Sony VAIO PCG-FXA63 User Manual Download Page 141 | Manualshive

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Troubleshooting and Support

This section describes how to solve common problems you may encounter when using your computer. Many problems have
simple solutions, so try these suggestions before you contact Sony Computing Support (

http://www.sony.com/pcsupport

).

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Troubleshooting Your Computer

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Troubleshooting Batteries

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Troubleshooting the Printer

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Troubleshooting the Mouse and Touchpad

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Troubleshooting the Modem

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Troubleshooting Networks

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Troubleshooting DVDs and CDs

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Troubleshooting Floppy Disk Drives

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Troubleshooting PC Cards

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Troubleshooting Audio-Video Connections

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Troubleshooting the LCD screen



Troubleshooting Software



Software Support Information



Computer Support Information

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Summary of Contents for VAIO PCG-FXA63

Page 1: ...reinstalled software programs In 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 View the VAIO Computer Specifications which lists your computer s hardware specifications and preinstalled software information such as d...

Page 2: ...ery 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 Batteries Conserving Battery Power Page 2 ...

Page 3: ...computer To use your computer immediately use the supplied AC adapter as a power source The computer charges the battery while you use AC power See Using Batteries for more information on installing and using batteries Connecting the AC adapter Turning on the computer Page 3 ...

Page 4: ...ached to the AC adapter into the DC In port on your computer or docking station Connecting the AC Adapter to the Computer 2 Plug one end of the power cord into the AC adapter and plug the other end into an AC outlet Use only the supplied AC adapter with your computer Page 4 ...

Page 5: ...mputer 2 Press the power button until the green power indicator lights up Turning on the Computer If you hold the power button down for more than four seconds the computer turns off 3 If necessary adjust the brightness controls for the LCD display as follows To increase light intensity press Fn F5 and then or To decrease light intensity press Fn F5 and then or Page 5 ...

Page 6: ...urchase a second rechargeable battery to extend your computing time Regardless how many batteries you use you can always extend the life of the battery by conserving power See Conserving Battery Power for more information Inserting a battery Removing a battery Using a second battery Displaying battery information Charging a battery Notes on batteries Frequently asked questions The battery that com...

Page 7: ...s into place If the port replicator is attached to your computer do not insert or remove the battery Lifting and turning the computer with the port replicator attached could cause a temporary loss of power For some software programs and some peripheral devices your computer may not enter Hibernate mode when the battery life is low To avoid loss of data when using battery power you should save your...

Page 8: ...n remove the battery when the computer is on or off If the computer is on connect the AC adapter and exit a power saving mode before you remove the battery To remove a battery 1 Push the battery bay cover down to open it 2 Pull the battery out of the battery bay Removing a Battery 3 Push in and lift up the battery bay cover until it clicks into place Page 8 ...

Page 9: ...ttery you are not removing is on If the indicator of the battery you are removing is on right click the battery icon on the taskbar and click Switch discharge battery 2 Turn the computer over and slide the multipurpose bay Release lever in the direction of the arrow to unlock the battery Multipurpose Bay Release Lever 3 Pull the battery gently from the multipurpose bay If the battery was installed...

Page 10: ...on the taskbar for instructions on how to set up this shortcut To display the power icon on the taskbar 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 the Advanced tab and then select Always show icon on the taskbar in the Options box The power icon appears on the taskbar ...

Page 11: ...y Charge the batteries at temperatures between 50 F and 80 F 10 C to 30 C Lower temperatures require a longer charging time 1 Insert the battery into the battery bay If you want to charge more than one battery insert the second battery into the computer See Inserting a battery for more information 2 Connect the AC adapter to the computer The computer automatically charges the battery as long as th...

Page 12: ... 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 12 ...

Page 13: ...er Guide for more information When is the computer using AC power When the computer is directly connected to the AC adapter it uses AC power even if a battery is installed 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 considerable amount of time Page 13 ...

Page 14: ...r saving modes and 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 power schemes Frequently asked questions Page 14 ...

Page 15: ...d disk and power is turned off Power consumption reduces to a minimum and the system is turned off Hibernate mode consumes the lowest level of power The computer automatically enters Hibernate mode when the remaining battery charge drops below 5 percent regardless of the setting you select To activate Standby mode 1 Press the key combination Fn Esc or Fn F12 The amber power indicator flashes in th...

Page 16: ...e Power Options Properties window appears with the Power Schemes tab selected 3 Select a power scheme from the drop down power schemes list Each power scheme is preset to utilize your power supply efficiently according to your computing functions Select the power scheme that best explains how you want to use your computer 4 Click Apply The computer detects your changes To create a power scheme 1 C...

Page 17: ...ttons box See Frequently asked questions for information on how Standby and Hibernate modes affect power consumption 4 Click Apply The computer detects your changes To activate Hibernate mode you must first enable the Hibernate mode See To activate Hibernate mode for more information Page 17 ...

Page 18: ...sing battery power you should save your data frequently and manually activate a power management mode such as Standby or Hibernate When should I replace the battery If after fully charging the battery the battery power is still low the battery may be reaching the end of its life and should be replaced Why is the battery warm While the battery is in use or being discharged the battery heats up This...

Page 19: ...Internet and Network Connections Internet Connections Network Connections Connecting another VAIO Computer Page 19 ...

Page 20: ...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 20 ...

Page 21: ...nd into the wall jack Connecting a Telephone Cable Your computer 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 splitte...

Page 22: ...3 Click Next 4 If it is not already selected click to select Connect to the Internet and click Next 5 Follow the on screen instructions Page 22 ...

Page 23: ...s 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 telephone cable via a splitter the modem or connected device may not work properly To set up an Ethernet connect...

Page 24: ...4 Click Next 5 If it is not already selected click to select Connect to the Internet and click Next 6 Follow the on screen instructions Page 24 ...

Page 25: ... change your home page fonts language and colors You can also regulate content and set your 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 Page 25 ...

Page 26: ...re information Why is my modem connection slow Your computer is 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 thes...

Page 27: ... to gain access to remote and local area networks LANs using 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 LAN connections Checking your network connection status Frequently asked questions Types of Networks Page 27 ...

Page 28: ...ork Setup Wizard 3 Click Next 4 Follow the on screen instructions Warning 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 malfunction excessive heat or fire in the port To connect the unit to the network ...

Page 29: ...xt 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 an existing network Page 29 ...

Page 30: ...ss connections An infrastructure network is one that extends an existing wired local network to wireless 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 ...

Page 31: ... indicator lights up 2 From the Start menu click Control Panel Network and Internet Connections and then click Network Connections 3 Right click Wireless Network Connection and select Properties The Wireless Network Connection Properties dailog box appears 4 Click the Wireless Networks tab and then click Add The Wireless Network Properties dialog box is updated Setting Wireless Network Connection ...

Page 32: ...ireless Network Connection Properties 5 Type up to 32 ASCII characters in the Network name SSID box 6 Click to select the Data encryption WEP enabled check box 7 Click to select the Network Authentication Shared mode check box 8 Click to cancel the The key is provided for me automatically check box 9 Type between 5 to 13 ASCII characters or 10 to 26 hexadecimal characters in the Network key box 10...

Page 33: ... selected and click Stop The Stop a Hardware device window appears 3 Make sure the appropriate device name is selected and click OK A message appears stating it is now safe to remove the hardware device 4 Remove the PC Card See Removing a PC Card for more information Turning off the Wireless LAN functionality while accessing remote documents files or resources may result in data loss Page 33 ...

Page 34: ...a wireless Ethernet or dial up connection you can check the status of that connection by double clicking the Wireless Network Connection icon on your taskbar The Wireless Network Connection Status window opens Wireless Network Connection Status Window Page 34 ...

Page 35: ...er is properly configured for Internet access Why is the data transfer speed slow The Wireless LAN data transfer speed is affected by distance and obstructions between devices and access points Other factors include device configurations radio conditions and software compatibility To maximize the data transfer speed move your computer away from obstructions or closer to any access point you may be...

Page 36: ...ss LAN using the IEEE 802 11a standard cannot connect to devices using the IEEE 802 11b standard What are channels 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 you are using a Wireless LAN Access Point refer to connectivity information contained in your access p...

Page 37: ...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 38: ... Wizard window 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 th...

Page 39: ...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 39 ...

Page 40: ...by or Hibernate restart both 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 with your compatible i LINK ...

Page 41: ...CDs DVDs and Optical Drives Using the Optical Disc Drive Inserting and Ejecting CDs or DVDs Copying and Playing CDs Playing DVDs Page 41 ...

Page 42: ...Using the Optical Disc Drive Your notebook comes with an optical disc drive Depending on the system you purchased your optical disc drive is either a CD RW DVD Combo Drive or a DVD ROM drive Page 42 ...

Page 43: ...cting the tray Avoid using adhesive labels to identify your discs Adhesive labels may come off while the disc is in use in your optical drive and may damage the unit 3 Place an optical disc on the tray with the label side facing up For DVDs that can be played on both sides the side of the disc facing up is the side that plays 4 Press the disc onto the hub until the disc clicks securely into place ...

Page 44: ...er saving modes for more information about power saving modes If the optical disc does not slide out when you press the Eject button turn off the notebook and insert a thin pointed object such as a paper clip into the manual eject hole Make sure to seat the disc firmly over the hub fingers If you do not seat the disc firmly you could damage your optical drive and you may not be able to open the tr...

Page 45: ...ions Also see Selecting a Display Mode for more information You cannot use the Fn F8 function to switch between LCD and TV once a DVD is inserted into the optical drive Change the settings to disable the screen saver and the virus checker Some discs recorded at 20 or 24 bits may produce noise while playing If you have audio devices connected this could damage your hearing and the speakers Reduce t...

Page 46: ... use solvents such as benzine thinner commercially available cleaners or anti static spray as they may cause damage to the disc For normal cleaning hold the disc by its edge and use a soft cloth to wipe the surface from the center out If the disc is badly soiled moisten a soft cloth with water wring it out well and use it to wipe the surface of the disc from the center out Wipe off any remaining m...

Page 47: ...en saver and exit anti virus software before writing data to a disc For best results use CD Rs that are compatible with 8x speed Your notebook does not support 1x writing speed If your notebook computer has preinstalled Microsoft Office applications such as Excel Word and Outlook turn off the FindFast application Do not strike or shake the notebook while writing data to a disc Always use the AC ad...

Page 48: ... 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 flashes while your computer is reading data from the drive To ejecting a CD or DVD 1 Turn on the comput...

Page 49: ...4 Lift the disc from the drive 5 Push the drive tray gently to close it Page 49 ...

Page 50: ...ou purchased If you are using a CD RW DVD Combo Drive you can write data to CD Rs and CD RWs Playing CDs Copying files to a CD RW or CD R Do not remove the optical drive when the computer is in a power saving mode Standby or Hibernate Doing so may cause the computer to malfunction If you plan to use an external optical drive connect the drive before you begin Page 50 ...

Page 51: ... then you can adjust the volume of your computer s built in speakers by doing one of the following Using the Function keys An on screen display appears notifying you when a change occurs To increase volume press Fn F4 then or To decrease volume press Fn F4 then or Using the Volume icon 1 Double click the Volume icon on the Windows taskbar The Volume Control dialog box appears 2 In the Volume Contr...

Page 52: ...er Use CD Rs that are compatible with 8x speed Your computer does not support 1x writing speed Insert the disc into the optical drive and use the preinstalled Sony SonicStage software For instructions on using SonicStage software 1 Click Start and then Help and Support 2 Click VAIO Multimedia Software and then VAIO AV Applications 3 Click SonicStage Software 4 Once you finish copying files to a CD...

Page 53: ...d view the video on a TV The type of optical drive installed in or connected to your computer may vary depending on the model you purchased Connecting Your Computer to a TV Watching DVDs on a TV Disconnecting the TV from the computer Frequently asked questions Page 53 ...

Page 54: ...r of your printed online VAIO Computer User Guide To connect a TV to your computer 1 Turn off the computer 2 Locate the AV Out jack on the computer 3 Plug one end of an audio video AV cable into the AV Out jack 4 Plug the other end of the AV cable into the video in ports on the TV Connecting a TV 5 Switch the TV input channel to external input See the manual that came with your peripheral device f...

Page 55: ...puter See Connecting Your Computer to a TV for more information 4 Restart the computer and wait for it to restart 5 Insert the DVD into the optical drive The preinstalled DVD software launches the video automatically See Software overview for a description of your preinstalled DVD software For more detailed instructions on how to use the preinstalled DVD software see the help file that is included...

Page 56: ...Disconnecting the TV from the computer If the computer is turned off unplug the audio video cable connector from the AV Out port on the computer Page 56 ...

Page 57: ...rty see Notes on CD and DVD discs for instructions on how to clean it Why did the computer LCD screen go blank Your computer screen may go blank if the computer has lost power or is in a power saving mode Standby or Hibernate Make sure the computer is plugged into a power source and is turned on The power indicator on the computer will be on if the computer is on Make sure the battery is inserted ...

Page 58: ... left to reduce the size and to the right to increase the size of the video resolution How do I switch the computer LCD screen from LCD to TV See Selecting a Display Mode for instructions on how to switch the display mode to LCD and TV Page 58 ...

Page 59: ...Printer Connections Printing With Your Computer Page 59 ...

Page 60: ... USB printer or a parallel port printer to your computer To print properly the printer you connect must be compatible with the Microsoft Windows operating system installed on your computer Connecting a printer Disconnecting a printer Frequently asked questions Page 60 ...

Page 61: ...ion for more information To connect a USB printer 1 Locate a USB port on the computer and the printer 2 Plug the USB cable into the USB port on your computer 3 Plug the other end of the USB cable into the USB port on the printer Connecting a USB Printer Cable See the manual that came with the USB printer for more information on its installation and use To connect a parallel port printer 1 Locate t...

Page 62: ...See the manual that came with the parallel port printer for more information on its installation and use Page 62 ...

Page 63: ...Disconnecting a printer If your computer is turned off simply unplug the printer cable from your computer s USB or Printer port Page 63 ...

Page 64: ...g mode Standby or Hibernate reset the printer connection 1 Click Start and click Control Panel 2 Click Printers and Other Hardware and click Printers and Faxes 3 Right click the printer icon that is not functioning and select Properties to open the Properties window 4 Click OK Change the default printer port setting although this setting is generally correct for most printers 1 Click Start and cli...

Page 65: ...Computer Features Using the Keyboard Using the Touchpad Using the Multilingual User Interface Language Option Changing the window design of Sony software Page 65 ...

Page 66: ...to a typewriter s but your computer keyboard has additional keys that perform specific computer related tasks Key locations and descriptions Combinations and functions with the Windows key Indicators Combinations and functions with the Fn key Page 66 ...

Page 67: ...perform designated tasks For example in many applications F1 is the Help key The task associated with each function key may vary from one application 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 Operat...

Page 68: ...e Fn key is used in combination with other keys to issue commands See Combinations and functions with the Fn key for more information Applications key The Applications key displays a shortcut menu of context sensitive choices Pressing this key is the equivalent of clicking the right mouse button Page 68 ...

Page 69: ...ting 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 Display...

Page 70: ...dicator light is on Num Lock Lights up when the number keys area in the numeric keypad are active When the 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 type The Shift key lowers the case of typed letters when Caps Lock is on When the indicator is off the letters appear in lower case as you type unless...

Page 71: ...Fn F7 Switch to the external monitor LCD Toggles between the LCD a connected external display and both the LCD and external display Select one display at a time to playback DVDs Connect the cable before you turn on the computer otherwise Fn F7 will not work Fn only F8 Control AV out Toggles between LCD only external only and dual LCD TV display modes Select one display at a time to playback DVDs C...

Page 72: ...board contains a pointing device called a touchpad You can point to select drag and scroll objects on the screen using the built in touchpad Describing touchpad actions Customizing the touchpad Frequently asked questions Page 72 ...

Page 73: ...ght click Press the right button once In many applications this action displays a shortcut menu of context sensitive choices Drag Slide one finger while pressing the left button Scroll Move your finger along the right edge of the touchpad to scroll vertically Move your finger along the bottom to scroll horizontally The scroll function is available only with programs that support a touchpad scroll ...

Page 74: ... your touchpad and mouse preferences such as changing pointers enabling or disabling the tapping feature clicking both buttons simultaneously and adjusting the touchpad speed To open the Mouse Properties dialog box Right click the Touchpad icon on the Windows taskbar and click Mouse Properties from the shortcut menu The Mouse Properties dialog box appears Page 74 ...

Page 75: ...hanges and close the dialog box If you are still experiencing problems make sure another mouse was not installed You may need to use your Application Recovery CD s to reinstall the mouse drivers See Using the Application Recovery CD s for more information Why doesn t the pointer move when I use the touchpad Try restarting your computer Follow these steps 1 Press the Windows key 2 Press U The Turn ...

Page 76: ... 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 in 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 Click the Langu...

Page 77: ...ndows taskbar 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 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 settings ...

Page 78: ... the window design 1 Click Start and then Control Panel 2 In the left panel click Switch to Classic View 3 Double click UI Design Selector 4 Click or and select a 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 Click OK Page 78 ...

Page 79: ...Connecting Mice and Keyboards Using External Mice and Keyboards Page 79 ...

Page 80: ...evice you connect must be compatible with the Microsoft Windows operating system installed on your computer For information about you re computer s built in keyboard and key functions see Using the Keyboard in the Computer Features chapter Connecting a Mouse or Keyboard Disconnecting a mouse or keyboard Frequently asked questions Page 80 ...

Page 81: ...er see Frequently asked questions for more information Your computer can be turned on or off when connecting a mouse or keyboard To connect a USB mouse or keyboard to your computer 1 Locate the USB port on your computer port replicator or docking station 2 Plug the USB cable into the USB port on the computer One USB port supports one USB device The New Hardware Wizard appears 3 Follow the on scree...

Page 82: ...er is turned on or off Disconnecting the USB mouse or keyboard when the computer is in a power saving mode Standby or Hibernate may cause the computer to malfunction To disconnect the USB mouse or keyboard when the computer is off Unplug the USB cable from the USB port on the computer Page 82 ...

Page 83: ...driver software Use the supplied Application Recovery CD s See Using the Application Recovery CD s for more information If you are playing a disc press the Ctrl Alt Delete keys simultaneously to stop playback and restart the computer If you still cannot use the pointer turn off and restart the computer You can turn off the computer three different ways 1 Press the Windows key and press U When the ...

Page 84: ...PC Cards and Floppy Disk Drives Using Floppy Disk Drives Using PC Cards Page 84 ...

Page 85: ...floppy disk drive To remove a disk 1 Wait until the LED indicator light turns off and then press the Eject button to remove the disk Removing a disk Do not push the eject button when the LED indicator is turned on Otherwise data may be lost To remove the floppy disk drive 1 Turn off the notebook 2 There is a RELEASE lever on the bottom of the computer Slide this lever in the direction of the arrow...

Page 86: ...ert the floppy disk drive 1 Turn off the notebook 2 If another device is in the multipurpose bay remove the device See Using a second battery for details 3 Insert the floppy disk drive with the VAIO label facing up into the multipurpose bay until the RELEASE lever locks into place Inserting the floppy disk drive Page 86 ...

Page 87: ...it is inserted into the drive improperly See Using Floppy Disk Drives for instructions on how to insert the disk properly If the disk is inserted properly and you are still unable to write data to it the disk may be write protected You can either use a floppy disk that is not write protected or disable the write protect feature Page 87 ...

Page 88: ... connect to a network See your VAIO Computer Specifications for the type of PC Card that is compatible with your computer These slots are compatible with CardBus If your computer has more than one PC Card slot use the lower slot for Type III PC Cards 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 88 ...

Page 89: ...r system The Safely Remove Hardware icon appears on the taskbar indicating your system detected the PC Card 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 damage to the connector pins but damage may occur if ...

Page 90: ...e PC Card pops out 7 Gently pull the card out of the slot To remove a PC Card while the computer is off 1 Push the Release button once The Release button pops out 2 Push the Release button a second time The PC Card pops out 3 Gently pull the card out of the slot To remove slot protectors 1 Push the Release button once The Release button pops out 2 Push the Release button a second time The slot pro...

Page 91: ...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 orienting the card correctly See To insert a PC Card for more information Check the manual that came with your PC Card for more information on its use You may not be able to use some PC Cards or some functions of the PC Card with this computer Why do...

Page 92: ...Audio and Video Connections Using i LINK Digital Video Recorders Using Computer Monitors and Projectors Using Speakers Using Microphones Page 92 ...

Page 93: ...connecting an i LINK device Frequently asked questions 1 i LINK is a trademark of Sony used to 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 compatibl...

Page 94: ... video recorder 1 Turn on the DV device and the computer 2 Plug the i LINK cable into the i LINK DC In Out port on the DV device 3 Plug the other end of the i LINK cable into the i LINK port on your computer port replicator or docking station The Found New Hardware window appears on the lower right corner of your screen Connecting an i LINK Digital Video Camera Recorder See the manual that came wi...

Page 95: ...on or off Disconnecting the DV device when the computer is in a power saving mode Standby or Hibernate may cause the computer to malfunction To disconnect the i LINK DV recorder when the computer is off 1 Turn off the computer and the i LINK DV device 2 Unplug the i LINK cable from the i LINK DC In Out port on the computer Page 95 ...

Page 96: ...ital 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 software 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 and click All Programs Select a software program in whi...

Page 97: ... device that requires power from the i LINK port The i LINK port cannot supply power to the external device 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 informat...

Page 98: ...urn off your computer and all connected devices Disconnect the devices that are not in use See Using i LINK Digital Video Recorders for instructions on reconnecting the i LINK device 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 devic...

Page 99: ...play such as a computer monitor or a projector to your computer port replicator or docking station Connecting a computer monitor Connecting a multimedia computer monitor Connecting a projector Selecting a Display Mode Disconnecting a computer monitor or projector Page 99 ...

Page 100: ...Make sure the computer monitor is plugged into an AC outlet 2 Turn off the computer 3 Plug the display cable connector into the Monitor VGA port on the computer 4 Turn on the computer monitor if it is not already on and then turn on the computer 5 Press the Fn F7 key combination to toggle the display between your computer and the monitor See Selecting a Display Mode for more information Connecting...

Page 101: ...ia computer monitor into an AC outlet 2 Turn off your computer 3 Plug the display cable into the monitor port on your computer 4 Plug the other end of the display cable into the multimedia computer monitor 5 Turn on the multimedia computer monitor if it is not already on and then turn on your computer 6 Press the Fn F7 key combination to toggle the display between your computer and the monitor See...

Page 102: ...cable into the projector 5 Plug the audio cable connector into the Headphone jack on the computer 6 Plug the other end of the audio cable into the projector 7 Turn on the projector if it is not already on and then turn on the computer 8 Press the Fn F7 key combination to toggle the display between your computer and the projector See Selecting a Display Mode for more information Connecting a Projec...

Page 103: ...splay at a time to playback DVDs Connect the cable before you turn on the computer otherwise Fn F8 will not work You cannot use the Fn F8 function to switch between LCD and TV once a DVD is inserted into the optical drive To switch the display mode using the Display Properties settings 1 Right click the desktop and click Properties from the drop down list The Display Properties dialog box appears ...

Page 104: ... may not be able to display the notebook 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 notebook after you connect the external display Page 104 ...

Page 105: ...t the external computer monitor or projector by unplugging the display or 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 105 ...

Page 106: ...e 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 external speakers Adjusting the volume Enabling the audio feature Frequently asked questions Page 106 ...

Page 107: ...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 External Speakers See the manual that came with your speakers for more information on their installation and use Page 107 ...

Page 108: ...Disconnecting external 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 108 ...

Page 109: ...der up to increase volume and down to decrease volume 3 Click to cancel any Mute check boxes that are selected 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 3D Depth Adjusts the sound depth CD Audio Adjust the volume of the CD in th...

Page 110: ...lick Performance and Maintenance and click System The 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 drives 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 select...

Page 111: ... or the Fn F4 key combinations work The computer may not recognize the Fn F3 and Fn F4 key combinations if the correct speakers are not selected Follow these steps 1 Right click the Volume icon on the taskbar and select Adjust Audio Properties 2 Select the Audio tab and click Advanced in the Sound Playback box The Advanced Audio Properties window appears 3 Click the Speakers tab if it is not alrea...

Page 112: ...computer 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 or other device to record Frequently asked questions Page 112 ...

Page 113: ...ophone jack1 on the computer Connecting a Microphone Jack See the manual that came with 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 113 ...

Page 114: ...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 114 ...

Page 115: ...pears 4 Click the Select check box at the bottom of the Microphone column if it is not already turned on 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 t...

Page 116: ...stions Why doesn t my microphone work If you are using an external microphone make sure the microphone is properly plugged into the Microphone jack on the computer See Connecting a microphone for more information Page 116 ...

Page 117: ...Preinstalled Programs Software Programs On Your Computer DVgate Application Notes Page 117 ...

Page 118: ...e supplied with all of the software listed in Software overview depending on the configuration you purchased Preinstalled software may not be identical to retail versions or include supporting documentation Software overview Frequently asked questions Page 118 ...

Page 119: ...and still images You can edit clips from your video add new clips and combine clips into new movie segments You can also save your images in a variety of popular file formats EarthLink Network Total Access EarthLink Inc An Internet Service Provider that supplies access information and assistance to its customers introducing them to the Internet Member benefits include e mail newsgroups a Personal ...

Page 120: ...s the i LINK connection between your notebook and a Sony Digital Handycam Camcorder that supports the i LINK interface It allows you to capture compressed video or still images and save them to your hard disk drive or share via e mail A smart solution for computer digital audio video and network convergence Smart Connect On selected models Sony Electronics Inc Smart Connect enables you to use an i...

Page 121: ...er DVD player while also offering advanced display and navigation features such as zoom pan bookmark and time search WordPerfect Corel Corp WordPerfect is the word processor from the popular WordPerfect Office suite Create professional looking documents such as newsletters reports and brochures with this outstanding word processor adding graphics charts and tables with ease RealTime Preview lets y...

Page 122: ... occurs a program you are using may not find files Do one of the following Remove the PC Card and restart your computer Do not insert the PC Card while using that program Change the drive letters of the disk drives of the docking station or the PC Card disk drives See the Windows help files or the program guide to change the drive letters What software do I use for CD R CD RW software functions So...

Page 123: ...DVgate Application Notes Recording images to a digital video device Adjusting image resolution Saving to your hard disk drive Page 123 ...

Page 124: ...tus 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 124 ...

Page 125: ... the resolution 1 From the DVgate Motion Monitor window click Setup 2 From the shortcut menu 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 125 ...

Page 126: ...deo capture from consuming 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 1 Back up all files you want to save 2 From the Start menu on the Windows taskbar point to All Programs Accessories System Tools and then click Disk Defragmenter The Disk Defragmenter dialog box appears 3 Se...

Page 127: ...Memory Upgrades Upgrading Your Computer s Memory Page 127 ...

Page 128: ...amount of memory installed on your computer and also see Typical expansion memory configuration below Expansion memory modules are available as options For memory upgrades and information about which memory modules to use refer to your VAIO Computer Specifications Precautions and procedures Typical expansion memory configuration Removing and installing memory modules Confirming added memory capaci...

Page 129: ...source and from any telecommunications links networks or modems before you install or remove a memory module 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 area and do not handle ma...

Page 130: ...Typical expansion memory configuration Total System Memory MB On board MB Slot MB 128 128 0 256 128 128 Page 130 ...

Page 131: ...t during operation Wait at least one hour for the computer to cool down before you remove the screws 5 Use an appropriate screwdriver to loosen and remove the screw that secures the cover of the memory bay on the bottom of the computer To avoid damaging the computer do not remove or loosen any other screws Removing the Bottom Screw and Cover Plate 6 Touch a metal object such as the connector panel...

Page 132: ...Memory Module 11 Snap the connectors into place when the board is correctly seated 12 Close the computer cover and replace the fastening screw and cover plate on the bottom of the computer 13 Make sure the system memory matches the amount of installed memory See Confirming added memory capacity Page 132 ...

Page 133: ...onds with the memory upgrade To check your system s memory 1 Turn on the computer 2 From the Windows taskbar click Start Control Panel Performance and Maintenance and System The System Properties dialog box appears 3 Make sure the General tab is selected Your system s memory information is listed on the General tab Page 133 ...

Page 134: ...Using the Recovery CDs Application and System Recovery CDs Using Your Recovery CDs Page 134 ...

Page 135: ...Sony Electronics Inc This CD enables you to reinstall individual software programs 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 ...

Page 136: ...Using Your Recovery CDs The following sections describe how to use the Application Recovery and System Recovery utilities Using the Application Recovery CD s Using the System Recovery CD s Page 136 ...

Page 137: ...pplication Recovery CD insert the first CD to run the Application Recovery program You may be prompted to insert the next CD depending on the application you wish to restore To reinstall device drivers with the Application Recovery CD s 1 Click Start on the Windows taskbar and right click My Computer 2 Click Properties The System Properties dialog box appears 3 Click the Hardware tab and click Dev...

Page 138: ...Wait 30 seconds and turn on your computer If you have any questions about using the Application Recovery CD s visit http www sony com pcsupport or contact Sony Customer Support at 1 888 4 SONY PC Page 138 ...

Page 139: ...nd Drive D The original preinstalled operating system and software programs are restored Recovery to Original Factory Defaults All data and partitions are removed from the hard drive All original factory settings operating system and preinstalled software are 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 exter...

Page 140: ...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 the Windows operating system Insert the Application Recovery CD to automatically complete recovery of your system Page 140 ...

Page 141: ... com pcsupport Troubleshooting Your Computer Troubleshooting Batteries Troubleshooting the Printer Troubleshooting the Mouse and Touchpad Troubleshooting the Modem Troubleshooting Networks Troubleshooting DVDs and CDs Troubleshooting Floppy Disk Drives Troubleshooting PC Cards Troubleshooting Audio Video Connections Troubleshooting the LCD screen Troubleshooting Software Software Support Informati...

Page 142: ... it in again and turn on the power Why does a BIOS error appear when my computer starts When the battery is low on power your system may not start properly and the message Press F1 to resume F2 to setup may appear at the bottom of the screen Follow these steps 1 Press F2 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 ...

Page 143: ...lect Turn Off Computer and then click Turn Off If your computer does not turn off press Ctrl Alt Delete simultaneously The Windows Task Manager dialog box appears and you can turn off the computer from the Shut Down menu 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 bat...

Page 144: ...normal Because your computer s CPU utilizes a type of CPU speed controlling technology for power conservation purposes System Properties may display the CPU s current speed instead of the maximum speed Page 144 ...

Page 145: ...attery for a considerable amount of time Can my computer enter Hibernate mode while using battery power For some software programs and some peripheral devices your computer may not enter Hibernate mode when the battery life is low To avoid loss of data when using battery power you should save your data frequently and manually activate a power management mode such as Standby or Hibernate When shoul...

Page 146: ...g mode Standby or Hibernate reset the printer connection 1 Click Start and click Control Panel 2 Click Printers and Other Hardware and click Printers and Faxes 3 Right click the printer icon that is not functioning and select Properties to open the Properties window 4 Click OK Change the default printer port setting although this setting is generally correct for most printers 1 Click Start and cli...

Page 147: ...e menu bar and press the Right Arrow key to select Shut Down Press Enter and then press R 3 Press and hold the power button for more than four seconds Why doesn t the touchpad work You may have disabled the touchpad without connecting a mouse to the computer See Customizing the touchpad for more information Restart the computer to activate the touchpad again If you are still experiencing problems ...

Page 148: ... You may need to use your supplied Application Recovery CD s to reinstall the touchpad or mouse drivers See Using the Application Recovery CD s for more information Page 148 ...

Page 149: ... for more information Why is my modem connection slow Your computer is 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 foll...

Page 150: ...may be using Make sure your computer is properly configured for Internet access Why is the data transfer speed slow The Wireless LAN data transfer speed is affected by distance and obstructions between devices and access points Other factors include device configurations radio conditions and software compatibility To maximize the data transfer speed move your computer away from obstructions or clo...

Page 151: ...INK1 connection if the i LINK cable is not plugged securely into the i LINK ports Disconnect the i LINK cable and securely reconnect it to both computers If neither computer responds after a few moments restart both computers If the computers do not recognize the i LINK connection after resuming from a power saving mode Standby or Hibernate restart both computers 1 i LINK is a trademark of Sony us...

Page 152: ... 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 Why isn t the optical drive playing my CD or DVD properly Make sure the disc label is facing up If the disc requires software make sure the software is installed according to the manufacturer s instructions A di...

Page 153: ...7 or F8 several times Why don t my changes appear on the computer LCD screen You may need to refresh the computer screen Press the Windows key and press the D key twice How do I adjust the image on the TV screen Use the controls on your external display to adjust the image See the manual that came with your display for more information How do I change the video resolution on the TV screen The vide...

Page 154: ...isk if it is inserted into the drive improperly See To insert a disk for instructions on how to insert the disk properly If the disk is inserted properly and you are still unable to write data to it the disk may be write protected You can either use a floppy disk that is not write protected or disable the write protect feature Page 154 ...

Page 155: ...C 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 orienting the card correctly See Inserting PC Cards for more information Check the manual that came with your PC Card for more information on its use You may not be able to use some PC Cards or some functions of the PC Card with this computer Why does...

Page 156: ...rs See Using the Application Recovery CD s for more information Why can t I hear sound from my speakers If you are using battery power make sure the battery is properly inserted and is charged If you are using an application that has its own volume control make sure the volume control is properly set Your speakers may be set to mute the volume setting may be too low or the audio option may be disa...

Page 157: ... adjust the image on the TV screen Use the controls on your external display to adjust the image See the manual that came with your display for more information How do I change the video resolution on the TV screen The video may not appear on the entire TV screen if your computer resolution is set to 1024 x 768 or greater To change the video resolution follow these instructions If you are using a ...

Page 158: ...rs a program you are using may not find files Do one of the following Remove the PC Card and restart your computer Do not insert the PC Card while using that program Change the drive letters of the disk drives of the docking station or the PC Card disk drives See the Windows help files or the program guide to change the drive letters What software do I use for CD R CD RW software functions Sony re...

Page 159: ...thlink net e mail support earthlink net phone 800 890 5128 or 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 support phone 510 859 0308 900 820 83241 hours M F 8 AM 5 PM PST 1 Support from 510 859 0308 is free of charge but subject to delays Support from 900 820 8324 is fee based but offers immediate response Quicken Intuit ...

Page 160: ...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 Microsoft Corp Web site http www sony com pcsupport phone 888 4SONYPC 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 purchase WinDVD InterVideo Inc Web site http www intervi...

Page 161: ...Sony Service Center For the Sony Service Center nearest you call 1 888 4 SONY PC 1 888 476 6972 or find Sony Customer Service on the Web at http www sony com pcsupport Page 161 ...

Page 162: ...stem Online Support Your computer comes preinstalled with Microsoft Windows For operating system support you can access Microsoft customer support at http support microsoft com directory 4 VAIO Support Agent You can find VAIO Support Agent by clicking Start and selecting Help and Support Using advanced diagnostic technology Sony s VAIO Support Agent runs scheduled protections of your programs netw...

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