Sony VGN-G11XRN-B, VGN-G11VN-T, VGN-G11XN-B User Manual

User Guide

Personal Computer

VGN-G series

Contents

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

Notice...........................................................................................................................................................................6

Documentation .............................................................................................................................................................7

Ergonomic Considerations.........................................................................................................................................11

Getting Started .................................................................................................................................................................13

Locating Controls and Ports.......................................................................................................................................14

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 .................................................................................................................................................32

Using Special-function Buttons ..................................................................................................................................33

Using the Optical Disc Drive ......................................................................................................................................34

Using PC Cards .........................................................................................................................................................43

Using the Memory Stick Media ..................................................................................................................................46

Using Other Memory Cards .......................................................................................................................................51

Using the Internet.......................................................................................................................................................54

Using Wireless LAN (WLAN) .....................................................................................................................................55

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

Using Peripheral Devices .................................................................................................................................................68

Connecting External Speakers ..................................................................................................................................69

Connecting an External Display.................................................................................................................................70

Selecting Display Modes............................................................................................................................................73

Using the Multiple Monitors Function.........................................................................................................................74

Connecting an External Microphone..........................................................................................................................76

Connecting a Universal Serial Bus (USB) Device......................................................................................................77

Connecting a Printer ..................................................................................................................................................80

Connecting to a Network (LAN) .................................................................................................................................81

Customizing Your VAIO Computer ..................................................................................................................................82

Setting the Password .................................................................................................................................................83

Using Fingerprint Authentication................................................................................................................................90

Using Trusted Platform Module (TPM).....................................................................................................................116

Setting Up Your Computer with VAIO Control Center..............................................................................................123

Using the VAIO Status Monitor ................................................................................................................................124

Using the Power Saving Modes...............................................................................................................................125

Managing Power with VAIO Power Management ....................................................................................................130

Changing the Performance Setting..........................................................................................................................133

Protecting Data from Unauthorized Use ..................................................................................................................134

Configuring Your Modem .........................................................................................................................................136

Protecting the Hard Disk ..........................................................................................................................................138

Upgrading Your VAIO Computer....................................................................................................................................139

Adding and Removing Memory................................................................................................................................140

Precautions ....................................................................................................................................................................147

On Handling the LCD Screen ..................................................................................................................................148

On Using the Power Source ....................................................................................................................................149

On Handling Your Computer....................................................................................................................................150

On Handling Floppy Disks .......................................................................................................................................152

On Handling Discs ...................................................................................................................................................153

On Using the Battery Pack.......................................................................................................................................154

On Using Headphones.............................................................................................................................................155

On Handling Memory Stick Media............................................................................................................................156

On Handling the Hard Disk ......................................................................................................................................157

Troubleshooting .............................................................................................................................................................158

Computer .................................................................................................................................................................159

System Security .......................................................................................................................................................165

Battery......................................................................................................................................................................166

Internet.....................................................................................................................................................................168

Networking ...............................................................................................................................................................170

Bluetooth Technology ..............................................................................................................................................173

Optical Discs ............................................................................................................................................................177

Display .....................................................................................................................................................................181

Printing.....................................................................................................................................................................185

Microphone ..............................................................................................................................................................186

Mouse ......................................................................................................................................................................187

Speakers..................................................................................................................................................................188

Touch Pad................................................................................................................................................................189

Keyboard..................................................................................................................................................................190

Floppy Disks ............................................................................................................................................................191

PC Cards .................................................................................................................................................................192

Audio/Video..............................................................................................................................................................194

Memory Stick Media ................................................................................................................................................195

Peripherals ...............................................................................................................................................................196

Support Options .............................................................................................................................................................197

Sony Support Information ........................................................................................................................................197

e-Support .................................................................................................................................................................198

Trademarks..............................................................................................................................................................200

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.

Notice

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.

Before Use

Documentation

Your documentation includes printed information and user guides to read on your VAIO computer. Guides are provided in PDF format, which you can easily browse through and print out. The My Club VAIO portal is a perfect starting point to use your computer — a comprehensive collection of everything you

need to get the most from your computer. The user guides are collected under Documentation, which can be shown by clicking the VAIO User Guides icon on the

desktop or following these steps:

1 Click Start , All Programs, and My Club VAIO. 2 Click Documentation. 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.

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

Before Use

Printed Documentation

❑ A Setting Up Poster — Describes the process from unpacking to starting up your VAIO. ❑ Troubleshooting Guide — Contains solutions to common problems. ❑ Recovery Guide — Contains an explanation of how to make a backup copy of your data and recover your computer

system, and solutions to computer malfunctions.

❑ Booklets containing the following information: Sony GUARANTEE conditions, Safety / Regulations, Modem

Regulations, Wireless LAN Regulations, Bluetooth Regulations, End User Software License Agreement, and Sony Support services.

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://www.vaio-link.com/

Before Use

My Club VAIO

In My Club VAIO you can find: Documentation, which gives you: ❑ Access to the User Guide. This manual explains the features of your computer in detail, how to use these features

confidently and safely, connect peripheral devices and more.

❑ Access to Help & Training. This is the portal of VAIO Help and Support Center. ❑ Important information about your computer, in the form of notices and announcements.

In My Club VAIO you can also find:

❑ Accessories

Want to expand the capabilities of your computer? Click this icon and have a look at your compatible accessories.

❑ Software

Feeling creative? Click this icon for an overview of your software and check out our upgrade options.

❑ Wallpapers

Click this icon and check out our most popular Sony and Club VAIO wallpapers.

❑ Links

Click this icon and check out our most popular Sony and Club VAIO Web sites.

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 that are 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.

Further Sources

❑ Consult the help files on 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.

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 to both stationary and portable environments:

❑ Position of your computer – Place the computer directly in front of you (1). Keep your forearms horizontal (2), with your

wrists in a neutral, comfortable position (3) while using the keyboard, touch pad, or external mouse. Let your upper arms hang naturally at your sides. Have breaks during sessions with your computer. Excessive use of the computer may strain muscles or tendons.

❑ Furniture and posture – Sit in a chair with good back support. Adjust the level of the chair so your feet are flat on the

floor. A footrest may make you more comfortable. Sit in a relaxed, upright posture and avoid slouching forward or leaning far backwards.

Before Use

❑ Viewing angle of the computer's display – Use the display's tilting feature to find the best position. You can reduce eye

strain and muscle fatigue by adjusting the tilt of the display to the proper position. Adjust the brightness setting of the display as well.

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

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

❑ Positioning an external display – When using an external display, set the display at a comfortable viewing distance.

Make sure the display screen is at eye level or slightly lower when you are sitting in front of the monitor.

Getting Started

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

❑ Locating Controls and Ports (page 14) ❑ 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)

Getting Started

Locating Controls and Ports

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

Front

A WIRELESS switch (page 55) B Fingerprint sensor (page 90) C Presentation/S button (page 33) D Disc drive eject button (page 33) E Num lock indicator (page 19) F Caps lock indicator (page 19) G Scroll lock indicator (page 19) H Battery indicator (page 19) I Hard disk drive indicator (page 19) J WLAN (Wireless LAN) indicator (page 19) K Bluetooth indicator (page 19)

Getting Started

LCD screen (page 148)

A B Power button C Power indicator (page 19) D Keyboard (page 30) E Touch pad (page 32) F Air vents G Media Access indicator (page 19)

H Memory Stick PRO/Duo media slot

(page 47)

I SD memory card slot (page 51) J Built-in speaker (monaural) K Headphones jack (page 69) L Microphone jack (page 76)

* Your computer supports Memory Stick PRO media and Memory Stick Duo

media with high speed and high capacity capabilities.

Right

A Optical disc drive (page 34) B Optical disc drive indicator (page 19) C Manual eject hole (page 177) D Substitute drive eject button (page 34) E Air vent F Modem port (page 54) G Monitor (VGA) port (page 70)

H Hi-Speed USB (USB 2.0) port

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

(page 77)

Getting Started

Left

A DC IN port (page 20) B Hi-Speed USB (USB 2.0) port

C Network (Ethernet) port (page 81) D Air vent E PC Card slot (page 43) F PC Card release button (page 45) G Security slot

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

(page 77)

Getting Started

Bottom

A Air vents B Battery connector C Battery RELEASE latch (page 27) D Battery LOCK/UNLOCK switch (page 21)

Getting Started

About the Indicator Lights

Your computer is equipped with the following indicator lights.

Indicator Functions

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

when the computer is in Hibernate mode or off.

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

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

Optical disc drive Illuminates when data is read from or written to the optical disc. When the indicator is off, the optical disc is not

Hard disk drive

Num lock

Caps lock

Scroll lock

Bluetooth technology

Wireless LAN Illuminates when the wireless LAN function is running.

double-blinks when the battery pack is charging.

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

being used.

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

Press the Num Lk key to activate the numeric keypad. Press it a second time to deactivate the numeric keypad. The numeric keypad is not active when the indicator is off.

Press the Caps Lock key to type letters in uppercase. Letters appear in lowercase if you press the Shift key while the indicator is on. Press the key a second time to turn off the indicator. Normal typing resumes when the Caps lock indicator is off.

Press the Scr Lk key to change how you scroll the display. Normal scrolling resumes when the Scroll lock indicator is off. The Scr Lk key functions differently depending on the program you are using and does not work with all programs.

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

Connecting a Power Source

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

Using the AC Adapter

✍

Use your computer only with the supplied AC adapter.

To use the AC adapter

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

Getting Started

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 use your computer for a long period of time, place the computer into Hibernate mode. See Using Hibernate Mode (page 128). This power saving mode saves the time of shutting down or resuming.

Using the Battery Pack

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

Installing the Battery Pack

To install the battery pack

Be careful not to hit the LCD screen with the battery pack while installing it.

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

Getting Started

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

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

Getting Started

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

into place.

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

✍

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

Certain rechargeable batteries do not meet Sony quality and safety standards. For safety reasons this computer only functions with genuine Sony batteries designed for this model. When installing another kind of battery, the battery will not be charged and the computer will not function.

Getting Started

Charging the Battery Pack

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

To charge the battery pack

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

The computer automatically charges the battery pack (the battery indicator light flashes in a double blink pattern as the battery pack charges). When the battery pack charges to the charging capacity you selected with the battery care function, the battery indicator turns off. To select the maximum charging capacity with the battery care function, see To

use the battery care function (page 26).

Battery indicator light status Meaning

On The computer is using battery power.

Blinks The battery pack is running out of power.

Double blinks The battery pack is charging.

Off The computer is using AC power.

Getting Started

✍

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

Keep the battery pack in your computer while it is directly connected to AC power. The battery pack continues to charge while you are using the computer.

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

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

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

For some software applications and some peripheral devices, your computer may not enter Hibernate mode even when battery life is low. To avoid loss of data when using battery power, you should save your data frequently and manually activate a power management mode, such as Sleep or Hibernate.

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

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

To use the battery care function

You can limit the maximum charging capacity with the battery care function to reduce battery degradation. 1 Click Start, All Programs, and VAIO Control Center.

The VAIO Control Center window appears.

2 Double-click Power Management and Battery Care Function. 3 Click to select the Enable Battery Care Function check box. 4 Select the desired maximum charging capacity. 5 Click OK.

Getting Started

Removing the Battery Pack

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

To remove the battery pack

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

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

Getting Started

Shutting Down Your Computer Safely

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

To shut down your computer

1 Turn off any peripherals connected to the computer. 2 Click Start, the arrow next to the Lock button, and Shut Down.

3 Respond to any prompts warning you to save documents or to consider other users and wait for the computer to turn off

automatically. The power indicator light turns off.

Using Your VAIO Computer

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

❑ Using the Keyboard (page 30) ❑ Using the Touch Pad (page 32) ❑ Using Special-function Buttons (page 33) ❑ Using the Optical Disc Drive (page 34) ❑ Using PC Cards (page 43) ❑ Using the Memory Stick Media (page 46) ❑ Using Other Memory Cards (page 51) ❑ Using the Internet (page 54) ❑ Using Wireless LAN (WLAN) (page 55) ❑ Using the Bluetooth Functionality (page 61)

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. The VAIO-Link Web site (http://www.vaio-link.com

Combinations and Functions with the Fn Key

✍

Some functions are not available before Windows launches.

Combinations/Feature Functions

Fn + % (F2): speaker switch Turns on and off the built-in speakers and the headphones.

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

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

Fn + /T (F7): display output

) also contains glossary information to help you use the keyboard.

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

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

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

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