Sony PCG-R505EC, PCG-R505ECP, PCG-R505ELK, PCG-R505ES User Guide

Contents

Welcome.......................................................9

Using Your VAIO Computer .....................11

Using the Keyboard...................................................12

Functions of the keyboard keys .........................................12

Indicators ...........................................................................14

Indicator lights ...................................................................14

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

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

Using the Touchpad ..................................................18

VAIO Action Setup...................................................20

Using the Center Jog Dial Control ............................21

Using the center Jog Dial control ......................................21

Launcher mode ..................................................................22

Using Guide Mode.............................................................23

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

Using the center Jog Dial control with other software ......24

Using a PC Card........................................................25

Notes on using PC Cards ...................................................27

VAIO® Computer User Guide

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

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

Inserting Memory Stick media.......................................... 28

Viewing the contents of a Memory Stick media............... 29

Removing Memory Stick media ....................................... 29

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

Formatting a Memory Stick media ................................... 30

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 Telephone Line ................................... 35

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

Communication with an Access Point (infrastructure) ..... 39

Communicating without an Access Point (peer-to-peer).. 40

Turning Off Wireless LAN ............................................... 41

Notes on using Wireless LAN .......................................... 41

Connecting Peripheral Devices ...............43

Connecting the Docking Station ............................... 44

Connecting the computer to the docking station............... 46

Disconnecting the computer from the docking station ..... 48

Disconnecting the docking station when the computer is on 49

Using the Floppy Disk Drive .................................... 52

Using an Optical Disc Drive .....................................54

Playing a DVD...................................................................55

Playing an audio CD ..........................................................56

Notes on CD and DVD discs .............................................57

Connecting an i.LINK Optical Disc Drive................58

Connecting an i.LINK optical disc drive ...........................58

Notes on using i.LINK optical disc drives.........................60

Connecting a Parallel Port Printer.............................61

Connecting a USB Printer .........................................62

Connecting an External Display................................63

Connecting a USB Device.........................................68

Connecting an i.LINK Device...................................70

Notes on i.LINK devices ...................................................71

Connecting VAIO Computers...................................73

If your computer is connected to the docking station........74

Connecting External Speakers ..................................76

Connecting an External Microphone.........................77

Expanding Your Computer Capabilities ...................78

Personal Digital Assistant..................................................78

Wireless LAN Access Point ..............................................78

Customizing Your VAIO Computer..........81

Displaying the Sony Notebook Setup Screen ...........82

Sony Notebook Setup tabs.................................................83

Controlling Power Management ...............................84

Viewing the Power Management status icons ...................84

Power Management profiles ..............................................85

Power Management commands .........................................87

Conserving battery power..................................................88

VAIO® Computer User Guide

Displaying Battery Information ................................ 89

Battery icon descriptions................................................... 89

Displaying detailed battery information ........................... 90

Selecting the Display Mode...................................... 92

To select the display mode................................................ 92

To change the window design of Sony software .............. 92

Adding Memory .........................................95

Precautions and Procedures ...................................... 96

Typical expansion memory configuration ........................ 96

Removing a Memory Module................................... 98

Installing a Memory Module ....................................99

Viewing Memory.................................................... 102

About the Software on Your Computer.103

Overview of the Software on Your Computer........ 104

Software Support Information ................................ 110

Sony Service Center................................................ 113

VAIO AV Applications.............................115

Overview of Preinstalled Software ......................... 116

DigitalPrint Software .............................................. 119

Using PhotoCapture ........................................................ 119

Using PhotoCollection .................................................... 122

Using PhotoDecor ........................................................... 124

Using PhotoAlbum.......................................................... 125

Using LabelMaker........................................................... 127

DVgate Software..................................................... 129

MovieShaker Software............................................131

Creating movies with MovieShaker software..................132

Using the ImageStation online service with MovieShaker

software............................................................................136

Smart Capture Software ..........................................139

Using Still Mode..............................................................140

Using Net Movie Mode ...................................................143

Using the ImageStation online service with Smart Capture

software............................................................................146

SonicStage Software ...............................................149

Electronic Music Distribution (EMD) Services...............149

Starting SonicStage Software ..........................................149

Recording from a CD.......................................................151

Transferring songs (Check-In/Check-Out) ......................153

Additional features...........................................................155

SonicStage Premium Software................................157

Overview of SonicStage Premium Software ...................157

Using SonicStage Premium Software..............................159

Using Playback and Recording Features .........................165

Using the Visualizer, Equalizer, and Sound Effects........171

Using the FM Tuner.........................................................173

Using the Timer Functions ..............................................175

Additional Information ....................................................177

Additional Software Information............179

Legal Information ....................................181

Using the Recovery CDs.........................183

Application and System Recovery CDs ..................184

VAIO® Computer User Guide

Using Your Recovery CDs ..................................... 185

Using the Application Recovery CD(s) .......................... 185

Using the System Recovery CD(s) ................................. 187

Troubleshooting......................................191

Troubleshooting Your Computer............................ 192

My computer does not start............................................. 192

My computer starts but a BIOS error appears................. 192

My computer starts, but the message “Operating system not

found” appears, and Windows does not start.................. 193

My computer stops responding or does not shut down... 194

My computer is unstable. ................................................ 195

The sound of my computer’s fan is too loud. ................. 195

Why does the System Properties dialog box display a slower

CPU speed than advertised?............................................ 195

Troubleshooting the Docking Station ..................... 196

I cannot operate the optical drive in the docking station, when the docking station is connected to the computer.. 196 I cannot operate the optical drive in the docking station, when the docking station is connected to the computer and the computer is connected to another computer via an

i.LINK connection. ......................................................... 196

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

connecting the docking station........................................ 197

I cannot remove the disc. ................................................ 197

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

ton.................................................................................... 197

Troubleshooting the LCD Screen ........................... 198

My LCD screen is blank. ................................................ 198

My LCD screen continues to show the previous screen. 198 The image on my connected external display is not centered

or sized properly. .............................................................198

I want to change the video resolution of my display. ......198

Troubleshooting the Mouse and Touchpad.............199

My mouse does not work.................................................199

My touchpad does not work properly. .............................199

The pointer does not move when I use the Touchpad or

Mouse...............................................................................200

Troubleshooting Drives, PC Cards, and Peripheral De-

vices.........................................................................201

My floppy disk drive cannot write to a floppy disk.........201

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

201

My optical drive tray does not open. ...............................202

I cannot use Digital Video (DV) devices. The message “DV equipment seems to be disconnected or turned off” appears. 202

My PC Card does not work..............................................202

Troubleshooting the Software .................................203

My software program stops responding or crashes. ........203

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. ..............................................203

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

ed......................................................................................203

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

tions?................................................................................203

Troubleshooting i.LINK Devices............................204

I cannot establish a connection between two VAIO comput-

ers when using an i.LINK cable.......................................204

Troubleshooting the Modem ...................................205

My modem does not work. ..............................................205

My modem connection is slow. .......................................205

VAIO® Computer User Guide

Troubleshooting Audio ........................................... 206

My speakers have no sound. ........................................... 206

My microphone does not work. ...................................... 207

Troubleshooting Wireless LAN functions.............. 208

I cannot use the Wireless LAN functionality.................. 208

I cannot set up a Wireless LAN. ..................................... 208

The computer cannot connect to a Wireless LAN Access

Point. ............................................................................... 209

I cannot access the Internet. ............................................ 209

The data transfer speed is slow. ...................................... 210

The communication speed is interrupted or slowed down

when MPEG2 data is transferred. ................................... 210

The IBSS Ad-hoc mode channel is different from the one I

specified. ......................................................................... 210

The settings cannot be saved in “Edit Configuration,” even when I enter the encryption key with “Use hexadecimal.”... 210 The computer connects automatically to a Wireless LAN

Access Point.................................................................... 210

Troubleshooting the Printer .................................... 211

I cannot print. .................................................................. 211

Getting Help.............................................213

Support Options ...................................................... 213

Index.........................................................215

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.

VAIO® Computer User Guide

Using Your VAIO Computer

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

❑ Using Memory Stick Media

❑ Using Power Saving Modes

❑ Connecting a Telephone Line

❑ Connecting to a LAN

❑ Connecting to a Wireless LAN

VAIO® Computer User Guide

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

Function Keys

Shift Key

Fn Key

Ctrl Key

Alt Key

Windows® Key

Numeric Keypad Area

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.

Print Screen Key

Applications Key

Correction Keys

Backspace

Navigation Keys

Key

Fn Key

Navigation keys The Left/Right/Up/Down arrows 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.

Using the Keyboard

Key Description

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.

VAIO® Computer User Guide

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.

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.

Light On Off

Using the Keyboard

Num Lock The number keys in the

numeric keypad 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.

Scroll Lock The screen scrolls differently.

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

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 Windows® Help.

+ 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.

VAIO® Computer User Guide

Combination Function

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.

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

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

Combination/ Feature Functions

Using the Keyboard

Fn+ (F12) Hibernate

Fn + Esc Standby

Fn +F Display control

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 computer.

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.

VAIO® Computer User Guide

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.

Tou chpad

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.

Using the Touchpad

Actions Descriptions

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, point to Settings, and then Control

Panel.

2 Select Mouse. The Mouse Properties dialog box opens.

VAIO® Computer User Guide

VAIO Action Setup

VAIO Action Setup manages the settings for your computer’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.

Using the Center Jog Dial Control

Your computer 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 computer 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.

VAIO® Computer User Guide

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:

Using the Center Jog Dial Control

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.

VAIO® Computer User Guide

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

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.

To insert a PC Card

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

Card is facing up.

Inserting a PC Card

Insert with the

arrow facing toward

the slot

PC Card

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

by your system. The 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.

VAIO® Computer User Guide

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 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.

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 computer from the docking station” for more information.

Using a PC Card

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” for more information.

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

manufacturer.

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

Properties dialog box, remove the software driver and 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.

VAIO® Computer User Guide

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 computer:

❑ MagicGate™ Memory Stick

Stick media), which is provided with copyright protection

❑ Memory Stick

†

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.

media (hereafter called MG Memory

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 .

Inserting Memory Stick media

When you insert a Memory Stick media, the Visual Flow™ application starts automatically. You can change this setting in VAIO Action Setup.

* MagicGate Memory Stick and are trademarks of Sony Corporation.

† Memory Stick and are trademarks of Sony Corporation.

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 computer briefly flashes.

Inserting Memory Stick Media

Insert Memory Stick media with arrow facing forward

Memory Stick media

Viewing the contents of a Memory Stick media

To view the contents of a Memory Stick media

1 Click the My Computer icon on your desktop. The My Computer window

opens.

2 Click Removable Disk. A new window opens, displaying the Memory Stick

media contents.

Removing Memory Stick media

When you are not using a Memory Stick media, be sure to remove it from your computer.

VAIO® Computer User Guide

LOCK

LOCK LOCK

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.

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

Write-protect

off

(Back of Memory Stick Media)

Write-protect

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.

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