Sony PCG-R505ESP, PCG-R505ESK User Manual

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 Fn key ....................16
Using the Touchpad ..................................................18
VAIO Action Setup...................................................20
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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
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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
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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
Getting Help.............................................213
Support Options ...................................................... 213
Index.........................................................215
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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.
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VAIO® Computer User Guide
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Using the Center Jog Dial Control

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.
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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:
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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.
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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
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Using a PC Card

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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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 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.
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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
on

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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