggestions can reduce eye strain and muscle fatigue Lighting Choose a location where windows and l...

Page 4: ...ent internal heat buildup Do not place your computer on porous surfaces such as rugs or blankets or near materials such as curtains or draperies that may block ventilation Leave a space of at least 8 inches 20 cm behind the back of the computer If the computer is brought directly from a cold location to a warm one moisture may condense inside your computer In this case allow at least one hour befo...

Page 5: ...ny makes a service call to your home or office and determines that your computer is responsible for a problem the telephone company may bill you for the service call Also if you do not disconnect your computer when it is adversely affecting a telephone line the telephone company has the right to disconnect your service until you correct the problem Page 5 ...

Page 6: ... use canned compressed air specifically for computers to remove dust If a solid object falls onto the computer or a liquid leaks into the computer immediately turn off and unplug the computer It is best to have the computer checked by qualified personnel before you use it again Avoid rubbing the LCD screen as this can damage the screen Use a soft dry cloth to wipe the LCD screen or canned compress...

Page 7: ...e screen This is not a malfunction When the computer returns to normal temperature the screen returns to normal The screen becomes warm during operation This is normal and does not indicate a malfunction The LCD is manufactured using high precision technology You may however see tiny black points and or bright points red blue or green that continuously appear on the LCD This is a normal result of ...

Page 8: ...ry and an AC adapter This chapter explains how to install and use these supplied accessories to power your computer It also describes ways you can efficiently utilize the battery as a power source Using AC Power Using the Battery Conserving Battery Power Page 8 ...

Page 9: ... computer immediately use the supplied AC adapter as the power source While the computer uses AC power it automatically charges the battery if it is inserted See Using the Battery for more information on installing and using your battery Connecting the AC adapter Turning on the computer Page 9 ...

Page 10: ...connect the AC adapter 1 Plug the AC adapter cable into the DC IN port Connecting the AC Adapter to the Computer 2 Plug the power cord into the AC adapter and an AC outlet Use only the supplied AC adapter with your computer Page 10 ...

Page 11: ...ator turns on Turning on the Computer If you continue to press the power button the computer turns off 3 If the computer screen is too dark or too bright follow these steps to adjust the brightness To increase brightness press the Fn and F5 keys and then press the Up Arrow or the Right Arrow key To decrease brightness press the Fn and F5 keys and then press the Down Arrow or the Left Arrow key Pag...

Page 12: ...ons When operating your computer on battery power your computer s CPU speed is reduced The battery that comes with your computer is not fully charged at the time of purchase The brightness of your computer screen automatically dims when you switch from AC power to battery power To increase the brightness press the Fn and F5 keys and then press the Up Arrow or Right Arrow key For safety and or opti...

Page 13: ...4 Slide the UNLOCK LOCK latch into the LOCK position If a port replicator is attached to your computer do not insert or remove the battery Lifting and turning the computer with a port replicator attached could cause a temporary loss of power Some programs and attached devices prevent the system from automatically entering Hibernate mode If you are using battery power save your data frequently to a...

Page 14: ... damaging the battery Remove the battery when the computer is off To remove a battery 1 Turn the computer over and slide the UNLOCK LOCK latch on the bottom of the computer to the UNLOCK position 2 Push and hold the RELEASE latch 3 While holding the RELEASE latch slide the battery away from the computer Removing a Battery Page 14 ...

Page 15: ...olbar is hidden behind the taskbar icons right click the taskbar and click to cancel Lock the Taskbar Drag the edge of the Battery Information toolbar to the left until it is in clear view The total charge remaining in the battery is listed in percent and real time values The following toolbar indicates there is 100 percent or approximately 4 hours and 19 minutes of battery charge remaining Batter...

Page 16: ...To view the Power Meter window if you are using battery power Double click the battery icon in the Taskbar Notification area The Power Meter window appears Power Meter Page 16 ...

Page 17: ...attery You can charge the battery when the computer is on or off However the battery will charge faster when the computer is off Charging the battery takes several hours Charge the battery at temperatures between 50 F and 80 F 10 C to 30 C Lower temperatures require more time to charge 1 Insert the battery into the battery bay 2 Connect the AC adapter to the computer The computer automatically cha...

Page 18: ... use or being discharged the battery heats up This is normal and is not cause for concern Keep the battery away from all sources of heat Keep the battery dry Do not open or disassemble the battery Do not expose the battery to any mechanical shock Battery life is shorter in a cold environment because of decreased battery efficiency at low temperatures Page 18 ...

Page 19: ...When should I recharge the battery When the battery level falls below 10 percent When both the battery and power indicators blink When you have not used the battery for a long time When should I replace the battery If after charging the battery the battery power is still low the battery may be reaching the end of its life and should be replaced Should I be concerned that the installed battery is w...

Page 20: ... and PowerPanel utility or power schemes to conserve battery power Conserving battery power may significantly extend your computing time depending on how you use your computer Using power saving modes Using PowerPanel utility Frequently asked questions Page 20 ...

Page 21: ... Power consumption is completely off Your computer enters Hibernate mode when the remaining battery charge drops below 5 percent regardless of the setting you select Since some programs and peripheral devices prevent the system from entering Hibernate mode save your data frequently to avoid data loss To activate Standby mode 1 Press the Fn and Esc keys The power indicator blinks in this mode 2 Pre...

Page 22: ...ads 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 conserving 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 performance and power re...

Page 23: ...ed You can select either Battery Life or More Battery Life These selections are listed in order from the greatest to least amount of power consumed System Standby Timer Controls the time it takes the system to activate the Standby mode when it is idle The longer you allow the computer to sit idle while it is not in a power saving mode the more power the computer consumes Hibernate Timer Controls t...

Page 24: ...Controls the time it takes the system to turn off power to the hard disk drive when the system is idle This setting only turns off power to the hard disk drive 1 Slows the processor speed O n selected models only Page 24 ...

Page 25: ... from entering Hibernate mode save your data frequently See To activate Hibernate mode for information on how you can manually activate Hibernate mode Why can t my computer enter Hibernate mode You may first need to enable Hibernate mode Follow these steps 1 Click Start on the Windows taskbar 2 Click Control Panel Performance and Maintenance and then click Power Options The Power Options Propertie...

Page 26: ...Internet and Network Connections Internet Connections Network Connections Bluetooth Connections Connecting Another VAIO Computer Page 26 ...

Page 27: ...nnecting to the Internet and choosing an Internet service provider ISP or setting up an existing account When you connect to the Internet you can register your VAIO computer use online services and gain access to Sony Computing Support Setting up a dial up Internet connection Setting up an Ethernet Internet connection Customizing your Internet connection Frequently asked questions Page 27 ...

Page 28: ...omputer does not work with party lines cannot be connected to a coin operated telephone and may not work with multiple telephone 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 telephone cable coming through a splitter the modem or connected device may not work properly To ...

Page 29: ...5 Follow the on screen instructions Page 29 ...

Page 30: ...t Cable 2 Plug one end of the Ethernet cable into your computer s Ethernet port and the other into the network connection To set up an Ethernet connection to the Internet 1 Connect your computer to a network connection 2 Click Start point to All Programs Accessories Communications and click New Connection Wizard The New Connection Wizard appears New Connection Wizard 3 Click Next If the Location I...

Page 31: ... You can also regulate content and set browsing preferences To open the Internet Properties dialog box 1 Click Start on the Windows taskbar and then Control Panel 2 Click Network and Internet Connections and then Internet Options The Internet Properties dialog box appears 3 Click the tabs to view options 4 Make changes and click Apply to activate your changes 5 Click OK Page 31 ...

Page 32: ...equipped with a V 90 compatible modem Many factors may 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 ISP follow these steps Ask your telephone company to verify your telephone line...

Page 33: ...ing wireless Ethernet or dial up connections For more information about networking click Start Help and Support and then Networking and the Web Using Ethernet and dial up connections Using wireless network connections selected models only Checking your network connection status Frequently asked questions Types of Networks The computers represented in this graphic may not be identical to the model ...

Page 34: ...etwork Setup Wizard appears Network Setup Wizard 3 Click Next If you are prompted to the Local Information dialog box follow the on screen instructions Only connect 10BASE T and 100BASE TX cables to the Ethernet port Do not connect any other type of network cable or any telephone cable Connecting cables other than those listed above may result in an electric current overload and could cause a malf...

Page 35: ... From the Start menu point to All Programs Accessories Communications and click New Connection Wizard 3 Click Next If you are prompted to the Local Information dialog box follow the on screen instructions 4 Click Connect to the network at my workplace and then click Next 5 Follow the on screen instructions 6 Ask your network administrator for the detailed settings and devices needed to connect to ...

Page 36: ...ess devices by providing an access point The access point bridges the wireless and wired LAN and acts as a central controller for the wireless LAN The access point coordinates transmission and reception from multiple wireless devices within a specific range A computer to computer ad hoc network is one in which a local network is created only by the wireless devices themselves with no other central...

Page 37: ...ype the network key in the Confirm network key box 8 Click Connect If the network does not appear in the Available wireless networks list box 1 Click Advanced on the Wireless Network Connection dialog box The Wireless Network Connection Properties dialog box appears Wireless Network Connection Properties 2 Click Add in the Preferred networks box The Wireless network properties dialog box appears W...

Page 38: ... Type the network key in the Network key box if it is required by the selected authentication method 7 Retype the network key in the Confirm network key box 8 Click OK The network name appears in the Preferred networks list box To set up a computer to computer ad hoc network The computer to computer ad hoc network is only supported by the IEEE 802 11b wireless standard by means of the current WiFi...

Page 39: ...ork name SSID box 7 If available make sure the Data encryption WEP enabled check box is selected If the Data encryption WEP enabled check box is not available 1 Select an authentication method from the Network Authentication menu 2 Select a data encryption method from the Data Encryption menu 8 Click to cancel the The key is provided for me automatically check box 9 Type a network key in the Netwo...

Page 40: ...ccessing remote documents files or resources may result in data loss To disconnect from a computer to computer ad hoc network 1 Click Start Control Panel Network and Internet Connections and then click Network Connections The Network Connections window appears 2 In the right panel under LAN or High Speed Internet click Wireless Network Connection Enabled The Wireless Network Connectioin Status win...

Page 41: ...n To check your network connection status 1 Click Start on the taskbar and click Control Panel Network and Internet Connections and Network Connections The Network Connections window appears 2 Under LAN or High Speed Internet click the enabled network connection to open the connection status window Wireless Network Connection Status Page 41 ...

Page 42: ...cess point interferes with other access points change the access point channel See your access point instructions for more information Why is the communication speed interrupted 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 or both the IEEE 802 11b and IEEE 802 11g standards selecte...

Page 43: ...ers with built in wireless LAN may loose a peer to peer network connection if the encryption key is changed You can either change the encryption key back to the original profile or restart both computers Page 43 ...

Page 44: ...tions such as hospitals and airplanes may have restrictions on the use of Bluetooth devices due to radio interference Check with facility staff to verify that use of the Bluetooth feature on your computer is permitted Using Bluetooth technology Establishing wireless connections Authenticating devices Renaming the Bluetooth USB Device Sending data and image files Using connection services Setting B...

Page 45: ...and keyboards Some Bluetooth devices may not work with your computer depending on the type of equipment software version and other factors Before purchasing a Bluetooth device check its operating environment requirements A computer with Bluetooth features can Exchange files and images between compatible devices Exchange vCards electronic business cards Connect to the Internet using a dial up conne...

Page 46: ...eless LAN see Using wireless network connections selected models only To establish a Bluetooth connection 1 On your computer move the WIRELESS switch to ON The Switch wireless devices window appears Switch Wireless Devices 2 Click to select the Bluetooth option and then click OK During first use the Welcome to BlueSpace NE window appears To open the Switch wireless devices window click the Bluetoo...

Page 47: ...o connect There may be more than one device displayed 6 If the device to which you want to connect has already been authenticated the Authentication icon is displayed next to the device Click Service Discovery for a list of available services such as transferring files or images If the device to which you want to connect has not already been authenticated a window prompt may ask if you want to aut...

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Page 49: ...ices to communicate When the same code is entered on both devices communication becomes possible The passkey may be changed at each communication session If a communication session is disconnected you need to re establish the passkey Enter the passkey within approximately 30 seconds or authentication will fail To authenticate a Bluetooth device 1 If the Confirmation for the authentication window d...

Page 50: ... not entered within approximately 30 seconds authentication fails If authentication fails the Bluetooth Connection Wizard states The device was not authenticated Click Finish and try the authentication procedure again The passkey text box location may vary depending on the Bluetooth device For more information see the documentation that accompanied the device 6 Click Next Your computer begins the ...

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Page 52: ...and Other Hardware and then click Wireless Link The Wireless Link window appears 3 Click the Hardware tab Wireless Link 4 Select USB Bluetooth Device and then click Properties The USB Bluetooth Device Properties window appears 5 Click the Advanced tab and type a new name in the Name text box USB Bluetooth Device Properties 6 To see the new USB Bluetooth Device name turn off the Bluetooth feature b...

Page 53: ...e service is available 3 Click the File Push icon in the Service Discovery area The Select Files to Send window appears 4 Select the file you want to send and click Send The Completed Send File window appears when your file is received by the Bluetooth device to which your computer is connected Completed Send File BlueSpace NE To send image files 1 Establish a connection with another Bluetooth dev...

Page 54: ...during your connection When clicked the purple Service Discovery icons search for a connection method For more information about the different services see the BlueSpace NE help guide 1 On the BlueSpace NE window click Help 2 Select Search for topic The Help for BlueSpace NE window appears For information about the File Push and Image Push services see Sending data and image files Page 54 ...

Page 55: ...ions 1 Click Start Control Panel Printers and Other Hardware and Wireless Link The Wireless Link window appears 2 On the Bluetooth tab click Options The Bluetooth Options window appears Bluetooth Options 3 Set your desired preferences and click OK For more information about preferences click the Bluetooth Connection Options link near the bottom of the window Page 55 ...

Page 56: ...s and more To set BlueSpace NE settings 1 Verify that your computer is not connected to another Bluetooth device 2 From the BlueSpace NE window click Setting and then click BlueSpace NE settings The BlueSpace NE Settings window appears BlueSpace NE Settings 3 Click each tab to navigate through the window and set your preferences For more information about settings click Help Page 56 ...

Page 57: ...ss the Bluetooth help guide 1 From the Start menu click Control Panel 2 Click Printers and Other Hardware and then click Wireless Link The Wireless Link window appears 3 From the Bluetooth tab click the Bluetooth link near the bottom of the window The Bluetooth help guide appears 4 Click Installing and authenticating Bluetooth devices for a list of devices To access the BlueSpace NE help guide 1 I...

Page 58: ...the Bluetooth Standing by icon on the Taskbar Notification area 2 In the Devices currently found window select the device you want to disconnect or remove 3 From the BlueSpace NE window click Device 4 From the Device menu click either Remove device Remove all devices or select an option from the Disconnect submenu Page 58 ...

Page 59: ...quency used by Bluetooth and wireless LAN devices is also used by other devices Bluetooth devices incorporate technology that minimizes interference from other devices using the same wavelength however communication speed and connection range may be reduced Interference from other devices may also stop communication altogether Large files may occasionally become corrupted due to radio wave interfe...

Page 60: ...ected click to select the Respond to Device Discovery check box Why can t other Bluetooth devices connect to my computer Make sure the other device is authenticated For more information see Authenticating devices Your computer may not allow connections from other devices To enable Bluetooth device connections follow these steps 1 On the BlueSpace NE window click Setting and then click BlueSpace NE...

Page 61: ... away from obstructions or closer to the device to which it is connected Identify and remove obstacles between your computer and the device to which it is connected Large files may occasionally become corrupted during continuous transfer from radio wave interference Can I use a device equipped with Bluetooth technology on airplanes With Bluetooth technology your computer transmits a radio frequenc...

Page 62: ...product contains an IEEE 1394 connection The i LINK connection may vary depending on the software programs 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 proper connection Before connecting compatible i LINK P...

Page 63: ...rk Setup Wizard 4 Follow the on screen Network Setup Wizard instructions 5 When you are prompted type in a unique computer name for each computer You will use this unique name to differentiate the two computers once they are networked together The Workgroup name should remain the same for the two networked computers 6 When you finish the Network Setup Wizard on screen instructions click Start on t...

Page 64: ...sconnect VAIO computers when the computers are on 1 Close all open files that are shared with the connected computers 2 Unplug the i LINK cable from the i LINK port on each computer To disconnect VAIO computer when the computers are off Unplug the i LINK cable from the i LINK port on each computer Page 64 ...

Page 65: ...oth computers For more information see Connecting VAIO computers 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 wi...

Page 66: ...CDs and DVDs Inserting and Ejecting CDs or DVDs Playing and Writing to CDs and DVDs Page 66 ...

Page 67: ...sc onto the tray until the disc clicks securely into place If you do not seat the disc firmly over the hub the disc may come loose while it is in the drive A loose disc may damage the optical drive and make opening the drive tray difficult 5 Push the drive tray gently to close it The Busy indicator on the drive cover blinks while your computer is reading data from the drive To eject a disc 1 Turn ...

Page 68: ...into the manual eject hole next to the Eject button 4 Lift the disc from the drive 5 Push the drive tray gently to close it Page 68 ...

Page 69: ...Optical Drive Media disc Support CD ROM Plays CD CD R and CD RW CD RW Plays CD CD R and CD RW Records to CD R and CD RW CD RW DVD ROM Plays CD CD R and CD RW Records to CD R and CD RW Plays DVD and most DVD R and DVD RW DVD RW Plays CD CD R and CD RW Records to CD R and CD RW Plays DVD DVD R and DVD RW Records to DVD R and DVD RW DVD RW Plays CD CD R and CD RW Records to CD R and CD RW Plays DVD D...

Page 70: ...olume for playing CDs and DVDs Some programs have built in volume controls which you can adjust If there are no volume controls then adjust the volume of your computer s built in speakers by doing one of the following Using the Function keys An on screen display may appear notifying you when a change occurs To increase volume press the Fn and F4 keys and then press or To decrease volume press the ...

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Page 72: ... CD RW disc into the optical drive If the CD Drive window appears click Take no action CD Drive 2 Open Windows Explorer by pressing the Windows key and the E key simultaneously 3 In the Folders panel on the left locate the file s or folder s you want to copy and either Right click the file s or folder s point to Send To and click the optical drive1 name Drag the file s or folder s onto the optical...

Page 73: ...Do not strike or shake the computer while writing data to a disc 1 The read write drive letter designation may vary depending on your system s hardware configuration Page 73 ...

Page 74: ...otification area 3 Select Profiles from the shortcut menu and then select DVD from the submenu You can also select Automatic Profile Selection which sets the power management profile to DVD whenever a DVD is inserted into the optical drive See Conserving Battery Power for more information 2 Insert the DVD into the optical drive 3 Open a preinstalled DVD program such as InterVideo WinDVD by followi...

Page 75: ...er to the computer See Connecting the AC adapter for more information 2 Insert the disc into the optical drive See Inserting and Ejecting CDs or DVDs for more information 3 Click Start All Programs and select the DVD software program you want to use from the submenu You can also reference the online help guides supplied with the program Do not strike or shake the computer while writing files to a ...

Page 76: ...nd DVDs for instructions on how to clean it What do I do if the drive tray won t open Make sure the computer is on Press the Eject button on the optical drive If the Eject button does not work click Start on the Windows taskbar and click My Computer Right click the optical drive icon and select Eject from the shortcut menu If none of the above options work insert a thin straight object such as a p...

Page 77: ...rs 2 Select the Hardware tab and click Device Manager in the Device Manager box A window with a listing of the computer s hardware devices appears If an X or an exclamation point appear on the listed device you may need to enable the device or reinstall the drivers 3 Double click the optical drive device to open the submenu 4 Double click the listed drive and select the Properties tab 5 Click to s...

Page 78: ...power make sure the battery is inserted properly and is charged See Using the Battery for more information If the display mode is set to external display use the Fn F7 key combination See Selecting a display for more information Page 78 ...

Page 79: ...Printer Connections Printing With Your Computer Page 79 ...

Page 80: ...atible with many popular printers However to ensure the best performance printers must be compatible with the Microsoft Windows operating system installed on your computer Connecting a printer Disconnecting a printer Frequently asked questions Page 80 ...

Page 81: ...Controls and Ports in the Setting Up chapter of your printed VAIO Computer Quick Start 2 Plug the other end of the USB cable into the USB port on the printer 3 Turn the printer on The Found New Hardware Wizard appears on the computer screen Connecting a USB Printer See the guide that accompanied the printer for more information on its installation and use To connect a printer port replicators only...

Page 82: ...ol Panel Printers and Other Hardware and then Printers and Faxes If the computer recognizes the printer it will be listed in the Printers and Other Hardware window If the computer does not recognize the printer you may need to install the printer driver software See the guide that accompanied the printer for more information See the guide that accompanied the printer for more information on its in...

Page 83: ...he computer is on or off Disconnecting a printer when the computer is in a power saving mode Standby or Hibernate may cause the computer to malfunction To disconnect a printer 1 Make sure all print jobs are completed 2 Unplug the printer cable from the computer Page 83 ...

Page 84: ... is not functioning after the computer resumes from a power saving mode Standby or Hibernate then restart the computer If the bidirectional communication functions are provided with your printer disabling the functions on your computer may enable printing Follow these steps 1 Click Start and then Control Panel 2 Click Printers and Other Hardware 3 Click Printers and Faxes 4 Right click an unused p...

Page 85: ...Computer Features Using the Touch Pad Using Memory Stick Media Using the Programmable Buttons Using the Multilingual User Interface Language Option Changing the Window Design of Sony Programs Page 85 ...

Page 86: ...ice called a touch pad is located in front of the keyboard You can point to select drag and scroll objects on the screen using the built in touch pad Describing the touch pad Customizing the touch pad Frequently asked questions Page 86 ...

Page 87: ...liding one finger while pressing the left button Equivalent to using the mouse to drag an item Moving your finger along the right edge of the touch pad Equivalent to scrolling vertically The scroll function is available only with programs that support a touch pad scroll feature Moving your finger along the bottom to scroll horizontally Equivalent to scrolling horizontally The scroll function is av...

Page 88: ...ess Enter 3 Press S until Sony Notebook Setup is selected and press Enter A submenu appears with Sony Notebook Setup preselected 4 Press Enter The Sony Notebook Setup dialog box appears 5 Press the Right Arrow key to select the Device tab 6 Press the Tab key to select the Default button and press Enter A pop up window appears 7 Press the Left Arrow key to select OK and press Enter The Enable Touch...

Page 89: ...f the pointer does not move while playing a disc press Ctrl Alt Delete simultaneously to stop playback and restart the computer If you are still experiencing problems make sure another mouse is not installed You may have disabled the touch pad without connecting a mouse to the computer See To enable the touch pad How do I change the left and right button assignments If your computer is interpretin...

Page 90: ...ally designed for exchanging and sharing digital data with compatible products Because it is removable the media can be used for external data storage Selecting Memory Stick media Inserting Memory Stick media Viewing the contents Write protecting Memory Stick media Formatting Memory Stick media Removing Memory Stick media Frequently asked questions Page 90 ...

Page 91: ...hen used with compatible Memory Stick PRO devices VAIO computers support Memory Stick PRO media for data storage purposes only Currently MagicGate technology features such as authentication and encryption are not available You can store different data formats on a single Memory Stick media Memory Stick media Provides data storage only The Memory Stick media does not provide MagicGate technology or...

Page 92: ...sert the Memory Stick media with the arrow facing up and toward the Memory Stick media slot Inserting the media in the wrong direction may damage the connector pins 2 Carefully slide the Memory Stick media into the slot until it clicks in place The Memory Stick media indicator briefly blinks Inserting Memory Stick Media Page 92 ...

Page 93: ...t copy or organize your Memory Stick images or data If the Sony Memory Stick window does not appear when you insert your Memory Stick media then follow these steps To view the contents 1 From the Start menu click My Computer The My Computer window appears 2 Click Sony MemoryStick The Sony MemoryStick window appears displaying the contents stored on the Memory Stick media Page 93 ...

Page 94: ... Move the tab to the right or left to set or release write protection When the write protect tab of the Memory Stick media is set to LOCK data cannot be recorded or erased 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 94 ...

Page 95: ...previously saved to it Before you reformat Memory Stick media confirm that the media does not contain files you want to keep Back up important data before formatting the media To format Memory Stick media 1 Insert the Memory Stick media into the Memory Stick media slot See To insert Memory Stick media for more information 2 From the Start menu click All Programs select Memory Stick Utility and cli...

Page 96: ...e media to finish reading or writing data To remove Memory Stick media 1 Wait a minimum of 10 seconds after the Memory Stick media finishes reading or writing data before removing the media 2 Make sure the access light is off 3 Push the Memory Stick media in toward the computer 4 When the Memory Stick media ejects pull it out Be careful when removing the Memory Stick media as it may not eject comp...

Page 97: ...uires permission of the copyright holders Sony is not responsible for music files that cannot be recorded from a CD or downloaded from other sources Can I copy images from a digital video camera using Memory Stick media Yes and you can view video clips that you have recorded with Memory Stick media compatible video camera recorders How do I prevent damage to the Memory Stick media Do not use the m...

Page 98: ...ction to a programmable button 1 Click Start and point to All Programs and then Sony Notebook Setup 2 From the Sony Notebook Setup submenu click Sony Notebook Setup 3 Click the P1 P2 Buttons tab Sony Notebook Setup 4 Click to select a key assignment from the P1 and P2 drop down menus 5 Click Apply 6 Depending on the key assignment you may be able to customize theP1 P2 buttons further by clicking A...

Page 99: ...localized version of the Microsoft Windows XP Professional operating system Under certain conditions some third party software applications may not function properly To Change the Language Option 1 Click Start on the Windows taskbar and then click Control Panel 2 Click Date Time Language and Regional Options and then click Regional and Language Options The Regional and Language Options dialog box ...

Page 100: ...Windows taskbar and then click Control Panel 2 Click Date Time Language and Regional Options and click Regional and Language Options The Regional and Language Options dialog box appears 3 From the Regional Options tab click the Standards and formats shortcut menu to view the available language choices Select the desired language 4 Click Customize to change the number currency time and date setting...

Page 101: ...Start and then Control Panel 2 In the left panel click Switch to Classic View 3 Double click UI Design Selector 4 Click or to view the designs 5 Click Apply to select a design that appears in the center window The UI Design Selector window design changes The window design for your Sony software will match the UI Design Selector window 6 Click OK Page 101 ...

Page 102: ...Mice and Keyboards Using the Keyboard Connecting External Mice and Keyboards Page 102 ...

Page 103: ...lar to a typewriter s but your computer keyboard has additional keys that perform specific computer related tasks Key descriptions Combinations and functions with the Windows key Indicator Lights Combinations and functions with the Fn key Page 103 ...

Page 104: ... from one program to the next Escape key The Esc Escape key is used to cancel commands Print Screen key The Print Screen key takes an electronic snapshot of the screen and moves it to the Clipboard You can then paste the screen shot into a document and print it Operator keys Ctrl Alt Shift keys Several keys are always used with at least one other key Ctrl Alt and Shift When held down with another ...

Page 105: ...The Applications key displays a shortcut menu of context sensitive choices Pressing this key is the equivalent of clicking the right mouse button Page 105 ...

Page 106: ... selecting Search from the Start menu Ctrl F Displays the Search Results Computers window where you can locate other computers This is the equivalent of selecting Search and then Computer from the Start menu M Minimizes all displayed windows 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 D...

Page 107: ...rd disk Do not enter Standby mode or turn off the computer when this indicator is on Num Lock Press this key to activate the numeric keypad Press it a second time to deactivate the numeric keypad The numeric keypad is not active when the indicator is off Caps Lock Press this key to type letters in uppercase Letters appear in lowercase if you press Shift while the indicator is on Press the key a se...

Page 108: ...s Fn F5 and then press or Fn F7 Toggles the display between the computer screen LCD a connected external device such as a monitor flat panel display or projector and both the LCD and external device Select one display at a time when playing a DVD Connect the cable before you turn on the computer otherwise Fn F7 may not work Fn F12 Puts the system into Hibernate mode a power management state To ret...

Page 109: ...properly the device you connect must be compatible with the Microsoft Windows operating system installed on your computer For information about your computer s built in keyboard and key functions see Key descriptions Connecting a mouse or keyboard Disconnecting a mouse or keyboard Frequently asked questions Page 109 ...

Page 110: ...ter 1 Plug the USB cable into the USB port See Locating Controls and Ports in the Setting Up chapter of your printed VAIO Computer Quick Start One USB port supports one USB connection 2 If the New Hardware Wizard appears follow the on screen instructions to complete the installation process Although the New Hardware Wizard guides you through the software installation some devices require separate ...

Page 111: ...e or keyboard when the computer is on or off Disconnecting the mouse or keyboard when the computer is in a power saving mode Standby or Hibernate may cause the computer to malfunction To disconnect a mouse or keyboard Unplug the USB cable from the USB port Page 111 ...

Page 112: ... Alt Delete keys simultaneously to stop playback and restart the computer If you still cannot use the pointer restart the computer You can restart the computer three different ways Press the Windows key and press U When the Turn Off Computer window appears press R Press the Ctrl Alt Delete keys simultaneously When the Windows Task Manager window appears press the Alt key to highlight the menu bar ...

Page 113: ...Floppy Disks and PC Cards Using a Floppy Disk Drive Using PC Cards Page 113 ...

Page 114: ... computer The floppy disk drive enables you to read or write data to a floppy disk Connecting a floppy disk drive Inserting and removing floppy disks Protecting floppy disks Disconnecting a floppy disk drive Storing a floppy disk drive Frequently asked questions Page 114 ...

Page 115: ...mputer is in a power saving mode Standby or Hibernate may cause the computer to malfunction To connect a USB floppy disk drive 1 Close any active programs to prevent data loss 2 Plug the USB cable with the USB icon facing upward into the USB port The Found New Hardware pop up message appears Connecting a Floppy Disk Drive Page 115 ...

Page 116: ...h the label facing up 2 Push the floppy disk into the drive until it clicks into place Inserting a Floppy Disk Do not open the shutter manually and touch the surface of the floppy disk To remove a floppy disk 1 Close all programs that access the floppy disk 2 Wait for the LED indicator on the floppy disk drive to turn off 3 Push the Eject button and remove the disk To avoid losing data do not push...

Page 117: ...Protecting floppy disks Do not open the shutter manually or touch the surface of the floppy disk Keep floppy disks away from magnets direct sunlight and heat sources Page 117 ...

Page 118: ...se all programs that access the floppy disk 2 Double click the Safely Remove Hardware icon on the taskbar The Safely Remove Hardware dialog box appears 3 Click to select the floppy disk drive in the Hardware devices window if it is not already selected 4 Click Stop The Stop a Hardware device window appears 5 Make sure the appropriate device is selected and click OK A message appears stating it is ...

Page 119: ...Storing a floppy disk drive Fold the floppy disk drive cable and connector into the side compartment on the floppy disk drive Storing a Floppy Disk Drive Page 119 ...

Page 120: ... and remove the disk 4 Reconnect the floppy disk drive by inserting the USB connector with the USB icon facing upward into the USB port 5 Restart the computer by clicking Start on the Windows taskbar Turn Off Computer and then Restart Why is the drive unable to write data to a floppy disk Make sure the floppy disk is properly inserted in the drive See Inserting and removing floppy disks for instru...

Page 121: ...cal drive or floppy disk drive See your VAIO Computer Specifications for the type of PC Card that is compatible with your computer This slot is compatible with CardBus You do not need to turn off your computer to insert or remove a PC Card Inserting PC Cards Removing PC Cards Frequently asked questions Page 121 ...

Page 122: ...ard into the slot this 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 damage the connector pins but damage may occur if the head of the PC Card is sticking out of the PC Card slot while the computer is being transported Inserting a PC Card Page 122...

Page 123: ...ve Hardware dialog box appears 2 Click to select the PC Card in the Hardware devices window if it is not already selected 3 Click Stop The Stop a Hardware device window appears 4 Make sure the PC Card is selected and click OK A message appears stating it is safe to remove the hardware device 5 Push the Release button The Release button pops out 6 Push the Release button a second time The PC Card p...

Page 124: ...not recognize the PC Card or the connected device Restart your computer Why can t I insert my PC Card Make sure you are inserting the card correctly See Inserting PC Cards for more information You may not be able to use some PC Cards or some functions of the PC Card with this computer Check the guide that accompanied your PC Card for more information on its use Why does an exclamation mark appear ...

Page 125: ...Port Replicator Locating Ports and Jacks Connecting a Port Replicator Connecting a Flat Panel Display Disconnecting a Port Replicator Page 125 ...

Page 126: ...pending on the model you purchased If you wish to purchase a port replicator shop Sony online at http www sonystyle com vaio or contact your local retailer The printer port on this port replicator is intended for printer connections only Port Replicator Back Panel 1 DC IN port 4 Monitor VGA port 2 USB 2 0 ports 5 DVI D port 3 Printer port 6 Network Ethernet port 10BASE T 100BASE TX Page 126 ...

Page 127: ...nect all attached devices 2 On the bottom of the computer slide the port replicator cover down until the port replicator connector is completely visible Sliding the Port Replicator Cover You can charge the battery by installing it before you connect the port replicator The battery automatically charges once you connect the AC adapter 3 Align the connector on the bottom of the computer with the por...

Page 128: ...dapter into the DC IN port on the port replicator and plug the power cord into the AC adapter and an AC outlet The power indicator turns on Connecting an AC Adapter to a Port Replicator 6 Turn on the computer Page 128 ...

Page 129: ...ation To connect the computer to a flat panel display 1 Connect the computer to the port replicator See Connecting a Port Replicator for more information 2 Plug the flat panel display into an AC outlet 3 Plug the display cable into the DVI port on the port replicator 4 Turn on the computer and flat panel display 5 Press the Fn F7 keys to toggle the display between your computer the flat panel disp...

Page 130: ... when the computer is on or off When the battery is low turn off the computer before you disconnect a port replicator To disconnect a port replicator 1 Close any active programs to prevent data loss 2 Pull the release latches on each side of the port replicator to release the computer from the port replicator Releasing a Computer from a Port Replicator 3 Lift the computer away from the port replic...

Page 131: ...Audio and Video Connections Using i LINK Digital Video Recorders Using Computer Monitors and Projectors Using Speakers Using Microphones Page 131 ...

Page 132: ...o designate that a product contains an IEEE 1394 connector The i LINK connection 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 con...

Page 133: ...ice The i LINK port supports transfer rates of 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 programs you use See the help guide that accompanied your program for more information To connect an i LINK digital video recorder 1 Turn on the digital video DV device and the computer 2 Plug the i...

Page 134: ...ct the digital video recorder while the computer is on or off Simply unplug the i LINK cable from the i LINK port on the computer Disconnecting the cable when the computer is in a power saving mode Standby or Hibernate may cause the computer to malfunction Page 134 ...

Page 135: ... view images You can view images captured by your digital video camera recorder three different ways Select one set of instructions from the following list If your digital video camera recorder is compatible with the preinstalled programs the Digital Video Device window appears when you connect the camera to the computer Select the program you want to use in this window and click OK Click Start an...

Page 136: ...rademark 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 information on operating conditions and pro...

Page 137: ...n connect an external display such as a computer monitor or a projector to your computer Connecting a computer monitor Connecting a multimedia computer monitor or projector Selecting a display Disconnecting a computer monitor or projector Page 137 ...

Page 138: ...t 2 Plug the display cable into the Monitor VGA port on the computer 3 If it is not already on turn on the computer monitor 4 Press the Fn F7 keys to toggle the display between your computer the monitor or both the computer and monitor See Selecting a display for more information You cannot use the Monitor VGA port on your computer when a port replicator is connected to the computer Use the Monito...

Page 139: ...a microphone plug the audio cable into the Headphone jack on your computer to hear sound To locate the Monitor port and Headphone jack see Locating Controls and Ports in the Setting Up chapter of your printed VAIO Computer Quick Start Connecting a Projector 3 Turn on the device if it is not already on and then turn on your computer 4 Press the Fn F7 key combination to toggle the display between yo...

Page 140: ... before you turn on the computer otherwise Fn F7 may not work To switch the display using the Display Properties settings 1 Plug the display VGA cable into the Monitor VGA port on your computer 2 Right click the desktop and click Properties from the shortcut menu The Display Properties dialog box appears 3 Click the Settings tab To adjust the screen resolution click and drag the slider in the Scre...

Page 141: ...TV setting by clicking on the Primary icon on the display panel of your choice You may not be able to display the computer screen LCD and an external display or projector at the same time depending on the types of computer displays and projectors you are using If the image from the projector is too large to fit within the frame of the display reduce the screen resolution to 1024x768 or lower Page ...

Page 142: ...connect the external computer monitor or projector by unplugging the monitor VGA cable from your computer s port Disconnecting the external display when the computer is in a power saving mode Standby or Hibernate may cause the computer to malfunction Page 142 ...

Page 143: ...w appears 2 Select the Settings tab 3 In the Screen resolution box click and drag the slider to a lower setting 4 Click OK Why won t the Fn F7 shortcut keys work If you connect a multimedia device such as a multimedia computer monitor or projector to the computer when it is on the computer may not recognize the connection and the Fn F7 shortcut keys may not work Restart the computer with the devic...

Page 144: ...chase and connect external speakers If you want to purchase speakers make sure the speakers are designed for computer use You can shop Sony online at http www sonystyle com vaio or contact your local retailer Connecting speakers Disconnecting speakers Adjusting the volume Enabling the audio feature Frequently asked questions Page 144 ...

Page 145: ...ield may damage the data stored on the floppy disks To connect speakers to your computer 1 Turn down the volume of the speakers 2 Plug the speaker cable into the Headphone jack on the computer 3 Plug the other end of the speaker cable into the speaker Connecting Speakers See the guide that accompanied your speakers for more information on its installation and use Page 145 ...

Page 146: ...Disconnecting speakers You can disconnect external speakers when the computer is on or off Simply unplug the speaker cable from the Headphone jack on the computer Page 146 ...

Page 147: ... volume 3 Click to cancel any Mute check boxes that are selected Sound device Function Volume Control Adjusts the sound level from the speakers or headphones Wave Adjusts the volume of the CD in the optical drive and the wavfile sound or the system sound of Windows SW Synth Adjusts the internal or external synthesizer volume CD Player For analog audio devices This computer now supports digital aud...

Page 148: ...he System Properties window appears 3 Select the Hardware tab and click Device Manager The Device Manager window which lists the hardware devices appears 4 Double click DVD CD ROM drives1 5 Double click the listed drive name and click the Properties tab 6 Click the Enable digital CD audio for this CD ROM device check box if it is not already selected 1 The read write drive letter designation may v...

Page 149: ...y set See that program s help guide for more information Your speakers may be set to mute the volume setting may be too low or the audio option may be disabled See Adjusting the volume and Enabling the audio feature for more information Why don t the Fn F3 or the Fn F4 key combinations work The Fn F3 keys toggle the built in speakers on and off The Fn F4 keys adjust the built in speaker volume The...

Page 150: ...ut Make sure your microphone is designed for computer use If you wish to purchase a microphone shop Sony online at http www sonystyle com vaio or contact your local retailer Connecting a microphone Disconnecting a microphone Using a microphone to record sound Frequently asked questions Page 150 ...

Page 151: ...crophone jack1 on the computer Connecting a Microphone See the guide that accompanied your microphone for more information on its installation and use 1 A protruding dot located next to the Microphone jack distinguishes this jack from the Headphone jack Page 151 ...

Page 152: ...Disconnecting a microphone You can disconnect an external microphone when the computer is on or off Simply unplug the microphone cable from the Microphone jack on the computer Page 152 ...

Page 153: ...selected Close the Recording Control window 5 Click Start and select All Programs Accessories Entertainment and then Sound Recorder The Sound Sound Recorder window appears For help using Sound Recorder click Help in the Sound Recorder window To adjust the volume for recording sound You can only adjust the volume for recording in the Recording Control window 1 Right click the Volume icon on the tas...

Page 154: ...hy doesn t my microphone work If you are using an external microphone make sure the microphone is turned on and is properly plugged into the Microphone jack on the computer See Connecting a microphone for more information Page 154 ...

Page 155: ...ety information in Precautions and Procedures For the type of module and amount of memory installed on your computer see the Welcome page to find the VAIO Computer Specifications Precautions and Procedures Removing and Installing Memory Modules Confirming Added Memory Capacity Page 155 ...

Page 156: ...stances or objects into the memory slots or other internal components of the computer will result in damage to the computer Electrostatic discharge ESD can damage disk drives memory modules 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 area and do not handle materials that produce or hold static e...

Page 157: ...tery 3 Wait for the computer to cool down The interior of the computer becomes extremely hot during operation Wait at least one hour for the computer to cool down before you remove the screws 4 Turn the computer over and use an appropriate screwdriver to loosen and remove the two screws on the bottom of the computer To avoid damaging the computer do not remove or loosen any other screws Removing t...

Page 158: ...o install a memory module for more information Removing a Memory Module To install a memory module 1 Remove the new memory module from its packaging and install the memory module by sliding it into the open slot at a 45 degree angle See To remove a memory module Installing a New Memory Module 2 Push the module down until it snaps into place 3 When the module is correctly seated gently flip the key...

Page 159: ...5 Make sure the system recognizes the new memory module See Confirming Added Memory Capacity for more information Page 159 ...

Page 160: ...o All Programs and then point to Sony Notebook Setup 3 Select Sony Notebook Setup from the submenu The Sony Notebook Setup dialog box appears 4 On the About This Computer tab make sure the System Memory displayed in the System Information box matches the amount of memory installed The displayed memory size may be less than the installed memory due to the amount used by the display adapter Sony Not...

Page 161: ...ay encounter when using your computer For more troubleshooting topics refer to the VAIO Computer User Guide Many problems have simple solutions so refer to these sources before you contact Sony Computing Support http www sony com pcsupport Troubleshooting Your Computer Page 161 ...

Page 162: ... Reinsert the power cord and the battery 4 Turn on the computer What do I do if a BIOS error appears when my computer starts If the message Press F1 to resume F2 to setup appears at the bottom of the screen follow these steps 1 Press the F2 key The BIOS Setup menu appears 2 Set the date month day year Press Enter 3 Press the Down Arrow key to select System Time and then set the time hour minute se...

Page 163: ... Turn Off If your computer does not turn off press the Ctrl Alt Delete keys simultaneously When the Windows Task Manager dialog box appears click Turn Off from the Shut Down menu If your computer still does not turn off press and hold the power button or slide and hold the power switch until the computer turns off If your computer stops responding while playing a CD or DVD press the Ctrl Alt Delet...

Page 164: ...ow appears 3 In the right panel and in the System folder double click CPU Fan Control and select Level 1 Quiet 4 Restart your computer See PowerPanel Help for more information To lower the CPU speed using the power schemes 1 Click Start on the Windows taskbar and click Control Panel 2 Click Performance and Maintenance and click Power Options The Power Options Properties window appears 3 Select Por...

Page 165: ...Support Options If you have questions about your computer or the preinstalled programs refer to the following sources for answers in the sequence listed below Page 165 ...

Page 166: ...m the Help menu under the specific program For information about Sony programs click Start and select Welcome to VAIO Life 3 Operating System Online Support Your computer comes preinstalled with a Microsoft Windows operating system For operating system support you can visit Microsoft customer support at http support microsoft com directory 4 Sony Computing Support This service provides instant acc...

Page 167: ...PC 888 476 6972 CLIÉ Converter Sony Electronics Inc CLIÉ Converter software is a plug in program that converts Giga Pocket Video Capsules into Movie Player format for playback on your Sony CLIÉ handheld After converting your Video Capsules you can use CLIÉ Converter software to transfer them to Memory Stick media or to save them to your hard disk drive for transfer to your CLIÉ handheld during you...

Page 168: ...tion Trial Version Office Student and Teacher Edition Trial Version Microsoft Corp Web site http www sony com pcsupport Telephone 888 4 SONY PC 888 476 6972 Microsoft Family Game Pack Internet Explorer MSN Movie Maker Simulation Game Pack Media Player Works Microsoft Corp Web site http www support microsoft com MoodLogic MoodLogic Inc Web site http www moodlogic com support E mail help moodlogic c...

Page 169: ... include a CD recording device and a parametric equalizer for fine tuning audio playback Web site http www sony com pcsupport Telephone 888 4 SONY PC 888 476 6972 SonicStage Mastering Studio Sony Electronics Inc Use SonicStage Mastering Studio software to record songs from analog records or cassette tapes into your computer and output them to CD R or CD RW discs or audio files in WAV format Web si...

Page 170: ... PC 888 476 6972 Sound Blaster Audigy Creative Labs Inc Web site http www americas creative com support custsup asp Station com Sony Online Entertainment Inc Sony Online s award winning Web site offers gamers the best in casual online games With popular TV titles such as Jeopardy Wheel of Fortune Online card games and action titles like Cosmic Rift the station rewards its players with a host of co...

Page 171: ...own albums or have CDs sent straight to your house with VAIO Music Services The ultimate place on the Web for music lovers to find information about their favorite artist and get all of the latest music news Web site http www sony com pcsupport Telephone 888 4 SONY PC 888 476 6972 VAIO Support Agent Sony Electronics Inc VAIO Support Agent provides immediate interactive online support with informat...

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