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  • bludroptop

    July 20, 2009 2:18 p.m. bludroptop Dork

    I've had a company issued laptop for over a decade, and a 'family' PC at home since Windows 3.1, but I've never owned my very own - all mine (!) - computer.

    Until today.

    I bought a cheapo laptop at Best Buy. Haven't even opened the box yet. I probably need to download some security utilities right away - what would you recommend, preferably free.

    What else would you do from the beginning with a new machine?

    OS is Vista Premium w/SP1. Apparently I can get free upgrade to Windows 7 if I want. I doubt I will, but who knows. Switching to Linux or some other OS is beyond my skill level, so please try to keep your suggestions to something your dottering old grand-dad could understand. Thanks in advance!

  • 81gtv6

    July 20, 2009 3:14 p.m. 81gtv6 Reader

    First on the list would be Avast, it is a free antivirus software, after you install it uninstall whatever came on the machine.. Second get another web browser, firefox, Chrome, ect. Those two things will protect you most of the crap that is out there.

    I also uninstall all of the "helper" software that mfgs install on new machines. As for the free upgrade to Windows 7, go ahead and get it. Its free and you don't ever have to install it but at least you will have the option in the future.

    That should get you on the right track. Have fun.

  • Salanis

    July 20, 2009 4:34 p.m. Salanis UltraDork

    Replace Vista with something else. I don't know enough about Win 7 yet. I would actually recommend XP Pro. You can typically pick up a copy with a legit CD Key for $20-$30 on Craigslist. It is nowhere near as bloated as Vista.

    Then a bit of free software to protect yourself. Firefox for a browser. Spybot Search & Destroy to inoculate and purge spyware. Zone Alarm personal firewall to control inbound/outbound traffic on your computer.

    Zone Alarm is one of the big ones for me. It requires your permission before a program can access the internet, or an outside IP address can access your computer (you can tell it to remember settings). That first keeps people from accessing your machine. It also prevents programs from downloading and sharing information you don't want. I actually find I don't need antivirus software with Zone Alarm.

    Also, whenever possible, connect your computer to the internet through a router. A nice router serves as a good firewall.

  • aircooled

    July 20, 2009 4:36 p.m. aircooled SuperDork

    The Window 7 upgrade is probably a good idea (late October is the release I believe) since it is basically an improved form of Vista in almost every way, including laptop battery life from what I read. It should be a pretty easy upgrade from VIsta.

  • rebelgtp

    July 20, 2009 4:52 p.m. rebelgtp Dork

    I would actually ( I can't believe I'm saying this) recommend getting the Windows 7 upgrade and installing it instead of Vista. I ran the beta solid from the start back in Jan until June and it never crashed on me one time. That includes when I was working with image files over 500 meg each and had 4 or 5 of them open, enough to kill most systems. I am now running the release candidate which is still very solid and handling everything I can throw at it. The only glitch I have had is the media player crash once.

    I just picked up a new system myself that should qualify for this as well and I will be taking advantage of it.

  • Johnboyjjb

    July 20, 2009 5:01 p.m. Johnboyjjb New Reader

    I've had better luck with AVG Free than Avast. Definitely go with Firefox or some other browser. And I too have been rather happy with Windows 7 despite hating Vista. OpenOffice gives you a free office suite that will work with Word files and others. I also normally install Glary utilities and Malwarebytes anti-malware, but I don't know if they will work with Windows 7 yet.

  • Tom_Spangler

    July 20, 2009 9:41 p.m. Tom_Spangler Reader

    Johnboyjjb wrote:

    I've had better luck with AVG Free than Avast.

    Same here. I haven't been able to find a copy of Avast that doesn't expire after 90 days or something.

    Easy way to get a lot of this stuff is to get Google Pack, you'll get Firefox, Picasa, and a few other useful freeware apps, including some kind of spyware scanner. And it's quick and easy.

  • 81gtv6

    July 21, 2009 7:45 a.m. 81gtv6 Reader

    With Avast you have 90 days to "register" it. You tell them your name and how you found out about the software and you are good for a year I think. I like Avast because it does not seem to bog down machines like alot of other AVS and it updates without me having to do anything. Plus the voice coming out of the computer saying "Virus has been detected" scares the crap out of poeple , good fun.

  • GameboyRMH

    July 21, 2009 9:53 a.m. GameboyRMH SuperDork

    +1 on replacing Vista with XP Pro or 7. Vista's UI can be a huge PITA and it's a resource hog.

    I think installing Ubuntu isn't above your skill level, the hardest parts are burning the CD and making your computer boot from it, and it would make things FAR easier for you in the future if it's just a web/email/docs pc.

  • therex

    July 21, 2009 10:07 a.m. therex SuperDork

    Am I the only person on the planet who doesn't mind Vista?

    Admittedly, I've got a E36 M3 ton of RAM, but my new desktop has Vista and I like it. It's not slow, it's never crashed on me, (and I keep it powered up pretty much 24/7) and the UI is "neat". I like it.

    I use Ubuntu for my laptop, and while that's nice, my laptop is on its last legs. Soon I'll collect my porn and say a prayer for it as I flush it down the toilet.

  • Tim Baxter

    July 21, 2009 10:10 a.m. Tim Baxter Online Editor

    therex wrote:

    Am I the only person on the planet who doesn't mind Vista?

    Pretty much, yes.

  • Salanis

    July 21, 2009 12:29 p.m. Salanis UltraDork

    Tim Baxter wrote:

    therex wrote:

    Am I the only person on the planet who doesn't mind Vista?

    Pretty much, yes.

    I like how new games have a different set of minimum requirements whether you're running on XP/2000 or Vista. If you're running on Vista, you pretty much need 50% more of everything, just to run the game equally well.

  • neon4891

    July 21, 2009 12:44 p.m. neon4891 UltraDork

    Tim Baxter wrote:

    therex wrote:

    Am I the only person on the planet who doesn't mind Vista?

    Pretty much, yes.

    I have had few issues with it. And the windows games(minesweeper, spider, ect.) are better than XP. I still miss my XP laptop

  • The Brown Stig

    July 21, 2009 12:59 p.m. The Brown Stig MegaDork

    Salanis wrote:

    Tim Baxter wrote:

    therex wrote:

    Am I the only person on the planet who doesn't mind Vista?

    Pretty much, yes.

    I like how new games have a different set of minimum requirements whether you're running on XP/2000 or Vista. If you're running on Vista, you pretty much need 50% more of everything, just to run the game equally well.

    Salanis wrote:

    Tim Baxter wrote:

    therex wrote:

    Am I the only person on the planet who doesn't mind Vista?

    Pretty much, yes.

    I like how new games have a different set of minimum requirements whether you're running on XP/2000 or Vista. If you're running on Vista, you pretty much need 50% more of everything, just to run the game equally well.

    Salanis wrote:

    Tim Baxter wrote:

    therex wrote:

    Am I the only person on the planet who doesn't mind Vista?

    Pretty much, yes.

    I like how new games have a different set of minimum requirements whether you're running on XP/2000 or Vista. If you're running on Vista, you pretty much need 50% more of everything, just to run the game equally well.

    LOLZ

  • Salanis

    July 21, 2009 1:01 p.m. Salanis UltraDork

    The Brown Stig wrote:

    LOLZ

    I got the "Hit It With a Hammer" screen...

 

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