Making a Better Gift PC
You can add a lot of value to an old computer by installing and configuring software that its new owner could really use, and by resetting the operating system to as close to factory fresh as possible.
No one should be without at least a word processor (if not a whole office suite) and an antivirus program. If you’re removing such software for licensing reasons, at least install some free alternatives. OpenOffice ( www.openoffice.org ) is an excellent substitute for Microsoft Office (and Microsoft Word). Grisoft’s AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition ( http://free.grisoft.com ) is a fine alternative to any commercial antivirus product, and your beneficiary won’t have to pay for annual virus-definition subscriptions.
Internet security is important, too. Consider installing Mozilla’s Firefox and Thunderbird ( www.mozilla.org ) to escape Microsoft Internet Explorer’s security issues. Download and install any available Windows Updates (windowsupdate.microsoft.com) and set the update process to “automatic” if possible. Download and install the latest version of one or more free antispyware programs, such as Ad-Aware (www.lavasoft.com) and Spybot Search & Destroy ( www.safer-networking.org ).
Make sure the system you’re letting go isn’t already crawling with viruses and spyware. Let whatever antivirus and antispyware products you have installed perform full system scans, and clean out whatever they find.
Just as important as what you put on is what you take off. Uninstall (via the Windows Control Panel) software and drivers for hardware that will no longer be used. Once their software is gone, remove any remaining printers in the Windows Printers and Faxes Control Panel, as well as software and drivers for scanners, cameras, PDAs, MP3 players, card readers, and any other removable peripherals that aren’t going with the computer.
Finally, collect all the books and discs that originally came with the computer, along with any discs for software you’re including with it. They’ll be vital if its new owner needs to reinstall anything or to look up any technical details for future upgrades. If by some chance the computer is still covered by a warranty, and if the warranty is transferable to a new owner, include whatever paperwork is necessary to implement it.
Tags:ad_aware, antivirus_product, antivirus_program, avg_anti_virus, avg_anti_virus_free_edition, Buy, Computer, Firefox, free_antispyware, Internet, lavasoft, Office, Software, spybot, windows update
January 24th, 2008 at 11:04 am
[...] Making a Better Gift PC | PCTips Box [...]