Wondering what to install after you just build your pc

[angstsoldat]

I'm thinking ahead right now.. I want to get any good useful protection on a CD now before I connect my self to internet connectivity on a new machine (like have all my softwares already installed.)

So far i plan on burning Windows Service Pack 3, Mozilla Firefox, AntiVir, ZoneAlarm(if i can figure out how to get that on there), Adaware SE pro, Ad - watch, Windows Media Player 10,musicmatch jukebox. Am I missing anything important??

 

[notfred]

Making a CD is pointless. By the time you use it again, new versions of most of the programs on it will be out, and you'll jsut want to download the new versions, anyway.

 

[igowerf]

I just have a second harddrive and anytime I download the latest version of a program or a patch, I save it there. When I reformat, I'll have the latest (or recent) versions of all of the programs that I regularly use.

 

[angstsoldat]

Even if i make a CD a few days beforehand notfred? I just read in mechbGons guide that you want some sort of security (not in those words) before connecting a new computer to the internet.

I dont quite get what your saying igowerf. =/

 

[mechBgon]

Making a CD is pointless. By the time you use it again, new versions of most of the programs on it will be out, and you'll jsut want to download the new versions, anyway.

He's about to build a new system, and wants to keep the bad guys out right from the get-go by having firewall/antivirus protection enabled before initial connection, I think. Wonder where he got that idea...

It isn't software, but a router is a good defense against outside attack, unless you use a connection method that routers don't work for (dial-up, for example). Consider spending that $30 for a Netgear RP614 or similar router.

Also, Microsoft just released Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer 2.0: download here. The rest of your plan looks good to me, although you're going a bit overboard on the antispyware area maybe.

 

[angstsoldat]

hehe you rock Mech!

I have a router, I got a D-Link though, Dl-604 i think is the product # ? just some #s I saw on the side of the router..

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: angstsoldat
hehe you rock Mech!

I have a router, I got a D-Link though, Dl-604 i think is the product # ? just some #s I saw on the side of the router..

Excellent

 

[angstsoldat]

One lsat question .. will I have to buy an internet cord (you know, that you stick in the back of your computer to a router). or will the MOBO or case or something come with one

 

[mechBgon]

The mobo doesn't come with one, not that I've ever seen, so go ahead and add one to your order. You want what's called a Cat5e or Cat6 Ethernet cable. There are crossover versions, you don't want crossover (crossover is for connecting two computers directly without having a hub/switch/router between them).

 

[angstsoldat]

oh cool thanks mech.. Will start looking for one

 

[angstsoldat]

Whats it mean on a CAT5 or 6 cable when it says "shielded"? is that like a firewall or something

 

[angstsoldat]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16812118032

is that a good Cat6 ? Its awefully long but Cat6 is better than 5E right?

and is the 500mhz thing stat it says on the Cat6 high for a cord or just good or bad?

 

[mechBgon]

Shielded means they've added a layer of foil shielding over the twisted-pair wires inside the cable to help in extra-nasty situations where there's heavy electromagnetic interference. The cable you got there will be great. You won't see any difference between Cat5e and Cat6, either one can handle up to 1000Mbit speeds, which is 10x what your router's 100Mbit ceiling is.

Summary: all that counts is that it's long enough for your needs, Cat5e or Cat6, and not crossover.

 

[angstsoldat]

alright cool What about being too long, it wouldnt hurt "transmissions" or whatnot by putting a rubber band around extra wire would it?

 

[angstsoldat]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16812117212 nevermind I think i'll get that one it meets my length requirements a lot better

if Cat 5 E and Cat 6 are pretty much the same why did they make a Cat 6?

btw im printing out your guide right now lol

 

[angstsoldat]

Hey Mech how do I tell how many IDE interface cables or whatnot this mobo has?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813130491

all I can find is SATA and PATA counts

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: angstsoldat
alright cool What about being too long, it wouldnt hurt "transmissions" or whatnot by putting a rubber band around extra wire would it?

Nope, that would be fine. The twisted-pair construction of the cable is designed so that interference pretty much cancels itself.

I haven't bothered educating myself on the technical differences between Cat5e and Cat6, to be honest with you. Some Googling would probably sort that out quickly, though

I should make a .PDF version of my guide sometime for easy printing

 

[angstsoldat]

yeah it sure is a biggon lol. I've been printing Case Prep 1 for the last 15 mins but not your fault Its a great guide I just have a slow printer

 

[angstsoldat]

So how do I find out how many IDE cables my mobo has? all the CDRoms im looking at are IDE interface

 

[mechBgon]

Check the photo spread at Newegg for your mobo, they often spread out the cables so you can see what you're getting. One of them will be the floppy cable, slightly narrower than the IDE cables.

 

[angstsoldat]

I dont really know what an IDE cable looks like even.. :x

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowImage...20ATX%20AMD%20Motherboard%20-%20Retail

thats the pic though

 

[mechBgon]

From the photo, it looks like they give you one floppy cable and one IDE cable (the IDE cable is the three-plug one with the red covering, it's a "rounded" cable rather than flat ribbon). Looks like you may need to add an extra IDE cable to your order. Here's one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16812104113

 

[angstsoldat]

that sucks it only comes with one IDE cable.. How many IDE cables does the MOBO support? I have 4 drive bays for CDRoms so i plan on filling those all up at some point, only 1 floppy bay though so thats aight. those IDE cables you listed are compatible?

 

[angstsoldat]

"GENERIC 24-Inch 3-Connector Teflon Coated IDE True ATA 133/ 100 Flat Cable Model 21AT-10124-100 - OEM"

Wait that means that uhh.. It has 3 IDE cable spots for 3 different things that hook up with IDE, joined together on one IDE slot on the mobo?

like one slot from that IDE cable goes to the mobo, and then it has 3 different break offs to each go wherever it wants to?

 

[angstsoldat]

hey Mech can I add you to MSN if you have it? mines angst_soldat@hotmail.com