Set up your new PC or Mac

Ah! Your prayers have been answered! What could be nicer than that new-computer smell? Your rocket has a quad-core chip. It's got more memory than Einstein in his heyday. The places you will go! The things you will see!

Then, back to reality. You still have to set it up. You have to move your files without losing anything. And you have to get online without being attacked. You're all thumbs! How the heck are you going to do all that?

That's why I developed the System Set Up Center. You can use my step-by-step download to put everything together. This longer tutorial explains things in more depth. Both Windows and Mac are covered. So, let's get started.

Unpack, Inventory and Assemble

First thing, let's unpack the equipment. Save those boxes and the rest of the packaging. Most likely, everything you bought will work fine. But something could be dead on arrival.

If so, you'll probably have to return it. When you do, you'll need to pack it properly.

Many people find things left over when they repack parts. In fact, I'm one of them. But I found the solution. I take digital photos of the packaging. That really helps in putting packaging back together. I just erase the photos when I no longer need them.

Assuming there's nothing obvious wrong, like broken glass, let's connect the computer. In the old days, you had to install your operating system and other programs. Computer manufacturers provided the discs. Nowadays, computer manufacturers install the software.

All you have to do is attach the cables. You'll probably find a fold-out installation guide that an idiot could follow. Use that.

The audio system ports tend to look alike. However, they're probably colored differently. Be sure the speaker plug goes into the correct port. The installation instructions should show that clearly.

Some peripherals run off the computer's power system. But most have their own power plugs. If something doesn't work, that's the first place to look.

You should be using a surge suppressor or uninterruptible power supply. The former will protect against household electricity fluctuations. The latter will do that, too. Plus, it will keep you going if the power fails. At home, I use a surge suppressor and unplug the computer during storms. Down time is a bigger problem in the office. So, each computer has a UPS.

Whichever you use, plug your equipment into it, rather than the wall socket. Plug the surge suppressor or UPS into the wall.

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