Sony PCG-FXA33 User Manual

VAIO® Notebook Quick Start

PCG-FXA36/PCG-FXA33/PCG-FXA32

VAIO® Notebook Quick Start

Contents

Welcome.......................................................5

Unpacking Your Notebook .........................................7

Registering Your Notebook ........................................9

Setting up your dial-up connection ...........................10

Setting Up Your VAIO Notebook..............13

Locating Controls and Connectors............................14

Connecting a Power Source ......................................19

Starting Your Notebook ............................................25

Shutting Down Your Notebook.................................26

Power Saving Modes.................................................27

About the Software on Your Notebook ...29

Software Overview....................................................30

Application, Driver, and System Recovery CDs.......35

Using Your Recovery CDs........................................36

Adding Memory .........................................41

Precautions and Procedures.......................................42

Typical expansion memory configuration.................43

Removing a memory module ....................................44

Installing a memory module......................................46

Viewing the amount of memory................................47

VAIO® Notebook Quick Start

Troubleshooting........................................49

Troubleshooting Your Notebook .............................. 50

Troubleshooting the LCD Screen ............................. 54

Troubleshooting the Mouse and Touchpad .............. 55

Troubleshooting Drives, PC Cards and

Peripheral Devices .................................................... 57

Troubleshooting Software......................................... 59

Troubleshooting the Modem..................................... 60

Troubleshooting Audio ............................................. 61

Troubleshooting the Printer ...................................... 62

Getting Help...............................................63

Software Support Information .................................. 65

Index...........................................................67

Welcome

Congratulations on your purchase of the Sony VAIO® all-in-one notebook. 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, refer to the

✍

Specifications flyer supplied with your notebook.

Exceptional performance* — Your notebook includes a mobile AMD

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processor featuring PowerNow!™ technology compatible modem.

Portability — Rechargeable battery pack provides hours of use without AC

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power.

Sony audio and video quality — High-quality MPEG1/MPEG2 video,

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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 headphones (not

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supplied) to listen to audio and video CDs.

Microsoft® Windows® operating system — Your system includes the

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latest Microsoft® Windows® operating system.

‡

†

and a V.90/K56flex-

* To combine performance and portability, Sony had implemented speed-controlling technol-

ogy designed to maximize battery life during mobile computer use. Windows® reported

actual CPU speed may not reflect the maximum CPU speed. † Processor speed may be reduced under certain conditions. ‡ Actual upload and download speeds may vary due to line conditions, Internet Service Pro-

vider (ISP) support, and government regulations.

VAIO® Notebook Quick Start

Communications — Access popular online services, send e-mail, browse

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the Internet, and use fax features.

Optical disc drive (CD-RW/DVD or DVD-ROM) — The CD-RW/DVD

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Combo Drive utilizes a new optical storage technology that combines the features of both a CD-RW drive and DVD-ROM drive, providing increased storage capacity and a rich multimedia computing experience. Optical drives play DVD-ROM, CD-ROM, CD-RW, and CD-R discs. (The CD-RW/DVD Combo Drive is available on selected models only.)

Your notebook’s optical disc drive and other parts may differ depending on the model

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you purchased.

Unpacking Your Notebook

Remove the following hardware items from the box:

Main unit

Power cord

AC adap ter

Unpacking Your Notebook

Video cable Rechargeable

battery pack

* Removable floppy disk drive is in the multipurpose bay.

Weight saver

Documents

VAIO® Notebook Quick Start — Contains information on unpacking and

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setting up your notebook, the features of your notebook, the applications included with your system, and how to solve common problems.

VAIO® Notebook User Guide — A searchable online help file that contains

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detailed information on how to use your new notebook. Go to Start, select VAIO Help and Support, and click VAIO User Guide to open this file.

Microsoft® Windows® manual — Explains how to use the basic features

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of the Windows operating system.

VAIO® Notebook Notes on Use — Explains notes on use and offers safety

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tips.

VAIO® Notebook Specifications Flyer — Details the hardware

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specifications for your notebook.

VAIO® Notebook Quick Start

Software CDs

Microsoft® Word — Enables you to reinstall Microsoft Word to the VAIO

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computer you purchased, if the application becomes corrupted or is erased.

Recovery CDs

Application Recovery CD(s) — Enables you to reinstall individual

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applications if they become corrupted or are erased.

Driver Recovery CD(s) — Enables you to reinstall individual device

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drivers if they become corrupted or are erased.

System Recovery CD(s) — Enables you to format the C:\ partition of the

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hard disk drive, then reinstall the operating system and software titles that shipped with your notebook if they become corrupted or are erased.

Other

Packet containing special product offers

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Limited Warranty card

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Registering Your Notebook

Take advantage of Sony’s commitment to quality customer support and receive these benefits by registering your notebook:

Sony Customer Support — Talk to a Support Representative to

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troubleshoot problems you may be having with your notebook.

Limited Warranty — Protect your investment. See the Warranty Card for

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more details.

You are prompted to register your computer the first time you turn on the unit. Follow

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the on-screen instructions to complete the registration process. If you are not able to register your computer during the first session, you are provided with additional registration opportunities later.

VAIO® Notebook Quick Start

Setting up your dial-up connection

This section describes the basic steps for setting up your dial-up connection. The Connection Wizard guides you through the process of connecting to the Internet and then choosing an Internet Service Provider (ISP) or setting up an existing account.

Setting up your dial-up connection

1 Click Start, point to All Programs, Accessories, Communications, and then

click New Connection Wizard. The Location Information screen appears.

Location Information screen

2 Follow the instructions onscreen and then click OK to continue. The Phone

and Modem Options screen appears.

Setting up your dial-up connection

Phone and Modem Options screen

3 Select the location from where you are dialing and then click OK. The New

Connection Wizard appears.

VAIO® Notebook Quick Start

New Connection Wizard

4 Follow the onscreen instructions to finish setting up your dial-up connection.

Setting Up Your VAIO Notebook

This section describes the following:

Locating Controls and Connectors

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Connecting a Power Source

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Starting Your Notebook

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Shutting Down Your Notebook

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Power Saving Modes

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VAIO® Notebook Quick Start

Locating Controls and Connectors

Front

1 LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)

7 Battery 1 and 2 indicators

screen

2 Speakers 8 Hard disk drive indicator

3 Keyboard 9 Num Lock indicator

4 Touchpad 10 Caps Lock indicator

5 Left and right buttons 11 Scroll Lock indicator

6 Power indicator

Left

Locating Controls and Connectors

1 TV out jack 4 i.LINK® (IEEE1394) S400

port

2 Microphone jack 5 PC Card slots

3 Headphone jack 6 Battery bay

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

connection. The i.LINK connection may vary, depending on the software applications, oper-

ating 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 compati-

ble i.LINK device for information on operating conditions and proper connection. Before

connecting compatible 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.

VAIO® Notebook Quick Start

Right

1 Power button

2 Optical drive (CD-RW/DVD Combo Drive or DVD-ROM drive

3 Multipurpose bay

* The type of optical drive differs depending on the model you purchased.

)

Back

Locating Controls and Connectors

1 Modem jack 5 Monitor port

2 USB port 6 Ethernet port

3 Serial port 7 DC In port

4 Printer port

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 overload and could cause a malfunction, excessive heat, or fire in the port. To connect the unit to the network, contact your network administrator.

There is a ventilation slot located between the Ethernet port and the USB port. Do not

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cover the ventilation slot when your notebook is on.

VAIO® Notebook Quick Start

Bottom

1 Multipurpose bay release lever

2 Port replicator cover

3 Tilt stands

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 port on the

notebook.

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.

Connecting the AC adapter

Notebook

AC adapter (supplied)

DC In

Power cord (supplied)

Notes on the AC Adapter

Your notebook operates on 100V-240V AC 50/60 Hz.

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Do not share the AC outlet with other power-consuming equipment, such as

❑

a copy machine or shredder.

You can purchase a power strip with a surge protector. This device prevents

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damage to your notebook caused by sudden power surges such as those that may occur during an electrical storm.

Do not place heavy objects on the power cord.

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To disconnect the cord, pull it out by the plug. Never pull the cord itself.

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Unplug your notebook from the wall outlet if you will not be using the

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notebook for a long time.

The LED indicator on the AC adapter may be turned on until the AC adapter

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is unplugged from your notebook.

VAIO® Notebook Quick Start

When the AC adapter is not used, unplug it from the AC outlet.

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Use only the AC adapter supplied. Do not use any other AC adapter.

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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 notebook. (See “Using a Second Battery Pack” in your online User Guide for more information.) Additional battery packs are available as a separate option.

The battery pack that comes with your notebook 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 Locate the battery bay on the left side of the notebook and push the cover

down to open it.

The cover swings out but does not detach.

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Battery bay

Connecting a Power Source

2 Insert the battery pack into the battery bay.

Inserting battery pack

Battery pack (supplied)

Label side facing down

3 Push the battery bay cover up until it clicks.

If the port replicator is attached to your notebook, do not attempt to insert or remove

✍

the battery pack. Lifting and turning the notebook with a port replicator attached could cause a temporary loss of power.

To charge the battery pack

1 Connect the AC adapter to the notebook.

2 Insert the battery pack.

The notebook automatically charges the battery. The battery indicator flashes in a double-blink pattern as the battery charges.

3 When the battery is 85 percent full, the battery indicator turns off. This

process takes 2.5 hours if your notebook is turned on.

To charge the battery completely, continue charging for an additional hour.

✍

VAIO® Notebook Quick Start

There are two battery indicators on the notebook

Battery indicators

Battery Indicator Description

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

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

Battery Indicator Light Status Description

On The notebook is using battery power.

Single blink The battery is running out of power.

Double blink The battery is charging.

Off The notebook is using AC power.

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