Sony VAIO PCG-GR300 Series Quick Start Manual
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Sony VAIO PCG-GR300 Series Quick Start Manual

Sony VAIO PCG-GR300 Series Quick Start Manual

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  • Page 1 ® VAIO Notebook Quick Start PCG-GR300 Series...

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Welcome...5 Unpacking Your Notebook ...7 Registering Your Notebook ...9 Setting Up Your Dial-Up Connection ...10 Setting Up Your VAIO® Notebook ...15 Locating Controls and Ports ...16 Connecting a Power Source ...21 Starting Your Notebook...29 Shutting Down Your Notebook ...30 Adding Memory ...33 Precautions and Procedures ...34 Typical Expansion Memory Configuration ...35 Removing a Memory Module...36...
  • Page 4 VAIO® Notebook Quick Start...

  • Page 5: Welcome

    Welcome Congratulations on your purchase of the Sony VAIO® notebook. Sony has combined leading-edge technology in audio, video, computing, and communications to provide you with state-of-the-art personal computing. Features ✍ For a complete description of the specifications of your VAIO® notebook, see the Specifications flyer supplied with your notebook.
  • Page 6 VAIO® Notebook Quick Start ❑ Microsoft® Windows® operating system — Your system includes Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional, Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition, or Microsoft® Windows® 2000 Professional. ❑ Communications — Access popular online services, send e-mail, browse the Internet, and use fax features. ❑...

  • Page 7: Unpacking Your Notebook

    Unpacking Your Notebook Remove the following hardware items from the box: Main unit Rechargeable battery pack * The removable optical disc drive is preinstalled in your notebook. Documents ❑ VAIO® Notebook User Guide — A searchable online help file that contains detailed information on how to use your new notebook.

  • Page 8: Software Cds

    VAIO® Notebook Quick Start ❑ VAIO® Notebook Notes on Use — Explains notes on use and offers safety tips. ❑ VAIO® Notebook Specifications Flyer — Details the hardware specifications for your notebook. Software CDs ❑ Microsoft® Word — Enables you to reinstall Microsoft Word to the VAIO®...

  • Page 9: Registering Your Notebook

    Registering Your Notebook Take advantage of Sony’s commitment to quality customer support and receive these benefits by registering your notebook: ❑ Sony Customer Support — Talk to a Support Representative to troubleshoot problems you may be having with your notebook.

  • Page 10: Setting Up Your Dial-Up Connection

    VAIO® Notebook Quick Start Setting Up Your Dial-Up Connection This section describes the basic steps for setting up your dial-up connection for the first time. The Connection Wizard guides you through the process of connecting to the Internet and then choosing an Internet Service Provider (ISP) or setting up an existing account.
  • Page 11 Phone and Modem Options window Select the location from where you are dialing and then click OK. The New Connection Wizard appears. Setting Up Your Dial-Up Connection...
  • Page 12 VAIO® Notebook Quick Start New Connection Wizard Follow the on-screen instructions to finish setting up your dial-up connection.
  • Page 13 (Windows® 2000 Professional) Double-click the Connect to the Internet icon on the Windows desktop. The Internet Connection Wizard appears. Internet Connection Wizard Follow the on-screen instructions to finish setting up your dial-up connection and to choose your ISP. Setting Up Your Dial-Up Connection...
  • Page 14 VAIO® Notebook Quick Start...

  • Page 15: Setting Up Your Vaio® Notebook

    Setting Up Your VAIO® Notebook This section describes all the controls and ports on your notebook, how to connect your notebook to a power source, and how to start and shut down your notebook. ❑ Locating Controls and Ports ❑ Connecting a Power Source ❑...

  • Page 16: Locating Controls And Ports

    VAIO® Notebook Quick Start Locating Controls and Ports Front Memory Stick® indicator Num Lock indicator Caps Lock indicator Scroll Lock indicator Power indicator Battery 1 and 2 indicators Hard disk drive indicator LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) screen Keyboard Speakers Left and right buttons Touchpad Battery bay Power button...
  • Page 17 Left Back button for center Jog Dial™ control Center Jog Dial™ control CD-RW/DVD Combo Drive or DVD-ROM drive in multipurpose bay * This multipurpose bay can house either an optical disc drive or an optional second battery. S400 Memory Stick® slot PC Card slots port Locating Controls and Ports...
  • Page 18 VAIO® Notebook Quick Start Right Air vent Drive bay with hard disk drive Battery bay...

  • Page 19: Ethernet Port

    Back Air vent DC In port Printer port VGA port AV Out jack * There is a protruding dot above the Microphone jack to further distinguish it from other jacks and ports. Do not connect a microphone to the Headphone jack. Only connect 10BASE-T and 100BASE-TX cables to the Ethernet port.
  • Page 20 VAIO® Notebook Quick Start Bottom Tilt stands Multipurpose bay RELEASE lever Port replicator connector...

  • Page 21: Connecting A Power Source

    Connecting a Power Source You can use either AC power or a rechargeable battery pack as a power source. Using the AC adapter Plug the cable attached to the AC adapter into the DC In port on the notebook. Plug one end of the power cord into the AC adapter. Plug the other end of the power cord into an AC outlet.
  • Page 22 VAIO® Notebook Quick Start ❑ The LED indicator on the AC adapter may be turned on until the AC adapter is unplugged from your notebook. ❑ When the AC adapter is not used, unplug it from the AC outlet. ❑ Use only the AC adapter supplied.
  • Page 23 Preventing Electrical Interference Connecting the AC adapter cord with a ferrite core to the computer may prevent electrical interference. Complete the following steps to attach the ferrite core to the AC adapter cord before starting your computer. Open the ferrite core (supplied). Place the AC adapter cord into the ferrite core close to the connector.

  • Page 24: Using Battery Power

    VAIO® Notebook Quick Start Using battery power You can use one or two battery packs as a source of power. The second battery pack inserts into the multipurpose bay on the left side of the notebook. (See “Using a Second Battery Pack” in the online User Guide for more information.) Additional battery packs are available as a separate option.
  • Page 25 Lift the battery bay cover up until it clicks. ✍ If the port replicator is attached to your notebook, do not attempt to insert or remove the battery pack. Lifting and turning the notebook with a port replicator attached could cause a temporary loss of power.
  • Page 26 VAIO® Notebook Quick Start There are two battery indicators on the notebook Battery indicators Battery Indicator Description Indicates the status of the battery pack in the battery bay on the right side of the notebook. Indicates the status of the battery pack in the multipurpose bay on the left side of the notebook.
  • Page 27 To remove the battery pack Push the battery bay cover down to open it. Pull out the battery pack. Removing the battery pack Push in and lift up the battery bay cover until it clicks. You will lose data if you remove the battery pack while the notebook is on and not connected to the AC adapter, or if you remove the battery while the notebook is in a power saving mode.
  • Page 28 VAIO® Notebook Quick Start ❑ If the battery level falls below 10 percent, you should either attach the AC adapter to recharge the battery, or shut down your notebook and insert a fully charged battery. ❑ You can extend battery life by changing the power management modes in the PowerPanel™...

  • Page 29: Starting Your Notebook

    Starting Your Notebook Slide the LCD lock lever in the direction of the arrow, and lift the cover. Opening the notebook L C D l o c k l e v e r Press the power button on top of the notebook until the green power indicator turns on.

  • Page 30: Shutting Down Your Notebook

    VAIO® Notebook Quick Start Shutting Down Your Notebook To avoid potential loss of data, follow these steps to shut down your notebook. (For Windows® 2000) Click the Start button on the Windows® taskbar. Click Shut Down at the bottom of the Start menu to display the Shut Down Windows dialog box.
  • Page 31 Turn off any peripherals connected to your notebook. ✍ During a period of inactivity, you can conserve battery life by using Standby mode. See “Controlling Power Management” in the online User Guide for more information. If you are unable to shut down your notebook. Close or end all operations as follows: ❑...
  • Page 32 VAIO® Notebook Quick Start...

  • Page 33: Adding Memory

    Adding Memory In the future you may want to install memory modules to expand the functionality of your notebook. The amount of memory on your notebook will vary depending on the model you purchased. See the Specifications flyer that was supplied with your notebook for the amount of memory pre- installed.

  • Page 34: Precautions And Procedures

    VAIO® Notebook Quick Start Precautions and Procedures The procedures described below assume that you are familiar with the general terminology associated with personal notebooks and with common safety practices required for using and modifying electronic equipment. Personal injury or equipment damage may result from failure to take these precautions. Make sure you observe the proper safety precautions when you install memory modules in your notebook.

  • Page 35: Typical Expansion Memory Configuration

    Typical Expansion Memory Configuration Models with 256 MB memory Total System Memory (MB) * The 384 MB and 512 MB memory configurations may require the removal and replacement of original factory-installed memory modules. Typical Expansion Memory Configuration Slot 1 (MB) Slot 2 (MB)

  • Page 36: Removing A Memory Module

    VAIO® Notebook Quick Start Removing a Memory Module Shut down your notebook and disconnect all peripheral devices, such as your printer. Unplug your notebook and remove the battery pack(s). After your notebook has cooled, loosen and remove the screw that secures the cover of the memory bay on the bottom of your notebook.

  • Page 37: Removing Memory Module

    Remove the memory module. Removing memory module 1 P u l l t h e t a b s i n t h e d i r e c t i o n o f t h e a r r o w T h e m e m o r y m o d u l e i s r e l e a s e d .

  • Page 38: Installing A Memory Module

    VAIO® Notebook Quick Start Installing a Memory Module Follow steps 1 to 4 of “Removing a Memory Module” on page 36 for removing the preinstalled memory. Remove the new memory module from its packaging. Install the memory module by sliding it into the memory module slot. Press the module into place until it clicks.

  • Page 39: Viewing The Amount Of Memory

    The amount of memory displayed in the Sony Notebook Setup screen is not always correct. The video adapter uses some system memory, and that amount of memory does not appear as part of the total memory shown in the Sony Notebook Setup screen.
  • Page 40 VAIO® Notebook Quick Start...

  • Page 41: About The Software On Your Notebook

    About the Software on Your Notebook Your VAIO® notebook is ready to help you work, play, learn, and communicate as soon as you turn it on. This section provides the following information: ❑ Software Overview ❑ Application, Driver, and System Recovery CDs ❑...

  • Page 42: Software Overview

    Explore endless creative possibilities for your personal images with Adobe Photoshop Elements. DigitalPrint Sony Electronics Inc. This image management software makes it fun and easy to edit, import, and organize your digital pictures in a photo album for rich digital printing to any standard color laser or ink-jet printer.
  • Page 43 * i.LINK is a Sony trademark used only to designate that a product contains an IEEE 1394 con- nection. The i.LINK connection may vary, depending on the software applications, operating system, and compatible i.LINK devices.
  • Page 44 Sony Electronics Inc. This image management software displays images from your hard drive, a Sony digital still camera, or a Sony Mavica® camera. The images appear in a convenient light-table format, so that you can easily view the contents of an entire folder.
  • Page 45 Sony Electronics Inc. Smart Capture is a fun new way to send multimedia messages via e-mail. Smart Capture manages the i.LINK® connection between your notebook and a Sony Digital Handycam® Camcorder that supports the i.LINK interface. It allows you to capture compressed video or still images and save them to your hard disk drive or share via e-mail.
  • Page 46 Sony Style Connect (Windows XP only) E-Solutions Sony Style Connect provides excellent dial-up, as well as DSL, Internet connection services. To find out which plan is best for you, visit http://www.sonystyleconnect.com and find out what is available in your area.

  • Page 47: Application, Driver, And System Recovery Cds

    To use your recovery CDs, see “Using Your Recovery CDs” on page 48 for more information. Application Recovery CD(s) Sony Electronics Inc. This CD enables you to reinstall individual applications if they become corrupted or are erased. Driver Recovery CD(s) Sony Electronics Inc.

  • Page 48: Using Your Recovery Cds

    ✍ You must be in Windows to run the Application Recovery CD. If you have any questions on using the Application Recovery CD, contact Sony Customer Support. Turn on your notebook. If your notebook is already on, close all applications.
  • Page 49 To use the Driver Recovery CD(s) The Driver Recovery CD utility enables you to reinstall individual drivers if they become corrupted or are accidentally erased. You can reinstall an individual driver to correct a problem that you are experiencing with your notebook, hardware, or software application.
  • Page 50 Your system may take a few minutes to load necessary fiiles. A blue screen appears during the downloading process. Insert the Sony System Recovery CD in the optical drive. The System Recovery utility starts from the optical drive. The first CD must be in the drive when your turn on the computer.
  • Page 51 Press the power button and hold it for more than four seconds to turn off the notebook. Turn on the notebook. When the Sony logo is displayed, press the F2 key. The BIOS setup menu screen appears. Press the arrow keys to select the Exit menu.
  • Page 52 VAIO® Notebook Quick Start...

  • Page 53: Troubleshooting

    Troubleshooting This section describes how to solve common problems you may encounter when using your notebook. Many problems have simple solutions, so try these suggestions before you visit the Sony Computing Support Web site at http://www.sony.com/pcsupport. ❑ Troubleshooting Your Notebook ❑...
  • Page 54 Turn off the notebook. Remove any peripheral devices connected to the notebook. Turn the notebook back on. Press the F2 key when the Sony logo appears. The BIOS setup menu screen appears. Press the directional arrow keys to select the Exit menu.
  • Page 55 Press the arrow keys to select “Get Default Values” and then press Enter. The message “Load default configuration now?” appears. Select Yes, then press Enter. Use the directional arrow keys to select Save and Exit, and then press Enter. The message “Save configuration changes and exit now?” appears.

  • Page 56: Troubleshooting The Lcd Screen

    See “Connecting a PS/2® External Mouse or Keyboard” in the online User Guide for more information. ❑ If you are using an optional Sony USB mouse PCGA-UMS1 series, check that the mouse is plugged into the USB port. ❑...
  • Page 57 You may have disabled the touchpad without connecting a mouse to the notebook. To enable the touchpad: Press the Windows key and use the arrow keys to select Programs, and then Sony Notebook Setup. Select the Touchpad tab using the arrow keys. Select Enable Touchpad, and then press the Enter key.
  • Page 58 VAIO® Notebook Quick Start ❑ If you cannot restart your notebook as described in the step above, press and hold the power button for more than four seconds to turn off the notebook. ❑ If the pointer does not move while playing a disc, press the Ctrl+Alt+Delete keys simultaneously to stop playback and restart the notebook.

  • Page 59: Getting Help

    Getting Help Sony provides you with several support resources to answer questions about your VAIO® notebook or the preinstalled software. Refer to these resources in the order they are listed. ❑ Support Options ❑ Software Support Information Support Options If you have questions about your notebook or the preinstalled software, refer to the following sources for answers in the sequence listed below.
  • Page 60 1-888-4-SONY-PC (1-888-476-6972). Sony Customer Support Software support is available free of charge for 90 days after the original date of purchase. You can call and speak with a Sony Customer Support Representative without using your notebook by calling: 1-888-4-SONY-PC (1-888-476-6972).

  • Page 61: Software Support Information

    Software Support Information Adobe® Acrobat® Reader®, Photoshop® Elements (Adobe Systems Inc.) Web site http://www.adobe.com/ phone 206-675-6126 (fee-based support) 206-628-5737 e-mail techdocs@adobe.com hours M-F, 6 AM - 5 PM (PST) America Online® (America Online, Inc.) Web site http://www.aol.com/ phone 800-827-6364 hours 7 days a week, 24 hours a day PC-Cillin®...

  • Page 62: Sony Service Center

    888-4-SONY-PC (888-476-6972) hours 7 days a week, 24 hours a day * Support from 1-888-4-SONY-PC is free of charge for 90 days after the original date of purchase. Windows® Operating System, Internet Explorer, Office, Outlook® Express, Word, (Microsoft Corporation) Web site http://www.sony.com/pcsupport/...

  • Page 63: Index

    Index 7, 21 AC adapter connection notes using AC power adding memory Application Recovery CD battery pack notes 7, 24 battery packs charging indicator light status indicator lights inserting inserting into battery bay rechargeable removing using brightness adjusting buttons Start (Windows) cable phone cables...
  • Page 64 VAIO® Notebook Quick Start hardware online support help i.LINK indicator lights battery charge status inserting battery pack installing memory module Internet connection Jog Dial lock lever troubleshooting lever locating controls and ports memory adding amount memory module expansion installing precautions and procedures removing mouse troubleshooting...
  • Page 65 Software list Sony Computing Support Sony Fax-on-Demand service Sony Service Center starting Notebook startup problems support software support, technical System Recovery CD technical support touchpad troubleshooting troubleshooting mouse and touchpad notebook 30, 31 shutting down startup turning on Notebook unpacking the computer...
  • Page 68 © 2002 Sony Electronics Inc. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. All rights reserved. Sony, VAIO, the VAIO logo, VAIO Smart, DVgate, Handycam, Media Bar, MovieShaker, PictureGear, and i.LINK are trademarks of Sony. All other trademarks are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

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