new computer, now what?

bky · Nov 28, 2011

Like was stated before most pc's don't come with restore disks. but I would recommend that you contact dell/hp who ever makes the computer and request a cd of installed OS for your computer while it is still under warranty. the reason I say this is I have tried to restore a dell computer from the restore partition of the hard drive without success and after contacting dell the say it was out of warranty and I would have to buy the needed OS to restore the computer.
I was not happy since I had just purchased another laptop 3 week earlier. after talking(complaining), long story short the sent me the restore software free of charge for the desktop And I had them send me the restore disks for the new laptop as well so I wouldn't run into the same problem down the road when the warranty runs out.

tomd999 · Nov 28, 2011

Hiya,

Afterthought, if you have Comcast or Verizon as your ISP, they offer free security suites for subscribers such as Norton and Mcaffe.

I still like the MS free one, not as bloated.

Tom

massey990 · Nov 28, 2011

Assuming it came with Windows 7, I would suggest using Google to find a list of un-needed (running) services and processes and stop them from loading at bootup.

Stimw · Nov 28, 2011

My 5 year old HP has "System Restore" and I use it occasionally when my puter acts weird and it seems to work. It reccomends a restore date and you can accept it or go back farther. It doesn't wipe out any info that I have but seems to clear up the strange ways it is acting.
A total restore would wipe out info you have entered.

deepNdirt · Nov 28, 2011

RoyJackson said:
My wife is using MS Security Essentials and really likes it (I use Comodo, but I think I'm going to try the MS program)

I agree about Norton...was, at one time, a good program. Hasn't been good for many years though...

I been using the MS Security Essentials for over 1 year now, works good for me, although when servicing other computers I get from time to time and go to install this program, MS wants to install a Validation program as well before it will down load the Security suit, and if there is pirated software on the computer with no license it will not pass the validation, MS will however offer to let you buy the license, otherwise Haunt you to the end of time every time you turn on the computer

your only other option is to remove the software,

The OP new computer most likely will have Windows 7 Home and is a very nice operating system, it includes the Media Center the gives you many things to play around with including the ability to connect to netflix,

when the OP boots up for the first time and he sets it up with his personals it has the option to take him a tour of the operating system as well as guide him through on how to backup the recovery system, either by a partition of the HDD are making a system restore disc, He should do this very first thing,

Beltzington · Nov 28, 2011

You need to protect your computer from two basic threats, loss and corruption.

Loss can be from hardware failure, fire, theft, etc. and is the most overlooked possibility for personal computer users. A complete hard drive backup placed on an external drive and kept in a fire resistant safe or another location is the least expensive solution for most home owners. Remote data storage is also an alternative although I am still not sold on this option.

Corruption is the most common issue and can be caused by a virus or you accidentally overwrite your PhD theses with the "funniest jokes ever." For system corruption Windows has a roll-back tool that actually works very well. For bigger problems you need some short of backup and restore utility and a comprehensive schedule you can live with. A current antivirus program is an absolute necessity which can be obtained free with an ISP subscription or bought from a variety of sources.

For what it is worth here is my routine and software. Have Fun!
Anti-virus - Webroot's Secure Anywhere (Cloud Security)
Loss - Monthly Full Backup to 1TB external WD USB HD kept in safe
Corruption - Weekly Scheduled Full Backups to an internal 1TB HD
I use a lite version of Acronis Backup and Restore Program

ronjhall · Nov 29, 2011

MSE has worked very well on my 3 computers After backing up the restore disk. Remove Norton or whatever product HP is loading with their new computers. Then install MSE.

DonnieP · Nov 29, 2011

I agree with tomd999. Best protection is a restricted user account and only use admin account when necessary.

Donnie

heehaw · Nov 29, 2011

"massey990", can you describe how you get to the place to turn off programs that are not needed but running in the back ground?? i have tried to do that with this dell, xp, computer an have not been successful, partly because i really don't know what "has" to run an what doesn't.
thanks for all the great tips, i didn't know that about not using admin all the time..thats all i have ever done, since i am about the only user on my computers, i will change that asap.
thanks
heehaw

massey990 · Nov 29, 2011

heehaw said:
"massey990", can you describe how you get to the place to turn off programs that are not needed but running in the back ground?? i have tried to do that with this dell, xp, computer an have not been successful, partly because i really don't know what "has" to run an what doesn't.
thanks for all the great tips, i didn't know that about not using admin all the time..thats all i have ever done, since i am about the only user on my computers, i will change that asap.
thanks
heehaw