Sony VAIO PCG-V505BX 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 the Battery
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 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
Turning on the computer
Page 3

Connecting the AC adapter
To connect the AC adapter
1. Plug the AC adapter cable into the DC IN port.
Connecting the AC Adapter to the Computer
2. Plug the power cord into the AC adapter and an AC outlet.
Use only the supplied AC adapter with your computer.
Page 4

Turning on the computer
To turn on the computer
1. Lift the lid of the computer by sliding the front switch to the right and lifting the lid. You may need to hold the
bottom of the computer firmly to lift the lid.
Opening the Computer
2. Slide the power switch to the right until the power indicator turns on.
Turning on the Computer
If you slide and hold the power switch, the computer turns off.
3. If the computer screen is too dark or too bright, follow these steps to adjust the brightness:
To increase brightness, press the Fn and F5 keys, and then press the Up Arrow or the Right Arrow
key.
To decrease brightness, press the Fn and F5 keys, and then press the Down Arrow or the Left
Arrow key.
Page 5

Using the Battery
Your computer, depending on the model you purchased, may come equipped with one battery bay and one multipurpose
bay that supports a second battery. If your computer comes with two bays, you can purchase a second rechargeable
battery to extend your computing time. For information on how to extend the life of the battery, see Conserving Battery
Power for more information.
Inserting a battery
Removing a battery
Locating battery information
Charging a battery
Notes on batteries
Frequently asked questions
When operating your computer on battery power, your computer's CPU speed is reduced.
The battery that comes with your computer is not fully charged at the time of purchase.
The brightness of your computer screen automatically dims when you switch from AC power to battery power. To
increase the brightness, press the Fn and F5 keys, and then press the Up Arrow or Right Arrow key.
Page 6

Inserting a battery
To insert a battery
1. Turn the computer over, and slide the LOCK/UNLOCK switch on the bottom of the computer to the UNLOCK
position.
2. Align the grooves on the battery with the tabs on the back of the computer.
Inserting a Battery
3. Slide the battery into the computer until it clicks into place.
4. Slide the LOCK/UNLOCK switch into the LOCK position.
If a 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.
Some programs and peripheral devices prevent the system from automatically entering Hibernate mode. If you are using
battery power, save your data frequently to avoid data loss and manually activate a power saving mode. 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. Turn the computer over, and slide the LOCK/UNLOCK switch on the bottom of the computer to the UNLOCK
position.
2. Push and hold the RELEASE switch.
3. While holding the RELEASE switch, slide the battery away from the computer.
Remov ing a Battery
Page 8

Locating battery information
You can display information for the battery installed in your computer.
To view 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 can view 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 below 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 9

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 long
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.
The battery supplied with your computer is not charged at the time of purchase.
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 on the Welcome page for the
approximate time needed to charge your battery.
Charge the battery at temperatures between 50°F and 80°F (10°C to 30°C). Lower temperatures require more time
to charge.
1. Insert the battery into the battery bay.
2. Connect 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 while the battery charges. The battery indicator stops blinking when the battery is fully
charged.
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 charged.
Battery Indicators
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.
Page 10