Page 1 Software Guide P C G - G R S S e r i e s...
Page 2: Read This First
Please read this EULA carefully before installing or using the software distributed together with this EULA (the SONY SOFTWARE). By installing or using the SONY SOFTWARE, you agree to be bound by the terms of this EULA. You may use the SONY SOFTWARE only in connection with the use of the SONY HARDWARE.
Page 3 Except for the transfer of the SONY SOFTWARE together with the SONY HARDWARE and prior agreement of the recipient to be bound by the terms and conditions of this EULA, you may not sell or rent the SONY SOFTWARE and its copy to any third party.
Page 4: Energy Star
Read this first NERGY ® As an E Partner, Sony has determined that this product meets the E NERGY T AR International E NERGY of computers and their office equipment. The program backs the development and dissemination of products with functions that effectively reduce energy consumption.
Page 5 Sony, DVgate, Hotkey, i.LINK, ISP Selector, MovieShaker, Network Smart Capture, PictureGear Studio, Sony Notebook Setup, UI Design Selector, VAIO Edit Components, Sony Style Imaging, SonicStage, Memory Stick and the Memory Stick logo, VAIO and the VAIO logo are trademarks of Sony Corporation. Microsoft, Windows and the Windows logo, Windows Media and Outlook are trademarks or registered trademarks of U.S.
Page 6 Registering your VAIO It only takes a few moments to register your Sony VAIO computer. By registering your computer, you can take advantage of Sony’s commitment to quality customer support and receive the following benefits: Club VAIO – Online support, tutorials, tips and tricks, news, news forums, competitions, free downloads and software updates.
Page 7: Sony Software
CD. Please see the printed Specifications sheet to see which software is preinstalled, and then the Application CD Guide booklet for installation details. Your preinstalled software can mostly be found under Start / All Programs. Sony software DVgate Sony Electronics DVgate is a kit of 3 complementary applications: DVgate Motion, DVgate Still, and DVgate Assemble.
Page 8: Isp Selector
About the software delivered with your computer ISP Selector Sony Electronics With the ISP Selector you can easily install the Internet Service Provider you want to use. Just choose your country and your language in the drop-down lists and the available providers appear. Click the Install button next to the ISP and the installation begins.
Page 9: Picturegear Studio
SonicStage Sony Electronics SonicStage is software using the OpenMG technology, a copyright protection technology developed by Sony Corporation and designed to allow recording and playback of digital music data on a personal computer. Once the data is encrypted and recorded onto the hard disk, OpenMG technology allows it to be played back on the PC but prevents unauthorised distribution.
Page 10: Sony Notebook Setup
Sony Style Imaging Sony Electronics Sony Style Imaging is an easy way to share your digital pictures and videos with family and friends. Use Sony Style Imaging with Smart Capture (Premium) and MovieShaker to make the most of your images and movies.
Page 11: Vaio Edit Components
See Using the product recovery CD-ROMs (page 108) You can only use the Recovery CD-ROMs on the Sony computer you purchased, and not on any other Sony PC or other manufacturer's PC.
Page 12: Internet Explorer
About the software delivered with your computer Operating system and other available software ® Windows XP Professional Service Pack 1 Microsoft Corporation ® ® Built on the proven Windows 2000 operating system, Windows XP Professional delivers a reliable foundation you can count on to keep your computer up and running when you need it most. Not only is the operating system more reliable, it also offers features that make it much faster and easier to recover from system problems.
Page 13: Adobe Acrobat Reader
About the software delivered with your computer ® Adobe Acrobat Adobe Systems Incorporated ® Acrobat Reader software allows you to view, navigate, and print electronic documents in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF), an open file format that is intended to preserve the conformity of documents created on all major computer platforms.
Page 14: Realone Player
About the software delivered with your computer or CD-ROM. ® ® Adobe Premiere combines professional video editing capabilities and high quality output in a product that's easy to use and versatile. For questions and technical assistance, go online to: http://www.adobe.com QuickTime 5.0 Apple QuickTime is the Apple technology that makes video, sound, music, 3D and virtual reality come alive for your...
Page 15 About the software delivered with your computer Symantec Norton AntiVirus Symantec This software package includes a 90-day free subscription to virus definition updates. With Norton AntiVirus, you can scan files, folders, or entire drives for viruses, and quarantine infected files for submission to the Symantec AntiVirus Research Centre (SARC).
Page 16: Windvd For Vaio
About the software delivered with your computer WinDVD for VAIO InterVideo, Inc. WinDVD for VAIO is a simple-to-use DVD player. WinDVD for VAIO combines all the features you would expect to find on a standard consumer DVD player, in addition to some very advanced functionalities, full precision video decoding, a choice of user interfaces, and video display options.
Page 17 Using Video software Using Video software The following video software applications are delivered with your VAIO. Check the printed Specifications sheet to see whether they are preinstalled. Then read the printed Application CD guide for installation details, if applicable. Using DVgate Using MovieShaker Using Network Smart Capture (page 17)
Page 18: Using Dvgate
Using Video software Using DVgate DVgate is a software application that enables you to capture and then edit images taken with digital video devices (DV devices), such as digital video camera recorders, on your personal computer. It also gives you the ability to output the edited material for recording on a DV device.
Page 19: Capturing Videos
Using Video software Using DVgate Motion With DVgate Motion you can capture video and record edited videos on a DV device. Capturing videos: You can automatically or manually capture any scene or portion of the images recorded on a DV device, such as a digital video camera recorder.
Page 20 Using Video software Click the down arrow and select Import-Auto from the Mode drop-down list. Use the DVgate camera controls buttons to play, rewind or fast forward the tape to the selected time code to begin capturing. Press Play to start the video. The video begins to play in the Monitor window.
Page 21 Using Video software Click the Save button. DVgate captures the segments. The Capturing complete message appears. Click OK in the DVgate Motion window to finish. Information about the capturing process is displayed in the Report window. Click OK. Exit DVgate Motion. The Dvmotion2 window appears on the screen.
Page 22 Using Video software To automatically adjust the recording correction values, proceed as follows: Launch DVgate Motion. Click the down arrow and select Export - Auto from the Mode drop-down list. Select Adjust on Recording… from the Settings menu. The Adjust on Recording dialog box appears. Click the AutoAdjust button.
Page 23 Using Video software After adding the files to the Record List, you can still change the order of the files, add or delete files. To change the order of the files in the Record List, proceed as follows: Click the file you want to move while holding down the mouse button. Drag the file to the appropriate position and then release the mouse button.
Page 24 Using Video software Recording on the DV device You can automatically or manually export videos from your computer to a DV device. To automatically export videos from your computer to a DV device, proceed as follows: Connect the camera to the computer with the i.LINK™ cable and turn on the camera. Launch DVgate Motion.
Page 25 Using Video software Even if you specify not to add blank frames, several blank frames are always placed at the end of the recorded segment regardless of the settings. This is to prevent image noise from being recorded when recording stops. Do not quit or log off from Windows Disable the screen saver in Windows Do not start other applications or move any active window while recording.
Page 26: Capturing Pictures
Using Video software Capturing pictures There are two capture modes in DVgate Still: the Continuous Capture mode and the Single Frame Capture mode. Continuous Capture mode: If you capture pictures during Play mode, you can capture 30 frames of still pictures in total with respectively 15 frames in the forward and backward directions.
Page 27 Using Video software Set the DV device to the Play or Pause mode. The video image appears in the Monitor window. Click the Capture button. The video image in the Monitor window is being captured. Dragging the slider in the Capture window to the left or right lets you display the still picture before or after the current one. If you exit DVgate Still without saving the captured still picture, it is cleared.
Page 28 Using Video software Saving the captured pictures You can save the still pictures displayed in the DVgate Still - Still window in either one of the following formats: BMP, JPG, GIF or DVF. To save the captured pictures, proceed as follows: Launch DVgate Still and capture images.
Page 29 Using Video software Using DVgate Assemble DVgate Assemble enables you to edit video files and still image files captured with DVgate Motion and DVgate Still. Afterwards you can splice them together to form one single file. You can save the resulting spliced video sequences as AVI, MPEG1, or MPEG2* format files.
Page 30 Using Video software Creating an Assemble List You can create an Assemble List with files you want to splice together. Afterwards you can always edit the Assemble List by changing the order of the files and adding or deleting files. To add files to an Assemble List, proceed as follows: Make sure you have installed DVgate from the application CD-ROM, if applicable (see the printed Specifications sheet and Application CD guide).
Page 31 Using Video software Editing AVI files You can edit the AVI files in the Assemble List for the exact scenes you want to use. For example, there is no need to recapture files even if you only want to use one particular scene from a longer video sequence originally captured with DVgate Motion.
Page 32 Using Video software Combining still images with video images To combine still images with video images, proceed as follows: Launch DVgate Assemble. Click the Add button. The Add dialog box appears. Select the image file type from the Files of type drop-down list. Select your image file and click Open.
Page 33 Using Video software Saving the edited video To save an edited video sequence, proceed as follows: Click the Output or the Output All button. The Save As dialog box appears. Information on the output file and the amount of free disk space is shown in the lower part of the Save As dialog box.
Page 34: Using Movieshaker
Using Video software Using MovieShaker MovieShaker can be used to create fun and innovative movies without any knowledge of film editing. In a few steps, motion pictures can be combined with special effects, still images (pictures), and music files and then saved in a format most computers can play.
Page 35 Using Video software Menu bar Monitor panel Tool panel Clip tray Product tray Shows MovieShaker menus. Contains the Shake, Capture, and Edit tray. Select a tray by clicking the Shake, Capture, or Edit tab. The Shake tray is for creating a scene of approximately 30 seconds long including background music, using clips on the Clip tray at random.
Page 36: Importing Images And Sound Clips
Using Video software Importing images and sound clips Before you can create a movie, you need to import the images and sound clips you want to use in your movie. To import images and sound clips, proceed as follows: Click the File import button The Import dialog box appears.
Page 37: Editing Clips And Scenes
Using Video software Editing clips and scenes You can edit your movie by adding effects and text, adjusting the colour and contrast, and modifying the length of the clip. Shake tab Capture tab Edit tab Speed control slider Volume control slider Effect palette Fade-in, fade-out Trash...
Page 38: Saving A Movie
Using Video software To edit clips and scenes, proceed as follows: Double-click the clip in the Clip tray to move it to the Monitor Panel. Select the Effect tab from the Tool Panel. Drag and drop the effect you want to add from the Effect tray to the Edit tray monitor. To preview an effect, click the effect in the Effect tray in the Working Panel monitor.
Page 39 Using Video software Using Network Smart Capture Network Smart Capture allows you to manage photos and movies taken with an i.LINK™ -compatible digital camera or USB Web camera. You can capture and enhance video or still images to share with your family and friends over the Internet or via e-mail.
Page 40 Using Video software Some cameras and camcorders need to have recording media inserted before an image can be displayed in the Finder window. Read the manual supplied with your digital camera or camcorder for more information. Icon Description/Function Finder window Displays images in real-time Help Displays the online Help documentation...
Page 41: Using Still Mode
Using Video software Using Still mode To take still pictures with the Network Smart Capture software, proceed as follows: Launch Network Smart Capture. Connect your i.LINK™-compatible digital camera or USB Web camera to your computer and turn it on. The viewfinder image appears in the main window. Click Still near the top left-hand corner of the screen.
Page 42 Using Video software Click the Change Setting icon The Still Image Setting window appears, containing three tabs: Basic — Select a folder destination for your images. Capturing Format — Select the image size in pixels and adjust the image quality. Common —...
Page 43 Using Video software Capturing an image in Still mode To capture an image in Still mode, proceed as follows: Use your digital camera or camcorder to locate the image you want to capture. When you see the image you want in the Finder window, click Capture You can capture a single image or several images at once.
Page 44 Using Video software Using Movie mode To capture a home movie, proceed as follows: Launch Network Smart Capture. Connect your i.LINK™-compatible digital camera or USB Web camera to your computer and turn it on. The viewfinder image appears in the main window. Click Movie to activate Movie mode.
Page 45 Using Video software Click the Change Setting icon The Movie Clip Setting window appears, containing three tabs: Basic - Select a folder destination for your movies when recording video clips. Capturing Format - Adjust the image quality, reduce noise, and set the maximum recording time for your movie capture.
Page 46 Using Video software Capturing an image in Movie mode To capture an image in Movie mode, proceed as follows: Use your digital camera or camcorder to locate the moving image you want to capture. When you see the image you want in the Finder window or in the camcorder’s viewfinder, click Record The Movie Player icon Click Stop The first frame of your movie appears in the data list to the right of the Finder window.
Page 47 Using Video software Making settings for Web camera mode Before you capture a Web camera image, you can set your own preferences. To make your settings for Web camera mode, proceed as follows: Click the Select Capture Menu icon image capture. For more on the Effect option, see Applying effects to your images and movies Click the Change Setting icon The Web Camera Setting window appears, containing five tabs:...
Page 48 Using Video software Basic — Select a folder destination to store your images, set your maximum observation time, and choose your dial-up setting. Capturing Interval — Set your Web camera to capture images at intervals or whenever there is movement. Send —...
Page 49 Using Video software Capturing an image in Web camera mode To capture an image in Web camera mode, proceed as follows: Use your digital camera or camcorder to locate the moving image you want to capture. When you see the image you want in the Finder window or in the camcorder’s viewfinder, click Start The Web Camera Reservation Wizard appears, guiding you through the initial settings.
Page 50 Using Video software Managing your images and movies The task buttons to the right of the Network Smart Capture window enable you to perform various functions with your images or movies. Save As Send attached Image by E-mail Launches your e-mail program with a new message window containing the still image Delete You must be connected to the Internet before attempting to e-mail your still images or videos.
Page 51 Managing audio files with SonicStage Managing audio files with SonicStage SonicStage lets you play and record audio CDs and import digital audio files while maintaining the copyright information of the contents. When you record an audio CD with SonicStage onto your computer’s hard disk drive, the default format is ATRAC3.
Page 52 Managing audio files with SonicStage...
Page 53 Managing audio files with SonicStage Recording button Source icons Import button Simple Mode button Close button Help button Operation area Menu button Volume control buttons Equalizer button Displays the Recording Assistant window. Select a source icon and a target icon. As a source you can use: - the Music drive: files from the music database Music Drive managed by SonicStage, or the audio files registered to a playlist on the Music Drive.
Page 54 Managing audio files with SonicStage Sound Effect button Visualizer button Internet button ® The CDDB2 (Compact Disc Database) Music Recognition Service registration wizard enables you to register with CDDB. You need Internet access on your computer to register and use this service. For more information regarding CDDB2 registration, click the Help button. * Only possible when you have this slot built-in on your machine.
Page 55: Recording From A Cd
Managing audio files with SonicStage Recording from a CD You can, for example, record songs from audio CDs and import them to playlists in SonicStage. To record a CD, proceed as follows: Insert an audio CD into your system’s optical disc drive. Click the Recording button (1).
Page 56 Managing audio files with SonicStage Click the Jump to Record Window button (4). The RecordPanel window appears. If you only want to record a few songs, click the Show List The list of tracks on your audio CD appears. If necessary select the format and bit rate for recording by clicking the Change CD Recording Format button.
Page 57 Managing audio files with SonicStage When you record from an audio CD on your optical disc drive for the first time, the CD Drive Optimization dialog box appears. Click Start to verify your optical disc drive. Once the verification is performed, recording begins. You can display the name of the CD and its songs by clicking the CD Info button and after registering with CDDB.
Page 58 Managing audio files with SonicStage Transferring songs (check in/out) You can transfer songs between the playlists on your SonicStage software and external devices or media (for example, Memory Stick™ Walkman, Network Walkman, CD-RW). For more information on using your external devices or media, see the documentation that came with the product. Checking out songs Checking out songs means transferring audio files from a computer to an external device (for example, a portable player).
Page 59 Managing audio files with SonicStage Checking in songs After checking out audio files, you can transfer those files back to the hard drive. This is what we call checking in. The songs that you transfer like this can only be checked in to the hard drive of the same computer from which the songs were checked out.
Page 60: Additional Features
Managing audio files with SonicStage Additional features SonicStage Backup Tool – You can back up and restore all the music, graphics and information data managed by SonicStage. You must be connected to the Internet to use the SonicStage Backup Tool. Import audio files in various formats –...
Page 61 Using PictureGear Studio Using PictureGear Studio The PictureGear Studio software is designed to creatively manage your digital pictures. With its easy-to-use features, you can quickly load images from your digital camera or camcorder, print high-quality photos, create custom labels, and design personalised photo albums or binders to share with friends and family. To share a PictureGear Studio creation over the Internet or by using another computer, use the Export feature.
Page 62 Using PictureGear Studio Using the Import feature With the Import feature, you can capture and import pictures from your USB digital camera / camcorder or TWAIN-supporting scanner to your computer. Once you have imported the pictures, you can select your favourite pictures and save them in handy folders for future use.
Page 63 Using PictureGear Studio Click to make any adjustments you want to make to the pictures. The Adjust window displays an enlarged version of the picture on the right and thumbnail versions on the left. Click Save to relocate the individual picture to a new folder. Click Delete to remove the picture from the photo collection.
Page 64 Using PictureGear Studio Click Delete to remove the picture from the photo collection. Click Rotate to change the picture's position. Click Trim to crop the picture or capture a specific area. Click Finish Importing to save the imported pictures in a photo collection (see Using the PhotoCollection feature (page 64)).
Page 65 Using PictureGear Studio Using the PhotoCollection feature You can organise and manage your imported pictures on your computer’s hard drive. To use the PhotoCollection feature, proceed as follows: In the PictureGear Studio main window, click PhotoCollection. Alternatively, go to Start, All Programs, PictureGear Studio, Tool and then click PhotoCollection.
Page 66 Using PictureGear Studio From the thumbnail view, click to select pictures. Hold down the <Ctrl> key while clicking to select several pictures. Use <Ctrl>+<A> to select all the photos in a folder. Manage your pictures with these additional tools and features: Click Rotate to change the picture’s position.
Page 67 Using PictureGear Studio Using the Binder feature You can add comments to your favourite photos, add custom backgrounds, clip art, and stamps, or showcase your own drawing talent. Add, remove, or change your designs to create your own unique photo art. To use the Binder feature, proceed as follows: In the PictureGear Studio main window, click Binder.
Page 68 Using PictureGear Studio Select a binder style, and then click New Page. Available photo sources are displayed as thumbnails. Click a photo to select it. An information form appears. Fill in your information and click OK. An art palette window appears. To create an original page with art or stamps, use the decoration features on the right by clicking on the required feature and applying it to your photo.
Page 69 Using PictureGear Studio Using the PhotoAlbum feature You can organise your memorable photos in an electronic photo album to share with friends and family. To use the PhotoAlbum feature, proceed as follows: In the PictureGear Studio main window, click PhotoAlbum. Alternatively, go to Start, All Programs, PictureGear Studio, Tool and then click The PhotoAlbum window appears.
Page 70 Using PictureGear Studio Click List to select the photos you want to include in your album from available folders. The Photo List window appears. Click Create the Album with the selected photo(s) after selecting your photos. The Select Design window appears. Click to select a design layout for your album.
Page 71 Using PictureGear Studio Scroll through your album using the book icons at the bottom of the window. Click Edit Album to make changes to your album. Customise your album by adding more pictures, pages, decorations, or comments, or by deleting pages. Click Edit Page to customise a page in your album.
Page 72 Using PictureGear Studio Using the Export feature You can export your completed photo album to enable viewing over the Internet, with another computer, or saving to a recordable media. There are three export formats available: Export as a Flash File to create a small file that can be viewed using Microsoft Export as a Light Package to create a compressed file that can be viewed on a computer.
Page 73 Using PictureGear Studio Click an export format to select it. The Select Folder window appears. Click Browse and navigate to the destination folder. Enter a file name, if necessary. Click Export. A progress window appears briefly. An export completion message window appears, displaying the file name and file size. Click OK.
Page 74 Using PictureGear Studio Using the PrintStudio feature Use PrintStudio to design and print original postcards, calendars, art, and labels using your favourite pictures. To use PrintStudio, proceed as follows: In the PictureGear Studio main window, click PrintStudio. Alternatively, go to Start, All Programs, PictureGear Studio, Tool and then click The PrintStudio window appears.
Page 75 Using PictureGear Studio Select the item you want to create and click Start Creating. The initial creation window appears, which varies depending on the item you are creating. Make selections for the picture(s), design layout, and custom decoration for the item you want to create. Set the number of copies to be printed and select a connected printer.
Page 76: Viewing The Online Help
Using PictureGear Studio Viewing the online Help For more information about PictureGear Studio, see the application’s online Help files. To view the online help, proceed as follows: Click Help in PictureGear Studio’s main window or in each PictureGear Studio element.
Page 77: Customizing Your Computer
The following sections briefly describe how to change the main settings of your computer. Among other things, you will learn how to prepare your modem for use, how to use and customise the look of your Sony software and utilities, etc.
Page 78: Setting Up Your Language
Customizing your computer Setting up your language It is important that you select the correct keyboard settings during the Windows Setup. To select the correct keyboard settings during Windows Setup, proceed as follows: At first boot, click 2x Next in the Windows XP Setup Wizard window. The Select Your System Settings dialog box appears.
Page 79 Customizing your computer Click Apply to apply the changes. You are prompted to log off and log on again. Only then, the changes to the new language will take effect. Click Start, and select Log Off. Click Log Off in the Log Off Windows window. If necessary, enter your password to log on again.
Page 80: Setting Up Your Notebook With Sony Notebook Setup
Customizing your computer Setting up your notebook with Sony Notebook Setup The Sony Notebook Setup utility allows you to consult system information, specify preferences for system behaviour, and set up password protection for your VAIO notebook. To use Sony Notebook Setup, proceed as follows: Click the Start button on the Windows In All Programs, select Sony Notebook Setup and then click Sony Notebook Setup.
Page 81 For more information about each option, click Help on the Sony Notebook Setup screen to display the help file. ® Windows XP Professional (PCG-GRS515SP only): If you open Sony Notebook Setup as a limited user, then only the About This Computer tab will be visible. Description Selects the drive and device order you wish to use for loading the operating system.
Page 82: Managing Power
Customizing your computer Managing power The PowerPanel utility controls the power management of your notebook and provides key information about system activity and battery life. The automatic power management selects the most advantageous profiles, or lets you customise the profiles you choose, according to your own needs, with the goal of extended battery life.
Page 83 Customizing your computer Activating power management profiles PowerPanel provides several predefined power management profiles. Each profile consists of a group of power management settings that are designed to meet specific power management goals, ranging from maximum power management to no power management. Running on AC Icon Description...
Page 84 Customizing your computer Spreadsheet – Reduces the LCD brightness to 'medium', as your software does not require higher performance. Presentation – Keeps the display on at all times while it conserves power. This option is ideal for slideshow presentations. You can establish settings for LCD (Video) Standby, Hard Disk Standby, and Standby to optimise power management for your system.
Page 85 Customizing your computer Selecting automatic profiles A power profile is a set of timer values for a variety of system devices. PowerPanel automatically selects the profile associated with the application you are using and changes profiles as you switch between applications.
Page 86: Displaying Detailed Battery Information
Customizing your computer Displaying detailed battery information You can display detailed information of your computer's battery. To display battery information, proceed as follows: Double-click the PowerPanel icon in the taskbar. The Battery Information window appears. Select the Battery tab. This tab contains information such as the estimated battery life remaining and charging time. Battery icon Battery status discharging: the icon is blue...
Page 87 Customizing your computer Displaying CPU information You can also view the level of performance of your notebook with the CPU Controls. To do so, you just have to move your cursor over the CPU icon in your taskbar. Icon Performance: Battery Life: For more detailed information on what you can do with PowerPanel, refer to the Help files of PowerPanel.
Page 88 Customizing your computer Creating a power profile To create a power profile, proceed as follows: Right-click the CPU icon in the taskbar and select Edit/Create Profiles from the menu. The Profile Editor window appears. Select New from the File menu. Select the kind of profile you want to create: profile when your computer is plugged in, profile when your computer is running on batteries.
Page 89: Selecting Display Modes
The Display Properties dialog box appears. Click the Settings tab. Click the Advanced button. The Sony Notebook LCD and Mobility Radeon 7500 Properties dialog box appears. Click the Displays tab. Select the Monitor, Panel or TV icon. Click Apply and then OK.
Page 90: Configuring Your Modem
Customizing your computer Configuring your modem Before you can start using your internal modem, or each time you use your modem while travelling, make sure that the country of the active location defined in the Phone and Modem Options dialog box matches the country you are dialling from.
Page 91: Updating The Modem Driver
Customizing your computer Updating the modem driver If you need to update the modem driver for any reason, proceed as follows: Click the Start button and open Control Panel. The Control Panel window appears. Click the Printers and Other Hardware icon. The Printers and Other Hardware window appears.
Page 92: Changing Your Windows Design With The Ui Design Selector Program
The UI Design Selector window design changes, to give you a preview of the design you chose for the Sony software. To try another design, click << or >>. Click OK once you are satisfied with your choice. The UI Design Selector dialog box disappears and changes the window design of Sony software as you selected.
Page 93: Setting A Sony Wallpaper
Customizing your computer Setting a Sony wallpaper Your Sony VAIO computer offers you, among many other features, a choice of wallpapers. You can change the wallpaper, the background of your desktop, as many times as you like. To set another VAIO wallpaper, proceed as follows: Go to Control Panel and select the Switch to Classic View option.
Page 94: Selecting A Screen Saver
Customizing your computer Selecting a screen saver A screen saver is an animated image that is activated on a computer display when no user activity has been sensed for a certain time. The original purpose of a screen saver was to prevent burn-in (the burning of an image into the phosphor inside the cathode ray tube after hours of the same image being rescanned).
Page 95: Installing And Updating Applications
Installing and updating applications Installing and updating applications This section explains how to install, run or uninstall a software. Furthermore, you will learn how to download the latest updates from our website. Installing software Changing or removing software Downloading software (page 95) (page 96) (page 99)
Page 96: Installing Software
Installing and updating applications Installing software To install bundled software from the supplied application CD, please read the printed Application CD guide for details. To install other software, use the following procedure. Before installing the applications: Install and connect a hardware device, if necessary (see the Managing drivers Close all open applications.
Page 97: Changing Or Removing Software
Installing and updating applications Click Browse to select the folder and click Next. If necessary, select the type of installation you wish and click Next. The software installation begins. Make sure to select Yes, I want to restart my computer now if you are asked to. Click Finish.
Page 98 Installing and updating applications You can sort programs by selecting different options in Sort by. ® Add or Remove Programs will only remove programs that were written for Windows operating systems. For other programs, check the documentation to see if other files (such as .ini files) should be removed.
Page 99 Installing and updating applications Caution ® Windows File protection Installing a program might overwrite shared system files such as dynamic-link libraries (DLL files)* and executable files (EXE files). When system files are overwritten, system performance becomes unpredictable, programs behave erratically, and the operating system can fail. Never delete files with the following extensions: SYS, DLL, OCX, TTF, or FON.
Page 100: Downloading Software
Installing and updating applications Downloading software Please note it is possible to download the latest upgrades of software for your computer from our website. Just click the following link to access it: To download the latest upgrades, proceed as follows: Go to www.vaio-link.com Click the VAIO User button.
Page 101: Managing Drivers
Managing drivers Managing drivers A driver is a software enabling you to use hardware devices. For example, in order for you to be able to use a printer, you must first install its driver. Many drivers, such as the mouse driver, come with the operating system.
Page 102: Installing A Driver
Managing drivers Installing a driver If the driver does not come with a specific installation procedure, please proceed as follows to install it: Insert the application CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive (or the disk or the CD-ROM accompanying the device you want to configure). Connect the device that needs a driver, to your computer.
Page 103: Checking The Driver's Installation
Managing drivers Checking the driver's installation When the computer restarts, check that the device is working properly. To check the driver’s installation, proceed as follows: From the Start menu, click Control Panel. The Control Panel window appears. Double-click the System icon. The System dialog box appears.
Page 104: Updating A Driver
Managing drivers Right-click Uninstall. When the Confirm Device Removal dialog box appears, click OK. Click Yes and restart the computer. When the computer restarts, repeat from step 2 in Installing a driver If your device is not displayed in the Properties dialog box, the device is not working properly. Repeat steps 1 through 4 in the previous sections to check the driver’s installation.
Page 105: Uninstalling A Driver
Managing drivers Double-click the option corresponding to the device you installed, then double-click your device. The Properties dialog box appears. Click the Driver tab. Click Update driver. The driver is updated. To update your device driver, you must be logged on to your computer with an administrator account. Uninstalling a driver Leave the device connected to your computer while uninstalling the driver.
Page 106: Restoring A Driver
Managing drivers Double-click the option corresponding to the device you installed, then double-click your device. The Properties dialog box appears. Click the Driver tab. Click Uninstall. The driver is uninstalled. To uninstall your device driver, you must be logged on to your computer with an owner account. Restoring a driver System Restore is a feature of Microsoft problem occurs, without losing your personal data files.
Page 107 Managing drivers Click Start on the taskbar. Click My computer from the menu. Click View system information on the left of the window. Click the Hardware tab, then click Device Manager. Double-click the option corresponding to the device you installed, then double-click your device. The Properties dialog box appears.
Page 108: Downloading Drivers
Managing drivers Downloading drivers Please note it is possible to download the latest versions of drivers for your computer on our website. Just click the following link to access it: To download the latest drivers, proceed as follows: Go to www.vaio-link.com Click the VAIO User button.
Page 109: Using The Product Recovery Cd-Roms
If you want to modify the size of the hard drive partitions. You can only use these product recovery CD-ROMs on the Sony computer they came with and not on any other Sony PC or other manufacturer's PC. Performing an application recovery...
Page 110: Performing A System Recovery
Using the product recovery CD-ROMs Performing an application recovery The final CD in the set of product recovery CD-ROMs contains most of the applications that were preinstalled on your computer. Reinstalling a program from this application CD can fix the problems encountered if it does not run correctly anymore, or if Windows Please read your printed Application CD Guide for details on (re)installing bundled applications.
Page 111: Using Partitioned Drives
Using the product recovery CD-ROMs Using partitioned drives In My Computer you may have noticed the availability of two drive partitions (C: and D:). Your hard disk drive comes from the factory with 2 logical partitions. This does not mean that your computer contains two physical hard disks.
Page 112: Recovering The System Without Changing Partition Sizes
Using the product recovery CD-ROMs Starting the system recovery procedure To start the system recovery, proceed as follows: Turn on your computer (using AC power only) and insert the first system recovery CD-ROM into the disc drive. If you are still able to access Windows off)*.
Page 113: Recovering The System With Modified Partition Sizes
Using the product recovery CD-ROMs Click Yes to confirm. The recovery process starts. When asked to do so, remove the CD and insert the next one. When the process is finished, click OK. Click Next in the window that appears. Remove the CD from the drive and click Finish.
Page 114: Manually Changing Partition Sizes
Your system's settings are changed and your computer reboots automatically. Resetting the default partition sizes If you changed the partition sizes since you bought your Sony computer, choosing Recovery To Originally Shipped State allows you to reset the hard drive to its original size. Meanwhile, the current partitions are deleted, the hard disk is reformatted, and all the original software is restored as with a standard system recovery.
Page 115: Aborting The System Recovery Process
Using the product recovery CD-ROMs You should allow one hour for the recovery process. To restore the default size of the hard drive, proceed as follows: Select the button next to Recovery To Originally Shipped State. Click Next. Read the summary of the recovery process about to be performed and click Next to start the process. Click Yes to confirm.

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