Getting Started with a New Computer
Most purchases provide instant gratification — you buy, you bring home (or have delivered), you enjoy. Groceries, clothes, toaster, furniture, etc., don't involve extensive study, burdensome chores, or required add-ons for safe usage. While it's worth reading the owner's manual for a new car, and installing home electronics sometimes requires assembly and cabling, no other shopping burden matches that of a purchasing a personal computer.
Wait, you might say. Don't you just plug it in and turn it on? In reality, it isn't so simple. There's a lot to do before a computer can safely be used on the Internet, and still more is required to ensure long-term problem-free operation. This article outlines some basics for what to do, and more information is available from this AARP Computers and Technology site and the Internet by searching for specific terms.
No matter where you buy your computer, be sure to obtain all CDs, manuals, registration cards, and warranty material for all hardware and software that's to be installed on the computer. You may need this material to later purchase discounted upgrade versions or apply fixes. Similarly, warranty material facilitates getting hardware and software support if you can't get satisfaction from your system's vendor. You may pay a little extra for software installation CDs or an image restore CD (which restores your hard drive's delivery-date contents), but it's a worthwhile expense. And take note of terms and deadlines for rebates and submit them promptly. Many vendors won't pay rebate claims, even if submitted only one day late.
Assemble and turn on the system as soon as you can after getting it home, but don't go online. This is to ensure that the system boots properly and that all components operate. There's often a short "no questions asked" period during which dead or defective systems can easily be returned or exchanged. You may have trouble getting problems resolved if you discover them further past the purchase date, and the vendor may insist on repairing the system instead of replacing it.
Record hardware model and serial numbers for your computer and its and components. My computer builder provided all boxes and packing material, since it often contains useful information, when the completed computer was delivered. Go ahead and submit product registration material, even though it may generate junk mail for you, because it provided the vendors a menas of notifing you of problems or new updates or versions for their products. It's also a good idea to organinze all your computer-specific materials and information in some sort of filing system to make everything easier to get to later.
I also keep a log of all changes I make to my computer, such as software I install, upgrades I download, problems I have, configuration setting changes, and communications with vendors, so I can refer to the log and keep track of what happened. You can also print screen shots of important configuration settings.
As you begin to use your computer, plan how to separate data from software. This will simplify backing up and restoring your data, which is really what's most valuable to you and the hardest to recreate. This can be as simple as establishing a directory or folder in which you store all application data, or it may involve dividing your hard drive into data and software partitions. If you're replacing a computer, don't discard the old computer until you're sure that you copied everything you need onto the new hard drive and that it's complete and readable. It's also a good idea to plan and implement a data backup scheme and to test it occasionally by restoring files.
Here's a few more suggestions:
- Remove unwanted or unnecessary software using application-specific tools Windows' built-in Add/Remove Software tool.
- Run scandisk and disk defragmentation tools after deleting software, to ensure that you're getting a clean start, and continue to do so on a regular basis to maintain good computer functionality.
- If you're working on a Windows XP system, install Service Pack 2 before going online and continue to install all subsequent Microsoft security patches by running Windows Update regularly (at least monthly).
- If you're using a broadband (cable or DSL) Internet connection, install a router between your ISP connection and your PC and configure it to be secure.
- Install, update, and regularly run anti-virus and anti-spyware software.
- Ensure that device drivers (e.g., the software used to run hardware components) are current by visiting the Web sites for your computer manufacturer and hardware components.
- Install applications one at a time with a "cooling off" period in between to ensures that each application works properly. After each installation, run any "check for updates" functions applicable for that application.
- A good rule of thumb when working on computers is to change one thing at a time in order to better pinpoint adverse changes after a configuration change or a new application install.
Finally, and in spite of warnings about risks, don't be afraid to use and enjoy your computer and the Internet. Just be careful and sensible. Don't open unexpected attachments or e-mail from unknown senders. Don't answer e-mailed requests for personal information. And always be cautious about installing software from unknown vendors.
About the Author
Gabe Goldberg has developed, worked with, and written about technology for decades.
