New Dell laptop - what do I need to do first?

HUFCsteve

Just plugged in my new Dell Studio. Not the most techie person in the world (understatement). Have managed to set up AntiVirus and get connected. However, it's prompting me to set my Backup. Is there anything else I need to do before I set this?!? And do I use a blank DVD?

[Deleted User]

Did Dell give you any restore DVDs with the computer? If not, then yes you should create a backup disk (using a blank DVD). If they did give you a restore disk (it probably says Windows installation disk on it if you have it), then there isn't much point in making a backup at this point (but remember to backup any of your work/pictures/etc as time goes on).

Incidentally, did you just use the antivirus software that came with the computer? They will probably ask you to pay for that after a while, but there is no need to do so - you can use one of the free alternatives mentiond in the sticky post on this forum instead.

HUFCsteve

I've got something called an Operating System Reinstallation DVD. Also, it's suggesting I should backup weekly - is this the norm? I intend to use Avira instead of McAfee.

[Deleted User]

In that case, you don't need to backup now. In general, assuming that you have the reinstallation CDs/DVDs for all your programs, you do not need to backup everything on your computer (as this is time consuming and would use a lot of DVDs very quickly). Instead, just make sure that you keep copies of anything important and irreplacable like your documents, photos, and any downloaded content that you paid for and cannot download again.

Once a week for this kind of thing is probably a good idea, although it would be prudent to backup anything really important as soon as you have created it/downloaded it.

gaming_guy

HUFCsteve wrote: »

I've got something called an Operating System Reinstallation DVD. Also, it's suggesting I should backup weekly - is this the norm? I intend to use Avira instead of McAfee.

Good choice, mcafee is worse than useless.

to uninstall mcafee, you will need this: http://service.mcafee.com/FAQDocument.aspx?id=TS100507

John_Gray

gaming_guy wrote: »

mcafee is worse than useless.

However much you may dislike McAfee it certainly isn't 'useless'. By its own lights, it does a good job. Comparison tests with other antivirus software usually puts it near or in the upper quartile for detection.

What I don't like about it is its enthusiasm for taking over your PC, in the same way that AOL used to do many years ago, and Adobe <whatever> attempts to do now.

But the word 'useless' is inappropriate, and inaccurate.

HUFCsteve

Does that uninstaller work on Windows 7? It doesn't seem to be listed.