new with computers, need help with new dell laptop!!

Do you want it to look good? Perhaps like this?



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Brennen53 said:

So Reaper, whats the difference between some of the things you put on your list and whats already on my computer that seems similar?
Such as media and mp3 players on the list as opposed to windows media player?
or the virus, malware, or spyware protection you recommended as opposed to the webroot subscription I already have.
or the backup software that you recommended compared to the one on my computer that keeps poping up?

I dont want to have two or three programs that do the same thing, unless thats what youre trying to tell me.

The difference is, that some of these work better than their Windows counterparts. I had even more suggestions, but seeing that you're new to computers, didn't want to overwhelm you with a lengthy post full of freeware choices.

VLC player is a great media player, I haven't found a media file type it can't play(as opposed to WMP) & doesn't need additional codecs to play them; MalwareBytes is an additional layer of security alongside your current AV, if you do get malware - it will help you clean it(even if your AV can't), I have it installed as an on demand scanner in addition to MSE.
As for the backup software, I said you can use Windows Back Up, it was just a suggestion, as Win back up (sometimes, although rarely) doesn't work as it should. For that reason I use more than one BackUp software, Macrium & Acronis True Image, in addition to Windows BackUp & keep multiple system images.

It would be useful if you tell us, what you intend to use the computer for, then we can make better suggestions.
As you're just getting started, take a look at the helpful tutorials on this site:
Seven Forums tutorials. It's a wealth of knowledge in one place. :)

marsmimar said:

Just another opinion for your consideration. You've gotten some nice information from the other forum members. Maybe in a week or so you're going to have your computer set up to your liking. I'd strongly recommend you invest in an external hard drive that connects to your computer with a USB cable. (Your user's manual should point out where the USB ports are on the machine.)

Once you have that external hard drive, make a system image of your computer. A system image is like a snapshot of your entire machine. Update that system image every week or two. If something ever happens to your computer you can use that system image to restore your computer to the exact same condition it was in when the image was made. So instead of spending days reconfiguring everything you can be up and running in less than an hour. Lot of free programs available to make your system image and a lot of opinions on what's best. You can search this forum and find a lot of threads and discussions.

Hello again.

This is the best suggestion so far, here's an excellent free image program, some feel is far superior to Windows backup, at the link below.

Imaging with free Macrium


No need to make any decisions (change anything) in a rush, as some have said, take your time and study threads/posts here and get 'informed' and then make decisions when you have grown in knowledge.