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.

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Getting Started
Right
APower button
BHi-Speed USB (USB 2.0) port*(page 69)
Ci.LINK®(IEEE1394) S400 port (page 72)
DAC Input port (page 14)
* Supports high-/full-/low- speeds.

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Getting Started
Left
AComposite Audio In connectors (page 37)
BComposite Video In connector for connecting a cable or
satellite set-top box (STB) without the S Video Out connector.
CS Video In connector (page 37)
DVHF/UHF port (page 33)
EPC Card slot (page 47)
FWIRELESS LAN indicator (page 59)
GWIRELESS LAN switch (page 59)
HCONNECT button (page 17), (page 22)
INetwork (Ethernet) port (page 74)
JModem port (page 58)
KS/PDIF Optical Out port for connecting digital equipment such
as an AV amplifier.
LLine In connector for connecting audio equipment.
MMicrophone connector (page 68)
NHeadphones connector
OHi-Speed USB (USB 2.0) ports*(page 69)
* Support high-/full-/low- speeds.

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Getting Started
About the Indicator Lights
Your computer is equipped with the following indicator lights.
Indicator Functions
Power 1Illuminates in green when the power of the computer is on, illuminates in orange when the computer is in
Standby mode, and turns off when the computer is in Hibernate mode or off.
Media Access Illuminates when data is read from or written to a memory card. (Do not enter Standby mode or turn
off the computer when this indicator is on.) When the indicator is off, the memory card is not being used.
MONITOR OFF Illuminates in orange when the display output and the speaker volume are turned off.
Drive Illuminates when data is read from or written to the hard disk or optical disc drive. Do not enter Standby mode
or turn off the computer when this indicator is on.
WIRELESS LAN Illuminates when the wireless LAN function is running.

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Getting Started
Connecting the Power Cord
Your computer's power cord must be plugged into an AC power source, such as an AC wall outlet, surge protector, or
Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), before you can establish communication with your wireless keyboard and wireless
mouse.
!
Use only the power cord supplied with the computer.
To connect the power cord
1Insert the power cord into the AC In port (1) on the right of the computer.
2Insert the power cord plug into a grounded AC wall outlet, surge protector, or Universal Power Supply (UPS) (2).
✍
To disconnect the computer completely from AC power, unplug the power cord.
Make sure that the AC outlet is easily accessible.
If you are interrupted and need to leave your computer suddenly, place the
computer into Hibernate mode. See Using Hibernate Mode (page 83). This
power saving mode saves the time of shutting down or resuming.

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Getting Started
Shutting Down Your Computer Safely
To avoid losing unsaved data, be sure to shut down your computer properly, as described below.
To shut down your computer
1Turn off any peripherals connected to the computer.
2Click Start and then Turn Off Computer.
The Turn off computer window appears.
3Click Turn Off.
4Respond to any prompts warning you to save documents or to consider other users and wait for the computer to turn off
automatically.
The power indicator light turns off.

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Using Your VAIO Computer
Using Your VAIO Computer
This section describes how to get the most out of using your computer.
❑Using the Keyboard (page 17)
❑Using the Mouse (page 22)
❑Using the Optical Disc Drive (page 27)
❑Using the TV Function (page 33)
❑Using PC Cards (page 47)
❑Using a Memory Stick (page 49)
❑Using Other Memory Cards (page 55)
❑Using the Internet (page 58)
❑Using Wireless LAN (WLAN) (page 59)

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Using Your VAIO Computer
Using the Keyboard
Your computer is supplied with a wireless keyboard. The wireless keyboard uses a standard key arrangement with additional
keys that perform specific functions.
✍
The above illustration may appear different from your model.
AFunction keys
Perform certain tasks. The task associated with each function key
varies among software applications.
BMute button
Turns the volume on and off.
CVolume control buttons
Increases (+) or decreases (-) the volume.
DShortcut buttons
Launch the pre-assigned software.
EStandby button
Provides for the lowest level of power consumption.
For details on power management, see Using the Power
Saving Modes (page 81).
FPOWER switch
Slide the POWER switch to turn on and off the wireless
keyboard.
GIndicators
(Battery): appears while the AA batteries for the
keyboard are sufficient and switches to when the
batteries wear out.
(Num lock): Appears while in the Num Lock state.
(Caps lock): Appears while in the Caps Lock state.
(Scroll lock): Appears while in the Scroll Lock state.
(Connect): Appears while connection between the computer
and the keyboard is in place to indicate that the keyboard is
ready for use (page 20).
HWindows key
Displays the Start menu.
IApplications key
Displays a shortcut menu in certain software applications.
JDirection arrows
Move the pointer on the computer screen.
KPointing device
HEADPHONES

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Using Your VAIO Computer
AKeyboard feet
Extend to adjust the keyboard height.
BCONNECT button
Press to enable the keyboard to communicate with the main
unit.
CBattery compartment
Storage compartment for the AA batteries.
DPointing device switch
Slide the switch to turn the pointing device on and off.
POINTING D
POINTING DE
VICE
VICE

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Using Your VAIO Computer
Before You Use the Keyboard
Four AA alkaline batteries are supplied with your computer for use in the wireless keyboard. Before attempting to use the
wireless keyboard, you must install the batteries and establish communication between the computer and the keyboard. To
connect your wireless keyboard, it must be located within a range of approximately 30 cm from the computer.
!
To maintain good communication, operate the wireless keyboard within the distance limitation of keyboard: approximately 10 m from the computer.
Confirm that the supplied AA batteries are properly installed.
Press the CONNECT button located on the left of the computer first, and then press the CONNECT button on the bottom of the keyboard.
Avoid using radio-controlled toys or equipment, CB radios, and other wireless devices in the area near the wireless keyboard. These devices may cause
interference, causing the keyboard to stop working properly.
Do not place metal furniture near the computer or wireless keyboard, as this may create interference, causing the keyboard to stop working properly.
Do not mix old (used) and new batteries when replacing batteries in the wireless keyboard. Always use the same type and manufacture of battery.
Do not mix alkaline with manganese batteries. Using incompatible batteries or mixing used, new or different types of batteries can damage the keyboard.

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Using Your VAIO Computer
To connect the wireless keyboard
1Insert the supplied four AA batteries (1) into the battery compartment on the bottom of the wireless keyboard.
2Turn on the computer.
3Slide the POWER switch (2) at the top of the keyboard to turn on the keyboard.
4Press the CONNECT button (3) on the left of the computer.
5Press the CONNECT button (4) on the bottom of the keyboard.
The connect indicator appears in the LCD window on the keyboard when connection is established between the
computer and the keyboard. If not, repeat the procedure.
!
Steps 4 and 5 must be completed within 10 seconds of each other.
If the wireless keyboard is left unused for 20 minutes or more, the connect indicator will turn off. This could indicate that the connection between
the computer and the keyboard is lost. Press the Fn key to check that the connect indicator turns on before using the keyboard.