Sony VGN-FE550G - VAIO - Core Duo 1.66 GHz User Manual Download Page 28

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Using Your VAIO Computer

Using Your VAIO Computer

This section describes how to get the most out of using your computer.

❑

Using the Keyboard

(page 29)

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Using the Touch Pad

(page 31)

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Using Special-function Buttons

(page 32)

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Using the Built-in MOTION EYE Camera

(page 33)

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Using the Optical Disc Drive

(page 34)

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Using PC Cards

(page 44)

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Using the ExpressCard/34 Media

(page 47)

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Using the Memory Stick Media

(page 50)

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Using Other Memory Cards

(page 54)

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Using the Internet

(page 57)

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Using Wireless LAN (WLAN)

(page 58)

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Using the Bluetooth Functionality

(page 67)

Summary of Contents for VGN-FE550G - VAIO - Core Duo 1.66 GHz

Page 1: ...N User Guide Personal Computer V G N F E 5 0 0 S e r i e s ...

Page 2: ...tting Down Your Computer Safely 27 Using Your VAIO Computer 28 Using the Keyboard 29 Using the Touch Pad 31 Using Special function Buttons 32 Using the Built in MOTION EYE Camera 33 Using the Optical Disc Drive 34 Using PC Cards 44 Using the ExpressCard 34 Media 47 Using the Memory Stick Media 50 Using Other Memory Cards 54 Using the Internet 57 Using Wireless LAN WLAN 58 Using the Bluetooth Funct...

Page 3: ...onnecting an External Microphone 95 Connecting a Universal Serial Bus USB Device 96 Connecting a Printer 99 Connecting an i LINK Device 100 Connecting to a Network LAN 102 Customizing Your VAIO Computer 104 Setting the Password 105 Setting Up Your Computer with VAIO Central 107 Using the Power Saving Modes 108 Managing Power with VAIO Power Management 113 Upgrading Your VAIO Computer 115 Adding an...

Page 4: ... On Handling Discs 128 On Using the Battery Pack 129 On Using Headphones 130 On Handling Memory Stick Media 130 On Handling the Hard Disk 131 On Handling the Memory Card Adapter 132 Troubleshooting 133 Computer 135 System Security 144 Battery 146 Built in MOTION EYE Camera 148 Internet 151 Networking 153 Bluetooth Technology 156 CDs and DVDs 160 Display 165 Printing 169 Microphone 170 ...

Page 5: ...Touch Pad 173 Keyboard 174 Floppy Disks 175 PC Cards 176 Audio Video 177 Memory Stick Media 178 Peripherals 179 Multi Function Bay Docking Station 180 Support Options 181 Sony Support Information 181 Program Support Information 184 ...

Page 6: ...ogy in audio video computing and communications to provide state of the art personal computing Documentation Your documentation includes printed information and user guides to read on your VAIO computer Printed Documentation Welcome mat Contains an overview of connections setting up information etc Safety information Contains safety guidelines and owner information ...

Page 7: ...www sony ca support for customers in Canada or at http esupport sony com ES for customers in Latin American countries or areas VAIO Recovery Guide Provides information about restoring individual software programs software drivers and drive partition s or your entire hard disk drive to the original factory installed settings To access this online guide 1 Click Start point to All Programs and click ...

Page 8: ... your forearms horizontal 2 with your wrists in a neutral comfortable position 3 while using the keyboard touch pad or external mouse Let your upper arms hang naturally at your sides Have breaks during sessions with your computer Excessive use of the computer may strain muscles or tendons Furniture and posture Sit in a chair with good back support Adjust the level of the chair so your feet are fla...

Page 9: ...ocation where windows and lights do not create glare and reflection on the display Use indirect lighting to avoid bright spots on the display You can also purchase accessories for your display that help reduce glare Proper lighting adds to your comfort and work effectiveness Positioning an external display When using an external display set the display at a comfortable viewing distance Make sure t...

Page 10: ...sure to start up your computer with only the supplied accessories connected and set up your system Upon completion connect one device for example a printer external hard disk drive scanner and so on at a time following the manufacturer s instructions Locating Controls and Ports page 11 About the Indicator Lights page 18 Connecting a Power Source page 20 Using the Battery Pack page 22 Shutting Down...

Page 11: ...11 n N Getting Started Locating Controls and Ports Take a moment to identify the controls and ports shown on the following pages ...

Page 12: ... PRO Duo media indicator page 18 K Lid LOCK RELEASE switch Make sure to slide this switch to the LOCK position before moving your computer L Headphones jack page 84 M Microphone jack page 95 N Built in microphone monaural O WIRELESS switch page 58 P WLAN Wireless LAN indicator page 18 Q Bluetooth indicator 1 page 18 R Memory Stick Duo PRO Duo media slot 2 page 50 1 On selected models only 2 Your c...

Page 13: ...Muting button page 32 B Muting indicator page 18 C VOL buttons page 32 D S1 S2 buttons page 32 E Num lock indicator page 18 F Caps lock indicator page 18 G Scroll lock indicator page 18 H Power button I Power indicator page 18 ...

Page 14: ...14 n N Getting Started Back A Air vent B Battery connector page 22 ...

Page 15: ... 100 E Hi Speed USB USB 2 0 ports 2 page 96 F S VIDEO OUTPUT port 3 4 page 89 G Monitor VGA port 4 page 86 H DC IN port page 20 1 Referred to as the ExpressCard 34 slot hereinafter 2 Supports high full low speeds 3 Referred to as an S VIDEO OUT hereinafter 4 Disabled when the computer is attached to the optional multi function bay docking station ...

Page 16: ...ting Started Left A Modem port page 57 B Network Ethernet port page 102 C Optical disc drive page 34 D Drive eject button page 34 Optical disc drive indicator page 18 E Manual eject hole page 160 F Security slot ...

Page 17: ...17 n N Getting Started Bottom A Multi function bay docking station connector page 78 B Air vents ...

Page 18: ...uilt in MOTION EYE camera is in use Optical disc drive Illuminates when data is read from or written to the optical disc When the indicator is off the optical disc is not being used Hard disk Illuminates when data is read from or written to the hard disk Do not enter Standby mode or turn off the computer when this indicator is on Num lock Press the Num Lk key to activate the numeric keypad Press i...

Page 19: ... Started Bluetooth Illuminates when the WIRELESS switch is set to ON and Bluetooth technology is enabled WIRELESS LAN Illuminates when the wireless LAN function is running On selected models only Indicator Functions ...

Page 20: ...omputer only with the supplied AC adapter To use the AC adapter 1 Plug one end of the power cord 1 into the AC adapter 3 2 Plug the other end of the power cord into an AC outlet 2 3 Plug the cable attached to the AC adapter 3 into the DC In port 4 on the computer or on the optional multi function bay docking station The shape of the DC In plug varies depending on the AC adapter ...

Page 21: ...ower unplug the AC adapter Make sure that the AC outlet is easily accessible If you do not use the computer for a long period of time put the computer into Hibernate mode See Using Hibernate Mode page 111 This power saving mode saves the time of shutting down or resuming ...

Page 22: ...mputer is not fully charged at the time of purchase Installing the Battery Pack To install the battery pack 1 Turn off the computer and close the LCD screen lid 2 Slide the lock switch 1 to the UNLOCK position 3 Slide the battery into the battery compartment until it clicks into place ...

Page 23: ...1 to the LOCK position to secure the battery on the computer When the computer is directly connected to AC power and has a battery pack installed it uses power from the AC outlet This computer is designed to operate only with genuine Sony batteries ...

Page 24: ...pter to the computer The computer automatically charges the battery the battery indicator light flashes in a double blink pattern as the battery charges When the battery is about 85 charged the battery indicator turns off Battery indicator light status Meaning On The computer is using battery power Blinks The battery is running out of power Double blinks The battery is charging Off The computer is...

Page 25: ... The battery indicator light is on while you use the battery pack as a power source When the battery life is nearly depleted both the battery and power indicator lights start flashing For some software applications and some peripheral devices the computer may not enter Hibernate mode even when battery life is low To avoid loss of data when using battery power you should save your data frequently a...

Page 26: ...is on and not connected to the AC adapter or if you remove the battery while the computer is in Standby mode To remove the battery pack 1 Turn off the computer and close the LCD screen lid 2 Slide the lock switch 1 to the UNLOCK position 3 Slide and hold the release latch 2 and slide the battery away from the computer ...

Page 27: ...low To shut down your computer 1 Turn off any peripherals connected to the computer 2 Click Start and then Turn Off Computer The Turn off computer window appears 3 Click Turn Off 4 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 28: ...ch Pad page 31 Using Special function Buttons page 32 Using the Built in MOTION EYE Camera page 33 Using the Optical Disc Drive page 34 Using PC Cards page 44 Using the ExpressCard 34 Media page 47 Using the Memory Stick Media page 50 Using Other Memory Cards page 54 Using the Internet page 57 Using Wireless LAN WLAN page 58 Using the Bluetooth Functionality page 67 ...

Page 29: ...unction bay docking station this shortcut key toggles between the LCD and the external display s connected to the docking station Fn F10 zoom Changes the screen resolution to magnify restore the screen view The magnified view is not as clear as the standard view as it is implemented by applying a lower resolution to the LCD screen with a higher resolution This key combination is disabled during vi...

Page 30: ...this command the states of the system and the peripheral devices are written to the hard disk and the system power is turned off To return the system to its original state use the power button to turn on the power For details on power management see Using the Power Saving Modes page 108 Combinations Feature Functions ...

Page 31: ...or object Click Press the left button 3 once Double click Press the left button twice Right click Press the right button 4 once In many applications this action displays a shortcut menu Drag Slide one finger on the touch pad while pressing the left button Scroll Move your finger along the right edge of the touch pad to scroll vertically Move your finger along the bottom to scroll horizontally the ...

Page 32: ...1 button places the computer in Standby mode and the S2 button toggles the display output between the LCD and external device You can change these button assignments on the window for changing the S button assignments To display this window press and hold either button or launch and navigate through VAIO Central Muting button Turns the volume on and off VOL buttons Volume down and Volume up Decrea...

Page 33: ...MOTION EYE camera so the computer is ready for a video conference using such software Note that launching or exiting your instant messaging or video editing software does not activate or deactivate the MOTION EYE camera respectively Make sure that the camera is activated before using the software The built in MOTION EYE camera cannot be shared by more than one software application If another softw...

Page 34: ...ter is equipped with an optical disc drive To insert a disc 1 Turn on the computer 2 Press the drive eject button 1 to open the drive The tray slides out 3 Place a disc in the middle of the tray with the label side facing up and gently push until the disc clicks into place ...

Page 35: ...gently Do not remove the optical disc 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 disc drive connect the drive before you launch any preinstalled CD DVD program ...

Page 36: ...ging carefully to check both playback and recording compatibility with your computer s optical disc drives Sony does NOT guarantee the compatibility of VAIO CD drives with discs that not compliant with the official CD format standard or DVD standard in relation to DVD drives USING NON COMPLIANT DISCS CAN CAUSE FATAL DAMAGE TO YOUR VAIO PC OR CREATE SOFTWARE CONFLICTS AND CAUSE SYSTEM HANGING For i...

Page 37: ... disc reading but does not support 8cm disc writing Writing to DVD R DL Double Layer discs is available only on discs supporting DVD R DL Double Layer recording The DVD RW RAM disc drive on your computer does not support the DVD RAM cartridge Use non cartridge discs or discs with removable cartridge Writing to single sided DVD RAM discs 2 6 GB compliant with DVD RAM version 1 0 is not supported ...

Page 38: ...se memory resident utility software while writing data to a disc This may cause the computer to malfunction When using your software application to burn discs make sure you exit and close all other applications Never touch the surface of the disc Fingerprints and dust on the surface of a disc may cause writing errors Do not switch power modes while using the pre installed software and while using ...

Page 39: ...witch power saving modes while the computer is playing a DVD Region code indicators are labeled on the DVDs to indicate in which region and on what type of player you can play the disc If the DVD is labeled all this means that you can play this DVD in most regions of the world If the region code of your residence area is different from the label on the DVD disc or on the packaging you cannot play ...

Page 40: ...When you are playing a DVD video or audio and you want to remove a USB device such as USB compatible speakers make sure you stop the DVD first Removing a USB compatible device during DVD video or audio playback may cause a malfunction ...

Page 41: ...sert the disc into the optical disc drive 2 If nothing appears on the desktop once you insert an audio CD disc then click Start point to All Programs and click to open a CD program such as the SonicStage software If the Audio CD window appears click to select an option ...

Page 42: ...d then click Explorer 3 In the Folders panel on the left locate the file s or folder s you want to copy right click the file s or folder s point to Send To and then click the optical disc drive name 4 Close the window 5 Click Start and then My Computer 6 Click the optical disc drive icon under Devices with Removable Storage A new window appears with the file s or folder s you want to copy listed u...

Page 43: ... The DVD writing function is available on selected models only See the online Specifications to find the type of your optical disc drive and then Reading and Writing CDs and DVDs page 36 to find about the supported disc media To copy files to a disc 1 Connect the AC adapter to the computer 2 Insert the disc into the optical disc drive 3 Click Start and point to All Programs 4 Select a DVD software...

Page 44: ...ing a PC Card To insert a PC Card 1 Push the PC Card release button so that the release button pops out 2 Push the PC Card release button a second time so that the PC Card slot protector pops out 3 Gently take hold of the protector and pull it out of the slot 4 Insert the PC Card into the PC Card slot with the front label facing up 5 Gently push the PC Card into the slot The PC Card is automatical...

Page 45: ...stem to correct the problem Restarting will restore the original state of the computer While the card is inserted the computer may not enter Hibernate power management mode It may enter Standby mode We recommend that you remove the card before the computer enters Hibernate mode Make sure you use the most recent software driver provided by the PC Card manufacturer If an mark appears on the Device M...

Page 46: ...move Hardware window appears 2 Select the 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 window appears explaining that it is safe to remove the device 6 Click Close 7 Push the PC Card release button so that the release button pops out 8 Push the PC Card release button a second time so ...

Page 47: ...page 54 for the instructions to use the memory card adapter and other memory cards Inserting an ExpressCard 34 Media Your computer is delivered with a slot protector in the ExpressCard 34 slot Remove the slot protector before you use the ExpressCard 34 slot for the first time Use care when inserting or removing the ExpressCard 34 media from the slot Do not force it in or out of the slot You do not...

Page 48: ...lot until it clicks in place Do not force it into the slot If the media or adapter does not go into the slot easily remove it gently and verify you are inserting it in the proper direction Make sure you use the most recent software driver provided by the ExpressCard 34 media manufacturer ...

Page 49: ... steps 1 to 6 1 Double click the Safely Remove Hardware icon on the taskbar The Safely Remove Hardware window appears 2 Select the 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 window appears explaining that it is safe to remove the device 6 Click Close 7 Push in the ExpressCard 34 med...

Page 50: ... sony com ES for customers in Latin American countries or areas Your computer has been tested and found compatible with the Sony branded Memory Stick media with capacity of up to 4 GB Sony assumes no liability for compatibility with any other Memory Stick media Write protecting a Memory Stick Media Some versions of Memory Stick media are designed with an erasure prevention switch to protect valuab...

Page 51: ...ory card adapter for the ExpressCard 34 slot To insert a standard size Memory Stick media use the ExpressCard 34 slot To do this you need the supplied memory card adapter See Using the ExpressCard 34 Media page 47 and Using Other Memory Cards page 54 for more information Using the PC Card slot on models with the supplied memory card adapter for the PC Card slot To insert a standard size Memory Sti...

Page 52: ... your system and appears in your My Computer window as a local drive under the appropriate letter depending on the configuration of the computer 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 the computer or the Memory Stick media do not force the Memory Stick media into the slot if it does not insert smoothl...

Page 53: ...Memory Stick media Use the Memory Stick Formatter software See the help file on the Memory Stick Formatter software for details Removing a Memory Stick Media To remove a Memory Stick media from the Memory Stick Duo PRO Duo media slot 1 Check that the Memory Stick media indicator is off 2 Push the Memory Stick media in toward the computer The Memory Stick media ejects 3 Pull the Memory Stick media ...

Page 54: ...es of the SD memory card are not supported As for the Memory Stick PRO media only Sony branded media is recommended to use with the adapter Memory card adapter for the PC Card slot Standard size Memory Stick and Memory Stick PRO Secure Digital SD Multi Media Card MMC Smart Media The MagicGate and high speed data transfer features of the Memory Stick media and the Memory Stick Pro media are not sup...

Page 55: ...o the memory card adapter in the correct direction to avoid possible damage to the memory card adapter 2 See Inserting an ExpressCard 34 Media page 47 to insert the memory card adapter into the ExpressCard 34 slot To remove a memory card See Removing an ExpressCard 34 Media page 49 to remove the memory card adapter from the ExpressCard 34 slot Then firmly grasp the extended part of the memory card...

Page 56: ...gnated types of the memory card Make sure to insert a memory card into its designated slot to prevent problems including a stuck memory card in the adapter and damage to the memory card adapter or the memory card Do not insert more than one memory card into the memory card adapter at the same time 2 See Inserting a PC Card page 44 to insert the memory card adapter into the PC Card slot To remove a...

Page 57: ...n operated telephone and may not work with multiple telephone lines or a private branch exchange PBX Some of these connections may result in excess electrical current and could cause a malfunction in the internal modem If you connect a telephone cable coming through a splitter the modem or connected device may not work properly To set up a dial up connection to the Internet 1 Click Start point to ...

Page 58: ...d Wired Equivalent Privacy WEP which is a security protocol and WiFi Protected Access WPA Proposed jointly by the IEEE and Wi Fi Alliance WiFi Protected Access is a specification of standards based interoperable security enhancements that increase the level of data protection and access control for existing WiFi networks WPA has been designed to be forward compatible with the IEEE802 11i specifica...

Page 59: ...hoc An ad hoc network is a network in which a local network is created only by the wireless devices themselves with no other central controller or Access Point Each device communicates directly with other devices in the network You can set up an ad hoc network easily at home ...

Page 60: ...k OK 2 Click Start and then Control Panel 3 Click Network and Internet Connections 4 Click Network Connections The Network Connections window appears 5 Right click Wireless Network Connection then click Properties The Wireless Network Connection Properties window appears 6 Select the Wireless Networks tab 7 Click the Add button The Wireless network properties window appears 8 Enter a Network name ...

Page 61: ...e Computer to computer ad hoc networks only option button 18 Click Close 19 Click OK The computer is ready to communicate with another computer 1 See the online Specifications to see whether your model supports the Bluetooth functionality 2 If you want to communicate between two or more computers you need to configure all these computers the exact same way This means that you need to enter the sam...

Page 62: ...ppears 4 In the right panel under LAN or High Speed Internet right click Wireless Network Connection 5 Click Properties The Wireless Network Connection Properties window appears 6 On the Wireless Networks tab click Advanced The Advanced window appears 7 Click to select Any available network access point preferred and click Close 8 Click OK 9 Close the Network Connections window 10 Turn off the WIR...

Page 63: ...s an existing wired local network to wireless devices by providing an Access Point for example the Sony 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 ...

Page 64: ...uble click on the taskbar to display the Wireless Device Switch window Select the Enable 2 4 GHz Wireless LAN check box and click OK 3 Click Start and then Control Panel 4 Click Network and Internet Connections 5 Click Network Connections 6 In the right panel under LAN or High Speed Internet double click Wireless Network Connection The Wireless Network Connection window appears 7 Follow the on scr...

Page 65: ... up On models with the Bluetooth functionality double click on the taskbar to display the Wireless Device Switch window Select the Enable 2 4 GHz Wireless LAN check box and click OK 3 Click Start point to All Programs and click VAIO Wireless Utility The VAIO Wireless Utility appears 4 Follow the on screen instructions See the online Specifications to see whether your model supports the Bluetooth f...

Page 66: ...terference may cause lower communication speed narrower communication range or broken wireless connections The communication speed varies depending on the distance between communication devices existence of obstacles between such devices the device configuration the radio conditions and the software in use In addition communications may be cut off depending on the radio conditions The communicatio...

Page 67: ...can establish wireless communication between your computer and other Bluetooth devices such as another computer or a mobile phone You can transfer data between these devices without cables and up to 33 feet 10 meters range in open space To connect to a Bluetooth device 1 Turn on the WIRELESS switch 2 Double click on the taskbar to display the Wireless Device Switch window 3 Select the Enable Bluet...

Page 68: ...cation Type of operating system Use of both Wireless LAN and Bluetooth functionalities at the same time on the computer Size of file being 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 applicab...

Page 69: ...luetooth functionality may not work depending on the third party devices or the software version used by third party companies Bluetooth Security The Bluetooth wireless technology has an authentication function which allows you to determine whom you choose to communicate With the authentication function you can avoid any anonymous Bluetooth device to access your computer The first time two Bluetoo...

Page 70: ...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 71: ...uetooth functionality 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 To stop the Bluetooth connection turn off the WIRELESS switch The Bluetooth indicator turns off ...

Page 72: ...ct 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 available devices if any 6 Select HB...

Page 73: ...r To disconnect the headset from the computer 1 Right click the Bluetooth icon on the taskbar and select Bluetooth Settings from the menu The Bluetooth Settings window appears 2 Select Disconnect from the Bluetooth menu 3 Click Yes ...

Page 74: ... Docking Station page 75 Connecting External Speakers page 84 Connecting an External Display page 85 Selecting Display Modes page 92 Using the Multiple Monitors Function page 93 Connecting an External Microphone page 95 Connecting a Universal Serial Bus USB Device page 96 Connecting a Printer page 99 Connecting an i LINK Device page 100 Connecting to a Network LAN page 102 ...

Page 75: ...Station Attaching a multi function bay docking station enables you to connect additional peripherals to your computer such as a printer and an external display A multi function bay docking station is not supplied with your computer and is available as an optional accessory ...

Page 76: ...T port Output frequency 96 kHz 48 kHz 44 kHz Variable Connect digital equipment such as an AV amplifier F PHONES OUT jack 3 page 84 G VIDEO OUT port page 89 H S VIDEO OUT port page 89 I Network Ethernet port 1000BASE T 100BASE TX 10BASE T page 102 J Security slot 1 Supports high full low speeds 2 Enabled only when a model with the NVIDIA video controller is attached 3 Referred to as the headphones...

Page 77: ...ng station and the AC outlet while using the multi function bay docking station this may cause data damage or hardware malfunctions A IN USE indicator page 81 B UNDOCK button page 81 C PUSH RELEASE button page 81 D DC IN indicator Illuminates when the power of the multi function bay docking station is on E Multi function bay F Multi function bay unit eject button See the manual supplied with the o...

Page 78: ...ith a size adjuster for use with other VAIO models which is described in the manual supplied with the docking station You do not need to use this size adjuster for your model To attach your computer to the multi function bay docking station 1 Disconnect all peripherals from the computer 2 Plug the power cord 1 into the AC adapter 2 and an AC outlet 3 Plug the cable attached to the AC adapter 2 int...

Page 79: ...r cover on the bottom of the computer 5 Place the computer on the multi function bay docking station Bring the arrows on the back of the LCD and the multi function bay docking station together so that the connector on the bottom of the computer comes in contact with that on the docking station ...

Page 80: ...on the computer Use the AC adapter supplied with the multi function bay docking station Do not move the computer while attached to the multi function bay docking station this may detach the multi function bay docking station and cause damage to the multi function bay docking station and the computer ...

Page 81: ...cator is lit may result in loss of unsaved data or a failure of the computer When the battery is running out of power disconnecting the computer from the multi function bay docking station may result in loss of unsaved data Do not disconnect the computer from the multi function bay docking station during video playback Be sure to close video playback software before disconnection To disconnect you...

Page 82: ...until the IN USE indicator 1 turns off and then press the PUSH RELEASE button 2 3 Lift the computer away from the multi function bay docking station 4 Close the multi function bay docking station connector cover on the bottom of the computer ...

Page 83: ...ft the computer away from the multi function bay docking station 4 Close the multi function bay docking station connector cover on the bottom of the computer It is extremely important to close the multi function bay docking station connector cover after disconnecting the computer from the multi function bay docking station If the cover is left open dust may get inside and damage the computer To di...

Page 84: ... speaker cable 1 into the headphones jack 2 on the computer or on the multi function bay docking station 2 Plug the other end of the speaker cable to the external speaker 3 3 Turn down the volume of the speakers before you turn them on Make sure your speakers are designed for computer use Do not place floppy disks on the speakers their magnetic field may damage the data on the disks ...

Page 85: ...er display or a projector Connecting a Computer Display page 86 Connecting a Multimedia Computer Display page 88 Connecting a TV page 89 Connecting a Projector page 90 Connect the power cord after connecting all other cables Connected external displays are used as second screens On Windows systems only you can also use an external display to set up multiple monitors ...

Page 86: ...hen attached to the multi function bay docking station 1 If necessary plug one end of the display s power cord 1 into the display and the other end into an AC outlet 2 If you want to connect a VGA monitor plug the display cable 2 not supplied into the monitor VGA port 3 a on the computer or on the multi function bay docking station 3 If you want to connect a TFT DVI monitor plug the display cable ...

Page 87: ...orts only digital video signals no analog video signals It has 24 pins A DVI I connector Digital Visual Interface Integrated supports digital video and analog video signals It has 29 pins You can use a TFT DVI monitor only when a model with the NVIDIA video controller is attached to the multi function bay docking station ...

Page 88: ...n To connect a multimedia computer display 1 Plug the power cord of the multimedia computer display 1 into an AC outlet 2 Plug the display cable 2 not supplied into the monitor VGA port 3 a on the computer or on the multi function bay docking station 3 Plug the speaker cable 4 into the headphones jack 5 on the computer or on the multi function bay docking station 4 Plug the microphone cable 6 into...

Page 89: ...cable not supplied into the headphones jack on the computer or on the multi function bay docking station and the other end to the TV 4 Switch the input channel of the TV to external input 5 Set up the TV configuration system The multi function bay docking station is also equipped with a VIDEO OUT port To connect a TV to this port use a regular video cable See the manual supplied with your peripher...

Page 90: ... a projector 1 Connect the power cord 1 of the projector into an AC outlet 2 Plug the RGB signal cable 2 into the monitor VGA port 3 a on the computer or on the multi function bay docking station 3 Plug the audio cable 4 not supplied into the headphones jack 5 on the computer or on the multi function bay docking station 4 Plug the RGB signal cable and the audio cable into the jack and port on the ...

Page 91: ...91 n N Using Peripheral Devices ...

Page 92: ...information To select a display Models with the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 1 Right click on the desktop to display the context menu 2 Click the menu item for graphic properties 3 Follow the on screen instructions to change the settings You may not be able to display on the computer s LCD and the external display or projector at the same time depending on the type of your external display or ...

Page 93: ... drag objects such as an open application window or a toolbar from one display to the other Your external display may not support the Multiple Monitors function Certain software applications may not be compatible with Multiple Monitors settings Make sure that the computer does not enter Standby or Hibernate mode while you are using Multiple Monitors mode otherwise the computer may not return to No...

Page 94: ...click on the desktop and select NVIDIA Control Panel from the menu 2 Click the Display icon 3 Click Change Display Configuration 4 Follow the on screen instructions to change the settings You can also change one of the S button assignments to activate the Multiple Monitors mode with the respective S button To change the S button assignments press and hold any S button to display the window for cha...

Page 95: ...e If you need to use a sound input device for example to chat on the Internet you need to plug in an external microphone To connect an external microphone Plug the microphone cable 1 into the microphone jack 2 m Make sure your microphone is designed for computer use ...

Page 96: ...e to the USB ports Do not put the computer into a bag or carrying case when it has USB devices connected Connecting a USB Mouse To connect a USB mouse 1 Choose the USB port 1 you prefer to use 2 Plug the USB mouse cable 2 into the USB port You can now use your USB mouse 3 The VAIO USB mouse software driver is preinstalled on the computer As a result you only need to plug the USB mouse into the USB...

Page 97: ...and connect it to your computer To connect a USB floppy disk drive 1 Choose the USB port you prefer to use 2 Plug the USB floppy disk drive cable into the USB port Your USB floppy disk drive 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 98: ...omputer To disconnect a USB floppy disk drive 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 Make sure the floppy disk drive is selected and click OK A message appears stating it is n...

Page 99: ...ing a Printer Using the USB Port You can connect a USB printer compatible with your version of Windows to the computer To connect a printer using the USB port 1 Plug the printer power cord into an AC outlet 1 2 Choose the USB port 3 you prefer to use 3 Plug one end of a USB printer cable 2 into the USB port and the other end to your printer ...

Page 100: ...i LINK cables compatible with the computer include cables with the following part numbers VMC IL4415 a 1 5 meter cable with a 4 pin connector at each end VMC IL4408 Series a 0 8 meter cable with a 4 pin connector at each end 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 T...

Page 101: ...o the DV In Out ports 3 on the digital video camera recorder 2 Launch the DVgate Plus software On Sony digital video cameras ports labeled DV Out DV In Out or i LINK are i LINK compatible The Sony digital video camera recorder shown here is an example your digital video camera recorder may need to be connected differently You cannot access the pictures stored on a Memory Stick media when using an ...

Page 102: ...n bay docking station and the other end to your network For detailed settings and devices needed to connect to the network see your network administrator Available only via the Network Ethernet port on the optional multi function bay docking station The computer can be connected to the network with the default settings When the computer is attached to the optional multi function bay docking statio...

Page 103: ...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 104: ...e the main settings of your 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 105 Setting Up Your Computer with VAIO Central page 107 Using the Power Saving Modes page 108 Managing Power with VAIO Power Management page 113 ...

Page 105: ...wer on password and need assistance to reset a password reset fee will be charged and your computer may need to be sent in for depot service for password reset To add the power on password 1 Turn on the computer 2 Press the F2 key when the VAIO logo appears The BIOS setup screen appears If not restart the computer and press the F2 key several times when the VAIO logo appears 3 Use the or key to se...

Page 106: ...uter and press the F2 key several times when the VAIO logo appears 3 Enter the current password for Enter Password and press the Enter key 4 Use the or key to select Security to display the Security tab select Set Machine Password and then press the Enter key 5 On the password entry screen enter the current password once and a new password twice and then press the Enter key To remove the password ...

Page 107: ...references for system behavior To use VAIO Central 1 Click Start point to All Programs and click VAIO Central The VAIO Central 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 Some of the control items will not be visible if you open VAIO Central as a limited user ...

Page 108: ...ry power you should be aware that the computer automatically enters Hibernate mode when the remaining battery charge becomes short regardless of the power management setting you select If the battery level falls below 10 percent you should either attach the AC adapter to recharge the battery or shut down the computer and install a fully charged battery Using Normal Mode This is the normal state of...

Page 109: ...he computer will switch off automatically You will lose any unsaved data When the computer is in Standby mode you cannot insert a disc The computer comes out of Standby mode quicker than out of Hibernate mode Standby mode uses more power than Hibernate mode If the battery runs down when the computer enters Standby mode you will lose any unsaved data Going back to the previous work state is impossi...

Page 110: ...o change the Standby mode settings 1 Click Start and then Control Panel 2 Click Performance and Maintenance 3 Click Power Options The Power Options Properties window appears 4 Select the Power Schemes tab 5 Change the System Standby settings ...

Page 111: ...t is off in this mode To activate Hibernate mode Press the Fn F12 keys The Hibernating screen appears and the computer enters Hibernate mode Alternatively 1 Click Start and then Turn Off Computer 2 Click Hibernate To return to Normal mode Turn on the computer by pressing the power button The computer returns to its previous state If you press the power button for more than four seconds the compute...

Page 112: ...e time of shutting down or resuming When the computer is in Hibernate mode you cannot insert a disc Hibernate mode requires more time than Standby mode to be activated It takes more time to return to Normal mode from Hibernate mode than from Standby mode Hibernate mode uses less power than Standby mode Do not move the computer until its power indicator light turns off ...

Page 113: ...ftware Activating VAIO Power Management When you start the computer a power status icon appears on the taskbar This icon indicates what kind of power source you are using at that time for example AC power If you double click this icon the window appears showing your power status VAIO Power Management functionalities are added to the Windows Power Options Properties To activate VAIO Power Managemen...

Page 114: ...ment power scheme 1 Click Start and then Control Panel 2 Click Performance and Maintenance 3 Click Power Options The Power Options Properties window appears 4 Select the tab for power scheme settings 5 Select a power scheme from the drop down list 6 If you now select the VAIO Power Management tab you see that the selected power scheme appears on the tab 7 If necessary you can change the items in t...

Page 115: ... that You contact your dealer to install a new memory module You do not install it yourself if you are not familiar with upgrading memory on a computer You do not touch the connectors or open the memory panel For the type of module and amount of memory installed on your model refer to the online Specifications For assistance contact an authorized Sony Service Center To find the nearest center or a...

Page 116: ...dule ensure the following The procedures described in this document assume familiarity with the general terminology associated with personal computers and with the safety practices and regulatory compliance required for using and modifying electronic equipment Turn off the computer and disconnect the system from its power source that is battery or AC adapter and from any telecommunication links ne...

Page 117: ...he computer and any repair costs will not be covered by the warranty Do not place the memory module in places 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 95 F 35 C or less than 41 F 5 C High humidity Handle the memory module with car...

Page 118: ...t all peripheral devices 2 Unplug the computer and remove the battery pack 3 Wait until the computer cools down 4 Unscrew the screws indicated by the arrows below on the bottom of the computer and remove the memory module compartment cover 5 Touch a metal object such as the connector panel on the back of the computer to discharge static electricity ...

Page 119: ...ve the memory module Pull the latches in the direction of the arrows 1 The memory module is released Make sure that the memory module tilts up and then pull it out in the direction of the arrow 2 7 Remove the new memory module from its packaging ...

Page 120: ...mory module make sure to insert it to the slot that is closer to the back of your computer Do not touch any other components on the motherboard Do not damage the inner film cover equipped for module protection 9 Replace the memory module compartment cover 10 Tighten the screws on the bottom of the computer 11 Reinstall the battery and turn on the computer ...

Page 121: ...rt point to All Programs and click VAIO Central 3 Click the System Information tab in the VAIO Central window 4 Double click the System Information folder 5 Double click the System Information icon You can view the amount of system memory If the additional memory does not appear repeat the whole procedure and restart the computer ...

Page 122: ... page 123 On Using the Power Source page 124 On Handling Your Computer page 125 On Using the Built in MOTION EYE Camera page 127 On Handling Floppy Disks page 127 On Handling Discs page 128 On Using the Battery Pack page 129 On Using Headphones page 130 On Handling Memory Stick Media page 130 On Handling the Hard Disk page 131 On Handling the Memory Card Adapter page 132 ...

Page 123: ...al image may appear on the screen if the same image is displayed for a lengthy period of time The residual image disappears in a while You can use a screen saver to prevent residual images The screen becomes warm during operation This is normal and does not indicate a malfunction The LCD is manufactured using high precision technology You may however see tiny black points and or bright points red ...

Page 124: ...d 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 the computer from the AC outlet if you are planning to not use the computer for a long time Make sure that the AC outlet is easily accessible When the AC adapter is not used unplug it from the AC outlet Use the AC ...

Page 125: ... 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 95 F 35 C or less than 41 F 5 C High humidity Do not place electronic equipment near the computer The electromagnetic field of the computer may cause a malfunction Provide adequate air circulation to prevent internal hea...

Page 126: ...r In this case allow at least one hour before turning on the computer If any problems occur unplug the computer and contact an authorized Sony Service Center To find the nearest center or agent visit the Sony online support Web site Make sure you disconnect the power cord before cleaning the computer To avoid losing data if the computer is damaged back up your data regularly ...

Page 127: ...ens of the built in MOTION EYE camera with a blower brush or a soft brush If the lens is extremely dirty wipe it off with a soft dry cloth Do not rub the plate as it is force sensitive On Handling Floppy Disks Do not open the shutter manually or touch the surface of the floppy disk Keep floppy disks away from magnets Keep floppy disks away from direct sunlight and other sources of heat Keep the fl...

Page 128: ...t use solvents such as benzine thinner alcohol commercially available cleaners or anti static spray which 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 rema...

Page 129: ...ing charged the battery pack heats up This is normal and is not cause for concern Keep the battery pack away from all sources of heat Keep the battery pack dry Do not open or try to disassemble the battery pack Do not expose the battery pack to any mechanical shock If you are not using the computer for an extended period of time remove the battery pack from the computer to prevent damage to the ba...

Page 130: ...me or discontinue use On Handling Memory Stick Media Do not use the media in locations that are subject to static electricity or electrical noise Do not touch the Memory Stick media connector with your finger or metallic objects Use only the label supplied with the Memory Stick media as a label Do not bend drop or apply strong shock to the Memory Stick media Do not disassemble or modify Memory Sti...

Page 131: ...ould be careful when handling the computer To avoid damaging your hard disk Do not subject the computer to sudden movements Keep the computer away from magnets Do not place the computer in a location subject to mechanical vibration or in an unstable position Do not move the computer while the power is on Do not turn off the power or restart the computer while reading or writing data to disk Do not...

Page 132: ... a label Do not bend drop or apply strong shock to the memory card adapter Do not disassemble or modify the memory card adapter Do not let the memory card adapter get wet Do not use or store the memory card adapter in a location subject to 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 ...

Page 133: ...stomers in USA at http www sony ca support for customers in Canada or at http esupport sony com ES for customers in Latin American countries or areas Computer page 135 System Security page 144 Battery page 146 Built in MOTION EYE Camera page 148 Internet page 151 Networking page 153 Bluetooth Technology page 156 CDs and DVDs page 160 Display page 165 Printing page 169 Microphone page 170 Mouse pag...

Page 134: ...134 n N Troubleshooting PC Cards page 176 Audio Video page 177 Memory Stick Media page 178 Peripherals page 179 Multi Function Bay Docking Station page 180 ...

Page 135: ...sure it is plugged into a power source and turned on Make sure the brightness and contrast controls are adjusted correctly See the manual that came with your display for details Disconnect the AC adapter and remove the battery Wait three to five minutes Reattach the AC adapter and reinstall the battery and press the power button to turn on the computer Condensation may cause the computer to malfun...

Page 136: ... the time hour minute second Press the Enter key 4 Press the key to select the Exit tab and then press the F9 key The message Load default configuration now appears 5 Select Yes and press the Enter key 6 Select Exit Setup and press the Enter key The message Save configuration changes and exit now appears 7 Select Yes and press the Enter key The computer restarts If this occurs on a regular basis c...

Page 137: ...pears on your screen after a while 1 Press the power button for more than four seconds to check that the power indicator goes out Then turn on the computer again 2 If nothing still appears on your screen unplug the AC adapter remove the battery and leave the computer for about a minute Then plug in the AC adapter install the battery and turn on the computer again ...

Page 138: ...w appears click Turn Off from the Shut Down menu When the Windows Security window appears click Shut Down If the computer still does not turn off press and hold the power button or slide and hold the power switch until the computer turns off If the computer stops responding while playing a CD or DVD press the Ctrl Alt Delete keys simultaneously You can turn off the computer from the Windows Task M...

Page 139: ...his procedure does not work press and hold the power button or slide and hold the power switch until the computer turns off What should I do if the battery indicator is flashing and my computer won t start This symptom could be due to the battery pack not being installed properly To resolve this symptom switch off the computer and remove the battery pack Then install the battery pack to the comput...

Page 140: ...ack is not compatible Remove the battery pack and contact an authorized Sony Service Center To find the nearest center or agent visit the Sony online support Web site Why is the sound of my computer s fan so loud The computer s fan may be running at a high speed to cool the CPU By lowering the CPU speed you also lower the speed and noise level of the computer s fan You can use the power schemes to...

Page 141: ...r 15 seconds then restart the computer and enter the correct password When entering the password check that the Num lock indicator and Caps lock indicator are off If any are lit press the Num Lk key or the Caps Lock key to turn off the indicator before entering the password What should I do if my game software does not work or it keeps crashing Check the web site of the game if there are any patch...

Page 142: ... passed The originally selected VAIO s screen saver disables the timer setting which you can select using the Windows power options for the LCD to turn off Change the originally selected VAIO s screen saver What should I do if I can t boot my computer from the USB device connected to the computer To boot your computer from the USB device for example a USB floppy disk drive or a USB optical disc dr...

Page 143: ...key to select Exit and select Exit Setup and then press the Enter key The message Save configuration changes and exit now appears 6 Select Yes and press the Enter key The computer restarts and you will hear the startup sound at the specified volume level You can also show hide the VAIO animation logo at startup To show the logo select VAIO Animation Logo or Show VAIO Animation Logo and press the E...

Page 144: ...updates regularly You can get important Windows updates by doing one of the following The Automatic Updates feature This feature automatically searches for and delivers updates directly to the computer whenever you are connected to the Internet The Windows Updates web site This site enables you to download computer updates without turning on the Automatic Updates feature The computer must be conne...

Page 145: ...eep the Norton Internet Security software program current with the latest updates from Symantec Corporation To download and install the latest security update 1 Double click the Norton Internet Security icon on the taskbar If you have not previously registered the antivirus software a series of information wizards appear 1 Follow the on screen instructions to complete each wizard 2 Double click th...

Page 146: ... 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 long time When should I replace the battery If the battery power is still low after charging it the battery may be reaching the end of its life and should be replaced Should I be concerned that the installed battery...

Page 147: ...m from entering Hibernate mode save your data frequently to avoid losing data See Using Hibernate Mode page 111 for information on how you can manually activate Hibernate mode Why doesn t my computer enter Hibernate mode You may first need to enable Hibernate mode Follow these steps 1 Click Start and then Control Panel 2 Click Performance and Maintenance 3 Click Power Options The Power Options Pro...

Page 148: ...es not indicate a malfunction If the problem persists restart the computer Why are captured images poor in quality The images captured under the fluorescent lamp may show reflection of the light A dark portion in captured images may appear as a noise If the front mirror plate over the lens is dirty you cannot take a clear shot Clean the lens See On Using the Built in MOTION EYE Camera page 127 Why...

Page 149: ... mismatch between lighting output frequency and shutter speed To reduce flicker noise change the pointing direction of the camera or the screen brightness In some software applications you can set an appropriate value to Flickness one of the camera properties to eliminate flicker noise Why is the video input from the built in MOTION EYE camera suspended for a few seconds The video input may be sus...

Page 150: ...el 2 Click the Performance and Maintenance icon 3 Click the System icon 4 Click Device Manager on the Hardware tab 5 Double click Imaging devices 6 Right click Sony Visual Communication Camera VGP VCC1 and click Update Driver Why does my computer become unstable when I place it into Standby or Hibernate mode while using the built in MOTION EYE camera Do not place your computer into Standby or Hibe...

Page 151: ...one number the program is dialing is correct Make sure the software you are using is compatible with the computer s modem All preinstalled Sony programs are compatible Make sure that the modem is the only device connected to your phone line Check the following setting 1 Click Start and then Control Panel 2 Click Printers and Other Hardware 3 Click Phone and Modem Options 4 On the Modems tab check ...

Page 152: ...ng properly to other PC based modems fax machines or your Internet Service Provider ISP follow these steps Ask your telephone company to verify your telephone line is free of any line noise If your problem is fax related make sure there are no problems with the fax machine you are calling and that it is compatible with fax modems If you are having a problem connecting with your ISP make sure the I...

Page 153: ...k Start and then Control Panel 2 Click Network and Internet Connections 3 Click Network Connections 4 Right click Wireless Network Connection 5 Click Properties 6 Click the Wireless Network tab 7 Click View Wireless Networks to see that your access point is selected Make sure the encryption key is correct Why can t I access the Internet Check the access point settings See the instructions supplied...

Page 154: ...emporarily overloaded depending on how many other devices are communicating via the access point If your access point interferes with other access points change the access point channel See your access point instructions for more information How do I avoid data transfer interruptions When the computer is connected to an access point data transfer interruptions may occur when using large files or i...

Page 155: ...e using a wireless LAN access point see connectivity information contained in your access point instructions When I change the encryption key the network connection stops What should I do Two computers with built in wireless LAN may loose a peer to peer network connection if the encryption key is changed You can either change the encryption key back to the original profile or re enter the key on b...

Page 156: ...or you may not be able to communicate with the device Why can t I 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 details If the device with which you want to communicate is already communicating with another Bluetooth device it may not be found or it may ...

Page 157: ...stom Bluetooth security level is selected click the Default level button 4 Click OK The data transfer distance can be shorter than 33 feet 10 meters depending on existing obstacles between the two devices on radio wave quality on the operating system or the software used Try to move the computer or to place both devices closer If the device with which you want to communicate is already communicati...

Page 158: ...d by distance and obstructions You may need to move the computer away from obstructions or closer to the device to which it is connected Identify and remove obstacles between the 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 env...

Page 159: ...ct the utility cannot assign a dynamic IP address to the device and fails Do not specify IP addresses when using a PAN Why can t I use the Bluetooth functionality when I log on to my computer as a limited user The Bluetooth functionality may not be available to users with limited rights on the computer Log on to the computer with a user with administrator rights Why can t I connect to a Bluetooth ...

Page 160: ...or damage If the disc is dirty see On Handling Discs page 128 for instructions on how to clean it What should I do if the drive tray won t open Make sure the computer is on Press the drive eject button If the drive eject button does not work click Start and then My Computer Right click the optical disc drive icon and select Eject from the shortcut menu If none of the above options work insert a th...

Page 161: ...uctions If you are playing a CD or DVD and cannot hear sound follow these steps Double click the Volume icon on the taskbar and click to cancel the Master Volume Mute All and Wave Mute check boxes Check the volume setting in the audio mixer If you are using external speakers check the volume settings on the speakers and the connections between the speakers and the computer Make sure the CD audio f...

Page 162: ...ke sure an adhesive label was not attached to the CD or DVD 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 the co...

Page 163: ...online Specifications to see whether your model is equipped with an optical disc drive capable of DVD writing Are you using the correct DVD recordable media Check which DVD recordable format is compatible with the computer s built in DVD recorder DVD R DVD RW DVD R DVD RW Note the possibility that some brands of DVD recordable media do not work The preinstalled software on the computer does not su...

Page 164: ...l disc drive icon and select Properties 3 Click the Recording tab 4 Click to cancel the Enable CD recording on this drive check box 5 Click OK Canceling the Enable CD recording on this drive check box disables writing to CD R and CD RW discs To write to such discs make sure to select this check box You cannot add data to DVD RAM discs with data already written by the Roxio DigitalMedia software du...

Page 165: ...using battery power make sure the battery is installed properly and is charged See Using the Battery Pack page 22 for more information If the display mode is set to external display use the Fn F7 key combination See Combinations and Functions with the Fn Key page 29 for more information Why can t I view the entire DVD video display on a TV screen The display resolution may not be properly set It i...

Page 166: ... the left to reduce the size and to the right to increase the size of the video resolution How do I switch the computer screen from LCD to TV Press the Fn F7 keys to view the image on either the computer screen LCD or the TV See Combinations and Functions with the Fn Key page 29 for more information What should I do if the screen does not display a video If the external display is selected for the...

Page 167: ...tness To do the following procedure you must have administrator rights on the computer 1 Click Start and then Control Panel 2 Click Performance and Maintenance 3 Click Power Options 4 Select the tab for power scheme settings 5 Select the desired power scheme from the drop down list 6 On the VAIO Power Management tab select No change for LCD Brightness 7 Click OK The preference for the brightness a...

Page 168: ...by pressing the Fn F7 keys What should I do if the Fn F7 keys do not switch the computer screen to the external display connected to the monitor VGA port on the computer When the computer is attached to the optional multi function bay docking station the monitor VGA port on the computer is disabled Thus pressing the Fn F7 keys toggles between the LCD and the external display connected to the monit...

Page 169: ...t the computer If the bidirectional communication functions are provided with your printer disabling the functions on the computer may enable printing Follow these steps 1 Click Start and then Control Panel 2 Click Printers and Other Hardware 3 Click Printers and Faxes 4 Right click an unused printer and select Properties 5 Click the Ports tab 6 Click to cancel the Enable bidirectional support che...

Page 170: ...e using an external microphone make sure the microphone is turned on and is properly plugged into the Microphone jack on the computer The muting button may have been pressed Check to see if the muting indicator light is on If it is press the muting button to turn on the volume ...

Page 171: ...e the pointer restart the computer Press the Ctrl Alt Delete keys simultaneously In the Windows Task Manager window press the appropriate button and restart the computer Press and hold the power button When the computer turns off wait 10 to 15 seconds then press the power button again to restart the computer Avoid using radio controlled toys or equipment CB radios and other wireless devices in the...

Page 172: ...h the speakers If you are using battery power make sure the battery is installed properly and is charged If the speakers require external power make sure the speakers are connected to a power source See the manual that came with the speakers for more information Why can t I hear sound from my speakers If the computer is using battery power make sure the battery is properly installed and is charged...

Page 173: ...er mouse is not installed You may have disabled the touch pad without connecting a mouse to the computer See Using the Touch Pad page 31 How do I change the left and right button assignments If the computer is interpreting a single click as a double click you may want to change the button assignments Follow these steps 1 Click Start and then Control Panel 2 Click Printers and Other Hardware 3 Clic...

Page 174: ...hange the keyboard configuration follow these steps 1 Click Start and then Control Panel 2 Click Date Time Language and Regional Options 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 enter U I O P J K L M and so on the Num Lk key may be activated Check that the Num lock indicator is off...

Page 175: ...the LED 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 the 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 Turn Off Computer and then Restart Why is the drive unable to write data to a floppy di...

Page 176: ... Why doesn t my computer recognize attached devices For some PC Cards if you alternate between normal power operation and the Standby or Hibernate modes while the card is inserted into the PC Card slot the computer may not recognize the PC Card or the connected device Restart 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 f...

Page 177: ...ation i LINK is a trademark of Sony used only to designate that a product contains an IEEE1394 connection The i LINK connection may vary depending on the software applications operating system and compatible i LINK devices All products with an i LINK connection may not communicate with each other See the manual that came with your compatible i LINK device for information on operating conditions an...

Page 178: ...tick Formatter software preinstalled on the computer For instructions about formatting a Memory Stick media see the help file on the Memory Stick Formatter software 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 MagicGate Memory Stick media Using recorded music requires permission of the copyright holders...

Page 179: ... AC outlet Try using a different USB port on the computer The driver could be installed to the specific port you used the first time you connected the device Check the manual provided with the USB device You may need to install software before you connect the device Try connecting a simple low powered device such as a mouse to test that the port is working at all USB hubs may prevent a device from...

Page 180: ...ices connected to the multi function bay docking station Make sure to use the AC adapter supplied with the multi function bay docking station to connect the docking station to a power source The multi function bay docking station does not work on the battery installed in the computer ...

Page 181: ...stem Online Support Your computer comes preinstalled with a Microsoft Windows operating system For operating system support you can visit Microsoft customer support at http support microsoft com directory 4 Sony Computing Support This service provides instant access to information on commonly encountered problems Type a description of the problem and the Knowledge Database searches for the corresp...

Page 182: ... 1 Your VAIO computer model You can find it at the lower right corner of the display on the laptops and in the same place on the front panel of the CPU on the desktops 2 Your computer s serial number You can find it on the back or bottom of the laptop or on the back of the desktop the serial number is the last 7 digits of the number below the barcode 3 The operating system on your computer 4 The h...

Page 183: ...ng numbers In Argentina 011 6770 SONY 7669 In Mexico In Mexico City 5002 9819 In the Mexican Republic 01 800 759 7669 In Colombia 01 800 550 7000 In Peru 0 801 1 7000 or 595 0200 In Chile Sony answers 800 261 800 From cellular phones 02 754 6333 In Venezuela 0 800 1 SONY 00 0 800 1 7669 00 In Panama 800 2050 ...

Page 184: ...b Site http www sony com pcsupport Telephone 888 4 SONY PC 888 476 6972 For users in Canada Web Site http www sony ca support Telephone 888 4 SONY PC 888 476 6972 For users in Latin American countries or areas Web Site http esupport sony com ES For contacts about third party software products see the following Adobe Photoshop Elements Photoshop Album Premiere Reader Adobe Systems Inc For users in ...

Page 185: ...erica Online Inc For users in USA and Canada Web Site http www aol com AOL Explorer America Online Inc For users in USA and Canada Web Site http www aol com AOL Instant Messenger America Online Inc For users in USA and Canada Web Site http www aim com ...

Page 186: ...your DVDs by adding chapter menus backgrounds and menu screens You are only a few clicks away from your own DVDs For contacts about the software see Program Support Information page 184 DISCover My Games DISCover For users in USA and Canada Web Site http www discoverconsole com DVgate Plus software Sony Electronics Inc Connect a compatible digital video camera to your computer s i LINK port and ca...

Page 187: ... Intel PROSet Intel Corporation For users in USA and Canada Web Site http www intel com network connectivity products wireless proset proset_software htm Microsoft Office Basic Edition Office Professional Edition Office Small Business Edition Microsoft Corp For users in USA and Canada Web Site http support microsoft com ...

Page 188: ...unctionality mode limiting end user options and operations Microsoft Corp For users in USA and Canada Web Site http support microsoft com 60 Day Trial Version of Microsoft Digital Image Starter Edition 2006 The Microsoft Digital Image Starter Edition 2006 60 Day Trial software included with this computer system is intended for evaluation purposes only The software has been partially installed and ...

Page 189: ...upport microsoft com Netscape Browser America Online Inc For users in USA and Canada Web Site http browser netscape com Norton Internet Security Symantec Corporation For users in USA and Canada Web Site http www symantec com techsupp Quicken New User Edition Intuit Inc For users in USA and Canada Web Site http www intuit com support quicken ...

Page 190: ...in design and audio CD burning capability For contacts about the software see Program Support Information page 184 SonicStage Mastering Studio software Sony Electronics Inc Use SonicStage Mastering Studio software to record songs from analog records or cassette tapes into your computer and output them to CD R or CD RW discs or audio files in WAV format For contacts about the software see Program S...

Page 191: ...o configure your VAIO computer and view your computer s configuration and specifications For contacts about the software see Program Support Information page 184 VAIO Media software Sony Electronics Inc VAIO Media software brings multimedia to your network enabling you to share music video and still image files between your VAIO computers You can set up one or more VAIO computers as media servers ...

Page 192: ...Inc The VAIO Update utility helps you keep your VAIO computer up to date by regularly checking the Sony Online Support Web site for important software updates and information for your specific VAIO computer model For contacts about the software see Program Support Information page 184 VAIO Wireless Utility Sony Electronics Inc The VAIO Wireless Utility walks you through setting up your wireless ne...

Page 193: ...D drive VAIO Zone enables you to record video and slide shows of pictures to DVD On VAIO computer models with a built in TV tuner VAIO Zone includes a complete personal video recorder enabling you to record TV programs and burn them to DVD For contacts about the software see Program Support Information page 184 WinDVD software for VAIO computers InterVideo Inc For users in USA and Canada Web site ...

Page 194: ... 2006 Sony Corporation n ...

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