new computer, now what?

[heehaw]

i did the black friday thing, and bought a new hp computer from staples: $400 for 8G of memory and 1.5T hard drive: i have not plugged it in yet, i am trying to decide what i want to do to "protect" the dang thing first: with dell, they have a restore program that you are suppose to be able to put the computer back to "just like it was the day you first got it" and i would like to do that with the hp, but since i have never had an hp, i don't know if they have that or not?? i have several external hard drives, should i "copy" the existing stuff on the hd to one of those to save??? considering any and all suggestions??
heehaw

 

[dodge man]

Its called "restore" and its a windows thing, so your new computer should have it. They also usually come with some kind of virus type software that is free for a few months, like Norton. Just make sure that is up and running.

 

[tciller]

What version of windows is on your HP? Not sure what version it started with but windows has a point restore. I've used this a few times and it has really saved my bacon.

 

[EagleTDL]

Talking about computers, cars and audio gear is... Well, like talking about tractors. Everyone has an opinion! :laughing:

Best advice... I'm about 99.9% sure that your computer came with Win 7. It has a decent backup capability built in. Google "Win 7 backup" or something along those lines and you'll get a million hits, or check the software documentation (Hit the F1 key and type in "backup" in the pop up box). Plug in your external drive and follow the instructions, now you've got a backup. Don't stop there, back it up as often as you think critical based on the information you're putting on the machine. If you're web surfing, maybe every couple of weeks will do?? If you are doing alot of email, word processing, photo doctoring, etc, maybe every day?? Whatever works for you, it's just important that you make the additional backups (aka "incremental backups").

Secondly, get you a good AV suite. Again, whatever works for you is what's best. Some folks like to do individual apps for Anti-Virus and Firewall. Some folks like the all-in-one setup by Norton, etc. Again, get whatever works for you and use it, and keep it up to date!! I'm slowly but surely moving to Microsoft Essentials. It's gotten some good reviews in the past, and secondly, it's free! :thumbsup: I use it on my "road laptop" and haven't had any problems that I'm aware of.

Congrats on the new 'puter, enjoy!

 

[CTPhil]

Pre built computers these days pretty much all have a recovery partition on the hard drive which contains the Operating System reinstall files. Computers used to come with a CD to do this. Assuming your hardware is OK, you basically just need to know which "F" key to press to boot to the partition and reinstall the OS.

 

[RoyJackson]

You'll need to plug it in (just don't connect to the internet yet) to see what is on the PC.
If you didn't get setup disks, there is probably (as others wrote) a backup/restore partition...frequently, pressing the "F8" key accesses that just after the PC posts (the BIOS screen). The restore screen ma also have a method to back up your setup files to a CD-ROM or DVD.
As EagleTDL wrote, you probably have Norton or some other anti-virus/firewall program installed on a trial basis. Odds are, that will need an update as soon as you do connect to the internet.

 

[bearhawk]

A few things..

Hp usually comes with a program to create the backup disks.

Windows does have "Restore Points", although it is not always on by default. Search for it and turn it on..

Don't install or accept any preinstalled virus software or protection suite. The nortons' and mcaffe's of the world pay the pc maker to have their preinstalled crapware on your new computer. Don't buy it.. Don't let it install.

Install "Microsoft Security Essentials" it is free, works well and won't hound you to upgrade to the next best thing they have concocted.

Enjoy your new PC!

 

[RoyJackson]

Install "Microsoft Security Essentials" it is free, works well and won't hound you to upgrade to the next best thing they have concocted.

Enjoy your new PC!

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...

 

[tomd999]

Hiya,

Most consumer model HP's come with an HP backup utility that allows you to save the system right after you complete the Microsoft Windows Out Of Box Experence, (OOBE is the initial user, home or work network screens etc)

The HP backup will allow you to make one backup to return it to out of box state, after that you are on your own to keep your backups.

Anti virus is a personal choice, I personally run the free version provided by Microsoft for users of Vista and Windows 7. Microsoft Security Essentials - Free Antivirus for Windows

One thing that really stops malware, viruses and scripts in their tracks is to not use an administrator level account for the everyday use. Create a "restricted user" account and surf and email with that, save the admin account for the times you really need an admin account. All the bad stuff out there needs to have admin rights to install itself, if the account your surfing with has no rights, neither does the virus you just clicked on.


My 2 bits, ( I would have said 2 cents but since it's computers, it's bits)

Tom

 

[NOTV8]

A few things..

Don't install or accept any preinstalled virus software or protection suite. The nortons' and mcaffe's of the world pay the pc maker to have their preinstalled crapware on your new computer. Don't buy it.. Don't let it install.

Install "Microsoft Security Essentials" it is free, works well and won't hound you to upgrade to the next best thing they have concocted.

Enjoy your new PC!

This I agree ^^^. And it does not slow down your computer as the others... Enjoy your new computer :thumbsup:.