New Laptop - What should I do before using it? Clean install, backup, etc?

Just got a new laptop, and was wondering what you guys suggest I do before going to town on this thing.

I've read here about wiping the HDD, and doing a clean install - Should I do this?

Also, my PC didn't come with any Windows discs - Is there a way to create them, and should I?

Is there anything else I should do prior to exposing the system to the internet, i.e. Set up Windows Firewall, etc?

Thanks a bunch - I can't wait to use this thing!!

 

What laptop is it? Recommendations should really be made after we know that.

 

It's a Samsung R580 JSB1US


Thanks.

 

In which case I would recommend having a look around the Samsung forum and posting there. Whether or not doing a clean install is worth it depends on the individual manufacturer and how much unnecessary software is installed by default. I would say that a significant number of users on her either do a clean install or at least do a clean out of what is installed on their system.

I can say that you should most definitely create windows/recovery disks. Your laptop should have some sort of utility to create them.

On here it has been recommended that you check your notebook to make sure you get what you pay for, meaning you check everything works and that your specifications are as ordered. Something is rarely wrong but it is worth checking.

Set up windows firewall if you do not have another firewall that you can use. The Windows firewall is certainly better than nothing, but a 'proper' firewall is highly recommended. Comodo seems to be a popular free firewall. I use the firewall that comes with Norton 360.

 

Ok. Will do. Thanks for your help!

 

this question has been asked time and again.

There are even a few stickies out there. but for the nth time, here i go-

1. Create Recovery disks - THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP.
2. Start to remove all the crapware/ bloatware your system came with.
3. Update all the drivers.
4. Install all your necessary software.

At each step, be sure to keep creating system restore points. it helps a lot during system instabilities right after installations.

 

Cross posting is against the forum rules. I will leave the one in the Samsung forum open and close this one.