Sony MX User Manual

Welcome Congratulations on your purchase of the Sony VAIO® MX computer! Your new, high-performance, multimedia computercombines state-of-the-art compu

To Choose an Ergonomic Location for Your Computer Before you get started, find the best location for your new computer. Planning your work space Stab

Cleaning MiniDisc media Clean the MiniDisc case, using a soft, dry cloth. Do not use solvents such as benzine, as they may cause damage to thedisc. Pa

Protecting MiniDisc media contents Slide open the tab located on the side of the MiniDisc. This protects the media contents from being over-written. S

Support Resources Check these sources for answers to your questions about your computer or the preinstalled software: Page 102

Resource listing VAIO® QuickStart The QuickStart contains information on how to set up your computer quickly and easily. VAIO® Computer User Guide T

Upgrading And Maintaining Your VAIO MX Computer In the future you may want to increase the functionality of your VAIO® MX computer. This section descr

Overview The procedures in this section assume that you are familiar with the general terminology associated with personalcomputers and with the safet

To Remove the Side Panel 1.Shut down your computer and turn off all peripheral devices, such as your printer. 2.Unplug your computer and any periphera

To Install a PCI Add-on Card Your computer may have one or more open PCI expansion slots, depending on the model configuration. A PCI expansionslot en

To Install Memory The preinstalled memory configuration may vary, depending on the computer you purchased. All memory slots in yoursystem may have mem

Slide the power supply unit up until it clears the chassis. Rotate the power supply to an upside down position and rest it on top of the chassis. 5.

Locating Controls And Connectors Front Panel Overview The front panel of your VAIO® MX computer enables access to the optical drive, MiniDisc drive, M

To Replace the Lithium Battery The lithium battery starts to weaken after several years and the system settings, such as the date and time stored inCM

To Install an Additional Hard Disk Drive Your computer comes with an available internal bay to hold a second standard 3½-inch hard disk drive. Some mo

9.Secure the drive to the drive holder with screws, using the two holes on each side of the drive holder. Note: Your new hard disk drive is supplie

7.Select New Partition. The New Partition wizard appears. 8.Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the process. The Windows® XP operating system

To Replace the Side Panel 1.Carefully align the tabs on the side panel to the chassis frame. The side panel should lie flat against the chassis,with a

Plays the current DVD, CD, or MiniDisc media contents. 5 Stop button Stops the current playback of DVD, CD, or MiniDisc media. 6 Infrared Receiver E

16 Next/Fast Forward button Skips to the next track on the current playback of a DVD, CD or MiniDisc media. 17 Function button Selects the operation

Locating Controls And Connectors Front Panel Overview The front panel of your VAIO® MX computer enables access to the optical drive, MiniDisc drive, M

Plays the current DVD, CD, or MiniDisc media contents. 5 Stop button Stops the current playback of DVD, CD, or MiniDisc media. 6 Infrared Receiver E

16 Next/Fast Forward button Skips to the next track on the current playback of a DVD, CD or MiniDisc media. 17 Function button Selects the operation

Back Panel Overview The back panel of your computer contains the ports for supplied and optional accessories. The back panel also providesaccess to Gi

Connection for a parallel device, such as a printer or scanner. 6 i.LINK 6-pin port (IEEE1394) Connection for a compatible digital device. 7 Serial

Connection for a TV coaxial cable (supplied). 16 Line IN jacks (R/L) Connection for an audio device. 17 Line OUT jacks (R/L) Connection for an audio

About Your VAIO MX Computer MiniDisc drive Your MiniDisc drive can perform several audio functions. Use the MiniDisc drive to: Play music from your f

Remote Control Overview The functions of the VAIO® MX Computer can be controlled using the remote control (supplied). The remote control cancontrol th

Press to select specific channels. Press the ENTER button to activate channel selection. Jump button Press to return to the previous channel. Press ag

Press to pause playback. Menu button Press to display the menu options. Prev/Rew button Press to rewind to the previous selection. Direction (center)

Monitor button Press to set the display to Stand by mode. Press again to enable the monitor to resume. This feature is not available whileGiga Pocket

Return button See the Media Bar DVD Player software online Help file for more information. Page 24

Additional System Capabilities To use the Memory Stick media slot Your VAIO® MX computer is designed to support the Sony MagicGate Memory Stick® me

Sony Memory Stick media do not support AVI file playback. First copy the AVI file to your hard disk drive and thenplayback the file. Protecting data o

Additional System Capabilities To use the Memory Stick media slot Your VAIO® MX computer is designed to support the Sony MagicGate Memory Stick® me

Sony Memory Stick media do not support AVI file playback. First copy the AVI file to your hard disk drive and thenplayback the file. Protecting data o

To use PC card slot Your computer has a card bus PC card slot that supports Type I or Type II PC (PCMCIA) cards. You do not need to shutdown your comp

VAIO® keyboard The innovative palm rest converts to a keyboard cover for a sleek look when your keyboard is not in use. There are fourprogrammable key

Setting Up Your VAIO Computer Your computer has many new and exciting features. This section contains information on setting up your computer andperip

To Set Up Your Computer Your computer may not be equipped with the same hardware features shown in this section. See the Specifications sheetfor your

Connecting a display (monitor) 1.Plug the display cable into the Monitor port. 2.If necessary, plug the display cable into the rear of the display.

Connecting a DVI (LCD) display 1.Plug the display cable into the DVI monitor port. 2.If necessary, plug the display cable into the rear of the display

Connecting the stereo speakers Your computer system is supplied with speaker wires (2) to connect the stereo speakers to the terminals on the systemun

3.Repeat the above steps to connect the second speaker wire to the other speaker. Page 35

Connecting the keyboard and mouse 1.Plug the keyboard cable into the Keyboard port on the back of the computer. 2.Plug the mouse cable into the Mouse

Connecting the phone and modem cables 1.Unplug your phone's cable from the wall jack, and plug it into the Telephone jack on the computer. 2.Plug

Connecting the power cords 1.Plug the power cord into the back of the computer. 2.Plug both the display and power cords into a grounded AC wall outlet

To Turn On Your Computer 1.Press the power switch on the display to turn on the power. 2.Press the power switch on the computer to turn on the power.

Unpacking Your Computer Computer and basic accessories Page 4

To Register Your Computer Take advantage of the Sony commitment to quality customer support and receive these benefits by registering yourcomputer: S

To Set Up Your Dial-up Connection The first time you turn your computer on, follow these steps to set up your dial-up connection: 1.Click Start from t

4.Click to select your dialing location and then click OK. The New Connection Wizard appears. New Connection Wizard window 5.Follow the on-screen in

To Use the Stand By Mode When you plan to stop using your computer for a short period of time, you can put it in Stand By mode instead of turning itof

Initiating Stand By mode To set the computer to enter Stand By mode using the Stand By key Press the (Stand By) key on the upper right corner of the

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To Use the System Hibernate Mode System hibernate mode enables your computer to store everything in its memory to the hard disk drive before shuttingd

Initiating Hibernate mode You can set your computer to automatically enter hibernate mode after a certain time period. To set the computer to enter Hi

To Shut Down Your Computer When you are ready to turn off your computer for an extended period of time, use this procedure. Caution: To avoid loss

VAIO Action Setup VAIO Action Setup manages the settings for your VAIO® keyboard's Shortcut keys (S keys) and your computer's internaltimer.

Unpacking Your Computer Computer and basic accessories Page 5

To Use the Shortcut Keys The programmable S Keys are set to perform the following functions: S1 — Outlook® Express S2 — Internet Explorer S3 — Soni

To Set the Internal Timer The VAIO Action Setup utility enables you to set your computer's internal timer to launch certain applications or docum

To select the timer's launch application 1.Click Start in the Windows taskbar, and select All Programs. 2.Select VAIO Action Setup, then click VA

To set up the timer start 1.Double-click . The VAIO Action Setup window appears. 2.Select the Timer tab on the left side of the VAIO Action Setup win

To Change the Sony Software Window Design You can select from different window designs for your Sony software and create your own personal computingen

Changing the window design 1.Click Start in the Windows taskbar and select the Control Panel. 2.Click Other Control Panel Options. 3.Click UI Design S

Configuring Your VAIO Computer Hard Disk Drive Partition To maintain optimum system performance, you should defragment your computer's D partitio

Configuring Your VAIO Computer Hard Disk Drive Partition To maintain optimum system performance, you should defragment your computer's D partitio

Defragmenting your hard disk drive If you encounter frame dropping while recording digital video onto your hard disk drive, defragmentation may benece

i.LINK (IEEE1394) Compatibility Your VAIO computer may include either 4-pin or 6-pin, or both types, of i.LINK ports. Note: i.LINK is a trademark o

Giga Pocket Personal Video Recorder accessories Page 6

Connecting an i.LINK (IEEE1394) device 1.Use the symbol to locate the i.LINK port on your compatible i.LINK device and on your computer. Plug the i.L

About The Software On Your Computer Your VAIO® computer is ready to help you work, play, learn, and communicate as soon as you turn it on. This sectio

Overview of Software Applications Note: Your computer may not be supplied with all of the software applications listed, depending on the system con

Giga Pocket Personal Video Recorder is a unique set of hardware and software components that provide you with excellentTV viewing, recording and playb

Quicken® 2002 Intuit Inc. Quicken is the fastest, easiest way to organize your finances. Quicken works just like your checkbook, so it's easy to

ease. Features such as RealTime Preview enable you to preview formatting before applying it to your documents, andReveal Codes increases the control y

For Answers to Your Software Questions This section provides support information for your computer's preinstalled software applications. Check th

Support for preinstalled software Adobe® Acrobat Reader®, Photoshop® Elements, Premiere® LE (On selected models)(Adobe Systems Inc.) Web site http://

e-mail [email protected] hours 7 days a week, 24 hours a day Microsoft® Windows® XP operating system, Internet Explorer, Office XP Professional

* Support from 888-4-SONY-PC is free of charge for 90 days after the original date of purchase. WordPerfect® (Corel Corporation) Web site http://www

Manuals VAIO® MX Computer QuickStart — Contains information on unpacking and setting up your computer,supplementary updates, and software information

Sony Service Center For the Sony Service Center nearest you, call 1-888-4-SONY-PC (1-888-476-6972). This service is free of charge for 90 daysafter th

System, Application And Driver Recovery CDs System Recovery CD(s) Sony Electronics Inc. The System Recovery CD utility enables you to restore the oper

To Use the System Recovery CD(s) The System Recovery utility formats your hard disk drive and restores all the original software applications. Your co

System Recovery options System Drive Recovery All data on Drive C is deleted. The factory default settings and software applications are restored on t

Using the System Recovery CD(s) Your system may take a few minutes to load necessary files. A blue screen appears during the downloading process. 1.In

To Use the Application Recovery CD(s) The Application Recovery CD utility enables you to reinstall individual software applications if they become cor

Using the Application Recovery CD(s) 1.Turn on your computer. If your computer is already on, save and close all open applications. 2.When the Windows

To Use the Driver Recovery CD The Driver Recovery CD utility enables you to reinstall individual drivers and repair software applications if they beco

Reinstalling device drivers with the Driver Recovery CD 1.Turn on your computer. If your computer is already on, close all applications. 2.When the Wi

Troubleshooting This section describes how to solve common problems you may encounter when using your computer. Many problems havesimple solutions, so

Recovery CDs System Recovery CD(s) — Enables you to restore the software that shipped with your computer if they becomecorrupted or are erased. Syste

Topics 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

1.Click Start in the Windows taskbar, and select Turn Off Computer. Select Restart. 2.When the Sony screen displays, press the F2 key on your keyboard

Check the volume settings on your computer speakers. Check the connections between your speakers and the computer. Verify that drivers are installe

Verify that the Mute option is not selected. Check that the Mute check box is not selected in the Windows volume control. Note: You may need to re

3.From the Dialing Rules tab, click Edit. The Edit Location dialog box appears. 4.Select the Tone or Pulse option. Click OK. My microphone is too sens

I cannot find the Windows® taskbar. The Windows taskbar may be hidden or minimized. Use the mouse to locate a hidden taskbar by pointing to the left,

To contact Sony for technical support For further technical assistance, call 1-888-4-SONY-PC (1-888-476-6972) or access the Web site at: http://www.so

Notes on Use The power source Your computer operates on 100-120 V AC 50/60 Hz only. Plug all the power cords for your computer and its peripheral eq

Notes on Use The power source Your computer operates on 100-120 V AC 50/60 Hz only. Plug all the power cords for your computer and its peripheral eq

Disposal of the lithium battery Dispose of the lithium battery properly. In some areas, the disposal of lithium batteries in household or business tra

Software library The Software Library contains the Microsoft software license agreement and Sony end-user license agreement. Other Packet containing s

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

Moisture condensation If your computer is brought directly from a cold location to a warm one, moisture may condense inside your computer. Inthis case

Upgrading the computer system The upgrading procedures described in the online manual, assume familiarity with the general terminologyassociated with

Handling a CRT display Do not change the CRT display refresh rate to 85 Hz, as DVD playback and the DVgate software may not functioncorrectly. Sony r

Handling an LCD display Do not leave the display directly facing the sun for a long period of time as it can damage the LCD screen. Do not scratch t

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.

Handling floppy disks Do not open the shutter manually and touch the surface of the floppy disk. Keep floppy disks away from magnets. Keep floppy d

Handling CD or DVD media Do not touch the surface of the CD or DVD media. Do not drop or bend the CD or DVD media. Do not use adhesive labels to id

Handling MiniDisc media Attach the labels supplied with MiniDisc media, in the designated location. Do not break open the shutter on the case. Do n

Cleaning CD or DVD media Fingerprints and dust on the surface of a CD or DVD media may cause read errors. Proper care of the disc isessential to main