Sony VGC-RT User Manual

User Guide

Personal Computer

VGC-RT series

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Contents

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

Notice ...........................................................................................................................................................................7

Documentation .............................................................................................................................................................8

Ergonomic Considerations.........................................................................................................................................12

Getting Started .................................................................................................................................................................14

Locating Controls and Ports.......................................................................................................................................15

About the Indicator Lights ..........................................................................................................................................21

Setting Up Your Computer.........................................................................................................................................22

Shutting Down Your Computer Safely .......................................................................................................................37

Using Your VAIO Computer .............................................................................................................................................38

Using the Keyboard ...................................................................................................................................................39

Using the Touch Pad .................................................................................................................................................43

Using the Mouse ........................................................................................................................................................44

Using the Optical Disc Drive ......................................................................................................................................47

Using the HDMI Input Function ..................................................................................................................................56

Using the ExpressCard Module .................................................................................................................................62

Using the Memory Stick .............................................................................................................................................66

Using the SD Memory Card .......................................................................................................................................72

Using the CF Memory Card .......................................................................................................................................75

Using the Internet.......................................................................................................................................................79

Using Wireless LAN (WLAN) .....................................................................................................................................80

Using the Bluetooth Function.....................................................................................................................................87

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Using Peripheral Devices .................................................................................................................................................93

Connecting External Speakers ..................................................................................................................................94

Connecting an External Display .................................................................................................................................96

Selecting Display Modes..........................................................................................................................................100

Using the Multiple Monitors Function .......................................................................................................................101

Connecting a Universal Serial Bus (USB) Device....................................................................................................103

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

Connecting an i.LINK Device ...................................................................................................................................106

Connecting to a Network (LAN) ...............................................................................................................................108

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

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

Setting Up Your Computer with VAIO Control Center..............................................................................................116

Using the Power Saving Mode.................................................................................................................................117

Upgrading Your VAIO Computer....................................................................................................................................120

Adding and Removing Memory................................................................................................................................121

Replacing the Hard Disk Drive.................................................................................................................................128

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Precautions ....................................................................................................................................................................139

Handling the LCD Screen ........................................................................................................................................140

Using the Power Source ..........................................................................................................................................141

Handling Your Computer .........................................................................................................................................142

Handling Floppy Disks .............................................................................................................................................145

Handling Discs .........................................................................................................................................................146

Using Headphones ..................................................................................................................................................147

Handling the Memory Stick ......................................................................................................................................148

Handling the Hard Disk ............................................................................................................................................149

Updating Your Computer .........................................................................................................................................150

Troubleshooting .............................................................................................................................................................151

Computer .................................................................................................................................................................152

System Security .......................................................................................................................................................158

Networking ...............................................................................................................................................................159

Bluetooth Technology ..............................................................................................................................................162

Optical Discs ............................................................................................................................................................166

Display .....................................................................................................................................................................170

Printing .....................................................................................................................................................................171

Microphone ..............................................................................................................................................................172

Mouse ......................................................................................................................................................................173

Speakers ..................................................................................................................................................................174

Touch Pad................................................................................................................................................................176

Keyboard..................................................................................................................................................................177

Floppy Disks ............................................................................................................................................................178

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Audio/Video..............................................................................................................................................................179

HDMI........................................................................................................................................................................182

Memory Stick ...........................................................................................................................................................184

Peripherals ...............................................................................................................................................................185

Support Options .............................................................................................................................................................186

Sony Support Information ........................................................................................................................................187

e-Support .................................................................................................................................................................188

Trademarks ....................................................................................................................................................................190

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Before Use

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 experience.

!

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

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Before Use

Notice

© 2008 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.

In the manual, the ™ or ® marks are not specified.

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 license agreement.

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Before Use

Documentation

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

Printed Documentation

❑ Quick Start Guide — Describes the process from unpacking to starting up your VAIO.

❑ Troubleshooting and Recovery Guide — Contains solutions to problems other than those you encounter during normal

operation.

❑ Regulations, Guarantee, EULA and Service Support — Contains Sony guarantee conditions,

safety / regulations, modem regulations, wireless LAN regulations, wireless WAN regulations,
Bluetooth regulations, end user software license agreement, and Sony support services information.

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Before Use

Non-printed Documentation

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

included with your computer, as well as information on solving common problems. The User Guide is provided in PDF
format for easy browsing and printing.

To view this on-screen guide:

1 Double-click the VAIO User Guide icon on the desktop.

2 Open the folder for your language.

3 Select the guide you want to read.

✍

You can manually browse to the user guides by going to Computer > VAIO (C:) (your C drive) > Documentation > Documentation and opening the
folder for your language.

To go to web sites described in this manual by clicking their respective URLs beginning with http://, your computer must be connected to the Internet.

❑ Specifications — The online specifications describe the hardware and software configurations 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://www.vaio-link.com

.

✍

You may have a separate disc that includes documentation for the bundled accessories.

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Before Use

Windows Help and Support

Windows Help and Support is a comprehensive resource for practical advice, tutorials, and demonstrations to help you
learn to use your computer.

Use the search feature, index, or table of contents to view all Windows Help resources, including those on the Internet.

To access Windows Help and Support, click Start and Help and Support. Or go to Windows Help and Support by
pressing and holding the Microsoft Windows key and pressing the F1 key.

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Before Use

Further Sources

❑ Consult the help files included with the software you are using for detailed information on features and troubleshooting.

❑ Go to http://www.club-vaio.com

to find online tutorials about your favorite VAIO software.

Ergonomic Considerations

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

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Before Use

❑ 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 mouse. Let your upper arms hang
naturally at your sides. Take frequent breaks while using 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.

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Before Use

❑ Viewing angle of the 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 level of the display as well.

!

While adjusting the viewing angle, do not exert excessive pressure on your computer, especially on the center of the speaker grill, to eliminate a risk of
mechanical damage.

❑ Lighting – Choose a location where windows and lights do not cause glare and reflection on the display. Use indirect

lighting to avoid bright spots on the display. Proper lighting adds to your comfort and work efficiency.

❑ Ventilation – Make sure you leave at least 10 cm of space behind and at least 20 cm of space on each side of the main

unit.

Getting Started

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

❑ Locating Controls and Ports (page 15)

❑ About the Indicator Lights (page 21)

❑ Setting Up Your Computer (page 22)

❑ Shutting Down Your Computer Safely (page 37)

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Getting Started

Locating Controls and Ports

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

Front

A Built-in speakers (stereo)
B LCD screen (page 140)
C SONY logo lamp (page 116)
D System power indicator (page 21)

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Getting Started

Back

Getting Started

A Back panel cover

Remove the back panel cover to access the ports and jacks
behind it (page 22).

B Base stand (page 144)
C Base stand cable clamp (page 24)
D Base stand release button (page 33)

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!

The aluminum part in the vicinity of the air exhaust vent (1) on the top surface of the
main unit becomes hot while your computer is on. Be sure to wait until the main unit
cools down before you touch the top surface.

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Getting Started

A Air exhaust vent (page 143)
B To p HARD DISK DRIVE ACCESS BAY (Port 1) cover (page

128)

C Bottom HARD DISK DRIVE ACCESS BAY (Port 0) cover (page

128)

D Left cable clamps (page 25)
E Right cable clamp (page 27)
F Memory module compartment cover (page 121)

AC In port (page 24)

A
B OPTICAL OUT port (page 94)

(Output Sampling Rate: 44.1 KHz/48.0 KHz/96.0 KHz)

C Network (Ethernet) port (page 108)
D Hi-Speed USB (USB 2.0) ports

*

(page 103)

E HDMI OUTPUT port (page 96)
F HDMI INPUT port (page 56)

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

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Getting Started

Right

Getting Started

A Power button/Power indicator (page 21)
B DISPLAY OFF button/DISPLAY OFF indicator (page 21)

Press this button to turn off the LCD backlight. While the HDMI
input is selected by the HDMI SELECT button (page 57),
pressing this button also turns off the volume.

C Hard disk drive/Optical disc drive indicator (page 21)
D Manual eject hole (page 166)
E Drive eject button (page 47)
F Optical disc drive (page 47)
G HDMI SELECT button (page 57)/

HDMI SELECT indicator (page 21)

H MENU button (page 57)
I Up/Down buttons (page 57)
J OK button (page 57)

K Hi-Speed USB (USB 2.0) ports

*

(page 103)

L WIRELESS switch (page 80)/

WIRELESS indicator (page 21)

M CONNECT button (page 29), (page 31)

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

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Left

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Getting Started

A ExpressCard/34

slot (page 62)

B CF memory card indicator (page 21)
C CF memory card release button (page 75)
D CF (CompactFlash) memory card slot (page 75)

E Memory Stick slot

*1

(page 66)

F Media Access indicator (page 21)
G SD memory card slot (page 72)
H i.LINK 4-pin (S400) port (page 106)

I Hi-Speed USB (USB 2.0) port

*2

(page 103)

J eSATA port

*3

Connect an external hard disk

.

K Headphones jack (page 94)
L Microphone jack

Connect an external microphone.

M Line In jack

Connect an external audio device for audio input.

*1

Your computer supports both standard- and Duo-size Memory Stick.

*2

Supports high-/full-/low- speeds.

*3

You cannot include the connected hard disk in the RAID array.

Getting Started

About the Indicator Lights

Your computer is equipped with the following indicator lights:

Indicator Functions

Power 1 Illuminates in green when the computer is on, illuminates in orange while the computer is in Sleep mode, and

turns off when the computer is off.

System power Illuminates when the computer is on and/or when the HDMI-compatible device connected to the HDMI INPUT

CF memory card Illuminates while data is being read from or written to a CF memory card. (Do not place the computer into Sleep

Media Access Illuminates when data is read from or written to a memory card. (Do not place the computer into Sleep mode or

HDMI SELECT Illuminates in green while the HDMI input is selected.

DISPLAY OFF Illuminates in orange when the LCD backlight is turned off.

Hard disk drive/Optical disc drive

WIRELESS Illuminates when the WIRELESS switch is turned on, provided that one or more wireless options are enabled

port is on.

mode or turn it off when this indicator is lit.) When the indicator is unlit, the CF memory card is not in use.

turn it off when this indicator is lit.) When the indicator is unlit, the memory card is not in use.

Illuminates when the drive is reading or writing data. Do not place the computer into Sleep mode or turn it off
when this indicator is lit.

in the VAIO Smart Network window.

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Getting Started

Setting Up Your Computer

Removing and Replacing the Back Panel Cover

Before accessing ports and jacks on the back of your computer, you first need to remove the back panel cover from the
computer.

To remove the back panel cover

1 Gently face down your computer on a flat surface.

!

When facing down your computer, be sure to place it on a soft cloth to avoid damage to the LCD screen.

2 Slide the back panel cover (1) toward the top of the computer until it unlocks.

3 Lift the cover away from the computer.

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To replace the back panel cover

1 Place the back panel cover (1) on the computer aligning both sides with the computer.

2 Slide the cover toward the base of the computer until it locks into place.

!

Keep the back panel cover on the computer unless access to the back panel is necessary.

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Getting Started

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Getting Started

Connecting a Power Source and Cables

You need a power cord to connect your computer to an AC power source and it must be plugged into the power source before
you can establish communication with your wireless keyboard and mouse. In addition, you might want to connect other cables
if you use some functions of your computer, such as the network (LAN) function.

✍

Use only the supplied power cord for your computer.

To connect the power cord and other cables

1 Remove the back panel cover from the computer.

See Removing and Replacing the Back Panel Cover (page 22) for the procedure.

2 Remove the base stand cable clamp (1) from the base stand.

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Getting Started

3 Plug one end of the power cord (2) into the AC outlet (3), plug the other end into the AC In port (4) on the computer, and

secure the power cord with the left cable clamps (5) on the computer.

✍

To open and close the left cable clamps, twist the clamp tips as illustrated below.

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Getting Started

Getting Started

4 Connect other cables to the computer, if necessary.

❑ To connect an HDMI cable to the HDMI INPUT port for using the HDMI Input function, see Using the HDMI Input

Function (page 56).

❑ To connect your computer to an Ethernet network, see Connecting to a Network (LAN) (page 108).

✍

When you have connected cables, push them into the right cable clamp (6) on the computer to secure the cables.

5 Bundle the power cord and other cables together by replacing the base stand cable clamp (7).

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6 Replace the back panel cover.

See Removing and Replacing the Back Panel Cover (page 22) for the procedure.

✍

To disconnect your computer completely from AC power, unplug the power cord when the computer is off.

Make sure that the AC outlets are easily accessible.

!

If you unplug the power cord from your computer while the computer is on or in Sleep mode, you may lose all unsaved data.

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Getting Started

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Getting Started

Connecting the Wireless Keyboard

A wireless keyboard and four AA alkaline batteries for use in the keyboard are supplied with your computer. Before attempting
to use the wireless keyboard, you must install the batteries and establish communication between the computer and the
keyboard.

✍

If you find your keyboard not working, for example after replacement of the keyboard batteries, try the following steps for reconnection.

To connect the wireless keyboard

!

To connect the wireless keyboard, it must be located within a range of 30 cm to 1 m from the computer.

1 Insert the supplied four AA batteries (1) into the battery compartment (2) on the bottom of the wireless keyboard.

2 Turn on the computer.

3 Slide the power switch (3) on the back of the keyboard to the ON position.

4 Press the CONNECT button (4) on the right of the computer.

5 Press the CONNECT button (5) on the bottom of the keyboard.

The connect indicator turns on in the LCD window on the keyboard when connection is established between the
computer and the keyboard. If not, repeat the procedure.

!

Steps 4 and 5 must be completed within 10 seconds of each other.

If the wireless keyboard is left unused for 20 minutes or longer, the connect indicator will turn off. This could indicate that the connection between
your computer and the keyboard is lost. Press the Fn key to check that the connect indicator turns on before using the keyboard.

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Getting Started

✍

You can check the battery indicator ( or ) in the LCD window on the wireless keyboard for its battery power level.

If the wireless keyboard does not operate properly, the batteries may need to be replaced. If you do not intend to use the wireless keyboard for an
extended period of time, remove the batteries to avoid possible damage from battery leakage.

If you want to put the wireless keyboard in a more 'ergonomic' position, flip open the keyboard feet.