Hey! I got a (used, new to me) computer.

[Zeke]

OK, I bit on a CL ad, 1 year old eMachine, Win7, 3 GB RAM, 1 TB, Pentium Dual Core 3.80Ghz, 64 bit and I'm sure I can find the rest. I know it's not anywhere near top of the line and the thing came from WallyWorld.

Office 2010 installed and I guess the Norton is up to date, haven't connected to the Net yet.

To me, it's the fastest thing on the planet after struggling with my old, old Dell, 768 MB RAM, 2 something Ghz, '05 unit.

I guess for a wireless adapter I'm going to have to upgrade. I can't even find my Linksys WSBR on the list and what I do see don't even list Vista OP, mush less Win7. Comments?

Also, can I change the name of the thing? I tried changing that to a new user account and failed. If the name of the computer always stays the same, but hidden, I'm cool. I just prefer an open computer, no password.

If I have to, I'll establish a new user account, but I wish his name didn't come up on the screen at boot up. There is nothing on the HD in the way of personal files and the HD shows 865 GB unused.


Oh, some will ask what I paid. Everything in the original box, 20" monitor + a MS wireless keyboard/mouse, cables...300 bones. I know the guy only paid 400 for it, but that copy of Office costs something. If the Norton is a trial version, I have a bought and paid for copy with 2 more installs left.

It'll do this old man just fine. Just help me make it mine like you do a used car.

[id10t]

Wipe the drive reinstall windows and go on with life...

[Zeke]

Don't have a copy of that 2010 Office or I would. And how would I get a copy of Win7 not being the OP?

[id10t]

There may be a restore partition or the ability to make restore disks - check the start menu, etc.

You should have a license key for your version of windows on the case itself... if you have that, getting install media is trivial - I'm sure that either I or another Pelican will have discs for a matching version.

As for Office 2010, unless you are doing something Office specific (VBA macros, Access database) then LibreOffice will suit your needs fine and it is a free download.

[imcarthur]

Keep the current setup & Office imho. It's loaded. It's working. You should be able to change/delete the password here:



Ian

[Zeke]

Thank you, Ian. That was almost too easy. And I use the control panel all the time.

Now, anyone know about wireless adapters?

[Joeaksa]

Uninstall Norton (its a memory hog) and put AVG Free on it. Just as good, its free and works better and faster.

[id10t]

Originally Posted by Joeaksa

Uninstall Norton (its a memory hog) and put AVG Free on it. Just as good, its free and works better and faster.

And missed several nasties that I cleaned off a clients computer last week. I'd go Avast! instead

Lets put on the tinfoil hat here... know who you bought it from? Know the software on there is the real deal? Any background processes running? Key loggers, etc. typically hide themselves... Any rootkits or time-delay stuff installed?

Now that you are thinking of all of that... you gonna do any banking on this computer? File your taxes w/ turbo tax or similar?

For the truly paranoid, have you checked at the hardware level for a logger? is the BIOS a real from-factory deal or did it get flashed with something else?

Well worth the little bit of time it would take to do the software level stuff. About 2 hours if you have a decent 'net connection and the media all ready to go.

Unless you are going to be part of next years DEFCON presentations, are doing closely guarded research, or are the interest of various 3 letter agencies, the hardware angle is probably overboard.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by id10t

And missed several nasties that I cleaned off a clients computer last week. I'd go Avast! instead

Yes - and if you do - there's a "Pirate Talk" language option that is very cool....matey!

Nice score Milt.

[EddieSantor]

There may be a restore partition or the ability to make restore disks

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by id10t

And missed several nasties that I cleaned off a clients computer last week. I'd go Avast! instead

Lets put on the tinfoil hat here... know who you bought it from? Know the software on there is the real deal? Any background processes running? Key loggers, etc. typically hide themselves... Any rootkits or time-delay stuff installed?

Now that you are thinking of all of that... you gonna do any banking on this computer? File your taxes w/ turbo tax or similar?

For the truly paranoid, have you checked at the hardware level for a logger? is the BIOS a real from-factory deal or did it get flashed with something else?

Well worth the little bit of time it would take to do the software level stuff. About 2 hours if you have a decent 'net connection and the media all ready to go.

Unless you are going to be part of next years DEFCON presentations, are doing closely guarded research, or are the interest of various 3 letter agencies, the hardware angle is probably overboard.

Jeeze louise. For the amount of money I have, I could give you my passwords.

For now, I think I'll keep looking into what kind of wireless adapter I need. If I ever get online, I'll upgrade my antivirus software.

Joe, with now 3 GB RAM, I think I can afford to use some. And, Art got me using MSSE and so far no problems except running slow on this computer whenever it wants to run.

[azasadny]

Milt,
Congrats! If you want, send it to me and I'll get everything installed fresh and clean and back to you in a week, running perfectly!

[Joeaksa]

Milt,

Take the above post to heart and do it. You will not believe what its like after getting it back!

Joe A

[RedBaron]

I do this all the time for people on the side. Everyone I've done this for is amazed at how fast the computer will run afterwords. Your mileage may vary and this is a bit of a vague and generic guide.

Assuming you have an OEM copy of Windows 7...

Back up drivers to a flash drive using this utility Download Double Driver 4.1.0 Free - View which drivers are installed in your system and you can backup the drivers you choose, save and print the drivers list - Softpedia .

Use this to find out your product key(s) ProduKey - Recover lost product key (CD-Key) of Windows/MS-Office/SQL Server . Write the information down (you're looking for PRODUCT KEYS)

Get the LEGAL copy of Windows 7 from the link here (The FTP links are hosted by Microsoft)
Download Windows 7 ISO (Official 32-bit and 64-bit Direct Download Links) « My Digital Life

Then remove the ei.cfg file so it is a universal disk... winisoutils - Windows ISO Disc Image Utilities

Right click -> Burn ISO to DVD

Boot from the CD/DVD, format drive, install windows. When you're finished and you go to activate windows, it may not recognize the product key. You may have to call the microsoft automated phone number and you will have to give them your product key. In return they will give you an activation number and you will be all set.

If you want office use this link (make sure your product key matches the iso you download) Download Office 2010 (Official Direct Download Links) « My Digital Life .

After that I would install something like a free version of avast for AV protection. I would also recommend using CCleaner (set it to run on startup).

[masraum]

Milt, pretty much any ol' adapter will do. These days, they are a dime a dozen. You can pick up a brand name USB adapter for $20-30. Any of the common names would probably be fine, Netgear, DLink, Linksys, etc....

I was going to send the one from my last computer, but it's not compatible with Win 7 64-bit.

[Zeke]

On the new computer now. The driver was in the new OS, I guess. No downloads necessary.

[imcarthur]

And despite what everyone says Norton is very good. Just get the Anti Virus not any of the suites or other crap. I have used it for years & it is bulletproof. Of course, I can expense it.

Ian