Sony VAIO VGC-RM Series User Manual Download Page 1

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User Guide

Personal Computer

V G C - R M s e r i e s

Summary of Contents for VAIO VGC-RM Series

Page 1: ...N User Guide Personal Computer V G C R M s e r i e s ...

Page 2: ...ur Computer Safely 33 Using Your VAIO Computer 34 Using the Optical Disc Drive 35 Using PC Cards 44 Using the Memory Stick Media 47 Using Other Memory Cards 52 Using the Jog Controller 56 Using the Internet 58 Using the Bluetooth Functionality 59 Using Peripheral Devices 67 Connecting a Universal Serial Bus USB Device 68 Connecting a Printer 70 Connecting an i LINK Device 72 Connecting to a Networ...

Page 3: ... Removing and Replacing Computer Panels 86 Adding and Removing Memory 92 Installing an Add on Card 98 Replacing the Lithium Battery 102 Installing the Hard Disk Drive 105 Precautions 113 On Using the Power Source 114 On Handling Your Computer 115 On Handling Floppy Disks 117 On Handling Discs 118 On Using Headphones 118 On Handling Memory Stick Media 119 On Handling the Hard Disk 120 On Updating Y...

Page 4: ...tooth Technology 134 Optical Discs 138 Display 142 Printing 144 Microphone 145 Mouse 146 Speakers 147 Keyboard 149 Floppy Disks 150 PC Cards 151 Audio Video 153 Memory Stick Media 155 Peripherals 156 Support Options 157 Sony Support Information 157 e Support 158 Trademarks 160 ...

Page 5: ...s no warranty with regard to this manual the software or other information contained herein and hereby expressly disclaims any implied warranties or merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose with regard to this manual the software or such other information In no event shall Sony Corporation be liable for any incidental consequential or special damages whether based on tort contract or ...

Page 6: ...ng you need to get the most from your computer The user guides are collected under Documentation which can be shown by clicking the VAIO User Guides icon on the desktop or following these steps 1 Click Start All Programs and My Club VAIO 2 Click Documentation 3 Select the guide you want to read You can manually browse to the user guides by going to Computer VAIO C your C drive Documentation Docume...

Page 7: ... Safety Regulations Modem Regulations Wireless LAN Regulations Bluetooth Regulations End User Software License Agreement and Sony Support services Non printed Documentation User Guide this manual Contains features of your computer It also includes information about the software programs included with your computer as well as information on solving common problems Specifications The online Specific...

Page 8: ...t Center Important information about your computer in the form of notices and announcements In My Club VAIO you can also find Accessories Want to expand the capabilities of your computer Click this icon and have a look at your compatible accessories Software Feeling creative Click this icon for an overview of your software and check out our upgrade options Wallpapers Click this icon and check out ...

Page 9: ...dows Help resources including those that are on the Internet To access Windows Help and Support click Start and Help and Support Or go to Windows Help and Support by pressing and holding the Microsoft Windows key and pressing the F1 key Further Sources Consult the help files on the software you are using for detailed information on features and troubleshooting Go to http www club vaio com to find ...

Page 10: ...puter to enable proper ventilation Position of your computer Place the display directly in front of you 1 Keep your forearms horizontal 2 with your wrists in a neutral comfortable position 3 while using the keyboard pointing device or external mouse Let your upper arms hang naturally at your sides Have breaks during sessions with your computer Excessive use of the computer may strain eyes muscles ...

Page 11: ... the display Position the display directly in front of you with the top of the screen at or a little below eye level Use the display s tilting feature to find the best position You can reduce eye strain and muscle fatigue by placing the display in the proper position Lighting Choose a location where windows and lights do not create glare and reflection on the display Use indirect lighting to avoid...

Page 12: ...ting Started This section describes how to get started using your VAIO computer Getting to Know Your Computer page 13 About the Indicator Lights page 19 Setting Up Your Computer page 20 Shutting Down Your Computer Safely page 33 ...

Page 13: ... Front Main unit A Hard disk drive indicator page 19 B Power button Power indicator page 19 Pressing this button will automatically turn on the access unit as well C i LINK IEEE 1394 S400 port 4 pins page 72 D Hi Speed USB USB 2 0 ports page 68 E Front panel Remove this panel to access hard disk drives Support high full low speeds ...

Page 14: ...9 B Power button Power indicator page 19 Pressing this button will automatically turn on the main unit as well C Bluetooth indicator page 19 D Left front panel Flip this panel down to access slots ports and jacks E Right front panel Flip this panel down to access optical disc drives ...

Page 15: ...disc drive eject button page 35 H Blu ray Disc drive page 35 I Blu ray Disc drive eject button page 35 J i LINK IEEE 1394 S400 port 4 pins page 72 K Hi Speed USB USB 2 0 ports 2 page 68 L Headphones jack Connect external headphones M Microphone jack Connect an external microphone N Manual eject holes page 138 1 Your computer supports Memory Stick Duo media and Memory Stick PRO media with high spee...

Page 16: ...e 72 D Network Ethernet port page 74 E REAR jack F WOOFER CENTER jack G Line In jack H AC In port page 31 I DVI I ports page 24 J Printer port page 71 K Keyboard port page 26 L Hi Speed USB USB 2 0 ports page 68 M S PDIF OPTICAL OUT port Connect digital equipment such as an AV amplifier N FRONT jack Support high full low speeds ...

Page 17: ...s unit A Bluetooth antenna cover There is a Bluetooth antenna behind this cover B Hi Speed USB USB 2 0 ports page 68 C PC Card slot page 44 D PC Card release button page 46 E TO MAIN UNIT port page 23 Support high full low speeds ...

Page 18: ...to Sleep mode for power consumption For details on power management see Using the Power Saving Modes page 81 E Indicators Num Lock Turns on while in the Num Lock state Caps Lock Turns on while in the Caps Lock state Scroll Lock Turns on while in the Scroll Lock state F Windows keys Display the Start menu G Applications key Displays a shortcut menu in certain software applications H Directional arr...

Page 19: ...ve Main unit only Hard disk Optical disc drive Access unit only Illuminates when data is read from or written to the hard disk drive or the optical disc media Do not enter Sleep mode or turn off the unit when this indicator is on Media Access Access unit only Illuminates when data is read from or written to a memory card Do not enter Sleep mode or turn off the unit when this indicator is on When t...

Page 20: ...ending on the model you purchased See the online Specifications for your computer s specific hardware configuration Placing Your Computer Your computer consists of the main and access units and both are designed for either flat or upright placement To place the units in the flat position When placing both units in the flat position you can put the access unit on top of the main unit Do not put the...

Page 21: ...s with the four screw type feet 1 on its bottom surface Remove and screw them into the holes on the left side surface of the unit before placing the unit in the upright position Use the supplied seals to cover the screw holes on the bottom when you use the main unit in the upright position ...

Page 22: ...tting Started To place the access unit in the upright position The access unit comes with a designated stand 1 for upright placement Use this stand to place the unit in the upright position as illustrated below ...

Page 23: ...the cable to the TO ACCESS UNIT port 1 on the back of the main unit and the other end to the TO MAIN UNIT port 2 on the back of the access unit Make sure that each end of the cable clicks into place Be sure to unplug the main unit before connecting both units with the designated cable Connecting them while the main unit is plugged to AC power may cause hardware problems or malfunctions ...

Page 24: ...o connect a display monitor 1 If you want to connect a DVI monitor plug its cable into one of the DVI I 1 ports on the back of the main unit If you want to connect a VGA monitor use a video adapter device not supplied for connection If you have a single display be sure to connect it to the bottom DVI I port 2 If necessary plug the display s cable into the display ...

Page 25: ... protection which enables you to play and view a wide variety of copyright protected high quality contents Note that you need to connect an HDCP compliant monitor to your computer to view the copyright protected contents If your computer has a non compliant monitor connected you will not be able to play or view any copyright protected contents including Blu ray movie contents ...

Page 26: ...PS 2 keyboard and a USB mouse are supplied with your computer To connect the keyboard and mouse 1 Plug the keyboard cable 1 into the keyboard port 2 on the back of the main unit 2 Plug the mouse cable 3 into one of the USB ports 4 on the back of the access unit ...

Page 27: ...27 n N Getting Started Be sure not to connect the mouse to any USB port on the main unit The mouse will not be functional ...

Page 28: ...t aside 2 Plug another phone cable not supplied into the modem port on the back of the main unit 3 Plug the other end of the cable into the wall jack To connect the telephone and modem 1 Unplug the phone cable to your telephone from the wall jack 2 Plug it into one of the ports on a 1 to 2 port adapter device splitter not supplied 1 3 Plug one end of a second phone cable not supplied into the othe...

Page 29: ...k Connect 10BASE T 100BASE TX or 1000BASE T cable to the network Ethernet port Using an incorrect cable such as a phone cable may result in an electric current overload that can cause a malfunction excessive heat or fire in the network Ethernet port For help on connecting to a network see your network administrator ...

Page 30: ...s from the speaker system to the color of the speaker jacks on the back of the main unit Review the connection instructions provided with your speaker system as the connection setup may vary To select the speaker system 1 Click Start and Control Panel 2 Click Hardware and Sound 3 Click Manage audio devices under Sound 4 On the Playback tab select Speakers and click Configure 5 Choose your speaker ...

Page 31: ...r cord for your computer To connect the power cord 1 Insert the power cord into the AC In port 1 on the back of the main unit 2 Insert each of the power cord plugs from the display and the main unit into a grounded AC wall outlet surge protector or Universal Power Supply UPS 2 ...

Page 32: ...ct your computer completely from AC power unplug the power cord Make sure that the AC outlets are easily accessible If you unplug the power cord from your computer while the computer is on or in Sleep mode you may lose any unsaved data ...

Page 33: ... as described below To shut down your computer 1 Turn off any peripherals connected to the computer 2 Click Start the arrow next to the Lock button and Shut Down 3 Respond to any prompts warning you to save documents or to consider other users and wait for the computer to turn off automatically The power indicator light turns off ...

Page 34: ...ow to get the most out of using your VAIO computer Using the Optical Disc Drive page 35 Using PC Cards page 44 Using the Memory Stick Media page 47 Using Other Memory Cards page 52 Using the Jog Controller page 56 Using the Internet page 58 Using the Bluetooth Functionality page 59 ...

Page 35: ... 1 Turn on the computer 2 Flip down the right front panel of the access unit 3 Press the drive eject button 1 on the optical disc drive The tray slides out 4 Place a disc in the middle of the tray with the label side facing upward Be sure not to scratch the recording surface of the optical disc with any projected parts on the tray Illustrated below is the Blu ray Disc drive as an example 5 Close t...

Page 36: ...AIO Computer Do not remove the optical disc when your computer is in Sleep mode Doing so may cause the computer to malfunction Before removing the optical disc make sure that the optical disc drive indicator light is off ...

Page 37: ...scs Your computer plays and records CDs DVDs or Blu ray Discs depending on the model you purchased Check your specifications for the type of optical disc drive installed on your model Use the table below to see which types of media your optical disc drive supports ...

Page 38: ... DVD RAM discs 2 6 GB compliant with DVD RAM Version 1 0 is not supported DVD RAM Version 2 2 12X SPEED DVD RAM Revision 5 0 disc is not supported 5 Writing data to DVD R DL Double Layer discs is available only on discs supporting DVD R DL Double Layer recording 6 Writing data to DVD R DL Dual Layer discs is available only on discs supporting DVD R DL Dual Layer recording 7 Supports writing data t...

Page 39: ...SE SYSTEM HANGING For inquiries about disc formats contact the individual publisher of the pre recorded disc or the manufacturer of the recordable disc 8cm disc writing is not supported Playing an 8cm disc with an 8cm disc adapter is not supported To play 8cm discs use the access unit in the flat position To play copyright protected Blu ray Discs continually you need to update the AACS key Note th...

Page 40: ...r while writing data to a disc Deactivate the screen saver and exit anti virus software before writing data to a disc Do not use memory resident utility software while writing data to a disc This may cause your computer to malfunction When using your software application to burn discs make sure you exit and close all other applications Do not switch to power saving modes while using the preinstall...

Page 41: ...er to malfunction Do not switch to power saving modes while your computer is playing a disc Region code indicators are labeled on the DVDs to indicate in which region and on what type of player you can play the disc Unless a 2 Europe belongs to region 2 or all this means that you can play this DVD in most regions of the world is labeled on your DVD disc or on the packaging you cannot play the disc...

Page 42: ...appears click to select an option Copying Files to CDs To copy files to a disc Do not strike or shake your computer while writing data to a disc 1 Insert a disc into the optical disc drive If the AutoPlay window appears click Burn files to disc and follow the on screen instructions until the empty disc folder appears 2 Open the folder that contains the file s you want to copy and drag them to the ...

Page 43: ...he desired DVD software to play the DVD For instructions on how to use the software see the help file on your DVD software Copying Files to DVDs To copy files to a disc 1 Insert a disc into the optical disc drive 2 If nothing appears on the desktop then click Start All Programs and the desired DVD software to copy files to the disc For instructions on how to use the software see the help file on y...

Page 44: ...th your computer You do not need to shut down your computer before inserting or removing a PC Card To insert a PC Card 1 With the front label facing upward insert the PC Card into the PC Card slot on the back of the access unit 2 Gently push the PC Card into the slot all the way to the end The PC Card is automatically detected by your system The Safely Remove Hardware icon appears on the taskbar ...

Page 45: ...o your system is not recognized Restart your system to correct the problem Restarting will restore the original state of your computer Make sure you use the most recent software driver provided by the PC Card manufacturer Do not force a PC Card into the slot It may damage the connector pins If you have difficulty inserting a PC Card check that you are inserting the PC Card in the correct direction...

Page 46: ...hardware you want to unplug 3 Click Stop The Stop a Hardware device window appears 4 Confirm that the device can be safely removed from the system 5 Click OK A message appears stating it is now safe to remove the hardware device 6 Click OK 7 Click Close to close the Safely Remove Hardware window 8 Push the PC Card release button so that the release button pops out 9 Push the PC Card release button...

Page 47: ...stick com en Your computer has been tested and found compatible with the Sony branded Memory Stick media with capacity of up to 8 GB that are available as of January 2007 However not all Memory Stick media that meet the same conditions as the compatible media are guaranteed of compatibility Inserting a Memory Stick media with multiple conversion adapters is not guaranteed of compatibility MagicGat...

Page 48: ... double click the Memory Stick media icon Be sure to hold the Memory Stick media with the arrow pointing in the correct direction as you insert it into the slot To avoid damaging your computer or the Memory Stick media do not force the Memory Stick media into the slot if you cannot insert it smoothly Do not insert more than one Memory Stick media into the slot Improper insertion of the media may d...

Page 49: ...when formatting the media Formatting the Memory Stick media erases the entire data on the media Avoid accidental erasure of your valuable data Do not remove the Memory Stick media from the slot while formatting the media This could cause a malfunction 1 Carefully slide the Memory Stick media into the slot until it clicks into place 2 Click Start and Computer to open the Computer window 3 Right cli...

Page 50: ...N Using Your VAIO Computer 6 At the confirmation prompt click OK The formatting process starts It may take time to format the Memory Stick media depending on the media 7 Once completed click OK 8 Click Close ...

Page 51: ...Stick media in toward the computer The Memory Stick media ejects 4 Pull the Memory Stick media out of the slot Always remove the Memory Stick media gently or it may pop out unexpectedly Do not remove the Memory Stick media while the Media Access indicator light is turned on If you do you may lose data Large volumes of data may take time to load so be sure the indicator is off before removing the M...

Page 52: ...io video devices The memory card slots are located behind the left front panel of the access unit You need to open this panel before accessing the slots Before You Use Memory Cards The memory card slots on the access unit of your computer support the following memory cards CF CompactFlash memory card slot CompactFlash Microdrive SD memory card slot Secure Digital SD MultiMediaCard MMC SM xD Pictur...

Page 53: ... remove from the slot and can cause damage to your computer Use care when inserting or removing a memory card from the slot Do not force the memory card in or out of the slot The CF CompactFlash memory card slot on the access unit supports Type I and Type II media The SD memory card slot on the access unit does not support the copyright protection and high speed data transfer features of the SD me...

Page 54: ...o not use force to open the panel 2 Locate the appropriate slot for the memory card you want to use 3 Carefully slide the memory card into the slot until it clicks into place Do not force the card into the slot If the memory card does not go into the slot easily remove it gently and verify you are inserting it in the proper direction ...

Page 55: ...e Media Access indicator light is on The card or its data may become damaged To remove a memory card 1 Flip down the left front panel of the access unit 2 Check that the Media Access indicator light is off 3 Firmly grasp the extended part of the memory card 4 Carefully pull it out of the slot ...

Page 56: ... to make it active Do not disconnect the jog controller while using the support software A LED Illuminates when the jog controller is connected to the computer to indicate that the jog controller is ready for use B Jog dial Rotate the jog dial clockwise or counterclockwise for example to feed a video forward or backward by one frame C Center point Push the center point up down or sideways or push ...

Page 57: ...Controller To connect the jog controller 1 Choose the USB port 1 you prefer to use on the front of the main or access unit 2 Plug the USB cable 2 into the USB port The jog controller icon appears on the taskbar and you can now use your jog controller 3 ...

Page 58: ...ed Once you have set up your telephone cable connection you are ready to connect to the Internet For details of telephone cable connections see Connecting the Telephone and Modem page 28 To set up a dial up connection to the Internet 1 Click Start and Control Panel 2 Click Connect to the Internet under Network and Internet The Connect to the Internet window appears 3 Click Dial up 4 Follow the on ...

Page 59: ...luetooth devices such as another computer or a mobile phone You can transfer data between these devices without cables and up to 10 meters range in open space To connect to a Bluetooth device 1 Double click on the taskbar to display the Wireless Device Switch window 2 Make sure that the Enable Bluetooth Device option is selected 3 Click OK ...

Page 60: ... exchanged Note that due to limitations of the Bluetooth standard large files may occasionally be corrupted during continuous transfer due to electromagnetic interference from the environment All Bluetooth devices must be certified to make sure that the applicable standard requirements are maintained Even if standards are met individual device performance specifications and operation procedures ca...

Page 61: ...nication devices however may cause radio interference and result in poorer communication speeds and distances than the standard values Read the Regulations Guide before using the Bluetooth functionality The Bluetooth functionality may not work depending on the third party devices or the software version used by third party companies As general characteristics of Bluetooth technology connecting mul...

Page 62: ...avoid any anonymous Bluetooth device to access your computer The first time two Bluetooth devices communicate a common passkey a password required for authentication should be determined for both devices to be registered Once a device is registered there is no need to re enter the passkey The passkey can be different each time but must be the same at both ends For certain devices such as a mouse n...

Page 63: ...IO Computer Communicating with Another Bluetooth Device You can connect your computer to a Bluetooth device such as another computer a mobile phone a PDA a headset a mouse or a digital camera without the use of any cables ...

Page 64: ...ty For setting up and using the Bluetooth functionality see the help file on the Bluetooth utility software To see the help file 1 Right click the Bluetooth icon on the taskbar and select Help from the menu Stopping the Bluetooth Connection 1 Double click on the taskbar to display the Wireless Device Switch window 2 Deselect the Enable Bluetooth Device option and click OK ...

Page 65: ...ooth icon on the taskbar and select Bluetooth Settings from the menu The Bluetooth Settings window appears and Add New Connection Wizard automatically starts 4 If the Add New Connection Wizard window does not appear click New Connection The Add New Connection Wizard window appears 5 Select Express Mode Recommended and then click Next The wizard searches for Bluetooth devices in range and lists ava...

Page 66: ...ect the headset from your computer 1 Right click the Bluetooth icon on the taskbar and select Bluetooth Settings from the menu The Bluetooth Settings window appears 2 Right click the headset icon and select Disconnect from the menu 3 Click Yes ...

Page 67: ...evices You can add functionality to your VAIO computer by using the various ports on the computer Connecting a Universal Serial Bus USB Device page 68 Connecting a Printer page 70 Connecting an i LINK Device page 72 Connecting to a Network LAN page 74 ...

Page 68: ...ing a USB Floppy Disk Drive You can purchase a USB floppy disk drive and connect it to your computer To connect a USB floppy disk drive 1 Choose the USB port 1 you prefer to use 2 Plug the USB floppy disk drive cable 2 into the USB port Your USB floppy disk drive 3 is now ready for use When using a USB floppy disk drive do not apply force on the USB port This may cause a malfunction ...

Page 69: ...teps 1 to 8 1 Close all programs accessing the floppy disk drive 2 Double click the Safely Remove Hardware icon on the taskbar The Safely Remove Hardware window appears 3 Select the floppy disk drive you want to unplug 4 Click Stop The Stop a Hardware device window appears 5 Confirm that the floppy disk drive can be safely removed from the system 6 Click OK A message appears stating it is now safe...

Page 70: ...er compatible with your version of Windows to the computer You need to flip down the left front panel to access the USB ports on the front of the access unit To connect a printer using the USB port 1 Plug the power cord 1 of your printer into an AC outlet 2 Choose the USB port 3 you prefer to use 3 Plug one end of a USB printer cable 2 not supplied into the USB port and the other end to your print...

Page 71: ...To connect a printer using the printer port 1 Plug the power cord 1 of your printer into an AC outlet 2 Plug the printer cable 2 supplied with your printer into the printer port 3 on the back of the main unit Before connecting the printer turn off your computer and the printer ...

Page 72: ...l transfer rate depends on the transfer rate of the external device The optional i LINK cables may not be available depending on the country or area of your residency An i LINK connection with other compatible devices is not fully guaranteed The i LINK connection varies depending on the software applications operating system and i LINK compatible devices you use See the manual that came with your ...

Page 73: ... 1 not supplied into the i LINK port 2 on the computer and the other end into the DV In Out port 3 on the digital video camcorder On Sony digital video cameras ports labeled DV Out DV In Out or i LINK are i LINK compatible The Sony digital video camcorder shown here is an example your digital video camcorder may need to be connected differently You cannot access the pictures stored on a Memory Sti...

Page 74: ...needed to connect to the network ask your network administrator The main unit has a protective sticker covering the network Ethernet port located on its back Connect 10BASE T 100BASE TX or 1000BASE T cable to the network Ethernet port Using an incorrect cable such as a phone cable may result in an electric current overload that can cause a malfunction excessive heat or fire in the network Ethernet...

Page 75: ...nnector is connected to the telephone lines mentioned below high electric current to the connector may cause damage overheating or fire Home intercom speakerphone or business use telephone lines multi line business telephone Public telephone subscriber line PBX private branch exchange Do not plug a telephone cable into the network port ...

Page 76: ...scribes how to change the main settings of your VAIO computer Among other things you will learn how to use and customize the look of your Sony software and utilities etc Setting the Password page 77 Setting Up Your Computer with VAIO Control Center page 80 Using the Power Saving Modes page 81 ...

Page 77: ...access Adding the Power on Password The power on password is provided to protect your computer from unauthorized access Once you have set the power on password you cannot start your computer without entering the password Make sure not to forget the password Write down your password and keep it safe and private from other people If you forget the power on password and need assistance to reset it a ...

Page 78: ...to select Security to display the Security tab select Set User Password and then press the Enter key 4 On the password entry screen enter the password twice and press the Enter key The password can be at least 2 and at most 19 characters including spaces long The following is to configure your computer to display the BIOS setup screen 5 Press the or key to key to select Exit select Exit Saving Cha...

Page 79: ...not restart the computer and press the F2 key several times when the VAIO logo appears 3 Enter the current password and press the Enter key The BIOS setup screen appears 4 Press the or key to select Security to display the Security tab select Clear User Password and then press the Enter key 5 Press the or key to select Exit select Exit Saving Changes and then press the Enter key At the confirmatio...

Page 80: ...nter 1 Click Start All Programs and VAIO Control Center The VAIO Control Center window appears 2 Select the desired control item and change the settings 3 Once finished click OK The setting of the desired item has been changed For more information about each option click Help on the VAIO Control Center window to display the help file Some of the control items will not be visible if you open VAIO C...

Page 81: ... which allows you to turn off specific devices your computer has a distinct power saving mode called Sleep mode Using Normal Mode This is the normal state of the computer when it is in use To save power while not working you can turn off a specific device such as the connected display or the hard disk drive ...

Page 82: ...te Sleep mode Click Start the arrow next to the Lock button and Sleep When your computer is in Sleep mode you cannot insert a disc Alternatively you can press the standby button on the keyboard to put your computer in Sleep mode To return to Normal mode Press the power button on your computer or the standby button on the keyboard If you press and hold the power button for more than four seconds yo...

Page 83: ...ter Sleep mode To modify this you can change the Sleep mode settings To change the Sleep mode settings 1 Right click the power status icon on the taskbar and select Power Options 2 Click Change plan settings under the current power plan 3 Change the time to put the computer to sleep and click Save Changes ...

Page 84: ...nent You should not install it yourself if you are not familiar with upgrading a computer You should not touch the connectors on any component For the type of components available for upgrading and the amount of memory installed on your model see the online Specifications Contact VAIO Link if you need assistance Before Upgrading Your Computer page 85 Removing and Replacing Computer Panels page 86 ...

Page 85: ...nnect your computer from its power source may result in personal injury or equipment damage Always turn the power off before you remove any computer panels or connect peripheral equipment Otherwise damage may occur to the integrated circuits Electrostatic discharge ESD can damage disk drives and other components Follow the procedures described here only at an ESD workstation If such a station is n...

Page 86: ...nts may be too hot to touch Wait about one hour to let the components cool down before you attempt to remove the panel Removing and Replacing the Main Unit Top Panel To remove the top panel 1 Shut down your computer and turn off all peripheral devices such as a printer 2 Unplug the main unit and disconnect all peripheral devices including the access unit 3 Place the main unit in the flat position ...

Page 87: ...7 n N Upgrading Your VAIO Computer To replace the top panel 1 Place the top panel on the main unit and slide it toward the front 2 Tighten the two screws on the back of the main unit to secure the panel ...

Page 88: ...n your computer and turn off all peripheral devices such as a printer 2 Unplug the main unit and disconnect all peripheral devices including the access unit 3 Place the main unit in the flat position 4 Pull the front panel 1 slightly toward you to disengage it from the chassis frame and then completely take the panel off ...

Page 89: ...89 n N Upgrading Your VAIO Computer 5 Slide and hold the latch 2 in the direction of the arrow 3 and remove the plastic HDD cover 4 6 Pull the metal HDD shield 5 toward you to take it off ...

Page 90: ...ding Your VAIO Computer To replace the front panel 1 Push in the metal HDD shield 1 2 Insert the tabs 2 on the right edge of the plastic HDD cover underneath the chassis frame and push in the left end of the cover ...

Page 91: ...91 n N Upgrading Your VAIO Computer 3 Push in the left tabs 3 of the front panel into the slits on the chassis frame first and then the right tabs 4 into the right slits ...

Page 92: ...g The procedures described in this document assume user familiarity with the general terminology associated with personal computers and with the safety practice and regulatory compliance requirements for using and modifying electronic equipment Turn off your computer and disconnect it from its power source that is AC adapter and from any telecommunication links networks or modems before you remove...

Page 93: ...ter and any repair costs will not be covered by the warranty Do not place the memory module in a location subject to Heat sources such as radiators or air ducts Direct sunlight Excessive dust Mechanical vibration or shock Strong magnets or speakers that are not magnetically shielded Ambient temperature of more than 35 C or less than 5 C High humidity Handle the memory module with care To avoid inj...

Page 94: ...ange or add a memory module 1 Remove the top panel of the main unit See Removing and Replacing the Main Unit Top Panel page 86 for the detailed instructions 2 Remove the two screws from the chassis brace 1 and take out the brace 3 Touch a metal object to discharge static electricity ...

Page 95: ...Push down on the latches 2 located on either side of the module to gently eject it from the slot 6 Grasp the memory module by the sides and remove from the main unit Store the module in a static free bag 7 Remove the new memory module from its anti static package handling it by the edges ...

Page 96: ...by pressing down evenly against the module s upper corners 10 The side latches 5 snap into position holding the memory module in place To avoid damaging a memory module or the memory module slot move the side latches slightly outward to relieve pressure 11 Replace the chassis brace and secure it with the screws 12 Replace the top panel See Removing and Replacing the Main Unit Top Panel page 86 for...

Page 97: ... Programs and VAIO Control Center 3 Double click the System Information folder in the VAIO Control Center window 4 Double click the System Information icon in the System Information folder You can view the amount of system memory If the additional memory does not appear repeat the whole installation procedure and restart the computer ...

Page 98: ...I Express x1 or x2 compliant card as well as a PCI Express x4 compliant card An expansion slot enables you to install a PCI standard based expansion card to expand the functionality of your computer Before you purchase an expansion card make sure the card supports Windows Vista and the PCI standard The length of the add on card 1 should not exceed 12 3 inches 31 cm for PCI slot 1 and 6 7 inches 17...

Page 99: ...h the electronic components on the add on card to avoid a malfunction as they are susceptible to static electricity from a human body Be sure to touch a metal object to discharge static electricity from your body before handling the add on card Do not place the add on card on a surface that is likely to produce or hold static electricity such as carpet The components on the add on card are suscept...

Page 100: ... See Removing and Replacing the Main Unit Top Panel page 86 for the detailed instructions 2 Touch a metal object to discharge static electricity 3 Locate an available expansion slot Remove the slot cover s screw and then remove the slot cover Be careful not to damage the circuit board and cables inside ...

Page 101: ...on slot and secure it with the screw from the expansion slot cover Be careful not to touch other internal components when inserting the card as it may cause a failure 5 Replace the top panel See Removing and Replacing the Main Unit Top Panel page 86 for the detailed instructions ...

Page 102: ...occurs There is danger of the battery exploding if it is replaced incorrectly Replace the battery only with a CR2032 type lithium battery To replace the lithium battery 1 Write down any changes you may have made to the settings in the BIOS Setup utility 2 Remove the top panel of the main unit See Removing and Replacing the Main Unit Top Panel page 86 for the detailed instructions 3 Remove the two ...

Page 103: ... now reset to the factory default values Run the Setup utility to reset the date time passwords and other changes you may have made to the BIOS settings If you do not wish to customize your BIOS settings do not run the Setup utility Dispose of the lithium battery properly In some areas the disposal of lithium batteries in household or business trash may be prohibited You can return your unwanted l...

Page 104: ... the computer s date and time 1 Click the time readout displayed on the taskbar The window appears showing the current date and time 2 Click Change date and time settings The Date and Time window appears 3 On the Date and Time tab change the settings as desired 4 Click Apply 5 Click OK ...

Page 105: ...orners and edges If you leave a foreign object for example a screw inside the main unit during hard disk installation turning on your computer may cause to produce fumes Be sure to remove the object from the unit and replace the top panel before turning on the computer Do not touch the electronic components on the internal circuit board of the main unit to avoid a malfunction as they are susceptib...

Page 106: ...wn your computer Wait until the components cool down before you attempt to install a hard disk The label of the installed hard disk for example Local disk E and Local disk F depends on the hardware configuration of your computer It may also change after your computer recovery By default recorded videos are stored on your C drive ...

Page 107: ...four SATA hard disk drives to the internal hard disk drive bay To install an additional hard disk drive 1 Remove the front panel of the main unit See Removing and Replacing the Main Unit Front Panel page 88 for the detailed instructions 2 Push the button 1 to release the hard disk drive holder lever 2 ...

Page 108: ...108 n N Upgrading Your VAIO Computer 3 Grasp the lever and pull out the holder 3 from the hard disk drive bay and set it aside 4 Unscrew the four screws from the holder cover ...

Page 109: ...109 n N Upgrading Your VAIO Computer 5 Remove the holder cover and insert a new hard disk drive 6 Replace the holder cover and secure it with the screws ...

Page 110: ... Upgrading Your VAIO Computer 7 Slide the hard disk drive holder into the hard disk drive bay and push in the holder lever into place 8 Connect the power connectors to the preinstalled and new hard disk drives ...

Page 111: ...ut when you replace the drive holder We recommend you use Sony SATA cables exclusively designed for your computer 10 Replace the front panel See Removing and Replacing the Main Unit Front Panel page 88 for the detailed instructions Connect the internal SATA cables To the hard disk drives in PORT0 cable Rightmost drive bay PORT1 cable Second drive bay from the right PORT2 cable Third drive bay from...

Page 112: ...enu The Computer Management window appears 4 Under the file directory on the right double click Storage and then Disk Management 5 Right click on the newly installed unformatted hard disk disk label identified with red marking and select Initialize Disk from the menu 6 Click on the allocated area of the disk 7 Right click the area and select New Partition from the menu The New Partition wizard win...

Page 113: ...your VAIO computer from potential damage On Using the Power Source page 114 On Handling Your Computer page 115 On Handling Floppy Disks page 117 On Handling Discs page 118 On Using Headphones page 118 On Handling Memory Stick Media page 119 On Handling the Hard Disk page 120 On Updating Your Computer page 121 ...

Page 114: ...amage to your computer caused by sudden power surges in an electrical storm for example Do not place heavy objects on the power cord To disconnect the cord pull it out by the plug Never pull the cord itself Unplug your computer from the AC outlet if you are not planning to use the computer for a long period of time Make sure that the AC outlet is easily accessible Use the power cord supplied with ...

Page 115: ...sources such as radiators or air ducts Direct sunlight Excessive dust Moisture or rain Mechanical vibration or shock Strong magnets or speakers that are not magnetically shielded Ambient temperature of more than 35 C or less than 5 C High humidity Do not place electronic equipment near your computer The electromagnetic field of the computer may cause a malfunction Provide adequate air circulation ...

Page 116: ...s brought directly from a cold location to a warm one moisture may condense inside the computer In this case allow at least one hour before turning on the computer If any problems occur unplug the computer and contact VAIO Link Make sure you disconnect the power cord before cleaning your computer To avoid losing data if your computer is damaged back up your data regularly ...

Page 117: ...of heat Keep floppy disks away from any liquid Do not let them get wet When you are not using your floppy disk always remove it from the floppy disk drive and use a storage case If the floppy disk comes with an adhesive label make sure that the label is properly affixed If the edge of the label is curled up the label may stick to the inside of the floppy disk drive and cause a malfunction or damag...

Page 118: ...ge 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 moisture with a dry soft cloth Never affix an adhesive label to a disc This will affect the use of the disc irrepa...

Page 119: ...emory Stick media in a location subject to Static electricity Electrical noise Extremely high temperatures such as in a car parked in the sun Direct sunlight High humidity Corrosive substances Use the storage case supplied with the Memory Stick media Be sure to make a backup copy of your valuable data Keep the Memory Stick media out of reach of children There is a risk of swallowing the media When...

Page 120: ...eful when handling your computer To avoid damaging your hard disk drive Do not subject your computer to sudden movements Keep your computer away from magnets Do not place your computer in a location subject to mechanical vibration or in an unstable position Do not move your computer while the power is on Do not turn off the power or restart your computer while reading or writing data to the hard d...

Page 121: ...tion Windows Update Click Start All Programs and Windows Update and then follow the on screen instructions VAIO Update 3 Click Start All Programs VAIO Update 3 and VAIO Update Options and then follow the on screen instructions If you have not yet installed the latest updates install them with the above software To download and install the updates on the computer the computer must be connected to t...

Page 122: ...Try these suggestions before contacting VAIO Link Computer page 123 System Security page 131 Internet page 132 Bluetooth Technology page 134 Optical Discs page 138 Display page 142 Printing page 144 Microphone page 145 Mouse page 146 Speakers page 147 Keyboard page 149 Floppy Disks page 150 PC Cards page 151 Audio Video page 153 Memory Stick Media page 155 Peripherals page 156 ...

Page 123: ...on Make sure your external display is plugged into an appropriate power source and turned on Make sure the brightness and contrast controls on your external display are adjusted correctly Disconnect the AC adapter Wait three to five minutes Reattach the AC adapter and press the power button to turn on your computer Condensation may cause your computer to malfunction If this occurs do not use the c...

Page 124: ... logo appears 2 Set the date month day year with the Tab key and the keys 3 Press the m key to select System Time and then set the time hour minute second with the Tab key and the keys 4 Press the key to select the Exit tab and then select Load Optimal Defaults and press Enter key The message Load Defaults Y N appears 5 Press the Y key 6 Select Exit Saving Changes and press the Enter key The messa...

Page 125: ...your display is still blank follow these steps 1 Press the power button on your computer for more than four seconds to check that the power indicator goes out Then turn on your computer again 2 If your display still stays blank unplug the power cord and leave the computer for about a minute Then plug in the power cord and turn on the computer again Turning off your computer with the power button m...

Page 126: ...puter If your computer does not turn off press the Ctrl Alt Delete keys and click the arrow next to the Shut down button and Shut Down If the Windows Security window appears click Shut Down Turning off your computer with the Ctrl Alt Delete keys or the power button may cause loss of unsaved data If your computer still does not turn off press and hold the power button until the computer turns off R...

Page 127: ...rmal operating stability 1 Close all open programs 2 Click Start the arrow next to the Lock button and Restart 3 If your computer does not restart press the Ctrl Alt Delete keys and click the arrow next to the Shut down button and Restart 4 If this procedure does not work press and hold the power button until the computer turns off Turning off your computer with the power button may cause loss of ...

Page 128: ...ff Wait for 10 or 15 seconds then restart your computer and enter the correct password When entering the password check that the Num Lock indicator and Caps Lock indicator on the keyboard are off If any are lit press the Num Lock key or the Caps Lock key to turn off the indicator before entering the password If the Windows operating system still does not launch follow these steps to initialize the...

Page 129: ... The Load Setup Defaults window appears 9 Select OK and press the Enter key 10 Select Exit Save Changes and press the Enter key The Save configuration changes and exit now window appears 11 Select OK and press the Enter key Your computer restarts ...

Page 130: ...password If you have forgotten the BIOS password contact VAIO Link to reset it A reset fee will be charged Why does it take time before my computer starts If Norton Internet Security s Personal Firewall is active it may take some time before the desktop screen appears due to network security checkups Why doesn t my screen turn off when the time selected for the automatic turn off action has passed...

Page 131: ...he Internet before you can receive updates 1 Connect to the Internet 2 Double click the Windows Security Alerts icon on the taskbar 3 Follow the on screen instructions to set up automatic or scheduled updates How do I keep my antivirus software updated You can keep the Norton Internet Security software program current with the latest updates from Symantec Corporation To download and install the la...

Page 132: ...hone and listen for a dial tone Make sure that the telephone number the program is dialing is correct Make sure the software you are using is compatible with your computer s modem All preinstalled Sony programs are compatible Follow these steps to check the settings 1 Click Start and Control Panel 2 Click Hardware and Sound 3 Click Phone and Modem Options 4 On the Modems tab check that your modem ...

Page 133: ... properly to other PC based modems fax machines or your Internet Service Provider ISP do any of the following Ask your telephone company to verify your telephone line is free of any line noise If your problem is fax related make sure there are no problems with the fax machine you are calling and that it is compatible with fax modems If you are having a problem connecting with your ISP make sure th...

Page 134: ...ted device is also connected to other devices it may not appear in the Bluetooth utility software or you may not be able to communicate with the device What should I do if I cannot find the Bluetooth device with which I want to communicate Check that the Bluetooth functionality of the device with which you want to communicate is on See the other device s manual for more information If the device w...

Page 135: ... a custom Bluetooth security level is selected click the Default level button 4 Click OK The data transfer distance can be shorter than 10 meters depending on existing obstacles between the two devices on radio wave quality and on the operating system or the software in use Move your computer and Bluetooth devices closer to each other If the device with which you want to communicate is already com...

Page 136: ...rom 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 Note that due to limitations of the Bluetooth standard large files may occasionally be corrupted during continuous transfer due to electromagnetic interference from the environment Why can t I connect to service supported by the target Blueto...

Page 137: ...a standard user account The Bluetooth functionality may not be available to a user with a standard user account on your computer Log onto the computer as a user with administrator rights Why can t I connect to a Bluetooth device in Personal Area Network User mode If the device to which you want to connect supports Bluetooth communication in Personal Area Network User mode only you cannot establish...

Page 138: ...c drive 3 Check the disc for dirt or damage If you need to clean the disc see On Handling Discs page 118 for instructions What should I do if the drive tray does not open Make sure your computer is on Press the drive eject button If the drive eject button does not work click Start and Computer Right click the optical disc drive icon and select Eject from the shortcut menu If none of the above opti...

Page 139: ...laying a disc and cannot hear sound do any of the following Check if the volume is turned off or minimized by the muting button or the volume control respectively on the keyboard Right click the volume icon on the taskbar and click Open Volume Mixer to check the settings Check the volume setting in the audio mixer If you are using external speakers check the volume settings on the speakers and the...

Page 140: ...ure an adhesive label is not affixed to a disc Adhesive labels can come off while the disc is in the optical disc drive and damage the drive or cause it to malfunction If a region code warning appears the disc may be incompatible with the optical disc drive Check the DVD package to make sure the region code is compatible with the optical disc drive If you notice condensation on your computer do no...

Page 141: ... R RW disc with an adhesive label affixed replace it with one with no affixed adhesive label Using a disc with an affixed adhesive label could cause a write error or other damage What should I do if I cannot write data to DVD media Make sure you are using the correct DVD recordable media Check which DVD recordable format is compatible with your optical disc drive Note the possibility that some bra...

Page 142: ...lay are securely plugged into power sources Make sure that your computer and display are properly connected Make sure that both your computer and display are turned on If your display comes with an AC adapter make sure that the supplied adapter is used for power connection Use of any other AC adapter may cause this problem If you have unplugged and re plugged your display while your computer is on...

Page 143: ...ol Panel 2 Click Customize colors under Appearance and Personalization 3 Click Open classic appearance properties for more color options The Appearance Settings window appears 4 Select Windows Aero from the Color scheme options on the Appearance tab 5 Click OK For information about the Windows Aero features such as Windows Flip 3D see Windows Help and Support ...

Page 144: ...on If your printer is not functioning after your computer resumes from Sleep mode 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 Control Panel 2 Click Printer under Hardware and Sound 3 Right click the printer icon and select Properties 4 Click th...

Page 145: ...roperly plugged into the microphone jack on the access unit How can I prevent microphone feedback Microphone feedback occurs when the microphone receives the sound from a sound output device such as a speaker To prevent this problem Keep the microphone away from a sound output device Turn down the volume of the speakers and the microphone ...

Page 146: ...re application is running press the Alt F4 keys to close the application window If the Alt F4 keys do not work click Start the arrow next to the Lock button and Restart to restart your computer If your computer does not restart press the Ctrl Alt Delete keys and click the arrow next to the Shut down button and Restart If the Windows Security window appears click Restart If this procedure does not ...

Page 147: ...rs are designed for computer use If your speakers have a muting button set the button to off The speaker volume may have been turned off Press the muting button on the keyboard The volume may have been turned off by the volume control on the keyboard Turn the control clockwise to turn up the volume loud enough to hear sound If your speakers require external power make sure the speakers are connect...

Page 148: ...k Hardware and Sound 3 Click Manage audio devices under Sound 4 On the Playback tab select Speakers and click Configure The Speaker Setup window appears 5 Select 5 1 Surround under Audio channels and click Next 6 Select the check boxes for your speakers under Optional speakers and click Next 7 Select the check boxes under Full range speakers and click Next 8 Click Finish ...

Page 149: ...ched To change the keyboard configuration follow these steps 1 Click Start and Control Panel 2 Click Clock Language and Region and click Regional and Language Options 3 Change the settings as desired What should I do if I cannot enter certain characters with the keyboard If you cannot use the numeric keypad the Num Lk key may not be activated Check if the Num lock indicator is off If the Num lock ...

Page 150: ... indicator on the floppy disk drive to turn off 3 Push the eject button to remove the disk and disconnect the USB floppy disk drive from your computer 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 the arrow next to the Lock button and Restart What should I do if I cannot write data to a fl...

Page 151: ...PC Card for more information You may need to install driver software if you are not using a Sony PC Card If your PC Card which worked normally before does not work you may need to install the most recent driver software Follow these steps 1 Click Start and Control Panel 2 Click System and Maintenance 3 Click System 4 Click Device Manager on the left pane The Device Manager window appears 5 Double ...

Page 152: ... Card slot your computer may not recognize the PC Card or the connected device Restart the computer Why can t I insert my PC Card Make sure you are inserting the card correctly See Inserting a PC Card page 44 for more information You may not be able to use some PC Cards or some functions of the PC Card on your computer See the manual that came with your PC Card for more information ...

Page 153: ...are application an operating system and a compatible i LINK device Not all products with an i LINK connection can communicate with each other See the manual that came with your compatible i LINK device for more information on operating conditions and proper connection Before connecting compatible i LINK PC peripherals to your system such as a CD RW or hard disk drive confirm their operating system...

Page 154: ...k Start and Control Panel 2 Click Hardware and Sound 3 Click Manage audio devices under Sound 4 On the Playback tab select the optical out icon and click Properties 5 Click Supported Formats tab 6 Click to select the DTS audio and Dolby Digital check boxes 7 Click OK If the Dolby Digital or DTS sound is output to a device that does not support it the device will not play any sound In such a case c...

Page 155: ...at a Memory Stick media page 49 Why can t I save music files onto my Memory Stick media Copyright protected music cannot be checked out to any Memory Stick media other than those with the MagicGate logo Use of recorded music requires permission from 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 fro...

Page 156: ...tlet Try using another USB port on your computer The driver could be installed to the specific port you used the first time you connected the device See the manual that came with your USB device for more information You may need to install software before you connect the device Try connecting a simple low powered device such as a mouse to test if the port is working at all USB hubs may prevent a d...

Page 157: ... you have any problem with the computer you can access the VAIO Link Web site for troubleshooting Go to http support vaio sony eu e Support This interactive part of our Web site http support vaio sony eu allows you to get in contact with our dedicated support team over the Internet Using a personalized account you can log your technical queries with ease VAIO Link help lines Before contacting VAIO...

Page 158: ... VAIO Link e Support Web Portal How can I access the e Support portal When you register your computer you will automatically receive an email with the link to the e Support Web Portal your Customer ID and some basic explanation a few hours later All you need to do is activate your account by clicking on the provided link in the email You are now ready to create your first case You can access the e...

Page 159: ...rom Monday till Friday between 8am and 6pm Is there a cost involved for using e Support No this is a complete free of charge service offered to all registered VAIO customers How do I know when the e Support Team has handled my query case As soon as your case has been dealt with by our e Support Team you will receive an email notifying you that your case has been updated ...

Page 160: ... IEEE 1394 connection Adobe Adobe Acrobat Standard Adobe Reader Adobe Premiere Elements Adobe Premiere Pro and Adobe Photoshop Elements are trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated Norton Internet Security 2007 is a trademark or a registered trademark of Symantec Corporation Roxio Easy Media Creator is a trademark of Sonic Solutions WinDVD for VAIO and WinDVD BD for VAIO are trademarks of InterVid...

Page 161: ...tion xD Picture Card is a trademark of Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd All other names of systems products and services are trademarks of their respective owners In the manual the or marks are not specified Specifications are subject to change without notice All other trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners See the online Specifications to see what software is available for your model ...

Page 162: ... 2007 Sony Corporation n ...

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