Sony PCV-W20 Help Guide
Contents
1. Telephone line noise Incompatibility with other telephone equipment such as fax machines or other modems Internet Service Providers ISP connection capability may vary If you think your modem is not connecting properly to other PC based modems fax machines or your ISP check the following Contact your telephone company and ask them to verify that your telephone line is free from line noise If your problem is fax related check that there are no problems with the fax machine you are calling and that it is compatible with fax modems For optimum performance verify that your ISP point of presence POP telephone number is compliant with V 90 standards Ifyou are having a problem connecting with your ISP check that they are not experiencing technical problems Try connecting your modem through another telephone line if available Page 79 Why doesn t my modem work properly Your modem may be experiencing equipment or software conflicts If your modem is not functioning properly check the following Check that the telephone line is plugged into the modem line jack Check that the telephone line is working properly You can verify the line by plugging in an external device such as a standard telephone or fax machine and listening for a dial tone Check that the access telephone number POP is correct All software applications that are preinstalled by Sony are compatible with your computer s modem If2. All original factory settings operating system and preinstalled software is restored A The System Recovery utility does not back up your system s data If you wish to retain your system data perform a back up to an external media Page 46 Using the System Recovery CD s Your system may take a few minutes to load the necessary files A blue screen appears during the downloading process 1 Insert the System Recovery CD in your computer s optical drive The System Recovery utility launches from the optical drive The first CD must be in the drive when you turn on your computer To insert the System Recovery CD 2 Turn off your computer 3 Wait 30 seconds and turn on your computer Your screen displays the downloading progress Starting VAIO Recovery Utility 4 When the VAIO System Recovery Utility dialog box appears click Next 5 When the Notes on Use window appears click Next 6 On the Main Menu Product Recovery window select the appropriate option to recover your system Follow the on screen instructions to complete the recovery process Your system may include one or more System Recovery CDs If you have more than one System Recovery CD insert the first CD to run the System Recovery program You are prompted to insert the next CD s once the information from the first CD has been installed The recovery process takes approximately 30 to 60 minutes to complete After recovering your system using the Syst
3. Check the volume controls in the Windowse operating system using these steps 1 Click Start in the Windows taskbar then select Control Panel 2 Select Sounds Speech and Audio Devices then click Adjust the system volume The Sounds and Audio Devices Properties dialog box appears 3 From the Volume tab adjust the Device volume by moving the slider bar to the desired sound level Verify that the Mute option is not enabled Check that the Mute check box is not selected in the Windows volume control You may need to reinstall the sound drivers See Reinstalling device drivers using Application Recovery CD s for more information How can I use headphones while my speakers are connected The speakers continue to produce sound even when headphones have been connected If you want to use optional headphones instead of the supplied speakers adjust the volume control dial located on the left panel to mute the built in stereo speakers Page 82 About Using a Microphone Why doesn t my microphone work properly Check that the microphone is plugged into the Microphone jack Page 83 About Using a Microphone Why doesn t my microphone work properly Check that the microphone is plugged into the Microphone jack Page 84 Why is my microphone so sensitive to background noise If you find there is too much background noise when you record sound you should adjust the microphone gain by following these steps 1 Click
4. Contact your local dealer for memory replacement and upgrades Page 41 Replacing the Lithium Battery The lithium battery weakens after several years and the system settings such as the date and time stored in CMOS RAM may become inaccurate If this occurs contact your local dealer to replace the lithium battery A There is danger of the battery exploding if it is replaced incorrectly Contact your local dealer to replace the lithium battery Replace the battery only with a CR2032 type lithium battery Dispose of the lithium battery properly In some areas the disposal of lithium batteries in household or business trash may be prohibited You can return your unwanted lithium batteries to your nearest Sony Service Center or Factory Service Center To locate a Service Center near you visit the Sony Computing Web site at http www sony com pcsupport Page 42 Installing a Hard Disk Drive Your computer has an installed ATA 100 3 inch hard disk drive Do not attempt to replace the hard drive Contact your local dealer for replacement or upgrade of the hard disk drive Page 43 System And Application R CD s You can restore your system individual software applications or drivers using the Recovery CDs Using the System Recovery CD s Using the Application Recovery CD s Page 44 Using the System Recovery CD s The System Recovery CD utility formats your hard disk drive and restores the operating system an
5. Why is my system running slowly The system responsiveness varies depending with the number of applications that are open and running Close any applications that you are not currently using Increasing the system memory may also help For information on installing memory please see the online VAIO User Guide To access the online User Guide 1 Click Start in the Windows taskbar then click VAIO Help and Support 2 From the VAIO Help and Support Center menu click VAIO User Guide Page 58 How do I change the video resolution of my display 1 Click Start in the Windows taskbar and then select Control Panel 2 Select Appearance and Themes then select Change the screen resolution 3 Click the Settings tab 4 Change the Screen resolution and Color quality to the desired levels 5 Click Apply and then click OK Page 59 How do I change the parallel port type to ECP EPP or bi directional You can change the parallel port type using the System Setup utility CMOS Setup Utility To access System Setup 1 Click Start in the Windows taskbar and select Turn Off Computer Select Restart 2 When the Sony screen displays press the F2 key on your keyboard 3 Select the Advanced tab from the Setup Utility screen 4 Select I O Device Configuration and press Enter 5 Use the arrow keys to highlight Parallel Port Mode and press Enter 4 You can toggle between the Normal bi directional EPP ECP and ECP EPP options using the di
6. a 2 Double click the Safely Remove Hardware icon in the Windowse taskbar 3 Click to select the name of the card that you want to eject and click Stop The Stop a Hardware Device window appears Click OK 4 When the message Safe to Remove Hardware appears push the PC Card Eject button on the right panel of the system unit Be sure to extend the Eject button out from the computer before attempting to eject the card Removing a PC Card 5 When the PC Card ejects from the PC Card slot remove the card by holding the edges and pulling it out carefully If you eject the PC Card incorrectly your computer may not work properly Page 35 VAIO Action Setup VAIO Action Setup manages the settings for your computer s Shortcut keys S Keys Page 36 Shortcut keys The programmable S Keys are set to launch the following applications 1 Microsoft Outlook Express 2 Microsofte Internet Explorer 3 SonicStage 4 PictureGear Studio S5 PowerDVD 6 VAIOe Help and Support PCV W20 keyboard Page 37 Changing the settings of the S keys You can reprogram the S keys to launch other applications 1 Click Start in the Windows taskbar and select All Programs 2 Select VAIO Action Setup then click VAIO Action Setup You can also double click the VAIO Action Setup icon located in the Windows taskbar to launch VAIO Action Setup 3 Click the S Key you want to change 4 From t
7. may want to purchase an Uninterruptible Power Supply UPS This device contains both a surge protector and a battery backup The surge protector prevents damage to your computer caused by power surges The battery backup safeguards your data during a brief period of power loss The power control button on the front panel does not turn off the system AC power To remove power from the system you must turn off the computer and then unplug the AC power cord from the wall outlet or power strip Do not place heavy objects on the power cord Do not operate the system with the cover removed Always reinstall the cover before turning on the system To disconnect the cord pull it out by the plug Never pull the cord itself Unplug your computer from the wall outlet if you will not be using the computer for a long time Do not attempt to open the power supply There are no user serviceable parts in the power supply To avoid personal injury or damage to your equipment refer the repair or replacement of the power supply to qualified personnel only Page 90 About Disposing of the Lithium Battery Dispose of the lithium battery properly In some areas the disposal of lithium batteries in household or business trash may be prohibited You can return your unwanted lithium batteries to your nearest Sony Service Center or Factory Service Center For the Sony Service Center nearest you visit the Sony Computing Support Web site at http www s
8. that the disc is in the tray with the label side facing up Install your CD or DVD software according to the manufacturer s instructions If your drive reads some DVDs or CDs but not others check the shiny side of the disc for dirt or scratches pai To recover the CD or DVD software applications that are preinstalled on your computer see Reinstalling software for more information Page 70 Why isn t my DVD playing properly If a region code warning appears when you are using the DVD player application it may be that the region code of the DVD you are trying to play is incompatible with the region code setting of your optical drive A region code is listed on the disc packaging Region code indicators such as 1 or ALL are labeled on some DVDs to indicate the type of player that can play the disc Unless a 1 or ALL appears on the DVD or on its packaging you cannot play the disc on this system If you hear audio but cannot see video your computer s video resolution may be set too high To improve video resolution verify that your screen area is set to 1024 x 768 using 32 bit color preset factory default To verify or change your video resolution 1 Click Start in the Windows taskbar and then select Control Panel 2 Select Appearance and Themes then select Change the screen resolution 3 Click the Settings tab 4 Change the Screen resolution and Color quality to the desired levels 5 Click Apply and then click OK
9. the Add Printer Wizard click Next e Select Local Printer then click Next pai Place a check mark in the box for Automatically detect and install my Plug and Play printer if you are installing a recently manufactured printer with Plug and Play capability 5 Select the appropriate port usually LPT1 and then click Next 6 Select the appropriate printer manufacturer and model 7 Follow the on screen instructions to print a test page and complete printer installation If the printer is not included in the list and the printer manufacturer included a disk with a Windows XP Printer driver choose Have Disk enter the appropriate path for the disk or CD and click OK If the printer is not included on the list and no drivers are included with the printer choose an alternate printer driver that your printer may emulate Refer to the manual that came with your printer for specific emulation information 1 The location of the connection ports for peripheral equipment may vary depending upon your computer s hardware configuration Page 86 About Using Peripheral Equipment How do I install a printer Connect your USB or IEEE 1394 printer to the appropriate port on your computer s front back or side panels If your printer has a USB IEEE 1394 or infrared connection contact the printer manufacturer for information or updates that may be required for proper installation Check the printer manufacturer s Web site for the lat
10. the System Restore Wizard The System Restore wizard dialog box appears Follow the on screen instructions to restore your system or create a custom restore point Page 64 How do I copy files to a recordable CD or DVD You can copy files to CD R or CD RW media using the installed CD RW or DVD RW drive To copy files and folders to a CD using Windows XP l Insert a blank CD R or CD RW disc into your CD RW or DVD RW drive If the CD Drive window appears click Take no action Click Start in the Windowse taskbar and click My Computer Locate the files and folders you want to copy to the CD Point to select a file or folder or select several files or folders by holding down the CTRL key while pointing to each of the files you want Under File and Folder Tasks click Copy this file Copy this folder or Copy the selected items If the files are located in My Pictures under Picture Tasks click Copy to CD or Copy all items to CD Skip to step 6 If your files are located in My Music under Music Tasks click Copy to audio CD or Copy all items to audio CD Skip to step 6 In the Copy Items dialog box click the read write drive icon and click Copy Under Other Places click My Computer and click the CD RW or DVD RW drive Windows displays the temporary area that holds the files until they are copied to the CD Confirm that the files and folders you want to copy are displayed under Files Ready to Be Written to the CD Click
11. the unit Follow the on screen instructions to complete the registration process If you are not able to register your computer during the first session you are provided with additional registration opportunities later Page 18 Setting Up your Dial up Connection The first time you turn your computer on follow these steps to set up your dial up connection 1 Click Start from the Windows taskbar and select All Programs 2 Point to Accessories point to Communications and then click New Connection Wizard The Location Information window appears Location Information window Location Information 3 Enter in your information as requested Click OK The Phone and Modem Options window appears Before you can make any phone of modem connections Windows needs the following information about your current location What country region are you in now United States v What area code or city code ae you in now If you need to specify a carrier code what is it If you dial a number to access an outside line what is it The phone system at this location uses Ione diaing Pulse dialing Phone and Modem Options window Phone and Modem Options Dialing Rules 3 The list below displays the locations you have specified Select the location from which you are dialing Locations Location Area Code My Location 555 4 Click to select your dialing location and then click OK The New Connection
12. with your i LINK device for more information on installation and use To connect a 4 pin i LINK device i LINK cable optional Page 28 About the Memory Stick Media Slot Your VAIO computer is configured to support Memory Stick media A Memory Stick media is a compact portable and versatile data storage media designed for exchanging and sharing digital data with similarly equipped devices Page 29 To insert a Memory Stick media 1 Insert the Memory Stick media into the Memory Stick media slot located on the left panel Inserting a Memory Stick media Insert Memory Stick in this direction 2 If the media does not insert easily remove it from the slot and verify that it is not upside down or backwards Carefully reinsert the Memory Stick media but do not force it into the slot Page 30 To remove a Memory Stick media A small portion of the Memory Stick media remains extended when it is inserted into the Memory Stick media slot 1 Press the extended Memory Stick media to release it from the Memory Stick slot The media extends further enabling you to grasp it 2 Remove the Memory Stick media from the slot Removing a Memory Stick Media A Do not remove the Memory Stick media while the media access indicator light is on The media or its data may become damaged Memory Stick media do not support AVI file playback Copy the AVI file to your hard disk drive before attempting to play back the file
13. you have installed other software contact the software publisher for information on how to configure the software in order to recognize the modem If it appears that your modem is not functioning properly check the device status 1 Click Start in the Windows taskbar then click Control Panel 2 Click Printers and Other Hardware and then select Phone and Modem Options 3 From the Modems tab click to select your modem 4 Click Properties The Modem Properties window appears 5 Review the information in the Device status section If your modem is not working properly click the Troubleshoot button The VAIO Help and Support Center window appears 6 Follow the on screen instructions to resolve the problem You may need to reinstall the modem drivers See Reinstalling device drivers using Application Recovery CD s for more information Page 80 How do I change my modem to rotary or Touch tone dialing 1 Click Start in the Windows taskbar then click Control Panel 2 Click Printers and Other Hardware then click Phone and Modem options 3 From the Dialing Rules tab click Edit The Edit Location dialog box appears 4 Select the Tone or Pulse option Click OK Page 81 About the Speakers Why is there no sound in any application Adjust the volume control dial located on the left panel to adjust speaker volume Ifthe software application you are using has its own volume control check that the volume is turned up
14. you want to reinstall The software s installation wizard begins 7 Follow the on screen instructions to complete the application recovery process If you have questions about using the Application Recovery CD s visit the Sony Computing Support Web site at http www sony com pcsupport Page 49 Reinstalling device drivers The Microsoft Windowse XP operating system is capable of reinstalling the original factory installed device drivers without using the Application Recovery CD s 1 Click Start in the Windows taskbar then right click My Computer A shortcut menu appears 2 Click Properties The System Properties dialog box appears 3 From the Hardware tab click the Device Manager button 4 Right click to select the unknown device or the device that requires the driver installation and click Update Driver from the shortcut menu The Hardware Update Wizard appears 5 Follow the on screen instructions to locate the device and reinstall the appropriate device driver 4 If Windows XP does not reinstall the device driver s follow the steps in the next section to reinstall the device driver s using the Application Recovery CD s 1 An unknown device s is identified by a yellow question mark A device that has a driver problem is identified by a yellow exclamation mark Page 50 Reinstalling device drivers using Application Recovery CD s 1 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Logon to go to the W
15. IO User Guide 3 Click the Welcome link The Welcome page displays on the right side frame 4 Locate the link in the text View the VAIO2 Computer Specifications Page 66 About Using the Optical Disc Drive s Your computer may not be equipped with all of the hardware features listed in this section To view the specific hardware configuration for your system see the online specifications sheet Page 67 Why doesn t my optical drive tray open To use the Eject button 1 Make sure the computer is turned on 2 Press the Eject button on the drive To use the My Computer icon 1 Click Start in the Windows taskbar then select My Computer 2 Right click the appropriate optical drive icon 3 Select Eject from the shortcut menu 4 Avoid using adhesive labels to identify your CD or DVD media Adhesive labels may come off while the CD or DVD media is in use in your optical drive s and may cause damage to the unit Page 68 The message You must insert the application CD into your drive appears and the software does not start Some software applications require specific files that are located on the application s CD Try inserting the disc and starting the program again Check to make sure you inserted the CD correctly with the label side facing up Page 69 Why can t I play a DVD or CD media After inserting your CD or DVD wait a few seconds for the system to detect it before trying to access it Confirm
16. If you see video but cannot hear audio check all of the following Verify that your DVD player s mute feature is turned off Check the master volume setting in the Audio Mixer Check the volume settings on your computer speakers Check the connections between your speakers and the computer Verify that drivers are installed properly by following these steps 1 Click Start in the Windows taskbar then select Control Panel 2 Click Performance and Maintenance and then click Systems The System Properties dialog box appears 3 Select the Hardware tab and then select the Device Manager button to view installed drivers A dirty or damaged disc may also cause the computer to stop responding while it tries to read the disc If necessary remove the disc and check that it is not dirty or damaged To recover the CD or DVD software applications that are preinstalled on your computer see Reinstalling software for more information 1The VAIO W series computer uses 1280 x 768 for the default video resolution setting Page 71 Why doesn t my optical drive DVD RW record to CD RW media at higher speeds Certain VAIO computers are equipped with a DVD RW drive If you are having difficulty formatting CD RW media with your installed DVD RW drive try changing the write speed to a lower setting Your media must support writing speeds at 2X or lower See the Help or documentation that came with your CD or DVD recording software applicat
17. LCD This is normal and does not indicate a malfunction Avoid rubbing the screen as this can damage the LCD Use a soft dry cloth to clean the display Page 93 About DVD CD and Floppy Disk Media Handling CD or DVD media Do not touch the surface of the disc Do not drop or bend the disc Do not use adhesive labels to identify the disc The label may come off while the disc is in use in the optical drive and damage the drive Page 94 About DVD CD and Floppy Disk Media Handling CD or DVD media Do not touch the surface of the disc Do not drop or bend the disc Do not use adhesive labels to identify the disc The label may come off while the disc is in use in the optical drive and damage the drive Page 95 Cleaning CD or DVD media Fingerprints and dust on the surface of a disc may cause read errors Proper care of the disc is essential to maintain its reliability Do not use solvents such as benzine thinner commercially available cleaners or anti static spray as they may cause damage to the disc For normal cleaning hold the disc by its edge and use a soft cloth to wipe the surface from the center out If the disc is badly soiled moisten a soft cloth with water wring it out well and use it to wipe the surface of the disc from the center out Wipe off any remaining moisture with a dry soft cloth Page 96 Handling floppy disks Do not open the shutter manually and touch the surface of the flo
18. Page 31 Protecting data on Memory Stick media from accidental changes Memory Stick media contain a write protect tab The write protect tab prevents accidental changes to information recorded on your Memory Stick media When you slide the write protect tab to the LOCK position your Memory Stick media is write protected You cannot delete copy or save information on the media while the write protect tab in the LOCK position When you slide the tab to the un LOCK position you can write to or modify your Memory Stick media s contents Locking the Memory Stick Media Page 32 About the PC Card Slot Your computer has a card bus PC Card slot that supports Type I or Type II PC PCMCIA Cards You do not need to shut down your computer when inserting a PC Card For more information see the instructions supplied with your PC Card Page 33 Inserting a PC Card 1 With the label facing upwards insert the PC Card into the PC Card slot Inserting a PC Card Insert a PC Card in this direction a 2 Push the PC Card gently into the slot The card is automatically detected and the ed Safely Remove Hardware icon appears in the Windowse taskbar 4 If the PC Card does not insert easily remove it from the PC Card slot and verify that it is not upside down or backwards Carefully reinsert the PC Card without forcing it into the slot Page 34 Removing a PC Card 1 Close all applications that may access the PC Card to avoid data loss
19. Start in the Windows taskbar then click Control Panel 2 Click Sounds Speech and Audio Devices then click Sounds and Audio Devices 3 From the Audio tab locate the Sound recording section and click Volume The Recording Control dialog box appears If the volume control for the microphone is visible skip to step 6 4 Select the Options menu and click Properties The Properties dialog box appears 5 In the section Adjust volume for select the Recording option Click OK 6 From the Recording Control dialog box decrease the microphone volume level by moving the slider bar down 7 Close the Recording Control dialog box and then close the Sounds and Audio Devices Properties window Page 85 About Using Peripheral Equipment How do I install a printer Connect your USB or IEEE 1394 printer to the appropriate port on your computer s front back or side panels If your printer has a USB IEEE 1394 or infrared connection contact the printer manufacturer for information or updates that may be required for proper installation Check the printer manufacturer s Web site for the latest drivers for your operating system before proceeding with installation Some printers do not function properly without the updated drivers for specific operating systems To install your printer follow these steps 1 Click Start in the Windows taskbar then click Control Panel 2 Click Printers and Other Hardware then click Add a Printer 3 From
20. Welco me Thank you for purchasing your Sony VAIO computer Your new computer is a superb blend of high technology and easy to use functionality The information provided here is designed to help you to become familiar with the hardware and software applications included with your system View the Electronic Flyer which provides updates and supplemental information about your computer View the VAIOs Computer Specifications which lists your computer s hardware specifications and preinstalled software information such as descriptions and contact information Page 1 Congratulations on your purchase of the Sony VAIO computer Your new high performance multimedia computer combines state of the art computer functionality with the latest audio video and information technology features Unpacking your Computer Planning An Ergonomic Work Space Page 2 Unpacking your Computer Your computer may not be supplied with all of the accessories shown depending on the system configuration you purchased For details on the accessories supplied with your computer see the online Specifications sheet Com puter and supplied accessories System with attached Keyboard Power Cord Handling the system unit Before attempting to lift your computer close the keyboard against the unit Lift the unit by holding the right and left sides Do not lift your computer by holding the back of the unit Holding the b
21. Wizard appears New Connection Wizard window Page 19 New Connection Wizard Welcome to the New Connection J Wizard This wizerd helps you Connect to the Internet Connect to private network such as pour workplace network Set up a home or small office network To continue cick Next 5 Follow the on screen instructions to finish setting up your dial up connection Page 20 Turning Off your Computer Follow these steps when you are ready to turn off your computer for an extended period of time A To avoid loss of data do not use the Power button to turn off the computer Page 21 To turn off your computer l pai If you plan to turn off your computer for a short period of time you may want to use Stand by mode instead Click Start in the Windows taskbar then select Turn Off Computer The Turn Off Computer dialog box appears Select the Turn Off option Respond to any prompts about saving your documents Wait for your computer to turn off automatically the power indicator light turns off Turn off any peripheral devices connected to your computer Page 22 About the power button If your system stops responding press and hold the Power button for more than six seconds to force your system to shut down You may need to repeat this procedure if your system does not shut down on the first attempt Page 23 Configuring Your VALO C i This section provides basic information about man
22. Write to CD under CD Writing Tasks The CD Writing Wizard starts Follow the instructions in the wizard to complete writing the files or folders to the CD When the writing process is finished the wizard displays a check box that enables you to copy another CD To create additional copies click Yes write these files to another CD insert a blank CD R or CD RW disc and click Next To copy files to a DVD using preinstalled software If your VAIO computer is equipped with a DVD RW drive you can copy files to DVD R or DVD RW discs using the preinstalled RecordNow software To learn more about using RecordNow refer to the program s online Help 1 Click Start in the Windowse taskbar and click All Programs Point to VERITAS Software point to RecordNow and then click RecordNow If the RecordNow Wizard starts click Help If the RecordNow Wizard does not start right away click Index on the Help menu 1 The read write drive letter designation may vary depending your system s hardware configuration Page 65 Where can I find a listing of my computer s preinstalled software titles You can find details about the software that is preinstalled on your system by viewing the online specifications sheet This online document describes the preinstalled software on your VAIO computer To access the online specifications sheet 1 Click Start in the Windows taskbar and click Help and Support 2 From the VAIO Help and Support menu click VA
23. ack of the computer may cause damage Manuals VAIO Computer Quick Start Provides basic information on setting up and registering your computer The Quick Start also provides resources for technical support safety guidelines and owner s information Microsoft Windows XP Guide Explains how to use the basic features of the latest Windows operating system Online Documentation VAIO Computer User Guide Contains information on the hardware and preinstalled software applications included with your system To access the online User Guide 1 Click Start in the Windows taskbar then click Help and Support 2 From the VAIO Help and Support Center menu click VAIO User Guide Specifications This online specifications sheet describes the hardware and software configuration of your VAIO computer To view this online information age 3 1 Click Start in the Windows taskbar then click Help and Support 2 From the VAIO Help and Support Center menu click VAIO User Guide 3 Click the Welcome link The Welcome page displays in the right side frame 4 Locate the link in the text View the VAIO Computer Specifications Recovery CDs System Recovery CD s Restore the software applications that shipped with your computer if they become corrupted or are erased The supplied System Recovery CDs can only be used to restore the hard disk of this Sony computer Application Recovery CD s Reinstalls indi
24. age 99 Software Help and Support When you have questions about your computer and the preinstalled software check with these software publishers to access troubleshooting support from the publisher s Web site by e mail or by telephone 4 Your computer may not be supplied with all of the software discussed in this section depending on the system configuration you purchased To view the specific software preinstalled on your computer see the online specifications sheet The contact and support information for the preinstalled software on your system can be found on the online specifications sheet Sony Service Center Computing support is free of charge for 90 days after the original date of purchase Page 100 Contacting Sony for Help and Support If the information provided with your VAIO computer does not provide an immediate solution or you would like to get direct support contact Sony online or by telephone Page 101 Sony Computing Support Web site Online help and support are available 24 hours a day seven days a week when you visit the Sony Computing Support Web site You can access the Web site at http www sony com pcsupport The Sony Computing Support Web site provides Information about your specific model computer such as 1 hardware and software specifications 2 upgrade and maintenance procedures 3 safety and legal information 4 quick solutions to common problems An automated tutorial library tha
25. aging your computer s hard disk drive performance using i LINK devices Memory Stick media PC Cards and changing default settings About Your Hard Disk Drive About i LINK Compatibility About the Memory Stick Media Slot About the PC Card Slot VAIO Action Setup Page 24 About Your Hard Disk Drive To improve the performance of Sony audio and video software applications the hard disk drive on your computer has been formatted with two partitions C and D Some Sony software applications save files to the drive D partition This prevents large video captures from consuming the available space on your drive C partition To maintain optimum system performance you should defragment your computer s D partition regularly Page 25 Defragmenting your hard disk drive If you encounter frame dropping while recording digital video onto your hard disk drive defragmentation may be necessary 1 Deactivate your screen saver and close other open applications if applicable 2 Click Start in the Windows taskbar and select All Programs 3 Point to Accessories point to System Tools and then select Disk Defragmenter The Disk Defragment dialog box appears 4 Verify that drive D is selected 5 Select Action from the menu bar and click Analyze Fy It may take a long time to complete the defragmentation process depending on the data capacity and current utilization of your computer s hard disk drive s Page 26 A
26. aper card stock or fabric that do not have a lot of repetitive patterning Avoid surfaces such as mirrors smooth glass or magazines Avoid possible damage to easily scratched surfaces by using a mouse pad Avoid surfaces that may damage or soil your optical mouse Dirt or damage may cause the mouse to malfunction If the cursor is not moving properly try using the mouse on another mousing surface or using a mouse pad There may be dust or dirt inside the mouse mechanism To clean the mouse follow these steps Save and close all applications and turn off your computer Turn the mouse upside down Remove the mouse ball cover on the back of the mouse by turning clockwise the ring that covers the mouse ball Turn the mouse upright and drop the mouse ball into your hand Using a piece of tape remove any dust or dirt on the mouse ball and inside the mouse ball socket Return the mouse ball to the socket and replace the mouse ball cover Secure the cover by turning the ring counter clockwise You may need to reinstall the mouse drivers See Reinstalling device drivers using Application Recovery CD s for more information Page 75 How do I set up my mouse for left hand use 1 Click Start in the Windows taskbar then click Control Panel 2 Click Printers and Other Hardware then click Mouse The Mouse Properties dialog box appears 3 From the Buttons tab select Switch primary and secondary buttons under t
27. bout i LINK Compatibility Your VAIO computer has two 4 pin i LINK ports available to connect your digital devices A 4 pin i LINK port does not supply power to a connected device The following i LINK 400 Mbps cables are available and recommended for use with your computer VMC IL4415 VMC IL4435 VMC IL4615 and VMC IL6615 Sony computer supplies accessories and peripherals can be purchased from Sony VAIO Direct through the Web site at http vaio sonystyle com or the toll free number 1 888 315 7669 i LINK is a trademark of Sony used only to designate that a product contains an IEEE 1394 connection The i LINK connection may vary depending on the software applications operating system and compatible i LINK devices All products with an i LINK connection may not communicate with each other Please refer to the documentation that came with your compatible i LINK device for information on operating conditions and proper connection Before connecting compatible i LINK devices to your system such as an optical or hard disk drive confirm their operating system compatibility and required operating conditions Page 27 Connecting an i LINK IEEE 1394 device 1 Use the symbol to locate the i LINK port on your compatible i LINK device and on your computer Plug the i LINK cable connector into this port 2 Plug the other end of the cable into the corresponding 4 pin i LINK port on your computer See the instructions that came
28. ce and that the system is turned on Verify that the brightness or contrast control dials are adjusted correctly See the manual that came with your display for details Confirm that the computer is not in stand by mode by pressing any key on the keyboard 1Certain VAIO computers are not equipped with a floppy disk drive You can purchase this equipment separately Page 54 Why did my computer or software stop responding You can try to locate and close the software application that has stopped responding 1 Press the Ctrl Alt Delete keys The Windows Task Manager window appears 2 From the Applications tab locate the application that has the status message Not responding 3 Select the application that has a Not Responding status and click End Task Windows attempts to close the application If your computer does not respond or the application does not close try the following steps 1 Save any open files if possible 2 Press the Alt F4 keys The Turn Off Computer window appears 3 Click Restart If your computer still does not respond and you cannot restart shut down your computer by pressing and holding the power button for more than six seconds If the software application continues to stop responding or causes your computer to stop responding contact the software publisher or designated technical support provider A Pressing and holding the power button for more than six seconds may result in the loss of data from fi
29. d all the original preinstalled software applications If the operating system or applications become corrupted or are erased you can restore your computer to the original factory settings The System Recovery CD can only be used to restore the hard disk drive of the Sony computer you purchased A The System Recovery process removes all software that you may have installed since you started using your computer Reinstall any applications that were not included with the computer when you purchased it If you experience a problem with your computer reinstalling an individual application or device driver may correct the problem You may not need to recover the entire contents of your hard drive 4 Use the Application Recovery CD s to reinstall individual applications When you successfully complete your system recovery you are prompted to complete the Windows registration process Page 45 System recovery options Default system drive recovery recommended All data on drive C is deleted The factory default settings and software applications are restored on this drive only Change partition size and recover All partitions custom installations and changes are removed from the hard disk drive You can set the partition sizes for both the drive C and drive D The original preinstalled operating system and software applications are restored Factory default settings recovery All data and partitions are removed from the hard disk drive
30. e 11 You can set up your system quickly and easily with the instructions provided in this section For details on your system s hardware configuration see the online specifications sheet Install your equipment so that you can easily reach the power outlet in the event of an emergency Connecting a USB Optical Mouse Connecting the Telephone and Modem Cables Connecting the Power Cord Turning on Your Computer Registering your Computer Setting Up your Dial up Connection Turning Off your Computer Page 12 C onnecting a USB Optical Mouse 1 Plug the USB optical mouse connector into the USB mouse port located on the right panel of your computer 2 To connect a USB mouse oS Place the optical mouse on an appropriate surface to enable precision tracking Page 13 To use an optical mouse An optical mouse requires an ideal surface texture in order to provide precision pointing and tracking Use surfaces such as plain paper card stock or fabric that have minimal repetitive patterning Avoid surfaces such as mirrors smooth glass or magazines that have half tone printing Page 14 Connecting the Telephone and Modem Cables 1 Unplug your telephone cable from the wall jack 2 Plug the telephone cable into the telephone jack on the right panel of your computer 3 Plug the modem cable supplied into the modem line jack on the computer 4 Plug the other end o
31. em Recovery CD s you may be prompted to insert your Application Recovery CD s after restarting Windows Use the Application Recovery CD s to complete full restoration of your system Page 47 Using the Application Recovery CD s The Application Recovery CD utility enables you to reinstall your system s original software drivers and to repair software applications if they become corrupted or are erased You can reinstall a specific application or driver to correct a problem that you are experiencing with your computer or peripheral hardware You may not need to reinstall the entire contents of your hard drive to correct certain problems You must be in Windows to run the Application Recovery CD utility amp To reinstall all of the software that shipped with your computer use the System Recovery CD s Page 48 Reinstalling software 1 Turn on your computer If your computer is already on save and close all open applications 2 Logon to go to the Windowse desktop 3 Insert Application Recovery CD 1 into your computer s optical drive The Application Recovery utility loads automatically 4 If your system is equipped with two optical drives insert the Application Recovery CD into the upper optical drive 4 Click OK in the VAIO welcome window The Sony Application Recovery Program window appears 5 Double click the Software folder Icons representing the original preinstalled software are displayed 6 Double click the application
32. est drivers for your operating system before proceeding with installation Some printers do not function properly without the updated drivers for specific operating systems To install your printer follow these steps 1 Click Start in the Windows taskbar then click Control Panel 2 Click Printers and Other Hardware then click Add a Printer 3 From the Add Printer Wizard click Next e Select Local Printer then click Next pai Place a check mark in the box for Automatically detect and install my Plug and Play printer if you are installing a recently manufactured printer with Plug and Play capability 5 Select the appropriate port usually LPT1 and then click Next 6 Select the appropriate printer manufacturer and model 7 Follow the on screen instructions to print a test page and complete printer installation If the printer is not included in the list and the printer manufacturer included a disk with a Windows XP Printer driver choose Have Disk enter the appropriate path for the disk or CD and click OK If the printer is not included on the list and no drivers are included with the printer choose an alternate printer driver that your printer may emulate Refer to the manual that came with your printer for specific emulation information 1 The location of the connection ports for peripheral equipment may vary depending upon your computer s hardware configuration Page 87 The connected printer does not function
33. f the modem cable into the wall jack To connect the telephone and modem cables A Your computer has a protective sticker ox covering the Ethernet port located on the rear panel Connect only 10BASE T and 100BASE TX cables to the Ethernet port Using other cables or a telephone cable may result in an electric current overload that can cause a malfunction excessive heat or fire in the port For help on connecting to a network see your network administrator Page 15 Connecting the Power Cord 1 Plug the power cord into the AC input port on the left panel of the computer 2 Plug the power cord into a grounded AC wall outlet or a power strip To connect the power cord Page 16 Turning on Your Computer Initially when you start your system the computer may detect new hardware and prompt you to restart your computer Respond to this prompt immediately Press the power button on the computer to turn on the system To turn on your computer Power button Power indicator Page 17 Registering your Computer Take advantage of Sony s commitment to quality customer support and receive these benefits by registering your computer Sony Customer Support Communicate with a Support Representative to troubleshoot problems you may be having with your computer Limited warranty Protect your investment See the Warranty Card for more details 4 You are prompted to register your computer the first time you turn on
34. he Button Configuration options 4 Click Apply then click OK Page 76 Why doesn t my keyboard work properly Check that the keyboard is securely plugged into the keyboard port Save and close all open applications Turn off your computer wait approximately 10 seconds and then restart your computer 1The VAIO W series computer has a built in keyboard Page 77 About the Modem Why is my modem connection slow Many factors influence modem connection speed Telephone line noise Incompatibility with other telephone equipment such as fax machines or other modems Internet Service Providers ISP connection capability may vary If you think your modem is not connecting properly to other PC based modems fax machines or your ISP check the following Contact your telephone company and ask them to verify that your telephone line is free from line noise If your problem is fax related check that there are no problems with the fax machine you are calling and that it is compatible with fax modems For optimum performance verify that your ISP point of presence POP telephone number is compliant with V 90 standards Ifyou are having a problem connecting with your ISP check that they are not experiencing technical problems Try connecting your modem through another telephone line if available Page 78 About the Modem Why is my modem connection slow Many factors influence modem connection speed
35. he Select Application dialog box click the option for the desired type of function The corresponding applications appear in the list box on the right 5 Select an application from the list Click Next You can drag an application to place it into the list box 6 The Confirmation Application Name window appears Click Next 7 You may now type a new name and description if desired Then click Finish Page 38 U T Maintaini VALO i In the future you may want to increase the functionality of your VAIO computer This section provides information about upgrading and maintaining your system Overview Installing Memory Replacing the Lithium Battery Installing a Hard Disk Drive Page 39 Overview Sony recommends that you contact your local dealer for upgrade or maintenance of your new computer Your local dealer is knowledgeable of this specialized personal computer and familiar with the safety practices and regulatory compliance required for using and modifying electronic equipment To view the hardware configuration for your computer see the online specifications sheet Page 40 Installing Memory The amount of preinstalled memory may vary depending on the system configuration you purchased Your computer may ship with all available memory slots filled See the online specifications sheet for details about the memory installed in your computer A Do not attempt to remove or replace the memory modules
36. indowse desktop Insert Application Recovery CD 1 into the optical disc drive The VAIO welcome window appears Click OK then click Quit to close the Sony Application Recovery utility Without removing the Application Recovery CD from the optical drive click Start in the Windows taskbar and then right click My Computer A shortcut menu appears Click Properties The System Properties dialog box appears From the Hardware tab click the Device Manager button Right click to select the unknown device or the device that requires the driver installation and click Update Driver from the shortcut menu The Hardware Update Wizard appears Click to select the option Install from a list or specific location Advanced Click Next Click to cancel the option Search removable media floppy CD ROM Select the check box for Include this location in the search and click Browse The Browse for Folder dialog box appears Navigate to the optical drive and click to select the Application Recovery CD The CD contents are displayed Click to open the drivers folder and click the folder for the device you want to reinstall Click OK to return to the Hardware Update Wizard Click Next Select the device folder and click Next The Microsoft Windowse XP operating system automatically reinstalls the device driver s from the Application Recovery CD Click Finish and remove the Application Recovery CD from the optical drive Click Start in the Windo
37. ion for details on adjusting the write speed settings 4 Your DVD RW drive does not support high speed writing to a CD RW media Verify that your CD RW media supports writing speeds of 2X or lower Page 72 Why doesn t my optical drive CD RW record to CD RW media If you are having difficulty with writing erasing or formatting on your CD RW media the reason may be that the media is not compatible with your high speed CD RW drive Try using CD RW media that is identified as high speed 4X or higher for maximum performance and compatibility Page 73 About the Mouse and Keyboard Why doesn t my mouse work properly Confirm that the mouse is plugged securely into the mouse port If you are using a USB mouse verify that the mouse is plugged securely into the appropriate USB port Save and close all open applications Turn off your computer wait approximately 10 seconds and then restart your computer If you are using an optical mouse use an appropriate surface to ensure proper mouse tracking A good mouse surface requires a certain amount of detail or texture to enable mouse tracking Use surfaces such as plain paper card stock or fabric that do not have a lot of repetitive patterning Avoid surfaces such as mirrors smooth glass or magazines Avoid possible damage to easily scratched surfaces by using a mouse pad Avoid surfaces that may damage or soil your optical mouse Dirt or damage may cause the mouse
38. isk drive confirm their operating system compatibility and required operating conditions About the Front Panel About the Side Panels Page 6 About the Front Panel The front panel of your VAIO computer is equipped with built in stereo speakers and indicator lights Opening the computer Front panel 1 Stereo speakers built in The stereo speakers provide sound for software audio and video CDs 2 Liquid Crystal Display LCD screen The attached LCD screen provides on screen visual output to your computer s functional capabilities 3 Memory Sticke media access indicator Light is amber when the Memory Stick media slot is in use Page 7 4 CD RW DVD combo drive access indicator Light is amber while reading and writing data from and to the combo drive 5 Power button Turns the computer on and off 6 Hard disk drive access indicator Light is amber while reading and writing data from and to the hard disk 7 Power indicator Light is green while the power is on and amber when the computer is in Stand by mode 8 Shortcut Keys S Keys Programmable function keys that launch specific applications 9 Keyboard The attached keyboard has programmable buttons for launching your favorite software applications or accessing the Internet Page 8 About the Side Panels The side panels of your computer contain the connections for supplied and optional accessories The icons on the side panel
39. les that are currently open Page 55 Why does the Windows operating system stop responding during shutdown The Windows operating system may not shut down properly for many reasons including incompatible or conflicting drivers damaged files or non responsive hardware For troubleshooting information you can search Windows Help 1 Click Start in the Windows taskbar and select Help and Support The VAIO Help and Support Center menu appears 2 Select Fixing a Problem and then select Startup and Shut Down problems A list of specific problem topics appears on the right side of the dialog box 3 Select Startup and Shutdown Troubleshooter Follow the on screen instructions according to your specific situation Page 56 I cannot find the Windows taskbar The Windows taskbar may be hidden or minimized Use the mouse to locate a hidden taskbar by pointing to the left right top and bottom edges of the screen The taskbar appears when the cursor is placed over its location 1 Right click on the taskbar and select Properties from the shortcut menu 2 Clear the check box for Auto hide the taskbar then click OK Use the mouse to locate a minimized taskbar by pointing to the left right top and bottom edges of the display screen The taskbar has been located when the cursor changes to a double arrow cursor Left click and drag away from the edge of the display screen The minimized taskbar resizes and becomes visible Page 57
40. lugged the computer into a power strip or Uninterruptible Power Supply UPS make sure the power strip or UPS is turned on and working Verify that the monitor is plugged into a power source and turned on If your system has a built in monitor confirm that it is plugged into an appropriate power source and that the system is turned on Verify that the brightness or contrast control dials are adjusted correctly See the manual that came with your display for details Confirm that the computer is not in stand by mode by pressing any key on the keyboard 1Certain VAIO computers are not equipped with a floppy disk drive You can purchase this equipment separately Page 53 About VAIO Computer Functions My computer does not start Verify that the computer is plugged into a power source and that it is turned on Check that the power indicator is lit on the front panel of the computer Confirm that a disk is not in the floppy disk drive unless you are using a bootable floppy disk Confirm that a CD is not in an optical drive unless you are using a bootable CD Confirm that the power cord and all cables are connected firmly If you plugged the computer into a power strip or Uninterruptible Power Supply UPS make sure the power strip or UPS is turned on and working Verify that the monitor is plugged into a power source and turned on If your system has a built in monitor confirm that it is plugged into an appropriate power sour
41. ony com pcsupport A Do not handle damaged or leaking lithium batteries The lithium battery may explode if mistreated Do not disassemble it or dispose of it in fire Replace the battery with a Sony CR2032 lithium battery Using a type of battery other than a CR2032 may present a risk of fire or explosion Page 91 About Handling the Computer System Your computer uses high frequency radio signals and may cause interference to radio or TV reception If this occurs relocate the computer a suitable distance away from the TV or radio equipment Do not place your Sony computer in a location subject to Heat sources such as radiators or air ducts Direct sunlight Excessive dust Mechanical vibration or shock Strong magnets or speakers that are not magnetically shielded Ambient temperature of more than 95 F 35 C or less than 50 F 10 C High humidity moisture or rain Do not place electronic equipment near your computer The computer s electromagnetic field may cause a malfunction Provide adequate air circulation to prevent internal heat build up Do not place your computer on loose surfaces such as rugs or blankets or near materials Such as curtains or draperies that may block its ventilation slots Leave a space of at least 8 inches from the back panel of your computer Clean the cabinet with a soft dry cloth or a soft cloth lightly moistened with a mild detergent solution Do not use any type of abra
42. ppy disk Keep floppy disks away from magnets Keep floppy disks away from direct sunlight and other heat sources 1The VAIO W series computer is not equipped with a floppy disk drive You can purchase a floppy disk drive separately Page 97 Sony provides several options to help solve common problems or to locate support for your VAIO computer This section describes all available resources and offers suggestions on how to access this information for maximum results Immediate Help and Support Software Help and Support Contacting Sony for Help and Support Page 98 Immediate Help and Support You can locate helpful information immediately by consulting your hard copy guides and supplements or by accessing the online Computer User Guide and the individual software Help files Your computer is supplied with these support options VAIO Computer Quick Start The Quick Start contains information on how to set up your computer quickly and easily You can find instructions on how to plan an ergonomic work space connect power cords cables and peripheral devices register your computer with Sony and establish a dial up connection to the Internet The Quick Start can also provide troubleshooting support if problems occur VAIO Computer User Guide The online User Guide provides information about configuring maintaining and upgrading your computer This support resource offers a variety of available
43. properly when the computer resumes from a power saving mode Clear the printer memory by turning the printer off for approximately 10 seconds and then turning it back on Page 88 Notes Op Se The information in this section provides basic procedures for handling your system and common peripheral devices using storage media and locating upgrade information About the Power Source About Disposing of the Lithium Battery About Handling the Computer System About the LCD Screen Built in Display About DVD CD and Floppy Disk Media Page 89 About the Power Source Before opening your computer turn the system off and let it cool down for 10 minutes This protects you against internal components that may be too hot to handle Your computer operates on 100 120 V AC 50 60 Hz only Plug all the power cords for your computer and its peripheral equipment into the same AC supply line AC derived from different supply lines may result in voltage differences that can cause unstable operation or unwanted weak currents at the time of connection Do not share the AC outlet with any other power consuming equipment such as copying machines or shredders You can purchase a power strip with a surge protector This device prevents damage to your computer caused by sudden power surges such as those that may occur during an electrical storm If you live in an area that experiences frequent power fluctuations you
44. rectional arrow keys 6 Select the desired setting displays and press Enter 7 Press the F10 key to Save and Exit 1Your VAIO computer may not be equipped with a parallel port See the online specifications sheet for details on your computer s hardware configuration Page 60 Where can I find a listing of my computer s preinstalled hardware You can find details about the drives cards and memory modules that are installed on your system by viewing the online specifications sheet This online document describes the hardware configuration of your VAIO computer To access the online specifications sheet 1 Click Start in the Windows taskbar then click Help and Support 2 From the VAIO Help and Support Center menu click VAIO User Guide 3 Click the Welcome link The Welcome page displays in the right side frame 4 Locate the link in the text View the VAIOe Computer Specifications Page 61 About Software Your computer may not be supplied with all of the software discussed in this section depending on the system configuration you purchased Page 62 How do I create an audio CD with preinstalled Sony software Your VAIO computer has SonicStage software preinstalled on your computer SonicStage is a digital music management software that enables you work with digital music from audio CDs and from the Internet You can play music on your computer create custom audio CDs and check music out to compatible digital mu
45. s help to locate and identify the connections on your computer Right panel Slej la LY 09 N 1 Headphones jack Connection for optional speakers or headphones 2 Line In jack Connection for an audio device 3 Microphone jack Connection for a microphone optional 4 Modem line jack Connection for the modem supplied cable to the wall jack 5 Telephone jack Connection for a telephone cable optional to the computer 6 i LINK 4 pin S400 ports 2 Page 9 Connections for i LINK compatible digital devices IEEE 1394 7 CD RW DVD combo drive eject button Ejects a disc from the combo drive 8 Ethernet port Connection for a L1OBASE T 100BASE TX Ethernet The port marked with BS Network is for LAN connections only 9 Universal Serial Bus USB 2 0 ports 3 Connections for compatible high full low speed USB devices 10 CD RW DVD combo drive Reads data from compatible CD or DVD media Writes data to a CD R or CD RW media 11 PC Card slots 2 A PC Card also called a PCMCIA Card can be inserted into these slots to increase your computer s functional capabilities Left panel 1 Brightness control dial Adjusts the contrast and brightness of the built in LCD monitor 2 Volume control dial Increases or decreases the speaker volume Page 10 3 Memory Sticke media slot Reads and writes data from a Memory Stick media 4 AC Input port Connection for the supplied power cord Pag
46. sic devices SonicStage software employs OpenMG copyright protection technology and advanced ATRAC3 audio file format to allow you to enjoy digital music while protecting the rights of copyright holders To access SonicStage software Help 1 Click Start in the Windows taskbar and click All Programs 2 Point to SonicStage and click SonicStage 3 On the Help menu click SonicStage Help Page 63 How do I use the System Restore feature in Windows XP System Restore is a feature of the Microsoft Windowse XP operating system that enables you to restore your computer to a previous state if a problem occurs System Restore provides the following support Restores your system to a previous state Restores without erasing your personal data files Creates restore points daily and when software applications or utilities are installed Maintains storage of one to three weeks of past restore points Enables you to create your own custom restore points Locates the dates associated with the restore points Performs restorations that are reversible Enables different types of restore points To Use the System Restore Wizard l Click Start in the Windowse taskbar and click Help and Support The VAIO Help and Support window appears Under Pick a Help topic click Performance and maintenance Under Performance and maintenance click Using System Restore to undo changes A submenu appears on the right Under Pick a task click Run
47. sive pad scouring powder or solvent such as alcohol or benzine as it may damage the finish of your Sony computer Should any solid object or liquid fall into the cabinet keyboard or mouse shut down your computer and then unplug it You may want to have the computer checked by qualified personnel before operating it any further Use only specified peripheral equipment and interface cables otherwise problems may result Do not use cut or damaged connection cables Always switch the power off before connecting your computer to peripheral equipment otherwise damage may occur to the integrated circuits in your computer Your computer keyboard and mouse consist of high precision electronic parts Do not drop them or bump them against other objects Your Sony computer will not work with party lines cannot be connected to a coin operated telephone and may not work with multiple telephone lines or a private branch exchange PBX Ifthe telephone company makes a service call to your home or office and determines that your computer is responsible for the problem the telephone company may bill you for the service call If you do not disconnect your computer when it is adversely affecting the telephone line the telephone company has the right to disconnect your service until you correct the problem Moisture condensation If your computer is brought directly from a cold location to a warm one moisture may condense inside yo
48. t contains interactive easy to understand lessons on using your computer s hardware and software features Links that enable you to 1 quickly find the nearest Sony service center locations 2 arrange for repairs or check repair status 3 review warranty information 4 e mail your question or comments to the Sony Customer Information Services Center 5 check pricing and availability for products accessories and parts as well as purchase online 6 access the Sony Solutions Knowledge Base a database that contains answers to many frequently asked questions Page 102 Sony Customer Information Services Center If other support options do not resolve your issue you can contact a Sony Support representative directly Before making a call to the Sony Customer Information Services Center have this basic information readily available 1 VAIO computer system type 2 Model number 3 Serial number 4 Operating system 5 Hardware feature or software application that has a problem See Software Help and Support for the appropriate software contact information 6 Brief description of the issue For VAIOe computers purchased in the U S and Canada contact a Sony Support representative at 1 888 476 6972 1 The serial number is located on the back panel of your computer The serial number is on a white barcode label Page 103
49. to malfunction If the cursor is not moving properly try using the mouse on another mousing surface or using a mouse pad There may be dust or dirt inside the mouse mechanism To clean the mouse follow these steps Save and close all applications and turn off your computer Turn the mouse upside down Remove the mouse ball cover on the back of the mouse by turning clockwise the ring that covers the mouse ball Turn the mouse upright and drop the mouse ball into your hand Using a piece of tape remove any dust or dirt on the mouse ball and inside the mouse ball socket Return the mouse ball to the socket and replace the mouse ball cover Secure the cover by turning the ring counter clockwise You may need to reinstall the mouse drivers See Reinstalling device drivers using Application Recovery CD s for more information Page 74 About the Mouse and Keyboard Why doesn t my mouse work properly Confirm that the mouse is plugged securely into the mouse port If you are using a USB mouse verify that the mouse is plugged securely into the appropriate USB port Save and close all open applications Turn off your computer wait approximately 10 seconds and then restart your computer If you are using an optical mouse use an appropriate surface to ensure proper mouse tracking A good mouse surface requires a certain amount of detail or texture to enable mouse tracking Use surfaces such as plain p
50. topics enabling you to quickly view specific information using context sensitive search features To access the online manual 1 Click Start in the Windowse taskbar then click VAIO Help and Support 2 From the VAIO Help and Support Center menu click VAIO User Guide 3 Specifications The online specifications sheet describes the hardware and software configuration of your VAIO computer To view this online information 1 Click Start in the Windows taskbar and click VAIO Help and Support 2 From the VAIO Help and Support Center menu click VAIO User Guide 3 Click the Welcome link The Welcome page displays in the right side frame 4 Locate the link in the text View the VAIO2 Computer Specifications 4 Preinstalled software Help files Each preinstalled software application provides online Help that describes the software s features In these Help files you can find tutorials that teach you to use the software and locate troubleshooting support should problems occur To access software Help files 1 Click Start in the Windows taskbar and point to All Programs A submenu appears listing all preinstalled software applications 2 Click the desired software application The software s main window appears 3 From the menu bar click Help The Help file appears 1 You can locate the online Help files for Sony software applications by pointing to the individual application s icon and selecting Help from the submenu P
51. ur computer In this case allow at least an hour before turning on your computer If any problem occurs unplug your computer and contact your Sony Service Center The hard disk drive Do not place the computer in a location that is subject to vibration or shock Do not move the computer during operation Do not subject the computer to sudden changes in temperature Do not turn off the power while the computer is accessing the hard disk drive Page 92 About the LCD Screen Built in Display Do not place the display near a strong magnetic force Do not block the ventilation slots on the display 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 A residual image may appear on the screen if the same image is displayed for a lengthy period of time The image disappears after a period of time You can use a screen saver to prevent residual images The screen becomes warm during operation This is normal and does not indicate a malfunction Do not leave the LCD in direct sunlight as this may damage the screen Use caution when using the computer near a window Do not exert pressure on the LCD or scratch the surface as this may cause the screen to malfunction The LCD screen is manufactured using high precision technology On occasion you may see tiny black or colored points on the
52. ure avoid slouching forward or leaning far backward Viewing angle of the display Position the unit so that the display is 18 to 26 inches directly in front of you with the top of the screen at or a little below eye level Use the display s tilting feature to find the best position You can reduce eye strain and muscle fatigue by placing the display in the proper position 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 Page 5 Locating Controls And Ports This section is intended to familiarize you with the controls ports and jacks that are available on your computer To view the specific hardware configuration for your system see the online specifications sheet i LINK is a trademark of Sony used only to designate that a product contains an IEEE 1394 connection The i LINK connection may vary depending on the software applications operating system and compatible i LINK devices All products with an i LINK connection may not communicate with each other Please refer to the documentation that came with your compatible i LINK device for information on operating conditions and proper connection Before connecting compatible i LINK devices to your system such as an optical or hard d
53. vidual software applications or drivers if they become corrupted or are erased Other Software Library containing the Microsoft software license agreement and Sony end user license agreement Page 4 Planning An Ergonomic Work Space Before you set up your new computer find the best location for your new computer and plan your work space There are several ergonomic factors to consider when you arrange your work space Stable work surface Use a stable work surface large enough to support the computer and other peripheral equipment Ventilation Leave at least eight inches of space on both sides of your computer and at least 5 inches of clearance for the back Placement of the mouse and other input devices Place your computer mouse or other input devices so that your arms and hands are in a relaxed comfortable position The computer s keyboard should be directly in front of you Keep your wrists in a relaxed position when you are using the keyboard not angled up or down Position the mouse at the same level as the keyboard Hold the mouse with a relaxed hand and use your whole arm to move it Take breaks during sessions with your computer Excessive use of the mouse or a joystick 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 with relaxed upright post
54. ws taskbar select Turn Off Computer The Turn Off Computer dialog box appears Select the Turn Off option Wait 30 seconds and turn on your computer 4 Your system includes one or more Application Recovery CDs Insert Application Recovery CD 1 to start the application or driver recovery process You are prompted to insert the next CD s depending on the software application or driver you wish to restore Page 51 CO This section describes how to troubleshoot common problems you may encounter when using your computer Many problems have simple solutions so try these suggestions before using Support Resources To view the specific configuration for your computer see the online specifications sheet About VAIO Computer Functions About Software About Using the Optical Disc Drive s About the Mouse and Keyboard About the Modem About the Speakers About Using a Microphone About Using Peripheral Equipment Page 52 About VAIO Computer Functions My computer does not start Verify that the computer is plugged into a power source and that it is turned on Check that the power indicator is lit on the front panel of the computer Confirm that a disk is not in the floppy disk drive unless you are using a bootable floppy disk Confirm that a CD is not in an optical drive unless you are using a bootable CD Confirm that the power cord and all cables are connected firmly If you p
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