Setting Up "New" Computers For Dummies

[Perd Hapley]

Get the .NET Framework stuff as many applications require it. The other two I wouldn't bother with.

Alrighty, then! 


Haven't done the .NET stuff yet, but the Dad Box is pretty much up and running.  XP, IE, Media Player are up-dated.  IE icons have been removed.

Avira
Windows Defender
Spybot

Firefox - with IE tab
Foxit

Just downloaded the Open Office.

[Perd Hapley]

I was all lost and afraid and stuff, cause the "new" computer (my way-super-better computer) would not connect.  On these other computers, all I had to do was connect the DSL modem to the ethernet jack.  This one apparently had no driver. 

The cool part is, I have a disk full of drivers and other goodies for GX620 computers, so all is good.  This is the first time I've ever actually found the driver I was looking for. 

[Perd Hapley]

Is a computer really a computer, without a good browser?  Annoyance; thy name is Internet Explorer. 

[Perd Hapley]

For Dad's computer, he prefers to have a login screen, rather than just booting straight into Windows.  Is there no way to have Num Lock already enabled at the login screen? 

The BIOS is set for Num Lock, and the Num Lock LED lights up initially, then goes out again before login. 

[Nick1911]

For Dad's computer, he prefers to have a login screen, rather than just booting straight into Windows. 

Is there no way to have Num Lock already enabled at the login screen? 

I'm confused.  What do these two things have to do with each other?

[Perd Hapley]

When XP starts up, it prompts for a password.  That would really annoy me, but Dad prefers it that way.  The problem is that his password contains numbers, and the Number Lock is always off when the login screen shows up.  Since I prefer to use the number/arrow keys on the right side of the keyboard, I would like for Number Lock to be already on. 

Because I have also noticed this on other computers (Num Lock being off, at the login screen), I figure it some Windows quirk.  I just wondered if there was a fix for it. 

[Gewehr98]

Edit the registry, thusly:

http://www.cybertechhelp.com/tutorial/article/regfix-for-windows-xp-num-lock

[RocketMan]

Should you really be telling fistful to edit the registry?  I mean, it is fistful, after all.
On the other hand, at least we'll know who to blame if he screws everything up on that computer.

[Perd Hapley]

Thanks, I'll try that.

As I've been setting this up, and talking with Dad, I've been making a list of stuff I need to explain to him.  Topics include; updating various software, setting up Firefox with the options with which he'll be most comfortable, etc, etc.  I was wondering if anyone has a "computers for dummies" website they recommend to family members or clients. 

Since I'm over there every once in a while, I figure I'll do defragging and such things for him myself. 


Another thing:

This computer is a 2001 model.  It has a 1.5 GHz P4 processor and one GB of SDRAM.  Dad's going to be using it on a dial-up connection.  Is Firefox going to work faster if it's set to clear out private data after each session?  Will it be slowed down, if it's set to begin each session with the windows and tabs from last time?  Personally, I like to have it start at a homepage (my speed dial groups), and then clear private data when I shut it down.  For Dad, I'd set it to at least remember his browsing history, but not if that bogs it down. 

[RocketMan]

Any chance you can get your Dad on broadband?  I ask because my father got incredibly frustrated with his dial-up.  Having to connect before he could get on, frequent drop outs, running at less than rated speed, and being a general pain.  Not understanding the intertubes thing all that well, he blamed the computer itself for all the various connection problems.
Now that he has broadband (went DSL then recently to cable) he's happy.  It's made for a much better Internet and email experience for both him and Mom.

[Perd Hapley]

I'd love to, but DSL is not available and he doesn't have cable.  I don't much about satellite, or if he'd be interested in that.  Maybe I'll bring it up to him.  I don't know if he's aware of that option. 

He was just telling me about the antenna he built, and installed in the attic.  They're getting very good TV reception now, with the new HD signal.

[Perd Hapley]

Edit the registry, thusly:

http://www.cybertechhelp.com/tutorial/article/regfix-for-windows-xp-num-lock

Thanks!  That didn't quite work, but I found another thread on their forum that answered my question.  Had to change the value for HKEY USERS, instead of HKEY CURRENT USER.

[Perd Hapley]

Sweet.  Dad's new box is currently online. 

Thanks for all the help, folks.