Sony VGN-AR51E Guide

Documentation
The following documents are included with your Sony VAIO®computer.
❑User Guide
Explains features of your computer. It also includes information about
the software programs included with your computer, as well as
information on solving common problems. User Guide is provided in
the PDF format, which you can easily browse through and print out.
To view the on-screen guide:
1Double-click the VAIO User Guide icon on the desktop.
2Open the folder for your language.
3Select the guide you want to read.
❑Specifications
The online Specifications describe the hardware and software
configurations of your VAIO computer.
To view the online Specifications:
1Connect to the Internet.
2Go to the Sony online support Web site at
http://www.vaio-link.com.
It is strongly recommended to create recovery discs immediately after
your computer is ready for use because there are no recovery discs
provided with the computer.
For instructions on how to create the recovery discs, see “Creating your
own recovery discs” on page 16.
Important
Printed Documentation
❑Quick Start Guide
Describes the process from unpacking to starting up your VAIO.
❑Troubleshooting and Recovery Guide (this booklet)
Contains solutions to common problems and computer malfunctions,
an explanation of how to make a backup copy of your data and
recover your computer system, and sources of support information.
❑Regulations, Warranty, EULA and Service Support
Contains Sony GUARANTEE conditions, Safety / Regulations,
Modem Regulations, Wireless LAN Regulations,
Wireless WAN Regulations, Bluetooth Regulations,
End User Software License Agreement, and
Sony Support services information.
Non-Printed Documentation

3
Contents
Documentation ....................................................................2
Printed Documentation .......................................................................... 2
Non-Printed Documentation .................................................................. 2
Important ............................................................................................... 2
Introduction to this guide .....................................................5
Troubleshooting...................................................................8
Computer............................................................................................... 8
What should I do if my computer does not start?............................ 8
What should I do if a BIOS error appears
when I turn on my computer? .................................................. 9
What should I do if the power indicator (Green) lights
but my screen stays blank? ................................................... 10
What should I do if my computer or software
stops responding? ................................................................. 10
What should I do if the battery indicator is flashing
and my computer does not start? .......................................... 10
What should I do if a message window, notifying of
incompatibility or improper installation of the battery pack,
appears and my computer enters Hibernate mode? ............. 11
What should I do if Windows does not start,
showing a message, when I start my computer? .................. 11
What should I do if I cannot remember the BIOS password? ....... 11
System Security................................................................................... 12
How can I protect my computer against security threats,
such as viruses?.................................................................... 12
How do I keep my antivirus software updated? ............................ 12
Troubleshooting

4
Before using your computer.............................................. 14
Creating your own recovery discs........................................................16
To create recovery discs ...............................................................17
Backing up and restoring your data using
Backup and Restore Center ......................................................... 18
To back up your data..................................................................... 18
To create a restore point ............................................................... 23
Backing up and restoring your data with the VAIO software................ 26
To back up your data with Rescue Data........................................26
To restore your data with VAIO Data Restore Tool .......................28
Restoring the preinstalled software or software drivers ....................... 29
To use Reinstall Programs or Drivers............................................ 29
Finding out what to do in case of computer malfunctions ...... 30
If your computer does not work properly..............................................30
If Windows starts ........................................................................... 31
If Windows does not start .............................................................. 32
Recovering your VAIO system.......................................... 33
Before starting the recovery process ................................................... 33
Recovering your VAIO system when you can start Windows .............. 35
To restore the C drive.................................................................... 35
To restore your entire computer system........................................ 36
Recovering your VAIO system when you cannot start Windows ......... 37
Changing the partition sizes ............................................. 38
About hard disk partitioning ................................................................. 38
Creating a hard disk partition ...............................................................38
To create a partition with the Windows feature ............................. 39
To create a partition with recovery discs ....................................... 39
Erasing everything on your hard disk ............................... 40
Erasing all of your data on your hard disk with
Wipe and Erase Data ................................................................... 40
Recovering your VAIO system

Introduction to this guide
5
Introduction to this guide
This guide covers the following important areas:
❑If you have any problems with your VAIO®computer, solutions are
offered in this booklet in the form of a troubleshooting guide. See
“Troubleshooting” on page 8.
There are more troubleshooting topics on the Sony online support
Web site. Go to http://www.vaio-link.com.
Always read these sections before contacting VAIO-Link or your local
Sony dealer directly.
You can also search for more information by using Windows Help and
Support. Windows Help and Support is a comprehensive resource for
practical advice, tutorials, and demonstrations to help you learn to use
your computer. Use the Search feature, Index, or table of contents to
view all Windows Help resources, including those that are on the
Internet.
To access Windows Help and Support, click Start and Help and
Support. Or go to Windows Help and Support by pressing and holding
the Microsoft Windows key and pressing the F1 key.
❑An important part of using your computer is being able to perform a
recovery of the system and applications. This booklet explains everything
you need to know about recovering your system. It is very important that
you read this section before using your computer, and always before
attempting to make a recovery of any kind. See “Before using your
computer” on page 14.

Troubleshooting

8
Troubleshooting
Computer
What should I do if my computer does not start?
❑Make sure your computer is securely plugged into a power source and
turned on. Make sure the power indicator shows the power is on.
❑Make sure the battery pack is installed properly and charged.
❑Make sure the floppy disk drive (if applicable) is empty.
❑If your computer is plugged into a power strip or an uninterruptible power
supply (UPS), make sure the power strip or UPS is plugged into a power
source and turned on.
❑If you are using an external display, make sure it is plugged into a power
source and turned on. Make sure the brightness and contrast controls
are adjusted correctly. See the manual that came with your display for
more information.
❑ Disconnect the AC adapter and remove the battery pack. Wait three to five
minutes. Reinstall the battery pack, reconnect the AC adapter, and then
press the power button to turn on your computer.
❑Condensation may cause your computer to malfunction. If this occurs, do
not use the computer for at least one hour.
❑Remove any extra memory modules you may have installed since
purchase.
❑Check that you are using the supplied Sony AC adapter. For your safety,
use only the genuine Sony rechargeable battery pack and AC adapter,
which are supplied by Sony for your VAIO computer.

Troubleshooting
9
What should I do if a BIOS error appears when I turn
on my computer?
On all models except VGC-RM series models, if the message “Press <F1>
to resume, <F2> to setup” appears at the bottom of the screen, follow these
steps:
1Press the F2 key.
The BIOS setup screen appears. If not, restart the computer and press
the F2 key several times when the VAIO logo appears.
2Set the date (month/day/year). Press the Enter key.
3Press the m key to select System Time, and then set the time (hour:
minute: second). Press the Enter key.
4Press the , key to select the Exit tab, and then press the F9 key.
At the confirmation prompt, press the Enter key.
5Select Exit Setup, and press the Enter key.
At the confirmation prompt, press the Enter key.
Your computer restarts.
If this occurs frequently, contact VAIO-Link.
On VGC-RM series models, if the message “Press <F1> to resume, <F2> to
setup” appears at the bottom of the screen, follow these steps:
1Press the F2 key.
The BIOS setup screen appears. If not, restart the computer and press
the F2 key several times when the VAIO logo appears.
2Set the date (month/day/year) with the Tab key and +/- keys.
3Press the mkey to select System Time, and then set the time (hour:
minute: second) with the Tab key and +/- keys.
4Press the ,key to select the Exit tab, and then select Load Optimal
Defaults and press the Enter key.
At the confirmation prompt, press the Ykey.
5Select Exit Saving Changes and press the Enter key.
At the confirmation prompt, press the Ykey.
Your computer restarts.
If this occurs frequently, contact VAIO-Link.

10
What should I do if the power indicator (Green)
lights but my screen stays blank?
Follow these steps:
1Press and hold the power button for more than four seconds to check that
the power indicator goes out. Then turn on your computer again.
2If your computer screen still stays blank, unplug the AC adapter, remove
the battery pack, and leave the computer for about a minute. Then
reinstall the battery pack, plug in the AC adapter, and turn on the
computer again.
What should I do if my computer or software stops
responding?
❑If your computer stops responding while a software application is
running, press the Alt+F4 keys to close the application window.
❑If the Alt+F4 keys do not work, click Start, the arrow next to the Lock
button, and Shut Down to turn off your computer.
❑If your computer does not turn off, press the Ctrl+Alt+Delete keys and
click the arrow next to the Shut down button and Shut Down.
If the Windows Security window appears, click Shut Down.
Turning off your computer with the Ctrl+Alt+Delete keys or the power button may
cause loss of unsaved data.
❑If your computer still does not turn off, press and hold the power button
until the computer turns off.
❑Remove the AC adapter and battery pack.
❑Try reinstalling the software.
❑Contact the software publisher or designated provider for technical
support.
What should I do if the battery indicator is flashing
and my computer does not start?
❑This symptom could be due to the battery pack not being installed
properly. To resolve this symptom, turn off your computer and remove the
battery pack. Then install the battery pack to the computer again. For
details, see the on-screen User Guide.
❑If the symptom persists after performing the above, it means the installed
battery pack is not compatible. Remove the battery pack and contact
VAIO-Link.