Sony Personal Computer VAIO User Manual

VAIO® User Guide  
 
Notice to Users  
Never install modem or  
telephone wiring during a  
lightning storm.  
!
!
For CD-RW: Danger - Invisible  
laser radiation when open. Avoid  
direct exposure to beam.  
Never install telephone jacks in  
wet locations unless the jack is  
specifically designed for wet  
locations.  
Caution: For ADSL modem  
models, to reduce the risk of fire,  
use only No. 26 AWG or larger  
telecommunication line cord.  
Never touch uninsulated  
telephone wire or terminals  
unless the telephone line has been  
disconnected at the network  
interface.  
Pour prévenir tout risque  
d’incendie ou d’électrocution,  
garder cet appareil à l’abri de la  
pluie et de l’humidité.  
Use caution when installing or  
modifying telephone lines.  
Pour prévenir tout risque  
d’électrocution, ne pas ouvrir le  
châssis de cet appareil et ne  
confier son entretien qu’à une  
personne qualifiée.  
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.  
Ne jamais effectuer l’installation  
de fil modem ou téléphone durant  
un orage électrique.  
The socket outlet shall be  
installed near the equipment and  
shall be easily accessible.  
Ne jamais effectuer l’installation  
d’une prise téléphonique dans un  
endroit mouillé à moins que la  
prise soit conçue à cet effet.  
!
To change the backup battery,  
please contact your nearest Sony  
Service Center.  
Ne jamais toucher un fil  
téléphonique à découvert ou un  
terminal à moins que la ligne  
téléphonique n’ait été débranché  
de l’interface réseau.  
!
Caution - The use of optical  
instruments with this product will  
increase eye hazard. As the laser  
beam used in this product is  
harmful to the eyes, do not  
attempt to disassemble the drive  
cabinet. Refer servicing to  
Soyez très prudent lorsque vous  
installez ou modifiez les lignes  
téléphoniques.  
Évitez d’utiliser le modem durant  
un orage électrique.  
qualified personnel only.  
3
 
VAIO® User Guide  
!
N'utilisez pas le modem ni le  
Regulatory Information  
téléphone pour prévenir d'une  
fuite de gaz vous êtes près de la  
fuite.  
Declaration of Conformity  
Trade Name:  
Model No.:  
SONY  
Lappareil doit être le plus près  
possible d’une prise murale pour  
en faciliter l’accès.  
PCV-J120  
ResponsibleParty:  
Address:  
Sony Electronics Inc.  
Pour changer la pile de rechange,  
veuillez contacter votre centre de  
service Sony le plus près.  
1 Sony Drive  
Park Ridge, NJ 07656  
Telephone:  
201-930-6972  
This phone number is for FCC-related  
matters only.  
!
Avertissement - L'utilisation  
d'instruments optiques avec ce  
produit augmente les risques pour  
les yeux. Puisque le faisceau  
laser utilisé dans ce produit est  
dommageable pour les yeux, ne  
tentez pas de désassembler le  
boîtier. Adressez-vous à un agent  
de service qualifié.  
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 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:  
!
!
Pour les CD-RW : Danger :  
Radiation laser visible et invisible  
si ouvert. Évitez l'exposition  
directe au faisceau.  
Attention : Pour ADSL modele  
modem, afin de réduire les  
risques d'incendie, n'utilisez  
qu'un cordon de communication  
N0. 26 AWG ou plus gros.  
For questions regarding your product or for the  
Sony Service Center nearest you, call 1-888-476-  
6972 in the United States or 1-800-961-7669 in  
Canada.  
Sony Customer Support can be reached at  
4
 
Notice to Users  
ringing in response to an incoming call. In  
Reorient or relocate the receiving  
antenna.  
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.  
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.  
If the terminal equipment 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.  
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.  
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.  
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  
noncompliant peripherals is likely to result in  
interference to radio and television reception.  
If trouble is experienced with this modem, for  
repair or warranty information, please contact  
1-888-4SONY-PC, or write to the Sony  
Customer Information Center, 12451 Gateway  
Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33913. 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.  
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. The FCC Ringer Equivalence  
Number (REN) for this equipment is 0.7. If  
requested, this information must be provided to  
the telephone company.  
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  
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  
commission, public service commission, or  
corporation commission for information.)  
5
 
VAIO® User Guide  
For the Sony Service Center nearest you, call 1-  
888-476-6972 in the United States or 1-800-  
961-7669 in Canada.  
Telephone Consumer Protection  
Act of 1991  
(United States)  
The Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991  
makes it unlawful for any person to use a  
!
!
Do not handle damaged or leaking  
lithium ion batteries.  
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.  
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.  
!
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.  
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:  
!
!
Ne pas manipuler les batteries au  
lithium-ion qui fuient ou sont  
endommagées.  
CRTC  
Terrasses de la Chaudiére, Tour centrale  
1 promenade du Portage, 5 étage Hull PQ K1A  
0N2.  
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.  
This Class B digital apparatus complies with  
Canadian ICES-003.  
Cet àppareil numérique de la classe B est  
conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada.  
DISPOSAL OF LITHIUM ION  
BATTERY  
!
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.  
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.  
6
 
   
Notice to Users  
the devices does not exceed 5. The Ringer  
Equivalence Number for this equipment is 0.7.  
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  
AVIS DE L’INDUSTRIE  
CANADA  
requirements as prescribed in the appropriate Ter-  
minal Equipment Technical Requirements docu-  
ment(s). The Department does not guarantee the  
equipment will operate to the userís satisfaction.  
AVIS: Létiquette d’Industrie Canada identifie  
le matériel homologué.  
Cette étiquette certifie que le matériel est  
conforme aux normes de protection,  
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.  
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  
The customer should be aware that compliance  
with the above conditions may not prevent  
degradation of service in some situations.  
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  
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.  
dégradation du service dans certaines situations.  
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.  
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.  
CAUTION: Users should not attempt to make  
such connections themselves, but should  
contact the appropriate electrical inspection  
authority, or electrician, as appropriate.  
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.  
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  
Avertissement: L’utilisateur ne doit pas tenter  
de faire ces raccordements lui-même; il doit  
avoir recours à un service d’inspection des  
7
 
VAIO® User Guide  
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. Lindice  
d’équivalence de la sonnerie de ce matériel est  
de 0.7.  
8
 
Contents  
Notice to Users 2  
Contents 9  
Welcome 11  
Choosing an Ergonomic Location 11  
Front Panel Overview 12  
Back Panel Overview 14  
VAIO® Action Setup 17  
Presetting i.LINK® devices 18  
Movie Shaker 22  
Configuring your VAIO® Computer 29  
Hard Drive Partition 29  
Defragmenting your Hard Disk Drive 29  
i.LINK® (IEEE1394) Compatibility 29  
Enabling Ethernet 31  
9
 
 
VAIO® User Guide  
Troubleshooting 37  
Topics 37  
Notes on Use 47  
For Answers to Your Software Questions 52  
Resources 54  
Specifications 57  
Index 59  
10  
 
Welcome  
Thank you for purchasing your Sony VAIO® computer! Your new computer is a  
superb blend of high technology and easy-to-use functionality. This User Guide  
contains information about the applications included with your system, contact  
information for software vendors, and the specifications for your computer.  
Choosing an Ergonomic Location  
Before you get started, find the best location for your new computer. Here are  
some things to consider when planning your workspace:  
Stable work surface — Use a stable work surface large enough to support  
the computer and other equipment.  
Ventilation — Leave at least eight inches of space on the left and back sides  
of your computer to enable proper ventilation.  
Placement of the keyboard, mouse, and other input devices — Place  
your keyboard, mouse, and other input devices so that your arms and hands are  
in a relaxed, comfortable position. The keyboard should be directly in front of  
you. Adjust the level of the keyboard so that your lower arms are parallel to the  
floor. Keep your wrists in a relaxed position when you are using the keyboard—  
not angled up or down. Use the palmrest only briefly, for resting. While typing,  
never use the palmrest or rest your hands on the table. Position the mouse at the  
same level as the keyboard. Hold the mouse with a relaxed hand, and use your  
whole arm to move it. Take breaks during sessions with your computer.  
Excessive use of the mouse or a joystick may strain muscles or tendons.  
Furniture and posture — Sit in a chair with good back support and  
armrests. Adjust the level of the chair so your feet are flat on the floor. A  
footrest may make you more comfortable. Sit with relaxed, upright  
posture—avoid slouching forward or leaning far backward.  
Viewing angle of the display — Position the display 18 to 26 inches directly  
in front of you, with the top of the screen at or a little below eye level. Use the  
display’s tilting feature to find the best position. You can reduce eye strain and  
muscle fatigue by placing the display in the proper position.  
11  
 
               
VAIO® User Guide  
Lighting — Choose a location where windows and lights do not create glare  
and reflection on the display. Use indirect lighting to avoid bright spots on  
the display. You can also purchase accessories for your display that help  
reduce glare. Proper lighting adds to your comfort and work effectiveness.  
Front Panel Overview  
The front panel of your VAIO Computer provides access to the diskette and  
CD-RW drives.  
Front Controls (PCV-J120  
CD-RW Drive  
5
1 Floppy Disk Drive  
CD-RW  
6
Eject Button  
Floppy Disk Drive  
Access Indicator Light  
Diskette  
7
Eject Button  
3 Power Switch  
and Indicator  
Light  
4
Hard Disk Drive  
Access Indicator  
Light  
12  
 
     
Front Panel Overview  
1
2
3
Floppy disk drive  
Reads and writes data from and to a 3.5-inch floppy disk.  
Floppy disk drive access indicator light  
Lights in green while reading/writing data from/to a floppy disk.  
Power switch and indicator light  
Turns the computer on/off. The indicator light is green while the power is on  
and amber when the computer is in standby mode.  
4
5
6
7
Hard disk drive access indicator light  
Lights in amber while reading/writing data from/to the hard disk.  
CD-RW drive  
Reads data from a CD and writes data to a CD-R or CD-RW disc.  
CD-RW eject button  
Ejects a CD.  
Floppy disk eject button  
Ejects the floppy disk.  
13  
 
       
VAIO® User Guide  
Back Panel Overview  
The back panel of your computer contains the connectors for supplied and  
optional accessories. The icons on the back panel help locate and identify the  
connectors on your computer.  
Back Controls and Connectors (PCV-J120)  
1
PS/2 Mouse  
Keyboard  
2
3
USB  
4
Serial  
5
Printer/Parallel  
6
Monitor  
AC Input (Power) 13  
PCI Slot (Empty) 14  
7
Headphones  
LINE IN  
Games/MIDI  
8
9
10 Microphone  
11 Ethernet  
12 i.LINK (IEEE1394)  
Line Jack 15  
Telephone Jack 16  
14  
 
 
Back Panel Overview  
1
PS/2® mouse connector  
Connects a PS/2 mouse.  
2
PS/2 Keyboard connector  
Connects a keyboard.  
3
Universal Serial Bus (USB) connectors (2)  
Connects a USB device.  
4
Serial connector  
Connects a compatible serial device, such as a digital still camera.  
5
Printer connector  
Connects a parallel device, such as a printer or scanner.  
6
Monitor connector  
Connects a standard CRT display.  
7
Headphones connector  
Connects the supplied speakers or optional headphones.  
8
Line in connector  
Connects an audio device.  
9
Game/MIDI connector  
Connects a game or MIDI device.  
10  
11  
Microphone (MIC) connector  
Connects a microphone (optional).  
Ethernet connector  
10Base-T/100Base-TX Fast Ethernet interface.  
The connector marked with  
(Network) is for LAN connections only.  
12  
13  
14  
15  
16  
i.LINK 6-pin (IEEE1394) connectors (2)  
Connects a digital device such as a Sony Digital Handycam Camcorder.  
®
AC Input connector  
Connects the supplied power cord.  
Empty PCI Slot  
For a PCI Add-On Card (optional).  
Line jack  
Connects a modem cable to the wall jack.  
Telephone cable jack  
Connects the phone cable to the computer  
15  
 
                   
VAIO® User Guide  
16  
 
VAIO® Action Setup  
VAIO Action Setup manages the settings for your computer’s Shortcut keys  
(S Keys) and i.LINK® interface. The programmable S Keys come with the  
following applications as their default settings:  
S1 — Outlook Express  
S2 — Internet Explorer  
S3 — Media Bar  
S4 — Picture Gear  
S5 — DVGate Motion  
S6 — Help/Demo  
All six buttons are reprogrammable.  
To change the S Key settings  
1
From the Start menu, select Programs > VAIO Action Setup > VAIO Action  
Setup.  
You can also double-click  
on the Windows taskbar to open VAIO Action Setup.  
2
3
Click the S Key you want to change.  
From the Select Application dialog box, click the radio button for the desired type  
of function. The corresponding applications appear in the list box on the right.  
You may also use the drag and drop feature to place any application into the list box.  
4
The Confirmation Application Name window appears showing you the  
application you have selected. Click Next.  
5
You may now type a new name and description, if desired. Then click  
Finish.  
17  
 
   
VAIO® User Guide  
Presetting i.LINK® devices  
You can preset your i.LINK-equipped devices to perform desired functions, such as  
automatically starting DVgate™ applications or connecting two VAIO computers.  
i.LINK is a trademark of Sony used only to designate that a product contains an IEEE1394  
connector. All products with an i.LINK connector may not communicate with each other.  
To preset your i.LINK device to perform a desired function  
1
From the Start menu, select Programs > VAIO Action Setup > VAIO Action  
Setup.  
2
3
4
5
6
Click i.LINK.  
Click the Advanced Setting tab.  
Click the Enable i.LINK launcher function checkbox and click Apply.  
Connect the device to your computer with your i.LINK cable.  
Turn on the device.  
The VAIO Action Setup dialog box appears.  
Click OK.  
7
8
To modify the device name, click the current device name in the list box and  
click Modify device name.  
9
Type the desired name and click Apply.  
10 To assign an application, click Modify.  
The Select Application dialog box appears.  
11 Select the desired application and click Next.  
12 Click Next to confirm the application name.  
The Input Application Name dialog box appears. You may change the name  
and description of the application you want to launch.  
13 Click Finish to complete this step.  
The next time the device is connected and turned on, the assigned application  
will launch automatically.  
18  
 
   
Presetting i.LINK® devices  
Changing the Window Design of Sony Software  
To change the window design  
1
2
3
4
5
Click the Start button > Settings > Control Panel.  
Click UI Design Selector.  
Click << or >> and select the desired design.  
Click Apply.  
The “UI Design Selector” window design changes. The window design for  
your Sony software will match the “UI Design Selector” window.  
6
7
To try another selection, click << or >> and then click OK.  
UI Design Selector closes and the Sony software window design displays.  
You may use the feature with UI Design Selector-compatible software only.  
19  
 
 
VAIO® User Guide  
20  
 
Sony Digital Media Park  
Applications  
Your VAIO® computer comes with a collection of applications that make it easy  
to use advanced multimedia formats. This section describes the Digital Media  
Park applications and the digital video capabilities.  
Media Bar™  
Media Bar software is your all-in-one solution for audio/video playback. Media Bar software  
handles all common computer multimedia formats, and controls certain Sony devices. Media  
Bar software encompasses audio/video library cataloging and playlist management, in  
addition to digital video quality control and effects features. Media Bar seamlessly integrates  
a variety of new media formats with an easy-to-use software interface.  
DVgate™  
DVgate makes it easy to edit digital videos. You can grab and edit digital video clips, and  
then assemble them into a polished home video everyone will enjoy. You can also use  
DVgate to capture individual frames from digital video clips, and then save them as  
graphic files. Enhance your Web page, send family and friends your favorite stills, create  
your own wallpaper—the possibilities are endless.  
PictureGear™  
PictureGear is a digital image management application that allows you to see all the  
images stored in any directory on your computer. Thumbnail views provide quick  
reminders of your pictures. Brighten, contrast, enhance, resize, crop, and color-correct  
your pictures. Create panoramic views, animations, screen savers, wallpaper, and even  
HTML photo albums.  
Smart Capture  
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, or other cameras that support the i.LINK interface. Smart Capture allows you to  
capture and compress video or still images that you can save or share via e-mail. Captures  
are low resolution, making it ideal for e-mail. For high-quality captures, use DVgate.  
21  
 
   
VAIO® User Guide  
Movie Shaker  
This application can be used to create fun and innovative movies without any  
knowledge of film editing. In a few simple steps, motion pictures can be  
combined with special effects, still images (pictures), and music files and then  
saved in a format most computers can play.  
Main Window  
Working Panel  
Editing trays  
Clip tray  
Help  
Product tray  
Trash  
Importing Images and Sound Clips  
1
2
3
4
Click  
.
Find the file you want to add.  
Select the file.  
Click Open. The file is added to the Clip tray.  
Importing files over 75 seconds in length may cause MovieShaker to stop  
responding.  
Create a Movie using Shaker  
After adding clip(s) to the Clip tray, you can create a short movie using the Shaker  
feature. Shaker randomly select clips from the Clip tray to create a 30-second scene.  
22  
 
 
Movie Shaker  
1
2
Click the Shake tab.  
Select a mood by clicking a face in the Shaker tray.  
Shaker tray  
3
4
Click  
. A thirty second scene is automatically generated and  
saved to the Product tray.  
To preview, switch the Work Panel to Product tray mode and press play.  
Scenes created with Shaker begin with black frame and after processing are placed in  
the first available slot on the Product tray. Limit the number of scenes placed on the  
Product tray to 5 or less. MovieShaker may stop responding if too many scenes are  
placed on the Product tray.  
Editing Clips and Scenes  
You can edit your movie by adding effects and text, adjusting the color and  
contrast, and modifying the length of clips.  
Working Panel  
Sound  
Color  
Monitor  
Speed  
Effect Palette  
Trim Palette  
Effect Knobs  
23  
 
 
VAIO® User Guide  
Adding effects to a scene or a clip  
1
2
3
Double-click the clip or scene to move it to the Working Panel.  
Select the Effects tab from the Editing tray.  
Drag and drop the Effect you want to add from the Effects tray to the Effects  
palette on the Working Panel.  
To preview an Effect, click on the clip in the Working panel monitor. Your clip displays  
with the new effect on the Effect tray monitor.  
4
See help for instructions on adjusting effect duration and replaying clips/  
scenes.  
Saving a Movie  
1
Verify that the clip(s) you want to save is on the Product tray. See Help for  
more details on saving movies.  
2
3
4
5
6
7
Click Export.  
Select the format in which you want the document to be saved.  
Click Next.  
Locate the folder to which you want the file saved.  
Name the file.  
Click Save.  
!
Exporting movies may take a long time to complete—Save movie as DV (Digital  
Video) takes the longest and Quick-Save is the fastest. MovieShaker can play  
.avi files up to 65 MB in length.  
For DV playback and smooth video playback, we recommend the following resolution/  
refresh rates: 1024 × 768/75 Hz or lower.  
24  
 
PictureGear™  
PictureGear™  
PictureGear is a digital image management application that allows you to see all  
the images stored in any directory on your computer. Thumbnail views provide  
quick reminders of your pictures. Brighten, contrast, enhance, resize, crop, and  
color-correct your pictures. Create panoramic views, animations, screen savers,  
wallpaper, still pictures from MPEG, and even html photo albums.  
Managing Your Pictures  
Use the collection feature to manage your pictures.  
1
2
3
4
Click the Folder tab and browse to locate your pictures.  
Select the pictures you want to have in a collection.  
From Collection menu, select Create New Collection.  
Enter a name for the collection and then click okay.  
Creating a Photo Album  
1
2
3
4
5
Select the pictures you want to use to make an album.  
From the Utilities menu, select Album Maker.  
Choose the type of Album you want and click Okay.  
Now add more pictures, frames, text, and effects.  
When you are finished, select Create Album in File menu or click the Create  
Album icon on the toolbar.  
6
7
8
Designate the folder you where want to save the Album.  
Enter the Target Album name, select Thumbnails and click Okay.  
The new album can be viewed using most internet browsers.  
Using Panorama Maker  
Panorama Maker stitches a group of still images into a 360 degree panoramic  
picture. The source images should be the same size and overlap 20%.  
How to stitch a panoramic picture:  
25  
 
 
VAIO® User Guide  
1
2
Gather the source images into the same folder or collection.  
Select the images you want to use.  
We recommend 12 landscaped or 16 portrait pictures.  
3
From the Utilities menu select Panorama Maker.  
4
Select the correct lens and click Okay. (If 35mm lens is selected the prompt,  
does not appear; to select a different lens, click the lens icon.)  
5
6
Click the panoramic icon, near the bottom of the window.  
Click Full Stitch.  
Making Still Images and Panoramic from MPEG  
1
2
3
Select the MPEG file.  
From the Movie/Sound menu, select Scene break down.  
Then select Movie Stitch, to create a panoramic picture.  
Using a Digital Video Camera Recorder  
Connecting a Digital Video Camera Recorder  
Before connecting a digital video camera recorder to your computer, turn off the  
power on the camera. After connecting the camera, turn the power back on. You  
do not need to turn off the computer when connecting a camera.  
Using DVgate™  
When capturing clips  
Do not use DVgate when the connected digital video device is in Timer  
Recording mode, as this could produce a malfunction in the device.  
Captures larger than 2 GB (9 minutes and 30 seconds) are automatically  
continued in a second file.  
You can record stereo audio (stereo 1) while capturing video. You cannot  
add audio on the stereo 2 track after capturing the video data.  
26  
 
 
Using a Digital Video Camera Recorder  
You cannot use different audio modes on the same tape. You should perform  
a separate capture for each audio mode you wish to use.  
DVgate does not support hard disk compression. You should not use disk  
compression if you are planning to work with DVgate.  
Title data is saved in the flash memory of a digital video camera and is not  
transferred to tape by DVgate.  
To avoid interruption of capture sessions, you should disable the screen saver.  
The drop frame compensation feature does not provide accurate  
compensation adjustments for tapes recorded in LP mode.  
For tapes that include a mixture of both SP and LP mode, the information  
displayed by the capture progress indicator may not be accurate.  
Make sure the video head of your digital video device is properly cleaned.  
Anomalies that you see in captured data could be due to dust or other  
particles on the video head.  
The last frame captured is one frame before your selected [OUT] point. The  
frame you see immediately after clicking the [OUT] button is not captured.  
When recording AVI files to tape  
Do not use DVgate when the connected digital video device is in Timer  
Recording mode, as this could produce a malfunction in the device.  
You can record only AVI files. MPEG files cannot be recorded.  
To avoid recording problems, such as a single frame appearing in multiple  
frames, close other applications on your system while recording.  
You cannot use different audio modes on the same tape. If you have AVI  
files that use different audio modes, they cannot be recorded at the same  
time, but must be recorded separately.  
Do not attempt to work with AVI files that are smaller than 4 MB.  
DVgate does not support hard disk compression. Do not use disk  
compression if you are planning to work with DVgate.  
In order to maximize recording capabilities, video and audio data are not  
available while you are recording.  
If DVgate indicates that frames have been dropped, close all open  
applications, or defragment your hard drive.  
27  
 
VAIO® User Guide  
28  
 
Configuring your VAIO® Computer  
Hard Drive Partition  
In order to improve the performance of the DVgate software, the hard disk drive  
on your computer has been formatted with two partitions, C and D. The DVgate  
software saves files to the D partition. This prevents large video captures from  
consuming the available space on your C partition. To maintain optimum DVgate  
performance, you should defragment your D partition regularly.  
Defragmenting your Hard Disk Drive  
If you encounter frame dropping while recording digital video onto your hard  
disk drive, defragmentation may be necessary.  
To defragment your hard disk drive  
1
2
Deactivate your screen saver, if applicable.  
From the Start menu, select Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk  
Defragmenter.  
3
Run Disk Defragmenter.  
It may take more than a couple of hours to complete defragmentation, depending on  
the data capacity and utilization of your computer’s hard disk drive(s).  
i.LINK® (IEEE1394) Compatibility  
Your VAIO computer includes two 6-pin i.LINK connectors on the back panel of  
the system. A 6-pin i.LINK connector:  
can supply power from the computer to the connected device if the device is  
equipped with a 6-pin connector, and  
supplies 10V to 12V.  
29  
 
       
VAIO® User Guide  
!
The total power supplied by the 6-pin i.LINK connector cannot exceed 6 watts.  
i.LINK is a trademark of Sony used only to designate that a product contains an IEEE1394  
connector. All products with an i.LINK connector may not communicate with each other.  
The following Sony i.LINK 400 Mbps cables are available and recommended for  
use with your computer: VMC-IL4615, VMC-IL4635, VMC-IL6615, and VMC-  
IL6635. Sony computer supplies, accessories, and peripheral equipment can be  
purchased from your local retailer, through the Sony VAIO Direct Web site  
If your i.LINK device has a 4-pin connector, you need a 4-pin to 6-pin connector i.LINK  
converter cable such as the VMC-IL4615 or VMC-IL4635.  
30  
 
 
Enabling Ethernet  
To connect an i.LINK (IEEE1394) device  
1
2
Use the symbol to locate the i.LINK connector.  
Plug the i.LINK cable into this connector.  
Connecting an i.LINK device  
See the manual that came with your i.LINK (IEEE1394)-equipped device for more  
information on installation and use.  
Enabling Ethernet  
Your computer comes with a preinstalled Ethernet interface. To enable faster  
startup, your computer ships with this function disabled. You may enable  
Ethernet connectivity by following the instructions below.  
To enable the Ethernet connection  
1
2
Right-click My Computer on the desktop and select Properties.  
Click the Device Manager tab.  
31  
 
 
VAIO® User Guide  
3
Select “Realtek RTL8139 (A/B/C/8130) PCI Fast Ethernet NIC” under the  
Network Adapters category.  
4
5
6
Click Properties.  
Click Enable Device and then click OK.  
Click Close.  
!
Warning: Your computer has a protective sticker  
covering the Ethernet port  
located on the rear panel. Connect only 10Base-T and 100Base-TX cables to the  
Ethernet port. Using other cables or a telephone cable may result in an electric  
current overload and can cause a malfunction, excessive heat or fire in the port.  
For help on connecting to a network, see your network administrator.  
32  
 
System and Application Recovery  
CD(s)  
System Recovery CD(s)  
Sony Electronics  
The System Recovery CD program allows you to restore the software titles that shipped  
with your computer if they become corrupted or are erased. It can be used only to restore  
the hard disk of the Sony computer you purchased.  
Application Recovery CD(s)  
Sony Electronics  
The Application Recovery CD program allows you to reinstall individual applications and  
device drivers. Use it to restore corrupted or erased files.  
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 program to reinstall individual applications or device  
drivers.  
The System Recovery utility options  
Full Restore without Format — restores all the software titles that  
originally came with your computer without formatting the hard disk.  
!
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(s), contact Sony  
Customer Support.  
Full Restore with Format — formats the hard disk drive and then restores  
all the original software. If your hard drive is partitioned into C and D drives,  
33  
 
       
VAIO® User Guide  
the computer will offer you the option to reformat the drive into a single  
partition.  
!
If you choose the Full Restore with Format 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. You must reinstall any applications that were not  
included with the computer when you purchased it.  
To use the System Recovery CD(s)  
You need to complete the Windows registration process when you use the System  
Recovery CD(s).  
1
Insert the Sony System Recovery CD in the CD-RW drive.  
The System Recovery utility boots from the CD-RW drive. It must be in the drive when  
you turn on the computer.  
2
Shut down your computer.  
3
4
Wait 30 seconds and turn on your computer.  
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 30 to 60 minutes to complete.  
After recovering your system using the System Recovery CD(s), you may be prompted  
to insert your Application Recovery CD(s) after restarting Windows. Insert the  
Application Recovery CD(s) to complete full recovery of your system.  
34  
 
Using the Application Recovery CD(s)  
Using the Application Recovery CD(s)  
The Application Recovery CDs allow you to reinstall individual applications and  
device drivers if they become corrupted or are 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).  
You must be in Windows to run the Application Recovery CD(s). The application  
will not run from DOS. If you have any questions on using the Application  
Recovery CD(s), 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 CD-RW drive. The Application Recovery utility loads  
automatically.  
3
When the Application Recovery menu appears, 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.  
35  
 
   
VAIO® User Guide  
36  
 
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.  
Topics  
Topic: 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 light is lit on the front panel of the computer.  
Confirm that a diskette is not in the diskette drive (unless you are using a  
bootable diskette).  
Confirm that the power cord and all cables are connected firmly, as shown  
on the color poster.  
If you plugged the computer into a power strip or Universal Power Supply  
(UPS), make sure the power strip or UPS is turned on and working.  
Check that the display 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.  
Check that the computer is not in standby mode.  
Topic: My files are corrupted or deleted and I want to recover applications or  
drivers that came with my computer  
See “Using the Application Recovery CD(s)” in this manual.  
Topic: My computer or software program stopped responding  
1
2
Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete to close the application that has stopped responding.  
In the Close Program dialog box, scroll down until you locate the message  
“Not responding” next to an application.  
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VAIO® User Guide  
3
Select this application and click End Task. Windows attempts to close the  
application. If the attempt is unsuccessful, a second dialog box appears.  
4
Select End Task again.  
If you are unable to “unlock” the application, repeat the above steps but  
select Shut Down when the Close Program dialog box appears.  
If the above steps fail to “unlock” your computer, try the following steps:  
1
2
3
4
Save any unsaved work, if possible.  
Press Alt+F4.  
Select Restart.  
Click OK.  
If you cannot restart as described in the preceding steps, you can restart the  
computer by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Delete or by pressing the power switch for  
more than six seconds.  
Pressing Ctrl+Alt+Delete twice consecutively may result in the loss of changes made  
to files that are currently open.  
Contact the software publisher or designated provider for technical support.  
See the contact information in this manual.  
Topic: Why does Windows lock up during shutdown?  
The Windows® operating system may not shut down properly for many reasons,  
including incompatible or conflicting drivers, damaged files, or nonresponsive  
hardware. For troubleshooting information, you can search Windows Help.  
1
2
3
From the Start menu, select Help. The Help and Support dialog box opens.  
Select Troubleshooting.  
Click the subject for which you want information, continuing to select the  
subsequent topic that is most appropriate for your problem.  
Topic: How do I change the parallel port type to ECP, EPP, or bi-directional?  
You can change the parallel port type using the System Setup utility (CMOS  
Setup Utility). To access System Setup:  
38  
 
Topics  
1
2
3
4
From the Start menu, select Shut Down. From the drop-down list, select Restart.  
When the Sony screen displays, press the F2 key on your keyboard.  
Select the Advanced tab from the Setup Utility screen.  
Select “I/O Device Configuration” and use the arrow keys to highlight  
Parallel Port Mode.  
You can toggle between the Normal (bi-directional), EPP, ECP, and ECP+EPP options  
using the directional arrow keys.  
5
When the desired setting displays, press the Escape key.  
Topic: My CD drive tray does not open  
Use the eject button  
1
2
Make sure the computer is turned on.  
Press the Eject button on the drive.  
Use the My Computer icon  
1
2
3
Click the My Computer icon on the Windows® desktop.  
Right-click the CD-ROM icon.  
Select the Eject option from the pop-up menu.  
Avoid using adhesive labels to identify your CD media. Adhesive labels may come off  
while the CD media is in use in your optical drive(s) and may cause damage to the unit.  
Topic: I cannot play a CD  
After inserting your CD, wait a few seconds for it to be detected before  
trying to access it.  
Make sure you place the disc in the tray with the label side facing up.  
Make sure the software is installed according to the program’s instructions.  
If your drive reads some CDs, but not others, check the shiny side of the disc  
for dirt or scratches. You may also need to clean the disc drive lens with an  
appropriate cleaner.  
39  
 
 
VAIO® User Guide  
Topic: I want to play a CD with Microsoft Windows Media Player  
When you insert a music CD, the Media Bar™ software automatically launches  
to play your CD. When the Media Bar is running, the Windows Media Player  
does not have access to the CD. Close Media Bar to use Microsoft Windows  
Media Player. If you do not hear any music, check all your volume controls.  
Topic: When I click an application icon, a message such as “You must insert  
the application CD into your drive” appears 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.  
Check to make sure you inserted the CD-ROM with the label side facing up.  
Topic: Why doesn't my CD-RW drive record at the highest speed?  
You must use 4x CD-RW or 8x CD-R media to achieve optimum performance.  
If you must use other media and are having difficulty formatting non-4x CD-RW  
media, change the write speed from 4x to a lower setting. To change the write  
speed from the default to a lower speed:  
1
2
Click the My Computer icon on your desktop.  
Right-click the CD-RW drive icon.  
Your CD-RW drive is assigned drive H as its default.  
3
Select Properties.  
4
5
6
Select the Settings tab.  
Change the “Current Write Speed” field to 1x or 2x.  
Click OK.  
Topic: How do I change the video resolution of my display?  
1
2
3
4
From the Start menu, select Settings > Control Panel.  
Click the Display icon and select the Settings tab.  
Move the Display area slider to change the resolution.  
Click OK.  
40  
 
 
Topics  
Topic: Why is there no sound in any application?  
There are independent controls for your system volume.  
Check that the speakers are plugged into the HEADPHONES connector.  
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 the speakers use an external power source, make sure that the power cord  
is plugged into a grounded wall outlet or power strip.  
If the speakers have their own volume control, check the volume level.  
If the program you are using has its own volume control, check that the  
volume is turned up.  
Check the volume controls in the application, in the audio mixer, and in  
Windows. There is a volume control  
icon on the Windows® taskbar.  
Click the icon and slide the level bar up to increase the volume.  
Check that the Mute check box is not selected in the Windows volume  
control  
.
If you connected headphones to the computer, you will not hear sound from  
the speakers.  
Topic: My modem connection is slow  
The computer’s modem uses Lucent 1648 technology/V.90. 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.  
For optimum performance, ensure you are calling an Internet Service  
Provider number that is V.90-compliant.  
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 this line.  
41  
 
 
VAIO® User Guide  
Topic: My modem does not work  
Check that the phone line is plugged into the LINE jack.  
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.  
Verify that the software you are using is appropriately configured to  
recognize and interact with the Sony computer modem. Call the software  
publisher if you do not know how to configure the software to recognize the  
modem. All programs preinstalled by Sony are compatible.  
If you suspect your modem is not functioning, you can perform a simple test  
to find out.  
1
2
3
4
5
6
Click the My Computer icon on your desktop.  
Click Control Panel.  
Click Modems.  
Click the Diagnostics tab.  
Select COM3.  
Click More Info.  
If your modem is functioning, a More Info dialog box will display. If your  
modem is not functioning, an error message will appear.  
Topic: How do I change my modem to rotary or Touch-Tone dialing?  
1
2
3
4
5
Click the My Computer icon on your desktop.  
Click Control Panel and then click Modems.  
Click Dialing Properties.  
Select the Tone dial or Pulse dial radio button next to “Dial using.”  
Click OK.  
Topic: My microphone does not work  
Check that the microphone is plugged into the MIC connector.  
42  
 
 
Topics  
Topic: My microphone is too sensitive to background noise  
If you find there is too much background noise when you record sound, you  
should adjust the microphone gain by following these steps:  
1
Right-click the speaker icon (Volume) in the lower-right Windows® task  
tray.  
2
Click Open Volume Controls.  
The Volume Control screen appears.  
In the Options menu, select Properties.  
The Properties screen appears.  
3
4
Change the setting for “Adjust volume for” from Playback to Recording,  
then click OK.  
5
6
Decrease the microphone level.  
If available, click the Advanced button under Microphone Balance.  
The Advanced Controls for Microphone screen appears.  
Deselect the check box for 1 Mic Gain (+20 dB), then click the Close button.  
Close the Recording Control window.  
7
8
Topic: My mouse does not work  
Check that the mouse is plugged into the MOUSE connector.  
There may be dust or dirt inside the mouse mechanism. To clean the mouse,  
follow these steps:  
1
2
Turn off your computer and turn the mouse upside down.  
Remove the mouse ball cover on the back of the mouse by turning  
clockwise the ring that covers the mouse ball.  
3
4
Turn the mouse upright, and drop the mouse ball into your hand.  
Using a piece of tape, remove any dust or dirt on the mouse ball and  
inside the mouse ball socket.  
5
Return the mouse ball to the socket, and replace the mouse ball cover.  
Secure the cover by turning the ring counter-clockwise.  
43  
 
   
VAIO® User Guide  
Topic: My mouse needs to be set up for left-hand use  
1
2
Click the My Computer icon on your desktop.  
Click Control Panel, and then click Mouse.  
The Mouse Properties dialog box appears.  
In the Quick Setup tab, click Device Setup.  
In the Device Setup Wizard dialog box, click Next.  
Select the radio button next to “Left side of the keyboard.”  
Click Next three times, and then click Finish.  
Click Apply.  
3
4
5
6
7
Topic: My keyboard does not work  
Check that the keyboard is plugged into the KEYBOARD connector.  
Topic: I cannot find the Windows® taskbar  
Check that the taskbar is not hidden or shrunken.  
Use the mouse to point to the left, right, top, and bottom edges of the screen.  
Topic: Why is my system running slowly?  
The system responsiveness varies depending on the number of applications  
that are open and running. Close any applications that you are not currently  
using.  
Increasing the system memory may also help. The computer has two  
memory slots. For memory upgrades, use only 3.3V 64-bit PC-100 SDRAM  
DIMM modules. For information on installing memory, please see the online  
document, Upgrading and Maintaining your VAIO® Computer.  
Topic: My i.LINK® device does not appear on the desktop  
1
2
3
Turn off and disconnect your device.  
Reconnect your device.  
Then turn on the power.  
44  
 
   
Topics  
Topic: My connected printer doesn't function after the computer resumes from  
a power saving mode  
When this occurs, follow the procedures below to reset the printer connection:  
1
Right-click the My Computer icon on the desktop, and then select  
Properties.  
2
3
4
Click the Device Manager tab.  
Select Refresh, and then click OK.  
The printer should now function properly.  
Topic: How do I enable my Ethernet interface?  
1
2
3
Right-click My Computer on the desktop and select Properties.  
Click the Device Manager tab.  
Select “Realtek RTL8139 (A/B/C/8130) PCI Fast Ethernet NIC” under the  
Network Adapters category.  
4
5
6
Click Properties.  
Click Enable Device and then click OK.  
Click Close.  
Topic: How do I install a printer?  
Always check the printer manufacturer's website for the latest drivers for Windows  
Me before proceeding. Some printers do not function properly without updated  
drivers for Windows Me.  
If the printer has a USB connection, do not follow the steps below. Contact the  
manufacturer of your printer for updates or other information that will resolve the problem.  
1
2
3
4
From the Start menu, select Settings > Printers.  
Click Add Printer.  
Click Next.  
Select Local Printer and click Next.  
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VAIO® User Guide  
5
Select the appropriate manufacturer and model and click Next.  
If the printer is not included in the list and the printer manufacturer included a disk  
with a Windows Me Printer driver, choose Have Disk, enter the appropriate path for  
the disk or CD and click OK.  
If the printer is not included on the list and no drivers are included with the printer,  
choose a driver for a printer that the printer emulates (acts like). Refer to the manual  
that came with your printer for specific emulation information.  
6
7
8
9
Select LPT1 and click Next.  
Click Yes to have Windows-based programs use this as the default printer.  
Click Next.  
Click No and then click Finish.  
If prompted for a path to the windows files, use C:\Windows\Options\Cabs.  
To Reach Sony  
For further assistance, call 1-888-4SONYPC (1-888-476-6972).  
46  
 
Notes on Use  
Notes on Use  
On the Power Source  
Your computer operates on 100V–120V AC 50/60 Hz only. If you are  
operating this computer outside of North America or Japan, please verify  
that the local AC specifications match before plugging in the computer.  
The total power draw of installed add-in cards must not exceed the  
specifications for the power supply. Do not overload the system by installing  
add-in cards that draw excessive current. The system is designed to provide  
2 amps (average) of 5V power for each card in the system not to exceed a  
total of 10 amps. The total from +5V current draw in a fully-loaded system  
(with all the add-in card slots filled) must not exceed 10 amps. If you add  
components to the system that draw current from the power supply, the  
maximum combined +3.3V and +5V output must not exceed 70 watts.  
Plug all the power cords for your computer and its peripheral equipment into  
the same AC supply line. AC derived from different supply lines may result  
in voltage differences that can cause unstable operation or unwanted weak  
currents at the time of connection.  
Do not share the AC outlet with any other power-consuming equipment,  
such as copying machines or shredders.  
You can purchase a power strip with a surge protector. This device prevents  
damage to your computer caused by sudden power surges such as those that  
may occur during an electrical storm.  
If you live in an area that experiences frequent power fluctuations, you may  
want to purchase an Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS). This device  
contains both a surge protector and a battery backup. The surge protector  
prevents damage to your computer caused by power surges. The battery  
backup safeguards your data during a brief period of power loss.  
The power control button on the front panel does not turn off the system AC  
power. To remove power from the system, you must shut down the computer  
as described in the User Guide and then unplug the AC power cord from the  
wall outlet or power strip.  
Do not place heavy objects on the power cord.  
Do not operate the system with the cover removed. Always reinstall the  
cover before turning on the system.  
To disconnect the cord, pull it out by the plug. Never pull the cord itself.  
47  
 
             
VAIO® User Guide  
Unplug your computer from the wall outlet if you will not be using the  
computer for a long time.  
Before touching anything inside the computer, turn the system off and let it cool  
for ten minutes. This will ensure that the processor heat sink will not be hot.  
Do not attempt to open the power supply. There are no user-serviceable parts in  
the power supply. To avoid personal injury or damage to your equipment, refer  
the repair or replacement of the power supply to qualified personnel only.  
On Disposal of the Lithium Battery  
Dispose of the lithium battery properly. In some areas, the disposal of lithium  
batteries in household or business trash may be prohibited. You can return your  
unwanted lithium batteries to your nearest Sony Service Center or Factory  
Service Center. For the Sony Service Center nearest you, call 1-888-4SONY-PC  
(1-888-476-6972).  
!
Do not handle damaged or leaking lithium batteries.  
The lithium battery may explode if mistreated. Do not disassemble it or dispose  
of it in fire.  
Replace the battery with a Sony CR2032 lithium battery. Using a type of battery  
other than a CR2032 may present a risk of fire or explosion.  
On Handling the Computer System  
Do not place your Sony computer in a location subject to:  
Heat sources, such as radiators or air ducts  
Direct sunlight  
Excessive dust  
Mechanical vibration or shock  
Strong magnets or speakers that are not magnetically shielded  
Ambient temperature of more than 95ºF (35ºC) or less than 50ºF (10ºC)  
High humidity, moisture, or rain  
Do not place electronic equipment near your computer. The computer’s  
electromagnetic field may cause a malfunction.  
Provide adequate air circulation to prevent internal heat build-up. Do not  
place your computer on loose surfaces (such as rugs or blankets) or near  
48  
 
             
Notes on Use  
materials (such as curtains or draperies) that may block its ventilation slots.  
Leave a space of at least 8 inches from the back panel of your computer.  
Clean the cabinet with a soft, dry cloth or a soft cloth lightly moistened with  
a mild detergent solution. Do not use any type of abrasive pad, scouring  
powder, or solvent such as alcohol or benzine, as it may damage the finish of  
your Sony computer.  
Should any solid object or liquid fall into the cabinet, keyboard, or mouse,  
shut down your computer and then unplug it. You may want to have the  
computer checked by qualified personnel before operating it any further.  
The computer uses high-frequency radio signals and may cause interference  
to radio or TV reception. Should this occur, relocate the computer a suitable  
distance away from the set.  
Use only specified peripheral equipment and interface cables; otherwise,  
problems may result.  
Do not use cut or damaged connection cables.  
Always switch the power off before connecting your computer to peripheral  
equipment; otherwise, damage may occur to the integrated circuits in your  
computer.  
Your computer, keyboard, and mouse consist of high-precision electronic  
parts. Do not drop them or bump them against other objects.  
Your Sony computer will 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).  
If the telephone company makes a service call to your home or office and  
determines that your computer is responsible for the problem, the telephone  
company may bill you for the service call. Also, if you do not disconnect  
your computer when it is adversely affecting the telephone line, the  
telephone company has the right to disconnect your service until you correct  
the problem.  
On Moisture Condensation  
If your computer is brought directly from a cold location to a warm one, moisture  
may condense inside your computer. In this case, allow at least an hour before  
turning on your computer. If any problem occurs, unplug your computer, and  
contact your Sony Service Center.  
49  
 
         
VAIO® User Guide  
On Upgrading the System  
The procedures described in the online manual, Upgrading and Maintaining  
Your VAIO® Computer (PCV-J120), assume familiarity with the general  
terminology associated with personal computers and with the safety  
practices and regulatory compliance required for using and modifying  
electronic equipment.  
Disconnect the system from its power source and from any  
telecommunications links, networks, or modems before you open the system  
or follow any of the procedures described in the online manual, Upgrading  
and Maintaining Your VAIO® Computer (PCV-J120). Failure to do so may  
result in personal injury or equipment damage.  
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) can damage disk drives, add-on cards, and  
other components. Follow the procedures described in the online manual,  
Upgrading and Maintaining Your VAIO® Computer (PCV-J120) 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 (for  
example, cellophane wrappers). Ground yourself by maintaining contact  
with an unpainted metal portion of the chassis while performing the  
procedure.  
When removing a slot cover, be careful not to damage components on the  
system board or add-on cards. You may need to temporarily remove add-on  
cards that are next to the slot cover you want to remove.  
On Handling a CRT Display  
Do not place the display near a strong magnetic force.  
Do not block the ventilation slots on the display.  
Using the computer in low temperature conditions may produce a residual  
image on the screen. This is not a malfunction. When the computer returns to  
normal temperature, the screen returns to normal.  
A residual image may appear on the screen if the same image is displayed  
for a lengthy period of time. The image disappears after a period of time.  
You can use a screen saver to prevent residual images.  
The screen becomes warm during operation. This is normal and does not  
indicate a malfunction.  
50  
 
   
Notes on Use  
On Using the Hard Disk Drive  
Do not place the computer in a location that is subject to vibration or shock.  
Do not move the computer during operation.  
Do not subject the computer to sudden changes in temperature.  
Do not turn off the power while the computer is accessing the hard disk  
drive.  
On Handling Diskettes  
Do not open the shutter manually and touch the surface of the diskette.  
Keep diskettes away from magnets.  
Keep diskettes away from direct sunlight and other heat sources.  
On Handling CD Media  
Do not touch the surface of the disc.  
Do not drop or bend the disc.  
Do not use adhesive labels to identify the disc. The label may come off while  
the disc is in use in the optical drive and damage the drive.  
On Cleaning CD Media  
Fingerprints and dust on the surface of a disc may cause read errors. Proper  
care of the disc is essential to maintain its reliability. Do not use solvents  
such as benzine, thinner, commercially available cleaners or anti-static spray,  
as they may cause damage to the disc.  
For normal cleaning, hold the disc by its edge and use a soft cloth to wipe the  
surface from the center out.  
If the disc is badly soiled, moisten a soft cloth with water, wring it out well,  
and use it to wipe the surface of the disc from the center out. Wipe off any  
remaining moisture with a dry soft cloth.  
51  
 
   
VAIO® User Guide  
For Answers to Your Software Questions  
Sony Service Center  
For the Sony Service Center nearest you, call 1-888-4SONYPC (1-888-476-  
6972). This service is free of charge for 90 days after the original date of  
purchase.  
Acrobat® Reader, Adobe PhotoDeluxe® (Adobe Systems Incorporated)  
Web site  
phone  
fax  
206-628-2746 (fee-based support)  
206-628-5737  
e-mail  
hours  
M - F, 6 AM - 5 PM PT  
America Online® (America Online)  
Web site  
phone  
800-827-6364  
hours  
7 days a week, 24 hours a day  
CompuServe® 2000 (CompuServe Interactive Services)  
Web site  
phone  
800-848-8990  
hours  
M - F, 8AM - 1AM, Sat - Sun, 10AM - 10PM  
DirectCD, Easy CD Creator(Adaptec, Inc.)  
Web site  
phone  
408-945-8600  
hours  
M - F, 8AM - 5 PM PT  
EarthLink TotalAccess(EarthLink Network, Inc.)  
Web site  
phone  
e-mail  
hours  
800-395-8410  
7 days a week, 24 hours a day  
52  
 
 
For Answers to Your Software Questions  
McAfee VirusScan® (Network Associates, Inc.)  
Web site  
phone  
e-mail  
hours  
408-988-3832  
M - F, 9 AM - 5 PM CT  
PhotoPrinter2000 Pro (ArcSoft, Inc.)  
Web site  
phone  
e-mail  
hours  
510-440-9901  
M - F, 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM PT  
Quicken® 2000 Basic (Intuit, Inc.)  
Web site  
phone  
900-555-4688  
hours  
7 days a week, 24 hours a day  
Sony Applications (Sony Electronics, Inc.)  
Web site  
phone  
*
888-4SONYPC (888-476-6972)  
7 days a week, 24 hours a day  
hours  
* Support from 1-888-4SONYPC is free of charge for 90 days after the original date of purchase.  
StarOffice™ (Sun Microsystems, Inc.)  
Web site  
phone  
800-786-7638  
hours  
7 days a week, 7 AM - 7 PM CST  
Windows® Millennium Edition Operating System, Internet Explorer,  
Outlook® Express (Microsoft Corporation)  
Web site  
phone  
*
888-4SONYPC (888-476-6972)  
7 days a week, 24 hours a day  
hours  
* Support from 1-888-4SONYPC is free of charge for 90 days after the original date of purchase.  
53  
 
VAIO® User Guide  
Resources  
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:  
Quick Start  
Contains information on how to set up your computer  
quickly and easily.  
VAIO Computer  
User Guide  
The User Guide (this manual) contains information on  
how to get the most from your computer, find help, and  
solve common problems. Also includes product  
specifications.  
Online (Electronic)  
Documentation  
QuickStart and the User Guide are available electronically  
on your hard drive. Two additional guides, Upgrading and  
Maintaining Your VAIO® Computer (PCV-J120) and the  
Troubleshooting Help are also available online. To access  
online documentation, click the Start button, point to Help  
Center, and then point to the desired document.  
VAIO Support Agent  
VAIO Support Agent can be accessed from the Windows  
desktop. Using advanced diagnostic technology, Sony’s  
VAIO Support Agent runs scheduled protections of your  
applications, network settings, and other important  
software settings. When your software is protected, you  
can use VAIO Support Agent to repair software problems  
by restoring your software to any of the previously  
protected states.  
Manuals and online help  
files that may  
accompany your  
Most manuals for preinstalled software are located on your  
hard disk drive as online help files. You can access online  
help files from the Help menu in a specific application. A  
printed manual is available for some applications.  
preinstalled software  
Knowledge Database  
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  
54  
 
   
Resources  
Sony Fax-on-Demand  
Software Updates  
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 fax software.)  
You can download the latest software updates and software  
patches for your Sony computer by selecting Software  
Updates on the Sony PC Support web page at  
VAIO Computer  
Reference Manual  
Provides detailed technical information about your  
computer's hardware. This document is available from  
55  
 
 
VAIO® User Guide  
56  
 
Specifications  
Specifications  
Model  
PCV-J120  
Processor  
700 MHz Intel® Pentium® III  
*
Hard Disk Drive  
20 GB  
C/D Partition (Approximate)  
C = 8G / D = 12G  
Standard SDRAM  
128 MB PC-100 SDRAM,  
expandable to 512 MB  
Video RAM  
MPEG  
Shared with system memory  
“Sony Tuned” MPEG Digital Video supports full-screen  
video playback  
Graphics  
Intel 810  
Sound Capabilities  
Diskette Drive  
CD-RW Drive  
Yamaha AC-XG Audio  
3.5” 1.44 MB FDD  
24X max. CD-ROM reading  
4X max. CD-R writing  
24X max. CD-R reading  
4X max. CD-RW writing  
8X max. CD-RW reading  
Modem  
Lucent 1648 technology/V.90 compatible data/fax  
modem (REN 0.7)  
**  
Expansion Capabilities  
Hard disk drive bay  
Connection Capabilities (Rear) USB port (2)  
PS/2® Keyboard port  
Mouse port  
VGA Monitor port  
Serial port  
Parallel (printer) port  
Game/MIDI port  
Headphones  
Line In  
Microphone  
i.LINK (6-pin) ports (2)  
Modem line jack (RJ-11)  
Phone line jack (RJ-11)  
10Base-T/100Base-TX Fast Ethernet LAN jack (RJ-45)  
57  
 
 
VAIO Digital Studio™ Computer User Guide  
Model  
PCV-J120  
Supplied Accessories  
VAIO Smart™ Keyboard  
PS/2® Wheel Mouse  
Speakers  
Power cord  
Modem cable  
††  
Service  
90-day limited service. See Warranty Card.  
‡‡  
Limited Warranty  
Power Requirements  
Voltage  
90-day parts/labor standard. See Warranty Card.  
200 watts maximum  
100 V - 120 V~3A  
Dimensions  
6.7”(w) x 12”(h) x 14.4”(d) (170 mm x 306 mm x  
367 mm)  
Weight  
18.7 lbs (8.5 kg)  
Operating Temperature  
50º F to 95º F (+10º C to 35º C)  
* GB means one billion bytes when referring to hard drive capacity. Accessible capacity may vary.  
† 127 MB available. 1 MB allocated to video RAM.  
‡ Data on a CD-RW is read at a constant transfer rate of 1x, 2x, 4x, or 8x, depending on the data  
format.  
**Maximum speed for faxing is 14.4 kbps. Your modem is capable of downloading at 56 kbps using  
K56flex technology or V.90. Your phone service, online service, or Internet Service Provider,  
however, may not support this technology or operate at this speed.  
Certain restrictions apply  
Certain restrictions apply  
Specifications are subject to change without notice.  
58  
 
Index  
A
AC input connector 15  
adding additional hardware  
precaution 48  
adjusting voltage settings 47  
air circulation 48  
Application Recovery CD 33,  
35  
setting up  
starting  
applications  
upgrading 50  
launching  
problems with 40  
B
battery  
disposing 48  
C
cables 49  
connectors  
customer assistance  
CD tray  
disconnecting power cords 47  
opening  
problems with 39  
CD-ROM drive 13  
CD-ROM drives  
troubleshooting 39  
choosing locations 11, 48  
cleaning  
handling 51  
setting up 11  
mouse 43  
computer  
disposal of lithium ion battery 6  
E
adjusting voltage settings 47 eject button, for floppy disk 13  
condensation and 49  
disposing of battery 48  
lithium ion battery 6  
electronic  
documentation 54  
equipment 48  
59  
 
 
VAIO® User Guide  
European power settings 47  
F
lithium ion battery  
floppy disk drive 13  
Front Panel 12  
G
games/MIDI connector 15  
glare 12  
locations, choosing 11, 48  
losing power 47  
H
handling diskettes 51  
hard disk 50, 51  
hardware  
minimizing glare 12  
adding additional  
troubleshooting 37, 44  
headphones connector 15  
help 54  
mouse 11  
I
i.LINK devices, connecting 30  
IEEE-1394 devices, connecting  
30  
help 54  
input devices  
setting up 11  
applications  
installing additional hardware  
precaution 48  
interference 49  
K
keyboard 11  
palmrest 11  
troubleshooting 44  
L
launching applications  
problems with 40  
line IN connector 15  
line jack 15  
phones  
service precautions 49  
PictureGear 21  
power cords 47  
disconnecting 47  
power fluctuations or loss 47  
60  
 
Index  
power indicator  
on system unit 13  
power source, precautions 47–  
48  
power switch 13  
problem solving 37  
R
radio interference 49  
reducing glare 12  
S
screens, reducing glare 12  
selecting  
surge protectors 47  
T
Topics 37  
turning off your computer 47  
turning on and off the computer  
locations 48  
turning on your computer  
TV interference 49  
U
serial connector 15  
setting up your computer  
precautions 48  
Shaker 23  
47  
upgrading your computer 50  
Sony Fax-on-Demand service  
55  
Supply) 47  
Display  
problems with 37  
setting up 11  
Sony Online Support  
options 54  
VAIO Action Setup 17  
viewing the taskbar  
problems with 44  
voltage settings 47  
W
speakers  
precaution 48  
starting your computer  
problems with 37  
Wheel Mouse 18  
window design of Sony soft-  
ware 19  
61  
 
VAIO® User Guide  
Windows taskbar  
problems viewing 44  
work surfaces 11  
62  
 

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