New Laptop - Guidance/Help.

freaky_stuff

I was boutght a laptop for my 21st, a Toshiba Satellite L350D.

Anyway, i thought when you bought computers they have programmes like word and excel on them. but this one says that i need to install a product key or purchase the package online.

Does anyone knwo where i find the product key, or do i have to pay for these programmes. Any help will be appreciated, as i know nothing about computers.

Second problem is that i am using the MCAfee security free for 1 yr with sky, but the other day a screen appeared from windows saying i had trojans and needed to download something to remove them, however when i scan the computer with MCafee it does not find anything, Should i remove it and replace it with another programmme like AVG.

Viper_7

You more than likely have Microsoft WORKS installed rather than office, and may have a demo version of office which will require you to empty your wallet to obtain a license for it.

Regarding the "trojan" sure this wasn't just a pop up advert? If you have Mcfee security free for a year, there is no need to download anything to remove any gremlins and as you found, it found nothing when you ran it.

First thing I do is remove the Security software supplied and install one of the many good free products out there - like AVG. Get sick and tired of the supplied security software asking for you to register it/pay after a year etc.
Vipes

isofa

Unless a computer package specifically mentions it comes with a suite such as Microsoft Office, then in nearly all cases they don't. This is standard across the industry, whether it be a PC, Mac or other computer - because there are thousands of packages a user might want. You are usually buying the computer and operating system and little else. But more often than not, the PC is filled with "crap-ware" i.e. trials of many packages you may never use, but often you'll get Microsoft Works, which will include Word, but then only very limited database and spreadsheet applications, nothing like Microsoft Office.

If you want the full version of office you'll have to buy it, there are cheaper Home/Student editions available from various shops (including Amazon) which will save you hundreds on the commercial retail price.

As loaner mentions, there are good free alternatives to most packages, Open Office is excellent.

Personally I'd remove McAfee and replace with AVG Free, but also install some anti-spyware scanners, such as SpyBot S+D, AdAware etc.

Browntoa

that malware warning is a false one

if it keeps popping up ten you need one of the specialist removal tools, combixfix

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=152072

Viper_7

just thinking.... the laptop may have been poorly set up by the manufacturers/suppliers and the initial registration key not entered for the pre-installed software
You should have a disk with it; this will have the registration key on it. Worth a shot.

isofa

Many laptops come with Microsoft Office 2007 Ready which is a 60 day free trial, and no doubt will ask for a serial number, to ensure you purchase, I suspect that is what the OP will have.

(If you don't purchase within 60 days the software will stop functioning)

wacko911

Get openoffice its free

freaky_stuff

thanks for all you help, ill try the open office.

The trojan pop up only came up once and it appeared in a Windows Vista screen. It told me to click on a button to remove them, but nothing happened and it has not appeared again.

And Viper, when i got the lapton, it came with the manuals but no disks.

AndyD_OHD

If you're after any specific software try googling for open source (OS) and the kind of software you seek. OS is the way to go...

Robin_T_Cox

Anyway, i thought when you bought computers they have programmes like word and excel on them. but this one says that i need to install a product key or purchase the package online.

If you buy a computer with Linux pre-loaded, you will get a suite of software as well, which will include word processing and spreadsheet. Dell, for instance, now offer PCs with Ubuntu Linux pre-loaded, which includes Open Office. So you won't need to pay extra for the software you require, or have to install it yourself.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/07/18/dell_adds_ubuntu_systems_updates_hardy_heron/