Sony VGN-TX1XP-B, VGN-TX1HP-W, VGN-TX1XRP-B, VGN-TX1XP-L User Manual

User Guide

Personal Computer

VGN-TX series

Contents

Before Use .........................................................................................................................................................................5

Notice...........................................................................................................................................................................5

NERGY STAR ...............................................................................................................................................................5

Documentation .............................................................................................................................................................6

Ergonomic Considerations...........................................................................................................................................9

Getting Started .................................................................................................................................................................11

Locating Controls and Ports.......................................................................................................................................11

About the Indicator Lights ..........................................................................................................................................17

Connecting a Power Source ......................................................................................................................................18

Using the Battery Pack ..............................................................................................................................................19

Shutting Down Your Computer Safely .......................................................................................................................22

Using Your VAIO Computer.............................................................................................................................................24

Using the Keyboard ...................................................................................................................................................24

Using the Touch Pad .................................................................................................................................................26

Using Special-function Buttons ..................................................................................................................................27

Using the Optical Disc Drive ......................................................................................................................................28

Using PC Cards .........................................................................................................................................................35

Using the Memory Stick Media ..................................................................................................................................37

Using Other Memory Cards .......................................................................................................................................40

Using the Internet.......................................................................................................................................................42

Using Wireless LAN (WLAN) .....................................................................................................................................43

Using the Bluetooth Functionality ..............................................................................................................................50

Using Peripheral Devices .................................................................................................................................................55

Connecting a Port Replicator .....................................................................................................................................55

Connecting External Speakers ..................................................................................................................................58

Connecting an External Display.................................................................................................................................59

Selecting Display Modes............................................................................................................................................63

Using the Multiple Monitors Function.........................................................................................................................64

Connecting an External Microphone..........................................................................................................................65

Connecting a Universal Serial Bus (USB) Device......................................................................................................66

Connecting a Printer ..................................................................................................................................................68

Connecting an i.LINK Device .....................................................................................................................................69

Connecting to a Network (LAN) .................................................................................................................................71

Customizing Your VAIO Computer ..................................................................................................................................73

Setting the Password .................................................................................................................................................73

Setting Up Your Computer with VAIO Control Center................................................................................................75

Using the Power Saving Modes.................................................................................................................................75

Managing Power with VAIO Power Management ......................................................................................................79

Setting Up Your Language with Windows XP Professional .......................................................................................81

Upgrading Your VAIO Computer......................................................................................................................................84

Adding and Removing Memory..................................................................................................................................84

Precautions ......................................................................................................................................................................89

On Handling the LCD Screen ....................................................................................................................................89

On Using the Power Source ......................................................................................................................................90

On Handling Your Computer......................................................................................................................................90

On Handling Floppy Disks .........................................................................................................................................92

On Handling Discs .....................................................................................................................................................92

On Using the Battery Pack.........................................................................................................................................93

On Using Headphones...............................................................................................................................................94

On Handling Memory Stick Media..............................................................................................................................94

On Handling the Hard Disk ........................................................................................................................................95

Troubleshooting ...............................................................................................................................................................96

Troubleshooting the optical disc drive........................................................................................................................96

Troubleshooting PC Cards.........................................................................................................................................99

Troubleshooting the modem ......................................................................................................................................99

Troubleshooting the Bluetooth functionality .............................................................................................................101

Troubleshooting Wireless LAN ................................................................................................................................103

Troubleshooting Power Management ......................................................................................................................106

Troubleshooting External Displays ..........................................................................................................................106

Troubleshooting Sound (Speaker) ...........................................................................................................................107

Troubleshooting Sound (Microphone)......................................................................................................................107

Troubleshooting Floppy Disks..................................................................................................................................108

Troubleshooting Printers ..........................................................................................................................................109

Troubleshooting i.LINK Devices...............................................................................................................................110

Support Options .............................................................................................................................................................112

Sony Support Information ........................................................................................................................................112

e-Support .................................................................................................................................................................113

Trademarks..............................................................................................................................................................114

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.

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

ENERGY STAR

As an ENERGY STAR Partner, Sony has determined that this product meets the ENERGY STAR guidelines for energy efficiency. The International E

the use of computers and their office equipment. The program backs the development and dissemination of products with functions that effectively reduce energy consumption. It is an open system in which business proprietors can participate voluntarily. The targeted products are office equipment such as computers, displays, printers, facsimiles and copiers. Their standards and logos are uniform among participating nations.

NERGY STAR is a U.S. registered mark.

NERGY STAR Office Equipment Program is an international program that promotes energy saving through

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 as follows:

1 Click Start and then the My Club VAIO icon . 2 Click Documentation. 3 Select the guide you want to read.

✍

You can manually browse to the user guides by going to My 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.

Printed Documentation

❑ A Setting Up Poster — Describes the process from unpacking to starting up your VAIO. ❑ Specifications Guide — Contains a table of specifications and a list of bundled software. ❑ Troubleshooting Guide — Contains solutions to common problems. ❑ Recovery Guide — Contains an explanation of how to recover your computer's system if you need to. ❑ Booklets containing the following information: Sony Guarantee conditions, Safety Regulations, Modem Regulations,

Wireless LAN Regulations and Bluetooth Regulations.

Before Use

Non-printed Documentation

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 and 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 on 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

Help and Support Center

Help and Support Center is a comprehensive resource for practical advice, tutorials, and demonstrations to help you learn to use Microsoft Windows XP and 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 Help and Support Center, click Start and then Help and Support. Or go to the Help and Support Center by

pressing the Microsoft Windows key and the F1 key.

Further Sources

❑ Consult the Online Help files of the software you are using for detailed information on features and troubleshooting. ❑ Go to 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. You can also purchase accessories for your display that help reduce glare. 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 with using your VAIO computer.

❑ Locating Controls and Ports (page 13) ❑ About the Indicator Lights (page 20) ❑ Connecting a Power Source (page 21) ❑ Using the Battery Pack (page 22) ❑ Shutting Down Your Computer Safely (page 26)

Getting Started

Locating Controls and Ports

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

The following illustrations may appear different from your model, depending on the country or area of your residency.

Getting Started

Front

Getting Started

A Media Access indicator (page 20) B Memory Stick media slot

C SD card slot (page 48) D LCD screen (page 112) E Keyboard (page 28) F Touch pad (page 31) G WIRELESS switch (page 52) H Mute button (page 32) I Volume buttons (page 32) J Headphones jack (page 72) K Microphone jack (page 80)

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

high speed and high capacity capabilities.

(page 45)

AV MODE button (page 32)

A B Play/Pause button (page 32) C Stop button (page 32) D Previous track button (page 32) E Next track button (page 32) F Eject button (page 32) G Battery indicator (page 20) H Hard disk drive indicator (page 20) I Num lock indicator (page 20) J Caps lock indicator (page 20) K Scroll lock indicator (page 20) L Power button M Speakers N Bluetooth indicator (page 20) O WIRELESS LAN indicator (page 20) P Mute indicator (page 20)

Getting Started

Back

A Network (Ethernet) port (page 87) B Battery connector (page 22) C DC In port (page 21)

D i.LINK

(IEEE1394) S400 port (page 85)

Getting Started

Right

A Optical disc drive (page 34) B Optical disk drive indicator (page 20) C Manual eject hole (page 122) D Drive eject button (page 34) E Monitor (VGA) port (page 74)

Getting Started

Left

Getting Started

A Hi-Speed USB (USB 2.0) ports B PC Card slot (page 42) C PC Card eject button (page 44) D Air vent E Modem port (page 50)

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

(page 81)

Bottom

A Air vent B Port replicator connector (page 68) C Release latch (page 25)

Getting Started

About the Indicator Lights

Your computer is equipped with the following indicator lights.

Indicator Functions

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

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

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

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

Mute % Illuminates when the volume is turned off.

Hard disk

Num lock

Caps lock

Scroll lock

Bluetooth

WIRELESS LAN Illuminates when the wireless LAN function is running.

in Hibernate mode or off.

double-blinks when the battery is charging.

off the 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 Standby 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 Scr Lk 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.

Getting Started

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 the 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 or on the (optional) port replicator.

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

✍

To disconnect the computer completely from AC power, unplug the AC adapter.

Make sure that the AC outlet is easily accessible.

If you do not use the AC adapter for a long period of time, put the computer into Hibernate mode. See Using Hibernate Mode (page 96). This power saving mode saves you the time of shutting down in the normal way.

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

1 Turn off the computer and close the LCD screen lid. 2 Slide the battery into the battery compartment until it clicks into place.

✍

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

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 (the battery indicator light flashes in a double blink pattern as the battery charges). When the battery is about 85% charged, the battery indicator turns off.

Battery indicator light status Meaning

On The computer is using battery power.

Blinks The battery is running out of power.

Double blinks The battery is charging.

Off The computer is using AC power.

Getting Started

✍

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

Keep the battery pack in the 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 or shut down the computer and install a fully charged battery.

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

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

For some software applications and some peripheral devices, the 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 Standby or

Hibernate. If the battery wears out when the computer enters Standby 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 the computer is directly connected to AC power and has a battery pack installed, it uses power from the AC outlet.

Getting Started

Removing the Battery Pack

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

To remove the battery pack

1 Turn off the computer and close the LCD screen lid. 2 Slide and hold the release latch (1) and slide the battery away from the computer.

✍

If the battery is stuck by the side spring locks, release one lock and then the other to remove the battery.

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 and then Turn Off Computer.

The Turn off computer window appears. 3 Click Turn O ff. 4 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.

✍

See the printed Troubleshooting Guide if you have problems shutting down the computer.

Using Your VAIO Computer

Once you have read and followed the information in the printed Specifications Guide, you can start using your computer safely and confidently.

Read on to get the most out of using your computer.

❑ Using the Keyboard (page 28) ❑ Using the Touch Pad (page 31) ❑ Using Special-function Buttons (page 32) ❑ Using the Optical Disc Drive (page 34) ❑ Using PC Cards (page 42) ❑ Using the Memory Stick Media (page 45) ❑ Using Other Memory Cards (page 48) ❑ Using the Internet (page 50) ❑ Using Wireless LAN (WLAN) (page 52) ❑ Using the Bluetooth Functionality (page 62)

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. For more information on the standard keys, see Help and Support Center and click on the Customizing your computer

link. The VAIO-Link web site (www.vaio-link.com

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

Combinations and Functions with the Fn Key

✍

Some functions are not available until Windows is launched.

Combinations/Feature Functions

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

Fn + /T (F7): switch to the external display

Fn + (F10): zoom

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 between the LCD, external device (e.g. monitor) and both LCD and external device.

Changes the screen resolution to magnify/restore the screen view.

✍

The default resolutions of the standard view and the magnified view are as follows: Standard view: 1366 x 768 pixels Magnified view: 1064 x 600 pixels The magnified view is not as clear as the standard view, as it is implemented by applying a lower resolution to the LCD screen with a higher resolution. This key combination is disabled during video playback. Make sure to quit such software before pressing the key combination. This key combination may not work with graphic images as it magnifies the screen view by changing the resolution. The location and size of software windows may change when the screen view is magnified or the standard view is restored because pressing this key combination changes the resolution. When the LCD screen view is magnified, switching the view to the external display disables the function and restores the standard view.

Using Your VAIO Computer

Combinations/Feature Functions

Fn + (F12): Hibernate

Using Your VAIO Computer

Provides for the lowest level of power consumption. When you execute this command, the states of the system and the peripheral devices are written to the hard disk and the system power is turned off. To return the system to its original state, use the power switch to turn on the power. For details on power management, see Using the Power Saving Modes (page 93).

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