Sony PCG-F430, PCG-F450 User Manual

Notice to Users

© 1999 Sony Electronics Inc. All rights
reserved. This manual and the software
described herein, in whole or in part, may
not be reproduced, transl ated, or reduced
to any machine-readable form without
prior written approval.

SONY ELECTRONICS INC. PROVIDES
NO WARRANTY WITH REGARD TO
THIS MANUAL, THE SOFTWARE, OR
OTHER INFORMA TION CONTAINED
HEREIN AND HEREBY EXPRESSLY
DISCLAIMS ANY IMPLIED
WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY
OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR
PURPOSE WITH REGARD TO THIS
MANUAL, THE SOFTWARE, OR SUCH
OTHER INFORMATION. IN NO EVENT
SHALL SONY ELECTRONICS INC. 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.

Sony Electronics Inc. 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.

This product contains software owned by
Sony and licensed by third parties. Use of
such software is subject to the terms and
conditions of license agreements enclosed
with this product. Some of the software
may not be transported or used outside the
United States. Software specifications are
subject to change without notice and may
not necessarily be identical to current r etail
versions.

Updates and additions to software may
require an additional charge . Subscri ptions
to online service providers may require a
fee and credit card information. Financial

services may require prior arrangements
with participating financial institutions.

As an ENERGY STAR
Partner, Sony Corporation
has determined that this

E

product meets the

S

TAR guidelines for energy

efficiency.

The International ENERGY STAR Office
Equipment Program is an international
program that promotes energy saving
through the use of computers and other
office equipment. The program backs the
development and dissemination of
products with functions that effectively
reduce energy consumption. It is an open
system in which business proprietors can
participate voluntarily. The targeted
products are office equipment such as
computers, displays, printers, facsimiles
and copiers. Their standards and logos are
uniform among participating nations.

E

NERGY STAR is a U.S. registered mark.

Sony, i.LINK, Memory Stick, VAIO and the
VAIO logo are trademarks of Sony
Corporation. Windows, Windows NT, and
the Windows 98 logo are registered
trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Intel
and Pentium are trademarks of Intel
Corporation.

This product incorporates copyright
protection technology that is protected by
method claims of certain U.S. patents and
other intellectual property rights owned by
Macrovision Corporation and other rights
owners. Use of this copyright protection
technology must be authorized by
Macrovision Corporation, and is intended
for home and other limited viewing uses
only unless otherwise authorized by
Macrovision Corporation. Reverse
engineering or disassembly is prohibited.

All other trademarks are trademarks of
their respective owners.

NERGY

Owners Record

y

The model number and serial number are
located on the bottom of your Sony V AIO

Notebook. Record the serial number in the
space provided here. Refer to the model
and serial number when you call your
Sony Service Center.

Model Number: PCG-F430/PCG-F450
Serial Number:________________________

Safety Information

WARNING

❏

To prevent fire or shock hazard, do
not expose your notebook computer
to rain or moisture.

❏

To avoid electrical shock, do not open
the cabinet. Refer servicing to
qualified personnel only.

❏

Never install modem or telephone
wiring during a lightning storm.

❏

Never install telephone jacks in wet
locations unless the jack is specifically
designed for wet locations.

❏

Never touch uninsulated telephone
wire or terminals unless the telephone
line has been disconnected at the
network interface.

❏

Use caution when installing or
modifying telephone lines.

❏

Avoid using the modem during an
electrical storm.

❏

Do not use the modem or a telephone
to report a gas leak in the vicinity of
the leak.

❏

A socket outlet should be as close as
possible to the unit and easily
accessible.

To change the backup battery,

!

please contact your nearest Sony
Service Center.

For DVD-ROM: As the laser beam

!

used in the DVD-ROM drive is

®

harmful to the eyes, do not
attempt to disassemble the drive
cabinet. Refer servicing to
qualified personnel only.

AVERTISSEMENT

❏

Pour prévenir tout risque d’incendie
ou d’électrocution, garder cet appar eil
à l’abri de la pluie et de l’humidité.

❏

Pour prévenir tout risque
d’électrocution, ne pas ouvir le châssis
de cet appareil et ne confier son
entretien qu’à une personne qualifiée.

❏

L’appareil doit être le plus près
possible d’une prise murale pour en
faciliter l’accès.

Regulatory Information

Declaration of Conformit

Trade Name: SONY
Model No: PCG-F430/PCG-F450
Responsible Party:

Sony Electronics Inc.

Address:

1 Sony Drive

Park Ridge, NJ 07656
Telephone No.: 201-930-6970
This device complies with Part 15 of

the FCC rules. Operation is subject
to the following two conditions: (1)
This device may not cause harmful
interference, and (2) this device
must accept any interference
received, including interference
that may cause undesired
operation.

.

This equipment has been tested and found
to comply with the limits for a Class B
digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the
Rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful
interference in a residential installa tion.
This equipment generates, uses, and can
radiate radio frequency energy and, if not
installed and used in accordance with the
instructions, may cause harmful
interference to radio communications.
However, there is no guarantee that
interference will not occur in a particular
installation. If this equipment does cause
harmful interference to radio or television
reception, which can be determined by
turning the equipment off and on, the user
is encouraged to try to correct the
interference by one or more of the
following measures:

❏

Reorient or relocate the receiving
antenna.

❏

Increase the separation between the
equipment and the receiver.

❏

Connect the equipment into an outlet
on a circuit different from that to
which the receiver is connected.

❏

Consult the dealer or an experienced
radio/TV technician for help.

You are cautioned that any changes or
modifications not expressly approved in
this manual could void your authority to
operate this equipment.

Only peripherals (computer input/output
devices, terminals, printers, etc.) that
comply with FCC Class B limits may be
attached to this computer product.
Operation with noncompliant peripherals
is likely to result in interference to radio
and television reception.

All cables used to connect peripherals must
be shielded and grounded. Operation with
cables, connected to peripherals, that are
not shielded and grounded, may result in
interference to radio and tel e vision
reception.

FCC Part 68

This equipment complies with Part 68 of
the FCC rules. On the bottom of this
equipment is a label that contains, among
other information, the FCC equivalence
number (REN) for this equipment. If
requested, this information must be
provided to the telephone company.

This modem uses the USOC RJ-11
telephone jack.

The REN is used to determine the quantity
of devices which may be connected to the
telephone line. Excessive RENs on the
telephone line may result in the devices not
ringing in response to an incoming call. In
most, but not all areas, the sum of the RENs
should not exceed five (5.0). To be certain
of the number of devices that may be
connected to the line, as determined by the
total RENs, contact the telephone company
to determine the maximum REN for the
calling area.

If the terminal equipment causes harm to
the telephone network, the telephone
company will notify you in advance that
temporary discontinuance of service may
be required. But if advance notice is not
practical, the telephone company will
notify the customer as soon as possible.
Also, you will be advised of your right to
file a complaint with the FCC if you believe
it is necessary.

The telephone company may make
changes in its facilities, equipment,
operations or procedures that could affect
the operations of the equipment. If this
happens, the telephone company will
provide advance notice in order for you to
make the necessary modifications in order
to maintain uninterrupted service.

If trouble is experienced with this
equipment, please contact 1-888-4SONY PC
(1-888-476-6972), or write to the Sony
Customer Information Center, One Sony
Drive, Park Ridge, NJ 07656, for repair
and/ or warra nty information. If the trouble
is causing harm to the telephone network,
the telephone company may request that
you remove the equipment from the
network until the problem is resolved.

Repair of this equipment should be made
only by a Sony Service Center or Sony
authorized agent. For the Sony Service
Center nearest you, call 1-888-4SONYPC
(1-888-476-6972).

This equipment cannot be used on public
coin service provided by the telephone
company. Connection to Party Line Service
is subject to state and possible provincial
tariffs. (Contact the state or provincial
utility service commission, public service
commission, or corporation commission,
for information.)

Telephone Consumer Guidelines (Canada)

Please refer to your telephone directory
under ‘Privacy Issues’ and/or ‘Terms of
Service.’ For more detailed information,
please contact:

CRTC
Terrasses de la Chaudiére, Tour centrale
1 promenade du Portage, 5 étage Hull PQ
K1A 0N2.

This Class B digital apparatus complies
with Canadian ICES-003.

Cet àppareil numérique de la classe B est
conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada.

DISPOSAL OF LITHIUM ION BATTERY

You can return your unwanted lithium ion
batteries to your nearest Sony Service
Center or Factory Service Center.

Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 (United States)

The T elephone Consumer Pr otection Act of
1991 makes it unlawful for any person to
use a computer or other electronic device to
send any message via a telephone facsimile
machine unless such message clearly
contains, in a margin at the top or bottom
of each transmitted page or on the first
page of the transmission, the date and time
it is sent and an identification of the
business, other entity, or individual
sending the message, and the telephone
number of the sending machine or such
business, other entity, or individual.

In order to program this information into
your facsimile machine, see your fax
software documentation.

In some areas the disposal of lithium ion

✍

batteries in household or business trash
may be prohibited.

For the Sony Service Center nearest you,
call 1-888-476-6972 in the United States or

1-800-961-7669 in Canada

Do not handle damaged or leaking

!

.

lithium ion batteries.

Ne pas manipuler les batteries au

!

lithium-ion qui fuient ou sont
endommagées.

Danger of explosion if battery is

!

incorrectly replaced. Replace only
with the same or equivalent type
recommended by the
manufacturer. Discard used
batteries according to the
manufacturers instructions.

Une batterie non conforme

!

présente un danger d'explosion.
La remplacer seulement par une
batterie identique ou de type
équivalent recommandé par le
fabricant. Évacuer les batteries
usées selon les directives du
fabricant.

The battery pack used in this

!

device may present a fire or
chemical burn hazard if mistreated.
Do not disassemble, heat above
212°F (100°C) or incinerate.
Dispose of used battery promptly.
Keep away from children.

La manutention incorrecte du

!

module de batterie de cet appareil
présente un risque d'incendie ou
de brûlures chimiques. Ne pas
démonter, incinérer ou exposer à
une température de plus de 100°C.
Évacuer promptement la batterie
usée. Garder hors de portée des
enfants.

INDUSTRY CANADA NOTICE

NOTICE: The Industry Canada label
identifies certified equipment. This
certification means that the equipment
meets certain telecommunications n etwork
protective, operational and safety
requirements as prescribed in the
appropriate Terminal Equipment Technical
Requirements document(s). The
Department does not guarantee the

equipment will operate to the user’s
satisfaction.

Before installing this equipment, users
should ensure that it is permissible to be
connected to the facilities of the local
telecommunications company. The
equipment must also be installed using an
acceptable method of connection.

The customer should be aware that
compliance with the above conditions may
not prevent degradation of service in some
situations.

Repairs to certified equipment should be
coordinated by a r epresen tative de signated
by the supplier. Eq uipment malfunctions
or any repairs or alterations made by the
user to this equipment may give the
telecommunications company cause to
request that the user disconnect the
equipment.

Users should ensure for their own
protection that the electrical ground
connections of the power utility, telephone
lines and internal metallic water pipe
system, if present, are connected together.
This precaution may be particularly
important in rural areas.

Caution: Users should not attempt to make
such connections themselves, but should
contact the appropriate electric inspection
authority, or electrician, as appropriate.

NOTICE: The Ringer Equivalence Number
(REN) assigned to each terminal device
provides an indication of the maximum
number of terminals allowed to be
connected to a telephone interface. The
termination on an interface may consist of
any combination of devices subject only to
the requirement that the sum of the Ringer
Equivalence Numbers of all the devices
does not exceed 5. The Ringer Equivalence
Number for this equipment is 0.4.

AVIS DE LINDUSTRIE
CANADA

AVIS: L’étiquette d’Industrie Canada
identifie le matériel homologué.

Cette étiquette certifie que le matériel est
conforme aux normes de protection,
d’exploitation et de sécurité des réseaux de
télécommunications, comme le prescrivent
les documents concernant les exigences
techniques relatives au matériel terminal.
Le Ministère n’assure toutefois pas que le
matériel fonctionnera à la satisfaction de
l’utilisateur.

Avant d’installer ce matériel, l’utilisateur
doit s’assurer qu’il est permis de le
raccorder aux installations de l’entreprise
locale de télécommunication. Le matériel
doit également être installé en suivant une
méthode acceptée de raccordement.
L’abonné ne doit pas oublier qu’il est
possible que la conformité aux conditions
énoncées ci-dessus n’empêche pas la
dégradation du service dans certaines
situations.

Les réparations de matériel homologué
doivent être coordonnées par un
représentant désigné par le fournisseur.
L’entreprise de télécommunications peut
demander à l’utilisateur de débrancher un
appareil à la suite de réparations ou de
modifications effectuées par l’utilisateur ou
à cause de mauvais fonctionnement.

Pour sa propre protection, l’utilisateur doit
s’assurer que tous les fils de mise à la terre
de la source d’énergie électrique, des lignes
téléphoniques et des canalisations d’eau
métalliques, s’il y en a, sont raccordés
ensemble. Cette précaution est
particulièrement importante dans les
régions rurales.

Avertissement: L’utilisateur ne doit pas
tenter de faire ces raccordements lui-même;
il doit avoir recours à un service
d’inspection des installations électriques,
ou à un électricien, selon le cas.

A VIS: L’indice d’équivalence de la sonnerie
(IES) assigné à chaque dispositif terminal
indique le nombre maximal de terminaux
qui peuvent être raccordés à une interface.

La terminaison d’une interface
téléphonique peut consister en une
combination de quelques dispositifs, à la
seule condition que la somme d’indices
d’équivalence de la sonnerie de tous les
dispositifs n’excède pas 5.

Contents

Welcome...............................................................................1

Features.............................................................................................1

Unpacking Your Notebook Computer.........................................2

Setting Up Your VAIO® Notebook Computer.................... 5

Locating Controls and Connectors................................................5

Connecting a Power Source ...........................................................9

Starting Your Computer ...............................................................13

Shutting Down Your Computer..................................................14

Registering Your Computer.........................................................15

Using the Keyboard.................................................... ..... .... ..........16

Using the Touchpad ......................................................................22

Using the Floppy Disk Drive .......................................................23

Using the DVD-ROM....................................................................25

Using PC Cards..............................................................................29

Using Smart Connect.................................................................... .32

Using Infrared Communication Devices....................................33

Using Power-Saving Modes.........................................................35

Using a Second Battery Pack........................................................37

Using the Weight Saver ................................................................40

EN

Connecting Peripheral Devices ......................................... 43

Connecting a Phone Line ..............................................................44

Connecting the Port Replicator ....................................................45

Connecting a Printer..................................................................... .49

Connecting an External Display...................................................50

Connecting an External Mouse or Keyboard.............................53

Connecting External Speakers......................................................54

Connecting an External Microphone...........................................55

Connecting a Digital Still Camera

or Other Serial Device....................................................................56

Connecting a Digital Video Camera Recorder...........................57

Connecting a Universal Serial Bus (USB) Device ......................58

Troubleshooting ................................................................ 59

Changing the Window Design of Sony Software......................67

Using the System Recovery and Application

Recovery CDs..................................................................................68

About the Software on Your Computer......................................71

About Your Recovery CDs............................................................75

For Answers to Your Software Questions..................................76

Adding Memory................................................................. 79

Specifications ..................................................................................82

Index................................................................................... 85

N

Welcome

Congratulations on your purchase of the Sony VAIO® notebook
computer. Sony has combined leading-edge technology in audio, video,
computing, and communications to provide you with state-of-the-art
personal computing.

Features

For a complete description of the specifications of your VAIO® notebook computer, see

✍

page 82.

❑

Exceptional performance: Your notebook includes a fast Intel
Pentium® III processor and a V.90 compatible modem.*

❑

Portability: The rechargeable battery pack provides hours of use
without AC power.

❑

Sony audio and video quality: High-quality MPEG1/MPEG2 video,
which supports full-screen display and enables you to take
advantage of today’s advanced multimedia applications, games, and
entertainment software.

❑

Multimedia features: Enjoy the stereo speakers or use a headphone
(not supplied) to listen to audio and video CDs.

❑

Windows® 98 Second Edition: Your system includes the latest
operating system from Microsoft.

❑

Communications: Access popular online services, send e-mail,
browse the Internet, and use fax features.

❑

Digital Versatile Disc (DVD): This new optical storage technology
provides increased storage capacity and a rich multimedia
computing experience. DVD-ROM drives play both DVD-ROM and
CD-ROM discs.

* Actual upload and download speeds may vary due to line conditions, ISP support, and government

regulations.

®



VAIO® Notebook Computer User Guide

Unpacking Your Notebook Computer

Remove the following hardware items from the box:



Main unit

Rechargeable
battery pack

Power cord

AC adapter

Weight saver



The removable floppy disk drive is located in the multipurpose bay.

Video cable

Manuals

❑

Read Me First contains Frequently Asked Questions, the most up-to­date information on using your computer, and software support
information.

❑

The VA I O
information on how to get the most from your computer, find help,
and solve common problems. It also includes product specifications.

❑

The VAIO® Consumer Information Guide contains ergonomic
considerations and your computer’s limited warranty statement.

❑

The Microsoft
use the basic features of the Windows

®

Notebook Computer User Guide (this manual) contains

®

Windows® 98 Getting Started manual explains how to

®

98 operating system.

Unpacking Your Notebook Computer

Recovery CDs

❑

System Recovery CD(s)

❑

Application Recovery CD(s)

Software CDs

❑

Microsoft® Works Suite 99 (5 CD set)

Other

❑

Setting up your VAI O® Notebook Computer (poster)

❑

Packet containing special product offers

!

"

Setting Up Your VAIO®
Notebook Computer

Locating Controls and Connectors

Front

1

LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) screen (page 20) Battery 1 and 2 indicators (pages 11, 19)

2

Speakers (pages 20, 54) Hard disk drive indicator (page 19)

3

Keyboard (page 16) Num Lock indicator (page 19)

4

Touchpad (page 22) Caps Lock indicator (page 19)

5

Left/right buttons (page 22) Scroll Lock indicator (page 19)

6

Power indicator (page 11)

7

&

'

10

11

#

$

Left

VAIO® Notebook Computer User Guide

1 5

S400 i.LINK® connector (page 57) Microphone connector (pages 51, 55)

Infrared port (page 33) PC card slots (page 29)

2 6

Video out Battery bay (page 10)

3 7

4

Headphone connector (pages 51, 54)

Locating Controls and Connectors

526

7

Right

PPK buttons (see the online

1

document Customizing Your VAIO
Notebook Computer for information

on use)

Power button Internal microphone

2 5

DVD-ROM drive (page 25)

3

®

Multipurpose bay (pages 23, 37, 40)

4

Back

%

cover

Phone line jack (page 44)

1

/ Mouse/Keyboard connector (page 53)

3

4

Serial connector (page 56)

Printer connector (page 49)

Monitor connector (page 50)

USB connectors (page 58)

DC In connector (page 9)

&

VAIO® Notebook Computer User Guide

There is a ventilation slot located between the USB connector and the DC In connector. Do

✍

not cover the ventilation slot when your computer is on.

Bottom

Port replicator connector cover (pages 46, 48) Tilt stands

1 3

Multipurpose bay RELEASE lever (pages 39, 41)

2

Connecting a Power Source

Connecting a Power Source

You can use either AC power or a rechargeable battery pack as a power
source.

Using the AC Adapter

1

Plug the cable attached to the AC adapter into the DC In connector on
the computer.

2

Plug one end of the power cord into the AC adapter.

3

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

Notebook computer

AC adapter
(supplied)

DC In

Power cord (supplied)

'



VAIO® Notebook Computer User Guide

Using Battery Power

You can use one or two battery packs as a source of power. The second
battery pack inserts into the multipurpose bay on the right side of the
computer. (See “Using Power-Saving Modes” on page 35.) Additional
battery packs are available as a separate option.

The battery pack that comes with your computer is not fully charged at
the time of purchase. Follow the steps below to insert and charge the
battery pack.

To insert the battery pack

1

Open the cover of the battery bay.

2

Insert the battery pack into the battery bay on the left side of the
computer.

Battery pack
(supplied)

Label side facing down

3

Close the cover of the battery bay until it clicks.

✍

When attaching your computer to the port replicator, do not attempt to insert or remove the
battery pack. Lifting and turning the computer with a port replicator attached could cause a
temporary loss of power.



To charge the battery pack

1

Connect the AC adapter to the computer.

2

Insert the battery pack.

Connecting a Power Source

The computer automatically charges the battery (the battery indicator
light flashes in a double-blink pattern as the battery charges). When the
battery is 85 percent full, the battery indicator light turns off. This
process takes approximately two hours. To charge the battery
completely, continue charging for an additional hour. See “Displaying
Detailed Battery Information” in the online document Customizing Your

®

VA I O

Notebook Computer for information on checking the battery life.

There are two battery indicator lights on the computer:

Battery indicators

Secondary battery pack
(not supplied)

Battery pack (supplied)

Battery Indicator Meaning

1

2

Battery Indicator
Light Status Meaning

On The computer is using battery power.
Single blink The battery is running out of power.
Double blink The battery is charging.
Off The computer is using AC power.

Indicates the status of the battery pack in the battery bay
on the left side of the computer.

Indicates the status of the battery pack in the
multipurpose bay on the right side of the computer.



VAIO® Notebook Computer User Guide

When the battery power is running low, both the battery and power indicators blink.

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

See Using a Second Battery Pack on page 37 for information on installing and charging a
battery pack in the multipurpose bay.

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 your computer and insert a fully charged battery.

You can extend battery life by changing the power-management modes in the PowerPanel
utility. See Using Power-Saving Modes on page 35.

The battery pack supplied with your computer is a lithium ion battery and can be recharged at
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
battery life is nearly depleted, the battery indicator starts flashing.

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

To remove the battery pack

1

Open the cover of the battery bay.

2

Pull out the battery pack.

3

Close the cover of the battery bay.

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 System Suspend mode.

Starting Your Computer

Starting Your Computer

1

Slide the LCD lock lever in the direction of the arrow, and lift the
cover.

LCD lock lever

2

Press the power button on top of the computer until the green power
indicator light turns on.

Power
button

!

Power indicator

✍

If you hold the power button in the On position for more than four seconds, the
computer turns off.

3

If necessary, adjust the brightness controls for the LCD display. To
decrease the brightness, press Fn+F5 and then the down or left arro w
key. To increase the brightness, press Fn+F5 and then the up or right
arrow key.

Power button

"

VAIO® Notebook Computer User Guide

Shutting Down Your Computer

To avoid potential loss of data, follow these steps to shut down your computer.

!

1

Click the Start button on the Windows® 98 taskbar.

2

Click Shut Down at the bottom of the Start menu to display the Shut
Down Windows dialog box.

3

Select Shut down.

4

Click OK.

✍

Respond to any prompts warning you to save documents.

5

W ait for your computer to turn off automatically. The power indicator
(green) turns off.

6

Turn off any peripherals connected to your computer.

✍

If you are unable to shut down your computer using the steps described above, press the
Ctrl+Alt+Delete keys at the same time to restart the computer. If you are unable to restart the
computer in this way, you can press the power button and hold it for four seconds. This
operation may result in data loss.

During a period of inactivity, you can conserve battery life by using System Suspend mode. See
Controlling Power Management in the online document

Notebook Computer.

Customizing Your VAIO

®

Registering Your Computer

#

Registering Your Computer

You can take advantage of Sony’s commitment to quality customer
support and receive the following benefits by registering your computer
with Sony.

❑

Sony Customer Support – Talk to a Support Representative to
troubleshoot problems you may be having with your computer.

❑

Extended Limited Warranty – Protect your investment. Extend your
Warranty nine months for a total of 12 months from the original date
of purchase when you register yo ur computer.

❑

Express service – Provides convenient resolution of problems.

If you have not already registered, follow these steps to use your
notebook computer’s online registration service.

✍

You must connect your phone line before using any online services, including the online
registration service. See Connecting a Phone Line on page 44.

1

Click the Sony VAIO Registration icon on the VAIO desktop.

2

Enter the information requested on the first online registration form.
Press the Tab key to move from box to box.

3

Click the Next button to advance to the next form.

4

Complete the remaining forms by clicking the Next button each time
you complete a form.

The computer automatically transfers your registration information usin g
your built-in modem and a toll-free telephone number.

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VAIO® Notebook Computer User Guide

Using the Keyboard

Your keyboard is very similar to a typewriter ’s, but the keyboard has
additional keys that perform specific computer-related tasks.

Correction
keys

Navigation
keys

Shift key

Ctrl key

Fn key

Escape Key

Alt key

Windows 98 key

Function keys

Print Screen key

Applications key

Numeric keypad area

Key Description

Numeric keypad
area

Contains the keys found on a typical calculator. Use the
numeric keypad area to type numbers or to perform
mathematical calculations such as addition and
subtraction. Note that you must press the Num Lock key
to activate the numeric keypad. (When you do so, the
Num Lock light will be on.)

Navigation keys Several keys are devoted to moving the cursor on the

screen.

Correction keys The Insert, Back Space, and Delete keys enable you to

make corrections in your documents.

Function keys The 12 function keys along the top of the keyboard are

used to perform designated tasks. For example, in many
applications, F1 is the Help key. The task associated with
each function key may vary from one application to the
next.

Escape key The Esc (Escape) key is used to cancel commands.

Using the Keyboard

Key Description

Print Screen key The Print Screen key takes an electronic snapshot of the

screen and places it in the Windows Clipboard. You can
then paste the screen shot into a document and print it.

Operator keys Several keys are always used with at least one other key:

Ctrl, Alt, and Shift. When held down with another key,
the Ctrl (Control) and Alt (Alternate) keys offer another
way to give commands. For example, in many
applications, instead of choosing the Save command from
a menu, you can hold down Ctrl and press S (referred to
as Ctrl+S). The Shift key operates the same way as on a
typewriter; it is used to produce capital letters or special
symbols such as @ and $.

Windows 98 key T he key with the W indows logo displays the Windows 98

Start menu; it is the equivalent of clicking the Start button
on the taskbar . See “Combinations and Functions with
the Windows 98 Key” on page 18.

Fn key The Fn key is used in combination with other keys to

issue commands. See “Combinations and Functions with
the Fn Key” on page 20.

Applications key The Applications key displays a shortcut menu of

context-sensitive choices. Pressing this key is the
equivalent of clicking the right mouse button.

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VAIO® Notebook Computer User Guide

Combinations and Functions with the Windows 98 Key

Combination Function

+ F1 Displays Windows Help.
+ Tab Switches the selected button on the taskbar .
+ E Displays W i ndows Explorer.
+ F Displays the Windows Find: All Files window to find

a file or folder . This is the equiv alent of selecting Find
and then Files or Folders from the Start menu.

+ Ctrl + F Displays the Windows Find: Computer window

where you can locate other computers. This is the
equivalent of selecting Find and then Computer from
the Start menu.

+ M Minimizes all displayed windows.

Shift + + M Returns all minimized windows to their previous

size.

+ R Displays the Run window. This is the equivalent of

selecting Run from the Start menu.

Fn + + Insert Displays the Properties window. This is the

equivalent of double-clicking the System icon in the
Control Panel.

Using the Keyboard

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Indicators

Indicator Function

Power Light is green when the power to the computer is turned on.

Light is red in System Idle mode, and flashes red in System
Suspend mode. The light turns off when the computer is in
System Hibernation mode or powered off.

Battery 1 Indicates the status of the battery inserted in the battery

1

Battery 2 Indicates the status of the battery inserted in the

2

Hard disk Lights when data is being read from or written to the hard

Light On Off

Num Lock The number keys in the

Caps Lock The letters appear in

Scroll Lock The screen scrolls

bay on the left side of the computer.

multipurpose bay on the right side of the computer.

drive. Do not enter System Suspend mode or turn off the
computer when this indicator light is on.

The alphanumeric

numeric keypad are active.

uppercase as you type. The
Shift key lowers the case of
typed letters when Caps
Lock is on.

differently. (Exactly how it
scrolls depends on the
specific application. It has
no effect in many
applications.)

character keys in the
keypad area are active.

Letters appear in lower
case as you type (unless
you hold down the Shift
key).

Information moves across
the display normally.

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VAIO® Notebook Computer User Guide

Combinations and Functions with the Fn Key

Combinations/
Feature Function

Fn+ (ESC)
System Suspend

Fn+ (F2)
Display power source
status

Puts the system into System Suspend mode, a power­management state. To return the system to the active
state, press any key or press the power button on your
computer.

Displays the power source status, as in the example
below:

Using AC
power

Charging a
battery pack

Fn+ (F3)
Mute On/Off

Fn+ (F4)
Speaker volume

Fn+ (F5)
Brightness control

Fn+ (F6)
Contrast control

LCD

Fn+ / (F7)
Switch to the
external monitor/LCD

LCD

Fn+ only/

(F8)

Control TV out

Toggles the built-in speaker off and on.

Adjusts the built-in speaker volume.
To increase volume, press Fn+F4, then or ➜.

➜

➜

To decrease volume, press Fn+F4, then or .
Adjusts the brightness of the LCD.

To increase light intensity, press Fn+F5 and then or ➜.

➜

➜

T o decr ease light intensit y, press Fn+F5 and then or .
Fn +F6: not available on this model

T oggles through the LCD, external display (connected to
the Monitor connector) and both LCD and external
display.

Only LCD

LCD and external display

Only external display

Toggles between LCD-only and dual LCD/TV display
modes.

LCD and external display

Only LCD