Sony VGC-RA825GY User Manual

Welcome Thank you for purchasing a Sony VAIO® computer! Your new computer is a superb blend of high technology and easy-to-usefunctionality. The infor

13 Secure Digital (SD)/MultiMediaCard (MMC) slot Reads and writes data from and to a Secure Digital (SD) or MultiMediaCard (MMC). 14 Media acces

RAID Glossary This glossary contains some basic terms that may aid your understanding of RAID technology. Term Definition Array Two or more hard dis

Troubleshooting This section describes how to solve common problems and provides helpful information about using your computer'shardware features

About VAIO Computer Functions My computer does not start. Verify that the computer is plugged into a power source and that it is turned on. Check tha

About VAIO Computer Functions My computer does not start. Verify that the computer is plugged into a power source and that it is turned on. Check tha

What can I do if my computer or software stop responding? You can try to locate and close the software program that has stopped responding. 1.Press th

Why does the Windows operating system stop responding during shutdown? The Windows operating system may not shut down properly for many reasons, inclu

Why is my computer running slowly? The computer's responsiveness varies depending with the number of software programs that are open and running

How do I change the video resolution of my display? 1.Click Start in the Windows taskbar, and then select Control Panel. 2.Select Appearance and Theme

Why doesn't my computer resume normal operation from Stand by mode? If your keyboard has a Stand by key , press it briefly to resume normal ope

About System Security This section provides information about keeping your computer operating smoothly and protecting against potential threatsto your

Page 11

About System Security This section provides information about keeping your computer operating smoothly and protecting against potential threatsto your

How do I keep my preinstalled antivirus software updated? You can keep the preinstalled Norton Internet Security software program current with the l

About Media Center The Microsoft® Windows® XP Media Center Edition operating system is not installed on all VAIO Digital Studio® computers.See your on

About Media Center The Microsoft® Windows® XP Media Center Edition operating system is not installed on all VAIO Digital Studio® computers.See your on

Why aren't the song information edits I made using SonicStage software shown in My Music? If you record a song in OpenMG ATRAC format and make ed

Why do my song information edits revert to the original content when I use My Music? When you record songs with SonicStage software, and then use Wind

Why do my optimized music files take so long to appear in My Music? When you use SonicStage software to optimize music files to ATRAC3 or ATRAC3+ form

Why do I get the error message, "The input media is invalid" when I try to play an MP3 file in My Music? If you have added cover art to the

Why won't My Music show the albums (playlists) I recorded with SonicStage software? Playlists (albums) recorded with SonicStage software may no

Why did my Click to DVD software recording session capture television instead of video? If Media Center starts a scheduled TV recording while you are

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

Why can't I view or record a movie when my computer is connected to an external device, such as a VCR orDVD player, or when I am using an analog

Why can't I fast forward or rewind a video? The rewind and fast forward features are not supported by all video formats. Try using the Skip or Re

How do I use the Media Center software or remote control to adjust my monitor when viewing TVprograms? Media Center software and remote control do not

What can I do if my computer freezes and restarts while I'm watching a DVD or live TV? Verify that the monitor refresh rate is set to 60 Hz, usin

About Giga Pocket Personal Video Recorder Certain VAIO® computers are equipped with Giga Pocket® Personal Video Recorder features. This section provid

About Giga Pocket Personal Video Recorder Certain VAIO® computers are equipped with Giga Pocket® Personal Video Recorder features. This section provid

Why does my Giga Pocket viewing window or the images played back from a Video Capsule, appeardistorted or corrupted? There are some situations where s

Why does my computer seem to slow down when I play a Video Capsule? Your computer may respond slower if you try to play back a Video Capsule while rec

Why did I get the error message, "Event buffer of audio overflow?" The timer recording may fail in certain situations, such as: The coaxial

Why did my on-screen display shift or split? Your on-screen display may shift or split in rare instances. If this should occur, switch the TV/Recordin

Back panel The location of certain ports and jacks may vary from the illustration, based on the computer model purchased. Back panel 1 Mouse port C

Why can't I create new Video Capsules? You cannot create new Video Capsules when the remaining free space on your hard disk drive reaches approxi

About the Mouse and Keyboard Why doesn't my mouse work properly? Confirm that the mouse is plugged securely into the mouse port. If you are usin

About the Mouse and Keyboard Why doesn't my mouse work properly? Confirm that the mouse is plugged securely into the mouse port. If you are usin

How do I set up my mouse for left-hand use? 1.Click Start in the Windows taskbar, then click Control Panel. 2.Click Printers and Other Hardware, then

Why doesn't my keyboard work properly? Check that the keyboard1 is securely plugged into the keyboard port. Save and close all open software pr

About the Modem Why is my modem connection slow? Many factors can influence modem connection speed, such as: Telephone line noise. Incompatibility w

About the Modem Why is my modem connection slow? Many factors can influence modem connection speed, such as: Telephone line noise. Incompatibility w

Why doesn't my modem work properly? Your modem may be experiencing equipment or software conflicts. If your modem is not functioning properly, ch

How do I change my modem to rotary or touch-tone dialing? 1.Click Start in the Windows taskbar, then click Control Panel. 2.Click Printers and Other H

How do I set up a dial-up connection? After you have connected your computer's modem to a telephone wall jack, follow these steps to set up your

6 Microphone jack Connection for a microphone (optional). Front/Headphones jack Connection for the supplied speakers (2-channel), front speakers (5.1

About the Speakers Why is there no sound in any software program? Check that the speakers are plugged into the Headphones jack. If your speakers hav

About the Speakers Why is there no sound in any software program? Check that the speakers are plugged into the Headphones jack. If your speakers hav

Why is the S/PDIF option disabled in the Microsoft® Windows® XP Media Center software program? S/PDIF is enabled in Media Center1 by changing the DVD

Why can't I hear dialogue during DVD movie playback, using my 5.1 channel1 speaker system? Verify that your speaker system is connected correctl

About Using a Microphone Why doesn't my microphone work properly? Check that the microphone is plugged into the Microphone jack. Page 144

About Using a Microphone Why doesn't my microphone work properly? Check that the microphone is plugged into the Microphone jack. Page 145

Why is my microphone so sensitive to background noise? If you find there is too much background noise when you record sound, you should adjust the mic

About Using Peripheral Equipment How do I install a printer? Connect your USB or IEEE 1394 printer to the appropriate port on your computer's fr

About Using Peripheral Equipment How do I install a printer? Connect your USB or IEEE 1394 printer to the appropriate port on your computer's fr

The connected printer does not function properly when the computer resumes from a power saving mode. Clear the printer memory by turning the printer

Connection for a 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX/1000BASE-T Ethernet. (The port marked with (Network) is for LAN connections only.) 12 Speaker DC Out jack Conne

Notes On Use The information in this section provides basic procedures for handling your computer and common peripheral devices, andusing storage medi

About the Power Source Before opening your computer, turn the computer off and let it cool down for 10 minutes. This protects you against internalcomp

About Handling the Computer Your computer uses high-frequency radio signals and may cause interference to radio or TV reception. If this occurs,reloca

Use the CONNECT buttons on the wireless device and your computer, if available, to establish communicationbetween the equipment. Avoid using radio-c

About Using Giga Pocket Personal Video Recorder Certain VAIO® computers are equipped with Giga Pocket® Personal Video Recorder features. This section

About Handling a Monitor (Display) DVD playback and certain video-related software may not function correctly when your monitor is set to a highrefre

About Disposing of the Lithium Battery Dispose of the lithium battery properly. In some areas, the disposal of lithium batteries in household or busin

About Recording and Data Storage Media Handling CD or DVD media Do not touch the surface of the disc. Do not drop or bend the disc. Do not use adhe

Support Options Sony provides several options to help solve common problems or to locate support for your VAIO® computer. This sectiondescribes all av

Immediate Help and Support You can locate helpful information immediately by consulting your hard copy guides and supplements, or by accessing theonli

About the Sub-woofer Certain VAIO® computers are supplied with a sub-woofer unit to enhance your computer's sound capability. See yourcomputer&ap

Software Help and Support Support information for the preinstalled software on your computer is located in this section. Sony software support is free

telephone 888-4-SONY-PC (888-476-6972) hours 7 days a week, 24 hours a day Microsoft® Internet Explorer Microsoft Corp. Web site http://www.support

Web site http://support.sonic.com SonicStage Sony Electronics Inc. Web site http://www.sony.com/pcsupport telephone 888-4-SONY-PC (888-476-6972)

hours 7 days a week, 24 hours a day WinDVD® for VAIO® InterVideo, Inc. Web site http://www.intervideo.com/jsp/Support.jsp telephone 510-651-0888 Pa

Resources for Additional Help and Support If the information provided with your VAIO® computer does not offer an immediate solution, or you would like

Sub-woofer unit The sub-woofer is compatible with the speakers supplied with your VAIO computer. See the section, Connecting theSpeakers, for connecti

About the Keyboard This section describes the special and standard functions available for your keyboard. Page 18

VAIO keyboard with Media Center features The VAIO® keyboard supplied with your computer has a standard key arrangement with additional keys and contro

Getting Started Congratulations on your purchase of the Sony VAIO® computer! Your new, high-performance, multimedia computer combinesstate-of-the-art

NEXT Advances to the next DVD chapter, video track, or audio track. VOLUME knob Increases (+) and decreases (-) the volume as you turn the knob. MUT

About the Remote Control The Media Center remote control is supplied with VAIO Digital Studio® computers that are equipped with the Microsoft®Windows®

Remote control The remote control can start and stop video recording and playback, select channels, and set viewing preferences. Thissection describes

Press to fast-forward media at three speeds. SKIP button Press to move media forward, for example, one audio track, one DVD chapter, and 30 seconds of

10 STANDBY button Press to place the computer in Stand by mode to reduce power consumption. 11 MY PICTURES button Press to view pictures or a slide

Press to activate feature or action, such as channel selection or return to previous channel. (This button's actions aresimilar to using the OK b

Setting up the remote control 1.Turn the remote control over. 2.Press in the tab and lift the battery cover up. 3.Insert two AA batteries (supplied) i

About the i.LINK Port Your VAIO® computer is equipped with a 4-pin and a 6-pin i.LINK® port. A 4-pin i.LINK port cannot supply power to aconnected i.L

Connecting an i.LINK (IEEE 1394) device 1.Use the symbol to locate the i.LINK port on your compatible i.LINK device and on your computer. Plug the i.

Setting Up Your Computer Your computer may not be equipped with all of the hardware features described in the section. The location of the controls,po

Unpacking Your Computer Your computer may not be supplied with all of the accessories shown, depending on the computer configuration purchased.For det

Connecting a Display (Monitor) 1.Plug the display's cable into the appropriate monitor port. 2.If necessary, plug the display's cable into t

Connecting the Speakers Your VAIO® computer is supplied with 2-channel speakers. Certain models are supplied with a sub-woofer unit or 5.1speaker syst

2.Insert the mini stereo plug from the sub-woofer unit's cable into the Headphones jack, located on the back panelof your computer. You can a

Connecting 5.1 (6-Channel) Speaker Systems Certain VAIO® computers that are configured-to-order (CTO), are supplied with a 5.1 speaker system, or you

Configuring Software for Your Speaker System When using 5.1 (digital or analog) speaker systems, certain software programs require setting changes to

To configure WinDVD software 1.Click Start in the Windows® taskbar, and point to All Programs. 2.Point to InterVideo WindDVD 5, and the click on Inter

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 Telephone and Modem Your computer is equipped with a single modem line jack to connect your installed modem with your telephone wall ja

Connecting the Power Cords 1.Plug the power cord into the back of the computer. 2.Plug both the display and computer power cords into a grounded AC wa

Turning On Your Computer When you start your computer for the first time, your computer may detect new equipment and display a dialog box thatprompts

2.Go to the Sony online support Web site at http://www.sony.com/pcsupport. 3.Click the Documentation button and follow the on-screen instructions to l

Setting Up Media Center Your VAIO Digital Studio® computer has the Microsoft® Windows® XP Media Center Edition operating system to enhance yourcomputi

Setting Up TV Connections The best method of connecting your computer, TV monitor or display, and TV programming access, is determined by thetype of c

Connecting to standard cable access (CATV) Option 1 1.Connect one end of the TV coaxial cable (supplied) to your cable service access. 2.Connect the o

Connecting to a standard antenna (air) system You can connect your computer to an indoor/outdoor antenna system, using Option 1 or 2 from the previous

Connecting a Cable or Satellite Set-top Box You can connect your computer to cable or satellite service that requires a set-top box. Option 1 1.Connec

You can connect your computer to a set-top box using an S-video cable (optional) and an audio cable (optional)instead of a stereo A/V dubbing cabl

Connecting the Remote Sensor and Remote Sensor Control The remote sensor communicates with the Media Center remote control, enabling you to change cha

To connect the remote sensor 1.Connect the remote sensor unit to a USB port located on either the front or back panel of your computer. 2.Position the

To connect the remote sensor control 1.Plug the remote sensor control's cable into either jack (1 or 2) located on the back of the remote sensor.

Connecting Other Devices This section illustrates how to connect other devices to your VAIO Digital Studio® computer. Your computer has both audioand

Planning an Ergonomic Work Space Before you set up your new computer, find the best location for your new computer and plan your work space. There are

Connecting a TV monitor (display) 1.Connect the video connector end of the video cable adapter1 to the TV Out (S-video/video) jack on the backpanel of

Registering Your Computer Register your computer and take advantage of Sony's commitment to quality customer support. Page 51

About the benefits of registering with Sony Sony Customer Support — Communicate with a Support Representative to troubleshoot problems you may behavi

Turning Off Your Computer Follow these steps when you are ready to turn off your computer for an extended period of time. To avoid loss of data, d

To turn off your computer 1.Click Start in the Windows® taskbar, then select Turn Off Computer. The Turn Off Computer dialog box appears. 2.Select the

About the power button If your computer stops responding, press and hold the Power button for more than six seconds to force your system toshut down.

Using Memory Cards and Memory Card Readers This section provides basic information about using your computer's installed memory card readers. You

About Your Memory Card Readers Your VAIO® computer is equipped with memory card readers1 that are compatible with many popular types of memory cards.Y

Inserting a Memory Card The memory card readers are located on the front of your computer, behind a protective panel. Opening the front panel cover

Removing a Memory Card The correct way to remove a memory card from a memory card reader varies, depending upon the card in use. Use carewhen removing

Locating Controls And Ports This section is intended to familiarize you with the controls, ports and jacks on your computer and supplied accessories.Y

About Memory Stick Media Memory Stick® media are a compact, portable, and versatile data storage media designed for exchanging and sharing digitaldata

Sharing Memory Cards If you plan to share your memory card between your VAIO® computer and devices such as a digital camera or music player,the card m

Upgrading and Maintaining your VAIO Computer In the future you may want to increase the functionality of your VAIO computer. This section describes ho

Overview The upgrading procedures described in this section assume that you are familiar with the general terminology associatedwith personal computer

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

About Opening the Computer Removing the top cover 1.Shut down your computer and turn off all peripheral devices, such as your printer. 2.Unplug your c

About Opening the Computer Removing the top cover 1.Shut down your computer and turn off all peripheral devices, such as your printer. 2.Unplug your c

Removing the side panel 1.Shut down your computer and turn off all peripheral devices, such as your printer. 2.Unplug your computer and disconnect any

About Closing the Computer Replacing the side panel 1.Align the tabs on the bottom of the side panel to the tracks on the edge of the chassis frame. 2

About Closing the Computer Replacing the side panel 1.Align the tabs on the bottom of the side panel to the tracks on the edge of the chassis frame. 2

About the Front Panel The front panel of your VAIO® Computer enables access to drives, memory card readers, ports and jacks that enable you toconnect

Replacing the top cover 1.Align the tracks on the top cover to the tracks on the chassis frame. 2.Gently slide the top cover forward onto the chassis,

About Add-on Card Installation Your computer may have one or more open expansion slots, depending on the model configuration. An expansion slotenables

Installing 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 peripher

6.Attach any internal cables that the card requires. See the instructions supplied with the add-on card. 7.Replace the side panel. See About Closing t

Installing Memory The amount of preinstalled memory may vary, depending on the computer purchased. Your computer may ship with allavailable memory slo

Removing a memory module 1.Shut down your computer and turn off all peripheral devices, such as your printer. 2.Unplug your computer and all periphera

Installing a memory module 1.Shut down your computer and turn off all peripheral devices, such as your printer. 2.Unplug your computer and any periphe

About the Lithium Battery The lithium battery starts to weaken after several years and the system settings, such as the date and time stored inCMOS RA

Replacing the lithium battery 1.Write down any changes you may have made to the settings in the BIOS Setup utility. 2.Shut down your computer and turn

Resetting the computer's date and time To reset your computer's date and time: 1.Double-click the time readout displayed in the Windows® Tas

Front panel Your computer may not be equipped with all of these hardware features or accessories. The location of the controls, ports,and jacks may va

About Hard Disk Drive Installation Your computer may be equipped with open internal bays to hold additional 3.5-inch hard disk drives. When you instal

Replacing the original hard disk drive If you replace the original, factory-installed hard disk drive, you may need to correct your drive mapping, cre

Installing an additional hard disk drive 1.Shut down your computer and turn off all peripheral devices, such as your printer. 2.Unplug your computer a

10.Push the drive holder handle down to lock the drive into position. 11.Reconnect the SATA and power connectors to the original drive. 12.Connect ano

Identifying the additional hard disk space When you initialize the new hard disk, it must be configured as an extended partition in Windows NT file sy

About RAID Systems When multiple hard disk drives are combined, they can provide an affordable answer to your VAIO® computer's performanceor secu

A RAID Overview If you have purchased a configure-to-order (CTO) VAIO® computer with one of the following options: RAID-0 —Your computer is configure

Reasons for using a RAID array system When hard disk drives are grouped together in a RAID array, they are configured, formatted, and managed to perfo

RAID array organization A single hard disk drive has two basic functions — writing and reading data. These functions are handled differently whenusing

About RAID Levels RAID is intended to protect data and create fault tolerance. Important factors such as availability, reliability, fault tolerance,an

6 Optical drive access indicator Light is amber while reading and writing data from and to the optical drives. 7 Hard disk drive access indicator Li

RAID-0 This RAID level uses striping without parity. Striping breaks data into small pieces and then simultaneously writes or readsto multiple locatio

RAID-1 This RAID level uses mirroring. Mirroring writes all data onto each hard drive in the RAID array, in exactly the same way.Your computer's

Configuring a RAID Array Certain VAIO® computers are available for purchase as RAID-0 or RAID-ready. The number of preinstalled S-ATA hard diskdrives

Before getting started Back up your computer's data to external media. Creating, altering, or configuring for RAID deletes all data fromaffected

Installing additional hard disk drives If you have purchased a RAID-ready computer, you may be required to install an additional drive(s). You can fin

Using the RAID Configuration Wizard The RAID Configuration Wizard can configure two installed hard disk drives for RAID-0 or RAID-1 levels. You can al

If you are using hard disk drives that vary in size, note that the RAID configuration is set to the size of thesmallest drive. 10.Select one of th

Using the VAIO Recovery Wizard utility program A complete hard disk drive recovery restores the original, factory settings and recovers all of the pre

About the Intel Storage Utility program You can find information about RAID volume configuration in the Intel® Storage Utility program. This utility p

The Intel® Application Accelerator Help file provides basic information on setting up additional hard disk drives asa RAID array. You can find more in