New
#21
@Brink
Rule # 7. No Rep begging or abuse of the Rep System.
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Newbie buying Dell desktop some basic questions
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New #22
I'm using Windows 10 May 2019 Update for teaching my Sr. Citizen students. It's written in down-to-earth language.
Amazon Books
BTW, I'm about six years behind ya.
Edit: Disregard the name "Robot Check"; when you click it really does take you to Amazon.com.
Last edited by Barman58; 06 Jan 2020 at 03:15. Reason: Fix Robot Check
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New #26
I’m another “old guy, being almost 92. Almost all of my computers are Dell, and I just purchased a new Dell laptop from
Staples.
All current computers use UEFI firmware. Older computers used something else, which I will call MBR.
Many references (books, online sources, etc.) were written for MBR computers, and detailed instructions usually don’t apply. For example, the excellent Ten Forums tutorial, “Backup and restore a system Image using Macrium Reflect” has steps you cannot follow when using a UEFI computer
You cannot boot from a flash drive when using UEFI computers, so many currently used back up programs will not work. I suggest using Macrium Reflect. Ten Forums recommends it, so support is available here.
Windows 10 comes with Windows Defender (a free “antivirus” program), so you have immediate protection, and it has a good reputation. Dell also provides McAffee whether you want it or not. It is a pay program, so you do need to sign up so they can charge you. I just ignored it.
A limited time Office 365 Home is also installed free. It has a yearly subscription fee, but you have some time to decide what to do. Office 365 Home covers up to 6 people. You can purchase Office 365 personal, which covers 1 person and is cheaper. Look into it while before the end date. Clever advertising people set it up so you will continue using 365 Home. I bought Office 365 Personal from Best buy. It is a stiff card
There are free Office type programs available, but try them out before you commit. I tried Open Office in my brief foray into Linux, and much preferred Microsoft Office.
When you start up your new Dell computer the first time, the desktop is not seen. The screen has a solid blue background, and Cortana asks you questions. You will not see the desktop until the questions are answered, even if you restart the computer. My most difficult question was providing the password for my modem or router. I don’t
know which, since I have a combination unit. Use your existing computer to get this information.
You will have a basic Dell warranty, and manuals for your computer are available at the Dell support site.
Jim
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New #27
One correction. You can, and I do, boot from USB flash drives with UEFI BIOS. I do it on a 2 year old Dell laptop and on my home built ASUS motherboard, Desktop.
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New #28
Jim8080;1810476
[I said:
The issue usually is with UEFI comes Safe Mode in the BIOS. Disable it if necessary, and Thumbs/flash drives will boot. It's there, and enabled by default in most cases, to prevent bad guys doing a drive-by (walk-by) attack. Laptops, particularly, are at risk without Safe Mode . If needed, just disable it temp to get the thumb to boot and do your work, then set it back.
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New #30
Frank, when you are ready to set-up your new PC, I recommend you set it up as natural as possible the way it is designed to work.
--- The reason I mention that is a newbie should set up their PC to run as normal as it should.
--- If you have something else specific to set-up you prefer to use, ask about it.
Following are some items to consider.
You might know this already but new PC's come with a limited one-year hardware warranty.
Know ahead of time if you are going to create a Microsoft account or a local admin account.
Allow all applicable Windows Updates to download and install automatically.
--- I haven't delayed any Windows Updates yet and haven't had any problems.
Ensure your Internet Security program runs and protects your PC.
--- I think it's already been mentioned and agree with it: Microsoft Defender is fine.
Once you have the basics completed, create a system image backup onto an external HDD with you PC in pristine condition.
Create a bootable USB Recovery Drive.
Create Recovery Drive in Windows 10
During the process, ensure Backup system files to the recovery drive is checked when you get to that point.
The purpose being
Even if your PC can’t start you can use a recovery drive to reset it or troubleshoot problems. If you back up your system files to this drive, you’ll also be able to use it to reinstall windows.
--- Since your new PC will have UEFI, refer to TC's post #28 for having the bootable USB Recovery Drive be bootable.
This information is for later on after you have your PC running the way you wish.
During the week before Patch Tuesday (the 2nd Tuesday of the month), I have a maintenance regimen and then create a system image backup in time before the current Windows Updates of the applicable month.
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