Sony PCG-VX88 User Manual
Welcome
Congratulations on your purchase of this Sony VAIO® computer, and welcome to the VAIO User Guide.
This User Guide provides detailed information on all aspects of using your new VAIO computer, from keyboard functions to
preinstalled software applications.
In the left navigation window, click the topics you want to learn more about, and that information will be displayed in this
main window.
Click here to find the latest updates and supplemental information about your computer.
Click here to view your computer's hardware specifications and software information.
Page 1
Using Your VAIO Computer
This section describes the following aspects of your new computer:
Using the Keyboard
VAIO Action Setup
Using the Jog Dial Control
Using Memory Stick Media
Using PC Cards
Using Power Saving Modes
Connecting a Phone Cable
Connecting to a Local Area Network
Connecting to a Wireless Local Area Network
Page 2
Using the Keyboard
Your keyboard is very similar to a typewriter's, but your computer keyboard has additional keys that perform specific
computer-related tasks.
Keyboard
Page 3
Functions of the keyboard keys
Key Description
Numeric keypad area Contains the keys found on a typical calculator. Use the numeric keypad area to type numbers or to
perform mathematical calculations such as addition and subtraction. Numbers appear on the front beveled edge of the
numeric keys. You must press the Num Lock key to activate the numeric keypad. (When you do so, the Num Lock indicator
lights up.)
Navigation keys Several keys are devoted to moving the cursor on the screen (the four arrow keys which also function as
the Home, End, Page Up, and Page Down keys).
Correction keys The Insert, Backspace, and Delete keys enable you to make corrections in your documents.
Function keys The twelve function keys along the top of the keyboard are used to perform designated tasks. For
example, in many applications, F1 is the Help key. The task associated with each function key may vary among applications.
Escape key The Esc (Escape) key is used to cancel commands.
Print Screen key The Print Screen key takes an electronic snapshot of the screen and moves it to the Windows
®
Clipboard. You can then paste the screen shot into a document and print it.
Operator keys (Shift, Ctrl, Alt keys) Several keys are always used with at least one other key: Ctrl, Alt, and Shift. When
held down with another key, the Ctrl (Control) and Alt (Alternate) keys offer another way to give commands. For example,
in many applications, instead of choosing the Save command from a menu, you can hold down Ctrl and press the S key
(referred to as Ctrl+S). The Shift key operates the same way as on a typewriter; it is used to produce capital letters or
special symbols, such as @ and $.
Windows® key
The key with the Windows® logo displays the Windows® Start menu; it's the equivalent of clicking Start on
the taskbar. See Combinations and functions with the Windows key for more information.
Fn key The Fn key is used in combination with other keys to issue commands. See Combinations and functions
with the Fn key for more information.
Applications key
The Applications key displays a shortcut menu of context-sensitive choices. Pressing this key is the
equivalent of clicking the right mouse button.
Page 4
Combinations and functions with the Windows key
Combination Function
+ F1 Displays VAIO® Help and Support Center.
+ Tab Switches the selected button on the taskbar.
+ E Displays Windows® Explorer.
+ F Displays the Search window to find a file or folder. This is the equivalent of selecting Search from the Start
menu.
+ Ctrl + F Displays the search results window where you can locate other computers. This is the equivalent of
selecting Search, and then Computers from the Start menu.
+ M Minimizes all displayed windows (with Num Lock off).
Shift + + M Returns all minimized windows to their previous size.
+ R Displays the Run window. This is the equivalent of selecting Run from the Start menu.
Fn + + Insert Displays the System Properties window. This is the equivalent of selecting Control Panel, and then
System from the Start menu.
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Indicators
Indicator Function
Power
Lights up when the power to the computer is turned on, flashes in Standby mode, and turns off when the
computer is in Hibernate mode or powered off.
Battery
Lights up when the computer is using battery power, flashes when the battery is running out of power,
double-flashes when the battery is charging.
Hard disk
Lights up when data is read from or written to the hard disk drive. Do not enter Standby mode or turn off the
computer when this indicator light is on.
Wireless
LAN Lights up when the Wireless LAN function is running.
Memory Stick®
Lights up when data is read from or written to the Memory Stick media. (Do not enter Standby mode or turn
off the computer when this indicator light is on.) When indicator is off, the Memory Stick media is not being accessed.
Num Lock
Lights up when the number keys area in the numeric keypad are active. When indicator is off, the
alphanumeric character keys in the keypad area are active.
Caps Lock
Lights up when the letters appear in uppercase as you type. The Shift key lowers the case of typed letters
when Caps Lock is on. When the indicator is off, the letters appear in lower case as you type (unless you hold down the
Shift key).
Scroll Lock
Lights up when the screen scrolls differently. (Exactly how it scrolls depends on the specific application. This
function does not work with all applications.) When indicator is off, information moves across the display normally.
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Combinations and functions with the Fn key
If you switch user identities during a computing session, the Fn+F7 key functionality (if available on your computer) will
be interrupted. To switch to an external display or monitor, see Selecting the Display Mode for more information.
Combinations/
Feature Functions
Fn+ (ESC)
Standby Puts the system into Standby mode, a power management state. To return the system to the active state,
press any key on your computer.
Fn+ (F3)
Speaker switch Toggles the built-in speaker off and on.
Fn+ (F4)
Speaker volume Adjusts the built-in speaker volume.
To increase volume, press Fn+F4, then or .
To decrease volume, press Fn+F4, then or .
Fn+ (F5)
Brightness control Adjusts the brightness of the LCD.
To increase the intensity, press Fn+F5 and or .
To decrease the intensity, press Fn+F5 and or .
Fn+ (F7)
Switch to the
external display Toggles between the LCD, external display (connected to the VGA Monitor port), and both LCD
and external display modes.
Fn+ (F12)
Hibernate Provides for the lowest level of power consumption. When you execute this command, the state of the
system and state of the peripheral devices are written to the hard disk, and the system power is turned off. To return the
system to the original state, press the power button briefly to turn on the power.
Fn+B
Bass Boost Toggles the bass-boost function off and on. This feature is available only while using headphones.
Fn+ F Display control. Minimizes and maximizes the LCD screen. If the default display resolution is reduced, this
function maximizes the display resolution to fit the screen size. Maximizing the display screen enables you to view the
display at a greater resolution.
Some functions are not available until Windows® launches.
Page 7
VAIO Action Setup
VAIO Action Setup manages the settings for your computer's center Jog Dial Control, Memory Stick® media, and i.LINK
®1
interface. An overview of some of the functions controlled by VAIO Action Setup is provided in this section. For more
information on changing the settings using VAIO Action Setup, right-click the Jog Dial Utility icon or in the taskbar and
click Help Topics.
1
i.LINK is a trademark of Sony us ed to des ignate that a produc t c ontains an I E E E 1 3 9 4 c onnection. T he i.LINK c onnec tion may vary, depending on the
software applications, operating s ys tem, and c ompatible i.LI NK devices. A ll products with an i.LI N K c onnec tor may not c ommunic ate with eac h other. Refer
to the documentation that came with your compatible i.LIN K devic e for information on operating c onditions and proper c onnec tion. Before c onnecting
compatible i.LI N K P C peripherals to your system, s uc h as a C D-RW or hard dis k drive, c onfirm their operating s ystem c ompatibility and required operating
conditions.
Page 8
Using the Jog Dial Control
Your computer is equipped with a center Jog Dial Control, which enables you to scroll through applications, folders, and
documents from a predefined list. The Jog Dial Control is only compatible with preinstalled Sony software.
Using the Jog Dial Control
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Using the center Jog Dial Control
This section explains how to use the center Jog Dial Control. For information on how to change the settings of the center
Jog Dial Control, right-click the Jog Dial Utility icon or in the taskbar and click Help Topics.
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Launcher mode
The center Jog Dial Control window is in launcher mode until a software application is launched or the Jog Dial Control
window becomes active. When you select an item in the Jog Dial Control window and it is displayed between orange bars,
you can press the center Jog Dial Control to view a submenu of that item.
Using Launcher mode
To use the center Jog Dial Control, click the Jog Dial Control window or the Jog Dial Utility icon in the taskbar. Alternatively,
you can press the center Jog Dial Control while the Jog Dial Control window is active to switch to launcher mode.
Jog Dial Launcher
To select a desired item, proceed as follows:
1.
Rotate the center Jog Dial Control to select the item you want, and then press the center Jog Dial Control. The
Jog Dial Launcher window switches to guide mode and shows the function of the center Jog Dial Control.
Jog Dial Guide
2.
Rotate or press the center Jog Dial Control to use the desired function.
3.
To select another item, repeat steps 1 through 3 above.
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Guide mode
The Jog Dial Control window is in the guide mode when software is in use and the software window is active. Depending on
the software you are using, you can select items from the displayed list using the center Jog Dial Control. You can switch
between guide mode and launcher mode by pressing the Ctrl key and the center Jog Dial Control.
Using Guide mode
The Jog Dial Control window displays the function of the center Jog Dial Control.
Page 12
Center Jog Dial back button
The center Jog Dial Control includes a back button located to the right of the control. Pressing this button brings you back to
the previous screen.
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Using the center Jog Dial Control with Sony software
If Sony software that supports the center Jog Dial Control is active, you can use the functions of the center Jog Dial Control
that are allocated to that software. For more information on functions allocated to software, see the software application's
Help.
Page 14
Using the center Jog Dial Control with other software
If the software you are using supports the center Jog Dial Control, you can still use the center Jog Dial Control to scroll the
window or adjust the window size.
Using a Dialog box
When a window such as Screen Properties is active, the Dialog box is displayed in the Jog Dial window. You can select an
item in the window by rotating the center Jog Dial Control. Pressing the center Jog Dial Control is the equivalent of pressing
Enter or Select.
Jog Dial Guide Dialog Box
Page 15
Using Memory Stick Media
This new compact, portable, and versatile recording medium has a data capacity exceeding that of a floppy disk. The media
is specially designed for exchanging and sharing digital data with compatible products. Because it is removable, you can use
the media for external data storage.
Page 16
Types of Memory Stick media
Your computer uses two types of Memory Stick® media:
MagicGate Memory Stick media (hereafter referred as MG Memory Stick media), is provided with copyright
protection. (The MG Memory Stick media are colored white.)
Memory Stick media, does not have the same copyright protection as MagicGate. (The Memory Stick media
are colored purple.)
For music, which requires copyright protection, you can only use MG Memory Stick media. You can also use compatible
MagicGate devices to record and play back music when they are connected to your computer.
You can store mixed data on the Memory Stick media. For example, you can copy an image onto MG Memory Stick media
that already contains music.
What is MagicGate?
MagicGate technology is copyright protection that consists of authentication and encryption technology. Authentication
technology ensures that protected content is only transferred between compliant devices and media. Protected content is
recorded and transferred in an encrypted format to prevent unauthorized duplication or playback.
Ensure that the MG Memory Stick media has the MG mark .
To insert a Memory Stick media
1.
Hold the Memory Stick media with the label facing up and the arrow facing toward the Memory Stick® media slot.
2.
Carefully insert the Memory Stick media into the slot until it clicks into place.
Inserting the media in the wrong direction may damage the connector pins.
To avoid damaging the computer or the Memory Stick Media, do not force the Memory Stick media into the slot.
Inserting Memory Stick
To view the contents of Memory Stick media
1.
Click Start on the Windows® taskbar, and then My Computer.
2.
Click the Sony Memory Stick icon. The Sony Memory Stick window appears, displaying the contents of your
MemoryStick media.
To remove a Memory Stick media
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1.
Wait a minimum of 10 seconds after the media finishes reading or writing data before removing it. If the media is
removed prematurely, an error message appears, prompting you to continue or exit. Reinsert the media into the
slot and press Enter to continue. This enables the media to finish reading or writing data.
2.
Push the media in toward the computer.
Memory Stick m edia indicator
3.
When the media ejects, pull it out. The Memory Stick media may eject completely from the slot.
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Write-protecting Memory Stick media
Memory Stick® media is designed with a write-protect tab to protect valuable data from accidental erasure or overwriting.
Move the tab to the right or left to set or release write-protection.
Write-protect off Data can be saved on the Memory Stick media.
Write-protect on Data can be read from but not saved on the Memory Stick media.
Using the Write-protect tab
Page 19
Formatting Memory Stick media
Memory Stick® media is formatted for immediate use when you purchase it. If you need to reformat Memory Stick media, use
the Memory Stick Formatter that is provided with the media. Follow the procedures included here. For more details about
using Memory Stick Formatter, refer to Formatter Help.
Reformatting erases all current data that is stored on Memory Stick media. Before you reformat, confirm that
the media does not contain files you want to keep.
Do not try to format the Memory Stick using the Windows formatting function.
1.
Insert the Memory Stick media into the Memory Stick media slot. See To insert a Memory Stick media for more
information.
2.
Click Start, and then My Computer. The My Computer window appears.
3.
Right-click Sony MemoryStick, and then click Format. The Format Sony MemoryStick dialog box appears.
4.
In the Format Options box, click Quick Format to select it, and then click Start. A warning message appears.
5.
Click OK.
Do not try to format the Memory Stick using the Windows formatting function.
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Notes on using Memory Stick media
When the media's write-protect tab is set to LOCK, you cannot record or erase data.
Before using Memory Stick media, you should back up important data.
You can enjoy video clips that you have recorded with compatible Memory Stick digital camcorders.
The media slot accommodates one media at a time.
To copy images from a digital video camera via Memory Stick® media, see Connecting an i.LINK Audio-Video Device
for more information.
Only MG Memory Stick media can be used with copyright protected data like music.
Do not remove the media or turn off the power while the access light is on.
Do not use the media in locations that are subject to static electricity or electrical noise.
Do not touch the media connector with your finger or metallic objects.
Do not attach labels other than the supplied label to a media.
Do not bend, drop, or shock the media.
Do not disassemble or modify the media.
Do not allow the media to get wet.
Do not use or store the media in a location that is subject to:
Extremely high temperatures, such as in a car parked in the sun.
Direct sunlight.
High humidity or places with corrosive substances.
To prolong the life of the media, use the supplied storage case. See the instructions supplied with your media for
more information on its use.
Page 21
Using PC Cards
Your computer includes a PC Card slot, which enables you to connect portable external devices, such as an optical disc
drive.
The PC Card slot accommodates a Type I or Type II PC Card. This slot is compatible with Card Bus. Type III PC Cards
are not supported.
Page 22
To insert PC card
You do not need to shut down the computer before inserting or removing a PC Card.
1.
Insert the PC Card into the PC Card slot with the front label facing up.
Inserting PC Card
2.
Gently push the PC Card into the slot until it is firmly seated in the port and the release button pops out.
Do not force a PC Card into the slot. It may damage the connector pins.
When a PC Card is inserted, do not place your computer in a bag or case. Pressure or shock to a PC Card may damage
your computer.
Touching the head of the PC Card will not cause damage to the connector pins, but damage can occur if the head of the
PC Card is sticking out of the computer while the unit is being transported.
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To remove a PC Card while your computer is on
Failure to follow this procedure may result in a malfunction.
1.
Before disconnecting this drive, close all active applications to help prevent data loss.
2.
Double-click the Safely Remove Hardware icon in the taskbar. The Safely Remove Hardware window
appears.
3.
In the Hardware devices box, select the appropriate PC Card name if it is not already selected, and click Stop.
The Stop a Hardware device window appears.
4.
Make sure the appropriate PC Card name is selected, and click OK. A message appears stating it is safe to
remove the hardware.
5.
Press the Release button. The PC Card pops out.
6.
Gently grasp the PC Card and pull it out.
Release Button
Page 24
Notes on PC Cards
For some PC Cards, if you alternate between normal power operation and the Standby or Hibernate power
management modes while the card is inserted, you may find that a device connected to your system is not
recognized. Restart your system to correct the problem.
Some PC Cards may require that you disable idle devices when using the PC Card. You can use Sony Notebook
Setup to disable devices. See Displaying the Sony Notebook Setup Screen for more information.
Be sure to use the most recent software driver provided by the PC Card manufacturer.
If an exclamation mark (!) appears on the Device Manager tab in the System Properties dialog box, remove the
software driver, and reinstall it.
You may not be able to use some PC Cards or some functions of the PC Card with this computer. If you have
difficulty inserting a card, check that you are orienting the card correctly. See the manual supplied with your PC Card
for more information on its use.
Page 25
Using Power Saving Modes
When you use a battery as the power source for your computer, you can use the power management settings to conserve
battery life. In addition to the normal operating mode, which enables you to turn off specific devices, your computer has two
distinct power saving modes: Standby and Hibernate. When using battery power, the computer automatically enters
Hibernate mode when the remaining battery charge drops below 5 percent, regardless of the power management setting
you select.
If the battery level falls below 10 percent, you should either attach the AC adapter to recharge the battery or turn off
your computer and insert a fully charged battery.
Page 26
Normal mode
Normal mode is the normal state of your computer when it is in use. The power indicator displays green when your
computer is in this mode. To save power, you can turn off a specific device such as the LCD or the hard disk.
Page 27
Standby mode
In Standby Mode the computer saves the current state of the system in RAM and switches off power to the CPU. The amber
power indicator flashes in this mode.
To activate Standby mode
1.
Press the key combination Fn+Esc. You can also use the PowerPanel utility to enter Standby mode.
2.
Press any key to return to normal mode.
Page 28
Hibernate mode
In the Hibernate mode, the state of the system is saved on the hard disk drive and power is turned off. The power indicator
is off in this mode.
To activate Hibernate mode
1.
Press the key combination Fn+F12, or press the power button and release it immediately. The "Preparing to
Hibernate" screen appears, and the computer enters Hibernate mode.
Do not move the computer until its power indicator turns off.
2.
Press the power button to return to normal mode.
Page 29
Notes on power saving modes
Standby uses more power than Hibernate.
Standby requires less time than Hibernate to return to normal mode.
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