00title.fm5 Page i Wednesday, September 22, 1999 9:45 AM

®

VAIO Notebook Computer

User Guide

PCG-XG9

®

Notice to Users

© 1999 Sony Electronics Inc. All rights reserved. This manual and the software described herein, in whole or in part, may not be reproduced, translated, or reduced to any machine-readable form without prior written approval.

SONY ELECTRONICS INC. PROVIDES

NO WARRANTY WITH REGARD TO

THIS MANUAL, THE SOFTWARE, OR

OTHER INFORMATION CONTAINED

HEREIN AND HEREBY EXPRESSLY

DISCLAIMS ANY IMPLIED

WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY

OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR

PURPOSE WITH REGARD TO THIS

MANUAL, THE SOFTWARE, OR SUCH

OTHER INFORMATION. IN NO EVENT

SHALL SONY ELECTRONICS INC. BE

LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL,

CONSEQUENTIAL, OR SPECIAL

DAMAGES, WHETHER BASED ON

TORT, CONTRACT, OR OTHERWISE,

ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION

WITH THIS MANUAL, THE SOFTWARE,

OR OTHER INFORMATION

CONTAINED HEREIN OR THE USE

THEREOF.

Sony Electronics Inc. reserves the right to make any modification to this manual or the information contained herein at any time without notice. The software described herein is governed by the terms of a separate user license agreement.

This product contains software owned by

Sony and licensed by third parties. Use of such software is subject to the terms and conditions of license agreements enclosed with this product. Some of the software may not be transported or used outside the

United States. 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.

As an E NERGY S TAR

Partner, Sony Corporation has determined that this product meets the E NERGY

S TAR guidelines for energy efficiency.

The International E NERGY S TAR Office

Equipment Program is an international program that promotes energy saving through the use of computers and other 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.

E NERGY S TAR is a U.S. registered mark.

This product incorporates copyright protection technology that is protected by method claims of certain U.S. patents and other intellectual property rights owned by

Macrovision Corporation and other rights owners. Use of this copyright protection technology must be authorized by

Macrovision Corporation, and is intended for home and other limited viewing uses only unless otherwise authorized by

Macrovision Corporation. Reverse engineering or disassembly is prohibited.

Sony, i.LINK, VAIO, Media Bar, DVgate,

PictureGear, Memory Stick and the VAIO logo are trademarks of Sony Corporation.

Windows, Windows NT, and the

Windows 98 logo are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Intel,

MMX, and Pentium are trademarks of Intel

Corporation.

All other trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners.

Safety Information

Owner’s Record

The model number and serial number are located on the bottom of your Sony VAIO

Notebook Computer. Record the serial number in the space provided here. Refer to the model and serial number when you call your Sony Service Center.

Model Number: PCG-XG9

Serial Number:________________________

WARNING

❏ To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose your notebook computer to rain or moisture.

❏ To avoid electrical shock, do not open the cabinet. Refer servicing to qualified personnel only.

❏ Never install modem or telephone wiring during a lightning storm.

❏ Never install telephone jacks in wet locations unless the jack is specifically designed for wet locations.

❏ Never touch uninsulated telephone wire or terminals unless the telephone line has been disconnected at the network interface.

❏ Use caution when installing or modifying telephone lines.

❏

Avoid using the modem during an electrical storm.

❏ Do not use the modem or a telephone to report a gas leak in the vicinity of the leak.

❏ A socket outlet should be as close as possible to the unit and easily accessible.

!

The use of optical instruments with this product will increase eye hazard. The laser beam used in the DVD-ROM drive unit is harmful to the eyes. Do not attempt to disassemble the cabinet. Refer servicing to qualified personnel only.

AVERTISSEMENT

❏ Pour prévenir tout risque d’incendie ou d’électrocution, garder cet appareil

à l’abri de la pluie et de l’humidité.

❏ Pour prévenir tout risque d’électrocution, ne pas ouvir le châssis de cet appareil et ne confier son entretien qu’à une personne qualifiée.

❏ L’appareil doit être le plus près possible d’une prise murale pour en faciliter l’accès.

Regulatory Information

Declaration of Conformity

Trade Name: SONY

Model No: PCG-XG9

Responsible Party:

Sony Electronics Inc.

Address:

1 Sony Drive

Park Ridge, NJ 07656

Telephone No.: 201-930-6970

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1)

This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including any interference that may cause undesired operation.

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the

Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.

This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.

However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

❏ Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

❏ Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver.

❏ Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.

❏ Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

You are cautioned that any changes or modifications not expressly approved in this manual could void your authority to operate this equipment.

Only peripherals (computer input/output devices, terminals, printers, etc.) that comply with FCC Class B limits may be attached to this computer product.

Operation with non-compliant peripherals is likely to result in interference to radio and television reception.

All cables used to connect peripherals must be shielded and grounded. Operation with cables, connected to peripherals, that are not shielded and grounded, may result in interference to radio and television reception.

FCC Part 68

This equipment complies with Part 68 of the FCC rules. On the bottom of this equipment is a label that contains, among other information, the FCC equivalence number (REN) for this equipment. If requested, this information must be provided to the telephone company.

This modem uses the USOC RJ-11 telephone jack.

The REN is used to determine the quantity of devices which may be connected to the telephone line. Excessive RENs on the telephone line may result in the devices not ringing in response to an incoming call. In most, but not all areas, the sum of the RENs should not exceed five (5.0). To be certain of the number of devices that may be connected to the line, as determined by the total RENs, contact the telephone company to determine the maximum REN for the calling area.

If the terminal equipment (Notebook

Computer PCG-XG9) causes harm to the telephone network, the telephone company will notify you in advance that temporary discontinuance of service may be required.

But if advance notice is not practical, the telephone company will notify the customer as soon as possible. Also, you will be advised of your right to file a complaint with the FCC if you believe it is necessary.

The telephone company may make changes in its facilities, equipment, operations or procedures that could affect the operations of the equipment. If this happens, the telephone company will provide advance notice in order for you to make the necessary modifications in order to maintain uninterrupted service.

If trouble is experienced with this equipment (Notebook Computer

PCG-XG9), please contact 1-888-4SONYPC

(1-888-476-6972), or write to the Sony

Customer Information Center, One Sony

Drive, Park Ridge, NJ 07656 for repair and/or warranty information. If the trouble is causing harm to the telephone network, the telephone company may request that you remove the equipment from the network until the problem is resolved.

Repair of this equipment should be made only by a Sony Service Center or Sony authorized agent. For the Sony Service

Center nearest you, call 1-888-4SONYPC

(1-888-476-6972).

This equipment cannot be used on public coin service provided by the telephone company. Connection to Party Line Service is subject to state and possible provincial tariffs. (Contact the state or provincial utility service commission, public service commission or corporation commission for information.)

Telephone Consumer

Protection Act of 1991

(United States)

The Telephone Consumer Protection Act of

1991 makes it unlawful for any person to use a computer or other electronic device to send any message via a telephone facsimile machine unless such message clearly contains, in a margin at the top or bottom of each transmitted page or on the first page of the transmission, the date and time it is sent and an identification of the business, other entity, or individual sending the message, and the telephone number of the sending machine or such business, other entity, or individual.

In order to program this information into your facsimile machine, see your fax software documentation.

Telephone Consumer

Guidelines (Canada)

Please refer to your telephone directory under ‘Privacy Issues’ and/or ‘Terms of

Service.’ For more detailed information please contact:

CRTC

Terrasses de la Chaudiére, Tour centrale

1 promenade du Portage, 5 étage Hull PQ

K1A 0N2.

This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.

Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada.

DISPOSAL OF LITHIUM ION

BATTERY

You can return your unwanted lithium ion batteries to your nearest Sony Service

Center or Factory Service Center.

✍

In some areas the disposal of lithium ion batteries in household or business trash may be prohibited.

For the Sony Service Center nearest you call 1-888-476-6972 in the United States or

1-800-961-7669 in Canada .

!

Do not handle damaged or leaking lithium ion batteries.

!

Ne pas manipuler les batteries au lithium-ion qui fuient ou sont endommagées.

!

Danger of explosion if battery is incorrectly replaced. Replace only with the same or equivalent type recommended by the manufacturer. Discard used batteries according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

!

Une batterie non conforme présente un danger d'explosion.

La remplacer seulement par une batterie identique ou de type

équivalent recommandé par le fabricant. Évacuer les batteries usées selon les directives du fabricant.

!

The battery pack used in this device may present a fire or chemical burn hazard if mistreated. Do not disassemble, heat above 212

°

F (100

°

C) or incinerate.

Dispose of used battery promptly.

Keep away from children.

!

La manutention incorrecte du module de batterie de cet appareil présente un risque d'incendie ou de brûlures chimiques. Ne pas démonter, incinérer ou exposer à une température de plus de 100°C.

Évacuer promptement la batterie usée. Garder hors de portée des enfants.

INDUSTRY CANADA NOTICE

NOTICE: The Industry Canada label identifies certified equipment. This certification means that the equipment meets certain telecommunications network protective, operational and safety requirements as prescribed in the appropriate Terminal Equipment Technical

Requirements document(s). The

Department does not guarantee the equipment will operate to the user’s satisfaction.

Before installing this equipment, users should ensure that it is permissible to be connected to the facilities of the local telecommunications company. The equipment must also be installed using an acceptable method of connection.

The customer should be aware that compliance with the above conditions may not prevent degradation of service in some situations.

Repairs to certified equipment should be coordinated by a representative designated by the supplier. Equipment malfunctions or any repairs or alterations made by the user to this equipment may give the telecommunications company cause to request that the user disconnect the equipment.

Users should ensure for their own protection that the electrical ground connections of the power utility, telephone lines and internal metallic water pipe system, if present, are connected together.

This precaution may be particularly important in rural areas.

Caution: Users should not attempt to make such connections themselves, but should contact the appropriate electric inspection authority, or electrician, as appropriate.

NOTICE: The Ringer Equivalence Number

(REN) assigned to each terminal device provides an indication of the maximum number of terminals allowed to be connected to a telephone interface. The termination on an interface may consist of any combination of devices subject only to the requirement that the sum of the Ringer

Equivalence Numbers of all the devices does not exceed 5. The Ringer Equivalence

Number for this equipment is 0.3.

AVIS DE L’INDUSTRIE

CANADA

AVIS: L’étiquette d’Industrie Canada identifie le matériel homologué.

Cette étiquette certifie que le matériel est conforme aux normes de protection, d’exploitation et de sécurité des réseaux de télécommunications, comme le prescrivent les documents concernant les exigences techniques relatives au matériel terminal.

Le Ministère n’assure toutefois pas que le matériel fonctionnera à la satisfaction de l’utilisateur.

Avant d’installer ce matériel, l’utilisateur doit s’assurer qu’il est permis de le raccorder aux installations de l’entreprise locale de télécommunication. Le matériel doit également être installé en suivant une méthode acceptée de raccordement.

L’abonné ne doit pas oublier qu’il est possible que la conformité aux conditions

énoncées ci-dessus n’empêche pas la dégradation du service dans certaines situations.

Les réparations de matériel homologué doivent être coordonnées par un représentant désigné par le fournisseur.

L’entreprise de télécommunications peut demander à l’utilisateur de débrancher un appareil à la suite de réparations ou de modifications effectuées par l’utilisateur ou

à cause de mauvais fonctionnement.

Pour sa propre protection, l’utilisateur doit s’assurer que tous les fils de mise à la terre de la source d’énergie électrique, des lignes téléphoniques et des canalisations d’eau métalliques, s’il y en a, sont raccordés ensemble. Cette précaution est particulièrement importante dans les régions rurales.

Avertissement: L’utilisateur ne doit pas tenter de faire ces raccordements lui-même; il doit avoir recours à un service d’inspection des installations électriques, ou à un électricien, selon le cas.

AVIS: L’indice d’équivalence de la sonnerie

(IES) assigné à chaque dispositif terminal indique le nombre maximal de terminaux qui peuvent être raccordés à une interface.

La terminaison d’une interface téléphonique peut consister en une combination de quelques dispositifs, à la seule condition que la somme d’indices d’équivalence de la sonnerie de tous les dispositifs n’excède pas 5.

Contents

Welcome............................................................................................ 1

Features ............................................................................................. 1

Unpacking Your VAIO

®

Notebook Computer ........................... 2

Manuals .................................................................................................3

Software CDs ........................................................................................3

Recovery CDs .......................................................................................3

Other ......................................................................................................3

Using Your Notebook Computer .................................................. 4

Locating the Controls and Connectors ......................................... 4

Front.......................................................................................................4

Left ........................................................................................................5

Right.......................................................................................................6

Back ........................................................................................................6

Bottom....................................................................................................7

Connecting a Power Source ........................................................... 8

Using the AC Adapter.........................................................................8

Using Battery Power........................................................................... 9

Starting Your Computer ............................................................... 13

Shutting Down Your Computer .................................................. 14

Closing the Front Panel................................................................. 15

Registering Windows

®

98 Second Edition................................. 16

Registering Your Computer ......................................................... 17

Using the Jog Dial .......................................................................... 18

To Use the Jog Dial ............................................................................20

Information on Using the Jog Dial ..................................................21

Using the Preinstalled Sony Software.............................................22

Allocating Other Functions to the Jog Dial ....................................23

Deleting Software from the Allocation List ...................................24

ix

x VAIO

®

Notebook Computer User Guide

Using the Keyboard .......................................................................25

Combinations and Functions with the Windows 98 Key ............27

Indicators.............................................................................................28

Combinations and Functions with the Fn Key ..............................29

Using the Touchpad.......................................................................31

Using the Floppy Disk Drive ........................................................32

To Use as an External Drive .............................................................32

To use as an internal drive................................................................33

Using the DVD-ROM Drive..........................................................35

To remove the DVD-ROM drive......................................................37

To insert the DVD drive....................................................................37

Using PC Cards ..............................................................................38

Using Smart Connect .....................................................................41

Using Infrared Communication Devices ....................................42

Using Power Saving Modes..........................................................44

Normal Mode .....................................................................................44

System Idle Mode ..............................................................................44

System Suspend Mode ......................................................................45

System Hibernation Mode................................................................45

Using a Second Battery Pack ........................................................46

Connecting Peripheral Devices ....................................................48

Connecting a Phone Line ..............................................................49

Connecting the Mini Docking Station .........................................50

Connecting a Printer ......................................................................55

Connecting an External Mouse or Keyboard .............................56

Connecting a Floppy Disk Drive..................................................57

To connect a floppy disk drive.........................................................57

To use the floppy disk drive stand..................................................58

Connecting AV Devices.................................................................59

To connect an MD deck or a CD player..........................................59

To connect a CD player, an active speaker, or an amplifier ........60

To connect a Dolby Digital Decoder® integrated device.............61

To connect a TV or a Video Deck.....................................................61

Connecting a Printer ......................................................................62

Before using the printer ....................................................................62

To connect a printer ...........................................................................62

Connecting an External Display...................................................64

Contents xi

Connecting a Desktop Computer or Serial Device ................... 66

To connect a desktop computer .......................................................66

To connect a digital still camera ......................................................66

Connecting External Speakers ..................................................... 68

Connecting an External Microphone .......................................... 69

Connecting an i.LINK-compatible Device ................................. 70

Connecting a Universal Serial Bus (USB) Device...................... 71

Getting Help ................................................................................... 72

Troubleshooting ............................................................................. 73

Power Management...........................................................................80

Using the System and Application Recovery CDs.................... 81

Using the System Recovery CD(s)...................................................81

Using the Application Recovery CD(s)...........................................83

Changing the Window design of Sony Software ...................... 84

Placing a Keycap ............................................................................ 85

To place a keycap ...............................................................................85

Adding Memory ............................................................................ 86

About the Software on Your Computer ..................................... 90

About Your Recovery CDs ...............................................................95

For Answers to Your Software Questions.................................. 96

Sony Service Center ...........................................................................98

Specifications .................................................................................. 99

Index .............................................................................................. 103

xii

Welcome

Congratulations on your purchase of the Sony VAIO Notebook

Computer. Sony has combined leading-edge technology in audio, video, computing, and communications to provide you with state-of-the-art personal computing.

Features

✍

For a complete description of the specifications of your VAIO

®

Notebook Computer, see

page 99.

❑

❑

❑

❑

❑

Exceptional performance - Your computer includes a fast Intel

® processor.

Portability The rechargeable battery pack provides hours of use without AC power.

Sony audio and video quality - A high-resolution LCD screen enables you to take advantage of today’s advanced multimedia applications, games, and entertainment software.

Windows

®

98 Second Edition - Your system includes the latest operating system from Microsoft.

Communications: Access popular online services, send and receive e-mails, browse the Internet, and use the dialing and fax features.

1

2 VAIO

®

Notebook Computer User Guide

Unpacking Your VAIO

®

Notebook Computer

Remove the following hardware items from the box:

FDD stand Main unit

Floppy disk drive

DVD-ROM drive

Power cord Accessory case

AC adapter

FDD drive cable

AC adapter cables

Battery pack

Weight saver

LCD screen cleaning cloth (not shown)

FDD drive battery pack and weight saver

INSIDE ACCESSORY CASE (1)

FDD drive cable

INSIDE ACCESSORY CASE (2)

3

Manuals

❑ The VAIO

®

Notebook Computer User Guide (this manual) contains information on how to get the most from your computer, find help, and solve common problems. It also includes product specifications.

❑ Read Me First contains Frequently Asked Questions, the most up-todate information on using your computer, and software information.

❑

❑

The Consumer Information Guide contains ergonomic considerations and your computer’s limited warranty statement.

The Microsoft

®

Windows

®

98 Second Edition Getting Started manual explains how to use the basic features of the Windows operating system.

Software CDs

❑ Microsoft

®

Works Suite 99 (5 CD set)

Recovery CDs

❑ System Recovery CD(s)

❑ Application Recovery CD(s)

Other

❑ Setting up your VAIO

®

Notebook Computer (poster)

❑ Packet containing special product offers

4 VAIO

®

Notebook Computer User Guide

Using Your Notebook Computer

This section describes how to start using your computer and how to use your computer’s internal and external devices, such as the touchpad, floppy disk drive, and DVD-ROM drive.

Locating the Controls and Connectors

Front

3

4

1

2

5

6

Power indicator (pages 13, 28)

Battery 1 and 2 indicators (pages 10, 28)

Hard disk drive indicator (page 28)

Num Lock indicator (page 28)

Caps Lock indicator (page 28)

Scroll Lock indicator (page 28)

10

11

12

7

8

9

LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) screen (pages 13, 101)

Keyboard (page 25)

Speakers (pages 29, 79)

Internal microphone

Touchpad (page 31)

Left/right buttons (page 31)

Left

Locating the Controls and Connectors 5

1

2

PC card slots (page 38)

S400 i.LINK

®

connector (page 70)

3

4

Battery bay (page 9)

Phone line jack (page 49)

6 VAIO

®

Notebook Computer User Guide

Right

1

2

3

Power button (page 24)

Multipurpose bay (pages 32, 47)

Jog Dial (page 18)

Back

4

5

6

Microphone connector (page 71)

Headphone connector (page 70)

Intercooler flap

1

2

3

Infrared port connector (page 42)

Docking /Floppy disk drive connector

Monitor connector (page 66)

4

5

USB connector (page 73)

DC In connector (page 8)

Bottom

Locating the Controls and Connectors 7

1

2

Intercooler flap lever

Multipurpose bay RELEASE lever

8 VAIO

®

Notebook Computer User Guide

Connecting a Power Source

You can use either AC power or a rechargeable battery pack as a power source.

Using the AC Adapter

1

Slide the LCD lock lever in the direction of the arrow as indicated below, and lift the cover. The bottom portion of the computer lifts automatically and the back connectors appear.

LCD lock lever

2

Plug the cable attached to the AC adapter into the DC In connector on the computer.

3

Plug one end of the power cord into the AC adapter.

4

Plug the other end of the power cord into an electrical outlet.

Notebook computer

DC In

AC adapter (supplied)

Power cord (supplied)

Connecting a Power Source 9

Using Battery Power

You can use one or two battery packs as a source of power. The second battery pack inserts into the drive bay on the right side of the computer.

(See “Using Power Saving Modes” on page 44.) Additional battery packs

are available as a separate option.

The battery pack that comes with your computer is not fully charged at the time of purchase. Follow the steps below to insert and charge the battery pack.

To insert the battery pack

1

Open the cover of the battery bay on the left side of the computer.

2 Insert the battery pack into the battery bay.

Battery pack

(supplied)

Label side facing down

3 Close the cover of the battery bay until it clicks.

✍

While attaching the Mini Docking Station to your computer, do not insert or remove the battery pack. Lifting and turning the computer with the Mini Docking Station attached may cause the Mini Docking Station to disconnect from the computer.

10 VAIO

®

Notebook Computer User Guide

To charge the battery pack

1

Connect the AC adapter to the computer.

2

Insert the battery pack.

The computer automatically charges the battery (the battery indicator light flashes in a double blink pattern as the battery charges). When the battery is 85 percent full, the battery indicator light turns off. This process takes approximately two hours. To charge the battery completely, continue charging for an additional hour. See “Displaying

Detailed Battery Information” in the online manual Customizing Your

Notebook Computer.

There are two battery indicator lights on the computer:

Battery indicators

Secondary battery pack

(not supplied)

Battery pack (supplied)

Battery Indicator Meaning

1

2

Indicates the status of the battery pack in the battery bay on the left side of the computer.

Indicates the status of the battery pack in the drive bay on the right side of the computer.

Battery Indicator

Light Status

On

Single blink

Double blink

Off

Meaning

The computer is using battery power.

When BOTH the Battery indicator and Power indicator single-blink, the battery is running out of power.

The battery is charging.

The computer is using AC power.

Connecting a Power Source 11

✍

To determine the amount of time the battery lasts, see “Displaying Battery Information” in the online manual Customizing Your Notebook Computer.

When the battery is running out of power, both the battery indicator light and power indicator light blink.

When the computer is directly connected to AC power and a battery pack is in the battery bay, it uses power from the AC outlet.

Keep the battery pack in the computer while it is directly connected to AC power. The battery pack continues to charge while you are using the computer.

If the battery level falls below 10%, you should either attach the AC adapter to recharge the battery or shut down your computer and insert a fully charged battery.

You can extend battery life by changing the power management modes in the PowerPanel

utility. See “Using Power Saving Modes” on page 44.

The battery pack supplied with your computer is a lithium ion battery and can be recharged at any time. Charging a partially discharged battery does not affect battery life.

The battery indicator light is on while you use the battery pack as a power source. When battery life is nearly depleted, the battery indicator starts flashing.

For some software applications and some peripheral devices, your computer may not enter

System Hibernation mode when the battery life is low. To avoid loss of data when using battery power, you should save your data frequently and manually activate a power management mode, such as System Suspend or System Hibernation.

12 VAIO

®

Notebook Computer User Guide

To remove the battery pack

1

Open the cover of the battery bay.

2

Pull out the battery pack.

3

Close the cover of the battery bay.

!

You may lose data if you remove the battery pack while the computer is on and not connected to the AC adapter or if you remove the battery while the computer is in System Suspend mode.

Starting Your Computer 13

Starting Your Computer

1

Slide the LCD lock lever in the direction of the arrow, and lift the cover.

LCD lock lever

2

Press the power button of the computer until the green power indicator light turns on.

Power indicator

Power button

✍

If you press the power button for more than four seconds, the computer turns off.

3 If necessary, adjust the brightness controls for the LCD display. To decrease the brightness, press Fn+F5 and then the down or left arrow key. To increase the brightness, press Fn+F5 and then the up or right arrow key.

14 VAIO

®

Notebook Computer User Guide

Shutting Down Your Computer

!

To avoid potential loss of data, follow these steps to shut down your computer.

1

Click the Start button on the Windows 98 taskbar.

2

Click Shut Down at the bottom of the Start menu to display the Shut

Down Windows dialog box.

3 Select Shut down.

4 Click OK.

✍

Respond to any prompts warning you to save documents.

5 Wait for your computer to turn off automatically. The power indicator

(green) turns off.

6 Turn off any peripherals connected to your computer.

✍

If you are unable to shut down your computer using the steps described above,

❏ close all software in use,

❏ remove the PC cards if inserted,

❏ disconnect any USB devices,

❏ end any Infrared Communication devices,

Then restart the computer.

If the previous steps do not work, see “My computer does not shut down” on page 79.

During a period of inactivity, you can conserve battery life by using System Suspend mode.

See “System Suspend Mode” on page 45.

Closing the Front Panel 15

Closing the Front Panel

Close the front panel by holding the clip on the left top of the front panel.

If you touch the LCD screen, you will leave fingerprints on the LCD screen. Use the supplied filter cleaner to wipe the LCD screen. See “Notes on Use” for more information.

clip

To close the intercooler flap

The bottom part of the computer does not close automatically. To close the intercooler flap, grasp the flap with your thumbs while sliding the levers with your index fingers.

Intercooler flap lever

16 VAIO

®

Notebook Computer User Guide

Registering Windows

®

98 Second Edition

The first time you turn on your computer, you need to complete a few steps to register and configure the Windows 98 Second Edition software that is already installed.

✍

You must register Windows 98 before you can use the computer.

The on-screen instructions guide you through the registration and configuration process. The following is an overview of the process.

1 Gathering information:

❑

❑

❑

Enter your name.

Read and accept the License Agreement.

Enter your Certificate of Authenticity number located on the cover of the Microsoft Windows 98 Getting Started manual.

2 Windows 98 setup:

Click the Finish button on the Windows 98 Setup Wizard screen.

3 Selecting your computer settings:

If necessary, change the Time Zone, Date and Time on the Date/Time

Properties screen.

4 Registering your computer:

For details on registering your computer, see “Registering Your

Computer” on page 17.

Registering Your Computer 17

Registering Your Computer

You can take advantage of Sony’s commitment to quality customer support and receive the following benefits by registering your computer with Sony.

❑

❑

❑

Sony Customer Support – Talk to a Support Representative to troubleshoot problems you may be having with your computer.

Extended Limited Warranty – Protect your investment. Extend your

Warranty nine months for a total of 12 months from the original date of purchase when you register your computer.

Express service – Provides convenient resolution of problems.

If you have not already registered, follow these steps to use your notebook computer’s online registration service.

✍

You must connect your phone line before using any online services, including the online

registration service. See “Connecting a Phone Line” on page 49.

1

Click the Sony VAIO Registration icon on the VAIO desktop.

2

Enter the information requested on the first online registration form.

Press the Tab key to move from box to box.

3

Click the Next button to advance to the next form.

4

Complete the remaining forms by clicking the Next button each time you complete a form.

The computer automatically transfers your registration information using your built-in modem and a toll-free telephone number.

18 VAIO

®

Notebook Computer User Guide

Using the Jog Dial

Your computer is equipped with a Jog Dial on the right side of the unit.

You can turn and/or press the Jog Dial to scroll the window, select a software application, adjust the internal speaker volume, etc.

turn press

Jog Dial

The Jog Dial window always appears in the display. It is either in the launcher mode or in the guide mode.

Launcher mode

The Jog Dial window switches to the launcher mode if no software program is in use, or when the Jog Dial window becomes active.

Jog Dial window in the launcher mode

Using the Jog Dial 19

Guide mode

The Jog Dial is in the Guide mode when a software application or program is in use and the Jog Dial window is active. Some software applications allow you to select an item from the selection list that displays in the List View mode using the Jog Dial. There are two List

View modes in select Sony software, Simple Menu and Full Menu. You can switch modes by pressing the Shift key.

Jog Dial window in the guide mode

To change/close the Jog Dial window display mode

You can change the window size by double-clicking the window.

To close the Jog Dial window, click the Close button. To display the Jog

Dial window, press or push the Jog Dial or double-click or in the task tray.

20 VAIO

®

Notebook Computer User Guide

To Use the Jog Dial

Launcher mode

To use the Jog Dial, click the Jog Dial window or the Jog Dial icon in the task tray. Alternatively, you can press the Jog Dial while pressing the Ctrl key on the keyboard to switch to the Launcher mode.

1

Turn the Jog Dial to select an item, then press the Jog Dial.

The Jog Dial window switches to the Guide mode, and shows the Jog

Dial's function.

See “Information on Using the Jog Dial” on page 21 for more information.

✍

You can allocate other functions to the Jog Dial or delete them with the Jog Dial Setup

software. For more information, see “Allocating Other Functions to the Jog Dial” on page 23.

2

Turn or press the Jog Dial to use the desired function.

3

To select another item, switch to the Launcher mode by pressing the

Jog Dial and repeating the process from step 1.

Guide mode

The Jog Dial window displays the desired function.

Software that supports the Jog Dial

If Sony software that supports the Jog Dial is active, you can use the Jog

Dial’s functions that are allocated to that software.

For more information on functions allocated to software, see “Using the

Preinstalled Sony Software” on page 22.

Using the Jog Dial 21

Software that does not support the Jog Dial

If the software in use does not support the Jog Dial, you can scroll the window or adjust the window size as described below.

Action

Turn the Jog

Dial

Press the Jog

Dial

Press Alt key and the Jog Dial

Press Shift key and the Jog Dial

Description

Scrolls the window vertically. When several windows are displayed in the on-screen display, the last selected window will be scrolled.

Maximizes the size of the active window. Press again to return to normal size.

Minimizes the size of the active window. Press both keys again to return to normal size.

Closes the software application or program in use.

Information on Using the Jog Dial

The following functions are preinstalled in the Jog Dial launcher. See

“Using the Jog Dial” on page 18.

Name Description

Idle/Suspend/ Press the Jog Dial to select a power saving mode. See information.

External display Press the Jog Dial to toggle through the computer display and the LCD.

Only LCD LCD and external display

Only external display

TV output

Brightness

Volume

Mute

Press the Jog Dial to toggle to the external monitor connected to an optional Mini Docking Station

(PCGA-PSX1) and the LCD.

LCD and external display

Only LCD

Turn the Jog Dial to adjust the brightness of the LCD screen. Press the Jog Dial to confirm the adjustment.

Turn the Jog Dial to adjust the volume of the internal speakers. Press the Jog Dial to confirm the adjustment.

Press the Jog Dial to mute the volume of the internal speakers.

22 VAIO

®

Notebook Computer User Guide

Using the Preinstalled Sony Software

You can use additional functions with select preinstalled Sony software.

See “Using the Jog Dial” on page 18 for more information.

✍

When using the Sony software, be sure to activate the window that supports the Jog Dial.

For software that does not support the Jog Dial, see “Software that does not support the

Jog Dial” on page 21.

Software Description

Smart Label

PictureGear

Media Bar

Turn the Jog Dial to toggle through the labels. Press the Jog

Dial to switch to the Time Shift mode. Time Shift mode:

Turn the Jog Dial to see labels with dates from the past or the future. Press shortly to change the time intervals. Press longer to return to the normal time interval. Refer to Smart

Label Help for more information.

Turn the Jog Dial to change the size of the images. Press the

Jog Dial to optimize the size of the images.

Turn the Jog Dial to select a track. Press the Jog Dial to play.

Press again to pause.

DVD Player is on: Turn the Jog Dial to select the chapter.

Press the Jog Dial to play or pause.

Smart Capture

DVgate Still

Smart Capture window: Simple Menu - Select Capture mode (Still mode or Video Mail mode) Full Menu - Operate the basic function of Smart Capture. For details, see Smart

Capture online help.

Turn the Jog Dial forward or back to view individual images while in pause.

DVgate Motion Turn the Jog Dial forward or back to view the video by single frame while in pause.

DVgate

Assemble

Turn the Jog Dial to scroll the list.

DVgate Clip

DVgate Scan

Smart Write

Turn the Jog Dial forward or back to rewind the video by single frame while in pause.

Turn the Jog Dial to scroll the list.

Turn the Jog Dial to move the cursor vertically. Press the

Jog Dial to move to the top of the document. Press again to move to the bottom of the document.

Using the Jog Dial 23

Allocating Other Functions to the Jog Dial

You can allocate other functions to the Jog Dial or delete them with the

Jog Dial setup software.

1

Click Setup in the Jog Dial window to display the Jog Dial Setup window.

If the Jog Dial Setup window is not displayed, double-click or

in the task tray.

2

Select the allocation mode from the allocation menu, then click the icon.

You can select from the following modes:

Icon Description

Drag and drop a software file to this icon to allocate it.

Click the icon to display the same window that displays when clicking the icon. The software name automatically displays.

Allocate software by entering its name. Click the icon to display the window, then enter the name of the software and click Next. Click Reference to search the available software.

24 VAIO

®

Notebook Computer User Guide

Icon Description

Get e-mail automatically or access the internet. Click the icon to display the window, then enter the requested information and click Next.

Allocate Sony software* that supports the Jog Dial. Click the icon to display the Setup window. Select the function you want to reallocate, then click Next.

Register the configuration system*. Click the icon to display the Setup window. Select the software you want to register again, then click Next.

Allocate other functions to the Jog Dial. Click the icon to display the Setup window, then select the function you want to allocate, and click Next.

*The preinstalled Sony software and your computer’s configuration systems are already allocated.

3

Verify the name to be displayed in the Jog Dial window and details of the function, then click Next.

When allocating with the icon, enter the name and details, then click Next.

4

Check “Add this setting to Jog Dial Launcher List,” then click End.

The window in step 1 appears. Click OK to finish the allocation.

Software marked with on the left are now available as Jog Dial functions.

✍

If you select “Assign this setting to PPK function,” you can start up the software by pressing the Jog Dial while the power is off or the computer is in power saving mode.

Deleting Software from the Allocation List

To delete software from the allocation list, click the software you want to delete from the list that displays in the Jog Dial window, click the button, then click OK.

Using the Keyboard 25

Using the Keyboard

Your keyboard is very similar to a typewriter’s, but the keyboard has additional keys that perform specific computer-related tasks.

Function keys

Escape Key

Print Screen key

Shift key

Ctrl key

Fn key

Windows 98 key

Numeric keyboard

Applications key

Navigation keys

✍

If the keycap comes off, put it back in its place and push down gently until it clicks into

place. If the Enter key, Space key or Shift key comes off, see “Placing a Keycap” on page 85.

Do not take off the keycaps intentionally, or push excessively when replacing them as this may cause the unit to malfunction.

26 VAIO

®

Notebook Computer User Guide

Key

Numeric keypad area

Navigation keys

Correction keys

Function keys

Escape key

Print Screen key

Operator keys

Windows 98 key

Fn key

Applications key

Description

Contains the keys found on a typical calculator. Use the numeric keypad area to type numbers or to perform mathematical calculations such as addition and subtraction. Note that you must press the Num Lock key to activate the numeric keypad. (When you do so, the

Num Lock light will be on.)

Several keys are devoted to moving the cursor on the screen.

The Insert, Back Space, and Delete keys enable you to make corrections in your documents.

The twelve function keys along the top of the keyboard are used to perform designated tasks. For example, in many applications, F1 is the Help key. The task associated with each function key may vary from one application to the next.

The Esc (Escape) key is used to cancel commands.

The Print Screen key takes an electronic snapshot of the screen and places it in the Windows Clipboard. You can then paste the screen shot into a document and print it.

Several keys are always used with at least one other key:

Ctrl, Alt, and Shift. When held down with another key, the Ctrl (Control) and Alt (Alternate) keys offer another way to give commands. For example, in many applications, instead of choosing the Save command from a menu, you can hold down Ctrl and press S (referred to as Ctrl+S). The Shift key operates the same way as on a typewriter; it is used to produce capital letters or special symbols such as @ and $.

The key with the Windows logo displays the Windows 98

Start menu; it is the equivalent of clicking the Start button

on the taskbar. See “Combinations and Functions with the Windows 98 Key” on page 27.

The Fn key is used in combination with other keys to

issue commands. See “Combinations and Functions with the Fn Key” on page 29.

The Applications key displays a shortcut menu of context-sensitive choices. Pressing this key is the equivalent of clicking the right mouse button.

Using the Keyboard 27

Combinations and Functions with the Windows 98 Key

Combination

+ F1

+ Tab

+ E

+ F

+ Ctrl + F

+ M

Shift + + M

+ R

Fn + + Insert

Function

Displays Windows Help.

Switches the selected button on the taskbar.

Displays Windows Explorer.

Displays the Windows Find: All Files window to find a file or folder. This is the equivalent of selecting Find and then Files or Folders from the Start menu.

Displays the Windows Find: Computer window where you can locate other computers. This is the equivalent of selecting Find and then Computer from the Start menu.

Minimizes all displayed windows.

Returns all minimized windows to their previous size.

Displays the Run window. This is the equivalent of selecting Run from the Start menu.

Displays the Properties window. This is the equivalent of double-clicking the System icon in the

Control Panel.

28 VAIO

®

Notebook Computer User Guide

Indicators

Indicator

Power

Battery 1

1

Battery 2

2

Hard disk

Function

Light is green when the power to the computer is turned on. Light is red in System Idle mode, and flashes red in

System Suspend mode. Turns off when the computer is in System Hibernation mode or powered off.

Indicates the status of the battery inserted in the battery bay on the left side of the computer.

Indicates the status of the battery inserted in the drive bay on the right side of the computer.

Lights when data is being read from or written to the hard drive. Do not enter System Suspend mode or turn off the computer when this indicator light is on.

Light

Num Lock

On

The number keys in the numeric keypad are active.

Caps Lock The letters appear in uppercase as you type. The

Shift key lowers the case of typed letters when Caps

Lock is on.

Scroll Lock The screen scrolls differently.

(Exactly how it scrolls depends on the specific application. It has no effect in many applications.)

Off

The alphanumeric character keys in the keypad area are active.

Letters appear in lower case as you type (unless you hold down the Shift key).

Information moves across the display normally.

Using the Keyboard 29

Combinations and Functions with the Fn Key

Combinations/

Feature

Function

Fn+ (ESC)

System Suspend

Puts the system into System Suspend mode, a power management state. To return the system to the active state, press any key or press the power switch on your computer.

Toggles the built-in speaker off and on.

Fn+ (F3)

Mute On/Off

Fn+ (F4)

Speaker volume

Fn+ (F5)

Brightness control

Fn+ LCD /

Switch to the

(F7) external display/LCD

Fn+ LCD / (F8)

Fn+ (F12)

System Hibernation

Adjusts the built-in speaker volume.

To increase volume, press Fn+F4, then or ➜.

➜

To decrease volume, press Fn+F4, then or .

Adjusts the brightness of the LCD.

To increase light intensity, press Fn+F5 and then or

➜.

➜

To decrease light intensity, press Fn+F5 and then or

.

Toggles through the LCD, external display (connected to the Monitor connector) and both LCD and external display.

Only LCD LCD and external display

Only external display

Toggles through the external display connected to an optional Mini Docking Station (PCGA-PSX1) and the LCD.

LCD and external display

Only LCD

Provides for the lowest level of power consumption.

When you execute this command, the state of the system and state of the peripheral devices are written to the hard disk and the system power is turned off. To return the system to the originals state, use the power button to turn on power.

30 VAIO

®

Notebook Computer User Guide

Combinations/

Feature

Fn+D

Video standby

Fn+F

Change the display size

Fn+S

System Idle

Function

Turns off the LCD in order to save power. To turn the

LCD back on, press any key.

Zooms the display size in or out when the display is set to a low resolution.

Puts the system into System Idle mode, a power management state. To return the system to the active state, press any key.

✍

You can carry out these functions (except for Fn+D and Fn+F) using the Jog Dial.

See “Using the Jog Dial” on page 18 for more information.

Some functions are not available until Windows launches.

Using the Touchpad 31

Using the Touchpad

The keyboard contains a cursor-pointing device called a touchpad. You can point to, select, drag, and scroll objects on the screen using the built-in touchpad.

Pointer

Touchpad Right button

Left button

Action Description

Point

Click Press the left button once.

Double-click Press the left button twice.

Right-click

Slide one finger on the touchpad to place the pointer on an item or object.

Drag

Scroll

Press the right button once. In many applications, this action displays a shortcut menu of context-sensitive choices.

Slide one finger while pressing the left button.

Move your finger along the right edge of the touchpad to scroll vertically. Move your finger along the bottom to scroll horizontally. (The scroll function is available only with applications that support a touchpad scroll feature.)

✍

See Mouse Help for information on touchpad features, such as clicking both buttons simultaneously, adjusting touchpad speed, and Easy Launcher functions. To access Mouse

Help, press the Start button, select Settings, and then select Control Panel. Double-click the

Mouse icon in the Control Panel and click the Help button.

32 VAIO

®

Notebook Computer User Guide

Using the Floppy Disk Drive

You can use the supplied floppy disk drive either as an external drive or as an internal drive in the drive bay.

You do not need to shut down the computer before connecting the floppy disk drive. You can also connect the floppy disk drive while in power saving mode. See also “To insert/to remove the disk drive while in power saving mode” in the online manual.

To Use as an External Drive

Connect the floppy disk drive to the computer using the floppy disk drive cable (supplied) with the VAIO logo facing up.

Floppy disk drive (supplied)

Floppy disk drive cable (supplied)

Align the logo on the cable with the slot connection and insert the connector straight into the slot.

✍

You can use the floppy disk drive in the upright position using the floppy disk drive stand as illustrated below.

Floppy disk drive cable (supplied)

Using the Floppy Disk Drive 33

To use as an internal drive

1

If another device is in the multipurpose bay, remove the device. See

“To remove the floppy disk drive” on page 34 or “To remove the second battery pack” on page 47.

2

Insert the floppy disk drive into the multipurpose bay with the VAIO logo facing up. Continue pushing the drive into the bay until the

RELEASE lever locks into place.

Multipurpose bay

Floppy disk drive

To insert a diskette

1 Hold the diskette with the label side facing up.

2 Gently push the diskette into the drive until it clicks into place.

Diskette

Floppy disk drive

To remove a diskette

❑ When you finish using the diskette, wait until the LED indicator turns off and then press the Eject button to remove the diskette.

34 VAIO

®

Notebook Computer User Guide

Eject button

LED indicator

✍

Do not press the Eject button when the LED indicator is turned on, as data may be lost.

To remove the floppy disk drive

When the computer is off, skip steps 1 and 3.

1 Right-click the PowerPanel icon in the task tray and choose “Remove multipurpose bay device” when using an internal drive. When using an external drive, choose, “Remove external FDD” instead.

2 Slide the RELEASE lever on the bottom of the computer in the direction of the arrow and slide the drive out of the multipurpose bay.

3 Click OK on the message screen.

Drive RELEASE lever on bottom

When the multipurpose bay is empty, attach the weight saver to it. See

step 3 of “Using a Second Battery Pack” on page 46 for details on

attaching the weight saver.

Using the DVD-ROM Drive 35

Using the DVD-ROM Drive

Your computer comes with a DVD-ROM drive. You can play both DVDs and CDs.

To insert a disc

1

Turn on the computer.

✍

When the computer is in S ystem S uspend or S ystem Hibernation mode, you cannot insert a disc. See “Controlling Power Management” in the online document

Customizing Your VAIO

®

Notebook Computer for more information on System Suspend and System Hibernation modes.

2

Press the Eject button to open the DVD-ROM drive.

The tray slides out.

Eject button

3 Place a DVD or CD in the tray with the label side facing up. For

DVDs, which can be played on both sides, the side of the disc facing up is the side that plays. Push the disc onto the hub until the disc clicks into place.

Label side facing up

36 VAIO

®

Notebook Computer User Guide

4

Close the tray by pushing it gently.

✍

Be sure to seat the disc firmly over the DVD-ROM drive hub fingers. If you do not seat the disc firmly, you could damage your DVD-ROM drive and you may not be able to open the tray.

When you finish using a disc, wait until the LED indicator light turns off, then press the Eject button to remove the disc.

When the computer is in System Suspend or System Hibernation mode, you cannot remove a disc. See “Controlling Power Management” in the online document Customizing Your

VAIO

®

Notebook Computer for more information about System Suspend and System

Hibernation modes.

If the disc does not come out when you press the Eject button, turn off the computer and insert a thin, pointed object into the manual eject hole.

To play DVDs

To achieve optimum performance when playing DVDs, you should use the following recommendations: Close any open applications before playing a DVD-ROM movie. The DVD player automatically adjusts the screen properties when you play a DVD movie. Depending on the display setup properties you have selected, you may need to use the Fn +

F command to expand the movie to full screen size.

✍

When playing DVD movies on battery power, set the power management profile to DVD profile. With other profiles, the movies are choppy. As an alternative, you can set the power management profile to Automatic Profile Selection, which will cause the DVD profile to be selected automatically whenever you insert a DVD. See “Controlling Power Management” in the online document Customizing Your VAIO

®

Notebook Computer for information on how to set the power management profile.

Using the DVD-ROM Drive 37

To remove the DVD-ROM drive

When the computer is off, skip steps 1 and 3.

1

Right-click the PowerPanel icon in the task tray and choose “Remove

Multipurpose bay device.” The message screen appears.

2

Slide the RELEASE lever on the bottom of the computer in the direction of the arrow and slide the DVD-ROM drive out of the multipurpose bay.

3

Click OK on the message screen.

✍

Be sure to insert the weight saver into the multipurpose bay when the bay is empty. See “To insert a second battery pack” on page 46 on how to insert the weight saver.

To insert the DVD drive

You do not need to shut down the computer to insert the DVD-ROM drive into the multipurpose bay. You can also insert the DVD-ROM drive while the computer is in power saving mode.

Multipurpose bay

DVD-ROM drive

Insert until it clicks

38 VAIO

®

Notebook Computer User Guide

Using PC Cards

Your computer includes two PC card slots. PC cards allow you to connect portable external devices such as another hard disk drive, or to connect a network.

✍

The PC card slots can accommodate (at the same time) two Type I, two Type II, or one Type

III PC card. These slots are compatible with Card Bus.

Some PC cards may require that you disable idle devices when using the PC card. You can use Sony Notebook Setup to disable devices. See “Displaying the Sony Notebook Setup

Screen” in the Customizing Your Notebook Computer manual for details.

Be sure to use the most recent software driver provided by the PC card manufacturer.

If an “!” mark appears on the Device Manager tab in the System Properties dialog box, remove the software driver and then reinstall it.

You may not be able to use some PC cards or some functions of the PC card with this computer.

To insert a PC card

Use the lower slot for Type III PC cards.

✍

You do not need to shut down the computer before inserting or removing a PC card.

1

Pull the PC card RELEASE button away from the computer, then push it in toward the computer.

Using PC Cards 39

2

Remove the PC card slot protector.

When you use a Type III PC card, you need to remove both the top and bottom PC card slot protectors.

3

Insert the PC card into the PC card slot, front label facing up. Gently push the card into the slot until the card is fixed into the connector.

The RELEASE button comes out. Knock down the RELEASE button toward the display panel.

PC card

40 VAIO

®

Notebook Computer User Guide

To remove a PC card

✍

Do not force a card into the slot as this may damage the connector pins. If you have difficulty inserting a card, check that you are inserting the card with the correct orientation.

See the manual that came with your PC card for more information on use.

For some PC cards, if you alternate between normal power operation and the System

Suspend or System Hibernation power management modes while the card is inserted, you may find that a device connected to your system is not recognized. Restart your system to correct the problem.

When the computer is on, be sure to follow the steps below, otherwise the system may not activate properly. When the computer is off, skip steps 1 to 4.

1

Click the Start button, point to Setup, and then click Control Panel.

2

Double-click the PC card icon.

3

Click the name of the PC card you want to remove from the list that displays, then click Stop.

4

When the message “You can remove the PC card” appears in the display, click OK.

5

Press the RELEASE button to remove the PC card.

Upper eject button

Lower eject button

Insert the PC card slot protector back into the empty slot.

Using Smart Connect 41

Using Smart Connect

The preinstalled Smart Connect software allows you to use an i.LINK cable (not supplied) to connect your VAIO Notebook Computer to another VAIO computer that also has Smart Connect. You can then use one computer to copy, and edit files on the other computer. You can also print from a printer attached to either computer.

✍

When you use Smart Connect to connect two VAIO computers, you must assign each computer a unique name by which it can be identified when the two computers are networked.

Do not connect/remove the Mini Docking Station while using Smart Connect as Smart

Connect may become unavailable.

See the Smart Connect online help for more information.

i.LINK cable i.LINK cables i.LINK cables compatible with your VAIO Notebook computer include cables with the following part numbers: VMC-IL4415 (a 1.5 meter cable with a 4-pin connector at each end), VMC-IL4435 (a 3.5 meter cable with a

4-pin connector at each end), VMC-IL4615 (a 1.5 meter cable with a 4-pin connector at one end and a6-pin connector at the other end), and VMC-

IL4635 (a 3.5 meter cable with a 4-pin connector at one end and a 6-pin connector at the other).

42 VAIO

®

Notebook Computer User Guide

Using Infrared Communication Devices

Your computer includes an infrared port, located on the left side. You can use this port to communicate with other infrared-equipped devices with compatible protocols, such as a digital still camera or other computers.

To use infrared communication with another computer

Align the infrared ports on the two computers so that they are in a direct line.

Using Infrared Communication Devices 43

✍

Infrared communication capability can be turned on and off. By default, it is disabled when your system is shipped. To enable infrared use, click the infrared icon in the Windows

Control Panel and select the Enable infrared communication checkbox on the Options tab.

You can disable infrared communication when you are not using it to conserve battery life.

Use the infrared icon in the Windows Control Panel to enable and disable infrared communication. Do not use the icon in the taskbar.

Check the Status tag of the Infrared Monitor in the Windows Control Panel to determine if the infrared device is detected.

If the two devices are too far apart or too close together, data transfer may be interrupted or there may be noise in the transmission.

Do not cover the infrared ports with your hand or any other object.

Avoid direct sunlight, fluorescent light, or flashing incandescent light near the infrared ports.

See the manual that came with your digital still camera or other infrared communication device for more information on installation and use.

The active area of infrared transmission extends about 39 3 /

8

inches (1 meter) with an approximate radius of 15 degrees.

39

3 / 8

inc he s

(1m

) approximately

15 degrees

Infrared port

44 VAIO

®

Notebook Computer User Guide

Using Power Saving Modes

When you use a battery as the source of power for your computer, you can take advantage of power management settings to conserve battery life. In addition to the normal operating mode, which allows you to turn off specific devices, your computer has three distinct power saving modes: System Idle, System Suspend, and System Hibernation. When using battery power, you should be aware that the computer automatically enters System Hibernation mode when the remaining battery charge drops below 5 percent, regardless of the power management setting you select.

✍

If the battery level falls below 10 percent, you should either attach the AC adapter to recharge the battery or shut down your computer and insert a fully charged battery.

Normal Mode

This is the normal state of your computer when it is in use. The green power indicator light is on in this mode. To save power, you can turn off a specific device such as the LCD.

System Idle Mode

This mode is convenient if you do not need to use your computer for a brief period. The hard disk and video display enter a low power state, and the CPU clock and processor stop. The power indicator light is red in this mode.

To activate System Idle mode

Press Fn+S, the PowerPanel utility, or the Jog Dial.

To return to normal mode

Press any key or touch the touchpad.

Using Power Saving Modes 45

System Suspend Mode

The computer saves the current state of the system in RAM and switches off power to the CPU. The red power indicator light flashes in this mode.

To activate System Suspend mode

Press Fn+Esc, or press the power button and release it immediately. You can also use the PowerPanel utility or the Jog Dial to enter System

Suspend mode.

To return to normal mode

Press any key or the Power button for less than 4 seconds.

System Hibernation Mode

The state of the system is saved on the hard drive and power is turned off.

The power indicator light is off in this mode.

To activate System Hibernation mode

Press Fn+F12. The “Save to Disk Manager” screen appears, and then the computer enters System Hibernation mode. You can also use the

PowerPanel utility or the Jog Dial to enter System Hibernation mode.

To return to normal mode

Turn on the computer by pressing the power button. The computer returns to its previous state.

✍

When returning from System Hibernation mode, the system status stored on the hard disk is erased and the computer starts normally if you press the power button and hold for more than four seconds.

❑

❑

Time to return to normal mode

System Idle requires less time than System Suspend, and System

Suspend requires less time than System Hibernation.

Power consumption

System Idle uses more power than System Suspend, and System

Suspend uses more power than System Hibernation.

46 VAIO

®

Notebook Computer User Guide

Using a Second Battery Pack

You can purchase a second rechargeable battery pack. With two battery packs, you can extend the time that you use your computer with battery power. When using two battery packs, the battery pack you insert first charges first. The battery pack you insert second charges when the first battery pack is 85 percent full. You can monitor which battery pack is charging by observing the battery indicator lights.

To insert a second battery pack

1

If another device is in the multipurpose bay, remove the device. See

“To remove the DVD-ROM drive” on page 37.

2

Insert the battery pack into the multipurpose bay.

If the battery is being used, the battery 2 indicator light turns on.

Multipurpose bay

Battery pack

Label side facing down

3

Attach the weight saver to the computer to stabilize the battery pack.

Insert the tab of the weight saver into the hollow of the multipurpose bay slot, and then push the weight saver into the multipurpose bay until it clicks.

1

2

Battery pack

Weight saver

Using a Second Battery Pack 47

To charge the second battery pack

Keep the battery pack in the computer while it is connected to AC power.

The battery indicator flashes while the battery is charging. See also “To charge the battery pack” on page 21 for more information.

Battery indicators

Second battery pack

(not supplied)

Battery pack (supplied)

To remove the second battery pack

1 There is a RELEASE lever on the bottom of the weight saver. To remove the battery pack, slide the RELEASE lever on the bottom of

the computer in the direction of the arrow. See also “To remove the floppy disk drive” on page 34.

RELEASE lever

2

Remove the weight saver, and then pull out the battery pack.

3

Reinsert the weight saver.

✍

If you attach two battery packs, you can remove either of them without shutting down the computer. When removing one battery pack, make sure that the other battery pack's indicator is on. If the indicator of the battery pack you are going to remove is on, rightclick in the task tray and switch it in the “Select the battery pack in use” window.

48 VAIO

®

Notebook Computer User Guide

Connecting Peripheral Devices

You can add functionality to your computer by connecting any of these peripherals:

❑

❑

❑

❑

❑

❑

❑

❑

❑

Phone line (page 49)

Mini Docking Station (page 50)

❑

Printer (page 55)

❑

❑

External mouse or keyboard (page 56)

Floppy disk drive (page 57)

❑

AV devices (page 59)

Printer (page 62)

External display (page 64)

Desktop computer or serial device (page 66)

External speakers (page 68)

External microphone (page 69)

i.LINK-compatible device (page 70)

Universal Serial Bus (USB) device (page 71)

✍

Before you connect peripherals, turn off the computer and all peripherals.

Connect the power cord only after connecting all cables.

Turn on the computer only after turning on all peripherals.

You can select a country mode from the modem property window, but you should only use

US mode. Using other country modes is an infringement of the Telecommunications

Business Laws.

Connecting a Phone Line 49

Connecting a Phone Line

You need to connect a phone line to take advantage of online services and the Internet.

✍

In order to register your Sony VAIO Notebook computer, register your software online, and use Sony Customer Support, you must connect to a phone line. You must register your computer to receive the extended warranty.

1

Plug one end of the phone cable into the phone line jack on the computer.

Phone line jack

Phone line jack

Phone cable (not supplied)

2

Plug the other end into the wall jack.

✍

Your computer does not work with party lines, cannot be connected to a coin-operated telephone, and may not work with multiple phone lines or a private branch exchange (PBX).

Some of these connections might result in excess electrical current and could cause a malfunction in the internal modem.

50 VAIO

®

Notebook Computer User Guide

Connecting the Mini Docking Station

You can use the PCGA-PSX1 Mini Docking Station (optional) to connect peripheral devices such as a printer or external display.

Docking connector

UN DOCK button

IN USE indicator

DC IN indicator

RELEASE lever

Tabs

Back

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 7 8

3

4

1

2

5

6

7

S400

S VIDEO

VIDEO

Monitor

LINE OUT

LINE IN

USB

9

10 11 12

11

12

13

14

8

9

10

13 14

DC IN

/ Mouse/Keyboard

OPTICAL OUT

CONTROL A1

SERIAL/CONTROL A1 switch

Serial

CONTROL A1

Left

Floppy disk drive connector

Connecting the Mini Docking Station 51

Right

PC card slot

Before connecting the Mini Docking Station

You need to plug the cable attached to the AC adapter into the DC IN connector on the Mini Docking Station. Plug the power cord into the AC adapter and an electrical outlet.

The DC IN indicator lights on.

AC adapter (supplied)

Power cord

✍

Use the specified AC adapter for the power rating of the Mini Docking Station.

52 VAIO

®

Notebook Computer User Guide

To connect the Mini Docking Station to your computer

Connect the Mini Docking Station to the docking/FDD connector on the back of your computer.

When a charged battery is inserted in your computer, you can attach and detach the Mini Docking Station without turning off the computer.

1

Open the cover of your computer.

Docking/FDD connector

2 Attach the left side tab of the Mini Docking Station to the left side hollow of your computer.

Push the tab into the hollow firmly until it clicks.

Connecting the Mini Docking Station 53

3

Attach the right side tab of the Mini Docking Station to the right side hollow of your computer.

Push the tab into the hollow firmly until it clicks.

✍

Do not lift or move the computer by holding only the Mini Docking Station as the Mini

Docking Station may be removed from the computer.

To remove the Mini Docking Station from your computer

1

Press the UN DOCK button on the Mini Docking Station or click

REMOVE on the Start menu.

UN DOCK button

54 VAIO

®

Notebook Computer User Guide

2

After the IN USE indicator has turned off, pull the RELEASE lever on the right side of your computer and release the right tab.

RELEASE lever

3

Release the left tab.

✍

When the Mini Docking Station is attached to your computer, do not insert or remove the battery. The Mini Docking Station may be removed from the computer.

Do not remove the Mini Docking Station when the IN USE indicator is lit.

Connecting a Printer 55

Connecting a Printer

You can connect the printer to the Mini Docking Station attached to your computer to print documents.

To connect a printer

❑ Use the symbol to locate the Printer connector. Plug the printer cable (supplied with the printer) into this port on the computer.

Printer

Power cord to

Printer

Printer cable

(supplied with the printer)

✍

Before you connect the printer, turn off your computer and disconnect the AC adapter and power cord from the electrical outlet.

Plug the power cord after finishing all the connections.

Turn on the peripheral devices before turning on your computer.

If you are using a printer that does not support Windows 98, it may not function properly.

You can connect a printer while the floppy disk drive is in use.

When using a USB printer, connect it to the USB connector of your computer or of the Mini

Docking Station.

See the manual that came with your printer for more information on installation and use.

Before using the printer, you may need to change the Printer setting in the Sony Notebook

Setup software. See “Displaying the Sony Notebook Setup Screen” in the Customizing Your

Notebook Computer manual.

56 VAIO

®

Notebook Computer User Guide

Connecting an External Mouse or Keyboard

You can connect a PS/2

®

-style mouse or keyboard.

Plug the keyboard cable or mouse cable into this connector with the facing up.

Mouse or Keyboard

To connect both a mouse and keyboard at the same time, use the optional

PS/2 division connector.

✍

See “Using the Keyboard” on page 25 for more information on using the keyboard.

See the manual that came with your mouse or keyboard for more information on installation and use.

Before you connect or disconnect the mouse or keyboard, turn off the computer.

Do not connect or disconnect the PS/2 device (keyboard or mouse) when the computer is on as this may cause malfunction.

The Sony USB mouse PCGA-UMS1 (not supplied) is a USB device. So you must connect it to the USB connector.

Connecting a Floppy Disk Drive 57

Connecting a Floppy Disk Drive

You can use the floppy disk drive as an external drive by connecting it to the floppy disk drive connector on the left side of the Mini Docking

Station. You can connect it without turning off your computer.

To connect a floppy disk drive

Plug the cable firmly into the connector with the VAIO logo facing up and both of the alignment posts in the guide holes.

Floppy disk drive (supplied)

Mini Docking Station left side

Alignment posts

2 1

Floppy disk drive cable (supplied)

✍

When you connect the floppy disk drive to the floppy disk drive connector of the Mini

Docking Station, you cannot use the PRINTER connector of the floppy disk drive cable.

58 VAIO

®

Notebook Computer User Guide

To use the floppy disk drive stand

You can put the floppy disk drive on the Mini Docking Station by using the floppy disk stand supplied with the Mini Docking Station.

1

Insert the projections on the floppy disk drive into the Mini Docking

Station holes as illustrated below.

Projections

Holes

2

Slide the floppy disk drive stand in the direction of the arrow until it locks into place.

3

Slide the floppy disk drive in the direction of the arrow until it locks into place, then connect the floppy disk drive to the Mini Docking

Station with the floppy disk drive cable.

✍

Do not open the LCD panel too wide when the floppy disk drive stand is attached.

Connecting AV Devices 59

Connecting AV Devices

You can use audio/video devices by connecting the AV devices to the

Mini Docking Station. See also the manuals and online help that came with your AV devices.

To connect an MD deck or a CD player

If you connect the Mini Docking Station and an MD deck or a CD player which has a CONTROL A1 or CONTROL A1 connector, you can play a

CD disc, create your own CD database, or edit an MD disc.

Mini Docking Station

(connect to the computer)

SERIAL/CONTROL A1 switch

To OPTICAL OUT To CONTROL A1*

1 2

To Digital In

To Digital In

1

CONTROL A1*

MD deck

CONTROL A1*

1

2

2

To Digital Out CONTROL A1*

CD player

Optical Digital cable

Monaural mini-plug cable

To use the CONTROL A1 connector on the Mini Docking Station, switch the SERIAL/CONTROL A1 switch to CONTROL A1 .

✍

Use monaural mini-plug cables shorter than 2 meters with no resistance.

*CONTROL A1 or CONTROL A1

60 VAIO

®

Notebook Computer User Guide

To record music to a mini disc from a CD playing on the computer via the

OPTICAL OUT, (available by connecting to the Mini Docking Station) follow these steps:

1

Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.

2

Double-click YAMAHA DS-XG Audio Config.

3

Select Digital Output and click “ON [All Sources]/Analog out is muted.”

4

Click OK.

To connect a CD player, an active speaker, or an amplifier

Connect a CD player, an active speaker, or an amplifier to the LINE IN or LINE OUT connector of the Mini Docking Station to play a CD disc and experience higher-quality audio.

Mini Docking Station

Audio cable (not supplied)

To LINE OUT

To LINE IN

Active speaker,

amplifier, etc.

CD player, etc.

Connecting AV Devices 61

To connect a Dolby Digital Decoder

®

integrated device

Connect the OPTICAL OUT connector to a Dolby Digital Decoder integrated device to experience Dolby Digital recorded videos and dynamic sound.

To connect a TV or a Video Deck

Connect the computer to a TV or a video deck using audio/video cables.

Switch the input channel of the TV to external input. You also need to set up the TV configuration system. See “To select the display” in the

Customizing Your Notebook Computer manual for more information.

✍

Unplug the connecting cable from the MONITOR connector.

To OPTICAL OUT

TV

Mini Docking Station

TO S VIDEO

Video cable (not supplied)

To S Video Input

Digital Surround Headphone

(not supplied)

To Digital IN

Optical digital cable

✍

You can experience Dolby Digital or PCM sound from the OPTICAL OUT connector.

Switch the Digital output to PCM when you connect a device that does not support Dolby Digital, otherwise, the speakers or your hearing may be damaged by the increased volume. Switch the Digital output to PCM when you play DVDs that support linear PCM recording on the Mini

Docking Station.

62 VAIO

®

Notebook Computer User Guide

Connecting a Printer

You can connect the printer to your computer using the printer cable and the supplied floppy disk drive cable to print documents.

Before using the printer

❑ You need to install the software supplied with the printer. See the manual that came with your printer for more information.

❑

You need to set up the printer’s port. See I cannot print on page 80 for

more information about setting up the printer ports.

To connect a printer

Plug the floppy disk drive cable to the docking/FDD connector on your computer. Then connect the printer cable (supplied with the printer) to the PRINTER connector of the floppy disk drive cable.

Printer

Power cord

Floppy disk drive cable

To docking/FDD connector

Printer cable (supplied with the printer)

To PRINTER

Connecting a Printer 63

✍

Before you connect the printer, turn off your computer, and disconnect the AC adapter and power cord from the AC outlet.

Plug the power cord after finishing all the connections.

Turn on the peripheral devices before turning on your computer.

If you are using a printer that does not support Windows 98, it may not function properly.

You can connect a printer while the floppy disk drive is in use.

When using a USB printer, connect it to the USB connector of your computer or of the Mini

Docking Station.

64 VAIO

®

Notebook Computer User Guide

Connecting an External Display

You can connect an external display to your notebook computer. For example, you can use the computer with any of the following:

❑

❑

Computer display (monitor) (page 64)

Projector (page 65)

✍

Turn off your computer and all peripherals, and disconnect the AC adapter and power cord from the AC outlet before making connections.

Connect the power cord after connecting all peripherals.

Turn on your computer after turning on the power of all peripherals.

When you connect an external display, you may not be able to display both the LCD and external display simultaneously, depending on the external display.

To connect a computer display

You can enhance the sound quality of your computer by connecting

external speakers and an external microphone. See “Connecting External

Speakers” on page 68 and “Connecting an External Microphone” on page 69 for details on connecting external speakers and an external

microphone.

Computer display

Power cord

Display cable (not supplied) to

Monitor

✍

See the manual that came with your computer display for more information on installation and use.

Connecting an External Display 65

To connect a projector

Using a projector connected to your computer can be convenient for presentations and slide shows.

Projector to

Power cord to

Monitor

Audio cable (not supplied) RGB signal cable

✍

See the manual that came with your projector for more information on installation and use.

To select a display

When you connect an external display to the monitor connector, you can toggle the output among the Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), the external monitor, or both devices.

Use the Fn+F7 keys to select a display. See also “Selecting the Display

Mode” in the Customizing Your Notebook Computer manual for more information.

To

Switch to an external display

Press

Fn+F7

Result

Toggles among the LCD, the external display connected to the Monitor connector, and both the LCD and external display.

Only LCD LCD and external display

Only external display

66 VAIO

®

Notebook Computer User Guide

Connecting a Desktop Computer or Serial Device

You can use the Mini Docking Station to connect your notebook computer to another computer, or to connect other peripherals, such as the Sony

Digital Still Camera.

To use the Mini Docking Station SERIAL connector, switch the SERIAL/

CONTROL A1 switch to SERIAL.

To connect a desktop computer

❑ Use the symbol to locate the Serial connector. Plug a null-modem cable (not supplied) into this port on the Mini Docking Station and into the serial port on the desktop computer.

To I/O to Serial to your computer

Null-modem cable (not supplied)

To connect a digital still camera

❑ Use the symbol to locate the Serial connector. Plug the connecting cable into this port on the Mini Docking Station and into the

Digital I/O connector on the digital still camera.

Connecting a Desktop Computer or Serial Device 67

If your digital video camera recorder includes a Memory Stick™ media slot, you can copy images from it to your computer via a Memory Stick card. Copy images to the Memory Stick card and insert the card into the optional Memory Stick/PC Card Adapter. Insert the adapter into the PC card slot on your computer.

✍

See the manual that came with your digital camera or other serial device for more information on installation and use.

If you use a digital camera that has an infrared data communication system or other infrared

communication device, see “Using Infrared Communication Devices” on page 42.

68 VAIO

®

Notebook Computer User Guide

Connecting External Speakers

You can enhance the sound quality of your computer by connecting external speakers.

✍

Shut down the computer and all peripheral devices before connecting the cables.

Connect all the cables before plugging in the power cord.

Turn on the peripheral devices’ power, then turn on your computer.

Make sure your speakers are designed for computer use.

Turn down the volume of the speakers before you turn them on.

Do not place diskettes on the speakers; the speakers’ magnetic field may damage the data on the diskettes.

To connect external speakers

❑ Use the symbol to locate the Headphone connector. Plug the speaker cable into this connector.

Speakers

Speaker cable

(supplied with speakers) to

Headphone

✍

See the manual that came with your speakers for more information on installation and use.

Connecting an External Microphone 69

Connecting an External Microphone

You can enhance the quality of sound input by using an external microphone.

✍

Shut down the computer and all peripheral devices before connecting the cables.

Connect all the cables before plugging in the power cord.

Turn on the peripheral devices' power, then turn on your computer.

Make sure your microphone is designed for computer use. The microphone should be compliant with the plug-in power microphone.

To connect an external microphone

❑ Use the to locate the Microphone connector. Plug the microphone cable into this connector.

Microphone to

Microphone

✍

See the manual that came with your microphone for more information on installation and use.

70 VAIO

®

Notebook Computer User Guide

Connecting an i.LINK-compatible Device

You can connect an i.LINK-compatible device such as a digital video camera recorder to the S400™ connector. You can then download digital pictures from the i.LINK-compatible digital video camera recorder.

Digital video camera recorder to S400 i.LINK cable

(not supplied)

✍

The Sony digital video camera recorder (DCR-PC7) is pictured; you may need to connect your camera differently.

On Sony digital video cameras, connectors labeled “DV In/Out” or “i.LINK” are i.LINKcompatible.

See the manual that came with your i.LINK-compatible device for more information on installation and use.

Do not connect more than one digital video camera at a time. The software supplied with your computer will not recognize multiple cameras.

The i.LINK connector on the computer does not supply power to external devices. If the external device requires power from the i.LINK connector, you cannot use the device with the computer.

The computer supports transfer rates up to 400 Mbps; however, the actual transfer rate depends on the external device.

The i.LINK features available may vary depending on the software applications you use. See the documentation that came with your software for more information.

The connections and features may vary depending on the i.LINK-compatible devices. See

“i.LINK cables” on page 41 and Connecting an i.LINK-compatible Device, above, for more

information on cables and connections.

You can connect the digital video camera recorder either to your notebook computer or to the optional i.LINK port replicator. When you connect the digital video camera recorder to your computer or an i.LINK port replicator, do not connect anything to the other i.LINK connector.

Connecting a Universal Serial Bus (USB) Device 71

Connecting a Universal Serial Bus (USB) Device

You can connect a USB device to your computer.

USB device to

USB

USB connecting cable

(not supplied)

You can use the optional Sony USB mouse PCGA-UMS1 with this computer. The USB mouse software driver is preinstalled in the computer. Therefore you only need to plug the USB mouse into the USB connector.

✍

See the manual that came with your USB device for more information on installation and use.

72 VAIO

®

Notebook Computer User Guide

Getting Help

Sony provides several support options for your Sony computer. When you have questions about your computer and the preinstalled software, check these sources for answers, in the following sequence:

1

VAIO

®

Notebook

Read Me First

2

3 Customizing

4

VAIO

®

Notebook

User Guide

Your VAIO

®

Notebook

Manuals and online help files that may accompany your preinstalled software

5

Knowledge

Database

Contains Frequently Asked Questions, the most up-to-date information on using your computer, and software support information.

The User Guide (this manual) contains information on how to get the most from your computer, find help, and solve common problems. It also contains product specifications.

The electronic document contains additional information on customizing your computer. You can access this guide from the Windows Start menu by selecting Help Center/Step 1/Documentation.

Most of the manuals for preinstalled software are located on your hard disk drive as online help files.

You can access the online help files from the Help menu in the specific application. A printed manual is available for some applications.

6

7

Sony

Fax-on-Demand

Calling Sony

Customer

Support

Provides instant access to information on commonly encountered problems. Enter a description of your problem and the Knowledge Database searches for the corresponding solutions online. You can access the Sony Knowledge Database at: http://www.sony.com/pcsupport

This service provides you with answers to commonly asked questions. You can use this automated service to request a list of available topics and then select the topics that you want to receive. To contact the Sony fax-on-demand service, call 1-888-4SONYPC

(1-888-476-6972). (Requires a fax machine or your fax software.)

You can call and speak with a Sony Customer

Support Representative without using your computer by calling 1-888-4SONYPC

(1-888-476-6972). Software support is available free of charge for 90 days after the original date of purchase.

Troubleshooting 73

Troubleshooting

This section describes how to solve common problems you may encounter when using your computer. Many problems have simple solutions, so try these suggestions before you call Sony Customer

Support.

✍

When you reconnect devices be sure to turn off the computer as described in “Shutting

Down Your Computer” on page 14. Turning off the computer using other methods may

result in data loss.

My computer does not start

❑ Check that the computer is plugged into a power source and that it is turned on. Check that the power indicator on the front panel of the computer indicates that the power is on.

❑

❑

Check that the battery packs are inserted properly and that they are charged.

Make sure there is no diskette in the floppy disk drive.

❑

❑

Confirm that the power cord and all cables are connected firmly, as

described in “Connecting Peripheral Devices” on page 48.

If you plugged the computer into a power strip or UPS, make sure the power strip or UPS is turned on and working.

❑

❑

❑

❑

If you are using an external display, check that it is plugged into a power source and turned on. Check that the brightness and contrast controls are adjusted correctly. See the manual that came with your display for details.

Moisture condensation may have occurred. Do not use the computer for at least one hour and then turn on the computer.

Take the battery pack off the computer, unplug the power cord and plug it again, then turn on the power.

When the internal backup battery is low on power, it may not be able to start your system properly. The message “Press <F1> to resume,

<F2> to setup” would appear at the bottom of the display. Should this happen:

1 Press F2. The BIOS Setup menu appears.

2 Set the date (month/day/year). Press Enter to move to the next item.

To enter 01/31/1999, for example, type 1, press Enter, type 31, press

Enter, type 1999, then press Enter.

74 VAIO

®

Notebook Computer User Guide

3

Press Ð to select System Time, then set the time (hour: minute: second). Press Enter to move to the next item.

4

Press Î to select Exit, then press Ð to select Get Default Values. The message “Load default configuration now?” appears.

5

Be sure Yes is selected, and press Enter. If No is selected, press Í to select Yes.

6

Select Exit (Save Changes), then press Enter. The message “Save

Configuration changes and exit now?” appears.

7

Be sure Yes is selected, and press Enter. The computer restarts.

When I turn on my computer, the message “Operating system not found” appears and Windows does not start

❑ Check the floppy disk drive to see if a non-bootable diskette is in the drive.

❑

❑

If a non-bootable diskette is in the drive, turn off the computer, remove the diskette, and then turn on the computer again. Confirm that Windows starts properly. If Windows still does not start, follow the procedure below to initialize the BIOS.

If the floppy disk drive is empty, follow the steps below to initialize the BIOS:

1

Remove any peripheral devices connected to the computer.

2

Turn off the computer and then turn it on again.

3

Turn on the computer and press the F2 key when the Sony logo appears. The BIOS setup menu screen appears.

4

Press the arrow keys to select the Exit menu.

5

Press the arrow keys to select “Get Default Values” and then press the

Enter key. The message “Load default configuration now?” appears.

6

Check that “Yes” is selected, then press the Enter key.

7

Press the arrow keys to select “Exit” (Save Changes) and then press the Enter key. The message “Save configuration changes and exit now?” appears.

8

Check that “Yes” is selected, then press the Enter key. The computer restarts.

If your computer still displays the message “Operating system not found” and Windows does not start, contact Sony Customer Support.

Troubleshooting 75

My LCD does not display anything

❑ Check that the computer is plugged into a power source and that it is turned on. Check that the power indicator on the front panel of the computer is on.

❑

❑

Check that the battery packs are inserted properly and that they are charged.

The computer may be in LCD (Video) Standby mode. Press any key to activate the display.

❑ The display mode may be in external display mode. Press Fn while pressing F7 several times.

The screen image on my external display is not centered or sized properly

Use the controls on your external display to adjust the image. See the manual supplied with your display for more information.

My computer “locks up”

❑ Try restarting the computer. On the Windows taskbar, click the Start button, click Shut Down, and then click Restart the computer.

❑ If you cannot restart as described in the preceding step, you can restart the computer by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Delete.

❑ If the previous step does not work, press the power button and hold it for at least four seconds. This turns off the power.

✍

Pressing Ctrl+Alt+Delete may result in data loss in files that are currently open.

My software program “locks up” or crashes

Contact the software publisher or designated provider for technical support. See the Read Me First for a complete list of software contact phone numbers.

My DVD-ROM drive tray does not open

❑ Make sure the computer is turned on.

❑

❑

Press the Eject button on the DVD-ROM drive.

If the Eject button does not work, you can open the tray by inserting a sharp, pointed object into the hole to the right of the Eject button.

I can’t record on an MD using the Mini Docking Station

Click the Start button and choose Programs, Media Bar, Mini Docking

Station Setup. Confirm that “Enable Mini Docking Station” is checked.

76 VAIO

®

Notebook Computer User Guide

There is no sound from my external speakers attached to the Mini Docking

Station while a music CD is playing in the CD-ROM drive.

Click the Start button and choose Control Panel. Double-click YAMAHA

DS-XG Audio Config/Digital Output. Confirm that “ON [All Sources]/ analog out is muted” is checked. If this is checked, the computer does not output sound.

I cannot play a CD-ROM/DVD-ROM

❑ Make sure the DVD-ROM drive is inserted correctly.

❑

❑

Make sure the label of the disc is facing up.

If the disc requires software, make sure the software is installed according to the program’s instructions.

❑

❑

Moisture condensation may have occurred. Leave the computer for at least 1 hour while the computer is turned on.

Clean the disc.

❑ Check the speaker volume.

The pointer does not move

❑ Click the Start button on the Windows 98 bar, and select Shut Down to display the Shut Down Windows dialog box, then press Enter.

❑

❑

If you cannot turn off the computer as described in the step above, press Ctrl+Alt+Delete to restart the computer.

If nothing occurs doing the step above, press the power button for more than four seconds to turn off the computer.

❑ If the pointer does not move while playing a disc, press

Ctrl+Alt+Delete to stop playback and restart the computer.

When I click an application icon a message appears, such as “You must insert the application CD into your DVD-ROM drive,” and the software does not start

❑ Some titles require specific files that are located on the application’s

CD-ROM. Insert the disc and try starting the program again.

❑ Make sure you place the disc in the tray with the label side facing up.

My floppy disk drive cannot write to a diskette

❑ If the diskette is write-protected, disable the write-protect feature or use a diskette that is not write-protected.

❑ Check that the diskette is properly inserted into the floppy disk drive.

Troubleshooting 77

My speakers have no sound

❑ If the built-in speakers are turned off, press Fn+F3 to turn on the speakers. You can also turn on the speakers using the Jog Dial.

❑

❑

If the speaker volume is turned to the minimum, press Fn+F4, and then press or ➜ to increase the volume or you can use the Jog Dial to control the volume.

If your computer is powered by batteries, check that the battery packs are inserted properly and that they are charged.

❑

❑

If you are using an application that has its own volume control, check that the volume is turned up.

Check the volume controls in Windows

®

98.

❑

❑

If you connect external speakers, check that the speakers are properly connected and the volume is turned up. If the speakers have a mute button, make sure it is off. If the speakers are powered by batteries, check that the batteries are inserted properly and that they are charged.

If you have connected an audio cable to the Headphone connector, disconnect the cable.

My modem does not work

❑ Check that the phone line is plugged into the line jack. See

“Connecting a Phone Line” on page 49 for details.

❑ Check that the phone line is working. You can check the line by plugging in an ordinary phone and listening for a dial tone.

❑

❑

Check that the phone number the program is dialing is correct.

Check that the software you are using is compatible with the notebook computer modem. (All preinstalled Sony programs are compatible.)

78 VAIO

®

Notebook Computer User Guide

My modem connection is slow

The computer’s modem uses K56flex

™

technology and V.90 capability.

Many factors influence modem connection speed, including telephone line noise or compatibility with telephone equipment (such as fax machines or other modems). If you think your modem is not connecting properly to other PC-based modems, fax machines, or your Internet

Service Provider, check the following:

❑

❑

❑

❑

Have your phone company check that your phone line is free from any line noise.

If your problem is fax-related, check that there are no problems with the fax machine you are calling and that it is compatible with fax modems.

If you are having a problem connecting with your Internet Service

Provider, check that the ISP is not experiencing technical problems.

If you have a second phone line available, try connecting the modem to that line.

My microphone does not work

If you are using an external microphone, check that the microphone is

plugged into the Microphone connector. See “Connecting an External

Microphone” on page 69 for details.

My mouse does not work

❑ If you are using an external mouse, check that the mouse is plugged

into the mouse connector. See “Connecting an External Mouse or

Keyboard” on page 56 for details.

❑

❑

If you connected an external mouse while your computer is on, you must restart your computer.

If you are using an optional Sony USB mouse PCGA-UMS1, check that the mouse is plugged into the USB connector.

My touchpad does not work

You may have disabled the touchpad while no mouse was connected to the computer. If so, you must restart the computer to make the touchpad work again.

Troubleshooting 79

I cannot use DV devices. The message “DV equipment seems to be disconnected or turned off” appears.

❑ Check that the DV device is turned on and that the cables are properly connected.

❑ If you are using multiple i.LINK devices, the combination of the connected devices may cause unstable operation. In this case, turn off the power to all connected devices and disconnect unused devices.

Check the connection, then turn on the power again.

My touchpad interprets a single tap as a double-click

Click the Mouse icon in the Control Panel and then change the button assignments in the Mouse Properties dialog box. One of the buttons is assigned to the double-click action.

My computer does not shut down

It is best to shut down your computer using the Shut Down command on the Windows 98 Start menu. Using other methods, including those listed here, may result in loss of unsaved data. If the Shut Down command does not work properly, follow these steps:

❑

❑

Restart the computer by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Delete. If this does not work, press the power button forward and hold it for at least four seconds to turn off the power.

Unplug the computer from the AC adapter and remove the battery pack from your computer.

My PC card is not working

❑ Make sure the PC card is compatible with Windows 98.

❑

❑

Use the Sony Notebook Setup utility to disable devices you are not currently using.

If you are using two PC cards, use the Sony Notebook Setup utility to disable devices you are not currently using.

The sound of my computer’s fan is too loud

Use the PowerPanel utility to change the Thermal Control Strategy setting to Quiet. This setting slows down the CPU speed. See the

PowerPanel Help for more information.

80 VAIO

®

Notebook Computer User Guide

I cannot print

The default setting for the printer port mode is correct for most printers.

If you cannot print, try changing the printer port mode. In Sony

Notebook Setup, select the Printer tab. If the printer port mode is set to

ECP, change it to bi-directional. If the printer port mode is set to bi-directional, change it to ECP. See “Displaying the Sony Notebook

Setup Screen” in the Customizing Your Notebook Computer manual for details on using Sony Notebook Setup.

The i.LINK-compatible devices connected to the Mini Docking Station do not work

Use the i.LINK connector of the computer.

The i.LINK-compatible devices connected to the computer do not work. The message “There are no Digital Video devices connected to this computer, or the power is off” appears.

Unplug the i.LINK cable and plug it again.

Power Management

The operating system may become unstable if a lower power state such as system hibernation is initiated and then changed before the operating system completely enters the lower power state. To restore the computer to its normal operating stability, close all open applications, push the power button and hold it there for four seconds or more to completely shut down the computer.

Using the System and Application Recovery CDs 81

Using the System and Application

Recovery CDs

The following sections describe how to use the System Recovery and

Application Recovery utilities.

Using the System Recovery CD(s)

You can reinstall software titles that shipped with your computer if they are corrupted or accidentally erased. You may not need to recover the entire contents of your hard drive. If you experience a problem with your computer, reinstalling an individual device driver or software title may correct the problem. Use the Application Recovery CD(s) to reinstall

individual applications or device drivers. See “Using the Application

Recovery CD(s)” on page 83.

The System Recovery CD contains a backup copy of all the software originally installed on your hard disk drive. It can be used only to recover the hard disk of the notebook computer you purchased.

The System Recovery utility gives you three options:

❑

❑

❑

Full Restore without Format restores all the software titles that originally came with your computer without formatting the hard disk.

Full Restore with Format formats the hard disk drive and then restores all the original software.

Operating System Only restores the Windows

®

98 Second Edition operating system, the notebook computer utility programs, and the device drivers that shipped with your computer.

!

If you choose the Full Restore with Format or Operating System Only option, your hard disk will be formatted, which removes all the information on the hard disk drive. You will lose any software you have installed and any other files you have created since you started to use your computer. This means you will have to reinstall any applications that were not included with the computer when you purchased it. If you choose the Full Restore without

Format option, you may need to reinstall applications that were not included with the computer when you purchased it. If you have any questions on using the System Recovery CD, contact Sony Customer Support.

82 VAIO

®

Notebook Computer User Guide

To use the System Recovery CD(s)

✍

You need to complete the Windows 98 registration process when you use the System

Recovery CD. Make sure you have the product ID number located on the cover of your

Microsoft Windows

®

98 Second Edition “Getting Started” manual. You will need this number to complete the recovery process.

1 Insert the Sony System Recovery CD in the DVD-ROM drive.

✍

The System recovery utility boots from the DVD-ROM drive. It must be in the DVD-ROM drive when you turn on the computer.

2

Shut down your computer as described in “Shutting Down Your

Computer” on page 14.

3

Wait four seconds and turn on your computer.

4

Click OK to signify you have read and accept the Microsoft End-User

License Agreement.

5

When the System Recovery menu appears, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the recovery process.

✍

Your system may include one or two System Recovery CDs. If you have two System Recovery CDs, insert the first CD to run the System Recovery program. You are prompted to insert the second CD once the information from the first CD has been installed.

The recovery process takes from 30 to 60 minutes to complete.

If your computer does not start from the Recovery CD

1 Press the power button and hold it for more than four seconds to turn off the computer.

2 Turn on the computer. When the Sony logo is displayed, press the F2 key. The BIOS setup menu screen appears.

3 Press the arrow keys to select the Exit menu.

4 Press the arrow keys to select “Get Default Values” and then press the

Enter key. The message “Load default configuration now?” appears.

5 Check that “Yes” is selected, then press the Enter key.

Using the System and Application Recovery CDs 83

6

Press the arrow keys to select “Exit” (Save Changes) and then press the Enter key. The message “Save configuration changes and exit now?” appears.

7

Check that “Yes” is selected, then press the Enter key. The computer restarts from the Recovery CD.

Using the Application Recovery CD(s)

The Application Recovery CD(s) allows you to reinstall individual applications and device drivers if they are corrupted or accidentally erased. Reinstalling an individual device driver or software title may correct a problem you are experiencing with your computer, and you may not need to recover the entire contents of your hard drive. If you do need to reinstall all the software titles that shipped with your computer, use the

System Recovery CD(s). See “Using the System Recovery CD(s)” on page 81.

You can also use the Application Recovery CD to install Windows NT

®

Workstation 4.0 drivers on your computer.

✍

You must be in Windows to run the Application Recovery CD. The application will not run from DOS. If you have any questions on using the Application Recovery CD, contact Sony

Customer Support.

To use the Application Recovery CD(s)

1

Turn on your computer. If your computer is already on, close all applications.

2

When the Windows desktop appears, insert the Sony Application

Recovery CD in the DVD-ROM drive. The Application Recovery utility loads automatically.

3

When the Application Recovery menu appears, select the icon for the application you want to restore and then follow the on-screen instructions to complete the recovery process.

✍

Your system may include one or two Application Recovery CDs. If you have two Application

Recovery CDs, insert the first CD to run the Application Recovery program. You may be prompted to insert the second CD, depending on the application you wish to restore.

84 VAIO

®

Notebook Computer User Guide

Changing the Window design of Sony Software

To change the window design of Sony software:

1 Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.

2 Double-click UI Design Selector.

3 Click <<or>> and select the desired design.

4 Click Apply. The “UI Design Selector” window design changes. The window design for you software will match the “UI Design Selector” window.

5 To try another selection, click <<or>>.

6 Click OK. The UI Design Selector closes and the window design of your Sony software displays.

Placing a Keycap 85

Placing a Keycap

Place the Enter keycap, Shift keycap and Space keycap as described below. For other keys, place the keycaps in their original place and gently push down until they click.

To place a keycap

Enter Key projections

Push down projections

Shift key and Space key projections spring

Push down spring projections

✍

Do not use force to remove the keycaps as this may result in a malfunction.

Do not push too hard on the keycaps when placing them.

86 VAIO

®

Notebook Computer User Guide

Adding Memory

In the future you may want to install memory modules to expand the functionality of your computer. You can increase memory to 256 MB by installing an optional memory module.

✍

If you are upgrading to 192 MB or 256 MB, you will need to remove both of the memory modules that come with your computer. Make sure you observe the proper safety precautions when you install a memory module in your computer. See the bulleted list below. Be careful when adding memory. Mistakes when installing or removing a memory module may cause malfunction.

If you are using only one memory module, you must use the slot closest to the front of the computer.

❑

❑

❑

❑

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) can damage disk drives and other components. Perform the procedures described below only at an ESD workstation. If such a station is not available, do not work in a carpeted area, and do not handle materials that produce or hold static electricity (cellophane wrappers, for example).

Ground yourself by maintaining contact with an unpainted metal portion of the chassis while performing the procedure.

Do not open the memory module package until you are ready to install the module. The package protects the module from ESD.

Use the special bag for preventing ESD or use aluminum foil when you store the memory module.

To remove a memory module

1 Follow steps 1 to 5 of “To install a memory module.”

2 Touch a metal object (such as the connector panel on the back of your computer) to discharge static electricity.

3 Remove the memory module.

1 Pull the tabs in the direction of the arrows.

The memory module is released.

2 Pull the memory module in the direction of the arrow.

4

Follow steps 8 and 9 of “To install a memory module.”

Adding Memory 87

To install a memory module

1

Shut down your computer and disconnect all peripheral devices, such as your printer.

2

Unplug the computer and remove the battery packs.

3

Wait until the computer cools down. Then unscrew the screw at the bottom of your computer.

screw

✍

Unscrew the screw with a screwdriver of a proper size.

4

Lift the two stoppers at the bottom of the keyboard and slide the keyboard toward the LCD display, then lift it away slightly.

stopper

88 VAIO

®

Notebook Computer User Guide

5

Lift the keyboard from the LCD display side by releasing the four tabs, then gently lean it over the display. Be careful not to detach the cable when lifting the keyboard.

Tabs

Cable

6

Remove the new memory module from its packaging.

7

Install the memory module as described in the following graphic.

1 Slide the memory module into the slot.

2 Press the module into place until it clicks.

Adding Memory 89

8

Gently replace the keyboard, then press it into your computer. Be careful not to detach the cable when replacing the keyboard.

9 Close the computer cover, and tighten the screws on the bottom of the computer.

To view the system memory

1

Turn on the computer.

2

Click the Start button, point to VAIO, and click “Sony Notebook

Setup.”

The Sony Notebook Setup screen appears.

3

Click the “About This Computer” tab to view the system memory. If

the additional memory is not shown, repeat steps 1-9 of “To install a memory module” on page 87.

90 VAIO

®

Notebook Computer User Guide

About the Software on Your Computer

Your VAIO notebook is ready to help you work, play, learn, and communicate as soon as you turn it on. This section gives you an overview of the activities you can perform with your software titles. For

support information, see “For Answers to Your Software Questions” on page 96.

Adobe Acrobat

®

Reader

Adobe Systems Inc.

Acrobat Reader software allows you to view, navigate, and print electronic documents in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF), an open file format that is intended to preserve the fidelity of documents created on all major computer platforms.

Adobe PhotoDeluxe

®

Business Edition

Adobe Systems Inc.

Create amazing photo effects with Adobe PhotoDeluxe. Without learning complex software, you can enhance, restore, and be creative with your photos. Includes built-in guided activities, stock photos, clip art and templates to assist you.

America Online

®

America Online

America Online is a popular Internet online service. Stay in touch with family and friends with Easy-to-Use E-mail, manage your personal finances, get the latest news and sports scores, and chat with thousands of others who share your interests.

AT&T WorldNet

®

Service

AT&T

Fast, reliable Internet access from AT&T WorldNet Service. AT&T

WorldNet Service provides web-based e-mail, a personalized start page from Excite, easy access to the Excite search engine, free web pages, online and live agent technical support, instant messaging, and special shopping discounts at Market Square.

About the Software on Your Computer 91

CompuServe

®

2000

CompuServe, Inc.

The all new CompuServe 2000 delivers a powerful tool for Internet users who want serious and timely information, in-depth research, and professional communities backed by state-of-the-art technologies, including high-speed access and powerful e-mail messaging.

DVgate™ Motion

Sony Electronics

Connect a digital video camera recorder to the i.LINK connector and capture your own video clips. You can edit the clips from your video, add others, and combine clips into new movie segments.

DVgate™ Still

Sony Electronics

Connect a digital video camera recorder to the i.LINK connector and capture your own still images. You can save your images in a variety of popular file formats.

EarthLink Network TotalAccess™

EarthLink Network, Inc.

An Internet Service Provider that supplies access, information, and assistance to its customers, introducing them to the Internet. Member benefits include e-mail, a Personal Start Page, a free 6 MB web site, a member newsletter, and 24-hour technical support.

eMail inChorus

™

Softlink, Inc.

This communications tool turns your e-mail into multimedia e-mail. With eMail inChorus

™

, in minutes you can send your colleagues and friends presentations and e-mails narrated with your pre-recorded voice and illustrated with graphics and animated annotation.

McAfee VirusScan

®

Network Associates, Inc.

Protect your computer from viruses. VirusScan can detect viruses from floppy disks, Internet downloads, e-mail attachments, intranets, shared files, CD-ROMs, and online services.

popular file formats.

92 VAIO

®

Notebook Computer User Guide

Media Bar™

Sony Electronics

Media Bar software is your all-in-one solution for audio/video playback.

Media Bar software handles all common computer multimedia formats and controls selected Sony devices. In addition to audio/video library cataloging and playlist management, Media Bar software includes digital video quality control and effects features. Media Bar software seamlessly integrates a variety of new media formats with an easy-to-use software interface.

Microsoft

®

Internet Explorer for Windows

®

98

Microsoft Corporation

Internet Explorer delivers the web the way you want it. It is safe, easy to use, and you can personalize how you access the web. Outlook Express and other tools in Internet Explorer also help you have a great experience when you are on the web.

Microsoft

®

Money 99

Microsoft Corporation

Microsoft Money 99 is personal finance software that lets you perform your financial tasks, everything from paying bills to planning for the future, in a smarter, faster way. With Money's online services, you can pay bills and bank from the comfort of home.

Microsoft

®

Outlook

®

98

Microsoft Corporation

Outlook 98 is Microsoft's premier messaging and collaboration client. It combines the leading support for Internet standards-based messaging systems with integrated calendar, contact, and task-management features.

Microsoft

®

Word 97

Microsoft Corporation

The world’s leading word processor allows you to create professionallooking letters, school reports, and other documents using ready-to-use templates, automatic formatting and spelling and grammar checkers.

About the Software on Your Computer 93

Microsoft

®

Works Suite 99

Microsoft Corporation

Microsoft Works Suite is an integrated program for creating spreadsheets, databases, calendars, and more. The Works Calendar reminds you of important dates.

MindSpring

®

Internet Desktop

MindSpring Enterprises, Inc.

The MindSpring Internet Desktop offers you access to different areas of the Internet from one convenient program. With a single click on the

MindSpring Internet Desktop, you can easily search the Internet, send and receive e-mail, access news and weather, and more.

Netscape Communicator™

Netscape Communications

Netscape Communicator is an all-in-one Internet tool that makes it easy to browse the web, send Internet e-mail, chat, read newsgroups and compose great web documents.

PictureGear™

Sony Electronics

This image management software displays images from your hard drive, a Sony Digital Still Camera, or a Sony Mavica® Camera. The images appear in a convenient light-table format, so that you can easily view the contents of an entire folder.

Prodigy Internet™

Prodigy Communications Corporation

An online service that helps you find what you need online faster and smarter. Prodigy delivers powerful online content such as sports scores, stock quotes, news, and easy access to Excite, plus quality customer service, all at a competitive price.

94 VAIO

®

Notebook Computer User Guide

Quicken

®

Basic 99

Intuit, Inc.

Quicken is a fast, easy way to organize your finances. Quicken works just like your checkbook, so it is easy to learn and use. Quicken manages all your finances, bank accounts, credit cards, investments, and loans. You can even pay your bills online.

Smart Capture

Sony Electronics

Smart Capture is a fun new way to send multimedia messages via e-mail.

Smart Capture manages the i.LINK connection between your computer and a Sony Digital Handycam® camcorder that supports the i.LINK interface. It allows you to capture compressed video or still images that you can save or share via e-mail. A smart solution to computer, digital audio/video and network convergence.

Smart Connect

Sony Electronics

Smart Connect allows you to use an i.LINK cable (not supplied) to connect your VAIO computer to another VAIO computer that supports

Smart Connect. You can then use one computer to copy, delete, and edit files on the other computer. You can also print from a printer attached to either computer.

Smart Label

Sony Electronics

This tool allows you to record your voice and play it back at any time to remind you of important information, such as telephone numbers or appointments. It can also be used as a normal text memo pad. It can record a voice memo up to 60 seconds long. You can combine this with pictures and/or text to create a memo that you can place on your computer desktop.

Smart Publisher

Sony Electronics

Smart Publisher makes it easy for you to send web pages to the Internet using e-mail or FTP.

About the Software on Your Computer 95

Smart Write

Sony Electronics

A word processor that allows you to create documents that incorporate pictures and sound. With Smart Write, you can record your voice right into the page and draw directly onto your documents with a computer

“pencil.”

Sound Forge

®

XP

Sonic Foundry

Sound Forge

®

XP allows you to put powerful audio processing tools and effects to work on your desktop. Simply cut, copy, and paste your way to striking multimedia files for use in everything from web pages to desktop presentations.

WinFax

®

Basic Edition

Symantec Corporation

WinFax Basic software incorporates an easy-to-use interface that allows you to send and receive faxes easily. Upgrade to WinFax Pro to receive additional features.

About Your Recovery CDs

Application Recovery CD(s)

Sony Electronics

This program allows you to reinstall individual applications and device drivers. Use it to restore corrupted or accidentally erased files.

System Recovery CD(s)

Sony Electronics

This program allows you to restore the software titles that shipped with your computer if they become corrupted or are erased accidentally. It can be used only to restore the hard disk of the Sony computer you purchased.

96 VAIO

®

Notebook Computer User Guide

For Answers to Your Software Questions

Acrobat

®

Reader, Adobe PhotoDeluxe

®

Business Edition

(Adobe Systems Incorporated) website http://www.adobe.com/ phone fax

206-628-2746 (fee-based support)

206-628-5737 e-mail hours [email protected]

M-F, 6 AM-5 PM Pacific Time

America Online

®

(America Online) website phone hours http://www.aol.com/

800-827-3338

7 days a week, 24 hours a day

AT&T WorldNet

®

Service (AT&T) website phone e-mail hours http://www.worldnet.att.net

800-400-1447 [email protected]

7 days a week, 24 hours a day

CompuServe

®

2000 (CompuServe, Inc.) website http://www.compuserve.com/ phone 800-848-8990

EarthLink Network TotalAccess™ (EarthLink Network, Inc.) website http://help.earthlink.net/techsupport/ phone e-mail hours

800-395-8410

[email protected]

7 days a week, 24 hours a day

For Answers to Your Software Questions 97 eMail inChorus™ (Softlink, Inc.) website phone e-mail hours http://www.sonk.com

408-970-3370 [email protected]

M-F 8AM-5PM Pacific Time

McAfee VirusScan (Network Associates, Inc.) website http://support.mcafee.com

phone e-mail

408-988-3832 [email protected]

hours M-F 9AM-5PM Central Time

Mindspring

®

Internet Desktop (MindSpring) website http://help.mindspring.com/support phone 800-719-4660

Netscape Communicator™ (Netscape Communications Corporation) website phone http://www.netscape.com/

888-4SONYPC (888-476-6972)

* hours 7 days a week, 24 hours a day

* Support from 1-888-4SONY PC is free of charge for 90 days after the original date of purchase.

Prodigy Internet™ (Prodigy Communications Corporation) website http://www.prodigy.com/ phone hours

800-213-0992

7 AM - 3 AM Eastern Time

Quicken

®

Basic (Intuit Inc.) website phone hours http://www.intuit.com/support

900-555-4688

7 days a week, 24 hours a day

98 VAIO

®

Notebook Computer User Guide

Windows

®

98 Second Edition Operating System, Word, Works, Money,

Outlook, Internet Explorer (Microsoft Corporation) website phone http://www.microsoft.com/support/

888-4SONYPC (888-476-6972)

* hours 7 days a week, 24 hours a day

* Support from 1-888-4SONY PC is free of charge for 90 days after the original date of purchase.

WinFax

®

Basic Edition (Symantec Corporation) website http://www.symantec.com/techsupp/ phone fax

800-798-0850

800-554-4403 in North America

541-984-2490 outside North America

Sony Service Center

For the Sony Service Center nearest you, call 1-888-4SONYPC

(1-888-476-6972).

Specifications 99

Specifications

Model

Processor

Hard Disk Drive

Standard RAM

LCD Screen

L2 Cache Memory

MPEG

Graphics

Sound Capabilities

Diskette Drive

DVD-ROM Drive

Laser Diode

Properties

Modem

Infrared

Multipurpose Bay

Expansion

Capabilities

Built-in Capabilities

Telecommunication

Capabilities

PCG-XG9

500 MHz* Mobile Pentium

®

III

18.1 GB †

128 MB PC 100 SDRAM (Two 64 MB modules), expandable to 256 MB

13.3” XGA TFT

256 KB (CPU Integrated)

MPEG2 Digital Video; supports full-screen playback

128-bit accelerator with 2.5MB Video RAM

16-bit CD-quality stereo sound

Removable 3.5” 1.44 MB

Reads CD data from 10.3X to 24X variable transfer rate.

‡

Reads DVD data from 1.7X to 4X variable transfer rate.**

DVD-ROM drive wave length 780 nm and 650 nm; laser output 4.59

µ

W

K56flex™ technology/V.90 compatible data/fax modem

††

Supports 4 Mbps, 1.1 Mbps, and 115 kbps IrDA

Standard

Supports: Floppy disk drive (included)

Second rechargeable battery (optional)

Hot/warm swap DVD-ROM drive

(included), CD-R/W, 2nd Hard Disk drive

Two type II PC cards and

One type III PC card

Card Bus support

Microphone

Stereo speakers

Digital touch pad

Fax send/receive

100 VAIO

®

Notebook Computer User Guide

Model

Connection

Capabilities

Additional

Connection

Capabilities With

Mini-Docking Station

(not supplied)

Supplied Accessories

Service

Limited Warranty

Power Requirements

Power Management

Battery

PCG-XG9

USB Port

S400 i.LINK

Microphone

Headphone

Mini-docking station

Infrared

Microphone

Type II & III PC Cards

Optical digital audio output

VGA monitor

S400 i.LINK

Mouse (PS/2 ® -style)/keyboard

Control A1 II

S Video (output)

Video (output)

Serial port

Line in

Line out

Two USB ports

Parallel (printer)

Floppy disk drive

Type II & III PC Cards

Floppy disk drive

Rechargeable battery

AC adapter and power cord

Weight Saver

FDD stand

FDD cable

Accessory case

Filter cleaner

90-day limited express service

‡‡‡

Extendible to one year from original date of purchase upon registration

90-day parts/labor standard

‡‡‡

Extendible to one year from original date of purchase upon registration

49.5 watts maximum (19.5V DC/AC 120-240V)

Energy Star compliant

Advanced Configuration and Power Interface

(ACPI)

Lithium-ion, supports dual battery operation

Specifications 101

Model

Dimensions

Weight

Operating

Temperature

Operating Humidity

Storage Temperature

Storage Humidity

PCG-XG9

11.9” (w) x 1.8” (h)*** x 9.9” (d)

(303 x 45 x 250.7mm)

6.0 lbs. (2.7 kg) (with battery and weight saver)

6.4 lbs. (2.9 kg) (with battery and floppy disk drive)

41ºF to 95ºF (+5ºC to 35ºC)

(Temperature gradient less than 18ºF/10ºC/hour)

20% to 80% (not condensed) when that humidity is less than 65% at 95°F (35°C) (hygrometer reading of less than 84°F (29°C))

-4°F to 140°F (-20°C to 60°C) (temperature gradient less than 18°F(10°C)/hour)

10% to 90% (not condensed) when that humidity is less than 20% at 140°F (60°C) (hygrometer reading of less than 95°F (35°C))

* MHz denotes microprocessor internal clock speed; other factors may affect application performance.

†

‡

GB means one billion bytes when referring to hard drive capacity. Accessible capacity may vary.

A CD-ROM drive reads data at a variable transfer rate, ranging from 10.3X at the innermost track to 24X at the outermost track (the data transfer standard 1X rate is 150 kbytes/s). The average data transfer rate is 17.2X or 2580 kbytes/s.

** Data on a DVD-ROM disc is read at a variable transfer rate, ranging from 1.7X at the innermost track to

4X at the outermost track (the data transfer standard 1X rate is 1392 kbytes/s). The average data transfer standard is approximately 2.85X or 3823 kbytes/s. A DVD-ROM drive reads data on a CD-ROM disc at a variable transfer rate, ranging from 10.3X at the innermost track to 24X at the outermost track. The average data transfer rate is approximately 17.15X or 2936 kbytes/s or 2576 kbytes/s.

††

Maximum speed for faxing is 14.4 kbps. Your modem is capable of downloading at 56 kpbs using K56flex technology or V.90. Your online service or Internet Service Provider, however, may not support this

‡‡‡ technology or operate at this speed.

Certain restrictions apply.

***Height measured at thickest point. Thinnest height is 39 mm.

If a region code warning appears when you are using the DVD player, it could be that the DVD-ROM you are trying to play is incompatible with the DVD-ROM drive in your VAIO Notebook. Region code indicators such as a “1” or “ALL” are labeled on some DVD discs to indicate what type of player can play the discs.

Unless a “1” or “ALL” is labeled on your DVD disc or on the packaging, you cannot play the disc on this player.

Specifications are subject to change without notice.

102

Index

A

AC adapter 4

, 8

AC power 8

accessing online support 16

adding

hardware 48 peripherals 48

adjusting

brightness 13

, 29

Alt key 26

Application Recovery CD 83

Applications key 26

B

battery packs 4

, 9

charging 10

, 47

indicator light status 10

indicator lights 4

, 10

, 28

, 46

inserting 9 inserting into battery bay 9 loading 9

power status 10

rechargeable 8

removing 12

, 46

, 47

brightness

adjusting 13

, 29

built-in speakers 4

See also speakers 29

buttons

Eject

35

, 36

Finish 16

left

4 right 4

Start (Windows 98) 14

C cables

phone 4

power cord 8

canceling commands 26

Caps Lock 4

indicator light 28

CD-ROM/DVD-ROM discs

ejecting 36

inserting 35

CD-ROM/DVD-ROM drive

closing tray 36

opening tray 35 using 35

charge status indicator light 10 charging battery packs 10

, 47

choosing

power source 9

coin-operated telephones 49

computer 72

lithium ion battery v

setting up 4

starting 13

troubleshooting 73

, 75

connecting

coin-operated telephones 49

external speakers 68

hard drives 38

microphone 69

Mini Docking Station 50

, 52

monitor 64

multiple phone lines 49

network 38

party phone lines 49

PBX 49

103

104 VAIO

®

Notebook Computer User Guide

phone line 49

power source 8

USB device 71

connectors

DC In 8

headphone 6

i.LINK 5

infrared 42

keyboard 4

Line In 5

microphone 6 monitor

Printer 55

USB

6

correction keys 26

Ctrl key 26 cursor-movement keys 26

customer assistance

support options 72

D

DC In 8

digital still camera 42

diskettes

ejecting 33 inserting into drive 33

troubleshooting 76

display

options 65

See also monitor

selecting 65

disposal of lithium ion battery v

drives

floppy disk 4

installing additional hard disk 38

DVD-ROM drive tray

troubleshooting 75

E

Eject button 33

, 35

, 36

ejecting

battery packs 47

CD-ROM/DVD-ROM discs 36

diskettes 33

electronic

documentation 72

Escape key 26

Express Service technical support 17

external devices

display 65

See also monitor

speakers 29

, 68

F faxes

laws governing v

Finish button 16

floppy disk drive 4 cable 4

disconnecting 34

troubleshooting 76

Fn

30

Fn key 26

combination commands 29

function keys 26

H hard drives

indicator light 4

, 28

installing additional 38

hardware

online support 72

headphone 4

Help

connector 6

Mouseware 31

help 72

I

i.LINK 5

indicator lights 28

battery 4

, 10

, 28

, 46

Caps Lock 4

, 28

charge status 10

hard drive 4

, 28

Num Lock 4

, 28

power 4

Scroll Lock 4

, 28

Information on Using the Jog Dial 21

infrared communication devices 42 other computers 42 infrared port 42

infrared transmission

active distance 43 troubleshooting 43

input devices iv

Insert key 26

inserting

battery pack 9

CD-ROM/DVD-ROM discs 35

diskettes into drive 33

installing

hard drives 38

hardware 48 peripherals 48

interference iv

internal speakers

See speakers

J

Jog Dial 18

K

keyboard 26

connector 4

L

LCD

lock lever 13

selecting to display output 65

troubleshooting 75

left button 4

lever

LCD

13

weight saver release 47

Limited Warranty card 17

Line In 5

Liquid Crystal Display screen

See LCD

lithium ion battery

disposal v safety precautions v

loading

battery pack 9

M

microphone 6

connecting 69

troubleshooting 78

Mini Docking Station 50

modem

laws governing v

troubleshooting 77

monitor 6

connecting 64

selecting 65

switching among 29

mouse

troubleshooting 78

Mouse Properties screen 31

Mouseware

accessing help 31 features 31

multiple phone lines 49

N

navigation keys 26

network

connecting 38

Notebook Computer 4

Num Lock 4

indicator light 28

numeric keypad area 26

O online

help 72

opening

DVD-ROM drive tray 35

operator keys 26

output devices iv

P

party phone lines 49

PBX 49

PC card

inserting 38 release button 38

removing 40

slot protector 39

slots 38

troubleshooting 79

Type III 38

phone

105

106 VAIO

®

Notebook Computer User Guide

cable 4

connecting line 49 jack 49

laws governing v

power 28

cord 8

indicator light 4

switch 6

, 13

power saving modes 44

System Hibernation 29

, 45

System Idle 30

, 44

System Suspend 45

Video Standby 30

power sources 9

connecting 8

Print Screen key 26

printer

connector 55

Printer connector 55

R

radio interference iv

rechargeable battery packs 8

, 9

recharging battery packs 10

Recovery CD 83

registering

Windows 98 16

your computer 17

regulatory information iii

removing

battery packs 12

diskettes 33

floppy disk drive 34

Mini Docking Station 53

replacing

battery packs 46

restoring data 83

right button 4

S screen

See LCD

Scroll Lock 4

indicator light 28

second battery pack 9

, 46

selecting

display 65

LCD 65 monitor 65

power source 9

setting up

Windows 98 16

setting up your PC

support 72

Shift key 26

Shut Down Windows dialog box 14

Sony Fax-on-Demand service 72

speakers 4 built-in 4

external 68

switching 29

troubleshooting 77

volume 29

Start button 14

starting

computer 13

startup problems 14

switching

display 29 monitor 29

System Hibernation mode 29

, 45

System Idle mode 30

, 44

System Suspend mode 29

, 45

T technical support

support options 72

touchpad 4

, 31

troubleshooting 73

startup 14

, 73

turning on

computer 13

TV

interference iv

U

USB

connector 6

V

Video Standby mode 30

W

warranty 17

weight saver

attaching 46

Windows 98

Certificate of Authenticity 16

Control Panel 43

Explorer 27

Find window 27

Finish button 16

help 27

key 26

key combinations 27

License Agreement 16 registering 16 setup 16

Setup Wizard screen 16

Start button 14 taskbar 14

, 75

107