Setting Up Your New Computer
Categories: End Users Information Security
In a blog post last month, I talked about how one might go about ordering a new computer as we approach the end of the fiscal year. But what happens after your new computer has been purchased? In this post, I will answer this question and others regarding what software will be installed, how much time will be needed to transfer all of your files to the new computer and what information is helpful when preparing your new computer.
Once the computer has been ordered, it may take anywhere between 5 days and 2 weeks for it to arrive. Upon arrival we install Windows 7, Microsoft Office 2013, Adobe Acrobat Pro, virus protection, internet browsers and run all updates. It is helpful to know if there is other software you would like installed such as Photoshop, InDesign, Skype, Dropbox (or any other cloud storage tools), iTunes, etc. In addition to software, having an idea of what printers and copiers you use is very useful and can save a lot of time as we often have to download drivers for these devices. Depending on network speeds, this can take upwards of half an hour or more and downloading software and printer drivers is something we can easily do on campus.
We are often asked if all of the files on the old computer will be transferred to the new computer. The answer is YES! In most cases we use the tool Windows Easy Transfer which does a wonderful job collecting your files and settings and moving them to the new computer. Once the transfer is complete, we either bring the computer back to campus where a full backup is done and the computer is held for several weeks before re-installing Windows and returning it to the county, or we will leave it in the county to be surplused. Both of these options provide a recovery option; however, the misplacing of a file is extremely rare!
Another recommendation is to take the time to sort through files on your computer and remove unneeded documents, videos and pictures before your new computer arrives. These items, especially photos and videos, require a lot of storage and in many situations include a lot of old items that are no longer needed. If the computer has a lot of data stored on it, the longer it will take to transfer to the new computer. However, do not feel you need to delete anything!
A few other things for you may want to do in preparation for a new computer include: clean up your desk space, have an idea of where to put a second monitor (if this is an upgrade you chose), and let us know if you are having any issues with your old computer prior to our arrival so we can make sure the issues are not transferred to your new computer. Also, make sure to set aside a little extra time in your schedule for the set up as it can take a minimum of thirty minutes or up to an hour or more for your new computer to be ready to use.
Receiving a new computer is very exciting, but it can have moments of stress if you aren’t sure exactly how the new computer will work or be set up. We will do our very best to make the transition as smooth for you as possible. The best way to do this is to keep these concepts in mind and send us your list of requested software. If you have any questions, concerns or would like to request a quote, contact your support specialist!
Cynthia Hobbs
DASNR IT