help on a first time build

[fatlaxg30]

I know this is the noobiest question of all time probably, but can someone give me a quick step by step of what to do after i have built the computer? I dont have any problems with the hardware side, its what to do afterwards like drivers, programs to install before getting online (to avoid spyware/viruses) and anything else. i am about to boot up for the first time. Also, i know how to format a drive and install windows so you can skip that step. thanks guys

 

[sc00ter]

First off, you want to install all the mobo drivers. Then, assuming you have a connection to the internet, you can go online and download the latest video drivers for you card (nVidia/ATI). After those are all set up and running you should download these programs:

Spybot S&D, ZoneAlarm Free, AdAware SE, AVG Free.

 

[velusip]

I'm guessing Windows XP. If you want to do some major tweaking, follow some of these instructions. You will need a CD burner with software to make custom copies of WinXP and loads of petience. (TIP: If you have no patience, ignore this post. If you've never ripped windows apart before, used registry tweaks, or used some of the utilities listed here it will take time to learn to get it right.)

• Download all the latest windows patches (microsoft.com and find the files themselves)
• Download all the drivers you need (motherboard, monitor, gpu, peripherals, sound)
• Rip your WinXP CD.
• Download nLite from http://www.nliteos.com/

Now that you have everything to ruin windows, you need to build it the way you like. I would suggest looking into spending much time here: http://www.shellcity.net/

When playing with nLite I would recommend removing remote management, firewall, auto updater, all services, iexplorer, explorer, windows media, among anything else you think you don't need. Save all files and your configurations for nLite so if there is a problem later you know what to fix. Be sure to find an alternative file manager if you remove critical services and/or explorer.

I would recommend avoiding protection software. It's pointless and just slows things down. I've never used any and never had any problems.

Other things to look for if you feel you need them:
http://www.bb4win.org/ - window manager (again, see shellcity for more)
http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/ - web browser
http://gaim.sourceforge.net/ - IM client (for many popular IM services)
http://www.openoffice.org/ - document editor and suite
http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/ - nice ssh
http://winscp.net/ - nice sftp
http://goteamspeak.com - high level voip
http://pingpong-abc.sourceforge.net/ - nice bittorrent client
http://www.utorrent.com/ - another nice bittorrent client
http://un4seen.com/ - extremely nice media player called xmplay
http://www.bsplayer.org/ - very nice media player from Webteh
http://www.videolan.org/vlc/ - alternative media player
(xvid support: http://files.divx-digest.com/software/codec/XviD-1.0.3-20122004.exe)

 

[upriverpaddler]

I second the motion for Spybot, Ad-Aware, and AVG.

You can install drivers from the CDs that came with your products. One thing that may be a must is your NIC driver. Without it you may not be able to get on the internet at all. It should be on your Mobo driver CD.

Then go to your video card manufacturers website for updated drivers. Go to your mobo manufacturers website for updated drivers. Go to Start->Control Panel->System->Hardware Tab->Device Manager. Any yellow question marks will alert you to driver errors.

Get Firefox and Folding at Home.

 

[fatlaxg30]

thanks any additional tips for streamlining or other programs would be greatly appreciated
any idea how much i could cut by boot time by "editing" XP like suggested above?

 

[D3v01D]

I second the motion for Spybot, Ad-Aware, and AVG. <snip>

.

I use to use AVG but now I use Avast! antivirus, I think it's better than AVG.