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So you've got a brand new computer...
Chances are it is a Mac or a PC. Both of these will provide you with a great computing environment and more or less require the same steps to setup. For starters, you should identify all the components present. If everything is still in the box, remove the items carefully now.
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| Keyboards, Mice, Speakers, Manuals, Installation CDs may all be part of the contents of a new computer box |
Consult the "What is a Computer" tutorial in the basic computer use section to help you understand the parts of a computer.
For your convenience we have provided a reference guide for connections and connector cables that you should be aware of for setting up your machine. You can save and print out the pdf version of this reference guide.
| Click here for the Plugs and Ports Reference Guide! |  Hi-Res 1.6
MB |
 Low-Res
600k |
Before powering on the computer you should connect the various components. The rear of the computer has a plethora of connection ports. Connecting your devices is a matter of finding the correct port for each connector, lining up the pins and securing the connection. Matching these up should be fairly self-evident. The VGA connector from your monitor will quite clearly not fit in the miniplug audio port on the back of your computer. However some ports are a bit more subtle in their differences. The modem port and the ethernet port will look very similar, but the ethernet is a bit larger.
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| The ethernet plug is wider and has more wires in it |
Be careful when plugging in your components. Forcing a plug may result in bent pins or broken pieces so if something does not seem to be fitting, take a closer look at the connection and the plug and see if they truly match up. Sometimes its just a matter of rotating the plug. The parallel port for instance has one end slightly larger than the other and the plug wont fit the other way, no matter how hard you try.
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| Notice how the parallel interface has one end slightly larger than the other |
Also be aware that some devices are not restricted to simply one kind of interface. For instance, a mouse these days can be an older style PS2 mouse or a newer USB mouse.
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| Many Mice these days use the newer USB interface rather than the older PS2 |
Older style connection ports, while they still work just fine, are giving way to newer interfaces like firewire, USB, USB2, and DVI. The newer connection types tend to be faster and more convenient for many reasons we won't go into here. Apple has been a trailblazer in the move to these newer interface connections, doing away with the older 'legacy' connections. All newer Macs have Firewire and USB connectivity, but the PC is quickly catching up.
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| Newer and faster interfaces like USB, USB2, Firewire, and DVI are becoming more common |
When plugging in components, make sure you are 'grounded.' We carry around a lot of static energy and before touching any sensitive electrical components, it is a good idea to discharge that energy by touching something that is grounded. The easiest way is to touch the case of the computer itself. Grounding wristbands that clip onto the case are easily available and are a good idea when setting up computers.
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| A grounding wriststrap clipped onto the computer case will prevent unintentional electrical damage |
Once all the pieces are plugged in, you are ready to turn on the
computer. A computer with all its components can be quite a demanding
load on a circuit. It is also sensitive equipment that can be damaged
by surges and spikes, so make sure its plugged into a surge protector
before plugging it into the wall outlet.
Most surge protectors are also a multiple plug power strip and this
is where you can also plug in your monitor and your other peripherals
like printers and scanners.
Make sure your outlet that you are plugging in your surge
protector/power strip is the three pronged grounded variety. Simply
using a two prong adapter from your three prong plug to go into a
non-grounded outlet is really asking for trouble.
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| Surge Protectors are readily available and fairly inexpensive these days |
Once everything is plugged in you can turn on your computer.
If your machine is a name brand pre-built box it will already have an operating system installed. For instance the Macintosh, Dell, Compaq, Hewlett-Packard, Gateway etc.
You will go through a startup screen and then be guided through the process of registering the product. In some cases you may be required to go through a step-by-step process of setting yourself up as a user or administrator on the machine. Neither of these is very difficult. Just follow the on-screen instructions.
If you want to know about getting on the internet, please view the lesson called 'Getting Connected' in the 'using the Internet' section of our tutorials.
Now that you are in, you can begin personalizing your computer for your needs. One aspect of that is installing software.
| Read On... | |