Sony VGC-RC204 User manual

N
User Guide
VGC-RC Series

1
nN
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.

2
nN
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.

3
nN
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.

4
nN
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.

5
nN
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.

6
nN
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:

7
nN
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.

8
nN
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)

9
nN
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.

10
nN
Using your VAIO computer
User Guide
Using VAIO Control Center
VAIO Control Center contains a selection of the most frequently used settings you can also find in Windows’ Control Panel.
VAIO Control Center offers you quick access to your VAIO’s settings, enabling you to easily consult or change them.
To consult/change your VAIO’s settings using VAIO Control Center, proceed as follows:
1Go to Start, select All Programs, then VAIO Control Center.
2In VAIO Control Center, you can consult/change your VAIO’s settings via one of the following three tab sheets:
❑Categories: Here you get on overview of all the settings, ordered in categories. Each category contains a list of all settings
you can consult/change.
❑List: Here you find all the settings you can consult/change in a list view.
❑Recent Settings: Here you get a list of all the settings you have recently consulted/changed.
3Highlight the setting you want to consult and click Open or double-click it.
You can now consult or change the selected setting.

11
nN
Using your VAIO computer
User Guide
Using the keyboard
Your VAIO is delivered with a wireless keyboard. You can place the keyboard anywhere you find comfortable within a range of
approx. 10 m* from the receiver.
The keyboard has a standard key arrangement and additional keys that perform specific functions. For more information on the
standard keys and shortcuts, please go to the Help and Support Center (Start > Help and Support). The VAIO-Link website
(www.vaio-link.com) also contains glossary information to help you use the keyboard.
* Effective usage distance depending on the environment.

12
nN
Using your VAIO computer
User Guide
KEY FUNCTION
1Standby Press the button to place the computer in Standby mode. Press the power button or Standby key briefly to resume normal
operation.
2Numeric keypad Use the numeric keypad to type numbers or to perform basic maths calculations. Press the Num Lock key to activate the
numeric keypad. Press the Num Lock key again to deactivate the numeric keypad.
3Directional arrows The Up, Down, Left, and Right arrow keys move the pointer on the screen.
4Applications The Applications key displays a shortcut menu in certain software programmes. Pressing this key is equivalent to clicking
the right mouse button.
5 Pointing device See Before using the keyboard (page 14) for more information.
6Windows The Microsoft Windows key displays the Start menu. Pressing this key is equivalent to clicking Start on the taskbar.

13
nN
Using your VAIO computer
User Guide
7<Fn> key Used in combination with other keys to execute commands.
<Fn>+<F2>: Turns off the speaker sound.
<Fn>+<F3>: Decreases the volume of the speakers.
<Fn>+<F4>: Increases the volume of the speakers.
8Function keys The 12 function keys along the top of the keyboard are used to perform certain tasks. The task associated with each function
key may vary from one application to the next.
9LEDscreen Num Lock:
Turns on when the number keys in the numeric keypad are active.
Caps Lock:
Turns on when the letters appear in uppercase as you type. The <Shift> key lowers the case of typed characters when
Caps Lock is on.
Scroll Lock:
Turns on when the screen scrolls differently (not all applications support this function).
Battery:
A battery LED indicator shows you when the battery is full or empty.
10 Battery compartment Storage compartment for the AA batteries.
11 Keyboard feet Extend to adjust the keyboard height.
12 CONNECT button Press to enable the keyboard to communicate with the system unit.
KEY FUNCTION

14
nN
Using your VAIO computer
User Guide
Before using the keyboard
Before attempting to use the wireless keyboard, you must enable communication
between the computer and the keyboard. 4 AA batteries, for use in the wireless
keyboard, are supplied with your VAIO.
To connect the wireless keyboard, proceed as follows:
1Insert the 4 AA batteries into the wireless keyboard as shown (1).
2Connect the receiver to a USB connector on the main unit (2).
3Turn on the computer.
4Slide the power switch on the right-hand side of the keyboard to turn on the
keyboard (3).
5Press the CONNECT button on the receiver (4).
6Turn the wireless keyboard over and press the CONNECT
button (5). You need to press the CONNECT button within 30 cm of the receiver!
Communication between the wireless keyboard and the computer is now active.
✍If your wireless keyboard does not operate properly, the batteries may need to be replaced. To avoid battery
leakage, switch off the wireless keyboard when not used for an extended period of time. Always use new batteries from the same brand.
If you want to put the keyboard in a more ’ergonomical’ position, open the keyboard feet.

15
nN
Using your VAIO computer
User Guide
Using the pointing device
The keyboard features a pointing device (1), which controls the cursor on the screen. You can point to, select and drag objects on
the screen using the built-in pointing device.
Action Description
Point Slide one finger on the pointing device to place the pointer (2) on an item or object.
Click Press the left button (3) once.
Double-click Press the left button twice.
Right-click Press the right button (4) once. In many applications, this action displays a shortcut menu.
Drag and select Slide one finger while pressing the left button.

16
nN
Using your VAIO computer
User Guide
Before using the pointing device
Before attempting to use the pointing device, you must activate it.
To activate the pointing device, proceed as follows:
1Fold the keyboard out.
2Turn on the Pointing Device switch (1).
3Close the lower part of the cover as shown (2).
You can now use the pointing device together with your keyboard.
4If you only want to use the pointing device, close the cover completely
as shown (3).

17
nN
Using your VAIO computer
User Guide
Using the TV function
Your computer is equipped with a TV-tuner board. It allows you to:
❑Watch, record and play back analogue broadcasted cable and terrestrial TV programmes, all by remote control;
❑Digitise analogue video and audio using the S-Video or composite and audio inputs;
❑Set up a timer to record channels at a repeated time;
❑Suspend viewing TV (time-shifting);
❑Stream your recorded TV contents via Ethernet (or WLAN) to connected PCs.
✍Sony cannot guarantee the streaming of recorded content if it is beyond a certain level of high quality.

18
nN
Using your VAIO computer
User Guide
Using the Remote Commander
This section describes the basic functions of the remote commander.
Start MY TV, MY MUSIC, MY PICTURES, MY VIDEOS in Media
Center. Press STANDBY to place your computer in Standby mode.
Control the playback for TV, MUSIC, VIDEOS, and end a side
show. Buttons include: STOP, PAUSE, FWD, SKIP, REPLAY,
REW, and RECORD. The right arrow button serves as a PLAY
button.
Use the arrow buttons to move to a specific location, the OK
button to make your selection, the BACK button to go to the
previous screen, and the MORE button to view additional
information.
Use the START button to open Media Center. Volume Controls
(VOL) are on the left and Channel (CH) or Page (PG) on the right of
the START button. A MUTE button is also provided to suppress
sound.
Important Note: The VAIO®remote control will NOT control the
sound for your TV. You must use the remote control that you are
currently using to control the sound for your TV.
Open the following screens RECORDED TV, GUIDE, LIVE TV,
DVD MENU. (DVD MENU is available only when Media Center is
active.)
Use these buttons to change channels and enter text or numbers
in a specific location.
E

19
nN
Using your VAIO computer
User Guide
Before using the Remote Commander
Before using the remote commander, you need to insert the supplied AA batteries and connect the remote sensor to enable
communication between the computer and the remote commander.
To insert batteries
1Turn the remote commander over.
2Press in the tab (1) and lift the battery cover up.
3Insert the two AA batteries into the remote commander.
4Align the battery cover to the remote commander.
5Press down until the cover clicks into place.
✍If the remote commander does not operate properly, you may need to replace the batteries. When the remote commander is not being used for extended periods of time,
batteries to avoid possible damage from battery leakage.