Sony VGN-S380, VGN-S380B, VGN-S380P 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 Computer screen (LCD) 7 Hard disk drive indicator
2 Power button 8 Optical drive indicator
3 Keyboard 9 Memory Stick® media indicator
4 Left and right buttons 10 Wireless LAN indicator1
5 Power indicator 11 Bluetooth® indicator1
6 Battery indicator 12 Wireless switch
1
Wireless LA N and Bluetooth capabilities are available on s elec ted models only.
Front
Page 8
1 S1 and S2 programmable buttons 6 Touch pad
2 Num lock indicator 7 Optical drive
3 Caps lock indicator 8 Optical drive eject button
and manual eject hole
4 Scroll lock indicator 9 Memory Stick® media slot
5 Speakers 10 Air vent
Left
Page 9
1 Network (Ethernet) port 5 Monitor (VGA) port
2 Modem jack 6 PC Card slot
3 Microphone jack 7 PC Card eject button
4 Headphone jack
Gently pull the protective tab away from the computer to find the Ethernet port and modem jack.
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.
Right
Page 10
1 i.LINK® (IEEE 1394) S400 port 3 Air Vent
2 USB 2.0 ports 4 DC IN port
Gently pull the protective tab away from the computer to find the i.LINK S400 and USB 2.0 ports.
Back*
* T he bottom panel illus tration may vary s lightly from the ac tual c omputer.
1 Battery connector
Bottom
* T he bottom panel illus tration may vary s lightly from the ac tual c omputer.
1 Reset button 3 Port replicator connector
Page 11
2 Memory bay cover 4 Air vent
Page 12
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.
Optical Drive
Turns on when data is read from or written to the optical drive. Do not enter Standby mode or turn off the
computer when this indicator is on.
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.
Bluetooth®1 Turns on when the wireless switch is set to ON and Bluetooth technology is enabled.
Wireless
LAN1 Turns on when the wireless LAN function is running.
1
O n s elected models only.
See Internet and Network Connections for more information about Bluetooth and wireless technology.
Page 13
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 14
About the S1 and S2 buttons
The following information shows where the S1 and S2 buttons are located, and briefly describes their functionality.
Page 15
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, point to All Programs, and click VAIO Control Center.
2.
Select the List tab, and double-click S Button. The S Button dialog box appears.
S Button
3.
Click to select a key assignment from the S1 or S2 drop-down menu.
4.
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 16
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 17
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 18
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 19
Customizing the touch pad
Customizing your touch pad and mouse preferences may entail changing the pointers, enabling or disabling the tapping
feature, and adjusting the touch pad speed. The touch pad and mouse preferences are adjustable from the Mouse
Properties dialog box. You also have the option to disable the touch pad when you want to use an external mouse. If it is
disabled, the touch pad may easily be enabled again using a series of keyboard steps.
To customize the touch pad or mouse
Right-click the Touch Pad icon on the Taskbar Notification area, and click Mouse Properties from the shortcut
menu. The Mouse Properties dialog box appears.
Click Start on the Windows® taskbar, point to All Programs, and click VAIO Control Center. Select the List tab, and
double-click Mouse. The Mouse Properties dialog box appears.
To disable the touch pad
1.
Click Start on the Windows® taskbar, and point to All Programs.
2.
Click VAIO Control Center. The VAIO Control Center dialog box appears.
3.
Select the List tab, and double-click Built-in Pointing Device. The Built-in Pointing Device dialog box appears.
4.
Click to deselect the Enable checkbox, and click OK. A caution message may appear if an external mouse is not
connected to the computer.
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 V until VAIO Control Center is selected, and press Enter. The VAIO Control Center dialog box appears.
4.
Use the Tab and arrow keys to select the List tab.
5.
Use the arrow keys to select Built-in Pointing Device, and press Enter.
6.
Use the Tab key to select the Enable option, then press the +/= key, and press Enter.
Page 20
Powering Your Computer
Your VAIO® computer comes with a battery and an AC adapter. This chapter explains how to install and use these supplied
accessories to power your computer. It also describes ways you can efficiently utilize the battery as a power source.
Page 21
Using AC Power
The supplied battery is not charged when you receive your computer. To charge the battery and begin using the computer
immediately, insert the battery into the computer and use the supplied AC adapter as a power source. The computer
automatically charges the installed battery while it uses AC power.
Page 22
Connecting the AC adapter
To connect the AC adapter
1.
Plug the AC adapter cable into the DC IN port.
Connecting the AC Adapter to the Computer
2.
Plug the power cord into the AC adapter and an AC outlet.
Use only the supplied AC adapter with your computer.
Page 23
Turning on the computer
To turn on the computer
1.
Hold the bottom of the computer firmly with one hand, and lift the LCD screen lid with the other hand.
Opening the Computer
2.
Press the power button until the power indicator turns on.
Turning on the Computer
If you press and hold the power button, the computer turns off.
3.
Adjust the brightness of the LCD screen, if necessary.
Press the Fn and F6 keys to increase brightness.
Press the Fn and F5 keys to decrease brightness.
Page 24
Using the Battery
Your computer, depending on the model you purchased, may come equipped with one battery bay and one multipurpose
bay that supports a second battery. If your computer comes with two bays, you can purchase a second rechargeable
battery to extend your computing time. For information on how to extend the life of the battery, see Conserving Battery
Power for more information.
When operating your computer on battery power, your computer's CPU speed is reduced.
The battery that comes with your computer is not fully charged at the time of purchase.
Some VAIO personal computers may function only with a genuine Sony battery.
Page 25
Installing the Battery
The supplied battery is not charged when you unpack it. To charge it for future use, install the battery, and then connect
the AC adapter to power your computer. The battery charges from AC power regardless if the computer is on or off. For
information on how to extend the life of the battery, see Conserving Battery Power.
When operating your computer on battery power, your computer's CPU speed is reduced.
This computer is designed to operate only with a genuine Sony battery.
Page 26
Inserting a battery
To insert a battery
1.
Turn the computer over, and slide the UNLOCK/LOCK latch on the bottom of the battery to the UNLOCK
position.
2.
Align the grooves on the battery with the tabs on the back of the computer.
The bottom panel illustrations may vary slightly from the actual computer.
Inserting the Battery
3.
Slide the battery into the computer until it clicks into place.
4.
Slide the UNLOCK/LOCK latch into the LOCK position.
Locking the Battery
5.
Connect the AC adapter to the computer. See To connect the AC adapter.
If a port replicator is attached to your computer, do not insert or remove the battery. Lifting and turning the computer
with the port replicator attached could cause a temporary loss of power.
Some programs and peripheral devices prevent the system from automatically entering Hibernate mode. If you are using
battery power, save your data frequently to avoid data loss and manually activate a power saving mode. See Using power
saving modes for more information.
Page 27
Removing a battery
If you are not using the computer for an extended period of time, remove the battery from the computer to avoid damaging
the battery.
To remove a battery
1.
Make sure the computer is turned off.
2.
Turn the computer over, and slide the UNLOCK/LOCK latch on the bottom of the battery to the UNLOCK
position.
3.
Slide and hold the RELEASE latch while you pull the battery away from the computer.
Remov ing a Battery*
* T he bottom panel illus tration may vary s lightly from the ac tual c omputer.
Page 28
Charging a battery
You will need to charge the battery if battery power drops below 10 percent or you have not used the battery for a long
time. The lithium-ion battery supplied with your computer may be recharged at any time, whether you wait until the battery
is completely or partially discharged. Charging a partially discharged battery does not affect battery life. If you charge the
battery and find that battery power is still low, the battery may be reaching the end of its life, and you may need to replace
it.
The battery supplied with your computer is not charged at the time of purchase.
To charge a battery
You can charge the battery when the computer is on or off. However, the battery will charge faster when the computer is
off. Charging the battery takes several hours.
Charge the battery at temperatures between 50°F and 80°F (10°C to 30°C). Lower temperatures require more time
to charge.
1.
Insert the battery into the battery bay.
2.
Connect the AC adapter to the computer. The computer automatically charges the battery as long as the
computer is using AC power.
The battery indicator blinks while the battery charges. The battery indicator stops blinking when the battery is fully
charged.
When using two batteries, the battery you insert first charges first. The second battery you insert begins charging
when the first battery is 85 percent charged.
Battery indicator status Description
On The computer is using battery power.
Single blink The battery is running out of power.
Double blink The battery is charging.
Off The computer is using AC power.
Page 29
Notes on batteries
Never leave the battery in temperatures above 140°F (60°C), such as under direct sunlight or in a car parked in the
sun.
While the battery is in use or being discharged, the battery heats up. This is normal and is not cause for concern.
Keep the battery away from heat sources.
Keep the battery dry.
Do not open or disassemble the battery.
Do not expose the battery to any mechanical shock.
Battery life is shorter in a cold environment because of decreased battery efficiency at low temperatures.
Some VAIO personal computers may function only with a genuine Sony battery.
Page 30
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