Author Topic: Setting up a new Windows desktop system--seeking advice on doing it right!  (Read 884 times)

ObviouslyNotAGolfer

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I just bought a fairly well-outfitted Dell Precision 3630 from the Dell refurb store. I also have a BenQ 27" wide gamut display on the way.

Because I have not set up a new desktop system at home in nearly seven years, I am curious to read some thoughts on how to set it up so as to avoid problems later on down the line.

The PC has Windows 10 Pro, but I am also looking at free anti-virus--Avast has worked well for us for many years and was recommended by our local tech. Of course, I will download a decent browser (Edge--the world's leading browser for downloading other browsers!). Here are a few questions.

1.) What steps would you take in set-up to ensure the best performance and eliminate problems down the road?

2.) I also ordered an additional La Cie 6 TB external HDD and am looking for auto-backup software.

3.) The new PC currently has 32 GB RAM, but has capacity for 128. I am very likely going to ditch my stand-alone Adobe LR software and go to Phase One, RawTherapee or another raw development software. Will 32 GB be slow for any of these, or should I look at bumping it up to 64 or higher soon? The software itself will all be installed on an SSD, so that should help with speed as well.

4.) Placing tower directly on carpet (concrete floor underneath) a bad idea, or should the tower have its own stand?

5.) Your preferred anti-virus/malware, etc.?

6.) Steps on setup I should take to preserve what last shreds of privacy I have left (I am not on Fecebook, Twitter, Instagram or the like).?

Thanks!
« Last Edit: August 17, 2020, 03:36:43 PM by ObviouslyNotAGolfer »

jim555

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Some thoughts, I wouldn't bother with an anti virus.  Microsoft has one built in.  The new Edge browser (not be be confused with the old Edge) is based on Chrome, but with the Googleization taken out, is very good (amazingly).  32 GB RAM is more than enough for anything really.  Placing on the carpet, make sure no air vents are being stopped up.  For privacy you could do whole disk encryption with Veracrypt.  Run Bleachbit to clear out cookies and temp files once in a while.  Install Adblock Plus on your browser.  Start using GPG for your emails, getting others to use it will be the challenge.   

405programmer

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Congrats on the new PC!

  • Make sure you know your product key to Windows / leave in place the built in HD partition for windows to do factory restores in the future. I like to backup all my important documents / pictures and then reformat from this partition about every 2-3 years.
  • I never did the research for auto-backups. Just make sure it's plugged into a UPS or the same surge that kills your PC disk could kill your backup disk.
  • 32 is pretty much baller status for RAM. I don't have advice here but I suspect you'll be fine.
  • Depends if there are vents on the bottom. If yes on bottom vents get something to give it a little air. Even a book at the front and one at the back might raise it enough to allow a little flow.
  • +1 to Windows Defender (built in) very unobtrusive and seems to work great! As always, the best anti-virus is being careful where you download media / software files.
  • No good advice other than never get a smartphone. For me the benefits outweigh the lost privacy but YMMV.

bloodaxe

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If you are serious about protecting privacy:

1. Install VirtualBox
2. Run Ubuntu in your virtualbox
3. Get comfortable enough with Ubuntu and overwrite Windows with it

If you are super serious, eventually install Debian.

If your computer needs are mostly internet scrolling you won't notice a difference.

zolotiyeruki

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1) Get rid of any bloatware Dell loaded on the machine, including (especially!) 3rd-party antivirus.  Given Microsoft's track record, I would *definitely* have automated backups of some sort, preferably on a separate machine.  I'm a geek, so I have no inhibition about deferring Windows Updates, or disabling Windows Update entirely (albeit temporarily) whenever there's a major OS update.  I prefer Firefox to Chrome, personally, due to privacy concerns and tech politics (e.g. Google's war on the address bar)
2) Windows has a built-in backup utility that's pretty reasonable to use.  IIRC, if you have a NAS/file server and Win10 Pro, you can do automated backups across the network.
3) 32GB is indeed a handsome amount for just about anyone not doing heavy photo or video editing
4) Your computer sucks air in the front and out the back, so don't worry about it being on the carpet.
5) Nothing other than what Windows comes with, and staying away from shady parts of the internet.
6) If you're worried about privacy, Windows 10 isn't for you, sorry.  There's Linux for that. :) *  You can reduce the amount of telemetry MS gathers, but not stop it completely.  And even if you do, there's a high probability the next update will restore all that functionality.  One thing that can help is to *not* create a Microsoft account when first setting up the computer.  It's getting trickier--MS have progressively made the "local account" option harder and harder to find--but it's still there.


* Seriously, it may be worth a try.  My wife uses Windows 10 on her laptop, and I decided to give Ubuntu Mate (one flavor of Linux) a spin on my laptop, and I have to say that the experience has been far more trouble-free for me than for her.  For example, Microsoft really FUBAR'd the whole printing subsystem in Windows 10 (something that was *perfectly* functional in Win7).  Setting up the network printer on my Linux laptop was a piece of cake, while Windows 10 refuses to print if it senses that the printer has run out of paper (which requires you to restart the Print Spooler service), even after you've filled the printer back up.

Really, when I installed linux on my laptop, I was expecting to run into a few things that needed tweaking, but once it installed and booted to the desktop, that was it.  No extra driver installs, no friction, just....ready to go.

BTDretire

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  • Make sure you know your product key to Windows / leave in place the built in HD partition for windows to do factory restores in the future.
I don't have my key, is there a way to retrieve it from the computer?[/list]

jim555

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  • Make sure you know your product key to Windows / leave in place the built in HD partition for windows to do factory restores in the future.
I don't have my key, is there a way to retrieve it from the computer?[/list]
Windows 10 does a hardware ID for the license key, it will automatically activate on its own.

American GenX

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Extra memory makes a big difference if you actually need more memory.  Otherwise, it's money wasted.  I just recently hit a point where I hit some serious paging issues and need to upgrade, and I'll probably jump to 24 GB.  32 GB should be more than enough, and you can always add more later.