new laptop, what to do??

[GS_BOTT]

Hi, just bought a new laptop today (never had one before), but its all preloaded, with of all things AOL and Norton etc, I know these are rubbish, but what do I do first, reformat it and start again?(read this on here somewhere) It doesn't come with discs as there is a section on the computer where it reloads/recovers from?? as you can tell I'm a bit of a numpty as far as PC's are concerned. any suggestions as to keeping it simple and virus free from day one, without keeping the kids off it? tried to make a recovery disc, but didn't have any compatable DVD's
Next post will be my questions on wireless connections and firewalls, and compatability with a Windows 98 desktop

Thanks in anticipation
Paul

 

[Allroad]

first of all dump norton and use www.avast.com for your anti virus then dump aol and install your own settings for the net

to do so use the poggys own uninstalls located in the programms folder or go to control panel the add/uninstall proggys feature

 

[Fanum]

You should still be able to uninstall Norton and AOL......go to control panel and they should appear in the uninstal section....but download AVG first so you're ready to install it immediately.

You could reformat the whole thing (that's what I'd do TBH) but it doesn't hurt to play with it for a day or two....discover what other stuff they've put on it first.


You may find that the software is in a folder on the HD and you can re-install it bit by bit........there may well be a windows install image that you could use, giving you a 'blank' copy of windows then you could install the bits you do want on top and ignore the rest.....knowing what laptop from where would be useful

 

[centaur]

Wot Fanum said, except you don't really need a reformat since it's both new and will probably only have a full restore disk, which will just reinstall the crap you just binned !

As with any 'puter, have a read of the recommends here for various anti malware stuff whic is ESSENTIAL to minimise risk of infection.

Your list should include something like the following :-

Antivirus.......AVG, Avast both free or NOD32, KAspersky if you must buy

Antispyware/trojans.......Spybot S & D, Adaware both free

Firewall.......Zonealarm, Comodo both free

 

[GS_BOTT]

Thanks guys the laptop is this one from John Lewis http://www.johnlewis.com/Computing/Computers/Computers/Laptops/398/230404093/Product.aspx been having a look and it doesn't appear to have the 'uninstall' function for either program, and cant find them from add/remove progs either? the full restore is already installed on C drive and reboots/reloads off of that from a system failure, so assume as centaur said it will just reload AOL and norton again.
Paul

 

[centaur]

If you go to 'Control Panel' and 'Add or remove' both these progs ought to be listed.
In the event they aren't, have a look for their folders in 'Explore' and there should be an uninstall .exe file for each of them.

It has to be said however, that both progs are likely to resist complete removal and you may need to have a look for the (free) tools to do this.

I usually use a free little prog called CrapCleaner which bins most of the rubbish left behind in the registry.

If you haven't already done so, back up the 'System restore' file which resides on the hard drive to a DVD...there is a HP utility which organises this built into the 'puter.

 

[ovenpaa]

Nice laptop, if you have a full copy of the operating system then you could Fdisk and Format but you may struggle with drivers. Better to remove the AOL and Norton - it will come off, I have a link to some very nice Norton removal tools from the company if you get stuck.

If it was me I would load a new OS from scratch.

As an alternative go out and get a new 2.5" HD, swap with the existing one (5 minute job) Then load up Linux - Suse or Mandrake is good and see how it feels, you can always swap the HD back if you dont like it. This is how I run this laptop, I always have two HD's and when I feel like a change I load the new OS to the oldest disk, if it does not suit me I swap back to the previous HD and look for an alternative OS, you dont have to do this with Linux, you could alternate between XP and Vista as well.