Contents
Functions of the keyboard keys .........................................12
Indicators ...........................................................................14
Using the center Jog Dial control ......................................21
Launcher mode ..................................................................22
Using Guide Mode.............................................................23
Using the center Jog Dial control with Sony software ......23
Using the center Jog Dial control with other software ......24
Using a PC Card........................................................25
Notes on using PC Cards ...................................................27
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Playing a DVD...................................................................55
Playing an audio CD..........................................................56
If your computer is connected to the docking station........74
Displaying the Sony Notebook Setup Screen ...........82
Sony Notebook Setup tabs.................................................83
Controlling Power Management ...............................84
Viewing the Power Management status icons ...................84
Power Management profiles ..............................................85
Power Management commands.........................................87
Conserving battery power..................................................88
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VAIO® Computer User Guide
Displaying Battery Information................................89
Battery icon descriptions................................................... 89
Adding Memory.........................................95
Viewing Memory....................................................102
DigitalPrint Software ..............................................119
Using PhotoCapture........................................................ 119
Using PhotoCollection.................................................... 122
Using PhotoDecor........................................................... 124
Using PhotoAlbum.......................................................... 125
Using LabelMaker........................................................... 127
DVgate Software.....................................................129
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MovieShaker Software............................................131
Overview of SonicStage Premium Software ...................157
Using Playback and Recording Features .........................165
Using the Visualizer, Equalizer, and Sound Effects........171
Using the Timer Functions ..............................................175
Legal Information ....................................181
Using the Recovery CDs.........................183
Application and System Recovery CDs..................184
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VAIO® Computer User Guide
My computer does not start............................................. 192
My computer starts but a BIOS error appears................. 192
found” appears, and Windows does not start.................. 193
My computer is unstable................................................. 195
The sound of my computer’s fan is too loud. ................. 195
CPU speed than advertised?............................................ 195
Troubleshooting the Docking Station.....................196
when the docking station is connected to the computer.. 196
when the docking station is connected to the computer and
the computer is connected to another computer via an
I cannot remove the disc. ................................................ 197
The disc tray does not eject even after I press the Eject but-
ton.................................................................................... 197
Troubleshooting the LCD Screen ...........................198
My LCD screen is blank. ................................................ 198
My LCD screen continues to show the previous screen. 198
The image on my connected external display is not centered
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or sized properly. .............................................................198
Troubleshooting the Mouse and Touchpad.............199
My mouse does not work.................................................199
Mouse...............................................................................200
Troubleshooting Drives, PC Cards, and Peripheral De-
vices.........................................................................201
201
My optical drive tray does not open. ...............................202
equipment seems to be disconnected or turned off” appears.
202
Troubleshooting the Software .................................203
My software program stops responding or crashes. ........203
sert the application CD into your optical drive” appears, and
tions?................................................................................203
Troubleshooting i.LINK Devices............................204
I cannot establish a connection between two VAIO comput-
ers when using an i.LINK cable.......................................204
Troubleshooting the Modem ...................................205
My modem does not work. ..............................................205
My modem connection is slow. .......................................205
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VAIO® Computer User Guide
Troubleshooting Wireless LAN functions..............208
I cannot use the Wireless LAN functionality.................. 208
I cannot set up a Wireless LAN. ..................................... 208
The computer cannot connect to a Wireless LAN Access
Point. ............................................................................... 209
The data transfer speed is slow. ...................................... 210
The communication speed is interrupted or slowed down
when MPEG2 data is transferred. ................................... 210
The settings cannot be saved in “Edit Configuration,” even
210
Access Point.................................................................... 210
I cannot print................................................................... 211
Getting Help.............................................213
Support Options ......................................................213
Index.........................................................215
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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
applications.
In the left navigation window, click the topics you want to learn more
about, and that information will be displayed in this main window.
✍ Click here to find the latest updates and supplemental information about your
computer.
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VAIO® Computer User Guide
10
Using Your VAIO Computer
This section describes the following aspects of your new computer:
❑
❑
❑
❑
❑
❑
❑
❑
❑
❑
Using the Keyboard
Using the Touchpad
VAIO Action Setup
Using the Center Jog Dial Control
Using a PC Card
Using Memory Stick Media
Using Power Saving Modes
Connecting a Telephone Line
Connecting to a LAN
Connecting to a Wireless LAN
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VAIO® Computer User Guide
Using the Keyboard
Your keyboard is very similar to that of a typewriter, but the keyboard has
additional keys that perform specific computer-related tasks.
Keyboard
Print Screen Key
Function Keys
Correction Keys
Backspace
Key
Fn
Key
Shift
Key
Fn Key
Ctrl Key
Numeric Keypad Area
Applications Key
Alt Key
Navigation Keys
Windows® Key
Functions of the keyboard keys
Key
Description
Numeric keypad Contains the keys found on a typical calculator. Use the
area numeric keypad area to type numbers or to perform
mathematical calculations such as addition and subtraction.
Note: You must press the Num Lock key to activate the
numeric keypad. (When you do so, the Num Lock indicator
will be on.) Press the Num Lock key again to deactivate it.
Navigation keys The Left/Right/Up/Down arrows move the cursor on the
screen and also function as the Home, End, Page Up, and Page
Down keys, respectively.
Correction keys The Insert, Backspace, and Delete keys enable you to make
corrections in your documents.
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Using the Keyboard
Key
Description
Function keys
The 12 function keys along the top of the keyboard are used to
perform designated tasks. For example, in many applications,
F1 is the Help key. The task associated with each function key
may vary from one application to the next.
Escape key
The Esc (Escape) key is used to cancel commands.
Print Screen key The Print Screen key takes an electronic snapshot of the
screen and places it in the Windows® Clipboard. You can then
paste the screen shot into a document and print it.
Operator keys
Several keys are always used with at least one other key: Ctrl,
Alt, and Shift. When held down with another key, the Ctrl
(Control) and Alt (Alternate) keys offer another way to give
commands. For example, in many applications, instead of
Ctrl and press S (referred to as Ctrl+S). The Shift key operates
the same way as on a typewriter; it is used to produce capital
letters or special symbols such as @ and $.
Windows key
Fn key
The key with the Windows® logo displays the Windows Start
menu; it is the equivalent of clicking the Start button on the
task bar. See “Combinations and functions with the Windows
key” for more information.
The Fn key is used in combination with other keys to issue
commands. See “Combinations and functions with the Fn
key” for more information.
Applications key The Applications key displays a shortcut menu of context-
sensitive choices. Pressing this key is the equivalent of
clicking the right mouse button.
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VAIO® Computer User Guide
Indicators
Indicator
Function
Power
Light is green when the computer is powered on, flashes amber
when the computer is in Standby mode, and turns off when the
computer is in Hibernate mode or is powered off.
Battery
Indicates the status of the battery, which is attached at the rear
of the computer.
Memory Stick Indicates the Memory Stick® slot is in use.
Docking Station Indicates the docking station is in use.
Indicator lights
Light
On
Off
Hard disk
Data is being read from or
The hard drive is not being
written to the hard drive. Do accessed.
not enter Standby mode or
turn off the computer when
this indicator light is on.
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Using the Keyboard
Light
On
Off
The character keys in the
Num Lock
The number keys in the
numeric keypad are active. keypad area are active.
Caps Lock
Scroll Lock
Letters appear in uppercase as Letters appear in lower case as
you type. The Shift key lowers you type (unless you hold down
the case of typed letters when the Shift key).
Caps Lock is on.
The screen scrolls differently. Information moves across the
(Exactly how it scrolls
depends on the specific
application. It has no effect in
many applications.)
display normally.
Combinations and functions with the Windows key
Combination Function
+ F1
+ Tab
+ E
Displays Windows® Help.
Switches the selected button on the taskbar.
Displays Windows Explorer.
+ F
Displays the Search window to find a file or folder. This is the
equivalent of selecting Search from the Start menu.
+ Ctrl + F Displays the Search Results: Computers window where you can
locate other computers. This is the equivalent of selecting Search
and then Computers from the Start menu.
+ M
Minimizes all displayed windows.
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VAIO® Computer User Guide
Combination Function
Shift +
+ R
+ M Returns all minimized windows to their previous size.
Displays the Run window. This is the equivalent of selecting Run
from the Start menu.
Fn +
Insert
+
Displays the System Properties window. This is the equivalent of
selecting Control Panel and then System from the Start menu.
Combinations and functions with the Fn key
Combination/
Feature
Functions
Fn+
(F3)
Toggles the built-in speaker off and on.
Speaker switch
Fn+ (F4)
Adjusts the built-in speaker volume.
Speaker volume To increase volume, press Fn+F4, then
To decrease volume, press Fn+F4, then
or
or
.
.
Fn+
(F5)
Adjusts brightness of the LCD.
Brightness control To increase light intensity, press Fn+F5, then
To decrease light intensity, press Fn+F5, then
or
or
.
.
Fn+
/
(F7) Toggles through the LCD and external display.
Switch to the
external display
Only LCD
LCD and external display
Only external display
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Using the Keyboard
Combination/
Feature
Functions
Fn+
Hibernate
(F12)
Provides for the lowest level of power consumption. When
you execute this command, the state of the system and state of
the peripheral devices are written to the hard disk and the
system power is turned off. To return the system to the
original state, use the power switch to turn on power.
Fn + Esc
Standby
Puts the system into Standby mode, a power management
state. To return the system to the active state, press any key or
press the power button on your computer.
Fn +F
Minimizes or maximizes the display window. If the default
Display control display resolution is reduced, this function maximizes the
display resolution to fit the screen size. Maximizing the
display window allows you to view the display at a greater
resolution.
✍ You can also carry out these functions using the center Jog Dial™ control. Some
functions are not available until Windows® launches.
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VAIO® Computer User Guide
Using the Touchpad
The keyboard contains a pointing device called a touchpad. You can point to,
select, drag, and scroll objects on the screen using the built-in touchpad.
Touchpad
Pointer
Touchpad
Right Button
Left Button
Actions
Descriptions
Point
Slide one finger on the touchpad to place the pointer on an item
or object.
Click
Press the left button once.
Double-click Press the left button twice.
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Using the Touchpad
Actions
Descriptions
Right-click
Press the right button once. In many applications, this action
displays a shortcut menu of context-sensitive choices.
Drag
Slide one finger while pressing the left button.
Scroll
Move your finger along the right edge of the touchpad to scroll
vertically. Move your finger along the bottom edge to scroll
horizontally. (The scroll function is available only with
applications that support a touchpad scroll feature.)
The Mouse Properties dialog box lets you customize your mouse and touchpad
features, such as touch sensitivity, motion, and buttons.
To open the Mouse Properties dialog box:
1
Click Start on the Windows taskbar, point to Settings, and then Control
Panel.
2
Select Mouse. The Mouse Properties dialog box opens.
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VAIO® Computer User Guide
VAIO Action Setup
VAIO Action Setup manages the settings for your computer’s center Jog Dial™
control and Timer. An overview of some of the functions controlled by VAIO
Action Setup is provided below. For more information on changing the settings
using VAIO Action Setup, right-click the Jog Dial Utility icon
taskbar and click Help Topics.
or
in the
20
Using the Center Jog Dial Control
Using the Center Jog Dial Control
Your computer is equipped with a center Jog Dial™ control located below the
touchpad and between the left and right buttons. The center Jog Dial control
enables you to open an application, folder, or document from a predefined list by
rotating and pressing the center Jog Dial control. In addition, when you press the
center Jog Dial control, you can turn on your computer automatically and start
the selected application or document.
Center Jog Dial Control
Turn
Press
Center Jog Dial Control
The Jog Dial control window always appears in the display. It is either in the
launcher mode or in the guide mode.
Using the center Jog Dial control
This section explains how to use the center Jog Dial control. For information on
how to change the settings of the center Jog Dial control, right-click the Jog Dial
utility icon
or
in the task tray and click Help Topics.
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VAIO® Computer User Guide
Launcher mode
The Jog Dial control window is in launcher mode until a software application is
launched or the Jog Dial control window becomes active. When you select an
item in the Jog Dial window and it is displayed between orange bars, you can
press the center Jog Dial control to view a submenu of that item.
Using Launcher mode
To use the center Jog Dial control, click the Jog Dial control window or the Jog
Dial utility icon in the task tray. Alternatively, you can press the Ctrl key and the
center Jog Dial control while the Jog Dial window is active to switch to launcher
mode.
Jog Dial Launcher
To select a desired item, proceed as follows:
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Using the Center Jog Dial Control
1
Rotate the center Jog Dial control to select the item you want, then press the
center Jog Dial control. The Jog Dial launcher window switches to guide
mode and shows the function of the center Jog Dial control.
Jog Dial Guide
2
3
Rotate or press the center Jog Dial control to use the desired function.
To select another item, repeat steps 1 through 3 above.
Using Guide Mode
The Jog Dial control window is in the guide mode when software is in use and
the software window is active. Depending on the software you are using, you can
select items from the displayed list using the center Jog Dial control. You can
switch between guide mode and launcher mode by pressing the Ctrl key and the
center Jog Dial control.
The Jog Dial control window displays the function of the center Jog Dial control.
Using the center Jog Dial control with Sony software
If Sony software that supports the center Jog Dial control is active, you can use
the functions of the center Jog Dial control that are allocated to that software. For
more information on functions allocated to software, see the software
application’s online Help.
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VAIO® Computer User Guide
Using the center Jog Dial control with other software
If the software you are using does not support the center Jog Dial control, you
can still use the center Jog Dial control to scroll the window or adjust the window
size.
Using a dialog box
When a window such as Screen Properties is active, the Dialog box is displayed
in the Jog Dial window. You can select an item in the window by rotating the
center Jog Dial control. Pressing the center Jog Dial control is the equivalent of
pressing Enter or Select.
Jog Dial Guide Dialog Box
24
Using a PC Card
Using a PC Card
Your computer includes one PC Card slot. A PC Card enables you to connect
portable external devices, such as another hard disk drive, to your computer. It
also lets you connect to a network using a PC Network Interface Card (NIC).
The PC Card slot accommodates one Type II PC Card. This slot is compatible
with CardBus. You do not need to turn off your computer before inserting or
removing a PC Card.
To insert a PC Card
1
Insert the PC Card into the PC Card slot. Make sure the front label of the PC
Card is facing up.
Inserting a PC Card
Insert with the
arrow facing toward
the slot
PC Card
2
Push the PC Card gently into the slot. The PC Card is automatically detected
by your system. The
taskbar.
Safely Remove Hardware icon appears in the
Do not force a PC Card into the slot. It may damage the connector pins.
If you have difficulty inserting a card, check that you are inserting the card
with the correct orientation.
Do not carry your computer while the head of the PC Card is out of the slot.
Pressure or shock may damage the connector pins.
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