Sony PCG-FX300 User manual

VAIO®All-in-one
Notebook Quick Start
PCG-FX300/310/340/350/370/390 (K) (P)

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Contents
Welcome.......................................................5
Features .......................................................................5
Unpacking Your Notebook .........................................7
Registering Your Notebook ........................................9
Setting up your dial-up connection ...........................10
Setting Up Your VAIO Notebook..............15
Locating Controls and Ports......................................16
Connecting a Power Source ......................................21
Starting Your Notebook ............................................27
Shutting Down Your Notebook.................................28
Power Saving Modes.................................................29
Adding Memory to Your VAIO Notebook 31
Precautions and Procedures.......................................32
Removing a Memory Module ...................................34
Installing a Memory Module.....................................36
Viewing the Amount of Memory ..............................38
About the Software on Your Notebook ...39
Software Overview....................................................40
Application, Driver, and System Recovery CDs.......45

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Using Your Recovery CDs ....................................... 46
Troubleshooting........................................55
Troubleshooting Your Notebook .............................. 56
Troubleshooting the LCD Screen ............................. 60
Troubleshooting the Mouse and Touchpad .............. 62
Troubleshooting Drives, PC Cards and
Peripheral Devices .................................................... 64
Troubleshooting i.LINK devices .............................. 67
Troubleshooting Software......................................... 68
Troubleshooting the Modem..................................... 70
Troubleshooting Audio ............................................. 71
Troubleshooting the Printer ...................................... 72
Getting Help...............................................73
Support Options ........................................................ 73
Software Support Information .................................. 75
Sony Service Center.................................................. 76
Index...........................................................77

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Welcome
Congratulations on your purchase of the Sony VAIO® all-in-one
Notebook. Sony has combined leading-edge technology in audio, video,
computing, and communications to provide you with state-of-the-art
personal computing.
Features
Here are just some of the features your VAIO® computer has to offer:
❑Exceptional performance — Your notebook includes an Intel® processor*
featuring the latest technology, and a V.90/K56flex-compatible modem.†To
optimize performance and portability, Sony has implemented speed
controlling technology designed to maximize battery life during mobile
computer use. Windows® reported actual CPU speed may not reflect the
maximum speed.‡
❑Portability — Rechargeable battery pack provides hours of use without AC
power.
❑Sony audio and video quality — High-quality MPEG1/MPEG2 video,
which supports full-screen display and enables you to take advantage of
today’s advanced multimedia applications, games, and entertainment
software.
❑Multimedia features — Enjoy the built-in stereo speakers or use
headphones (not supplied) to listen to audio and video CDs.
✍For a complete description of the specifications of your VAIO®Notebook, refer to the
Specifications flyer supplied with your notebook.
*The CPU speed will be reduced under certain operating conditions.
† Actual upload and download speeds may vary due to line conditions, Internet Service Pro-
vider (ISP) support, and government regulations.
‡ Depending on the specific model you purchased, speed controlling technology may not be
present.

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❑Microsoft® Windows® operating system — Your system includes the
Microsoft® Windows® operating system.
❑Communications — Access popular online services, send and receive e-
mail, browse the Internet, and use fax features.
❑Optical disc drive (CD-RW/DVD or DVD-ROM) — The CD-RW/DVD
Combo Drive utilizes a new optical storage technology that combines the
features of both a CD-RW drive and DVD-ROM drive, providing increased
storage capacity and a rich multimedia computing experience. Optical drives
play DVD-ROM, CD-ROM, CD-RW, and CD-R discs. (The CD-RW/DVD
Combo Drive is available on selected models only.)
✍Your computer’s optical disc drive and other components may differ depending on the
specific model you purchased.

Unpacking Your Notebook
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Unpacking Your Notebook
Remove the following hardware items from the box:
* Removable floppy disk drive is in the multipurpose bay.
Documents
❑VAIO® Notebook User Guide — A searchable online help file that contains
detailed information on how to use your new notebook. Go to Start, select
VAIO Help and Support, and click VAIO User Guide to open this file.
❑VAIO® Notebook Quick Start — Contains information on unpacking and
setting up your notebook, the features of your notebook, the applications
included with your system, and how to solve common problems.
❑Microsoft® Windows® Getting Started guide — Explains how to use the
basic features of the Windows operating system installed on your computer.
❑Notes on Use — Explains notes on using your notebook and offers safety
tips.
Main unit*Power cord
AC adapter
Video cable Rechargeable
battery pack
Weight saver

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❑Specifications Flyer — Details the hardware specifications for your
notebook.
Software CDs
❑Microsoft®Word — Enables you to reinstall Microsoft Word to the VAIO
computer you purchased, if the application becomes corrupted or is erased.
Recovery CDs
❑Application Recovery CD(s) — Enables you to reinstall individual
applications if they become corrupted or are erased.
❑Driver Recovery CD(s) — Enables you to reinstall individual device
drivers if they become corrupted or are erased.
❑System Recovery CD(s) — Enables you to format the C:\ partition of the
hard disk drive, then reinstall the operating system and software titles that
shipped with your notebook if they become corrupted or are erased.
Other
❑Packet containing special product offers
❑Limited Warranty card

Registering Your Notebook
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Registering Your Notebook
Take advantage of Sony’s commitment to quality customer support and receive
these benefits by registering your notebook:
❑Sony Customer Support — Talk to a Support Representative to
troubleshoot problems you may be having with your notebook.
❑Limited Warranty — Protect your investment. See the Warranty Card for
more details.
If you did not register your notebook when you first turned it on, following these
steps to use the online computer registration service.
1Make sure your notebook is connected to a phone line.
2Click the registration icon on the VAIO® desktop.
3Enter the information requested on the first online registration form. Press
the Tab key to move from box to box.
4Click the Next button to advance to the next form.
5Complete the remaining forms by clicking the Next button each time you
complete a form.
6The notebook automatically transfers your registration information using
your built-in modem and a toll-free telephone number or a local number.
✍You are prompted to register your computer the first time you turn on the unit. Follow
the on-screen instructions to complete the registration process. If you are not able to
register your computer during the first session, you are provided with additional
registration opportunities later.
✍You may sign up for Internet access with a Sony preferred Internet Service Provider.

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Setting up your dial-up connection
This section describes the basic steps for setting up your dial-up connection. The
Connection Wizard guides you through the process of connecting to the Internet
and then choosing an Internet Service Provider (ISP) or setting up an existing
account.
Setting up your Internet connection (Windows XP)
1Click Start, point to All Programs, Accessories, Communications, and then
click New Connection Wizard. The Location Information screen appears.
Location Information screen
2Follow the instructions onscreen and then click OK to continue. The Phone
and Modem Options screen appears.

Setting up your dial-up connection
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Phone and Modem Options screen
3Select the location from where you are dialing and then click OK. The New
Connection Wizard appears.

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New Connection Wizard
4Follow the onscreen instructions to finish setting up your dial-up connection.

Setting up your dial-up connection
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Setting up your dial-up connection (Windows 2000)
1Click Start, point to Programs, Accessories, Communications, and then click
Internet Connection Wizard. The Internet Connection Wizard appears.
Internet Connection Wizard.
2Follow the onscreen instructions to finish setting up your dial-up connection.

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Setting Up Your VAIO Notebook
This section describes the following:
❑Locating Controls and Ports
❑Connecting a Power Source
❑Starting Your Notebook
❑Shutting Down Your Notebook
❑Power Saving Modes

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Locating Controls and Ports
Front
1LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)
screen
7Battery 1 and 2 indicators
2Speakers 8Hard disk drive indicator
3Keyboard 9Num Lock indicator
4Touchpad 10 Caps Lock indicator
5Left and right buttons 11 Scroll Lock indicator
6Power indicator
+

Locating Controls and Ports
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Left
1TV out jack 4i.LINK® (IEEE1394) S400
port*
* i.LINK is a Sony trademark used only to designate that a product contains an IEEE 1394
connection. The i.LINK connection may vary, depending on the software applications, oper-
ating system, and compatible i.LINK devices. All products with an i.LINK connection may
not communicate with each other. Refer to the documentation that came with your compati-
ble i.LINK device for information on operating conditions and proper connection. Before
connecting compatible i.LINK PC peripherals to your system, such as a CD-RW or hard disk
drive, confirm their operating system compatibility and required operating conditions.
2Microphone jack 5PC Card slots
3Headphone jack 6Battery bay

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Right
1PPK buttons
2Power button
3Optical drive (CD-RW/DVD Combo Drive or DVD-ROM drive*)
* The type of optical drive differs depending on the specific model you purchased.
4Multipurpose bay

Locating Controls and Ports
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Back
1Modem port 5Monitor port
2USB ports 6Ethernet port
3Serial port 7DC In port
4Printer port
Only connect 10Base-T and 100Base-TX cables to the Ethernet port. Do not
connect any other type of network cable or any telephone line. Connecting
cables other than those listed above may result in an electric current
overload and could cause a malfunction, excessive heat, or fire in the port.
To connect the unit to the network, contact your network administrator.
✍There is a ventilation slot located between the Ethernet port and the USB port. Do not
cover the ventilation slot when your notebook is on.
cover

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Bottom
1Multipurpose bay release lever
2Tilt stands