new computer and xp

I am retiring my old compaq computer and winme for a new gateway and winxp.are there a certain order of things i should do first like,installing new anitvirus,firewall,cable internet,printer,scanner?I bought it at bestbuy where the Geek Squad said they could do all this and more for 118.00$.Is that a good beal?What should i do first when i fire it up?

 

pumpy1,

WinXP has its own firewall built it. I use AVG and Zone Alarm both are free
downloads from the web. I have the XP firewall turned off.

Printer and scanner drivers are also available within XP. But it would be better
to use the drivers that came with your printer/scanner, easy to install if you
have the software that should have came with your printer/scanner.

Cable, assuming there is already a cable board installed should be just a matter
of connecting the cables to the card and powering up the pc then follow the
directions on-screen if any.

Seems like a waste of 118 bucks to me but i like to do it myself. Of course, if
you are not comfortable inside a PC case then letting them do is Ok.

I would ask about the system recovery routine since the one that came with
my gateway was a bummer (hopefully gateway has gotten away from that.

What model and specs on the one your looking at?

savagcl

 

Thank`s for the reply.bought a GT5012.Processor 820.1024 MB DDR2 Dual Channel Memory.Went to cable company and they gave me a disk to set up my internet connection.

 

Hang around here. You can run that Gateway just fine totally on freeware, including anti-virus and office suite.

I like the free AVG over pay anti-virus because it doesn't seem to use as many resources. Norton thinks everything is a virus and tends to slow down computers. I use the XP firewall because ZA was knocking my DSL off line too much.

I do things that should attract viruses and I don't have such problems.

 

pumpy1,

Comcast also gave me a cd with their software for the internet. I dont use it!
WinXP has everything you need for a connection. Most cable company
software is not required (if not all).

Most cable companies provide you with an external modem. Just get that
setup and plug it into your PC port (in back of CPU case) and power up. The
cable modem should be programmed from their server, maybe 3/4 minutes, and
then your ready to go. Of course WinXp has to do its "found new hardware "
thing.

Its been a while since i have gone through the setup but its fairly straight
forward.
If i missed something here, i'm sure others on the board will be glad to help.

Good luck with your new system.
savagcl

 

Thank`s again,had to run cable software disk and punch in some numbers.i`m up and running now.