Sony VAIO VGC-RA820G Series Quick Start Manual
Vaio digital studio® computer
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- Service manual (37 pages)
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Table of Contents
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Summary of Contents for Sony VAIO VGC-RA820G Series
- Page 1 VAIO Digital Studio® Computer VGC-RA820G Series VGC-RA920G Series Quick Start...
- Page 2 The software described herein is governed by the terms of a separate user license agreement. This product contains software owned by Sony and licensed by third parties. Use of such software is subject to the terms and conditions of license agreements enclosed with this product. Some of the software may not be transported or used outside the United States.
- Page 3 Owner’s Record The model number and serial number are located on the back panel of your Sony VAIO® computer. Record the model and serial number in the space provided here, and keep in a secure location. Refer to the model and serial numbers when you call your Sony Service Center.
- Page 4 Your computer’s installed optical drives may vary, depending on the system configuration you have purchased. See the online specifications sheet for details on your installed optical drives. For questions regarding your product or for the Sony Service Center nearest you, visit the Sony online support Web site at http://www.sony.com/pcsupport. ❑...
- Page 5 L’appareil doit être le plus près possible d’une prise murale pour en faciliter l’accès. Pour changer la pile de rechange, veuillez contacter votre centre de service Sony le plus près. Avertissement: L'utilisation d'instruments optiques avec ce produit augmente les risques pour les yeux. Puisque le faisceau laser utilisé dans ce produit est dommageable pour les yeux, ne tentez pas de désassembler le boîtier.
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Page 6: Regulatory Information
Regulatory Information If you have questions about this product, write to Sony Customer Information Service Center at 12451 Gateway Blvd., Ft. Myers, FL 33913, USA, or visit Sony Customer Service on the Sony Online Support Web site at http://www.sony.com/pcsupport. Declaration of Conformity Trade Name: Model No.:... - Page 7 Repair of this equipment should be made only by a Sony Service Center or Sony authorized agent. For the Sony Service Center nearest you, call 1-888-4-SONY-PC (1-888-476-6972), or visit the Sony Online Support Web site at http://www.sony.com/pcsupport.
- Page 8 Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 (United States) The Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 makes it unlawful for any person to use a computer or other electronic device, including FAX machines, to send any message unless such message clearly contains, in a margin at the top or bottom of each transmitted page or on the first page of the transmission, the date and time it is sent and an identification of the business, other entity, or individual sending the message, and the telephone number of the sending machine or such business, other entity, or individual.
- Page 9 Disposal of Lithium Battery You can return your unwanted lithium batteries to your nearest Sony Service Center or Factory Service Center. ✍ In some areas the disposal of lithium batteries in household or business trash may be prohibited. For the Sony Service Center nearest you, call 1-888-476-6972 in the United States or 1-800-961-7669 in Canada.
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Page 11: Table Of Contents
Contents Getting Started ...13 Unpacking Your Computer ...14 Locating Controls And Ports ...17 About the Front Panel ...18 About the Back Panel ...22 About the Sub-woofer ...25 About the Keyboard ...26 About the Remote Control ...29 Setting Up Your Computer ...33 Connecting a Display (Monitor) ...34 Connecting the Speakers ...35 Connecting 5.1 (6-Channel) Speaker Systems ...38... - Page 12 VAIO Digital Studio Computer Quick Start Setting Up Media Center...49 Getting Started with Media Center ... 50 Setting Up TV Connections ... 51 Connecting the Remote Sensor and Remote Sensor Control(s)... 57 Connecting Other Devices ... 60 Starting Media Center Software ... 63 Troubleshooting...65 Support Options...67 Immediate Help and Support ...
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Page 13: Getting Started
Getting Started Congratulations on your purchase of the Sony VAIO® computer! Your new, high-performance, multimedia computer combines state-of-the-art computer functionality with the latest audio, video and information technology features. -
Page 14: Unpacking Your Computer
VAIO Digital Studio Computer Quick Start Unpacking Your Computer Your computer may not be supplied with all of the accessories shown, depending on the computer configuration purchased. For details on the accessories supplied with your computer, see the online Specifications sheet. ✍... - Page 15 VAIO computer. To view the online specifications sheet: Connect to the Internet. Go to the Sony online support Web site at http://www.sony.com/pcsupport. Click the Documentation link and follow the on-screen instructions to locate your model’s specifications sheet.
- Page 16 CD-RW, DVD-RW, or DVD±RW drive). DVD+RW, DVD-RW, double layer DVD+R, and double layer DVD-R media (when it becomes available) cannot be used to create a VAIO Recovery Media Kit. Other A software library, containing the Microsoft® software and Sony® end-user license agreements.
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Page 17: Locating Controls And Ports
Locating Controls And Ports This section is intended to familiarize you with the controls, ports and jacks on your computer and supplied accessories. Your computer may not be equipped with all of these hardware features or accessories. The location of the controls, ports, and jacks may vary from the illustrations shown in this section. -
Page 18: About The Front Panel
VAIO Digital Studio Computer Quick Start About the Front Panel The front panel of your VAIO® Computer enables access to drives, memory card readers, ports and jacks that enable you to connect compatible peripheral devices. Your computer may not be equipped with all of these hardware features or accessories. - Page 19 Optical drive 1 See the online Specifications sheet for optical drive information. Optical drive 2 See the online Specifications sheet for optical drive information. Floppy disk drive Reads and writes data from and to a 3.5-inch floppy disk. xD-Picture Card™ memory card reader Reads and writes data from and to xD-Picture Card media.
- Page 20 , xD-Picture Card™, or CompactFlash ✍ i.LINK is a trademark of Sony used only to designate that a product contains an IEEE 1394 connection. The i.LINK connection may vary, depending on the software programs, operating system, and compatible i.LINK devices. All products with an i.LINK connection may not communicate with each other.
- Page 21 To open and close the optical disc drive doors Your computer is equipped with one or more optical disc drives that have a drive eject button located on the drive door. ❑ After pressing the eject button, wait for the drive to stop reading the CD. It may take a few moments for the drive tray to eject.
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Page 22: About The Back Panel
VAIO Digital Studio Computer Quick Start About the Back Panel The back panel of your computer contains the ports for supplied and optional accessories. The icons on the back panel locate and identify the ports on your computer. The location of certain ports and jacks may vary from the illustration, based on the computer model purchased. -
Page 23: Printer Port
Printer port Connection for a parallel device, such as a printer or scanner. i.LINK 6-pin S400 port (IEEE 1394) Connection and power for a compatible digital device, such as a Sony Digital Handycam® camcorder. Universal Serial Bus (USB 2.0) ports (4) Connections for compatible high/full/low-speed USB devices. -
Page 24: Ethernet Port
VAIO Digital Studio Computer Quick Start Ethernet port Connection for a 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX/1000BASE-T Ethernet. (The port marked with Speaker DC Out jack Connection for the speaker power cable (supplied 2-channel speakers). Composite audio R In jack Connection for an audio cable (optional). Composite audio L In jack Connection for an audio cable (optional). -
Page 25: About The Sub-Woofer
VAIO computer. See the section, “Connecting the Speakers” on page 35, for instructions. For information about supplied accessories, see your computer’s online specifications sheet . Go to the Sony online support Web site at http://www.sony.com/pcsupport. Sub-woofer unit... -
Page 26: About The Keyboard
VAIO Digital Studio Computer Quick Start About the Keyboard This section describes the special and standard functions available for your keyboard. VAIO keyboard with Media Center features The VAIO® keyboard supplied with your computer has a standard key arrangement with additional keys and controls that support Microsoft® Windows®... - Page 27 BUTTON DESCRIPTION MY VIDEOS Opens the My Videos window of Media Center. INTERNET Starts the assigned Internet browser. MAIL Starts the e-mail software program. HELP Starts the Media Center Help, if Media Center software is running. (If Media Center software is not running, the Help and Support Center is started.) Records TV programs.
- Page 28 VAIO Digital Studio Computer Quick Start DESCRIPTION Function The 12 function keys along the top of the keyboard are used to perform certain tasks. The task associated with each function key may vary between software programs. Numeric keypad Use the numeric keypad area to type numbers or to perform basic math calculations.
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Page 29: About The Remote Control
About the Remote Control About the Remote Control The Media Center remote control is supplied with VAIO Digital Studio® computers that are equipped with the Microsoft® Windows® XP Media Center Edition operating system. The remote control can start and stop video recording and playback, select channels, and set viewing preferences. -
Page 30: Back Button
VAIO Digital Studio Computer Quick Start MY MUSIC button Press to view and listen to your music playlists. MY TV button Press to view the My TV menu. STOP button Press to stop media playback or TV recording session. PAUSE button Press to pause media playback. -
Page 31: Start Button
STANDBY button Press to place the computer in Stand by mode to reduce power consumption. MY PICTURES button Press to view pictures or a slide show. MY VIDEOS button Press to view videos from your video collection. MORE button Press to view additional options that are available for Media Center features. -
Page 32: Setting Up The Remote Control
VAIO Digital Studio Computer Quick Start Setting up the remote control Turn the remote control over. Press in the tab and lift the battery cover up. Insert two AA batteries (supplied) into the remote control as shown. Align the battery cover to the remote control. Press down until the cover clicks into place. -
Page 33: Setting Up Your Computer
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, ports, and jacks may vary from the illustrations shown. See the online Specifications sheet for your computer's specific hardware configuration. -
Page 34: Connecting A Display (Monitor)
VAIO Digital Studio Computer Quick Start Connecting a Display (Monitor) Plug the display’s cable into the appropriate monitor port. If necessary, plug the display’s cable into the rear of the display. To connect a display To connect a DVI display with the DVI-D monitor port* *A Video adapter device is required to connect a VGA monitor using the DVI-D port. -
Page 35: Connecting The Speakers
Connecting the Speakers Your VAIO® computer is supplied with 2-channel speakers. Certain models are supplied with a sub-woofer unit or 5.1 channel speaker systems To connect the 2-channel speakers (supplied) Plug the cable attached to the back of the left speaker into the Speaker(L) jack on the back of the right speaker. - Page 36 VAIO Digital Studio Computer Quick Start Insert the yellow plug of the speaker power cable into the DC In jack on the back of the right speaker. Insert the black plug of the speaker power cable into the DC Out jack located on the back panel of your computer.
- Page 37 Insert the mini stereo plug from the sub-woofer unit’s cable into the Headphones jack, located on the back panel of your computer. ✍ You can also plug the sub-woofer’s mini stereo plug into the headphones jack located on the lower front panel of your computer. Plug the sub-woofer unit’s power cord into a grounded AC wall outlet or power strip.
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Page 38: Connecting 5.1 (6-Channel) Speaker Systems
VAIO Digital Studio Computer Quick Start Connecting 5.1 (6-Channel) Speaker Systems Certain VAIO® computers that are configured-to-order (CTO), are supplied with a 5.1 channel speaker system, or you may wish to use your own 5.1 (6-channel) speaker system. To set up the speakers with your computer: Match the color of the mini stereo plugs (speaker system) to the color of the ❑... -
Page 39: Configuring Software For Your Speaker System
Configuring Software for Your Speaker System When using 5.1 channel (digital or analog) speaker systems, certain software programs require setting changes to enable proper audio performance. To configure RealTek® Sound Effect Manager software For 6 channel-analog speakers Click Start in the Windows® taskbar, and then click Control Panel. Click Sounds, Speech, and Audio Devices, and then click Sound Effect Manager. - Page 40 VAIO Digital Studio Computer Quick Start To configure Media Center software Your computer’s factory default settings for audio can be changed using the Media Center Settings feature. You can switch between 2-channel, 6-channel, or S/PDIF output modes. Use the Media Center remote control, your keyboard, or mouse, to start the Media Center software program.
- Page 41 From the section, Audio Speaker Configuration, select 6-channel speaker (5.1 Home Theater) or the desired speaker configuration. To enable S/PDIF, go to Audio Output Configuration and select Digital (S/PDIF) out to External Processor. Click Apply, and then click OK. ✍ InterVideo®...
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Page 42: Connecting The Keyboard And Mouse
VAIO Digital Studio Computer Quick Start Connecting the Keyboard and Mouse Plug the keyboard cable into the keyboard port on the back of the computer. Plug the mouse cable into the mouse port on the back of the computer. To connect the keyboard and mouse... -
Page 43: Connecting The Telephone And Modem
Connecting the Telephone and Modem Your computer is equipped with a single modem line jack to connect your installed modem with your telephone wall jack. To connect the modem Unplug your telephone from the wall jack and set aside. Plug another telephone cable (optional) into the modem line jack located on the back panel of your computer Plug the other end of the cable into the wall jack. - Page 44 VAIO Digital Studio Computer Quick Start Insert the telephone’s cable into one of the jacks on an optional “1-to-2” jack adapter device (splitter). Insert one end of a second telephone cable (optional) into the other jack on the splitter device. Insert the plug end of the splitter device into the wall jack.
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Page 45: Connecting The Power Cords
Connecting the Power Cords Plug the power cord into the back of the computer. Plug both the display and computer power cords into a grounded AC wall outlet or a power strip. To connect the power cords Connecting the Power Cords... -
Page 46: Turning On Your Computer
Press the power button on the right speaker to turn on the power. To turn on your computer Registering Your Computer Register your computer and take advantage of Sony’s commitment to quality customer support. About the benefits of registering with Sony Sony Customer Support —... -
Page 47: Turning Off Your Computer
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the registration process. If you are not able to register your computer during the first session, you can register your computer online at the Sony VAIO PC Registration Web site. Go to http://www.sony.com/vaioregistration. - Page 48 VAIO Digital Studio Computer Quick Start...
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Page 49: Setting Up Media Center
Setting Up Media Center Your VAIO Digital Studio® computer has the Microsoft® Windows® XP Media Center Edition operating system to enhance your computing experience. Media Center provides you with a wide range of TV, DVD, and video viewing, as well as music recording and playback. This section describes how to set up your TV, set-top box, and other equipment. -
Page 50: Getting Started With Media Center
✍ An Internet connection and TV signal source are not required to use some features, but Sony recommends using these options to fully experience Media Center. To locate the online Media Center User Guide You can find more information about using Microsoft® Windows® XP Media Center Edition software in the online Media Center User Guide. -
Page 51: Setting Up Tv Connections
Setting Up TV Connections The best method of connecting your computer, TV monitor or display, and TV programming access, is determined by the type of cable service connection available in your home. Your computer’s hardware configuration may vary from the illustrations shown in this section. See the online Specifications sheet for details about your computer’s hardware configuration. - Page 52 VAIO Digital Studio Computer Quick Start Connect the TV coaxial cable (supplied) to the double-connection side of the splitter adapter. Connect the other end to the VHF/UHF port on the back panel of your computer. Connect a third TV coaxial cable (optional) to the double-connection side of the splitter adapter.
- Page 53 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 section, “Connecting to standard cable access (CATV)” on page 51. The antenna system in your home may require a VHF/UHF RF combiner/transformer (optional) to connect your computer and the indoor/outdoor antenna system.
- Page 54 VAIO Digital Studio Computer Quick Start Option 2 Connect both ends of the antenna’s twin lead cable to the screw-type grips on the combiner/transformer. Connect the TV coaxial cable (supplied) from the combiner/transformer to the VHF/UHF port on the back panel of your computer. ✍...
- Page 55 Connect a second TV coaxial cable (optional) to the Out jack on your set-top box. Connect the other end to the single-connection end of a splitter adapter (optional). Connect a third TV coaxial cable (supplied) to the double-connection end of the splitter adapter.
- Page 56 VAIO Digital Studio Computer Quick Start Connect a second TV coaxial cable (optional) to the Out jack on your set-top box. Connect the other end to the VHF/UHF port on the rear of your TV monitor or display. Connect one end of a stereo A/V dubbing cable with triple RCA plugs (optional) to the Video Out and Audio-OUT (L/R) jacks on the back panel of your set-top box, matching the plug and jack colors.
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Page 57: Connecting The Remote Sensor And Remote Sensor Control(S)
Connecting the Remote Sensor and Remote Sensor Control(s) Connecting the Remote Sensor and Remote Sensor Control(s) The remote sensor communicates with the Media Center remote control, enabling you to change channels and to perform other functions. If you are using a cable or satellite set-top box, you can attach the remote sensor control operate the set-top box with the Media Center remote control. - Page 58 VAIO Digital Studio Computer Quick Start To connect the remote sensor control Plug the remote sensor control’s cable into either jack (1 or 2) located on the back of the remote sensor. ✍ When you attach the remote control sensor to a cable or satellite set-top box, you can control the set-top box functions with your remote control.
- Page 59 Connecting the Remote Sensor and Remote Sensor Control(s) Press the remote sensor control onto the set-top box near the infrared port, without covering the port. ✍ If the remote sensor control covers the infrared port on the set-top box, you cannot use the remote control supplied with the set-top box.
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Page 60: Connecting Other Devices
VAIO Digital Studio Computer Quick Start Connecting Other Devices This section illustrates how to connect other devices to your VAIO Digital Studio® computer. Your computer has both audio and video connection capability. You can locate the appropriate connections on the back panel or behind the lower bottom panel on the front of the computer. - Page 61 Connecting a device with a stereo A/V dubbing cable Connect a stereo A/V dubbing cable with triple RCA plugs at each end (optional) directly into the composite video port, composite audio L and R jacks, located on either the front or back panel of your computer. Connect the other ends of the stereo A/V dubbing cable into the appropriate jacks on your compatible VCR or camcorder.
- Page 62 VAIO Digital Studio Computer Quick Start Connect the single-jack end of an audio cable (optional) to the Headphones jack located on the front or back panel of your computer. Connect the double-jack end of the audio cable to the Audio-In (L/R) on your TV monitor or display.
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Page 63: Starting Media Center Software
Starting Media Center Software You can instantly open Media Center features using the My Videos, My Pictures, My TV, or My Music buttons on your Media Center remote control or keyboard. You can also view recorded TV contents, by using the Recorded TV button on the remote control. - Page 64 VAIO Digital Studio Computer Quick Start...
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Page 65: Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting This section describes how to resolve common start up problems. My computer does not start. Verify that the computer is plugged into a power source and that it is turned ❑ on. Check that the power indicator is lit on the front panel of the computer. Confirm that a disk is not in the floppy disk drive ❑... - Page 66 VAIO Digital Studio Computer Quick Start If your computer does not respond or the software program does not close: Save and close any open files, if possible. Press the Alt+F4 keys. The Shut Down Windows window appears. Click the drop-down list box and select Restart. Click OK.
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Page 67: Support Options
Support Options Sony provides several options to help solve common problems or to locate support for your VAIO® computer. This section describes all available resources and offers suggestions on how to access this information for maximum results. Immediate Help and Support... - Page 68 Click the desired software program. appears. * You can locate the online Help for Sony® software programs by pointing to the individual software program’s icon and selecting Help from the submenu. The software’s main window...
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Page 69: Resources For Additional Help And Support
Sony online support Web site Online help and support are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, when you visit the Sony online support Web site. You can access the Web site at http://www.sony.com/pcsupport. The Sony online support Web site provides: ❑... - Page 70 VAIO Digital Studio Computer Quick Start Sony Customer Information Services Center If other support options do not resolve your issue, you can contact a Sony Support representative directly. Before making a call to the Sony Customer Information Services Center, have this basic information readily available.
- Page 72 For customer support information, go to: http://www.sony.com/pcsupport VAIO Homepage *231872301* http://www.vaio.net © 2004 Sony Electronics Inc. Printed in USA...