Sony VGN-NW31EF/S User Manual Download

Page: 1 / 165

User Guide

Personal Computer

VGN-NW series

Summary of Contents for VGN-NW31EF/S

Page 1: ...N User Guide Personal Computer VGN NW series ...

Page 2: ...45 Using Other Modules Memory Cards 51 Using the Internet 57 Using the Network LAN 58 Using the Wireless LAN 59 Using the Bluetooth Function 67 Using Peripheral Devices 73 Connecting External Speakers or Headphones 74 Connecting an External Display 75 Selecting Display Modes 80 Using the Multiple Monitors Function 81 Connecting an External Microphone 83 Connecting a USB Device 84 Connecting an i L...

Page 3: ...n Storage Device 119 Troubleshooting 120 Computer 122 System Update Security 129 Battery 131 Built in Camera 133 Networking LAN Wireless LAN 135 Bluetooth Technology 139 Optical Discs 143 Display 147 Printing 151 Microphone 152 Speakers 153 Touch Pad 155 Keyboard 156 Floppy Disks 157 Audio Video 158 Memory Stick 160 Peripherals 161 Trademarks 162 Notice 164 ...

Page 4: ...ng and communications to provide you with a state of the art computing experience External views illustrated in this manual may look slightly different from those of your computer How to find specifications Some features options and supplied items may not be available on your computer To find out about the configuration of your computer visit the VAIO Link web site at http www vaio link com ...

Page 5: ... information about solving common problems To view this on screen guide 1 Click Start All Programs and VAIO Documentation 2 Open the folder for your language 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 Documentation and opening the folder for your language Windows Help and Support A comprehensive resource for...

Page 6: ...vides the possibility to ask questions to other VAIO users For product information you can visit our products web site at http www vaio eu or our online store at http www sonystyle europe com In case you need to contact VAIO Link have the serial number of your VAIO computer ready at hand The serial number is located on the bottom the back panel or inside the battery compartment of your VAIO comput...

Page 7: ...nt of you Keep your forearms horizontal with your wrists in a neutral comfortable position while using the keyboard or the pointing device Let your upper arms hang naturally at your sides Take frequent breaks while using your computer Excessive use of the computer may strain eyes muscles or tendons Furniture and posture Sit in a chair with good back support Adjust the level of the chair so your fe...

Page 8: ...level of the display as well Lighting Choose a location where windows and lights do not cause glare and reflection on the display Use indirect lighting to avoid bright spots on the display Proper lighting adds to your comfort and work efficiency Positioning an external display When using an external display set the display at a comfortable viewing distance Make sure the display screen is at or sli...

Page 9: ...rted using your VAIO computer Locating Controls and Ports page 10 About the Indicator Lights page 16 Connecting a Power Source page 17 Using the Battery Pack page 19 Shutting Down Your Computer Safely page 25 Using the Power Saving Modes page 26 Updating Your Computer page 29 ...

Page 10: ...ontrols and Ports Take a moment to identify the controls and ports shown on the following pages The appearance of your computer may be different from those illustrated in this manual due to variations in specifications It may also vary in some countries or areas ...

Page 11: ...n MOTION EYE camera page 37 D WIRELESS switch page 59 page 67 E WIRELESS indicator page 16 F Media Access indicator page 16 G Memory Stick slot page 45 H SD memory card slot page 53 I Power indicator page 16 J Charge indicator page 16 K Disc drive indicator page 16 Your computer supports both standard size Memory Stick and Duo size Memory Stick ...

Page 12: ...ng S1 button page 34 C DISPLAY OFF button page 34 D Num lock indicator page 16 E Caps lock indicator page 16 F Scroll lock indicator page 16 G Power button H LCD screen page 113 I Built in speakers stereo J Keyboard page 31 K Touch pad page 33 L Left button page 33 M Right button page 33 ...

Page 13: ...ls and Ports Right A Headphones jack page 74 B Microphone jack page 83 C Hi Speed USB USB 2 0 ports page 84 D Optical disc drive page 38 E Drive eject button page 38 F Manual eject hole page 143 G Security slot Support high full low speeds ...

Page 14: ...N port page 17 B Network LAN port page 58 C Air vent D Monitor port page 76 E HDMI output port 1 page 78 F i LINK 4 pin S400 port page 86 G Hi Speed USB USB 2 0 port 2 page 84 H ExpressCard 34 slot page 51 1 On selected models only 2 Supports high full low speeds ...

Page 15: ...15 n N Getting Started Locating Controls and Ports Back Bottom A Air vents B Battery connector page 19 C Memory module compartment cover page 100 ...

Page 16: ...use Disc drive Illuminates while data access to the built in storage device or the optical disc drive is in progress Do not place the computer into Sleep mode or turn it off while this indicator light is lit Num lock Press the Num Lk key to activate the numeric keypad Press it a second time to deactivate the numeric keypad The numeric keypad is not active when the indicator light is unlit Caps loc...

Page 17: ...y connected to an AC power source and has a battery pack installed it uses power from the AC outlet Use only the supplied AC adapter for your computer 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 from the AC adapter 3 into the DC IN port 4 on the computer The shape of the DC In plug varies...

Page 18: ...ter completely from an AC power source unplug the AC adapter from the AC outlet Make sure that the AC outlet is easily accessible If you do not intend to use your computer for an extended period of time place the computer into Hibernate mode See Using Hibernate Mode page 28 ...

Page 19: ...ttery Pack The battery pack supplied with your computer is not fully charged at the time of delivery Installing Removing the Battery Pack To install the battery pack 1 Turn off the computer and close the LCD screen lid 2 Slide the battery LOCK switch 1 inward ...

Page 20: ...compartment until the projection 2 on either side of the battery compartment fits into the U shaped cut 3 on either side of the battery pack 4 Push the battery pack down into the compartment until it clicks into place 5 Slide the battery LOCK switch outward to secure the battery pack on the computer ...

Page 21: ...ry LOCK switch 1 inward 3 Slide and hold the battery RELEASE latch 2 inward put your fingertip underneath the tab 3 on the battery pack and lift the battery pack in the direction of the arrow and then slide it away from the computer Certain rechargeable batteries do not meet Sony quality and safety standards For safety reasons this computer only functions with genuine Sony battery packs designed f...

Page 22: ...attery pack charges close to the maximum charge level you selected the charge indicator turns off Charge the battery pack as described in this manual from your first battery charge Charge indicator status Meaning Lit in orange The battery pack is charging Blinks along with the green power indicator The battery pack is running out of power Normal mode Blinks along with the orange power indicator Th...

Page 23: ...ischarged battery pack does not affect the life of battery You can extend the life of your battery pack if you enable the battery care function of the Battery Charge Functions with the VAIO Control Center While some software applications or peripheral devices are in use your computer may not enter Hibernate mode even when the remaining battery life becomes short To avoid loss of data while the com...

Page 24: ...thods Decrease the LCD brightness of your computer screen Use the power saving mode See Using the Power Saving Modes page 26 for more information Change the power saving settings on the Power Options See Using the VAIO Power Management page 98 for more information Set the wallpaper in Long Battery Life Wallpaper Setting as your desktop background with the VAIO Control Center ...

Page 25: ...t down your computer properly as described below To shut down your computer 1 Turn off any peripherals connected to the computer 2 Click Start and the Shut down button 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 26: ...loss of data you should save your data frequently Mode Description Normal mode This is the normal state of your computer while it is in use The green power indicator light is lit while the computer is in this mode Sleep mode Sleep mode turns off the LCD screen and places the built in storage device s and the CPU into a low power consumption mode The orange power indicator light blinks slowly while...

Page 27: ...ep mode Click Start the arrow next to the Shut down button and Sleep To return to Normal mode Press any key Press the power button on your computer If you press and hold the power button for more than four seconds your computer will turn off automatically You will lose all unsaved data ...

Page 28: ... keys Alternatively you can click Start the arrow next to the Shut down button and Hibernate Do not move your computer before its power indicator light turns off To return to Normal mode Press the power button If you press and hold the power button for more than four seconds your computer will turn off automatically ...

Page 29: ...matically notifies you of new updates for enhancing your computer s performance available on the Internet and downloads and installs them on the computer Windows Update Click Start All Programs and Windows Update and then follow the on screen instructions VAIO Update 5 Click Start All Programs and VAIO Update 5 and then follow the on screen instructions Your computer must be connected to the Inter...

Page 30: ...he Touch Pad page 33 Using Special function Buttons page 34 Using the Quick Web Access Function page 35 Using the Built in Camera page 37 Using the Optical Disc Drive page 38 Using Memory Stick page 45 Using Other Modules Memory Cards page 51 Using the Internet page 57 Using the Network LAN page 58 Using the Wireless LAN page 59 Using the Bluetooth Function page 67 ...

Page 31: ... of your computer screen To increase lighting intensity keep pressing the Fn F6 keys or press the Fn F6 keys and then the M or key To decrease lighting intensity keep pressing the Fn F5 keys or press the Fn F5 keys and then the m or key Fn T F7 display output Switches the display output between your computer screen an external display simultaneous output to both and multiple displays with both tha...

Page 32: ...he help file included with the VAIO Control Center for more information Fn F12 hibernation Provides the lowest level of power consumption When you execute this command the states of the system and the connected peripheral devices are saved to the built in storage device 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 detai...

Page 33: ...1 to place the pointer 2 on an item or object Click Press the left button 3 once Double click Press the left button twice in a row Right click Press the right button 4 once With many applications this action displays a context sensitive shortcut menu if any Drag Slide your finger on the touch pad while pressing the left button Scroll Slide your finger along the right edge of the touch pad to scrol...

Page 34: ...ctional while the computer is in Sleep mode or Hibernate mode Muting S1 button While the computer is in Normal mode the muting S1 button executes the task that is assigned to the button by default You can change the default assignment with the VAIO Control Center While the Quick Web Access function is activated the muting S1 button turns the volume on and off Even if you change the button assignme...

Page 35: ... the initial setup wizard Once you have completed the initial setup the web browser used with the Quick Web Access function launches just by pressing the WEB button from the next time Exiting the Quick Web Access Function To launch the Windows operating system you first need to exit the Quick Web Access function To exit the Quick Web Access function do any of the following Click the icon located a...

Page 36: ... is activated you cannot use any function key except the F2 F3 and F4 keys in combination with the Fn key for shortcuts the Scr Lk key in combination with the Fn key for a shortcut any port and jack except the DC IN port the network LAN port the USB ports and the headphones jack the Memory Stick slot the SD memory card slot and the ExpressCard slot ...

Page 37: ...nstant messaging or video editing software does not activate or deactivate the built in camera Do not place your computer into Sleep or Hibernate mode while you are using the built in camera To use the preinstalled image capture software 1 Click Start All Programs ArcSoft WebCam Companion 3 and WebCam Companion 3 2 Click your desired icon in the main window For detailed information on how to use t...

Page 38: ...equipped with an optical disc drive Some features and options in this section may not be available on your computer See the specifications to find out about the configuration of your computer To insert a disc 1 Turn on the computer 2 Press the drive eject button 1 to open the drive The drive tray slides out ...

Page 39: ... disc clicks into place Do not exert pressure on the drive tray Be sure to hold the bottom of the drive tray when placing removing a disc onto from the tray 4 Close the drive tray by pushing it in gently Do not remove the optical disc while your computer is in a power saving mode Sleep or Hibernate Be sure to bring the computer back into Normal mode before removing the disc ...

Page 40: ...ombo P P P P PR 5 P P PR PR PR PR PR P P 1 The DVD RW RAM disc drive on your computer does not support the DVD RAM cartridge Use non cartridge discs or discs with a removable cartridge 2 Writing data to single sided 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 3 The Blu ray Disc drive on your compu...

Page 41: ...supported To play copyright protected Blu ray Disc media continually update the AACS key The AACS key update requires Internet access As with other optical media devices circumstances may limit compatibility or prevent Blu ray Disc media playback VAIO computers may not support movie playback on packaged media recorded in AVC or VC1 formats at high bit rates Region settings are required for some co...

Page 42: ...e is writing data to a disc Notes on playing discs To achieve optimum performance of disc playback you should follow these recommendations Some CD players and computer optical disc drives may not be able to play audio CDs created with the CD R or CD RW media Some DVD players and computer optical disc drives may not be able to play DVDs created with the DVD R DL DVD R DL DVD R DVD RW DVD R DVD RW o...

Page 43: ...2 5 Russia belongs to region 5 or all this means that you can play this disc in most regions of the world you cannot play the disc on your computer If you change the region code while the WinDVD or WinDVD BD software is running restart the software or eject the disc and re insert it to make the new setting effective Do not try to change the region code settings of the drive Any difficulties caused...

Page 44: ...lay the disc For instructions on how to use the software see the help file included with the software Copying Files to Discs To copy files to a disc 1 Insert a recordable disc into the optical disc drive Connect the AC adapter to the computer and close all running software applications before copying files to a disc 2 If nothing appears on the desktop click Start All Programs and your desired disc...

Page 45: ...ause it is removable it can be used for external data storage Before You Use Memory Stick The Memory Stick slot on your computer can accommodate the following sizes and types of media Memory Stick Memory Stick Duo Memory Stick PRO Memory Stick PRO Duo Memory Stick PRO HG Duo The Memory Stick slot on your computer does not support 8 bit parallel data transfer high speed data transfer For the latest...

Page 46: ... into the slot until it clicks into place Memory Stick is automatically detected by your system and the contents on Memory Stick are displayed If nothing appears on the desktop click Start Computer and double click the Memory Stick icon The Memory Stick icon will appear in the Computer window after you insert Memory Stick into the slot You can insert Duo size Memory Stick directly into the Memory ...

Page 47: ...y not be able to remove it from the slot Memory Stick Micro in an M2 Duo adaptor may not operate properly if it is additionally inserted into a Memory Stick Duo adaptor To remove Memory Stick Do not remove Memory Stick while the Media Access indicator light is lit If you do you may lose data Large volumes of data may take time to load so make sure the indicator light is unlit before removing Memor...

Page 48: ...edia make sure that it does not contain your valuable data Do not remove Memory Stick from the slot while formatting This could cause a malfunction 1 Locate the Memory Stick slot 2 Carefully slide Memory Stick into the slot until it clicks into place 3 Click Start and Computer to open the Computer window 4 Right click the Memory Stick icon and select Format 5 Click Restore device defaults The size...

Page 49: ...49 n N Using Your VAIO Computer Using Memory Stick 6 Click Start 7 Follow the on screen instructions It may take time to format Memory Stick depending on the media type ...

Page 50: ... of compatibility MagicGate is the general name of the copyright protection technology developed by Sony Use Memory Stick with the MagicGate logo to take advantage of this technology Except for your personal use it is against the copyright law to use any audio and or image data you recorded without prior consent from the respective copyright holders Accordingly Memory Stick with such copyrighted d...

Page 51: ...data among digital cameras camcorders music players and other audio video devices This slot can only accommodate an ExpressCard 34 34 mm wide module Referred to as the ExpressCard slot and the ExpressCard module in this manual To insert an ExpressCard module 1 Locate the ExpressCard slot 2 Carefully slide the ExpressCard module into the slot until it clicks into place Do not force it into the slot...

Page 52: ...n your computer is off the Safely Remove Hardware icon is not displayed on the taskbar the hardware you want to unplug is not displayed in the Safely Remove Hardware window 1 Locate the ExpressCard slot 2 Double click the Safely Remove Hardware icon on the taskbar 3 Select the hardware you want to unplug and click Stop 4 Follow the on screen instructions for removing the ExpressCard module 5 Push ...

Page 53: ...sfer data among digital cameras camcorders music players and other audio video devices Before you use the SD memory card The SD memory card slot on your computer supports the following memory cards SD memory card SDHC memory card For the latest information on compatible memory cards see Finding More about Your VAIO Computer page 5 to visit the appropriate support web site ...

Page 54: ...upward and pointing toward the slot 3 Carefully slide the SD memory card into the slot until it clicks into place Do not force the card into the slot If the SD memory card does not go into the slot easily remove it gently and verify you are inserting it in the proper direction The SD memory card icon will appear in the Computer window after you insert the card into the slot ...

Page 55: ...mory Cards To remove an SD memory card 1 Locate the SD memory card slot 2 Check that the Media Access indicator light is unlit 3 Push in the SD memory card toward the computer and release The SD memory card ejects 4 Pull the SD memory card out of the slot ...

Page 56: ... lit If you do you may lose data Do not attempt to insert a memory card or memory card adaptor of a different type into the memory card slot An incompatible memory card or memory card adaptor may cause difficulty in removing from the slot and can cause damage to your computer Notes on using the SD memory card Your computer has been tested and found compatible only with major memory cards available...

Page 57: ...ct your computer to the Internet ask your ISP To connect your computer to the Internet using the wireless LAN function you need to set up the wireless LAN network See Using the Wireless LAN page 59 for more information When you connect your computer to the Internet be sure to take appropriate security measures to protect the computer against online threats Depending on the service contract with yo...

Page 58: ...ices required for LAN access ask your network administrator You can connect your computer to any network without changing the default settings Do not plug a telephone cable into the network LAN port on your computer If the network LAN port is connected to one of the telephone lines mentioned below high electric current to the port may cause damage overheating or fire Home intercom speakerphone or ...

Page 59: ...h a wireless radio connection The WLAN supports all normal LAN connectivity but with the added benefits of mobility and roaming You can still access information Internet intranet and network resources even in the middle of a meeting or as you move from one place to another You can communicate without an access point which means that you can communicate with a limited number of computers ad hoc Or ...

Page 60: ...nd authentication WPA2 the second generation of WPA provides stronger data protection and network access control and is also designed to secure all versions of 802 11 devices including 802 11b 802 11a 802 11g and 802 11n standards multi band and multi mode In addition based on the ratified IEEE 802 11i standard WPA2 provides government grade security by implementing the National Institute of Stand...

Page 61: ...h devices the radio conditions the ambient environment that includes existence of walls and materials of such walls and the software in use Actual communication speed may not be as fast as the one displayed on your computer Deploying IEEE 802 11b and IEEE 802 11g products on the same wireless network may reduce the communication speed due to radio interference Taking this into consideration the IE...

Page 62: ...n Access Point Ad hoc An ad hoc network is a network in which a LAN is created only by 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 63: ...ESS switch 2 Click the VAIO Smart Network icon on the taskbar 3 Click the switch next to your desired wireless option s to toggle it to On in the VAIO Smart Network window Make sure the WIRELESS indicator light turns on 4 Click Start and Control Panel 5 Click View network status and tasks under Network and Internet 6 Click Set up a new connection or network 7 Select an option to specify the ad hoc...

Page 64: ...t supplied The access point bridges the wireless and wired LAN and acts as a central controller for the wireless LAN network The access point coordinates transmission and reception from multiple wireless devices within a specific range The access point will select which channel to use on an infrastructure network For details on how to select the channel that will be used by the access point see th...

Page 65: ...on Wireless LAN communication IEEE 802 11a standard using only the 5 GHz band available on selected models only is disabled by default To enable 5 GHz band communication you need to select the option to use the 5 GHz band or both the 2 4 GHz and 5 GHz bands from the drop down list for Wireless LAN Settings in the VAIO Smart Network settings window 5 Click or on the taskbar 6 Select the desired acc...

Page 66: ...ireless LAN Communications To stop wireless LAN communications Click the switch next to Wireless LAN to toggle it to Off in the VAIO Smart Network window Turning off the wireless LAN function while accessing remote documents files or resources may result in data loss ...

Page 67: ...without cables at a range of up to 10 meters in an open area Bluetooth Security The Bluetooth wireless technology has an authentication function which allows you to determine with whom you choose to communicate With the authentication function you can prevent any anonymous Bluetooth devices from accessing your computer The first time two Bluetooth devices communicate a common passkey a password re...

Page 68: ...ing the Bluetooth Function 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 69: ... need to set up the Bluetooth function For setting up and using the Bluetooth function search Windows Help and Support for Bluetooth information 1 Turn on the WIRELESS switch 2 Click the VAIO Smart Network icon on the taskbar 3 Click the switch next to Bluetooth to toggle it to On in the VAIO Smart Network window Make sure the WIRELESS indicator light turns on ...

Page 70: ...uetooth Function Stopping Bluetooth Communications To stop Bluetooth communications 1 Turn off the Bluetooth device that is communicating with your computer 2 Click the switch next to Bluetooth to toggle it to Off in the VAIO Smart Network window ...

Page 71: ... in 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 can vary Data exchange may not be possible in all situations Video and audio may not be synchronized if you play videos on your computer with audio output from a connected Bl...

Page 72: ...n The Bluetooth function may not work with other devices depending on the manufacturer or the software version employed by the manufacturer Connecting multiple Bluetooth devices to your computer may cause channel congestion resulting in poor performance of the devices This is normal with Bluetooth technology and is not a malfunction ...

Page 73: ...ng the various ports on the computer Connecting External Speakers or Headphones page 74 Connecting an External Display page 75 Selecting Display Modes page 80 Using the Multiple Monitors Function page 81 Connecting an External Microphone page 83 Connecting a USB Device page 84 Connecting an i LINK Device page 86 ...

Page 74: ...nect external sound output devices not supplied such as speakers or headphones to your computer To connect external speakers Make sure your speakers are designed for computer use Turn down the volume of the speakers before you turn them on Connect external speakers 1 to the headphones jack 2 i with a speaker cable 3 not supplied ...

Page 75: ...75 n N Using Peripheral Devices Connecting an External Display Connecting an External Display Some features and options in this section may not be available on your computer ...

Page 76: ...tor to your computer To connect a computer display or a projector 1 Plug the power cord 1 of your external display or the projector into the AC outlet 2 Connect the external display or the projector to the monitor port 2 on the computer with a display cable 3 If necessary connect the headphones jack on the projector and the headphones jack 4 i on the computer with a speaker cable 5 ...

Page 77: ...ompliant monitor to your computer If your computer has a non compliant monitor connected you will not be able to play or view any copyright protected content If the external computer display is equipped with an HDMI input port and the computer is equipped with the HDMI output port plug one end of an HDMI cable into the HDMI output port on the computer and the other end into the HDMI input port on ...

Page 78: ...HDMI output port you need to change the device for sound output For detailed instructions see How do I change the sound output device page 158 1 Plug the power cord of your TV 1 into an AC outlet 2 Plug one end of an HDMI cable 2 to the HDMI output port 3 on the computer and the other end to the TV 3 Switch the input channel of the TV to external input 4 Set up the TV configuration system If a dev...

Page 79: ...from the device connected to the HDMI output port you need to change the device for sound output For detailed instructions see How do I change the sound output device page 158 1 Turn on the TV and set its input to the HDMI input 2 Turn on the home theater receiver or surround sound decoder device and set its input to the HDMI input 3 Plug one end of an HDMI cable to the HDMI input port on the home...

Page 80: ...ector at the same time depending on the type of your external display or projector Turn on the external display before turning on your computer To select a display mode with the Fn F7 keys You can select a display mode with the Fn F7 keys See Combinations and Functions with the Fn Key page 31 for more information To select a display mode from the display settings 1 Right click on the desktop and s...

Page 81: ...ortions of your desktop across separate displays For example if you have an external display connected to the monitor port your computer screen and the external display can function as a single desktop You can move the cursor from one display to the other This allows you to drag objects such as an open application window or a toolbar from one display to the other ...

Page 82: ...re using the Multiple Monitors function or the computer may not return to Normal mode If you set different colors on each display do not expand a single window across two displays or your software may not work properly 1 Right click on the desktop and select Screen resolution 2 Click the drop down list next to Multiple Displays select Extend these displays and then click OK You can set the display...

Page 83: ...icrophone Connecting an External Microphone You can connect an external microphone not supplied to your computer 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 84: ...Connecting a USB Device You can connect a Universal Serial Bus USB device to your computer such as a mouse floppy disk drive speaker and printer To connect a USB device 1 Choose the USB port 1 you prefer to use 2 Plug the USB device cable 2 into the USB port ...

Page 85: ...n Be sure to use a USB printer compatible with your version of Windows to print documents For information on how to remove a USB device see the manual that came with the device To protect your computer and or USB devices from damage observe the following When moving the computer with USB devices connected avoid exposing the USB ports to shock or impact Do not put the computer into a bag or carryin...

Page 86: ...ard disk drive confirm their operating system compatibility and required operating conditions Notes on connecting i LINK devices The i LINK port on your computer does not supply power to an external device If the external device requires external power be sure to connect it to a power source The i LINK port supports transfer rates up to 400 Mbps However the actual transfer rate depends on the tran...

Page 87: ...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 The connection procedure varies depending on your compatible i LINK device See the manual that came with the device for more information You cannot access the contents of Memory Stick in the digital video camcorder via an i LINK connection ...

Page 88: ...cribes 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 Setting the Password page 89 Using Intel VT page 96 Using the VAIO Control Center page 97 Using the VAIO Power Management page 98 ...

Page 89: ...ter User password Allows the standard users to change some of the BIOS setup options as well as start the computer To set the user password you must first set the machine password Entry of the power on password will be prompted after the VAIO logo appears to start your computer Once you have set the power on password you cannot start your computer without entering the password If you forget the ma...

Page 90: ...logo appears 3 Press the or key to select Security to display the Security tab select Set Machine 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 up to 32 alphanumeric characters long including spaces 5 Select Password when Power On under Security and press the Enter key 6 Change the setting from Disabled to ...

Page 91: ...ter and press the F2 key several times when the VAIO logo appears 3 Enter the machine password and press the Enter key 4 Press the or key to select Security to display the Security tab select Set User Password and then press the Enter key 5 On the password entry screen enter the password twice and press the Enter key The password can be up to 32 alphanumeric characters long including spaces 6 Pres...

Page 92: ... Enter the machine password and press the Enter key 4 Press 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 leave the Enter New Password and Confirm New Password fields blank and press the Ente...

Page 93: ...3 Enter the user password and press the Enter key 4 Press the or key to select Security to display the Security tab select Set User 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 leave the Enter New Password and Confirm New Password fields blank and press the Enter key...

Page 94: ...el 2 Click User Accounts and Family Safety or User Accounts 3 Click User Accounts 4 Click Create a password for your account under Make changes to your account 5 In the New password and Confirm new password fields enter the password for your account 6 Click Create password See Windows Help and Support for more information on the Windows password ...

Page 95: ...In the Current password field enter your current password 6 In the New password and Confirm new password fields enter a new password 7 Click Change password To remove the Windows password 1 Click Start and Control Panel 2 Click User Accounts and Family Safety or User Accounts 3 Click User Accounts 4 Click Remove your password 5 In the Current password field enter the current password that you want...

Page 96: ...the F2 key when the VAIO logo appears The BIOS setup screen appears If the screen does not appear restart the computer and press the F2 key several times when the VAIO logo appears 3 Press the or key to select Advanced 4 Press the M or m key to select Intel R Virtualization Technology or Intel R VT press the Enter key select Enabled and press the Enter key If the Advanced tab is not displayed in t...

Page 97: ...havior To use the VAIO Control Center 1 Click Start All Programs and VAIO Control Center 2 Select your desired control item and change the settings 3 Once finished click OK The setting of the desired item is changed For more information about each option see the help file included with the VAIO Control Center Some of the control items will not be visible if you open the VAIO Control Center as a st...

Page 98: ...ndicates what kind of power source you are currently using Click this icon to display the window that shows your power status To select a power plan 1 Right click the power status icon on the taskbar and select Power Options 2 Select your desired power plan To change the power plan settings 1 Click Change plan settings on the right of your desired power plan in the Power Options window Change the ...

Page 99: ...should contact your dealer to install a new memory module You should not install it yourself if you are not familiar with upgrading memory on a computer You should not touch the connectors or open the memory module compartment cover Contact VAIO Link if you need assistance The type of module and the amount of memory installed on your computer may differ depending on the model you purchased See the...

Page 100: ...ory module Electrostatic discharge ESD can damage electronic components Before touching a memory module ensure the following 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 disco...

Page 101: ...er internal components of your computer will result in damage to the computer 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 l...

Page 102: ...hut down the computer and disconnect all peripheral devices 2 Unplug the computer and remove the battery pack 3 Wait about an hour until the computer cools down 4 Unscrew the screw indicated by the arrow below on the bottom of the computer and remove the memory module compartment cover 5 Touch a metal object to discharge static electricity ...

Page 103: ... the currently installed memory module as follows 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 104: ... memory module be sure to use the lower slot Be sure to insert the connector edge of the memory module into the slot while aligning the notch on the module with the small projection in the open slot Do not force the memory module into the slot in a wrong orientation as it may cause damage to the slot and the module 9 Replace the memory module compartment cover 10 Tighten the screw on the bottom of...

Page 105: ...the amount of memory 1 Turn on the computer 2 Click Start All Programs and VAIO Control Center 3 Click System Information and System Information You can view the amount of system memory in the right pane If the additional memory does not appear repeat the installation procedure and restart the computer ...

Page 106: ...damage Safety Information page 107 Care and Maintenance Information page 110 Handling Your Computer page 111 Handling the LCD Screen page 113 Using the Power Source page 114 Handling the Built in Camera page 115 Handling Discs page 116 Using the Battery Pack page 117 Handling Memory Stick page 118 Handling the Built in Storage Device page 119 ...

Page 107: ...uches beds or near draperies that may block its air vents Use only specified peripheral equipment and interface cables Power Source Do not place the AC adapter in contact with your skin Remove the AC adapter away from your body if it becomes warm and causes discomfort Do not place heavy objects on the power cord or this could cause a fire To disconnect the cord pull it out by holding the plug Neve...

Page 108: ...for an extended period of time remove the battery pack from the computer to prevent damage to the battery pack If you have not used the battery pack for a considerable amount of time the remaining battery life may become short This is normal and does not indicate a malfunction The battery pack will gradually discharge over time even while not in use Connect the AC adapter to your computer and rech...

Page 109: ...109 n N Precautions Safety Information Memory Stick Keep Memory Stick and Memory Stick adaptors out of reach of children There is a risk of swallowing them ...

Page 110: ...n Camera Clean the lens protection cover of the built in camera with a blower brush or a soft brush If the cover is extremely dirty wipe it off with a soft dry cloth Do not rub the cover as it is sensitive to pressure Discs Proper care of the disc is essential to its continuous reliability Do not use solvents such as benzine thinner alcohol commercially available cleaners or anti static spray whic...

Page 111: ...netically 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 equipment may cause the computer to malfunction Your computer uses high frequency radio signals and may cause interference to radio or TV reception If this occurs relocate the computer a suitable distance away from the set Do ...

Page 112: ...een may be sensitive to pressure or added stress and exerting pressure may damage the screen or cause it to malfunction To open the computer hold the base with one hand and gently lift the LCD screen lid with the other To carry the computer with the lid open be sure to hold the computer with both hands Use a carrying case specially designed to carry your computer ...

Page 113: ...ual image disappears after a while You can use a screen saver to prevent residual images The LCD screen becomes warm during operation This is normal and does not indicate a malfunction The LCD screen is manufactured using high precision technology You may however see tiny black points and or bright points red blue or green that continuously appear on the LCD screen This is a normal result of the m...

Page 114: ...th other power consuming equipment such as a photocopier or a shredder You can purchase a power strip with a surge protector This device helps prevent damage to your computer caused by sudden power surges in an electrical storm for example Use the AC adapter supplied with your computer or genuine Sony products Do not use any other AC adapter as it may cause a malfunction ...

Page 115: ...ches on the cover and such scratches will appear on the captured images Do not let the direct sunlight get into the lens of the built in camera regardless of your computer s power state as it may cause the camera to malfunction The built in camera is disabled while videos or still images are imported from an i LINK compatible device connected to the i LINK port ...

Page 116: ...Fingerprints and dust on the surface of a disc may cause read errors Be sure to hold the disc by its edges and central hole as shown below Never affix an adhesive label to a disc This will affect the use of the disc and may result in irreparable damage ...

Page 117: ...peratures between 10 C to 30 C Lower temperatures require longer charging time While the battery pack is in use or being charged heat builds up in the battery pack This is normal and is not cause for concern You do not need to discharge the battery pack before recharging If the battery pack quickly runs out of power after being fully charged it may be reaching the end of its life and should be rep...

Page 118: ...ory Stick get wet Do not use or store Memory Stick 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 Memory Stick Be sure to make a backup copy of your valuable data When using Memory Stick Duo do not use a fine tipped pen to write on the l...

Page 119: ...the configuration of 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...

Page 120: ...IO Link Some features and options in this section may not be available on your computer Computer page 122 System Update Security page 129 Battery page 131 Built in Camera page 133 Networking LAN Wireless LAN page 135 Bluetooth Technology page 139 Optical Discs page 143 Display page 147 Printing page 151 Microphone page 152 Speakers page 153 Touch Pad page 155 Keyboard page 156 Floppy Disks page 15...

Page 121: ...121 n N Troubleshooting Memory Stick page 160 Peripherals page 161 ...

Page 122: ... an external display make sure it is plugged into a power source and turned on Make sure the brightness and contrast controls are adjusted correctly See the manual that came with your display for more information Unplug the AC adapter and remove the battery pack Wait three to five minutes Reinstall the battery pack plug the AC adapter and then press the power button to turn on your computer Make s...

Page 123: ...the arrow next to the Shut down 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 work press and hold the power button for more than four seconds to shut down your computer Unplug the AC adapter and l...

Page 124: ... keys and click the Shut down button If the Windows Security window appears click Shut Down If this procedure does not work press and hold the power button until the computer turns off Turning off your computer with the Ctrl Alt Delete keys or the power button may cause loss of unsaved data Unplug the AC adapter and remove the battery pack Wait three to five minutes Reinstall the battery pack plug...

Page 125: ...dow appears click 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 Ctrl Alt Delete keys or the power button may cause loss of unsaved data What should I do if the charge indicator light is blinking fast and my computer does not start This problem could be due to the battery pack not being installed properly To...

Page 126: ...rties window display a slower CPU speed than the maximum This is normal Because your computer s CPU utilizes a type of CPU speed controlling technology for power conservation purposes System Properties may display the current CPU speed instead of the maximum speed What should I do if my computer does not accept my password and returns a message Enter Onetime Password If you enter a wrong power on ...

Page 127: ...ill be charged How can I change the boot device order You can use one of the BIOS functions to change the boot device order Follow these steps 1 Turn on your computer 2 Press the F2 key when the VAIO logo appears The BIOS setup screen appears If the screen does not appear restart the computer and press the F2 key several times when the VAIO logo appears 3 Press the or key to select Boot 4 Press th...

Page 128: ...ter from the USB floppy disk drive connected to the computer To boot your computer from the USB floppy disk drive you need to change the boot device Turn on your computer and press the F11 key when the VAIO logo appears How do I check the volume of the recovery partition Your built in storage device contains the recovery partition where the data for the system recovery is stored To check the volum...

Page 129: ...st security threats such as viruses The Microsoft Windows operating system is preinstalled on your computer The best way to protect your computer against security threats such as viruses is to download and install the latest Windows updates regularly You can get important Windows updates by doing the following Your computer must be connected to the Internet to download the updates 1 Click Start an...

Page 130: ...all the latest security updates follow these steps Your computer must be connected to the Internet to download the updates 1 Click Start All Programs McAfee and McAfee SecurityCenter 2 Click the button located at the upper left corner of the window to update the software 3 Follow the on screen instructions to download updates See the help file included with your software program for more informati...

Page 131: ...installed When should I recharge the battery pack Recharge the battery pack when The battery pack is running out of power and both the charge and power indicator lights blink You have not used the battery pack for an extended period of time When should I replace the battery pack If the battery pack quickly runs out of power after being fully charged it may be reaching the end of its life and shoul...

Page 132: ...om entering Hibernate mode If you are using a program that prevents the system from entering Hibernate mode save your data frequently to avoid losing data See Using Hibernate Mode page 28 for information on how you can manually activate Hibernate mode Why can t I fully charge my battery pack The battery care function is enabled to extend the life of your battery pack on the VAIO Control Center Che...

Page 133: ... images captured under the fluorescent light may show reflections of light A dark portion in captured images may appear as a noise If the lens protection cover is dirty you cannot take a clear shot Clean the cover See Built in Camera page 110 What should I do if captured images contain dropped frames and audio interruptions The effect settings on your software application may cause dropped frames ...

Page 134: ...a images In some software applications you can set an appropriate value to one of the camera properties e g light source flicker etc to eliminate flicker noise Why is the video input from the built in camera suspended for a few seconds The video input may be suspended for a few seconds if a shortcut key with the Fn key is used the CPU load increases This is normal and does not indicate a malfuncti...

Page 135: ...ss point is on If you want to connect your computer to a wireless LAN access point using the 5 GHz band make sure the option to use the 5 GHz band or both the 2 4 GHz and 5 GHz bands is selected for Wireless LAN Settings in the VAIO Smart Network settings window Wireless LAN communication IEEE 802 11a standard using only the 5 GHz band available on selected models only is disabled by default Follo...

Page 136: ...a communication failure To change the settings follow these steps 1 Right click the power status icon on the taskbar and select Power Options 2 Click Change plan settings 3 Click Change advanced power settings 4 Select the Advanced settings tab 5 Double click Wireless Adapter Settings and Power Saving Mode 6 Select Maximum Performance from the drop down list both for On battery and Plugged in ...

Page 137: ...r speed slow The wireless LAN data transfer speed is affected by distance and obstructions between devices and access points Other factors include device configurations radio conditions and software compatibility To maximize the data transfer speed move your computer away from obstacles or closer to any access point you may be using If you are using a wireless LAN access point the device may be te...

Page 138: ...ption may result in a communication failure Follow the steps in What should I do if my computer cannot connect to a wireless LAN access point page 135 to change the settings What are channels Wireless LAN communication uses divided frequency bands known as channels Third party wireless LAN access point channels may be preset to different channels from Sony devices If you are using a wireless LAN a...

Page 139: ...t when the devices are within 10 meters of each other What should I do if I cannot find the Bluetooth device I want to communicate with Check that the Bluetooth function of the device you want to communicate with is on See the other device s manual for more information If the device you want to communicate with is already communicating with another Bluetooth device it may not be found or it may no...

Page 140: ...re in use Move your computer and Bluetooth devices closer to each other The 2 4 GHz radio frequency used by Bluetooth and wireless LAN devices is also used by other devices Bluetooth devices incorporate technology that minimizes interference from other devices using the same wavelength however communication speed and connection range may be reduced Interference from other devices may also stop com...

Page 141: ...luetooth function when I log onto my computer as a user with a standard user account The Bluetooth function may not be available to a user with a standard user account on your computer Log onto the computer as a user with administrative rights Why can t I use the Bluetooth devices when I switch users If you switch users without logging off your system the Bluetooth devices will not work Be sure to...

Page 142: ...evice that you want to connect using the A2DP and select Control 3 Click SCMS T Settings 4 Click to cancel the Connect to a device only if it supports SCMS T content protection check box What should I do if the Bluetooth icon is not displayed on the taskbar Make sure that the switch next to Bluetooth is set to On in the VAIO Smart Network window To display the Bluetooth icon on the taskbar follow ...

Page 143: ...y cause loss of unsaved data 2 Remove the disc from the optical disc drive 3 Check the disc for dirt or damage If you need to clean the disc see Discs page 110 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...

Page 144: ... of unsaved data 2 Remove the disc from the optical disc drive 3 Check the disc for dirt or damage If you need to clean the disc see Discs page 110 for instructions If you are playing a disc and cannot hear sound do any of the following The volume may have been turned off by the Fn F2 keys or the muting S1 button Press the keys or the button once again The volume may have been minimized by the Fn ...

Page 145: ...r computer 6 Double click your desired drive You can confirm the driver software by selecting the Driver tab and clicking Driver Details 7 Click OK to close the window Make sure 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 incompati...

Page 146: ...sive 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 Some brands of DVD recordable media do not work What should I do if my external optical disc drive does not work properly Make sure that your external optical d...

Page 147: ...ur computer is securely plugged into a power source and turned on and the power indicator light is lit If your computer is running on battery power make sure the battery pack is installed properly and is charged See Using the Battery Pack page 19 for more information If the display output is directed to the external display press the Fn F7 keys See Combinations and Functions with the Fn Key page 3...

Page 148: ...ftware or playing DVDs as it may cause unsuccessful playback display or unstable system operations Additionally it is recommended you disable your screen saver before starting DVD playback If the screen saver is enabled it may be activated during DVD playback and prevent the playback from running successfully Some screen savers have been found to even change the display resolution and colors What ...

Page 149: ...videos In such a case lower the resolution of the LCD screen To change the screen resolution follow these steps 1 Right click on the desktop and select Screen resolution 2 Click the drop down list next to Resolution 3 Move the slider up to increase or down to decrease the screen resolution You can check the total amount of the graphics and video memory available Right click on the desktop select S...

Page 150: ...indows Aero To run Windows Aero follow these steps 1 Right click on the desktop and select Personalize 2 Select your desired theme from Aero Themes For information about the Windows Aero features such as Windows Flip 3D see Windows Help and Support ...

Page 151: ...er for more information If your printer is not functioning after your computer resumes from a power saving mode Sleep or Hibernate then restart the computer If the bidirectional communication functions are provided with your printer disabling the functions on your computer may enable printing Follow these steps 1 Click Start and Devices and Printers 2 Right click the printer icon and select Proper...

Page 152: ...nput device follow these steps 1 Close all open programs 2 Click Start and Control Panel 3 Click Hardware and Sound 4 Click Manage audio devices under Sound 5 On the Recording tab select your desired device for sound input and click Set Default 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 pre...

Page 153: ...olume may have been turned off by the Fn F2 keys or the muting S1 button Press the keys or the button once again The volume may have been minimized by the Fn F3 keys Keep pressing the Fn F4 keys to turn up the volume loud enough to hear sound Check the Windows volume controls by clicking the volume icon on the taskbar Your sound output device may have been incorrectly configured To change the soun...

Page 154: ...roperly connected and the volume is turned up loud enough to hear sound Make sure your speakers are designed for computer use If your speakers have a muting button set the button to off If your speakers require external power make sure the speakers are connected to a power source See the manual that came with your speakers for more information Check the Windows volume controls by clicking the volu...

Page 155: ...F4 keys do not work press the Windows key once and then the key several times select Restart with the M or m key and press the Enter key to restart your computer If your computer does not restart press the Ctrl Alt Delete keys select the arrow next to the Shut down button with the m and keys press the Enter key select Restart with the M or m key and press the Enter key to restart your computer If ...

Page 156: ...hese steps 1 Click Start and Control Panel 2 Click Clock Language and Region and then Change keyboards or other input methods under Region and Language 3 Click Change keyboards on the Keyboards and Languages tab 4 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...

Page 157: ...rive 2 Wait until the indicator light on the floppy disk drive turns off 3 Push the eject button to remove the disk and unplug the USB floppy disk drive from your computer 4 Reconnect the floppy disk drive by plugging the USB cable into the USB port 5 Restart the computer by clicking Start the arrow next to the Shut down button and Restart What should I do if I cannot write data to a floppy disk M...

Page 158: ...rtup sound follow these steps 1 Click Start and Control Panel 2 Click Hardware and Sound 3 Click Manage audio devices under Sound 4 On the Sounds tab click to cancel the Play Windows Startup sound check box 5 Click OK How do I change the sound output device If you do not hear sound from the device connected to a port such as the USB port HDMI output port optical output port or headphones jack you ...

Page 159: ...How do I change the sound output device page 158 2 On the Playback tab select the HDMI or S PDIF icon and click Properties 3 Click the Advanced tab 4 Select the sample rate and bit depth for example 48000 Hz 16 bit which the device supports 5 Click OK Why do sound interruptions and or dropped frames occur when I play high definition videos such as those recorded with the AVCHD digital video camcor...

Page 160: ...es you want to keep 1 Copy the data from Memory Stick onto your built in storage device to save data or images 2 Format Memory Stick by following the steps in Formatting Memory Stick page 48 Can I copy images from a digital camera using Memory Stick Yes and you can view video clips that you have recorded with digital cameras that are compatible with Memory Stick Why can t I write data to Memory St...

Page 161: ...tlet Try using another USB port on your computer The driver software 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 pr...

Page 162: ...rks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation Microsoft Windows the Windows logo and BitLocker are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U S and other countries i LINK is a trademark of Sony used only to designate that a product contains an IEEE 1394 connection Roxio Easy Media Creator is a trademark of Sonic Solutions WinDVD for VAIO and WinDVD BD for VAIO are tr...

Page 163: ...f Koozyt Inc PlaceEngine was developed by Sony Computer Science Laboratories Inc and is licensed by Koozyt Inc XMB and xross media bar are trademarks of Sony Corporation and Sony Computer Entertainment Inc AVCHD is a trademark of Panasonic Corporation and Sony Corporation All other names of systems products and services are trademarks of their respective owners In the manual the or marks are not s...

Page 164: ...s manual the software or other information contained herein or the use thereof In the manual the or marks are not specified Sony Corporation reserves the right to make any modification to this manual or the information contained herein at any time without notice The software described herein is governed by the terms of a separate user license agreement Sony Corporation is not liable and will not c...

Page 165: ... 2010 Sony Corporation n ...

Search results

Summary of Contents for VGN-NW31EF/S

Reviews:

Related manuals for VGN-NW31EF/S

Brands by name

Popular brands

Sony VGN-NW31EF/S, User Manual

Search results

Summary of Contents for VGN-NW31EF/S

Reviews:

Related manuals for VGN-NW31EF/S

Brands by name

Popular brands