Sony VAIO PCG-NV290 User manual

1
Welcome.......................................................7
Powering Your Computer ...........................9
Using AC Power........................................................10
Connecting the AC adapter................................................10
Turning on the computer....................................................11
Using the Battery.......................................................13
Inserting a battery ..............................................................13
Removing a battery............................................................14
Displaying battery information..........................................15
Charging a battery..............................................................17
Notes on batteries...............................................................19
Frequently asked questions................................................19
Conserving Battery Power ........................................20
Using power saving modes ................................................20
Using PowerPanel utility ...................................................21
Frequently asked questions................................................25
Internet and Network Connections..........27
Internet Connections .................................................28
Setting up a dial-up Internet connection ............................28
Setting up an Ethernet Internet connection........................30
Customizing your Internet connection...............................32
Frequently asked questions................................................33
Network Connections................................................34
Using Ethernet and dial-up connections ............................34
Using wireless LAN connections ......................................37
Checking your network connection status .........................43
Frequently asked questions................................................43

VAIO Computer Quick Start
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Connecting Another VAIO Computer ...................... 46
Connecting VAIO computers............................................ 46
Disconnecting VAIO computers....................................... 48
Frequently asked questions ............................................... 48
CDs and DVDs ...........................................51
Inserting and Ejecting CDs or DVDs ....................... 52
Copying and Playing CDs......................................... 54
Playing CDs ...................................................................... 54
Copying files to a CD-RW or CD-R................................. 55
Frequently asked questions ............................................... 56
Copying and Playing DVDs ..................................... 61
Playing DVDs ................................................................... 61
Disconnecting the TV from the computer......................... 64
Copying files to a DVD-R or DVD-RW........................... 65
Frequently asked questions ............................................... 65
Printer Connections..................................71
Printing With Your Computer .................................. 72
Connecting a printer.......................................................... 72
Disconnecting a printer ..................................................... 74
Frequently asked questions ............................................... 74
Computer Features ...................................77
Using the Keyboard .................................................. 78
Key locations and descriptions ......................................... 78
Combinations and functions with the Windows key ........ 80
Indicators........................................................................... 81
Combinations and functions with the Fn key.................... 82

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Using the Touch Pad .................................................84
Describing the touch pad ...................................................84
Customizing the touch pad ................................................85
Frequently asked questions................................................86
Using the Jog Dial Control........................................88
Locating the Jog Dial control.............................................88
Using the Jog Dial Navigator icon.....................................89
Using the Jog Dial Bar.......................................................89
Using Jog Dial Launcher ...................................................90
Using Application and Scroll modes .................................92
Changing Jog Dial Navigator settings ...............................94
Using Memory Stick Media.....................................96
Selecting Memory Stick media..........................................96
Inserting Memory Stick media ..........................................97
Viewing the contents .........................................................98
Write-protecting Memory Stick media..............................98
Formatting Memory Stick media.......................................99
Removing Memory Stick media........................................99
Frequently asked questions..............................................100
Using the Multipurpose Bay ...................................102
Installing a device ............................................................102
Removing a device...........................................................103
Notes on using a device in the multipurpose bay ............104
Using the Multilingual User Interface Language
Option......................................................................105
Changing Numbers, Currency, Time, and Date Formats 106
Changing the Window Design of Sony Programs ..107

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Connecting Mice and Keyboards ..........109
Using External Mice and Keyboards ...................... 110
Connecting a mouse or keyboard.................................... 110
Disconnecting a mouse or keyboard ............................... 111
Frequently asked questions ............................................. 111
Floppy Disk Drives and PC Cards .........113
Using Floppy Disk Drives ......................................114
Inserting and removing floppy disks............................... 114
Notes on handling floppy disks....................................... 115
Frequently asked questions ............................................. 115
Using PC Cards....................................................... 116
Inserting PC Cards .......................................................... 116
Removing PC Cards........................................................ 117
Connecting and disconnecting PC Card drives............... 118
Frequently asked questions ............................................. 120
Audio and Video Connections ...............121
Using i.LINK Digital-Video Recorders..................122
Connecting an i.LINK digital video recorder ................. 122
Disconnecting the i.LINK digital video recorder............ 123
Using a digital video camera recorder ............................ 123
Notes on connecting an i.LINK device........................... 124
Frequently asked questions ............................................. 124
Using Computer Monitors and Projectors .............. 125
Connecting a computer monitor...................................... 125
Connecting a multimedia computer monitor .................. 126
Connecting a projector .................................................... 127
Selecting a display mode................................................. 128
Disconnecting a computer monitor or projector ............. 131

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Using Speakers........................................................132
Connecting speakers ........................................................132
Disconnecting external speakers......................................133
Notes on using the speakers.............................................133
Adjusting the volume.......................................................133
To adjust the volume using the volume dial control........135
Enabling the audio feature ...............................................135
Frequently asked questions..............................................135
Using Microphones .................................................139
Connecting a microphone ................................................139
Disconnecting a microphone ...........................................139
Using a microphone or other device to record.................140
Frequently asked questions..............................................141
Preinstalled Programs ............................143
Software Programs On Your Computer ..................144
Program overview............................................................144
Frequently asked questions..............................................150
DVgate Program Notes ...........................................152
Recording images to a digital video device .....................152
Adjusting image resolution..............................................152
Saving to your hard disk drive.........................................152
Program Support Information .................................154
Sony Service Center.........................................................156
Memory Upgrades ...................................157
Upgrading Your Computer’s Memory....................158
Precautions and procedures .............................................158
Typical expansion memory configuration .......................159
Removing and installing memory modules .....................159
Confirming added memory capacity................................161

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Using the Recovery CDs ........................163
Application and System Recovery CDs..................164
Using Your Recovery CDs ..................................... 164
Using the Application Recovery CD(s) .......................... 164
Using the System Recovery CD(s) ................................. 166
Troubleshooting and Support................169
Troubleshooting Your Computer............................ 170
Troubleshooting Batteries....................................... 174
Troubleshooting the Printer ....................................175
Troubleshooting the Mouse and Touch Pad ........... 177
Troubleshooting the Modem................................... 179
Troubleshooting Networks ..................................... 180
Troubleshooting DVDs and CDs............................ 183
Troubleshooting i.LINK Drives.............................. 187
Troubleshooting Floppy Disk Drives ..................... 188
Troubleshooting PC Cards......................................189
Troubleshooting Audio-Video Connections........... 190
Troubleshooting the computer screen (LCD) ......... 193
Troubleshooting Memory Stick Media................... 195
Troubleshooting Programs...................................... 197
Computer Support Information...............................198

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 the Battery
❑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 the power source. While
the computer uses AC power, it automatically charges the battery if it is inserted.
See “Using the Battery” for more information on installing and using your
battery.
❑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.
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)