Sony VAIO PCG-F370 Reference guide

VAIO®Notebook Computer
Troubleshooting Help
PCG-F370/PCG-F390
This document describes how to solve common problems you may
encounter when using your computer. Many problems have simple
solutions, so try these suggestions before you call Sony Customer
Support.
My computer or software programs locks up
❑Close the application that is currently locked up by pressing ALT+F4.
❑If you cannot restart as described in the preceding step, you can
restart the computer by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Delete or by pressing the
power switch for more than four seconds.
❑Contact the software publisher or designated provider for technical
support. See the phone numbers on the next page.
When you reconnect devices be sure to turn off the computer as described in Shutting
Down Your Computer in the VAIO®Notebook Computer User Guide. Turning off the
computer using other methods may result in data loss.
!Pressin
g
Ctrl+Alt+Delete ma
y
result in the loss of chan
g
es
made to files that are currentl
y
open.

VAIO® Notebook Computer Troubleshooting Help
2
My computer does not start
❑Check that the computer is plugged into a power source and that it is
turned on. Check that the power indicator on the front panel of the
computer indicates that the power is on.
❑Check that the battery packs are inserted properly and that they are
charged.
❑Make sure there is no diskette in the floppy disk drive.
❑Confirm that the power cord and all cables are connected firmly, as
described in the VA I O ®Notebook Computer User Guide.
❑If you plugged the computer into a power strip or UPS, make sure the
power strip or UPS is turned on and working.
❑If you are using an external display, check that it is plugged into a
power source and turned on. Check that the brightness and contrast
controls are adjusted correctly. See the manual that came with your
display for details.
❑Moisture condensation may have occurred. Do not use the computer
for at least one hour and then turn on the computer.
Adobe Systems
Incorporated 206-628-5737, M-F, 6 AM-5 PM PT
America Online 800-827-3338, 7 days a week, 6 AM - 2 PM ET
AT&T 800-400-1447, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day
CompuServe Interactive,
Incorporated 800-848-8990, M-F, 8 AM - 1 AM ET,
S-S 10 AM - 10 PM ET
McAfee, Inc. 408-988-3832, M-F, 9 AM - 5 PM CT
EarthLink Network, Inc. 800-395-8410, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day
Encompass, Inc. 800-927-3000, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day
Prodigy Communications
Corporation 800-PRODIGY, 7 AM - 3 AM ET
Intuit Inc. 900-555-4688, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day
Symantec Corporation 800-798-0850

PCG-F370/PCG-F390 3
❑When the internal backup battery is low on power, it may not be able
to start your system properly. The message “Press <F1> to resume,
<F2> to setup” would appear at the bottom of the display. Should this
happen:
1Press F2. The BIOS Setup menu appears.
2Set the date (month/day/year). Press Enter to move to the next
item. To enter 01/31/1999, for example, type 1, press Enter, type
31, press Enter, type 1999, then press Enter.
3Press
Ð
to select System Time, then set the time (hour: minute:
second). Press Enter to move to the next item.
4Press Îto select Exit, then press
Ð
to select Get Default Values.
The message “Load default configuration now?” appears.
5Check that Yes is selected, and press the Enter key. If No is selected,
press Íto select Yes.
6Select Exit (Save Changes), then press the Enter key. The message
“Save Configuration changes and exit now?” appears.
7Check that Yes is selected, then press the Enter key. The computer
restarts.
When I turn on my computer, the message Operating system not found
appears and Windows does not start
❑Check the floppy disk drive to see if a non-bootable diskette is in the
drive.
❑If a non-bootable diskette is in the drive, turn off the computer,
remove the diskette, and then turn on the computer again. Confirm
that Windows starts properly. If Windows still does not start, follow
the procedure below to initialize the BIOS.
❑If the floppy disk drive is empty, follow the steps below to initialize
the BIOS:
1Remove any peripheral devices connected to the computer.
2Turn the computer off and then turn it on again.
3Turn on the computer and press the F2 key when the Sony logo
appears. The BIOS setup menu screen appears.
4Press the arrow keys to select the Exit menu.

VAIO® Notebook Computer Troubleshooting Help
4
5Press the arrow keys to select Get Default Values and then press the
Enter key. The message “Load default configuration now?”
appears.
6Check that Yes is selected, then press the Enter key.
7Press the arrow keys to select Exit (Save Changes) and then press
the Enter key. The message “Save configuration changes and exit
now?” appears.
8Check that Yes is selected, then press the Enter key. The computer
restarts.
If your computer still displays the message “Operating system not
found” and Windows does not start, contact Sony Customer Support.
My LCD does not display anything
❑Check that the computer is plugged into a power source and that it is
turned on. Check that the power indicator on the front panel of the
computer is on.
❑Check that the battery packs are inserted properly and that they are
charged.
❑The computer may be in LCD (Video) Standby mode. Press any key
to activate the display.
The screen image on my external display is not centered or sized properly
Use the controls on your external display to adjust the image. See the
manual supplied with your display for more information.
My computer locks up
❑Try restarting the computer. On the Windows taskbar, click the Start
button, click Shut Down, and then click Restart the computer.
❑If you cannot restart as described in the preceding step, you can
restart the computer by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Delete.
❑If the previous step does not work, press the power button and hold it
for at least four seconds. This turns off the power.
❑If your computer locks up while playing a DVD-ROM/CD-ROM,
stop the DVD-ROM/CD-ROM, and restart the computer by pressing
Ctrl+Alt+Delete.
✍Pressing Ctrl+Alt+Delete may result in data loss in files that are currently open.

PCG-F370/PCG-F390 5
My software program locks up or crashes
Contact the software publisher or designated provider for technical
support. See either the printed or the online version of Read Me First for a
complete list of phone numbers.
My DVD-ROM drive tray does not open
❑Make sure the computer is turned on.
❑Press the Eject button on the DVD-ROM drive.
❑If the Eject button does not work, you can open the tray by inserting a
sharp, pointed object into the hole to the right of the Eject button.
I cannot play a CD-ROM
❑Make sure the label of the CD-ROM is facing up.
❑If the CD-ROM requires software, make sure the software is installed
according to the program’s instructions.
❑Moisture condensation may have occurred. Leave the computer for at
least 1 hour while the computer is turned on.
❑Clean the CD-ROM.
❑Check the speaker volume.
I cannot play a DVD-ROM
❑If a region code warning appears when you are using the DVD
player, it could be that the DVD-ROM you are trying to play is
incompatible with the DVD-ROM drive in your notebook computer.
The region code is listed on the disc’s packaging.
❑If you hear audio but cannot see video, your computer’s video
resolution may be set too high. For best results, change the Windows
Control Panel/Display/Settings to 800 x 600 using 256 colors.
❑If you see video but cannot hear audio, check all of the following:
Make sure your DVD player’s mute setting is off. Check the master
volume setting in the audio Mixer. If you have connected speakers
externally, check the volume settings in your computer speakers and
check the connections between your speakers and the computer.
Check the Windows Control Panel/System/Device Manager to see
that the drivers are installed properly.
❑A dirty or damaged disc may cause the computer to “hang” while it
tries to read the disc. If necessary, reboot the computer, remove the
disc, and then check that it is not dirty or damaged.

VAIO® Notebook Computer Troubleshooting Help
6
When I click an application icon a message appears, such as You must insert
the application CD into your CD-ROM drive, and the software does not start
❑Some titles require specific files that are located on the application’s
CD-ROM. Insert the disc and try starting the program again.
❑Make sure you place the disc in the tray with the label side facing up.
My floppy disk drive cannot write to a diskette
❑If the diskette is write-protected, disable the write-protect feature or
use a diskette that is not write-protected.
❑Check that the diskette is properly inserted into the floppy disk drive.
My speakers have no sound
❑If the built-in speakers are turned off, press Fn+F3 to turn on the
speakers.
❑If the speaker volume is turned to the minimum, press Fn+F4, and
then press or ➜to increase the volume.
❑If your computer is powered by batteries, check that the battery packs
are inserted properly and that they are charged.
❑If you are using an application that has its own volume control, check
that the volume is turned up.
❑Check the volume controls in Windows 98.
❑If you connect external speakers, check that the speakers are properly
connected and the volume is turned up. If the speakers have a mute
button, make sure it is off. If the speakers are powered by batteries,
check that the batteries are inserted properly and that they are
charged.
❑If you have connected an audio cable to the Headphone connector,
disconnect the cable.
My modem does not work
❑Check that the phone line is plugged into the line jack. See the VA I O ®
Notebook Computer User Guide for details.
❑Check that the phone line is working. You can check the line by
plugging in an ordinary phone and listening for a dial tone.
❑Check that the phone number the program is dialing is correct.
❑Check that the software you are using is compatible with the
notebook computer modem. (All preinstalled programs are
compatible.) Call the software publisher or Sony Customer Support.
➜

PCG-F370/PCG-F390 7
My modem connection is slow
The computer’s modem uses V.90 technology. Many factors influence
modem connection speed, including telephone line noise or compatibility
with telephone equipment (such as fax machines or other modems). If
you think your modem is not connecting properly to other PC-based
modems, fax machines, or your Internet Service Provider, check the
following:
❑Have your phone company check that your phone line is free from
any line noise.
❑If your problem is fax-related, check that there are no problems with
the fax machine you are calling and that it is compatible with fax
modems.
❑If you are having a problem connecting with your Internet Service
Provider (ISP), check that the ISP is not experiencing technical
problems.
❑If you have a second phone line available, try connecting the modem
to that line.
My microphone does not work
If you are using an external microphone, check that the microphone is
plugged into the Microphone connector. See the VA I O ®Notebook Computer
User Guide for details.
My mouse does not work
❑If you are using an external mouse, check that the mouse is plugged
into the mouse connector. See the VA I O ®Notebook Computer User
Guide for details.
❑If you connected an external mouse while your computer is on, you
must restart your computer.
❑If you are using an optional Sony USB mouse PCGA-UMS1, check
that the mouse is plugged into the USB connector.
My touchpad does not work
You may have disabled the touchpad while no mouse was connected to
the computer. If so, you must restart the computer to make the touchpad
work again.

VAIO® Notebook Computer Troubleshooting Help
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I cannot use DV devices. The message DV equipment seems to be
disconnected or turned off appears.
❑Check that the DV device is turned on and that the cables are
properly connected.
❑If you are using multiple i.LINK®devices, the combination of the
connected devices may cause unstable operation. In this case, turn off
the power to all connected devices and disconnect unused devices.
Check the connection, then turn on the power again.
My touchpad interprets a single tap as a double-click
Click the Mouse icon in the Control Panel and then change the button
assignments in the Mouse Properties dialog box. One of the buttons is
assigned to the double-click action.
My computer does not shut down
It is best to shut down your computer using the Shut Down command on
the Windows 98 Start menu. Using other methods, including those listed
here, may result in loss of unsaved data. If the Shut Down command does
not work properly, follow these steps:
❑Restart the computer by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Delete. If this does not
work, press the power button and hold it for at least four seconds to
turn off the power.
❑Unplug the computer from the AC adapter and remove the battery
pack from your computer.
My PC card is not working
❑Make sure the PC card is compatible with Windows 98.
❑Use the Sony Notebook Setup utility to disable devices you are not
currently using.
The sound of my computers fan is too loud
Use the PowerPanel utility to change the Thermal Control Strategy
setting to Quiet. This setting slows down the CPU fan speed. See the
PowerPanel Help for more information.

PCG-F370/PCG-F390 9
I cannot print
❑The default setting for the printer port mode is correct for most
printers. If you cannot print, try changing the printer port mode. In
Sony Notebook Setup, select the Printer tab. If the printer port mode
is set to ECP, change it to bidirectional. If the printer port mode is set
to bidirectional, change it to ECP. See “Displaying the Sony Notebook
Setup Screen” in the online document Customizing Your VAIO®
Notebook Computer for details on using Sony Notebook Setup.
❑Your connected printer may not function after the computer resumes
from a power-saving mode. When this occurs, follow the procedures
below to reset the printer connection:
1Right-click the My Computer icon on the desktop, and then select
Properties.
2Click the Device Manager tab.
3Select Refresh, and then click OK. The printer should now function
properly.
Power Management
The operating system may become unstable if a lower power state such as
system hibernation is initiated and then changed before the operating
system completely enters the lower power state. To restore the computer
to its normal operating stability, close all open applications, press the
power button, and hold it for four seconds or more to completely shut
down the computer.
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prohibited. All rights reserved. Sony, VAIO, the VAIO logo, DVgate, and i.LINK are
trademarks of Sony. All other trademarks are trademarks or registered trademarks of their
respective owners.