Sony VAIO PCG-FXA63 User manual

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.
Page 1

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
Page 2

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
Turning on the computer
Page 3

Connecting the AC adapter
To connect the AC adapter
1. Plug the cable attached to the AC adapter into the DC In port on your computer or docking station.
Connecting the AC Adapter to the Computer
2. Plug one end of the power cord into the AC adapter, and plug the other end into an AC outlet.
Use only the supplied AC adapter with your computer.
Page 4

Turning on the computer
To turn on the computer
1. Slide the release lever to the right, and lift the cover while holding the bottom of the computer firmly.
Opening the Computer
2. Press the power button until the green power indicator lights up.
Turning on the Computer
If you hold the power button down for more than four seconds, the computer turns off.
3. If 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 .
Page 5

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
Using a second battery
Displaying battery information
Charging a battery
Notes on batteries
Frequently asked questions
The battery that comes with your computer is not fully charged at the time of purchase.
Page 6

Inserting a battery
To insert a battery
1. Push the battery bay cover down to open it. The battery bay cover swings out but does not detach from the
computer.
Opening the Battery Bay
2. Slide the battery into the battery bay. If the computer is on, it automatically detects the battery.
Inserting a Battery
3. Push the battery bay cover up until it clicks into place.
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.
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. See Using power saving modes for more information.
Page 7

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.
If the computer is on, connect the AC adapter and exit a power saving mode before you remove the battery.
To remove a battery
1. Push the battery bay cover down to open it.
2. Pull the battery out of the battery bay.
Remov ing a Battery
3. Push in and lift up the battery bay cover until it clicks into place.
Page 8

Using a second battery
To insert a second battery
1. If another device is in the multipurpose bay, remove that device.
2. Insert the battery into the multipurpose bay, and insert the weight saver. The battery 2 indicator turns on when
the computer uses that battery.
Second Battery in Multipurpose Bay
To remove the second battery
1. Make sure the indicator of the battery you are not removing is on. If the indicator of the battery you are
removing is on, right-click the battery icon on the taskbar, and click Switch discharge battery.
2. Turn the computer over, and slide the multipurpose bay Release lever in the direction of the arrow to unlock the
battery.
Multipurpose Bay Release Lever
3. Pull the battery gently from the multipurpose bay. If the battery was installed with the weight saver, pull the
weight saver and battery from the multipurpose bay.
4. Insert the weight saver into the multipurpose bay to protect the bay.
Page 9

Displaying battery information
You can display information for each of the batteries installed in your computer.
To display battery information
1. Click Start on the Windows®taskbar, and click Control Panel.
2. Click Performance and Maintenance, and click Power Options. The Power Options Properties window
appears.
3. Select the Power Meter tab. The total remaining battery charge is listed as a percentage. If your computer
comes with more than one battery, you have the option of viewing information on both batteries or just the
primary battery.
You may also use the power icon on the Windows®taskbar to quickly view battery information. See To display the
power icon on the taskbar for instructions on how to set up this shortcut.
To display the power icon on the taskbar
1. Click Start on the Windows®taskbar, and click Control Panel.
2. Click Performance and Maintenance, and click Power Options. The Power Options Properties window
appears.
3. Select the Advanced tab, and then select Always show icon on the taskbar in the Options box. The power icon
appears on the taskbar. See the power icon descriptions for more information.
You can rollover the power icon to view the remaining battery charge, and you can double-click the power icon to
open the Power Meter window, which also displays the remaining battery charge.
Power icon Power status
Computer is using AC power.
Computer is using AC power and charging the battery.
Battery is charging.
Battery is fully charged.
Battery is discharging.
No battery is inserted in the computer.
Page 10