What do you ALWAYS do to/install on a new computer/OS install?

[Death Metal Moe]

I've set up quite a few computers in my day. I see the way other people set up computers is always a little different. Different programs people always load, settings they change, things they do or don't update. This latest problem I was talking about with a friend's Video Card made me think. What do you always do to a new system, or at least a fresh install of an OS?

Once Windows brings me to the actual desktop screen I'll usually put an Antivirus in there. I'm using Avast! these days for myself, but if I don't have the person there to set it up with their E-mail or I'm just being lazy I'll put AVG in there, like I did tonight. The next set is a no brainer for Windows users.

I mean the common stuff for Windows starts the same. I update every high priority Widows Update that I can. SP3 for XP is a long one, especially for older computers, but I install it. Then I usually install all the .net framework shit in the recommended updates. I've found a few programs that need them so I just put them in, they never seem to be too big a deal to get in there.

From there is where everyone, at least Window's users may vary.

I usually will open the case up one last time to check the wires, make sure connections are solid and check to see if I can add any 70mm case fans. I buy them in cheap, almost in bulk and leave them with my computer shit. There's always SOMEONE who needs another fan to move air.

I always install CCCP(Combined Community Codec Pack), Adobe Reader, Flash Player, Java and I've been installing SUPERAntiSpyware for awhile now too. I just like it.

Now we move onto software. I always throw in the latest Windows Office that I have. Always have to have Adobe Photoshop, up to CS3 personally. iTunes. WinZip. Latest version of Nero I have. BitTorrent, which is just the bit torrent app I prefer. AIM even though I never open it except to send files back and forth to one friend.

Personal crap I install is shit like World of Warcraft, Dawn of War if I feel like it, the last 2 Call of Duty installments, that shit, but that's not ever system I send out obviously.

So what about other computer builders?

[PapaBear]

Most of what Moe said. Plus Audacity 1.3 Beta, CCleaner, Avast, Zone Alarm, Spybot Search and Destroy, Firefox with a plug in for downloading Youtube videos, and Any Video Converter for starters.

[PapaBear]

I'm using Avast! these days for myself, but if I don't have the person there to set it up with their E-mail or I'm just being lazy I'll put AVG in there, like I did tonight.
I've set up a bunch of other people's comps with Avast using my own E-mail. I think I must have about 7 or 8 different license keys registered to my address.

[Death Metal Moe]

Hey man, how long have you been using CCleaner and what is your experience with it. I have yet to delve into the world of registry cleaners.

[Death Metal Moe]

I've set up a bunch of other people's comps with Avast using my own E-mail. I think I must have about 7 or 8 different license keys registered to my address.

Oh shit, fuckin' sweet. I'm gonna dump AVG off my laptop tonight then if it's that easy. Only thing that's been stopping me is figuring out which of my alternate Emails I was going to use to register my lappy with, but if I can use my regular Email it'll be simple.

[PapaBear]

Hey man, how long have you been using CCleaner and what is your experience with it. I have yet to delve into the world of registry cleaners.
I've been using it for years. It's easy and works great. When installing it, make sure you uncheck Yahoo toolbar, though. Unless you want it, of course. Most of the time, I only check about half of the things it lets you clean, but even when I check all of the boxes, it never does anything to mess up my comp. Plus, you can back up all of the changes you make. I keep a permanent folder to store all of the back ups.

[Space Edge]

CCleaner rules it's one of those must have virus/spyware type programs.

[boosterp]

AV software first and foremost.

Run Win update, drink a 6 pack of beer and watch a movie while waiting.

Firefox with add block and NoScript

System drivers are next, beginning with the vid card, and moving on from there. I dl the most current versions from the websites.

Common tools like Adobe reader/flash, firewall, CCcleaner, etc.

Defrag, drink another couple beers and watch a tv show. Do a full system back up also called "Clean install"

Then dump on everything else and tweak FF to your liking with add ons, etc.

Finally, using MSconfig I control what starts when the computer starts and tweak the Services to my liking.

Over time I get Windows to look like I want it to.

[Death Metal Moe]

OH yea I forgout about MSconfig. I usually just make sure Messenger doesn't start and then as I put stuff on I go in there and turn off whatever is pissing me off.

[KnoxHarrington]

Either Mac or Windows, the first program I download and install is Firefox.

(One thing Linux has on them both: that's the browser that comes with it.)

[Death Metal Moe]

Lots of peeps using Firefox. Never liked it, too many problems, always had problems with video. Did they clear that up?

[PapaBear]

OH yea I forgout about MSconfig. I usually just make sure Messenger doesn't start and then as I put stuff on I go in there and turn off whatever is pissing me off.
One thing that pisses me off about MSconfig since XP was created, is that you can't expand the page to see everything without scrolling. I always download WinPatrol. With that, not only can you more easily select what you do and don't want to run in Startup, you don't have to reboot every time you do it. That, and everything you instll in the future (or gets installed maliciously) needs your permission before it will run in Startup.

[PapaBear]

Lots of peeps using Firefox. Never liked it, too many problems, always had problems with video. Did they clear that up?
I had problems up until about a year or two ago. I tried it and hated it several times. It's flawless for me now.

[KnoxHarrington]

One thing that pisses me off about MSconfig since XP was created, is that you can't expand the page to see everything without scrolling. I always download WinPatrol. With that, not only can you more easily select what you do and don't want to run in Startup, you don't have to reboot every time you do it. That, and everything you instll in the future (or gets installed maliciously) needs your permission before it will run in Startup.

One reason I really like Dells for PC's is that they're relatively junk software free, and, besides, Windows comes to you on a disk by itself, not in some bullshit "restore" disk. So you can always just format the drive and install Windows clean right away.

[KnoxHarrington]

I had problems up until about a year or two ago. I tried it and hated it several times. It's flawless for me now.

It's also one of the few programs originally written for the PC that runs as well in the Mac. And it runs even better in Linux.

[Death Metal Moe]

One reason I really like Dells for PC's is that they're relatively junk software free, and, besides, Windows comes to you on a disk by itself, not in some bullshit "restore" disk. So you can always just format the drive and install Windows clean right away.

I miss the days of an actual installer disc. My HP laptop didn't even come with a Window's disc.

Not that THAT is a problem but ya know, I fucking PAID for Vista, I want the fucking installer disc! They expect me to send it to them if I have to reformat? Fuck you.

[PapaBear]

I miss the days of an actual installer disc. My HP laptop didn't even come with a Window's disc.

Not that THAT is a problem but ya know, I fucking PAID for Vista, I want the fucking installer disc! They expect me to send it to them if I have to reformat? Fuck you.
HA! I run into that problem when fixing other people's comps all the time. As for myself, I haven't bought a computer since 2000. I've built every one I've had since. I've used the same XP disc for the last 4 computers. My boss had all these XP product keys from his restaurant system that he wasn't using. I'd either pay about 20 bucks for a key, or fix something in exchange for one.

[Death Metal Moe]

HA! I run into that problem when fixing other people's comps all the time. As for myself, I haven't bought a computer since 2000. I've built every one I've had since. I've used the same XP disc for the last 4 computers. My boss had all these XP product keys from his restaurant system that he wasn't using. I'd either pay about 20 bucks for a key, or fix something in exchange for one.

You're supposed to PAY for registry keys?

[SatCam]

I usually change the background and turn off all the sounds

[Death Metal Moe]

I usually change the background and turn off all the sounds

Yea, it's usually a black backgroud for me, until I find something kewl and put it up for awhile. And yea, most of the sounds suck, especially that navigation click sucks.

[PapaBear]

Navigation clicks? Only thing I ever hear is the click of the mouse button.

[nixonfingers]

Once the OS (WinXP) is installed, I install the drivers. After the drivers comes the latest Service Pack. Then comes the updating. I install all critical and many of the recommended updates including .NET framework. I update IE and WMP as well.

The first non-OS software put on the system is the anti-virus. AVG is my recommendation because it allows automatic scanning right "out-of-the-box". Set it and forget it for the most part. I will also install Adobe Reader, Java and whatever disc-burning software that came with the DVD burner. If the system I'm building is for someone else I don't add anything unless it is requested. (I haven't built a system for a client in quite awhile. I usually just recommend buying a name-brand computer these days.)

If the box is for myself, however, I have to have Firefox, Irfanview, Notetab, Winamp, uTorrent, Limewire, 7-Zip, CCleaner, FileZilla, and K-Lite Codec Pack. All of these are installed before anything else.

A tweak I always do is to turn off indexing.

[biggestmexi]

Control Panel>System>Advance>Performance> Uncheck everything cept last box.

firefox
-no script
-flash block
-ad block plus
-fire gestures
-WOT

Avast.

utorrent
-winrar
-poweriso
-Combined Community Codec


Coretemp, real temp, BlackBox HWM, CPU-Z, Speed Fan, Si software,

Photoshop.

Office. (so i can use a real email account)

[ANC]

For boxes at work:

If there is a newer version of the BIOS I'll flash it
Windows OS, latest Service Pack and latest updates
Device Drivers
Antivirus (Symantec Corporate)
Latest IE
Adobe Reader
Flash Player
MS Office 2003 SP3
SnagIt

plus any of our business software.

Typically I use ghost images and update them systematically.

If it's for me, all of the above plus Photoshop, DVDShrink, uTorrent.

[instrument]

Foxmarks, adblock plus, and vlc player player, every os.

[JohnGacysCrawlSpace]

1. Firefox
2. Spybot Search & Destroy
3. Spyware Blaster
4. Ghost Surf
5. Porn

[Goatweed]

Nod32, VLC player, k-lite codec pack, alcohol 120, ezcd ripper, firefox + adblock, ccleaner, glary utilities.

Once I've got the essentials installed I'll run Win Update, assuming I havent installed a slipstreamed build with SP3, I'll install that - if I have I'll just apply the security patches.

I'm building a new PC now but I'll be running Vista Ultimate 64 bit - hopefully I'll be able to run all those apps under the XP compatability setting.

[biggestmexi]

why do you people all get those anti everythings?

[underdog]

why do you people all get those anti everythings?

What?

[SatCam]

why do you people all get those anti everythings?

we live in a negative society my friend

[underdog]

why do you people all get those anti everythings?

What?

[Devo37]

a few look & feel things for my own pc's:

- change the appearance to Windows Classic Style
- in Taskbar & Start Menu, uncheck Group Similar Buttons, switch the Start Menu to Classic Start Menu (and uncheck Personalized Menus)
- install Adolix Wallpaper Changer and my space-theme wallpapers
- replace the default sounds with some of my own sounds that i made
- move everything in the start menu & desktop from All Users into my own userid's folders
- in Folder Options, choose Open Each Folder in its own Window

[underdog]

why do you people all get those anti everythings?

This post still makes no fucking sense. Will you ever explain yourself?

[hanso]

When I do a new os.
I go to pcpitstop site, the scan will show settings that are needed for safety when scan is done.

[Melk]

why do you people all get those anti everythings?
I know what you mean, man. All these guys with their anti-virus and spyware-buster software... it is like the computer equivalent of wearing a skirt if ya ask me! If my computer gets a virus, I just shove Aspirin in its DVDROM tray... PROBLEM SOLVED! It builds character!

[styckx]

Install OS.. Install sound, motherboard, graphic drivers. Check device manager to see if I missed any devices that need drivers. Run windows update and make sure I've got everything up to date. Install Firefox. .Close IE forever. Disable desktop icons, install Ultramon, setup wallpapers. Install RocketDock(http://rocketdock.com/) and customize accordingly. Avast, Winamp, Slingplayer, then games accordingly.

[CountryBob]

Is Limewire safe to use? i had it for a few years and then saw a new report on how a family's IRS info was pulled out of their computer through Limewire and used by pirates to take $$ out of their account and other things. It made me get it off mny computer along with a few hundred songs. I miss it - does anyone fear thsi program or am I just overreacting?

[Death Metal Moe]

Is Limewire safe to use? i had it for a few years and then saw a new report on how a family's IRS info was pulled out of their computer through Limewire and used by pirates to take $$ out of their account and other things. It made me get it off mny computer along with a few hundred songs. I miss it - does anyone fear thsi program or am I just overreacting?

I don't like Limewire and other Person to Person programs. It's easier to track.

Look up torrents, much harder to track.

[ToiletCrusher]

PC side -

all windows updates
Anti-Virus
firefox
VLC player
Adobe flash/shockwave

and so on.

Never had to reinstall Mac OS but I assume I would...

firefox
VLC player
flash and shockwave
soundflowerbed

and that's it i think.

[PapaBear]

I just tried a new in the past couple of days. Advanced System Care Free 3.4.2 (http://download.cnet.com/Advanced-SystemCare-Free/3000-2086_4-10407614.html?tag=mncol). It covers a LOT of different stuff. One thing I liked in particular, is that it optimizes your RAM. Before running it, my meter was normally sitting at about 50% most of the time. After running it, it sits between 25 and 35% used, unless I'm running a lot of applications. I haven't explored everything that it does yet, but I've liked everything so far (though I did skip the defrag, since I'm happy with my Auslogics defrag program).

[hanso]

I had to redo mine not long ago. First thing I did was uninstall/delete anything that comes free with the setup that is deemed to be spyware /malware.