Sony PCV-RX680G User Manual

Welcome Congratulations on your purchase of the Sony VAIO Digital Studio computer! Your new, high-performance, multimediacomputer combines audio, vi

3 Floppy disk drive Reads and writes data from and to a 3.5-inch floppy disk. 4 Floppy disk drive access indicator light Lights in green while readi

Back Panel Overview The back panel of your computer contains the ports for supplied and optional accessories. The icons on the back panellocate and id

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

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

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 the speakers 1.Plug the cable attached to the left speaker into the L Out jack on the back of the right speaker. 2.Plug the cable attached

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 modem cable 1.Unplug your telephone from the wall jack. 2.Plug the modem cable (supplied) into the Modem line jack on the computer, and

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

Features VAIO AV applications This suite of Sony original applications includes PictureGear , Smart Capture, DVgate , DigitalPrint, SonicStage ,Mov

To Turn on Your Computer Turning on your computer 1.Press the power switch on the computer to turn on the power. 2.Press the power switch on the displ

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

Setting 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

New Connection Wizard window 5.Follow the on-screen instructions to finish setting up your dial-up connection. Page 23

To Set Up Power Management Modes When you plan to stop using your computer for a short period of time, you can set your system to automatically enter

Setting up your system's power management Sony recommends following these steps for optimum power management: 1.Click Start in the Windows® taskb

Stand by mode indicators You can identify power management mode the computer is in by the color of the power indicator light.Color Mode Amber Comput

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 computer's Shortcut keys (S Keys). Page 28

Shortcut Keys The programmable S Keys are linked with the following applications as their default settings: S1 — Outlook® Express S2 — Internet Expl

Communications You have the choice of a variety of popular online services to browse the Internet, access e-mail, send faxes, and muchmore. Exceptiona

Changing the settings of the S keys 1.Click Start in the Windows taskbar and select All Programs. 2.Select VAIO Action Setup, then click VAIO Action S

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 This section provides information about maintaining your computer's hard disk drive performance, connecting a comp

Hard Disk Drive Partition To maintain optimum system performance, you should defragment your computer's D partition regularly. To improve the per

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

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

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

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

Unpacking Your Computer Page 4

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

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 connections between your speakers and the computer. Verify that drivers are installed properly, by following these steps: 1.Click Start in

Computer and supplied accessories Computer and accessories Manuals VAIO Digital Studio Computer QuickStart — Contains information on unpacking an

2.Select Sounds, Speech, and Audio Devices, then click "Adjust the system volume." 3.From the Volume tab, adjust the Device volume by moving

My microphone does not work. Check that the microphone is plugged into the Microphone jack. My microphone is too sensitive to background noise. If you

Use the mouse to locate a minimized taskbar by pointing to the left, right, top and bottom edges of the displayscreen. The taskbar has been located w

To contact Sony for technical support For further technical assistance, call 1-888-4-SONY-PC (1-888-476-6972) or access the Sony Computing Support Web

Notes on Use The information in this section provides basic procedures to follow when handling your computer, components, andaccessories. Page 54

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 equipment into

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

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

To Choose an Ergonomic Location for Your Computer Before you get started, find the best location for your new computer. Page 6

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

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 disc. Do not drop or bend the disc. Do not use adhesive labels to identify the disc. The l

Cleaning CD or DVD media Fingerprints and dust on the surface of a disc may cause read errors. Proper care of the disc is essential to maintainits re

Resources Sony provides several support options for your Sony computer. When you have questions about your computer and thepreinstalled software, chec

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

Planning your workspace Stable work surface — Use a stable work surface large enough to support the computer and other peripheralequipment. Ventilat

software not only plays a selected movie or sound file, but also enables playback of files by other applications likePictureGear , Memory Stick Slide

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

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

Upgrading And Maintaining Your VAIO Digital Studio Computer In the future you may want to increase the functionality of your VAIO Digital Studio com

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

Before you upgrade your computer Disconnect the computer from its power source and from telecommunications links, networks, or modems before you opent

To Remove the Side Cover Caution: If you remove the side cover immediately after you shut down your computer, the components may be too hot totouch

Locating Controls And Connectors Page 8

To Insert a PCI Add-on Card Your computer has one or more open PCI expansion slots, depending on the model configuration. A PCI slot enables you toins

Inserting an add-on card 1.Shut down your computer and turn off all peripheral devices, such as your printer. 2.Unplug your computer and any periphera

To Add Memory The preinstalled memory configuration may vary, depending on the computer you purchased. Your computer may ship withall available memory

Pull the tab that releases the power supply from the chassis. Slide the power supply unit up until the it clears the chassis. Rotate the power supp

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 3.5-inch hard disk drive. Some m

8.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

The Windows® XP operating system recognizes the new hard disk drive and applies the NTFS file system. Page 87

To Replace the Side Cover Replacing the side cover 1.Align the tabs on the side cover to the chassis rim. 2.Press the side cover firmly against the un

Front Panel Overview The front panel of your VAIO Computer allows access to the optical and floppy disk drives. It also includes Universal SerialBus (