Sony PCG-GR200 Series User manual

VAIO®Notebook
Quick Start
PCG-GR200 Series

3
Contents
Welcome.......................................................5
Unpacking Your Notebook .........................................7
Registering Your Notebook ........................................9
Setting up your dial-up connection ...........................10
Setting Up Your VAIO® Notebook ...........15
Connecting a Power Source ......................................21
Starting Your Notebook ............................................27
Shutting Down Your Notebook.................................28
Adding Memory .........................................31
Precautions and Procedures.......................................32
Typical expansion memory configuration.................33
Removing a memory module ....................................34
Installing a memory module......................................36
Viewing the amount of memory................................37
About the Software on Your Notebook ...39
Software Overview....................................................40
Application, Driver, and System Recovery CDs.......46
Using Your Recovery CDs (Windows® 2000).........47
Using Your Recovery CDs (Windows® XP)............51

VAIO® Notebook Quick Start
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Troubleshooting........................................57
Troubleshooting Your Notebook .............................. 58
Troubleshooting the LCD Screen ............................. 62
Troubleshooting the Mouse and Touchpad .............. 63
Troubleshooting Drives, PC Cards and
Peripheral Devices .................................................... 65
Troubleshooting Software......................................... 68
Troubleshooting the Modem..................................... 70
Troubleshooting Audio ............................................. 71
Troubleshooting the Printer ...................................... 72
Getting Help...............................................73
Software Support Information .................................. 75
Index...........................................................79

5
Welcome
Congratulations on your purchase of the Sony VAIO® notebook. Sony has
combined leading-edge technology in audio, video, computing, and
communications to provide you with state-of-the-art personal computing.
Features
❑Exceptional performance — Your notebook includes a Mobile Intel®
Pentium® III processor that supports Enhanced Intel® SpeedStep™
technology*and a V.90/K56flex-compatible modem.†To combine
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 CPU
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 stereo speakers or use a pair of
headphones (not supplied) to listen to audio CDs and DVDs.
✍For a complete description of the specifications of your VAIO® notebook, see the
Specifications flyer supplied with your notebook.
* The processor may be reduced to a lower operating speed under certain conditions.
† Actual upload and download speeds may vary due to line conditions, 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
Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional, Microsoft® Windows® XP Home
Edition, or Microsoft® Windows® 2000 Professional.
❑Communications — Access popular online services, send e-mail, browse
the Internet, and use fax features.
❑Removable Hard Disk Drive — Take advantage of the increased
computing versatility and expansion capabilities that a removable drive
affords.*
❑Optical drive (CD-RW/DVD Combo or DVD-ROM) — Your system
includes either a CD-RW/DVD Combo Drive or a DVD-ROM drive. 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 most DVD-ROM, DVD-R, CD-ROM, CD-
RW, and CD-R discs. This drive is hot-swappable.
* Sony does not guarantee interoperability with removable hard disk drives other than the one
provided.
✍Your computer’s optical disc drive and other parts may differ depending on the model
you purchased.

Unpacking Your Notebook
7
Unpacking Your Notebook
Remove the following hardware items from the box:
Documents
❑VAIO® Notebook Quick Start — Contains information on unpacking and
setting up your notebook, supplementary updates, and software information.
❑Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional manual, Microsoft® Windows XP
Home Edition manual, or Microsoft® Windows® 2000 Professional
manual — Explains how to use the basic features of this latest Windows
operating system.
❑VAIO® Notebook Notes on Use — Explains notes on use and offers safety
tips.
❑Specifications Sheet — Details the hardware specifications for your
notebook.
Main unit*
* The removable hard disk drive and removable optical disc drive are preinstalled in your note-
book.
Power cord
AC adapter
Rechargeable battery pack Weight saver

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Software CDs
❑Microsoft® Word — Enables you to reinstall Microsoft Word to the
VAIO® notebook you purchased.
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
❑Warranty Card

Registering Your Notebook
9
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.
✍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.

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Setting up your dial-up connection
This section describes the basic steps for setting up your dial-up connection for
the first time. 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 dial-up connection
(Windows® XP Home Edition/Windows® XP Professional)
1Click Start from the Windows taskbar and select All Programs.
2Point to Accessories, Communications, and then click New Connection
Wizard. The Location Information window appears.
Location Information window
3Follow the instructions on-screen and then click OK to continue. The Phone
and Modem Options window appears.