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User Guide
Personal Computer
VPCX13 Series
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Contents
Before Use ................................... ....................................... 4
Finding More about Yo ur VAIO Computer .................... 5
Ergonomic Consider ations ...................................... ...... 9
Getting Started ....................................................... ........... 11
Locating Controls and Por ts.......... .............................. 12
About the Indicator Lig hts ................................ ........... 18
Connecting a Power Sourc e ....................................... 19
Using the Battery Pack ................................................ 21
Shutting Down Your Com puter Safely ........................ 2 8
Using the Power Saving Mo des .................................. 29
Keeping Your Comput er in Optimum Condition .......... 3 2
Using Your VAIO Comp uter................................... ........... 34
Using the Keyboard ................................................. .... 35
Using the Touch Pad ................................................... 37
Using the Built-in Cam era ............. .............................. 3 8
Using "Memory Stick" ....................................... ........... 39
Using Other Modules / Memory Cards ........................ 4 6
Using the Internet ................................ ........................ 50
Using the Network (LAN) .............. .............................. 51
Using the Wireless LAN .......................................... .... 52
Using the Bluetooth Fun ction ...................................... 56
Using Peripheral Devi ces ......................... ........................ 61
Connecting an Optical Di sc Drive ................................62
Connecting External Sp eakers or Headphones .......... 64
Connecting an External Display ..................................65
Selecting Display Modes ........................................... ..67
Using the Multiple Mo nitors Function .......................... 68
Connecting a USB Device ...........................................70
Customizing Your VAI O Computer.................................... 72
Setting the Password .................................... ...............73
Using Intel(R) VT ....................... ..................................84
Using the VAIO Control Center ...................................85
Using the VAIO Power M anagement................... ........86
Precautions ........................................... ............................88
Safety Information ........ ...............................................89
Care and Maintenance Information ............................. 92
Handling Your Computer ........................ .....................93
Handling the LCD Screen ....................... .....................95
Using the Power Sourc e..... .........................................96
Handling the Built-in Camera ....................................... 97
Handling Discs ..................................................... ........98
Using the Battery Pack ................................................ 99
Handling "Memory Stick" ...........................................100
Handling the Built-in Storage Device ...... ...................101
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Troubleshooting .................................. ............................ 102
Computer Operations .................... ............................ 104
System Update / Security ........................................ .. 111
Recovery .................... ............................................... 113
Battery Pack .................................. ............................ 116
Built-in Camera ...................... ................................... 11 8
Networking (LAN/Wirele ss LAN) ............................. .. 120
Bluetooth Technology ......................... ...................... 123
Optical Discs ........................................................... .. 127
Display ................................... ................................... 12 8
Printing .......... ............................................................ 131
Microphone ............................ ................................... 13 2
Speakers ............. ...................................................... 133
Touch Pad ..................................... ............................ 135
Keyboard ............................................. ...................... 136
Floppy Disks.. ............................................................ 137
Audio/Video ................................... ............................ 138
"Memory Stick" .............................. ............................ 140
Peripherals .... ............................................................ 141
Trademarks.. ................................................................. .. 142
Notice........... .......................................................... ......... 144
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Before Use >
Before Use Congratulations on your purchase of this Sony VA IO
®
computer and welcom e to the on-screen User Guide . Sony has
combined leadin g-edge technology in audio, video, computing, and communications to provide you with a state-of-the- art
computing experienc e.
!
External views illustra ted in this manual may look slightly different from those of your computer.
How to find specifications
Some features, opti ons, and supplied items may not be available on your computer.
To find out about the configuration of your computer, visit the Sony online support web site at the following URLs:
❑ For customers in USA
http://esuppor t.sony .com/EN/VAIO/
❑ For customers in Canada
http://www.sony .ca/suppor t/
❑ For customers in Spani sh-speaking Latin Ameri can countries or areas
http://esuppor t.sony .com/ES/VAIO/LA
❑ For customers in Brazil
http://esuppor t.sony .com/PT/VAIO/BR/
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Before Use >
Finding More about Y our VAIO Computer Finding More about Y our V AIO Computer
This section provides support information about your VAIO computer.
1. Printed Documentation
❑ Quick Start Guide — An overview of comp onents connection, set-up information, etc.
❑ Safety Information — Safety guidelines and owner information.
✍
Before activating the wirele ss functions such as the wireless LAN and Bluet ooth technology, read the Safety Informatio n caref ully .
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Before Use >
Finding More about Y our VAIO Computer
2. On-screen Documentation
❑ Help and Support — General information and technical assistance for your VAIO computer.
To access Help and Support :
1 Click Start and Help and Support.
2 Choose from the following categor ies to find the answers you need.
❑ Program help files — May be included with the preinstalle d software programs on your computer. Y ou may be able to
access the help fi les from the help menu on a specific pro gram.
❑ SmartWi
™
Connection Utility Help — Information about set ting up Bluetooth
®
, wireless LAN, GPS, and wireless WAN
functions.
Some features and options may not be available on your computer.
See the specifications to find out about the configuratio n of your computer.
To access this on- screen guide:
1 Click Start, All Programs, and SmartWi Connection Utility.
2 Click SmartWi Connection Utility Help .
Get started with my VAIO Get help with Internet and wireles s setup, security setup, personalizing your V AIO comput er , creating
recovery media, and more.
Use my V AIO Get assistance with your VAIO computer by accessing interactive V AIO t utorials, how-to articles, the VAIO
technology page, specifications, and system and software information.
Y ou can find useful documentation such as general and model specific user guide on your VAIO computer.
Troubleshoot my VAIO Maintain and troubleshoot your VAIO computer with the VAI O C a re, system restore, backup and reco ver y ,
and contact Sony support.
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Before Use >
Finding More about Y our VAIO Computer
3. Support Web Sites
❑ Sony online support web site
The Sony online s upport web site provides instant ac cess to information on commonly encountered problems. Type a
description of the problem and the Knowledge Data base searches for the correspondi ng solutions online.
❑ For custo m ers in US A
http://esuppor t.sony .com/EN/VAIO/
❑ For customers in Canada
http://www.sony .ca/support/
❑ For customers in Spanish -speaking Latin American countries or areas
http://esuppor t.sony .com/ES/VAIO/LA
❑ For custo m ers i n Brazil
http://esuppor t.sony .com/PT/VAIO/BR/
❑ Operating system online support web site
Your computer comes preinstalled with a Microsoft Windo ws operating system. For operati ng system support, you can
visit Microsoft cu stomer support at http://support.m icrosoft.com/directory/
.
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Before Use >
Finding More about Y our VAIO Computer
4. Customer Information Center
If you do not fin d the information you are look ing for at our site, you may cal l Sony directly. You can find the contact numbers
on the Sony online s upport web site. In order to receiv e the fastest and most efficient ser vices, have the following in formation
readily available:
1 Y our V A IO computer model
You can find it at the lower right corner of the display on the computer.
2 Y our computer's ser ial number
You can find it on the bottom, the back panel , or inside the battery compar tment of your Sony VAIO co mputer. The serial
number is the last 7 digits of the number below the b arcode.
3 The operating system o n your computer
4 The hardware componen t or the software program that is causing the problem
5 A brief descr iption of the problem
5. In Store Service & Suppor t (a vailable in USA only)
Make an appointment w ith a Sony certified technicia n at a U.S. Sony Style store and ge t personalized service and suppor t
for your VAIO co mputer. Sony Style Backstage Technicians can assist with th e setup of your new VAIO compu ter, system
optimization, data r escue, and any repair service you m ight need.
Visit the web site at www. sonystyle.com/backstage
to find the nearest l ocation.
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Before Use >
Ergonomic Considerations Ergonomic Considerations
You will be using y our computer as a portable dev ice in a variety of environments . Whenever possible, you should attempt
to take account o f the following ergonomic consid erations for both stationary and po rtable environments:
❑ Position of your computer – Place the computer directly in front of you. Keep your forearms horizontal, with your wris ts
in a neutral, comfortable position whi le using the keyboard or the pointing device. Let your upper arms hang naturally at
your sides. T ake frequent brea ks while using your computer. Excessive use of the computer may strain eyes, muscles, or
tendons.
❑ Furniture and posture – Sit in a chair with good ba ck support. Adjust the le vel of the chair so your feet are flat on the
floor. A footrest may make you more comfortable. Sit in a rel ax ed , upright posture and avoid slouch ing forward or leaning
far back wards.
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Before Use >
Ergonomic Considerations
❑ Viewing angle of the computer display – Use the display tilting feature to find the best po sition. Y ou can reduce eye
strain and muscle fatigue by adjusting the tilt of the display to the proper posit ion. Adjust the brightness level of the display
as well.
❑ Lighting – Choose a location whe re windows and lights do not cause glare a nd reflection on the display . Us e indirect
lighting to avoid bright s pots on the display . Proper li ghting adds to your comfort and wor k efficiency .
❑ Posi tioning an extern al display – When using an external disp lay , set the display at a comfortable v iewing distance.
Make sure the display screen is at o r slightly below eye level when you are sitting in front of the monit or .
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Getting Started >
Getting Star ted This section des cribes 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. Upon completion,
connect one device (for examp le, a printer , an external hard disk drive, a scanner, and so on) at a time, following the manufacturer's instructions.
❑ Locating Controls and Ports (page 12)
❑ About the Indicator Lights (page 18)
❑ Connecting a Pow er Source (page 19)
❑ Using the Battery Pack (page 21)
❑ Shutting Down Y our Computer Safely (page 28)
❑ Using th e Power Saving Modes (page 29)
❑ Keeping Y our Computer in Optimum Condition (page 32)
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Getting Started >
Locating Controls and Ports Locating Controls and Ports
Take a moment to identify the controls and ports s hown on the following pages.
!
The appearance of your computer may be different from those illustrat ed in this manual due to variations in specificat ions.
Front
A WIRELESS swit ch ( page 52) , (p age 56)
B Built-in microphone (mo naural)
C Num lock indicator (page 18)
D Caps lock indicator ( page 18)
E Scroll lock indicator (page 18)
F LCD screen (page 95)
G Pow e r b utton/Power indicator (page 18)
H Keyb oar d (page 35)
I T ouch pad (p age 37)
J Left button (page 37)
K Right button (page 37)
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Getting Started >
Locating Controls and Ports
A Built-in MOTION EYE camer a indicator (page 18)
B Built-in MOTION EYE camera (page 38)
C Charge indicator (page 18 )
D Disc drive indicator (page 18)
E WIRELESS indicator (page 18 )
F SD memory card slot (page 46)
G Media Access indica tor (page 18)
H "Memory Stick Duo" slot
*
(page 39)
* Your computer supports only Duo-si ze "Memory Stick".
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Getting Started >
Locating Controls and Ports
Back
A Air vent
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Getting Started >
Locating Controls and Ports
Right
A Network (LAN) por t (page 51)
Pull the port cover down before using the networ k (LAN) port.
When the por t cover disengages:
The port c ov er may disengage if you exert pres sure on it when
opening it or disconnect ing a LAN cable. T o attach the por t
cover, align the cover with the edge (1) of the port and push the
cover down until it clicks into place.
B Monitor port (page 65)
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Getting Started >
Locating Controls and Ports
Left
A DC IN port (page 19)
B Security slot
C USB ports
*
(page 70)
D Headphones jack (page 64)
* Compliant with the USB 2.0 standard and support high-/full-/low- sp eeds.
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Getting Started >
Locating Controls and Ports
Bottom
A Tilt feet
Unfol d the tilt fee t to adjust the ang le of your comput er before
using the network (LAN) port and the monitor por t.
When the tilt foot disengages:
The tilt foot may disengage if you exert pressure on it when
unfolding it. T o attach the tilt f oot, push it down while aligning the
snap-fit joint (1) wit h the projections (2) until it snaps into place.
B Built-in speaker (monaural)
C SIM card slot
*
D Battery conn ector (page 21)
E Air vent
* On selected models on ly .
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Getting Started >
About the Indicator Lights About the Indicator Lights
Your computer is equipped with the following indi cator lights:
Indicator Functions
Pow er 1 Illuminates in green while the computer is in Normal mode, blinks slowly i n orange while the computer is in Sleep
mode, and turns off when the computer is turned off or enters Hibernate mode.
Charge
Illuminates while the battery pack is charging. See Charging the Battery Pack (page 24) for more i nformation.
Built-in MO TION EYE camera Illuminates while the built-in camera is in use.
Media Access Illuminates while data access to a memor y card, such as "Memory S tick" and an SD memory card, is in
progress. (Do not place the computer into Sleep mode or turn it off while this indicator light is l it.) When the
indicator light is unlit, the memory card is not in use.
Disc drive
Illuminates while data access to the built-in storage device is in progress. Do not place the computer into Sleep
mode or turn it off while this indicat or light is lit.
Num lock
Press the Num Lk key to activate the numeric keypad. Press it a second time to deactivate the numeric keypad.
The numeric keypad is not active when the indi c ator light is u nlit.
Caps lock
Press the Caps Lock key to type letters in uppercase. Letters appear in lowercase if you press the Shift key
while the indicator light is lit. Press the key a second time to turn off the indicator light. Normal typing resumes
when the Caps lock indicator light is turned off.
Scroll lock
Press the Fn+ Scr Lk keys to change how you scroll the display. Normal scrolling resumes when the Scroll lock
indicator light is turned off. The Scr Lk key functions differently depending on the program you are using and
does not work with all programs.
WIRELESS Illuminates while one or more wireless options are enabled.
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Getting Started >
Connecting a Pow er Source Connecting a Po wer Source
You can use either an AC adapter or a rechargeable ba ttery pack for supplying power to y our computer. Before using the
computer for the first ti me, you need to connect an AC adapte r to your computer.
!
Do not use your computer witho ut installing the battery pack as it may cau se the computer to malfunction.
Using the AC Adapter
While your computer is directly connected to an AC po wer source and has a battery pack i nstalled, it uses power from the
AC outlet.
✍
Use only the supplied AC adap ter for your computer .
To use the AC adap ter
1 Plug one end of the pow er 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 from the AC adapter (3) in to the DC IN port (4) on the computer.
!
The shape of the DC In plug vari es depending on the AC adapter.
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Getting Started >
Connecting a Pow er Source
✍
To disconnect your computer completely from an AC power so urce, unplug the AC adapter from the AC outlet.
Make sure that an AC outle t is easily accessible.
If you do not intend to use your computer for an extended period of time, pl ace the computer into Hibernate mode. See U sing Hibernate Mode (pag e
31).
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Getting Started >
Using the Battery Pack Using the Battery Pack
The battery pack is already installed on your comp uter at the time of delivery but is not fully charged.
!
Do not use your computer witho ut installing the battery pack as it may cau se the computer to malfunction.
Installing/Removing the Battery Pack
✍
On models that come wit h the VGP-BPX19 battery pack, refer to the s u pplie d leaflet for information on how to install/remove the battery pack.
To install the battery pa ck
1 T urn off t he computer and close the LCD scree n lid.
2 Slide the batter y LOCK switches (1 ) inward.
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Getting Started >
Using the Battery Pack
3 Place the batter y pack into the battery compar tment until the projection (2) on either side of the batter y pack fits into the
U-shaped cut (3) on e ither side of the battery com partment.
4 Push down the circled ar ea on the battery pack illust rated below until the battery p ack clicks into place.
5 Slide the batter y LOCK switches outward to secure the battery pack on the computer.
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Getting Started >
Using the Battery Pack
To remove the battery pack
!
You will lose all unsaved data if you remove the bat tery pack while your computer is on and not connected to the AC adapter.
1 T urn off t he computer and close the LCD scree n lid.
2 Slide the batter y LOCK switches (1 ) inward.
3 Slide and hold the b attery RELEASE latch (2) inward, put your fing ertip underneath the tab (3) on the battery pack, and
lift the batter y pack in the direction of the arrow, and then slide it away from the computer.
!
This computer is de signed to operate only with genuine So ny battery packs.
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Getting Started >
Using the Battery Pack
Charging the Battery Pac k
The battery pack s upplied with your computer is n ot fully charged at the time of de livery.
To charge the battery pack
1 Install the batter y pack.
2 Connect the computer to a power source with the AC adapter.
The charge i ndicator light is on while the battery pac k is charging. When t he battery pack charge s close to the maximu m
charge level you selected, the charge ind icator turns off.
!
Charge the battery pa ck as described in this manual from your first bat tery charge.
Charge indicator status Meaning
Lit in orange The bat tery pack is charging.
Blinks along with the green
power indicator
The battery pack is running out of power .
(Normal mode)
Blinks along with the orange
power indicator
The battery pack is running out of power .
(Sleep mode)
Blinks fast in orange A battery error has occurred due to a failed battery
pack or an unlocked battery pack.
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Getting Started >
Using the Battery Pack
✍
Keep the battery p ack in your computer while it is dire ctly connected to an AC power source. The bat tery pack continues to charge while you are using
the comput er.
When the battery pack is running out of power and both the charge and po wer indicator lights blink, you should eit her connect the AC adapter to
recharge the battery pac k or shut down your computer and install a full y charged battery pack.
Your computer is supplied with a lit hium ion battery pack and can be recharged any time. Charging a pa rtially discharged battery pack does not affect
the life of battery .
While some software applica tions or peripheral devices are in use , your computer may not enter Hibern ate mode even when the remaining battery life
becomes short. To avoid loss of data wh ile the computer is running on the battery, you should save your data f requently and manually activa te a power
management mode, such as Sleep or Hibernate.
If the battery pac k runs out of power while the computer is in Sleep mode, you will lose all unsaved data. Goin g back to the previous work state is
impossible. To avoid loss of data, you shou ld save your data frequently.
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Getting Started >
Using the Battery Pack
Checking the Battery Charge Capacity
The battery charge capacity gradually decreas es as the number of battery char ging increases or the duration of use of the
battery pack exte nds. To get the most out of the batter y pack, check the battery charge ca pacity and change the battery
settings.
To check the battery charge cap a city
1 Click Start, All Pro grams, and V AIO Control Center.
2 Click Po wer Management and Battery.
✍
Additionally, you can enable the batt ery care function to extend the life of the battery pack.
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Getting Started >
Using the Battery Pack
Extending the Battery Life
When your compute r is running on battery power, you ca n extend the battery life using the following methods.
❑ Decrease the LCD br ightness of your computer screen.
❑ Use the power saving mode. See Using the Power Saving Modes (pa ge 29) for more in f or mation.
❑ Change the power saving settin gs on the P ower Options. See Using the V AIO Powe r Management (page 86) for more
informatio n.
❑ Set the wallpaper in Long Battery Life Wallpaper Setting as your desktop background with the VAIO Control Center.
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Getting Started >
Shutting Down Y our Computer Safely Shutting Down Y our Computer Safely
To avoid losing unsaved data, be sure to shut do wn your computer properly, as de scribed below.
To shut down your compu ter
1 T urn off a ny peripherals connected to the comp uter .
2 Click Start and the Shut do wn button.
3 Respond to any prompts war ning you to save documents or to consider other users a nd wait f o r the computer to turn off
automatically.
The power indicator light t urns off.
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Getting Started >
Using th e Power Saving Modes Using the P ower Sa ving Modes
You can take advantage of the powe r management settings to conserve battery life. In add ition to the normal operating mode,
your computer has tw o distinct power saving modes to suit your preference: Sleep and H ibernate.
!
If you do not intend to use yo ur computer for an extended period of time while it i s disconnected from an AC power source, place the comput er into
Hibernate mode o r turn it off.
If the batter y pack runs out of power while your co mputer is in Sleep mode, you wil l lose all unsaved data. Going back to the previous work state is
impossible. To avoid loss of data, you shou ld save your data frequently.
Mode Description
Normal mode This is the normal state of your c omputer while it is in use. T he green po wer indicator light is lit while the
computer is in this mode.
Sleep mode Sleep mode turns off the LCD screen and places the b uilt-in storage device(s) and the CPU into a low power
consumption mode. The orange power indicator light blinks slo wly while your computer is in this mode. Y our
computer comes out of Sleep mode quicker than out of Hibernate mode. Howe ver, Sleep mode uses more
power than Hibernate mode.
Hibernate m ode While your computer is in Hibernate mode, the state of the system is sav ed on t he built-in storage de vice(s) and
power is turned off. Even when the battery pack runs out of power , no data will be lost. The power indicator light
is unlit while your computer is in this mode.
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Getting Started >
Using th e Power Saving Modes
Using Sleep Mode
To activate Sleep mode
Click Start , the arrow next to the Shut down button, and Sleep .
To return to Normal mod e
❑ Press any key .
❑ Press the power button on your computer.
!
If you press and hold the power bu tton for more than four seconds, your computer will tu rn off automatically. Y ou will lose all unsaved data.