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   PC Basics found in Computers & Technology  :  Hardware A   A   A
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How to Set Up Your New PC

If you buy a laptop, your PC will be ready to run right after you take it out of the box. A desktop PC needs minimal assembly before you can begin to use it. Follow these preliminary steps once you bring home your new PC.
  1. Choose a location for your PC that has at least one convenient power source.
  2. Buy a surge protector, a power strip that protects electronic devices against destructive voltage surges. Your surge protector should have at least six outlets.
  3. Clear off enough workspace for the computer, keyboard, mouse, and printer.

The Six-Step Setup

To set up a computer, follow these six steps:
  1. Unpack the system unit, which houses all of the PC’s internal components, and place it on your desk or floor.
  2. Unpack the monitor and plug the monitor cable into the monitor port on the back of the computer.
  3. Unpack the keyboard and mouse and plug each into the appropriate port on the system unit.
     
  4. Plug one power cable (the cord that goes into a power outlet) into the back of the PC. Plug another cable into the back of the monitor if necessary (note that some monitors come with preconnected cables).
     
  5. Plug all power cables, including those for peripherals (external devices, such as a printer), into the surge protector.
  6. Connect the surge protector to the power outlet and turn on the PC, monitor, and all other peripherals. The operating system, the software that manages the PC’s hardware and other software, should begin to load.

Ports and Cables

To set up a desktop PC, you have to plug cables from the peripherals into the correct ports on the system unit. Most PCs come with a setup guide that illustrates the connections you’ll need to make between the PC and its peripherals. Cables may also be color coded to match their ports. Ports for particular peripherals are standardized: the port for a printer, for instance, will usually be of a certain size and shape.

 
 
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