Sony PCG-K15 User Manual

Welcome Congratulations on your purchase of this Sony VAIO® computer, and welcome to the online VAIO® Computer User Guide. This user guide provides de

Connecting the AC adapter To connect the AC adapter 1.Plug the AC adapter cable into the DC IN port. Connecting the AC Adapter to the Computer 2.Plu

Combinations and functions with the Windows key Combination Function +F1 Displays the VAIO Help and Support Center window. +Tab Switches the select

Indicator Lights Indicator Function Power Turns on when the power to the computer is on, blinks in Standby mode, and turns off when the computer is i

Combinations and functions with the Fn key Combinations/ Feature Function Fn+F2 Toggles the built-in speakers off and on. Fn+F3 Decreases the volum

Connecting External Mice and Keyboards Your computer is compatible with many popular mice and keyboards. To function properly, the device you connect

Connecting a mouse or keyboard Your computer can be on or off when connecting a universal serial bus (USB) mouse or keyboard. If you connect the mouse

Disconnecting a mouse or keyboard You can disconnect a USB mouse or keyboard when the computer is on or off. Disconnecting the mouse or keyboard whent

Frequently asked questions What do I do if the computer doesn't recognize the mouse? Make sure the mouse is securely plugged into the port. See

Audio and Video Connections Using i.LINK Digital Video Recorders Using Computer Monitors and Projectors Changing Video Memory Size Using Speakers

Using i.LINK Digital Video Recorders You can connect a digital video (DV) recorder, such as an i.LINK®1 digital video camera recorder, to the i.LINK®

Connecting an i.LINK digital video recorder You can connect an i.LINK digital video (DV) recorder when the computer is on or off. Connecting the DV re

Turning on the computer To turn on the computer 1.Slide the RELEASE latch to the right and lift the lid while holding the bottom of the computer firml

Disconnecting the i.LINK digital video recorder You can disconnect the digital video recorder while the computer is on or off. Simply unplug the i.LIN

Using a digital video camera recorder Your computer comes with preinstalled driver software that is compatible with most Sony digital video camera rec

Frequently asked questions Why can't I use the DV recorder? You may not be able to use the DV recorder, and the message DV equipment seems to be

Using Computer Monitors and Projectors You can connect an external display (such as a computer monitor or a projector) to your computer. Page 113

Connecting a computer monitor Your computer can display images to the computer screen (LCD), to an external computer monitor, or to both the LCD andex

Connecting a multimedia device You can connect a multimedia device, such as a multimedia computer monitor or projector, to your computer. Connecting a

Selecting a display When you connect an external display (projector, computer monitor, or TV) to your computer, you can switch the displaybetween the

9.For more information, click Help. If you cannot see your movie or DVD on the external display, change the monitor or TV setting by clicking on t

Disconnecting a computer monitor or projector You can disconnect the external computer monitor or projector by unplugging the display or Monitor (VGA)

Changing Video Memory Size The computer's main memory is dynamically shared with the video RAM (VRAM). You can decrease the system's VRAM or

Using the Battery The supplied battery is not charged when you unpack it. To charge it for future use, install the battery, and then connectthe AC ada

Using Speakers Your computer comes with built-in stereo speakers. If you wish to enhance the sound quality of your computer, you canpurchase and conne

Connecting speakers You can connect speakers to your computer to enhance the sound quality of your computer. Do not place floppy disks on the spea

Disconnecting speakers You can disconnect external speakers when the computer is on or off. Simply unplug the speaker cable from the Headphonejack on

Adjusting the volume To adjust the volume for playing CDs and DVDs, use the Volume icon on the Windows® taskbar. Adjusting the volumefor playing CDs

Enabling the audio feature If you do not hear sound when playing a CD or DVD, you may need to enable the audio feature. To enable the audio feature 1.

Frequently asked questions Why won't my speakers work? Make sure the speakers are properly connected and the volume is turned up loud enough to

Using Microphones You can connect an external microphone to your computer; however, make sure your microphone is designed for computeruse. If you wish

Connecting a microphone Plug the microphone cable into the Microphone jack1 on the computer. Connecting a Microphone See the guide that accompa

Disconnecting a microphone You can disconnect an external microphone when the computer is on or off. Simply unplug the microphone cable from theMicrop

Using a microphone to record sound You can record messages, memos, etc. by connecting a microphone to the Microphone jack1 on your computer. To recor

Inserting a battery To insert a battery 1.Push the battery bay cover down to open it. The battery bay cover swings out but does not detach from thecom

Frequently asked questions Why doesn't my microphone work? If you are using an external microphone, make sure the microphone is turned on and is

Preinstalled Programs Your computer may not be supplied with all of the programs listed in this section, depending on the configuration youpurchased.

Program Support Information Depending on the configuration you purchased, your computer may not include all of the software programs listed below. Ado

TV viewing, recording, and playback experiences. You can watch and record your favorite TV programs from your computer,create custom playlists, and pl

your own photo albums, and make prints. Web site http://www.sony.com/pcsupport Telephone 888-4-SONY-PC (888-476-6972) Quicken® New User Edition Intu

Sony Screenblast® Sound Forge® software enables you to record, edit, and process mono or stereo audio files for yourmultimedia or Internet projects. W

VAIO Media software brings multimedia to your network, enabling you to share music, video, and still image files betweenyour VAIO® computers. You ca

Memory Upgrades Before you upgrade your computer's memory, read your VAIO® Computer Specifications. It contains valuable information onthe amount

Precautions and Procedures Sony recommends that memory upgrades be performed by an authorized Sony Service Center. To find thenearest center or ag

Removing and Installing Memory Modules Make sure you read the safety information in Precautions and Procedures before you remove or install a memory m

Removing a battery If you are not using the computer for an extended period of time, remove the battery from the computer to avoid damagingthe battery

slot at a 45-degree angle. See To remove a memory module. Installing a New Memory Module 2.Push the module down until it snaps into place. 3.When th

Confirming Added Memory Capacity After you've installed a new memory module, make sure the operating system recognizes it. To check your system&a

Troubleshooting Learn how to solve some basic problems you may encounter when using your VAIO® computer. Refer to these solutionsbefore contacting Son

Troubleshooting Your Computer What do I do if my computer won't start? Make sure the computer is securely plugged into a power source and turned

2.Restart the computer and confirm that the Microsoft® Windows® operating system starts properly. If Windows still does not start, follow these steps

2.Press and release Alt to highlight the menu bar, and press the Right Arrow key to select ShutDown. 3.Press Enter. 4.Press R to select restart. 5.If

Locating battery information Displaying the battery status provides useful information, such as remaining battery life. To view battery information 1.

Charging a battery You will need to charge the battery if battery power drops below 10 percent or you have not used the battery for a longtime. The li

Notes on batteries Never leave the battery in temperatures above 140°F (60°C), such as under direct sunlight or in a car parked in thesun. While the

Frequently asked questions How do I know when the battery is charged? To determine the remaining battery charge, see Locating battery information. Whe

Conserving Battery Power You may use the power saving modes and power schemes to conserve battery power. Conserving battery power maysignificantly ext

Ergonomics and Caring for your Computer Applying Ergonomics Storing Your Computer Using Cables and Connections Cleaning Your Computer Handling th

Using power saving modes In addition to the normal operating mode, which allows you to turn off specific devices to conserve power, your computerhas t

Using power schemes You can use the preset power schemes or you can customize the power profiles to conserve power. By using the powerschemes and powe

4.Click Apply. The computer detects your changes. To activate Hibernate mode, you may first need to enable it. See Frequently asked questions for

Frequently asked questions Can my computer enter Hibernate mode while using battery power? Your computer can enter Hibernate mode while using battery

Internet and Network Connections Internet Connections Network Connections Connecting Another VAIO Computer Page 24

Internet Connections This section describes the basic steps for setting up your dial-up or Ethernet connection to the Internet. The NewConnection Wiza

Setting up a dial-up Internet connection Before you can connect to the Internet, you need to connect your computer to a telephone line via a telephone

3.Click Next. If the Location Information wizard appears, follow the on-screen instructions, and then close theLocation Information wizard. 4.If it is

Setting up an Ethernet Internet connection Your computer accommodates both 10BASE-T and 100BASE-TX Ethernet connections, with data transfer speeds of

3.Click Next. If the Location Information wizard appears, follow the on-screen instructions, and then close theLocation Information wizard. 4.If it is

Applying Ergonomics Your computer is a portable device and can be used in a variety of environments. Whenever possible, you should apply thefollowing

Customizing your Internet connection The Internet Properties dialog box enables you to change the way you view the Internet. You can change your home

Frequently asked questions Why doesn't my modem work? Make sure the telephone cable is securely plugged into the Modem jack on the computer and

Network Connections With a Sony computer, you can easily set up or connect to a variety of networks. The New Connection Wizard and NetworkSetup Wizard

Using Ethernet and dial-up connections For setting up local area networks (LANs), Ethernet is a widely installed technology. Your computer accommodate

You can connect to your company network from a remote location and use data, programs, and network resources. SeeMicrosoft® Windows® Help by clicking

Using wireless network connections (on selected models only) A wireless local area network (LAN) is a network in which you can connect to a LAN throug

do not see the network name, see If the network does not appear in the Available wireless networks list box. 6.If required, type the network key in th

If the Data encryption (WEP enabled) check box is not available: 1.Select an authentication method from the Network Authentication menu. 2.Select a da

5.Click Add. The Wireless network properties dialog box appears. Wireless Network Properties 6.Type the name of the network you want to connect to i

14.Click to select Computer-to-computer {ad hoc} networks only, and then click Close. To disconnect from a wireless network For computers with built-

Storing Your Computer Do not use or store your computer in a location subject to: Heat sources, such as radiators or air ducts Direct sunlight Exc

Checking your network connection status Whether you have a wireless, Ethernet, or dial-up connection, you can check the status of that connection. To

Frequently asked questions Why can't my computer connect to a wireless LAN access point? Connection availability is affected by distance and obs

Connecting Another VAIO Computer The preinstalled Microsoft® Windows® XP operating system enables you to connect a compatible i.LINK®1 cable (not supp

Connecting VAIO computers When you connect two VAIO computers, you can use one computer to edit, copy, or delete files on the other computer. Youcan a

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Disconnecting VAIO computers You can disconnect two VAIO computers when the computers are on or off. To disconnect VAIO computers when the computers a

Frequently asked questions Why can't I establish a connection between two VAIO computers? Your computer may not recognize an i.LINK1 connection

CDs and DVDs Inserting and Ejecting CDs or DVDs Copying and Playing CDs and DVDs Playing DVDs Page 47

Inserting and Ejecting CDs or DVDs Avoid using adhesive labels to identify your CDs or DVDs. Adhesive labels may damage the optical drive if they

4.Lift the disc from the drive. 5.Push the drive tray gently to close it. Page 49

Using Cables and Connections Use only specified peripheral equipment and interface cables. Do not use cut or damaged connection cables. If the tele

Copying and Playing CDs and DVDs Your computer plays and records CDs and DVDs, depending on the model you purchased. Check your specifications for the

Playing CDs Before you play an audio CD, you may need to enable your computer's audio feature. To enable the audio feature 1.Click Start on the W

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Copying files to a CD-RW or CD-R Before you write data to a CD-RW or CD-R disc, read the following notes to avoid a computer malfunction and ensure th

Do not strike or shake the computer while writing data to a disc. 1 T he read/write drive letter designation may vary, depending on your system&ap

Playing DVDs You can play DVDs in your computer's optical drive and view the video on a TV or the computer screen. The type of opticaldrive insta

Connecting your computer to a TV Your computer is equipped with an A/V OUT jack, which enables you to connect your computer to a TV. To locate the A/V

Playing DVDs on a TV To play a DVD 1.Close all open programs. 2.Disable the screen saver and the virus checker. 3.Change the power schemes to Max Batt

Disconnecting your computer from a TV Simply unplug the audio-video (AV) cable from the A/V OUT jack on the computer. Page 58

Playing DVDs on your computer Your computer is equipped with an optical drive that enables you to watch DVDs and most DVD-R discs on your computer. To

Cleaning Your Computer Clean the computer with a soft, dry cloth or a soft cloth lightly moistened with a mild detergent solution. Do not useany type

Writing files to DVDs (on selected models only) Use the table shown on Copying and Playing CDs and DVDs to see which type of DVD media your computer s

Frequently asked questions How do I maintain CDs and DVDs? Avoid touching the surface of the disc with your fingers. Fingerprints and dust on the sur

between the speakers and the computer. 4.If you are using battery-powered external speakers, make sure the batteries are correctly inserted. 5.Make su

How do I switch the computer screen (LCD) from LCD to TV? Press the Fn+F7 keys to view the image on either the computer screen (LCD) or the TV. See Se

Printer Connections Printing With Your Computer Page 64

Printing With Your Computer Your computer is compatible with many popular printers. However, to ensure the best performance, printers must becompatibl

Connecting a printer You can connect a universal serial bus (USB) printer or, depending on the model, a parallel port printer to your computer.The New

3.Restart your computer by clicking Start, Turn Off Computer, and Restart. 4.Make sure the computer recognizes the printer. Follow these steps: Click

Disconnecting a printer You can disconnect the printer cable when the computer is on or off. Disconnecting a printer when the computer is in apower sa

Frequently asked questions Why can't I print a document? Make sure the printer is on, and the printer cable is securely connected to the ports o

Handling the LCD Screen Direct sunlight can damage the LCD. Be careful when using the computer near a window. Do not scratch the LCD or exert pressu

Computer Features Using the Touch Pad Using Memory Stick Media Changing the Window Design of Sony Programs Page 70

Using the Touch Pad A pointing device called a touch pad is located in front of the keyboard. You can point to, select, drag, and scroll objects onthe

Describing the touch pad Locating the Touch Pad Touch Pad Action Description Sliding one finger Equivalent to using a mouse to place the pointer o

Customizing the touch pad Sony Notebook Setup lets you customize, enable, or disable the touch pad. Open the Mouse Properties dialog box to setyour to

Frequently asked questions What do I do if the touch pad does not work? Try restarting your computer. Follow these steps: 1.Press the Windows key .

Using Memory Stick Media This compact, portable, and versatile recording medium has a data capacity exceeding that of a floppy disk. The medium isspec

Selecting Memory Stick media Memory Stick® media are a compact, portable, and versatile data storage media designed for exchanging and sharing digital

Inserting Memory Stick media Before using Memory Stick media, back up important data. The media slot accommodates only one Memory Stick media at atime

Viewing the contents Depending on the model you purchased, the Sony Memory Stick window may appear when you insert a Memory Stickmedia. From this wind

Write-protecting Memory Stick media Memory Stick® media is designed with a write-protect tab to protect data from accidental erasure or overwriting. M

Powering Your Computer Your VAIO® computer comes with a battery and an AC adapter. This chapter explains how to install and use these suppliedaccessor

Formatting Memory Stick media Memory Stick® media is formatted for immediate use when you purchase it. If you need to reformat Memory Stick media, use

Removing Memory Stick media If the media is removed prematurely, a blue screen with a message may appear prompting you to continue or exit. Reinsertth

Frequently asked questions Why can't I open my image files? You may need to reformat your Memory Stick media. Formatting Memory Stick media e

Changing the Window Design of Sony Programs This feature changes the appearance, such as color, of certain Sony programs. To change the window design

Floppy Disk and PC Card Connections Using a Floppy Disk Drive Using PC Cards Page 84

Using a Floppy Disk Drive You can connect a floppy disk drive to your computer. The floppy disk drive enables you to read or write data to a floppydis

Connecting a floppy disk drive You can connect a floppy disk drive when your computer is on or off. Connecting the drive when the computer is in a pow

Inserting and removing floppy disks To write data to a disk, use one that is not write-protected or disable the write-protect feature. The floppy disk

Protecting floppy disks Do not open the shutter manually or touch the surface of the floppy disk. Keep floppy disks away from magnets, direct sunlig

Disconnecting a floppy disk drive You can disconnect a USB floppy disk drive when the computer is on or off. Disconnecting the drive when the computer

Using AC Power The supplied battery is not charged when you unpack it. To use your computer immediately, attach the supplied AC adapterand use it to p

Storing a floppy disk drive Fold the floppy disk drive cable and connector into the side compartment on the floppy disk drive. Storing a Floppy Disk

Frequently asked questions Why doesn't the Safely Remove Hardware icon appear on the taskbar when the drive is connected? The computer does not

Using PC Cards Your computer includes one or more PC Card slots. A PC Card enables you to connect devices such as an optical drive,floppy disk drive,

Inserting PC Cards To insert a PC Card 1.Make sure the front label of the PC Card is facing up. 2.Push the PC Card gently into the slot. The system au

Removing PC Cards You can remove PC Cards while the computer is on or off. PC Cards draw power from the computer when they are insertedinto the PC Car

Frequently asked questions Why doesn't my PC Card work? Make sure the PC Card is inserted properly. See Inserting PC Cards for more information.

Mice and Keyboards Using the Keyboard Connecting External Mice and Keyboards Page 96

Using the Keyboard Your keyboard is very similar to a typewriter's, but your computer keyboard has additional keys that perform specificcomputer-

Key descriptions Key Description Numeric keypad Contains the keys found on a typical calculator. Use the numeric keypad area to type numbers or toper

equivalent of clicking the right mouse button. Page 99