SONY AR78 88 H Service Manual

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User Guide

Personal Computer

V G N - A R s e r i e s

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Contents
Before Use .........................................................................................................................................................................	6
Notice...........................................................................................................................................................................	7
Documentation.............................................................................................................................................................	8
Ergonomic Considerations.........................................................................................................................................	12
Getting Started .................................................................................................................................................................	14
Locating Controls and Ports.......................................................................................................................................	15
About the Indicator Lights ..........................................................................................................................................	22
Connecting a Power Source ......................................................................................................................................	24
Using the Battery Pack ..............................................................................................................................................	25
Shutting Down Your Computer Safely .......................................................................................................................	30
Using Your VAIO Computer .............................................................................................................................................	31
Using the Keyboard ...................................................................................................................................................	32
Using the Touch Pad .................................................................................................................................................	34
Using Special-function Buttons ..................................................................................................................................	35
Using the Built-in MOTION EYE Camera...................................................................................................................	37
Using the Optical Disc Drive ......................................................................................................................................	40
Using PC Cards .........................................................................................................................................................	49
Using the ExpressCard Module .................................................................................................................................	52
Using the Memory Stick Media ..................................................................................................................................	56
Using Other Memory Cards .......................................................................................................................................	62
Using the Internet.......................................................................................................................................................	65

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Using Wireless LAN (WLAN) .....................................................................................................................................	67
Using the Bluetooth Functionality ..............................................................................................................................	74
Using Peripheral Devices.................................................................................................................................................	80
Connecting External Speakers ..................................................................................................................................	81
Connecting an External Display.................................................................................................................................	82
Selecting Display Modes............................................................................................................................................	89
Using the Multiple Monitors Function.........................................................................................................................	90
Connecting an External Microphone..........................................................................................................................	92
Connecting a Universal Serial Bus (USB) Device......................................................................................................	93
Connecting a Printer ..................................................................................................................................................	96
Connecting an i.LINK Device .....................................................................................................................................	97
Connecting to a Network (LAN) .................................................................................................................................	99
Customizing Your VAIO Computer ................................................................................................................................	100
Setting the Password ...............................................................................................................................................	101
Setting Up Your Computer with VAIO Control Center..............................................................................................	106
Using the Power Saving Modes...............................................................................................................................	107
Managing Power with VAIO Power Management....................................................................................................	112
Configuring Your Modem .........................................................................................................................................	113
Upgrading Your VAIO Computer....................................................................................................................................	115
Adding and Removing Memory................................................................................................................................	116

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Precautions ....................................................................................................................................................................	121
On Handling the LCD Screen ..................................................................................................................................	122
On Using the Power Source ....................................................................................................................................	123
On Handling Your Computer....................................................................................................................................	124
On Using the Built-in MOTION EYE Camera...........................................................................................................	126
On Handling Floppy Disks .......................................................................................................................................	127
On Handling Discs ...................................................................................................................................................	128
On Using the Battery Pack.......................................................................................................................................	129
On Using Headphones.............................................................................................................................................	130
On Handling Memory Stick Media............................................................................................................................	131
On Handling the Hard Disk ......................................................................................................................................	132
On Updating Your Computer ...................................................................................................................................	133
Troubleshooting .............................................................................................................................................................	134
Computer .................................................................................................................................................................	136
System Security .......................................................................................................................................................	143
Battery......................................................................................................................................................................	144
Built-in MOTION EYE Camera.................................................................................................................................	146
Internet.....................................................................................................................................................................	149
Networking ...............................................................................................................................................................	151
Bluetooth Technology ..............................................................................................................................................	154
Optical Discs ............................................................................................................................................................	159
Display .....................................................................................................................................................................	163
Printing.....................................................................................................................................................................	168
Microphone ..............................................................................................................................................................	169

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Mouse ......................................................................................................................................................................	170
Speakers..................................................................................................................................................................	171
Touch Pad................................................................................................................................................................	173
Keyboard..................................................................................................................................................................	174
Floppy Disks ............................................................................................................................................................	175
PC Cards .................................................................................................................................................................	176
Audio/Video..............................................................................................................................................................	178
Memory Stick Media ................................................................................................................................................	181
Peripherals...............................................................................................................................................................	182
Support Options .............................................................................................................................................................	183
Sony Support Information ........................................................................................................................................	184
e-Support .................................................................................................................................................................	185
Trademarks ....................................................................................................................................................................	187

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Before Use

Before Use

Congratulations on your purchase of this Sony VAIO® computer, and welcome to the on-screen User Guide. Sony has combined leading-edge technology in audio, video, computing, and communications to provide state-of-the-art personal computing experience.

!

External views illustrated in this manual may look slightly different from those of your computer.

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Before Use

Notice

© 2008 Sony Corporation. All rights reserved.

This manual and the software described herein, in whole or in part, may not be reproduced, translated, or reduced to any machine-readable form without prior written approval.

Sony Corporation provides no warranty with regard to this manual, the software, or other information contained herein and hereby expressly disclaims any implied warranties or merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose with regard to this manual, the software, or such other information. In no event shall Sony Corporation be liable for any incidental, consequential, or special damages, whether based on tort, contract, or otherwise, arising out of or in connection with this 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.

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Before Use

Documentation

Your documentation includes printed information and user guides to read on your VAIO computer.

Printed Documentation

Quick Start Guide — Describes the process from unpacking to starting up your VAIO.

Troubleshooting and Recovery Guide — Contains solutions to common problems and computer malfunctions, an explanation of how to make a backup copy of your data and recover your computer system, and sources of support information.

Regulations, Guarantee, EULA and Service Support — Contains Sony guarantee conditions, safety / regulations, modem regulations, wireless LAN regulations, wireless WAN regulations, Bluetooth regulations, end user software license agreement, and Sony support services information.

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Before Use

Non-printed Documentation

User Guide (this manual) — Explains features of your computer. It also includes information about the software programs included with your computer, as well as information on solving common problems. User Guide is provided in the PDF format, which you can easily browse through and print out.

To view this on-screen guide:

1 Double-click the VAIO User Guide icon on the desktop.

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.

To go to Web sites described in this manual by clicking their respective URLs beginning with http://, your computer must be connected to the Internet.

Specifications — The online specifications describe the hardware and software configurations of your VAIO computer. To view the online specifications:

1 Connect to the Internet.

2 Go to the Sony online support Web site at http://www.vaio-link.com.

You may have a separate disc for the documentation of bundled accessories.

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Before Use

My Club VAIO

In My Club VAIO you can find:

Information of compatible accessories that will help you expand the capabilities of your computer.

An overview of your software and its upgrade options.

Sony and Club VAIO wallpapers that you can download and enjoy.

A list of links that lead you to Sony and Club VAIO Web sites.

Windows Help and Support

Windows Help and Support is a comprehensive resource for practical advice, tutorials, and demonstrations to help you learn to use your computer.

Use the Search feature, Index, or table of contents to view all Windows Help resources, including those that are on the Internet.

To access Windows Help and Support, click Start and Help and Support. Or go to Windows Help and Support by pressing and holding the Microsoft Windows key and pressing the F1 key.

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Before Use

Further Sources

Consult the help files on the software you are using for detailed information on features and troubleshooting.

Go to http://www.club-vaio.com to find online tutorials about your favorite VAIO software.

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Before Use

Ergonomic Considerations

You will be using your computer as a portable device in a variety of environments. Whenever possible, you should attempt to take account of the following ergonomic considerations for both stationary and portable environments:

Position of your computer – Place the computer directly in front of you (1). Keep 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 eyes, muscles, or tendons.

Furniture and posture – Sit in a chair with good back support. Adjust the level of the chair so your feet are flat on the floor. A footrest may make you more comfortable. Sit in a relaxed, upright posture and avoid slouching forward or leaning far backwards.

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Before Use

Viewing angle of the computer's display – Use the display's tilting feature to find the best position. You can reduce eye strain and muscle fatigue by adjusting the tilt of the display to the proper position. Adjust the brightness 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 eye level or slightly lower when you are sitting in front of the monitor.

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Getting Started

Getting Started

This section describes how to get started using your VAIO computer.

Locating Controls and Ports (page 15)

About the Indicator Lights (page 22)

Connecting a Power Source (page 24)

Using the Battery Pack (page 25)

Shutting Down Your Computer Safely (page 30)

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Getting Started

Locating Controls 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.

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Getting Started

Front

A Built-in MOTION EYE camera (page 37)

B Built-in MOTION EYE camera indicator (page 22)

C LCD screen (page 122)

D Keyboard (page 32)

E Built-in speakers (stereo)

F Touch pad (page 34)

G Power indicator (page 22)

H Battery indicator (page 22)

I Hard disk drive indicator (page 22)

J Memory Stick indicator (page 22)

K LCD screen lid LOCK/RELEASE switch

Be sure to slide this switch to the LOCK position before moving your computer.

L Built-in microphone (monaural)

M SD memory card indicator (page 22)

N Memory Stick slot*1 (page 56)

O SD memory card slot (page 62)

P WIRELESS switch (page 67)

Q WLAN (Wireless LAN) indicator (page 22)

R Bluetooth indicator*2 (page 22)

*1	Your computer supports both standardand Duo-size Memory Stick media.
*2	On selected models only.

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Getting Started

A Num lock indicator (page 22)

B Caps lock indicator (page 22)

C Scroll lock indicator (page 22)

D S1/S2 buttons (page 35)

E VOLUME buttons (page 35)

F Disc drive eject button (page 40)

G Muting button (page 35)

H Power button

I Power indicator (page 22)

J Play/Pause button (page 35)

K Stop button (page 35)

L Previous track button (page 35)

M Next track button (page 35)

N AV MODE button (page 35)

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Getting Started

Back

A Air vent

B Security slot

C Battery connector (page 25)

D Hi-Speed USB (USB 2.0) port* (page 93)

E DC IN port (page 24)

* Supports high-/full-/low- speeds.

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Getting Started

Right

A Hi-Speed USB (USB 2.0) ports* (page 93)

B PC Card release button (page 51)

C PC Card slot (page 49)

D ExpressCard module release button (page 55)

E Universal ExpressCard slot (page 52)

F i.LINK 4-pin (S400) port (page 97)

G S VIDEO OUTPUT port (page 85)

H HDMI port (page 85)

I Monitor port (page 83)

J Network (Ethernet) port (page 99)

K Modem port (page 65)

* Support high-/full-/low- speeds.

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Getting Started

Left

A OPTICAL OUT port

(Output Sampling Rate: 44.1 KHz/48.0 KHz/96.0 KHz) Connect an S/PDIF device such as digital headphones or an AV amplifier.

B Microphone jack (page 92)

C Headphones jack (page 81)

D Optical disc drive (page 40)

E Substitute drive eject button (page 40)/ Optical disc drive indicator (page 22)

F Manual eject hole (page 159)

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Getting Started

Bottom

A Air vents

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Getting Started

About the Indicator Lights

Your computer is equipped with the following indicator lights.

	Indicator	Functions
	Power 1	Illuminates when the power of the computer is on, blinks when the computer is in Sleep mode, and turns off
		when the computer is in Hibernate mode or off.
	Battery e	Illuminates when the computer is using battery power, blinks when the battery pack is running out of power, and
		double-blinks when the battery pack is charging.
	Memory Stick	Illuminates when data is read from or written to the Memory Stick media in the Memory Stick slot. (Do not enter
		Sleep mode or turn off the computer when this indicator is on.) When the indicator is off, the Memory Stick media
		is not being used.
	Built-in MOTION EYE camera	Illuminates while the built-in MOTION EYE camera is in use.
	SD memory card	Illuminates when data is read from or written to the media in the SD memory card slot. (Do not enter Sleep mode
		or turn off the computer when this indicator is on.) When the indicator is off, the memory card is not being used.
	Optical disc drive	Illuminates when data is read from or written to the optical disc media. When the indicator is off, the optical disc
		media is not being used.
	Hard disk drive	Illuminates when data is read from or written to the hard disk drive. Do not enter Sleep mode or turn off the
		computer when this indicator is on.
	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 is off.
	Caps lock	Press the Caps Lock key to type letters in uppercase. Letters appear in lowercase if you press the Shift key
		while the indicator is on. Press the key a second time to turn off the indicator. Normal typing resumes when the
		Caps lock indicator is off.
	Scroll lock	Press the Scr Lk key to change how you scroll the display. Normal scrolling resumes when the Scroll lock
		indicator is off. The Scr Lk key functions differently depending on the program you are using and does not work
		with all programs.

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Getting Started

Indicator		Functions
Bluetooth technology	*	Illuminates when the WIRELESS switch is set to ON and Bluetooth technology is enabled.
Wireless LAN		Illuminates when the wireless LAN functionality is enabled.

*On selected models only.

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Getting Started

Connecting a Power Source

You can use either an AC adapter or a rechargeable battery pack as a power source for your computer.

Using the AC Adapter

Use your computer only with the supplied AC adapter.

To use the AC adapter

1Plug one end of the power cord (1) into the AC adapter (3).

2Plug the other end of the power cord into an AC outlet (2).

3Plug the cable connected to the AC adapter (3) into the DC IN port (4) on the computer.

!

The shape of the DC In plug varies depending on the AC adapter.

To disconnect your computer completely from AC power, unplug the AC adapter.

Make sure that the AC outlet is easily accessible.

If you do not intend to use your computer for a long period of time, place the computer into Hibernate mode. See Using Hibernate Mode (page 110). This power saving mode saves the time of shutting down and resuming.

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Getting Started

Using the Battery Pack

The battery pack supplied with your computer is not fully charged at the time of delivery.

Installing the Battery Pack

To install the battery pack

1Turn off the computer and close the LCD screen lid.

2Slide the battery lock switch (1) inward.

3 Slide the battery pack into the battery compartment until it clicks into place.

4 Slide the battery lock switch (1) to the LOCK position to secure the battery pack on the computer.

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Getting Started

When your computer is directly connected to AC power and has a battery pack installed, it uses power from the AC outlet.

!

Certain rechargeable batteries do not meet Sony quality and safety standards. For safety reasons this computer only functions with genuine Sony batteries designed for this model. When installing another kind of battery, the battery will not be charged and the computer will not function.

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Getting Started

Charging the Battery Pack

The battery pack supplied with your computer is not fully charged at the time of delivery.

To charge the battery pack

1Install the battery pack.

2Connect the AC adapter to the computer.

The computer automatically charges the battery pack (the battery indicator light double-blinks as the battery pack charges). When the battery pack is about 85% charged, the battery indicator turns off.

Battery indicator light status	Meaning
On	The computer is using battery power.
Blinks	The battery pack is running out of power.
Double-blinks	The battery pack is charging.
Off	The computer is using AC power.

!

Charge the battery pack as described in this manual from your first battery charge.

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Getting Started

When the battery pack is running out of power, both the battery and power indicator lights blink.

Keep the battery pack in your computer while it is directly connected to AC power. The battery pack continues to charge while you are using the computer.

If the battery level falls below 10%, you should either connect the AC adapter to recharge the battery pack or shut down your computer and install a fully charged battery pack.

The battery pack supplied with your computer is a lithium ion battery pack and can be recharged any time. Charging a partially discharged battery pack does not affect the battery life.

The battery indicator light is on while you use the battery pack as a power source. When battery life is nearly depleted, both the battery and power indicator lights start blinking.

For some software applications and some peripheral devices, your 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 and manually activate a power management mode, such as Sleep or Hibernate.

If the battery pack wears out when the computer enters Sleep mode, you will lose all unsaved data. Going back to the previous work state is impossible. To avoid loss of data, you should save your data frequently.

When your computer is directly connected to AC power and has a battery pack installed, it uses power from the AC outlet.

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Getting Started

Removing the Battery Pack

!

You may lose data if you remove the battery pack while your computer is on and not connected to the AC adapter or if you remove the battery pack while the computer is in Sleep mode.

To remove the battery pack

1Turn off the computer and close the LCD screen lid.

2Slide the battery lock switch (1) inward.

3 Slide and hold the battery release latch (2) and slide the battery pack away from the computer.

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Getting Started

Shutting Down Your Computer Safely

To avoid losing unsaved data, be sure to shut down your computer properly, as described below.

To shut down your computer

1Turn off any peripherals connected to the computer.

2Click Start, the arrow next to the Lock button, and Shut Down.

3Respond 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.