Sony PCV-RX450 Home Networking Solutions User manual

Welcome
Thank you for purchasing a Sony VAIO®computer! Your new computer is a superb blend of high technology and easy-to-use
functionality. The information provided here is designed to help you to become familiar with the hardware and software
programs included with your system.
View the Electronic Flyer, which provides updates and supplemental information about your computer.
Go to the Sony Online Support Web site, to view the VAIO®Computer Specifications which lists your computer's
hardware specifications and preinstalled software information.
For Sony software information, click Start and Welcome to VAIO Life.
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Getting Started
Congratulations on your purchase of a 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.
Unpacking your Computer
Planning an Ergonomic Work Space
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Unpacking your Computer
Your computer may not be supplied with all of the accessories shown, depending on the system configuration you
purchased. For details on the accessories supplied with your computer, see the online Specifications sheet.
Your VAIO®computer is not supplied with System or Application Recovery CDs. Use the VAIO Recovery Wizard utility to
recover your computer's operating system and preinstalled software.
Computer and supplied accessories
Manuals
VAIO®Computer Quick Start —Provides basic information on setting up and registering your computer. The Quick
Start also provides resources for technical support, safety guidelines and owner's information.
Online Documentation
VAIO®Computer User Guide —Contains features and specifications of your computer. It also includes information
on the applications included with your system, how to contact software vendors, and solve common problems.
To access the online User Guide:
1. Click Start in the Windows taskbar, then click Help and Support.
2. From the VAIO Help and Support Center menu, click VAIO User Guide.
Specifications —This online specification sheet describes the hardware and software configuration of your VAIO
computer. To access this online information, go to the online Specifications sheet.
VAIO Software —Provides specific information on the preinstalled software on your computer.
To access this online software information:
1. Click Start in the Windows®taskbar.
2. Click Welcome to VAIO Life.
Hard Disk Drive Recovery
Your computer is equipped with a utility program that recovers your computer's operating system and preinstalled software.
For more information about hard disk drive recovery:
1. Click Start in the Windows®taskbar, then click Help and Support. Page 3

2. From the VAIO Help And Support Center, click VAIO Recovery Options.
Other
A Software Library, containing the Microsoft®software and Sony end-user license agreements.
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Planning an Ergonomic Work Space
Before you set up your new computer, find the best location for your new computer and plan your work space. There are
several ergonomic factors to consider when you arrange your work space:
Stable work surface —Use a stable work surface large enough to support the computer and other peripheral
equipment.
Ventilation —Leave at least eight inches of space on the left and back sides of your computer to enable proper
ventilation.
Placement of the keyboard, mouse, and other input devices —Place your keyboard, mouse, and other input
devices so that your arms and hands are in a relaxed, comfortable position. The keyboard should be directly in front
of you. Adjust the level of the keyboard so that your lower arms are parallel to the floor. Keep your wrists in a
relaxed position when you are using the keyboard —not angled up or down. Use the palmrest only briefly, for
resting. While typing, never use the palmrest or rest your hands on the table. Position the mouse at the same level
as the keyboard. Hold the mouse with a relaxed hand, and use your whole arm to move it. Take breaks during
sessions with your computer. Excessive use of the mouse or a joystick may strain muscles or tendons.
Furniture and posture —Sit in a chair with good back support and armrests. Adjust the level of the chair so your
feet are flat on the floor. A footrest may make you more comfortable. Sit with relaxed, upright posture —avoid
slouching forward or leaning far backward.
Viewing angle of the display —Position the display 18 to 26 inches directly in front of you, with the top of the
screen at or a little below eye level. Use the display's tilting feature to find the best position. You can reduce eye
strain and muscle fatigue by placing the display in the proper position.
Lighting —Choose a location where windows and lights do not create glare and reflection on the display. Use
indirect lighting to avoid bright spots on the display. You can also purchase accessories for your display that help
reduce glare. Proper lighting adds to your comfort and work effectiveness.
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Locating Controls And Ports
This section is intended to familiarize you with the controls, ports and jacks on your computer. Your computer may not be
equipped with all of these hardware features, and the location of the controls, ports, and jacks may vary from the
illustrations shown in this section. To view the specific connection capabilities for your system, see the online Specifications
sheet.
About the Front Panel
About the Back Panel
About the Sub-Woofer
About the Keyboard
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About the Front Panel
The front panel of your VAIO®Computer enables access to drives, media slots, ports and jacks that enable you to connect
compatible peripheral devices. System configuration may vary, depending on the model purchased. See the online
specifications sheet for details.
Front panel
1Optical drive 1
See the online Specifications sheet for optical drive information.
2Optical drive 2
See the online Specifications sheet for optical drive information.
3Floppy disk drive
Reads and writes data from and to a 3.5-inch floppy disk.
4Floppy disk drive access indicator
Light is green while reading and writing data from and to a floppy disk.
5Power indicator
Light is blue while the power is on.
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6Power switch
Turns the computer on and off.
7Stand by indicator
Light is red when the computer is placed in Stand by mode.
8Optical drive access indicator
Light is amber while reading and writing data from and to the optical drives.
9Hard disk drive access indicator
Light is amber while reading and writing data from and to the hard disk.
10 Media access indicator1
Light is amber when reading or writing data.
11 i.LINK (4-pin) S400 port (IEEE 1394)
Connection for a compatible digital device.
12 Optical drive 1 eject button
Ejects a disc from Optical drive 1.
13 Optical drive 2 eject button
Ejects a disc from Optical drive 1.
14 Floppy disk eject button
Ejects a floppy disk from the floppy disk drive.
15 CompactFlash®/Microdrive media slot
Reads and writes data from and to CompactFlash or MicroDrive media.
16 SmartMedia media slot
Reads and writes data from and to SmartMedia cards.
17 Memory Stick media slot and access indicator
Reads and writes data from and to a Memory Stick®media. The access indicator is amber when reading or writing data to a
Memory Stick media. Page 8

18 Universal Serial Bus (USB 2.0) ports (3)
Connections for compatible high/full/low-speed USB devices.
1O n models equipped with this hardware c onfiguration, the media access indicator light is amber when reading or writing data to the SmartMedia , or
CompactFlash®/M icrodrive slots
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 applications, operating system, and compatible i.LINK devices. All products
with an i.LINK connection may not communicate with each other.
Please refer to the documentation that came with your compatible i.LINK device for information on operating conditions and
proper connection. Before connecting compatible i.LINK devices to your system, such as an optical or hard disk drive,
confirm their operating system compatibility and required operating conditions.
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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.
Back panel
1AC Input port
Connection for the supplied power cord.
2Mouse port
Connection for a PS/2®mouse.
3Keyboard port
Connection for a PS/2 keyboard.
4Printer port
Connection for a parallel device, such as a printer or scanner.
5i.LINK 6-pin S400 port (IEEE 1394)
Connection and power for a compatible digital device, such as a Sony Digital Handycam®camcorder.
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6Universal Serial Bus (USB 2.0) ports (4)
Connections for compatible high/full/low-speed USB devices.
7Monitor port
Connection for a standard display.
8Telephone jack
Connection for a telephone cable (optional) to the computer.
9Speaker DC Out jack
Connection for the supplied speaker power cable.
10 Ethernet port
Connection for a 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX/1000BASE-TX Ethernet.
(The port marked with (Network) is for LAN connections only.)
11 TV Out (S-video/video) jack1
Connection for an S-video cable (optional).
12 Monitor (DVI) port
Connection for a DVI monitor.
13 Joystick/MIDI port1
Connection for a joystick or MIDI device.
Rear Out jack1
Connection for optional speakers, or external amplifier.
Line Out jack12
Connection for the supplied sub-woofer, speakers or optional headphones.
Microphone In jack1
Connection for a microphone (optional).
Line In jack1Page 11

Connection for an audio device.
Digital/Analog Out jack1
Connection for external digital devices or digital speaker systems.
14 Modem line jack
Connection for the modem (supplied) cable to the wall jack.
1T his feature is available on selected models. See the specifications s heet for information on your computer's hardware configuration
2C ertain V A IO c omputer models are supplied with a sub-woofer unit. See the specifications s heet for information on your computer's hardware
configuration
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About the Sub-Woofer
Certain VAIO®computers are supplied with a sub-woofer unit to enhance your system's sound capability.
Sub-woofer unit
1Port
The port extends the low frequency response to extend the volume output of the sub-woofer unit.
2Power knob/volume control
Rotate the knob clockwise to turn on the sub-woofer unit. Control the volume by rotating the knob until the desired volume
is reached. Rotate the knob counter-clockwise to turn off the sub-woofer unit.
3Power indicator
Light is green while the power is on.
4Speaker jack
Connection for the speaker cable (RCA plug).
5Sub-woofer unit cable
Connects the sub-woofer unit to the computer's Line Out jack.
6AC power cord
Connects the sub-woofer unit to a grounded AC wall outlet or power strip.
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About the Keyboard
Your VAIO®keyboard uses a standard key arrangement with additional keys that perform specific functions.
VAIO Keyboard
KEY 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 from one application to the next.
Volume Control Press a button to increase (+) or decrease (-) the volume of the speakers.
Mute Press the button to turn off the volume of the speaker. Press the Mute button again to restore
sound.
Standby Press the button to place the computer in Standby mode. Press the Power button or any key
briefly, to resume normal operation.
Numeric keypad Use the numeric keypad area to type numbers or to perform basic math calculations. Press the
Num Lock key to activate the numeric keypad. (The Num Lock indicator lights.) Press the Num Lock key again to deactivate
the numeric keypad.
Directional Arrows The Up, Down, Left, and Right arrow keys move the pointer on the screen.
Applications
The Applications key displays a shortcut menu in certain software applications. Pressing this key
is equivalent to clicking the right mouse button.
Windows
The key with the Microsoft®Windows®logo, displays the Start menu. Pressing this key is
equivalent to clicking Start on the taskbar.
INDICATORS FUNCTION
Num Lock The Num Lock indicator lights when the numeric keypad is activated. When the indicator is off, the directional
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arrow and correction keys on the numeric keypad area are active.
Caps Lock The Caps Lock indicator lights up to advise you that the keyboard is set to type letters in uppercase. When
the indicator is off, the letters appear in lower case as you type.
Scroll Lock The Scroll Lock indicator lights up to advise you that your screen's scrolling pattern has changed. When the
indicator is off, the screen scrolls normally. This function is not available with all software applications.
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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 system's specific
hardware configuration.
Connecting a Display (Monitor)
Connecting the Speakers and Sub-woofer Unit
Connecting the Keyboard and Mouse
Connecting the Telephone and Modem cables
Connecting the Power Cords
Turning On your Computer
Registering your Computer
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Connecting a Display (Monitor)
1. Plug the display's cable into the monitor port.
2. If necessary, plug the display's cable into the rear of the display.
To connect a display
To connect a DVI display
Install your equipment so that you can easily reach the power outlet in the event of an emergency.
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Connecting the Speakers and Sub-woofer Unit
1. Plug the cable attached to the back of the left speaker into the L Out jack on the back of the right speaker.
2. Insert the yellow plug of the speaker power cable into the DC In jack (yellow) on the back of the right speaker.
3. Insert the black plug of the speaker power cable into the DC Out jack located on the back panel of your
computer.
To connect the computer and speakers
4. Insert the RCA plug of the cable that is attached to the right speaker into the speaker jack, located on the left
side of the sub-woofer unit.
To connect the sub-woofer unit and speakers
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5. Insert the RCA plug of the sub-woofer unit's cable into the Line Out jack, located on the back panel of your
computer.
6. Plug the sub-woofer unit's power cord into a grounded AC wall outlet or power strip.
To connect the sub-woofer to the computer
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Connecting the Keyboard and Mouse
1. Plug the keyboard cable into the keyboard port on the back of the computer.
2. Plug the mouse cable into the mouse port on the back of the computer.
To connect the keyboard and mouse
To use an optical mouse
An optical mouse requires an ideal surface texture in order to provide precision pointing and tracking.
Use surfaces such as plain paper, card stock, or fabric that have minimal repetitive patterning.
Avoid surfaces such as mirrors, smooth glass, or magazines that have half-tone printing.
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