- I would start getting it out of the box and see if it works.
- If the user manual says to make your own recovery disks, do that immediately. Also - without even reading the manual - if your laptop invites you to do it.
- Then install your favorite antivirus (unless you're happy with one that's present on it already).
- Then visit Windows update for the latest patches, or let the Windows update itself until it's ready with it.
- Then install any program you need that isn't on it. Could be LibreOffice, a pdf reader, Adobe Flash, software that came with your all-in-one, your mp3-player, your camera, software you need for school, iTunes, etcetera, etcetera.
- Then get the backup of your old machine and copy all files you want to your new laptop. If you don't have a current backup, use your external drive as intermediate storage.
Kees
Despite the warnings I saw about hp's customer service, I picked this computer for several reasons, including that it's my mother paying a new laptop and she really wanted it to be this one. It's from Costco and we have a three year warranty, so that's good.
Now I have it, I want to know how to start off on the right foot. I've read some about what to do with new computers, but it's generally old information. I also need to transfer files from my old hp pavilion and WD Passport. I tried looking up information on the model, but I cannot find a single review or even comment on it, just similar ones that have different processors or memory. It's not even on the Costco website - just a very similar one, the one I was choosing against at the store, that at 749 was more expensive by 150 dollars, with Intel and more memory.
The model: HP Pavilion dv6-6c13cl
AMD QuadCore A6-3420M Accelerated Processor
640 GB hard drive
6144MB DDR3 SDRAM
DVD optical drive
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
15.6 diagonal HD Brightview LED Display
Basically I'm a complete newbie so I have a very vague idea of what I should even be asking about. I haven't even opened the box.

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