Sony PCG4F2L User Manual

User Guide

Personal Computer

VGN-TX600 Series

Contents

Before Use .........................................................................................................................................................................6

Documentation .............................................................................................................................................................6

Ergonomic Considerations...........................................................................................................................................8

Getting Started .................................................................................................................................................................10

Locating Controls and Ports.......................................................................................................................................11

About the Indicator Lights ..........................................................................................................................................18

Connecting a Power Source ......................................................................................................................................20

Using the Battery Pack ..............................................................................................................................................21

Shutting Down Your Computer Safely .......................................................................................................................25

Using Your VAIO Computer .............................................................................................................................................26

Using the Keyboard ...................................................................................................................................................27

Using the Touch Pad .................................................................................................................................................29

Using Special-function Buttons ..................................................................................................................................30

Using the Optical Disc Drive ......................................................................................................................................32

Using PC Cards .........................................................................................................................................................41

Using the Memory Stick Media ..................................................................................................................................45

Using Other Memory Cards .......................................................................................................................................48

Using the Internet.......................................................................................................................................................50

Using Wireless LAN (WLAN) .....................................................................................................................................51

Using the Bluetooth Functionality ..............................................................................................................................61

Using Peripheral Devices .................................................................................................................................................66

Connecting a Port Replicator .....................................................................................................................................67

Connecting External Speakers ..................................................................................................................................71

Connecting an External Display.................................................................................................................................72

Selecting Display Modes............................................................................................................................................76

Using the Multiple Monitors Function.........................................................................................................................77

Connecting an External Microphone..........................................................................................................................79

Connecting a Universal Serial Bus (USB) Device......................................................................................................80

Connecting a Printer ..................................................................................................................................................83

Connecting an i.LINK Device .....................................................................................................................................84

Connecting to a Network (LAN) .................................................................................................................................86

Customizing Your VAIO Computer ..................................................................................................................................88

Setting the Password .................................................................................................................................................89

Setting Up Your Computer with VAIO Central ...........................................................................................................92

Using the Power Saving Modes.................................................................................................................................93

Managing Power with VAIO Power Management ......................................................................................................98

Upgrading Your VAIO Computer....................................................................................................................................101

Adding and Removing Memory................................................................................................................................102

Precautions ....................................................................................................................................................................108

On Handling the LCD Screen ..................................................................................................................................109

On Using the Power Source ....................................................................................................................................110

On Handling Your Computer....................................................................................................................................111

On Handling Floppy Disks .......................................................................................................................................113

On Handling Discs ...................................................................................................................................................114

On Using the Battery Pack.......................................................................................................................................115

On Using Headphones.............................................................................................................................................116

On Handling Memory Stick Media............................................................................................................................116

On Handling the Hard Disk ......................................................................................................................................117

Troubleshooting .............................................................................................................................................................118

Computer .................................................................................................................................................................120

System Security .......................................................................................................................................................130

Battery......................................................................................................................................................................133

Internet.....................................................................................................................................................................135

Networking ...............................................................................................................................................................137

Bluetooth Technology ..............................................................................................................................................140

CDs and DVDs.........................................................................................................................................................144

Display .....................................................................................................................................................................148

Printing.....................................................................................................................................................................150

Microphone ..............................................................................................................................................................151

Mouse ......................................................................................................................................................................152

Speakers..................................................................................................................................................................153

Touch Pad................................................................................................................................................................154

Keyboard..................................................................................................................................................................156

Floppy Disks ............................................................................................................................................................157

PC Cards .................................................................................................................................................................158

Audio/Video..............................................................................................................................................................159

Memory Stick Media ................................................................................................................................................160

Peripherals...............................................................................................................................................................161

Support Options .............................................................................................................................................................162

Sony Support Information ........................................................................................................................................162

Program Support Information...................................................................................................................................165

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.

Documentation

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

Printed Documentation

❑ Welcome mat — Contains an overview of connections, setting up information, etc. ❑ Safety information — Contains safety guidelines and owner information.

Before Use

Non-printed Documentation

❑ User Guide (this manual) — Contains features of your computer. It also includes information about the software

programs included with your computer, as well as information on solving common problems.

❑ Specifications — The online Specifications describe the hardware and software configuration 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.sony.com/pcsupport

at http://www.sony.ca/support

for customers in Canada, or at http://www.sony.com/lapcsupport for customers in Latin

American countries or areas.

❑ VAIO Recovery Options Guide — Provides information about restoring individual software programs, software drivers,

and drive partition(s) or your entire hard disk drive to the original factory installed settings. To access this online VAIO Recovery Options Guide:

1 Click Start, point to All Programs, and click VAIO Support Central. 2 Click VAIO Documentation. 3 Click Recovery Guide.

❑ VAIO SmartWi Connection Utility Guide — Provides information about setting up Wireless LAN Wireless WAN

functionalities. To access this online guide:

1 Click Start, point to All Programs, and click VAIO Support Central. 2 Click VAIO Documentation. 3 Click VAIO SmartWi Connection Utility Guide.

for customers in USA,

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 to 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 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.

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 setting of the display as well.

❑ Lighting – Choose a location where windows and lights do not create glare and reflection on the display. Use indirect

lighting to avoid bright spots on the display. You can also purchase accessories for your display that help reduce glare. Proper lighting adds to your comfort and work effectiveness.

❑ Positioning an external display – When using an external display, set the display at a comfortable viewing distance.

Make sure the display screen is at eye level or slightly lower when you are sitting in front of the monitor.

Getting Started

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

❑ Locating Controls and Ports (page 11) ❑ About the Indicator Lights (page 18) ❑ Connecting a Power Source (page 20) ❑ Using the Battery Pack (page 21) ❑ Shutting Down Your Computer Safely (page 25)

Getting Started

Locating Controls and Ports

Take a moment to identify the controls and ports shown on the following pages.

The following illustrations may appear different from your model, depending on the country or area of your residency.

Getting Started

Front

Getting Started

A Memory card indicator (page 18) B Memory Stick media slot

C SD card slot (page 48) D LCD screen (page 109) E Keyboard (page 27) F Touch pad (page 29) G WIRELESS switch (page 51) H Mute button (page 30) I Volume buttons (page 30) J Headphones jack (page 71) K Microphone jack (page 79)

* Your computer supports Memory Stick Duo media and Memory Stick PRO

high speed and high capacity capabilities.

(page 45)

AV MODE button (page 30)

A B Play/Pause button (page 30) C Stop button (page 30) D Previous track button (page 30) E Next track button (page 30) F Eject button (page 30) G Battery indicator (page 18) H Hard disk drive indicator (page 18) I Num lock indicator (page 18) J Caps lock indicator (page 18) K Scroll lock indicator (page 18) L Power button M Speakers N Bluetooth indicator (page 18) O WIRELESS LAN indicator (page 18)

P WWAN indicator

(page 18)

Q Mute indicator (page 18)

* On selected models only.

Getting Started

Back

A Network (Ethernet) port (page 86) B Battery connector (page 21) C DC In port (page 20)

D i.LINK

(IEEE1394) S400 port (page 84)

Getting Started

Right

A Optical disc drive (page 32) B Optical disk drive indicator (page 18) C Manual eject hole (page 144) D Drive eject button (page 32) E Monitor (VGA) port (page 72)

F WWAN antenna

* On selected models only.

(page 51)

Getting Started

Left

Getting Started

A Hi-Speed USB (USB 2.0) ports B PC Card slot (page 41) C PC Card eject button (page 41) D Air vent E Modem port (page 50)

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

(page 80)

Bottom

A Air vent B Port replicator connector (page 67) C Release latch (page 21)

Getting Started

About the Indicator Lights

Your computer is equipped with the following indicator lights.

Indicator Functions

Power 1 Illuminates when the power to the computer is on, blinks in Standby 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 is running out of power, and

Media Access Illuminates when data is read from or written to a memory card. (Do not enter Standby mode or turn

Optical disc drive Illuminates when data is read from or written to the optical disc. When the indicator is off, the optical disc is not

Mute % Illuminates when the volume is turned off.

Hard disk

Num lock

Caps lock

Scroll lock

Bluetooth

double-blinks when the battery is charging.

off the computer when this indicator is on.) When the indicator is off, the memory card is not being used.

being used.

Illuminates when data is read from or written to the hard disk. Do not enter Standby mode or turn off the computer when this indicator is on.

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.

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.

Press the Scr Lk key to change how you scroll the display. Normal scrolling resumes when the Scr Lk indicator is off. The Scr Lk key functions differently depending on the program you are using and does not work with all programs.

Illuminates when the WIRELESS switch is set to ON and Bluetooth technology is enabled.

Indicator Functions

WIRELESS LAN Illuminates when the wireless LAN function is running.

WIRELESS WAN

* On selected models only.

Illuminates when the wireless WAN function is running.

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 the computer only with the supplied AC adapter.

To use the AC adapter

1 Plug one end of the power cord (1) into the AC adapter. 2 Plug the other end of the power cord into an AC outlet (2). 3 Plug the cable attached to the AC adapter (3) into the DC In port (4) on the computer or on the (optional) port replicator.

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

✍

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

Make sure that the AC outlet is easily accessible.

If you do not use the AC adapter for a long period of time, put the computer into Hibernate mode. See Using Hibernate Mode (page 96). This power saving mode saves you the time of shutting down in the normal way.

Using the Battery Pack

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

Installing the Battery Pack

To install the battery pack

1 Turn off the computer and close the LCD screen lid. 2 Slide the battery into the battery compartment until it clicks into place.

✍

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

Getting Started

This computer is designed to operate only with genuine Sony batteries.

Getting Started

Charging the Battery Pack

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

To charge the battery pack

1 Install the battery pack. 2 Connect the AC adapter to the computer.

The computer automatically charges the battery (the battery indicator light flashes in a double blink pattern as the battery charges). When the battery is about 85% charged, the battery indicator turns off.

Battery indicator light status Meaning

On The computer is using battery power.

Blinks The battery is running out of power.

Double blinks The battery is charging.

Off The computer is using AC power.

Getting Started

✍

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

Keep the battery pack in the 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 attach the AC adapter to recharge the battery or shut down the computer and install a fully charged battery.

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

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

For some software applications and some peripheral devices, the computer may not enter Hibernate mode even when battery life is low. To avoid loss of data when using battery power, you should save your data frequently and manually activate a power management mode, such as Standby or

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

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

Getting Started

Removing the Battery Pack

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

To remove the battery pack

1 Turn off the computer and close the LCD screen lid. 2 Slide and hold the release latch (1) and slide the battery away from the computer.

✍

If the battery is stuck by the side spring locks, release one lock and then the other to remove the battery.

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

1 Turn off any peripherals connected to the computer. 2 Click Start and then Turn Off Computer.

The Turn off computer window appears. 3 Click Turn O ff. 4 Respond to any prompts warning you to save documents or to consider other users and wait for the computer to turn off

automatically.

The power indicator light turns off.

Using Your VAIO Computer

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

❑ Using the Keyboard (page 27) ❑ Using the Touch Pad (page 29) ❑ Using Special-function Buttons (page 30) ❑ Using the Optical Disc Drive (page 32) ❑ Using PC Cards (page 41) ❑ Using the Memory Stick Media (page 45) ❑ Using Other Memory Cards (page 48) ❑ Using the Internet (page 50) ❑ Using Wireless LAN (WLAN) (page 51) ❑ Using the Bluetooth Functionality (page 61)

Using Your VAIO Computer

Using the Keyboard

Your keyboard is very similar to a desktop computer keyboard, but has additional keys that perform model-specific tasks. For more information on the standard keys, see Help and Support Center and click on the Customizing your computer

link.

Combinations and Functions with the Fn Key

✍

Some functions are not available until Windows is launched.

Combinations/Feature Functions

Fn + (F1): wireless switching

Fn + 8 (F5/F6): brightness control Adjusts the brightness of the LCD.

Fn + /T (F7): switch to the external display

Toggles between Bluetooth, Wireless LAN, and Wireless WAN functionalities.

To increase lightness intensity, press Fn+F6 and then M or ,, or keep pressing Fn+F6. To decrease lightness intensity, press Fn+F5 and then m or <, or keep pressing Fn+F5.

Toggles between the LCD, external device (e.g. monitor) and both LCD and external device.

Combinations/Feature Functions

Fn + (F10): zoom

Fn + (F12): Hibernate

* On selected models only.

Using Your VAIO Computer

Changes the screen resolution to magnify/restore the screen view.

✍

The magnified view is not as clear as the standard view, as it is implemented by applying a lower resolution to the LCD screen with a higher resolution. This key combination is disabled during video playback. Make sure to quit such software before pressing the key combination. This key combination may not work with graphic images as it magnifies the screen view by changing the resolution. The location and size of software windows may change when the screen view is magnified or the standard view is restored because pressing this key combination changes the resolution. When the LCD screen view is magnified, switching the view to the external display disables the function and restores the standard view.

Provides for the lowest level of power consumption. When you execute this command, the states of the system and the peripheral devices are written to the hard disk and the system power is turned off. To return the system to its original state, use the power switch to turn on the power. For details on power management, see Using the Power Saving Modes (page 93).

Using Your VAIO Computer

Using the Touch Pad

The keyboard contains a cursor-pointing device, the touch pad (1). You can point to, select, drag, and scroll objects on the screen using the touch pad.

Action Description

Point Slide one finger on the touch pad to place the pointer (2) on an item or object.

Click Press the left button (3) once.

Double-click Press the left button twice.

Right-click Press the right button (4) once. In many applications, this action displays a shortcut menu.

Drag Slide one finger while pressing the left button.

Scroll Move your finger along the right edge of the touch pad to scroll vertically. Move your finger along the bottom to scroll

horizontally (the scroll function is available only with applications that support a touch pad scroll feature).

Using Your VAIO Computer

Using Special-function Buttons

Your computer is equipped with special buttons to help you use specific functions of the computer. The AV MODE, Play/Pause, Stop, Previous track, Next track, and Disc drive eject buttons support Instant Mode. When

the computer is off or in Hibernate, only the AV MODE button is enabled. See the printed Instant Mode booklet for more information on the Instant Mode.

Special-function button Functions

When Windows is NOT launched:

AV MODE button

Play/Pause button

Stop button

Previous track button

Next track button

Activates Instant Mode to enable you immediately to play CDs and DVDs and view the image data stored in the memory card, such as a Memory Stick media or SD card, without launching Windows. See the printed Instant Mode booklet for more information. When Windows is launched and running: Launches the WinDVD software by default. You can change this button assignment with the AV Mode Button

Settings utility. To start this utility, press and hold the AV MODE button. See the help file on the AV Mode Button Settings utility for more information.

You need administrator rights on the computer to change the AV MOD E button assignment.

This button is enabled in Instant Mode as well as when Windows is launched and running. Starts or pauses DVD playback with the WinDVD software or CD playback with the Sonic Stage software.

This button is enabled in Instant Mode as well as when Windows is launched and running. Stops DVD playback with the WinDVD software or CD playback with the Sonic Stage software.

This button is enabled in Instant Mode as well as when Windows is launched and running. Plays the previous chapter/movie in the DVD during playback with the WinDVD software or the previous song in the CD during playback with the Sonic Stage software.

This button is enabled in Instant Mode as well as when Windows is launched and running. Plays the next chapter/movie in the DVD during playback with the WinDVD software or the next song in the CD during playback with the Sonic Stage software.

+ 150 hidden pages