User Tools

Site Tools


setting_up_a_new_computer

Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

Link to this comparison view

Both sides previous revision Previous revision
Next revision
Previous revision
setting_up_a_new_computer [2025/06/23 07:32]
47.128.23.73 old revision restored (2025/05/13 15:33)
setting_up_a_new_computer [2025/06/30 15:00] (current)
47.128.23.36 old revision restored (2025/06/04 23:05)
Line 23: Line 23:
 \\ \\
      
-===== What Windows are you running? =====+===== What Window are you running? =====
 Some companies install 32 bit operating systems on 64bit computers. This allows them to lower the price by $50-100. It works fine, Except, when you are installing programs. Then you want to know if you need the 32 bit or 64 bit version first. The best way to tell is to go to computer on the start menu and right click on Computer and go to Properties. In Windows 8, you need the System Information App. Look for the Windows version.\\ Some companies install 32 bit operating systems on 64bit computers. This allows them to lower the price by $50-100. It works fine, Except, when you are installing programs. Then you want to know if you need the 32 bit or 64 bit version first. The best way to tell is to go to computer on the start menu and right click on Computer and go to Properties. In Windows 8, you need the System Information App. Look for the Windows version.\\
  
Line 32: Line 32:
 ===== Getting Started ===== ===== Getting Started =====
  
-[[#What to Get Rid Of ]]\\ +What to keep\\ 
-[[#What to install]]\\+What to get rid of\\ 
 +What to install\\
 Copying your old stuff\\ Copying your old stuff\\
  
-==== What to Keep/What to toss ====+===== What to Keep/What to toss =====
  
-Thankfully, new computer don't come with nearly as much crap as they used to. Still, take a look at what came out of the box.+Thankfully, new computer don't come with nearly as much crap as they used to.
  
-=== What to Get Rid Of ===+===== What to Get Rid Of =====
  
-The first thing is to remove the software you do not need or want. Start by downloading [[http://www.revouninstaller.com/|Revo Uninstaller]] installing it and starting it. The Revo Uninstaller does a much better job than the built-in Windows uninstaller (the Windows 7 uninstaller works better than XP. But Microsoft decided it should be in "Programs and Features" because "Add/Remove Programs was too difficult.\\ +The first thing is to remove the software you do not need or want. Start by downloading [[http://www.revouninstaller.com/|Revo Uninstaller]] installing it and starting it. The Revo Uninstaller does a much better job than the built-in Windows uninstaller. When you start Revo Uninstaller, it will catalog all of the programs you have installed on your computer. Revo Uninstaller runs the programs built-in uninstaller, then scans the registry for left over entries and then scans the hard drive for undeleted program files. All things the supplied uninstaller by the publisher or Microsoft can do. \\ 
-\\ + 
-When you start Revo Uninstaller, it will catalog all of the programs you have installed on your computer. Revo Uninstaller runs the programs built-in uninstaller, then scans the registry for left over entries and then scans the hard drive for undeleted program files. All things the supplied uninstaller by the publisher or Microsoft can do. \\+Start by deleting Microsoft Works. It is amazing that Works is still around but it is. The fact that MS Office does not do a good job of opening Works files should tell you something. Replacing Works with either OpenOffice or MS Office.\\ 
 + 
 +Newer computers ship with [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Office_2010|Microsoft Office 2010]] Starter Edition and possibly a trial copy of Office Standard Edition. Starter Edition replaces MS Works. It gives you Word and Excel. If this is all you need, great, keep it. Do you want PowerPoint or Publisher? Sorry, you need to buy those. [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Office_2010|Microsoft Office 2010 versions]] The versions are listed on this chart. Home and Student is about $150, Professional about $300. 
  
-Things to look out for:\\ 
-Trial anything. This includes MS Office and anti-virus software. Check out the prices and what you get for moving to the free version. At the same time think about the free alternatives.\\ 
-\\ 
-Go through the list of programs, Some manufacturers add their own remote help or other software. This would include HP support, Acer backup, and so on. Chances are, you do not need these at all, or there are better working programs available. You can always Google the name of the program and see if it is something you will need. There are some programs that you may not know you have that you will need to run the computer. One of these is Bonjour. Bonjour is a connection program that Apple installs with iTunes. **If you are not sure if you need the program, keep it.** You can always delete it later.\\ 
-\\ 
 Next delete any anti-virus programs. Chances are you have either Norton Anti-Virus or Symantec. The saddest thing is these are two of the more expensive anti-virus solutions and neither have finished better than middle of the pack in performance in years. Also, both will slow your computer down about 15% or so. Or, about as bad as the spyware they should be blocking. Look out, Norton Anti-virus is actually two programs, the AV and LiveUpdate. You will need to remove them both.\\ Next delete any anti-virus programs. Chances are you have either Norton Anti-Virus or Symantec. The saddest thing is these are two of the more expensive anti-virus solutions and neither have finished better than middle of the pack in performance in years. Also, both will slow your computer down about 15% or so. Or, about as bad as the spyware they should be blocking. Look out, Norton Anti-virus is actually two programs, the AV and LiveUpdate. You will need to remove them both.\\
-\\ 
-In the next steps you can install Microsoft Defender. A pretty good, free anti-virus program. 
  
 +Go through the list of programs, Some manufacturers add their own remote help or other software. This would include HP support, Acer backup, and so on. Chances are, you do not need these at all, or there are better working programs available. You can always Google the name of the program and see if it is something you will need. There are some programs that you may not know you have that you will need to run the computer. One of these is Bonjour. Bonjour is a connection program that Apple installs with iTunes. **If you are not sure if you need the program, keep it.** You can always delete it later.\\
 +
 +After you have removed any programs you do not want or need, double click on the 'My Computer' icon and select the C: drive. Next open the 'Program Files" folder. Now, find the folder called Online Services and delete it. The 'Online Services' folder has the installers for AOL, ATT and some other dial up Internet service providers. If you need one of these, certainly keep the folder, otherwise, it is just wasting space. Also look for the Works installer and delete it. You may have the installer for a trial copy of Office 2007. If you want to install Office '07, keep it. Otherwise you can delete this folder too.\\
  
 ===== What to Install ===== ===== What to Install =====
setting_up_a_new_computer.1750689178.txt.gz · Last modified: 2025/06/23 07:32 by 47.128.23.73