Sony PCG-GRX510K, PCG-GRX550K, PCG-GRX570K, PCG-GRX590K User Guide

Contents

Welcome.....................................................11

Using Your VAIO Notebook......................13

Using the Keyboard...................................................14

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

Indicators ...........................................................................17

Indicator lights...................................................................18

Combinations and functions with the Fn key ....................19

Using the Touchpad ..................................................21

VAIO Action Setup...................................................23

Using the Center Jog Dial Control ............................24

To use the center Jog Dial control .....................................24

To use the launcher mode..................................................25

To use the guide mode .......................................................26

To use the center Jog Dial back button ..............................26

To use the center Jog Dial control with software ..............27

Using the Optical Disc Drive ....................................28

To insert a disc...................................................................28

To eject a disc ....................................................................29

To play a DVD...................................................................30

To play an audio CD ..........................................................31

Notes on CD and DVD discs .............................................32

To write data to a CD-RW or CD-R disc...........................32

Notes on writing data to a CD-RW or CD-R disc .............32

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Using PC Cards.........................................................34

To insert a PC Card ........................................................... 34

To remove a PC Card while the computer is on ............... 35

Notes on using PC Cards .................................................. 35

Using a Second Battery Pack....................................36

To insert a second battery pack......................................... 36

To charge the second battery pack.................................... 37

To remove the second battery pack................................... 38

Using the Weight Saver ............................................39

To attach the weight saver ................................................ 39

To remove the weight saver.............................................. 40

Using Memory Stick Media ....................................41

Types of Memory Stick media.......................................... 41

To insert Memory Stick media ........................................ 41

To view the contents of Memory Stick media .................. 42

To remove Memory Stick media ..................................... 42

To write-protect Memory Stick media.............................. 43

To format Memory Stick media........................................ 43

Notes on Memory Stick media.......................................... 44

Using Power Saving Modes......................................46

To use Normal mode......................................................... 46

To use Standby mode........................................................ 46

To use Hibernate mode ..................................................... 46

Connecting a Phone Line .........................................48

Connecting to a Local Area Network .......................49

To connect to the network................................................. 49

To set the connections, bindings, and provider order ....... 50

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Connecting to a Wireless LAN .................................51

The Wireless LAN Access Point .......................................51

Communicating with an Access Point (infrastructure)......52

Checking your connection status .......................................53

Communicating without an Access Point (peer-to-peer)...54

Turning Off Wireless LAN ................................................55

Notes on using Wireless LAN ...........................................55

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

Connecting an External Floppy Disk Drive ..............58

To connect an external floppy disk drive...........................58

To insert a floppy disk into the external floppy disk drive59
To remove a floppy disk from the external floppy disk drive
59
To disconnect an external floppy disk drive when the note-

book is on...........................................................................60

To carry an external floppy disk drive...............................60

Notes on handling floppy disks .........................................60

Connecting a Port Replicator ....................................61

To attach the notebook to the port replicator .....................61

To remove the notebook from the port replicator..............63

Connecting a PS/2 External Mouse or Keyboard......65

To connect an external mouse or keyboard .......................65

Connecting an Audio Device ....................................67

To connect a CD player, active speaker, or an amplifier...67

Connecting an Audio-Video Device .........................69

To change the display ........................................................72

Connecting a Parallel Port Printer.............................73

To connect a printer to the notebook .................................73

Connecting a USB Printer.........................................74

To connect a USB printer to the notebook ........................74

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Connecting an External Display ...............................75

To connect a computer display to the notebook ............... 75

To connect a multimedia computer display to the notebook
76

To connect a projector to the notebook............................. 77

To change the display when connecting an external comput-

er display or projector ....................................................... 78

Connecting a Universal Serial Bus Device...............80

To connect a USB device to the notebook ........................ 80

Connecting an i.LINK Device ..................................81

To connect a digital video camera recorder ...................... 81

Notes on connecting an i.LINK device ............................. 82

Connecting with another VAIO computer................83

Connecting External Speakers..................................84

To connect external speakers............................................ 84

Connecting an External Microphone ........................85

To connect an external microphone .................................. 85

Expanding Your Notebook Capabilities ................... 86

Personal Digital Assistant ................................................. 86

Wireless LAN Access Point.............................................. 86

Wireless LAN PC Card..................................................... 87

Customizing Your VAIO Notebook..........89

Displaying the Sony Notebook Setup Screen........... 90

To display the Sony Notebook Setup screen: ................... 90

Sony Notebook Setup tabs ................................................ 91

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Controlling Power Management ...............................92

Viewing the Power Management status icons ...................92

Power Management profiles ..............................................93

Power Management commands .........................................96

Conserving battery power..................................................96

Optimizing clock speed settings ........................................96

Displaying Battery Information ................................98

Battery icon descriptions ...................................................99

Displaying detailed battery information ..........................100

Selecting the Display Mode ....................................101

Changing the window design of Sony software ..............103

Display Properties Notes.........................................104

Adding Memory .......................................105

Precautions and Procedures.....................................106

Typical expansion memory configuration...............107

Models with 256 MB Memory ........................................107

Removing a memory module ..................................108

Installing a memory module....................................110

Viewing the amount of memory..............................111

About the Software on Your Notebook .113

Software Overview..................................................114

Application, Driver, and System Recovery CDs.....121

Using Your Recovery CDs......................................122

To use the Application Recovery CD(s) ..........................122

To use the Driver Recovery CD(s) ..................................123

To use the System Recovery CD(s).................................125

To recover Microsoft Word .............................................127

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VAIO AV Applications.............................129

Overview of Preinstalled Software .........................129

DigitalPrint Software ..............................................133

Using PhotoCapture ........................................................ 133

Using PhotoCollection .................................................... 136

Using PhotoDecor........................................................... 138

Using PhotoAlbum.......................................................... 139

Using LabelMaker........................................................... 141

DVgate Software.....................................................143

MovieShaker Software ...........................................145

Creating movies with MovieShaker software ................. 146

Using ImageStation online service with MovieShaker soft-

ware ................................................................................. 150

PictureGear Software..............................................153

Managing your pictures .................................................. 153

Creating a photo album ................................................... 154

Smart Capture .........................................................157

Using Still Mode ............................................................. 158

Using Net Movie Mode................................................... 161

Using ImageStation with Smart Capture software.......... 164

SonicStage Software...............................................167

Electronic Music Distribution (EMD) Services.............. 167

Starting SonicStage......................................................... 167

Recording from a CD ...................................................... 169

Transferring songs (Check-In/Check-Out) ..................... 170

Additional features.......................................................... 172

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SonicStage Premium Software................................175

Overview of SonicStage Premium Software ...................175

To Use SonicStage Premium Software............................178

To Use Playback and Recording Features .......................183

To Use the Visualizer, Equalizer, and Sound Effects......189

To Use the FM Tuner.......................................................191

To Use the Timer Functions ............................................193

Additional Information ....................................................195

VisualFlow Software...............................................197

Using VisualFlow software .............................................197

Additional Software Information............199

VAIO Edit Components Software ...................................199

Troubleshooting......................................201

Troubleshooting Your Notebook ............................202

My notebook does not start..............................................202

My notebook starts but a BIOS error appears..................202

My notebook starts, but the message “Operating system not

found” appears and Windows does not start....................203

My notebook stops responding or does not shut down....204

The power management setting is not responding...........204

The sound of my notebook’s fan is too loud. ..................205

Why does the System Properties dialog box display a slower

CPU speed than advertised? ............................................205

Troubleshooting the LCD Screen............................206

My LCD screen is blank. .................................................206

My LCD screen continues to show the previous screen. .206
The image on my connected external display is not centered

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or sized properly.............................................................. 206

I want to change the video resolution of my display. ..... 206

I cannot switch the LCD display to TV, and vice versa. 206
I changed the display screen settings to 1600 x 1200 pixels,
but now the fonts are too small. How do I increase the dis-

play font size? ................................................................. 207

Troubleshooting the Mouse and Touchpad ............ 208

My mouse does not work. ............................................... 208

My touchpad does not work properly. ............................ 208

The pointer does not move while using the Touchpad or

Mouse. ............................................................................. 209

Troubleshooting Drives, PC Cards, and Peripheral De-

vices ........................................................................210

I cannot establish a connection between two VAIO comput-

ers when using an i.LINK cable. ..................................... 210

My floppy disk drive (optional) cannot write to a floppy disk.
210
My optical disc drive is not playing my CD or DVD proper-

ly...................................................................................... 210

My optical drive tray does not open................................ 211

I cannot use Digital Video (DV) devices. The message “DV
equipment seems to be disconnected or turned off” appears.
211

My PC Card is not working. ........................................... 212

Troubleshooting Software....................................... 213

My software program stops responding or crashes......... 213

When I click an application icon, the message “You must in­sert the application CD into your optical drive” appears and

the software does not start............................................... 213

What software do I use for CD-R/CD-RW software func-

tions? ............................................................................... 213

Why is my computer operating improperly after download-

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ing the CD-burning feature of RealJukebox software?....213

I cannot use the DVgate™ software. ...............................213

Troubleshooting the Modem ...................................215

My modem does not work. ..............................................215

My modem connection is slow. .......................................215

Troubleshooting Audio ...........................................216

My speakers make no sound. ...........................................216

My microphone does not work. .......................................217

Troubleshooting the Printer.....................................218

I cannot print....................................................................218

Troubleshooting Wireless LAN ..............................219

The computer cannot connect to a Wireless LAN Access

Point. ................................................................................219

I cannot access the Internet. .............................................219

The data transfer speed is slow. .......................................220

The communication speed is interrupted or slowed down

when MPEG2 data is transferred.....................................220

Data transfers are interrupted...........................................220

Getting Help .............................................221

Support Options.......................................................222

Software Support Information.................................224

Sony Service Center.........................................................226

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Welcome

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

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Using Your VAIO Notebook

This section provides you with some essential information on the
following topics.

❑ Using the Keyboard

❑ Using the Touchpad

❑ VAIO Action Setup

❑ Using the Center Jog Dial Control

❑ Using the Optical Disc Drive

❑ Using PC Cards

❑ UsingaSecondBatteryPack

❑ Using the Weight Saver

❑ UsingMemoryStickMedia

❑ Using Power Saving Modes

❑ Connecting a Phone Line

❑ ConnectingtoaLocalAreaNetwork

❑ ConnectingtoaWirelessLAN

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Using the Keyboard

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

Keyboard

Function keys

$% & ( )

U

Y

T

R

G

F

D

B

V

C

I

O

J

H

K

L

<

M

N

Print Screen key

+

P

>

?

NumLk
Scr Lk

Correction

Insert
Pause

Delete
Break

Home

Page
Up

Page
Down

End

keys

Prt Sc
SysRq

Backspace

Enter

Shift

hift key

Escape key

Esc

F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 F6 F7 F8 F9 F10 F11 F12

!

2134567890

E

W

Q

Tab

S

A

Caps Lock

X

Z

Shift

Fn Alt Alt

Ctrl Ctrl

Ctrl key

Fn key

Alt key

Windows key

Applications
key keys

Numeric keypad

Navigation

Key Description

Numeric keypad Contains the keys found on a typical calculator. Use the

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

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

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

corrections in your documents.

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Using the Keyboard

Key Description

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

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

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

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

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

Operator keys
(Shift, Ctrl, Alt
keys)

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

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

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

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

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

Applications key The Applications key displays a shortcut menu of context-

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

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Combinations and functions with the Windows key

Combination Function

+ F1 Displays Windows Help.

+ Tab Switches the selected button on the taskbar.

+ D Displays the desktop.

+ E Displays Windows Explorer.

+ F Displays the Windows Find: All Files window to find a file or

folder. This is the equivalent of selecting Find and then Files
or Folders from the Start menu.

+ Ctrl + F Displays the Windows Find: Computer window where you

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

+ M Minimizes all displayed windows.

Shift + + M Returns all minimized windows to their previous size.

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

Run from the Start menu.

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

double-clicking the System icon in the Control Panel.

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Using the Keyboard

Indicators

Indicator Function

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

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

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

1

Battery 2 Indicates the status of the battery inserted in the multipurpose

2

Memory Stick Indicates that the Memory Stick® slot is in use.

Hard disk This indicator will light when data is being read from or

on the right side of the notebook.

drive bay on the left side of the notebook.

written to the hard disk. Do not enter Standby mode or turn
off the notebook when this indicator is on.

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Indicator lights

Light On Off

Num
Lock

Caps
Lock

Scroll
Lock

The number keys in the numeric
keypad are active.

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

The screen scrolls differently
depending on the specific application.
Many applications do not affect
scrolling.

The alphanumeric character keys
in the keypad area are active.

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

Information moves across the
display normally.

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Combinations and functions with the Fn key

Combinations/
Feature Function

Using the Keyboard

Fn+ (F3)
Mute On/Off

Fn+ (F4)
Speaker volume

Fn+ (F5)
Brightness control

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

Fn+ only/

(F8)

Control AV out

Toggles the built-in speaker off and on.

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

Adjusts the brightness of the LCD.
To increase light intensity, press Fn+F5 and then or .
To decrease light intensity, press Fn+F5 and then or .

Toggles between the LCD, external display (when the unit is
connected to the VGA (Monitor) port), and both LCD and
external display.

Only LCD

LCD and external display

Only external display

Connect the external display cable before you turn on the
computer, otherwise the Fn+F7 combination will not work.

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

Only LCD

LCD and external display

Only external display

Connect the external display cable before you turn on the
computer, otherwise the Fn+F8 key combination will not
work. You cannot use the Fn + F8 function to switch between
LCD and TV once a DVD is inserted into the optical drive.

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Combinations/
Feature Function

Fn+ (F12)
Hibernate

Fn+Esc
Standby

Fn+E Ejects CD.

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

Puts the system into Hibernate mode, a power saving mode.
When you run this command, the state of the system and state
of the peripheral devices are written to the hard disk and the
system power is turned off. To return the system to its
original state, use the power button.

Puts the system into Standby mode, a power saving mode. To
return the system to the active state, press any key or press
the power button.

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

✍ Some functions are not available until the Windows® operating system launches.

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Using the Touchpad

Using the Touchpad

The keyboard contains a touchpad that works like a mouse. You can use the
touchpad to point to, select, drag, and scroll objects on the screen.

Touchpad

Pointer

Touchpad

Left and Right buttons

Action Description

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

item or object.

Click Press the left button once.

Double-click Press the left button twice.

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Action Description

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

displays a shortcut menu of context-sensitive choices.

Drag Slide one finger while pressing the left button.

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

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

✍ See Mouse Properties for information on touchpad features, such as clicking both

buttons simultaneously, adjusting touchpad speed, and Easy Launcher functions. To
access Mouse Properties, click Start on the Windows taskbar, and point to Settings,
and Control Panel. Click the Mouse icon in the Control Panel.

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VAIO Action Setup

VAIO Action Setup

VAIO Action Setup manages the settings for your notebook’s center Jog Dial™
control interface. An overview of some of the functions controlled by VAIO
Action Setup is provided in this section. For more information on changing the
settings using VAIO Action Setup, right-click the Jog Dial Utility icon or
in the taskbar and click Help Topics.

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Using the Center Jog Dial Control

Your notebook is equipped with a center Jog Dial control located below the left
and right buttons. The center Jog Dial control enables you to open an application,
folder, or document from a predefined list by rotating and pressing the center Jog
Dial control. In addition, when you push the center Jog Dial control, you can turn
on your notebook automatically and start the selected application or document.

Center Jog Dial Control

Back
button

Turn

Push

Center Jog Dial Control

The center Jog Dial control window always appears in the display. It is either in
the launcher mode or in the guide mode.

To use the center Jog Dial control

This section explains how to use the center Jog Dial control. For information on
how to change the settings of the center Jog Dial control, right-click the Jog Dial
Utility icon or in the task tray and click Help Topics.

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Using the Center Jog Dial Control

To use the launcher mode

The center Jog Dial control window is in launcher mode until a software
application is launched or the Jog Dial control window becomes active. When
you select an item in the Jog Dial control window and it is displayed between
orange bars, you can push the center Jog Dial control to view a submenu of that
item.

To use the center Jog Dial control, click the Jog Dial control window or the Jog
Dial Utility icon in the taskbar. Alternatively, you can press the Ctrl key and the
center Jog Dial control while the Jog Dial control window is active to switch to
launcher mode.

Jog Dial Launcher Mode

To select a desired item, proceed as follows:

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1 Rotate the center Jog Dial control to select the item you want, then press the

center Jog Dial control. The Jog Dial Launcher window switches to guide
mode and shows the function of the center Jog Dial control.

Jog Dial Guide Mode

2 Rotate or push the center Jog Dial control to use the desired function.

3 To select another item, repeat steps 1 through 3 again.

To use the guide mode

The Jog Dial control window is in the guide mode when software is in use and
the software window is active. Depending on the software you are using, you can
select items from the displayed list using the center Jog Dial control. You can
switch between guide mode and launcher mode by pushing the Ctrl key and the
center Jog Dial control. The Jog Dial control window displays the function of the
center Jog Dial control.

To use the center Jog Dial back button

The center Jog Dial control includes a back button located to the right of the
control. Pushing this button brings you back to the previous screen.

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Using the Center Jog Dial Control

To use the center Jog Dial control with software

If Sony software that supports the center Jog Dial control is active, you can use
the functions of the center Jog Dial control that are allocated to that software. For
more information on functions allocated to the software, see the online help file
supplied with the software application.

If the software you are using is not Sony software and it supports the center Jog
Dial control, you can still use the center Jog Dial control to scroll the window or
adjust the window size.

Using the Dialog box

When a window such as Screen Properties is active, the Dialog box is displayed
in the Jog Dial window. You can select an item in the window by rotating the
center Jog Dial control. Pushing the center Jog Dial control is equivalent to
pushing the Enter or Select key.

Jog Dial Guide Dialog Box

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Using the Optical Disc Drive

Your notebook comes with a removable optical disc drive located in the
multipurpose bay. Depending on the system you purchased, your optical disc
drive is either a CD-RW/DVD Combo Drive or a DVD-ROM drive.

The optical disc drive is removable when the power is on, but do not remove
the drive when your notebook is in a power saving mode. Any attempt to do
so may result in malfunction and/or data loss.

To insert a disc

1 Turn on the notebook.

✍ When the notebook is in Standby or Hibernate mode, you cannot insert a disc. See

“Controlling Power Management” for more information on Standby and Hibernate
modes.

2 Press the Eject button to open the optical drive. The tray slides out.

Ejecting the Tray

Eject button

✍ Avoid using adhesive labels to identify your discs. Adhesive labels may come off while

the disc is in use in your optical drive, and may cause damage to the unit.

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

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

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Using the Optical Disc Drive

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

Inserting an Optical Disc

Label side facing up

5 Close the tray by pushing it gently into the slot.

To eject a disc

When you finish using a disc, wait until the LED indicator turns off, and push the
Eject button to remove the disc.

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

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If the optical disc does not slide out when you push the Eject button, turn off the
notebook and insert a thin, straight object (such as a paper clip) into the manual­eject hole.

Seat the disc firmly on the hub fingers. If the disc is not seated firmly, it
could damage the optical drive and you may be unable to open the tray.

Manual Eject Hole

To play a DV D

To play a DVD, you may use the optical disc drive and the preinstalled
WinDVD® software. For more information on WinDVD, see the help manual
that came with your software.

✍ Before you use the optical disc drive to play a DVD, close any open applications.

Systems equipped with a CD-RW/DVD Combo Drive can read DVD-R media,
but systems equipped with a DVD-ROM drive cannot read DVD-R media. When
you are ready to play a DVD, read the following suggestions on how to maximize
your video viewing experience.

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Using the Optical Disc Drive

❑ When playing a DVD on battery power, set the power management profile to

DVD. You can also set the power management profile to Automatic Profile
Selection if the display is not clear when using other profiles.

✍ Automatic Profile Selection sets the power management profile to DVD whenever a

DVD is inserted. See “Controlling Power Management” for more information.

❑ If you connect your notebook to a TV display, you may need to adjust the

display resolution. Read the suggestions below to set the display resolution
to the proper dimensions. Also see “Selecting the Display Mode” for more
information.

❑ If the notebook is set to the default display setting, part of the video screen

will not appear. To view the entire screen, adjust the display resolution to
640 x 480.

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

You cannot use the Fn+F8 key combination to switch between LCD and TV
once a DVD is inserted into the optical drive.

Do not switch between LCD and the external display while the DVD is playing.
This may cause a malfunction, and you may need to restart the DVD software.

Do not switch the power saving modes while you are playing the DVD.

Change the settings to disable the screen saver and the virus checker.

Do not use memory-resident utility software to speed up disc access. This
may cause the notebook to malfunction.

To play an audio CD

To play an audio CD, make sure the audio function is turned on. To do this,
complete the following procedure.

✍ The optical disc drive must be installed in the multipurpose bay before you begin.

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1 Click Start on the Windows taskbar, and select Settings, and click System.

The System Properties window opens.

2 Select the Hardware tab and click Device Manager in the Device Manager

box. A window listing your notebook hardware devices opens.

3 Double-click DVD/CD-ROM drives. From the drop-down list, double-click

the drive name. A properties window appears.

4 Select the “Enable digital CD audio for this CD-ROM device” check box, if

it is not already selected and then click OK.

Notes on CD and DVD discs

❑ Do not drop or bend the disc.

❑ Do not touch the surface of the disc. Fingerprints and dust on the surface of a

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

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

surface from the center out.

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

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

To write data to a CD-RW or CD-R disc

*

YoucanuseDrag’nDropCDsoftwaretowritedatatoaCD-RorCD-RWdisc.
To use Drag’n Drop CD software, see the instruction manual included with the
software.

Notes on writing data to a CD-RW or CD-R disc

❑ For optimal writing speed, deactivate the screen saver and exit anti-virus

software before writing data to a disc.

❑ For best results, use CD-Rs that are compatible with 8x speed.

❑ Your notebook does not support 1x writing speed.

❑ Do not strike or shake the notebook while writing data to a disc.

* For notebook models equipped with a CD-RW/DVD Combo Drive.

32

Using the Optical Disc Drive

❑ Do not put your notebook into power saving mode while using Drag’n Drop

CD software.

❑ Always use the AC adapter as the power source for your notebook if you are

writing data to a CD-RW or CD-R disc. Using battery power may result in
data transfer failure.

❑ Memory-resident disc utilities (such as the screen saver and virus checker)

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

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Using PC Cards

Your notebook includes two PC Card slots. PC Cards enable you to connect
portable external devices, such as another hard disk drive, or a PC Network
Interface Card (NIC) for network access.

✍ The PC Card slots can accommodate two Type I/II PC Cards, or one Type III PC Card.

These slots are compatible with CardBus. Use the lower slot for Type III PC Cards. You
do not need to shut down your notebook before inserting or removing a PC Card.

To insert a PC Card

1 Insert the PC Card into the PC Card slot. Make sure the front label of the PC

Card is facing up.

Inserting a PC Card

Insert with the
arrow facing toward
the slot

PC Card

2 Push the PC Card gently into the slot. The PC Card is automatically detected

by your system. The Unplug or Eject Hardware icon appears in the
taskbar.

Do not force a PC Card into the slot. It may damage the connector pins.

If you have difficulty inserting a card, check that you are inserting the card
with the correct orientation.

Do not carry your notebook while the head of the PC Card is out of the slot.
Pressure or shock may damage the connector pins.

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Using PC Cards

To remove a PC Card while the computer is on

✍ To remove the PC Card while the computer is off, skip to step number 6 below.

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

box opens.

2 Select the hardware device you wish to remove.

3 Click Stop. When the “Stop a Hardware device” dialog box opens, verify

that the device can be safely removed from the system.

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

system” appears.

5 Click OK again, and click Close.

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

7 Push the Release button a second time. The PC Card pops out. Gently grasp

the card and pull it out of the slot.

Notes on using PC Cards

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

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

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

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

❑ Make sure you use the most recent software driver provided by the PC Card

manufacturer.

❑ If an exclamation mark (!) appears on the Device Manager tab in the System

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

✍ See the manual that came with your PC Card for more information on its use.

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Using a Second Battery Pack

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

To insert a second battery pack

1 Remove the device in the multipurpose bay if one is installed.

2 Push the battery pack (with VAIO logo facing upward) into the multipurpose

bay. If you are inserting a second battery pack, the second battery indicator
switches on.

Second Battery in Multipurpose Bay

Multipurpose bay

Battery pack

VAIO logo facing up

3 Attach the weight saver to the notebook to stabilize the battery pack. See

“Using the Weight Saver” for more information.

36

Using a Second Battery Pack

To charge the second battery pack

Using Weight Saver for Second Battery Cover

Battery pack

Weight saver

Keep the battery pack in the notebook while it is connected to AC power. The
battery indicator flashes while the battery is charging. See “To charge the battery
pack” in the printed Quick Start for more information.

Charging the Second Battery

Battery indicators

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

Information” for details.

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To remove the second battery pack

If you attach two battery packs, you can remove either of them without shutting
down the notebook. When removing one battery pack, make sure that the other
battery pack’s indicator is on. If the indicator of the battery pack you are
removing is on, right-click the battery icon on the taskbar and click the “Switch
discharge battery” option.

1 Slide the multipurpose bay release switch in the direction of the arrow to

unlock the weight saver.

Multipurpose Bay Release Switch

Release switch

2 Remove the weight saver, and pull out the battery pack.

3 Reinsert the weight saver. See “Using the Weight Saver” for more

information.

38

Using the Weight Saver

Using the Weight Saver

The weight saver protects the multipurpose bay when it is empty, and secures the
second battery pack when it is installed in the multipurpose bay.

To attach the weight saver

1 Remove any device, such as a second battery pack, if one is installed in the

multipurpose bay. See “To remove the second battery pack” for more
information.

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

Inserting the Weight Saver

Multipurpose bay

Weight saver
(supplied)

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To remove the weight saver

1 To remove the weight saver, first slide the multipurpose bay release switch in

the direction of the arrow.

Multipurpose Bay Release Switch

Release switch

2 Remove the weight saver.

40

Using Memory Stick Media

Using Memory Stick Media

This compact, portable, and versatile recording medium has a data capacity
exceeding that of a floppy disk. The medium is specially designed for
exchanging and sharing digital data with compatible products. Because it is
removable, the media can be used for external data storage.

Types of Memory Stick media

The following two types of Memory Stick media can be used with your
notebook:

❑ MagicGate™ Memory Stick media (hereafter called MG Memory Stick

media), which is provided with copyright protection

❑ Memory Stick Memory Stick media, which does not have the same

copyright protection as MagicGate Memory Stick media

Some music files with secure copyright protection may be stored on MG
Memory Stick media but not on regular Memory Stick media.You can also use
MagicGate media-compatible devices to record and playback music when they
are connected to your notebook.

You can store mixed data on the Memory Stick media. For example, you can
copy an ordinary file on a MG Memory Stick media that already contains music.

What is MagicGate Memory Stick media?

MagicGate Memory Stick media provides copyright protection that consists of
authentication and encryption technology. Authentication technology ensures
that protected content is only transferred between compliant devices and media.
Protected content is recorded and transferred in an encrypted format to prevent
unauthorized duplication or playback.

✍ MG Memory Stick media has the MG mark .

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.

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2 Slide the Memory Stick media carefully into the slot until it clicks in place.

Inserting Memory Stick Media

Insert Memory Stick media
with the arrow facing toward
the Memory Stick media slot.

Memory Stick media

To view the contents of Memory Stick media

Click the Removable Disk (S:) icon under My Computer to see the contents of
the Memory Stick media.

To remove Memory Stick media

1 Verify that the access light is off.

2 Push the Memory Stick media in toward the notebook.

3 When the Memory Stick media ejects, pull it out.

✍ Be careful when removing the Memory Stick media. It may eject completely from the

slot.

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Using Memory Stick Media

LOCK

LOCK LOCK

To write-protect Memory Stick media

Memory Stick media is designed with a write-protect tab to protect valuable data
from accidental erasure or overwriting. Move the tab to the right or left to set or
release write-protection.

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

Write-protect
off

(Back of Memory Stick Media)

Write-protect
on

To format 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. Follow the procedures included here. For more details
about using Memory Stick Formatter, refer to Formatter Help.

Reformatting erases all current data that is stored on Memory Stick media.
Before you reformat, confirm that the media does not contain files you want
to keep.

1 Insert the Memory Stick media into the notebook. See “To insert Memory

Stick media” for more information.

2 Click Start, and point to Programs, and click Memory Stick Utility Memory

Stick Formatter.

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3 Click Start Formatter. Memory Stick Formatter begins.

✍ Do not try to format the Memory Stick using the Windows formatting function.

Notes on Memory Stick media

❑ When the write-protect tab of the Memory Stick media is set to LOCK, data

cannot be recorded or erased.

❑ BeforeusingMemoryStickmedia,backupimportantdata.

❑ Wait a minimum of 10 seconds after the Memory Stick media finishes

reading or writing data before removing the media.

❑ If the media is removed prematurely, a blue screen with an error message

appears, 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.

❑ You can view video clips that you have recorded with Memory Stick media-

compatible video camera recorders.

❑ The media slot can accommodate one Memory Stick media at a time.

❑ You may copy images from a digital video camera using Memory Stick

media.

❑ Only MagicGate Memory Stick media can be used with copyright protected

data such as music.

❑ Copyright protected music cannot be checked-out to any Memory Stick

media other than MG Memory Stick media.

❑ Recorded music is limited to private use only. Using recorded music for any

other purpose requires permission of the copyright holders.

❑ Sony is not responsible for music files that cannot be recorded from a CD or

downloaded from other sources.

44

Using Memory Stick Media

❑ Formatting Memory Stick media erases all data (including music data)

previously saved to it. Before you format Memory Stick media, confirm that
the media does not contain files you want to keep.

Do not use the media in locations that are subject to static electricity or
electrical noise.

Do not touch the media connector with your finger or metallic objects.

Do not attach labels other than the supplied label to a media.

Do not bend, drop, or apply strong shock to the media.

Do not disassemble or modify the media.

Do not allow the media to get wet.

Do not use or store the media in a location that is subject to:

❑ Extremely high temperatures, such as in a car parked in the sun

❑ Direct sunlight

❑ High humidity or places with corrosive substances

To prolong the life of the media, use the supplied storage case.

✍ See the instructions that came with your media for more information on its use.

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Using Power Saving Modes

When you use a battery as the source of power for your notebook, you can take
advantage of power management settings to conserve battery life. In addition to
the normal operating mode, which allows you to turn off specific devices, your
notebook has two distinct power saving modes: Standby and Hibernate. When
using battery power, be aware that the notebook automatically enters Hibernate
mode when the remaining battery charge drops below 5 percent, regardless of the
power management setting you select.

✍ If the battery level falls below 10 percent, you should either attach the AC adapter to

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

To use Normal mode

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

To use Standby mode

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

Activating Standby mode

To activate Standby mode, press Fn+Esc simultaneously. You can also click Start
on the Windows taskbar, select Shut Down, and then use the drop-down arrow to
choose Standby.

Returning to normal mode

Pressanykeytoreturntonormalmode.

To use Hibernate mode

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

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Using Power Saving Modes

Activating Hibernate mode

To activate Hibernate mode, press the key combination Fn+F12.

✍ The “Save to Disk Manager” screen opens, and then the notebook enters Hibernate

mode.

Do not move the notebook until its power indicator turns off.

Returning to normal mode

To return to normal mode, turn on the notebook by pressing the power button.
The notebook returns to its previous state.

✍ When returning from Hibernate mode, the system status stored on the hard disk is

erased and the notebook starts normally if you press the power button and hold for
more than 4 seconds.

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

❑ Standby uses more power than Hibernate.

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Connecting a Phone Line

You need to connect a phone line to take advantage of online services and the
Internet.

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

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

1 Plug one end of the phone cable into the Ethernet port on the notebook’s rear

panel.

Connecting Phone Cable

Modem jack

Phone cable (not supplied)

Wall jack

2 Plug the opposite end of the phone cable into the wall jack.

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

telephone, and may not work with multiple phone 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 phone line coming through a splitter, the modem or connected device
may not work properly.

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Connecting to a Local Area Network

Connecting to a Local Area Network

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

Connecting to LAN

Ethernet
port

Warning: Only connect 10BASE-T and 100BASE-TX cables to the Ethernet
port. Do not connect any other type of network cable or phone 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, contact your network administrator.

To connect to the network

1 Right-click My Network Places and select Properties.

2 Click Advanced and select Network Identification to set the computer name,

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

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To set the connections, bindings, and provider order

1 Right-click My Network Places and select Properties.

2 Click Advanced and select Advanced Settings. This will give you access to

Adapters and Protocol Bindings and Provider Order.

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Connecting to a Wireless LAN

Connecting to a Wireless LAN

Your computer may come with a wireless Local Area Network (LAN) PC Card
that allows for wireless connections. With Sony’s Wireless LAN functionality, all
compatible digital devices can communicate freely without cable connections. A
Wireless LAN is a network in which a mobile user can connect to a LAN through
a wireless (radio) connection. You can opt to purchase a Wireless LAN Access
Point to set up a LAN.

✍ See “Using PC Cards” for information on using the Wireless LAN PC Card.

Communicating via Wireless LAN

Access point connection (infrastructure)

*

Peer-to-peer connection
(ad hoc)

Wireless LAN connection

The Wireless LAN Access Point

The Wireless LAN Access Point, which is also called the access point, is
designed for building a Wireless LAN environment. If you purchase an access
point, you can easily build a wireless LAN environment by plugging the access
point into an AC power outlet and using the provided software with compatible
devices. Because a wireless LAN configuration requires no wiring, you can
operate multiple computers more freely than ever before.

* Supplied with selected models.

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

✍ For information on available Sony products, go to:

http://www.sonystyle.com/wirelesslan.

Communicating with an Access Point (infrastructure)

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.

Communicating via Wireless LAN Access Point

Access Point (not supplied)

To communicate with an access point

1 Turn on the notebook, and insert the wireless LAN PC Card into the PC Card

slot on the left panel of the computer. Make sure you push the base of the
antenna or sides of the card. Pushing the protruding part of the antenna could
damage it.

2 Click Start, and point to Settings.

3 Point to Control Panel, and select Wireless Network. The Add/Edit

Configuration Profile window opens.

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Connecting to a Wireless LAN

4 Click Add. The Edit Configuration window opens.

5 Type a profile name, and make sure Access Point is selected under Network

Type.

6 Click Next.

7 Click Scan to select a network, and then click Next.

8 Click Enable Data Security if the access point was set up with an encryption

key, and select either alphanumeric characters or hexadecimal, depending on
your encryption key.

9 Type your key in the first box, and make sure “Key 1” is selected near the

bottom of the screen.

10 Click Next.

11 Select a power management option, and click Next.

12 Click the check box next to “Renew IP Address when selecting this profile.”

to select it, and then click Finish.

✍ The network key is data used to protect signals passing through a wireless LAN that

conforms with IEEE 802.11b standard. It is also called an “encryption key.” Wireless
LAN communication can only occur between an access point and computer that are
using the same key information.
When you enter the network key and the connection is made, the access point is
registered, and you do not have to enter the network key when you connect thereafter.

Checking your connection status

To confirm your connection status with an access point

1 Move the pointer over the ORiNOCO Radio connection icon on the right

side of the Windows® taskbar. A pop-up message appears, stating your
connection status, which is either Good, Marginal, or Out of range.

2 For more detailed information, click the ORiNOCO Radio connection icon.

The ORiNOCO Client Manager window opens.

3 Click OK to close the window.

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Communicating without an Access Point (peer-to-peer)

A peer-to-peer 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 a peer-to-peer network easily at home.

To communicate without an access point

1 Turn on the notebook, and insert the wireless LAN PC Card into the PC Card

slot on the left panel of the computer.

2 Click Start, and point to Settings.

3 Point to Control Panel, and select Wireless Network. The Add/Edit

Configuration Profile window opens.

4 Click Add. The Edit Configuration window opens.

5 Type a profile name, and use the drop-down menu to select Peer-to-Peer

Group under Network Type.

6 Click Next.

7 Create a network name, and use the drop-down menu to select a channel

number.

8 Click Next.

9 If you want to set up an encryption key so only those who know the key can

access the network, then click the check box next to Enable Data Security,
select either alphanumeric characters or hexadecimal (depending on your
encryption key), and type a five digit key.

10 Click Next.

11 Click the check box next to “Renew IP Address when selecting this profile.”

to select it, and then click Finish.

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Connecting to a Wireless LAN

Turning Off Wireless LAN

When you are not using the Wireless LAN network, remove the PC Card when
the notebook is turned Off. Press the PC Card slot eject button, and hold both
sides of the card to pull it out of the slot.

Removing the PC Card when the notebook is turned On can damage the
system or the PC Card if done incorrectly.

To remove the wireless LAN PC Card when the notebook is turned on

1 Double-click the Unplug or Eject Hardware icon on the right side of the

Windows® taskbar.

2 SelectORiNOCOIntegratedCardintheHardwaredeviceslist.

3 Click Stop. The “Stop a Hardware device” window opens.

4 Click OK.

5 When “...can now be safely removed from the system” appears, click OK.

6 Press the PC Card slot eject button.

7 Hold both sides of the card to pull it out of the slot.

Notes on using Wireless LAN

❑ Sony Wireless LAN devices support the IEEE 802.11b standard. Devices

connecting to a Wireless LAN using the IEEE 802.11a standard cannot
connect to devices using the IEEE 802.11b standard.

❑ Wireless LAN communication occurs on divided frequency bands known as

channels. Third-party Wireless LAN Access Point channels may be preset to
different channels from Sony devices.

❑ If using a Wireless LAN Access Point, refer to connectivity information

contained in those instructions.

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56

Connecting Peripheral Devices

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

❑ Connecting an External Floppy Disk Drive

❑ Connecting a Port Replicator

❑ Connecting a PS/2 External Mouse or Keyboard

❑ Connecting an Audio Device

❑ Connecting an Audio-Video Device

❑ Connecting a Parallel Port Printer

❑ Connecting a USB Printer

❑ Connecting an External Display

❑ Connecting a Universal Serial Bus Device

❑ Connectingani.LINKDevice

❑ Connecting with another VAIO computer

❑ Connecting External Speakers

❑ Connecting an External Microphone

❑ Expanding Your Notebook Capabilities

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Connecting an External Floppy Disk Drive

You can connect a Sony USB floppy disk drive (not supplied) to a USB port
on your notebook. Your notebook has three USB ports: one located on the left
panel, one located on the right panel, and one located on the rear panel.

To connect an external floppy disk drive

✍ You do not need to shut down your notebook before connecting or disconnecting a

floppy disk drive.

Plug the USB connector into the USB port. The VAIO logo on the USB
floppy disk drive should be facing upward.

Connecting an External Floppy Disk Drive

Floppy disk drive
(not supplied)

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USB ports

USB connector

Connecting an External Floppy Disk Drive

To insert a floppy disk into the external floppy disk drive

1 Hold the floppy disk with the label side facing upward.

2 Gently push the floppy disk into the drive until it clicks into place.

Inserting a Floppy Disk

Floppy disk

Floppy disk drive

To remove a floppy disk from the external floppy disk drive

1 Close all applications that were opened from the disk and wait for the LED

indicator to turn off.

2 Push the Eject button, and remove the disk.

Removing a Floppy Disk

Eject button

LED indicator

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To disconnect an external floppy disk drive when the
notebook is on

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

box opens.

2 Click USB Floppy Disk Drive to select it, and click Stop.

3 Confirm USB Floppy Disk Drive is selected in the “Stop a hardware device”

dialog box.

4 When the message, “Floppy Disk Drive can now be safely removed from the

system” opens, click OK.

5 Unplug the external floppy disk drive from the notebook.

To carry an external floppy disk drive

Fold the floppy disk drive cable and connector into the side compartment on the
floppy disk drive.

Carrying an External Floppy Disk Drive

Notes on handling floppy disks

❑ Do not open the shutter manually and touch the surface of the floppy disk.

❑ Keep floppy disks away from magnets.

❑ Keep floppy disks away from direct sunlight and other heat sources.

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Connecting a Port Replicator

Connecting a Port Replicator

Your notebook supports the use of a port replicator (not supplied). Attaching a
port replicator enables you to connect additional peripherals to your notebook.

Port Replicator (Rear Panel)

1 USB ports 6 DC In port
2 LINE IN jacks 7 Serial port
3 S Video Out jack 8 LINE OUT jacks and Composite

Video Out jack

4 Network port

(Ethernet 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX
port)

5 / Mouse/Keyboard (PS/2)

port

9 VGA (Monitor) port

10 Printer port

To attach the notebook to the port replicator

First, connect the supplied AC adapter or another Sony AC adapter (not supplied)
to the port replicator to supply power to the notebook once the port replicator is
attached.

The port replicator can be powered only by the AC adapter, so the AC adapter
must remain connected to the port replicator at all times while it is in use. If the
AC adapter is disconnected and/or the AC outlet is unplugged while using the
port replicator, the computer may malfunction and data may be lost.

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1 Turn off the notebook and disconnect all peripheral devices.

2 Plug the AC adapter connector into the DC IN port on the port replicator,

and plug the power cord into the AC adapter and an AC outlet.

Connecting AC Adapter to Port Replicator

AC adapter
connector

AC adapter

Power cord

You will know the power is on when the green power indicator located on
top of the port replicator switches on.

Power Indicator

Release levers

Port replicator connector

Power indicator

3 Close the tilt stands before attaching the notebook to the port replicator.

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Connecting a Port Replicator

4 Align the connector on the bottom of the notebook with the port replicator

connector and push the notebook down until it clicks into place.

Attaching Notebook to Port Replicator

Notebook

Port replicator

5 Turn on the notebook.

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

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

To remove the notebook from the port replicator

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

box opens.

2 Select all active peripheral devices, and click Stop. Then click OK to remove

the device safely from the system.

3 Once all active peripheral devices are disengaged, disconnect the device

connectors from the port replicator.

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4 Pull the release levers on each side of the port replicator to release the

notebook from the port replicator.

Releasing Notebook from Port Replicator

Release levers

5 Lift the notebook away from the port replicator.

Removing Notebook from Port Replicator

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Connecting a PS/2 External Mouse or Keyboard

Connecting a PS/2 External Mouse or Keyboard

You can connect either an external PS/2® mouse or PS/2 keyboard to the port
replicator (not supplied) using a similar type PS/2 plug or adapter. You may
connect only one PS/2 device to the port replicator at a time.

To connect an external mouse or keyboard

1 Shut down the notebook before you connect or disconnect the PS/2 external

mouse or keyboard connector.

2 Connect the optional port replicator to the notebook.

3 Locate the Mouse/Keyboard (PS/2) port on the port replicator identified by

the / symbols.

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4 Plug the mouse or keyboard connector into this port with the arrow facing

upward.

Connecting External Mouse or Keyboard

✍ See the manual that came with your PS/2 mouse or keyboard for more information on

its installation and use.

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Connecting an Audio Device

Connecting an Audio Device

You can connect an audio device to the port replicator (not supplied) or the
notebook using mini-plug cables shorter than 2 meters with no resistance.

To connect a CD player, active speaker, or an amplifier

If you use the port replicator to connect a CD, MiniDisc, or audio cassette player,
you may use the LINE IN jacks. To connect an audio output device to the port
replicator, use the LINE OUT jacks. Both sets of jacks consist of one Audio (L)
jack and one Audio (R) jack.

Connecting an Audio Device to the Port Replicator

To LINE IN jacks

To LINE OUT jacks

CD, MiniDisc, or
audio cassette
player

Audio cable (not supplied)

Active speaker,
amplifier, etc.

Audio cable (not supplied)

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To connect an audio output device to the notebook, use the AV Out jack and an
audio cable (not supplied).

Connecting an Audio Device to the Notebook

To AV Out jack

Active speaker,
amplifier, etc.

Audio cable (not supplied)

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Connecting an Audio-Video Device

Connecting an Audio-Video Device

You can connect an audio-video (AV) device, such as a TV or a VCR, to the port
replicator (not supplied) or the notebook.

To connect an AV device to the port replicator, use either the S Video jack or the
LINE OUT jacks and the Composite Video Out jack. The S Video Out jack
requires a S Video cable (not supplied), and the LINE OUT jacks and Composite

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Video Out jack require an audio-video cable (not supplied). If you use the S
Video jack, you must connect an audio cable to the LINE OUT jack located on
the right panel.

Connecting a TV to the Port Replicator with the S Video Jack

To LINE OUT jacks
and Composite
Video Out jack

To S Video jack

S Video cable
(not supplied)

Audio-video cable (not supplied)

TV

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A

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Connecting an Audio-Video Device

To connect an AV device to the notebook, use the AV Out jack and an audio­video cable (not supplied).

✍ The S Video Out jack and the AV Out jack are not designed to be used simultaneously.

If you connect cables to both jacks, only the S Video jack will function.

Connecting a TV to the Notebook

Power cord
(supplied with TV)

TV

To AV Out jack

Audio-video cable
(not supplied)

L

-
o

i
d
u
A

o

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-
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Regardless if you use the port replicator or the notebook to connect an AV
device, you will need to switch the TV input channel to external input and set up
the TV configuration system. See “Selecting the Display Mode” for more
information.

✍ See the manual that came with your AV device for more information on its installation

and use.

To change the display

If you insert a DVD in your optical drive to watch on your TV, the Fn+F8 key
combination might not activate the function to toggle between your LCD and TV.
Follow the procedure below.

1 Connect the TV to the notebook.

2 Restart the notebook and wait until it finishes rebooting.

3 Use the Fn+F8 key combination to toggle between the LCD and TV display.

The DVD will play on only one display at a time, so select either LCD or TV
as the primary display. See “Selecting the Display Mode” for more
information.

4 Re-insert your DVD to launch your DVD software.

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Connecting a Parallel Port Printer

Connecting a Parallel Port Printer

You can connect a Windows 2000 operating system-compatible printer to the
port replicator (not supplied) or the notebook.

To connect a printer to the notebook

1 Locate the Printer port on the rear panel of the notebook or the port

replicator.

2 Plug the printer cable (supplied with the printer) connector into this port.

✍ You may need to change the printer settings before you use the printer. See

“Displaying the Sony Notebook Setup Screen” for more information.

Connecting a Parallel Printer to the Notebook

To
Printer port

Printer

Printer cable
(supplied with the printer)

Power cord

✍ See the manual that came with your printer for more information on its installation and

use.

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

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Connecting a USB Printer

You can connect a Windows 2000 operating system-compatible USB printer to
any of the three notebook USB ports or the two port USB ports on the port
replicator (not supplied).

To connect a USB printer to the notebook

1 Plug the USB printer cable (not supplied) connector into the USB port on

your notebook or port replicator, and plug the opposite end of the cable into
the USB port on your printer.

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

Connecting a USB Printer to the Notebook

To USB ports

Power cord

Printer

USB connector

USB printer cable (not supplied)

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

and use.

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Connecting an External Display

Connecting an External Display

You can connect any one of the following external displays to your notebook or
port replicator (not supplied).

❑ Computer display (monitor)

❑ Multimedia computer display

❑ Projector

To connect a computer display to the notebook

1 Shut down the computer before you connect the computer display.

2 Locate the VGA (Monitor) port on the rear panel of the notebook or port

replicator.

3 Plug the display cable (not supplied) connector into the VGA (Monitor) port.

4 Verify that the power cord is plugged into the computer display and an AC

outlet.

Connecting an External Computer Display to the Notebook

Computer display

Power cord

To

VGA port

Display cable (not supplied)

✍ See the manual that came with your computer display for more information on its

installation and use.

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To connect a multimedia computer display to the notebook

You can connect a multimedia computer display with built-in speakers and a
microphone to the notebook or port replicator.

1 Shut down the computer before you connect the multimedia computer

display.

2 Locate the AV Out jack on the rear panel of the notebook.

3 Plug the display cable (not supplied) connector into the AV Out jack, and

plug the opposite end of the display cable into the multimedia computer
display. Pressing the Fn + F8 keys toggles between LCD-only and dual
LCD/TV display modes.

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Connecting an External Display

4 Verify that the power cord is plugged into the multimedia computer display

andanACoutlet.

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

You cannot use the Fn + F8 function to switch between LCD and TV once a DVD is
inserted into the optical drive.

Connecting a Multimedia Computer Display to the Notebook

Multimedia display

Power cord

Audio In

R

L

Video In

To AV Out j ack

Display cable (not supplied)

✍ See the manual that came with your multimedia computer display for more

information on its installation and use.

To connect a projector to the notebook

You can also connect a projector, such as the Sony LCD Projector, to the
notebook or port replicator.

1 Shut down the computer before you connect the projector.

2 Locate the VGA (Monitor) port on the rear panel of the notebook and the

Headphone jack on the right panel of the notebook.

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3 Plug the display cable (not supplied) connector into the VGA port, and plug

the audio cable (not supplied) connector into the Headphone jack.

4 Plug the opposite end of the cables into the appropriate ports on the

projector.

5 Verify that the power cord is plugged into the projector and an AC outlet.

Connecting a Projector to the Notebook

To Headphone jack

Projector

Power cord

To VGA port

Audio cable

(not supplied)

Display
cable (not supplied)

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

and use.

To change the display when connecting an external computer display or projector

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

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Connecting an External Display

Use the Fn+F7 key combination to select the display you want. See “Selecting
the Display Mode” for more information.

To Press Result

Switch to an
external display

Fn+F7 Toggles between the LCD, the external display

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

Only LCD

LCD and external display

Only external display

✍ (On selected models) Connect the external display to the notebook or port replicator

before you turn on the unit, otherwise the Fn+F7 key combination will not work.

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Connecting a Universal Serial Bus Device

You can connect a Universal Serial Bus (USB) device, such as an external
mouse, keyboard, speaker, and microphone, to your notebook or port replicator
(not supplied).

To connect a USB device to the notebook

1 Locate the USB port on the rear, left, or right panel.

2 Plug the USB cable (not supplied) connector into this port, and plug the

opposite end of the cable into the USB device, if it is not already connected.

Connecting USB Device to a USB Port

To USB port

USB connecting cable

(not supplied)

USB device

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

✍ See the manual that came with your USB device for more information on its

installation and use.

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Connecting an i.LINK Device

Connecting an i.LINK Device

You can connect an i.LINK®*enabled digital video camera recorder to the
i.LINK® S400 (IEEE 1394) port on the notebook.

To connect a digital video camera recorder

1 Plug the i.LINK® cable (not supplied) connector into the i.LINK port on the

left panel of the notebook.

2 Plug the opposite end of the i.LINK cable into the DV In/Out port on the

digital video camera recorder.

Connecting Digital Video Camera Recorder to i.LINK Port

Digital video
camera recorder

To i.LINK port

To DV In/Out
port

i.LINK cable
(not supplied)

* In this illustration, a Sony digital video camera recorder is connected to the notebook.

Instructions for connecting a different type of digital video camera recorder may differ.

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

nector. The i.LINK connection may vary, depending on the software application, operating
system, and compatible i.LINK devices. All products with an i.LINK connection may not
communicate with each other. Refer to the documentation that came with your compatible
i.LINK device for more 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.

*

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Notes on connecting an i.LINK device

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

are i.LINK-compatible.

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

supplied with your notebook will not recognize multiple cameras.

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

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

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

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

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

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

✍ See the manual that came with your digital video camera recorder for more

information on its installation and use.

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Connecting with another VAIO computer

Connecting with another VAIO computer

The preinstalled Smart Connect software enables you to use an i.LINK®*cable
(not supplied) to connect your VAIO notebook to another computer that also has
Smart Connect. You can then use one computer to edit, copy or delete files on the
other computer. You can also print from a printer attached to either computer.

See Smart Connect online help for more information.

Connecting with an i.LINK Cable

i.LINK cable (not supplied)

When you connect two VAIO computers, you must assign each computer a unique
name. The computers can be identified by this unique name when the two computers
are networked together

To connect VAIO computers that do not have the latest Windows® operating system,
Smart Connect software may be necessary. Consult the Sony Web site for support
options (http://www.sony.com/pcsupport).

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

nection. The i.LINK connection may vary, depending on the software applications, operating
system, and compatible i.LINK devices. All products with an i.LINK connector may not
communicate with each other. Refer to the documentation that came with your compatible
i.LINK device for information on operating conditions and proper connection. Before 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.

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Connecting External Speakers

You can enhance the sound quality of your notebook by connecting external
speakers (not supplied).

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

To connect external speakers

1 Verify that your speakers are designed for notebook use, and turn down the

volume of the speakers.

2 Locate the Headphone jack on the right panel of the notebook, and plug

the speaker cable (supplied with speakers) connector into this jack.

Connecting Speakers to the Headphone Jack

Speakers

To
Headphone
jack

Speaker cable
(supplied with speakers)

✍ See the manual that came with your speakers for more information on their

installation and use.

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Connecting an External Microphone

Connecting an External Microphone

You can enhance the quality of sound input by using an external microphone (not
supplied).

To connect an external microphone

1 Verify that your microphone is designed for notebook use and compliant

with the plug-in power microphone.

2 Locate the Microphone jack on the right panel of the notebook. A

protruding dot above the Microphone jack distinguishes this jack from the
Headphone jack.

3 Plug the microphone cable (supplied with microphone) connector into the

Microphone jack.

Connecting a Microphone to Microphone Jack

Microphone
(not supplied)

To
Microphone jack

✍ See the manual that came with your microphone for more information on its

installation and use.

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Expanding Your Notebook Capabilities

The following peripheral devices can be connected to your notebook to expand
the capabilities of your computer and enhance its versatility to meet your various
business or personal needs:

❑ A Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)

❑ A Wireless LAN Access Point

❑ AWirelessLANPCCard

Personal Digital Assistant

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

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

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

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

address book, and find them when you need them.

❑ Add tasks to the To Do List, prioritize them, and assign them due dates.

❑ Synchronize your data with the software on your notebook to back up your

data.

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

notebook.

❑ Exchange data with your notebook.

Wireless LAN Access Point

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

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

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Expanding Your Notebook Capabilities

Wireless LAN PC Card

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

✍ For more information on Sony Wireless LAN, go to

http://www.ita.sel.sony.com/support/wirelesslan.

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Customizing Your VAIO Notebook

You can customize the settings of your notebook. The following sections
briefly describe how to change your notebook’s default settings. You can
also refer to Sony Notebook Setup Help for more detailed information.

❑ Displaying the Sony Notebook Setup Screen

❑ Controlling Power Management

❑ Displaying Battery Information

❑ Selecting the Display Mode

❑ Display Properties Notes

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Displaying the Sony Notebook Setup Screen

To display the Sony Notebook Setup screen:

1 Click the Start button on the Windows® taskbar.

2 Select Programs, Sony Notebook Setup, and then click Sony Notebook

Setup.

Sony Notebook Setup Screen

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

tabs” for more information.

4 After you finish making your changes, click OK.

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Displaying the Sony Notebook Setup Screen

Sony Notebook Setup tabs

Tab Description

About This Computer Display system information, including memory

capacity, serial number, and BIOS version.

Printer Select printer port mode settings.

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

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

Touchpad When you connect an optional mouse to your

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

Power On Password Set the password to secure your computer.

Enable Ports Enable or disable ports. Disabling ports releases

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

Basic/Advanced Switch between Advanced mode (additional screens

with advanced settings) and Basic mode of display.

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

screen to display the Help file.

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Controlling Power Management

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

Viewing the Power Management status icons

The Power Management status icons are displayed in the taskbar at the lower­right corner of your screen. Move the pointer over the Battery icon to see the tool
tip that displays information about the active profile. Double-click the icon for
additional information. The Battery status icon indicates the battery power level
and the Intel SpeedStep™ Technology status icon indicates the performance level
of the CPU.

To activate the Power Management toolbar

1 Right-click the taskbar at the bottom of the screen.

2 Select Toolbars from the pop-up menu, and then click Power Management.

The Power Management toolbar appears on the taskbar.

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

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

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

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

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Controlling Power Management

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

To customize Power Management settings

1 Click the Current Profile icon on the Power Management toolbar.

2 Select Edit/Create Profiles from the menu.

3 Click a profile whose setting you want to change from the list in the left

field.

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

right field.

5 Click the desired setting.

6 Click the File menu, and then click Save.

7 Click the File menu, and then click Exit.

Power Management profiles

The PowerPanel utility provides several predefined power management profiles.
Each profile consists of a group of power management settings that are designed
to meet specific power management goals — ranging from maximum power
management to no power management. You can change the settings for any of

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the predefined profiles (except for the Disable Power Management profile), or
you can create your own profile to suit your portable computing needs. The
predefined profiles are:

Icon Description

Maximum Performance

Provides the best system performance while still conserving power.

Maximum Battery Life

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

Disable Power Management

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

AC Power

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

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Games

Disables the display and the Hard Disk Standby timer.

Presentation

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

Camera

Optimizes performance and power requirements for camera usage.

Icon Description

DVD

Optimizes performance and power requirements for DVD usage.

Word Processing

Optimizes power management with longer timeouts 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
applications.

Communications

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

Controlling Power Management

Automatic Profile Selection

Automatically switches to a profile suitable for active applications.

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Power Management commands

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

Icon Description

Standby

Puts the system into Standby mode, a power management state that
saves the state of the system and peripheral devices in memory
(RAM). Power consumption reduces to a minimum, and the system
remains on. To return the system to the active state, press any key or
the power button on your computer. Your notebook is preset to enter
Standby mode after 25 minutes.

Hibernate

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

Conserving battery power

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

See “Power Management profiles” for more information.

Optimizing clock speed settings

To customize your notebook’s CPU performance, you can set the clock speed
according to one of three available modes: Maximum performance, Auto
performance, and Battery optimized.

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Controlling Power Management

Changing the clock speed mode

❑ Right-click the flag icon on the lower-right portion of the taskbar, and

select Adjust Properties. The “Intel SpeedStep™ technology” dialog box
appears.

❑ Select one of the following modes:

Icon Mode Description

Maximum Performance

The Maximum performance mode sets the CPU’s clock speed to its
maximum speed at all times.

Automatic

In Auto performance mode, the CPU clock speed changes
automatically, depending on usage.

Battery Optimized Performance

The Battery optimized mode reduces the CPU clock speed and battery
voltage to conserve power when the notebook is operating on battery
power.

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Displaying Battery Information

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

To activate the Battery Information toolbar

1 Right-click the taskbar at the bottom of the screen.

2 Select Toolbars from the pop-up menu, and then 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 deselect Lock the Taskbar, then click and drag the edge of the Battery
Information toolbar to the left.

To view the total charge remaining in the battery, place the pointer over the
battery status icon in the taskbar on the lower-right corner of the screen.

Battery Information Toolbar

❑ 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.

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Battery icon descriptions

Battery icon Battery status

Charging

Fully charged

Discharging

No battery

Displaying Battery Information

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Displaying detailed battery information

Double-click the battery icon on the taskbar to display the Battery Information
window. The Battery tab contains information such as battery charging time and
duration of the battery charge.

Battery Information Window

Customizing the Battery Information toolbar and alarm system

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

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