Sony PCG-FX370K Primary User Manual

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Contents

Welcome.......................................................9

Using Your VAIO Notebook......................11

Using the Keyboard...................................................12

Functions of the keyboard keys .........................................13

Combinations and functions with the Windows key .........14

Indicators ...........................................................................15

Indicator lights...................................................................15

Combinations and functions with the Fn key ....................16

Using the Touchpad ..................................................18

Using the Floppy Disk Drive ....................................20

To insert a floppy disk .......................................................20

To remove a floppy disk....................................................20

To remove the floppy disk drive........................................21

To reinsert the floppy disk drive........................................22

Using the Optical Drive.............................................23

To insert a disc...................................................................23

To remove a disc................................................................24

To play a DVD...................................................................25

Notes on CD and DVD media ...........................................26

To write data to CD-RW/CD-R media (For models with a

CD-RW/DVD Combo Drive)............................................27

Using PC Cards.........................................................28

To insert a PC card.............................................................28

To remove a PC Card.........................................................29

Notes on PC Cards.............................................................30

Using a Second Battery Pack ....................................31

To insert a second battery pack..........................................31

To charge the second battery pack.....................................32

To remove the second battery pack ...................................33

Using the Weight Saver.............................................34

To attach the weight saver .................................................34

To remove the weight saver...............................................34

Using Smart Connect ................................................36

Connecting with i.LINK ....................................................36

Using Power Saving Modes......................................37

Normal mode .....................................................................37

Standby mode ....................................................................37

Hibernate mode..................................................................37

Notes on power saving modes ...........................................38

Connecting a Phone Line ..........................................39

Connecting to a LAN ................................................40

To set up your ethernet connection....................................40

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

Connecting a Port Replicator ....................................44

To attach your notebook to the port replicator ..................44

To remove your notebook from the port replicator ...........46

Connecting an External Mouse or Keyboard ............48

To connect an external mouse or keyboard .......................48

Connecting a Parallel Port Printer.............................49

To connect a printer ...........................................................49

Connecting a Universal Serial Bus (USB) Printer ....50

To connect a USB printer ..................................................50

Connecting an External Display................................51

To connect a computer display ..........................................51

To connect a multimedia computer display.......................51

To connect a projector .......................................................52

To select a display..............................................................52

Connecting a TV Display..........................................54

To connect a TV ................................................................54

Notes on TV display ..........................................................54

Connecting a Universal Serial Bus (USB) Device....56

To connect a USB device...................................................56

Connecting an i.LINK Device...................................57

To connect a digital video camera recorder.......................57

Notes on i.LINK devices ...................................................58

Connecting External Speakers ..................................59

Before connecting your external speakers .........................59

To connect external speakers.............................................59

Connecting an External Microphone.........................60

To connect an external microphone...................................60

Expanding Your Notebook Capabilities ...................61

Personal Digital Assistant..................................................61

Wireless LAN Access Point ..............................................61

Wireless LAN PC Card......................................................62

Customizing Your VAIO Notebook..........63

Displaying the Sony Notebook Setup Screen ...........64

To display the Sony Notebook Setup screen .....................64

Sony Notebook Setup Tabs................................................65

Controlling Power Management ...............................66

To view the Power Management status icons....................66

Power Management profiles ..............................................67

Power management commands .........................................69

Conserving battery power..................................................70

Displaying Battery Information ................................71

To activate the Battery Information toolbar ......................71

Battery icon descriptions ...................................................71

To display detailed battery information.............................72

To customize the Battery Information toolbar and alarm sys-

tem .....................................................................................73

Selecting the Display Mode ......................................74

To select the display mode.................................................74

To change the Window Design of Sony software .............75

Adding Memory to Your VAIO Notebook 77

Precautions and Procedures.......................................78

Typical expansion memory configuration .........................79

Removing a Memory Module ...................................80

Installing a Memory Module.....................................82

Viewing the Amount of Memory..............................83

About the Software on Your Notebook ...85

Software Overview....................................................86

DVgate ......................................................................92

To defragment a partition ..................................................92

DVgate plug-in for Adobe Premiere..................................92

MovieShaker .............................................................94

To import images and sound clips.....................................94

To create a movie using Shaker.........................................94

To edit clips and scenes .....................................................95

To add effects to a scene or a clip......................................96

To save a movie.................................................................96

OpenMG Jukebox .....................................................97

Electronic Music Distribution (EMD) services .................97

To start OpenMG Jukebox 2.0...........................................98

To record a CD ..................................................................99

To transfer songs (check-in/check-out) ...........................100

Additional OpenMG Jukebox features ............................102

Notes on using Portable Players ......................................103

PictureGear..............................................................104

To manage your pictures..................................................104

To create a photo album...................................................104

To use Panorama Maker ..................................................105

To make still images and panoramic from MPEG ..........105

Smart Capture..........................................................106

To use Still mode.............................................................107

To use Net Movie mode...................................................111

To use ImageStation ........................................................114

VisualFlow ..............................................................117

To use VisualFlow...........................................................117

Application, Driver, and System Recovery CDs.....118

Using Your Recovery CDs......................................119

To use the Application Recovery CD(s)..........................119

To use the Driver Recovery CD(s) ..................................120

To use the System Recovery CD(s).................................120

Troubleshooting......................................123

Troubleshooting Your Notebook ............................124

Troubleshooting the LCD Screen............................128

Troubleshooting the Mouse and Touchpad.............130

Troubleshooting Drives, PC Cards and Peripheral De-

vices.........................................................................132

Troubleshooting Software.......................................134

Troubleshooting the Modem ...................................135

Troubleshooting Audio ...........................................136

Troubleshooting the Printer.....................................137

Getting Help.............................................139

Support Options.......................................................140

VAIO Support Agent ..............................................142

To use the Quick Fix Wizard...........................................142

To use Common Solutions...............................................144

Automatic updates ...........................................................146

Update notification ..........................................................148

VAIO Support Agent Properties......................................148

To use Support Central ....................................................149

Software Support Information.................................154

Sony Service Center................................................157

Index.........................................................159

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Welcome

Congratulations on your purchase of this Sony VAIO computer, and welcome to the VAIO User Guide. This User Guide provides detailed information on all aspects of using your new VAIO computer, from keyboard functions to preinstalled software applications. In the left navigation window, click the topics you want to learn more about, and that information will be displayed in this main window.

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Using Your VAIO Notebook

This section describes the following aspects of your new computer:

❑ Using the Keyboard ❑ Using the Touchpad ❑ Using the Floppy Disk Drive ❑ Using the Optical Drive ❑ Using PC Cards ❑ Using a Second B attery Pack ❑ Using the Weight Saver ❑ Using Smart Connect ❑ Using Power Saving Modes ❑ Connecting a Phone Line ❑ Connecting to a LAN

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Using the Keyboard

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

Keyboard

Correction

Escape key Function keys Print Screen key

keys

Shift

key

trl key

Fn key

Alt key

Windows key

Applications key

Numeric keypad area

Navigation keys

Functions of the keyboard keys

Key Description

Using the Keyboard

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 twelve 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 f rom one application to the next.

Escape key The Esc (Escape) key is u sed to cancel commands.

Print Screen key T he 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 (Shift, Ctrl, Alt keys)

Several keys are always usedwith 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 C trl 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 $.

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Key Description

Windows key The key with the Windows logo displays the Windows Start

menu; it is the equivalent of clicking the Start button on the taskbar. See “Combinations and functions with the Windows key” for more information.

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

commands. See “Combinations and functions with the Fn key” for more information.

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.

Combinations and functions with the Windows key

Combination Function

+ F1 Displays Windows Help.

+ Tab Switches the selected button on the taskbar.

+ D Displays the Desktop.

+ E Displays Windows Explorer.

+ F Displays the Windows Find: All Fileswindow to find afile or

folder. This is the equivalent 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 isthe equivalent ofselecting Find and then Computer from the Start menu.

+ M Minimizes all displayed windows.

Using the Keyboard

Combination Function

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.

Indicators

Indicator Function

Power Light is green when the power to the notebook is turned on,

flashes amber in Standby mode, and turns off when the notebook is in Hibernate mode or powered off.

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

on t he left side of the notebook.

Battery 2 Indicates the status of the battery inserted inthe multipurpose

drive bay on the right side of the notebook.

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

drive. Do not enter Standby mode or turn off the notebook when this indicator light is on.

Indicator lights

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Light On Off

Num Lock

Caps Lock

Scroll Lock

The number keys in the numeric keypad are active.

The letters appear inuppercase asyou type. The Shift key lowers the case of typed letters when Caps Lock is on.

The screen scrolls differently. (Exactly how it scrolls depends on the

The alphanumeric 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. specific application. It has no effect in many applications.)

Combinations and functions with the Fn key

Combinations/ Feature Function

Fn+ (ESC) Standby

Puts the system into Standby mode, a power management state. To return the system tothe activestate, press any keyor press the power button on your notebook.

Fn+ (F3) Mute On/Off

Fn+ (F4) Speaker volume

Fn+ (F5) Brightness control

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

Combinations/ Feature Function

Using the Keyboard

LCD

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

LCD

Fn+ only/

(F8)

Control TV Out

Fn+ (F12) Hibernate

Toggles through the LCD, external display (connected to the

Monitor jack) 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.

Only LCD

LCD and external display

Only external display

Connect the cable before you turn onthe notebook, otherwise Fn + F8 will not work.

Provides for the lowest level of power consumption. When you execute this command, the state of the system and state of the peripheral devices are written to the harddisk and the system power is turned off. To return the system to its original state, use the power button to turn on power.

Fn+ F Display control. Minimizes and maximizes the LCD screen.

If the default display resolution is reduced, this function maximizes the display resolution to fit the screen size. Maximizing the d isplay screen enables you to view the display at a greater resolution.

✍ Some functions are not available until Windows launches.

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Using the Touchpad

The keyboard contains a cursor-pointing device called a touchpad. You can point to, select, drag, and scroll objects on the screen using the built-in touchpad.

Touchpad

Pointer

Touchpad

Right button

Left button

Action Description

Point Slide one finger on the touchpad to place the pointer on an

item or object.

Click Press the left button once.

Double-click Press the left button twice.

Using the Touchpad

Action Description

Right-click Press the right button once. In many applications, this action

displays a shortcut menu of context-sensitive choices.

Drag Slide one finger while pressing the left button.

Scroll Move your finger along the right edge of the touchpad to

scroll vertically. Move your finger along the bottom to scroll horizontally. (The scroll function is available only with applications that support a touchpad scroll feature.)

See Mouse Propertiesfor information on touchpad features,such asclicking both buttons simultaneously, adjusting touchpad speed, and Easy Launcher functions. To access Mouse Properties, go to Start > Settings > Control Panel > and click the Mouse icon.

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Using the Floppy Disk Drive

Your notebook comes with the floppy disk drive in the multipurpose bay.

To insert a floppy disk

1 Hold the floppy disk with the label side facing up. 2 Gently push the floppy disk into the drive until it clicks into place.

Inserting a floppy disk

Floppy disk

Floppy disk drive

To remove a floppy disk

1 After you finish using the floppy disk, wait until the LED indicator turns off. 2 Press the Eject button to remove the floppy disk.

Using the Floppy Disk Drive

Removing a floppy disk

Eject button LED indicator

✍ Do not pus h the eject b utton when th e LED indi cator is turne d on. Otherwise , data may

be lost.

To remove the floppy disk drive

1 Turn off the notebook. 2 Locate the release lever on the bottom of the notebook. 3 Slide the lever in the direction of the arrow.

Multipurpose bay release lever

4 Slide the floppy disk drive out of the multipurpose bay. 5 Insert the weight saver. See “Using the Weight Saver” for more information.

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To reinsert the floppy disk drive

1 Turn off the notebook. 2 If another device is in the multipurpose bay, remove the device. See “To

remove the second battery pack” for more information.

3 Insert the floppy disk drive into the multipurpose bay with the VAIO label

facing up.

4 Continue pushing the drive into the bay until the release lever locks into

place.

Inserting the floppy disk drive

Multipurpose bay

Floppy disk drive

Using the Optical Drive

Your notebook comes withan optical drive, either a CD-RW/DVD Combo Drive or DVD-ROM drive, depending on the model you purchased.

Do not use adhesiv e l ab els to id en tify y ou r d is cs. Ad h esi ve l ab els m ay c o me off while the disc is in use in the optical drive(s), and may cause damage t o the drive.

To insert a disc

When the notebook is in Standby or Hibernate mode, you cannot insert a disc. See “Controlling Power Management” for more information on Standby and Hibernate modes.

1 Turn on the notebook. 2 Press the Eject button to open the optical drive. The tray slides out.

Ejecting the tray

Eject button

3 Place an optical disc on the tray with the label side facing up.For DVDs that

can be played on both sides, the side of the disc facing up is the side that plays.

4 Push the disc onto the hub until the disc clicks securely into place.

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✍ Be sure to seat the disc firmly over the hub fingers. If you do not seat the disc firmly,

you could damage your optical drive and you may not be able to open the tray.

Inserting an optical disc

Label side facing up

5 Close the tray by pushing it gently.

To remove a disc

When the notebook is in power saving modes, you cannot remove a disc. See “Controlling Power Management” for more information about power saving modes.

1 After you finish using a disc, wait until the LED indicator turns off. 2 Press the Eject button to remove the disc. 3 If the disc does not come out when you press the Eject button, turn off the

notebook and insert a thin, pointed object (such as a paper clip) into the manual eject hole.

Manually re moving a disk

Using the Optical Drive

To play a DVD

You can play DVDs using the optical drive and the WinDVD® software. See the help file that comes with the WinDVD software for details.

❑ To achieve o ptimum performance when playing DVDs, it is recommended

that your notebook not be connected to the port replicator while playing DVD movies or using DVD applications.Close any open applications before playing a DVD movie.

❑ When playing DVD movies on battery power, set the power management

profile to DVD. With other profiles, the movies are choppy. As an alternative, you can set the power management profile to Automatic Profile Selection, which will cause the DVD profile to be selected automatically whenever you insert a DVD. See “Controlling Power Management” for information on how to set the power management profile.

Some discs recorded at 20 or 24 bits may produce noise while playing. If you have audio devices connected, this may cause damage to your hearing and the speakers. Reduce t he volume before playing such discs.

You cannot switch between LCD and TV if you press Fn+F8 when a DVD is inserted in the optical drive.

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Notes on CD and DVD media

❑ Do not switch the power saving modes wh ile you are playing the DVD disc. ❑ Do not switch between LCD and the external display while you are playing

the DVD video.

❑ Change the setting to disable the screen saver and the virus checker (if it is

active).

❑ Do not use memory-resident utility software to speed up disc access. This

may cause the notebook to malfunction.

❑ Donotdroporbendthedisc. ❑ Do not touch the surface of the disc. Fingerprintsand dust on the surface of a

disc may cause readingerrors. Propercare of the disc is essential to maintain its reliability. Do not use solvents such as benzine, thinner, commercially available cleaners or anti-static spray, as they may cause damage to the disc.

❑ For normal cleaning, hold the disc by its edge and use asoft cloth to wipe the

surface from the center out.

❑ If the disc is badly soiled, moisten a soft cloth with water, wring it out well,

and use it to wipe the surface of the disc from the center out. Wipe off any remaining moisture with a dry soft cloth.

When using your notebook to play DVDs on your TV

❑ If you connect a TV to your notebook to play DVDs, see “Selecting the

Display Mode” for instructions.

❑ When a TVis connected to a notebook that is set to factory settings, a part of

the video screen will not appear. To view theentire screen, adjust the display resolution to 640 x 480. See “Selecting the Display Mode” for more information.

❑ If you set the display resolution higher than the default setting (1280 x 1024,

24 bits), the DVD video may not play properly.

❑ (For models with SXGA+ panels) To view the DVD video clearly, set the

display resolution to 1024 x 768 dots (16 bits).

Using the Optical Drive

To write data to CD-RW/CD-R media (For models with a CD-RW/DVD Combo Drive)

You can use Easy CD Creator™ software to write data to a CD-R or CD-RW. To use Easy CD Creator, see the online help manual that comes with the software.

❑ For optimal writing speed, deactivate the s c reen saver and exit anti-virus

software before writing data to a disc.

❑ For best results, use CD-Rs that are compatible with 4x speed. ❑ Do not put your notebook into power saving mode while using Easy CD

Creator.

Do not touch the surface of the disc. Fingerprints and dust on the surface of a disc may cause writing errors.

Do not strike or shake the not eboo k whi le writin g da ta to a dis c . Memory-resident dis c ut ilities , such as the s creen saver a nd viru s check er, may

cause unstable operation or data loss. Deactivate these utilities before writing data to a disc .

Always use the AC adapter as the power source for your notebook when you are writing data to a CD-R or CD-RW. Using battery power may result in data transfer failure.

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Using PC Cards

Your notebook includes two PC Card slots. PC Cards enable you to connect portable external devices such as another hard disk drive, or to connect to a network.

The PC Card slots can accommodate two Type I/II PC Cards, or one Type III PC Card. These slots are compatible with CardBus. Use the lower slot for Type III PC Cards. You do not need to shut down your notebook before inserting or removing a PC Card.

To insert a PC card

1 Push the Release button. The Release button pops out.

PC Card release button

Release button

2 Press the Release button a second time. The PC Card slot protector pops out.

✍ When you use a Type III PC Card, you need to remove both the top and bottom PC

Card slot protectors.

Using PC Cards

PC Card slot protector

3 Insert the PC Card into the PC Card slot. 4 Verify that the front label of the PC Card is facing up. 5 Push the PC Card slot gently into theport. Your system automatically detects

the PC Card. The Unplug or Eject Hardware icon appears in the taskbar.

Inserting a PC Card

Insert with the arrow fac i ng toward the slot

Do not force a PC Card into the slot as this may damage the connector pins. Touching the head of the PC Card will not cause damage to the connector

pins, but damage can occu r if the head of the PC Card is sticking out of the notebook while the unit is bein g tr an s po rted .

To remove a PC Card

PC Card

If your notebook is turned off, you do not have to follow these instructions.

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1 Double-click in the taskbar. The “Unplug or Eject Hardware” dialog

box appears.

2 Select the h ardware device you wish to remove. 3 Click Stop. In the “Stop a Hardware device” dialog box, confirm that the

device can be safely removed from the system.

4 Click OK. The message, “PC Card can now be safely removed from the

system” appears.

5 Click OK again and click Close. 6 Push the Release button. The Release button pops out. 7 Push the Release button a second time. The PC Card pops out. 8 Gently grasp the card and pull it out of the slot. 9 Insert the PC Card slot protector into the empty slot.

Notes on PC Cards

❑ For s ome PC Cards, if you alternate between normal power operation and

the Standby or Hibernate power management modes while the card is inserted, you may find that a device connected to your system is not recognized. Reboot your system to correct the problem.

❑ Some PC Cards may require that you disable idle devices when using the PC

Card. You canuse Sony Notebook Setup to disable devices. See “Displaying the Sony Notebook Setup Screen” for more information.

❑ Be s ure to use the most recent software driver provided by the PC Card

manufacturer.

❑ If an exclamation mark (!) appearso n the Device Manager tab in the System

Properties dialog box, remove the software driver and then reinstall it.

❑ You may not beable t o usesome PCCards or somefunctions of the PCCard

with this notebook. If you have difficulty inserting a card, check that you are orienting the card correctly. See the manual that came with your PC Card for more information on use.

Using a Second Battery Pack

You can purchase a second rechargeable battery pack. With two battery packs, you can extend the time that you use your notebook with battery power. When using two battery packs, the batterypack you insert first charges first. The second battery pack you insert charges when the first battery pack is 85 percent full. You can monitor which battery pack is charging by observing the battery indicators.

To insert a second battery pack

1 If another device is in the multipurpose bay, remove the device. 2 Insert the battery pack into the multipurpose bay.

✍ If the battery is being used, the battery 2 indicator turns on.

Second battery in multipurpose bay

Multipurpose bay

Battery pack

Label side facing down

3 Attach the weight saver to the notebook to stabilize the battery pack. 4 Locate the release lever on the bottom of the weight saver. 5 Slide the lever toward the front of the notebook to lock the weight saver. See

also “Using the Weight Saver” for more information.

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Using weight saver for second battery cover

Battery pack

Weigh t sa ver

To charge the second battery pack

❑ Keep the battery pack in the notebook while it is connected to AC power.

The battery indicator flashes while t he battery is charging. See also “To charge the battery pack” in your printed Quick Start for more

information.

Charging the second battery

Battery indicators

✍ To determine the amount of time the battery lasts, s ee “Displaying Battery

Information”.

Using a Second Battery Pack

To remove the second battery pack

If you attach two battery packs, you can remove either of them without shutting down the notebook.

1 When removing one battery pack, verify that the other battery pack’ s

indicator is on.

2 If the indicator of the battery pack you are removing is on, right-click the

battery icon on the task tray and click the “Switch discharge battery” option.

3 Locate the release lever on the bottom of the weight saver. 4 Slide the lever in the direction of arrow 1, then slide the release lever on the

bottom of the notebook in the direction of arrow 2.

Multipurpose bay release levers

Arrow 1: Weight saver release lever

Arrow 2: Release lever

5 Remove the weight saver, and then pull out the battery pack. 6 Reinsert the weight saver. See “Using the Weight Saver” for more

information.

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Using the Weight Saver

The weight saver protects the multipurpose bay when it is empty.

To attach the weight saver

1 If another device is in the multipurpose bay, remove the device. See “To

remove the second battery pack” for more information.

2 Fold out the hingedarm of the weight saver and then push on t he hinged arm

to lock it into place. Slide the weight saver in the direction of the arrow until it clicks.

Attaching the weight saver

Wei ght saver

(supplied)

3 Manually lock the weight saver’s release lever.

To remove the weight saver

1 Locate the release lever on the bottom of the weight saver. 2 Slide this lever in the direction of arrow 1, then slide the release lever on the

bottom of the notebook in the direction of arrow 2.

Using the Weight Saver

Multipurpose bay release levers

Arrow 1: We ight saver release lever

Arrow 2: Release lever

3 After removing the weight saver, pull out the weight saver’s hinged arm and

fold it into the weight saver.

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Using Smart Connect

Connecting with i.LINK

The preinstalled Smart Connect software enables you touse anoptional i.LINK® cable to connect your VAIO notebook to another VAIO computer that also has Smart Connect. You can then use one computer toedit, copy or delete files on the other computer. You can also print from a printer attached to either computer.

Connecting with an i.LINK cable

i.LINK cable (optional)

✍ When you connect two VAIO compute rs, you must assign each computer a unique

name. The computers can be identified by thi s unique name when the two c omputers are networked toge th er.

If you have previously purchased a VAIO computer or notebook that does not have the Smart Connect softw are preinstalled, consult the Sony Web site for support options (http://www.sony.com/pcsupport).

Using Power Saving Modes

When you use a battery as the source of power for your notebook, you can take advantage of power management settings to conserve battery life. In addition to the normal operating mode, which allows you to turn off specific devices, your notebook has two distinct power saving modes: Standby and Hibernate. When using battery power, be aware that the notebook automatically enters Hibernate mode when the remaining battery charge drops below5 percent,regardless of the power management setting you select.

✍ If the battery level fal ls below 10 percent, you should either at tach the AC adapter to

recharge the battery or shut down your notebook and insert a fully charged battery.

Normal mode

Normal mode is the normal state of your notebook when it is in use. The power indicator displays green when your notebook is in this mode. To save power, you can turn off a specific device such as the LCD or the hard disk.

Standby mode

In Standby Mode the notebook saves the current state of the system in RAM and switches off power to the CPU. The amber power indicator flashes in this mode.

To activate Standby mode

1 Press the key combination Fn+Esc, or press the power button and release it

immediately. You can also use the PowerPanel utility to enter Standby mode.

2 Press any key to return to normal mode.

Hibernate mode

In the Hibernate mode, the state of the system is saved on the hard drive and power is turned off. The power indicator is off in this mode.

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To activat e Hibernate mode

1 Press the key combination Fn+F12. The “Save to Disk Manager” screen

appears and the notebook enters Hibernate mode.

✍ Do not move the note book until its pow e r indicator turns off.

2 Press on the power button to return to normal mode.

Notes on power saving modes

❑ When returning f rom Hibernate mode, the system status stored on the hard

disk is erased and the notebook starts normally if you press the power button and hold it for more than four seconds.

❑ Standby requires less time than Hibernate to return to normal mode. ❑ Standby uses more power than Hibernate.

Connecting a Phone Line

You need to connect a phone cable (supplied with selected models) to take advantage of online services and the Internet.

✍ In order to register your Sony VAIO® Notebook, register your software online, and use

Sony Customer Support, you must connect to a phone line.

1 Plug one end of the phone cable into the modem jack on the notebook.

Connecting phone cable

Modem jack

Wall jack

Phone cable (supplied with selected models)

2 Plug the other end into the wall jack.

✍ Your notebook does not work with party lines, cannot be connected to a coin-operated

telephone, and may not work with multipl e phone lines or a private branch exchange (PBX). Some of these conn ect ions may result in excess electrical current and cou ld cause a malfunction in the internal modem.

If you connect a phone line coming through a splitter , the modem or connected device may not work properly.

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Connecting to a LAN

You can connect your notebook to 10Base-T and 100Base-TX-type Local Area Networks (LANs). For the detailed settings and devices needed to connect to the network, ask your network administrator.

Connecting to LAN

Ethernet port

Warning: Only connect 10Base-T and 100Base-TX cables to the Ethernet port. Do not connect any other type of network cable or any telephone line. Connecting cables other than those listed above may result in an electric current over load and could ca use a malfunction, excessive heat , or fire in the port. To connect the unit to the network, contact your network administrator.

If you enable Wake on LAN, the power saving mode will be switched to Standby mode.

To set up your ethernet connection

To connect to the network:

1 Right-click My Network Places and select Properties. 2 Click Advanced and select Network Identification to set the computer name,

domain, workgroup, and DNS suffix. You can also use the Network Identification Wizard.

To set the connections, bindings, and provider order:

Connecting to a LAN

1 Right-click My Network Places and select Properties 2 Click Advanced and select Advanced Settings. You now have access to

Adapters and Protocol Bindings and Provider Order.

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Connecting Peripheral Devices

You can add functionality to your notebook by connecting a variety of peripherals, as dicussed in the following sections:

❑ Connecting a Port Replicator ❑ Connecting an External Mouse or Keyboard ❑ Connecting a Parallel Port Printer ❑ Connecting a Universal Serial Bus (USB) Printer ❑ Connecting an External Display ❑ Connecting a TV Display ❑ Connecting a Universal Serial Bus (USB) Device ❑ Connecting an i.LINK Device ❑ Connecting External Speakers ❑ Connecting an External Microphone ❑ Expanding Your Notebook Capabilities

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Connecting a P ort Replicator

Your notebook supports the use of an optional port replicator (PCGA-PRFX1). Attaching a port replicator enables you to connect additional peripherals to your notebook.

Port replicator

1 Serial port 5 USB ports 2 Printer port 6 / Mouse/Keyboard (PS/2

port)

3 Monitor port 7 DC In jack 4 Network (Ethernet 10BASE-T)

jack

The port replicator can be powered onl y with an AC power adapter. Do not remove the AC a dapter fr om the port r eplicat or or th e AC outl et whi le usin g the port repli c ator; this m ay cause data damage or hardware malfunctions.

To attach your notebook to the port replicator

To supply power to your notebook while it isconnected to theport replicator, you can connect the AC adapter directly to the port replicator.

✍ When attaching your notebook to the port replicator, do not attempt to insert or

remove the batter y pack. Lifting and turning the notebook wit h an at tached port replicat or co u l d ca u s e a tem porary loss of pow er.

Connecting a Port Replicator

1 Turn off your notebook and disconnect all peripheral devices. 2 On the bottom of the notebook, slide the port replicator connector cover

open.

Port replicator connector

3 Attach the bottom of the notebook to the port replicator connector until it

clicks.

Attaching notebook to port replicator

Noteboo

Port replicator (not supplied)

4 Plug the cable attached to the AC adapter into the DC IN jack on the port

replicator.

5 Plug the power cord into the AC adapter and an AC outlet. The power

indicator turns green.

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Connecting AC adapter to port replicator

AC adapter

Power cord

✍ Use t he AC adapter that comes with your notebook, or an op ti onal Sony adapter.

Pow e r indicator

Release lever

Power

Port replicator connector

6 Turn on the notebook.

To remove your notebook from the port replicator

1 Turn off your notebook and the connected peripherals. 2 Pull the levers on each side of the port replicator to disengage the notebook

from the port replicator.

Disengaging notebook from port replicator

Lever

3 Lift the notebook away from the port r eplicator.

Lifting notebook

Connecting a Port Replicator

4 Close the port replicator connector cover on the bottom of your notebook.

Close the port replicator connector cover after removing your notebook from the port replicator. If the cover is left open, dirt may get inside and damage the notebook.

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Connecting an External Mouse or Keyboard

You can connect an external mouse or keyboard to the optional port replicator using a similar type PS/2® plug or adapter. You can only connect one external device at a time. Therefore, you cannot connect both a PS/2 mouse and PS/2 keyboard simultaneously.

✍ Before you connect or disconnect the mouse or keyboard, turn off the notebo ok.

To connect an external mouse or keyboard

1 Turn off your notebook. 2 Locate the mouse/keyboard port on the port replicator identified by the

symbols.

3 Plug the mouse or the keyboard cable into this port with the arrow facing up. 4 See the manual that came with your mouse or keyboard for more

information on its installation and use.

Connecting a Parallel Port Printer

You can connect a Windows 2000 compatible printer to your notebook to print documents.

To connect a printer

1 Locate the Printer port identified by the symbol. 2 Plug the printer cable (supplied with the printer) into this port on the

notebook.

3 See the manual that came with your printer for more information on its

installation and use.

Printer port

Printer

to Printer

Printer cable (supplied with the printer)

Power cord

✍ Before using the printer, y ou may need to change the Printer setting in the Sony

Notebook Setu p softwa re. See “Dis playing the Sony No tebook Setup Scre en” for m ore information.

If your printer stops functioning after resuming from a power-saving mode, see “Troubleshooting the Printer” for more information.

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Connecting a Universal Serial Bus (USB) Printer

You can connect a Windows 2000 compatible USB printer to either of your notebook’s two USB ports to print documents.

✍ To use a printer, first install the driver software that came with your printer.

To connect a USB printer

1 Plug the optional USB printer cable into one of the two USB ports on your

notebook and the USB port on your printer.

2 See the manual that came with your printer for more information on its

installation and use.

Connecting a USB Printer

Power cord

Printer

USB connector

USB printer cable (not supplied)

To USB port

Connecting an External Display

You can connect external display devices such as a computer display (monitor), multimedia computer display, and projector to your notebook.

To connect a computer display

1 Locate the Monitor jack identified by the symbol on the back of the

notebook.

2 Plug the display cable (not supplied) into this jack. 3 If necessary,plug one end of the display power cord into the display, and the

other end into an AC outlet.

4 See the manual that came with your computer display for more information

on its installation and use.

Connecting an external computer display

Computer display

Power cord

Monitor

Display cable (optional)

To connect a multimedia computer display

You can connect the notebook to a multimedia computer display that includes built-in speakers and a microphone.

1 Locate the Monitor jack identified by the symbol. 2 Plug the display cable into this jack. 3 Locate the Headphone jack identified by the symbol.

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4 Plug the speaker cable into this jack. 5 Locate the Microphone jack identified by the symbol. 6 Plug the microphone cable into this jack. 7 See the manual that came with your multimedia computer display for more

information on its installation and use.

To connect a projector

You can use a projector, such as the Sony LCD Projector, as an external display.

❑ See the manual that came with your projector for more information on its

installation and use.

Connecting a projector

Projector

Power cord

To monitor

RGB signal cable (optional)

To headphones

Audio cable

(optional)

To select a display

When you connect an external display to the monitor jack, you can toggle the output between the Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), the external monitor, or both devices.

Use the Fn+F7 keys to select a display. See also “Selecting the Display Mode” for more information.

To Press Result

Connecting an External Display

Switch to an external display

Fn+F7 Toggles between the LCD, the external display

connected to the Monitor jack, or both the LCD and external display.

Only LCD LCD and external display

Only external display

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Connecting a TV Display

You can enjoy playing audio/video by connecting optional AV devices to your notebook. See also the manuals supplied with your AV devices for more information on their installation and use.

To connect a TV

1 Connect the notebook to a TV using audio/video cables. 2 Switch the input channel of the TV to external input.

Connecting a TV

To AC outlet

Power cord

To audio input

Audio cable

(not supplied)

Video cable

(supplied)

To vide o in put

Notes on TV display

❑ TV Out does not work unless you start your notebook with the TV Out jack

plugged in.

❑ If you insert a DVD in your optical drive to watch a video on your TV, the

Fn+F8 key combination might not activate the function to toggle between your LCD and TV. Perform the following steps:

Connecting a TV Display

1 Connect the TV to the notebook. 2 Restart the notebook and wait until it finishes. 3 Toggle between your LCD and your TV with the Fn+F8 key

combination.

Your i mage is now displayed on both the LCD and the TV. Re-insert your DVD to launch your DVD software.

❑ In order to play a DVD while using the TV Out jack, the screen resolution

must be set to 640 x 480 dots.

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Connecting a Universal Serial Bus (USB) Device

You can connect USB devices such as an externalmouse, keyboard, speaker, and microphone to your notebook.

To connect a USB device

The following steps describe the procedure for connecting a USB mouse to your notebook. Use the same procedure for connecting all USB devices.

1 Locate the USB device identified by the symbol. 2 Plug one end of the USB cable into this port and the other end into the USB

device.

Connecting USB device to USB port

USB device

To USB

USB connect ing cable (optional)

You can use an optional Sony USB mouse PCGA-UMS1 series (not supplied) with this notebook. Since the USB mouse software driver is preinstalled in the notebook, you simply plug the USB mouse into the USB port to use it. One USB port supports one USB device.

See the manual that came with your U SB device for more information on its installation and use.

Connecting an i.LI NK De v ic e

Connecting an i.LINK* Device

Your VAIO®Notebook includes an i.LINK®S400 (IEEE1394) port, which you can use to connect a compatible i.LINK device, such as an i.LINK enabled digital video camera recorder. See the manual that accompanied your digital video camera recorder for more information on its installation and use.

To connect a digital video camera recorder

❑ Plug one end of the i.LINK cable (not supplied) into the i.LINK port on the

left side of the notebook and the other end into the DV In/Out port on the digital video camera recorder.

Connecting digital video camera recorder to i.LINK port

Digital video camera recorder

To i.LIN K

To DV In/Out

* i.LINK is a Sony trademark used only to designate that a product contains an IEEE 1394 con-

nection. The i.LINK connection may vary, depending on the software applications, operating system, and compatible i.LINK devices. All products with an i.LINK connection may not communicate with each other.Refer to the documentation that came with your compatible i.LINK device for information on operating conditions and proper connection. Before connectingcompatible i.LINK PC peripherals to your system, such as a CD-RW or hard disk drive, confirm their operating system compatibility and required operating conditions.

i.LINK cable (optional)

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Notes on i.LINK devices

❑ The above figure displays a connection to a Sony digital video camera

recorder; your digital video camera recorder may need to be connected differently.

❑ Only Sony digital video camera ports labeled “DV In/Out” or “i.LINK” are

compatible i.LINK devices.

❑ Do not connect more than one digital video camera at a time. The software

supplied with your notebook will not recognize multiple cameras.

❑ The i.LINK porton the notebook does not supply power to external devices.

If the external device requires power from the i.LINK port, you cannot use the device with the notebook.

❑ The notebook supports transfer rates up to 400 Mbps; however, the actual

transfer rate is the lowest transfer rate of the external device.

❑ The i.LINK features available may vary depending on the software

applications you use. See the documentation that accompanied yoursoftware for more information.

❑ The i.LINK cables compatible withy our VAIO notebook include cableswith

the following part numbers: VMC-IL4415 (a 1.5-meter cable with a 4-pin connector at each end), VMC -IL4615 (a 1.5 meter-cable with a 4-pin connector at one end anda 6-pinconnector at theother), and VMC-IL4408A (a 0.8-meter cable with a 4-pin connector at each end). You can purchase these cables from your local retailer, through the Sony VAIO® Direct Web si t e (http://www.sonydirect.com), or by calling 1-888-315-7669 (toll free).

Connecting External Speakers

You can enhance the sound quality of your notebook by connecting external speakers. See the manual that accompanied your speakers for more information on their installation and use.

Do not place floppy disks on the speakers; the speakers’ magnetic field may damage the data on the floppy disks.

Before connecting your external speak ers

❑ Verify your speakers are designed for computer use. ❑ Turn down the volume of the speakers before you turn them on.

To connect external speakers

1 Locate the Headphone jack identified by the symbol on the side of the

notebook.

2 Plug the speaker cable into this jack.

Connecting speakers to the headphone jack

Speakers

Speaker cable

To Headphones

(supplied with speakers)

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Connecting an External Microphone

You can enhance the quality of sound input by using an external microphone. See the manual that accompanied your microphone for more information on its installation and use.

✍ Verify that your microphone is designed for computer use. The microphone should be

compliant with the plug-in power microphone.

To connect an external microphone

1 Locate the Microphone jack identified by the symbol on the side of the

notebook.

2 Plug the microphone cable into this jack.

Connecting microphone to microphone jack

To Microphone

Microphone (optional)

Expanding Your Notebook Capabilities

Expanding Your Noteboo k Capabiliti es

A Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), Wireless LAN Access Point, and Wireless LAN PC Card peripheral device can be connected to your notebook, to expand the capabilities of your computer and enhance its versatility to meet your various business or personal needs.

Personal Digital Assistant

A handheld PDA is the quintessential personal planner and entertainment center that fits in your pocket. With a PDA, you can easily perform the following functions:

❑ Enter your schedule details in the calendar and view them by the day, week,

or month, and even set an alarm to remind you of important events.

❑ Keep your contact names, addresses, phone numbers, and other details in the

address book, and find them when you need them.

❑ Add tasks to the To Do List, prioritize them, and assign them due dates. ❑ Synchronize your data with the software on your notebook, to back up your

data.

❑ Track expenses when you are out of the office, then transfer the data to your

notebook.

❑ Exchange data with your notebook.

Wireless LAN Access Point

The Wireless LAN Access Point, which is also called the Access Point, is designed for building a wireless Local Area Network (LAN) environment. The Access Point comes with the Wireless LAN PC Card and required software. You can easily build a wireless LAN environment by plugging the Access Point into an AC power outlet, installing the Wireless LAN PC Card in your notebook, and using the provided software. Because a wireless LAN configuration requires no wiring, y ou can operate multiple computers more freely than ever before.

You can also connect your Access Point to a telephone line, Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) router,cable modem, or Digital Subscriber Line (xDSL) modem to share access to the Internet among multiple computers.

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Wireless LAN PC Card

The Wireless LAN PC Card, which comes with the Wireless LAN Access Point, can be purchased separately and is designed for building a wireless LAN environment. The Wireless LAN PC Card can beused withor withoutthe Access Point. With the Access Point, you can build a wireless LAN between computers that are equipped with the Wireless LAN PC Card and gain access tothe Internet. Without the Access Point, you can achieve direct communication (Peer to Peer mode) between computers.

✍ For information on available Sony products, go to http://www.sonystyle.com/vaio/.

Customizing Your VAIO Notebook

The following sections briefly describe how t o change your notebook’s default settings:

❑ Displaying the Sony Notebook Setup Screen ❑ Controlling Power Management ❑ Displaying Battery Information ❑ Selecting the Display Mode

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Displaying the Sony Notebook Setup Screen

To display the Sony Notebook Setup screen

1 Click the Start button on the Windows® taskbar. 2 PointtoVAIOandclickSonyNotebookSetup.

Sony Notebook Setup Screen

3 Select the tab for the item you want to change. See “Sony Notebook Setup

Tabs” for more information.

4 After you finish making your changes, click OK.

Displaying the Sony Notebook Setup Screen

Sony Notebook Setup Tabs

Tab Description

About This Computer Display system information, including memory

capacity, serial number, and BIOS version.

Printer Select printer port mode settings.

Initial Setting Change the volume of the sounds that play while the

operating system is loading. Select the order of drives and devices from which you want to load the operating system. You can specify the hard drive as well as other drives inserted into your n otebook.

Touchpad When you connect an optional mouse to your

notebook, you can make your touchpad inactive. You can also customize the settingsof your mouse using the mouse utility.

Power On Password Set t he password to secure your notebook.

Enable Ports Enable or disable ports. Disabling ports releases

resources to the system. To change the serial settings, click Advanced on the Basic/Advanced tab.

Basic/Advanced Switch between Advanced mode (additional screens

with advanced settings) and Basic mode of display.

✍ For more information about each option, click He lp on the Sony Notebook Setup

screen to display the help file.

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Controlling Power Management

The PowerPanel™ utility allows you to control the power management of your notebook and provides key information about system activity and battery life. The following sections briefly describe how to conserve your notebook’s battery power. You can also refer to PowerPanel Help for more detailed information. To activate a profile or command, see “Displaying Battery Information” for more information.

To view the Power Management status icons

The P ower Management status icons are displayed in the task tray at the lower right side of your screen. Move the pointer over the icons to see the tool tip that displays information about the active profile. The Battery status icon indicates the battery power level and the CPU status icon indicates the performance level of the CPU.

To activate the Power Manage ment Toolbar

1 Right-click on the taskbar at the bottom of the screen. 2 Select Toolbars from the pop-up menu, and t hen click Power Management.

The Power Management toolbar appears on the taskbar.

The current profile icon is highlighted on the Power Management toolbar. It is the first icon farthest t o the left, and i ts appearance changes depending on which power m anagement profile is currently selected. To change the power management profile, click the current profile icon, and then select a profile from the pop-up list. See “Power Management profiles” for a description of available options. To select another power management profile, click that icon in the Power Management toolbar.

✍ When you use the battery pack to power your notebook, your system selects the

Maximum Battery Life power management profile by default. If you select a different power manage ment profile wh ile using battery power, that profile is selected automatically the next time you use the ba ttery pack to power your notebook.

Refer to PowerPanel Help for information on customizing the Power Management toolbars.

You can change thepower management settings, such as the system timer and the brightness of the screen.

Controlling Power Management

To customize Power Management settings

1 Click the Current Profile icon on the Power Management toolbar. 2 Select Edit/Create Profiles from the menu. 3 Click a profile whose setting you want to change from the list in the left

field.

4 Double-click an item whose setting you want to change from the list in the

right field.

5 Clickthedesiredsetting. 6 Click the File menu, and then click Save. 7 Click the File menu, and then click Exit.

Power Management profiles

The PowerPanel utility provides several predefined Power Management profiles. Each profile consists of a group of Power Management settings thatare designed to meet specific Power Management goals—ranging from maximum Power Management to no Power Management. You can change the settings for any of the predefined profiles (except for the Disable Power Management profile), or you can create your own profile to suit your portable computing needs. The predefined profiles are:

Icon Description

Maximum Performance

Provides the best system performance while still conserving power.

Maximum Battery Life

Provides power saving features to give you maximum battery life and good performance.It slows the notebook and puts it into Standby mode after a specified t ime period.

Disable Power Management

Turns off all power management features such as Standby and Hibernate modes. You can not change the settings of this profile.

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Icon Description

AC Power

The power management state when AC power is in use. Similar to the Power Management Off setting. Power Management automatically loads the AC profile unless you disable this feature.

Games

Disables the display and the Hard Disk Standby timer.

Presentation

Keeps the display on at all times while it conserves power. This option is ideal for slide show presentations. You can establish settings for LCD (Video) Standby, Hard Disk Standby, and Standby mode to optimize power management for your system.

Camera

Optimizes performance and power requirements for camera usage.

DVD

Optimizes performance and power requirements for DVD usage.

Word Processing

Optimizes pow er management with longer timeouts on the hard disk and d isplay screen. You can also establish settings for LCD (Video) Standby, Hard Disk Standby, and Standby mode to optimize power management for your system.

Icon Description

Spreadsheet

Optimizes performance and power requirements for spreadsheet applications.

Communications

Extends battery life by initiating a quick display timeout. The Internal modem remains powered. You can also establish settings for LCD (Video) Standby, Hard Disk Standby, and Standby mode to optimize power management for your system.

Automatic Profile Selection

Automatically switches to a profile suitable for active applications.

Controlling Power Management

Power management commands

The PowerPanel™ utility also provides power management commands that you can use to activate specific power management functions and to control power for aspecific device. You can use these commands to override a profile setting or initiate an immediate action.

Icon Description

Standby

Puts the system into Standby mode, a power management state that saves the state of the system and peripheral devices in memory (RAM). Power consumption reduces to a minimum, and the system remains on. To return the system to the active state, press any key or the power button on your notebook.

Hibernate

Provides for the lowest level of power consumption. The system writes the state of the system and peripheral devices to the hard disk and turns off the system power. To return the system to the original state, use the power button to turn on power. The system saves the data in the Save to Disk Partition on the hard drive.

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Conserving battery power

When using the notebook with a battery, the LCD display and the hard drive can be s et to switch off automatically to conserve battery power.

See “Power Management profiles” for more information.

Displaying Battery Information

You can display information for each of the batteries in your notebook. The following sections briefly describe how to display your notebook’s general battery information. Refer to PowerPanel™ Help for more detailed information.

To activate the Battery Informat ion toolbar

1 Right-click on the taskbar at the bottom of the screen. 2 Select Toolbars from the pop-up menu, then click Battery Information. The

Battery Information toolbar appears on the taskbar.

To view the total capacity remaining in the battery, place the pointer over the battery status icon in the task tray on the lower right side of the screen.

Battery Information Toolbar

❑ Percentage indicator — Displays the percentage of the remaining capacity. ❑ Time indicator — Displays estimated time (hours:minutes) remaining

before the battery fully drains, also known as the time-to-empty.

Battery icon descriptions

Battery icon Battery status

Charging

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Battery icon Battery status

Fully charged

Discharging

No battery

To display detailed battery inf o rmation

Double-click the battery icon on the task tray to display the Battery Information window. The screen appears displaying the Battery tab, which contains information such as the estimated time-to-empty and charging time.

Battery Information Window

Displaying Battery Information

To customize the Battery Information toolbar and alarm system

You can customize the Battery Information toolbar and modify the alarm settings, to suit your portable computing needs. Refer to PowerPanel™ Help for more information.

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Selecting the Display Mode

This notebook uses the Intel® video controller, which enables you to select the desired display when the notebook is connected to an external monitor. When you connect an external display, you can switch the display mode between your notebook’s LCD display and the external monitor.

To select the display mode

✍ See “Connecting an External Display” for more informat ion.

1 Click the Start button, point to Settings, then point to Control Panel. 2 Click Display to access the Display Properties window. 3 Click the Settings tab, then click the Advanced button, to display the Intel®

82815 Graphics Controller Properties dialog box.

Intel® 82815 Graphics Controller Properties Screen

Selecting the Display Mode

4 Click the Intel® Graphics Technology tab, then click the Graphics Properties

button. If you want to use the TV as a display, deselect the Synchronous Display Mode box and click Apply. You cannot use the TV and another display simultaneously.

5 Click the Device tab. 6 Select the type of display.

✍ Yo u may not be able to display the notebook LCD screen and an external display or

projector at the same time, depending on the types o f co mputer displays and projectors you are using.

Turn on the notebook after you turn on t he peripheral devices.

To change the Window Design of Sony software

1 Click the Start button, point to Settings, then point to Control Panel. 2 Click UI Design Selector. 3 Click << or >> and select the desired design. 4 Click Apply. 5 The “UI Design Selector” wi ndow design changes. The window design for

your Sony software will match the “UI Design Selector” window.

6 To try another selection, click << or >> and then click OK. 7 The “UI Design Selector” window closes and the Sony software window

design displays.

✍ This feature is available with UI Design Selector-compatible softw are only.

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Adding Memory to Your VAIO Notebook

In the future you may want to install memory modules to expand the functionality of your notebook. The amount of memory on your notebook will vary depending on the model you purchased. Expansion memory modules are available as options. For memory upgrades, use only PC100 (CL2) SDRAM SO-DIMM (gold lead contacts). This section describes how to replace m emory modules in your computer:

❑ Precautions and Procedures ❑ Removing a Memory Module ❑ Installing a Memory Module ❑ Viewing the Amount of Memory

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Precautions and Procedures

The procedures described below assume you are familiar with the general terminology associated with personal notebooks and with common safety practices required for using and modifying electronic equipment. Personal injury or equipment damage may result from failure to take these precautions.

Observe the proper safety precautions when installing memory modules in your notebook. See the bulleted list below. Use care when adding memory. Mistakes made when installing or removing a memory module may cause a malfunction.

❑ Disconnect your system from its power source and from any

telecommunications links, networks, or modems before you open the system.

❑ Electrostatic discharge (ESD) can damage memory modules and other

components. Perform the procedures described below only at an ESD workstation. If such a station is not available, do not work in acarpeted area, and d o not handle materials that produce or hold static electricity (cellophane wrappers, forexample). Ground yourself bymaintaining contact with an unpainted metal portion of the chassis while performing the procedure.

❑ Do not open the memory module package until you are ready to install the

module. The package protects the module from ESD.

❑ Use the special bag for preventing ESD or use aluminum foil when you store

the memory module.

Precautions and Procedures

Typical expansion memory configuration

128 MB Memory Models

Tota l System Memory (MB)Slot 1 (MB) Slot 2 (MB)

128 128

192 128 64

256 128 128

512 256 256

256 MB Memory Models

Tota l System Memory (MB)Slot 1 (MB) Slot 2 (MB)

256 128 128

512 256 256

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Removing a Memory Module

1 Shut down your notebook and disconnect all peripheral devices, such as your

printer.

2 Unplug the notebook and remove the battery pack(s). 3 After the notebook has cooled, loosen and remove the screw that secures the

cover of the memory bay on the bottom of your notebook. Use an appropriate screwdriver.

Removing the memory module cover

Screwdriver

Screw

4 Touch a metal object (such as the connector panel on the back of your

notebook) to discharge any static electricity.

5 Remove the memory module.

Removing memory module

Removing a Memory Module

1 Pull the tabs in the direction of the arrows.

The memory module is released.

2 Pull the memory module in

6 Tightenthescrewonthememorybaycover.

the direction of the arrow.

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Installing a Memory Module

1 Follow steps 1 to 4 of “Removing a Memory Module”. 2 Remove the memory module from its packaging. 3 Slide the memory module into the empty slot. 4 Press the module into place until it clicks.

Installing memory module

1 Slide the memory mo dule into the slot.

2 Press the module into place until it clicks.

5 Tighten the screw on the cover of the memory bay.

Viewing the Amount of Memory

Viewing the Amount of Me mory

1 Restart the notebook. 2 Click the Start button on the Windows status bar, point to VAIO option, and

click Sony Notebook Setup. The Sony Notebook Setup screen appears.

3 Click the About This Computer tab to view the amount of system memory.If

the additional memory is not shown, repeat steps 1 through 5 in “Installing a Memory Module”.

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About the Software on Your Notebook

Your VAIO® Notebook is ready to help you work, play, learn, and communicate as soon as you turn it on. This section provides the following information:

❑ An overview of the various software that come with your notebook and the

activities you can perform with your software

❑ Details on your Sony application, driver, and system recovery CDs

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Software Overview

Adobe Acrobat™ Reader

Adobe Systems, Inc.

Acrobat Reader software enables you to view, navigate, and print electronic documents in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF), an open file format that is intended to preserve the fidelity of documents created on all major computer platforms.

America Online®

America Online, Inc.

America Online is a popular Internet online service. Stay in touch with family and friends with easy-to-use e-mail, manage your personal finances, get the latest news and sports scores, and chat with thousands of others who share your interests.

Apple QuickTime™

Apple Computer Inc.

QuickTime is the Apple technology that makes video, sound, music, 3D, and virtual reality come alive for our Internet browser and Windows.

CompuServe® 2000

CompuServe Interactive Services, Inc.

CompuServe is the most comprehensive source of organized business and educational information online today. C ompuServe allows you to access the vastness of the Internet, without wasting time wading through it. Maximize your time online with CompuServe.

Software Overview

DVgate™

Sony Electronics Inc.

Connect a compatible digital video camera recorder to the i.LINK®

connector and capture your own video clips and still images. You can edit clips from your video, add others, and combine clips into new movie segments. You can also save your images in a variety of popular file formats.

Easy CD Creator™ (On selected models)

Roxio, Inc.

Easy CD Creator lets you make your own data, audio and multimedia CDs. You can back up your important files to CD, and read them back on standard CDROM drives. Create your own audio CDs right on your desktop, and play them back on your home or car stereo CD player.You can make your own personalized color jewel case inserts with custom text and graphics. You can even make backup copies of your existing CDs. The Easy CD Creator Wizard makes creating your own custom CDs a simple process.

Microsoft® Internet Explorer

Microsoft Corp.

Internet Explorer delivers the Web the way you wantit. Itis safe, easy to use, and you can personalize how you access the Web. Outlook Express and other tools in Internet Explorer also help you have a great experience when you are on the Web.

Microsoft® Word

Microsoft Corp.

Microsoft Word makes it easy to create shared Web, e-mail, and print documents for use around the world. It embraces HTML as a first-class file format and extends Word’s ease-of-use to the Web and e-mail. Word also extends that easeof-use to international users, making it simple to create multilingual documents.

* i.LINK is a Sony trademark used only to designate that a product contains an IEEE 1394 con-

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MovieShaker™

Sony Electronics Inc.

Sony’s original MovieShaker software creates personal movies that have transitions, background music and text. Just import your video clips and “shake” with a click of the mouse. Your personal movies are easy to create and fun to share with family and friends. See “MovieShaker” for more information.

Netscape Communicator®

Netscape Communications Corp.

Netscape Communicator is an all-in-one Internet tool that makes it easy to browse the Web, send Internet e-mail, chat, read newsgroups, and compose great Web documents.

Norton AntiVirus™

Symantec Corporation

Norton AntiVirus provides securityfor your Internet and e-mail communications. This powerful antivirus software works in the background to continuously protect your PC, by scanning the files you download from the Web andreceive as e-mail attachments. Each time you connect to the Internet, Norton Antivirus updates its virus definitions to deliver automatic prot ection today and in the future.

OpenMG™ Jukebox

Sony Electronics Inc.

OpenMG Jukebox software enables you to import digital audio files by downloading audio files from Electronic Music Distribution (EMD) services over digital networks, such as the Internet. You can record audio CDs onto your hard drive in a variety of formats.

PictureGear™

Sony Electronics Inc.

This image management software displays images from your hard drive, a Sony digital still camera, or a Sony Mavica® camera. The images appear in a convenient light-table format, so that you can easily view the contents of an entire folder. See “PictureGear” for more information.

Software Overview

Prodigy Internet®

Prodigy Communications Corp.

An online service that helps you find what you need online faster and smarter. Prodigy delivers powerful online content such as sports scores, stock quotes, news, and easy access to Excite, plus quality customer service, all at a competitive price.

Quicken® 2001

Intuit Inc.

Quicken is a fast, easy way to organize your finances. Quicken works just like your checkbook, so it is easy to learn and use. Quicken manages all your finances, bank accounts, credit cards, investments, and loans. You can even pay your bills online.

RealJukebox

Real Networks Inc.

RealJukebox is one ofthe world’s most widely used personal music management systems. Using RealJukebox, you can capture the contents of a music CD, manage and play back your music, and view various music-related information via t he Internet. This Custom RealJukebox for Sony allows seamless check-out capabilities to a wide range of Sony personal au dio d evices, and offers convenient links to Sony product and music service home pages.

✍ If you are using an external CD-ROM drive connected with a PC Card , be sure to

connect your external CD-ROM drive before starting RealJukebox. Additionally, do not remove your CD-ROM drive while using RealJukebox. Eit her of these actions may cause RealJukebox t o shut down improperly.

RealPlayer®

Real Networks Inc.

RealPlayer is the RealNetworks video and audio p layer which lets you access 2,500 radio stations featuring music, news and sports.

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RealProducer®

Real Networks Inc.

RealProducer converts your audio and video files, or live feeds, into RealAudio and RealVideo for the Internet or your intranet. R ealProducer iseasy to use,gives you better control over your content, and is packed with exclusive features. Featuring support for CD-quality RealAudio 8 and VHS-quality RealVideo 8, RealProducer is an excellent choice for both beginners and pros.

Smart Capture

Sony Electronics Inc.

Smart Capture is a fun new way to send multimedia messages via e-mail. Smart Capture manages the i.LINK® connection between your computer and a Sony Digital Handycam® Camcorder that supports the i.LINK interface. It allows you to capture compressed video or still images that you can save or share via e-mail. A smart solution to computer, digital audio/video and network convergence.

Smart Connect

Sony Electronics Inc.

Smart Connect allows you to use an i.LINK cable to connect your VAIO computer to another VAIO computer that supports Smart Connect. You can then use one computer to copy, delete, and edit fil es on the other computer. You can also print from a printer attached to either computer.

VAIO Action Setup

Sony Electronics Inc.

VAIO Action Setup manages the settings for your notebook’s Shortcut keys and i.LINK interface.

VAIO Support Agent

Sony Electronics Inc.

VAIO Support Agent provides immediate, interactive online support.

Software Overview

VisualFlow™

Sony Electronics Inc.

VisualFlow software is a state-of-the-art Sony multimedia browser designed specifically for Memory Stick® media. It displays any still pi cture, movie, or sound file stored in a Memory Stick media in a visually pleasing, artistic manner. VisualFlow software not only plays a selected movie or sound file, but also enables playback of files by o ther applications such as PictureGear, Memory Stick Slideshow, and Windows Explorer.

WinDVD® 2000

InterVideo Inc.

WinDVD is a simple-to-use DVD player including all the features you would expect to find in a standard consumer DVD player, while also offering advanced display and navigation features such as zoom, pan, bookmark, and time search.

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DVgate

In order to improve the performance of your notebook’s DVgate™ motion software, the hard disk drive on your notebook has been formatted with two partitions, C and D. The C partition holds40 percent, and the D partition holds 60 percent of the entire drive capacity. DVgate software saves files to the D partition. This prevents large video captures from consuming the available space on your C partition. To maintain optimum performance of DVgate so ftware, you should defragment or format the D partition regularly.

To defragment a partition

Before you defragment a partition, make sure you back up all files that you want to save.

1 Click the Start button in the Windows® taskbar. 2 Click Programs, then Accessories, then System Tools, and then Disk

Defragmenter. The Disk Defragmenter window appears.

3 Select the d rive you want to defragment from the list, and click the

Defragment button.

See Windows® Help for more information on defragmenting.

DV gate plug-in for Adobe Premiere

If your VAIO® Notebook does not come with Adobe Premiere® pre-installed and you subsequently purchase thatsoftware, youmust install a plug-in to enable DVgate™ 2.3 software.

To install the DVgate plug-in for Adobe Premiere® 5.1 and 5.1LE

1 Click Start in the Windows® taskbar and select Run. 2 Click Browse and, from your C: drive, select Program Files, and Sony, and

Dvgate, and Premiere Plug-in, and then 5.1.

3 Select “Setup.exe” and click Open. Then click OK to install the plug-in.

DVgate

To install the DVgate plug-in for Adobe Premiere® 6.0

1 Click Start in the Windows® taskbar and select Run. 2 Click Browse and, from your C: drive, select Program Files, and Sony, and

Dvgate, and Premiere Plug-in, and then 6.0.

3 Select “Setup.exe” and click Open. 4 Click OK to install the plug-in.

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MovieShaker

This application can be used to create fun and innovative movies without any prior knowledge of film editing. In a few simple steps, motion pictures can be combined with special effects, still images, and music files, and then saved in a format compatible with most computers.

Main Window

Wor king Pan el

Clip tray

Product tray

Editing trays

To import images and sound clips

1 Click (File Import) or (DV Import). 2 Find the file you want to add. 3 Select the file. 4 Click Open. The file is added to the Clip tray.

Help

Trash

✍ Importing large files may cau se MovieShaker software to stop responding.

To create a movie using Shaker

After adding clip(s) to the Clip tray, you can create a short movie using the Shaker feature. Shaker randomly select clips from the Clip tray to create a 30second scene.

1 Click the Shake tab. 2 Select a mood by clicking a face in the Shaker tray.

MovieShaker

Shaker Tray

3 Click . A 30-second scene is automatically generated and

saved to the Product tray.

4 To preview, switch the scene from the Product Tray to the Work Panel and

press play.

✍ Scenes created with Shaker begin with a black frame and after processing are placed

in the first available slot on the Product tray. Limit the number of scenes placed on the Product tray to five or fewer. MovieShaker software may stop responding if too many scenes are placed on the Product tray.

To edit clips and scenes

You can edit your movie by adding effects and text, adjusting the color and contrast, and modifying the length of clips.

Working Panel

Sound Color

Monitor

Trim Palette

Effect Knobs

Speed

Effect Palette

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To add effects to a scene or a clip

1 Double-click the clip or scene to move it to the Working Panel. 2 Select the Effects tab from the Editing tray. 3 Drag and drop the Effect you wantto add from the Effects tray to the Effects

palette on the Working Panel.

✍ To preview an Effect, click on the clip in the Working panel monitor. Your clip displays

with the new effect on the Effect tray monitor.

4 See Help for instructions on adjusting effect duration and replaying clips and

scenes.

To save a movie

1 Verify that the clip(s) you want to save is on the Product tray. See Help for

more details on saving movies.

2 Click Export. 3 Select the f ormat in which you want the clip to be saved. 4 Click Next. 5 Locate the folder to which you want the file saved. 6 Name the file. 7 Click Save.

✍ Exporting movies may take a long time to comple te—Qui ck-Save is the fastest wa y to

save a movie, while “Sa ve movie as DV” (Digital Video) takes the longest. MovieShaker c an play video files up to 65 MB in lengt h.

For DV playback and smooth video playback, use the following resolution refresh rates: 1024 x 768/75 Hz or lower.

OpenMG Jukebox

OpenMG Jukebox is a software application that utilizes Sony Corporation’s copyright protection technology. OpenMG Jukebox maintains the holder’s copyrights by preventing unauthorized distribution of digital audio files.

OpenMG Jukebox software enables you to p lay andrecord audio CDs and import digital audio files while maintaining the copyright information of the contents. When you record an audioCD with OpenMG Jukebox, itis encoded in ATRAC3 format onto your notebook’s hard drive. You can download digital audio files from Electronic Music Distribution (EMD) services. The imported data can be played on your notebook or transferred to external devices or media. OpenMG Jukebox converts your existing MP3 and WAV format audio files into OpenMG format (WAV format audio files are converted into ATRAC3 format or changed into OpenMG MP3 format).

Your VAIO® Notebook ships with OpenMG Jukebox 2.0 installed. Other external devices that are compatible with OpenMG Jukebox may contain an earlier ver s ion of the sof tware (Version 1.0, 1.1, or 1.2). Do not install an earlier vers ion of OpenMG Jukebox on your notebook, as this may cause the software to work improperly or damage your audio files.

Electronic Music Distribution (EMD) services

EMD allows you to download music files via the Internet. To use Internet services that are compatible with OpenMG Jukebox, you need:

❑ Access t o the Internet from your notebook. Sign up with an Internet S ervice

Provider (ISP) and configure your notebook for Internet access before using EMD services.

❑ An EMD service provider. Consult the provider for details regarding service.

✍ To protect your personal data, Sony uses Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), an encryption

protocol for communication between your browser and Sony’s World Wide Web (WWW) server. If you are accessing the Internet from an enterprise Local Area Network (LAN), you may not be able to use SSL due to the proxy server of the LAN. Contact your network administrator for more informat ion.

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To start OpenMG Jukebox 2.0

1 From the Start button on the Windows taskbar, select Programs, OpenMG

Jukebox, and then click o n OpenMG Jukebox. The CDDB® Music Recognition Service Registration wizard appears.

2 Follow the onscreen instructions to complete registration.

✍ To register with CDDB, you will need I nt ernet access from your notebook. For more

information regarding CDDB registration, click the Help button.

3 When you have registered with CDDB, the “Set OpenMG Jukebox as the

Application for playing Audio CD” dialog box appears. You can set OpenMG Jukebox as the default application for playing audio CDs by selecting the appropriate checkbox.

4 Click OK. The OpenMG Jukebox window appears.

OpenMG Jukebox 2.0 Basic Features

1 2 3

4 5 6 7 8

OpenMG Jukebox

1Menubar

Displays OpenMG Jukebox menus.

5 File List view

Lists the items under the selected folder in the File Tree view.

2 Screen Tabs

Change the operational sheet view according to function.

3 Player control buttons

Control playback(play,stop, pause, etc.).

4 File Tree view

Displays the folders on your notebook.

6 Drop-down list

Displays the playlists, audio files, etc., of the current screen tab.

7Tutorialtab

Opens and closes the Tutorial screen.

8 URL drop-down list

Displays URL address information if available. Clicking the “Go to URL link” button connects to the Internet Web page of the URL.

To record a CD

You can record songs from audio CDs and import them to playlists within OpenMG Jukebox.

✍ When you record from an audio CD on your optical drive for the first time, the “CD

Drive Optimization” dialog box appears. Click Start to verify your optical drive. After the verification is perfor med, recording begins.

1 Insert an audio CD into the optical drive. 2 Click the CD tab. 3 Select the Bit Rate, CD drive, and Record to location from the drop-down

lists.

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CD tab screen

4 To select certain tracks from your CD, uncheck any unwanted tracks. You

can also click the empty checkbox next to Select All (clearsall checkboxes), and then select the desired tracks.

5 Click Rec to Jukebox to b egin recording. When the recording is

finished, the new playlist appears in the File Tree view of the Playlist screen tab.

6 To name the album and songs, type the name, or retrieve it from the CDDB

Web site on the Internet at http://www.cddb.com/cddb2info/using.html.

To transfer songs (check-in/ check-out)

You can transfer songs between the playlists of your OpenMG Jukebox and external devices/media. For details on using your external devices/media, see the user guide that came with your product. These instructions are for the Checkin/Check-out 1 step mode; for information on 2 step mode, see “Changing the check-in/check-out settings” in the OpenMG Jukebox Help menu.

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Sony PCG-FX370K Primary User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual