New Laptop to set up with Vista

[CdLSRN]

I just received my HP laptop,with Vista Home Premier 32bit, with no security
on it (as I ordered it. So the first thing I want to do is get Avast and
spybot on it,......right? I have a Dell XPS420 desktop with Vista Ultimate,
32 bit, and a Dell (10 year old)XPST 450, with Windows 98se on it networked
together on a Linksys N Router. I have Cable connection.

This morning I tried to add a Netgear server to share my old printer (HP) or
my HP (2 years old) Photosmart. It didn't work. I removed the software from
the Netgear . I am just about to remove the software from the HP Photosmart.

1st question - before I network in the Vista Home Priumum should I take the
Windows 98se off the network or doesn't it matter?

2nd question - Is Vista Home Premium security good enough for me to connect
to the internet and download Avast antivirus or should I download onto disc
and install via disc?

3rd question - Should I put a firewire cord on it before I do anything and
back the whole system up on to my 1 TB backup drive? .........or onto
disc???

I have never worked with a laptop or a network before so any suggestions or
tips would be appreciated before I plug it in.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Install a robust, comprehensive, security program,
such as Windows OneCare, and you'll not have to
worry about those issues. You can try it FREE
for ninety (90) days. This is a brand new version
and is very robust! Uses very little system resources!
http://onecare.live.com/standard/en-us/default.htm

OneCare includes:

-- An excellent antivirus application
-- An excellent firewall application
-- An excellent antispyware application
-- Automatic system tune-ups
-- Automatic hard drive defrag
-- Checks for updates to be sure they are installed
-- Schedules automatic backups of important files
-- New version 2.5 just released - designed to work
exceptionally well with Windows Vista & XP.
-- Compatible with Windows Vista 64-bit versions
-- All-in-one convenient, easy to install application


--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop Experience -
Windows Vista Enthusiast

---------------------------------------------------------------

I just received my HP laptop,with Vista Home Premier 32bit, with no security
on it (as I ordered it. So the first thing I want to do is get Avast and
spybot on it,......right? I have a Dell XPS420 desktop with Vista Ultimate,
32 bit, and a Dell (10 year old)XPST 450, with Windows 98se on it networked
together on a Linksys N Router. I have Cable connection.

This morning I tried to add a Netgear server to share my old printer (HP) or
my HP (2 years old) Photosmart. It didn't work. I removed the software from
the Netgear . I am just about to remove the software from the HP Photosmart.

1st question - before I network in the Vista Home Priumum should I take the
Windows 98se off the network or doesn't it matter?

2nd question - Is Vista Home Premium security good enough for me to connect
to the internet and download Avast antivirus or should I download onto disc
and install via disc?

3rd question - Should I put a firewire cord on it before I do anything and
back the whole system up on to my 1 TB backup drive? .........or onto
disc???

I have never worked with a laptop or a network before so any suggestions or
tips would be appreciated before I plug it in.

 

[Saucy]

Carey Frish is suggesting too much.

Out-of-the-box, Vista is good to connect to the Internet - that's
*connect* - not browse the Internet or get email. So once your computer's
connected, don't go browsing. Instead, go to Control Panel and click on
"Check for Updates".

After Vista and IE7 are updated and patched, start your IE7 browser and go
on the Internet and get the free anti-virus of your choice e.g Grisoft's
AVG, Avast!, or ClamWin etc. etc.

Vista already has Windows Defender built in which is an excellent
anti-spyware program.

Saucy

 

[CdLSRN]

Thank you, Saucy. That should get me off to a good start. HP has included
(0) Zero in the way of backup discs. Should I burn recovery discs right out
of the box, and then again after update? On DVDs? or get AntiVirus first?

 

[CdLSRN]

That was a silly question. I won't be connected to the internet so I will
burn recovery discs right away. duh.