Sony PCG-VX89 VAIO User Guide (primary manual) User manual

1
Welcome.......................................................7
Powering Your Computer ...........................9
Using AC Power........................................................10
Connecting the AC adapter................................................10
Turning on the computer....................................................11
Using Batteries ..........................................................13
Inserting a battery ..............................................................13
Removing a battery............................................................14
Displaying battery information..........................................15
Charging a battery..............................................................18
Notes on batteries...............................................................20
Frequently asked questions................................................20
Conserving Battery Power ........................................22
Using power saving modes ................................................22
Using PowerPanel..............................................................23
Frequently asked questions................................................27
Internet and Network Connections..........29
Internet Connections .................................................30
Setting up a dial-up Internet connection ............................30
Setting up an Ethernet Internet connection........................32
Customizing your Internet connection...............................35
Frequently asked questions................................................35
Network Connections................................................37
Using Ethernet and dial-up connections ............................37
Using wireless LAN connections ......................................40
Checking your network connection status .........................46
Frequently asked questions................................................46

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Connecting another VAIO Computer ....................... 49
Connecting VAIO computers............................................ 49
Disconnecting VAIO computers....................................... 51
Frequently asked questions ............................................... 51
CDs, DVDs, and Optical Drives................53
Connecting External Optical (Disc) Drives .............. 54
i.LINK optical (disc) drives .............................................. 54
PC Card optical (disc) drives ............................................ 56
Frequently asked questions ............................................... 58
Inserting and Ejecting CDs or DVDs ....................... 59
Copying and Playing CDs......................................... 61
Playing CDs ...................................................................... 61
Copying files to a CD-RW or CD-R................................. 62
Frequently asked questions ............................................... 63
Printer Connections..................................69
Printing With Your Computer .................................. 70
Connecting a printer.......................................................... 70
Disconnecting a printer ..................................................... 71
Frequently asked questions ............................................... 72
Computer Features ...................................73
Using the Keyboard .................................................. 74
Key locations and descriptions ......................................... 74
Combinations and functions with the Windows key ........ 76
Indicators........................................................................... 77
Combinations and functions with the Fn key.................... 78

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Using the Touchpad ..................................................81
Describing touchpad actions..............................................81
Customizing the touchpad .................................................82
Frequently asked questions................................................83
Using the Jog Dial Control........................................85
Using the Jog Dial Control ................................................85
Using the Jog Dial Navigator icon.....................................86
Using the Indicate Window ...............................................86
Using Jog Dial Launcher ...................................................87
Using Application and Scroll modes .................................88
Changing Jog Dial Navigator settings ...............................90
Using Memory Stick Media.....................................91
Selecting Memory Stick media..........................................91
Inserting Memory Stick media ..........................................92
Viewing the contents .........................................................93
Write-protecting Memory Stick media..............................93
Formatting Memory Stick media.......................................94
Removing Memory Stick media........................................94
Frequently asked questions................................................95
Using the Multilingual User Interface Language
Option........................................................................97
Changing Numbers, Currency, Time, and Date Formats ..98
Changing the window design of Sony software........99
Audio and Video Connections ...............101
Using i.LINK Digital-Video Recorders ..................102
Connecting an i.LINK digital video recorder ..................102
Disconnecting the i.LINK digital video recorder ............103
Using a digital video camera recorder .............................104
Notes on connecting an i.LINK device............................104
Frequently asked questions..............................................105

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Using Computer Monitors and Projectors .............. 106
Connecting a computer monitor...................................... 106
Connecting a projector .................................................... 107
Selecting a Display Mode ............................................... 108
Disconnecting a computer monitor or projector ............. 110
Using Speakers ....................................................... 111
Connecting speakers ....................................................... 111
Disconnecting external speakers..................................... 112
Adjusting the volume...................................................... 112
Enabling the audio feature .............................................. 113
Frequently asked questions ............................................. 114
Using Microphones................................................. 117
Connecting a microphone ............................................... 117
Disconnecting a microphone........................................... 117
Using a microphone or other device to record................ 118
Frequently asked questions ............................................. 119
PC Cards and Floppy Disk Drives .........121
Using Floppy Disk Drives ......................................122
Connecting a floppy disk drive ....................................... 122
Inserting and removing floppy disks............................... 123
Disconnecting a floppy disk drive .................................. 124
Carrying the floppy disk drive ........................................ 125
Frequently asked questions ............................................. 125
Using PC Cards....................................................... 127
Inserting PC Cards .......................................................... 127
Removing PC Cards........................................................ 128
Connecting and disconnecting PC Card drives............... 129
Frequently asked questions ............................................. 131

5
Connecting Mice and Keyboards...........133
Using External Mice and Keyboards ......................134
Connecting a Mouse or Keyboard ...................................134
Disconnecting a mouse or keyboard................................135
Frequently asked questions..............................................136
Preinstalled Programs ............................137
Software Programs On Your Computer ..................138
Software overview ...........................................................138
Frequently asked questions..............................................143
DVgate Application Notes ......................................145
Recording images to a digital video device .....................145
Adjusting image resolution..............................................145
Saving to your hard disk drive.........................................145
Memory Upgrades ...................................147
Upgrading Your Computer’s Memory....................148
Precautions and procedures .............................................148
Typical expansion memory configuration .......................149
Removing and installing memory modules .....................149
Confirming added memory capacity................................153
Using the Recovery CDs.........................155
Application and System Recovery CDs ..................156
Using Your Recovery CDs......................................156
Using the Application Recovery CD(s) ...........................156
Using the System Recovery CD(s) ..................................158

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Troubleshooting and Support................161
Troubleshooting Your Computer............................ 162
Troubleshooting Batteries....................................... 166
Troubleshooting the Printer ....................................167
Troubleshooting the Mouse and Touchpad ............ 168
Troubleshooting the Modem................................... 171
Troubleshooting Networks ..................................... 172
Troubleshooting DVDs and CDs............................ 175
Troubleshooting i.LINK Drives.............................. 178
Troubleshooting Floppy Disk Drives ..................... 179
Troubleshooting PC Cards......................................180
Troubleshooting Audio-Video Connections........... 181
Troubleshooting the LCD screen............................ 184
Troubleshooting Memory Stick Media................... 185
Troubleshooting Software....................................... 187
Software Support Information ................................ 189
Sony Service Center........................................................ 190
Computer Support Information...............................191

7
Welcome
Congratulations on your purchase of this Sony VAIO® computer, and
welcome to the online VAIO® Computer User Guide.
This user guide provides detailed information on all aspects of using your
new VAIO computer, from keyboard functions to preinstalled software
programs.
In the left navigation window, click the topics you want to learn more
about, and that information will be displayed in this main window.
✍View the Electronic Flyer, which provides updates and supplemental information about
your computer.
✍View the VAIO® Computer Specifications, which lists your computer’s hardware
specifications and preinstalled software information, such as descriptions and contact
information.

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9
Powering Your Computer
Your VAIO® computer comes with a battery and an AC adapter. This
chapter explains how to install and use these supplied accessories to
power your computer. It also describes ways you can efficiently utilize the
battery as a power source.
❑Using AC Power
❑Using Batteries
❑Conserving Battery Power

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Using AC Power
The supplied battery is not charged when you receive your computer. To use your
computer immediately, use the supplied AC adapter as a power source. The
computer charges the battery while you use AC power. See “Using Batteries” for
more information on installing and using batteries.
❑Connecting the AC adapter
❑Turningonthecomputer
Connecting the AC adapter
To connect the AC adapter
1Plug the cable attached to the AC adapter into the DC In port on your
computer or docking station.
2Plug one end of the power cord into the AC adapter, and plug the other end
into an AC outlet.
Connecting the AC Adapter to the Computer
✍Use only the supplied AC adapter with your computer.
AC adapter
DC In port
Power cord
(supplied) (supplied)

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Turning on the computer
To turn on the computer
1Slide the release lever to the right, and lift the cover while holding the
bottom of the computer firmly.
2Press the power button until the green power indicator lights up.
Opening the Computer
Turning on the Computer
Release lever
Power button
Power indicator

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3If necessary, adjust the brightness controls for the LCD display as follows:
❑To increase light intensity, press Fn+F5 and then or .
❑To decrease light intensity, press Fn+F5 and then or .
✍If you hold the power button down for more than four seconds, the computer turns
off.

Using Batteries
13
Using Batteries
A battery is an auxiliary power source you can use when your computer is not
plugged into an AC outlet. Your computer may come equipped with one or two
battery bays, depending on the model you purchased. If your computer comes
with two battery bays, you can purchase a second rechargeable battery to extend
your computing time. Regardless how many batteries you use, you can always
extend the life of the battery by conserving power. See “Conserving Battery
Power” for more information.
❑Inserting a battery
❑Removing a battery
❑Displaying battery information
❑Charging a battery
❑Notes on batteries
❑Frequently asked questions
Inserting a battery
To insert a battery
1Turn the computer over, and slide the LOCK/UNLOCK switches on the
bottom of the computer to the UNLOCK position.
2Align the grooves and tabs on the battery with those on the back of the
computer.
✍The battery that comes with your computer is not charged at the time of purchase.

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3Slide the battery into the computer until it clicks into place.
4Slide the LOCK/UNLOCK switch into the LOCK position.
For some software programs and some peripheral devices, your computer may
not enter Hibernate mode when the battery life is low. To avoid loss of data when
using battery power, you should save your data frequently and manually activate
a power management mode, such as Standby or Hibernate.
Removing a battery
If you are not using the computer for an extended period of time, remove the
battery from the computer to avoid damaging the battery. You can remove the
battery when the computer is on or off.
Inserting a Battery
✍If the port replicator is attached to your computer, do not insert or remove the battery.
Lifting and turning the computer with the port replicator attached could cause a
temporary loss of power.
Battery
Grooves

Using Batteries
15
To remove a battery
1Turn the computer over, and slide the LOCK/UNLOCK switch on the
bottom of the computer to the UNLOCK position.
2Slide the battery away from the computer.
Displaying battery information
You can display the remaining battery charge on the Battery Information toolbar
and/or the Battery Information window.
To display the Battery Information toolbar
1Right-click the center of the Windows® taskbar.
2Select Toolbars from the pop-up menu, and click Battery Information.The
Battery Information toolbar appears on the taskbar.
If the computer is on, connect the AC adapter and exit a power saving mode
before you remove the battery.
Removing a Battery
✍If the Battery Information toolbar is hidden behind the taskbar icons, right-click the
taskbar and click to cancel Lock the Taskbar, then click and drag the edge of the
Battery Information toolbar to the left until it is in clear view.
Battery LOCK/
UNLOCK switch
Battery LOCK
switch
Battery

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The total charge remaining in the battery is listed in percent and real-time values.
The following toolbar indicates that there is 100 percent or approximately 2
hours and 40 minutes of battery charge left.
❑Percentage indicator — Displays the percentage of the remaining capacity.
❑Time indicator — Displays estimated time (hours : minutes) remaining
before the battery fully discharges, also known as the time-to-empty.
To close the Battery Information toolbar
1Right-click the Battery Information toolbar.
2Select Toolbars from the pop-up menu, and click to cancel Battery
Information.TheBattery Information toolbar disappears from the toolbar.
To display the Battery Information window
Double-click the CPU icon on the Windows taskbar. The Battery
Information window appears.
Battery Information Toolbar

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❑Battery tab — Displays the total charge remaining in the battery. You can
click Advanced for specific information on the battery.
❑Alarms tab — Displays the alarm settings, which notify you when the
battery is fully charged and is too low. You can change your computer’s
alarm settings on this window.
The battery icons that appear on the Battery Information toolbar and the
Battery Information window indicate the current status of the installed battery.
Battery Information Window
✍Click Help in the lower right corner of the window for more information.

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Charging a battery
You will need to charge the battery if battery power drops below 10 percent or
you have not used the battery for a considerable amount of time. The lithium-ion
battery supplied with your computer may be recharged at any time, whether you
wait until the battery is completely or partially discharged. Charging a partially
discharged battery does not affect battery life. If you charge the battery and find
that battery power is still low, the battery may be reaching the end of its life, and
you may need to replace it.
To charge a battery
You can charge the battery when the computer is on or off. However, the battery
will charge faster when the computer is off. Charging the battery takes several
hours. See your VAIO® Computer Specifications for the approximate time
needed to charge your battery.
Battery icon Battery status
Charging
Fully charged
Discharging
No battery
✍The battery supplied with your computer is not charged at the time of purchase.
✍Charge the batteries at temperatures between 50°F and 80°F (10°C to 30°C). Lower
temperatures require a longer charging time.

Using Batteries
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1Insert the battery into the battery bay. If you want to charge more than one
battery, insert the second battery into the computer. See “Inserting a battery”
for more information.
2Connect the AC adapter to the computer. The computer automatically
charges the battery as long as the computer is using AC power.
The battery indicator blinks in a double pattern while the battery charges. The
battery indicator stops blinking when the battery is 85 percent full. To ensure the
battery is 100 percent full, continue charging it for at least an additional hour
after the indicator stops blinking.
✍When using two batteries, the battery you insert first charges first. The second battery
you insert begins charging when the first battery is 85 percent full.
Battery Indicator
Battery indicator

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Notes on batteries
❑Never leave the battery in temperatures above 140° F (60° C), such as under
direct sunlight or in a car parked in the sun.
❑While the battery is in use or being discharged, the battery heats up. This is
normal and is not cause for concern.
❑Keep the battery away from all sources of heat.
❑Keep the battery dry.
❑Do not open or disassemble the battery.
❑Do not expose the battery to any mechanical shock.
❑Battery life is shorter in a cold environment because of decreased battery
efficiency at low temperatures.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know when the battery is charged?
To determine the remaining battery charge, see “Displaying Battery Information”
in the online VAIO® Computer User Guide for more information.
When is the computer using AC power?
When the computer is directly connected to the AC adapter, it uses AC power,
even if a battery is installed.
Battery Indicator
Status Description
On The computer is using battery power.
Single blink The battery is running out of power.
Double blink The battery is charging.
Off The computer is using AC power.