New Computer - Which Programs??

mac123

Hi

Just got this new PC and wondered what programs to download as it's brand new?? Also, does th built in digital tv card mean i can watch tv on it and do i still need a router (as i use my laptop wirelessly)

PHILIPS LS1500 Entertainment PC & Monitor

Processor Type Intel Pentium 4 Processor 930
Clock-Speed 3.4GHz
Front Side BUS 800MHz
Cache 2 mb
Operating-System Windows XP Media Centre Edition
RAM Memory 1024 mb
Hard Disk Capacity 300 Gb
Optical Drive 1 Multi-Format Dual Layer DVD Re-Writer Drive
Plug In Removable Hard Drive No
Built-in TV Tuner Yes
Built-in Digital TV Tuner Yes
Remote Control Yes
802.11g Wireless Network Ready Yes
Graphics Memory 256 mb
Graphics Description ATI X700
Sound Card Realtek ALC655 6-channel audio CODEC
Soundcard included No
Media Card Reader 9-In-1
Built-In HP Docking Station No
No of USB connections 6
No of PCI Slots 3
No. of Firewire Connections 2
Keyboard Yes
Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Yes
Mouse Yes
Height 360 mm
Width 108 mm
Depth 440 mm
Network LAN On Board LAN
Software Titles Included MS Works 8.0

Cheers

xycom1

Download only what you need - the more superfluous junk you put on it, the slower it will get...!

Yes, the digital TV card will mean that you can watch Freeview channels on the machine. You may need an outdoor aerial connection or an amplified aerial if your signal is poor, or might just get away with a bog standard indoor one if you live in a good signal area. There should be a green 'Media Centre' icon on the desktop - maybe a remote control with the machine too? - just press the green button and then follow the instructions to set up the signal, etc.

silverfoxdude

I ALWAYS download, AVG, Zonealarm and Mozilla.

penrhyn

ccleaner, ewido antimalware, Spybot S&D.
Firefox, Google Earth, Picasa 2.

Reluctant_spender

This is almost an endless list, my current favs are;

NOD32 anti vrus

Ewido - anti trojan

Spybot, Adaware, Microsoft Defender, SpywareBlaster and SpywareGuard - spyware/malware etc

Kerio Firewall