The online specifications describe the hardware and software configurations of your VAIO computer. To view the online specifications: 1 Connect to the Internet. 2 Go to the Sony online support Web site at http://www.vaio-link.com. Important It is strongly recommended to create recovery discs immediately after your computer is ready for use because there are no recovery discs provided with the computer.
Contents Documentation ...2 Printed Documentation ... 2 Non-Printed Documentation ... 2 Important ... 2 Introduction to this guide ...5 Troubleshooting Troubleshooting...8 Computer... 8 What should I do if my computer does not start?... 8 What should I do if a BIOS error appears when I turn on my computer? ...
Page 4
Recovering your VAIO system Before using your computer... 16 Creating your own recovery discs... 18 To create recovery discs ... 19 Backing up and restoring your data using Backup and Restore Center ... 20 To back up your data... 20 To create a restore point ...
See “Troubleshooting” on page 8. There are more troubleshooting topics on the Sony online support Web site. Go to http://www.vaio-link.com. Always read these sections before contacting VAIO-Link or your local Sony dealer directly.
❑ On all models except VGN-TZ series models, remove any extra memory modules you may have installed since purchase. ❑ Check that you are using the supplied Sony AC adapter. For your safety, use only the genuine Sony rechargeable battery pack and AC adapter,...
What should I do if a BIOS error appears when I turn on my computer? If the message “Press <F1> to resume, <F2> to setup” appears at the bottom of the screen, follow these steps: Press the F2 key. The BIOS setup screen appears. If not, restart the computer and press the F2 key several times when the VAIO logo appears.
What should I do if my computer or software stops responding? ❑ If your computer stops responding while a software application is running, press the Alt+F4 keys to close the application window. ❑ If the Alt+F4 keys do not work, click Start, the arrow button, and Shut Down to turn off your computer.
What should I do if a message window, notifying of incompatibility or improper installation of the battery pack, appears and my computer enters Hibernate mode? ❑ This issue could be due to the battery pack not being installed properly. To resolve this issue, turn off your computer and remove the battery pack.
On VGX-TP series models ❑ Make sure your computer does not have a "non-bootable" disc in the optical disc drive. ❑ If a non-bootable disc is in the drive, follow these steps: Remove the disc. Restart your computer and confirm that the Windows operating system launches properly.
System Security How can I protect my computer against security threats, such as viruses? The Microsoft Windows operating system is preinstalled on your computer. The best way to protect your computer against security threats, such as viruses, is to download and install the latest Windows updates regularly. You can get important Windows updates by doing the following: Your computer must be connected to the Internet before you can receive updates.
Before using your computer This booklet explains how to resolve problems, make a backup copy of your data, and recover your Sony VAIO VAIO software applications and Windows features in case of computer malfunctions. ❑ VAIO Recovery Center VAIO Recovery Center contains the following VAIO software applications, tools, and Windows features: ❑...
In case of virus attacks, computer malfunctions, or accidental erasure, prepare the following in advance: Recovery discs It is strongly recommended to create recovery discs immediately after your computer is ready for use because there are no recovery discs provided with the computer. For instructions on how to create the recovery discs, see “Creating your own recovery discs”...
Creating your own recovery discs Recovery discs enable you to recover your computer system to its original state. You can create the recovery discs with VAIO Recovery Center. Recover the computer system in the following cases: ❑ Your computer has been infected with a computer virus. ❑...
To create recovery discs When your computer is ready for use, follow these steps to create recovery discs. Click Start, All Programs, VAIO Recovery Center, and VAIO Recovery Center. The User Account Control window appears. Click Continue. If you are currently logged onto your computer as a standard user, enter an administrator name and password and click Continue.
Backing up and restoring your data using Backup and Restore Center You can make a backup copy of your data, restore the data, and create a restore point using Backup and Restore Center. To back up your data Making a backup copy of your data is extremely important. If you do not make the backup copy, you will lose various data stored on your hard disk, such as documents or pictures, due to unexpected events or computer viruses.
Page 21
Be sure to create recovery discs immediately after your computer is ready for use. In case you cannot make a backup copy of your data due to computer malfunctions, you can use the recovery discs to make the backup copy. For instructions on how to create the recovery discs, see “To create recovery discs”...
Page 22
To restore your data from the backup copy made with the Back Up Files wizard Click Start, All Programs, VAIO Recovery Center, and VAIO Recovery Center. The User Account Control window appears. Click Continue. If you are currently logged onto your computer as a standard user, enter an administrator name and password and click Continue.
Page 23
To make a backup copy of your file with the Windows Complete PC Backup and Restore feature Click Start, All Programs, VAIO Recovery Center, and VAIO Recovery Center. The User Account Control window appears. Click Continue. If you are currently logged onto your computer as a standard user, enter an administrator name and password and click Continue.
Page 24
To restore your data from the backup copy made with the Windows Complete PC Backup and Restore feature Your computer may not work properly after the restore process because restoring your data changes system files. Be sure to make a backup copy of your data before restoring the data. Insert a recovery disc to the drive while the computer is on, turn off your computer, and turn on the computer again.
To create a restore point What is a restore point? A restore point is created automatically, for example when installing a software driver, and used to restore your computer system files to a previous state. Even though the restore point is created automatically, it is recommended to create the restore point manually before installing software or a software driver on your computer because your computer may become unstable or slow after installing new software or changing the Windows...
Page 26
To use the restore point for restoring system files If you can start Windows, follow these steps: Click Start, All Programs, VAIO Recovery Center, and VAIO Recovery Center. The User Account Control window appears. Click Continue. If you are currently logged onto your computer as a standard user, enter an administrator name and password and click Continue.
Page 27
If you cannot start Windows, follow these steps: Insert a recovery disc to the drive while the computer is on, turn off your computer, and turn on the computer again. The System Recovery Options window appears. You can also display the System Recovery Options window without using recovery discs. To display the window, follow these steps: 1 Turn on your computer.
❑ Using the Rescue Data software does not guarantee to make backup copies of all data on your hard disk. Sony assumes no liabilities for any loss of your data arising out of the backup process. ❑ Disable the Windows hard disk drive encryption feature before using the Rescue Data software.
Page 29
To start the rescue process Insert a recovery disc to the drive while the computer is on, turn off your computer, and turn on the computer again. The System Recovery Options window appears. If you have not yet created recovery discs, follow these steps: 1 Turn on your computer.
To restore your data with VAIO Data Restore Tool The VAIO Data Restore Tool software enables you to restore files which have been rescued with the Rescue Data software. To start the restore process Click Start, All Programs, VAIO Data Restore Tool, and VAIO Data Restore Tool.
Restoring the preinstalled software or software drivers You can restore the preinstalled software or software drivers to the original factory condition with the Reinstall Programs or Drivers program. To use Reinstall Programs or Drivers When the preinstalled software or software drivers do not work normally, follow these steps to restore the preinstalled software or software drivers to the original factory condition.
Finding out what to do in case of computer malfunctions This section describes how to get your computer back to normal before recovering your computer system in case of computer malfunctions. If your computer does not work properly Your computer may become unstable or slow in the following cases: ❑...
If Windows starts Follow these steps to get your computer back to normal: Create your recovery discs if you have not yet created them (see page 18). Make backup copies of your valuable files (see page 20). Try any of the following: ❑...
If Windows does not start Follow these steps to get your computer back to normal when you cannot start Windows: Try any of the following: ❑ Restore system files from the latest restore point when your computer was working normally (see page 26). ❑...
Recovering your VAIO system This section describes how to recover your computer system. Before starting the recovery process What is a system recovery? A system recovery is to restore your computer to its factory state. Perform a system recovery in the following cases: ❑...
Before starting the recovery process ❑ Recovering your computer system will delete all the data on the hard disk. Make sure you have the backup copy of your valuable data. ❑ On models with a fingerprint sensor, recovering your computer system will delete all the fingerprint templates on the hard disk.
Recovering your VAIO system when you can start Windows You can recover your computer system from the hard disk if you can start Windows. There are two options to recover the computer system: to restore the C drive or to restore your entire computer system. If you cannot start Windows, see “Recovering your VAIO system when you cannot start Windows”...
To restore your entire computer system Follow these steps to restore the entire data on your hard disk to the original factory condition: Click Start, All Programs, VAIO Recovery Center, and VAIO Recovery Center. The User Account Control window appears. Click Continue.
Recovering your VAIO system when you cannot start Windows If you cannot start Windows, follow these steps to recover your computer system: Insert a recovery disc to the drive while the computer is on, turn off your computer, and turn on the computer again. The System Recovery Options window appears.
Changing the partition sizes This section describes how to change the partition sizes. About hard disk partitioning Hard disk partitioning is to divide a hard disk into multiple partitions. It allows you to organize your data or software on each hard disk partition more effectively.
To create a partition with the Windows feature Click Start, Control Panel, System and Maintenance, and Create and format hard disk partitions under Administrative Tools. The User Account Control window appears. Click Continue. If you are currently logged onto your computer as a standard user, enter an administrator name and password and click Continue.
Erasing everything on your hard disk This section describes how to erase your data on your hard disk. It is strongly recommended to erase all the data on your hard disk before you dispose of your computer or give it to others. Erasing all of your data on your hard disk with Wipe and Erase Data The Wipe and Erase Data software enables you to wipe out your data on...