I got my laptop, now what?

noir_blood

So I just got my first laptop, an hp from frys from vista. I'm really computer retarded, so I'm wondering if there's anything that should be done to any brand new laptop. It came with vista, which seems to be loaded with uneccessary stuff.

Also, I noticed that when I have the charger plugged in, the screen is nice and bright, but without the charger, not only is the screen a bit darker(which should be expected right?) but it flickers slightly.

Vista right now seems to be in the basic mode, and I want to try the aero mode. How do I switch? I can't seem to find it on the help section.

Eat_Fire

The screen brightness is functioning correctly you can change how it works when unplugged by going to your control panel (switch to classic view, the link for this is on the left side) and go to power options.

Which operating system do you have? Windows Vista Home Basic does not have Aeros, perhaps you have this.

You also might want to run windows update.

Argus

noir_blood wrote:

So I just got my first laptop, an hp from frys from vista. I'm really computer retarded, so I'm wondering if there's anything that should be done to any brand new laptop. It came with vista, which seems to be loaded with uneccessary stuff.

You should probably download stuff like ZoneAlarm, AVG Free Edition, Spybot, Ad-Aware (the free one), and the like.

Note: ZoneAlarm is based on figuring out what programs should have internet control, so it will periodically ask you if you should allow a program to access the internet. When this is for a program you're obviously wanting to be connected to the internet/you know isn't a virus, just check the box that says "Remember this action" and then hit "allow."

noir_blood wrote:

Also, I noticed that when I have the charger plugged in, the screen is nice and bright, but without the charger, not only is the screen a bit darker(which should be expected right?) but it flickers slightly.

Most laptops come with power saving settings whereby if you are charging, it automatically sets most things to max, and if you're unplugged, it slows down the CPU and turns down monitor brightness to make the battery last longer. There is some way to change this, but I don't know for an HP laptop.

noir_blood wrote:

Vista right now seems to be in the basic mode, and I want to try the aero mode. How do I switch? I can't seem to find it on the help section.

Not sure, though if you bought Vista Basic, I'm pretty sure that doesn't even come with Aero.

noir_blood

It came with Vista home premium, which is advertised as having it. I already got the latest windows updates.