Sony PCG-R505ECP, PCG-R505ELP User Guide
Welcome
Congratulations on your purchase of this Sony VAIO® computer, and welcome to the online VAIO® Computer User Guide.
This user guide provides detailed information on all aspects of using your new VAIO computer, from keyboard functions to
preinstalled software 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.
Click here to view your computer's hardware specifications and software information.
Page 1
Using Your VAIO Computer
This section describes the following aspects of your new computer:
Using the Keyboard
Using the Touchpad
Using the Jog Dial Control
Using a PC Card
Using Memory Stick Media
Using Power Saving Modes
Connecting a Telephone Line
Connecting to a LAN
Connecting to a Wireless LAN
Page 2
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
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Functions of the keyboard keys
Key Description
Numeric keypad area 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.
Navigation keys The Left/Right/Up/Down arrows are devoted to move the cursor on the screen and also function as
the Home, End, Page Up, and Page Down keys, respectively.
Correction keys The Insert, Backspace, and Delete keys enable you to make corrections in your documents.
Function keys The 12 function keys along the top of the keyboard are used to perform designated tasks. For example, in
many applications, F1 is the Help key. The task associated with each function key may vary from one application to the
next.
Escape key The Esc (Escape) key is used to cancel commands.
Print Screen key The Print Screen key takes an electronic snapshot of the screen and places it in the Windows
®
Clipboard. You can then paste the screen shot into a document and print it.
Operator keys 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 $.
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.
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Indicators
Indicator Function
Power
Light is green when the computer is powered on, flashes amber when the computer is in Standby mode, and
turns off when the computer is in Hibernate mode or is powered off.
Battery
Indicates the status of the battery, which is attached at the rear of the computer.
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
Hard disk
Data is being read from or written to the hard drive. Do not enter Standby mode or turn off the computer when this
indicator light is on. The hard drive is not being accessed.
Num Lock
The number keys in the numeric keypad are active. The character keys in the keypad area are active.
Caps Lock
Letters appear in uppercase as you type. The Shift key lowers the case of typed letters when Caps Lock is on.
Letters appear in lower case as you type (unless you hold down the Shift key).
Scroll Lock
The screen scrolls differently. (Exactly how it scrolls depends on the specific application. It has no effect in many
applications.) Information moves across the display normally.
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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.
+ 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 + + M Returns all minimized windows to their previous size.
+ R Displays the Run window. This is the equivalent of selecting Run from the Start menu.
Fn + + Insert Displays the System Properties window. This is the equivalent of selecting Control Panel and then
System from the Start menu.
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Combinations and functions with the Fn key
Combination/
Feature Functions
Fn+ (F3)
Speaker switch Toggles the built-in speaker off and on.
Fn+ (F4)
Speaker volume Adjusts the built-in speaker volume.
To increase volume, press Fn+F4, then or .
To decrease volume, press Fn+F4, then or .
Fn+ (F5)
Brightness control Adjusts brightness of the LCD.
To increase light intensity, press Fn+F5, then or .
To decrease light intensity, press Fn+F5, then or .
Fn+ / (F7)
Switch to the
external display Toggles through the LCD and external display.
Fn+ (F12)
Hibernate 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.
Fn + Esc
Standby 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 computer.
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.
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
The keyboard contains a pointing device called a touchpad. You can point to, select, drag, and scroll objects on the screen
using the built-in touchpad.
Touchpad
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.
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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Using the Jog Dial Control
Your computer is equipped with a Jog Dial Control and Jog Dial Navigator software, which enables you to scroll through
applications, folders, and documents from a predefined list. The Jog Dial Control and Jog Dial Navigator are only compatible
with preinstalled Sony software.
Using the Jog Dial Control
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To use the Jog Dial Control
1.
Select a mode in which to navigate from the Indicate Window. See "Using the Indicate Window."
2.
Rotate the center Jog Dial Control to scroll up and down a selected menu.
3.
Press the Jog Dial Control to select a menu item listed between the two arrows on the Jog Dial Launcher.
4.
If necessary, press the Back button to return to the previous menu.
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Using the Indicate Window
To scroll through applications, folders, and documents on your computer, you must first select a mode: Scroll or Application.
The Indicate Window enables you to quickly select a mode:
Scroll mode navigates through the menu items or functions of an active application.
Application mode navigates through a menu of applications, which are compatible with the Jog Dial Navigator
software.
As a default setting, the Indicate Window always appears as a floating window on your desktop unless you:
Store it on your computer's taskbar by right-clicking the taskbar and selecting Jog Dial from the Toolbar menu. To
make the Indicate Window reappear, right-click the taskbar and select Jog Dial from the Toolbar menu.
Hide it by right-clicking anywhere on the Indicate Window and selecting Hide Indicate Window from the menu. To
make the Indicate Window reappear, right-click the Jog Dial Navigator icon on the taskbar, and select Display
Indicate Window.
Move it by clicking on the window and dragging it to another location.
Indicate Window
Features Function
1 Launcher button Opens the Jog Dial Launcher.
2 Mode buttons Offers mode options.
3 LCD area Shows the current mode, and then the active application.
4 Close button Closes the Indicate Window.
5 Jog icon Opens the Application mode.
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Selecting a mode
To select the Scroll mode
1.
Click SCROLL on the Indicate Window.
2.
Click the Launcher button. The Jog Dial Launcher window appears.
Jog Dial Launcher
To select the Application mode
1.
Click APPS on the Indicate Window.
2.
Click the Jog icon. The Jog Dial Navigator or the Jog Dial Guide windows appears, depending on the application
you are using.
Jog Dial Guide
Jog Dial Navigator
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Selecting a menu item
To select a menu item in either Scroll or Application mode
1.
Rotate the Jog Dial Control until the menu item you want to select appears between the two center arrows or
is highlighted.
2.
Press the Jog Dial Control. Pressing the Jog Dial Control is the equivalent of pressing Enter.
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To change the Jog Dial settings
1.
Right-click the Jog Dial Navigator icon on the taskbar. A pop-up menu appears.
2.
Select Jog Dial Setting. The Jog Dial Setting window appears.
3.
Make your changes, and click OK.
For information about Jog Dial settings, right-click the Jog Dial Navigator icon on the taskbar, and click Help.
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Using the Jog Dial Navigator with Sony software
If Sony software that supports the Jog Dial Control is active, you can use the Jog Dial's functions that are allocated to that
software1. For more information on functions allocated to software, see the software application's online Help.
For more information about Jog Dial Navigator, right-click the Jog Dial Navigator icon on the taskbar, and click Help.
1
Some software applications do not s upport these functions.
Page 16
Using a PC Card
Your computer includes one PC Card slot. A PC Card enables you to connect portable external devices, such as another
hard disk drive, to your computer. It also lets you connect to a network using a PC Network Interface Card (NIC).
The PC Card slot accommodates one Type II PC Card. This slot is compatible with CardBus. You do not need to turn off your
computer before inserting or removing a PC Card.
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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
2.
Push the PC Card gently into the slot. The PC Card is automatically detected by your system. The Safely
Remove 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 computer while the head of the PC Card is out of the slot. Pressure or shock may damage the
connector pins.
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To remove a PC Card
If your computer is turned on, follow these instructions. If your computer 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 Safely Remove Hardware 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.
6.
Press the PC Card Release button a second time (in some cases). Remove the card.
Remov ing PC Card
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 computer 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 To display 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.
You may not be able to use some PC Cards or some functions of the PC Card with this computer. 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.
Page 19
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.
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Types of Memory Stick media
You can use these types of Memory Stick media with your computer:
MagicGate Memory Stick1 media (hereafter called MG Memory Stick media), which is provided with copyright
protection
Memory Stick2 media, which does not have the same copyright 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 computer.
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.
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 .
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 computer briefly flashes.
Inserting 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.
To remove a Memory Stick media
1.
Make sure the Memory Stick media indicator light on the right of the computer is off.
2.
Push the Memory Stick media in toward the computer.
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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.
1
M agic Gate Memory Stick and are trademarks of Sony C orporation.
2
M emory Stic k and are trademarks of Sony C orporation.
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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
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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.
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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.
Before using Memory Stick media, back up important data.
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.
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.
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Using Power Saving Modes
When you use a battery as the source of power for your computer, 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 computer
has two distinct power saving modes: Standby and Hibernate. When using battery power, be aware that the computer
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 computer and insert a fully charged battery.
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Normal mode
Normal mode is the normal state of your computer when it is in use. The power indicator displays green when your
computer is in this mode. To save power, you can turn off a specific device such as the LCD or the hard disk drive.
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Standby mode
In Standby mode the computer 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.
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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.
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 computer enters Hibernate mode.
Do not move the computer until its power indicator turns off.
Pressing the power button and releasing it immediately caused prior computer systems to enter Standby mode.
2.
Press the power button to return to normal mode.
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Notes on power saving modes
When returning from Hibernate mode, the system status stored on the hard disk is erased and the computer 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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