Sony VAIO VGX-XL3 User manual

User Guide
Digital Living System™
VGX-XL3

VAIO® VGX-XL3 Disclaimers, Notes, Warnings
NOTICE
© 2006 Sony Electronics Inc. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is pro-
hibited. All rights reserved. This manual and the software described herein, in whole or in part,
may not be reproduced, translated, or reduced to any machinereadable form without prior written
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TORT, CONTRACT, OR OTHERWISE, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS
MANUAL, THE SOFTWARE, OR OTHER INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN OR THE USE
THEREOF.
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ImageStation, ATRAC3, and i.LINK are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sony.
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Some of the software may not be transported or used outside the United States. Software specifi-
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includes certain software versions or upgrades, and Internet services or offers that are
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All other trademarks are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

VGX-XL3 Digital Living System 1
Chapter 1:
Getting Started
Introduction
Welcome to the VAIO®VGX-XL3 Digital Living System™ (DLS) User Guide.
You can download updated user guide information by opening VAIO®Help
and Support and selecting Documentation. This guide contains the following
information:
• Chapter 1: Getting Started
• Chapter 2: Setting Up Your VGX-XL3 DLS System
• Chapter 3: Hardware Upgrades & Maintenance
• Appendix A: Wireless Local Area Networks
• Appendix B: VAIO Media™ Software: Wireless Local Area Networks
• Appendix C: Setting Up Digital TV
• Appendix D: Hard Disk Drive Recovery
• Appendix E: RAID Configuration
• Appendix F: Troubleshooting
What is the VGX-XL3 Digital Living System?
The VGX-XL3 DLS system is a powerful computer designed with the
livingroom and your digital entertainment needs in mind. Add a CD/DVD
changer or other perpherial devices, and it becomes the host for a state of the
art home entertainment system. Let the VGX-XL3 DLS system lead you into
the exciting world of VAIO®where new technologies are established for digital
content management.

2VGX-XL3 Digital Living System
Product Specifications
VGX-XL3 Personal Computer
For complete hardware specifications, go to VAIO®Help and Support and
select Product Specifications. [Start > All Programs > Help and Support]
Operating System Software
The operating system for the VGX-XL3 Digital Living System™ is Microsoft®
Windows®Media Center in Windows Vista™. VAIO value-added software
provides you with additional features and PC capabilities and when teamed
with Media Center, provides you with an even greater entertainment value.
Note: Even though the digital entertainment features of the VGX-XL3
computer are designed to work through Media Center, the features can also
be accessed through independent software applications pre-installed on XL3
computer.

VGX-XL3 Digital Living System 3
Microsoft®Windows®Media Center in Windows
Vista™
The following list contains a high-level overview of the features available to
you in Media Center. For in-depth information about each feature, go to the
specific topic in the Media Center User Guide for Windows Vista document
located on your computer in VAIO®Help and Support.
Feature Description
Pictures + Video Enjoy access to all the pictures and video stored on
your hard drive. Categorize your pictures in as many
folders as you wish. Then, select a group to view a
single picture or a slide of all pictures in the folder.
Organize, locate, view, and play your favorite video
files in Media Center.
Music Enjoy access to all the music stored on your hard
drive. Organize, locate, and play your favorite music
files in Media Center. Select only the music you want
to burn to DVD.
TV + Movies Take control of your TV or movie viewing experience.
Watch live TV and movies, or record your favorite
show for later viewing. Create DVDs from your
favorite recorded TV series or movies. Select only the
episodes you want to burn to DVD.
Tasks To enhance you entertainment experience, common
tasks are grouped together that provide quick access
to all of the Media Center including settings,
shutdown, burn cd/dvd, sync, add extender, and
media only.
IMPORTANT: Sony®supports the lawful use of technology and
does not endorse or encourage the use of our products for
purposes other than those permitted by copyright law. TV programs
and commercial DVDs that have been encrypted (protected) by the
broadcaster cannot be copied and played back on any player other
than the one recorded to.

4VGX-XL3 Digital Living System
Sony®Original Software and Other Applications
Sony original software and other programs can be accessed by selecting
Windows Start > All Programs > [application name]. For additional
information about a specific application, start the application and go to the
Help file for each software application.
Getting to know the VGX-XL3 DLS System
Unpacking the VAIO VGX-XL3 Personal Computer
See the fold-out sheet entitled “Getting to Know Your VGX-XL3 Digital Living
System™” for supplied parts. Make sure you have the following items:
Keep all packaging material in case you need to move or ship the VGX-XL3
computer at a later time.
VGX-XL3 PC Wireless Keyboard w/Integrated Pointing Device
WLAN Antenna Power Cord Infrared Blaster Cable
HDMI™ Cable Optical S/PDIF Cable Keyboard Batteries (4)
Remote Batteries (2) HDMI™ to DVI-D
Adapter

VGX-XL3 Digital Living System 5
Wireless Keyboard
Setting up the Keyboard
Insert the Batteries
On the back of the Keyboard, remove the battery compartment cover and
insert four (4) Alkaline AA batteries (supplied) in the battery compartment.
Replace the battery compartment cover.
Activate Wireless Keyboard Communication
Before using the keyboard, you must activate communications between the
DLS computer and the wireless keyboard w/integrated pointing device.
To activate wireless keyboard communications
Make sure there are no obstructions between the VGX-XL3 computer and the
wireless keyboard when activating communications.
1 On the front of the keyboard, slide the Power switch to On.
2 On the back of the keyboard, slide the Point Device switch to On.
3 On the back of the keyboard, and the front panel of the VGX-XL3 computer,
press the connect buttons simultaneously and hold for a few seconds.
4 Test the keyboard and the pointing device to make sure both are functioning
properly.

6VGX-XL3 Digital Living System
VAIO®Remote Control
For detailed information on the VAIO Remote Control, go to Chapter 1 in the
Media Center User Guide for Windows Vista document located on your
computer in VAIO®Help and Support
Setting Up the Remote Control
1Use the START button (large green button) to
open Media Center. Press STANDBY (small
green button) to place your computer in
Standby mode. Control the playback for your
media (TV, MUSIC, VIDEOS), and ends a
slide show. Buttons include: STOP, PAUSE,
FWD, SKIP, REPLAY, REWIND, and
RECORD. The right arrow button serves as a
PLAY button. Press the BACK (<=) button to
go to the previous screen, and the MORE (i)
button to view additional information.
2Use the arrow buttons to move to a specific
location, the OK button to make your
selection.
3Volume Controls are on the left (press +to
increase or - to decrease) and Channel/Page
on the right of the MUTE button. The MUTE
button is provided to suppress sound.
4Open the following screens RECORDED TV,
GUIDE, LIVE TV, DVD MENU. (DVD MENU is
available only when Media Center is active.)
5Use these buttons to change channels and
enter text or numbers in a specific location.
6Use the APPLICATION SELECT button to
switch among open applications (this button
works the same as Alt+Tab keys on the
keyboard). To close the active application
window, select the APPLICATION CLOSE
button.

VGX-XL3 Digital Living System 7
Insert the Batteries
On the back of the remote control, remove the battery compartment cover and
insert two (2) Sony®Super Manganese Alkaline batteries (supplied) in the
battery compartment. Replace the battery compartment cover.
Note: When using the VAIO®remote control, remember to point the remote at
the VGX-XL3 personal computer, not at the TV or monitor.
About the Keyboard and Remote Control Batteries
When replacing batteries, the remote and keyboard will use any alkaline
batteries. Please use the "same” kind of new batteries from the same
“manufacturer." Mixing new batteries and used batteries, and mixing different
kinds of batteries (combination of manganese batteries and alkaline batteries,
etc.) can cause "leaking and damage".
Help Hints
• Turn the POWER switch "OFF" if you will not be using the keyboard for a
while. Also, please take the batteries out if you will not be using the
keyboard for a long time.
• The capacity of the batteries in the keyboard can be checked using the
battery indicator located on the upper right of the keyboard.
• Replace the batteries when they get low. If you leave the batteries in the
device even when the batteries are dead, it may cause leaking.
• Replace with new batteries after cleaning the liquid when liquid leaks from
the batteries.
• Use regular batteries. Re-chargeable batteries are not supported.
• Use alkaline batteries for the keyboard.

8VGX-XL3 Digital Living System
VGX-XL3 Personal Computer Front Panel
The VGX-XL3 Personal Computer Front Inputs and Outputs
Power Button
Press to turn on the power to this device. If you press this button during the
operation of this device, it will enter a sleep state and the power lamp will
change colors.
Power Lamp
The power lamp turns green when the electric power to this device is turned
on. The power lamp blinks orange when it is in Away mode, and turn orange
when it is in Standby mode.
(Hard Disk) Access Lamp
The access lamp blinks orange when you read or write data by accessing the
hard disc.
WLAN (Wireless Lan lamp)
The wireless LAN lamp turns green when the wireless LAN1is ready to be
used.
Blu-ray Disc™ Drive
The three different media formats to choose from are BD-R (Blu-ray Disc
Recordable - recordable format for HD video recording and PC data storage),
BD-RE (Blu-ray Disc Re-writable - rewritable format for HD video recording
and PC data storage), and BD-ROM (Blu-ray Disc Read Only Memory - read
only format for HD movies, music, software, games, etc.).

VGX-XL3 Digital Living System 9
Eject button
Press when the disc is to be removed from the drive.
SmartMedia™ (SM) & xD-Picture Card™ memory card reader
Reads and writes data from and to SmartMedia or xD-Picture Card media.
Memory card access Lamp
It blinks orange when you read or write data from a "Memory Stick®", xD-
Picture Card, Smart Media, Compact Flash, or SD/MMC memory card.
CompactFlash®& Microdrive™ memory card reader
Reads and writes data from and to CompactFlash and Microdrive media.
Memory Stick Pro™/Memory Stick Duo™
Data from the "Memory Stick®" is read and written.
Secure Digital (SD) & MultiMediaCard™ (MMC) memory card reader
Data from the SD or MMC memory card is read and written.
USB (Universial Serial Bus) Connector (x2)
Connects to a device which supports the USB standard.
The connector supports the USB 2.0 standard and can also be connected to
a device which supports the USB 1.1 standard.
i.LINK®2S400 port (IEEE 1394 connector (4 pin)
Connects to an i.LINK®supported device.
S-VIDEO (S video input)
Connection for an S-Video cable.
Composite Audio/Video IN
Connection for an Audio/Video cables.
Connect Keyboard/Pointing Device
Use this button when activating the wireless keyboard/pointing device.
1. Requires compatible wireless access point(s). Some features may rely on
Internet services which may require a fee.

10 VGX-XL3 Digital Living System
Using Memory Cards and Memory Card Readers
This section provides basic information about using your computer’s installed
memory card readers and includes the following information:
• About Your Memory Card Readers
• About Memory Stick®Media
• Inserting a Memory Card
• Removing a Memory Card
• Sharing Memory Cards
About Your Memory Card Reader
Your VAIO®computer is equipped with memory card readers that are
compatible with many popular types of memory cards. You can use your
computer’s memory card readers to transfer data between digital cameras,
camcorders, music players, and other audio/video devices.
2. i.LINK is a trademark of Sony used only to designate that a product con-
tains an IEEE1394 connection. The i.LINK connection may vary depend-
ing 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 comes with any device
having an i.LINK connection for information on compatibility, operating
conditions and proper connection. For information on any Sony device
having an i.LINK connection, contact Sony at 1-800-686-7669.

VGX-XL3 Digital Living System 11
Supported Memory Card Readers and Compatible Media
Smart Media™ xD-Picture Card™
Secure Digital (SD) MultiMediaCard™
Compact Flash®Microdrive™
Memory Stick Duo™ Memory Stick®
Memory Stick Pro™

12 VGX-XL3 Digital Living System
About Memory Stick Media
Memory Stick®media are a compact, portable, and versatile data storage
media designed for exchanging and sharing digital data with compatible
devices. The following types of Memory Stick®media are available, but
compatibility with your computer can vary.
•MagicGate™ Memory Stick®Media - Provides copyright protection with
authentication and encryption, using Sony®MagicGate technology.
Authentication ensures that protected content is only transferred between
compliant devices and media. Protected content can be recorded and
transferred in an encrypted format that prevents unauthorized duplication
or playback. You can store different data formats on a single Memory Stick
media.
•Memory Stick Pro™ media - Provides MagicGate copyright protection
and high-speed data transfer features when used with compatible Memory
Stick PRO devices. VAIO®computers support Memory Stick PRO media
for data storage purposes only. High-speed data transfer and MagicGate
technology features, such as authentication and encryption, may not be
available. You can store different data formats on a single Memory Stick
media.
•Memory Stick Pro Duo™ media - Provides the same features and
benefits of Memory Stick PRO™ media, in a form that is 1/3 smaller in
size.
•Memory Stick®media - Provides data storage only. The Memory Stick
media does not provide MagicGate technology or high-speed data
transfer. You can store different data formats on a single Memory Stick
media.
•Memory Stick Duo™ media - Provides the same features and benefits of
MagicGate™ Memory Stick media, in a form that is 1/3 smaller in size.
Compatibility between software programs and Memory Stick®media formats
may vary. At this time, Sony suggests using only MagicGate Memory Stick
media to store and transfer any data created with SonicStage®software.
Visit the Sony online support Web site at http://www.sony.com/pcsupport
regularly for the latest information on Memory Stick®media.
Note: Memory Stick media do not support AVI file playback directly from the
media. Copy the video file to your hard disk drive and then play back the file.

VGX-XL3 Digital Living System 13
Inserting a Memory Card
The memory card reader(s) are located behind a protective cover on the front
of the computer. To access the Memory Card Readers, flip the front cover
down.
To insert Memory Cards
1 From the front panel, locate the appropriate reader(s) for the memory card(s)
you want to use.
2 Insert the memory card into the reader, in the direction indicated of the arrow
on the media. Do not force the card into the reader
Note: If the memory card does not go in easily, gently remove the card and
verify you are entering the card in the proper direction.
To Protect data on Memory Stick®Media
Some Memory Stick®media are equipped with 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®
If your computer stops recognizing your Memory Stick®media, you may have
removed the media from the Memory Stick drive before the data access
process completed. If this occurs, follow these steps:
1 Remove the Memory Stick®media from the slot.
2 Shut down your computer, closing any open software programs, and then turn
your computer off.
3 Wait approximately 30 seconds, and then restart your computer.
Your computer recognizes the Memory Stick®media, when you insert it into
the Memory Stick slot again.
Removing a Memory Card
The correct way to remove a memory card from a memory card reader varies,
depending upon the media, reader, or computer model. Use care when
removing a memory card to avoid damage to the reader or card.
Note: Do not remove a media card while the media access indicator light is
on. The card or its data may be damaged.

14 VGX-XL3 Digital Living System
To remove a Memory Stick®media, Secure Digital (SD),
MultiMediaCard™, SmartMedia™, or xD-Picture Card™ media
1 Firmly grasp the extended part of the memory card.
2 Pull to remove it.
To remove a CompactFlash®media
1 Firmly grasp the extended part of the memory card.
2 Pull to remove from the reader.
Sharing Memory Cards
If you plan to share your memory card between your VAIO®computer and
devices such as a digital camera or music player, the card must be formatted
properly. Follow the steps below to format your memory card.
1 Format the memory card by using it in the device first. See the information
supplied with the device for details how to format the memory card.
2 If your device does not recognize memory card that has been formatted by
your computer, so the following:
• Save the card’s contents to your hard disk drive.
• Reformat the memory card using the device, not your computer.
VGX-XL3 Personal Computer Back Panel
The VGX-XL3 Personal Computer Back Inputs and Outputs

VGX-XL3 Digital Living System 15
Line IN (L/R)
Connection for an external audio device.
Cable Card Slot
Connection for a cable card (supplied by your cable service provider).
ATSC Digital TV Antenna (VHF / UHF) or Antenna/Cable
Connection for over-the-air digital antenna, connection for cable provider, or
external analog UHF/VHF antenna.
Line OUT (L/R)
Connection for an external audio device.
HDMI™
Connection for HDMI cable for high definition video and/or sound for TV.
Ethernet 10/100/1000baseT
Connection for a 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX/1000BASE-T Ethernet.
(The port marked with the Network symbol is for LAN connections only.)
USB 2.0 (x2) Universal Serial Bus
Connects to a device which supports the USB standard.
The connector supports the USB 2.0 standard and can also be connected to
a device which supports the USB 1.1 standard.
Optical S/PDIF IN
Connection for Audio In.
i.LINK®1(x2)
Your VAIO®computer is equipped with one 4-pin (front panel) and two 6-pin
(back panel) i.LINK®ports. A 4-pin i.LINK port cannot supply power to a
connected i.LINK®device. A 6-pin i.LINK port can supply power (10V to 12V)
to a connected i.LINK®device, if the device is equipped with a 6-pin
connector.
Optical S/PDIF OUT & Coaxial S/PDIF OUT
Connections for Audio Out.
Wireless LAN Antenna
Connection for the supplied Wireless LAN Antenna.

16 VGX-XL3 Digital Living System
Infrared Transmitter OUT (x2)
Controls VCR, Cable or Satellite Set-top box, and other devices in MCE. One
infrared transmitter is supplied.
Component Video OUT (480i, 480p,720p,1080i)
Connections for Video Out.
Power Cord
Connection for supplied power cord.
1. i.LINK is a trademark of Sony used only to designate that a product con-
tains an IEEE1394 connection. The i.LINK connection may vary depend-
ing 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 comes with any device
having an i.LINK connection for information on compatibility, operating
conditions and proper connection. For information on any Sony device
having an i.LINK connection, contact Sony at 1-800-686-7669.

VGX-XL3 Digital Living System 17
Support Resources.
VAIO®Help and Support
VAIO Help and Support provides you with a single location for all of your
support needs and allows you to easily access valuable support and technical
information from Sony®and Microsoft®.
Keep your VAIO computer’s system software and operating system updated
using VAIO Web Support and Microsoft Update.
Note: You must be connected to the Internet to access some of the VAIO Help
and Support features.
Please carefully review all support options in VAIO Help and Support.