Sony VGN-FW200, VGN-FW226, VGN-FW226J/H, VGN-FW226J/W, VGN-FW230J User Guide

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User Guide

Personal Computer

V G N - F W 2 0 0 S e r i e s

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Contents
Before Use .........................................................................................................................................................................	6
Documentation.............................................................................................................................................................	7
Ergonomic Considerations.........................................................................................................................................	10
Getting Started .................................................................................................................................................................	12
Locating Controls and Ports.......................................................................................................................................	13
About the Indicator Lights ..........................................................................................................................................	19
Connecting a Power Source ......................................................................................................................................	20
Using the Battery Pack ..............................................................................................................................................	21
Shutting Down Your Computer Safely .......................................................................................................................	28
Using Your VAIO Computer .............................................................................................................................................	29
Using the Keyboard ...................................................................................................................................................	30
Using the Touch Pad .................................................................................................................................................	31
Using Special-function Buttons ..................................................................................................................................	32
Using the Built-in MOTION EYE Camera...................................................................................................................	33
Using the Optical Disc Drive ......................................................................................................................................	36
Using the ExpressCard Module .................................................................................................................................	45
Using the Memory Stick .............................................................................................................................................	48
Using the SD Memory Card .......................................................................................................................................	54
Using the Internet.......................................................................................................................................................	57
Using Wireless LAN (WLAN) .....................................................................................................................................	58
Using the Bluetooth Function.....................................................................................................................................	61

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Using Peripheral Devices.................................................................................................................................................	66
Connecting External Speakers ..................................................................................................................................	67
Connecting an External Display.................................................................................................................................	68
Selecting Display Modes............................................................................................................................................	74
Using the Multiple Monitors Function.........................................................................................................................	76
Connecting an External Microphone..........................................................................................................................	79
Connecting a Universal Serial Bus (USB) Device......................................................................................................	80
Connecting a Printer ..................................................................................................................................................	83
Connecting an i.LINK Device .....................................................................................................................................	84
Connecting to a Network (LAN) .................................................................................................................................	86
Customizing Your VAIO Computer ..................................................................................................................................	87
Setting the Password .................................................................................................................................................	88
Setting Up Your Computer with VAIO Control Center................................................................................................	93
Using the Power Saving Modes.................................................................................................................................	94
Managing Power with VAIO Power Management......................................................................................................	99
Upgrading Your VAIO Computer....................................................................................................................................	101
Adding and Removing Memory................................................................................................................................	102

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Precautions ....................................................................................................................................................................	108
Handling the LCD Screen ........................................................................................................................................	109
Using the Power Source ..........................................................................................................................................	110
Handling Your Computer .........................................................................................................................................	111
Handling the Built-in MOTION EYE Camera............................................................................................................	113
Handling Floppy Disks .............................................................................................................................................	114
Handling Discs .........................................................................................................................................................	115
Using the Battery Pack ............................................................................................................................................	116
Using Headphones ..................................................................................................................................................	118
Handling the Memory Stick ......................................................................................................................................	119
Handling the Hard Disk ............................................................................................................................................	120
Updating Your Computer .........................................................................................................................................	121
Troubleshooting .............................................................................................................................................................	122
Computer .................................................................................................................................................................	124
System Security .......................................................................................................................................................	131
Battery......................................................................................................................................................................	132
Built-in MOTION EYE Camera.................................................................................................................................	134
Internet.....................................................................................................................................................................	137
Networking ...............................................................................................................................................................	139
Bluetooth Technology ..............................................................................................................................................	142
Optical Discs ............................................................................................................................................................	147
Display .....................................................................................................................................................................	152
Printing.....................................................................................................................................................................	157
Microphone ..............................................................................................................................................................	158

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Mouse ......................................................................................................................................................................	159
Speakers..................................................................................................................................................................	160
Touch Pad................................................................................................................................................................	161
Keyboard..................................................................................................................................................................	162
Floppy Disks ............................................................................................................................................................	163
Audio/Video..............................................................................................................................................................	164
Memory Stick ...........................................................................................................................................................	167
Peripherals...............................................................................................................................................................	168
Support Options .............................................................................................................................................................	169
Sony Support Information ........................................................................................................................................	170
Program Support Information...................................................................................................................................	173
Trademarks ....................................................................................................................................................................	184

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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.

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

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Before Use

Documentation

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

Printed Documentation

Welcome mat — Contains an overview of components connection, set-up information, etc.

Safety Information — Contains safety guidelines and owner information.

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.

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 the following URLs: http://esupport.sony.com/EN/VAIO/ for customers in USA http://www.sony.ca/support/ for customers in Canada

http://esupport.sony.com/ES/VAIO/ for customers in Spanish-speaking Latin American countries or areas http://esupport.sony.com/ES/VAIO/BR/ for customers in Brazil

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Before Use

VAIO Recovery Center User Guide — Provides information about restoring individual software programs, hardware drivers, and drive partition(s) or your entire hard disk drive to the original factory settings.

To access this on-screen guide:

1 Click Start and Help and Support.

2 Click Use my VAIO.

3 Click VAIO Recovery Center User Guide.

SmartWi™ Connection Utility Help — Provides information about setting up Bluetooth* and wireless LAN functions. To access this on-screen guide:

1 Click Start, All Programs, and SmartWi Connection Utility.

2 Click SmartWi Connection Utility Help.

*The Bluetooth function is available on selected models only. See the online specifications to find out whether your model supports the function.

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Before Use

Help and Support

Help and Support is easy to access and provides a single location for general 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.

Get started with my VAIO

Get help with Internet and wireless setup, security setup, personalizing your VAIO computer, and creating recovery DVDs and more.

Use my VAIO

Access your VAIO user guide, interactive help in the form of VAIO tutorials, how-to articles, the VAIO technology page, specifications, and system and software information.

Troubleshoot my VAIO

Maintain and troubleshoot your VAIO computer with VAIO Care, system restore, backup and recovery, and contact Sony support.

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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. 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 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 level of the display as well.

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.

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.

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Getting Started

Getting Started

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

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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 13)

About the Indicator Lights (page 19)

Connecting a Power Source (page 20)

Using the Battery Pack (page 21)

Shutting Down Your Computer Safely (page 28)

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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 MOTION EYE camera (page 33)

B Built-in MOTION EYE camera indicator (page 19)

C Built-in microphone (monaural)

D LCD screen (page 109)

E Built-in speakers (stereo)

F Keyboard (page 30)

G Touch pad (page 31)

H Charge indicator (page 19)

I Hard disk drive/Optical disc drive indicator (page 19)

J WIRELESS switch (page 58)

K WIRELESS indicator (page 19)

L Media Access indicator (page 19)

M SD memory card slot (page 54)

N Memory Stick slot* (page 48)

O Headphones jack (page 67)

P Microphone jack (page 79)

* Your computer supports both standardand Duo-size Memory Stick.

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Getting Started

A Num lock indicator (page 19)

B Caps lock indicator (page 19)

C Scroll lock indicator (page 19)

D S1 button (page 32)

E VOL-/VOL+ buttons (page 32)

F Play/Pause button (page 32)

G Stop button (page 32)

H Previous track button (page 32)

I Next track button (page 32)

J AV MODE button (page 32)

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Getting Started

Back

A Battery connector

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Getting Started

Right

A Hi-Speed USB (USB 2.0) ports* (page 80)

B Optical disc drive (page 36)

C Optical disc drive indicator (page 19)

D Drive eject button (page 36)

E Manual eject hole (page 147)

F Power button/Power indicator (page 19)

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

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Getting Started

Left

A DC IN port (page 20)

B Security slot

C Air vent

D Network (Ethernet) port (page 86)

E Modem port (page 57)

F Monitor port (page 68)

G HDMI port (page 68)

H i.LINK 4-pin (S400) port (page 84)

I ExpressCard/34 slot (page 45)

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Getting Started

Bottom

A Air vents

B Memory module compartment cover (page 102)

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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, blinks slowly in orange while the computer is in Sleep mode, and
		turns off when the computer is off or in Hibernate mode.
	Charge	Illuminates while the battery pack is charging. See Charging the Battery Pack (page 24) for more information.
	Built-in MOTION EYE camera	Illuminates while the built-in MOTION EYE camera is in use.
	Media Access	Illuminates while data is being read from or written to a memory card. (Do not place the computer into Sleep
		mode or turn it off when this indicator is lit.) When the indicator is unlit, the memory card is not in use.
	Optical disc drive	Illuminates while the drive is reading or writing data. When the indicator is unlit, the optical disc media is not in
		use.
	Hard disk drive/Optical disc drive	Illuminates while the drive is reading or writing data. Do not place the computer into Sleep mode or turn it off
		when this indicator is lit.
	Num lock	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 unlit.
	Caps lock	Press the Caps Lock key to type letters in uppercase. Letters appear in lowercase if you press the Shift key
		while the indicator is lit. Press the key a second time to turn off the indicator. Normal typing resumes when the
		Caps lock indicator is unlit.
	Scroll lock	Press the Scr Lk key to change how you scroll the display. Normal scrolling resumes when the Scroll lock
		indicator is unlit. The Scr Lk key functions differently depending on the program you are using and does not
		work with all programs.
	WIRELESS	Illuminates when the WIRELESS switch is turned on.

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Getting Started

Connecting a Power Source

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

Using the AC Adapter

Use only the supplied AC adapter for your computer.

To use the AC adapter

1Plug one end of the power cord (1) into the AC adapter (3).

2Plug the other end of the power cord into an AC outlet (2).

3Plug the cable connected to the AC adapter (3) into the DC IN port (4) on the computer.

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

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 intend to use your computer for a long period of time, place the computer into Hibernate mode. See Using Hibernate Mode (page 97). This power saving mode saves the time of shutting down and resuming.

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Getting Started

Using the Battery Pack

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

Installing the Battery Pack

To install the battery pack

1Turn off the computer and close the LCD screen lid.

2Slide the battery LOCK switch (1) inward.

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Getting Started

3Slide 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.

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Getting Started

4Rotate 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 switch outward to secure the battery pack on the computer.

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

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This computer is designed to operate only with genuine Sony battery packs.

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Getting Started

Charging the Battery Pack

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

To charge the battery pack

1Install the battery pack.

2Connect the AC adapter to the computer.

The charge indicator light turns on while the battery pack is charging. When the battery pack charges close to the maximum charge level you selected with the battery charge functions, the charge indicator turns off. To select your desired maximum charge level, see Using the Battery Charge Functions (page 26).

Charge indicator status	Meaning
Lit in orange	The battery pack is charging.
Blinks along with the green power	The battery pack is running out of power. (Normal
indicator	mode)
Blinks along with the orange power	The battery pack is running out of power. (Sleep mode)
indicator
Blinks fast in orange	A battery error has occurred due to a failed battery
	pack or an unlocked battery pack.

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

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Getting Started

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 charge level falls below 10%, you should either connect the AC adapter to recharge the battery pack or shut down your computer and install a fully charged battery pack.

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

While some software applications or peripheral devices are in use, 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 Sleep or Hibernate.

If the battery pack wears out when the computer enters Sleep mode, you will lose all 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.

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Getting Started

Using the Battery Charge Functions

You can select the battery charging method for your battery pack with the Battery Charge Functions. To make the battery life longer, enable the battery care function.

To enable the battery care function

1Click Start, All Programs, and VAIO Control Center.

2Click Power Management and then Battery Charge Functions.

3Click to select the Enable Battery Care Function check box in the right pane.

4Click Advanced.

5Select the desired maximum charge level.

6Click OK.

To check the battery wear level

Follow steps 1 to 4 in To enable the battery care function above and check detailed information. If the battery wear level is high, replace the battery pack with a new genuine Sony battery pack.

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Getting Started

Removing the Battery Pack

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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 Sleep mode.

To remove the battery pack

1Turn off the computer and close the LCD screen lid.

2Slide the battery LOCK switch (1) inward.

3Slide and hold the battery RELEASE latch (2) inward, put your fingertip underneath 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.

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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

1Turn off any peripherals connected to the computer.

2Click Start, the arrow next to the Lock button, and then Shut Down.

3Respond 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.

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Using Your VAIO Computer

Using Your VAIO Computer

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

Using the Keyboard (page 30)

Using the Touch Pad (page 31)

Using Special-function Buttons (page 32)

Using the Built-in MOTION EYE Camera (page 33)

Using the Optical Disc Drive (page 36)

Using the ExpressCard Module (page 45)

Using the Memory Stick (page 48)

Using the SD Memory Card (page 54)

Using the Internet (page 57)

Using Wireless LAN (WLAN) (page 58)

Using the Bluetooth Function (page 61)

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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 is finished launching.

Combinations/Feature				Functions
Fn + % (F2): speaker switch				Turns on and off the built-in speakers and the headphones.
Fn + 8 (F5/F6): brightness control				Changes the LCD brightness of your computer screen.
				To increase lighting intensity, keep pressing Fn+F6 or press Fn+F6 and then M or ,.
				To decrease lighting intensity, keep pressing Fn+F5 or press Fn+F5 and then m or <.
Fn +		/T (F7): display output		Toggles among your computer screen, an external display, and simultaneous output to both.
Fn +		/	(F9/F10): zoom	Changes the view size of your screen.
				To make the screen view look smaller and further away (zoom out), press Fn+F9.
				To make the screen view look bigger and closer (zoom in), press Fn+F10.
				See the help file included with the VAIO Control Center for more information.
Fn +			(F12): hibernate	Provides the lowest level of power consumption. When you execute this command, the states
				of the system and the connected peripheral devices are saved 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 94).