Sony VGN-P530H, VGN-P530H G, VGN-P530H Q, VGN-P530H R, VGN-P530H W User Guide

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User Guide

Personal Computer

VGN-P500 Series

Contents

Before Use .........................................................................................................................................................................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 Pointing Device..........................................................................................................................................32

Using Special-function Buttons ..................................................................................................................................34

Using the Instant Mode ..............................................................................................................................................35

Using the Built-in MOTION EYE Camera...................................................................................................................37

Using the Memory Stick .............................................................................................................................................40

Using the SD Memory Card .......................................................................................................................................45

Using the Internet.......................................................................................................................................................49

Using the Network (LAN) ...........................................................................................................................................50

Using the Wireless LAN (WLAN) ...............................................................................................................................52

Using the Bluetooth Function.....................................................................................................................................56

Using Peripheral Devices .................................................................................................................................................61

Using the Noise Canceling Headphones ...................................................................................................................62

Connecting a Display/LAN Adapter ...........................................................................................................................68

Connecting an Optical Disc Drive ..............................................................................................................................70

Connecting External Speakers ..................................................................................................................................72

Connecting an External Display.................................................................................................................................73

Selecting Display Modes............................................................................................................................................75

Using the Multiple Monitors Function .........................................................................................................................76

Connecting a Universal Serial Bus (USB) Device......................................................................................................78

Connecting a Printer ..................................................................................................................................................81

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

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

Setting Up Your Computer with the VAIO Control Center..........................................................................................95

Using the Power Saving Modes.................................................................................................................................96

Managing Power with the VAIO Power Management ..............................................................................................101

Protecting the Hard Disk ..........................................................................................................................................103

Precautions ....................................................................................................................................................................104

Handling the LCD Screen ........................................................................................................................................105

Using the Power Source ..........................................................................................................................................106

Handling Your Computer .........................................................................................................................................107

Handling the Built-in MOTION EYE Camera............................................................................................................110

Handling Floppy Disks .............................................................................................................................................111

Handling Discs .........................................................................................................................................................112

Using the Battery Pack ............................................................................................................................................113

Using Headphones ..................................................................................................................................................115

Handling the Memory Stick ......................................................................................................................................116

Handling the Hard Disk ............................................................................................................................................117

Handling the Display/LAN Adapter ..........................................................................................................................118

Updating Your Computer .........................................................................................................................................119

Troubleshooting .............................................................................................................................................................120

Computer .................................................................................................................................................................122

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

Battery......................................................................................................................................................................132

Built-in MOTION EYE Camera.................................................................................................................................134

Networking ...............................................................................................................................................................136

Bluetooth Technology ..............................................................................................................................................139

Display .....................................................................................................................................................................143

Printing.....................................................................................................................................................................146

Microphone ..............................................................................................................................................................147

Mouse ......................................................................................................................................................................148

Speakers..................................................................................................................................................................149

Pointing Device ........................................................................................................................................................151

Keyboard..................................................................................................................................................................152

Floppy Disks ............................................................................................................................................................153

Audio/Video..............................................................................................................................................................154

Memory Card ...........................................................................................................................................................156

Peripherals ...............................................................................................................................................................158

Support Options .............................................................................................................................................................159

Sony Support Information ........................................................................................................................................159

Trademarks ....................................................................................................................................................................163

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.

Documentation

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

Printed Documentation

❑ Quick Start Guide — Contains an overview of components connection, set-up information, etc. ❑ Safety Information — Contains safety guidelines and owner information. ❑ Instant Mode — Provides a guide to use the Instant Mode.

Before Use

Non-printed Documentation

❑ User Guide (this manual) — Explains features of your computer. It also includes 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/ http://www.sony.ca/support/ http://esupport.sony.com/LA/ http://esupport.sony.com/BR/

❑ VAIO Recovery Center User Guide — Provides information about restoring individual software programs, hardware

drivers, and drive partition(s) or your entire built-in storage device to the original factory settings. To access this on-screen guide:

for customers in Canada

for customers in USA

for customers in Spanish-speaking Latin American countries or areas

for customers in Brazil

1 Click Start and Help and Support. 2 Click Use my VAIO. 3 Click VAI O Recovery Center User Guide.

Before Use

❑ SmartWi™ Connection Utility Help (Selected models only) — Provides information about setting up Bluetooth®*,

wireless LAN, GPS

, and wireless WAN* functions.

To access this on-screen guide:

1 Click Start, All Programs, and SmartWi Connection Utility. 2 Click SmartWi Connection Utility Help.

* Available on selected models only. See the online specifications to find out whether your model supports the Bluetooth and wireless WAN functions.

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.

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.

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.

Getting Started

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

Before starting your computer for the first time, do not connect any other hardware that did not originally come with your computer. 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 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)

Locating Controls and Ports

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

Front

A WIRELESS switch (page 52) B WIRELESS indicator (page 19) C SD memory card slot (page 45) D Media Access indicator (page 19)

E Memory Stick slot F Built-in MOTION EYE camera indicator (page 19) G Built-in MOTION EYE camera (page 37) H LCD screen (page 105) I Built-in microphone (monaural) J Keyboard (page 30) K Power switch L Power indicator (page 19) M Charge indicator (page 19)

N Hard disk drive

Your computer supports only the Duo-size Memory Stick.

The storage device configuration of your computer may include a built-in flash memory storage drive depending on the model you purchased. See the online specifications to find out about your configuration.

(page 40)

indicator (page 19)

Getting Started

Built-in speakers (stereo)

A B Pointing stick (page 32) C Left button (page 32) D Center button (page 32) E Right button (page 32) F Window arrangement button (S2 button) (page 34) G XMB (Xross Media Bar) button (S1 button) (page 34) H Num lock indicator (page 19) I Caps lock indicator (page 19) J Scroll lock indicator (page 19)

Back

A Battery connector (page 21)

Getting Started

Right

Getting Started

A Hi-Speed USB (USB 2.0) port B I/O port (page 69)

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

(page 78)

Left

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

C Headphones jack (page 62), (page 72)

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

(page 78)

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

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

Hard disk drive

Num lock

Caps lock

Scroll lock

WIRELESS Illuminates when the WIRELESS switch is turned on.

* The storage device configuration of your computer may include a built-in flash memory storage drive depending on the model you purchased. See the online

specifications to find out about your configuration.

Illuminates while the battery pack is charging. See Charging the Battery Pack (page 23) for more information.

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

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.

Press the Fn+Num Lk keys 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.

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.

Press the Fn+Scr Lk keys 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.

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

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

Getting Started

✍

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 99).

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

1 Turn off the computer and close the LCD screen lid. 2 Slide the battery LOCK switch (1) inward.

Getting Started

3 Fit the battery pack into the battery compartment.

The battery pack should be level with the bottom of the computer.

4 Slide the battery pack toward the front of the computer 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.

Getting Started

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

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

1 Install the battery pack. 2 Connect the computer to a power source with the AC adapter.

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 25).

Charge indicator status Meaning

Lit in orange The battery pack is charging.

Blinks along with the green power indicator

Blinks along with the orange power indicator

Blinks fast in orange A battery error has occurred due to a failed battery

The battery pack is running out of power. (Normal mode)

The battery pack is running out of power. (Sleep mode)

pack or an unlocked battery pack.

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

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 life of battery.

While some software applications or peripheral devices are in use, your computer may not enter Hibernate mode even when the remaining battery life is short. 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.

Getting Started

Using the Battery Charge Functions

You can customize the current battery charging method using the Battery Charge Functions: the battery care function and the quick charge function. The battery care function makes the life of battery longer, and the quick charge function allows you to charge your battery pack quickly.

✍

The quick charge function is intended to speed up battery charging while your computer is in Sleep or Hibernate mode or off. It does not reduce the battery charge time while the computer is in Normal mode.

To enable the battery care function and the quick charge function

1 Click Start, All Programs, and VAIO Control Center. 2 Click Power Management and then Battery Charge Functions. 3 Click to select the Enable Quick Charge Function check box in the right pane and click Apply. 4 Click Advanced. 5 Click to select the Enable Battery Care Function check box. 6 Select the desired maximum charge level. 7 Click OK.

To check the battery charge capacity

Follow steps 1 and 2 in To enable the battery care function and the quick charge function above, click Advanced, and check detailed information. If the battery charge capacity is low, replace the battery pack with a new genuine Sony battery pack.

Using the Battery Life Conserving Wallpaper

You can conserve your battery life just by setting the specific wallpaper as your desktop background.

To set the battery life conserving wallpaper

1 Click Start, All Programs, and VAIO Control Center. 2 Click Display and then Long Battery Life Wallpaper Setting. 3 Click Set Long Battery Life Wallpaper.

At the confirmation prompt, 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 switch (1) inward. 3 Slide and hold the battery RELEASE latch (2) inward, slightly slide the battery pack toward the back of the computer, lift

the back edge of the battery pack, and then take it out of the battery compartment.

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 then 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 Pointing Device (page 32)

❑ Using Special-function Buttons (page 34)

❑ Using the Instant Mode (page 35)

❑ Using the Built-in MOTION EYE Camera (page 37)

❑ Using the Memory Stick (page 40)

❑ Using the SD Memory Card (page 45)

❑ Using the Internet (page 49)

❑ Using the Network (LAN) (page 50)

❑ Using the Wireless LAN (WLAN) (page 52)

❑ Using the Bluetooth Function (page 56)

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 + 2 (F3/F4): volume Changes the volume level.

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

Fn + /T (F7): display output

Fn + / (F9/F10): zoom

To increase the volume, keep pressing the Fn+F4 keys or press the Fn+F4 keys and then the

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

To increase lighting intensity, keep pressing the Fn+F6 keys or press the Fn+F6 keys and then the M or , key. To decrease lighting intensity, keep pressing the Fn+F5 keys or press the Fn+F5 keys and then the m or < key.

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

Changes the size of an image or a document displayed on some software. To make the view look smaller and further away (zoom out), press the Fn+F9 keys. To make the view look bigger and closer (zoom in), press the Fn+F10 keys. See the help file included with the VAIO Control Center for more information.

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