Sony PCG-SRX77, PCG-SRX77P User Guide

Welcome

Congratulations on your purchase of this Sony VAIO® computer, and welcome to the VAIO User Guide. This User Guide provides detailed information on all aspects of using your new VAIO computer, from keyboard functions to preinstalled software applications. In the left navigation window, click the topics you want to learn more about, and that information will be displayed in this main window.
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Welcome.......................................................1
Using Your VAIO Computer .....................11
Using the Keyboard...................................................12
Functions of the keyboard keys .........................................13
Combinations and functions with the Windows key .........14
Indicators ...........................................................................15
Combinations and functions with the Fn key ....................17
Using VAIO Action Setup ........................................19
VAIO Action Setup functions............................................19
Using the Jog Dial Control ........................................20
Launcher mode ..................................................................20
Guide mode........................................................................21
To use the Jog Dial control with Sony software ................22
To use the Jog Dial control with other software ................22
Internal timer......................................................................23
Using Memory Stick Media ......................................24
Types of Memory Stick media...........................................24
VisualFlow.........................................................................26
Using PC Cards .........................................................29
To insert PC card ...............................................................29
To remove a PC Card.........................................................30
Notes on PC Cards.............................................................31
Using Power Saving Modes ......................................32
Normal mode .....................................................................32
Standby mode ....................................................................32
Hibernate mode..................................................................32
Notes on power saving modes ...........................................33
Connecting a Phone Line .........................................34
How to connect a phone cable ...........................................34
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Connecting to a LAN ................................................ 36
To set up your ethernet connection ................................... 37
To connect to a network.................................................... 38
Connecting to a Wireless LAN................................. 39
Turning On Wireless LAN................................................ 39
The Wireless LAN Access Point ...................................... 39
Communicating with Access Point (infrastructure).......... 40
Communicating without Access Point (ad-hoc) ............... 42
Turning Off Wireless LAN ............................................... 44
Notes on using Wireless LAN .......................................... 44
Connecting Peripheral Devices ...............45
Connecting a Floppy Disk Drive .............................. 46
To connect the floppy disk drive....................................... 46
To insert a floppy disk ...................................................... 47
To remove a floppy disk ................................................... 47
To remove the floppy disk drive when the computer is on47
To carry the floppy disk drive........................................... 48
Notes on handling floppy disks......................................... 48
Connecting a PC Card Bus Drive ............................. 49
To connect an optical drive............................................... 49
To insert a disc .................................................................. 50
To remove the drive .......................................................... 51
Notes on CD and DVD discs ............................................ 52
Connecting an i.LINK Optical Disc Drive ............... 53
To connect an i.LINK optical disc drive........................... 53
Notes on using i.LINK optical disc drives........................ 55
Connecting a USB Mouse......................................... 56
To connect a USB mouse.................................................. 56
Connecting VAIO Computers .................................. 57
Connecting with i.LINK ................................................... 57
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Connecting an i.LINK Device...................................58
Connecting an External Display................................61
To connect a computer display ..........................................62
To connect a projector .......................................................62
To connect a TV ................................................................65
Connecting a USB Printer .........................................66
To connect a printer ...........................................................66
Connecting an External Microphone.........................67
To connect an external microphone...................................67
To record from a microphone or audio equipment ............67
To switch the microphone jack functionality ....................67
To adjust sound volume in the Recording Control window .. 68
To increase the sound of the microphone ..........................68
To adjust sound device volume .........................................69
Connecting External Speakers ..................................70
To connect external speakers .............................................70
Notes on using external speakers.......................................70
Expanding Your Computer’s Capabilities ................71
Personal Digital Assistant..................................................71
The Wireless LAN Access Point .......................................71
Customizing Your VAIO Computer..........73
Displaying the Sony Notebook Setup Screen ...........74
Sony Notebook Setup tabs.................................................75
Controlling Power Management ...............................76
To view the Power Management status icons....................76
Power Management profiles ..............................................77
Power Management commands .........................................80
Conserving battery power..................................................80
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Displaying Battery Information ................................ 81
Battery icon descriptions................................................... 81
Displaying detailed battery information ........................... 83
Changing the window design of Sony software................ 84
Selecting the Display Mode ...................................... 85
To select the display mode................................................ 85
Adding Memory .........................................87
Precautions and Procedures ...................................... 88
Typical expansion memory configuration ........................ 88
Removing a Memory Module................................... 89
Installing a Memory Module .................................... 92
Confirming Added Memory Capacity ...................... 95
About the Software on Your Computer...97
DVgate application notes ........................................ 104
Digital video captures ..................................................... 104
Adjusting image resolution ............................................. 104
Hard disk drive partition ................................................. 104
Application, Driver, and System Recovery CDs .... 106
Using Your Recovery CDs ..................................... 107
To use the Application Recovery CD(s) ......................... 107
To use the Driver Recovery CD(s) ................................. 107
To use the System Recovery CD(s) ................................ 111
Recovering Microsoft Word ........................................... 113
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Troubleshooting ......................................115
Troubleshooting Your Computer ............................116
My computer does not start. ............................................116
My computer starts, but a BIOS error appears. ...............116
My computer starts, but the message “Operating system not
found” appears and Windows does not start....................117
My computer stops responding or does not shut down. ..118
The Power Management setting is not responding..........118
The sound of my computer’s fan is too loud. ..................119
Why does the System Properties dialog box display a slower
CPU speed than advertised? ............................................119
Troubleshooting the LCD Screen............................120
My LCD screen is blank. .................................................120
The image on my connected external display is not centered
or sized properly. .............................................................120
I cannot simultaneously display movies, DVD video, or the Smart Capture (Finder) window on the LCD display and an
external display. ...............................................................120
I want to change the video resolution of my display. ......120
Troubleshooting the Mouse and Touchpad .............121
My mouse does not work.................................................121
My touchpad does not work properly. .............................121
The pointer does not move while I am using the Touchpad or Mouse. 122
Troubleshooting Drives, PC Cards and Peripheral Devices 123
My floppy disk drive icon doesn’t appear even though it is connected. 123
My optical drive is not playing my disc properly............123
My optical disc drive tray does not open.........................124
I cannot use digital video (DV) devices. The message “DV equipment seems to be disconnected or turned off” appears.
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My PC Card is not working. ........................................... 124
Troubleshooting i.LINK devices ............................ 125
I cannot establish a connection between two VAIO comput-
ers when using an i.LINK cable...................................... 125
Troubleshooting Software....................................... 126
My software program stops responding or crashes......... 126
When I click an application icon, the message “You must in­sert the application CD into your CD-ROM (DVD-ROM)
drive” appears, and the software does not start............... 126
I cannot use the DVgate software. .................................. 126
My computer’s start-up time seems longer after I have in-
stalled AOL. What can I do?........................................... 126
What software do I use for CD-R/CD-RW software functions? 127
Troubleshooting the Modem................................... 128
My modem does not work. ............................................. 128
My modem connection is slow. ...................................... 128
Troubleshooting Wireless LAN functions .............. 129
I cannot use the Wireless LAN functionality.................. 129
The computer cannot connect to a Wireless LAN Access Point. 129
I cannot access the Internet. ............................................ 129
The data transfer speed is slow. ...................................... 129
The communication speed is interrupted or slowed down
when MPEG2 data is transferred. ................................... 130
Data transfers are interrupted.......................................... 130
Troubleshooting Audio ........................................... 131
My speakers have no sound. ........................................... 131
There is noise distortion while listening to music with USB
speakers or USB headphones.......................................... 131
My microphone does not work. ...................................... 132
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Troubleshooting Memory Stick Media ...................133
Image files do not open even though I insert Memory Stick
media into the slot............................................................133
Memory Stick media does not work. I cannot access the re-
movable drive. .................................................................133
Getting Help .............................................135
Support Options.......................................................136
Software Support Information.................................138
Sony Service Center ................................................140
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Using Your VAIO Computer

This section describes the following aspects of your new computer:

Using the Keyboard
Using VAIO Action Setup
Using the Jog Dial Control
Using Memory Stick Media
Using PC Cards
Using Power Saving Modes
Connecting a Phone Line
Connecting to a LAN
Connecting to a Wireless LAN
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Using the Keyboard

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

Keyboard

Shift key
Ctrl key
Escape key
Fn key
Windows
Function keys
Alt key Numeric
key
®
Print Screen key
keypad area
Correction keys
Shift key
Navigation keys
Applications key
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Using the Keyboard

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. Numbers appear on the front beveled edge of the numeric keys. Note that you must press the Num Lock key to activate the numeric keypad. (When you do so, the Num Lock light will be on.)
Navigation keys Several keys are devoted to moving the cursor on the
screen (the four arrow keys which also function as the Home, End, Page Up, and Page Down keys).
Correction keys The Insert, Backspace, and Delete keys enable you to
make corrections in your documents.
Function keys The twelve 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.
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Key Description
Operator keys (Shift, Ctrl, Alt keys)
Windows® key The key with the Windows® logo displays the
Fn key The Fn key is used in combination with other keys to
Applications key The Applications key displays a shortcut menu of
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 the S key (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® Start menu; it’s the equivalent of clicking the Start button on the taskbar. See “Combinations and functions with the Windows key” for more information.
issue commands. The Fn keys at the left and right sides both work the same. See “Combinations and functions with the Fn key” for more information.
context-sensitive choices. Pressing this key is the equivalent of clicking the right mouse button.

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.
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Using the Keyboard
Combination Function
+ 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 (with Num Lock off).
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.

Indicators

Indicator Function
Power Light is green when the power to the computer is turned on,
flashes amber in Standby mode, and turns off when the computer is in Hibernate mode or powered off.
Battery
Hard disk Lights when data is read from or written to the hard disk drive. Do
Indicates the status of the battery inserted in the computer.
not enter Standby mode or turn off the computer when this indicator light is on.
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Indicator Function
Wireless LAN ****to add text****
Memory Stick®
****to edit: When indicator is lit, data is read from or written to the Memory Stick media. (Do not enter Standby mode or turn off the computer when this indicator light is on.) When indicator is off, the Memory Stick media is not being accessed.
Num Lock When indicator is lit, the number keys area in the numeric keypad
are active. When indicator is off, the alphanumeric character keys in the keypad area are active.
Caps Lock When indicator is lit, the letters appear in uppercase as you type.
The Shift key lowers the case of typed letters when Caps Lock is on. When indicator is off, the letters appear in lower case as you type (unless you hold down the Shift key).
Scroll Lock When indicator is lit, the screen scrolls differently. (Exactly how it
scrolls depends on the specific application. This function does not work with all applications.) When indicator is off, information moves across the display normally.
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Using the Keyboard

Combinations and functions with the Fn key

If you switch user identities during a computing session, the Fn+F7 and Fn+F8 key functionality (if available on your computer) will be interrupted. To switch to an external display or monitor, see “Selecting the Display Mode” for more information.
Combinations/ Feature Functions
Fn+ (ESC) Standby
Fn+ (F3) Speaker switch
Fn+ (F4) Speaker volume
Fn+ (F5) Brightness control
Fn+ (F7) Switch to the external display
Puts the system into Standby mode, a power management state. To return the system to the active state, press any key on your computer.
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 the brightness of the LCD. To increase light intensity, press Fn+F5 and then or . To decrease light intensity, press Fn+F5 and then or .
Toggles between the LCD, external display (connected to the Monitor port), and both LCD and external display modes.
Only LCD
LCD and external display
Only external display
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Combinations/ Feature Functions
Fn+ (F12) Hibernate
Fn+B Bass Boost
Fn+ F Display control. Minimizes and maximizes the LCD
Some functions are not available until Windows® launches.
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, press the power button briefly to turn on the power.
Toggles the bass-boost function off and on. This feature is available only while using headphones.
screen. If the default display resolution is reduced, this function maximizes the display resolution to fit the screen size. Maximizing the display screen enables you to view the display at a greater resolution.
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Using VAIO Action Setup

Using VAIO Action Setup
VAIO Action Setup manages the settings for your computer’s Jog Dial™ control,

MEMORY STICK

Memory Stick® media, and i.LINK® interface. 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 control icon or , in the task tray and click Help Topics.

VAIO Action Setup functions

Jog Dial — Changing the Jog Dial setting
Memory Stick — Changing the Memory Stick media insertion setting
i.LINK — Changing the i.LINK device connection setting
USB — Changing the USB device connection setting
Timer — Setting the timer
TM
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VAIO® Co mput e r

Using the Jog Dial Control

Your computer is equipped with a Jog Dial™ control on the top right corner of the unit. The Jog Dial control enables you to open an application, folder, or document from a predefined list by rotating and pressing the Jog Dial control. In addition, when you press the Jog Dial control, you can turn on your computer automatically and start the selected application or document.

Using the Jog Dial Control

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.
For information on how to change the Jog Dial control’s settings, right-click the Jog Dial control icon in the task tray and click Help Topics.

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 an arrow is displayed next to an item in the Jog Dial control window, you can display a submenu of that item by selecting it and pressing the Jog Dial control button.
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Using the Jog Dial Control

Using Launcher mode

To use the Jog Dial control, click the Jog Dial control window or the Jog Dial control icon in the task tray. Alternatively, you can press the Jog Dial control while pressing the Ctrl key on the keyboard to switch to the launcher mode.
1 Turn the Jog Dial control to select the item you want, then press the Jog Dial
control. The window switches to the guide mode, and shows the Jog Dial control’s function.
Jog Dial Launcher Dialog Box
2 Turn or press the Jog Dial control to use the desired function.
3 To select another item, switch to the launcher mode and repeat from step 1.

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 Jog Dial control. Some Sony software applications have two modes in List View, Simple Menu, and Full Menu. You can switch the mode by pressing the Shift key while turning the Jog Dial control.

Using guide mode

The Jog Dial control window displays the Jog Dial control’s function.
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VAIO® Co mput e r

To use the Jog Dial control 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 software. For more information on functions allocated to software, see the software application’s online Help.

To use the Jog Dial control with other software

If the software you are using does not support the Jog Dial control, you can still perform the following functions:
Action Description
Maximize Window* Press the Jog Dial control button to maximize the size
of the active window. Press again to return to normal window size.
Minimize Window* Press the Jog Dial control button to minimize the size
of the active window. Press again to return to normal window size.
Finish Window* Press the Jog Dial control button to close the active
application.
Scroll* Press the Jog Dial control button to begin scrolling
within the active window.
Jog Dial Launcher Press the Jog Dial control button to return the Jog Dial
control to Jog Launcher mode.
Menu Bar Press the Jog Dial control button, then use the Jog
Dial control to scroll through the active window’s toolbar.
*Some software applications do not support these functions.
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Using the Jog Dial Control

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 Jog Dial control. Pressing the Jog Dial control is the equivalent of pressing Enter.
Jog Dial Guide Dialog Box

Internal timer

You can use the internal timer to start an application at a specific time. The timer, when set, can launch applications even when the computer power is off.
1 Rotate or push the Jog Dial™ control, and select VAIO Action Setup in the
Jog Dial Launcher window.
2 Click Timer from the left menu, then click the clock icon.
3 Select either Recommended Settings, Program Files, All Files, or Drag &
Drop from the left menu, then select the file or application you wish to launch in the right window.
4 Click Next until the One-Time-Only Setting dialog box appears.
5 Select the Date and Time and click Next twice, then click Finish and close
the VAIO Action Setup window.
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Using Memory Stick Media

This new compact, portable, and versatile recording medium has a data capacity exceeding that of a floppy disk. The media is specially designed for exchanging and sharing digital data with compatible products. Because it is removable, the media can be used for external data storage.

Types of Memory Stick media

Two types of Memory Stick® media are available. The first type, MagicGate™
Memory Stick media (hereafter referred as MG Memory Stick media), is provided with copyright protection. (The MG Memory Stick media are colored white.) The second type, simply referred to as Memory Stick media, does not have the same copyright protection as MagicGate. (The Memory Stick media are colored purple.)
You can use both media with your computer.
For music, which requires copyright protection, you can only use MG Memory Stick media with your computer. You can also use compatible MagicGate devices to record and play back 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 onto MG Memory Stick media that already contains music.

What is MagicGate?

MagicGate technology is 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.
Ensure that the MG Memory Stick media has the MG mark .

To insert a Memory Stick media

Insert the Memory Stick media into the media slot on the left side of the computer until it clicks into place. When the Memory Stick media is properly in place, Sony’s VisualFlow™ software will automatically launch to display the contents of the Memory Stick.
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Using Memory Stick Media
1 Insert with the arrow facing toward the Memory Stick® media slot and the
label facing up.
Inserting the media in the wrong direction may damage the connector pins.
Hold the Memory Stick media with the arrow pointing in the correct direction and then turn it so the label side is down before inserting into the slot. To avoid damaging the computer or the Memory Stick Media, do not force the Memory Stick media into the slot.
2 Carefully insert the Memory Stick media until it clicks into place.
Inserting Memory Stick
To view the contents of Memory Stick media
To see the contents, do the following:
Memory Stick media
Insert in the direction of the arrow with
the label facing up
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VAIO® Co mput e r

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

2 Under the heading “Devices with Removable Storage,” click Sony Memory
Stick.
To remove a Memory Stick media
Make sure the access light is off. Push the media in toward the computer. When the media ejects, pull it out. When removing the Memory Stick media, be careful as it may eject completely from the slot.

VisualFlow

VisualFlow software is a state-of-the-art Sony multimedia browser designed specifically for Memory Stick media.

To use VisualFlow

1 From the Start menu, point to All Programs, and select VisualFlow.

VAIO Action Setup has been configured to launch VisualFlow by default upon insertion of Memory Stick media. VisualFlow software starts automatically when Memory Stick media is put into the drive.
2 Click on an icon in the View section on the main toolbar to select a display
layout.
3 Click on an icon in the Sort section on the main toolbar to select a sorting
method.
4 Resting your cursor on the left end of the main toolbar activates the current
Memory Stick properties.
5 Resting your cursor on the right end of the main toolbar activates a
secondary toolbar with more functions.
6 Click an image to show a normal view centered on the screen.
Double-click an image to show an enlarged view.
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Using Memory Stick Media
7 Movie files start playback when the view is enlarged. Click again on movie
files to restore the view to normal.
While an image is enlarged, the Launch toolbar appears on the bottom of the window. Any associated application can be activated from here.

Notes on using Memory Stick media

When the media’s write-protect tab is set to LOCK, data cannot be recorded
or erased.
Before using Memory Stick media, you should back up important data.
Wait a minimum of 10 seconds after the media finishes reading or writing
data before removing it. If the media is removed prematurely, an error message appears, prompting you to continue or exit. Reinsert the media into the slot and press Enter to continue. This enables the media to finish reading or writing data.
You can enjoy video clips that you have recorded with compatible Memory
Stick digital camcorders.
The media slot can accommodate one media at a time.
To copy images from a digital video camera via Memory Stick® media, see
“Connecting an i.LINK Device” for more information.
Only MG™ Memory Stick media can be used with copyright protected data
like music.
Do not remove the media or turn off the power while the access light is on.
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 shock 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.
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VAIO® Co mput e r
High humidity or places with corrosive substances.
To prolong the life of the media, use the supplied storage case. See the instructions supplied with your media for more information on its use.
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Using PC Cards

Using PC Cards
Your computer includes a PC Card slot. PC Cards enable you to connect portable external devices, such as an optical disc drive, or to connect to a network using a PC Network Interface Card (NIC).
The PC Card slot can accommodate a Type I or Type II PC Card. This slot is compatible with Card Bus. Type III PC Cards are not supported.

To insert PC card

You do not need to shut down the computer before inserting or removing a PC Card.

1 Insert the PC Card into the PC Card slot with the front label facing up.

Inserting PC Card
Insert in the direction of the arrow.
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2 Gently push the PC Card into the slot until it is firmly seated in the port and
the release button pops out.
Do not force a PC Card into the slot. It may damage the connector pins.
When a PC Card is inserted, do not place your computer in a bag or case. Pressure or shock to a PC Card may damage your computer.
Touching the head of the PC Card will not cause damage to the connector pins, but damage can occur if the head of the PC Card is sticking out of the computer while the unit is being transported.

To remove a PC Card

Follow the procedure below when you remove the PC Card while your computer is on. Failure to follow this procedure may result in a malfunction. If your computer is turned off, you do not have to follow these instructions.
1 Double-click in the task tray. The “Safely remove ... PC Card” dialog
box appears.
2 Click the dialog box. The message, “Safe to Remove Hardware” appears.
3 Click to close the message.
Release Button
Release button
Release button
4 Press the release button toward the computer. The PC Card pops out.
5 Gently grasp the PC Card and pull it out.
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