Thread: Computer help
View Single Post
Old 02-03-2006, 08:44 AM   #8
TheMalcolmConnection
I like big (_|_)s.
 
TheMalcolmConnection's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Charlottesville, Virginia
Age: 43
Posts: 19,264
Re: Computer help

If you want a perfectly clean, quick-as-hell system, here is what I do before I prepare a computer for a client.

Do a complete reformat. I'm talking to delete all partitions, format using the NTFS file system and install preferably from a Windows XP Professional CD with Service Pack 2 included. As an aside, Service Pack 2 is about the best spyware protection you can have (in addition to just having knowledge of sites and pop-ups that CAN harm your computer).

After Windows comes up, and asks you to "Take the Tour", just do one part of the tour and quit so the icon will go away. Turn off Desktop Cleanup and "Highlight any New Programs Installed". Right click on "My Computer" and go to properties. Next go to Advanced and then Performance, turn off the first six options (this will increase your menu/minimizing/maximizing performance) and click OK. Next under Advanced, turn off Error Reporting because this feature is only really helpful to extremely advanced computer users and you can find the same information under "Manage" and "Performance Logs and Alerts".

Everyone who stated above about their antivirus/spyware solutions are dead-on. I also prefer AVG however because it is a completely free alternative, and if you're a "good" computer user, you won't get a virus anyway. Spybot and Spywareblaster are two great programs to leave installed, but I'll preface it by saying that as long as you know when a website is trying to install bullshit software on your computer, you should never get spyware installed.

Also, make sure you go to Windows Update and get every Windows update available. Go to the manufacturer site for each one of your devices and get the most updated drivers available. Also, I strongly recommend doing a BIOS update for your machine, especially Dells. These updates will fix any lingering hardware problems that were present when your machine was first built. Also, it can enable you to add more advanced hardware (processor, etc.) in the future.
__________________
Regret nothing. At one time it was exactly what you wanted.
TheMalcolmConnection is offline   Reply With Quote

Advertisements
 
Page generated in 0.99237 seconds with 10 queries