Sony VGN-B100, VGN-B100B, VGN-B100P User Guide
Welcome
Congratulations on your purchase of this Sony VAIO® computer, and welcome to the online VAIO® Computer User Guide.
This user guide provides detailed information on all aspects of using your new VAIO computer, from keyboard functions to
preinstalled software programs.
In the left navigation window, click the topics you want to learn more about, and that information will be displayed in this
main window.
View the Electronic Flyer, which provides updates and supplemental information about your computer.
Go to the Sony Computing Support Web site to view the VAIO® Computer Specifications, which list your computer's
hardware specifications and preinstalled software information.
For Sony software information, click Start and select Welcome to VAIO life.
Page 1
Ergonomics and Caring for Your Computer
This section provides information on how to safely use your Sony computer.
Page 2
Applying Ergonomics
Your computer is a portable device and can be used in a variety of environments. Whenever possible, you should apply the
following ergonomic considerations:
Position of your computer — Place the computer directly in front of you as you work. Keep your forearms
horizontal, with your wrists in a neutral, comfortable position while using the keyboard, touch pad, or external
mouse. Let your upper arms hang naturally at your sides. Take breaks during sessions with your computer.
Excessive use of the computer may strain muscles or tendons.
Furniture and posture — Sit in a chair with good back support and armrests. 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 backward.
Viewing angle of the computer's display — Tilt the display to find the best viewing angle. Also try adjusting the
brightness setting of the display. Following these suggestions can reduce eye strain and muscle fatigue.
Lighting — Choose a location where windows and lights do not create glare or reflection on the display. Use indirect
lighting to avoid bright spots on the display. You can purchase accessories for your display that help reduce glare.
Proper lighting adds to your comfort and work effectiveness.
Placement of 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.
Page 3
Storing Your Computer
Do not use or store your computer in a location subject to:
Heat sources, such as radiators or air ducts
Direct sunlight
Excessive dust
Moisture or rain
Mechanical vibration or shock
Strong magnets or speakers that are not magnetically shielded
Ambient temperature higher than 95ºF (35ºC) or less than 40ºF (5ºC)
High humidity
Do not place electronic equipment near your computer. When running, the computer's electromagnetic field may
cause other electronic equipment in close proximity to malfunction.
Provide adequate air circulation to prevent internal heat buildup. Do not place your computer on porous surfaces
such as rugs or blankets, or near materials such as curtains or draperies that may block ventilation. Leave a space
of at least 8 inches (20 cm) behind the back of the computer.
If the computer is brought directly from a cold location to a warm one, moisture may condense inside your computer.
In this case, allow at least one hour before turning on your computer. If any problems occur, unplug your computer,
and contact your Sony Service Center.
The computer uses high-frequency radio signals and may interfere with radio or TV reception. Should this occur,
move the computer a suitable distance away from the radio or TV.
Do not drop the computer or place heavy objects on top of the computer.
Page 4
Using Cables and Connections
Use only specified peripheral equipment and interface cables.
Do not use cut or damaged connection cables.
If the telephone company makes a service call to your home or office and determines that your computer is
responsible for a problem, the telephone company may bill you for the service call. Also, if you do not disconnect
your computer when it is adversely affecting a telephone line, the telephone company has the right to disconnect
your service until you correct the problem.
Page 5
Cleaning and Maintaining Your Computer
Clean the computer with a soft, dry cloth or a soft cloth lightly moistened with a mild detergent solution. Do not use
any type of abrasive pad, scouring powder, or solvent such as alcohol or benzine, as these may damage the finish
of your computer. You can use canned compressed air specifically for computers to remove dust.
If a solid object falls onto the computer or a liquid leaks into the computer, immediately turn off and unplug the
computer. It is best to have the computer checked by qualified personnel before you use it again.
Avoid rubbing the LCD screen as this can damage the screen. Use a soft, dry cloth to wipe the LCD screen or
canned compressed air.
Always disconnect the power cord before cleaning the computer.
Your computer is equipped with a cooling fan and heat sink that help your computer maintain a safe operating
temperature. These areas must be kept clean and free from debris, such as dust, dirt, pet hair, or other particles
that can restrict the flow of air. If dust is allowed to accumulate in the cooling fan and heat sink area, your computer
may overheat and stop operating properly.
Avoid using your computer in locations that are subject to excessive dust or dirt, such as the floor or on the
ground.
Avoid using your computer on or near surfaces that may have dust or shedding fibers, such as rugs,
blankets, curtains, or draperies.
Avoid using your computer in areas where pets are kept, or pet hair accumulates.
Page 6
Handling the LCD Screen
Direct sunlight can damage the LCD. Be careful when using the computer near a window.
Do not scratch the LCD or exert pressure on it. This can cause a malfunction.
Using the computer in low temperature conditions may produce a residual image on the screen. This is not a
malfunction. When the computer returns to normal temperature, the screen returns to normal.
The screen becomes warm during operation. This is normal and does not indicate a malfunction.
The LCD is manufactured using high-precision technology. You may, however, see tiny black points and/or bright
points (red, blue, or green) that continuously appear on the LCD. This is a normal result of the manufacturing
process and does not indicate a malfunction.
Page 7
Locating Controls and Ports
Congratulations on your purchase of the Sony® VAIO® computer. Sony has combined leading-edge technology in audio,
video, computing, and communications to provide state-of-the-art personal computing.
Front
1 Keyboard 4 Speakers
2 Touch pad 5 Wireless LAN switch1
3 Left and right buttons 6 S1 and S2 programmable buttons
1
Wireless LAN c apabilities are available on selected models only.
Front
Page 8
1 Wireless LAN indicator1 5 Hard disk drive indicator
2 Battery indicator 6 Num lock indicator
3 Power indicator 7 Caps lock indicator
4 Computer screen (LCD) 8 Scroll lock indicator
1
Wireless LAN c apabilities are available on selected models only.
Left
Page 9
1 Memory Stick® media indicator 5 i.LINK® (IEEE 1394) S400 port
2 Memory Stick® media slot 6 USB 2.0 ports
3 Microphone jack 7 PC Card slot
4 Headphone jack 8 PC Card eject button
Right
Page 10
1 Optical drive 4 Air Vent
2 Optical drive eject button and indicator 5 Modem jack
3 Optical drive manual eject hole 6 Power button
Back
1 DC IN port 3 Monitor (VGA) port
2 Battery connector 4 Network (Ethernet) port
Only connect 10BASE-T or 100BASE-TX cables to the Network (Ethernet) port. Do not connect any
other type of network cable or any telephone line to this port. Connecting cables other than those listed above may
result in an electric current overload and could cause a malfunction, excessive heat, or fire in the port. To connect the
unit to a network, see Network Connections or contact your network administrator.
Bottom
1 UNLOCK/LOCK switch 3 Port replicator connector
2 RELEASE switch 4 Air vents
Page 11
About the Indicator Lights
Indicator Function
Power
Turns on when the power to the computer is on, blinks in Standby mode, and turns off when the computer is in
Hibernate mode or off.
Battery
Turns on when the computer is using battery power, blinks when the battery is running out of power,
double-blinks when the battery is charging.
Memory Stick®
Turns on 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 is on.) When the indicator is off, the Memory Stick media is not being used.
Hard Disk
Turns on when data is read from or written to the hard disk. Do not enter Standby mode or turn off the
computer when this indicator is on.
Num Lock
Press the Num Lock key to activate the numeric keypad. The Num Lock indicator is on only while the numeric
keypad is active. Pressing the Num Lock key a second time deactivates the numeric keypad.
Caps Lock
Press the Caps Lock key to activate the Caps Lock indicator. Letters appear in uppercase only while the
indicator is on. If you press Shift while the indicator is on, letters appear in lowercase. Pressing the Caps Lock key a second
time turns off the indicator.
Scroll Lock
Press the Scroll Lock key to activate the Scroll Lock indicator. The Scroll Lock feature changes how you scroll the
display. It may function differently depending on the program you are using and does not work with all programs. Normal
scrolling resumes when the Scroll Lock indicator is off.
Wireless
LAN1 Turns on when the wireless LAN function is running.
1
O n selected models only.
See Internet and Network Connections for more information about wireless technology.
Page 12
Using S1 and S2 Buttons
The S1 and S2 buttons are pre-programmable buttons that enable you to quickly enter a power saving mode, switch
between displays, launch an application, alter the sound, or increase the screen's brightness.
Page 13
About the S1 and S2 buttons
The following information shows where the S1 and S2 buttons are located, and briefly describes their functionality.
Page 14
Locating the S1 and S2 buttons
The S1 and S2 buttons are located just above the keyboard.
Locating the S1 and S2 buttons
Using the S1 and S2 buttons
To assign a function to the button
1.
Click Start, and point to All Programs and then Sony Notebook Setup.
2.
From the Sony Notebook Setup submenu, click Sony Notebook Setup.
3.
Click to select the S Button tab.
Sony Notebook Setup
4.
Click to select a key assignment from the S1 or S2 drop-down menu.
5.
Click Apply.
Depending on the key assignment, you may be able to customize the S1 and S2 buttons further by clicking Advanced,
if it becomes available, in the Current Settings box.
Page 15
Mice and Keyboards
Using the Keyboard
Although your computer's keyboard is very similar to a typewriter's keyboard, you can use the additional keys on the
computer's keyboard to perform specific computer-related tasks.
Page 16
Mice and Keyboards
Using the Keyboard
Although your computer's keyboard is very similar to a typewriter's keyboard, you can use the additional keys on the
computer's keyboard to perform specific computer-related tasks.
Page 17
Key descriptions
Key Description
Numeric keypad
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. Press the Num Lock key to activate the numeric keypad. (When you do so, the Num Lock indicator light turns
on.) Press the Num Lock key again to deactivate the numeric keypad.
Arrow keys
The Left, Right, Up, and Down arrow keys move the pointer on the screen. They also function as the
Home, End, Page Up, and Page Down keys, respectively, when the Fn key is pressed.
Correction keys
The Insert, Back Space, and Delete keys enable you to make corrections to keystrokes.
Function keys
The 12 function keys along the top of the keyboard are used to perform designated tasks. For
example, in many programs, F1 is the Help key. The task associated with each function key may vary from one program to
the next.
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 Clipboard. You can
then paste the screen shot into a document and print it.
Operator keys
Page 18
(Ctrl, Alt, Shift 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
programs, instead of choosing the Save command from a menu, you can hold down Ctrl and press S (referred to as Ctrl+S
). The Shift key 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 Microsoft® Windows® operating system logo displays the Start menu; it is 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 19
Combinations and functions with the Windows key
Combination Function
+F1 Displays the VAIO Help and Support Center window.
+Tab Switches the selected button on the taskbar.
+D Displays the desktop.
+E Displays the Windows Explorer window.
+F Displays the Search Results window, where you can find a file or folder. This is the equivalent of selecting
Search from the Start menu.
+Ctrl+F Displays the Search Results - Computers window, where you can locate other computers. This is the
equivalent of selecting Search, and then Computer from the Start menu.
+M Minimizes all displayed windows.
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.
Page 20
Combinations and functions with the Fn key
Combinations/
Feature Function
Fn+F2 Toggles the headphones and built-in speakers off and on. An on-screen display appears notifying you
when a change occurs.
Fn+F3 Decreases the speaker volume. An on-screen display appears notifying you when a change occurs.
Fn+F4 Increases the speaker volume. An on-screen display appears notifying you when a change occurs.
Fn+F5 Decreases the brightness of the computer screen (LCD). An on-screen display appears notifying you when
a change occurs.
Fn+F6 Increases the brightness of the computer screen (LCD). An on-screen display appears notifying you when
a change occurs.
Fn+F7 Toggles the display between the computer screen (LCD), a connected external display, and both the LCD
and an external display. You can also select the Setup option to adjust the Plug and Display settings. Select one display
(LCD or an external display) when playing a DVD. An on-screen display appears notifying you when a change occurs.
Fn+F10 Changes the screen resolution of the entire desktop and any open dialog boxes.
Fn+F12 Puts the system into Hibernate mode, a power management state. To return the system to normal
operating mode, press the power button. Hibernate mode consumes the lowest level of power.
Fn+Esc Puts the system into Standby mode, a power management state. To return the system to the active state,
press any key or the power button.
Page 21
Connecting a Mouse and Keyboard
Your computer is compatible with many popular mice and keyboards. To function properly, the device you connect must be
compatible with the Microsoft® Windows® operating system installed on your computer. For information about your
computer's built-in keyboard and key functions, see Key descriptions.
Page 22
Connecting a mouse or keyboard
Your computer can be on or off when connecting a universal serial bus (USB) mouse or keyboard. If you connect the mouse
or keyboard when the computer is on, you may need to restart the computer for it to recognize the device. See What do I
do if the computer doesn't recognize the mouse? for more information.
To connect a USB mouse or keyboard to your computer
1.
Plug the USB cable into the USB port . See Locating Controls and Ports.
One USB port supports one USB connection.
2.
If the New Hardware Wizard appears, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.
Although the New Hardware Wizard guides you through the software installation, some devices require separate
driver software installation. See the instructions that accompanied your mouse or keyboard for more information
Connecting a USB Mouse
Page 23
Disconnecting a mouse or keyboard
You can disconnect a USB mouse or keyboard when the computer is on or off. Disconnecting the mouse or keyboard when
the computer is in a power saving mode (Standby or Hibernate) may cause the computer to malfunction.
To disconnect a mouse or keyboard
Unplug the USB cable from the USB port.
Page 24
Using the Touch Pad
Describing the Touch Pad
A pointing device called a touch pad is located in front of the keyboard. You can point to, select, drag, and scroll objects on
the screen using the built-in touch pad.
Page 25
Using the Touch Pad
Describing the Touch Pad
A pointing device called a touch pad is located in front of the keyboard. You can point to, select, drag, and scroll objects on
the screen using the built-in touch pad.
Page 26
Locating and using the touch pad
Locating the Touch Pad
Touch Pad Action Description
Sliding one finger Equivalent to using a mouse to place the pointer on an item.
Tapping once Equivalent to pressing the left button once.
Tapping twice Equivalent to pressing the left button twice.
Sliding one finger while pressing the left button Equivalent to using the mouse to drag an item.
Moving your finger along the right edge of the touch pad Equivalent to scrolling vertically. (The scroll function is available
only with programs that support a touch pad scroll feature.)
Moving your finger along the bottom to scroll horizontally Equivalent to scrolling horizontally. (The scroll function is
available only with programs that support a touch pad scroll feature.)
Page 27
Customizing the touch pad
Sony Notebook Setup lets you customize, enable, or disable the touch pad. Open the Mouse Properties dialog box to set
your touch pad and mouse preferences, such as changing pointers, enabling or disabling the tapping feature, clicking both
buttons simultaneously, and adjusting the touch pad speed.
To customize the touch pad and mouse
Right-click the Touchpad icon on the Taskbar Notification area, and click Mouse Properties from the shortcut
menu. The Mouse Properties dialog box appears.
To enable the touch pad
1.
Press the Windows key . The Start menu appears.
2.
Press P until All Programs is selected, and press Enter.
3.
Press S until Sony Notebook Setup is selected, and press Enter. A submenu appears with Sony Notebook
Setup preselected.
4.
Press Enter. The Sony Notebook Setup dialog box appears.
5.
Press the Right Arrow key to select the Device tab.
6.
Press the Tab key to select the Default button, and press Enter. A pop-up window appears.
7.
Press the Left Arrow key to select OK, and press Enter. The Enable Touchpad option is automatically
selected.
8.
Press the Tab key to select the Apply button, and press Enter.
9.
Click OK.
To disable the touch pad
1.
Click Start on the Windows® taskbar, and point to All Programs.
2.
Point to Sony Notebook Setup, and click Sony Notebook Setup in the submenu. The Sony Notebook Setup
dialog box appears.
3.
Click the Device tab.
4.
In the left panel, click to cancel the Pointing Device check box.
5.
Click Apply. A Sony Notebook Setup message appears.
6.
Click Yes.
Page 28
Using the Multilingual User Interface Language Option
(Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional only) After you have initially setup your new VAIO® computer, you can change the
language displayed in Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional operating system. The multilingual user interface (MUI) language
option changes the text controlled by Windows XP Professional operating system. Menus, help files, and icons generated by
Windows XP Professional are shown in your selected language. All other programs are displayed in English as the default
language.
The multilingual user interface language option is not designed to replace a localized version of the Microsoft
Windows® XP Professional operating system. Under certain conditions, some third-party software applications may not
function properly.
To Change the Language Option
1.
Click Start on the Windows® taskbar, and then click Control Panel.
2.
Click Date, Time, Language and Regional Options, and then click Regional and Language Options. The
Regional and Language Options dialog box appears.
3.
Click the Languages tab.
4.
From the Language used in menus and dialogs shortcut menu, select the desired language:
English
Español
Português
Français
5.
Click Apply. The Change Regional Options shortcut window appears.
®
6.
Click OK.
7.
Click Start on the Windows® taskbar, and then click Logoff.
Additional users can also change to their desired language(s) without affecting your existing language settings.
Page 29
Changing Numbers, Currency, Time, and Date Formats
You can change your operating system's number, currency, time, and date formats to coordinate with your chosen country
or language settings.
To change these formats
1.
Click Start on the Windows taskbar, and then click Control Panel.
2.
Click Date, Time, Language and Regional Options, and click Regional and Language Options. The Regional and
Language Options dialog box appears.
3.
From the Regional Options tab, click the Standards and formats shortcut menu to view the available country or
language choices. Select the desired country or language.
4.
Click Customize to change the number, currency, time, and date settings.
5.
Click Apply.
6.
Click OK.
7.
Click OK.
Page 30
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