Sony VAIO VGN-BX740, VAIO VGN-BX740P, VAIO VGN-BX760P, VAIO VGN-BX760 User Manual

User Guide

Personal Computer

VGN-BX700 Series

Contents

Before Use .........................................................................................................................................................................6

Documentation .............................................................................................................................................................6

Ergonomic Considerations...........................................................................................................................................8

Getting Started .................................................................................................................................................................10

Locating Controls and Ports.......................................................................................................................................11

About the Indicator Lights ..........................................................................................................................................18

Connecting a Power Source ......................................................................................................................................19

Using the Battery Pack ..............................................................................................................................................21

Shutting Down Your Computer Safely .......................................................................................................................27

Using Your VAIO Computer .............................................................................................................................................28

Using the Keyboard ...................................................................................................................................................29

Using the Pointing Device..........................................................................................................................................31

Using Special-function Buttons ..................................................................................................................................34

Using the Multi Function Bay .....................................................................................................................................35

Using the ExpressCard Module .................................................................................................................................39

Using the Memory Stick Media ..................................................................................................................................42

Using Other Memory Cards .......................................................................................................................................46

Using the Internet.......................................................................................................................................................49

Using Wireless LAN (WLAN) .....................................................................................................................................51

Using the Bluetooth Functionality ..............................................................................................................................58

Using Peripheral Devices .................................................................................................................................................66

Using the Optical Disc Drive ......................................................................................................................................67

Connecting a Multi Function Bay Docking Station .....................................................................................................77

Connecting External Speakers ..................................................................................................................................90

Connecting an External Display.................................................................................................................................91

Selecting Display Modes............................................................................................................................................96

Using the Multiple Monitors Function.........................................................................................................................98

Connecting an External Microphone........................................................................................................................100

Connecting a Universal Serial Bus (USB) Device....................................................................................................102

Connecting a Printer ................................................................................................................................................105

Connecting an i.LINK Device ...................................................................................................................................107

Connecting to a Network (LAN) ...............................................................................................................................109

Customizing Your VAIO Computer ................................................................................................................................110

Setting the Password ...............................................................................................................................................111

Using Fingerprint Authentication..............................................................................................................................121

Using Trusted Platform Module (TPM).....................................................................................................................129

Setting Up Your Computer with VAIO Central .........................................................................................................134

Using the Power Saving Modes...............................................................................................................................135

Managing Power with VAIO Power Management ....................................................................................................140

Protecting the Hard Disk ..........................................................................................................................................142

Upgrading Your VAIO Computer....................................................................................................................................143

Adding and Removing Memory................................................................................................................................144

Precautions ....................................................................................................................................................................150

On Handling the LCD Screen ..................................................................................................................................151

On Using the Power Source ....................................................................................................................................152

On Handling Your Computer....................................................................................................................................153

On Handling Floppy Disks .......................................................................................................................................155

On Handling Discs ...................................................................................................................................................156

On Using the Battery Pack.......................................................................................................................................157

On Using Headphones.............................................................................................................................................158

On Handling Memory Stick Media............................................................................................................................159

On Handling the Hard Disk ......................................................................................................................................160

On Updating Your Computer ...................................................................................................................................161

Troubleshooting .............................................................................................................................................................162

Computer .................................................................................................................................................................164

System Security .......................................................................................................................................................171

Battery......................................................................................................................................................................173

Internet.....................................................................................................................................................................175

Networking ...............................................................................................................................................................177

Bluetooth Technology ..............................................................................................................................................180

Optical Discs ............................................................................................................................................................184

Display .....................................................................................................................................................................189

Printing.....................................................................................................................................................................193

Microphone ..............................................................................................................................................................194

Speakers..................................................................................................................................................................195

Pointing Device ........................................................................................................................................................196

Keyboard..................................................................................................................................................................198

Floppy Disks ............................................................................................................................................................199

Audio/Video..............................................................................................................................................................200

Memory Stick Media ................................................................................................................................................201

Peripherals ...............................................................................................................................................................202

Multi Function Bay Docking Station .........................................................................................................................203

Support Options .............................................................................................................................................................207

Sony Support Information ........................................................................................................................................207

Program Support Information...................................................................................................................................211

Before Use

Congratulations on your purchase of this Sony VAIO® computer, and welcome to the on-screen User Guide. Sony has combined leading-edge technology in audio, video, computing, and communications to provide state-of-the-art personal computing.

External views illustrated in this manual may look slightly different from those of your computer.

Documentation

Your documentation includes printed information and user guides to read on your VAIO computer.

Printed Documentation

❑ Welcome mat — Contains an overview of connections, set-up information, etc. ❑ Safety Information — Contains safety guidelines and owner information.

Before Use

Non-printed Documentation

❑ User Guide (this manual) — Contains features of your computer. It also includes information about the software programs

included with your computer, as well as information on solving common problems.

❑ Specifications — The online Specifications describe the hardware and software configuration of your VAIO computer.

To view the online Specifications:

1 Connect to the Internet. 2 Go to the Sony online support Web site at the following URLs:

http://esupport.sony.com/EN/VAIO/ http://www.sony.ca/support

for customers in Canada

http://esupport.sony.com/ES/VAIO/ http://esupport.sony.com/ES/VAIO/BR/

❑ VAIO Recovery Guide — Provides information about restoring individual software programs, software drivers, and drive

partition(s) or your entire hard disk drive to the original factory installed settings. To access this on-screen guide:

1 Click Start, point to All Programs, and click VAIO Support Central. 2 Click VAIO Documentation. 3 Click VAI O Recovery Guide.

™

❑ SmartWi

Connection Utility Help (Selected models only) — Provides information about setting up Bluetooth, wireless

LAN, and wireless WAN functionalities. To access this on-screen guide:

1 Click Start, point to All Programs, and click SmartWi Connection Utility. 2 Click SmartWi Connection Utility Help.

for customers in USA

for customers in Spanish speaking Latin American countries or areas

for customers in Brazil

Before Use

Ergonomic Considerations

You will be using your computer as a portable device in a variety of environments. Whenever possible, you should attempt to take account of the following ergonomic considerations for 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, touch pad, 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 eyes, 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.

Before Use

❑ 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. 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.

Getting Started

This section describes how to get started using your VAIO computer.

Before starting your computer for the first time, do not connect any other hardware that did not originally come with your computer. Be sure to start up your computer with only the supplied accessories connected and set up your system. Upon completion, connect one device (for example, a printer, an external hard disk drive, a scanner, and so on) at a time, following the manufacturers' instructions.

❑ Locating Controls and Ports (page 11) ❑ About the Indicator Lights (page 18) ❑ Connecting a Power Source (page 19) ❑ Using the Battery Pack (page 21) ❑ Shutting Down Your Computer Safely (page 27)

Getting Started

Locating Controls and Ports

Take a moment to identify the controls and ports shown on the following pages.

The appearance of your computer may be different from those illustrated in this manual due to variations in specifications. It may also vary depending on the country or area of your residency.

Front

Getting Started

A Built-in microphone (monaural) B LCD screen (page 151) C Pointing stick (page 32) D Keyboard (page 29) E Power button F Touch pad (page 31) G Built-in speakers (stereo) H WIRELESS switch (page 51)

I Memory Stick PRO/Duo media slot

(page 43)

J Media Access indicator (page 18) K SD memory card slot (page 46) L Power indicator (page 18) M Battery indicator (page 18) N Hard disk drive indicator (page 18) O Bluetooth indicator (page 18) P WLAN (Wireless LAN) indicator (page 18)

Q WWAN (Wireless WAN) indicator

Your computer supports Memory Stick PRO media and Memory Stick Duo media with high speed and high capacity capabilities.

On selected models only.

(page 18)

Muting button (page 34)

A B S1/S2 buttons (page 34) C Num lock indicator (page 18) D Caps lock indicator (page 18) E Scroll lock indicator (page 18) F Fingerprint sensor (page 121)

Getting Started

Back

A Network (Ethernet) port (page 109) B Modem port (page 49) C Battery connector (page 21) D DC IN port (page 19)

Getting Started

Right

A Multi function bay (page 35) B Multi function bay unit eject button (page 35) C i.LINK (IEEE 1394) S400 port (page 107)

D Hi-Speed USB (USB 2.0) ports E Monitor (VGA) port (page 92)

* Support high-/full-/low- speeds.

(page 102)

Getting Started

Left

A Security slot B Air vent C Microphone jack (page 100) D Headphones jack (page 90) E Universal ExpressCard slot (page 40)

F ExpressCard

module release button (page 41)

Getting Started

Bottom

Getting Started

A Air vents B Battery RELEASE latch (page 26) C Battery LOCK/UNLOCK switch (page 21) D Multi function bay docking station connector (page 80)

Getting Started

About the Indicator Lights

Your computer is equipped with the following indicator lights.

Indicator Functions

Power 1 Illuminates when the power of the computer is on, blinks when the computer is in Standby mode, and turns off

when the computer is in Hibernate mode or off.

Battery e Illuminates when the computer is using battery power, blinks when the battery pack is running out of power, and

Media Access Illuminates when data is read from or written to a memory card. (Do not enter Standby mode or turn

Hard disk drive

Num lock

Caps lock

Scroll lock

Bluetooth technology

Wireless LAN Illuminates when the wireless LAN functionality is enabled.

Wireless WAN

* On selected models only.

double-blinks when the battery pack is charging.

off the computer when this indicator is on.) When the indicator is off, the memory card is not being used.

Illuminates 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 is on.

Press the Num Lk key to activate the numeric keypad. Press it a second time to deactivate the numeric keypad.

The numeric keypad is not active when the indicator is off.

Press the Caps Lock key to type letters in uppercase. Letters appear in lowercase if you press the Shift key

while the indicator is on. Press the key a second time to turn off the indicator. Normal typing resumes when the

Caps lock indicator is off.

Press the Scr Lk key to change how you scroll the display. Normal scrolling resumes when the Scroll lock

indicator is off. The Scr Lk key functions differently depending on the program you are using and does not work

with all programs.

Illuminates when the WIRELESS switch is set to ON and Bluetooth technology is enabled.

Illuminates when the wireless WAN functionality is enabled.

Getting Started

Connecting a Power Source

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

Using the AC Adapter

✍

Use your computer only with the supplied AC adapter.

To use the AC adapter

1 Plug one end of the power cord (1) into the AC adapter (3). 2 Plug the other end of the power cord into an AC outlet (2). 3 Plug the cable attached to the AC adapter (3) into the DC IN port (4) on the computer or on the optional multi function bay

docking station.

The shape of the DC In plug varies depending on the AC adapter.

Getting Started

✍

To disconnect your computer completely from AC power, unplug the AC adapter.

Make sure that the AC outlet is easily accessible.

If you do not use your computer for a long period of time, place the computer into Hibernate mode. See Using Hibernate Mode (page 138). This power saving mode saves the time of shutting down or resuming.

Using the Battery Pack

The battery pack supplied with your computer is not fully charged at the time of purchase.

Installing the Battery Pack

To install the battery pack

1 Turn off the computer and close the LCD screen lid. 2 Slide the battery LOCK/UNLOCK switch (1) on the bottom of the computer to the UNLOCK position.

Getting Started

3 Slide the battery pack diagonally into the battery compartment until the projections (2) on either side of the battery

compartment fit into the U-shaped cuts (3) on either side of the battery pack.

4 Rotate the battery pack in the direction of the arrow, and push the battery pack down into the compartment until it clicks

into place.

5 Slide the battery LOCK/UNLOCK switch to the LOCK position to secure the battery pack to the computer.

✍

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

This computer is designed to operate only with genuine Sony batteries.

Getting Started

Charging the Battery Pack

The battery pack supplied with your computer is not fully charged at the time of purchase.

To charge the battery pack

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

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

Battery indicator light status Meaning

On The computer is using battery power.

Blinks The battery pack is running out of power.

Double blinks The battery pack is charging.

Off The computer is using AC power.

Charge the battery pack as described in this manual from your first battery charge.

Getting Started

✍

When the battery pack is running out of power, both the battery and power indicator lights blink.

Keep the battery pack in your 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 pack or shut down your computer and install a fully charged battery pack.

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

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

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.

If the battery pack wears out when the computer enters Standby mode, you will lose any unsaved data. Going back to the previous work state is impossible. To avoid loss of data, you should save your data frequently.

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

Getting Started

Removing the Battery Pack

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

To remove the battery pack

1 Turn off the computer and close the LCD screen lid. 2 Slide the battery LOCK/UNLOCK switch (1) on the bottom of the computer to the UNLOCK position. 3 Slide and hold the battery RELEASE latch (2), hook your fingertip under the tab (3) on the battery pack, and turn the

battery pack in the direction of the arrow, and then slide it away from the computer.

Getting Started

Shutting Down Your Computer Safely

To avoid losing unsaved data, be sure to shut down your computer properly, as described below.

To shut down your computer

1 Turn off any peripherals connected to the computer. 2 Click Start and then Turn Off Computer.

The Turn off computer window appears. 3 Click Turn Off. 4 Respond to any prompts warning you to save documents or to consider other users and wait for the computer to turn off

automatically.

The power indicator light turns off.

Using Your VAIO Computer

This section describes how to get the most out of using your VAIO computer.

❑ Using the Keyboard (page 29) ❑ Using the Pointing Device (page 31) ❑ Using Special-function Buttons (page 34) ❑ Using the Multi Function Bay (page 35) ❑ Using the ExpressCard Module (page 39) ❑ Using the Memory Stick Media (page 42) ❑ Using Other Memory Cards (page 46) ❑ Using the Internet (page 49) ❑ Using Wireless LAN (WLAN) (page 51) ❑ Using the Bluetooth Functionality (page 58)

Using Your VAIO Computer

Using the Keyboard

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

Combinations and Functions with the Fn Key

✍

Some keyboard functions can be used only after the operating system finished launching.

Combinations/Feature Functions

Fn + F1: wireless switching

Fn + 2 (F3/F4): speaker volume Adjusts the built-in speaker volume.

Fn + 8 (F5/F6): brightness control Adjusts the LCD brightness of your computer screen.

Fn + /T (F7): display output

Fn + (F10): zoom

Toggles among Bluetooth, wireless LAN, and wireless WAN functionalities.

To increase the volume, press Fn+F4 and then M or ,, or keep pressing Fn+F4. To decrease the volume, press Fn+F3 and then m or <, or keep pressing Fn+F3.

To increase lightness intensity, press Fn+F6 and then M or ,, or keep pressing Fn+F6. To decrease lightness intensity, press Fn+F5 and then m or <, or keep pressing Fn+F5.

Toggles among your computer screen, an external display, and simultaneous output to both.

Changes the screen resolution to magnify/restore your computer's screen view.

✍

The magnified view is not as clear as the standard view, as it is implemented by applying a lower resolution to the computer screen with a higher resolution. This key combination 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 standard view is restored because pressing this key combination changes the resolution. When your computer's screen view is magnified, switching the view to the external display disables the function and restores the standard view.

Combinations/Feature Functions

Fn + (F12): Hibernate

* On selected models only.

Using Your VAIO Computer

Provides for the lowest level of power consumption. When you execute this command, the states of the system and the peripheral devices are written to the hard disk drive and the system power is turned off. To return the system to its original state, use the power button to turn on the power. For details on power management, see Using the Power Saving Modes (page 135).

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