You Got a New PC — Now What?

Wed Jan 23, 2008 9:39PM EST

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So, you've got a new PC. If it's your first, there are a few key things to do to get going. If it's not, moving day is here. Just as you move your cherished belongings from one home to another, you'll need to do the same for your important files, programs, photos, music, and other media from your old PC to your new one.

Here are some tips for getting your new PC up and running.

Get comfortable. Make sure your workspace is comfortable. If it's a laptop, you'll soon find that actually working with a PC on your lap is not so good on the back. A new PC is great, but the chair you sit in while working on it is just as important. An adjustable one with good back support is best, so you can make it so your arms bend at a 90-degree angle and your wrists are not bent.

Clear the junk. Now that you're comfortable and you've turned on your new PC, you'll see there may already be lots of trial software on it. You probably don't want most of it, so get rid of it. As Chris Null tells us, it's worth spending the time to manually uninstall the extra clutter. Go to the Control Panel and then to Add/Remove Programs to uninstall the ones you don't want.

Moving day. Now that your PC is nice and clean and ready to go, you'll want to start moving files and bookmarks and anything else you want onto your new PC. For software, it's easiest if you install it directly on your new PC. To move everything else, Windows has a migration tool, but it can take a while, and it really isn't necessary. Your best bet is to either save the files onto USB drives, discs, or, better yet, use the Data Tornado.

Our 2007 Last Gadget Standing winner, the Tornado is simply two USB cables connected at the center. Plug one end into your old computer, the other into the new PC. On your new PC screen, you'll see two Windows Explorer windows open representing each computer. You simply drag and drop the files, documents, bookmarks, music, etc., that you want on your new PC from the old PC. Simple.

Wireless vs. wired. If your new PC is a desktop, you'll simply plug in the Ethernet cable from your PC into the modem or router. If it's a laptop, you'll want the mobility a laptop offers via a broadband router. If you're setting up a wireless router for the first time, here are some pointers from Home Networking for Dummies. To find the best place to put the router in your home, check out these tips for finding the optimal wireless router spot.

Protect your PC. Now that you've got only what you want on your new PC, it's time to protect it. Install anti-virus software immediately. Kaspersky Anti-Virus tops PC World's best list for its effectiveness and price. Coming in second is Symantec Norton AntiVirus and third, BitDefender Antivirus.

Don't forget to also install anti-spyware. Null recommends installing both SpyBot and AdAware, both free. He tells us how to clean a spyware infection here.

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Comments on You Got a New PC — Now What?

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  • 6 Posted by plaga_nerezza on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:14PM EDT Report Abuse

    I didn't know you removed greater than signs! Man Yahoo's technology commenting section needs some technology upgrades. Maybe get to the digital age of blogging/commenting.

  • 7 Posted by richerich6 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:40PM EDT Report Abuse

    Step one, locate your receipt. Step 2, get your money back, Step 3, buy a Mac. No other steps are required!

  • 8 Posted by philandcandice on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:09PM EDT Report Abuse

    Step 1: Read post 7 (richerich6) That's it. I've swithched, My brother switched. Apple.... It was amusing to watch a middle aged guy agonize over which antivirus program to buy. They should come with a warning label that says 'This program will slow your computer and embed itself into your operating system, your new system will never be the same.'

  • 9 Posted by paul_soares on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:03PM EDT Report Abuse

    It's also a good time to replace that six year old surge protector! Or better yet, get an UPS/Battery unit for a few bucks more.

  • 10 Posted by jimhansen62 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:35PM EDT Report Abuse

    Don't bother with thumb drives or Data Tornado. Just connect both systems to your local network (wired or wireless) and tranfer your files to shared folders.

  • 11 Posted by paul_soares on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:03PM EDT Report Abuse

    philandcandice, I agree that many A/V programs are nearly as bad for your PC as the viruses they "claim" to protect you from...or worse! I spend a lot of time removing bloated A/V products *cough*Norton*McAfee*cough* much to the relief of the computer and the owner! But there are a couple of excellent products out there that are small, fast, unobtrusive, and far more effective at protecting a PC. Sadly, you won't find them on the local store shelves.

  • 12 Posted by browncoatfan on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:14PM EDT Report Abuse

    I prefer transfering what I think is important or atleast something I may later want to an external drive which are getting cheaper all the time and are now less then a dollar a gig (with the exception of flash based drives) After tranfering to the external hard drive via copy and paste then transfer what you need to your new pc (preferably on a as needed basis instead of all at once) then you got a back up and what you needed/wanted on your new pc two birds with one stone

  • 13 Posted by agustin2489 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:47PM EDT Report Abuse

    Regarding the choice of antivirus and firewall, each solution is different and it's essentially a matter of picking one that works. It's best to double-check on which ones are best. One thing though, McAffee is usually terrible, even to itself. Norton is reliable but can be a resource hog, etc, etc.

  • 14 Posted by sharon.buckheister on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:17PM EDT Report Abuse

    i don't understand why norton is even mentioned. i have had nothing but problems with the norton 360. never again will i puchase a norton.

  • 15 Posted by mvrgoc on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:31PM EDT Report Abuse

    This article isn't much help-full."Kaspersky Anti-Virus tops PC World's best list for its effectiveness and price. Coming in second is Symantec Norton AntiVirus and third, BitDefender Antivirus." Everyone has favorite program or some other stuff so it's not right to recommend anti-virus programs. Because there are many offers of programs that sort and people should choose what they wont. Personal there is much better solutions than editors pick.

  • 16 Posted by eclipse22283 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:51PM EDT Report Abuse

    I agree that norton was a pain and they can take money out on your credit card anually without your permission because it states in their terms and conditions.

  • 17 Posted by dherberg2002 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:42PM EDT Report Abuse

    Avast Free Home Edition is my AV app. It is trainable, has real-time updates and you can set the sensitivity on the scans easily.

  • 18 Posted by danilo_gomez2000 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:35PM EDT Report Abuse

    "Kaspersky anti-vir" really great?I am planning to try other Anti-Virus product but I'm curious about changing to a new Product tho!I tried already A Norton 2007 edition of Anti-Vir that's quite good in performance wise... Another one is "NOD 32"anti-vir is this product do wonders?..curious about it...

  • 19 Posted by eud_125 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:56PM EDT Report Abuse

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  • 20 Posted by eud_125 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:56PM EDT Report Abuse

    ابحث عن عمل و زوجة ميسرة الحا لI am a young Egyptian Search for work and the wife of a rich Mesa R.

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