Sony PCV-MXS20 - Manual

7 Locating Controls And Connectors Front Panel Overview The front panel of your VAIO® MX computer enables access to the optical drive, MiniDisc drive, Memory Stick®, and PC Card slots. The front panel also provides access to the Universal Serial Bus (USB) and i.LINK® ports to connect your compatible...

VAIO MX Computer User Guide 8 1 DVD-RW drive Reads data from DVD or CD media. Writes data to a DVD-R, DVD-RW, CD-R, or CD-RW media. 2 MiniDisc drive Plays and records music to and from a MiniDisc media. Supports Net MD protocol for secure music transfers. 3 LCD display screen Displays the current op...

Locating Controls And Connectors 9 13 DVD-RW eject button Ejects a disc from the DVD-RW drive. 14 MiniDisc media eject button Ejects a MiniDisc media from the MiniDisc drive. 15 Previous/Rewind button Skips to the previous track on the current playback of a DVD, CD or MiniDisc media. 16 Next/Fast Fo...

VAIO MX Computer User Guide 10 Back Panel Overview The back panel of your computer contains the ports for supplied and optional accessories. The back panel also provides access to Giga Pocket™ Personal Video Recorder ports and jacks. The icons on the back panel locate and identify the ports and jack...

VAIO MX Computer User Guide 12 Remote Control Overview The functions of the VAIO® MX Computer can be controlled using the remote control (supplied). The remote control can control the functions for the computer, FM Tuner, MiniDisc player, Memory Stick® media slot, Giga Pocket functions, and DVD/CD-R...

Remote Control Overview 15 8 Continued Audio Select button Press to select audio mode. EQ button Press to adjust your equalizer. Angle button See the Media Bar™ DVD Player software online Help file for more information. Subtitle button See the Media Bar DVD Player software online Help file for more ...

VAIO MX Computer User Guide 16 Additional System Capabilities To use the Memory Stick media slot Your VAIO® MX computer is designed to support the Sony MagicGate™ Memory Stick® media. A Memory Stick media is a compact, portable, and versatile data storage media designed for exchanging and sharing di...

Additional System Capabilities 17 3 If the media does not insert easily, remove it from the slot and verify that it is not upside-down or backwards. Carefully reinsert the Memory Stick media, but do not force it into the slot. Removing a Memory Stick media A small portion of the Memory Stick media r...

VAIO MX Computer User Guide 18 To use PC card slot Your computer has a card bus PC card slot that supports Type I or Type II PC (PCMCIA) cards. You do not need to shut down your computer when inserting a PC card. For more information, see the instructions supplied with your PC card. Inserting a PC c...

21 VAIO Action Setup VAIO Action Setup manages the settings for your VAIO® keyboard's Shortcut keys (S keys) and your computer's internal timer. To Use the Shortcut Keys The programmable S Keys are set to perform the following functions: ❑ S1 — Outlook® Express ❑ S2 — Internet Explorer ❑ S3 — SonicS...

VAIO MX Computer User Guide 22 6 The Confirmation Application Name window appears. Click Next. 7 You may now type a new name and description, if desired. Then click Finish. To Set the Internal Timer The VAIO Action Setup utility enables you to set your computer’s internal timer to launch certain app...

To Change the Sony Software Window Design 23 To Change the Sony Software Window Design You can select from different window designs for your Sony software and create your own personal computing environment. Changing the window design 1 Click Start in the Windows taskbar and select the Control Panel....

25 VAIO AV Applications Your VAIO® computer has a preinstalled collection of audio and video (AV) applications that make it easy to use advanced multimedia technology. This section describes the VAIO AV applications. ✍ Your computer may not be supplied with all of the software applications listed, d...

VAIO MX Computer User Guide 26 Overview of Preinstalled Software 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 inkjet printer. Digit...

Overview of Preinstalled Software 27 Smart Capture 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 ...

DigitalPrint Software 29 DigitalPrint Software DigitalPrint 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, and make personalized photo albums and labels to share with...

DigitalPrint Software 31 3 Click Capture to capture still images. You can preview a thumbnail version of your pictures in the selection view window. 4 Select the desired pictures, and click Get Pictures. The PhotoCapture picture editor window appears. 5 Click View to see an enlarged version of a sel...

VAIO MX Computer User Guide 32 Using PhotoCollection You can select and print your favorite digital pictures, using your computer and home printer. 1 Click (Photo) to open the PhotoCollection window. A list of folders is displayed on the left side of the window, with the folder contents displayed as...

DigitalPrint Software 33 6 Click Print All to print all pages, or click “Print the selected page only” to print a specific page of photos. Using PhotoDecor You can decorate your favorite photos with clip art, stamps, or your own drawing talent. Add, remove, and change your designs to create your own...

VAIO MX Computer User Guide 34 2 Select the desired folder. From the thumbnail view, click to select the pictures you want to decorate. The PhotoDecor editing window appears. 3 Use the decoration features on the right side of the window by clicking on the desired decoration icon, and then dragging t...

DigitalPrint Software 35 2 Click Create New Album. The Select Photo window appears. 3 Select the photos you want to include in your album from the available folders displayed. Click List to select individual pictures from each folder. The Select Design window appears. 4 Select a design template for ...

VAIO MX Computer User Guide 36 2 Click an icon to select a media type. A new window opens. 3 Click the paper layout icon. The Select Design window appears. 4 Select a design template. Use the decoration and customization features on the right by clicking an icon and dragging it onto your template. 5...

DVgate Software 37 DVgate Software Connecting a digital video camcorder Turn off the power to your digital video camcorder before connecting it to your computer. After connecting the device, turn its power back on. You do not need to turn off the computer when connecting the camcorder. To use DVgate...

VAIO MX Computer User Guide 38 To use DVgate software to record AVI files to tape ❑ Do not use DVgate™ software when the connected digital video device is in Timer Recording mode, as this could produce a malfunction in the device. ❑ Avoid recording problems, such as a single frame appearing in multi...

MovieShaker Software 39 MovieShaker Software MovieShaker™ software can be used to create fun and innovative movies without any previous knowledge of film editing. In a few simple steps, video files can be made from still images with added special effects and music. You can save your personal video c...

VAIO MX Computer User Guide 40 Creating movies with MovieShaker software Using your imported clips, you can create a short movie using the Shake feature. The Shake feature selects clips from the Story Board tray, adds effects, and combines them randomly into a 30-second movie. After you “Shake” your...

MovieShaker Software 41 Using the Shake feature 1 Click the Shake tab. The Shake tray appears 2 Select a mood by clicking a face in the Shake pattern tray. 3 Click the Shake! button. A 30-second movie is automatically generated. 4 Optional: Add text to your new movie by clicking on the Input button....

VAIO MX Computer User Guide 42 Adding effects to a scene or a clip 1 Double-click or drag the desired clip or scene to move it to the Story Board tray. 2 Click the Effect button on the Effect tray. 3 Drag the Effect icon you want to add from the Effect tray to the Effect palette on the Edit tray. 4 ...

MovieShaker Software 43 Adding text effects to a scene or clip 1 Double-click or drag the clip or scene to move it to the Story Board tray. 2 Click the Text button on the Editing tray. 3 Click the Text Setting button to create customized text. The Text Setting dialog box appears. Enter your text, an...

VAIO MX Computer User Guide 44 Saving a movie 1 Verify that the movie or clips you want to save are located on the Story Board tray. 2 Click the Export button on the Story Board tray. 3 Select the format in which you want the movie to be saved. 4 Click Next. 5 Confirm that you want to continue. 6 Lo...

MovieShaker Software 45 Using ImageStation online service with MovieShaker software ImageStation SM is an online service that allows you to store your pictures and movies on the Internet to share with family and friends. ImageStation requires an Internet connection and registration for the Web-based...

PictureGear Software 47 PictureGear Software PictureGear™ software is a digital image management application that allows you to view all the images stored in any directory on your computer. Thumbnail views provide quick reminders of your pictures. Use PictureGear software to brighten, add contrast, ...

VAIO MX Computer User Guide 48 Creating a photo album 1 Click the Folder tab in the main window and browse to locate your pictures. 2 Select the pictures you want to include in your album. 3 From the Utilities menu, select Album Maker. 4 Choose a Design template for your album. 5 Click the “Make soo...

PictureGear Software 49 6 Click the “Customize the design” button to add pictures, frames, text, and effects. 7 Click Save to designate the location where you want to save your album. 8 Enter a name for the target folder and click OK. 9 The PictureGear™ Custom Album feature creates the new folder in...

VAIO MX Computer User Guide 50 Smart Capture Smart Capture is a Sony application that manages the i.LINK® connection between your computer and a compatible i.LINK digital camera or camcorder. You can capture and enhance video or still images to share with your family and friends over the Internet or...

Smart Capture 51 The Smart Capture main window opens with a blue screen image, indicating that there is no data input from a digital camera or camcorder. When you connect your digital camera or camcorder to your system with an i.LINK cable and turn it on, an image appears in the main window. Some ca...

VAIO MX Computer User Guide 52 5 Click the Options button to view the available options for your still image capture. The Still Image Options window appears. The Still Image Options window has four tabs: ❑ Capturing Mode — You can choose between Normal, Self-timer, or Panorama Capture modes. ❑ Image...

Smart Capture 53 To capture a picture in Still mode 1 Use your digital camera or camcorder to locate the image you want to capture. When you see the desired image in the Smart Capture window, click the Capture button. The Still Viewer window appears. You can capture one picture or several pictures a...

VAIO MX Computer User Guide 54 Using Net Movie Mode 1 From the Start button in the Windows taskbar, select All Programs, select Smart Capture, and then click Smart Capture. The Smart Capture main window appears. 2 Connect your compatible i.LINK digital camcorder to your computer with an i.LINK cable...

Smart Capture 55 ❑ Destination — Select a file destination for your movies when recording video clips. ❑ Capture Button — Set the characteristics of the software’s on-screen Capture button. You can start and stop recording by clicking the Capture button (this is the default characteristic). You can ...

VAIO MX Computer User Guide 56 3 You can review your movie from the Movie Player window by using the play, pause, and stop buttons. Click the arrows or drag the scroll bar to view your movie. Each frame is displayed with an identifying number in the queue. To manage your movie in Net Movie mode From...

Smart Capture 57 Using ImageStation with Smart Capture software ImageStation SM is an online service that allows you to store your pictures and movies on the Internet to share with family and friends. The ImageStation service requires an Internet connection and registration for the Web-based service...

VAIO MX Computer User Guide 58 To upload with Still Viewer 1 Click the Upload button in Still Viewer. The ImageStation Login window appears. 2 For first-time users, the ImageStation registration wizard guides you through the initial registration process. Follow the on-screen instructions. If you are...

VisualFlow Software 59 VisualFlow Software VisualFlow™ software is a Sony state-of-the-art multimedia browser designed specifically for Memory Stick® media. It displays any still picture, movie or sound files stored in a Memory Stick media in a visually pleasing, artistic manner. VisualFlow software...

VAIO MX Computer User Guide 60 4 Click an icon in the Sort section on the main toolbar to select a sorting method. 5 Placing your cursor on the left end of the main toolbar activates the current Memory Stick properties. 6 Placing your cursor on the right end of the main toolbar activates a secondary...

Additional Software Information 61 Additional Software Information VAIO Edit Components VAIO® Edit Components is a software plug-in for Adobe® Premiere® that provides maximum compatibility and video quality for capturing video from your Sony digital camcorder. If your VAIO computer does not have Ado...

63 Configuring Your VAIO Computer Hard Disk Drive Partition To maintain optimum system performance, you should defragment your computer’s D partition regularly. To improve the performance of Sony audio and video software applications, the hard disk drive on your computer has been formatted with two ...

VAIO MX Computer User Guide 64 i.LINK (IEEE1394) Compatibility Your VAIO computer may include either 4-pin or 6-pin, or both types, of i.LINK ports. A 6-pin i.LINK port can: ❑ supply power from the computer to the connected device if the device is equipped with a 6-pin connector. ❑ supply 10V to 12V...

67 System, Application, And Driver Recovery CDs System Recovery CD(s) Sony Electronics Inc. The System Recovery CD utility enables you to restore the operating system and software that shipped with your computer if they become corrupted or are erased. It can be used only to restore the hard disk of ...

VAIO MX Computer User Guide 68 To Use the System Recovery CD(s) The System Recovery utility formats your hard disk drive and restores all the original software applications. Your computer is returned to the original factory settings. If you experience a problem with your computer, reinstalling an in...

VAIO MX Computer User Guide 70 To Use the Application Recovery CD(s) The Application Recovery CD utility enables you to reinstall individual software applications if they become corrupted or are erased. Reinstalling an individual software application may correct a problem that you are experiencing w...

To Use the Driver Recovery CD 71 To Use the Driver Recovery CD The Driver Recovery CD utility enables you to reinstall individual drivers and repair software applications if they become corrupted or are erased. You can reinstall an individual driver to correct a problem that you are experiencing wit...

73 Troubleshooting This section describes how to solve common problems you may encounter when using your computer. Many problems have simple solutions, so try these suggestions before you call Sony Customer Support. Topics My computer does not start. ❑ Check that the computer is plugged into a power...

VAIO MX Computer User Guide 74 My computer or software application stopped responding. You can try to locate and close the software application that has stopped responding. 1 Press the Ctrl+Alt+Delete keys. The Windows Task Manager window appears. 2 From the Applications tab, locate the application ...

Troubleshooting 75 2 Select Fixing a Problem and then select Startup and Shut Down problems. A list of specific problem topics appears on the right side of the dialog box. 3 Select Startup and Shutdown Troubleshooter. Follow the onscreen instructions according to your specific situation. How do I ch...

Troubleshooting 77 I cannot play a DVD or CD. ❑ After inserting your optical disc, wait a few seconds for it to be detected before trying to access it. ❑ Verify that the disc is in the tray with the label side facing up. ❑ Install your optical drive software according to the manufacturer’s instructi...

VAIO MX Computer User Guide 78 Why is my computer operating improperly after downloading the CD-burning feature of RealJukebox® software? Sony does not guarantee the performance of the "Create CD" feature that is provided by the software, RealJukebox2 Basic for Sony. Some CD-ROM drives or dr...

Troubleshooting 79 2 Select Sounds, Speech, and Audio Devices, then click “Adjust the system volume.” 3 From the Volume tab, adjust the Device volume by moving the slider bar to the desired sound level. Verify that the Mute option is not selected. ❑ Check that the Mute check box is not selected in t...

VAIO MX Computer User Guide 80 My modem does not work. Your modem may be experiencing equipment or software conflicts. If your modem is not functioning properly, check the following: ❑ Check that the phone line is plugged into the Line jack. ❑ Check that the phone line is working. You can check the ...

Troubleshooting 81 How do I change my modem to rotary or Touch-Tone dialing? 1 Click Start in the Windows taskbar, then click Control Panel. 2 Click Printers and Other Hardware, then click Phone and Modem options. 3 From the Dialing Rules tab, click Edit. The Edit Location dialog box appears. 4 Sele...

VAIO MX Computer User Guide 82 My mouse does not work. ❑ Check that the mouse is plugged securely into the mouse port. ❑ Save and close all open applications. Turn off your computer, wait approximately 10 seconds, and then restart your computer. ❑ There may be dust or dirt inside the mouse mechanism...

Troubleshooting 83 I cannot find the Windows® taskbar. The Windows taskbar may be hidden or minimized. ❑ Use the mouse to locate a hidden taskbar by pointing to the left, right, top, and bottom edges of the screen. The taskbar appears when the cursor is placed over its location. 1 Right-click on the...

VAIO MX Computer User Guide 84 ❑ If your printer has a USB, IEEE1394, or infrared connection, contact the printer manufacturer for information or updates that may be required for proper installation. ❑ Check the printer manufacturer’s Web site for the latest drivers for your operating system before ...

Notes on Use 85 Notes on Use The power source ❑ Your computer operates on 100–120 V AC 50/60 Hz only. ❑ Plug all the power cords for your computer and its peripheral equipment into the same AC supply line. AC derived from different supply lines may result in voltage differences that can cause unstab...

VAIO MX Computer User Guide 86 Disposal of the lithium battery Dispose of the lithium battery properly. In some areas, the disposal of lithium batteries in household or business trash may be prohibited. You can return your unwanted lithium batteries to your nearest Sony Service Center or Factory Ser...

Notes on Use 87 ❑ The computer uses high-frequency radio signals and may cause interference to radio or TV reception. Should this occur, relocate the computer a suitable distance away from the set. ❑ Use only specified peripheral equipment and interface cables; otherwise, problems may result. ❑ Do n...

VAIO MX Computer User Guide 88 ❑ Electrostatic discharge (ESD) can damage disk drives, add-on cards, and other components. Follow the upgrading procedures described in the online manual while working at an ESD workstation. If such a station is not available, use these precautions: ❑ Avoid working in...

Notes on Use 89 ❑ Using the computer in low temperature conditions may produce a residual image on the screen. This is not a malfunction. When the computer returns to normal temperature, the screen returns to normal. ❑ A residual image may appear on the screen if the same image is displayed for a le...

VAIO MX Computer User Guide 90 Handling MiniDisc media ❑ Attach the labels supplied with MiniDisc media, in the designated location. ❑ Do not break open the shutter on the case. ❑ Do not place the media where it will be subject to extreme temperatures, moistures, and dust. ❑ Always keep media in a s...

Support Resources 91 Support Resources Check these sources for answers to your questions about your computer or the preinstalled software: VAIO® QuickStart The QuickStart contains information on how to set up your computer quickly and easily. VAIO® Computer User Guide The User Guide contains informa...

VAIO MX Computer User Guide 92 Sony Fax-on-Demand This service provides you with answers to commonly asked questions. You can use this automated service to request a list of available topics. Select the topics that you want to view. To contact the Sony fax-on-demand service, call 1-888-4-SONY-PC (1-...

93 Index A AC Input port 11adding additional hardware precaution 85 adjusting voltage settings 85air circulation 86Audio In jack 11Audio Out jack 11audio problems 78 B Back Panel AC Input port 11Audio In jack 11Audio Out jack 11DVI (LCD) monitor port 11Ethernet port 10FM antenna port 11i.LINK (6-pin...