Sony PCG -TR1 User Manual

Sony Notebook User Guide

PCG-TR1 series

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Sony Notebook User Guide

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Notice

© 2003 Sony Corporation. All rights reserved.

This manual and the software described herein, in whole or in part, may not be reproduced, translated, or reduced to any
machine-readable form without prior written approval.

Sony Corporation provides no warranty with regard to this manual, the software, or other information contained herein and hereby
expressly disclaims any implied warranties or merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose with regard to this manual, the
software or such other information. In no event shall Sony Corporation be liable for any incidental, consequential, or special damages,
whether based on tort, contract, or otherwise, arising out of or in connection with this manual, the software, or other information
contained herein or the use thereof.

Macrovision: This product incorporates copyright protection technology that is protected by method claims of certain U.S. patents and
other intellectual property rights owned by Macrovision Corporation and other rights owners. Use of this copyright protection
technology must be authorised by Macrovision Corporation, and is intended for home and other limited viewing uses only unless
otherwise authorised by Macrovision Corporation. Reverse engineering or disassembly is prohibited.

Sony Corporation reserves the right to make any modification to this manual or the information contained herein at any time without
notice. The software described herein is governed by the terms of a separate user licence agreement.

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Sony Notebook User Guide

ENERGY STAR

As an ENERGY STAR® Partner, Sony has determined that this product meets the ENERGY STAR® guidelines for energy efficiency.

The International E
of computers and their office equipment. The program backs the development and dissemination of products with functions that
effectively reduce energy consumption. It is an open system in which business proprietors can participate voluntarily. The targeted
products are office equipment such as computers, displays, printers, facsimiles and copiers. Their standards and logos are uniform
among participating nations.

E

NERGY STAR is a U.S. registered mark.

®

NERGY STAR

®

Office Equipment Program is an international program that promotes energy saving through the use

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Safety information

Owner's record

The serial number and model number are located on the bottom of your Sony notebook. Record the serial number and the model
number and refer to them if you call VAIO-Link. Read the printed Specifications document.

Warnings

Sony Notebook User Guide

General

❑ Opening the unit, for whatever reason, could lead to damages that are not covered by the guarantee.
❑ To avoid electrical shock, do not open the cabinet. Refer servicing to qualified personnel only.
❑ To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose your VAIO notebook to rain or moisture.
❑ Avoid using the modem during a severe electrical storm.
❑ Do not use the modem or a telephone to report a gas leak in the vicinity of the leak.
❑ To change the backup battery, please contact your nearest Sony Service Centre.
❑ Before you connect peripherals, turn off the computer and all peripherals.
❑ Connect the power cord only after connecting all cables.
❑ Turn on the computer only after turning off all peripherals.
❑ Do not move your computer while the system is in Standby mode.
❑ The magnetic properties of some objects can have serious consequences for your hard disk drive. They

can erase the data on the hard disk drive and cause the computer to malfunction. Do not place your
computer near or on any objects which emit magnetic fields, mainly:

❑ TV sets
❑ Speakers
❑ Magnets
❑ Magnetic bracelets.

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Audio/video

❑ Audio and picture distortion may occur if this equipment is positioned in close proximity to any

equipment emitting electromagnetic radiation.

Connectivity

❑ Never install modem or telephone wiring during a severe lightning storm.
❑ Never install telephone jacks in wet locations unless the jack is specifically designed for wet locations.
❑ Be cautious when installing or modifying telephone lines.
❑ Use your notebook only with the supplied AC adapter. To disconnect your notebook completely from

mains voltage, unplug the AC adapter.

❑ Please make sure that the socket outlet is easily accessible.
❑ Never touch uninsulated telephone wire or terminals unless the telephone line has been disconnected

at the network interface.

Optical disc drive

❑ Misuse of the optical instruments supplied with your notebook can cause eye hazard. As the laser beam

used in this product is harmful to eyes, do not attempt any disassembling process. For servicing, refer to
qualified personnel only.

❑ There are visible and invisible radiations when the optical disc drive is open: avoid direct exposure to the

laser beam.

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Regulatory information

Sony hereby declares that this product is in compliance with the essential requirements and other relevant provisions of European
Directive 1999/5/EC (radio equipment and telecommunications terminal equipment Directive).

Declaration of Conformity

The European Union is targeting the free movement of goods for the internal market and to prevent technical barriers to trade. This
effort has resulted in several EU Directives asking that manufacturers make their products comply with essential standards.
Manufacturers are required to affix the "CE" mark on the products they sell and to draw up a "Declaration of Conformity" (DoC).

Primarily, the Declarations of Conformity are intended for the market surveillance authorities as proof that products satisfy the required
standards. Additionally, Sony provides these EU DoC's on the website http://www.compliance.sony.de

You can search for all Declarations of Conformity available for a specific product by typing in the model name in the search box above.
A list of matching documents will be displayed and can be downloaded. Please note that the availability of declarations depends on
the scope of the EU Directives and the individual product specifications.

This product complies with EN 55022 Class B and EN 55024 for use in following areas: residential, commercial and light-industrial.

This product has been tested and found compliant with the limits set out in the EMC Directive for using connection cables not longer
than 3 metres (9.8 feet).

The optical disc drive is classified as a CLASS 1 LASER PRODUCT and complies with the Laser Product Safety Standard EN 60825-1. Repair
and maintenance only by authorised Sony technicians. Improper repairs and use can create safety hazards.

as a service to our customers.

CLASS 1

LASER PRODUCT

TO EN 60825-1

Before activating the built-in modem, please read the Modem Regulations leaflet.

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Depending on the country, usage of the built-in Bluetooth™ functionality may be restricted. For country-specific details, please refer
to the Bluetooth™ Safety Regulations leaflet.

Depending on the country, usage of the Wireless LAN functionality may be restricted. For country-specific details, please refer to the
Wireless LAN Regulations leaflet. The Wireless LAN PC functionality which is incorporated into this unit has passed Wi-Fi
certification, and complies with the interoperability specifications established by WECA (Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance).

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Disposing of lithium ion batteries

❑ Do not handle damaged or leaking lithium ion batteries. Dispose of promptly and properly at end-of-life.
❑ Danger of explosion if the battery is incorrectly replaced. Replace only with the same or equivalent type

recommended by the manufacturer. Discard used batteries according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

❑ The battery pack used in this device may present a fire or chemical burn hazard if mistreated. Do not

disassemble, heat above 60°C (140°F) or incinerate.

❑ Dispose of used batteries promptly and properly.
❑ Keep away from children.
❑ In some areas the disposal of lithium ion batteries in household or business waste may be prohibited.
❑ Use the public collection system.

Disposing of internal memory backup battery

❑ Your notebook is equipped with an internal memory backup battery that should not have to be replaced

during the lifetime of the product. For changing this battery, please contact VAIO-Link.

❑ Danger of explosion if the battery is incorrectly replaced.
❑ Dispose of properly at end-of-life.
❑ In some areas the disposal of lithium ion and other non-hazardous batteries in household or business

waste may be prohibited.

❑ Please use the public collection system.

Welcome

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Welcome

Congratulations on purchasing a Sony VAIO notebook. Sony has combined leading-edge technology in
audio, video, computing and communications to provide you with state-of-the-art personal computing.

Here are just some of the features your VAIO notebook has to offer:

❑ Exceptional performance - Your PC includes a fast processor, a fast CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive and an

internal modem.

❑ Portability - The rechargeable battery pack provides hours of use without AC power.
❑ Sony audio and video quality - A high-resolution LCD screen enables you to take advantage of today’s

advanced multimedia applications, games, and entertainment software.

❑ Multimedia features – Enjoy audio and video CDs.
❑ Interconnectivity – Your computer has MagicGate Memory Stick™, Ethernet and i.LINK™

functionalities. Memory Stick™ is Sony’s universal storage medium. i.LINK™ is a bi-directional digital
interface for exchanging data.

❑ Wireless technology – Thanks to the Bluetooth™ and the Wireless LAN (IEEE 802.11b) technologies,

you can communicate freely, without cables or wires.

❑ Windows

Service Pack 1.

❑ Photo, video, and webcam capabilities – Use the built-in MOTION EYE camera to capture pictures

and videos.

❑ Communications - Access popular online services, send and receive e-mails, browse the Internet, and

more.

❑ Excellent customer support - If you are experiencing any problems with your computer, please check

the VAIO-Link website for a possible solution:

http://www.vaio-link.com

Before contacting VAIO-Link, you should try to solve the problem by reading the User Guide or the
manuals and help files for the peripherals or software.

®

- Your system includes the Microsoft Windows® XP Professional operating system with

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Documentation pack

Your Documentation Pack contains printed information and user guides to read on your computer. The user
guides are compiled in the VAIO Info Centre on the VAIO Recovery and Documentation Disc.

Printed documentation

The printed part of your documentation contains:

❑ A Getting Started brochure, where you will find a brief description of the items in your box, and how

to setup your notebook;

❑ A Specifications sheet, containing a table of specifications and a list of bundled software.
❑ A Guide to Troubleshooting / Using the VAIO Recovery and Documentation Disc booklet, where

you will find troubleshooting, VAIO-Link information and an explanation of the purpose and use of the
VAIO Recovery and Documentation Disc.

❑ A Dual Language Operating System Selection leaflet*;
❑ You r Sony Guarantee conditions;
❑ A Safety Regulations leaflet;
❑ A Wireless LAN Regulations leaflet;
❑ A Modem Regulations leaflet;
❑ A Bluetooth™ Regulations leaflet applying to the Bluetooth™ function.

* Depending on your country. Dual Language Operating Systems are available in Belgium, the Netherlands and Switzerland.

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Documentation on disc

The online part of your documentation includes the following:

1 The Hardware Guide (this guide):

❑ Using Your Sony Notebook shows you how to use the standard components of your system. In this

part of the manual you will also find out what you can do with a Memory Stick™ and how to use
the Wireless LAN and Bluetooth™ functions.

❑ Connecting peripheral devices explains how you can add functionality by connecting various

peripherals.

❑ Getting help explains the support options available to you, and offers basic troubleshooting tips.
❑ Precautions provides facts and advice about using your notebook.
❑ Glossary refers to terms used in this manual.

2 Refer to your Software Guide for information on the software and the Sony applications.

❑ About the Software delivered with your computer is a short description of the features of the

software delivered with your system.

❑ Using Video software explains how to use Sony video software: DVgate and Network Smart

Capture.

❑ Managing audio files with SonicStage explains how to convert your existing MP3, WMA and

WAV format audio files into ATRAC3 format.

❑ Using PictureGear Studio explains how to get the most enjoyment out of your photographs taken

with a digital camera.

❑ Using Click to DVD explains how to capture video images from a digital external device (camera,

VCR, etc.) and write them to a DVD*.

❑ Using VAIO Media explains how to enjoy music, video and photos through your home networking

environment.

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❑ Customizing your computer explains how to configure your modem, set a wallpaper or select a

screensaver.

❑ Installing and updating applications explains how to install, run or uninstall a software

application.

❑ Managing drivers explains how to install, update or uninstall a driver.

3 In the VAIO-Link Customer Service Guide you will find all the VAIO-Link information you need,

including specific contact numbers for each country.

* Depending on your model. Read the printed Specifications document for more information.

Online documentation

1 Consult the Online Help files of the software you are using for detailed information on features and

troubleshooting.

2 Refer to the Microsoft Quick Start manual for more information on Windows
3 Go to http://www.club-vaio.com

to find online tutorials about your favourite VAIO software.

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Your notebook and its accessories

The following items are in the box:

1 Main unit 5 Rechargeable battery pack

2 VAIO Recovery and Documentation Disc* 6 Phone cable

3 Documentation pack 7 Power cord

4 AC adapter 8 Phone plug (country-specific)**

✍ If you find an extra phone plug in the box, see Using the correct phone plug (page 58).

* See the printed Guide to Troubleshooting and Using the VAIO Recovery and Documentation Disc for details.

** Not available with models sold in Belgium or Spain.

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Ergonomic considerations

You will be using your notebook as a portable device in a variety of environments. Whenever possible, you
should attempt to take account of the following ergonomic considerations to both stationary and portable
environments:

❑ Position of your computer – Place the computer directly in front of you (1). Keep your forearms

horizontal (2), with your wrists in a neutral, comfortable position (3) while using the keyboard,
touchpad, or external mouse. Let your upper arms hang naturally at your sides. Have breaks during
sessions with your computer. Excessive use of the computer may strain muscles or tendons.

❑ Furniture and posture – Sit in a chair with good back support. Adjust the level of the chair so your feet

are flat on the floor. A footrest may make you more comfortable. Sit in a relaxed, upright posture and
avoid slouching forward or leaning far backwards.

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❑ Viewing angle of the computer’s display – Use the display’s tilting feature to find the best position.

You can reduce eye strain and muscle fatigue by adjusting the tilt of the display to the proper position.
Adjust the brightness setting of the display as well.

❑ Lighting – Choose a location where windows and lights do not create glare and reflection on the

display. Use indirect lighting to avoid bright spots on the display. You can also purchase accessories for
your display that help reduce glare. Proper lighting adds to your comfort and work effectiveness.

❑ Positioning an external display – When using an external display, set the display at a comfortable

viewing distance. Make sure the display screen is at eye level or slightly lower when you are sitting in
front of the monitor.

Using your notebook

Using your notebook

This section describes how to start using your computer and how to use your computer’s internal and
external devices.

❑ Locating controls and connectors (page 16)
❑ Connecting a power source (page 23)

Sony Notebook User Guide

❑ Starting your notebook (page 27)
❑ Setting up your notebook with Sony Notebook Setup (page 29)
❑ Shutting down your notebook (page 31)
❑ Using the keyboard (page 32)
❑ Using the touchpad (page 37)
❑ Using the volume buttons and the Magnify button (page 38)
❑ Using PC Cards (page 42)
❑ Using Memory Stick™ (page 45)
❑ Using the modem (page 56)
❑ Using power saving modes (page 59)
❑ Managing power with PowerPanel (page 62)
❑ Using the Bluetooth™ functionality (page 72)
❑ Setting up Wireless Connections with BlueSpace NE (page 74)
❑ Using Wireless LAN (WLAN) (page 77)
❑ Using the built-in MOTION EYE Camera (page 83)

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Using your notebook

Locating controls and connectors

Right

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1 Connector for headphones or external speakers (page 91) 5 PC Card slot (page 42)

2 Microphone connector (page 92) 6 Ethernet connector (network) (page 101)

3 USB 2.0 (High-speed/Full-speed/Low-speed) Type A connector (page 93) 7 Modem connector (page 56)

4 PC Card eject button (page 42)

Using your notebook

Left

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1 Monitor/VGA connector (page 86) 5 S400 i.LINK™ connector (page 98)

2 Ventilation slot (page 18) 6 DC Out/VAIO peripheral original connector (page 98)

3 Cable lock slot* (page 18) 7 MagicGate Memory Stick™ slot (page 45)

4 USB 2.0 (High-speed/Full-speed/Low-speed)

Type A connector**

(page 93)

Using your notebook

* You can use the cable lock slot to lock down your notebook. You just need to loop an anti-theft lock around a desk, insert the lock
into the slot of your notebook and set the combination.

* * This USB connector supports USB 2.0 standard. USB 2.0 is a new USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard which supports higher data
transfer speed than USB 1.1. Connectors which support USB 2.0 support products with USB 1.1.
There are 3 transfer modes:

- High-speed: 480Mbps, this is the highest speed.

- Full-speed: 12Mbps transfer mode.

- Low-speed: 1.5Mbps transfer mode. Used for low-speed devices such as mouse and keyboards.

✍ Do not cover the ventilation slot when the computer is on.

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Using your notebook

Front

Sony Notebook User Guide

1 LCD screen (page 35) 7 MOTION EYE Camera (page 83)

2 Keyboard (page 32) 8 MOTION EYE Camera indicator (page 36)

3Touchpad (page 37) 9 MOTION EYE Camera Capture button (page 83)

4 Left/right buttons (page 37) 10 Volume buttons (page 83)

5 Power button (page 27) 11 Magnify button (Zoom)* (page 19)

6 MOTION EYE Camera adjustment dial (page 91) 12 Speakers

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(page 83)

*The Magnify button changes the image resolution. Be aware that some applications may not be supported.

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1 Wireless LAN/Bluetooth ™ switch (page 72) / (page 77) 7 Hard disk drive indicator (page 36)

2 Num Lock indicator (page 36) 8 MagicGate Memory Stick™ indicator (page 36)

3 Caps Lock indicator (page 36) 9 Bluetooth™ indicator (page 36)

4 Scroll Lock indicator (page 36) 10 Wireless LAN indicator (page 36)

5 Power indicator (page 36) 11 CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive tray eject button (page 38)

6 Battery indicator (page 36) 12 CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive (page 38)

Using your notebook

Back

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1DC In (page 27)

2 Battery connector (page 23)

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Using your notebook

Bottom

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1 Battery lock/unlock (page 24)

2 Battery release lever (page 24)

3 Reset button (page 27)

4 Memory bays (page 123)

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Using your notebook

Connecting a power source

You can use either an AC adapter or a rechargeable battery pack as a power source.

Using the AC adapter

To use the AC adapter, proceed as follows:

1 Plug the cable attached to the AC adapter (1) into the DC In connector (2) on the computer.

Sony Notebook User Guide

2 Plug one end of the power cord (3) into the AC adapter.
3 Plug the other end of the power cord into an AC outlet (4).

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The LED at the end of the power cord turns green (5) when the AC adapter is plugged in.

✍ Use your notebook only with the supplied AC adapter.

To disconnect your notebook completely from mains voltage, unplug the AC adapter.

Make sure that the socket outlet is easily accessible.

Using your notebook

Using the battery pack

You can use a battery pack as a source of power. The battery pack supplied with your computer is not fully
charged at the time of purchase.

Inserting the battery pack

To insert the battery, proceed as follows:

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Sony Notebook User Guide

1 Insert the tabs (1) on the battery into the

notches (2) and push the battery down into
the compartment until it clicks into place.

2 Slide the lock lever into the Lock position to

secure the battery on the computer.

✍ When the computer is directly connected to AC power and has

a battery pack inserted in the battery bay, it uses power from the
AC outlet.

Make sure the cover is closed before inserting the battery pack.

Using your notebook

Charging the battery pack

To charge the battery pack, proceed as follows:

1 Connect the AC adapter to the computer.
2 Insert the battery pack.

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The computer automatically charges the battery (the battery indicator light flashes in a double blink
pattern as the battery charges). When the battery is 85% full, the battery indicator light turns off.

indicates the status of the battery pack in the battery bay.

battery indicator
light status

On The computer is using battery power.

Single blink The battery is running out of power.

Double blink The battery is charging.

Off The computer is using AC power.

Meaning

✍ When the battery is running out of power, both the battery and power indicators blink.

Keep the battery pack in the computer while it is directly connected to AC power. The battery pack continues to charge while you are using the
computer.

If the battery level falls below 10%, you should either attach the AC adapter to recharge the battery or shut down your computer and insert a fully
charged battery.

You can extend battery life by changing the power management modes in the PowerPanel utility.

The battery pack supplied with your computer is a lithium ion battery and can be recharged any time. Charging a partially discharged battery does
not affect battery life.

The battery indicator light is on while you use the battery pack as a power source. When the battery life is nearly depleted, both the battery and power
indicators start flashing.

Using your notebook

Removing the battery pack

To remove the battery pack, proceed as follows:

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For some software applications and some peripheral devices, your computer may not enter Hibernate mode even when battery life is low. To avoid
loss of data when using battery power, you should save your data frequently and manually activate a power management mode, such as Standby
or Hibernate.

When the computer is directly connected to AC power and has a battery pack inserted in the battery bay, it uses power from the AC outlet.

Sony Notebook User Guide

1 Turn off the computer and close the cover.
2 Slide the lock lever (1) to the Unlock position.
3 Slide and hold the release lever (2) as indicated, and lift the battery away by using the central tab.

✍ You can remove the battery pack without turning off the computer if it is connected to the mains voltage (AC adapter).

Close the cover before you remove the battery pack.

You may lose data if you remove the battery pack while the computer is on and not connected to the AC adapter or if you remove the battery while
the computer is in Standby mode.

Using your notebook

Starting your notebook

To start your computer, proceed as follows:

1 Lift the cover in the direction of the arrow.

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2 Press the power button of the computer until the green power indicator light turns on.

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Using your notebook

3 If necessary, press <Fn>+<F5> to adjust the brightness controls for the LCD display. To increase the

✍ <Fn>+<F5> is only possible if Windows

! Do not grasp he camera lens when opening the cover, you may break the camera.

Sony Notebook User Guide

brightness, use the up or right arrow keys. To decrease, use the down or left arrow keys.

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is running.

If you press the power button for more than four seconds, the computer will turn off.

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Using your notebook

Setting up your notebook with Sony Notebook Setup

The Sony Notebook Setup utility allows you to consult system information, specify preferences for system
behaviour, and set up password protection for your VAIO notebook.

To use Sony Notebook Setup, proceed as follows:

1 Click the Start button on the Windows
2 In All Programs, select Sony Notebook Setup and then click Sony Notebook Setup.

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taskbar.

The Sony Notebook Setup window appears.

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Tab Description

About This Computer Displays system information, including memory capacity, serial

number, and BIOS version.

Initial Setting Selects the drive and device order you wish to use for loading the

operating system. You can specify the hard drive as well as other
drives inserted into your computer. You can change the volume of
the sounds played while the operating system is loading.

Power On Password Sets the password to secure your computer.

If you use this option, remember the password at all times. If you
forget the password, you cannot change this setting anymore,
and you will not be able to start your computer.

Device Disables ports or devices to release resources to the system. To

change the port settings, select a port and click Settings in the
Device tab.

Bass Boost Turns the Bass Boost function on/off (only with headphones).

You can also check the effect of the Bass Boost function by
selecting a sound file sample and playing it.

Shortcut keys Change the screen resolution for both the computer LCD screen

and the external display, or only for the external display
automatically. Use the shortcut key (<Fn>+<F7> key) to change
the display or access the settings.

3 Select the tab for the item you want to change.
4 Once finished, click OK.

The item has been changed.

✍ For more information about each option, click Help on the Sony Notebook Setup screen to display the help file.

If you open Sony Notebook Setup as a limited user, then only the About This Computer tab will be visible.

Using your notebook

Shutting down your notebook

It is important that you shut down your computer properly so you do not lose unsaved data.

To shut down your computer, proceed as follows:

1 Click the Start button.
2 Click Turn Off Computer.

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3 Select Turn Off.

4 Turn off any peripherals connected to your computer.

✍ Respond to any prompts warning you to save documents or to consider other users.

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The Turn off computer screen appears.

Wait for your computer to turn off automatically.
The power indicator turns off.

If you are unable to shut down your computer;

- Close all software in use.

- If applicable, remove the PC Card. To do so, double-click the Safely Remove Hardware icon in the taskbar. Select the hardware you want to
unplug and click Stop.

- Disconnect any USB devices.

- Press <Alt>+<F4> and select Tur n O f f from the screen that appears.
If this does not work, you can press the power button for more than four seconds. This will shut down the computer. This operation may result in loss
of data.

If you are not using the computer for a short period of time, you can save power by using the Standby mode. To enter Standby mode, press the
<Fn> and <Esc>-keys simultaneously. Or go to the Start menu, select Turn Off Computer, and then click Stand By. For more details on power
management, see Using power saving modes (page 59).

Using your notebook

Using the keyboard

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

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Using your notebook

Keys Descriptions

Escape key (1) The <Esc> (Escape) key is used to cancel commands.

Function keys (2) The twelve function keys along the top of the keyboard are used to perform designated

Print Screen key (3) The <Print Screen> key takes an electronic snapshot of the screen and moves it to the

Sony Notebook User Guide

Correction keys (4) The <Insert>, <Back Space> and <Delete> keys enable you to make corrections.

Navigation keys (5) These keys enable you to move the cursor on the screen.

Application key (6)

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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 other.

Windows

The Application key displays a shortcut menu; pressing this key is equivalent to clicking the
right mouse button.

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Clipboard. You can then paste the screenshot into a document and print it.

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Numeric keypad area (7) Contains the keys found on a typical calculator. Use the numeric keypad area to type numbers

Operator keys (8-11-12) Several keys are always used with at least one other key: <Ctrl>, <Alt>, and <Shift>. When

Windows

<Fn> key (10) The <Fn> key is used in combination with other keys to execute commands.

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key (9)

or to perform mathematical calculations such as addition and subtraction. Note that you
must press the <Num Lock> key to activate the numeric keypad. When you do so, the Num
Lock indicator illuminates.

held down with another key, the <Ctrl> (Control) and <Alt> (Alternate) keys offer another
way to execute 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 is used to produce capital letters or special symbols such as @ and $.

The key with the Windows
clicking the Start button on the taskbar.

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logo displays the Windows®Start menu; it is equivalent to

Using your notebook

Combinations and functions with the Windows® key

Combinations Functions

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+ <F1> Displays Help and Support Center.

+ <Tab> Switches the selected button on the taskbar.

+ <D> Displays the desktop.

+ <E> Displays My Computer.

+ <F> Displays the Search Results window to find a file or folder. This is equivalent to selecting Search

from the Start menu.

+ <Ctrl> + <F> Displays the Search Results - Computers window where you can locate other computers.

+ <M> Minimises all displayed windows.

<Shift> + + <M>

+ <R> Displays the Run window. This is equivalent to selecting Run from the Start menu.

<Fn> + + <Insert>

Returns all minimised windows to their previous size.

Displays the System Properties window. This is equivalent to double-clicking the System icon in
the Control Panel or to right-clicking My Computer (then clicking Properties) from the Start
menu.

Using your notebook

Combinations and functions with the <Fn> key

Combinations/ Feature Functions

<Fn> + ( ): Standby Puts the system into Standby mode, a power management state. To return the system to the

<Fn> + (F3): speaker switch

<Fn> + (F4): speaker volume

Sony Notebook User Guide

<Fn> + (F5): brightness control

<Fn> + (F7)*: switch to

the external device

<Fn> + (F12): Hibernate

<Fn> + B Activates BassBoost. This means that the bass sound level is enhanced at all levels without

<Fn> + E Opens the disk drive.

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active state, press any key.

Toggles the built-in speaker on and off.

Adjusts the built-in speaker volume.

To increase volume, press <Fn>+<F4> and then or .

To decrease volume, press <Fn>+<F4> and then or .

Adjusts the brightness of the LCD.

To increase lightness intensity, press <Fn>+<F5> and then or .

To decrease light intensity, press <Fn>+<F5> and then or .

Selects an external device, which is connected to the (Monitor) connector, or your computer's
LCD.

Use of this shortcut key combination displays the output destination for a few second.
See Selecting display modes (page 89) for more details.

Provides for the lowest level of power consumption. When you execute this command, the
states of the system and of the peripheral devices are written to the hard disk and the system
power is turned off. To return the system to its original state, use the power switch to turn on
the power.

distorting other frequencies (only with headphones).

! * This function can only be used by the first user to log in. It will not work if you have switched to another user account.

Using your notebook

Indicators

Indicator Functions

Power

Battery

Sony Notebook User Guide

MagicGate Memory Stick™ Turns on when the Memory Stick™ is in use. Turns off when the Memory

Wireless LAN Turns green when the Wireless LAN is available.

Bluetooth™ Turns blue when the Bluetooth™ functionality is available.

MOTION EYE Camera indicator Turns green when the MOTION EYE Camera is working.

Light On Off

Hard disk

Num Lock

Caps Lock

Scroll Lock

Power on: lights green.
Standby mode: flashes umber.

Indicates the status of the battery inserted in the battery bay on the back of the
computer.

Stick™ is no longer in use.

Data is read from or written to the hard drive. The hard drive is not being accessed.

Turns on when the number keys in the numeric
keypad are active.

Turns on when the characters appear in uppercase as
you type. The <Shift> key lowers the case of typed
characters when Caps Lock is on.

Turns on when the screen scrolls differently
(depends on the application, no effect in many
applications).

Turns off when the alphanumeric character keys in
the keypad area are active.

Turns off when the characters appear in lowercase
as you type (unless you hold down the <Shift> key).

Turns off when the information moves across the
display normally.

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Using your notebook

Using the touchpad

The keyboard contains a cursor-pointing device, your touchpad (1). You can point to, select, drag, and scroll
objects on the screen using the built-in touchpad.

Sony Notebook User Guide

Action Description Action Description

Point Slide one finger on the touchpad to place

Click Press the left button (2) once. Drag Slide one finger while pressing the left button

Double-click Press the left button twice. Scroll Move your finger along the right edge of the touchpad to

the pointer on an item or object.

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Right-click Press the right button (3) once. In many applications, this

action displays a shortcut menu

scroll vertically. Move your finger along the bottom to scroll
horizontally (the scroll function is available only with
applications that support a touchpad scroll feature).

Using your notebook

Using the volume buttons and the Magnify button

Your computer is provided with special buttons to help you using the computer. They are located on the
right side of the LCD screen.

❑ Volume buttons

❑ Magnify button (Zoom)

Sony Notebook User Guide

✍ When an external display is connected to your computer, the Magnify button is disabled.

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You can increase and decrease the volume. It correspons to the key combinations <Fn>+<F4>.
See Combinations and functions with the <Fn> key (page 35).

You can change the image resolution in all applications, except in those that use the MOTION EYE
Camera or the DVD player.

The default resolution of your computer's LCD is 1280 x 768 pixels ,Highest (32 bit), and the resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels is applied after
magnification.

The magnified view is implemented by applying the resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels to the LCD with the resolution of 1280 x 768 pixels, thus not as
clear as the original view.

Pressing the (Magnify) button changes the resolution, thus may cause a defect to any running software that does not support change in resolution.
Make sure to quit such software before pressing the (Magnify) button.

The (Magnify) button may not work with graphic images as it magnifies the screen view by changing the resolution.

The location and size of software windows may change when the screen view is magnified or the original view is restored because pressing the
(Magnify) button changes the resolution.

When the LCD screen view is magnified, switching the view to the external display disables the function and restores the original view.

Using your notebook

Using the CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive

Your computer is equipped with a CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive.

To insert a disc, proceed as follows:

1 Turn on the computer.
2 Press the eject button (1) to open the drive.

Sony Notebook User Guide

3 Place a disc in the middle of the tray with the label side facing up until the disc clicks into place.
4 Close the tray by pushing it gently.

✍ When the computer is in Standby or Hibernate mode, you cannot insert or remove a disc.

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The tray slides out.

Be sure to seat the disc firmly over the disc drive hub fingers. If you do not seat the disc firmly, you could damage your disc drive and you may not be
able to open the tray.

When you finish using a disc, wait until the LED indicator turns off and then press the eject button to remove the disc.
If the disc does not come out when you press the eject button, go to Windows Explorer or My Computer. Select the drive, click the right button

of your mouse and select or press <Fn>+<E> keys to open the disk tray. If it still does not work, turn off the computer and insert a thin, pointed
object (e.g. a paper clip) into the manual eject hole.

Using your notebook

Using the CD-RW function*

Your notebook is equipped with a CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive.
To burn CDs, you can use CD-RW and CD-R discs:

❑ The CD-RW (CD-ReWritable) disc is a data memory medium that can be used to write, erase and rewrite

❑ The CD-R (CD-Recordable) disc is a data memory medium that can be used to write a program or other

Sony Notebook User Guide

To achieve optimum performance when writing data on a CD-RW disc, follow these recommendations:

❑ To make a CD-R’s data readable on a CD-ROM drive, you need to close the session when you eject it. To

❑ Only use circular discs. Do not use discs with any other shape (star, heart, card, etc.), as this may damage

❑ Do not strike or shake the computer while writing data to a disc.
❑ For optimal writing speed, deactivate the screensaver before writing data to a disc.
❑ Memory-resident disc utilities may cause unstable operation or data loss. Deactivate these utilities before

❑ When using a software application to burn CDs, be sure to exit and close all other applications.
❑ Never touch the surface of the disc. Fingerprints and dust on the surface of a disc may cause writing

❑ Do not put your VAIO notebook into a power saving mode while using the delivered software.

* Ultra Speed CD-RW is not supported.

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a program or other data.

data, but once only.

complete this process, follow the instructions included with your software.

the CD-RW drive.

writing data to a disc.

errors.

Using your notebook

Using the DVD function

To achieve optimum performance when playing DVD-ROMs, you should follow these recommendations.

❑ You can play DVDs using the DVD-ROM drive and the WinDVD for VAIO software. See the help file on

❑ Close all open applications before playing a DVD-ROM movie.
❑ When playing DVD movies on battery power, set the power management profile to DVD. With other

Sony Notebook User Guide

❑ Do not switch power saving modes while playing a DVD video.
❑ Do not use resident disc utilities or resident utilities to speed up the access of discs, because they may

❑ Make sure that the screensaver is deactivated.
❑ Depending on the display setup properties you selected, you may use the <Fn>+<F> command to expand

❑ Region codes indicators are labelled on the DVD discs to indicate in which region and on what type of

❑ Do not try to change the region code settings of the DVD-ROM drive. Any difficulties caused by changing

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the WinDVD for VAIO software for details.

profiles, the movies can be choppy.

cause the system to become unstable.

the screen to full screen size.

player you can play the disc. Unless a 2 (Europe belongs to region '2') or All (this means that you can play
this DVD everywhere in the world) is labelled on your DVD disc or on the packaging, you cannot play the
disc on this player.

the region code settings of DVD-ROM drive are out of warranty.

Using your notebook

Using PC Cards

Your computer includes a PC Card slot. PC Cards allow you to connect portable external devices.

Inserting a PC Card

To insert a PC Card, proceed as follows:

1 Insert the PC Card into the PC Card slot, front label (1) facing up.

Sony Notebook User Guide

2 Gently push the card into the slot until the card is fixed into the connector.

✍ Be sure to use the most recent software driver provided by the PC Card manufacturer.

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If an “!” mark appears on the Device Manager tab in the System Properties dialog box, remove the software driver and then reinstall it.

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

Do not force a PC Card into the slot. It may damage the connector pins. If you have difficulty inserting a PC Card, check that you are inserting the PC
Card in the correct direction. See the manual supplied with your PC Card for more information on use.

For some PC Cards, if you alternate between Normal power operation and Standby or Hibernate power management modes while the card is
inserted, you may find that a device connected to your system is not recognised. Reboot your system to correct the problem.

The computer will return to its original state if you restart it.

Using your notebook

Removing a PC Card

Follow the steps below to remove the PC Card while your computer is on. If it is not removed properly, your
system may not work properly. If you want to remove a PC Card when your computer is off, skip steps 1 to 7.

To remove a PC Card, proceed as follows:

1 Double-click the Safely Remove Hardware icon in the system tray.

2 Select the hardware you want to unplug.

Sony Notebook User Guide

3 Click Stop.
4 In the Stop a Hardware Device dialog box, confirm that the device can be safely removed from the

5 Click OK.

6 Click OK.
7 Click Close.
8 Eject the PC Card release button (1) and then press it to eject the card.
9 Gently press the card and pull it out.

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The Safely Remove Hardware dialog box appears.

system.

A dialog box appears, explaining that it is safe to remove the device.

✍ If you unplug the PC Card from the computer when it is still turned on, your system might crash and you might lose data that you did not save before.

Using your notebook

! Do not select and stop a USB disc drive, a Sony i.LINK™ CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive or a Sony i.LINK™ DVD-ROM drive.

Sony Notebook User Guide

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While the card is inserted, your computer may not enter the Hibernate power management mode even when battery life is low. It may enter Standby
mode. It is recommended that you remove the card before your computer enters Hibernate mode by pressing the <Fn>+<F12> keys or by using
the PowerPanel Utility, and when it is set to enter Hibernate automatically while using a battery as the source of power.

Some PC Cards or their functions may not be compatible with this computer.

Using your notebook

Using Memory Stick™

Your VAIO computer is designed to support the Memory Stick™. The Memory Stick™ is a compact, portable,
and versatile device especially designed for exchanging and sharing digital data with compatible products.
Because it is removable, it can be used for external data storage.
Use the flash memory technology to download anything that can be converted into digital data, such as
pictures, music, words, sounds, movies and photographs.
Foreseen as the universal data storage device of the future, the Memory Stick™ can already be used with an

Sony Notebook User Guide

ever-increasing range of compatible products, including:

❑ Audio systems
❑ Visual devices
❑ VAIO products
❑ CLIÉ handhelds
❑ Mobile phones.

There are currently three different types of Memory Stick™:

❑ The generic Memory Stick™, coloured blue.
❑ The MagicGate Memory Stick™, coloured white.
❑ The Memory Stick PRO™.

✍ You can purchase Memory Sticks™ from the Sony Style website (http://www.sonystyle-europe.com), or from your local Sony dealer.

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Using your notebook

Why Memory Stick™?

Sony's vision is to expand the world of communication, promoting the portability of digital data. The
Memory Stick™ is the resulting medium, through which digital devices can be instantly connected. With it,
you can download data from any compatible device, then transfer it to another in a single and instant
transfer.

The main advantages of the Memory Stick™ are its:

❑ Compactness: with dimensions of just 21.5 mm (W) x 2.8 mm (H) x 50 mm (D), compatible products can

Sony Notebook User Guide

❑ Capacity: Its data capacity far exceeds that of a floppy disk.
❑ Security: its lock option means you can protect your data from accidental erasure.
❑ Versatility: memory capacity ranges from 4 MB up to 128 MB (the equivalent capacity of 88 floppy disks)

❑ Reliability: by way of protecting the hardware and its contents, the number of terminals is reduced to

❑ Durability: the same Memory Stick™ can be used tens of thousands of times.
❑ Forward compatibility: the Memory Stick's™ current format is designed to be compatible with future

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also be small, lightweight and attractive in their design.

and up to 1GB for Memory Stick PRO™.

only 10 pins. This, and the overall robust structure of the stick, gives it a longer lifespan than other
storage devices.

products and higher capacity Memory Sticks™.

Using your notebook

Generic Memory Stick™

The original Memory Stick™, blue in colour, can be used to record image data taken with digital still
cameras, etc. or data from the PC. With it, you can record, play back and transfer various kinds of data at
any given time.

Sony Notebook User Guide

Because it is easy to remove and transport safely, you can use Memory Stick™ anywhere by inserting it into
any compatible device to transfer and share the information you have saved.

For you, this means you can expand the capabilities of your VAIO computer in the following scenarios:

❑ With your still digital camera, share your holiday pictures instantly by e-mail.
❑ From your handycam to your VAIO, make the most of your captured moments with the VAIO's movie

❑ Carry pictures on you by copying image files from the Internet to your VAIO to your CLIE handheld.
❑ With your voice recorder, add your voice to e-mails so your tone is never misunderstood.

The blue Memory Stick™ is currently available with a 4, 8, 16, 32, 64 or a 128 MB memory (the equivalent
capacity of 88 floppy disks).

✍ Generic Memory Sticks™ cannot be used with the Memory Stick™ Walkman, or with data that is protected by copyright.

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editing tools.

Using your notebook

MagicGate Memory Stick™

The MagicGate Memory Stick™, white in colour, records PC and image data just like its blue counterpart;
the difference is it uses the MagicGate copyright protection technology.

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Sony Notebook User Guide

With this type of Memory Stick™, also called the MG Memory Stick™, you can enjoy the following features:

❑ 32, 64 and 128 MB capacity versions.
❑ Storage of up to 120 minutes of audio data.
❑ Download and save:

❑ digital music
❑ pictures

❑ movies, and more.
❑ Combine data files to add music to your home movies, for example.
❑ Transfer and share data between several digital products.
❑ MagicGate Copyright Protection Technology.
❑ SDMI (Secure Digital Music Initiative) Compliance.
❑ SonicStage software.

So that you further distinguish a MagicGate Memory Stick™ from a generic one, look for:

❑ the logo printed on it
❑ a protruding dot located on the back.

Using your notebook

✍ MagicGate is a copyright protection technology that complies with the standards set by SDMI (Secure Digital Music Initiative, an organization working

MagicGate

MagicGate refers to the copyright protection technology used by the MagicGate Memory Stick™ and other
MagicGate Memory Stick™ compatible devices.

Sony Notebook User Guide

The Memory Stick™ Walkman and MagicGate Memory Stick™ work together to check the data and ensure
it complies with copyright protection.
If no problems are detected, the data is exchanged in encrypted form; if authentication is not passed, data
cannot be exchanged or played back.

SonicStage

SonicStage uses copyright protection technology designed to manage the digital music content downloaded
to the PC from CDs, the Internet and/or other sources.
Software installed on the PC records music content in encrypted form onto the hard disk. As well as allowing
you to enjoy music on the PC, this technology protects against unauthorized distribution on the Internet.
Since it is compatible with MagicGate, you can use SonicStage to transfer music that you have downloaded
onto your PC to your white MG Memory Stick™, and playback on other Magic Gate-equipped devices and
media.

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to draw up industry standard specifications in order to protect copyrights of digital music).

The logo indicates the copyright protection system devised by Sony. It is not meant to guarantee compatibility with other media.

Copyright protection

People who create artistic works such as music are entitled to a "copyright", meaning that they have
exclusive rights to dictate how their work is used. When they are created, artistic works are automatically
protected by a copyright without having to submit notification or registration, and may not be used without
the permission of the person who created the work.
In the music world, however, illegal acts of distributing music without the permission of the artist,

Using your notebook

particularly on the Internet, have recently been on the increase. That is why the Recording Industry
Association of America (RIAA) took the initiative to organize a forum called Secure Music Digital Initiative
(SDMI) to study technology for protecting copyrights during the electronic distribution of music.
Sony offers the MagicGate Memory Stick™ and Memory Stick™ Walkman with a copyright protection
function that complies with SDMI standards, thereby providing an environment where individuals can
record and enjoy third-party music data without worrying about copyright infringement.

✍ Literary works that are recorded by individuals are permitted for private usage only.

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Sony Notebook User Guide

Compatible devices

There are nearly 80 Memory Stick™-enabled products on the market or announced for introduction world­wide, ranging from camcorders and portable music players to voice recorders and many other electronic
devices.

You can currently use Memory Sticks™ with the following Sony products:

Visual:

❑ Cybershot digital camera
❑ Mavica digital camera
❑ PC, TRV and VX series digital video cameras
❑ LC data projector

Audio:

❑ MS Walkman
❑ MS Hi-fi system
❑ Network Walkmans
❑ Voice recorders

Other:

❑ VAIO notebooks
❑ VAIO desktops

Using your notebook

❑ CLIE Handheld Entertainment Organiser
❑ Sony mobile phones
❑ Digital printers
❑ AIBO the Sony Entertainment Robot

To find out more about the products available in your country, go to:

http://www.sonystyle-europe.com

Sony Notebook User Guide

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Using your notebook

Memory Stick PRO™

The Memory Stick PRO™ records PC and image data just like its blue and white counterpart. However, the
Memory Stick PRO™ provides you with a capacity of up to 1 GB. It also exists in 256MB and 512 MB.

A 1 GB Memory Stick PRO™ card enables users to enjoy a staggering 6 hours of MPEG4 (384 Kbps) moving
images or 24 minutes of DVD quality MPEG2 video. This equates to around sixteen audio CDs, assuming 64
MB per CD, or 360 JPEG images in 5.0 Megapixel quality, more than ten rolls of 24/36 film.

Sony Notebook User Guide

Compatible devices

You can currently use the Memory Stick PRO™ with the following Sony products:

Visual:

❑ Cyber-shot DSC-F717, -F77 and FX77 digital camera
❑ DPP-EX5 and -EX7 digital photo printers

❑ Digital camcorders DCR-TRV355, -TRV22, -TRV33, -TRV60 and -TRV80

Other:

❑ MSAC-US20 USB Memory Stick adapter
❑ MSAC-US70 USB optical mouse and Memory Stick adapter
❑ MSAC-PC3 PC Card Memory Stick adapter
❑ MSAC-US7 USB optical mouse and Memory Stick adapter
❑ MSAC-US2 USB Memory Stick adapter

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Using your notebook

LOCK

LOCK LOCK

Devices that can be upgraded to accept the Memory Stick PRO™ media via a software patch are:

❑ Sony CLIÉ PEG-NX70V handheld. Detailed information will be available on www.clie-link.com.
❑ Some VAIO models. Detailed information will be available on www.clie-link.com.

Write-protecting a Memory Stick™

Memory Sticks™ are designed with an erasure prevention switch to protect valuable data from accidental
erasure or overwriting.

Sony Notebook User Guide

Move the tab to the right or left* to set or release write-protection. When the erasure prevention switch is
off, data can be saved on the Memory Stick™. When the erasure prevention switch is on, data can be read
from but not saved on the Memory Stick™.

* The 128 MB Memory Stick™ has a vertical lock.

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Using your notebook

Inserting a Memory Stick™

There are 2 ways you can insert a Memory Stick™ in your notebook:

❑ Using the Memory Stick™ slot;
❑ Using one of the PC Card slots. To do this, you need an optional PC Card adapter.

You can only insert one Memory Stick™ at a time.

To insert a Memory Stick™ using the Memory Stick™ slot, proceed as follows:

Sony Notebook User Guide

1 Once you have stored your data from your digital device, insert the Memory Stick™ with the arrow

2 Carefully slide the Memory Stick™ into the slot until it clicks in place.

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facing up and toward the Memory Stick™ slot.

The Memory Stick™ is automatically detected by your system and appears in your My Computer

window as a local drive, under the appropriate letter (depending on the configuration of your

computer). The MagicGate MemoryStick™ indicator lights orange.

✍ Hold the Memory Stick™ with the arrow pointing in the correct direction when you insert it into the slot. To avoid damaging the computer or the

Memory Stick™, do not force the Memory Stick™ into the slot if it does not insert smoothly.

Using your notebook

Removing a Memory Stick™

To remove a Memory Stick™ using the Memory Stick™ slot, proceed as follows:

1 Check that the access light is off.
2 Push the Memory Stick™ in towards the notebook.

3 Pull the Memory Stick™ out of the slot.

Sony Notebook User Guide

✍ Always remove the Memory Stick™ gently, or it may pop out unexpectedly.

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The Memory Stick™ ejects.

It is recommended that you remove the Memory Stick™ before shutting down the computer.

Using your notebook

Using the modem

Your notebook is equipped with an internal modem.
You need to connect to a phone line to take advantage of online services and the Internet, as well as to
register your computer and software online, and to contact VAIO-Link.

To connect a phone line, proceed as follows:

1 Open the flexible compartment cover (1) pulling it down carefully.

Sony Notebook User Guide

2 Plug one end of the phone cable (2) into the phone line jack on the computer.
3 Plug the other end into the wall jack (3).

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Using your notebook

✍ Do not pull the flexible compartment cover too forcefully.

Sony Notebook User Guide

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A country-specific phone plug is supplied with your VAIO notebook, allowing you to plug the phone line into the wall jack.

We recommend you to use the supplied plug, because the usage of any other phone plug can decrease the connection quality.

Your computer cannot be connected to a coin-operated telephone, and may not work with multiple phone lines or a private branch exchange (PBX).

If you connect the modem to a parallel connected phone line, the modem or the other connected device may not function properly. Some of these

connections may result in excess electrical current and could cause a malfunction in the internal modem.

Only DTMF (Dual Tone Multi Frequency) signalling (tone dialling) is supported.

Before using the modem, it will be necessary to select the country where you are actually using it. The detailed procedure for selecting your present

location is explained in Configuring your modem in the Software User Guide.

Using your notebook

Using the correct phone plug

If there are two phone plugs in the box, make sure you use the correct one for the country you are in, as
follows:

Sony Notebook User Guide

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UK: The connector can be identified by its cuboid shape and flat
pins.

The Netherlands: The connector can be identified by its
protruding pins.

Using your notebook

Using power saving modes

When you use a battery as the source of power for your computer, you can take advantage of power
management settings to conserve battery life. In addition to the normal operating mode, which allows you
to turn off specific devices, your computer has two distinct power saving modes: Standby and Hibernate.
When using battery power, you should be aware that the computer automatically enters Hibernate mode
when the remaining battery charge drops below 7 percent, regardless of the power management setting
you select.

Sony Notebook User Guide

✍ If the battery level falls below 10 percent, you should either attach the AC adapter to recharge the battery or shut down your computer and insert a

Using Normal mode

This is the normal state of your computer when it is in use. The green power indicator light is on in this mode.
To save power while not working, you can turn off a specific device such as the LCD or the hard disk.

Using Standby mode

Standby mode turns off the LCD screen and sets the hard disk and the CPU to a low power consumption
mode. The umber power light flashes in this mode.

To activate Standby mode, proceed as follows:

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fully charged battery.

Press the <Fn> and <Esc> keys simultaneously.
Alternatively,

1 Click Start and then Turn Off Computer.
2 In the Turn off co m p uter screen, press Standby.

The computer enters Standby mode.

Using your notebook

To return to Normal mode, proceed as follows:

Press any key.

✍ If you press the power button for more than four seconds, the computer will switch off automatically.

Sony Notebook User Guide

If you do not use your computer for 25 minutes while on AC power, it will enter Standby mode. When
running on batteries, the computer will enter Standby mode after 5 minutes when left unused. As a result,
if you are using the CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive, the operation will be interrupted. To avoid this, you can change
the settings either in PowerPanel (right-click on the PowerPanel icon and select Edit/Create Profile) or in
the Control Panel. Please note that your Control Panel settings are valid only until the next reboot.

Using Hibernate mode

The state of the system is saved on the hard disk and power is turned off. The power indicator light is off in
this mode.

To activate Hibernate mode, proceed as follows:

Press <Fn>+<F12>.
The Hibernating screen appears and the notebooks enters Hibernate mode.

Alternatively,
Click Start, and then Turn Off Computer.

In the Turn off computer screen, hold down the <Shift>-key and press Hibernate.

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When the computer is in Standby mode, you cannot insert a disc.

The computer comes out of Standby mode quicker than out of Hibernate mode.

Standby uses more power than Hibernate.

To return to Normal mode, proceed as follows:

Turn on the computer by pressing the power button.
The computer returns to its previous state.

Using your notebook

✍ If you press the power button for more than four seconds, the computer will switch off automatically.

Sony Notebook User Guide

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When the computer is in Hibernate mode, you cannot insert a disc.

Hibernate mode requires more time than Standby mode to be activated.

It takes more time to return to normal mode from Hibernate mode than from Standby mode.

Hibernate mode uses less power than Standby mode.

Do not move the notebook until its power indicator turns off.

Using your notebook

Managing power with PowerPanel

The PowerPanel utility controls the power management of your notebook and provides key information
about system activity and battery life. The automatic power management selects the most advantageous
profiles, or lets you customise the profiles you choose, according to your own needs, with the goal of
extended battery life. Moreover, performance of your computer can be improved with Performance
Balancer, both for battery and AC mode, adjusting LCD brightness and CPU fan noise.

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Sony Notebook User Guide

PowerPanel has the following features:

❑ Automatic Profile Selection (APS) based on the currently active application;
❑ Ability to select specific Power Profiles manually from the menu;
❑ Ability to edit and create new profiles;
❑ Ability to display detailed battery information;
❑ It works in harmony with your Windows
❑ Support for Windows
❑ ToolTips to signal Power Profile changes;
❑ Ability to select limited Power Profiles directly from the Power Profile page;
❑ Ability to prevent specific users from modifying profiles.

®

XP Theme;

®

settings;

Using your notebook

Activating PowerPanel

When you start the computer, the PowerPanel icon appears in the system tray by default.
To see the CPU state and the current power profile, simply point to the icon. The current power profile will

be displayed in a tooltip.

To change profiles, proceed as follows:

1 Right-click the PowerPanel icon in the taskbar and select Profiles.

Sony Notebook User Guide

2 In the Profiles menu, select a profile.

✍ When you use the battery pack as power source, your system selects the Maximum Battery Life power management profile by default. If you select

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The appropriate power settings are activated.

a different power management profile while using battery power, the same profile will automatically be selected the next time you use the battery

pack to power your computer.

Using your notebook

Activating power management profiles

PowerPanel provides several predefined power management profiles. Each profile consists of a group of
power management settings that are designed to meet specific power management goals, ranging from
maximum power management to no power management.

Running on AC

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Sony Notebook User Guide

Icon Description

AC Power – The power management state when AC power is in use. PowerPanel automatically loads the AC
profile unless you disable this feature.

Power Management Off (Plugged in) – Turns off all power management features such as Standby and
Hibernate modes.

Running on batteries

Icon Description

Maximum Battery Life – Provides power saving features to give you maximum battery life and good
performance. It reduces the brightness of the display and puts the system into Standby mode after a specified
time period.

Ultimate Battery Life - extends the Maximum Battery Life by disabling some devices.

! When you select this profile, it completely shuts off the power of the optical drive to save some extra power for longer battery

life. The system can neither read or write from or to the optical drive, moreover the drive does not start spinning at all. If you
want to use the optical drive, return to Maximum Battery Life.

Maximum Performance – Provides the best system performance while still conserving power.

Using your notebook

Icon Description

Sony Notebook User Guide

Word Processing – Optimises power management with longer timeouts on the hard disk and display screen. You

can also establish settings for LCD (Video) Standby, Hard Disk Standby, and Standby to optimise power
management for your system.

Spreadsheet – Reduces the LCD brightness to 'medium', as your software does not require higher performance.

Presentation – Keeps the display on at all times while it conserves power. This option is ideal for slideshow

presentations. You can establish settings for LCD (Video) Standby, Hard Disk Standby, and Standby to optimise
power management for your system.

Communications – Extends battery life by initiating a quick display time-out. You can also establish settings for
LCD (Video) Standby, Hard Disk Standby, and Standby to optimise power management for your system.

Games – Disables the display and the Hard Disk timer.

DVD – Optimises performance and power requirements for DVD usage.

Camera – Optimises performance and power requirements for camera usage.

Power Management Off (Running on batteries) – Turns off all power management features such as Standby
and Hibernate modes.

Automatic Profile Selection - Analyses the performance of each application you choose and matches the

profiles to its needs.

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Using your notebook

Selecting automatic profiles when running on batteries

A power profile is a set of timer values for a variety of system devices. PowerPanel automatically selects the
profile associated with the application you are using and changes profiles as you switch between
applications.
Power management lets your system enter energy saving modes by levelling some energy-consuming
parameters, such as LCD brightness, or hard disk activity.

To select automatic profiles, proceed as follows:

Sony Notebook User Guide

1 Right-click the PowerPanel icon in the taskbar and select Profiles.
2 Select Automatic Profile Selection.

✍ The Automatic Profile Selection feature deactivates when you manually select another Power Profile from the menu.

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Using your notebook

Displaying detailed battery information

You can display detailed information of your computer's battery.
There are 3 ways in which you can display battery information:

❑ Right-click the PowerPanel icon in the taskbar and select Battery Information from the menu.
❑ Double-click the PowerPanel icon in the taskbar and select the Battery tab.

Sony Notebook User Guide

❑ Display the Battery Information toolbar on the screen, which shows the battery status icon, the

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The Battery tab in the PowerPanel window contains information such as the estimated battery life

remaining and charging time.

percentage of remaining capacity and the amount of running time left in the battery.

To display the Battery Information toolbar, right-click the taskbar and select Toolbars then Battery

Information from the menu.

Battery icon Battery status

discharging: the icon is blue

fully charged: the icon is completely blue with an AC power plug

charging: the icon is blue with a red clip attached to the terminal

no battery: the icon is blue with a yellow cross over it

Using your notebook

Displaying CPU information

You can also view the level of performance of your notebook with the CPU Controls.
To do so, you just have to hover your cursor over the CPU icon in the taskbar.
There are three possible icons:

Icon Action

Sony Notebook User Guide

Adaptive

Battery Life

Performance

Editing a power profile

To edit the power management settings of a power profile, proceed as follows:

1 Right-click the PowerPanel icon in the taskbar and select Edit/Create Profiles from the menu.

2 Click the profile you want to edit on the left of the screen.
3 Double-click the power profile property (Hibernate, Standby…) you want to modify on the right of the

4 Make your settings.
5 Click the File menu and then click Save.

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This control automatically selects the CPU optimal clock speed and power voltage according to
the state in which the computer in which the computer is used..This will be the default icon
when the computer is connected to the mains supply.

This control helps to reduce the notebook’s power consumption by decreasing the CPU clock
speed and the power voltage. This icon appears when you right-click the CPU icon in the
taskbar and select Profiles and then Ultimate Battery Life. This will be the default icon when
the computer running on batteries.

This control helps to maximize the CPU clock speed. The computer can then be used at its
maximum performance. This will be the default icon when playing games or watching a DVD.

The Profile Editor window appears.

screen.

An option list or a dialog box will appear

Using your notebook

✍ You must have Administrator’s rights on your notebook to be able to edit existing profiles. Users whose account type is Limited can only open the

Creating a power profile

To create a power profile, proceed as follows:

1 Right-click the PowerPanel icon in the taskbar and select Edit/Create Profiles from the menu.

Sony Notebook User Guide

2 Select New from the File menu.
3 In the Create New Profile dialog box, check the appropriate option button to specify the type of power

4 Select the new power management settings you would like for the device.
5 Click the File menu and then click Save.

Managing performance with Performance Balancer

The Performance Balancer is installed by default together with PowerPanel to set up the performance of
your computer depending on the LCD brightness and the quietness of the CPU fan.

To use Performance Balancer, proceed as follows:

1 Click the Start button on the Windows
2 In All Programs, select Performance Balancer and then click Performance Balancer.

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Power Profile tab in the Power Panel window in view mode. To check your user account information, select the User Accounts category in the

Control Panel. Your account type must be Computer administrator to be able to edit power profile.

The Profile Editor window appears.

management profile that you want to create and click OK.

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taskbar.

The Performance Balancer window appears.

Using your notebook

Sony Notebook User Guide

To set up the performance of your computer, proceed as follows:

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1 When operating on battery mode:

❑ Click Power-saving to enjoy a long battery life and a CPU fan with minimum noise. Performance

and LCD brightness will be reduced to lower battery consumption.

❑ Click Customize if you want to adjust the brightness and the CPU fan quietness to determine the

CPU performance and the battery life.

Using your notebook

2 When plugged in:

Sony Notebook User Guide

An additional option is the Timer Settings where you can set up the LCD display to turn off automatically
and go into Standby mode after a period of inactivity, when operating either on battery or AC mode.

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❑ Click Full-power to maximise system performance what allows you to run many applications at the

same time with a high LCD brightness. With this setting, the battery life and the quietness of CPU fan
are reduced.

❑ Click Customize if you want to adjust the brightness and CPU fan quietness manually to determine

the CPU performance and the power consumption.

❑ Click Full power to maximise system performance, which allows you to run many software at the

same time, renouncing to CPU fan quietness.

Using your notebook

Using the Bluetooth™ functionality

The Bluetooth™ wireless technology enables you to establish wireless communication between your
notebook and other Bluetooth™ devices such as a notebook, a mobile phone or a modem station without
any cable within a 10 metres range in open space.

All Bluetooth™ communications are made in conjunction with the BlueSpace NE software (See Setting up

Wireless Connections with BlueSpace NE (page 74)).

For Dial-up Networking, such as modem, Human Interface Devices, like a mouse or a keyboard, and remote

Sony Notebook User Guide

printers, go first to Control Panel and click Wireless Link to set up the device you want to use.

To connect to a Bluetooth™ device, proceed as follows:

1 Turn on the Wireless switch (1) on the left front side of your notebook.

2 Select the Bluetooth™ option button. The Bluetooth™ indicator (2) turns blue.
3 Click OK.

✍ Read the Bluetooth™ Regulations Leaflet before using the Bluetooth™ functionality.

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The Switch wireless devices dialog box appears.

The 2.4 GHz band with which Bluetooth™ devices or wireless LAN devices work, is used by various devices. Bluetooth™ devices use the technology

to minimize the interference from other devices that use the same wave length. Communication speed and distances can be inferior to the standard

values. Interference from other devices may also stop communications.

Using your notebook

! The Bluetooth™ functions may not work depending on the devices or the software version used.
! When you purchase Bluetooth™ devices, check their operating conditions.
! Because of limitation of the Bluetooth™ standard, very large files may occasionally be corrupted during continuos transfers.

Bluetooth™ security

The Bluetooth™ wireless technology has an authentication function, which allows you to make sure with

Sony Notebook User Guide

whom you communicate. With the authentication function, you can avoid any anonymous Bluetooth™
device to access your notebook.
The first time two Bluetooth™ devices communicate, a common Passkey (a password required for
authentication) should be determined for both devices to be registered. Once a device is registered, there is
no need to reenter the Passkey.
You can change your settings in order not to be discovered by other Bluetooth™ devices or you can set a
limit. For more information, see the BlueSpace NE online help.

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The Bluetooth™ modem station (PCGA-BM1) software is available on your notebook’s hard drive. If you want to use the Bluetooth™ modem station,

read the Bluetooth™ modem station documentation.

Using your notebook

Setting up Wireless Connections with BlueSpace NE

Your notebook is equipped with the Bluetooth™ wireless technology. This new technology allows wireless
communication over short distances and completely eliminates the need of using cables.
All Bluetooth™ communications are made in conjunction with the BlueSpace NE software.

Communicating with another Bluetooth™ device

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Sony Notebook User Guide

With the BlueSpace NE software, you can connect your notebook to a Bluetooth™ device such as another
notebook, a mobile phone or a modem station without any cables.
For more details, see the BlueSpace NE online help.

To communicate with another Bluetooth™ device, proceed as follows:

1 Turn on the Bluetooth™ switch on the left front side of your computer.
2 When the Switch wireless devices dialog box appears, select Bluetooth™, and the application will

start automatically. The Bluetooth™ light indicator turns blue.

3 Click the Device Discovery button in your notebook’s panel on the left of the window to see the

available remote devices.

4 Select the remote device you want to connect to. If necessary, scroll up and down in the Bluetooth™

Device List to make your selection.

5 Click the Service Discovery button to find the services available for the selected device.

Sometimes when using a remote device, the confirmation for the authentication dialog box is

displayed.

6 Click Yes and the Bluetooth™ Connection Wizard appears.
7 Click Next to continue.
8 Enter the same passkey in both your local and your remote device, and then click Next. Once the remote

device has been successfully authenticated, click Finish and the Service Discovery will be carried out.

Using your notebook

9 Click the service icon you want to use and proceed as applicable in each profile. When the connection

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has been completed and the information has been sent, an information dialog box is shown and the

service icon turns blue.

✍ Do not simultaneously use the Bluetooth™ function and wireless

communication devices which use the 2.4 GHz band such as a wireless
LAN PC Card.

The passkey can be different each time, but must be the same at both
ends.

For certain devices, such as a mouse, no passkey can be entered.

! If you changed the name of your computer during Windows

please go to USB Bluetooth™ Device under Device Manager
(Start - Control Panel - System - Hardware - Device Manager

- Bluetooth™ Radios) and right-click Properties. Under
Advanced click Default to restore the default name since the name
of your computer and the computer name defined in BlueSpace NE
must be the same. For further information, please go to www.vaio-

link.com.

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setup,

Using your notebook

Stopping the Bluetooth™ connection

To stop the Bluetooth™ individual connection, proceed as follows:

1 Click the service button of the service from which you wish to disconnect.
2 Click Yes in the Confirm Service Disconnection dialog box.
3 Turn off the Bluetooth™ switch located on the left front side of your notebook.

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The Bluetooth™ LED turns off.

Using your notebook

Using Wireless LAN (WLAN)

Thanks to Sony’s Wireless LAN (WLAN), all your digital devices with built-in WLAN functionality
communicate freely with each other through a powerful network. A WLAN is a network in which a mobile
user can connect to a local area network (LAN) through a wireless (radio) connection. So there is no need
anymore to pull cables or wires through walls and ceilings.
The Sony WLAN supports all normal Ethernet activities, but with the added benefits of mobility and
roaming. You can still access information, internet/intranet and network resources, even in the middle of a

Sony Notebook User Guide

meeting, or as you move from one place to another.
You can communicate without an Access Point, this means that you can communicate between a limited
number of computers (ad-hoc), or you can communicate through an Access Point, which allows you to
create a full infrastructure network (infrastructure).

✍ In some countries, using WLAN products may be restricted by the local regulations (e.g. limited number of channels). Therefore, before activating the

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WLAN functionality, read the Wireless LAN Regulation leaflet carefully. Channel selection is explained further in this manual (see Wireless LAN

channel selection (page 82)).

WLAN uses the IEEE 802.11b standard, which specifies the used technology. The standard includes the encryption method: Wired Equivalent

Privacy (WEP), which is a security protocol. Data encryption protects the vulnerable wireless link between clients and Access Points. Besides that,

there are other typical LAN security mechanisms to ensure privacy, such as: password protection, end-to-end encryption, virtual private networks, and

authentication.

Wireless LAN devices using the IEEE 802.11a standard and the ones using the IEEE 802.11b standard cannot communicate because the frequencies

are different.

The standard access is 11 Mbps, or about 30 to 100 times faster than a standard dial up.

Using your notebook

Communicating without Access Point (ad-hoc)

An ad-hoc network is a network in which a local network is created only by the wireless devices themselves,
with no other central controller or Access Point. Each device communicates directly with other devices in the
network. You can set up an ad-hoc network easily at home.

Sony Notebook User Guide

To communicate without Access Point (ad-hoc), proceed as follows:

1 Turn on the Wireless LAN switch (1) on the left front side of the computer.

2 Select Wireless LAN and click OK.

3 Double-click the network icon in the taskbar displaying Wireless Network Connection.

4 Click the Properties button.

5 Select the Wireless Networks tab.
6 Click the Add… button.

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The Switch wireless devices dialog box appears.

The Wireless Switcher button changes into Wireless LAN and the WLAN indicator (2) turns green.

The Wireless Network Connection dialog box appears.

The Wireless Network Connection Properties dialog box appears.

The Wireless Network Properties dialog box appears.

Using your notebook

7 Enter a Network name (SSID)*.

8 Deselect the The key is provided for me automatically option button.

9 Fill in the Network key*.

Sony Notebook User Guide

10 Select the option "This is a computer to computer (ad hoc) network; wireless access points are

11 Click OK.
12 Click OK again.

* If you want to communicate between two or more computers, you need to configure all these computers the exact same way.
This means that you need to enter the same Network name and the same Network key on all computers as on the first computer
you configure.

**ASCII: The basis of character sets used in almost all present-day computers. ASCII is a code for representing English characters as
numbers, with each letter assigned a number from 0 to 127.
Hexadecimal: A number representation using the digits 0-9, with their usual meaning, plus the letters A-F (or a-f) to represent
hexadecimal digits with values of (decimal) 10 to 15.

✍ In France, only channels 10 and 11 are legally allowed when using WLAN.

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The Data encryption (WEP enabled) option button must be selected.

Some information becomes visible.

The network key should be 5 or 13 ASCII characters or 10 or 26 hexadecimal characters long. You

can choose whatever you want**.

not used" at the bottom of the screen.

Your computer is ready to communicate with another computer.

For more information, see the Wireless LAN Regulations leaflet.

Using your notebook

Communicating with an Access Point (infrastructure)

An infrastructure network is a network that extends an existing wired local network to wireless devices by
providing an Access Point, for example the Sony PCWA-A220 Access Point. The Access Point bridges the
wireless and wired LAN and acts as a central controller for the Wireless LAN. The Access Point coordinates
transmission and reception from multiple wireless devices within a specific range.

Sony Notebook User Guide

To communicate with an Access Point (infrastructure), proceed as follows:

1 Turn on the Wireless switch (1) on the left front side of the computer. The Switch wireless devices

2 Select Wireless LAN and click OK.

3 Right-click the network icon in the taskbar displaying the Wireless Network Connection message.
4 Click View Available Wireless Networks.

5 Select the network you want to use.

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dialog box appears.

The Wireless Switcher button changes into Wireless LAN and the WLAN indicator (2) turns green.

The Wireless Network Connection dialog box appears.

Using your notebook

6 Type the Network Key.

7 Click Connect.

For more information about setting up an access point, see the documentation supplied with your Access
Point.

Sony Notebook User Guide

✍ In France, only channels 10 and 11 are legally allowed when using WLAN.

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If you are using the Sony Access Point PCWA-A220, by default, you don’t need to enter any wep key. To

be able to communicate, you must select the box Allow me to connect to the selected wireless

network, even though it is not secure.

After 30 seconds, the connection is established.

For more information on channel selection, see the Wireless LAN Regulations leaflet.

The length of the network key can be set up as in the case of ad-hoc network; meaning, 5 or 13 ascii characters or 10 or 26 hexadecimal characters

long.

Using your notebook

Wireless LAN channel selection

When using Wireless LAN, radio frequencies are used to transmit data from one computer to another. Radio
frequencies are divided into several channels (1 to 14). But in France, you have to use channels 10 or 11
(indoor and outdoor).

✍ If you use a non-Sony Access Point, read the manual of the Access Point to be sure which channel to use.

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For more information on Wireless LAN, read the Wireless LAN Regulations leaflet.

Sony Notebook User Guide

Infrastructure network

The channel is automatically set by the Access Point.

Ad-hoc network

By default, the channel is set to 11.

✍ When you change the channel number on one computer, you need to change the channel number manually on all other devices intended for wireless

connection.

Using your notebook

Using the built-in MOTION EYE Camera

Your computer includes a built-in MOTION EYE camera. You can use the camera software to shoot still
images, record video clips or make on line video conferences.

You can focus the image turning the adjustment dial (2) in the camera. You can also rotate the MOTION

EYE camera backwards and forwards to choose the view point shown in the camera.

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On the right side of the LCD screen, you find the CAPTURE button (3) for using with the MOTION EYE
camera. Clicking this button you can:

❑ Shoot still images
❑ Start and stop recording video clips
❑ Start the Network Smart Capture application

✍ To start Network Smart Capture with the Capture button, the application must be installed.

Using your notebook

To start the MOTION EYE camera with the Windows

Under Start- My Computer- Scanners and Cameras click Sony Visual Communication Camera VCC-
U01.
The camera starts automatically.

The MOTION EYE camera indicator (1) turns green when the camera is working.

✍ You can only shoot still images.

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application, proceed as follows:

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Sony Notebook User Guide

To start the MOTION EYE camera with the Network Smart Capture application, proceed as follows:

❑ Click Start - All Programs - Network Smart Capture,

or

❑ Press the Capture button.

For more information about Network Smart Capture, please refer to the Software Guide supplied with
your computer.

Connecting peripheral devices

Connecting peripheral devices

You can add functionality to your computer by connecting or using any of these peripherals.
Before you connect peripherals, turn off the computer and all peripherals.
Connect the power cord only after connecting all cables.
Turn on the computer only after turning on all peripherals.

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Sony Notebook User Guide

❑ Connecting an external display (page 86)
❑ Selecting display modes (page 89)
❑ Connecting external speakers (page 91)
❑ Connecting an external microphone (page 92)
❑ Connecting a Universal Serial Bus (USB) device (page 93)
❑ Connecting a printer (page 97)
❑ Connecting an i.LINK™ device (page 98)
❑ Connecting to a network (LAN) (page 101)

✍ Hot plug and play devices should be plugged when the computer is switched on.

USB devices are hot plug and play devices. You do not need to shutdown your computer prior to connecting these devices unless the manual supplied

with the device states differently.

Connecting peripheral devices

Connecting an external display

You can connect an external display to your notebook. For example, you can use your notebook with the
following devices:

❑ Computer display (monitor);
❑ Projector.

✍ Turn off your computer and the peripherals, unplug the AC adapter and the power cord before connecting the external display.

Sony Notebook User Guide

Connect the power cord after connecting all other cables.

Turn on the peripherals, then turn on your computer.

Connected external displays are used as second screens.

On Windows

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systems only, you can also use an external display to set up a virtual desktop.

Connecting peripheral devices

Connecting a computer display

You can connect a computer display (monitor) directly to your notebook.

To connect a computer display, proceed as follows:

1 Plug the display cable (1) (not supplied) into the monitor/VGA connector on the notebook.
2 If necessary, plug one end of the display’s power cord (2) into the display, and the other end into an AC

outlet.

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Connecting peripheral devices

Connecting a projector

You can connect a projector (such as the Sony LCD projector) directly to your notebook.

To connect a projector, proceed as follows:

1 Plug the RGB signal cable (1) into the monitor/VGA connector identified by the symbol.
2 Plug the audio cable (2) (not supplied) into the earphone connector identified by the symbol.
3 Plug the RGB signal cable and the audio cable into the connectors of the projector.

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4 Connect the power cord (3) of the projector into an AC outlet.

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✍ You may not be able to display the computer's LCD and the

external display together, depending on the types of computer display
and projector used.

You can toggle the output between the notebook LCD-screen and the
external monitor by pressing the key combination <Fn>+<F7>.

Connecting peripheral devices

Selecting display modes

This notebook uses the Intel® 855 GM Integrated Graphics video controller. You can select which display is
used when the notebook is connected to an external device.

To connect an external display, proceed as follows:

1 Connect the external device to the Monitor/VGA connector on the left side of the computer.
2 Press and hold the <Fn> key and press the <F7> key to change the destination.

Sony Notebook User Guide

The output destination changes every time you press the <F7> key while holding the <Fn> key.

The output destination options are listed below:

• LCD only: Displays contents on your computer's LCD only.

• LCD only + MONITOR (VGA): Displays contents simultaneously on your computer's LCD and the

external display*.

• MONITOR (VGA): Displays contents on the external display only*.

• Setup: Displays the resolution setting window for the external display.

The image appears on the external display.

To set up the video controller options, proceed as follows:

1 Click Start, then Control Panel.

The Control Panel appears.

2 Double-click Appearance and Themes, and then select Display.

The Display Properties dialog box appears.

3 Click the Settings tab.
4 Click the Advanced button and choose the Intel

Then choose the Graphics Properties icon.

5 Click the Devices tab.

Select the Monitor, Notebook, Intel

6 Click Apply and then OK.

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Extreme Graphics tab.

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Dual Display Clone or Extended Desktop icon.

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Connecting peripheral devices

* The external destination is displayed only when an external display is connected to your computer.

✍ You cannot switch the display during video playback or while using the built-in MOTION EYE camera.

Selecting the external display may automatically change the resolution of your computer's LCD.

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Connecting peripheral devices

Connecting external speakers

You can enhance the sound quality of your computer by connecting external speakers.

To connect external speakers, proceed as follows:

1 Plug the speaker cable (1) into the headphone connector.
2 Plug the other end of the speaker cable into the external speaker.
3 Turn down the volume of the speakers before you turn them on.

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✍ Make sure your speakers are designed for computer use.

Do not place floppy disks on the speakers; their magnetic field may damage the data on the disks.

Connecting peripheral devices

Connecting an external microphone

Your VAIO notebook contains an internal microphone. If you wish to use an external sound input device, for
example to chat on the Internet, you need to plug in an external microphone.

To connect an external microphone, proceed as follows:

Plug the microphone cable into the microphone connector identified by the symbol.

Sony Notebook User Guide

✍ Make sure your microphone is designed for computer use.

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Connecting peripheral devices

Connecting a Universal Serial Bus (USB) device

You can connect a USB device (for example, a mouse, floppy disk drive, keyboard, printer) to your computer.
Before connecting or disconnecting a USB peripheral, you do not need to shut down the computer.
You may need to install software (device drivers) supplied with your USB device before using the USB device.
There are 2 USB 2.0 ports on your notebook.

❑ Connecting a USB mouse (page 94)

Sony Notebook User Guide

❑ Connecting a USB floppy disk drive (page 95)
❑ Connecting a printer (page 97)

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Connecting peripheral devices

Connecting a USB mouse

To connect a USB mouse, proceed as follows:

1 Choose the USB connector you prefer to use (available both on the left and right side of your computer).
2 Plug the USB mouse cable into the USB connector.

You can use your USB mouse.

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✍ The VAIO USB mouse software driver is preinstalled on your notebook, therefore, you only need to plug the USB mouse into the USB connector and

you can start working.

Connecting peripheral devices

Connecting a USB floppy disk drive

As an optional extra, you can purchase a USB floppy disk drive and connect it to your computer.

To connect a USB floppy disk drive, proceed as follows:

1 Choose the USB connector you prefer to use (available both on the left and right side of your computer).
2 Plug the USB floppy disk drive cable into the USB connector. The VAIO logo on the disk drive should be

facing up.

Your USB floppy disk drive is now ready for use.

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To remove a USB floppy disk drive, proceed as follows:

❑ If your computer is on, wait until the floppy drive LED indicator turns off and then unplug the USB cable.

If the floppy disk drive is not removed properly, your system may crash and you may lose any unsaved

data.

❑ If your computer is off, you can unplug the USB cable directly from the computer.

Connecting peripheral devices

Inserting a floppy disk

To insert a floppy disk, proceed as follows:

1 Hold the disk (1) with the label side facing up.
2 Gently push the disk into the drive (2) until it clicks into place.

Sony Notebook User Guide

Removing a floppy disk

To remove a floppy disk, proceed as follows:

When you have finished using the floppy disk, wait until the LED indicator (1) turns off and then press the
eject button (2) to remove the disk.

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✍ Before pressing the eject button, make sure that the LED indicator is turned off.

If the disk does not come out by pressing the eject button, disconnect the floppy disk
drive from the computer.

! Do not press the eject button while the LED indicator is on. It may damage the floppy

disk.

Connecting peripheral devices

Connecting a printer

You can connect a Windows®-compatible printer to your computer to print documents.

Connecting a printer using the USB connector

You can connect a USB printer compatible with your version of Windows® to your computer.

To connect a printer using the USB connector, proceed as follows:

Sony Notebook User Guide

1 Plug a USB printer cable (1) into one of the USB connectors on your notebook (available both on the left

and right side of your computer).

A USB connector is identified by the symbol on your notebook and printer.

2 Plug the printer power cord (2) into an AC outlet.

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✍Turn off your computer and the printer, unplug the AC adapter and the power

cord before connecting the printer.

Connecting peripheral devices

Connecting an i.LINK™ device

Your computer includes an i.LINK™ (IEEE1394) connector, which you can use to connect to an i.LINK™ device
such as a digital video camera recorder or an optical drive or to connect two VAIO notebooks in order to
copy, delete or edit files.
The i.LINK™ connector of your notebook does not supply power to external devices generally powered by
i.LINK™ connectors.
The i.LINK™ connector supports transfer rates up to 400 Mbps; however, the actual transfer rate depends

Sony Notebook User Guide

on the transfer rate of the external device.
The i.LINK™ features available may vary depending on the software applications you use. Refer to the
documentation that came with your software for more information.
i.LINK™ cables compatible with your VAIO notebook include cables with the following part numbers:
VMC-IL4415A (a 1.5 meter cable with a 4-pin connector at each end), VMC-IL4408Series (a 0.8 meter cable
with a 4-pin connector at each end).

✍ An i.LINK™ connection with other compatible devices is not fully guaranteed.

The i.LINK™ connection varies depending on the software applications, operating system and i.LINK™ compatible devices you use. Refer to the

documentation that came with your software for more information.

Check the working conditions and OS compatibility of i.LINK™-compatible PC peripherals (HDD, CD-RW drive etc.) before you connect them to your

notebook.

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Connecting peripheral devices

Connecting a digital video camera recorder

To connect a digital video camera recorder, proceed as follows:

1 Plug one end of the i.LINK™ cable (1) into the i.LINK™ connector (2) of the computer and the other end

into the DV Out connector (3) on the digital video camera recorder.

Sony Notebook User Guide

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2 Launch the DVgate application.

✍ On Sony digital video cameras, connectors labelled DV Out, DV In/Out or i.LINK™ are i.LINK™-compatible.

The Sony digital video camera recorder is an example; your digital video camera recorder may need to be connected differently.

If your digital video camera recorder includes a Memory Stick™ slot, you can copy images from it to your computer via a Memory Stick™. To do so,

simply copy images on the Memory Stick™, then insert it into the Memory Stick™ slot of your computer.

You cannot access the pictures stored on a Memory Stick™ when using an i.LINK™ connection.