Sony VPCW Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting >

Troubleshooting

This section describes how to solve common problems you mig ht encounter when using your VAIO computer. Many problems

have simple solutions. Try these suggestions before visiting the So ny online support web site

at the following URLs:

❑For customers in USA

http://esupport.sony.com/EN/VAIO/

❑For customers in Canada

http://www.sony.ca/support/

❑For customers in Spanish-speaking Latin American countries o r areas

http://esupport.sony.com/LA/

❑For customers in Brazil

http://esupport.sony.com/BR/

Features and options in this section may not be available on your computer.

❑Computer (page 91)

❑System Security (page 97)

❑Battery (page 99)

❑Built-in Camera (page 101)

❑Networking (page 103)

❑Bluetooth Technology (page 106)

❑Display (page 109)

❑Printing (page 112)

Contents

Main Contents Page Before Use How to find specifications Finding More about Your VAIO Computer 1. Printed Documentation 2. On-screen Documentation 3. Support Web Sites 4. Customer Information Center 5. In Store Service & Support (available in USA only) Ergonomic Considerations Page Getting Started Locating Controls and Ports Locating Controls and Ports Take a moment to identify the controls and ports shown on the following pages. Front Locating Controls and Ports Page Right Left Bottom 17 About the Indicator Lights About the Indicator Lights Your computer is equipped with the following indicator lights: Indicator Functions Connecting a Power Source Using the AC Adapter To use the AC adapter Using the Battery Pack Installing the Battery Pack To install the battery pack Page Page Charging the Battery Pack To charge the battery pack Page Removing the Battery Pack To remove the battery pack Shutting Down Your Computer Safely To shut down your computer Updating Your Computer Using Your VAIO Computer 28 Using Your VAIO Computer > Using the Keyboard Using the Keyboard Your keyboard has additional keys that perform model-specific task s. Combinations and Functions with the Fn Key Some keyboard functions can be used only after the operating system is finished launchin g. Combinations/Feature Functions Using the Touch Pad Using the Built-in Camera To use the preinstalled image capture software Using the Memory Stick Before You Use the Memory Stick Inserting and Removing a Memory Stick To insert a Memory Stick To remove a Memory Stick Formatting a Memory Stick To format a Memory Stick Notes on Using the Memory Stick Using Other Modules / Memory Cards Using the SD Memory Card Before you use the SD memory card To insert an SD memory card To remove an SD memory card Notes on Using Memory Cards General notes on using the memory card Notes on using the SD memory card Using the Internet Using the Network (LAN) Using the Wireless LAN To use the wireless LAN function Using Your VAIO Computer > Using the Wireless LAN Page Using the Bluetooth Function To use the Bluetooth function Notes on using the Bluetooth function Page Bluetooth Security Communicating with Another Bluetooth Device To communicate with another Bluetooth device Using Peripheral Devices Connecting an Optical Disc Drive Connecting an Optical Disc Drive To connect an optical disc drive Disconnecting an Optical Disc Drive To disconnect an optical disc drive Connecting External Speakers or Headphones To connect external speakers Connecting an External Display Connecting a Computer Display To connect a computer display Connecting a Multimedia Computer Display To connect a multimedia computer display Connecting a Projector To connect a projector Selecting Display Modes To select a display Using the Multiple Monitors Function To use the Multiple Monitors function Page Connecting an External Microphone To connect an external microphone Connecting a USB Device To connect a USB device Notes on connecting a USB device Customizing Your VAIO Computer Page Adding the Power-on Password To add the power-on password Changing/Removing the Power-on Password To change or remove the power-on password Using the VAIO Control Center To use the VAIO Control Center Using the Power Saving Modes Using Normal Mode Using Standby Mode To activate Standby mode To return to Normal mode To change the Standby mode settings Using Hibernate Mode To activate Hibernate mode To return to Normal mode Using the VAIO Power Management Activating the VAIO Power Management To activate the VAIO Power Management To restore the default settings Activating the VAIO Power Management Power Schemes To activate a VAIO Power Management power scheme Precautions Handling the LCD Screen Using the Power Source Handling Your Computer Page Page Handling the Built-in Camera Handling Discs Using the Battery Pack Page Using Headphones Handling the Memory Stick Handling the Built-in Storage Device To avoid damaging your hard disk drive To avoid damaging your solid state drive Troubleshooting Page Computer What should I do if my computer does not start? What should I do if the green power indicator light turns on but my screen remains blank? What should I do if my computer or software stops responding? Why doesn't my computer enter Standby or Hibernate mode? To restore your computer to Normal mode What should I do if the charge indicator light is blinking fast and my computer does not start? Page What should I do if my game software does not work or it keeps crashing? What should I do if I cannot remember the power-on password? How can I change the boot device order? Page System Security How can I protect my computer against security threats, such as viruses? To use the Automatic Updates feature To visit the Windows Updates web site How do I keep my antivirus software updated? Battery Can my computer enter Hibernate mode while using battery power? Why doesn't my computer enter Hibernate mode? Built-in Camera Why does the viewfinder show no images or poor-quality images? Why are captured images poor in quality? What should I do if captured images contain dropped frames and audio interruptions? Page Networking What should I do if my computer cannot connect to a wireless LAN access point? What should I do if I cannot access the Internet? Why is the data transfer speed slow? How do I avoid data transfer interruptions? What are channels? Why does the network connection stop when I change the encryption key? Bluetooth Technology What should I do if other Bluetooth devices cannot find my computer? What should I do if I cannot find the Bluetooth device I want to communicate with? What should I do if other Bluetooth devices cannot connect to my computer? Why is my Bluetooth connection slow? Why can't I use the services supported by the connected Bluetooth device? Page Display Why did my screen go blank? What should I do if I do not see proper images or videos? Why doesn't my screen display a video? What should I do if my screen is dark? What should I do if the LCD brightness of my screen changes? Printing What should I do if I cannot print a document? Microphone What should I do if my microphone does not work? How can I prevent microphone feedback? Speakers What should I do if I do not hear sound from the built-in speakers? What should I do if my external speakers do not work? Touch Pad What should I do if the touch pad does not work? Keyboard What should I do if the keyboard configuration is wrong? What should I do if I cannot enter certain characters with the keyboard? Floppy Disks Why doesn't the Safely Remove Hardware icon appear on the taskbar when the drive is connected? What should I do if I cannot write data to a floppy disk? Audio/Video Memory Stick Peripherals What should I do if I cannot connect a USB device? Trademarks Page Notice