Sony VGC-RC204 User manual

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User Guide
VGC-RC Series

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User Guide
Before Use
Congratulations on your purchase of this Sony VAIO computer, and welcome to the on-screen User Guide. Sony has combined
leading-edge technology in audio, video, computing, and communications to provide state-of-the-art personal computing.
Notice
© 2006 Sony Corporation. All rights reserved.
This manual and the software described herein, in whole or in part, may not be reproduced, translated, or reduced to any machine-
readable form without prior written approval.
Sony Corporation provides no warranty with regard to this manual, the software, or other information contained herein and hereby
expressly disclaims any implied warranties or merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose with regard to this manual, the
software or such other information. In no event shall Sony Corporation be liable for any incidental, consequential, or special dam-
ages, whether based on tort, contract, or otherwise, arising out of or in connection with this manual, the software, or other informa-
tion contained herein or the use thereof.
In the manual, the ™ or ® marks are not specified.
Sony Corporation reserves the right to make any modification to this manual or the information contained herein at any time without
notice. The software described herein is governed by the terms of a separate user license agreement.

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User Guide
Documentation
Your documentation includes printed information and user guides to read on your VAIO computer.
Guides are provided in PDF format, which you can easily browse through and print out.
The My Club VAIO portal is a perfect starting point to use your computer — a comprehensive collection of everything you need to get
the most from your computer.
The user guides are collected under Documentation, which can be shown as follows:
1Click Start and then the My Club VAIO icon .
2Click Documentation.
3Select the guide you want to read.
You can manually browse to the user guides by going to My Computer > VAIO (C:) (your C drive) > Documentation > Documentation and opening the folder
for your language.
Printed Documentation
❑A Setting Up Poster — Describes the process from unpacking to starting up your VAIO.
❑Troubleshooting Guide — Contains solutions to common problems.
❑Recovery Guide — Contains an explanation of how to recover your computer's system if you need to.
❑Booklets containing the following information: Sony Guarantee conditions, Safety Regulations, Modem Regulations and
Wireless LAN Regulations.

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User Guide
Non-printed Documentation
❑User Guide (this manual) — Contains features of your computer. It also includes information about the software programs
included with your computer, as well as information on solving common problems.
❑Specifications — The online Specifications describe the hardware and software configuration of your VAIO computer.
To view the online Specifications:
1Connect to the Internet.
2Go to the Sony VAIO-Link online support Web site at www.vaio-link.com
❑VAIO Recovery Guide — Provides information about restoring individual software programs, software drivers, and drive
partition(s) or your entire hard disk drive to the original factory installed settings.
My Club VAIO
In My Club VAIO you can find:
Documentation, which gives you:
❑Access to the User Guide. This manual explains the features of your computer in detail, how to use these features confidently
and safely, connect peripheral devices and more.
❑Access to Help and Training. This is the portal of VAIO Help and Support Center.
❑Important information about your computer, in the form of notices and announcements.
In My Club VAIO you can also find:
❑Accessories
Want to expand the capabilities of your computer? Click on this icon and have a look at your compatible accessories.
❑Software
Feeling creative? Click this icon for an overview of your software and check out our upgrade options.

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User Guide
❑Wallpapers
Click this icon and check out our most popular Sony and Club VAIO wallpapers.
❑Links
Click this icon and check out our most popular Sony and Club VAIO web sites.

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User Guide
Help and Support Center
Help and Support Center is a comprehensive resource for practical advice, tutorials, and demonstrations to help you learn to use
Microsoft Windows XP and your computer.
Use the Search feature, Index, or table of contents to view all Windows Help resources, including those that are on the Internet.
To access Help and Support Center, click Start and then Help and Support. Or go to the Help and Support Center by pressing
the Microsoft Windows key and the F1 key.
Further Sources
Consult the Online Help files of the software you are using for detailed information on features and troubleshooting.
Go to www.club-vaio.com to find online tutorials about your favorite VAIO software.

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User Guide
Ergonomic considerations
Whenever possible, try and take into account the following ergonomic considerations when using your new computer, whether at
home or in the office:

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User Guide
❑Position of the keyboard and mouse – Place the keyboard directly in front of you (1). Keep your forearms horizontal, with your
wrists in a neutral, comfortable position (2) while using the keyboard or mouse – not at an angle. Let your upper arms hang
naturally at your sides. Use the palm rest only briefly, to relax your wrists when you are not typing. Place the mouse at the same
level as the keyboard and use your whole arm to move it.
❑Position and viewing angle of the monitor – Set the display at a comfortable viewing distance (3). Make sure the display screen
is at eye level or slightly lower. Use the display’s tilting feature, if available, to find the best position. You can reduce eye-strain
and muscle-fatigue by adjusting the tilt of the display to the proper position. Remember to adjust the brightness setting of the
display. If you are using a CRT monitor, make sure that the refresh rate is at an optimal level, that is, at least 75Hz.
❑Furniture and posture – Sit in a chair with good back support (4). Adjust the level of the chair so your feet are flat on the floor.
A footrest may make you more comfortable. Sit in a relaxed, upright posture and avoid slouching forward or leaning too far
backwards.
❑Lighting – Choose a location where windows and lights do not create glare or reflection on the display. Use indirect lighting to
avoid bright spots reflecting on the display. You can also purchase accessories for your display that help reduce glare. Proper
lighting adds to your comfort and work effectiveness.
❑Ventilation – Make sure you leave at least 25 cm of space behind and on the left and the right of the main unit (5).
❑And finally – Remember to have breaks during sessions with your computer. Excessive use of the computer may strain muscles
or tendons.

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Using your VAIO computer
User Guide
Using your VAIO computer
Once you have read and followed the information on the Setting up poster, you can start using your computer safely and confidently.
Read on to get the most out of using your VAIO computer.
❑Shutting down your computer safely (page 9)
❑Using VAIO Control Center (page 10)
❑Using the keyboard (page 11)
❑Using the pointing device (page 15)
❑Using the TV function (page 17)
❑Using the mouse (page 20)
❑Using the disc drives (page 23)
❑Using the modem (page 27)
❑Using power modes (page 28)
❑Using the media slots (page 31)
❑Using PC Cards (page 40)
❑Expansion capabilities (page 43)

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Using your VAIO computer
User Guide
Shutting down your computer safely
It is important that you shut down your computer properly so you do not lose unsaved data.
To shut down your computer, proceed as follows:
1Turn off any peripherals connected to your computer.
2Click the Start button.
3Click Turn Off Computer.
The Turn off computer window appears.
4Click Tur n Off.
5Respond to any prompts warning you to save documents or to consider other users and wait for your computer to turn off
automatically.
The power indicator turns off.
✍See the printed Troubleshooting Guide if you have problems shutting down your computer.