What are among the first things you do when you setup a new computer for the first time?
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M$11 Answers
2. boot to standard OS, do not enter any new users passwords yet
3. check installed programs; remove anything that is not necessary for the computer to run: Microsoft Office, StarOffice, anti-virus, CD-burning (don't remove DVD playback software), Acrobat, AOL. Leave only the basic OS plus the OEM-specific utilities for help & functioning of the hardware.
4. Re-boot
5. Install TechSmith Snag-It so I can take screen shots of any problems or any screens worthy of saving.
6. Install my own legal copy of Microsoft Office...custom installtion, set "Install all components to hard drive" so I NEVER EVER have to put the disc back in the drive while 500 miles away from my house at 3am in the pouring rain with 30 minutes of battery life left.
7. Create restore point.
8. Connect to wired network. (Wireless only if network cable not necessary.)
9. Go to Windows update; follow link to for Microsoft Update. Install all necessary updates.
10. Create restore point.
11. Evaluate hardware updates. Some of them actually break, forcing you to roll back. Install one at a time. Re-boot between each.
12. Install some (not all) optional updates from MS: Media Player, not Silverlight.
13. Re-boot.
14. Create C:\INSTALL and C:\DATA directories. Start filling up C:\INSTALL with all my installers that can be done later (offline), but need to be on the computer for sharing/re-installing. Download fresh ones.: FileZilla, VirtualCloneDrive, VMWare Server, McAfee Visual Trace, GoogleEarth, Paragon Hard Disk Mgr.
15. Install straight from web site (or download and throw away installer): Skype, Google Chrome, Google Earth, Opera, iTunes w/QuickTime, CounterPath's X-Lite SIP/VOIP client, BitTorrent (the official one), RealPlayer, Active Hard Drive Monitor.
16. Install from discs: MS-SQL Server 2008 Mgmt Studio, Adobe CS4 Suite, some admin/remote control software, Iceni InFix (much better than Acrobat for editing PDFs).
17. Reboot.
18. Download/install Acrobat Reader, most current version.
19. Launch all software once to clear disclaimers, get default settings created, software finishes installation.
20. Run updaters on all software. Adobe stuff takes a while.
21. Create restore point.
22. Install anti-virus. Was using Symantec, now Kaspersky. Re-boot. Update.
23. Disconnect from network (and any external drives).
24. Configure AV software settings (defaults not always the best).
25. Run scan on entire drive...not for peace of mind...more because it will clear that flag that keeps telling me I've never scanned the drive. And, if I don't, there are some due diligence issues if something goes wrong.
26. Look at clock. Go to bed happy, since it's not quite 3am yet.
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After that, I install all the software I'm going to use. Firefox, Google toolbar, Thunderbird (for RSS feeds), Weatherpulse (a better program than weatherbug, in my opinion), Pidgin (AIM alternative), Quicken, Google desktop, etc.
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M$
System Updates.
AVG Free Anti-virus.
Mozilla Firefox.
Open Office.org.
Steam (via CrossOver Games on OSX).
Itunes + Quicktime.
With this basic setup, you can do almost any basic tasks and the best part is all of these applications are free. All apply to Windows and OSX except Anti-virus on Mac (for now anyways).
Personal experience in completing fresh installs on OSX and Windows.
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
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M$
After this I go through and run all the default programs, so they can update their drivers. Stuff like Windows Media Player needs to update the first time it runs. Upload your favorite browser and visit your favorite sights. More likely than not you will need to download and install some media plugins, Java updates, Flash and Adobe Acrobat Reader, among other things.
After all of this, then I load my own software collection on there. :)
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
2. Download installation files for AVG Free Edition; Mozilla Firefox; and ZoneAlarm Free Firewall.
3. Uninstall the garbage that came with the PC - the trial of Norton, for example, because it's a giant, bloated piece of junk.
4. Download Poker Stars, log in, and play at least one dozen tables at once to see just how fast my new PC really is.
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M$
2. Intsall Outpost Firewall .. and plugins.
3. Install Norton Anti-virus.
4. "Upgrade" to XP Pro .. if you have Vista, and wait for Windows 7.
5. Enable automatic upgrades from MS.
6. Check for software/driver updates for the programs that you install.
7. Green reccomendation: Antec Earthwatts 380w ps and Asus mk22ih hdmi lcd monitor. I am 100% off-grid .. it matters.
20 years experience.
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M$
- latest software and security updates.
- Firefox
- Microsoft Office applications
For Windows:
- antivirus software
- iTunes
- Picasa
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M$Get enough light source.
Check the power requirements of your pc.
Make sure that all of the peripherals are compatible with each other.
And finally ground your self properly by touching the metal casing of your pc.
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
