Brand new PC

[Cozak]

Not sure if i should post this here, but im a computer newbie and dont want my brand new comp to turn into something like this one

Currently having a PC built for me by a local PC shop, this one is 6 years old now needing a new one badly The shop will install windows XP for me but i need to know what i should do before i hook it up to the internet to stop it getting loaded with viruses. Any help is greatly appreciated where to buy firewalls from and such

 

[Iceforge]

Use your old PC if it have a cd-burner and try and get Avast (Avast.com) for constant virus checking, maybe back it up with Norton Antivirus, if you have it or the money for it, also very good program.

 

[elbeek]

If u are on DSL and can stump up the cash, get a router with built in modem/NAT firewall. Netgear are very good and reasonably priced.

I would avoid Nortons like the plague, it has become a system hog and I have had more problems since version 2003. Lots of good AV packages available on the net, search around for things like Trend Micro or similar.

As with all viruses, avoid opening any attachments unless you know who sent them. Keep your virus definitions up to date and you should avoid any nasty surprises.

 

[Invisibul]

Yup, install an Anti-Virus program,
some hardware that will help

if ur on DSL
if ur on cable

i seriously reccomend either of these 2 products and nothing else.
if ur not in the UK then i'm sure u can find a site or shop with these models of routers/modems in good luck

 

[Cozak]

Thanks for the great replys guys much appreciated

 

[Kami]

Totally agree with the guys above get a hardware firewall with NAT, had one for 3 years now and never had a problem. Antivirus wise I'd recommended getting MacAfee as you can tell it to update automatically or if like me you hate AV programs running all the time just update it manually when you feel the need.

If you're serious about AV protection though the best thing you can do is not to use the standard microsoft programs, so instead of:

Internet explorer - use Mozilla Firefox (free and far better than IE ever will be).
Outlook/Outlook express - use Thunderbird with junk mail filtering (free and has saved me reading over 11000 junk emails in the past year).

 

[Daedalus]

Yeah, and make sure that your new PC has at least 512 MB ram (preferably 1024) and a good videocard (ie, not an embedded/onboard one).

 

[Cozak]

Yeah, and make sure that your new PC has at least 512 MB ram (preferably 1024) and a good videocard (ie, not an embedded/onboard one).

Athlon 64 S754 3000+
AMD 64 K8T800 A64 S754 8X OBS Gigabit Lan S-ATA
Kingston 512MB DDR PC400, x3
160GB 7200Rpm UDMA133 8MB Cache
GeForce FX 5600 256mb
System Case 350W
CD-Rom x52 Oem
FDD 3.5'' Drive
Windows XP pr0
Build & Test
Standard new system warranty (12 months P&L plus lifetime phone support)

No idea what most of that means just copied it off the sheet the computer shop gave me

 

[Gengi]

That from the shop in the Metro Centre ? who's name escapes me
I am sure I will be jumped on if wrong, but are AMD going to a 939 pin chip connection thing as standard as opposed to the 754 ?
And you may be looking at upgrading your graphics card sooner than you think, the FX5600's are quite old now, Maughan Micro,? is the name of the shop I knew it would come to me eventually.

Have fun with the new system, and take the AV, firewall, Router advice that has already been given.

Later

 

[Cozak]

Nope its just a lil shop in Tynemouth called PC 4 U

 

[Hawkwind]

Athlon 64 S754 3000+
AMD 64 K8T800 A64 S754 8X OBS Gigabit Lan S-ATA
Kingston 512MB DDR PC400, x3
160GB 7200Rpm UDMA133 8MB Cache
GeForce FX 5600 256mb
System Case 350W
CD-Rom x52 Oem
FDD 3.5'' Drive
Windows XP pr0
Build & Test
Standard new system warranty (12 months P&L plus lifetime phone support)

No idea what most of that means just copied it off the sheet the computer shop gave me

Hope that Ram is not Kingston 'valueRam'. Athlons are very picky when it comes to RAM. Thought my 1024 Mb of Kingston was fine until I upgraded the video card. I First upgraded with a Radeon after hearing good reports. Then the comp kept crashing out of games or just hanging. Only during very intensive graphics in the games. I obviously thought the video card was to blame so went out and purchased a NV 5750 Ultra. I bought the Radeon in Paris whilst there on business and could not take it back for at least a month . This was with a Gigabyte KN8 Pro MoBo with nForce 3 chipset. When the NV showed the same results I started searching the web for answers. Tomshardware.com had some good articles on the Athlon64's and MB combo's with makes of RAM that caused problems. Only wish I read it before I built mine

http://www20.tomshardware.com/motherboard/20040112/index.html

I went for some low latency Geil memory in the end and now have no problems.

Good luck.

Edit: think the Mobo should be K8N Pro.

 

[Escape]

I am sure I will be jumped on if wrong, but are AMD going to a 939 pin chip connection thing as standard as opposed to the 754 ?

AMD have already switched to 939. The 754's are still good value but redundant. If you want a system which you can upgrade in the long run, buy 939! As mentioned above, it's worth investing in a newer graphics card, I think some of the GeForce 6800's are going for about £250 - I haven't checked prices recently but that's the type of card you should be aiming for. Otherwise ATI Radeon 9800Pros are quite cheap now, those are good at around £130

To compare prices/specs, I normally use Overclockers. Their forums are good for a quick search on items/opinions.

imo, you should start building your own PCs... it's really easy to do and motherboards come with decent installation manuals. At the very least, you should know how to install windows and reinstall it regularly



Security: if you're paranoid, get a hardware router/firewall.
For an easy fix, use something like Zonealaram which is free and easy to use. I haven't used any Anti virus for years and haven't been infected by viruses. It's just a matter of being carefull of what you download. Not a real solution though, I use NOD32 when I can be bothered It's pretty neat and has positive reviews all round. You can download a free trial, PM if you need links etc

 

[Adorith]

Every time a person unfamiliar to computers is told not to use antivirus a support technician dies.
I know people who said "Hey, I don't run antivirus and haven't had a virus ever!", but when they actually install one and scan they have 15+ trojans and whatnot. Oops. Not saying that you have any but I wouldn't recommend a computer newbie not to get antivirus. Being careful with what you download goes a long way though.

 

[Cozak]

Hope that Ram is not Kingston 'valueRam'. Athlons are very picky when it comes to RAM. Thought my 1024 Mb of Kingston was fine until I upgraded the video card. I First upgraded with a Radeon after hearing good reports. Then the comp kept crashing out of games or just hanging. Only during very intensive graphics in the games. I obviously thought the video card was to blame so went out and purchased a NV 5750 Ultra. I bought the Radeon in Paris whilst there on business and could not take it back for at least a month . This was with a Gigabyte KN8 Pro MoBo with nForce 3 chipset. When the NV showed the same results I started searching the web for answers. Tomshardware.com had some good articles on the Athlon64's and MB combo's with makes of RAM that caused problems. Only wish I read it before I built mine

http://www20.tomshardware.com/motherboard/20040112/index.html

I went for some low latency Geil memory in the end and now have no problems.

Good luck.

Edit: think the Mobo should be K8N Pro.

Il ask the fella at the shop about the valueram to check it isnt that, thanks for the heads up