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Tips for Your New Computer you will get on BF

bigjimslade

By bigjimslade
in 2005

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bigjimslade

bigjimslade

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From reading all of the postings over the past few weeks I have noticed that almost everyone is going to buy (or try to) a new computer. I have been buying computers on BF for several year and would like to offer my hints and tips so everyone will be happy with there new computer. Admins: I hope this is the right place to post this. If not I am sorry.

 

When you get to the store, stand in line, get your ticket and go inside the people at the store will try to sell you everything under the sun for your new computer. You really need a few basic things to start out with.

 

Surge Protector -- You will need this as your computer will need to have 3 outlets. One for the tower, monitor and the speekers. There are 2 kinds of surge protectors. One is just a normal protector that will protect from power surgres. It's nothing fancy and will work fine. The other type is with a battery back up. This is good if your power goes out alot. They sell kinds that have anywhere from a 5 min back up to a 5 hour back up.

 

Router/Networking -- If you have DSL or Cable Internet and you want more then one computer to share the internet connection then you will need a router and some wireless networking cards. You will need a wireless networking card for each aditional computer you will hook up. For example if you have 3 computers then you will need 2 cards since one of the 3 computers will be hooked up to the router it's self. There are many brands of routers. I like to use Netgear since it is easy to use and set up.

 

Anti-Virus/Firewall Program -- If you are on the internet at all it would be a good idea to get a Anti-Virus and Firewall program. The two major players are Norton and McAfee. You will need a good Firewall if you have DSL or Cable internet and if you do any banking or online shopping. I use Norton and have trusted Norton for many years. McAfee is real good also and is less then Norton in most cases.

 

Blank CDs/Memory Stick -- Since most of the computers dont have 3.5 drives anymore it would be a good idea to get a spool of black CD's or a USB memory stick if you plan on sharing files or music with friends.

 

RAM -- If you want more power for your computer then you will need to get more RAM. RAM is cheep and in most emachines you can put up to 2 GB of RAM.

 

Laptop Case -- You will need this if you plan on carrying it around.

 

When you get to the check out counter they will try to sell you a protection plan. Some people hate them and some love them. I get them with every major product I get. I have no exprince with CC or CompUSA but I can tell you Best Buys protection plan is worth it. I have a emachine in almost every room in my Hollywood Hills home and in my Dallas home. Only a few have crapped out but when they have I have taken them to Best Buy and they have replaced the part or have even given me a new computer right on the spot. They will cover almost everything that will go wrong with a computer. They will not cover theft or fire.

 

.........I have the computer now what do I do now?

 

Once you get it home I would start hooking it up. After it is out of the box I would save everything and box for at least a month. Before you turn on your computer if you have DSL or Cable internet I would hook the eathernet cable into the back of your computer and then turn it on. Follow all of the directions on the screen and fill out anything it asks. After that I would run a Windows Update a few times. It might have been months ago when the computer was boxed so there might be some security and other updates to Windows that you will need.

 

After you run the updates I would install your Anti-Virus and Firewall if you got it while at the store. This way you will be protected. Once you have installed the Anti-Virus and Firewall program I would run a update and run a update everyday. Also you will want to download some anti spyware software. I use Microsoft's Anti Spyware program and Ad-aware.

 

I hope I am not missing anything. I feel this will make your new computer more fun to use. I hope this helps!

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DaleRider

DaleRider

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Thanks for the great tips!

 

I never knew what a memory stick was for. I have seen them, just never paid attention to what they were used for. Cool!:tongue1:

 

Just be aware that if you go into someplace like a BestBuy or Circuit City and ask for a memory stick, you'll probably get handed a Sony Memory Stick. That's Sony's name for their brand of flash memory.

 

If you want a generic-type USB compatible flash memory drive, you need to ask for a USB memory drive.

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nickle831

nickle831

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Another reason to get blank CDs/DVDs is that some manufacturers no longer give you restore CDs to reload the system when Windows gets hosed (notice I say when, not if). Instead they give you a program with which to burn your own.

 

What!! Wait!! hold on!! I have never heard of this. How am I supposed to burn my own if I don't have anything to burn it from, or are you just saying burn it from the harddrive?

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zzxc

zzxc

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Just remember if you purchase a bunch of high-markup assessories for your $150 computer, it's no longer a $150 computer.

 

Anti-virus software can be had free after rebate (officemax this year), ram can be found cheapest at places like newegg.com (There aren't any real good BF ram deals this year), you can get great deals on "open-box" brand new laptop cases online, and Uninterruptible Power Supplies (an absolute must) can be found deeply discounted at retailers like CompUSA, Microcenter, and Fry's if you go at the right time. Picking up assessories at regular retail can quickly kill a great deal on the computer.

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zzxc

zzxc

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What!! Wait!! hold on!! I have never heard of this. How am I supposed to burn my own if I don't have anything to burn it from, or are you just saying burn it from the harddrive?

Dells now include a utility that lets you burn a recovery cd. It only lets you do so once, so if it is a bad CD or the CD fails you are out of luck. This recovery cd will wipe your hard drive and reimage the factory windoze install.

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KhakiBoy

KhakiBoy

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What!! Wait!! hold on!! I have never heard of this. How am I supposed to burn my own if I don't have anything to burn it from, or are you just saying burn it from the harddrive?

Yea, you burn it from the hard drive. They give you a program that you run that will create the CDs. For my HP, I was glad I had a dual-layer DVD burner, was able to create a single recovery disc. Otherwise it would have needed 2 single-layer DVDS. I don't even remember how many CDs it wanted. I want to say 8.
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venerdinero

venerdinero

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I also would recommend AVG antivirus program. It is free from the Internet and I had it stopped stuff coming to my computer when Norton let it through. All you need to do is download and I did that as soon as I plugged in my computer!

Great post bigjimslade!!

 

Ideally it would be preferable to have a firewall installed and running (even if it's only the MS XP SP2 built in one) BEFORE you connect to the internet, especially if you have a high speed (cable or dsl) connection.

 

If you are purchasing firewall and antivirus programs, I suggest you consider installing them before you go online. If you want to download free programs such as AVG, consider trying to get someone to download the program and burn them to disk for you, then install on your pc before going online.

 

I have heard nothing but good things about AVG so far.

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nickle831

nickle831

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If you are purchasing firewall and antivirus programs, I suggest you consider installing them before you go online. If you want to download free programs such as AVG, consider trying to get someone to download the program and burn them to disk for you, then install on your pc before going online.

 

I have heard nothing but good things about AVG so far.

Okay I have another question.. if Your desktop has norton and you get a wireless router for your laptop, does the laptop need a seperate norton on it or will it run off of the desktop?

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phatferd

phatferd

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Don't pay anything for security stuff at the store. All of that stuff is free on the internet and is more than good enough. Like others have mentioned AVG and a free firewall is Zone Alarm, however, micorsofts firewall is good.

 

I know people talk bad on micorsofts firewall, but it blocks everything I have ever tried to send through to test it out.

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Marcster

Marcster

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Great thread, bigjimslade! I'd also like to suggest folks get a mouse with a wheel if their computer doesn't come with one.

 

Many low-priced desktops come with mice that don't have a scroll wheel and some aren't even laser mice (they have the old, mechanical ball rotating inside).

 

The wheel is so handy to scroll up and down long web pages, documents, etc.

 

Laptops don't come with a mouse at all. If you are buying one for a laptop, cordless are best. Make sure to get one with a small plug-in receiver (all "notebook" cordless mice, and a growing number of full-sized Logitechs).

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bigjimslade

bigjimslade

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Great thread, bigjimslade! I'd also like to suggest folks get a mouse with a wheel if their computer doesn't come with one.

 

Many low-priced desktops come with mice that don't have a scroll wheel and some aren't even laser mice (they have the old, mechanical ball rotating inside).

 

The wheel is so handy to scroll up and down long web pages, documents, etc.

 

Laptops don't come with a mouse at all. If you are buying one for a laptop, cordless are best. Make sure to get one with a small plug-in receiver (all "notebook" cordless mice, and a growing number of full-sized Logitechs).

 

Thanks for the kinds words. I just thought I would post it to help others buying new computers this holiday season. While on the subject of free programs I use two open source programs (besides firefox) which I love. The first one is called PeerGuardian and the second is called OpenOffice which is the same as MS Office.

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venerdinero

venerdinero

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Don't pay anything for security stuff at the store. All of that stuff is free on the internet and is more than good enough. Like others have mentioned AVG and a free firewall is Zone Alarm, however, micorsofts firewall is good.

 

I know people talk bad on micorsofts firewall, but it blocks everything I have ever tried to send through to test it out.

Zone Alarm (free or paid) has been good for many years, but I'm starting to hear that the most recent versions are resource hogs. Thoughts and opinions are welcome!

 

There are several other free firewalls. As I noted above - the MS XP SP2 firewall is supposed to be much better than previous versions.

 

OpenOffice is a GREAT free alternative to expensive programs.

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saturnboy01

saturnboy01

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Zone Alarm (free or paid) has been good for many years, but I'm starting to hear that the most recent versions are resource hogs. Thoughts and opinions are welcome!

 

There are several other free firewalls. As I noted above - the MS XP SP2 firewall is supposed to be much better than previous versions.

 

OpenOffice is a GREAT free alternative to expensive programs.

 

I have used ZoneAlarm in the past, it was okay. Kinda "took over" my computer day by day until I uninstalled it and told it to take freakin hike. :g_laughin

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BubbleTea

BubbleTea

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What!! Wait!! hold on!! I have never heard of this. How am I supposed to burn my own if I don't have anything to burn it from, or are you just saying burn it from the harddrive?

Most, in not all HP's come with a program that will do it for you. It will even remind you every single week until you do it. It's probably on Compaq too, now. Don't know about other computers, though.

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dukes4440

dukes4440

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Don't pay anything for security stuff at the store. All of that stuff is free on the internet and is more than good enough. Like others have mentioned AVG and a free firewall is Zone Alarm, however, micorsofts firewall is good.

 

I know people talk bad on micorsofts firewall, but it blocks everything I have ever tried to send through to test it out.

 

Yep works fine for me

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  • 1 month later...
meowmie

meowmie

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AVG is JUST as good as Norton or McAfee and FREE. It picks up things that that the other's don't AND you can remove it pretty easily from your system if you want unlike Norton that is almost IMPOSSIBLE to remove completely (unless you have a program specifically made for that task).

 

My router has a built in firewall. I use assorted spyware programs.

 

Gateway comes with a program that allows you to burn your operating system disks and drivers.

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!:gd_partyu

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