Sony VGC-RM1 User Manual

User Guide

Personal Computer

VGC-RM1 Series

Contents

Before Use .........................................................................................................................................................................5

Documentation .............................................................................................................................................................5

Ergonomic Considerations...........................................................................................................................................9

Getting Started .................................................................................................................................................................11

Getting to Know Your Computer ................................................................................................................................12

About the Indicator Lights ..........................................................................................................................................19

Setting Up Your Computer.........................................................................................................................................20

Shutting Down Your Computer Safely .......................................................................................................................34

Using Your VAIO Computer .............................................................................................................................................35

Using the Optical Disc Drive ......................................................................................................................................36

Using PC Cards .........................................................................................................................................................46

Using the Memory Stick Media ..................................................................................................................................49

Using Other Memory Cards .......................................................................................................................................54

Using the Jog Controller ............................................................................................................................................58

Using the Internet.......................................................................................................................................................60

Using the Bluetooth Functionality ..............................................................................................................................61

Using Peripheral Devices .................................................................................................................................................69

Connecting a Universal Serial Bus (USB) Device......................................................................................................70

Connecting a Printer ..................................................................................................................................................72

Connecting an i.LINK Device .....................................................................................................................................74

Connecting to a Network (LAN) .................................................................................................................................76

Customizing Your VAIO Computer ..................................................................................................................................78

Setting the Password .................................................................................................................................................79

Setting Up Your Computer with VAIO Central ...........................................................................................................82

Using the Power Saving Modes.................................................................................................................................83

Upgrading Your VAIO Computer......................................................................................................................................85

Before Upgrading Your Computer .............................................................................................................................86

Removing and Replacing Computer Panels ..............................................................................................................87

Adding and Removing Memory..................................................................................................................................93

Installing an Add-on Card ..........................................................................................................................................99

Replacing the Lithium Battery ..................................................................................................................................103

Installing the Hard Disk Drive...................................................................................................................................106

Precautions ....................................................................................................................................................................114

On Using the Power Source ....................................................................................................................................115

On Handling Your Computer....................................................................................................................................116

On Handling Floppy Disks .......................................................................................................................................118

On Handling Discs ...................................................................................................................................................119

On Using Headphones.............................................................................................................................................120

On Handling Memory Stick Media............................................................................................................................120

On Handling the Hard Disk ......................................................................................................................................121

Troubleshooting .............................................................................................................................................................122

Computer .................................................................................................................................................................123

System Security .......................................................................................................................................................131

Internet.....................................................................................................................................................................132

Bluetooth Technology ..............................................................................................................................................134

Optical Discs ............................................................................................................................................................138

Display .....................................................................................................................................................................142

Printing.....................................................................................................................................................................144

Microphone ..............................................................................................................................................................145

Mouse ......................................................................................................................................................................146

Speakers..................................................................................................................................................................147

Keyboard..................................................................................................................................................................149

Floppy Disks ............................................................................................................................................................150

PC Cards .................................................................................................................................................................151

Audio/Video..............................................................................................................................................................153

Memory Stick Media ................................................................................................................................................154

Peripherals ...............................................................................................................................................................155

Support Options .............................................................................................................................................................156

Sony Support Information ........................................................................................................................................156

Program Support Information...................................................................................................................................158

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, setting 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:

http://esupport.sony.com/EN/VAIO/ http://www.sony.ca/support 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 and Help and Support. 2 Click Manuals & Specifications. 3 Click VAI O Recovery Guide.

for customers in Canada,

for customers in USA,

for customers in Spanish speaking Latin American countries or areas, or

for customers in Brazil.

Before Use

❑ RAID Guide (Selected models only) — Provides an overview of RAID systems and the various RAID levels (or types)

that can be configured with your VAIO computer. It lists detailed procedures for using the RAID Recovery program to configure the hard disk drives, change your computer's RAID array, or to remove the RAID configuration. Additional procedures are also provided for using the VAIO Recovery utility and the Intel Storage Utility programs.

To access this on-screen guide:

1 Click Start and Help and Support. 2 Click Manuals & Specifications. 3 Click RAID Guide.

Before Use

Help and Support

Help and Support is easy to access and provides a single location for information and technical assistance for your VAIO computer. Choose from the following categories to find the answers you need.

To access Help and Support, click Start and Help and Support.

❑ Manuals & Specifications

Here you will find the on-screen User Guide, warranty information, other VAIO documents, and system and software information for your computer.

❑ VAIO Support

Access interactive help in the form of VAIO tutorials, an escalation page containing support and contact information, and various links to VAIO online support Web sites.

❑ Backup & Recovery

Find information on how to back up and restore your operating system, system software, and your personal data.

❑ Wireless & Network

Learn about wireless connections including Bluetooth Wireless technology and Wireless LAN. Run utilities that include VAIO Media Setup and Windows Network and Sharing, and access to wireless tutorials.

❑ Security

Keep your data safe and your computer running efficiently with updates and maintenance programs from Microsoft and Sony.

❑ VAIO Sites

Contains links to other Internet sites you might find interesting and useful.

Ergonomic Considerations

Whenever possible, you should attempt to take account of the following ergonomic considerations:

Before Use

❑ Ventilation – Leave at least 6 inches (15 cm) of space on the back sides of your computer to enable proper ventilation. ❑ Position of your computer – Place the display directly in front of you (1). Keep your forearms horizontal (2), with your

wrists in a neutral, comfortable position (3) while using the keyboard, pointing device, 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.

Before Use

❑ 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.

❑ Viewing angle of the display – Position the display directly in front of you, with the top of the screen at or a little below

eye level. Use the display's tilting feature to find the best position. You can reduce eye strain and muscle fatigue by placing the display in the proper position.

❑ 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.

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. Make 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.

❑ Getting to Know Your Computer (page 12) ❑ About the Indicator Lights (page 19) ❑ Setting Up Your Computer (page 20) ❑ Shutting Down Your Computer Safely (page 34)

Getting Started

Getting to Know Your Computer

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

Your computer may not be equipped with all of the hardware features described in this section. The location of the controls, ports, and jacks may vary from the illustrations shown below, depending on the model you purchased. See the online Specifications for your computer's specific hardware configuration.

Front

Main unit

A Hard disk drive indicator (page 19) B Power button/Power indicator (page 19)

Pressing this button will automatically turn on the access unit as well.

C i.LINK (IEEE 1394) S400 port (4 pins) (page 74) D Hi-Speed USB (USB 2.0) ports

E Front panel

Remove this panel to access hard disk drives.

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

(page 70)

Access unit

Getting Started

A Hard disk/Optical disc drive indicator (page 19) B Power button/Power indicator (page 19)

Pressing this button will automatically turn on the main unit as well.

C Bluetooth indicator (page 19) D Left front panel

Flip this panel down to access slots, ports, and jacks.

E Right front panel

Flip this panel down to access optical disc drives.

Getting Started

A SM/xD-Picture Card slot (page 54) B CF (CompactFlash

) memory card slot (page 54)

C Media Access indicator (page 19) D Memory Stick PRO/Duo media slot

(page 49)

E SD memory card slot (page 54) F DVD-ROM disc drive (page 36) G DVD-ROM disc drive eject button (page 36) H Blu-ray Disc drive (page 36) I Blu-ray Disc drive eject button (page 36) J i.LINK (IEEE 1394) S400 port (4 pins) (page 74)

K Hi-Speed USB (USB 2.0) ports

(page 70)

L Headphones jack

Connect external headphones.

M Microphone jack

Connect an external microphone.

N Manual eject holes (page 138)

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

Supports high-/full-/low- speeds.

Back

Main unit

Getting Started

Line In jack

A B WOOFER/CENTER jack C REAR jack D Network (Ethernet) port (page 76) E i.LINK (IEEE 1394) S400 port (6 pins) (page 74) F TO ACCESS UNIT port (page 23) G Modem port (page 29) H AC In port (page 32) I DVI-D port (page 24) J DVI-I por t (page 24) K S Video/Video Out port (page 26) L Printer port (page 73) M Keyboard port (page 27)

N Hi-Speed USB (USB 2.0) ports

(page 70)

O S/PDIF OPTICAL OUT port

Connect digital equipment such as an AV amplifier.

P FRONT jack (page 26)

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

Getting Started

Access unit

A Bluetooth antenna cover

There is a Bluetooth antenna behind this cover.

B Hi-Speed USB (USB 2.0) ports C PC Card slot (page 46) D PC Card release button (page 48) E TO MAIN UNIT port (page 23)

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

(page 70)

Getting Started

Keyboard

Getting Started

A Function keys

Perform certain tasks. The task associated with each function key varies among software applications.

B Muting button

Turns the volume on and off.

C Volume control

Turn this control clockwise to increase (+) or counterclockwise to decrease (-) the volume.

D Standby button

Places the computer into Sleep mode for power consumption. For details on power management, see Using the Power Saving Modes (page 83).

E Indicators

Num Lock: Turns on while in the Num Lock state. Caps Lock: Turns on while in the Caps Lock state. Scroll Lock: Turns on while in the Scroll Lock state.

F Windows keys

Display the Start menu.

G Applications key

Displays a shortcut menu in certain software applications.

H Directional arrow keys

Move the pointer on the screen.

I Numeric keypad

Use the numeric keypad to type numbers or to perform basic math calculations.

About the Indicator Lights

Your computer is equipped with the following indicator lights.

Indicator Functions

Power 1 (Both main and access units)

Hard disk drive (Main unit only)

Hard disk/Optical disc drive (Access unit only)

Media Access (Access unit only)

Bluetooth technology (Access unit only)

The indication behavior varies depending on the state of your computer unit: Green lit: the unit is on. Orange lit: the unit is in Sleep mode. Off: the unit is off.

Illuminates when data is read from or written to the hard disk or the optical disc. Do not enter Sleep mode or turn off the unit when this indicator is on.

Illuminates when data is read from or written to a memory card. (Do not enter Sleep mode or turn off the unit when this indicator is on.) When the indicator is off, the memory card is not being used.

Illuminates when Bluetooth technology is enabled.

Getting Started

Setting Up Your Computer

Placing Your Computer

Your computer consists of the main and access units and both are designed for either flat or upright placement.

To place the units in the flat position

When placing both units in the flat position, you can put the access unit on top of the main unit.

Do not put the main unit on top of the access unit.

Getting Started

To place the main unit in the upright position

The main unit comes with the four screw-type feet (1) on its bottom surface. Remove and screw them into the holes on the left side surface of the unit before placing the unit in the upright position.

✍

Use the supplied seals to cover the screw holes on the bottom when you use the main unit in the upright position.

Getting Started

To place the access unit in the upright position

The access unit comes with a designated stand (1) for upright placement. Use this stand to place the unit in the upright position as illustrated below.

Getting Started

Connecting the Main and Access Units

A designated connection cable is supplied with your computer for connection between the main and access units. Plug one end of the cable to the TO ACCESS UNIT port (1) on the back of the main unit and the other end to the TO MAIN UNIT port (2) on the back of the access unit.

Make sure that each end of the cable clicks into place.

Getting Started

Connecting a Display

Connect a display (not supplied) to your computer. When connecting it, see the manual that came with your display as well.

To connect a display (monitor)

1 If you want to connect a DVI monitor, plug its cable into the DVI-D (1) or DVI-I (2) port on the back of the main unit.

If you want to connect a VGA monitor, use a video adapter device (not supplied) to connect its cable to the DVI-I port (2).

If your monitor is HDCP-compliant, connect it to the DVI-D port. The DVI-I port is not compliant with the High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) standard.

2 If necessary, plug the display's cable into the rear of the display.

Getting Started

Your computer is compliant with the HDCP standard and capable of encrypting the transmission channel of digital video signals for the purpose of copyright protection, which enables you to play and view a wide variety of copyright protected, high-quality contents. Note that you need to connect an HDCP-compliant monitor to your computer to view the copyright protected contents. If your computer has a non-compliant monitor connected, you will not be able to play or view any copyright protected contents, including Blu-ray movie contents.

Getting Started

To connect a display (TV)

Plug one end of an S Video cable (1) (not supplied) into the S Video/Video Out (2) port on the back of the main unit and the other end to the S Video input port on your TV (3).

✍

You will hear audio from the speakers connected to your computer, not from the TV. To hear audio from the TV, use an audio cable (not supplied) to connect the FRONT jack on the back of the main unit and the audio input port on the TV. See the manual that came with your TV for more information on installation and use.

Connecting the Keyboard and Mouse

A PS/2 keyboard and a USB mouse are supplied with your computer.

To connect the keyboard and mouse

1 Plug the keyboard cable (1) into the keyboard port (2) on the back of the main unit. 2 Plug the mouse cable (3) into one of the USB ports (4) on the back of the access unit.

Getting Started

Be sure not to connect the mouse to any USB port on the main unit. The mouse will not be functional.

Getting Started

Connecting the Telephone and Modem

The main unit is equipped with a single modem port to connect the internal modem with a telephone wall jack. To use the wall jack for both telephone and modem lines, purchase an additional RJ-11 phone cable and a "1-to-2" port adapter device (splitter).

To connect the modem

1 Unplug the phone cable to your telephone from the wall jack and set aside. 2 Plug another phone cable (not supplied) into the modem port on the back of the main unit. 3 Plug the other end of the cable into the wall jack.

To connect the telephone and modem

1 Unplug the phone cable to your telephone from the wall jack. 2 Plug it into one of the ports on a "1-to-2" port adapter device (splitter) (not supplied) (1). 3 Plug one end of a second phone cable (not supplied) into the other port on the splitter device. 4 Insert the plug end of the splitter device into the wall jack. 5 Plug the other end of the second phone cable (2) into the modem port (3) on the back of the main unit.

Getting Started

The main unit has a protective sticker covering the network (Ethernet) port located on its back. Connect 10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, or 1000BASET cable to the network (Ethernet) port. Using an incorrect cable, such as a phone cable, may result in an electric current overload that can cause a malfunction, excessive heat, or fire in the network (Ethernet) port. For help on connecting to a network, see your network administrator.

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