Sony VGC-VA1 User manual

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User Guide
Personal Computer
VGC-VA1 (PCV-E51M)

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Before Use
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
© 2005 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 damages, whether based on tort, contract, or otherwise, arising out of or in connection with this manual, the
software, or other information 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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Before Use
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.

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Before Use
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.
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 http://www.vaio-link.com.

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Before Use
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.
❑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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Before Use
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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Before Use
Ergonomic Considerations
Whenever possible, you should attempt to take account of the following ergonomic considerations:
❑Position of your computer – Place the display directly in front of you (1). Keep your forearms horizontal (2), with your
wrists in a neutral, comfortable position (3) while using the keyboard, pointing device, or external mouse. Let your upper
arms hang naturally at your sides. Have breaks during sessions with your computer. Excessive use of the computer may
strain muscles or tendons.
❑Furniture and posture – Sit in a chair with good back support. 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
far backwards.

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Before Use
❑Viewing angle of the display – Use the display's tilting feature to find the best position. You can reduce eye strain and
muscle fatigue by adjusting the tilt of the display to the proper position. Adjust the brightness setting of the display as well.
❑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.
❑Ventilation – Make sure you leave at least 25 cm of space behind and on each side of the main unit.
!
When you lift the computer, grasp the computer on both sides, holding the bottom edges firmly.

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Getting Started
Getting Started
This section describes how to get started with using your VAIO computer.
❑Locating Controls and Ports (page 10)
❑About the Indicator Lights (page 13)
❑Connecting the Power Cord (page 14)
❑Shutting Down Your Computer Safely (page 15)

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Getting Started
Locating Controls and Ports
Take a moment to identify the controls and ports shown on the following pages.
Front
APower indicator (page 13)
BDrive indicator (page 13)
CMONITOR OFF indicator (page 13)
DMONITOR OFF button for turning off the display output and the
speaker volume.
EBrightness buttons for increasing (+) or decreasing (-) the
screen brightness.
FLAMP ON/OFF switch for turning on and off all the indicator
lights on the computer.
GSM/xD-Picture Card slot (page 55)
HCF (CompactFlash®) memory card slot (page 55)
IStereo speakers
JManual eject hole (page 128)
KOptical disc drive (page 27)
LDrive eject button (page 27)
MSD memory card slot (page 55)
NMemory Stick slot*(page 49)
OMedia Access indicator (page 13)
* Your computer supports Memory Stick Duo and Memory Stick Pro high
speed and high capacity capabilities.