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First things you should do when you unbox a brand new computer.

DangerbirdDangerbird Registered User regular
edited April 2011 in Help / Advice Forum
Last week, the power supply on my 6 year computer died again. Instead of buying a new power supply, I decided it was finally time to buy a brand new system.

So, I dropped $2,000 on a new system, and I just fired it up now.

Its been a while since I've had a brand new computer so my question:

What are the things I should do first to protect my sweet new rig from malware and other stuff. The computer store guy said installing Firefox was a good idea. But what about anti-virus? He mentioned Microsoft's built in anti virus was actually pretty decent. Is it?

Help?

Dangerbird on

Posts

  • DehumanizedDehumanized Registered User regular
    edited April 2011
    http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security_essentials/default.aspx

    I recommend hopping over to http://ninite.com/ and clicking boxes for stuff you want to try. Easiest way to get most things you'll want installed in one shot. As far as browsers go, give things a try. Chrome is good, Firefox is good, IE9 is even pretty good too.

    Dehumanized on
  • DangerbirdDangerbird Registered User regular
    edited April 2011
    Hmm... it seems they already installed Microsoft Security Essentials. The installer file was already in the default downloads folder. And looking in the windows button menu thingy, I see MSE is there already.

    It also seems they installed the latest drivers for my video card since the exact driver file is sitting there as well.

    Man... Windows 7 feels so strange compared to Windows XP. Wheres the "File, Edit, Etc..." drop down menus. How do I explore the contents of my hard drive? gahhh

    Dangerbird on
  • DehumanizedDehumanized Registered User regular
    edited April 2011
    The old file menus will pop up if you press alt; take some time to learn the new navigation, though.. it's much faster. Especially if you get used to search -- you can get pretty much anywhere by just typing it into the textbox on the start menu and hitting enter.

    Dehumanized on
  • November FifthNovember Fifth Registered User regular
    edited April 2011
    Pop open the case and make sure everything you ordered is in there and seated properly. Make sure all the case and video card fans are spinning.

    Check to make sure you have license numbers for your OS and any other Windows programs you bought. They might be on a sticker on the case.

    November Fifth on
  • DangerbirdDangerbird Registered User regular
    edited April 2011
    Wow, that ninite website is amazing.

    I just checked the fans and everything seems to be running fine.

    Ok, time to get installin'.

    Dangerbird on
  • WillethWilleth Registered User regular
    edited April 2011
    http://www.pcdecrapifier.com/ if you got it from a big box store. It'll have a bunch of shit on there that has no purpose but to advertise.

    Willeth on
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  • AbracadanielAbracadaniel Registered User regular
    edited April 2011
    CutePDF
    Dropbox
    Foxit PDF reader or Sumatra PDF reader
    LibreOffice (if it didn't come with Office2010)
    CCCleaner
    Revo Uninstaller

    Some sort of backup solution

    (most of those you can get through ninite. <3 ninite so much)

    Abracadaniel on
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