New Computer Setup
Presented by Keystone Computer Concepts



 

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New Computer Setup

 Who Should Read This:
Those purchasing new computers
Readers of our Question of the Week email


Question:

"I just bought a new computer. The place where I bought the computer wanted to charge me $99 to "set up the computer." Instead, I had Keystone Computer Concepts set it up for $60. But, what I'd like to know is, why does a brand new computer need "set up?" Why can't I just take it out of the box and use it?"

Answer:
This is an excellent question, for two reasons. First, it clearly shows that Keystone Computer Concepts charges less than "the other guys!" Second, it gives us the opportunity to explain something that many computer buyers often ask or at least wonder to themselves.

Let's define a term before we get to the actual answer for this week's question. At Keystone Computer Concepts, the term "set up a new computer" means that we will do the following: 1) accept the manufacturer's license agreement on your behalf; 2) set up a single computer account or multiple user accounts depending on your preferences; 3) install all the Windows or Mac Operating System updates which have become available since the computer was manufactured (these updates can number thirty to forty depending on how long the computer has been on the shelf.); 4) install all important programs and updates such as Adobe Flash, Adobe Air, Adobe Reader, Java and iTunes; 5) remove all "nag" software installed by the manufacturer; 6) install Microsoft Office if the new computer owner has purchased it; 7) install any specialized programs purchased such as QuickBooks. etc.; 8) install our Remote Technical Support shortcut (even if you're not an RTS customer, we install the shortcut in case we can help you with a small problem or question after you've taken your new computer home for the first time.); 9) if your old computer is running or if the old computer's hard drive is accessible, transfer your old data to the new machine; and, 10) if we are setting up the computer in the shop (we also perform this service remotely), we'll create the factory restore disks. (Yes, manufacturers have stopped providing these disks and it's up to the new computer owner to see that they get created.)

The entire set up process, by the way, usually takes from 4 to 6 hours.

Now that we know what "setup" means at KCC (not all companies that charge a setup fee actually perform all the setup steps we've outlined), let's explain why a computer needs this done before you use and why it's not safe to use it right out of the box.

Operating System Updates: Computer manufacturers use an image (called a "build image") to install the operating system and other programs when they build new computers. This image can be used over and over, hundreds if not thousands of times. To save money, the image is usually only updated when major changes occur (a new Service Pack of updates becomes available, for example.) This means that even on the very day a computer is built, it could be months behind on updates because the manufacturer is still using a build image from the time of the last major change. (In the "old" days, computer builders used to install updates right before the computer left the factory but those days are dead and gone.) Additionally, from the time the computer is made, it may be weeks or even months before the computer reaches your shopping cart. This long delay between image creation and shipping time means the computer is sitting idle while new updates are being released by the various software manufacturers. In other words, your brand new computer is out of date as soon as you take it out of the box! The updates which the computer is missing are vitally important as hackers now take advantage of security flaws on the very day the issues are discovered. Without the updates, your new computer is vulnerable as soon as you go online.

Recovery Disks: Now that manufacturers are not providing the recovery disks for new computers (these are the disks needed if the system needs to be returned to the way it came out of the box as might occur with a hard drive failure), we've found that customers are not creating them on their own. This is happening even though a new computer will warn you that recovery disks need to be created. Sometimes the warning is ignored because the computer user doesn't have time and sometimes because he or she is not sure of how to create the disks. Either way, it's very important that these disks are made and we do that as part of the setup.

That's it in a nutshell! A new computer definitely needs set up and we're happy to help you with that service - in person or remotely. Just give us a call!


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