Buying a new computer for the first time is exciting for most, and a bit scary for some. But there is nothing to fear. Setting up a computer for the first time is really easy, and this article will help you through the process.
I will deal in this article with a computer that will run the Windows operating system. If you're not sure which operating system you're using, read on to find out.
Computers
WHAT'S IN THE BOXES
When you open all your boxes from the computer store, you should have the following:
1. The computer itself - a box with slots in the front and lots of sockets and connections at the back.
2. A screen, also called a monitor, or a display.
3. A keyboard
4. A mouse - also called a pointing device.
5. A couple of cables with plugs on the ends.
6. One or more CD or DVD disks
7. Instruction manuals and maybe Quick start guides.
8. A set of small loudspeakers with some wires.
Depending on the store you bought the computer from, there may be less or more other items in the box.
WHERE TO PLUG IN WHAT
Put the computer on a desk so that you can easily work on the back or the front of the box. Unpack the screen and fix it's base to it. (There's always a picture in the screen's box showing you how to do it)
Find a cable in your screen box with a connector with 15pins and plug this into the 15 pin socket on the back of the computer, and if it's not already attached to the back of the screen, plug it into the screen too.
If your keyboard has a purple plug on it, plug it into the purple socket on the back of the computer. If it has a black, flat connector, which is a USB plug, plug it into any socket that it fits into, either at the back of the computer or in the front - it doesn't matter which one you use, as long as it fits nicely.
If your mouse has a green plug on the end of it's wire, plug it into the green socket next to the purple socket on the back of the computer. If it has a flat, black connector, use any other free USB socket, like you did for the keyboard.
The speakers will have a small plug like an earphone plug. Look at the back of the computer for 3 little sockets colored red, green and blue, and plug the speaker plug into the little green socket.
If your computer has a socket at the back for your phone line to go in, you can connect that up as well. This will enable you (once you've learnt how to do it) to connect up to the internet, send faxes and make phone calls from your PC.
GETTING POWERED UP
Right, you're almost set. Find the cables with the electrical mains plugs on them, and connect them to the back of the computer where the kettle plugs fit into their sockets. If there are two plugs there, then the one is to connect power to your screen. If there's only one, then you have to plug your screen mains cable directly into the wall socket. Once that is done you can plug the mains cords into the wall outlet and switch on. There may be a switch near the mains plug on the back of the computer that you must switch on too, and then also a Power button on the front of the computer that you must switch on. The screen also has an on switch - sometimes it's on the front, and sometimes it's on the side of the screen. Make sure a little light comes on somewhere near this switch to indicate that it's on.
Your computer should now start running, fans should start blowing air inside the case, and the screen should be showing signs of life after several seconds. Give the computer about 2 or 3 minutes to boot itself up. ie. to load it's start up programs.
OPERATING SYSTEM
If your computer screen, after starting up, has a button labelled START in the bottom, left hand corner, then the computer has all it's programs and Windows Operating system pre-loaded by the store - this is the normal practice. You can then start using your mouse to move the little arrow pointer around the screen and clicking (ie pushing down the left mouse button) on the start button and other pictures to begin the adventure that is "learning your computer." You can then disregard the next paragraph.
If you just have a black screen with some message like "insert installation CD" then you have to put the Operating system disk that came with the computer into the CD or DVD drive. The drive is marked "Disc" or "DVD" or maybe "Combo 52X" or some such thing and is opened by pushing the little button on the right hand side of the drive. You will see on your installation CD or DVD disk what operating system you are using : it will either say Windows XP (or Vista) or MAC or Linux or whatever. Once the disk is running you will be prompted by the computer on what to do next. If it's Linux you will need help! Otherwise it's fairly simple - just make a note of your Windows serial number, which may be on the disk you are putting in the computer, but is usually found on a sticker stuck to the case of the computer, on the side or on the top. It's a 25 digit number usually in the form : xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx. Enter it in when asked for your "product key."
AND YOU'RE DONE!
You may need to switch on the speakers if they have an ON switch. And that's it.
To actually operate the computer is another couple of articles just to get you started. Look out for them!
How to Easily Set Up Your New Computer
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