Sony VPCS12A7E User manual

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User Guide
Personal Computer
VPCS12 Series

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Contents
Before Use.......................................................................... 4
Finding More about Your VAIO Computer .................... 5
Ergonomic Considerations ............................................ 8
Getting Started.................................................................. 10
Locating Controls and Ports........................................ 11
About the Indicator Lights ........................................... 16
Connecting a Power Source ....................................... 17
Using the Battery Pack................................................ 19
Shutting Down Your Computer Safely ........................ 26
Using the Power Saving Modes .................................. 27
Keeping Your Computer in Optimum Condition .......... 30
Using Your VAIO Computer.............................................. 32
Using the Keyboard..................................................... 33
Using the Touch Pad................................................... 36
Using Special-function Buttons ................................... 37
Using the Built-in Camera ........................................... 38
Using the Optical Disc Drive ....................................... 39
Using "Memory Stick".................................................. 47
Using Other Modules / Memory Cards........................ 54
Using the Internet........................................................ 61
Using the Network (LAN) ............................................ 62
Using the Wireless LAN .............................................. 63
Using the Wireless WAN .............................................68
Using the Bluetooth Function ......................................72
Using Fingerprint Authentication .................................78
Using Peripheral Devices ..................................................85
Connecting a Docking Station .....................................86
Connecting External Speakers or Headphones ..........94
Connecting an External Display ..................................95
Selecting Display Modes ...........................................100
Using the Multiple Monitors Function ........................101
Connecting an External Microphone .........................103
Connecting a USB Device .........................................104
Connecting an i.LINK Device.....................................106
Customizing Your VAIO Computer..................................108
Setting the Password.................................................109
Using Intel(R) VT .......................................................120
Using the VAIO Control Center .................................121
Using the VAIO Power Management.........................122
Changing the Display Language ...............................123
Protecting the Hard Disk............................................124
Upgrading Your VAIO Computer.....................................125
Adding and Removing Memory .................................126

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Precautions..................................................................... 132
Safety Information ..................................................... 133
Care and Maintenance Information........................... 136
Handling Your Computer........................................... 137
Handling the LCD Screen ......................................... 139
Using the Power Source ........................................... 140
Handling the Built-in Camera .................................... 141
Handling Discs .......................................................... 142
Using the Battery Pack.............................................. 143
Handling "Memory Stick"........................................... 144
Handling the Built-in Storage Device ........................ 145
Using Fingerprint Authentication ............................... 146
Troubleshooting .............................................................. 147
Computer Operations................................................ 149
System Update / Security.......................................... 155
Recovery ................................................................... 157
Battery Pack.............................................................. 160
Built-in Camera ......................................................... 162
Networking (LAN/Wireless LAN) ............................... 164
Wireless WAN ........................................................... 168
Bluetooth Technology ............................................... 169
Optical Discs ............................................................. 173
Display ...................................................................... 178
Printing ...................................................................... 182
Microphone................................................................183
Speakers ...................................................................184
Touch Pad .................................................................186
Keyboard ...................................................................187
Floppy Disks ..............................................................188
Audio/Video ...............................................................189
"Memory Stick" ..........................................................191
Peripherals ................................................................192
Docking Station .........................................................193
Trademarks .....................................................................194
Notice ..............................................................................196

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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 you with a state-of-the-art
computing experience.
!
External views illustrated in this manual may look slightly different from those of your computer.
How to find specifications
Some features, options, and supplied items may not be available on your computer.
To find out about the configuration of your computer, visit the VAIO Link web site at http://support.vaio.sony.eu/.

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Before Use >
Finding More about Your VAIO Computer
Finding More about Your VAIO Computer
This section provides support information about your VAIO computer.
1. Printed Documentation
❑Quick Start Guide — An overview of components connection, set-up information, etc.
❑Recovery, Backup and Troubleshooting Guide
❑Regulations, Guarantee and Service Support
✍
Before activating the wireless functions such as the wireless LAN and Bluetooth technology, read the Regulations, Guarantee and Service Support
carefully.

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Before Use >
Finding More about Your VAIO Computer
2. On-screen Documentation
❑User Guide (This manual) — Features of your computer and information about solving common problems.
To view this on-screen guide:
1Click Start , All Programs, and VAIO Documentation.
2Open the folder for your language.
3Select the guide you want to read.
✍
You can manually browse to the user guides by going to Computer > VAIO (C:) (your C drive) > Documentation > Documentation and opening the
folder for your language.
❑Windows Help and Support — A comprehensive resource for practical advice, tutorials, and demonstrations to help you
learn to use your computer.
To access Windows Help and Support, click Start and Help and Support, or press and hold the Microsoft Windows
key and press the F1 key.

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Before Use >
Finding More about Your VAIO Computer
3. Support Web Sites
If you have any problem with the computer, visit the VAIO-Link web site at http://support.vaio.sony.eu/ for troubleshooting
guidance.
Some other information resources are also available:
❑The Club VAIO community at http://club-vaio.com provides the possibility to ask questions to other VAIO users.
❑For product information, you can visit our products web site at http://www.vaio.eu/, or our online store at
http://www.sonystyle-europe.com.
In case you need to contact VAIO-Link, have the serial number of your VAIO computer ready at hand. The serial number is
located on the bottom, the back panel, or inside the battery compartment of your VAIO computer. If you have problems
locating your serial number, more guidance can be found on the VAIO-Link web site.

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Before Use >
Ergonomic Considerations
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. Keep your forearms horizontal, with your wrists
in a neutral, comfortable position while using the keyboard or the pointing device. 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 >
Ergonomic Considerations
❑Viewing angle of the computer display – Use the display 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 or slightly below eye level 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.
❑Locating Controls and Ports (page 11)
❑About the Indicator Lights (page 16)
❑Connecting a Power Source (page 17)
❑Using the Battery Pack (page 19)
❑Shutting Down Your Computer Safely (page 26)
❑Using the Power Saving Modes (page 27)
❑Keeping Your Computer in Optimum Condition (page 30)

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Getting Started >
Locating Controls and Ports
Locating Controls and Ports
Take a moment to identify the controls and ports shown on the following pages.
!
The appearance of your computer may be different from those illustrated in this manual due to variations in specifications.
Front
ABuilt-in MOTION EYE camera (page 38)
BBuilt-in MOTION EYE camera indicator (page 16)
CLCD screen (page 139)
DVAIO button (page 37)
EASSIST button (page 37)
FAmbient light sensor (page 35), (page 181)
Measures ambient light intensity for automatically adjusting the
LCD brightness to an optimum level.
GBuilt-in speakers (stereo)
HBuilt-in microphone (monaural)
IKeyboard (page 33)
JTouch pad (page 36)
KRight button(page 36)
LFingerprint sensor*(page 78)
MLeft button (page 36)
* On selected models only.

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Getting Started >
Locating Controls and Ports
ANum lock indicator (page 16)
BCaps lock indicator (page 16)
CScroll lock indicator (page 16)
DSD memory card slot (page 57)
EMedia Access indicator (page 16)
F"Memory Stick Duo" slot*(page 47)
GWIRELESS indicator (page 16)
HCharge indicator (page 16)
IDisc drive indicator (page 16)
JWIRELESS switch (page 63), (page 68), (page 72)
KHeadphones jack (page 94)
LMicrophone jack (page 103)
MDrive eject button (page 37), (page 39)
* Your computer supports only Duo-size "Memory Stick".

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Getting Started >
Locating Controls and Ports
Right
AOptical disc drive (page 39)
BManual eject hole (page 173)
CExpressCard/34 slot (page 54)
DUSB ports*(page 104)
ENetwork (LAN) port (page 62)
FPower button/Power indicator (page 16)
* Compliant with the USB 2.0 standard and support high-/full-/low- speeds.

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Getting Started >
Locating Controls and Ports
Left
ADC IN port (page 17)
BAir vent
CSecurity slot
DHDMI output port*1 (page 98)
EMonitor port*2 (page 95)
FUSB port*3 (page 104)
Gi.LINK 4-pin (S400) port (page 106)
*1 On models with the NVIDIA video controller, there may be no sound from an
output device connected to the HDMI output port for the first few seconds
after playback starts. This does not indicate a malfunction.
*2 Not functional when your computer is attached to the docking station.
*3 Compliant with the USB 2.0 standard and supports high-/full-/low- speeds.

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Getting Started >
Locating Controls and Ports
Back/Bottom
AAir vents
BSIM card slot*(page 68)
CBattery connector (page 19)
DDocking station connector*(page 88)
EMemory module compartment cover (page 126)
* On selected models only.

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Getting Started >
About the Indicator Lights
About the Indicator Lights
Your computer is equipped with the following indicator lights:
Indicator Functions
Power 1Illuminates in green while the computer is in Normal mode, blinks slowly in orange while the computer is in Sleep
mode, and turns off when the computer is turned off or enters Hibernate mode.
Charge Illuminates while the battery pack is charging. See Charging the Battery Pack (page 22) for more information.
Media Access Illuminates while data access to a memory card, such as "Memory Stick" and an SD memory card, is in
progress. (Do not place the computer into Sleep mode or turn it off while this indicator light is lit.) When the
indicator light is unlit, the memory card is not in use.
Built-in MOTION EYE camera Illuminates while the built-in camera is in use.
Disc drive Illuminates while data access to the built-in storage device or the optical disc drive is in progress. Do not place
the computer into Sleep mode or turn it off while this indicator light is lit.
Num lock Press the Num Lk key to activate the numeric keypad. Press it a second time to deactivate the numeric keypad.
The numeric keypad is not active when the indicator light 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 light is lit. Press the key a second time to turn off the indicator light. Normal typing resumes
when the Caps lock indicator light is turned off.
Scroll lock Press the Fn+Scr Lk keys to change how you scroll the display. Normal scrolling resumes when the Scroll lock
indicator light is turned off. The Scr Lk key functions differently depending on the program you are using and
does not work with all programs.
WIRELESS Illuminates while one or more wireless options are enabled.

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Getting Started >
Connecting a Power Source
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
While your computer is directly connected to an AC power source and has a battery pack installed, it uses power from the
AC outlet.
✍
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 from the AC adapter (3) into the DC IN port (4) on the computer.
!
The shape of the DC In plug varies depending on the AC adapter.

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Getting Started >
Connecting a Power Source
✍
To disconnect your computer completely from an AC power source, unplug the AC adapter from the AC outlet.
Make sure that an AC outlet is easily accessible.
If you do not intend to use your computer for an extended period of time, place the computer into Hibernate mode. See Using Hibernate Mode (page
29).

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Getting Started >
Using the Battery Pack
Using the Battery Pack
The battery pack supplied with your computer is not fully charged at the time of delivery.
Installing/Removing the Battery Pack
To install the battery pack
1Turn off the computer and close the LCD screen lid.
2Slide the battery LOCK switch (1) inward.

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Getting Started >
Using the Battery Pack
3Slide the battery pack diagonally into the battery compartment until the projection (2) on either side of the battery
compartment fits into the U-shaped cut (3) on either side of the battery pack.
4Push the battery pack down into the compartment until it clicks into place.
5Slide the battery LOCK switch outward to secure the battery pack on the computer.