VAIO® User Guide
VAIO® User Guide Notice to Users © 2000 Sony Electronics Inc. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. 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.
Notice to Users ❑ ❑ ❑ 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.
VAIO® User Guide ❑ N'utilisez pas le modem ni le téléphone pour prévenir d'une fuite de gaz vous êtes près de la fuite. ❑ L’appareil doit être le plus près possible d’une prise murale pour en faciliter l’accès. ! ! Pour changer la pile de rechange, veuillez contacter votre centre de service Sony le plus près. Avertissement - L'utilisation d'instruments optiques avec ce produit augmente les risques pour les yeux.
Notice to Users ❑ 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.
VAIO® User Guide 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
Notice to Users 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 userís satisfaction.
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.
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 Sony Digital Media Park Applications 21 Movie Shaker 22 PictureGear™ 25 Using a Digital Video Camera Recorder 26 Configuring your VAIO® Computer 29 Hard Drive Partition 29 Defragmenting your Hard Disk Drive 29 i.
VAIO® User Guide System and Application Recovery CD(s) 33 Using the System Recovery CD(s) 33 Using the Application Recovery CD(s) 35 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.
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 Panel Overview 1 Floppy disk drive Reads and writes data from and to a 3.5-inch floppy disk. 2 Floppy disk drive access indicator light Lights in green while reading/writing data from/to a floppy disk. 3 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 Hard disk drive access indicator light Lights in amber while reading/writing data from/to the hard disk.
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 2 Keyboard 3 USB 4 Serial 5 Printer/Parallel 6 Monitor AC Input (Power) 13 7 Headphones 8 LINE IN 9 Games/MIDI 10 Microphone PCI Slot (Empty) 14 11 Ethernet 12 i.
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.
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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.
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.
Presetting i.LINK® devices Changing the Window Design of Sony Software To change the window design 1 Click the Start button > Settings > Control Panel. 2 Click UI Design Selector. 3 Click << or >> and select the desired design. 4 Click Apply. 5 The “UI Design Selector” window design changes. The window design for your Sony software will match the “UI Design Selector” window. 6 To try another selection, click << or >> and then click OK.
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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.
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 Click 2 Find the file you want to add. 3 Select the file. 4 Click Open.
Movie Shaker 1 Click the Shake tab. 2 Select a mood by clicking a face in the Shaker tray. Shaker tray 3 Click . A thirty second scene is automatically generated and saved to the Product tray. 4 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.
VAIO® User Guide Adding effects to a scene or a clip 1 Double-click the clip or scene to move it to the Working Panel. 2 Select the Effects tab from the Editing tray. 3 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.
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.
VAIO® User Guide 1 Gather the source images into the same folder or collection. 2 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 Click the panoramic icon, near the bottom of the window. 6 Click Full Stitch.
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.
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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.
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 VMCIL6635.
Enabling Ethernet To connect an i.LINK (IEEE1394) device 1 Use the 2 Plug the i.LINK cable into this connector. symbol to locate the i.LINK 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.
VAIO® User Guide 3 Select “Realtek RTL8139 (A/B/C/8130) PCI Fast Ethernet NIC” under the Network Adapters category. 4 Click Properties. 5 Click Enable Device and then click OK. 6 Click Close. ! 32 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.
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.
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.
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.
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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).
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 Save any unsaved work, if possible. 2 Press Alt+F4. 3 Select Restart. 4 Click OK.
Topics 1 From the Start menu, select Shut Down. From the drop-down list, select Restart. 2 When the Sony screen displays, press the F2 key on your keyboard. 3 Select the Advanced tab from the Setup Utility screen. 4 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.
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.
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.
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.
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. 3 In the Options menu, select Properties. The Properties screen appears. 4 Change the setting for “Adjust volume for” from Playback to Recording, then click OK.
VAIO® User Guide Topic: My mouse needs to be set up for left-hand use 1 Click the My Computer icon on your desktop. 2 Click Control Panel, and then click Mouse. The Mouse Properties dialog box appears. 3 In the Quick Setup tab, click Device Setup. 4 In the Device Setup Wizard dialog box, click Next. 5 Select the radio button next to “Left side of the keyboard.” 6 Click Next three times, and then click Finish. 7 Click Apply.
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 Click the Device Manager tab. 3 Select Refresh, and then click OK. 4 The printer should now function properly. Topic: How do I enable my Ethernet interface? 1 Right-click My Computer on the desktop and select Properties.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
VAIO® User Guide For Answers to Your Software Questions Sony Service Center For the Sony Service Center nearest you, call 1-888-4SONYPC (1-888-4766972). This service is free of charge for 90 days after the original date of purchase. Acrobat® Reader, Adobe PhotoDeluxe® (Adobe Systems Incorporated) Web site http://www.adobe.com/ phone 206-628-2746 (fee-based support) fax 206-628-5737 e-mail techdocs@adobe.com hours M - F, 6 AM - 5 PM PT America Online® (America Online) Web site http://www.aol.
For Answers to Your Software Questions McAfee VirusScan® (Network Associates, Inc.) Web site http://support.mcafee.com phone 408-988-3832 e-mail cybr@nai.com hours M - F, 9 AM - 5 PM CT PhotoPrinter™ 2000 Pro (ArcSoft, Inc.) Web site http://www.arcsoft.com; http://www.photoisland.com phone 510-440-9901 e-mail techsupport@arcsoft.com hours M - F, 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM PT Quicken® 2000 Basic (Intuit, Inc.) Web site http://www.intuit.
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.
Resources Sony Fax-on-Demand 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-ondemand service, call 1-888-4SONYPC (1-888-476-6972). (Requires a fax machine or fax software.
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Specifications Specifications Model PCV-J120 Processor 700 MHz Intel® Pentium® III Hard Disk Drive C/D Partition (Approximate) 20 GB* C = 8G / D = 12G Standard SDRAM 128 MB† PC-100 SDRAM, expandable to 512 MB Video RAM Shared with system memory MPEG “Sony Tuned” MPEG Digital Video supports full-screen video playback Graphics Intel 810 Sound Capabilities Yamaha AC-XG Audio Diskette Drive 3.5” 1.44 MB FDD CD-RW Drive 24X max. CD-ROM reading 4X max. CD-R writing 24X max.
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 90-day parts/labor standard. See Warranty Card.‡‡ Power Requirements 200 watts maximum Voltage 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.
Index A AC input connector 15 adding additional hardware precaution 48 adjusting voltage settings 47 air circulation 48 Application Recovery CD 33, 35 applications launching problems with 40 B battery disposing 48 C cables 49 CD tray opening problems with 39 CD-ROM drive 13 CD-ROM drives troubleshooting 39 choosing locations 11, 48 cleaning mouse 43 computer adjusting voltage settings 47 condensation and 49 disposing of battery 48 lithium ion battery 6 removing cover 47 setting up precautions 48 shutting d
VAIO® User Guide European power settings 47 F floppy disk drive 13 Front Panel 12 G games/MIDI connector 15 glare 12 H handling diskettes 51 hard disk 50, 51 hardware adding additional precaution 48 troubleshooting 37, 44 headphones connector 15 help 54 I i.
Index power indicator on system unit 13 power source, precautions 47– 48 power switch 13 printer connector 15 problem solving 37 R radio interference 49 reducing glare 12 removing computer cover 47 S screens, reducing glare 12 selecting locations 48 serial connector 15 setting up your computer precautions 48 Shaker 23 shutting down your computer 47 Sony Fax-on-Demand service 55 Sony Multimedia Computer Display problems with 37 setting up 11 Sony Online Support options 54 speakers precaution 48 starting you
VAIO® User Guide Windows taskbar problems viewing 44 work surfaces 11 62
