Welcome
Congratulations on your purchase of this Sony VAIO® computer, and welcome to the online VAIO® Computer User Guide.
This user guide provides detailed information on all aspects of using your new VAIO computer, from keyboard functions to
preinstalled software programs.
In the left navigation window, click the topics you want to learn more about, and that information will be displayed in this
main window.
View the Electronic Flyer, which provides updates and supplemental information about your computer.
Go to the Sony Computing Support Site to view the VAIO® Computer Specifications, which list your computer's
hardware specifications and preinstalled software information.
For Sony software information, click Start and Welcome to VAIO Life.
Page 1
Caring for Your Computer
This section provides information on how to safely use your Sony computer.
Page 2
Applying Ergonomics
Your computer is a portable device and can be used in a variety of environments. Whenever possible, you should apply the
following ergonomic considerations:
Position of your computer — Place the computer directly in front of you as you work. Keep your forearms
horizontal, with your wrists in a neutral, comfortable position while using the keyboard, touch pad, or external
mouse. Let your upper arms hang naturally at your sides. Take breaks during sessions with your computer.
Excessive use of the computer may strain muscles or tendons.
Furniture and posture — Sit in a chair with good back support and armrests. Adjust the level of the chair so your
feet are flat on the floor. A footrest may make you more comfortable. Sit in a relaxed, upright posture and avoid
slouching forward or leaning far backward.
Viewing angle of the computer's display — Tilt the display to find the best viewing angle. Also try adjusting the
brightness setting of the display. Following these suggestions can reduce eye strain and muscle fatigue.
Lighting — Choose a location where windows and lights do not create glare or reflection on the display. Use indirect
lighting to avoid bright spots on the display. You can purchase accessories for your display that help reduce glare.
Proper lighting adds to your comfort and work effectiveness.
Placement of an external display — When using an external display, set the display at a comfortable viewing
distance. Make sure the display screen is at eye level or slightly lower when you are sitting in front of the monitor.
Page 3
Storing Your Computer
Do not use or store your computer in a location subject to:
Heat sources, such as radiators or air ducts
Direct sunlight
Excessive dust
Moisture or rain
Mechanical vibration or shock
Strong magnets or speakers that are not magnetically shielded
Ambient temperature higher than 95ºF (35ºC) or less than 40ºF (5ºC)
High humidity
Do not place electronic equipment near your computer. When running, the computer's electromagnetic field may
cause other electronic equipment in close proximity to malfunction.
Provide adequate air circulation to prevent internal heat buildup. Do not place your computer on porous surfaces
such as rugs or blankets, or near materials such as curtains or draperies that may block ventilation. Leave a space
of at least 8 inches (20 cm) behind the back of the computer.
If the computer is brought directly from a cold location to a warm one, moisture may condense inside your computer.
In this case, allow at least one hour before turning on your computer. If any problems occur, unplug your computer,
and contact your Sony Service Center.
The computer uses high-frequency radio signals and may interfere with radio or TV reception. Should this occur,
move the computer a suitable distance away from the radio or TV.
Do not drop the computer or place heavy objects on top of the computer.
Page 4
Using Cables and Connections
Use only specified peripheral equipment and interface cables.
Do not use cut or damaged connection cables.
If the telephone company makes a service call to your home or office and determines that your computer is
responsible for a problem, the telephone company may bill you for the service call. Also, if you do not disconnect
your computer when it is adversely affecting a telephone line, the telephone company has the right to disconnect
your service until you correct the problem.
Page 5
Cleaning Your Computer
Clean the computer with a soft, dry cloth or a soft cloth lightly moistened with a mild detergent solution. Do not use
any type of abrasive pad, scouring powder, or solvent such as alcohol or benzine, as these may damage the finish
of your computer. You can use canned compressed air specifically for computers to remove dust.
If a solid object falls onto the computer or a liquid leaks into the computer, immediately turn off and unplug the
computer. It is best to have the computer checked by qualified personnel before you use it again.
Avoid rubbing the LCD screen as this can damage the screen. Use a soft, dry cloth to wipe the LCD screen or
canned compressed air.
Always disconnect the power cord before cleaning the computer.
Page 6
Handling the LCD Screen
Direct sunlight can damage the LCD. Be careful when using the computer near a window.
Do not scratch the LCD or exert pressure on it. This can cause a malfunction.
Using the computer in low temperature conditions may produce a residual image on the screen. This is not a
malfunction. When the computer returns to normal temperature, the screen returns to normal.
The screen becomes warm during operation. This is normal and does not indicate a malfunction.
The LCD is manufactured using high-precision technology. You may, however, see tiny black points and/or bright
points (red, blue, or green) that continuously appear on the LCD. This is a normal result of the manufacturing
process and does not indicate a malfunction.
Page 7
Powering Your Computer
Your VAIO® computer comes with a battery and an AC adapter. This chapter explains how to install and use these supplied
accessories to power your computer. It also describes ways you can efficiently utilize the battery as a power source.
Page 8
Using AC Power
The supplied battery is not charged when you receive your computer. To charge the battery and begin using the computer
immediately, insert the battery into the computer and use the supplied AC adapter as a power source. The computer
automatically charges the installed battery while it uses AC power.
Page 9
Connecting the AC adapter
To connect the AC adapter
1.
Plug the AC adapter cable into the DC IN port.
Connecting the AC Adapter to the Computer
2.
Plug the power cord into the AC adapter and an AC outlet.
Use only the supplied AC adapter with your computer.
Page 10
Turning on the computer
To open and turn on the computer
1.
Slide the cover release latch and lift the cover while holding the bottom of the computer firmly.
Opening the Computer
2.
Press the power button until the power indicator turns on.
Turning on the Computer
If you continue to press the power button, the computer turns off.
3.
If the computer screen is too dark or too bright, follow these steps to adjust the brightness:
Your computer is equipped with a Brightness button, located next to the Power button. Pressing it will
adjust the LCD screen brightness.
To increase brightness, press the Fn and F5 keys, and then press the Up Arrow or the Right Arrow
key.
To decrease brightness, press the Fn and F5 keys, and then press the Down Arrow or the Left
Arrow key.
Page 11
Using the Battery
Your computer, depending on the model you purchased, may come equipped with one battery bay and one multipurpose
bay that supports a second battery. If your computer comes with two bays, you can purchase a second rechargeable
battery to extend your computing time. For information on how to extend the life of the battery, see Conserving Battery
Power for more information.
When operating your computer on battery power, your computer's CPU speed is reduced.
The battery that comes with your computer is not fully charged at the time of purchase.
The brightness of your computer screen automatically dims when you switch from AC power to battery power. To
increase the brightness, press the Fn and F5 keys, and then press the Up Arrow or Right Arrow key.
Page 12
Using a second battery
To insert a second battery
1.
If another device is in the multipurpose bay, remove that device.
2.
Insert the battery into the multipurpose bay. When the computer uses the second battery, the Battery 2
indicator turns on.
Inserting the Second Battery
3.
Slide the weight saver in the direction of the arrow until it clicks into place. The weight saver stabilizes the
battery.
Inserting the Weight Saver
4.
Lock the weight saver RELEASE switch.
Locking the Weight Saver
Page 13
To remove the second battery
1.
Make sure the Battery 2 indicator is off and the Battery 1 indicator is on or the computer is connected to AC
power. If the Battery 2 indicator is on:
1.
Double-click the CPU icon or Profile icon , depending on the model you purchased. The
PowerPanel dialog box appears.
2.
On the Battery tab, click Primary Battery in the Battery Switch box.
3.
Click OK.
2.
Turn the computer over, and unlock the weight saver and the multipurpose bay.
Unlocking the Second Battery
3.
Pull the weight saver and battery gently from the multipurpose bay.
4.
Insert the weight saver into the multipurpose bay to protect the bay.
Page 14
Conserving Battery Power
You may use the power saving modes and PowerPanel utility to conserve battery power. Conserving battery power may
significantly extend your computing time, depending on how you use your computer.
Page 15
Using power saving modes
In addition to the normal operating mode, which allows you to turn off specific devices to save power, your computer has
two distinct power saving modes: Standby and Hibernate. Use the Standby and Hibernate power saving modes to override
a power profile setting and initiate immediate action.
Standby — Saves the state of the system and peripheral devices in memory (RAM). Power consumption is reduced
to a minimum. The system remains on, and the computer screen (LCD) is off.
Hibernate — Saves the state of the system and peripheral devices to the hard disk. Power consumption is reduced
to the lowest possible setting without being completely off. Hibernate mode consumes the lowest level of power.
Your computer enters Hibernate mode when the remaining battery charge drops below 5 percent, regardless of the
setting you select.
Since some programs and peripheral devices prevent the system from entering Hibernate mode, save your data
frequently to avoid data loss.
To activate Standby mode
1.
Press the Fn and Esc keys. The power indicator blinks in this mode.
2.
Press any key to return to normal mode.
To activate Hibernate mode
1.
Press the Fn and F12 keys, or press the power button and release it immediately. Do not move the computer
until the power indicator turns off.
2.
Press the power button to return to normal mode.
If your computer does not activate Hibernate mode, see Battery for more information.
Page 16
Using PowerPanel utility
The PowerPanel utility enables you to select and customize a predefined power management profile to conserve battery
life. The following table describes all the predefined power management profiles in PowerPanel. You can customize the
settings for all the following profiles, except the Disable Power Management profile.
Profile
Icon Description
Maximum Performance
Provides the best system performance but conserves minimal power.
Maximum Battery Life
Provides power saving features to give you maximum battery life and good performance. It slows the computer and puts it
into Standby mode after a specified time.
Ultimate Battery Life1
Extends the Maximum Battery Life by stopping power to the optical drive and Memory Stick® media slot.
Power Management Off
Disables all power management settings, such as Standby and Hibernate modes. You cannot change the settings of this
profile.
AC Power
Indicates when AC power is in use. Similar to Power Management Off and the Standby mode after a half hour. 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 conserving 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 power management with longer time-outs on the hard disk and display screen. You can also establish settings
for LCD (Video) Standby, Hard Disk Standby, and Standby mode to optimize power management for your system.
Spreadsheet
Optimizes performance and power requirements for spreadsheet programs.
Communications
Extends battery life by initiating a quick display time-out. The Internal modem remains powered on. 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 selects a profile suitable for active software programs.
Page 17
1
Do not choose the Automatic P rofile Selection when c onnected to AC power.
To select a profile
1.
Right-click the CPU icon or Profile icon , depending on the model you purchased. See Locating battery
information for Battery icon descriptions.
2.
Select Profiles, and click the profile on the shortcut menu. The profile settings are implemented instantly. See
Using PowerPanel utility for descriptions of available profiles.
When you use the battery to power your computer, your system automatically selects the Maximum Battery Life power
management profile by default. If you select a different power management profile while using battery power, that profile is
selected automatically the next time you use the battery to power your computer.
See PowerPanel Help for information on customizing the power management profiles.
To customize your profile settings
You can customize your profile settings to sustain enough power for a particular computing function.
1.
Right-click the CPU icon or Profile icon , depending on the model you purchased.
2.
Select Edit/Create Profiles from the shortcut menu.
3.
In the left panel, select the profile you want to change.
4.
In the right panel, right-click the setting under System, LCD (Video), Hard Disk, or Other Devices that you
want to change. See the following table for a description of each power management setting.
5.
Make your changes from the drop-down menu.
6.
Click File, and click Save.
Not all power management settings described in the table below are available on your computer, depending on the
configuration you purchased.
Power Management Setting Description
CPU Control1 Controls the processor speed. You can select either Performance, Adaptive, or Battery Life. These
selections are listed in order from the greatest to least amount of power consumed.
Standby Timer Controls the time it takes the system to activate the Standby mode when it is idle. The longer you
allow the computer to sit idle while it is not in a power saving mode the more power the computer consumes.
Hibernate
Timer Controls the time it takes the system to activate the Hibernate mode when it is idle. The longer you allow the
computer to sit idle while it is not in a power saving mode the more power the computer consumes. Hibernate mode
conserves more power than Standby mode.
CPU Fan Control1 (On selected models) Controls the speed of the processor fan. You can set the fan speed to different
levels. Level 1 (Quiet) conserves the most power.
Lid Close Action Controls the state of your system when the lid of the computer is closed. You can select either
Standby, Hibernate, or LCD Off.
Hibernate on Low Battery Controls the state of your system when the battery power is low. You can turn this setting
On or Off. Selecting On conserves the most power when the battery is low.
LCD
Brightness Controls the brightness of the computer screen (LCD). You can select a brightness level of one to nine. The
Page 18
darker you set the computer screen the more power you conserve.
LCD Standby Timer Controls the time it takes the system to turn off power to the computer screen (LCD) when the
system is idle. The system itself still functions on full power.
HDD Standby Timer Controls the time it takes the system to turn off power to the hard disk drive when the system is
idle. This setting only turns off power to the hard disk drive.
i.LINK Port Controls power to the i.LINK® port. Disabling power to the i.LINK port conserves power.
Memory Stick Port Power-saving Controls power to the Memory Stick media slot. Disabling power to the Memory Stick
media slot conserves power.
Optical Drive Power-Saving Controls power to the optical drive. Disabling power to the optical drive conserves power.
1
Slows the process or s peed.
Page 19
Locating battery information
You can view the remaining battery charge and miscellaneous battery information on the Battery Information toolbar, the
PowerProfile window, and the Power Meter window.
The Battery icons that appear on the Battery Information toolbar and PowerPanel window indicate the current status of
the installed battery.
Battery icon Charge status
Charging
Fully charged
Discharging
No battery
To view the Battery Information toolbar
1.
Right-click the center of the Windows® taskbar.
2.
Select Toolbars from the shortcut menu, and click Battery Information. The Battery Information toolbar
appears on the taskbar.
If the Battery Information toolbar is hidden behind the taskbar icons, right-click the taskbar and click to cancel Lock
the Taskbar. Click and drag the edge of the Battery Information toolbar to the left until it is in clear view.
The total charge remaining in the battery is listed in percent and real-time values.
Battery Information Toolbar*
* T he Battery I nformation T oolbar may appear s lightly different on your c omputer, depending on the number of batteries your c omputer s upports .
Percentage indicator — Displays the percentage of the remaining charge.
Time indicator — Displays estimated time (hours : minutes) remaining before the battery fully discharges, also
known as the time-to-empty.
To close the Battery Information toolbar
1.
Right-click the Battery Information toolbar.
2.
Select Toolbars from the shortcut menu, and click to cancel Battery Information. The Battery Information
toolbar disappears from the taskbar.
To view the PowerPanel window
Double-click the CPU icon or Profile icon , depending on the model you purchased. The PowerPanel window
appears.
PowerPanel*
Page 20
* T he P owerPanel window may appear slightly different on your computer, depending on the number of batteries your c omputer s upports.
Power Profile— Displays the power management settings for various devices on your system. You can change the
settings to conserve power.
Battery tab — Displays the total charge remaining in the battery. You can click Advanced for specific information on
the battery.
Alarms tab — Displays the alarm settings, which notify you when the battery is fully charged or too low. You can
change your computer's alarm settings on this window.
Click Help in the lower right corner of the window for more information.
To view the Power Meter window
1.
Double-click the Power icon. The Power Meter window appears. You can also rollover the Power icon to view the
remaining battery charge.
Power icon Power status
Computer is using AC power.
Computer is using AC power and charging the battery.
Battery is charging.
Battery is fully charged.
Battery is discharging.
No battery is inserted in the computer.
If the Power icon is not displayed on the Taskbar Notification area, see To display the Power icon on the taskbar
.
Power Meter
Page 21
To display the Power icon on the taskbar
1.
Click Start on the Windows® taskbar, and click Control Panel.
2.
Click Performance and Maintenance, and click Power Options. The Power Options Properties window
appears.
3.
Select the Advanced tab, and then select Always show icon on the taskbar in the Options box. The power icon
appears on the taskbar. See the power icon descriptions above for more information.
Page 22
Inserting a battery
To insert a battery
1.
Lift the lid of the computer.
2.
Push the battery bay cover down to open it. The battery bay cover swings out but does not detach from the
computer.
Opening the Battery Bay
3.
Slide the battery into the battery bay. If the computer is on, it automatically detects the battery.
Inserting a Battery
4.
Push the battery bay cover up until it clicks into place.
If a port replicator is attached to your computer, do not insert or remove the battery. Lifting and turning the computer
with a port replicator attached could cause a temporary loss of power.
Some programs and peripheral devices prevent the system from automatically entering Hibernate. If you are using battery
power, save your data frequently to avoid data loss and manually activate a power saving mode. See Using power saving
modes for more information.
Page 23
Removing a battery
If you are not using the computer for an extended period of time, remove the battery from the computer to avoid damaging
the battery. Remove the battery when the computer is off.
To remove a battery
1.
Make sure the computer is off.
2.
Push the battery bay cover down to open it.
3.
Pull the battery out of the battery bay.
Remov ing a Battery
4.
Push in and lift up the battery bay cover until it clicks into place.
Page 24
Charging a battery
You will need to charge the battery if battery power drops below 10 percent or you have not used the battery for a long
time. The lithium-ion battery supplied with your computer may be recharged at any time, whether you wait until the battery
is completely or partially discharged. Charging a partially discharged battery does not affect battery life. If you charge the
battery and find that battery power is still low, the battery may be reaching the end of its life, and you may need to replace
it.
The battery supplied with your computer is not charged at the time of purchase.
To charge a battery
You can charge the battery when the computer is on or off. However, the battery will charge faster when the computer is
off. Charging the battery takes several hours. See your VAIO® Computer Specifications for the approximate time needed to
charge your battery.
Charge the battery at temperatures between 50°F and 80°F (10°C to 30°C). Lower temperatures require more time
to charge.
1.
Insert the battery into the battery bay. If you want to charge more than one battery, insert the second battery
into the computer. See To insert a second battery for more information.
2.
Connect the AC adapter to the computer. The computer automatically charges the battery as long as the
computer is using AC power.
The battery indicator blinks while the battery charges. The battery indicator stops blinking when the battery is fully
charged.
When using two batteries, the battery you insert first charges first. The second battery you insert begins charging
when the first battery is 85 percent charged.
Battery Indicators
Battery indicator status Description
On The computer is using battery power.
Single blink The battery is running out of power.
Double blink The battery is charging.
Page 25
Off The computer is using AC power.
Page 26
Notes on batteries
Never leave the battery in temperatures above 140°F (60°C), such as under direct sunlight or in a car parked in the
sun.
While the battery is in use or being discharged, the battery heats up. This is normal and is not cause for concern.
Keep the battery away from heat sources.
Keep the battery dry.
Do not open or disassemble the battery.
Do not expose the battery to any mechanical shock.
Battery life is shorter in a cold environment because of decreased battery efficiency at low temperatures.
Page 27
Using Audio-Video Features
Using Special Buttons
Depending on the model you purchased, your VAIO® computer is equipped with a variety of audio- and video-oriented
function buttons: Volume Up and Down, Channel Up and Down, Brightness, and Magnify screen.
Page 28
Using Audio-Video Features
Using Special Buttons
Depending on the model you purchased, your VAIO® computer is equipped with a variety of audio- and video-oriented
function buttons: Volume Up and Down, Channel Up and Down, Brightness, and Magnify screen.
Page 29
About the special buttons
The following information shows where the special buttons are located, and briefly describes their functionality.
Special Buttons
Number Type of Button
1 Volume Down. The Volume Up and Down buttons control the audio output on your computer.
2 Volume Up. The Volume Up and Down buttons control the audio output on your computer.
3 Magnify. The Magnify button, located next to the computer's power button, works as a screen resolution toggle
button. By pressing it, you can alternate between different screen resolutions.
4 Brightness. The Brightness button, located between the Magnify and Power buttons, toggles brightness levels for
the computer's LCD screen.
5 Power. The Power button turns your computer on or off.
Page 30
Using i.LINK Digital Video Recorders
You can connect a digital video (DV) recorder, such as an i.LINK®1 digital video camera recorder, to the i.LINK® S400 (IEEE
1394) port on your computer. The i.LINK digital-video camera recorder is an external device that enables you to record and
view digital images.
1
i.LINK is a trademark of Sony us ed to des ignate that a produc t c ontains an I E E E 1 3 9 4 c onnector. The i.LINK connection may vary, depending on the
software application, operating system, and c ompatible i.LI NK devices. A ll products with an i.LI N K c onnec tion may not c ommunic ate with eac h other. Refer
to the documentation that came with your compatible i.LIN K devic e for more information on operating c onditions and proper connection. Before connecting
compatible i.LI N K P C peripherals to your system, s uch as a C D-RW or hard dis k drive, c onfirm their operating s ystem compatibility and required operating
conditions.
Page 31
Connecting an i.LINK digital video recorder
You can connect an i.LINK digital video (DV) recorder when the computer is on or off. Connecting the DV recorder when the
computer is in a power saving mode (Standby or Hibernate) may cause the computer to malfunction.
Before you connect an i.LINK digital video recorder
Do not connect more than one digital video camera recorder at a time. The preinstalled programs on your computer
will not recognize multiple cameras.
Do not connect an external device that requires power from the i.LINK port. The i.LINK port does not supply power
to the external device.
The i.LINK port supports transfer rates of 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 programs you use. See the help guide that accompanied
your program for more information.
To connect an i.LINK digital video recorder
1.
Turn on the digital video (DV) device and the computer.
2.
Plug the i.LINK® cable into the i.LINK port on the DV device.
3.
Plug the other end of the i.LINK cable into the i.LINK port on your computer. The Found New Hardware
window appears on the lower right corner of your screen.
Connecting an i.LINK Digital Video Camera Recorder
See the guide that accompanied your digital video camera recorder for more information on its installation and use.
Page 32
Disconnecting the i.LINK digital video recorder
You can disconnect the digital video recorder while the computer is on or off. Simply unplug the i.LINK cable from the i.LINK
port on the computer. Disconnecting the cable when the computer is in a power saving mode (Standby or Hibernate) may
cause the computer to malfunction.
Page 33
Using a digital video camera recorder
Your computer comes with preinstalled driver software that is compatible with most Sony digital video camera recorders. If
you purchased a camera that comes with its own driver software, install these drivers before you use the camera.
To view images
You can view images captured by your digital video camera recorder three different ways. Select one set of instructions
from the following list:
If your digital video camera recorder is compatible with the preinstalled programs, the Digital Video Device window
appears when you connect the camera to the computer. Select the program you want to use in this window, and
click OK.
Click Start, and click All Programs. Select a program in which to view your images.
Click Start, and click Welcome to VAIO Life. Click Movies, and select a program in which to view your images.
Page 34
Using Computer Monitors and Projectors
You can connect an external display (such as a computer monitor or a projector) to your computer.
Page 35
Connecting a computer monitor
Your computer can display images to the computer screen (LCD), to an external computer monitor, or to both the LCD and
external monitor while your computer is on.
To connect a computer monitor
1.
Make sure the computer monitor is plugged into an AC outlet.
2.
Plug the display cable into the Monitor (VGA) port on the computer.
3.
If it is not already on, turn on the computer monitor.
4.
Press the Fn+F7 keys to toggle the display between your computer, the monitor, or both the computer and
monitor.
You cannot use the Monitor (VGA) port on your computer when a port replicator is connected to the computer. Use the
Monitor (VGA) port on the port replicator instead.
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Connecting a multimedia device
Connecting a Computer Monitor
You can connect a multimedia device, such as a multimedia computer monitor or projector, to your computer. Connecting a
multimedia device enables you to display images on your computer screen (LCD), the multimedia device, or both.
For information on connecting a TV to your computer, see Connecting your computer to a TV.
To connect a multimedia computer monitor or projector
1.
Plug the device into an AC outlet.
2.
Plug the device cable into the Monitor (VGA) port on your computer. If you are using a multimedia computer
monitor, which has built-in speakers and a microphone, plug the audio cable into the Headphone jack on your
computer to hear sound.
To locate the Monitor port and Headphone jack, see "Locating Controls and Ports" in the "Setting Up" chapter of
your printed VAIO® Computer Quick Start.
3.
Turn on the device (if it is not already on), and then turn on your computer.
Connecting a Projector
Page 37
4.
Press the Fn+F7 key combination to toggle the display between your computer, the device, or both. See
Selecting a display for more information.
See the guide that accompanied your projector for more information on its installation and use.
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Selecting a display
You can connect external displays to your computer while it is on. When you connect an external display (projector,
computer monitor, or TV) to your computer, you can switch the display between the computer screen (LCD), the external
display, or both, using shortcut keys.
Shortcut keys Result
Fn+F7 Toggles the display between the computer screen (LCD), a connected TV, and both the LCD and TV.
Select one display (LCD or TV) when playing a DVD. Connect the TV cable before you turn on the computer; otherwise,
Fn+F7 will not work. You cannot use the Fn+F7 function to switch between LCD and TV once a DVD is inserted into the
optical drive.
You may not be able to display the computer screen (LCD) and an external display or projector at the same time,
depending on the types of computer displays and projectors you are using.
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Disconnecting a computer monitor or projector
You can disconnect the external computer monitor or projector by unplugging the monitor (VGA) cable from your computer's
port. Disconnecting the external display when the computer is in a power saving mode (Standby or Hibernate) may cause
the computer to malfunction.
Page 40
Using Speakers
Your computer comes with built-in stereo speakers. If you wish to enhance the sound quality of your computer, you can
purchase and connect external speakers. If you want to purchase speakers, make sure the speakers are designed for
computer use. You can shop Sony online at http://www.sonystyle.com/vaio or contact your local retailer.
Page 41
Connecting speakers
You can connect speakers to your computer to enhance the sound quality of your computer.
Do not place floppy disks on the speakers. The speakers' magnetic field may damage the data stored on the
floppy disks.
To connect speakers to your computer
1.
Turn down the volume of the speakers.
2.
Plug the speaker cable into the Headphone jack on the computer.
3.
Plug the other end of the speaker cable into the speaker.
Connecting Speakers
See the guide that accompanied your speakers for more information on its installation and use.
Page 42
Disconnecting speakers
You can disconnect external speakers when the computer is on or off. Simply unplug the speaker cable from the Headphone
jack on the computer.
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Adjusting the volume
To adjust the volume for playing CDs and DVDs, use the Volume icon on the Windows® taskbar or the Volume Up and
Down buttons. Adjusting the volume for playing CDs or DVDs does not adjust the volume for recording sound files.
You can only adjust the recording volume in the Recording Control window. See Using a microphone to record sound
for instructions on how to open this window.
To adjust the volume of your speakers
1.
Right-click the Volume icon on the Windows® taskbar, and select Open Volume Control. The Volume Control
window appears.
2.
Click and drag the Volume Control slider up to increase volume and down to decrease volume.
3.
Click to cancel any Mute check boxes that are selected.
Sound device Function
Volume Control Adjust the sound level from the speakers or headphones.
Wave Adjust the wavfile sound or the system sound of Windows.
SW Synth Adjusts the internal or external synthesizer volume.
CD Audio Adjust the volume of the CD in the optical drive.
Microphone Adjust the internal or external microphone volume.
Telephony Adjust the modem or telephone volume.
PC Beep Adjust the beep sound when inserting or removing the PC Card and other devices.
Line1 Adjusts the sensitivity of input volume.
1
O n selected models only.
As a shortcut, you can press the Fn+F4 keys and the Up Arrow or Right Arrow keys to change the volume
setting. You can also press the Fn+F3 keys to toggle the mute option on and off.
Page 44
Enabling the audio feature
If you do not hear sound when playing a CD or DVD, you may need to enable the audio feature.
To enable the audio feature
1.
Click Start on the Windows® taskbar, and click Control Panel.
2.
Click Performance and Maintenance, and click System. The System Properties window appears.
3.
Select the Hardware tab, and click Device Manager. The Device Manager window, which lists the hardware
devices, appears.
4.
Double-click the name of the optical drive, such as DVD/CD-ROM drives1.
5.
Double-click the listed drive name, and click the Properties tab.
6.
Click the Enable digital CD audio for this CD-ROM device check box if it is not already selected.
1
T he read/write drive letter des ignation may vary, depending on your s ystem's hardware configuration.
Page 45
Using Microphones
You can connect an external microphone to your computer to enable the sound input to your computer. Make sure your
microphone is designed for computer use. If you wish to purchase a microphone, shop Sony online at
http://www.sonystyle.com/vaio or contact your local retailer.
Page 46
Connecting a microphone
Plug the microphone cable into the Microphone jack1 on the computer.
Connecting a Microphone
1
A protruding dot located next to the Microphone jac k dis tinguis hes this jac k from the H eadphone jack.
Page 47
Disconnecting a microphone
You can disconnect an external microphone when the computer is on or off. Simply unplug the microphone cable from the
Microphone jack on the computer.
Page 48
Using a microphone to record sound
You can record messages, memos, etc. by connecting a microphone to the Microphone jack1 on your computer.
To record from a microphone
1.
Double-click the Volume icon on the Windows® taskbar. The Volume Control window appears.
2.
From the Options menu, click Properties. The Properties dialog box appears.
3.
Click to select the Recording option in the Adjust volume for box, and click OK. The Recording Control window
appears.
4.
Click the Select check box at the bottom of the Microphone column, if it is not already selected. Close the
Recording Control window.
5.
Click Start, and select All Programs, Accessories, Entertainment, and then Sound Recorder. The Sound Sound Recorder window appears.
For help using Sound Recorder, click Help in the Sound Recorder window.
To adjust the volume for recording sound
You can only adjust the volume for recording in the Recording Control window.
1.
Right-click the Volume icon on the taskbar, and select Adjust Audio Properties.
2.
On the Audio tab, click Volume in the Sound recording box. The Recording Control window appears.
3.
Click and drag the Microphone slider up to increase volume and down to decrease volume.
1
A protruding dot located next to the Microphone jac k dis tinguis hes this jac k from the H eadphone jack.
Page 49
Internet and Network Connections
Internet Connections
This section describes the basic steps for setting up your dial-up or Ethernet connection to the Internet. The New
Connection Wizard guides you through the process of connecting to the Internet and choosing an Internet service provider
(ISP) or setting up an existing account. When you connect to the Internet, you can register your VAIO® computer, use online
services, and gain access to Sony Computing Support.
Page 50
Internet and Network Connections
Internet Connections
This section describes the basic steps for setting up your dial-up or Ethernet connection to the Internet. The New
Connection Wizard guides you through the process of connecting to the Internet and choosing an Internet service provider
(ISP) or setting up an existing account. When you connect to the Internet, you can register your VAIO® computer, use online
services, and gain access to Sony Computing Support.
Page 51
Setting up a dial-up Internet connection
Before you can connect to the Internet, you need to connect your computer to a telephone line via a telephone cable (not
supplied). Once you set up your telephone cable, you're ready to connect to the Internet.
To connect a telephone cable
1.
Locate the Modem jack on your computer. For location information, see "Locating Ports and Controls" in the
"Setting Up" chapter of your printed VAIO® Computer Quick Start.
2.
Plug one end of the telephone cable into the Modem jack. Make sure it clicks into place.
3.
Plug the other end into the wall jack.
Connecting a Telephone Cable
Your computer does not work with party lines, cannot be connected to a coin-operated telephone, and may not
work with multiple telephone lines or a private branch exchange (PBX). Some of these connections may result in excess
electrical current and could cause a malfunction in the internal modem.
If you connect a telephone cable coming through a splitter, the modem or connected device may not work properly.
To set up a dial-up connection to the Internet
1.
Connect your computer to a telephone line. See To connect a telephone cable for more information.
2.
Click Start, point to All Programs, Accessories, Communications, and click New Connection Wizard. The New
Connection Wizard appears.
New Connection Wizard
3.
Click Next. If the Location Information dialog box appears, follow the on-screen instructions.
4.
If it is not already selected, click to select Connect to the Internet, and click Next.
Page 52
5.
Follow the on-screen instructions.
Page 53
Setting up an Ethernet Internet connection
Your computer accommodates both 10BASE-T and 100BASE-TX Ethernet connections, with data transfer speeds of between
10 and 100 Mbps.
To connect an Ethernet cable
1.
Locate the Ethernet port on your computer. For location information, see "Locating Controls and Ports" in the
"Setting Up" chapter of your printed VAIO® Computer Quick Start.
Connecting an Ethernet Cable
2.
Plug one end of the Ethernet cable into your computer's Ethernet port and the other into the network
connection.
To set up an Ethernet connection to the Internet
1.
Connect your computer to a network connection.
2.
Click Start, point to All Programs, Accessories, Communications, and click New Connection Wizard. The New
Connection Wizard appears.
New Connection Wizard
3.
Click Next. If the Location Information dialog box appears, follow the on-screen instructions.
4.
If it is not already selected, click to select Connect to the Internet, and click Next.
5.
Follow the on-screen instructions.
Page 54
Customizing your Internet connection
The Internet Properties dialog box enables you to change the way you view the Internet. You can change your home page,
fonts, language, and colors. You can also regulate content and set browsing preferences.
To open the Internet Properties dialog box
1.
Click Start on the Windows® taskbar, and then Control Panel.
2.
Click Network and Internet Connections, and then Internet Options. The Internet Properties dialog box
appears.
3.
Click the tabs to view options.
4.
Make changes, and click Apply to activate your changes.
5.
Click OK.
Page 55
Network Connections
With a Sony computer, you can easily set up or connect to a variety of networks. The New Connection Wizard and Network
Setup Wizard make it easy to gain access to networks (LANs) using wireless, Ethernet, or dial-up connections.
For more information about networking, click Start, Help and Support, and then Networking and the Web.
Types of Networks*
* T he c omputers repres ented in this graphic may not be identic al to the model you purc has ed.
Page 56
Using Ethernet and dial-up connections
For setting up local area networks (LANs), Ethernet is a widely installed technology. Your computer accommodates both
10BASE-T and 100BASE-TX Ethernet connections, with data transfer speeds of between 10 and 100 Mbps.
To connect to a local area network using a telephone or Ethernet cable
1.
Connect an Ethernet or telephone cable to your computer. See To connect an Ethernet cable and Setting up a
dial-up Internet connection for more information.
Connecting an Ethernet Cable
2.
Click Start, point to All Programs, Accessories, Communications, and click Network Setup Wizard. The
Network Setup Wizard appears.
Network Setup Wizard
3.
Click Next. If you are prompted to the Local Information dialog box, follow the on-screen instructions.
Only connect 10BASE-T and 100BASE-TX cables to the Ethernet port . Do not connect any other type of
network cable or any telephone cable. 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,
see Using Ethernet and dial-up connections or contact your network administrator.
You can connect to an Ethernet network from a remote location and use data, programs, and network resources. See
Microsoft® Windows® Help by clicking Help and Support from the Start menu, and then clicking Networking and the Web in
the left panel.
To connect to a remote network using a telephone or Ethernet cable
Page 57
1.
Connect an Ethernet or telephone cable to your computer. See To connect an Ethernet cable and Setting up a
dial-up Internet connection for more information.
2.
From the Start menu, point to All Programs, Accessories, Communications, and click New Connection Wizard.
3.
Click Next. If you are prompted to the Local Information dialog box, follow the on-screen instructions.
4.
Click Connect to the network at my workplace, and then click Next.
5.
Follow the on-screen instructions.
6.
Ask your network administrator for the detailed settings and devices needed to connect to an existing network.
Page 58
Using wireless network connections (selected models only)
A wireless local area network (LAN) is a network in which you can connect to a LAN through a wireless (radio) connection.
You can opt to purchase a Sony Wireless LAN Access Point to set up a LAN.
The wireless LAN access point is designed for building a wireless LAN environment. Because a wireless LAN configuration
requires no wiring, you can operate multiple computers more freely than ever before.
Your computer is equipped with a built-in mini PCI card that allows for wireless connections. For information about your
computer's wireless capabilities, see the Welcome page to view your VAIO® Computer Specifications.
For more information on Sony Wireless LAN, go to http://www.sonystyle.com/vaio.
There are two types of wireless connections:
An infrastructure network is one that extends an existing wired local network to wireless devices by providing an
access point. The access point bridges the wireless and wired LAN and acts as a central controller for the wireless
LAN. The access point coordinates transmission and reception from multiple wireless devices within a specific range.
A computer-to-computer (ad-hoc) network is one in which a local network is created only by the wireless devices
themselves, with no other central controller or access point. Each device communicates directly with other devices in
the network. You can set up an ad-hoc network easily at home.
To connect to a wireless network
1.
Make sure an access point is set up. See the instructions that accompanied the access point for more
information.
2.
Move the Wireless LAN switch to ON.
Turning on the Wireless Network Switch
3.
Click Start, Control Panel, Network and Internet Connections, and then click Network Connections. The
Network Connections window appears.
4.
In the right panel under LAN or High-Speed Internet, click Wireless Network Connection. The Wireless
Network Connection window appears.
Wireless Network Connection
Page 59
5.
From the Available wireless networks list, select the name of the network in which you want to connect. If you
do not see the network name, see If the network does not appear in the Available wireless networks list box.
6.
If required, type the network key in the Network key box. (If necessary, ask the administrator for the key.)
7.
Retype the network key in the Confirm network key box.
8.
Click Connect.
If the network does not appear in the Available wireless networks list box
1.
Click Advanced on the Wireless Network Connection dialog box. The Wireless Network Connection Properties
dialog box appears.
Wireless Network Connection Properties
2.
Click Add in the Preferred networks box. The Wireless network properties dialog box appears.
Wireless Network Properties
Page 60
3.
Type the name of the network (access point) you want to connect to in the Network name (SSID) box.
The following steps are for networks that require a network key. If you do not know the network key or are not
sure a network key is required, see the network administrator or the guide that accompanied your access point for
more information.
4.
If available, make sure the Data encryption (WEP enabled) check box is selected.
If the Data encryption (WEP enabled) check box is not available:
1.
Select an authentication method from the Network Authentication menu.
2.
Select a data encryption method from the Data Encryption menu.
5.
Click to cancel the The key is provided for me automatically check box.
6.
Type the network key in the Network key box if it is required by the selected authentication method.
7.
Retype the network key in the Confirm network key box.
8.
Click OK. The network name appears in the Preferred networks list box.
To set up a computer-to-computer (ad-hoc) network
The computer-to-computer (ad-hoc) network is only supported by the IEEE 802.11b wireless standard.
1.
Move the Wireless LAN switch to ON.
Turning on the Wireless Network Switch
Page 61
2.
Click Start, Control Panel, Network and Internet Connections, and then click Network Connections. The
Network Connections window appears.
3.
In the right panel under LAN or High-Speed Internet, click Wireless Network Connection. The Wireless
Network Connection window appears.
Wireless Network Connection
4.
Click Advanced. The Wireless Network Connection Properties dialog box appears.
Wireless Network Connection Properties
Page 62
5.
Click Add. The Wireless network properties dialog box appears.
Wireless Network Properties
6.
Type the name of the network you want to connect to in the Network name (SSID) box.
7.
If available, make sure the Data encryption (WEP enabled) check box is selected.
If the Data encryption (WEP enabled) check box is not available:
1.
Select an authentication method from the Network Authentication menu.
2.
Select a data encryption method from the Data Encryption menu.
8.
Click to cancel the The key is provided for me automatically check box.
9.
Type a network key in the Network key box.
10.
Retype the network key in the Confirm network key box.
11.
Click to select This is a computer-to-computer (ad hoc) network; wireless access points are not used.
12.
Click OK. The network name appears in the Preferred networks list box.
Page 63
13.
Click Advanced. The Advanced dialog box appears.
Advanced
14.
Click to select Computer-to-computer {ad hoc} networks only, and then click Close.
To disconnect from a wireless network
For computers with built-in wireless LAN functionality, move the Wireless LAN switch to OFF.
Turning off the wireless LAN functionality while accessing remote documents, files, or resources may
result in data loss.
To disconnect from a computer-to-computer (ad-hoc) network
1.
Click Start, Control Panel, Network and Internet Connections, and then click Network Connections. The
Network Connections window appears.
2.
In the right panel under LAN or High-Speed Internet, click Wireless Network Connection Enabled. The
Wireless Network Connectioin Status window appears.
3.
Click Properties. The Wireless Network Connection Properties dialog box appears.
4.
On the Wireless Networks tab, click Advanced. The Advanced dialog box appears.
5.
Click to select Any available network (access point preferred), and click Close.
6.
Move the Wireless LAN switch to OFF.
Page 64
Checking your network connection status
Whether you have a wireless, Ethernet, or dial-up connection, you can check the status of that connection.
To check your network connection status
1.
Click Start on the taskbar, and click Control Panel, Network and Internet Connections, and Network
Connections. The Network Connections window appears.
2.
Under LAN or High-Speed Internet, click the enabled network connection to open the connection status
window.
Wireless Network Connection Status
Page 65
CDs and DVDs
Inserting and Ejecting CDs or DVDs
Avoid using adhesive labels to identify your CDs or DVDs. Adhesive labels may damage the optical drive if they come
off while the disc is in the drive.
To insert a disc
1.
Turn on the computer or exit a power saving mode (Standby or Hibernate) if one is active. For more information,
see Using power saving modes.
2.
Press the Eject button on the optical drive cover to open the drive tray. The drive tray slides out.
Opening the Drive Tray
3.
Place a disc on the drive tray with the label facing up.
You can play some DVDs on both sides. Insert this type of DVD with the side you want to play facing up.
Inserting a Disc
4.
Press the disc onto the tray until the disc clicks securely into place.
If you do not seat the disc firmly over the hub, the disc may come loose while it is in the drive. A loose
disc may damage the optical drive and make opening the drive tray difficult.
5.
Push the drive tray gently to close it. The Busy indicator on the drive cover blinks while your computer is reading
data from the drive.
To eject a disc
1.
Turn on the computer or exit a power saving mode (Standby or Hibernate) if one is active. For more information,
Page 66
see Using power saving modes.
2.
Close all programs that access the optical drive, and wait for the Busy indicator on the drive cover to turn off.
3.
Press the Eject button on the drive cover to open the drive tray. The drive tray slides out.
If the Eject button does not work, turn off the computer and insert a thin, straight object (such as a paper clip)
into the manual eject hole next to the Eject button.
4.
Lift the disc from the drive.
5.
Push the drive tray gently to close it.
Page 67
CDs and DVDs
Inserting and Ejecting CDs or DVDs
Avoid using adhesive labels to identify your CDs or DVDs. Adhesive labels may damage the optical drive if they come
off while the disc is in the drive.
To insert a disc
1.
Turn on the computer or exit a power saving mode (Standby or Hibernate) if one is active. For more information,
see Using power saving modes.
2.
Press the Eject button on the optical drive cover to open the drive tray. The drive tray slides out.
Opening the Drive Tray
3.
Place a disc on the drive tray with the label facing up.
You can play some DVDs on both sides. Insert this type of DVD with the side you want to play facing up.
Inserting a Disc
4.
Press the disc onto the tray until the disc clicks securely into place.
If you do not seat the disc firmly over the hub, the disc may come loose while it is in the drive. A loose
disc may damage the optical drive and make opening the drive tray difficult.
5.
Push the drive tray gently to close it. The Busy indicator on the drive cover blinks while your computer is reading
data from the drive.
To eject a disc
1.
Turn on the computer or exit a power saving mode (Standby or Hibernate) if one is active. For more information,
Page 68
see Using power saving modes.
2.
Close all programs that access the optical drive, and wait for the Busy indicator on the drive cover to turn off.
3.
Press the Eject button on the drive cover to open the drive tray. The drive tray slides out.
If the Eject button does not work, turn off the computer and insert a thin, straight object (such as a paper clip)
into the manual eject hole next to the Eject button.
4.
Lift the disc from the drive.
5.
Push the drive tray gently to close it.
Page 69
Copying and Playing CDs and DVDs
Your computer plays and records CDs and DVDs, depending on the model you purchased. Check your specifications for the
type of optical drive installed on your computer and use the table below to see which types of media your optical drive
supports.
Optical Drive Media (disc) Support
CD-ROM Plays CD, CD-R, and CD-RW
CD-RW Plays CD, CD-R, and CD-RW
Records to CD-R and CD-RW
CD-RW/DVD-ROM Plays CD, CD-R, and CD-RW
Records to CD-R and CD-RW
Plays DVD and most DVD-R and DVD-RW
DVD-RW Plays CD, CD-R, and CD-RW
Records to CD-R and CD-RW
Plays DVD, DVD-R, and DVD-RW
Records to DVD-R and DVD-RW
DVD±RW Plays CD, CD-R, and CD-RW
Records to CD-R and CD-RW
Plays DVD, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R and DVD+RW
Records to DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, and DVD+RW
If you plan to use an external optical drive, connect the drive before you launch any preinstalled CD/DVD program.
Page 70
Playing CDs
Before you play an audio CD, you may need to enable your computer's audio feature.
To enable the audio feature
1.
Click Start on the Windows® taskbar, and then click Control Panel, Performance and Maintenance, and System.
The System Properties dialog box appears.
As a shortcut, you can press Fn + Windows key + Insert to open the System Properties dialog box.
2.
Select the Hardware tab, and in the Device Manager box, click Device Manager. A window with a listing of the
computer's hardware devices appears.
3.
Double-click the optical drive device to open the submenu.
4.
Double-click the listed drive, and select the Properties tab.
5.
Click to select the Enable digital CD audio for this CD-ROM device check box if it is not already selected.
6.
Click OK.
To adjust the volume for playing CDs and DVDs
Some programs have built-in volume controls, which you can adjust. If there are no volume controls, then adjust the volume
of your computer's built-in speakers by doing one of the following:
Using the Function keys. An on-screen display may appear, notifying you when a change occurs.
To increase volume, press the Fn and F4 keys, and then press or .
To decrease volume, press the Fn and F4 keys, and then press or .
Using the Volume icon.
Double click the Volume icon on the Taskbar Notification area. The Volume Control dialog box
appears.
In the Volume Control and Wave columns, move the Volume sliders up to increase volume and down to
decrease volume.
To play an audio CD
1.
Insert the disc into the optical drive.
2.
If nothing appears on the desktop once you insert an audio CD disc, then click Start, point to All Programs, and
click to open a CD program, such as SonicStage.
If the Audio CD window appears, click to select an option.
Audio CD
Page 71
Page 72
Copying files to CDs
Before you copy files to a CD-RW or CD-R disc, read the following notes to avoid a computer malfunction and ensure the
best results:
Deactivate the screen saver and exit anti-virus software.
Deactivate memory-resident disc utilities to avoid data loss.
Disable the FindFast program if it is installed on your computer. Click Start and point to All Programs to see a list of
programs on your computer.
Connect and use the AC adapter to power your computer or make sure your battery is at least 50 percent charged.
See Powering Your Computer for more information.
To copy files to a CD-RW or CD-R
1.
Insert a blank CD-R or CD-RW disc into the optical drive.
If the CD Drive window appears, click Take no action.
CD Drive
2.
Open Windows Explorer by pressing the Windows key and the E key simultaneously.
3.
In the Folders panel on the left, locate the file(s) or folder(s) you want to copy and either:
Right-click the file(s) or folder(s), point to Send To, and click the optical drive1 name.
Drag the file(s) or folder(s) onto the optical drive icon in the Files Stored on This Computer panel.
4.
Close Windows Explorer.
5.
Click Start, and My Computer.
6.
Click the optical drive icon under Devices with Removable Storage. A new window appears with the file(s) or
folder(s) you want to copy listed under Files Ready to Be Written to the CD.
7.
In the CD Writing Tasks box, click Write these files to CD.
8.
Follow the instructions on the CD Writing Wizard.
CD Writing Wizard
Page 73
Do not strike or shake the computer while writing data to a disc.
1
T he read/write drive letter des ignation may vary, depending on your s ystem's hardware configuration.
Page 74
Playing DVDs
You can play DVDs in your computer's optical drive and view the video on a multimedia display or on a TV.
Page 75
Connecting your computer to a TV
Your computer is equipped with an A/V OUT jack, which enables you to connect your computer to a TV. To locate the A/V
OUT jack on your computer, see "Locating Controls and Ports" in the "Setting Up" chapter of your printed VAIO® Computer
Quick Start.
To connect a TV to your computer
1.
Make sure your computer is turned off, then locate the A/V OUT jack on the computer.
2.
Plug one end of an audio-video (AV) cable (not supplied) into the A/V OUT jack.
3.
Plug the other end of the AV cable into the audio and video ports on the TV.
Connecting a TV
4.
Switch the TV input channel to external input.
See the guide that accompanied your TV for information on how to switch to external input.
Page 76
Playing DVDs on a TV
Connect the external optical drive if you plan to use one.
To play a DVD
1.
Close all open programs.
2.
Disable the screen saver and the virus checker.
3.
If you are using battery power, set the power management profile to DVD. Follow these steps:
1.
Close all open programs.
2.
Right-click the CPU icon or Profile icon , depending on the model you purchased, on the Taskbar
Notification area.
3.
Select Profiles from the shortcut menu, and then select DVD from the submenu menu. You can also
select Automatic Profile Selection, which sets the power management profile to DVD whenever a
DVD is inserted into the optical drive. See Conserving Battery Power for more information.
4.
Connect the TV to the computer. See Connecting your computer to a TV for more information.
5.
Open a preinstalled DVD program, such as WinDVD, by following these steps:
1.
Click Start on the taskbar, and point to All Programs.
2.
Select a program, such as WinDVD, to play the DVD. For instructions on how to use a program, see the
help guide included with the DVD program.
6.
Select a display.
1.
Press the Fn+F7 keys to view the image on either the computer screen (LCD) or the TV. See Selecting a
display for more information.
The Fn+F7 keys will not work once a DVD is inserted into the optical drive. Switching the display while
a DVD is playing may cause the computer to malfunction, and you may need to restart the DVD software.
2.
Insert the DVD into the optical drive.
Systems equipped with a CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive can read most DVD-R media.
Some discs recorded at 20 or 24 bits may produce noise while playing. If you have audio devices
connected, this may damage your hearing and the speakers. Reduce the volume before playing a DVD.
Do not switch power saving modes while the computer is playing a DVD.
Do not use memory-resident utility software to speed up disc access when playing a DVD. This may cause the
computer to malfunction.
Page 77
Disconnecting your computer from a TV
Simply unplug the audio-video (AV) cable from the A/V OUT jack on the computer.
Page 78
Playing DVDs on your computer
Your computer is equipped with an optical drive that enables you to watch DVDs and most DVD-R discs on your computer.
To play a DVD while using AC power
1.
Close all open programs.
2.
Insert the DVD into the optical drive.
3.
Open a preinstalled DVD program, such as WinDVD®, by following these steps:
1.
Click Start on the taskbar, and point to All Programs.
2.
Select a program, such as WinDVD, to play the DVD. For instructions on how to use a program, see the
help guide included with the DVD program
To play a DVD while using battery power
1.
Set the power management profile to DVD.
1.
Close all open programs.
2.
Right-click the CPU icon or Profile icon , depending on the model you purchased, on the Taskbar
Notification area.
3.
Select Profiles from the shortcut menu, and then select DVD from the submenu. You can also select
Automatic Profile Selection, which sets the power management profile to DVD whenever a DVD is
inserted into the optical drive. See Conserving Battery Power for more information.
2.
Insert the DVD into the optical drive.
3.
Open a preinstalled DVD program, such as WinDVD, by following these steps:
1.
Click Start on the taskbar, and point to All Programs.
2.
Select a program, such as WinDVD, to play the DVD. For instructions on how to use a program, see the
help guide included with the DVD program.
Some discs recorded at 20 or 24 bits may produce noise while playing. If you have audio devices
connected, this may damage your hearing and the speakers. Reduce the volume before playing a DVD.
Do not switch power saving modes while the computer is playing a DVD.
Do not use memory-resident utility software to speed up disc access when playing a DVD. This may cause the
computer to malfunction.
Page 79
Copying files to DVDs (on selected models only)
Use the table shown on Copying and Playing CDs and DVDs to see which type of DVD media your computer supports.
To copy files to a DVD-R or DVD-RW
1.
Connect the AC adapter to the computer. See Connecting the AC adapter for more information.
2.
Insert the disc into the optical drive. See Inserting and Ejecting CDs or DVDs for more information.
3.
Click Start, All Programs, and select the DVD software program you want to use from the submenu.
You can also reference the online help guides supplied with the program.
Do not strike or shake the computer while copying files to a disc.
Page 80
Computer Features
Using the Touch Pad
A pointing device called a touch pad is located in front of the keyboard. You can point to, select, drag, and scroll objects on
the screen using the built-in touch pad.
Page 81
Computer Features
Using the Touch Pad
A pointing device called a touch pad is located in front of the keyboard. You can point to, select, drag, and scroll objects on
the screen using the built-in touch pad.
Page 82
Describing the touch pad
Locating the Touch Pad
Touch Pad Action Description
Sliding one finger Equivalent to using a mouse to place the pointer on an item.
Tapping once Equivalent to pressing the left button once.
Tapping twice Equivalent to pressing the left button twice.
Sliding one finger while pressing the left button Equivalent to using the mouse to drag an item.
Moving your finger along the right edge of the touch pad Equivalent to scrolling vertically. (The scroll function is available
only with programs that support a touch pad scroll feature.)
Moving your finger along the bottom to scroll horizontally Equivalent to scrolling horizontally. (The scroll function is
available only with programs that support a touch pad scroll feature.)
Page 83
Customizing the touch pad
Sony Notebook Setup lets you customize, enable, or disable the touch pad. Open the Mouse Properties dialog box to set
your touch pad and mouse preferences, such as changing pointers, enabling or disabling the tapping feature, clicking both
buttons simultaneously, and adjusting the touch pad speed.
To customize the touch pad and mouse
Right-click the Touchpad icon on the Taskbar Notification area, and click Mouse Properties from the shortcut
menu. The Mouse Properties dialog box appears.
To enable the touch pad
1.
Press the Windows key . The Start menu appears.
2.
Press P until All Programs is selected, and press Enter.
3.
Press S until Sony Notebook Setup is selected, and press Enter. A submenu appears with Sony
Notebook Setup preselected.
4.
Press Enter. The Sony Notebook Setup dialog box appears.
5.
Press the Right Arrow key to select the Device tab.
6.
Press the Tab key to select the Default button, and press Enter. A pop-up window appears.
7.
Press the Left Arrow key to select OK, and press Enter. The Enable Touchpad option is
automatically selected.
8.
Press the Tab key to select the Apply button, and press Enter.
9.
Click OK.
To disable the touch pad
10.
Click Start on the Windows® taskbar, and point to All Programs.
11.
Point to Sony Notebook Setup, and click Sony Notebook Setup in the submenu. The Sony Notebook
Setup dialog box appears.
12.
Click the Device tab.
13.
In the left panel, click to cancel the Pointing Device check box.
14.
Click Apply. A Sony Notebook Setup message appears.
15.
Click Yes.
Page 84
Using Memory Stick Media
Your VAIO® computer is equipped with a Memory Stick® slot that supports certain types of Memory Stick® media.
Page 85
About Memory Stick media
Memory Stick® media are a compact, portable, and versatile data storage media designed for exchanging and sharing digital
data with compatible devices. You can store different data formats on a single Memory Stick media. The following types of
Memory Stick media are available, but compatibility with your computer can vary.
MagicGate Memory Stick media (MG Memory Stick media) — Provides copyright protection with authentication and
encryption, using Sony® MagicGate technology. Authentication ensures that protected content is only transferred
between compliant devices and media. Protected content can be recorded and transferred in an encrypted format to
prevent unauthorized duplication or playback.
Memory Stick PRO media — Provides MagicGate copyright protection and high-speed transfer features when used
with compatible Memory Stick PRO devices. VAIO® computers support Memory Stick PRO media for data storage
purposes only. Currently, high-speed data transfer and the MagicGate technology features, such as authentication
and encryption, are not available.
Memory Stick media — Provides data storage only. The Memory Stick media does not provide MagicGate technology
or high-speed data transfer.
Currently, Sony® SonicStage and OpenMG software are not compatible with the new Memory Stick PRO media. Sony
suggests using only MG Memory Stick media to store and transfer any data created with SonicStage or OpenMG software.
Visit the Sony Computing Support Web site at http://www.sony.com/pcsupport regularly for the latest information on the
new Memory Stick PRO media.
Memory Stick media do not support video file playback directly from the media. Copy the video file to your hard disk
drive and then play back the file.
Page 86
Inserting Memory Stick media
Before using Memory Stick® media, back up important data. The media slot accommodates only one Memory Stick media at a
time.
To insert Memory Stick media
1.
Insert the Memory Stick media with the arrow facing up and toward the Memory Stick media slot.
Inserting the media in the wrong direction may damage the connector pins.
2.
Carefully slide the Memory Stick media into the slot until it clicks in place. The Memory Stick media indicator briefly
blinks.
Inserting Memory Stick Media
Page 87
Viewing the contents
Depending on the model you purchased, the Sony Memory Stick window may appear when you insert a Memory Stick
®
media. From this window, you can choose to view, print, copy or organize your Memory Stick images or data. If the Sony
Memory Stick window does not appear when you insert your Memory Stick media, then follow these steps:
To view the contents
1.
From the Start menu, click My Computer. The My Computer window appears.
2.
Click Sony MemoryStick. The Sony MemoryStick window appears, displaying the contents stored on the
Memory Stick media.
Page 88
Write-protecting Memory Stick media
Memory Stick® media is designed with a write-protect tab to protect data from accidental erasure or overwriting. Move the
tab to the right or left to set or release write-protection. When the write-protect tab of the Memory Stick media is set to
LOCK, data cannot be recorded or erased.
Write-protect off Data can be saved on the Memory Stick media.
Write-protect on Data can be read from but not saved on the Memory Stick media.
Using the Write-Protect Tab
Page 89
Formatting Memory Stick media
Memory Stick® media is formatted for immediate use when you purchase it. If you need to reformat Memory Stick media, use
the Memory Stick Formatter that is provided with the media. For more information about using Memory Stick Formatter, refer
to Formatter Help.
Formatting Memory Stick media erases all data, including music data, previously saved to it. Before you
reformat Memory Stick media, confirm that the media does not contain files you want to keep. Back up important data
before formatting the media.
To format Memory Stick media
1.
Insert the Memory Stick media into the Memory Stick media slot. See To insert Memory Stick media for more
information.
2.
From the Start menu, click My Computer. The My Computer window appears.
3.
Right-click Sony MemoryStick, and click Format from the menu. The Format Sony MemoryStick dialog box
appears.
4.
Select Quick Format in the Format options box, and then click Start.
Page 90
Removing Memory Stick media
If the Memory Stick® media is removed prematurely, a blue screen with a message may appear prompting you to continue or
exit. Reinsert the media into the slot and press Enter to continue. This enables the media to finish reading or writing data.
To remove Memory Stick media
1.
Wait a minimum of 10 seconds after the Memory Stick media finishes reading or writing data before removing the
media.
2.
Make sure the access light is off.
3.
Push the Memory Stick media in toward the computer.
4.
When the Memory Stick media ejects, pull it out.
The Memory Stick media may eject completely from the slot.
Page 91
Using PC Cards
Your computer includes one or more PC Card slots. A PC Card enables you to connect devices such as an optical drive,
floppy disk drive, or Network Interface Card (NIC).
See your VAIO® Computer Specifications for the type of PC Card that is compatible with your computer. These slots are
compatible with CardBus. If your computer has more than one PC Card slot, use the lower slot for Type III PC Cards. You do
not need to turn off your computer to insert or remove a PC Card.
Page 92
Inserting PC Cards
Some PC Cards may require you to disable idle devices when using the PC Card. You can use Sony Notebook Setup to
disable these devices.
To open Sony Notebook Setup
1.
Click Start on the Windows taskbar, and then click All Programs.
2.
Point to Sony Notebook Setup, and click Sony Notebook Setup. The Sony Notebook Setup dialog box appears.
To insert a PC Card
1.
Make sure the front label of the PC Card is facing up.
2.
Push the PC Card gently into the slot. The system automatically detects the PC Card.
Do not force a PC Card into the slot; this may damage the connector pins.
When a PC Card is inserted, do not place your computer in a bag or case. Pressure or shock to a PC Card may damage
your computer.
Touching the head of the PC Card will not damage the connector pins, but damage may occur if the head of the PC Card
is sticking out of the PC Card slot while the computer is being transported.
Inserting a PC Card
Page 93
Removing PC Cards
You can remove PC Cards while the computer is on or off. PC Cards draw power from the computer when they are inserted
into the PC Card slot, whether or not you use the card.
If you are not using your PC Card and you are using a battery as a power source, remove the PC Card from the PC Card
slot to conserve battery power.
To remove a PC Card while your computer is on
1.
Double-click the Safely Remove Hardware icon on the taskbar. The Safely Remove Hardware dialog box
appears.
2.
Click to select the PC Card in the Hardware devices window, if it is not already selected.
3.
Click Stop. The Stop a Hardware device window appears.
4.
Make sure the PC Card is selected, and click OK. A message appears stating it is safe to remove the hardware
device.
5.
Push the Release button. The Release button pops out.
6.
Push the Release button a second time. The PC Card pops out.
7.
Gently pull the card out of the slot.
To remove a PC Card while the computer is off
1.
Push the Release button once. The Release button pops out.
2.
Push the Release button a second time. The PC Card pops out.
3.
Gently pull the card out of the slot.
Page 94
Using the Multilingual User Interface Language Option
(Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional only) After you have initially setup your new VAIO® computer, you can change the
language displayed in Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional operating system. The multilingual user interface (MUI) language
option changes the text controlled by Windows XP Professional operating system. Menus, help files, and icons generated by
Windows XP Professional are shown in your selected language. All other programs are displayed in English as the default
language.
The multilingual user interface language option is not designed to replace a localized version of the Microsoft
Windows® XP Professional operating system. Under certain conditions, some third-party software applications may not
function properly.
To Change the Language Option
1.
Click Start on the Windows® taskbar, and then click Control Panel.
2.
Click Date, Time, Language and Regional Options, and then click Regional and Language Options. The
Regional and Language Options dialog box appears.
3.
Click the Languages tab.
4.
From the Language used in menus and dialogs shortcut menu, select the desired language:
English
español
Português
Français
5.
Click Apply. The Change Regional Options shortcut window appears.
®
6.
Click OK.
7.
Click Start on the Windows® taskbar, and then click Logoff.
Additional users can also change to their desired language(s) without affecting your existing language settings.
Page 95
Changing Numbers, Currency, Time, and Date Formats
You can change your operating system's number, currency, time, and date formats to coordinate with your chosen country
or language settings.
To change these formats
1.
Click Start on the Windows taskbar, and then click Control Panel.
2.
Click Date, Time, Language and Regional Options, and click Regional and Language Options. The Regional and
Language Options dialog box appears.
3.
From the Regional Options tab, click the Standards and formats shortcut menu to view the available country
choices. Select the desired country.
4.
Click Customize to change the number, currency, time, and date settings.
5.
Click Apply.
6.
Click OK.
7.
Click OK.
Page 96
Changing the Window Design of Sony Programs
This feature changes the appearance, such as color, of certain Sony programs.
To change the window design
1.
Click Start, and then Control Panel.
2.
In the left panel, click Switch to Classic View.
3.
Double-click UI Design Selector.
4.
Click << or >> to view the designs.
5.
Click Apply to select a design that appears in the center window. The UI Design Selector window design
changes. The window design of certain Sony programs will match the UI Design Selector window.
6.
Click OK.
Page 97
Printer Connections
Your computer is compatible with many popular printers. However, to ensure the best performance, printers must be
compatible with the Microsoft® Windows® operating system installed on your computer.
Page 98
Connecting a USB Printer
You can connect a universal serial bus (USB) printer to your computer. The New Hardware Wizard enables you to easily
install the printer software, but some printers require separate driver software installation. See the instructions that
accompanied your printer for more information.
To connect a USB printer
1.
Plug the USB cable into the USB port on your computer or port replicator, if applicable. See "Locating Controls
and Ports" in the "Setting Up" chapter of your printed VAIO® Computer Quick Start.
2.
Plug the other end of the USB cable into the USB port on the printer. The Found New Hardware Wizard
appears.
Connecting a USB Printer
See the guide that accompanied the printer for more information on its installation and use.
Page 99
Disconnecting a Printer
You can disconnect the printer cable when the computer is on or off. Disconnecting a printer when the computer is in a
power saving mode (Standby or Hibernate) may cause the computer to malfunction.
To disconnect a printer
Unplug the printer cable from the computer.
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