New Computer Set Up - I Got it Set Up!!! Post 10

[BethR]

OK. Sweet DH got me a computer for Christmas - my OWN computer that I am not supposed to have to share with the kids unless *I* want to. (It's an eMachine - don't know the specs - but he got it at Target on the day after Thanksgiving for less than $200. He had to buy the monitor separately, but I think that everything together was less than $250.)

ANYWAY, life has been busy. DH has been doing a different more involved job and is almost never home. We were going to look for a little desk that I could set the new computer on, but haven't really looked yet.

The bottom line of all this is that the new computer and monitor are still sitting in the boxes. Never opened.

I just got a wild hare to set it up on my dining room table - for now. What do you think? Can I do this myself? Should I do this myself? Then when I do, I will want to go on-line. We have a wireless router, and there is an extra wireless card around here somewhere. Should I give that a try?

And the biggest question of is that with the purchase of this computer, I qualify for an upgrade to VISTA. So should I even bother setting this up now with Windows? Or should I just wait until VISTA comes out? Or should I just forget about VISTA altogether for now?

What do you think?

 

[JR6ooo4]

the comp will already have a OS (operating system) installed.
The wires should color coded.

if you have a lan cable then connect it to the router that way first, before installing the wireless card. During the first startup the computer will ask for you r name and stuff. then will probably ask if you want to check for updates. Do all that and reboot a few times until there are no messages on startup. Like "new virus definitions available for your antivirus software"
sometimes is takes even five minutes before you get a message like that. Don;t rush it.

then you can add new hardware

Mikeeee

 

[Amity 3]

OK. Sweet DH got me a computer for Christmas - my OWN computer that I am not supposed to have to share with the kids unless *I* want to. (It's an eMachine - don't know the specs - but he got it at Target on the day after Thanksgiving for less than $200. He had to buy the monitor separately, but I think that everything together was less than $250.)

ANYWAY, life has been busy. DH has been doing a different more involved job and is almost never home. We were going to look for a little desk that I could set the new computer on, but haven't really looked yet.

The bottom line of all this is that the new computer and monitor are still sitting in the boxes. Never opened.

I just got a wild hare to set it up on my dining room table - for now. What do you think? Can I do this myself? Should I do this myself? Then when I do, I will want to go on-line. We have a wireless router, and there is an extra wireless card around here somewhere. Should I give that a try?

And the biggest question of is that with the purchase of this computer, I qualify for an upgrade to VISTA. So should I even bother setting this up now with Windows? Or should I just wait until VISTA comes out? Or should I just forget about VISTA altogether for now?

What do you think?

just because you're eligible for a Vista upgrade doesn't mean your PC will be able to run it due to hardware limitations. everything I've read about Vista is it's not worthy of upgrading to unless you've got the performance and the need to, XP is still a better option.

 

[BethR]

Oh KAY! I am up to the task! I am going to give this a try! I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[BethR]

Well, guess I wasn't so up to the task.

I put all of the pieces together and plugged everything in and I was just thinking that I was SOOOO smart.

Then I started the computer and was moving along. Gave it a name. Agreed to the Microsoft User Agreement, the eMachines User agreement. Found the serial number, filled out the registration stuff. Then I tried to connect to the internet. Well guess that was just too much for me.

I remember that Mikeeee said to hardwire the machine first before we tried wireless. If you remember we have a wireless router, so I disconnected the ethernet cable from the router and put in a spot where it fit on the back of the computer. DSL modem to ethernet cable to computer. Nope. Didn't work.

OK well, maybe this machine doesn't have an ethernet card, so I'll try USB (DSL modem to USB cable to computer). Nope. Didn't work.

OK - there is an option to just skip registration and going on-line now. Well, now none of the buttons are lit up and I can't do anything. I tried escape. Don't go anywhere. I tried control-alt-delete. Nothing. I tried just pressing the computer on/off button - nothing happens.

I am being punished for being too bold and trying this without DH here.

Can anyone help???

 

[Amity 3]

Well, guess I wasn't so up to the task.

I put all of the pieces together and plugged everything in and I was just thinking that I was SOOOO smart.

Then I started the computer and was moving along. Gave it a name. Agreed to the Microsoft User Agreement, the eMachines User agreement. Found the serial number, filled out the registration stuff. Then I tried to connect to the internet. Well guess that was just too much for me.

I remember that Mikeeee said to hardwire the machine first before we tried wireless. If you remember we have a wireless router, so I disconnected the ethernet cable from the router and put in a spot where it fit on the back of the computer. DSL modem to ethernet cable to computer. Nope. Didn't work.

OK well, maybe this machine doesn't have an ethernet card, so I'll try USB (DSL modem to USB cable to computer). Nope. Didn't work.

OK - there is an option to just skip registration and going on-line now. Well, now none of the buttons are lit up and I can't do anything. I tried escape. Don't go anywhere. I tried control-alt-delete. Nothing. I tried just pressing the computer on/off button - nothing happens.

I am being punished for being too bold and trying this without DH here.

Can anyone help???

so you're totally locked up and you can't force a restart?

 

[BethR]

I tried everything that I mentioned

 

[Amity 3]

make sure the hard drive isn't writing and pull the power cord. then boot into safe mode.

 

[BethR]

I don't hear any noises from the hard drive. Please remind me how to get into safe mode. And then what?

(And thanks! )

ETA - I tried again and was able to get the computer to shut off with the power button. I have restarted and it just started completely over. So we will see how far I get this time...

 

[BethR]

Hey! Guess what! I got it up and running! (With no help from Alyse at Gateway.

I'm not online yet, but that can wait for tomorrow. I'm so proud!

 

[JR6ooo4]

congrats!!!!
I love the first few startups of a new computer. Unless of course, it defaults to that teletubbies meadow for the desktop background. hehehheee

MIkeeee