Requesting new pc setup advice

In My Humble Opinion
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A Dell-Windows XP Inspiron D530, Intel Core2 Duo Processor E7300 (3MB L2 cache 2.66 Ghz, 1066FSB), with a widescreen LCD monitor that’s supposed to go to 1680x1050. (In case that affects the answers.) It’s time to set up the pc for websurfing and email (dialup), my digital camera, playing MP3s and DVDs. That’s pretty much all. I onced played a little with POV-Ray in the past, so I might look at adding some kind of graphics program to this pc, if anyone has any suggestions of one that’s fun, cheap, versatile. I don’t use my pc for anything serious, like finance or banking or word processing or dialing into work, etc.

What’s your opinion of my plan below? Is the order of events correct? Anything listed I shouldn’t do? Anything NOT listed that I should do?

  1. Install the drivers for the monitor and get the screen set up.
  2. Remove the pre-installed crapware: is PC Decrapifier the way to go for this? Is there a way to get a ‘decrapified backup’ at this point, in case I ever need to go back to the beginning? (The pc came with reinstall disks for both XP and Vista, but I’m assuming these are both the same kind of crapware-laden setup that’s pre-installed.)
  3. Install an anti-virus program: I ordered it without any. I know I don’t want Norton or McAfee, but any recommendations? Is AVG the way to go?
  4. Install Mozilla Firefox; I have Mozilla Firebird on my old pc and like it. I’m looking for a browser-only install.
  5. I’ll need plug-ins, right? Anti-popup, ad blocker recommendations? Is there anything that stops flashing stuff from flashing? Those are the only ones I can think of.
  6. email program. The new pc has Outlook Express, which I’m currently using on my old pc. Or should I look at Thunderbird?
  7. Install the software that came with my camera.
  8. Kick back and websurf on my cool new pc.

By the way, my old pc still works (knock on wood), so I can use it to download anything I need to install on the new pc before connecting it to the internet.

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  1. Install the drivers for the monitor and get the screen set up.

If it’s P’n’P it might do it without having to load drivers. If not, the monitor should have a Cd with it.

  1. Remove the pre-installed crapware: is PC Decrapifier the way to go for this? Is there a way to get a ‘decrapified backup’ at this point, in case I ever need to go back to the beginning? (The pc came with reinstall disks for both XP and Vista, but I’m

    Never used it, but hear it works well. Next time you order from Dell, tell them you are a small business (make up a name) and then they will send a computer minus crapware if you so specify.

  2. Install an anti-virus program: I ordered it without any. I know I don’t want Norton or McAfee, but any recommendations? Is AVG the way to go?

    AVG is good, have used it, but like Avast! better, especially the reasonably-priced pro version, but the free one works well, except you can’t schedule scans.

Also download and install the free Ad-Aware and Spybot antispyware programs. Each requires some searching of the sites to find the free one. Try Googling “Free Ad-aware” etc

  1. Install Mozilla Firefox; I have Mozilla Firebird on my old pc and like it. I’m looking for a browser-only install.

    Ff is great. For some programs, you will still need IE, but it should be there.

  2. I’ll need plug-ins, right? Anti-popup, ad blocker recommendations? Is there anything that stops flashing stuff from flashing? Those are the only ones I can think of.

Sure you want these, and browse for other good extensions.

  1. email program. The new pc has Outlook Express, which I’m currently using on my old pc. Or should I look at Thunderbird?

    OE is good, but I think Thunderbird is great. Your choice, try both and see which you prefer.

  2. Install the software that came with my camera.

    That should be easy. Many people rather than moving pics to the computer with the camera, which opens a program and does stuff you might not want, just upload by putting the memory card in a card reader and plugging it in. Then just drag the pics to whatever folder on your HDD you want.

  3. Kick back and websurf on my cool new pc.

Watch out for those porn sites. :smiley: And before going online, be sure the current database updates are on your antivirus and antispyware programs, and run them first.

You didn’t mention your ISP and whether you cable Internet or what, and whether you have a router, etc but gotta connect them, of course, and may take some tweaking to get the network working.

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Don’t forget a firewall program. ZoneAlarm is generally regarded as a good free option.

Happy computing! :slight_smile:

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I don’t have much to add except that I use Zone Alarm, Spybot and Malwarebytes. I’m very happy with that combination.

So, have you finished all this yet !?

:wink:

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It is often useful to get as word processor, even if just for letters. Download Open Office - free and plenty good for your requirements. I have never tried the Google stuff myself, but that is another option.

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Thanks, folks. I didn’t even think about a firewall (being on dialup) but I’m adding the Zone Alarm and stuff to my list. I’ll be doing the pc this weekend. I think I’ll pass on the word processor, since I still write letters by hand; anyway, I don’t have a printer. And it looks like I don’t need to install the camera software…I hadn’t realized I could just move the card from the camera. Nice!

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Wow, I did not realize there was anybody who still did this. Good for you, but do you ever get any answers? And do you still use a quill pen? :smiley: