Sony PCG-R505DFP, PCG-R505DL, PCG-R505DS, PCG-R505DSP User Guide

Welcome.......................................................7

Using Your VAIO Notebook........................9

Using the Keyboard...................................................10

Functions of the keyboard keys .........................................11

Indicators ...........................................................................12

Indicator lights...................................................................13

Combinations and functions with the Windows key .........13

Combinations and functions with the Fn key ....................15

Using the Touchpad ..................................................17

VAIO Action Setup...................................................19

Using the Center Jog Dial Control ............................20

Using the center Jog Dial control ......................................20

Launcher mode ..................................................................21

Using Guide Mode.............................................................22

Using the center Jog Dial control with Sony software ......22

Using the center Jog Dial control with other software ......23

Using a PC Card ........................................................24

To insert a PC Card............................................................24

To remove a PC Card.........................................................25

Using Memory Stick Media ......................................28

Types of Memory Stick media...........................................28

Write-protecting a Memory Stick media ...........................30

Formatting a Memory Stick media ....................................31

Notes on Memory Stick media ..........................................31

Using Power Saving Modes......................................33

Normal mode .....................................................................33

Standby mode ....................................................................33

Hibernate mode..................................................................33

Notes on power saving modes ...........................................34

Connecting a Phone Line ..........................................35

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Connecting to a LAN................................................ 36

Setting up your Ethernet connection................................. 36

Connecting to a Wireless LAN.................................38

Turning On Wireless LAN................................................ 38

The Wireless LAN Access Point ...................................... 38

Communicating with Access Point (infrastructure).......... 39

Communicating without Access Point (ad-hoc) ............... 41

Turning Off Wireless LAN ............................................... 43

Notes on using Wireless LAN .......................................... 43

Connecting Peripheral Devices ...............45

Connecting the Docking Station ...............................46

Connecting the notebook to the docking station............... 48

Disconnecting the notebook from the docking station...... 50

Disconnecting the docking station when the notebook is on
52

Using a Floppy Disk Drive ....................................... 54

Using an Optical Disc Drive.....................................56

Notes on CD and DVD discs ............................................ 59

Connecting a Parallel Port Printer ............................60

Connecting a USB Printer.........................................61

Connecting an External Display ...............................62

Connecting a USB Device ........................................66

Connecting an i.LINK Device ..................................68

Connecting VAIO Computers ..................................71

If your notebook is connected to the docking station ....... 72

Connecting External Speakers..................................74

Connecting an External Microphone ........................75

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Expanding Your Notebook Capabilities ...................76

Personal Digital Assistant..................................................76

Wireless LAN Access Point ..............................................76

Customizing Your VAIO Notebook ..........79

Displaying the Sony Notebook Setup Screen ...........80

Sony Notebook Setup tabs.................................................81

Controlling Power Management ...............................82

Viewing the Power Management status icons ...................82

Power Management profiles ..............................................83

Power Management commands .........................................85

Conserving battery power..................................................85

Displaying Battery Information ................................86

To activate the battery information toolbar .......................86

Battery icon descriptions ...................................................86

Displaying detailed battery information ............................87

Selecting the Display Mode ......................................89

To select the display mode.................................................89

To change the window design of Sony software ...............89

Adding Memory .........................................91

Precautions and Procedures.......................................92

Typical expansion memory configuration .........................93

Removing a Memory Module ...................................94

Installing a Memory Module.....................................95

Viewing the Amount of Memory ..............................98

About the Software on Your Notebook ...99

Overview of the Software on Your Notebook ........100

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Application, Driver, and System Recovery CDs ....107

Using Your Recovery CDs .....................................108

To use the Application Recovery CD(s) ......................... 108

To use the Driver Recovery CD(s) ................................. 109

To use the System Recovery CD(s) ................................ 111

To recover Microsoft Word ............................................ 113

Troubleshooting......................................115

Troubleshooting Your Notebook ............................ 116

My notebook does not start............................................. 116

My notebook starts but a BIOS error appears................. 116

My notebook starts, but the message “Operating system not

found” appears, and Windows does not start.................. 117

My notebook stops responding or does not shut down... 118

My notebook is unstable. ................................................ 119

The sound of my notebook’s fan is too loud................... 119

Why does the System Properties dialog box display a slower

CPU speed than advertised?............................................ 119

Troubleshooting the Docking Station ..................... 120

I cannot operate the optical drive in the docking station when

the docking station is connected to the notebook. .......... 120

I cannot operate the optical drive in the docking station when
the docking station is connected to the notebook and the
notebook is connected to another computer via an i.LINK

connection. ...................................................................... 120

An error message appears while disconnecting the docking
station, even after following the correct procedure for dis-

connecting the docking station........................................ 120

I cannot remove the disc. ................................................ 121

The disc tray does not eject even after I press the Eject but-

ton.................................................................................... 121

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Troubleshooting the LCD Screen............................122

My LCD screen is blank. .................................................122

My LCD screen continues to show the previous screen. .122
The image on my connected external display is not centered

or sized properly. .............................................................122

I want to change the video resolution of my display. ......122

Troubleshooting the Mouse and Touchpad.............123

My mouse does not work. ................................................123

My touchpad does not work properly. .............................123

The pointer does not move when I use the Touchpad or

Mouse...............................................................................124

Troubleshooting Drives, PC Cards, and Peripheral De-

vices.........................................................................125

My floppy disk drive cannot write to a floppy disk.........125

My optical drive is not playing my CD or DVD properly.....

125

My optical drive tray does not open. ...............................126

I cannot use Digital Video (DV) devices. The message “DV
equipment seems to be disconnected or turned off” appears.
126

My PC Card does not work..............................................126

Troubleshooting the Software .................................127

My software program stops responding or crashes. ........127

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. ..............................................127

The application cannot find a file while a PC Card is insert-

ed......................................................................................127

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

tions? ................................................................................127

Troubleshooting i.LINK Devices............................128

I cannot establish a connection between two VAIO comput-

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ers when using an i.LINK cable. ..................................... 128

Troubleshooting the Modem................................... 129

My modem does not work. ............................................. 129

My modem connection is slow. ...................................... 129

Troubleshooting Wireless LAN functions.............. 130

I cannot use the Wireless LAN functionality.................. 130

The computer cannot connect to a Wireless LAN Access

Point. ............................................................................... 130

I cannot access the Internet. ............................................ 130

The data transfer speed is slow. ...................................... 131

The communication speed is interrupted or slowed down

when MPEG2 data is transferred. ................................... 131

Data transfers are interrupted. ......................................... 131

Troubleshooting Audio ........................................... 132

My speakers have no sound. ........................................... 132

My microphone does not work. ...................................... 133

Troubleshooting the Printer ....................................134

I cannot print. .................................................................. 134

Getting Help.............................................135

Support Options ......................................................136

Software Support Information ................................138

Index.........................................................141

6

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.

✍ Click here to find the latest updates and supplemental information about your

computer.

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8

Using Your VAIO Notebook

This section describes the following aspects of your new computer:

❑ Using the Keyboard

❑ Using the Touchpad

❑ VAIO Action Setup

❑ Using the Center Jog Dial Control

❑ Using a PC Card

❑ UsingMemoryStickMedia

❑ Using Power Saving Modes

❑ Connecting a Phone Line

❑ ConnectingtoaLAN

❑ ConnectingtoaWirelessLAN

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Using the Keyboard

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

Keyboard

Shift

Key

Fn Key

Ctrl Key

Alt Key

Windows

Function Keys

®

Key

Print Screen Key

Numeric Keypad Area

Applications Key

Correction Keys

Backspace

Key

Navigation Keys

Fn
Key

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Functions of the keyboard keys

Key Description

Using Your VAIO Notebook

Numeric keypad
area

Navigation keys The Left/Right/Up/Down arrows are devoted to move the

Correction keys The Insert, Backspace, and Delete keys enable you to make

Function keys The 12 function keys along the top of the keyboard are used

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

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

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: You must press the Num Lock key to activate the
numeric keypad. (When you do so, the Num Lock indicator
will be on.) Press the Num Lock key again to deactivate it.

cursor on the screen and also function as the Home, End,
Page Up, and Page Down keys, respectively.

corrections in your documents.

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.

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

Operator keys Several keys are always used with at least one other key:

Ctrl, Alt, and Shift. When held down with another key, the
Ctrl (Control) and Alt (Alternate) keys offer another way to
give commands. For example, in many applications, instead
of choosing the Save command from a menu, you can hold
down 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 $.

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Key Description

Windows key The key with the Windows® logo displays the Windows

Start menu; it is the equivalent of clicking the Start button on
the task bar. 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.

Indicators

Indicator Function

Power Light is green when the notebook is powered on, flashes amber

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

Battery Indicates the status of the battery, which is attached at the rear

of the notebook.

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

Docking Station Indicates the docking station is in use.

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Indicator lights

Light On Off

Using Your VAIO Notebook

Hard disk Data is being read from or

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

Num Lock The number keys in the

numeric keypad are active.

Caps Lock Letters appear in uppercase as

you type. TheShift key lowers
thecaseoftypedletterswhen
Caps Lock is on.

Scroll Lock The screen scrolls differently.

(Exactly how it scrolls
depends on the specific
application. It has no effect in
many applications.)

The hard drive is not being
accessed.

The 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.

Combinations and functions with the Windows key

Combination Function

+ F1 Displays VAIO Help and Support Center.

+ Tab Switches the selected button on the taskbar.

+ E Displays Windows® Explorer.

+ F Displays the Search window to find a file or folder. This is the

equivalent of selecting Search from the Start menu.

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Combination Function

+ Ctrl + F Displays the Search Results: Computers window where you can

locate other computers. This is the equivalent of selecting
Search and then Computers from the Start menu.

+ M Minimizes all displayed windows.

Shift +

Returns all minimized windows to their previous size.

+M

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

Run from the Start menu.

Fn + +
Insert

Displays the System Properties window. This is the equivalent
of selecting Control Panel and then System from the Start
menu.

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Using Your VAIO Notebook

Combinations and functions with the Fn key

Combination/
Feature Functions

Fn+ (F3)
Speaker switch

Fn+ (F4)
Speaker volume

Fn+ (F5)
Brightness
control

Fn+ /
(F7)
Switch to the
external display

Fn+ (F12)
Hibernate

Fn + Esc
Standby

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

Toggles through the LCD and external display.

Only LCD

LCD and external display

Only external display

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

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

Fn +F
Display control

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

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✍ You can also carry out these functions using the center Jog Dial™ control. Some

functions are not available until Windows® launches.

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Using the Touchpad

Using the Touchpad

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

Touchpad

Pointer

Touchpad Right Button

Left Button

Actions Descriptions

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.
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 edge to scroll

horizontally. (The scroll function is available only with

applications that support a touchpad scroll feature.)
The Mouse Properties dialog box lets you customize your mouse and touchpad

features, such as touch sensitivity, motion, and buttons.

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To open the Mouse Properties dialog box:

1 Click Start on the Windows taskbar, and then Control Panel.

2 Click Printers and Other Hardware, and then Mouse. The Mouse Properties

dialog box opens.

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VAIO Action Setup

VAIO Action Setup

VAIO Action Setup manages the settings for your notebook’s center Jog Dial™
control and Timer. An overview of some of the functions controlled by VAIO
Action Setup is provided below. 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
touchpad and between 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 press the
center Jog Dial control, you can turn on your notebook automatically and start
the selected application or document.

Center Jog Dial Control

Turn

Press

Center Jog Dial Control

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

Using 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

Launcher mode

The 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 window and it is displayed between orange bars, you can
press the center Jog Dial control to view a submenu of that item.

Using Launcher mode

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

Jog Dial Launcher

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

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

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

Using 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 pressing the Ctrl key and the
center Jog Dial control.

The Jog Dial control window displays the function of the center Jog Dial control.

Using the center Jog Dial control with Sony 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 software, see the software
application’s online Help.

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Using the Center Jog Dial Control

Using the center Jog Dial control with other software

If the software you are using does not support the center Jog Dial control, you
can still use the center Jog Dial control to scroll the window or adjust the window
size.

Using a 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. Pressing the center Jog Dial control is the equivalent of
pressing Enter or Select.

Jog Dial Guide Dialog Box

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Using a PC Card

Your notebook includes one PC Card slot. A PC Card enables you to connect
portable external devices, such as another hard disk drive, to your notebook. It
also lets you connect to a network using a PC Network Interface Card (NIC).

The PC Card slot accommodates one Type I or II PC Card. This slot is
compatible with CardBus. You do not need to turn off 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

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PC Card

Using a PC Card

2 Push the 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.

To remov e a PC Card

If your notebook is turned on, follow these instructions. If your notebook is
turned off, skip to step number 5.

1 Close all applications that use the PC Card; otherwise, data may be lost.

2 Double-click the green arrow icon in the taskbar.

3 Select an option in the Hardware devices box, and click Stop. The Stop a

Hardware device window opens.

4 Click OK to confirm your selection, and then Close.

5 Press the PC Card Release button. The Release button pops out.

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6 Press the PC Card Release button a second time (in some cases). Remove the

card.

Removing PC Card

PC Card Release button

Do not choose a USB disk or a Sony i.LINK® optical drive in the Stop a
Hardware device dialog box.

If you removed a Sony i.LINK optical drive by mistake, disconnect the docking
station and reconnect it. See “Disconnecting the notebook from the docking
station” for more information.

Notes on using PC Cards

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

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

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

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

❑ 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 then reinstall it.

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Using a PC Card

❑ You may not be able to use some PC Cards or some functions of the PC Card

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

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Using Memory Stick Media

Memory Stick® media is a compact, portable, and versatile recording medium
that 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, you can use the media for external data storage.

Types of Memory Stick media

You can use these types of Memory Stick media with your notebook:

❑ MagicGate™ Memory Stick

Stick media), which is provided with copyright protection

❑ Memory Stick

†

protection as MagicGate media

Some music files encoded 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 image on to MG Memory Stick media that already contains music.

*

media (hereafter called MG Memory

media, which does not have the same copyright

What is MagicGate media?

MagicGate 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 .

* MagicGate Memory Stick and are trademarks of Sony Corporation.

† Memory Stick and are trademarks of Sony Corporation.

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Using Memory Stick Media

To insert a Memory Stick media

1 Insert the Memory Stick media with the arrow facing upward and toward the

Memory Stick media slot.

✍ Inserting the media in the wrong direction may damage the connector pins.

2 Carefully slide the Memory Stick media into the slot until it clicks in place.

The Memory Stick media indicator light on the right of the notebook briefly
flashes.

Inserting Memory Stick Media

Insert Memory Stick media
with arrow facing forward.

Memory Stick media

✍ At the default setting, Visual Flow™ application starts automatically when you insert a

Memory Stick media. You can change this setting in VAIO Action Setup.

To view the contents of the Memory Stick media

1 Click Start on the Windows taskbar, and then My Computer. The My

Computer window opens.

2 Double-click Sony Memory Stick under the Devices with Removable

Storage box. The Sony Memory Stick window opens.

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LOCK

LOCK LOCK

To remove a Memory Stick media

1 Make sure the Memory Stick media indicator light on the right of the

notebook 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, as it may eject completely from

the slot.

Write-protecting a 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

30

Write-protect

off

(Back of Memory Stick Media)

Write-protect

on

Using Memory Stick Media

Formatting a Memory Stick media

Memory Stick media is formatted for immediate use when you purchase it;
however, if you need to reformat a Memory Stick media, follow the procedure
below.

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

To reformat a Memory Stick media:

1 Insert the Memory Stick media into the Memory Stick media slot. See “To

insert a Memory Stick media” for more information.

2 Click Start in the Windows taskbar, and click My Computer.

3 Under Devices with Removable Storage, right-click Sony Memory Stick -

MG, and select Format. The Format Sony Memory Stick - MG dialog box
appears.

4 Select the appropriate options, and click Start.

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 the Enter key to continue. This allows the media to finish reading
or writing data.

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

compatible video camera recorders.

❑ The media slot accommodates one Memory Stick media at a time.

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

media.

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❑ Only use MG Memory Stick media 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.

❑ 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.

32

Using Power Saving Modes

Using Power Saving Modes

When you use a battery as the source of power for your notebook, you can use
the 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 turn off your notebook and insert a fully charged battery.

Normal mode

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

Standby mode

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

To activate Standby mode

1 Press the key combination Fn + Esc.

2 Press any key to return to normal mode.

Hibernate mode

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

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To activate Hibernate mode

1 Press the key combination Fn + F12, or press the power button and release it

immediately. The “Save to Disk Manager” window appears and the
notebook enters Hibernate mode.

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

Pressing the power button and releasing it immediately caused prior notebook
systems to enter Standby mode.

2 Press the power button to return to normal mode.

Notes on power saving modes

❑ 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 it for more than four (4) seconds.

❑ Standby uses more power than Hibernate.

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

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Connecting a Phone Line

Connecting a Phone Line

You need to connect a phone line to use 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 the notebook to a phone line.

1 Gently peel back the rubber phone jack cover. Pulling the phone jack cover

too hard, or too far, could damage it.

✍ Do not plug the phone cable into the Ethernet port located to the left of the phone

jack as this may damage your notebook.

2 Plug one end of the phone cable into the phone jack, under the phone jack

cover. Make sure you insert the phone cable from the rear of the notebook
and that the modular jack clicks into place.

3 Plug the other end into the wall jack.

Plugging Phone Cable into Phone Jack

Phone Line Jack

Phone Cable (optional)

✍ 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 might result in excess electrical current and could
cause a malfunction in the internal modem.

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Connecting to a LAN

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

Connecting to LAN

Ethernet
Cable

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

Setting up your Ethernet connection

To connect to a network

1 Click Start on the Windows® taskbar, and select My Computer.

2 In the Other Places box on the left, click My Network Places.

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Connecting to a LAN

3 In the Network Tasks box, click Add a network place or click Set up a home

or small office network, depending on your configuration. Depending on
your choice, either the Add Network Place Wizard or Network Setup Wizard
window appears.

4 Follow the on-screen instructions.

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Connecting to a Wireless LAN

Your computer is equipped with a built-in mini PCI card that allows for wireless
connections. With Sony’s Wireless Local Area Network (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.

Turning On Wireless LAN

To enable Wireless LAN functionality, open the notebook and move the Wireless
LAN switch on the right to ON. The Wireless LAN indicator to the left of the
switch lights up.

Connecting to a wireless LAN

Wireless LAN switch

Wireless LAN indicator

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.

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Connecting to a Wireless LAN

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 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.

To communicate with an Access Point

1 Open the notebook and move the Wireless LAN switch on the right to ON.

The Wireless LAN indicator to the left of the switch lights up.

2 Click Start on the Windows taskbar, and then Control Panel.

3 Click Network and Internet Connections, and then Network Connections.

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4 Double-click the Wireless Network Connection icon. The Connect to

Wireless Network dialog box opens.

Connecting to a wireless LAN

5 Select a network from the Available Networks list box.

6 Click Connect.

Communicating via Wireless LAN Access Point

Access Point (not supplied)

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Connecting to a Wireless LAN

Communicating without Access Point (ad-hoc)

An ad-hoc network is one in which a local network is created only by the
wireless devices themselves, with no other central controller or Access Point.
Each device communicates directly with other devices in the network. You can
set up an ad-hoc network easily at home.

To communicate without an Access Point:

1 Open the notebook and move the Wireless LAN switch on the right to ON.

The Wireless LAN indicator to the left of the switch lights up.

2 Click Start on the Windows taskbar, and then Control Panel.

3 Click Network and Internet Connections, and then Network Connections.

4 Right-click the Wireless Network Connection icon and select Properties.

5 Select the Wireless Networks tab.

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6 Click Add. The Wireless Network Properties dialog box appears.

Setting Wireless Network Connection Properties

7 Type a six-digit name in the Network name (SSID) box.

8 Click the Data encryption (WEP enabled) check box to select it.

9 Click the Network Authentication (Shared mode) check box to select it.

10 Click the “The key is provided for me automatically” check box to deselect

it. Some information boxes become visible.

11 Type a five-digit name in the Network key box.

12 Click OK. Your new Network name appears in the Preferred networks

window.

13 Click Advanced. The Advanced dialog box opens.

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Connecting to a Wireless LAN

14 Select the Computer-to-computer (ad hoc) networks only option.

15 Click Close.

16 Click OK.

Turning Off Wireless LAN

Move the Wireless LAN switch on the right to the OFF position. The Wireless
LAN indicator to the left of the switch shuts off.

Turning off the Wireless LAN functionality while accessing remote
documents, files, or resources may result in data loss.

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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Connecting Peripheral Devices

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

❑ Connecting the Docking Station

❑ Using a Floppy Disk Drive

❑ Using an Optical Disc Drive

❑ Connecting a Parallel Port Printer

❑ Connecting a USB Printer

❑ Connecting an External Display

❑ Connecting a USB Device

❑ Connectingani.LINKDevice

❑ Connecting VAIO Computers

❑ Connecting External Speakers

❑ Connecting an External Microphone

❑ Expanding Your Notebook Capabilities

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Connecting the Docking Station

Your notebook may come with a PCGA-DSD5 or PCGA-DSM5 docking station,
depending on the model you purchased. Optional docking stations are also
available. Both Sony docking stations provide you with the following:

❑ A floppy disk drive.

❑ An optical drive.

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Connecting the Docking Station

❑ A back panel that enables you to connect additional peripherals to your

notebook, as shown below.

Back Panel

1

4

23

5

6

7

1 USB ports 5 Ethernet/Network port

(10BASE-T/100BASE-TX)

2 Monitor port 6 i.LINK®* (IEEE 1394) S400

port

3 Serial port 7 Printer port

4 DC In port

Left

1 Left lever 3 Floppy disk drive

2 Air vent 4 i.LINK network switch

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Right

1 Docking station connector 4 DC In indicator

2 Optical drive 5 Right lever

3 UNDOCK switch

Connecting the notebook to the docking station

You may connect your notebook to the docking station as long as it is not in
power saving mode, i.e., Standby or Hibernate. Connecting the notebook while it
is in power saving mode may result in data loss or a computer malfunction. Note
the following before connecting your notebook to the docking station:

❑ Disconnect the VGA, USB, AC, and Ethernet devices from your notebook.

Leaving these devices connected while you connect the docking station
could damage them.

❑ Ensure that the battery is installed. If you install a charged battery, you can

connect the docking station while the notebook is on.

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Connecting the Docking Station

To connect your notebook to the docking station

1 Plug one end of the AC adapter cable into the DC In port of the docking

station and the other end into an AC outlet. The LED of the DC In port
switches on.

2 Holding the notebook with the front side facing you, insert the two holes on

the front of the notebook into the two corresponding latches protruding from
the front side of the docking station.

Latching the Notebook to the Docking Station

Latches Protruding
from Docking Station

Docking Station

3 Firmly press down the two rear corners of the notebook until it clicks into

place and is securely fastened to the docking station.

Be careful not to press the top of the notebook too strongly. The LCD display
may become damaged.

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Securing the Notebook to the Docking Station

Firmly press down the two rear corners
of the notebook until it clicks into place.

Disconnecting the notebook from the docking station

You may disconnect the notebook from the docking station when the notebook is
off or on; however, do not disconnect the notebook from the docking station
while the docking indicator is on, while the notebook is in Standby or Hibernate
mode, or while battery power is low. If you do attempt to disconnect the docking
station in any of these three states, you may lose data or the notebook may
malfunction.

✍ When the battery is low, turn off the notebook before you disconnect the docking

station.

Follow one of the procedures below to disconnect the docking station when the
notebook is off or on.

Disconnecting the docking station when the notebook is off

1 Disconnect all peripheral devices (i.e., i.LINK® devices) from the notebook

and the docking station.

2 Remove all objects placed on top of the notebook.

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Connecting the Docking Station

3 Pull out the two release levers on either side of the rear corners of the

docking station, to release the notebook from the docking station.

Releasing the Notebook from the Docking Station

Pull release levers on either side of
rear corners of docking station

4 Remove the notebook from the docking station, while moving the notebook

slightly back to disengage it from the two front latches of the docking
station.

Removing the Notebook from the Docking Station

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Disconnecting the docking station when the notebook is on

You can use the Start menu in the Windows® taskbar or the UNDOCK switch on
the docking station to disconnect your notebook from the docking station while
the notebook is on.

✍ If you switch user accounts using Fast User Switching, the UNDOCK switch function

on the docking station will be interrupted. Instead, follow the instructions to
disconnect the docking station from the Start menu.

Disconnecting the docking station from the Start menu

1 Click Start in the Windows® taskbar.

2 Select Undock Computer. The Undock Complete pop-up window appears.

3 Release and remove your notebook. See “Disconnecting the docking station

when the notebook is off” for instructions.

Wait for the docking indicator to switch off before undocking the notebook.

Docking Indicator

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Docking
Indicator

Connecting the Docking Station

Disconnecting the docking station, using the UNDOCK switch

1 Slide the UNDOCK switch on the right side of your notebook toward the

front of the notebook. The Undock Complete pop-up window appears.

2 Release and remove your notebook. See “Disconnecting the docking station

when the notebook is off” for instructions.

UNDOCK switch

UNDOCK
Switch

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Using a Floppy Disk Drive

If your notebook came with a docking station, you may use the built-in floppy
disk drive. However, if your notebook did not come with a docking station or you
chose not to utilize the docking station drive, you may connect an optional
PCGA-UFD5 floppy disk drive to one of the two USB ports, identified by the
symbol, on your notebook.

Do not use an optional PCGA-UFD5 floppy disk drive while your notebook is
connected to the docking station.

To insert a floppy disk

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

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

Inserting Floppy Disk

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Floppy disk

Using a Floppy Disk Drive

To remove a floppy disk

1 Make sure the LED indicator light on the floppy disk drive is off.

2 Press the Eject button.

Removing Floppy Disk

Eject Button

✍ Do not push the Eject button when the LED indicator is turned on; otherwise, you may

lose data.

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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Using an Optical Disc Drive

You may use the PCGA-DSM5 CD-RW/DVD Docking Station or the PCGA­DSD5 DVD Docking Station if your notebook came with a docking station. Both
Sony docking stations have a built-in optical drive. If your notebook did not
come with a docking station or you chose not to utilize the docking station drive,
you may connect an optional optical drive (such as PCGA-CD51/A) to the
PCMCIA PC Card slot.

Do not use an optional PC Card optical drive while your notebook is connected
to the docking station.

To insert a disc

When the notebook is in Standby or Hibernate mode, you cannot insert a disc
because the disc tray will not open. See “Controlling Power Management” for
more information.

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

Ejecting the tray

Eject Button

2 Place the disc on the tray with the label side facing up. For DVDs that can be

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

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Using an Optical Disc Drive

3 Push the disc onto the hub until the disc clicks into place.

If the disc is not secured, it could damage the optical drive and you may not be
able to open the tray.

Inserting an optical disc

Disc

4 Close the tray by pushing it gently. The LED indicator on the drive flashes

while your notebook reads data from the disc.

To remove a disc

When the notebook is in Standby or Hibernate mode, you cannot remove a disc
because the disc tray will not open. See “Controlling Power Management” for
more information.

1 After you finish using a disc, wait until the LED indicator turns off.

2 Press the Eject button to remove the disc.

3 If the disc does not come out when you press the Eject button, turn off the

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

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To play a DVD

To play a DVD, you may use the optical disc drive and the preinstalled
WinDVD® software. For more information on WinDVD, see the Help menu in
the WinDVD application.

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

Your optical drive can read most DVD-R media. When you are ready to play a
DVD, read the suggestions below to maximize your video viewing experience.

❑ When using an optional optical drive or an optional PC Card drive to play a

DVD, 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 into the drive. See “Controlling Power Management” for more
information.

❑ When playing a DVD with an optional PC Card drive, you may use battery

power; however, connect the notebook to AC power when using the docking
station to play a DVD.

❑ Some DVD videos may allow limited operations or functions, or present

sound noise or dropped frames.

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

Do not switch between LCD and external display once a 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.

Do not install the software that comes with PCGA-DVD51/A drive.

To play an audio CD

1 Insert the CD into the optical disc tray. The Audio CD window opens.

2 Select either Play Audio CD using Windows Media Player or Play Audio

CD using SonicStage.

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Using an Optical Disc Drive

3 Click OK.

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

You can use Sony SonicStage and Microsoft® Windows® XP to write data to a
CD-R or CD-RW disc. To create a CD-R disc that is readable in a CD-ROM
drive, make sure you finish the writing process before ejecting it. For more
information, see the instructions included with Windows® XP.

❑ 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.

Do not use the Eject PC option in Windows® or press the UNDOCK switch on the
docking station while writing data to a CD-R or CD-RW. Doing so may severely
damage your notebook.

Do not put your notebook into power saving mode while writing data to a CD-R
or CD-RW disc.

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

Memory-resident disc utilities, such as the screen saver and virus checker, may
cause unstable operation or data loss. Deactivate these utilities (if they are
active) before writing data to a disc.

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

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.

❑ 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.

❑ Do not use solvents such as benzine, thinner, commercially available

cleaners or anti-static spray, as they may damage to the disc.

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Connecting a Parallel Port Printer

If your notebook came with a docking station, you may connect a Windows®
compatible parallel port printer to the docking station. However, if your notebook
did not come with a docking station, see “Connecting a USB Printer” for
information on connecting a printer to your notebook.

✍ Turn off the notebook before connecting peripherals. In normal use, you should turn

on the peripherals before turning on your notebook.

To connect a parallel port printer

1 Locate the Printer port, identified by the symbol, on the docking station.

2 Plug the printer cable (may or may not be supplied by printer company) into

the Printer port.

3 Make sure the Printer setting in the Sony Notebook Setup software is

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

4 See the manual supplied with your printer for more information on its

installation and use

Connecting a Printer to the Docking Station

Power cord

To

Printer

Printer cable (supplied with the printer)

✍ 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

Connecting a USB Printer

You may connect a Windows® compatible Universal Serial Bus (USB) printer to
either of your notebook’s two USB ports.

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

To connect a USB printer

1 Locate the USB ports, identified by the symbol, on your notebook and

printer.

2 Plug the USB printer cable into one of the two USB ports.

3 Make sure the Printer setting in the Sony Notebook Setup software is

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

4 See the manual supplied with your printer for more information on its

installation and use.

Connecting a USB Printer

To USB

To USB

Printer

USB printer cable (not supplied)

Power cord

✍ If your printer stops functioning after resuming from a power saving mode, see

“Troubleshooting the Printer” for more information.

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Connecting an External Display

You can connect a computer display (such as a monitor or a projector) to your
notebook or docking station.

✍ The docking station is supplied with selected models only.

To connect a monitor to your notebook

1 Make sure the external display is plugged into an AC outlet.

2 Open the monitor port panel on the right side of the notebook.

3 Plug the display cable (VGA connector) into the monitor port.

4 Restart your notebook.

5 Press the key combination Fn + F7 to change the display to monitor.

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

on its installation and use.

Connecting Monitor to the Notebook

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Computer display

Power cord

Display cable (optional)

Connecting an External Display

✍ You cannot use the monitor port on your notebook when the docking station is

connected to the notebook; however, you can use the monitor port on the docking
station.

To connect an external display to your docking station

1 Make sure the external display is plugged into an AC outlet.

2 Open the rear panel of the docking station, and locate the monitor port.

3 Plug the display cable into the monitor port.

4 Make sure the cable is connected to the external display.

5 Restart your notebook.

6 Press the key combination Fn + F7 to change the display to monitor.

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

on its installation and use.

Connecting Monitor to the Docking Station

Computer display

Power cord

Display cable (optional)

To connect a projector (such as a Sony LCD Projector) to your notebook:

1 Make sure the projector is plugged into an AC outlet.

2 Open the monitor port panel on the right side of the notebook.

3 Plug the RGB signal cable into the monitor port, and make sure it is

connected to the projector.

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4 Plug the audio cable into the green Headphone jack on the right side of the

notebook, and make sure it is connected to the projector.

5 Press the key combination Fn + F7 to change the display to projector.

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

installation and operation.

Connecting Projector to the Notebook

To Monitor

To Headphones

RGB signal cable

(optional)

Projector

Audio cable

(optional)

Power cord

To connect a projector (such as a Sony LCD Projector) to your docking station

1 Make sure the projector is plugged into an AC outlet.

2 Open the rear panel of the docking station, and locate the monitor port.

3 Plug the RGB signal cable into the monitor port, and make sure it is

connected to the projector.

4 Plug the audio cable into the green Headphone jack on the right side of the

notebook, and make sure it is connected to the projector.

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Connecting an External Display

5 Plug the audio cable into the green Headphone jack on the right side of the

notebook.

Connecting Projector to the Docking Station

Projector

Monitor

Power cord

To

Headphones

RGB signal cable

Audio cable

(optional)

(optional)

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

installation and operation.

✍ You cannot use the Monitor port on your notebook when the docking station is

connected to the notebook.

To select a display

When you connect an external display to the Monitor port, press the key
combination Fn+F7 to toggle the output between the Liquid Crystal Display
(LCD), the external monitor, or both devices. See “Selecting the Display Mode”

for more information.

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Connecting a USB Device

You can connect a variety of Universal Serial Bus (USB) devices such as an
external mouse, keyboard, speaker, and microphone to your notebook.

To connect a USB device to your notebook

1 Locate a USB port, identified by the symbol, on the notebook. There are

two USB ports on the notebook, one on the right side and one on the left
side.

2 Plug one end of the USB cable into a port and the other end into the USB

device.

Connecting USB Device to the Notebook

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To USB

USB mouse

To USB

Connecting a USB Device

To connect a USB device to the docking station

1 Open the rear panel of the docking station, and locate the USB ports,

identified by the symbol. There are two USB ports located on the back
side of the docking station.

2 Plug one end of the USB cable into a port and the other end into the USB

device.

Connecting USB Device to the Docking Station

USB mouse

To USB

You can use an optional Sony USB mouse, such as a PCGA-UMS1 series, with
this notebook. Since the USB mouse software driver is preinstalled in the
notebook, you simply plug the USB mouse into the USB port to use it. One USB
port supports one USB device.

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

installation and use.

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Connecting an i.LINK Device

Your VAIO notebook includes an i.LINK*® (IEEE 1394) S400 port, which
connects to a compatible i.LINK device such as a digital video camera recorder.

To connect a digital video camera recorder

Plug one end of an i.LINK cable (not supplied) into the S400 port on the right
side of the notebook and the other end into the DV In/Out port on the digital
video camera recorder. If your digital video camera recorder includes a Memory
Stick® media slot, you can copy images from it to your notebook via a Memory

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

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

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Connecting an i.LINK Device

Stick media. Copy images to the Memory Stick media and insert the media into
the Memory Stick media slot on your notebook. See “Using Memory Stick
Media” for more information on using Memory Stick media.

Connecting Digital Video Camera Recorder

To DV
In/Out

To S400

i.LINK

i.LINK cable
(optional)

Digital video
camera recorder

Notes on i.LINK devices

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

digital video camera recorder may need to be connected differently.

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

are compatible i.LINK devices.

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

information on installation and use.

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

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

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

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

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

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

❑ You can connect a digital video camera to the i.LINK port on your notebook

or the i.LINK port on the optional port replicator. When a camera is
connected to the i.LINK port on the notebook, you should not connect any
other devices to the i.LINK port on the port replicator. When a camera is
connected to the i.LINK port on the port replicator, you should not connect
any other devices to the i.LINK port on the notebook.

❑ i.LINK* cables compatible with your VAIO notebook include cables with

the following part numbers: VMC-IL4415A (a 1.5-meter cable with a 4-pin
connector at each end), VMC-IL4615A (a 1.5-meter cable with a 4-pin
connector at one end and a 6-pin connector at the other). You can purchase
these cables from your local retailer, through the Sony VAIO® Direct Web
site (http://vaio.sonystyle.com) or by calling 1-888-315-7669 (toll free).

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Connecting VAIO Computers

Connecting VAIO Computers

You may use an optional i.LINK®*cable to connect your VAIO® notebook to
another VAIO computer that has the preinstalled Microsoft® Windows®
operating system or the Sony Smart Connect software preinstalled. You may use
an i.LINK cable (not supplied) to connect the two systems and then use one
computer to edit, copy, or delete files on the other computer. You can also print
from a printer that is attached to either computer.

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).

Connecting with an i.LINK cable

i.LINK Cable (optional)

✍ 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.

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

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

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If your notebook is connected to the docking station

If you want to exchange data with another computer using the optional i.LINK
cable and your notebook is connected to the docking station, perform the
following:

1 Disconnect your notebook from the docking station as described in the

“Disconnecting the notebook from the docking station” section.

2 Disconnect the AC adapter and all cables from the docking station.

3 Using a thin pen tip, set the i.LINK network switch on the bottom of the

docking station to the side marked .

Do not set the i.LINK network switch when the notebook is on. The notebook
will malfunction.

i.LINK Network Switch

i.LINK Network Switch

4 Connect the docking station to your notebook as described in the

“Connecting the notebook to the docking station” section.

5 Turn on the notebook, and use the i.LINK cable to connect your notebook to

another computer.

6 After you have finished the “smart connect” session tasks, proceed as

follows:

❑ Disconnect your notebook from the docking station.

❑ Disconnect the i.LINK cable and all other cables from the docking

station.

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Connecting VAIO Computers

❑ Set the i.LINK network switch to the unmarked side.

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Connecting External Speakers

You can connect external speakers to your notebook to enhance the sound quality
of your notebook. See the manual that came with your speakers for more
information on its installation and use.

Do not place floppy disks on the speakers. The magnetic field of the
speakers may damage the data on the floppy disks.

Before connecting your external speakers

1 Verify that your speakers are designed for computer use.

2 Turn down the volume of the speakers before you turn them on.

To connect your external speakers

1 Locate the green Headphone jack on the right side of your notebook.

2 Plug the speaker cable into the Headphone jack.

Connecting Speakers to the Headphone Jack

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To Headphones

Speakers

Speaker cable
(supplied with speakers)

Connecting an External Microphone

Connecting an External Microphone

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

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

compliant with the plug-in power microphone.

To connect an external microphone

1 Locate the red Microphone jack on the right side of your notebook.

2 Plug the microphone cable into the Microphone jack.

Connecting Microphone to Microphone Jack

Microphone
(optional)

To

To Microphone

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Expanding Your Notebook Capabilities

The following peripheral devices can be connected to your notebook, to expand
the capabilities of your notebook 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, then 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.

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Expanding Your Notebook Capabilities

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.

✍ For information on wireless LAN, go to http://www.sonystyle.com/wirelesslan.

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Customizing Your VAIO Notebook

The following sections briefly describe how to change your notebook’s
default settings:

❑ Displaying the Sony Notebook Setup Screen

❑ Controlling Power Management

❑ Displaying Battery Information

❑ Selecting the Display Mode

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Displaying the Sony Notebook Setup Screen

To display the Sony Notebook Setup screen:

1 Click Start on the Windows® taskbar, and then Control Panel.

2 Click Performance and Maintenance, and then 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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Customizing Your VAIO Notebook

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 notebook.

Touchpad When you connect an optional mouse to the Serial port

of 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 notebook.

Enable Ports Enable or disable ports. Disabling ports releases

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

Basic/Advanced Switch between Advanced mode (additional screens

with advanced settings) and Basic mode of display.

✍ For more information about each option, click 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 settings of your
notebook and provides key information about system activity and battery life.
The following sections briefly describe how to conserve your notebook’s battery
power. You can also refer to PowerPanel help for more detailed information. To
activate a profile or command, see “Displaying Battery Information” for more
information.

Viewing the Power Management status icons

The Power Management status icons are displayed in the taskbar at the lower
right side of your screen. Move the pointer over the icons to see the tool tip that
displays information about the active profile. The CPU status icon indicates the
performance level of the CPU. Double-clicking the CPU status icon also displays
the PowerPanel battery information.

To change the Power Management profile

1 Right-click the battery icon on the taskbar, and then select Profiles.

2 Choose a new profile from the pop-up list. See “Power Management

profiles” for a description of available options.

✍ 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, the new profile is selected
automatically the next time you use the battery pack to power your notebook.

Refer to PowerPanel help for information on customizing the Power Management
toolbar.

To customize Power Management settings

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

1 Right-click the CPU: Performance icon on the Windows taskbar.

2 Select Edit/Create Profiles from the menu.

3 In the left panel, click a profile in which you want to change the settings.

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Controlling Power Management

4 In the right panel, double-click an item in which you want to change the

settings.

5 Select an option from the drop-down list.

6 Click the File menu, then click Save.

7 Click the File menu, 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 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 can not 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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Icon Description

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 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 timeouts on the hard disk
and display screen. You can also establish settings for LCD (Video)
Standby, Hard Disk Standby, and Standby to optimize power
management for your system.

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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 to optimize power
management for your system.

Automatic Profile Selection

Automatically switches to a profile suitable for active applications.

Controlling Power Management

Power Management commands

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 notebook.

Hibernate

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

Conserving battery power

When using the notebook with a battery, the LCD display and the hard drive can
besettoswitchoffautomaticallytoconservebatterypower.

See “Power Management profiles” for more information.

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Displaying Battery Information

You can display detailed 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 on the taskbar at the bottom of the screen.

2 Select Toolbars from the pop-up menu, then click Battery Information. The

Battery Information toolbar appears on the taskbar.

You can also view the total capacity remaining in the battery by placing the
pointer over the battery status icon in the task tray on the lower right side of the
screen.

Battery Information Toolbar

❑ Percentage indicator — Displays the percentage of the remaining battery

capacity.

❑ Time indicator — Displays estimated time (hours/minutes) remaining

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

Battery icon descriptions

Battery Icon Battery Status

Charging

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Displaying Battery Information

Battery Icon Battery Status

Fully charged

Discharging

No battery

Displaying detailed battery information

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

Battery Information Window

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To customize the Battery Information toolbar and alarm system

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

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Selecting the Display Mode

Selecting the Display Mode

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

To select the display mode

✍ See “Connecting an External Display” for more information.

1 Make sure the external display you are connecting to is turned on and the

VGA connector is securely in place.

2 Restart your notebook

3 On your notebook, press the key combination Fn+F7 to switch the display

mode. The image that was on your notebook’s monitor should appear on the
external display.

If the display mode does not switch, do the following:

1 Click Start, and then Control Panel.

2 Click Appearance and Themes, and then the Display icon. The Display

Properties window opens.

3 Click the Settings tab, and then Advanced.

4 Click the Monitor tab. In the Monitor Type box, use the drop-down arrow to

select the external monitor option.

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

projector at the same time, depending on the types of computer displays and
projectors you are using.

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

To change the window design of Sony software

1 Click Start in the Windows taskbar, and then click Control Panel.

2 In the left See Also window, click Other Control Panel Options.

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3 Double-click UI Design Selector.

4 Click << or >> and select the desired design.

5 Click Apply. The UI Design Selector window design changes. The window

design for your Sony software will match the UI Design Selector window.

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

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Adding Memory

In the future you may want to install memory modules to expand the
functionality of your notebook. The amount of memory on your notebook
will vary depending on the model you purchased. Expansion memory
modules are available as options. For memory upgrades, use only
unbuffered PC133 (CL2) SDRAM SO-DIMM (gold lead contacts). This
section describes how to replace memory modules in your computer:

❑ Precautions and Procedures

❑ Removing a Memory Module

❑ Installing a Memory Module

❑ Viewing the Amount of Memory

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Precautions and Procedures

The procedures described below assume familiarity with the general terminology
associated with personal computers and with the safety practices and regulatory
compliance required for using and modifying electronic equipment. Personal
injury or equipment damage may result from failure to take these precautions.

Sony recommends memory upgrades be performed by an authorized Sony
Service Center. To find the nearest center or agent, see
http://www.sony.com/pcsupport.

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

❑ Disconnect the system from its power source and from any

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

❑ Electrostatic discharge (ESD) can damage disk drives and other components.

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

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

module. The package protects the module from ESD.

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

the memory module.

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Precautions and Procedures

Typical expansion memory configuration

Total System Memory (MB) On board (MB) Slot (MB)

128 128 0

192 128 64

256 128 128

*

384

* The 384 MB memory configuration may require the removal and replacement of original

factory-installed memory module.

128 256

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Removing a Memory Module

1 Turn off your notebook and disconnect all peripheral devices, such as your

printer.

2 Unplug the notebook and remove the battery packs.

3 After the notebook has cooled, loosen and remove the two screws with the

mark located on the bottom of your notebook. Use an appropriate

screwdriver.

4 Slide the LCD lock lever and lift the cover. Slide the keyboard toward the

LCD display, then lift it away slightly.

5 Lift the keyboard from the LCD display side, then gently turn it over on the

touchpad space. Be careful not to detach the cable when lifting the keyboard.

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

notebook) to discharge any static electricity.

7 Slide the memory module out of the slot.

8 Gently replace the keyboard, then press it into your notebook. Be careful not

to detach the cable when lifting the keyboard.

9 Close the notebook cover, then tighten the screws on the bottom of the

computer.

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Installing a Memory Module

Installing a Memory Module

1 Turn off your notebook and disconnect all peripheral devices, such as your

printer.

2 Unplug the notebook and remove the battery packs.

3 After the notebook has cooled, loosed and remove the two screws with the

mark located on the bottom of your notebook. Use an appropriate

screwdriver.

Screws on Bottom of Notebook

4 Slide the LCD lock lever and lift the cover. Slide the keyboard toward the

LCD display, then lift it away slightly.

Lifting the Keyboard

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5 Lift the keyboard from the LCD display side, then gently turn it over on the

touchpad space. Be careful not to detach the cable when lifting the keyboard.

Turning the Keyboard

Cable

6 You must remove the existing memory module before you can install a new

module. See “Removing a Memory Module” for instructions.

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

notebook) to discharge any static electricity.

8 Remove the new memory module from its packaging.

9 Slide the memory module into the empty slot.

10 Press the module into place until it clicks.

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Installing a Memory Module

Installing the Memory Module

11 Gently replace the keyboard, then press it into your notebook. Be careful not

to detach the cable when lifting the keyboard.

12 Close the notebook cover, then tighten the screws on the bottom of the

computer.

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Viewing the Amount of Memory

1 Restart the notebook.

2 Click Start on the Windows® taskbar, then Control Panel, and then

Performance and Maintenance.

3 Select Sony Notebook Setup. The Sony Notebook Setup window appears.

4 Make sure the About This Computer tab is open. Memory information is

listed in the System Information box.

✍ The amount of memory displayed in the Sony Notebook Setup screen is not always

correct. The video adapter uses some system memory, and that amount of memory
does not appear as part of the total memory shown in the Sony Notebook Setup
screen.

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About the Software on Your Notebook

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

❑ Overview of the Software on Your Notebook

❑ Application, Driver, and System Recovery CDs

❑ Using Your Recovery CDs

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VAIO® R505 SuperSlim Pro™ Notebook Quick Start

Overview of the Software on Your Notebook

Your computer may not be supplied with all of the software listed below,
depending on the configuration you purchased. Preinstalled software may not be
identical to retail versions, or include supporting documentation.

Adobe® Acrobat® Reader®

Adobe Systems Inc.

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

ArcSoft PhotoPrinter® 2000 Pro

ArcSoft, Inc.

ArcSoft PhotoPrinter Pro software is an easy-to-use, yet advanced printing
program that lets you quickly lay out multiple images in multiple sizes on a
single sheet of paper. ArcSoft PhotoPrinter Pro software offers a wide selection
of templates including landscape, portrait, free-style, mixed sizes, custom
templates and more. The application includes enhancement tools and special
effects for improving photos while giving you the ability to add text to any
image. With ArcSoft PhotoPrinter 2000 Pro software you can create business
cards, handouts, calendars, mailing labels, and much more.

Adobe® Photoshop® Elements (On selected models)

Adobe Systems Inc.

Using state-of-the-art image editing tools, you can unleash your artistic ability
and create digital images for print, e-mail and posting to the Web. The versatile
image capturing options allow you to start working with digital and traditional
photos immediately. Explore endless creative possibilities for your personal
images with Adobe Photoshop Elements software.

Adobe® Premiere® LE (On selected models)

Adobe Systems Inc.

Adobe Premiere LE software offers interface and editing tools for producing
movies for video, multimedia, or the Web. View source clips and edited footage
simultaneously on-screen. You can create your own personal video clips that are
up to three hours in length, with complete audio-video synchronization.

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