Brand new laptop-want to keep it 'nice'.

Emuchops

Due one of my dogs breaking my 6yr old laptop yesterday, I have had to shake the moths out of my wallet and buy a new one today (and boy, did I get the hard sell on 'accessories'!) Anyway, I would like to know if anyone has any suggestions about stuff to install/avoid, to keep it running 'cleanly'. I have installed the free Avast anti virus and the Windows firewall is on, but I'm not sure what other 'housekeeping' may be needed, like anti Spyware or something.
I'm using Google Chrome and just use it for surfing, writing etc-no gaming or anything.
Its a HP Pavillion G6 1247SA, you'll all probably say that it's the worst one to get, but being as I didn't have the internet, I couldn't research the purchase...but so far I'm very pleased. They've really come on in the last 6 years.

SteveJH200

You will get loads of replies here - firstly, make sure that Defender is disabled as you don't want that running as well as Avast. The laptop will also have loads of 'bloatware' on it so you can uninstall what you don't want to keep.

knightstyle

Plus consider a thin film type protector that goes over the keyboard. This stops dust and spilt drinks getting in.

bat999

Emuchops wrote: »

Anyway, I would like to know if anyone has any suggestions about stuff to install/avoid, to keep it running 'cleanly'.

Hi
Many people run CCleaner every now and again.
From here ---> http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner

closed

create the recovery discs, and do a windows system image backup

what happened to the old one

Emuchops

closed wrote: »

create the recovery discs, and do a windows system image backup

what happened to the old one

Hello Closed-sorry, no idea what you mean....can you rephrase so that a complete spanner can understand it?
In answer to your question it was open on the floor and the dog ran over it, slamming the lid backwards into the slate floor. Screen looked broken but wasn't, but LCD? behind screen was all fragmented and blotchy. Someone I know thinks that they may be able to fit a new screen as the base/keyboard part was completely untouched.

Notmyrealname

Get a can of compressed air (air duster) and once every 6 to 8 weeks just give the fan and heatsink a quick blow out.

closed

It will probably work plugged into an external screen, or modern tv if you wan't to get any data from it.

If the new machine didn't come with any windows discs, then it should have a means to create one using a blank dvd, you may need it one day - see the manual - how varies depending on the manufacturer.

windows system image backup - http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/1838/using-backup-and-restore-in-windows-7/, create a system image/system repair disc

macman

Hard sell on accessories?...I smell PCW!
I hope you are not expecting any meaningful after-sales support...

PROLIANT

Keep off !!!!!! and warez sites, in fact don't plug it in to the internet.
Keep it in the box and it will last a lifetime.

macman

And don't let the dog use it...