Sony VAIO PCG-K115B Quick start guide

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Software Guide

Software Guide
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Notice
This product contains software owned by Sony and licensed by third parties. Use of such software is subject to the terms and conditions
of licence agreements enclosed with this product. Software specifications are subject to change without notice and may not necessarily
be identical to current retail versions. Updates and additions to software may require an additional charge. Subscriptions to online
service providers may require a fee and credit card information. Financial services may require prior arrangements with participating
financial institutions.
© 2003 Sony Corporation. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.
ENERGY STAR
As an ENERGY STAR Partner, Sony has determined that this product meets the ENERGY STAR guidelines for energy efficiency. The
International ENERGY STAR Office Equipment Program is an international program that promotes energy saving through the use
of computers and their office equipment. The program backs the development and dissemination of products with functions that
effectively reduce energy consumption. It is an open system in which business proprietors can participate voluntarily. The targeted
products are office equipment such as computers, displays, printers, facsimiles and copiers. Their standards and logos are uniform
among participating nations.
ENERGY STAR is a U.S. registered mark.

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Trademarks
Sony, BlueSpace NE, Click to DVD, DVgate Plus, Giga Pocket, HotKey Utility, Memory Stick Formatter, PictureGear Studio, SonicStage,
Sony Notebook Setup, UI Design Selector, VAIO Action Setup, VAIO Edit Components, VAIO Media, VAIO Power Management, VAIO
System Information, Memory Stick, the Memory Stick logo, VAIO and the VAIO logo are trademarks of Sony Corporation.
Microsoft, Internet Explorer, Windows Movie Maker, Windows Media Player, Windows XP Professional, Windows Home Edition,
Microsoft Works and the Windows logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and other
countries.
i.LINK is a trademark of Sony used only to designate that a product contains an IEEE1394 connection.
Adobe, Adobe Acrobat Elements, Adobe Photoshop Album, Adobe Reader, Adobe Premiere and Adobe Photoshop Elements are
trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated.
MoodLogic is a trademark of MoodLogic, Inc.
PowerPanel is a trademark of Phoenix Technologies Ltd.
Norton Internet Security 2004 and Norton Password Manager are trademarks or registered trademarks of Symantec Corporation.
Drag’n Drop CD+DVD is a registered trademark of Easy Systems Japan Ltd and DigiOn Inc.
WinDVD for VAIO is a trademark of InterVideo, Inc.
Sun Java VM is a trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc.
All other names of systems, products and services are trademarks of their respective owners. In the manual, the ™ or ®marks are not
specified.
Specifications are subject to change without notice. All other trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners.
Please see the printed Specifications sheet to see what software is available for your model.

Software Guide
Registering your VAIO
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Registering your VAIO
It only takes a few moments to register your Sony VAIO computer.
By registering your computer, you can take advantage of Sony’s commitment to quality customer support
and receive the following benefits:
❑Club VAIO – Online support, tutorials, tips and tricks, news, news forums, competitions, free downloads
and software updates.
❑VAIO-Link – If you are experiencing any problems with your computer, you can check the VAIO-Link
website for a possible solution: http://www.vaio-link.com.
❑Guarantee – Protect your investment. See the Guarantee sheet for the terms and conditions and refer
to your Guide to Troubleshooting and Using the VAIO Recovery and Documentation Disc for
more information.
To register your Sony VAIO computer, proceed as follows:
1Set up an Internet connection (see also Configuring your modem (page 23)).
2Double-click the VAIO Online Registration icon on the desktop.
You can also find the link on the Start menu.
3Change your language if necessary and click Next.
4Click Register Now and then click Next.
This brings you to the website https://registration.sonystyle-europe.com/vaio/registration.asp.
5Fill in your first and last name.
The serial number of your computer is entered automatically.
6Click Submit.
7Enter your details as required and click Submit.
Your VAIO is registered and a thank you screen appears.
If you entered an email address, you will receive a confirmation email from Club VAIO.
✍Once you have registered, you can access VAIO Online Registration at any time to update your details without filling in the survey.

Software Guide
About the software delivered with your computer
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About the software delivered with your computer
This section gives you an overview of what you can do with the software delivered with your computer.
The software package includes preinstalled software as well as applications which you can install from the
supplied VAIO Recovery and Documentation Disc.
!If you recover your system, some of the applications will not be preinstalled anymore. Please read the Guide to Troubleshooting and Using the
VAIO Recovery and Documentation Disc for more information.
Your preinstalled software can mostly be found under Start/All Programs.
❑Sony software (page 5)
❑Operating system and other software (page 12)
Not all the applications listed below are delivered with your model. Please
see the printed Specifications sheet to see what software is available for
your model, and then the Guide to Troubleshooting and Using the
VAIO Recovery and Documentation Disc for installation details.

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Sony software
If you want to know how an application actually works, please refer to the online help files delivered with
the application. In many cases you can press the <F1> key when you launch an application to make the help
file appear.
BlueSpace NE
Sony Corporation
BlueSpace NE* is a software application that allows you to connect to other Bluetooth devices.
By using Device Discovery, your Bluetooth computer will identify all other remote devices equipped with
Bluetooth within the range offered by these devices (this range depends on the "class" of the device).
Service Discovery will then show the available services for the Bluetooth device you want to connect to.
Once an appropriate service is selected, the settings are completed and you are ready to communicate at
distance with the other Bluetooth device.
If applicable for your model: For more information on BlueSpace NE, refer to the Hardware Guide.
* Only available on notebooks with Bluetooth technology.
Click to DVD
Sony Corporation
With Click to DVD*you are only a single mouse click away from creating a Hollywood-style DVD masterpiece.
By simply connecting a Sony Digital Handycam to this Sony computer via an i.LINK cable, you can turn your
family memories into a DVD for all to share. Click to DVD will even guide you through a simple 4-step
procedure so you can create DVD menus packed with actively moving chapter icons.
With Click to DVD you can capture video from analogue video devices if your computer is equipped with
Giga Pocket version 5.5**. For more details, see the online help file of Click to DVD.
* Applicable for computers with a DVD-RW drive or DVD+/-RW drive.
** Giga Pocket TV Setup must be executed before capturing from an analogue video device with Click to DVD. Read the separate Giga
Pocket manual and the Giga Pocket online help files for details on how to use the TV Setup feature.

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DVgate Plus
Sony Corporation
DVgate Plus is a multi-purpose application for importing and playing video and digital movies on your VAIO
computer. Use it to capture video from external devices, perform simple editing operations, and output
video data that you can then record to videotape or save on your computer.
DVgate Plus is provided with two modes: Capture Mode and Output Mode. Select the Capture Mode to
capture video; and select the Output Mode to perform simple editing operations and output video data.
✍If your notebook has a mobile CPU (see the printed Specifications sheet to see if this is the case for your notebook), you may have problems
exporting images taken and edited with DVgate Plus, from your hard disk drive to your DV device. To avoid problems, do not unplug the AC adapter
when transferring images and keep the default power schemes in PowerPanel.
Giga Pocket
Sony Corporation
Giga Pocket* allows you to watch TV and record your favourite programs on your computer.
If applicable for your model: Please see the separate online Giga Pocket Guide for details on the software,
hardware and for details on using the supplied remote control.
* Only available on some desktops.
HotKey Utility
Sony Corporation
HotKey Utility* gives you quick access to various functions using the Fn key, eg. increasing the volume.
Please refer to the Combinations and functions with the <Fn> key chapter in the Hardware Guide for
more information.
* This function is on all notebooks and some desktops.

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ISP Selector
Sony Corporation
With the ISP Selector* you can easily install the Internet Service Provider you want to use. Just choose your
country and your language in the drop-down lists and the available providers appear. Click the Install
button next to the ISP and the installation begins.
✍Once you have selected your country, you can only set up ISPs for that country.
* Depending on your model.
Memory Stick Formatter
Sony Corporation
Memory Stick Formatter is a specific application for formatting Memory Sticks. Use this software whenever
you reformat Memory Sticks. Moreover, you may be able to reformat Memory Sticks that can not be
identified by Windows by using this software.
✍When you format Memory Sticks with this software, all data on the Memory Stick will be lost. If necessary, take a backup of your data before
formatting.
Do not format Memory Sticks with the Windows Format command.
Network Smart Capture
Sony Corporation
Network Smart Capture* is an application for capturing still and moving pictures using either a digital
camera or the Motion Eye camera built into some VAIO computers. This software allows you to view the
photos you capture and send them to various destinations. It includes a web camera feature which you can
set up to capture images at timed intervals, without you being in the room!
* Only available on notebooks with built-in camera.

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PictureGear Studio
Sony Corporation
PictureGear Studio is easy-to-use software that is designed to help you get the most enjoyment out of your
photographs taken with a digital camera. With the PictureGear Studio software, you can easily load photos
into your computer, create photo albums and make prints.
PowerPanel
Phoenix Technologies
The PowerPanel* utility controls the power management of your computer and provides key information
about system activity and battery life. Automatic power management selects the most appropriate profile,
depending on the application you are working with and the conditions of use.
If applicable for your model: See Managing power with PowerPanel in the Hardware Guide.
* Available on some notebooks.
SonicStage
Sony Corporation
SonicStage is a software application that uses OpenMG technology, a copyright protection technology
developed by Sony Corporation and designed to allow recording and playback of digital music data on a
personal computer. Once the data is encrypted and recorded onto the hard disk, OpenMG technology allows
it to be played back on the PC but prevents unauthorised distribution. The purpose of OpenMG technology
is to create an environment in which larger quantities of high-quality music can be distributed without
subsequent unauthorised distribution of the music files.
The SonicStage software encrypts and manages music files either downloaded to a personal computer by
using the EMD services or adopted (or created) from your own CD or the Internet.

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Sony Notebook Setup
Sony Corporation
Use Sony Notebook Setup* to consult system information, specify preferences for system behaviour, and set
up a power-on password for your Sony computer.
If applicable for your model: See Setting up your notebook with Sony Notebook Setup in the
Hardware Guide.
* Available on all notebooks.
UI Design Selector
Sony Corporation
You can change the window design of Giga Pocket with UI Design Selector*.
See Changing your windows design with the UI Design Selector program (page 25).
* Only available on desktops with Giga Pocket.
VAIO Action Setup
Sony Corporation
VAIO Action Setup* helps you manage application settings that control hardware events on your computer.
For instance, this software enables you to start your favourite software with the shortcut keys (S Keys). It
manages the settings for the Shortcut keys and more.
For more information, refer to the Hardware Guide.
* Available on some desktops.

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VAIO Edit Components
Sony Corporation
Designed as a plug-in for Adobe Premiere, VAIO Edit Components includes special features to support your
i.LINK-DV devices, so you can produce superior quality home movies even after editing. Now you can control
the DV device from your computer, import and edit the movie, and then export it back to the DV device.
VAIO Media
Sony Corporation
VAIO Media software brings multimedia to your network, enabling you to share music, video, and image
files between your VAIO computers. You can set up one or more VAIO computers as "media client", and
make them available to your VAIO computer as "media server", which store your multimedia files and make
them available to the other VAIO computers on your wired or wireless network.
VAIO Power Management
Sony Corporation
VAIO Power Management* controls the power management of your computer and provides key
information about system activity and battery life.
If applicable for your model: See Managing power with VAIO Power Management in the Hardware
Guide.
* Available on some notebooks.

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VAIO System Information
Sony Corporation
Thanks to VAIO System Information*, you can check the product information (model name, serial number,
BIOS version, OS version and OS serial number) and the system information (CPU, clock frequency, system
memory and cache memory) of your computer at all times.
* Available on all desktops.
VAIO Recovery and Documentation Disc
Sony Corporation
The VAIO Recovery and Documentation Disc allows you to reinstall the system and the software shipped
with your computer. When the bundled device drivers are corrupted or accidentally erased, you can find
them on your hard disk drive (C:\Drivers). Reinstalling an individual device driver may correct a problem you
are experiencing with your computer, without you having to recover the entire system. Moreover, on this
disc you find all the manuals you need. For more information on how to use the VAIO Recovery and
Documentation Disc please read the printed Guide to Troubleshooting and Using the VAIO Recovery
and Documentation Disc.
!You can only use the VAIO Recovery and Documentation Disc on the Sony computer you purchased, and not on any other Sony PC or other
manufacturer's PC.

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Operating system and other software
Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 1a
Microsoft Corporation
Built on the proven Windows 2000 operating system, Windows XP Professional delivers a reliable foundation
you can count on to keep your computer up and running when you need it most. Not only is the operating
system more reliable, it also offers features that make it much faster and easier to recover from system
problems.
From its fresh, new look to its more intuitive, task-based design, Windows XP Professional will make your
computing experience easier than it has ever been. With support for the latest security standards and
enhanced Firewall protection, Windows XP Professional also keeps your data secure and maintains your
privacy.
If applicable for your model: For questions and technical assistance, go online to:
http://support.microsoft.com/directory
Windows XP Home Edition with Service Pack 1a
Microsoft Corporation
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition allows you to enjoy a new level of reliability that helps your computer
stay up and running. If anything does go wrong, you can quickly roll back to the state your system was in
when all was well. The new, simpler visual design lets you use your computer the way you want. If you share
a computer with other users, you can each enjoy your own personal preferences because this Windows
operating system enables your computer to handle multiple activities at the same time. Windows XP Home
Edition automatically shields your computer from unauthorised access when you are on the Internet.
If applicable for your model: For questions and technical assistance, go online to:
http://support.microsoft.com/directory

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Internet Explorer 6.0
Microsoft Corporation
Internet Explorer is the Microsoft Internet browser allowing you to surf the World Wide Web. The Setup
Wizard configures your computer to connect automatically to your service provider. A full e-mail package
enables you to send and receive mail - including attached files - across the Internet. NetMeeting, Outlook
Express and Microsoft Chat are just some of the components bundled with Internet Explorer 6.0. Internet
Explorer 6.0 also includes 128-bit encryption, the highest possible level of protection for all your Internet
communications, including credit card use and financial transactions. A complete online tutorial helps new
users become comfortable using the Internet.
For questions and technical assistance, go online to:
http://support.microsoft.com/directory
Adobe Companion Pack for VAIO:
Adobe Companion Pack for VAIO is available on all notebooks and desktops and consists of:
❑Adobe Acrobat Elements 6.0 (page 13)
❑Adobe Reader 6.0 (page 14)
❑Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0 (page 15)
❑Adobe Photoshop Album Starter Edition (page 15)
❑Adobe Premiere (page 15)
Adobe Acrobat Elements 6.0
Adobe Systems Incorporated
With Adobe Acrobat Elements 6.0 you can easily create PDFs in 4 different ways:
❑Right-clicking the source file and select Convert to Adobe PDF.

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❑Clicking the Convert to Adobe PDF toolbar icon.
❑Launch Acrobat Elements, click Next, and create your PDF using your favourite settings.
❑Printing the file to the Adobe PDF printer.
For questions and technical assistance, go online to:
http://www.adobe.com
Adobe Reader 6.0
Adobe Systems Incorporated
Adobe Reader 6.0 is free software that lets you view and print Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) files
on a variety of hardware and operating system platforms. This new version of the familiar Adobe Acrobat
Reader provides a host of rich features that enable you to:
❑Submit Adobe PDF forms that are created with fillable form fields in such applications as Adobe Acrobat
6.0 Professional and Adobe Form Designer.
❑Play back a variety of embedded multimedia content.
❑Read and organize high-fidelity eBooks.
❑Activate search and accessibility capabilities built into your PDF files.
❑Display Adobe Photoshop Album slide shows and electronic cards and export images for online photo
processing (online photo services vary regionally).
For questions and technical assistance, go online to:
http://www.adobe.com

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Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0
Adobe Systems Incorporated
Adobe Photoshop Elements introduces the next generation of image editing with powerful new features
that offer something for every user. Delivering the broadest and most productive toolset available,
Photoshop Elements helps you explore your creativity, work at peak efficiency, and achieve the highest
quality results across all image media.
For questions and technical assistance, go online to:
http://www.adobe.com
Adobe Photoshop Album Starter Edition
Adobe Systems Incorporated
Adobe Photoshop Album software has everything you need to find, fix, share, and preserve your memories.
Instead of searching through endless folders, you can use a convenient calendar to find photos by date, or
revolutionary keyword tags to pinpoint the exact group of photos you want. Quickly fix red eye, lighting,
and other basic flaws. Have fun creating custom slide shows, cards, hard-bound photo books, and more.
Then share your creations with anyone, anywhere -even on mobile phones and handhelds- in just a few
clicks.
For questions and technical assistance, go online to:
http://www.adobe.com
Adobe Premiere
Adobe Systems Incorporated
Complementary with DVgate Motion, Adobe Premiere lets you capture, record, create and edit movies with
video, sound, animations, photographs, drawings, text and other material.
This stunningly simple and powerful professional video-editing tool comfortably closes the DV to Web gap.

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Different tools, including various effects and transitions, help you to prepare your images for editing on tape
or CD-ROM.
Adobe Premiere combines professional video editing capabilities and high quality output in a product that
is easy to use and versatile.
For questions and technical assistance, go online to:
http://www.adobe.com
Drag'n Drop CD+DVD
DigiOn / Easy Systems Japan
Drag'n Drop CD+DVD* is designed to be the most simple software to make your own DVDs or CDs. Users can
create their own audio CDs or DVDs that can be read in most PCs. You can also burn your own CDs with it.
The operation is simple: select the files that you want to write, and drag and drop them into an appropriate
box that corresponds to the CD or DVD format. After dropping them, simply click the arrow and the CD/DVD
is created.
For questions and technical assistance, go online to:
http://www.ddcd.jp/dd3e/sony/cd/
* Only available for notebooks and desktops with a DVD-RW drive or DVD+/-RW drive.
Microsoft Works
Microsoft Corporation
Microsoft Works gives you the basic tools you need for working on your PC. Use the various components for
your everyday emailing, accounting, organising and much more. The software includes an online Getting
Started guide.
For more information and support, visit the website:
http://www.works.msn.com

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MoodLogic
MoodLogic, Inc.
MoodLogic organises tracks according to tempo, genre, artist, year, song title and even by mood, like happy,
romantic or mellow mood. You can then produce playlists based on moods and music styles.
Furthermore:
❑you can pick a song and create an Instant Mix of similar songs,
❑automatically organize the music on your computer,
❑automatically ID3 tags,
❑click and transfer songs and Mixes to your MP3 player or a CD*,
❑tap into the MoodLogic database for the most comprehensive song data available.
For more information and support, go to the website:
http://www.moodlogic.com
* You need CD burning software.
Norton Internet Security 2004
Symantec
Symantec's Norton Internet Security 2004 provides essential protection from viruses, hackers, and privacy
threats. Included are full versions of:
❑Norton AntiVirus: Contains an expanded threat detection that alerts you to certain non-virus threats
such as spyware and keystroke logging programs. It also automatically removes viruses, worms and
Trojan horses. It scans and cleans instant message attachments, incoming and outgoing e-mail messages,
and other files.

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❑Norton Personal Firewall: a Web assistant lets you block ads and access other program options from
Microsoft Internet Explorer. Furthermore, it also hides your PC on the Internet so that hackers cannot see
it.
!When enabling the firewall, Norton asks you some questions. Please allow/permit all VAIO applications related messages.
❑Norton AntiSpam: filters unwanted e-mail messages in any POP3-compliant e-mail program by adding
a ’spam’ tag in the Subject field.
❑Norton Parental Control: prevents confidential information from being sent out without your
knowledge in e-mail, instant messages, Microsoft Office attachments, and web forms.
This software package includes a 90-day free subscription to virus definition updates.
For more information, see the online help files and the website at:
http://www.symantec.com/techsupp
Norton Password Manager
Symantec
Norton Password Manager* keeps your passwords secure and easy to manage.
Features:
❑Remembers your passwords,
❑Creates accounts for multiple users,
❑Automatically fills in online forms.
This software is a trialware, meaning you can use it fully for 30 days.
For more information, see the online help files and the website at:
http://www.symantec.com/techsupp
* Only available on Windows XP Professional models.

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Sun Java Virtual Machine (VM)
Sun Microsystems, Inc.
The Java Virtual Machine (VM) is only one aspect of Java software, that is involved in web interaction.
The Java VM is built right into your Java software download, and helps the Sun Java Plug-in for Java
applications. The Java Plug-in Control Panel enables applets written to the Java 2 platform 1.4
specification to run in Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer web browsers.
For more information, see the online help files and the website at:
http://www.sun.com/index.xml
WinDVD for VAIO
InterVideo, Inc.
InterVideo Inc.'s WinDVD for VAIO is a simple-to-use DVD player. WinDVD for VAIO combines all the
features you would expect to find on a standard consumer DVD player, in addition to some very advanced
functionalities, full precision video decoding, a choice of user interfaces and video display options. You can
play DVD movies, interactive DVD titles, MPEG video content, video and audio CDs. WinDVD for VAIO
automatically determines the type of disc in the DVD drive and uses the correct playback method.
For questions and technical assistance, go online to:
http://www.intervideo.com