Sunday, December 21, 1997

Save the boxes and follow these tips in setting up new computer

By Scott McPherson / Knight-Ridder Newspapers

Getting a new computer this holiday season? This week's column is for you.

Computer manufacturers try to make setting up a computer as easy as possible.

But there are always instructions that get overlooked. The following is a list of reminders.

1. Few manufacturers are open for technical support questions on Christmas Day. Some companies even close support operations for the entire week between Christmas and New Year's Day. Fortunately, almost every manufacturer has a fax service for ordering common, technical support instructions. Before the big day, call the manufacturer's fax service and order a catalog of the instructions, just in case.

2. Don't throw anything away at first, including the original boxes and packing material for such things as computers, monitors and software. Rarely is a machine dead on arrival. But if it is, most vendors will replace it immediately. The saved packing material makes return of your computer easy and safe. And return of extra components that you install, such as modems and scanners, requires the original packing. Otherwise you may not be able to return them at all.

3. Keep your boxes for 90 days. Then if you want to get rid of them, make sure they aren't left outside in plain view to advertise to burglars that you have a computer.

4. Don't fill out warranty cards, and register the product as yours, until you know the product works. This makes it easier for a retailer to take back a product that could be resold. Once you know the product works, register it immediately.

5. READ THE MANUAL! At least scan it before you begin setting up the computer or turn the machine on. Manuals give an inventory of all parts and software. You can make sure everything is there.

6. Have at least three boxes of blank disks on hand. Most of today's computers come with Windows 95 in a condensed "zipped" version on the hard drive. The manufacturer or assembler may also provide Windows 95 on CD-ROM. When you turn on the computer, it will ask if you want to back up the files. If you have enough blank disks, by all means say yes, and feed disks as the machine asks for them. You'll thank yourself later if anything crashes.

7. When you plug cables into the computer, don't force anything. Forcing a cable into the wrong socket might bend or break the pins in the cable's connector. Some companies color-code the cables, so the speaker, mouse and keyboard cables match up to their own colored socket on the back of the computer.

8. If you have to "pop the hood" on your computer, make sure the machine is off the floor. Ground yourself properly before you touch anything inside.

9. If you install a card, such as an internal modem or a CD-ROM interface card, gently slide it down into the slot. Memory modules fit into the bottom of their receptacles at a slight angle. Gently snap them in place. For hard drives, internal CD-ROM drives, tape drives, etc., please note the ribbon cable has a red stripe on one side. Make sure the cable's end Pin One orientation is correct.

10. If you have followed all instructions and the machine still won't boot up, check the back of the computer. Near the cooling fan, there is a small slide switch, usually red. It is marked either "110" and "220," or "115" and "220." Make sure the switch is set to the lower number.

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(Write Scott McPherson at The Help Screen, c/o the Democrat, P.O. Box 990, Tallahassee, Fla., 32302. Internet users can reach him at SCOTTMCP@supernet.net or via America Online at SCOTTMCPHE@aol.com)