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Just to add to this, when you turn on your new computer, simply follow the on-screen prompts to finish setting up Windows. It's a fairly simple process.
Once connected to the web, you'll want to update your system, and as lachliggity pointed out, this could take some time. Windows 7 has its first service pack already, which may or may not (likely not) come already on the computer. The one thing you will notice is that when you are updating, you'll be restarting your computer a number of times. Each time you restart, there will be more updates. This is because certain updates cannot be installed without the previous updates being present on the machine, so in some cases you'll be updating a part of Windows simply to update with an even later version of the same thing. It's a bit weird and complicated, but it's fairly simple. Again, just follow the on-screen instructions and you will be fine
The next thing you'll want to do is create recovery discs for your system. Each manufacturer creates a partition (section) of the hard drive for system recovery, which will reset your system to its original settings as though it came off the line from the factory. Each manufacturer has their own way of utilizing this. For example, HP uses a "recovery manager" where you can do everything from restore your computer completely to creating recovery discs. Some manufacturers, like Acer, even have alerts pop-up yet to remind you to create recovery discs and such. These discs are essentially a copy of the recovery partition on the hard drive, and can be used in case the partition cannot be accessed. It's important to make these in the event that you have a major system failure. Once you've got that open, again, follow the on-screen instructions and have a few blank DVDs available. Mark them clearly and keep them in a safe spot.
The next thing you'll want to do is install some kind of anti-virus or intenet security software. You can get Microsoft Security Essentials off the Windows website (www.microsoft.ca) to help fill the gap if you're deciding on a program to buy. If you want, you can stick with this program, as it's free and works reasonably well compared to other free software. Most computers come with a 30 or 60 day trial of some kind of paid anti-virus program (usually Norton). It's up to you whether you wish to make use of this or not.
After that, you'll probably want to get rid of some of the bloatware that was installed - things like (competitor), gamespy, etc. For that, go into you control panel and find the programs that you don't need or want and uninstall them. If you're not sure, leave it alone and feel free to ask here if it's something you need for the computer to run properly.
Then you'll want to ensure to get the latest versions of Adobe Flash player and Adobe reader, as well as make sure that Java is up to date. In addition, you can look at getting yourself Microsoft Office in order for you to process word documents, excel spreadsheets and powerpoint presentations. A lot of new computers have been coming with Office starter instead of the trial, and for the most part, that works well. If you need something more, Microsoft Office is avaiilable at your local Future Shop. There are a few different versions, but for the average user, stcik with the Home and Student edition. Anything else will likely have more than you need and cost more than you want.
If you don't feel like doing all the basic stuff (finishing setting up Windows, updating the system, creating recovery discs, etc), you can always bring the computer into Future Shop and the ConnectPro technicians would be more than happy to set it up for you, for a small fee.
I hope this helps, and I hope you enjoy whatever computer you end up going with. It's always exciting to open up the box and pull out a new computer and turn it on for the first time. Good luck, and don't hesitate to come and ask us any questions you may have
JB
Once connected to the web, you'll want to update your system, and as lachliggity pointed out, this could take some time. Windows 7 has its first service pack already, which may or may not (likely not) come already on the computer. The one thing you will notice is that when you are updating, you'll be restarting your computer a number of times. Each time you restart, there will be more updates. This is because certain updates cannot be installed without the previous updates being present on the machine, so in some cases you'll be updating a part of Windows simply to update with an even later version of the same thing. It's a bit weird and complicated, but it's fairly simple. Again, just follow the on-screen instructions and you will be fine
The next thing you'll want to do is create recovery discs for your system. Each manufacturer creates a partition (section) of the hard drive for system recovery, which will reset your system to its original settings as though it came off the line from the factory. Each manufacturer has their own way of utilizing this. For example, HP uses a "recovery manager" where you can do everything from restore your computer completely to creating recovery discs. Some manufacturers, like Acer, even have alerts pop-up yet to remind you to create recovery discs and such. These discs are essentially a copy of the recovery partition on the hard drive, and can be used in case the partition cannot be accessed. It's important to make these in the event that you have a major system failure. Once you've got that open, again, follow the on-screen instructions and have a few blank DVDs available. Mark them clearly and keep them in a safe spot.
The next thing you'll want to do is install some kind of anti-virus or intenet security software. You can get Microsoft Security Essentials off the Windows website (www.microsoft.ca) to help fill the gap if you're deciding on a program to buy. If you want, you can stick with this program, as it's free and works reasonably well compared to other free software. Most computers come with a 30 or 60 day trial of some kind of paid anti-virus program (usually Norton). It's up to you whether you wish to make use of this or not.
After that, you'll probably want to get rid of some of the bloatware that was installed - things like (competitor), gamespy, etc. For that, go into you control panel and find the programs that you don't need or want and uninstall them. If you're not sure, leave it alone and feel free to ask here if it's something you need for the computer to run properly.
Then you'll want to ensure to get the latest versions of Adobe Flash player and Adobe reader, as well as make sure that Java is up to date. In addition, you can look at getting yourself Microsoft Office in order for you to process word documents, excel spreadsheets and powerpoint presentations. A lot of new computers have been coming with Office starter instead of the trial, and for the most part, that works well. If you need something more, Microsoft Office is avaiilable at your local Future Shop. There are a few different versions, but for the average user, stcik with the Home and Student edition. Anything else will likely have more than you need and cost more than you want.
If you don't feel like doing all the basic stuff (finishing setting up Windows, updating the system, creating recovery discs, etc), you can always bring the computer into Future Shop and the ConnectPro technicians would be more than happy to set it up for you, for a small fee.
I hope this helps, and I hope you enjoy whatever computer you end up going with. It's always exciting to open up the box and pull out a new computer and turn it on for the first time. Good luck, and don't hesitate to come and ask us any questions you may have
JB
