Sony VGN-AR78E User manual

Documentation
The following documents are included with your Sony VAIO®computer.
Non-Printed Documentation
Important
❑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.
Be sure 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.
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, Guarantee, 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.

3
Contents
Documentation ....................................................................2
Printed Documentation.......................................................................... 2
Non-Printed Documentation .................................................................. 2
Important ............................................................................................... 2
Introduction to this guide .....................................................5
Troubleshooting
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 remains blank?................................................. 9
What should I do if my computer or software
stops responding? ................................................................. 10
What should I do if the battery indicator or charge indicator is
blinking 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

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Recovering your VAIO system
Before using your computer.............................................. 14
Creating your own recovery discs........................................................ 16
To create recovery discs ............................................................... 16
Backing up and restoring your data using
Backup and Restore Center .........................................................17
To back up your data..................................................................... 17
To create a restore point ............................................................... 21
Backing up and restoring your data with the VAIO software................22
To back up your data with Rescue Data........................................22
To restore your data with VAIO Data Restore Tool ....................... 24
Restoring the preinstalled software or software drivers .......................25
To use Reinstall Programs or Drivers............................................ 25
Finding out what to do in case of computer malfunctions ...... 26
If your computer does not work properly.............................................. 26
If Windows starts ........................................................................... 27
If Windows does not start .............................................................. 28
Recovering your VAIO system.......................................... 29
Before starting the recovery process ...................................................29
Recovering your VAIO system when you can start Windows ..............31
To restore the C drive....................................................................31
To restore your entire computer system........................................31
Recovering your VAIO system when you cannot start Windows ......... 32
To recover your computer system using recovery discs ...............32
To recover your computer system from recovery partition ............ 32
Changing the partition sizes ............................................. 33
About hard disk partitioning ................................................................. 33
Creating a hard disk partition ............................................................... 33
To create a partition with the Windows feature ............................. 34
To create a partition in the recovery process ................................34
Erasing everything on your hard disk ............................... 35
Erasing all of your data on your hard disk with
Wipe and Erase Data ................................................................... 35

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?
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.
What should I do if the power indicator (Green)
lights but my screen remains blank?
❑Press the Alt+F4 keys several times to close the application window. An
application error may have been occurred.
❑Press the Ctrl+Alt+Delete keys and click the arrow next to the Shut
down button and Restart.
❑Press and hold the power button for more than four seconds to shut down
your computer. Unplug the AC adapter and leave the computer for about
five minutes. Then, plug in the AC adapter and turn on the computer
again.
Turning off your computer with the power button or the Ctrl+Alt+Delete keys may
cause loss of unsaved data.

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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 or charge
indicator is blinking and my computer does not
start?
❑This issue could be due to the battery pack not being installed properly.
To resolve this issue, 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 issue persists after performing the above, it means the installed
battery pack is not compatible. Remove the battery pack and contact
VAIO-Link.

Troubleshooting
11
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?
❑This issue could be due to the battery pack not being installed properly.
To resolve this issue, 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 issue persists after performing the above, it means the installed
battery pack is not compatible. Remove the battery pack and contact
VAIO-Link.
What should I do if Windows does not start, showing
a message, when I start my computer?
If you enter a wrong power-on password three times consecutively, the Enter
Onetime Password message appears and Windows will not start. Press and
hold the power button for more than four seconds to check that the power
indicator goes off. Wait for 10 or 15 seconds, then restart your computer and
enter the correct password. When entering the password, check that the
Num lock indicator and Caps lock indicator are off. If any are lit, press the
Num Lk (or Num Lock) key or the Caps Lock key to turn off the indicator
before entering the password.
What should I do if I cannot remember the BIOS
password?
If you have forgotten the BIOS password, contact VAIO-Link to reset it.
A reset fee will be charged.

12
System Security
How can I protect my computer against security
threats, such as viruses?
The Microsoft Windows operating system is preinstalled on your computer.
The best way to protect your computer against security threats, such as
viruses, is to download and install the latest Windows updates regularly.
You can get important Windows updates by doing the following:
Your computer must be connected to the Internet before you can receive updates.
1Connect to the Internet.
2Double-click the Windows Security Alerts icon on the taskbar.
3Follow the on-screen instructions to set up automatic or scheduled
updates.
How do I keep my antivirus software updated?
You can keep the McAfee Internet Security Suite software program current
with the latest updates from McAfee, Inc.
To download and install the latest security updates, follow these steps:
1Click Start, All Programs, McAfee, and McAfee SecurityCenter.
2Click the button located at the upper left corner of the window to update
the software.
3Follow the on-screen instructions to download updates.
See the help file on your software program for more information.

Recovering your VAIO system

14
Before using your computer
This booklet explains how to resolve problems, make a backup copy of your
data, and recover your Sony VAIO®computer system with the following
VAIO software and Windows features in case of computer malfunctions.
❑VAIO Recovery Center
Contains the following VAIO software, tools, and Windows features:
❑Rescue Data
Enables you to make a backup copy of your data stored on your hard
disk.
❑Wipe and Erase Data
Enables you to erase all the data on your hard disk.
❑VAIO Hardware Diagnostics
Enables you to check your computer hardware (a CPU, memory
module, hard disk, etc.).
❑Reinstall Programs or Drivers
Enables you to restore the preinstalled software or software drivers
to the original factory condition.
❑Restore C: Drive
Enables you to restore the C drive on your computer to the original
factory condition.
❑Restore Complete System
Enables you to restore your entire computer system to the original
factory condition.
❑Create Recovery Discs
Enables you to create your own recovery discs to recover your
computer system.
❑Backup and Restore Center
Windows backup feature that enables you to use the backup related
capabilities.
❑VAIO Data Restore Tool
Enables you to restore the backup copies made with the Rescue Data
software.
To launch VAIO Recovery Center when Windows starts
1Click Start, All Programs, VAIO Recovery Center, and VAIO
Recovery Center.
2Click Continue in the User Account Control window.
If you are currently logged onto your computer as a standard user,
enter an administrator name and password and click Continue.

Before using your computer
15
Important Information
In case of virus attacks, computer malfunctions, or accidental erasure,
prepare the following in advance:
1Recovery discs
Be sure 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.
2Backup copy of your data
Recovering your computer system will delete all the data previously
stored on a hard disk. Be sure to make a backup copy of your data before
recovering the computer system. For instructions on how to make a
backup copy of the data, see “Backing up and restoring your data using
Backup and Restore Center” on page 17.

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Creating your own recovery discs
Recovery discs enable you to recover your computer system to its original
state. You can create the recovery discs with VAIO Recovery Center.
Recover the computer system in the following cases:
❑Your computer has been infected with a computer virus.
❑Your computer has been unstable.
❑Your computer system is experiencing problems which cannot be solved
through troubleshooting.
❑You have formatted the C drive on your computer by mistake.
Depending on your computer state, you may need recovery discs to recover
your computer system.
You may not be able to recover your computer system from the recovery partition in the
following cases due to modifications of the recovery partition.
❑You have used software to modify the recovery partition.
❑You have installed an operating system different from the preinstalled operating
system on your computer.
❑You have formatted your hard disk without using VAIO Recovery Center.
In these cases, recover your computer system with the recovery discs. If you have not yet
created them, you need to purchase them or repair the computer at your expense.
To create recovery discs
When your computer is ready for use, follow these steps to create recovery
discs.
1Make sure you have blank discs ready beforehand.
You can confirm the number of necessary discs and types of media you can use for
recovery disc creation in the Choose your media window.
Note that you cannot use Blu-ray Disc™ media, DVD-RAM, CD-R, or CD-RW discs as
recovery discs. To find out which types of media your optical disc drive supports, see the
on-screen User Guide.
2Launch VAIO Recovery Center (see page 14).
3Click Create Recovery Discs and Start.
4Follow the on-screen instructions.
If there is not enough free space on the hard disk drive, you cannot create recovery discs.
Do not press the drive eject button while creating a recovery disc, as doing so may result
in a failure of the process.

Before using your computer
17
Backing up and restoring your data using
Backup and Restore Center
You can make a backup copy of your data, restore the data, and create a
restore point using Backup and Restore Center.
To back up your data
Making a backup copy of your data is extremely important. If you do not make
the backup copy, you will lose various data stored on your hard disk, such as
documents or pictures, due to unexpected events or computer viruses. It is
strongly recommended to make the backup copy on a daily basis.
There are three options to make a backup copy of your data.
❑Use the Back Up Files wizard.
You can make a backup copy of your data to a CD, DVD or removal
media, such as an external hard disk. For instructions on how to use this
wizard, see “To make a backup copy of your file with the Back Up Files
wizard” on page 18.
❑Use the Windows Complete PC Backup and Restore feature
(available on models with Windows Vista Ultimate or
Windows Vista Business only).
You can make a backup copy of everything on your computer including
the programs, system settings, and files on the computer. You can
restore your computer system to the state when you made the backup
copy. For instructions on how to use this feature, see “To make a backup
copy of your file with the Windows Complete PC Backup and Restore
feature” on page 19.
❑Create a restore point.
Your computer may become unstable or slow after installing new
software or changing the Windows settings. In such cases, you can use
a restore point to restore your computer system to a previous state. For
instructions on how to create a restore point, see “To create a restore
point” on page 21.
If an optical disc drive is not installed on your computer, you need an external hard disk
drive or optical disc drive to make a backup copy of your data or need to create a new
partition by changing the size of the C drive. For instructions on how to create a hard disk
partition, see “Creating a hard disk partition” on page 33.

18
Be sure to create recovery discs immediately after your computer is ready for use. In case
you cannot make a backup copy of your data due to computer malfunctions, you can use
the recovery discs to make the backup copy. For instructions on how to create the recovery
discs, see “To create recovery discs” on page 16.
On models with an analog TV tuner, you may not back up the Recorded TV folder where the
video contents recorded by Windows Media Center are saved, using Backup and Restore
Center. Back up the Recorded TV folder separately.
If you have changed the destination drive, back up the Recorded TV folder directly under
the destination drive you have selected.
See the online specifications to see whether your model is equipped with an analog TV
tuner.
You can also make a backup copy of your data with the Rescue Data software. For
instructions on how to make a backup copy of your data, see “To back up your data with
Rescue Data” on page 22.
To make a backup copy of your file with the Back Up Files
wizard
1Launch VAIO Recovery Center (see page 14).
2Select Windows Backup and Restore and click Start.
3Click Back up files.
4Click Continue in the User Account Control window.
If you are currently logged onto your computer as a standard user, enter
an administrator name and password and click Continue.
5Follow the on-screen instructions.
To restore your data from the backup copy made with the
Back Up Files wizard
1Launch VAIO Recovery Center (see page 14).
2Select Windows Backup and Restore and click Start.
3Click Restore files.
4Follow the on-screen instructions.
On models with an analog TV tuner, restore the backup data of the Recorded TV folder
where the video contents recorded by Windows Media Center are saved to C:\Users\Public
manually. See the online specifications to see whether your model is equipped with an
analog TV tuner.

Before using your computer
19
To make a backup copy of your file with the
Windows Complete PC Backup and Restore feature
1Launch VAIO Recovery Center (see page 14).
2Select Windows Backup and Restore and click Start.
3Click Back up computer.
4Click Continue in the User Account Control window.
If you are currently logged onto your computer as a standard user, enter
an administrator name and password and click Continue.
5Follow the on-screen instructions.
You cannot select which files to restore when restoring the files from the backup copy you
made with the Windows Complete PC Backup and Restore feature.
The files which you have changed or created after the backup cannot be restored.

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To restore your data from the backup copy made with the
Windows Complete PC Backup and Restore feature
Your computer may not work properly after the restore process because restoring your data
changes system files. Be sure to make a backup copy of your data before restoring the data.
1Insert a recovery disc to the drive while the computer is on, turn off your
computer, and turn on the computer again.
The System Recovery Options window appears.
You can also display the System Recovery Options window without using recovery discs.
To display the window, follow these steps:
1Turn on your computer.
2Press the F8 key when the VAIO logo appears.
3Make sure the option to restore the computer, which is listed on the top of the boot
option window, is selected, then press the Enter key.
4Select a keyboard layout and click Next.
5Select a user name and enter the password.
Skip the following steps 2 to 3.
2Select a keyboard layout and click Next.
3Select an operating system and click Next.
4If you have saved a backup copy of your data to an external hard disk
drive or discs with an external optical disk drive, connect the external
device to your computer.
5Select Windows Complete PC Restore.
If you have saved the backup copy to CD or DVD discs, insert a disc to
the (external) optical disk drive.
6Follow the on-screen instructions.
On models with an analog TV tuner, restore the backup data of the Recorded TV folder
where the video contents recorded by Windows Media Center are saved to C:\Users\Public
manually. See the online specifications to see whether your model is equipped with an
analog TV tuner.