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Windows Vista: Things You Should Do When Setting Up Your PC

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This document pertains to HP and Compaq Desktop computers with Windows Vista.
This document provides a helpful, more secure process to use when a new computer is being setup for the first time or after using system recovery to restore the computer to its original configuration. During this critical time when the computer is being set up it is more vulnerable to security threats because it does not contain the most recent updates. Use the following steps to make sure your computer is up-to-date and secure.
Step 1: Connecting the hardware
Connect only the basic hardware you need to use Windows, usually the mouse, keyboard, and monitor, using the setup instructions for your computer.
CAUTION: Do not connect the network cable, printers, cameras, scanners, or any other non-essential peripheral devices and do not install any extra software until setup has finished and you have completed the rest of the steps in this document. Remove USB storage devices and HP Personal and Pocket Media drives from their sockets during the setup process.
Step 2: Completing the initial setup screens
You must complete a series of computer setup screens before you can complete the setup process. It is important to fill out the setup information and wait for setup to complete. Sometimes it might take more than 40 minutes before the Windows desktop displays. Do not restart the computer during this process. If the computer restarts, you might need to perform a system recovery before you can use Windows.
CAUTION: If the computer uses a broadband Internet connection, do not connect the network cable (or broadband modem) . The computer can be more susceptible to security threats during this critical period. If you need an Internet connection to complete a setup screen, try to bypass the screen and complete that portion of setup later. If this is not possible, temporarily connect the cable to complete the screen. Make sure to scan the computer for viruses immediately after completing the rest of these steps.
After initial setup is complete, continue to the next step.
Step 3: Setting up a firewall
Set up a firewall to provide basic protection against security threats before attempting to connect to the Internet. You can use Windows firewall or other firewall software, such as Norton Internet Security.
NOTE: If you are using Windows firewall, do not enable another firewall. Firewall software can interfere with one another if more than one is open.
Using Windows Firewall
  1. Disconnect the network and modem cable if they are attached to the computer.
    Only the power cord, monitor, mouse, and keyboard should be connected.
  2. Click Start , click Control Panel , and then click Security .
  3. Under Windows Security , click Turn Windows Firewall on or off , and then click On . The Firewall indicator is now green.
  4. To make sure Windows Firewall is enabled, click Start , and type security center in the Start Search box. The Firewall indicator should be green and show a status of On.
  5. After enabling the firewall, connect the network or modem cable and continue to the next step.
Using Norton Internet Security
Your computer might have come with a subscription to Norton Internet Security. If so, and if you want to use this firewall, make sure that the service has been activated by opening the desktop icon and responding to the setup screens. After initially configuring Norton Internet Security, use the following steps to make sure the firewall is active.
  1. Disconnect the network and modem cable if they are attached to the computer.
    Only the power cord, monitor, mouse, and keyboard should be connected.
  2. Click the Norton Protection Center icon in the lower-right taskbar.
  3. In the main Norton window, click the Norton Internet Security tab, click Settings , and then click Personal Firewall .
    Figure 1: Norton Personal Firewall setting
    Norton Personal Firewall setting
  4. Click Turn On .
  5. To make sure the Firewall is enabled, click Start , and type security center in the Start Search box. The Firewall indicator should be green and show a status of On.
Step 4: Connecting to the Internet
After enabling a firewall, set up an Internet connection using information from your Internet Service Provider (ISP). If necessary, contact the ISP support number if you are having trouble setting up the connection or if you are missing important information such as passwords.
CAUTION: Do not browse the Internet or use e-mail! Finish the steps in this document to make the computer more secure before using the Internet.
After establishing an Internet connection, continue to the next step.
Step 5: Downloading updates for Windows
Make sure Windows Vista is up-to-date with the latest critical updates from Microsoft.
To do so, click Start , click All Programs , and then click Windows Update .
Follow the instructions to download and install all critical updates from Microsoft.
After installing all critical updates, enable Automatic Update (for Windows Updates) using the following instructions:
  1. Click Start , click Control Panel , and then click System and Maintenance .
  2. Under Windows Update , click Turn automatic updating on or off .
After Window Update is set to automatically update, continue to the next step.
Step 6: Updating security software
Use the self-updating feature of security software used on the system and then set it to perform a periodic scan for malicious software. Doing so makes sure that the computer has the latest protection against such security threats such as viruses and spyware.
NOTE: When used, Windows Defender automatically performs an update before scanning.
For example, if your computer came with Norton Internet Security, you would do the following:
  1. Open Norton Internet Security and click Run LiveUpdate from the Quick updates panel.
    LiveUpdate updates security software and virus definitions.
  2. Click the Norton Internet Security tab. From there, configure your security tools for daily operation:
    1. Under Tasks and Scans , configure a scan to run automatically each week when the computer is not being used.
    2. Under Settings , for the safest environment, make sure all Settings options are on.
      This protects your computer from viruses, phishing software, spyware, and malicious intrusion.
After updating security software, continue to the next step.
Step 7: Updating software and drivers from HP
Next, use HP Update to install all critical software and driver updates from HP:
  1. Click Start , and then click All Programs .
  2. Click HP , and click HP Update .
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions to download and install updates.
Step 8: Connecting devices and installing extra software
You are almost done. The computer is now more secure with the latest updates installed. Now you can add external devices and install extra software as follows:
  1. Install hardware devices, such as printers, all-in-ones, and cameras, using the manufacturer's installation instructions. Make sure a device is completely installed and working before installing another one.
  2. Install software that was not installed automatically.
  3. You might also want to download and install other updates from Microsoft and HP that are not critical. For more information, see the HP support document HP and Compaq Desktop PCs - Obtaining Software and Drivers .
    Your computer is now up-to-date.


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