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Community Newsletter: Q&A: Advice for a clean start on a brand-new computer
- 9/21/07 10:37 AM
Agree to Disagree
by waytron - 9/25/07 3:23 AM In reply to: support by dave32264Dell may or may not be using the highest end motherboards, but I am just not seeing or have had ANY of the failures that you are reporting. Must be a demographical or geological anomaly? Maybe your area has high line voltage? Now take emachines and that is a different story. I do see defective boards with them. Now I know you are going to jump all over me on me on this, but I would never recommend, as a general rule, for anyone to purchase a computer built by a local computer shop. You have no idea what you are getting, I have seen all kinds of problems ranging from incompatible components to illegal software. Obviously it depends on the individual shop, but how does the general consumer know which shop to trust?
demographics?
by dave32264 - 9/25/07 11:12 AM In reply to: Agree to Disagree by waytronI doubt that. I saw pretty much the same thing in Georgia as I see here in NJ. Again, poor product is exactly why HP is overtaking Dell in the marketplace. They are currently working to correct this I'm sur e, but until they do, as a reputable tech, I sure won't recommend them. You are correct, however on the E-Machines (they are Gateways, nuff said 
).
"but I would never recommend, as a general rule, for anyone to purchase a computer built by a local computer shop. You have no idea what you are getting, I have seen all kinds of problems ranging from incompatible components to illegal software."
First, if the tech is legit they would never ever put illegal software on any system, common sense ya know. Also, most people I know have the common sense (there's that phrase again) to actually do comparative shopping before buying a computer. If they are not sure about it, they ask questions. Then there is word of mouth advertising and I have to say this is probably the most important. Many if not all small businesses live and die because of it. I average 3 - 5 new builds per month and 95% of my business is word of mouth advertising and I'm busy 7 days a week. As I posted earlier, any decent tech is going to give the best parts in their machines as it is their reputations on the line for each one that goes out the door. Yup, you may pay a little bit more for the better computer, but in the long run it's worth it.
Not an Ideal World
by waytron - 9/26/07 3:27 AM In reply to: demographics? by dave32264I think HP’s market share increase has more to do with the Compaq deal finally paying off rather anything to do with the quality of their products. In an ideal world, all service companies would run their business as you stated, but unfortunately we don’t live in that world. There are plenty of Plumbers, Contractors, Electricians, Car mechanics and Computer service people that rely on word of mouth advertising and still prey on the general public. They replace parts that don’t need to be replaced, sell 2nd rate equipment and rip off customers whenever the opportunity arises. All you have to do is watch 20/20. I am sure you personally build great computers, but as a general rule, I do not recommend having one built by a local shop. When Microsoft first started performing the check for Genuine Windows, I quickly found out how many local Computer Guys were not so honest with there custom built computers. I was receiving calls from new customers left and right. Well, at least we agree on Gateway and emachines, so I will leave it at that. By the way, I also do not generally recommend that people have a car built by their local garage either.
Huh?
by dave32264 - 9/26/07 6:49 AM In reply to: Not an Ideal World by waytronCompuke has little to do with it. Those boxes were trash and still are. Little if anything has changed with them. I know Dell and HP machines very well. I have been in this business over 24 years and have some idea as to what I'm talking about. I have seen the rise and fall of Packard Bell, NEC, Gateway, Compuke etc. and am quite familiar with their business practices, so-called customer support and the hardware they use. Gateway itself has been sued for using used parts in new machines so that argument of local techs doing it, while sometime valid, is for the most part bogus. There are many reputable and legit techs out there and many people who are very happy with both their initial work and their customer service. Yes, sadly there are a few bad apples out there and it seems to me you have had the unfortunate displeasure of dealing with them. I have seen one or two myself. Thats why they are my customers now There are many many more of us out there that actually take pride in our work, after all, if we rip our customers off, repeat customers and referrals would be non existent. I don't know about you but I like being able to pay my bills and eat. As I said my business is 95% word of mouth and have a customer base in several states and there are many more out there like me who would consider your comments as an insult to both their intelligence and their work. However, it is your money and if you are happy with these companies, then more power to you. When you need tech support then have fun dealing with the out-sourced non-english speaking person who reads from a script. And no, I would not buy a vehicle built by a mechanic either. But that's a huge huge difference from a custom computer. If you read my earlier post, I said getting a computer (from a local tech or major manufacturer) that doesn't need support is like wanting a car that won't need a mechanic. So your statement is just a bit over the top.
Be thorough but keep it simple
by drmojo - 9/7/07 8:06 PM In reply to: Advice for a clean start on a brand-new computer by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Maria, I'm one who opts for thoroughness but simplicity when setting up a new computer or an old computer with a re-imaged aka reformatted hard drive with new operating system. In my mind, it's all those extra programs one installs that starts to bog down the computer.
The first thing I'd do is make sure that all required Updates from Windows get installed by either turning on Automatic Updates in your system or going to the Microsoft site and checking for updates. Then I install some free but effective software for security purposes; 1) Ad-Aware; 2) Spy-bot Search and Destroy; 3) Spywareblaster. The reviews on these programs have been high and they're also free. They will do a good job of protecting your system from trojans, spyware, and other bad stuff. I also install Google Toolbar b/c I've found that it does a great job of blocking pop-up ads that are annoying.
And since you're using Vista, I recommend that before you plug in any hardware to your computer (printers, scanners, etc), go to the manufacturer's site to make sure you have drivers/software that will allow you to run those pieces of hardware with your new Vista OS. Sometimes the older software that comes with those hardware are for XP or older.
Lastly, if you're installing something like MS Office (Word, Excel, etc), make sure you run the update check to make sure that all patches and updates are installed.
Anyway those are the basics for me...simple but I feel thorough enough to protect even a beginner computer user from the headaches of the internet. (the software I mentioned above can be found using a Google search...MAKE SURE YOU'RE DOWNLOADING THE SOFTWARE FROM THE ACTUAL SITE of the software company, not someone's independent site which may contain a doctored version of the software).
RAM is Key
by Web Hero - 9/7/07 8:20 PM In reply to: Advice for a clean start on a brand-new computer by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Congrats on your transition. Your new Dell should handle Vista great, except, just like Windows XP, you'll want RAM. They probably gave you 1gig in your PC, but if you do 2gigs, you'll be set with Vista. I use a few years old Compaq Laptop, and it didn't like Vista much, but then I put 2gigs of RAM in and it runs Vista great, for a totally different and positive experience.
To keep your pc clean
by mrobinsonjr - 9/7/07 8:21 PM In reply to: Advice for a clean start on a brand-new computer by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
i use a program called CCleaner. you can download it from CNET Download.com or go to www.ccleaner.com. to clean your computer; double click on the program to open it. find and click analyze. after it is done click run cleaner. after that click issues, it is located over to the left. click scan for issues. after that is done click fix selected issues it will ask you if you want to create a backup click yes. save the file. after that click fix all selected issues if a dialog box comes up click yes. it will fix the problems. after you have done the issue and cleaning you are all done. doing this bi daily (every 2 days) your computer will run at top speed.
Maria, You will do fine!
by PerryCollective - 9/7/07 8:25 PM In reply to: Advice for a clean start on a brand-new computer by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
As a software developer, while I know how most of this stuff works, it is hard for all of us to keep everything on our computers.
If you have managed - even with some struggles - to keep a Windows Me machine running for 5 years, you have superpowers most computer ninjas couldn't even dream of!
Seriously, though, it's just a fact of life that the more stuff you put on your computer, the more potential you have for incompatibilities, slowdowns, etc.
The driver certification process for Windows Vista is more stringent, but there are still some things to watch out for.
Your best bet is to take it slow, and only install things that have been rated or reviewed highly by people you trust. Even that is no guarantee, but in my experience, that is the best way. Larger companies still create some flaky software. I have a new Dell with Vista, and a new HP printer that is Vista compatible. Well, the Dell support update utility hangs every other update, and the HP software, which is otherwise excellent, messes up the first print when I change from either portrait to landscape, or vice versa.
Best of luck to you, and try to stay sane! If you have problems, don't feel like you're the only one - it happens to all of us from time to time! (And maybe it's a sign you need to get some fresh air and step away from the computer)
keeping new computer clean
by Vicks1 - 9/7/07 8:32 PM In reply to: Advice for a clean start on a brand-new computer by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I would suggest that you put on zone alarm firewall, spybot search&destory, lavasoft's ad-aware...these are each free at www.majorgeek.com or www.download.com. Also set a schedule to update each of these ( and your anti virus) and run each. I try to do it weekly on both of our computers. Have for several years, and they both stay clean (oldest one is a laptop still running WIN 98 SE).
Good luck
vicks1
Back up files?
by MrBigFish6 - 9/21/07 6:28 PM In reply to: keeping new computer clean by Vicks1I have been reading about many different ways to protect my PC. I have a new Compaq Presario Notebook and intend to do everything I can to keep it functioning for a long time.
But I also keep reading I need to "back up my files"
What does this mean? What files? And how and where do I back them up?
Do I purchase a DVD or CD and copy all my important 'things' on my desktop PC to a hard copy? Do i find an external HD and copy everything to that?
I am in the process of copying all my photos to Kodak so my pictures are safe.
What else can I do?
And please be specific and no tech talk. I am Pc Illiterate.
ty
BACK UP files - Importance
by randysvh - 9/21/07 11:24 PM In reply to: Back up files? by MrBigFish6Backing up your system is important. What is important though is relative to you. Here is what i consider important, everything in My Documents, any data or files that you may have elsewhere that you personally may have saved outside of the My Documents. Any programs that have data files for instance Quicken, which saves the data to its own special files. Quicken has a backup process, but where those files go depends on the setup. You need to collect and backup these kinds of files as well. Other files to consider are Favorites, Bookmarks, Application Data, Application Data under Local Files, and downloaded files that you want to save. Note be aware, of any kinds of data that you know that you keep on your system. If any one can think of other sources of personal files or data that might be worth saving please feel free to add.
The other type of backup would be a full backup or image backup, which gathers everything on your HD and makes restoration in emergencies much easier.
The next part is finding a backup method that suites your style or needs and capabilities to perform the backup. What i mean what will you back up your files to, or the destination. A HD, CDs, or tape are the usual options. If you use a HD it should be a secondary or external HD large enough to retain all of your files. If you use CDs, it might be best to use the largest capacity CD blanks that your CD writer will handle. For instance, if you have a double layer DVD writer, than using DL DVD blanks may be appropriate to make more complete backups of your system. If your system only has a CD writer, than blank CDs are the appropriate ones to use as you will have to write out multiple CDs to complete a backup of your system. If you are fortunate enough to have a newer tape system, it is one of the very best ways to make a backup and keep them especially in business situations.
The program to use can vary alot. If you buy an external HD, it might come complete with a Backup program. Tape backups, almost always have programs included with the hardware device. Buying a complete Backup program is worth every penny that meets up with the hardware and the needs you have for backing up your data.
i hope this helps and answers your questions.
randy
In reply to Answer for Maria R.
by Vann - 9/7/07 8:39 PM In reply to: Advice for a clean start on a brand-new computer by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
well first of all congratulations on getting a brand new PC and hopefully you can get it nice and running in the long run.
usually for desktop PCs I normally do a routine cleaning service every 2 weeks or so, for both hardware and software.
Software/System maintenance
I normally use the Windows Live OneCare scanner for a free PC scan which will scan your machine for Protection Issues, Speed Issues and Storage Space issues. You can choose to run any specific one or run all of them at once. Protection scanner will clean up potentially unwanted programs but be sure to remember that this utility DOES NOT replace your anti-virus.. make sure you have anti-virus protection 24/7 especially when you are connected to the internet.
Clean Up scanner will scan your hard drive for unused temporary files or missing registry indexes that will eventually build up and use up your storage space and thus will result in a "cluttered hard drive full of crap "and will greatly affect performance in the long run.
Then last... but not least, the Tune Up utility.. this scans your hard drive and determines how fragmented it is... the more fragmented your hard drive, the slower your computer will "read" files from your hard drive and so I'll recommend you run this every once in a month to ensure maximum performance.
This online scanner can be accessed at http://safety.live.com
Hardware maintenance
I'm not sure if you should do this to a new PC.. but I normally do this every 2 months. I unscrew the case, disassemble all components and clean the insides of the PC using a non static brush to brush off the dust off the motherboard, RAM and all other components. If you are doing this, make sure you clean your hands and NEVER EVER attempt to disassemle right after it is switched off and unplugged as remaining charges on the power supply CAN KILL if you are not careful.. leave it be for a few minutes and ensure you have rubber gloves or any non conducting material on you at all times. I normally do this to prevent dust or other debris blocking the cooling fan or just to clean up dust accumulating at the components so there are no risk of a short circuit or over heating.
Apart from that, you should do a normal cleanup e.g dusting, wiping vaccuuming etc. on your keyboard, speakers monitor etc. well there's no point showing off a great machine to someone else when it's dusty is there??
Other tips
Know your system information. You can see this by pressing WINKEY+R and typing 'dxdiag' (Without inverted commas) Here, you can see all sorts of graphics information and other system information here.
Once you know this, you can install any programs which has minimum recommended system requirements that matches your machine's system requirements. And make sure that you look for "WINDOWS VISTA CAPABLE/COMPATIBLE" or "FOR WINDOWS VISTA" logo or text in any new hardware/software that you are interested in installing.
Answer for Maria
by Partsguy19 - 9/7/07 9:42 PM In reply to: Advice for a clean start on a brand-new computer by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
A few things.. MAKE SURE any software you purchase is compatible with Vista!! Only install software you know your going to use and install software you know works. Either by reading about it here, hearing about from friends, or known software companies. Vista is great!! But don't try to run some of the old ME software on it. Could cause some major grief.
Good luck!
Answer for Maria
by arri_rc - 9/15/07 9:55 AM In reply to: Answer for Maria by Partsguy19I learned from scratch so here are my suggestions:
1. Defragment your hard drives on a regular basis.
2. Install an AntiVirus like Avast, AVG (free) or NOD32, Kaspersky (paid)
3. Install a Firewall...Comodo Firewall Pro is the best either in Free or Paid category.
4. Install other security programs like AVG Antispyware. Spybot S&D and AdAware SE, McAfee Site Advisor (all free). Update these and scan your PC on regular basis.
5. <b>Use Firefox, Use Firefox, Use Firefox, Use Firefox, Use Firefox</b>
In case you can't live without IE, then go for AVANT, it uses the same IE engine but far more secured.
6. Stay away from installing themes.
There are great freeware tools available which can do almost everything...check out the free software directory from time to time. But stay away from sharewares.
New Computer with Vista
by HPJOHN - 9/15/07 10:40 AM In reply to: Answer for Maria by Partsguy19Congradulations! First, got to Control Panel and go to user Accounts. click on it. . Onthe left side you will see Create a password for your Account. Go down to the last item. Turn User Account Control on or off. Make sure it is turned off. This is a nusience that causes a dialog box to come up almost every time you try to do something! as they said before clean out all the Trial Ware and any programss you don't need. This is done by going to Control Panel, go to Program and features and uninstall everything you don't want. Go to Computer (probably C) right click on it and left click on propertires. Ther is the clean that was mentioned before. If yo defrag with the one windows give you it takes a long time, mine took six hours. Better go Diskeeker and get the home edition. I t is not expensive. Mine took five to ten minutes to defrag the whole disk. This automatically defragments in the backround every hour. I would continue to use Internet Explorer 7.0. The others mentioned allowed a great deal of spyware on my computer. Next go to www.registry fix.com and download the free download. This program does two things. One it get rid of registry entry of deleted programs that are left behind. Second, it corrects incorrect registry entries of the program on your computer. On mine I had 207 incorrect entries from MIcrosoft. If you purchase this all future download of updates are free. This does not touch other programs as Registry Mechanic deled part of Windows. Cclean may do the same. Registry fix has benn rated #1 by PC Magazine. I is made in Germany. Another program I would recommend and everyone I have told about it has thanked me. This program is Trendmicro PC-cillion. It has several things. A wonderful firewall, Virus protection, spyware Incoming, outgoin and web mail protection. It also protects againt these things with a chat monitor protector. I also protects against theft of your files and programs. It updates automatically and comes from England. You must unsinstall Norton or any other programs first This is done by following what I said before. Your computer will work like a clock. Perfectly. These are the basics. I hope this helps you.
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