How to Set Up Your Computer for the First Time

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Easy tips for a hassle-free first computer experience
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This is how to set up a PC for use with Windows and Linux operating systems. Make sure you have everything to use the PC.

How to Set Up Your Computer: A Quick Guide

  1. Carefully unpack your new computer from its box and put it where you want it.
  2. Connect the hardware components.
  3. Connect everything to an extension cable and connect that to an AC outlet.
  4. Turn on the computer, and you're all done!

Steps

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  1. 1
    First, purchase a Desktop PC from companies such as Dell and PC World. Make sure that the PC does what you want it to do.
  2. 2
    Next, open the box to find the components purchased with the desktop (monitor, mouse, keyboard).
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  4. You should have a VGA or DVI cable for the monitor, a 3.5 mm cable for the speakers, A PS/2 or USB cable for the keyboard and mouse and a power cable.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    How can I change the display size on the desktop?
    Community Answer
    For Windows, go to Control Panel > Appearance and Personalization > Display > Change display settings or Adjust screen resolution.
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  • Question
    My computer is prompting me to check the video cable. Where and what is that?
    Denneisk
    Top Answerer
    The video cable is the cable that sends video (and sometimes audio) information to the monitor. Depending on what kind of cable you used, it could look different. Look for something blue, white or black. In step four of this article, the blue connector is a 'male' VGA connector, which is a video cable.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    Not Helpful 7 Helpful 4
  • Question
    Should I choose auto setup or custom setup?
    Denneisk
    Top Answerer
    In most cases, all you need is automatic setup, but some people prefer custom setup because they want to change certain variables. If the custom option is overwhelming, back out and choose automatic or choose the default settings.
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      Warnings

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      Things You'll Need

      • A desktop computer
      • Peripherals such as monitors, speakers, keyboards and mouse
      • Optional extras such as cameras and iPods

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