Sony PCG-R505ECP User Manual

VAIO® Computer Quick Start

PCG-R505 Series

Contents

Welcome.......................................................5

Features .......................................................................6

Unpacking Your Computer .........................................7

Registering Your Computer ........................................9

Accessing the User Guide ...........................................9

About Adding Memory ...............................................9

Setting Up Your Dial-Up Connection.......................10

Setting Up Your VAIO Computer .............13

Locating Controls and Ports......................................14

Connecting the Docking Station ...............................20

Disconnecting the Docking Station...........................22

Connecting a Power Source ......................................25

Starting Your Computer ............................................31

Shutting Down Your Computer ................................32

Software and Support Information ..........33

Software Overview....................................................34

Software Support Information...................................35

Using the Recovery CDs...........................39

Application, Driver, and System Recovery CDs.......40

VAIO® Computer Quick Start

Using Your Recovery CDs ....................................... 40

Troubleshooting........................................47

Troubleshooting Your Computer.............................. 48

Troubleshooting the Docking Station ....................... 51

Troubleshooting the LCD Screen ............................. 52

Troubleshooting the Mouse and Touchpad .............. 52

Getting Help...............................................55

Support Options ........................................................ 55

Index...........................................................57

Welcome

Congratulations on your purchase of the Sony VAIO® computer. Sony has combined leading-edge technology in audio, video, computing, and communications to provide you with state-of-the-art personal computing.

VAIO® Computer Quick Start

Features

✍ For complete specifications of your VAIO® computer, refer to the Specifications flyer

supplied with your computer.

❑ Exceptional performance — Your computer includes a mobile Intel®

Pentium® III processor

❑ Portability — Rechargeable battery pack provides hours of use without

and a V.90 modem.

†

AC power, even while you use the optional docking station.

❑ Sony audio and video quality — High-quality MPEG2 video, which

supports full-screen display (12.1-inch Active Matrix LCD screen) and enables you to take advantage of today’s advanced multimedia applications, games, and entertainment software.

❑ Multimedia features — Enjoy the stereo speakers or use headphones (not

supplied) to listen to audio and video CDs.

❑ Microsoft® Windows® operating system — Your system includes the

latest Microsoft® Windows® operating system.

❑ Communications — Access popular online services, send e-mail, browse

the Internet, and use fax features.

❑ Wireless functionality — Your computer can connect to a Local Area

Network (LAN) and the Internet, all without direct cable connections.

‡

* CPU speed will be reduced under certain operating conditions. † Actual upload and download speeds may vary due to line conditions, ISP support, and gov-

ernment regulations.

‡ Wireless LAN capabilities are available on selected models only.

Unpacking Your Computer

Remove the following hardware, documents, and CDs from the box:

Hardware

Main Unit Power Cord

AC Adapter

Docking Station

* Docking station supplied with selected models.

Rechargeable Battery Pack

Documents

❑ VAIO® Computer User Guide — A searchable online help file that

contains detailed information on how to use your new computer. To open this file, click Start on the taskbar, Help and Support, and then VAIO User Guide.

❑ VAIO® Computer Quick Start — Contains details on unpacking and

setting up your computer, supplementary updates, and software information.

❑ Microsoft® Windows® manual — Explains how to use the basic features

of the latest Windows operating system.

VAIO® Computer Quick Start

❑ VAIO® Computer Specifications (Windows® XP) — an online file that

details the hardware specifications and lists the installed software applications for your computer.

❑ VAIO® Computer Specifications (Windows® 2000) — a printed sheet

that details your computer's hardware specifications.

❑ VAIO Computer Safety Information — Explains notes on use and offers

safety tips.

Software CDs

❑ Microsoft® Word — Enables you to reinstall Microsoft Word to the

VAIO® computer you purchased, if the application becomes corrupted or is erased.

Recovery CDs

❑ Application Recovery CD(s) — Enables you to reinstall individual

applications if they become corrupted or are erased.

❑ Driver Recovery CD(s) (Windows® 2000) — Enables you to reinstall

individual device drivers if they become corrupted or are erased.

❑ System Recovery CD(s) — Enables you to restore the operating system and

software that shipped with your computer if they become corrupted or are erased. This CD restores your computer to its original factory settings, so user data and applications installed since you started using your computer will be lost.

✍ To use these recovery CDs, connect the docking station (supplied with selected

models) or an optional optical drive to the computer. See “Using Your Recovery CDs” in the online VAIO® Computer User Guide for more information.

Other

❑ Packet containing special product offers

❑ Limited Warranty Card

Registering Your Computer

Take advantage of Sony’s commitment to quality customer support and receive these benefits by registering your computer:

❑ Sony Customer Support — Talk to a Support Representative to

troubleshoot problems you may be having with your computer.

❑ Limited Warranty — Protect your investment. See the Warranty Card for

more details.

✍ You are prompted to register your computer the first time you turn on the unit. Follow

the on-screen instructions to complete the registration process. If you are not able to register your computer during the first session, you are provided with additional registration opportunities later.

Accessing the User Guide

The online VAIO® Computer User Guide is a searchable online help file that contains detailed information on how to use your new computer. To open this file, click Start on the taskbar, Help and Support, and then VAIO User Guide.

About Adding Memory

Depending on the configuration you purchased, your computer may accept additional memory modules. For information about installation procedures, refer to the online User Guide and print those relevant steps. The specifictions supplied with your computer (either online for Windows XP or printed for Windows 2000, depending on your computer's operating system) lists the amount of installed memory and required memory modules for upgrades.

VAIO® Computer Quick Start

Setting Up Your Dial-Up Connection

This section describes the basic steps for setting up your dial-up connection. The Connection Wizard guides you through the process of connecting to the Internet and choosing an Internet Service Provider (ISP) or setting up an existing account.

Setting up your Internet connection (Microsoft® Windows® XP operating system)

1 Click Start, point to All Programs, Accessories, Communications, and then

click New Connection Wizard. The Location Information window appears.

Location Information window

2 Follow the on-screen instructions, and then click OK to continue. The Phone

and Modem Options window appears.

Setting Up Your Dial-Up Connection

Phone and Modem Options window

3 Select the location from where you are dialing, and click OK. The New

Connection Wizard window appears.

New Connection Wizard window

4 Follow the on-screen instructions to finish setting up your Internet

connection.

VAIO® Computer Quick Start

Setting up your dial-up connection (Microsoft® Windows®

2000)

1 Click Start, point to Programs, Accessories, Communications, and then click

Internet Connection Wizard. The Internet Connection Wizard window appears.

Internet Connection Wizard window

2 Follow the on-screen instructions to finish setting up your Internet

connection.

Setting Up Your VAIO Computer

This section describes the following:

❑ Locating Controls and Ports

❑ Connecting the Docking Station

❑ Disconnecting the Docking Station

❑ Connecting a Power Source

❑ Starting Your Computer

❑ Shutting Down Your Computer

VAIO® Computer Quick Start

Locating Controls and Ports

Front

OFF ON

WIRELESS LAN

1 Hard disk drive indicator 9 Touchpad

2 Num lock indicator 10 Left and right buttons

3 Caps lock indicator 11 Power indicator

4 Scroll lock indicator 12 Battery indicator

5 LCD screen 13 Memory Stick® media indicator

6 Speakers 14 Docking station indicator

7 Power button 15 Wireless LAN indicator

8 Keyboard 16 Wireless LAN switch

* Wireless LAN capabilities are available on selected models.

Back

1 Battery port

Left

Locating Controls and Ports

12 3

1 DC In port 4 Memory Stick® media slot

2 USB port 5 PC Card slot

3 Air vent

VAIO® Computer Quick Start

Right

1 USB port 5 Peripheral device DC Out port

2 Headphone jack 6 VGA (monitor) port

3 Microphone jack 7 Ethernet port

4 i.LINK® (IEEE 1394) S400

8 Telephone line jack

port

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.

Locating Controls and Ports

Removing Rubber Tab

Rubber tab

✍ Gently pull the rubber tab away from the computer to find the Ethernet port and phone

line jack.

Bottom

1 Docking station connector 5 Air vent

2 Battery Unlock/Lock switch 6 Reset switch

3 Battery Unlock switch 7 Ventilation fan

4 Air vent

VAIO® Computer Quick Start

On the Docking Station

Your computer may come with a PCGA-DSM51 docking station, depending on the model you purchased. This docking station offers the following features:

❑ A floppy disk drive.

❑ An optical drive.

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

computer, as shown below.

Back Panel

1 USB ports 5 Ethernet/Network port

(10BASE-T/100BASE-TX)

2 VGA (monitor) port 6 i.LINK®

(IEEE 1394)

S400 port

3 Serial port 7 Printer port

4 DC In port

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