3 Common Myths about
New Computers!

A new computer is always faster and better than an older computer

I could only shake my head as I setup this new Gateway computer for access to network resources. The client told me that UPS had given them this new computer and the Accountant was the lucky one to get to use it.

Her "old" computer was a custom built Asus Pentium 4 - 3.0ghz, 512MB RAM, 80GB SATAII 7200rpm hard drive machine. The "New" computer was this Gateway Pentium 4 - 2.8ghz, 256MB RAM, 40GB PATA 5400rpm hard drive machine that struggled just to boot up and load the Norton Security 2005 software (before I uninstalled it).

I casually mentioned to the accountant that it was going to take a little longer than expected to setup her "new" computer since it was lacking in RAM and overall less powerful than her "old" computer. "Oh" Was all she managed in reply. Golly, UPS did give it to you, did you expect the latest and greatest? Hardware specifications do matter, consult my buying guide before making any purchases!

My computer is dead. How could there possibly be anything wrong with it, it's only a few months old?

I have a question for you: Ever bought a new car, $20,000, $40,000 or more? Nothing ever goes wrong with it because it's new, right? Wrong! They manufacture electronics as fast and as inexpensively as possible; I'm surprised there aren't more problems.

It used to be that buying brand name computer equipment (for brand name dollars) almost assured you of zero failures. Well, not any more, it can happen to the best of them. A client called a few months ago to report a "new" computer was dead. She couldn't understand how that could be since the computer was only 6 months old. Outside temperature was about 95 degrees and inside that particular office was about 88 degrees. That office also happened to be in a dirty environment, a warehouse. Since Pentium 4 - 3ghz machines run very hot anyway, the cooling fans move a lot of air - and deposit that dirt in the cooling fins of the computer's processor!

So, I took the machine outside, blew it out, plugged it back in and Voila! it was back up and running. After cautioning the client about keeping the computer clean and cool, I packed up my cape and rode off into the sunset.

Just read the ad, buy the new computer, unbox it and your're ready to go

Sounds good, but this isn't a desk lamp we're talking about. Again, hopefully you bought only after reading my Buying Guide and didn't bring home a cheap piece of junk. If you did, this advice is all the more for you!

Make sure and uninstall any software that you know you won't use. Keep in mind that you probably did NOT receive and media to reinstall if you decide you want it later. The retailer probably has a way of restoring the computer to the way it was when you got it, but that "conveniently" destroys everything on the hard disk first - INCLUDING YOUR DATA!

You probably also want to uninstall any trial versions of security software and go to my pages on Home Computer Security.

There are a number of cleanup and efficiency tips too, including free software you will want to install. After you get the new computer the way YOU want it, be sure and image it again so YOU can restore it, if necessary. See computer backup to know just what to do.