Sony VGN-P500 Series User manual

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User Guide
Personal Computer
VGN-P500 Series

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Contents
Before Use .........................................................................................................................................................................6
Documentation.............................................................................................................................................................7
Ergonomic Considerations.........................................................................................................................................11
Getting Started .................................................................................................................................................................13
Locating Controls and Ports.......................................................................................................................................14
About the Indicator Lights ..........................................................................................................................................19
Connecting a Power Source ......................................................................................................................................20
Using the Battery Pack ..............................................................................................................................................21
Shutting Down Your Computer Safely .......................................................................................................................28
Using Your VAIO Computer .............................................................................................................................................29
Using the Keyboard ...................................................................................................................................................30
Using the Pointing Device..........................................................................................................................................32
Using Special-function Buttons ..................................................................................................................................34
Using the Instant Mode ..............................................................................................................................................35
Using the Built-in MOTION EYE Camera...................................................................................................................37
Using the Memory Stick .............................................................................................................................................40
Using the SD Memory Card .......................................................................................................................................45
Using the Internet.......................................................................................................................................................49
Using the Network (LAN) ...........................................................................................................................................50
Using the Wireless LAN (WLAN) ...............................................................................................................................52
Using the Bluetooth Function.....................................................................................................................................56

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Using Peripheral Devices.................................................................................................................................................61
Using the Noise Canceling Headphones ...................................................................................................................62
Connecting a Display/LAN Adapter ...........................................................................................................................68
Connecting an Optical Disc Drive ..............................................................................................................................70
Connecting External Speakers ..................................................................................................................................72
Connecting an External Display.................................................................................................................................73
Selecting Display Modes............................................................................................................................................75
Using the Multiple Monitors Function.........................................................................................................................76
Connecting a Universal Serial Bus (USB) Device......................................................................................................78
Connecting a Printer ..................................................................................................................................................81
Customizing Your VAIO Computer ..................................................................................................................................82
Setting the Password .................................................................................................................................................83
Setting Up Your Computer with the VAIO Control Center..........................................................................................95
Using the Power Saving Modes.................................................................................................................................96
Managing Power with the VAIO Power Management..............................................................................................101
Protecting the Hard Disk ..........................................................................................................................................103

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Precautions ....................................................................................................................................................................104
Handling the LCD Screen ........................................................................................................................................105
Using the Power Source ..........................................................................................................................................106
Handling Your Computer .........................................................................................................................................107
Handling the Built-in MOTION EYE Camera............................................................................................................110
Handling Floppy Disks .............................................................................................................................................111
Handling Discs .........................................................................................................................................................112
Using the Battery Pack ............................................................................................................................................113
Using Headphones ..................................................................................................................................................115
Handling the Memory Stick ......................................................................................................................................116
Handling the Hard Disk ............................................................................................................................................117
Handling the Display/LAN Adapter ..........................................................................................................................118
Updating Your Computer .........................................................................................................................................119
Troubleshooting .............................................................................................................................................................120
Computer .................................................................................................................................................................122
System Security .......................................................................................................................................................131
Battery......................................................................................................................................................................132
Built-in MOTION EYE Camera.................................................................................................................................134
Networking ...............................................................................................................................................................136
Bluetooth Technology ..............................................................................................................................................139
Display .....................................................................................................................................................................143
Printing.....................................................................................................................................................................146
Microphone ..............................................................................................................................................................147
Mouse ......................................................................................................................................................................148

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Speakers..................................................................................................................................................................149
Pointing Device ........................................................................................................................................................151
Keyboard..................................................................................................................................................................152
Floppy Disks ............................................................................................................................................................153
Audio/Video..............................................................................................................................................................154
Memory Card ...........................................................................................................................................................156
Peripherals...............................................................................................................................................................158
Support Options .............................................................................................................................................................159
Sony Support Information ........................................................................................................................................159
Trademarks ....................................................................................................................................................................163

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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 experience.
!
External views illustrated in this manual may look slightly different from those of your computer.

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Before Use
Documentation
Your documentation includes printed information and user guides to read on your VAIO computer.
Printed Documentation
❑Quick Start Guide — Contains an overview of components connection, set-up information, etc.
❑Safety Information — Contains safety guidelines and owner information.
❑Instant Mode — Provides a guide to use the Instant Mode.

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Before Use
Non-printed Documentation
❑User Guide (this manual) — Explains features of your computer. It also includes information on solving common
problems.
✍
To go to web sites described in this manual by clicking their respective URLs beginning with http://, your computer must be connected to the Internet.
❑Specifications — The online specifications describe the hardware and software configurations of your VAIO computer.
To view the online specifications:
1Connect to the Internet.
2Go to the Sony online support web site at the following URLs:
http://esupport.sony.com/EN/VAIO/ for customers in USA
http://www.sony.ca/support/ for customers in Canada
http://esupport.sony.com/LA/ for customers in Spanish-speaking Latin American countries or areas
http://esupport.sony.com/BR/ for customers in Brazil
❑VAIO Recovery Center User Guide — Provides information about restoring individual software programs, hardware
drivers, and drive partition(s) or your entire built-in storage device to the original factory settings.
To access this on-screen guide:
1Click Start and Help and Support.
2Click Use my VAIO.
3Click VAIO Recovery Center User Guide.

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Before Use
❑SmartWi™Connection Utility Help (Selected models only) — Provides information about setting up Bluetooth®*,
wireless LAN, GPS*, and wireless WAN*functions.
To access this on-screen guide:
1Click Start, All Programs, and SmartWi Connection Utility.
2Click SmartWi Connection Utility Help.
* Available on selected models only. See the online specifications to find out whether your model supports the Bluetooth and wireless WAN functions.

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Before Use
Help and Support
Help and Support is easy to access and provides a single location for general information and technical assistance for your
VAIO computer. Choose from the following categories to find the answers you need.
To access Help and Support, click Start and Help and Support.
❑Get started with my VAIO
Get help with Internet and wireless setup, security setup, personalizing your VAIO computer, and creating recovery DVDs
and more.
❑Use my VAIO
Access your VAIO user guide, interactive help in the form of VAIO tutorials, how-to articles, the VAIO technology page,
specifications, and system and software information.
❑Troubleshoot my VAIO
Maintain and troubleshoot your VAIO computer with VAIO Care, system restore, backup and recovery, and contact Sony
support.

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Before Use
Ergonomic Considerations
You will be using your computer as a portable device in a variety of environments. Whenever possible, you should attempt
to take account of the following ergonomic considerations for both stationary and portable environments:
❑Position of your computer – Place the computer directly in front of you (1). Keep your forearms horizontal (2), with your
wrists in a neutral, comfortable position (3) while using the keyboard, touch pad, or external mouse. Let your upper arms
hang naturally at your sides. Take frequent breaks while using your computer. Excessive use of the computer may strain
eyes, 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 computer's 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 level of the display
as well.
❑Lighting – Choose a location where windows and lights do not cause glare and reflection on the display. Use indirect
lighting to avoid bright spots on the display. Proper lighting adds to your comfort and work efficiency.
❑Positioning an external display – When using an external display, set the display at a comfortable viewing distance.
Make sure the display screen is at eye level or slightly lower when you are sitting in front of the monitor.

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Getting Started
Getting Started
This section describes how to get started using your VAIO computer.
!
Before starting your computer for the first time, do not connect any other hardware that did not originally come with your computer. Be sure to start
up your computer with only the supplied accessories connected and set up your system. Upon completion, connect one device (for example, a printer,
an external hard disk drive, a scanner, and so on) at a time, following the manufacturers' instructions.
❑Locating Controls and Ports (page 14)
❑About the Indicator Lights (page 19)
❑Connecting a Power Source (page 20)
❑Using the Battery Pack (page 21)
❑Shutting Down Your Computer Safely (page 28)

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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
AWIRELESS switch (page 52)
BWIRELESS indicator (page 19)
CSD memory card slot (page 45)
DMedia Access indicator (page 19)
EMemory Stick slot*1 (page 40)
FBuilt-in MOTION EYE camera indicator (page 19)
GBuilt-in MOTION EYE camera (page 37)
HLCD screen (page 105)
IBuilt-in microphone (monaural)
JKeyboard (page 30)
KPower switch
LPower indicator (page 19)
MCharge indicator (page 19)
NHard disk drive*2 indicator (page 19)
*1 Your computer supports only the Duo-size Memory Stick.
*2 The storage device configuration of your computer may include a built-in
flash memory storage drive depending on the model you purchased. See the
online specifications to find out about your configuration.

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Getting Started
ABuilt-in speakers (stereo)
BPointing stick (page 32)
CLeft button (page 32)
DCenter button (page 32)
ERight button (page 32)
FWindow arrangement button (S2 button) (page 34)
GXMB (Xross Media Bar) button (S1 button) (page 34)
HNum lock indicator (page 19)
ICaps lock indicator (page 19)
JScroll lock indicator (page 19)

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Getting Started
Back
ABattery connector (page 21)

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Getting Started
Right
AHi-Speed USB (USB 2.0) port*(page 78)
BI/O port (page 69)
* Supports high-/full-/low- speeds.

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Getting Started
Left
ADC IN port (page 20)
BHi-Speed USB (USB 2.0) port*(page 78)
CHeadphones jack (page 62), (page 72)
* Supports 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 computer is on, blinks slowly in orange while the computer is in Sleep mode, and
turns off when the computer is off or in Hibernate mode.
Charge Illuminates while the battery pack is charging. See Charging the Battery Pack (page 23) for more information.
Built-in MOTION EYE camera Illuminates while the built-in MOTION EYE camera is in use.
Media Access Illuminates while data is being read from or written to a memory card. (Do not place the computer into Sleep
mode or turn it off when this indicator is lit.) When the indicator is unlit, the memory card is not in use.
Hard disk drive*Illuminates while the drive is reading or writing data. Do not place the computer into Sleep mode or turn it off
when this indicator is lit.
Num lock Press the Fn+Num Lk keys to activate the numeric keypad. Press it a second time to deactivate the numeric
keypad. The numeric keypad is not active when the indicator is unlit.
Caps lock Press the Caps Lock key to type letters in uppercase. Letters appear in lowercase if you press the Shift key
while the indicator is lit. Press the key a second time to turn off the indicator. Normal typing resumes when the
Caps lock indicator is unlit.
Scroll lock Press the Fn+Scr Lk keys to change how you scroll the display. Normal scrolling resumes when the Scroll lock
indicator is unlit. The Scr Lk key functions differently depending on the program you are using and does not
work with all programs.
WIRELESS Illuminates when the WIRELESS switch is turned on.
* The storage device configuration of your computer may include a built-in flash memory storage drive depending on the model you purchased. See the online
specifications to find out about your configuration.

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Getting Started
Connecting a Power Source
You can use either an AC adapter or a rechargeable battery pack for supplying power to your computer.
Using the AC Adapter
✍
Use only the supplied AC adapter for your computer.
To use the AC adapter
1Plug one end of the power cord (1) into the AC adapter (3).
2Plug the other end of the power cord into an AC outlet (2).
3Plug the cable connected to the AC adapter (3) into the DC IN port (4) on the computer.
✍
To disconnect your computer completely from AC power, unplug the AC adapter.
Make sure that the AC outlet is easily accessible.
If you do not intend to use your computer for a long period of time, place the computer into Hibernate mode. See Using Hibernate Mode (page 99).