Register - Login
Views: 99865125
 Main - Memberlist - Active users - Calendar - Wiki - IRC Chat - Online users
Ranks - Rules/FAQ - Stats - Latest Posts - Color Chart - Smilies 		05-04-22 05:48:49 PM
Jul - Computers and Technology - When you get a new computer New poll - New thread - New reply
Pages: 1 2Next newer thread | Next older thread
Taryn

Passed away.

Thanks for being a part of us, even if it wasn't always on the best of terms.

1987-2014


Level: 204


Posts: 9409/14742
EXP: 121764916
For next: 1584902

Since: 09-01-09

From: Seattle

Since last post: 10.1 years
Last activity: 9.8 years
Posted on 09-20-10 01:50:47 AM Link | Quote
Are there any things you do pretty much right away?

As for me, with Windows I turn on the viewing of extensions and hidden files, as I find it useful and important to know extensions and I like hidden files to be shown (although all of these damn files called desktop.ini annoy me). Also, I set the keyboard layout to something that allows more non-English characters, as I type letters with diacritics and non-$ currency signs sometimes. Also, I like having something for my desktop background other than the Windows default or the computer company's logo.

What about you?

____________________

TKB Super Mario Bros. • TKB Super Mario Bros., Volume II
hennahacker

Level: 26


Posts: 109/132
EXP: 101243
For next: 1032

Since: 02-20-10

From: The Endless Cabal

Since last post: 6.3 years
Last activity: 6.0 years
Posted on 09-20-10 01:56:25 AM Link | Quote
Most of the above for Windows. I also tidy up the Start menu, recategorise everything. Change the theme to classic Windows and darken it just a little bit. Set all tray icons to be visible and make my taskbar three times as tall. And I set the colour behind my wallpaper (whatever it may be) to black.

For a Mac or Linux system, similar applies.

____________________
I am the sum of my parts, but none of my parts are me.
Post 1157/1311 (42 days), online 2 days ago
Posted on 09-20-10 01:58:46 AM Link | Quote




#55
- Copy all of my stuff over, get all programs working again
- Set the color scheme and wallpaper
- Whenever I'm bored enough, change a few things in system files, like icons or removing some bloat

And of course, what you said But I also set Explorer like this, and repartition the hard disk for a small system partition ...


I don't get new computers too often (got this one last year, and my previous one in 2005), so I can't say much more

____________________
Rick
M'Lord, there's a knife in your head!
Level: 152


Posts: 787/7540
EXP: 43728934
For next: 572726

Since: 02-15-10

From: Maine

Since last post: 8 days
Last activity: 7 days
Posted on 09-20-10 02:07:36 AM Link | Quote
I first bring it all back to the Windows Classic look, then I re-download everything I had before. I typically start with Firefox, then Antivirus software, then AIM and Windows Live Messenger.

Then I move all my files and stuff on it and take care of any programs I forgot to re-download and then I'm good. It never takes too long.

____________________
OoBurns
?
Level: 60


Posts: 724/806
EXP: 1684396
For next: 88382

Since: 07-04-07

From: USA

Since last post: 10.4 years
Last activity: 9.8 years
Posted on 09-20-10 02:09:08 AM Link | Quote
If it's from an OEM, I'll often completely wipe the hard drive and start fresh, for two reasons: Manufacturers often fill the hard drive with backup/recovery/whatever partitions that I don't want, and secondly, manufacturers often fill Windows with a ton of trialware that I don't want either. Once the hard drive is shiny and clean, I can make my customary OS (usually Windows and Linux) and data partitions.

Then it's a matter of tweaking the OS to suit my liking once it's installed. Simply copying (most) everything in my home directory to the new system greatly speeds up the process.

____________________
Danika
6230
Level: 141


Posts: 4416/6235
EXP: 33303390
For next: 816624

Since: 10-23-09


Since last post: 1.2 years
Last activity: 1.2 years
Posted on 09-20-10 02:11:42 AM Link | Quote
- Enable file extensions and show hidden files
- Install all necessary programs
- Switch to Classic mode, and put on a custom color scheme and wallpaper
- Move files over from DVD-R, external hard drive, etc.

That's basically it for me...

____________________
Twitter • YouTube • DeviantArt • The Left Mouse Button
ERROR #1583: Layout down for maintenance.
Taryn

Passed away.

Thanks for being a part of us, even if it wasn't always on the best of terms.

1987-2014


Level: 204


Posts: 9411/14742
EXP: 121764916
For next: 1584902

Since: 09-01-09

From: Seattle

Since last post: 10.1 years
Last activity: 9.8 years
Posted on 09-20-10 02:11:48 AM Link | Quote
Oh yeah, all that damn bloatware.

I always thought that computers should be sold with empty hard drives and you could buy or get whichever OS you wanted. I guess that was too much for new computer buyers to handle.

Also, I don't like the Windows 7 taskbar and how much of a pain it is to access 1 of multiple windows for a single process, so I switched it to the classic taskbar style

____________________

TKB Super Mario Bros. • TKB Super Mario Bros., Volume II
Shadic
Alakadoof?
Level: 151


Posts: 5599/6929
EXP: 42383367
For next: 913109

Since: 07-22-07

Pronouns: he/him
From: Olympia, WA

Since last post: 7 days
Last activity: 2 days
Posted on 09-20-10 02:15:45 AM Link | Quote
Post 1160/1311 (42 days), online 2 days ago
Posted on 09-20-10 02:18:55 AM Link | Quote




#55
I'd have started clean with mine, except Windows came preinstalled and I don't have the install CD or serial ... (I'd have to use a pirated copy instead) But I did make sure to remove the crap that came with it


And you can still do that if you get and assemble the computer parts yourself

____________________
— Bloodstar —
11360
Buy me a trip to the moon
So I can laugh at my mistakes


Post 6774/11363

Joined 07-06-07
Active 15 hours ago
Posted on 09-20-10 02:25:41 AM Link | Quote

  • update to XP SP3

  • crack uxtheme.dll

  • install decent web browsers like Firefox and Chrome

  • install other useful programs, e.g. Miranda IM, Notepad++, WinRAR, and the like

  • look into costs of upgrade paths just in case I ever need to



...yes, I still use XP. If I need a 64-bit OS that badly, I'll run Ubuntu instead.

____________________
GeneriLayout now for yet another limited time woo
Peardian

  
Magikoopa

16/3/1: KvSG #479 is up!

Level: 157


Posts: 3858/7597
EXP: 48609447
For next: 969786

Since: 08-02-07

From: Isle Delfino

Since last post: 12 days
Last activity: 19 hours
Posted on 09-20-10 02:32:51 AM Link | Quote
1. Use System Migration tool to copy over all my exact settings
2. Get remaining programs


I've had to set up my VM three times, so I have it down pretty well. Copying over the settings includes: classic theme with specific palette, Kirby cursor, and general... other settings.

____________________
-Peardian-


"Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see." -Mark Twain


Bagel

Giant Red Paratroopa
without music life would Bb
Level: 75


Posts: 750/1446
EXP: 3802780
For next: 24124

Since: 03-30-09

Pronouns: he/him
From: bear

Since last post: 192 days
Last activity: 7 days
Posted on 09-20-10 03:20:15 AM Link | Quote
- restore all my previous accounts, settings, documents, and apps via my most recent Time Machine backup

- move registrations for things like photoshop from the old computer to the new one

- use computer

____________________
Rena
I had one (1) message in Discord deleted and proceeded to make a huge, huge mess about how it was a violation of free speech and how moderators are supposed to be spam janitors and nobody should have the right to tell me not to talk about school shootings
Level: 135


Posts: 3644/5390
EXP: 29079454
For next: 255551

Since: 07-22-07

Pronouns: he/him/whatever
From: RSP Segment 6

Since last post: 343 days
Last activity: 343 days
Posted on 09-20-10 03:51:04 AM Link | Quote
09-19-10 10:51:04 PM
Post #3644
Two words: Total wipe.

I don't buy preassembled desktops though, but laptops come with junk too.

____________________



[loading witty comment...]
Blag! Like a blog, but better.
Lyskar
12210
-The Chaos within trumps the Chaos without-
Level: 192


Posts: 6482/12211
EXP: 99334399
For next: 539172

Since: 07-03-07

From: 52-2-88-7

Since last post: 7.4 years
Last activity: 7.3 years
Posted on 09-20-10 04:32:47 AM Link | Quote
Stats
Time/Date
09-19-10 10:32:47 PM
Posts
6482
Days Here
1174
Level
118
Metal_Man88's Post
Clone my current XP x64 installation onto the hard drive, both wiping everything out they put in and perfectly preserving my stuff, Agent Smith style.

____________________

Eisnaught - SSQ² - Mobius Roleplay - SSS
Zero One
5170
And as we fall the spirit carries on,
That a hero'll come and save us all,
As we call the ones we left below,
We all dream of the day we rise above
Level: 129


Posts: 1575/5173
EXP: 24575804
For next: 473850

Since: 05-24-10

From: Delta Quadrant

Since last post: 1.6 years
Last activity: 131 days
Posted on 09-20-10 07:30:24 AM Link | Quote
Download all of Microsoft's shit.
Install the latest Avast! Antivirus.
FireFox.
Copy my files from my pen drive to the computer.

Then do everything else as needed.

____________________
"The last Metroid is in captivity."
And yet, the galaxy is STILL fucked.
Thanks Xkeeper, Bagel and Sanky for the help!
Surlent
220
Life over. Continue(s) left: 00
Level: 34


Posts: 191/222
EXP: 242819
For next: 10832

Since: 08-02-07

From: Berlin

Since last post: 8.8 years
Last activity: 8.4 years
Posted on 09-20-10 08:43:46 AM (last edited by Surlent at 09-20-10 05:54 AM) Link | Quote
0.) Have driver CDs ready. For Windows XP and above, this is pretty much not neccessary anymore, if you exclude using SATA drives with XP, which sometimes requires you to have a floppy installed in your machine.
1.) Install Windows, in case of Windows XP having a slipstreamed version with the SP3 included - or I get it to install from a CD or USB, BEFORE I connect the to the internet the first time.
2.) Install or update system drivers.
3.) Set some options in the Control Panel
4.) Running Windows Update
5.) Getting or installing the following applications first:
- Mozilla Firefox
- Mozilla Thunderbird, configuring it to not delete mails from the server if I have to use POP3 instead of IMAP. So I don't lose important stuff if the hard drive fails some day.
- Antivirus, like AntiVir or avast! Free
- Microsoft Office 2007 (I familiarized with the ribbon interface, it is not that bad actually - just sucks if you run a netbook or low-resolution screen without too much height)
- Set swap file to fixed size

That's pretty much the most important things I need first. Although I run Windows 7 x64, I am really satisfied with it.

____________________
paulguy

Green Birdo
Level: 93


Posts: 980/2294
EXP: 8033455
For next: 19355

Since: 09-14-07

From: Buffalo, NY

Since last post: 9.7 years
Last activity: 9.7 years
Posted on 09-20-10 12:16:39 PM Link | Quote
Paulguy's Post configuration
I mostly build computers, but for laptops, I usually do things in this order:

  1. Set theme to classic, set wallpaper to solid black.

  2. Allow viewing of extensions and hidden files.

  3. Removing all the preinstalled Crap.

  4. Install the basic programs I want: Opera/Firefox, 7zip, VLC, CCCP, whatever else I might need. Anything else I'll download as-needed.

  5. Install updates.



____________________
Aoi
Member
Level: 30


Posts: 12/181
EXP: 159840
For next: 6029

Since: 07-18-10


Since last post: 9.9 years
Last activity: 9.9 years
Posted on 09-20-10 07:51:32 PM Link | Quote
Did anyone ever figure out WHY Microsoft thinks it's still a good idea to have 'hide extensions for known file types' enabled by default? (Or even have it as an option?)

Yes, I'll change that setting, and reset Explorer to details view (although Vista's habit of trying to set view and sorting based upon whatever's in the folder can be annoying... and sometimes, just plugging in a USB drive resets ALL the folders to defaults...). Update, tweak, personalize and install the few thousand other programs I use.

Peardian

  
Magikoopa

16/3/1: KvSG #479 is up!

Level: 157


Posts: 3864/7597
EXP: 48609447
For next: 969786

Since: 08-02-07

From: Isle Delfino

Since last post: 12 days
Last activity: 19 hours
Posted on 09-20-10 07:57:17 PM Link | Quote
Originally posted by Aoi
Did anyone ever figure out WHY Microsoft thinks it's still a good idea to have 'hide extensions for known file types' enabled by default? (Or even have it as an option?)

I have it on. I don't really need to see the extension because the icon tells me all I need to know. And if it doesn't? It's showing the file extension.

____________________
-Peardian-


"Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see." -Mark Twain


Darkdata
Ruins!? ♥
Level: 103


Posts: 1753/2892
EXP: 11447584
For next: 23822

Since: 07-04-07


Since last post: 203 days
Last activity: 12 days
Posted on 09-20-10 08:05:21 PM Link | Quote
Originally posted by Peardian
Originally posted by Aoi
Did anyone ever figure out WHY Microsoft thinks it's still a good idea to have 'hide extensions for known file types' enabled by default? (Or even have it as an option?)

I have it on. I don't really need to see the extension because the icon tells me all I need to know. And if it doesn't? It's showing the file extension.


I have an image.jpg.exe for you.

____________________

4 1 2 3
Pages: 1 2Next newer thread | Next older thread
Jul - Computers and Technology - When you get a new computer New poll - New thread - New reply


Rusted Logic

Acmlmboard - commit 47be4dc [2021-08-23]
©2000-2022 Acmlm, Xkeeper, Kaito Sinclaire, et al.

32 database queries, 1 query cache hits.
Query execution time: 0.096647 seconds
Script execution time: 0.044106 seconds
Total render time: 0.140753 seconds