Sony PCG-GRX690K User Manual

Welcome

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

View the Electronic Flyer, which provides updates and supplemental information about your computer.

Page 1

Powering Your Computer

Your VAIO® computer comes with a battery and an AC adapter. This chapter explains how to install and use these supplied accessories to power your computer. It also describes ways you can efficiently utilize the battery as a power source.

Using AC Power

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Using the Battery

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Conserving Battery Power

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Using AC Power

The supplied battery is not charged when you receive your computer. To use your computer immediately, use the supplied AC adapter as the power source. While the computer uses AC power it automatically charges the battery if it is inserted. See Using the Battery for more information on installing and using your battery.

Connecting the AC adapter

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Turning on the computer

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Connecting the AC adapter

To connect the AC adapter

Plug the cable attached to the AC adapter into the DC IN port on your computer.

Connecting the AC Adapter to the Computer

Plug one end of the power cord into the AC adapter, and plug the other end into an AC outlet.

Use only the AC adapter supplied with your computer.

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Turning on the computer

To turn on the computer

Slide the OPEN switch to the right, and lift the cover while holding the bottom of the computer firmly.

Opening the Computer

Press the power button until the power indicator turns on.

Turning on the Computer

If you hold the power button down, the computer turns off.

If necessary, adjust the brightness controls for the computer screen (LCD) as follows:

To increase light intensity, press the Fn+F5 keys. Press the Up Arrow key or the Right Arrow key

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To decrease light intensity, press the Fn+F5 keys. Press the Down Arrow key or the Left Arrow key

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Using the Battery

A battery is an auxiliary power source you can use when your computer is not plugged into an AC outlet. Your computer may come equipped with one or two battery bays, depending on the model you purchased. If your computer comes with two battery bays, you can purchase a second rechargeable battery to extend your computing time. Regardless how many batteries you use, you can always extend the life of the battery by conserving power. See Conserving Battery Power for more information.

Inserting a battery

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Removing a battery

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Using a second battery

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Displaying battery information

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Charging a battery

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Notes on batteries

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Frequently asked questions

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The battery that comes with your computer is not fully charged at the time of purchase.

The brightness of your computer screen automatically dims when you switch from AC power to battery power. To

increase the brightness of your screen, press the Fn + F5 keys. Press the Up Arrow or Right Arrow .

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Inserting a battery

To insert a battery

Push the battery bay cover down to open it. The battery bay cover swings out but does not detach from the computer.

Opening the Battery Bay

Slide the battery into the battery bay. If the computer is on, it automatically detects the battery.

Inserting a Battery

Push the battery bay cover up until it clicks into place.

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

Some software programs and peripheral devices prevent the system from entering Hibernate mode. If you are using a program that prevents the system from entering Hibernate mode, save your data frequently to avoid data loss. See Using

power saving modes for information on how you can manually activate a power saving mode.

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Removing a battery

If you are not using the computer for an extended period of time, remove the battery from the computer to avoid damaging the battery. You can remove the battery when the computer is on or off.

If the computer is on, connect the AC adapter and exit a power saving mode before you remove the battery.

To remove a battery

Push the battery bay cover down to open it.

Pull the battery out of the battery bay.

Remov ing a Battery

Push in and lift up the battery bay cover until it clicks into place.

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Using a second battery

To insert a second battery

If another device is in the multipurpose bay, remove that device.

Insert the battery into the multipurpose bay. When the computer uses the second battery, the Battery 2 indicator turns on.

Inserting the Second Battery

Slide the weight saver in the direction of the arrow until it clicks into place. The weight saver stabilizes the battery.

Inserting the Weight Saver

To remove the second battery

Make sure the Battery 2 indicator is off and the Battery 1 indicator is on or the computer is connected to AC power. If the Battery 2 indicator is on, right-click the battery icon on the taskbar, and click Switch discharge battery.

Turn the computer over, and unlock the multipurpose bay RELEASE switch.

Unlocking the RELEASE Switch

Pull the weight saver and battery gently from the multipurpose bay.

Insert the weight saver into the multipurpose bay to protect the bay. See "Using the Weight Saver" for more information.

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Displaying battery information

You can display the remaining battery charge on the Battery Information toolbar and/or the Battery Information window.

To display the Battery Information toolbar

Right-click the center of the Windows® taskbar.

Select Toolbars from the shortcut menu, and click Battery Information. The Battery Information toolbar appears on the taskbar.

If the Battery Information toolbar is hidden behind the taskbar icons, click and drag the edge of the Battery Information toolbar to the left until it is in clear view.

The total charge remaining in the battery is listed in percent and real-time values. The following toolbar indicates there is 87 percent or approximately 2 hours and 4 minutes of battery charge left.

Battery Information Toolbar

Percentage indicator — Displays the percentage of the remaining charge.

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Time indicator — Displays estimated time (hours : minutes) remaining before the battery fully discharges, also

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known as the time-to-empty.

To close the Battery Information toolbar

Right-click the Battery Information toolbar.

Select Toolbars from the shortcut menu, and click to cancel Battery Information. The Battery Information toolbar disappears from the toolbar.

To display the Battery Information window

The battery icons that appear on the Battery Information toolbar and the Battery Information window indicate the current status of the installed battery.

Battery icon Battery status

Charging

Fully charged

Discharging

No battery

Double-click the Battery icon on the Windows taskbar. The Battery Information window appears.

Battery Information Window

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Battery tab — Displays the total charge remaining in the battery. You can click Advanced for specific information on

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the battery.

Alarms tab — Displays the alarm settings, which notify you when the battery is fully charged or too low. You can

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change your computer's alarm settings on this window.

Click Help in the lower right corner of the window for more information.

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Charging a battery

You will need to charge the battery if battery power drops below 10 percent or you have not used the battery for a long time. The lithium-ion battery supplied with your computer may be recharged at any time, whether you wait until the battery is completely or partially discharged. Charging a partially discharged battery does not affect battery life. If you charge the battery and find that battery power is still low, the battery may be reaching the end of its life, and you may need to replace it.

The battery supplied with your computer is not charged at the time of purchase.

To charge a battery

You can charge the battery when the computer is on or off. However, the battery will charge faster when the computer is off. Charging the battery takes several hours. See your printed VAIO® Computer Specifications for the approximate time needed to charge your battery.

Charge the battery at temperatures between 50°F and 80°F (10°C to 30°C). Lower temperatures require more time to charge.

Insert the battery into the battery bay. If you want to charge more than one battery, insert the second battery into the computer. See To insert a second battery for more information.

Connect the AC adapter to the computer. The computer automatically charges the battery as long as the computer is using AC power.

The battery indicator blinks while the battery charges. The battery indicator stops blinking when the battery is fully charged.

When using two batteries, the battery you insert first charges first. The second battery you insert begins charging when the first battery is 85 percent charged.

Battery Indicators

Battery indicator status Description

On The computer is using battery power.

Single blink The battery is running out of power.

Double blink The battery is charging.

Off The computer is using AC power.

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Notes on batteries

Never leave the battery in temperatures above 140°F (60°C), such as under direct sunlight or in a car parked in the

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sun.

While the battery is in use or being discharged, the battery heats up. This is normal and is not cause for concern.

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Keep the battery away from all sources of heat.

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Keep the battery dry.

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Do not open or disassemble the battery.

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Do not expose the battery to any mechanical shock.

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Battery life is shorter in a cold environment because of decreased battery efficiency at low temperatures.

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Frequently asked questions

How do I know when the battery is charged?

To determine the remaining battery charge, see Displaying battery information.

When is the computer using AC power?

When the computer is directly connected to the AC adapter, it uses AC power, even if a battery is installed.

When should I recharge the battery?

When the battery level falls below 10 percent.

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When both the battery and power indicators blink.

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When you have not used the battery for a long time.

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Conserving Battery Power

You may use the power saving modes and PowerPanel utility to conserve battery power. Conserving battery power may significantly extend your computing time, depending on how you use your computer.

Using power saving modes

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Using PowerPanel utility

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Frequently asked questions

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Page 15

Using power saving modes

In addition to the normal operating mode, which allows you to turn off specific devices, your computer has two distinct power saving modes: Standby and Hibernate. Use the Standby and Hibernate power saving modes to override a profile setting or initiate an immediate action.

Standby — Saves the state of the system and peripheral devices in memory (RAM). Power consumption is reduced

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to a minimum. The system remains on, and the computer screen (LCD) is off.

Hibernate — Saves the state of the system and peripheral devices to the hard disk. Power consumption is reduced

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to the lowest possible setting without being completely off. Hibernate mode consumes the lowest level of power. Your computer enters Hibernate mode when the remaining battery charge drops below 5 percent, regardless of the setting you select.

To activate Standby mode

Press the key combination Fn+Esc. The power indicator blinks in this mode.

Press any key to return to Normal mode.

To activate Hibernate mode

Press the key combination Fn+F12 or the power button and release it immediately. Do not move the computer until the power indicator turns off.

Press the power button to return to normal mode.

If the computer does not activate Hibernate mode, see Frequently asked questions for more information.

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Using PowerPanel utility

The PowerPanel utility enables you to select and customize a predefined power management profile to conserve battery life. The following table describes all the predefined power management profiles in PowerPanel. Your computer is set to Automatic Profile Selection by default. You can customize the settings for all the following profiles, except the Disable Power Management profile.

Profile

Icon Description

Maximum Performance

Provides the best system performance but conserves minimal power.

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

Ultimate Battery Life1

Extends the Maximum Battery Life by disabling the i.LINK port.

Power Management Off Disables all power management settings, such as Standby and Hibernate modes. You cannot change the settings of this profile.

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

Games Disables the display and the Hard Disk Standby timer.

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

Camera Optimizes performance and power requirements for camera usage.

DVD Optimizes performance and power requirements for DVD usage.

Word Processing

Optimizes power management with longer time-outs on the hard disk and display screen. You can also establish settings for LCD (Video) Standby, Hard Disk Standby, and Standby mode to optimize power management for your system.

Spreadsheet

Optimizes performance and power requirements for spreadsheet programs.

Communications

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

Automatic Profile Selection Switches automatically to a profile suitable for active software programs.

For models with an i.LINK port.

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Do not choose the Automatic Profile Selection when connected to AC power.

To select a profile

Right-click the Battery icon on the Windows taskbar. See To display the Battery Information window for Battery icon descriptions.

Select Profiles, and click the profile on the shortcut menu. The profile settings are implemented instantly. See

Using PowerPanel utility for descriptions of available profiles.

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

See PowerPanel Help for information on customizing the power management profiles.

To customize your profile settings

You can customize your profile settings to sustain enough power for a particular computing function.

Right-click the Battery icon on the Windows® taskbar. See To display the Battery Information window for Battery icon descriptions.

Select Edit/Create Profiles from the shortcut menu.

In the left panel, click the profile you want to change.

Right-click the setting under System, LCD(Video), Hard Disk, or Other Devices that you want to change. See the following table for a description of each power profile.

Make your changes from the drop-down menu.

Click File, and click Save.

Power profile Description

CPU Control1 Controls the processor speed. You can select either Performance, Adaptive, Battery Life, or More Battery Life. These selections are listed in order from the greatest to least amount of power consumed.

System Standby Timer Controls the time it takes the system to activate the Standby mode when it is idle. The longer you allow the computer to sit idle while it is not in a power saving mode the more power the computer consumes.

Hibernate Timer Controls the time it takes the system to activate the Hibernate mode when it is idle. The longer you allow the computer to sit idle while it is not in a power saving mode the more power the computer consumes. Hibernate mode conserves more power than Standby mode.

Thermal Control Strategy1 Controls the speed of the processor fan. You can set the fan speed to Quiet, which conserves the most power, or Performance.

Lid Close Action Controls the state of your system when you close the computer's lid. You can select either Standby or Hibernate mode, or you can select LCD Off. Hibernate or LCD Off conserves the most power.

Hibernate on Low Battery Controls the state of your system when the battery power is low. You can turn this setting On or Off. Selecting On conserves the most power when the battery is low.

LCD Brightness Controls the brightness of the computer screen (LCD). You can select a brightness level of one to nine, with one being the darkest setting. The darker you set the computer screen the more power you conserve.

LCD Standby Timer Controls the time it takes the system to switch the LCD to Standby mode when the system is idle. This setting only turns off power to the LCD. The system itself still functions on full power.

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HDD Standby Timer Controls the time it takes the system to switch the hard disk drive to Standby mode when the system is idle. This setting only turns off power to the hard disk drive.

i.LINK Port Controls the power supply to the i.LINK port. You can disable power to the i.LINK port to conserve power.

Memory Stick Port Power-saving Controls the power supply to the Memory Stick slot. You can disable power to the Memory Stick slot to conserve power.

Slows the process or s peed.

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Frequently asked questions

Can my computer enter Hibernate mode while using battery power?

Your computer can enter Hibernate mode while using battery power, but some software programs and peripheral devices prevent the system from entering Hibernate mode at all. If you are using a program that prevents the system from entering Hibernate mode, save your data frequently. See Using power saving modes for information on how you can manually activate Hibernate mode.

When should I replace the battery?

If, after fully charging the battery, the battery power is still low, the battery may be reaching the end of its life and should be replaced.

Why is the battery warm?

While the battery is in use or being discharged, the battery heats up. This is normal and is not cause for concern.

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Internet and Network Connections

Internet Connections

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Network Connections

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Connecting Another VAIO Computer

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Internet Connections

This section describes the basic steps for setting up your dial-up or Ethernet connection to the Internet. The Internet Connection Wizard guides you through the process of connecting to the Internet and choosing an Internet service provider (ISP) or setting up an existing account. When you connect to the Internet, you can register your VAIO® computer, use online services, and gain access to Sony Computing Support.

Setting up a dial-up Internet connection

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Setting up an Ethernet Internet connection

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Customizing your Internet connection

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Frequently asked questions

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Setting up a dial-up Internet connection

Before you can connect to the Internet, you need to connect your computer to a telephone line via a telephone cable (not supplied). Once you have set up your telephone cable, you're ready to connect to the Internet.

To connect a telephone cable

Locate the Modem jack on your computer. For location information, see Locating Ports and Controls in the Setting Up chapter of your printed VAIO® Computer Quick Start.

Plug one end of the telephone cable into the Modem jack. Make sure it clicks into place.

Plug the other end into the wall jack.

Connecting a Telephone Cable

Your computer does not work with party lines, cannot be connected to a coin-operated telephone, and may not work with multiple telephone lines or a private branch exchange (PBX). Some of these connections may result in excess electrical current and could cause a malfunction in the internal modem.

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

To set up a dial-up connection to the Internet

Connect your computer to a telephone line. See To connect a telephone cable for more information.

Click Start, point to Programs, Accessories, Communications, and click Internet Connection Wizard. The Internet Connection Wizard appears.

Internet Connection Wizard

Follow the on-screen instructions.

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Setting up an Ethernet Internet connection

Your computer accommodates both 10BASE-T and 100BASE-TX Ethernet connections, with data transfer speeds of between 10 and 100 Mbps, depending on the line conditions and Ethernet cable.

To connect an Ethernet cable

Locate the Ethernet port on your computer. For location information, see Locating Ports and Controls in the Setting Up chapter of your printed VAIO® Computer Quick Start.

Connecting an Ethernet Cable

Plug one end of the Ethernet cable into your computer's Ethernet port and the other into the network connection.

Your computer 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 telephone cable via a splitter, the modem or connected device may not work properly.

To set up an Ethernet connection to the Internet

Connect your computer to a network connection. See To connect an Ethernet cable for more information.

Click Start, point to Settings, Control Panel, and click Internet Options. The Internet Properties dialog box appears.

Click to open the Connections tab, and click LAN Settings near the bottom of the dialog box. The Local Area Network (LAN) Settings dialog box appears.

Local Area Network (LAN) Settings

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Click to select the Automatically detect settings check box.

Click to select the Use automatic configuration script, and type an address in the Address box.

Click OK.

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Customizing your Internet connection

The Internet Properties dialog box enables you to change the way you view the Internet. You can change your home page, fonts, language, and colors. You can also regulate content and set your browsing preferences.

To open the Internet Properties dialog box

Click Start, point to Settings, Control Panel, and click Internet Options. The Internet Properties dialog box appears.

Click the tabs to view customizing options.

Make changes, and click Apply to activate your changes.

Click OK.

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Frequently asked questions

Why doesn't my modem work?

Make sure the telephone cable is securely plugged into the Modem jack and the wall jack. See To connect a

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telephone cable for more information.

Make sure the telephone cable is working by plugging the cable into an ordinary telephone and listening for a dial

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tone.

Make sure the telephone number the program is dialing is correct.

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Make sure the software you are using is compatible with the computer's modem. (All preinstalled Sony programs are

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compatible.)

If you are still experiencing problems, use the supplied Application Recovery CD(s) to reinstall the modem driver

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software. See Using the Application Recovery CD(s) for more information.

Why is my modem connection slow?

Your computer is equipped with a V.90 compatible modem. Many factors may influence modem connection speed, including telephone line noise or compatibility with telephone equipment, such as fax machines or other modems. If you think your modem is not connecting properly to other PC-based modems, fax machines, or your Internet Service Provider (ISP), follow these steps:

Ask your telephone company to verify your telephone line is free of any line noise.

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If your problem is fax-related, make sure there are no problems with the fax machine you are calling and that it is

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compatible with fax modems.

If you are having a problem connecting with your ISP, make sure the ISP is not experiencing technical problems.

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If you have a second telephone cable available, try connecting the modem to that cable.

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Network Connections

With a Sony computer, you can easily set up or connect to a variety of networks. The Network Connection Wizard makes it easy to gain access to remote and local area networks (LANs) using wireless, Ethernet, or dial-up connections.

For more information about networking, click Start, Help, and then Networking.

Using Ethernet and dial-up connections

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Using wireless LAN connections

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Checking your network connection status

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Frequently asked questions

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Types of Networks

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Using Ethernet and dial-up connections

Local area networks (LANs) comprise a group of computers and associated devices within a small geographic area, such as a home or office building. For setting up LANs, Ethernet is a widely installed technology. Your computer accommodates both 10BASE-T and 100BASE-TX Ethernet connections, with data transfer speeds of between 10 and 100 Mbps, depending on the Ethernet cable.

To set up an Ethernet LAN

Plug one end of the Ethernet cable into your computer's Ethernet port and the other into the network connection.

Connecting an Ethernet Cable

Click Start, point to Settings, Control Panel, and click Internet Options. The Internet Properties dialog box appears.

Click to open the Connections tab, and click LAN Settings near the bottom of the page. The Local Area Network (LAN) Settings dialog box appears.

Click to select the Automatically detect settings check box.

Click to select the Use automatic configuration script, and type an address in the Address box.

Click OK.

Warning: Only connect 10BASE-T and 100BASE-TX cables to the Ethernet port . Do not connect any other

type of network cable or any telephone 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.

You can connect to your company network from a remote location and use data, applications, and network resources. See Microsoft® Windows® Help by clicking Help from the Start menu, and then clicking Networking in the left panel.

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Using wireless LAN connections

A wireless local area network (LAN) is a network in which you can connect to a LAN through a wireless (radio) connection. You can opt to purchase a Sony Wireless LAN Access Point to set up a LAN.

The Wireless LAN Access Point is designed for building a wireless LAN environment. Because a wireless LAN configuration requires no wiring, you can operate multiple computers more freely than ever before.

You can also purchase an external Wireless LAN PC Card separately, but your computer (depending on the model you purchased) may already come with a built-in mini PCI card that allows for wireless connections. The Wireless LAN PC Card is designed for a wireless LAN environment. You can use the Wireless LAN PC Card with or without the access point.

For more information on Sony Wireless LAN, go to http://www.sonystyle.com/vaio.

There are two types of wireless connections:

An infrastructure network is one that extends an existing wired local network to wireless devices by providing an

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access point. The access point bridges the wireless and wired LAN and acts as a central controller for the Wireless LAN. The access point coordinates transmission and reception from multiple wireless devices within a specific range.

A peer-to-peer group (ad-hoc) network is one in which a local network is created only by the wireless devices

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themselves, with no other central controller or access point. Each device communicates directly with other devices in the network. You can set up an ad-hoc network easily at home.

To connect to an existing wireless network

Move the Wireless LAN switch to ON or insert a Wireless LAN PC Card into the PC Card slot. See Inserting PC

Cards for more information.

Click Start, point to Settings, Control Panel, and click Wireless Network. The Add/Edit Configuration Profile window appears.

Add/Edit Configuration Profile Window

Click Add. The Edit Configuration dialog box appears.

Type a profile name, and select Access Point from the Network Type drop-down list if it is not already selected.

Click Next.

Type a name in the Network Name box or click Scan to select a network.

Click Next.

If the network was set up with an encryption key:

Click to select the Enable Data Security check box.

Select either Use Alphanumeric Characters or Use Hexadecimal, depending on the encryption key.

Type the five-character encryption key in the Key 1 box, and make sure Key 1 appears in the Encrypt data with box. Ask the network administrator for the encryption key if you don't already have it.

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