New Laptop For The Christmas Season? Here’s Advice On A New Computer Setup.
Posted on Dec 17, 2007 - 3:57pm by Mark Spearman in Computer Tips
Christmas time is a popular time to give and receive new computers. Friends and family have enlisted me to help them with the purchase and setup of new computers, so I’ll pass on a little bit of what I do to prepare a new computer.
New computers are loaded with extra software that you do not need. Some even contain spy-ware right out of the box. The reason is that the manufacturers get incentives to lure you to software and services. Don’t complain to much though, it helps keep the price down. Some of the offers may actually be a good deal for you also. However, unwanted programs are certainly a time consuming hassle to remove if you do not want them. If you just leave them on the computer, some can slow the computer down and keep giving you “nag” screens. You do not want to waste your time with the nonsense. The following is a list of steps I take to prepare a new system.
- Backup the original factory settings. Most computers do not come with the original settings on CD or DVD. The excuse is that the software is already on a partition of the drive. This will not help if the drive goes bad, which often happens. Follow the instructions included with the new computer to create your own set of factory settings on DVD, label the DVDs, then store them in a safe place.
- Purchase a factory extended warranty if you can afford it. If the computer is going with you on the truck, it will be subjected to many dangerous situations. The most common problem is the vibration of the truck causing a hard drive failure, which is covered under most warranties. A hard drive can cost over $100 and the warranties usually cost about $150 for 3 years of coverage. It’s a bargain and it is very probable a trucker will use the extended coverage.
- Remove all of the extra software you will not need. If you go to the control panel, find the add/remove programs icon, then look at the programs list. If you’re not sure about a program leave it until you find out what it is. Many times you will be loaded with trial versions that you thought would be licensed versions. If you want the software, check the price against other retailers on the Internet to make sure the deal is really saving you money. If you cannot afford the program, but you need it, start searching the Internet for Open Source software that will do the same task for free. For example, OpenOffice.org has an office suite that is very good and it is compatible with most Microsoft Office documents. You can also look for services like AOL that you probably will not use and uninstall those also. Remove all unwanted or replaceable programs.
- Add anti-virus software if you are not using the programs that came with the computer. Many times, Internet Service Providers (ISP) offer anti-virus and anti-spy-ware for free with your subscription and the quality is on par or better than the Norton or McAffee that is pre-installed.
- Run an anti-spy-ware program to remove any factory installed spy-ware. Some of examples of anti-spy-ware programs include;
- Google’s Free Spy-Ware Removal included with the Google Pack
- AVG Anti-Spy-Ware
- Add the programs that you know you will use and copy the data from
your old computer. Watch for problems such as old programs that no longer work with a newer operating system. This link explains how to move your old data and programs to your new computer.Test things out before you head on the road so that you’re not stuck without something as important as an Internet connection.
If you upgraded to Vista, don’t be surprised if things seem a little slow. Vista is a memory hog. If it’s to slow, you’ll need more memory. Many are suggesting a minimum 2GB of memory for Vista. You’ll also need to learn an entirely new interface. It’s not bad, things are just rearranged on the desktop and the interfaces to the standard Windows programs have changed.
Enjoy the holiday season with your new computer! If Santa didn’t bring you one this year, it’s a good time to maintain the one you have and make sure you have all of your programs updates installed.
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Excellent idea.
However:
I have an unopened box at the house containing XP professional. (possibly they’re still available?) If/when the pair (I bought a backup) of laptops I’m currently using take a dump I have intentions installing XP on the new computer(s) that I buy. If that doesn’t work my backup plan is LiveCD Linux.
My experience on the best way to make a computer in the truck last is to mount it semi-permanently on a stand. Bouncing around, being packed and un packed…..kill ‘em.
I use Linux at home, but I haven’t found a way to make Verizon Wireless work with Linux in the truck. I haven’t looked too hard for a solution yet though. Linux is good, but too much work. When I do use it, I run it with VMware so that I don’t have to use a dual boot.
Mounting them on a stand helps, but the vibration is still going to kill the drives quicker than a standard user. I try to only use the computer with the truck turned off to help. This Freightliner is a shaky truck!
I would love to go to linux, but I need Verizon, a mapping program and Drivers Daily log to work at a minimum. Most everything else like spreadsheets and browsers are readily available.
vmware.com explains the program more thoroughly. It’s expensive, but you can run both operating systems at the same time. Very useful for diagnosing hardware problems too.
I’ve used Ad-Aware and Spybot Search and Destroy for spywear removal for years and have been quite happy with both. I’ve got Vista on a new laptop and while it has it’s quirks, it is liveable. But – on a machine with the specs of this new laptop – XP would be smokin’ fast. Aero is underwhelming.
I use EZ-Armor (Computer Associates brand) because it comes with my cable Internet at home. It works well. I used the freebies that you’re talking about and they are really good. Last I checked, they were still free too.
Use Decrapify, it’s recommended by Steve Bass (from PCMag) to clean up your brand new pc’s at the author’s website – The PC Decrapifier
Seeing as mechanical HDs are a problem you could look at the newer computers coming out with flash HDs e.g. the tiddly Asus EEE and the larger Apple Air.
I’ve just got the asus and I could see it being used by truckers and others who drive a lot.
I run Ubuntu on my laptop, and have done for several years; I’m not sure about the Verizon aircards but on Sprint it’s pretty simple. Most aircards show up as a USB modem, generally on /dev/ttyACM0. Set up a ppp connection on that port, any random speed works just as well as any other, with the username and password fields blank (for Sprint anyways, I think Verizon requires a proper login). Open a terminal and do ‘pon aircard’ or whatever you named it and you’re online.
Mapping and such can often be done through WINE, though I use CoPilot on my Pocket PC cellphone instead. WINE (Wine Is Not an Emulator) is basically a go-between that lets you run Windows software on a PC with Linux on it; it doesn’t quite handle everything since Microsoft keeps the details of its API *VERY* secret, but it’s getting better. Worth a try certainly, especially since Ubuntu has a live CD that you can try before you ever install anything to the hard drive.
Feel free to drop me an email if you need any help setting up Linux…
Keep the dirty side down
D
I’ll have to give this a try. I have to really be in the mood before getting into Linux setup headaches. The whole time I’m doing it I think, “I just have to plug this in with Windows and it works, why am fiddling with it on Linux.”
Of course, there’s the payoff of always having it work once it’s setup in Linux. I have programs setup on on a Linux install I did years ago that still work great with no additional work or updates.
If you guys looking for some good antivirus for free .I’ve removed my norton and instale dthis one and my computer started browsing internet like F16 fast fast fast fast fast and is free for ever with update every time you log ,on have save trip. avast.com
You can google how to setup a Verizon wireless card on Linux. I use a PC5740 with Ubuntu Gutsy and it works fine. There is a guide that will walk you through setting up a script as stated above then you type pon 1xevdo per the script instructions to start and poff to end. Also, you can use KPPP and it is a little better because of a gui. I have been plaing with Linux for a while but still dual boot.
That’s the card I have. I will have to give it a try. Thanks
OK gang, I need some help. I’ve had my Compaq for right at a year…used it on the trip we just got back from (kids used it to but are very computer handy) we were within an hour of home and I went to use it, used it for a bit, shut it long enough to get something from a cabinet, waited a few minutes and opened it back up (I forgot to do something dang CRS
) only to find I could no longer turn it on. We’re home – it’s plugged in – still no luck.
I want to cry because I am REALLY hoping it didn’t bite the dust already. Any suggestions or thoughts on what it could be?
I’m hoping battery – but honestly – the inverter in the truck has fried one surge protector – was fixed, and actually threw a spark when I plugged in the TV tonight (after the fact)…………think the inverter fried it?
Any help is appreciated
Thanks gang!!