HOW TO PRIME YOUR NEW PC

• you sought advice  from those who know,went to the store browsed through the festive bargains and finally bought that new computer.congratulations!but before you start using that spanking piece of hardware.you"ll need to get your system up-to-date.yes,even new pc's need an overhauling.

GET RID OF JUNK:when you switch on your new computer,you are likely to find junk software preinstalled by the vendor.these could be trail versions of antivirus software,browser toolbars,desktop shortcuts to website,programs that promise free downloads,etc-and are likely to slow down your computer,especially if they are configured to load at boot-up.the best way to deal with such junk is to uninstall it.now,if you're not comfortable to uninstall and what needs to be kept,ask a techie friend to help.alternatively,you could use pc decrapifier-a free program that cleans junk software from pc's.just install this program ,run it and follow the instructions.

• download from www.pcdecrapifier.com/download

GET A PROPER ANTIVIRUS:unless you have paid for your antivirus software,what comes preinstalled on a pc is a limited-period trail version.in which case,uninstalling it was the right thing to do.but the fact remains that you need antivirus software.we suggest you download the free microsoft security essentials(mse)suite for windows.for whatever reason,if this doesn"t work on pc,you could try  either avira or avg.both these are free for home use.

• download MSE from Windows.microsoft,com/mse
• download Avira from www.avira.com/en/avira-free-antivirus
• download AVG from www.avg.com/in-en/homepage

IMPORTANT:use just one virus on your pc.never run multiple antivirus programs as this could cause operational conflicts.

CLEAN YOUR STARTUP:tuning up start up services improves the booting time of your pc,as well as as its performance.click the start button and in the search bar,type msconfig.go to the startup tab.disable any service here that you don't use or need on a daily basis.however,if you have a doubt about an item or don't know what it is,leave it running,for example,you might use itunes but don't run it everyday.you can disable it.it won't run in the background and slow down your computer.when you need it(for example,when you plug in your ipod),you will have to double-click its icon to run it.

A  FEW FREE THINGS TO INSTALL

• CHROME AND FIRE FOX:for a better  web browsing experince.

www.google.com/chrome

www.getfirefox.net

• JAVA RUNTIME,FLASH:essential plug-ins for some websites.

www.java.com/en/download/index.jspget.node.com/flashplayer        

• FOXIT READER:a fast and lightweight PDF reader

www.foxitsoftware.com/secure_PDF_reader

• PICASA:manages your photo collection,and packs basic image editing.

picasa.google.com

• KM PLAYER:extensive supportfor video codecs and has a pleasing interface.

www.kmpmedia.net

• 7ZIP:takes care of all your archiving needs,including ZIP and RAR.

www.7-zip.org

• CCLEANER:keeps your pc clean and in top shape

www.piriform.com/ccleaner

• SKYPE:for all your video calling needs.

www.skype.com

• INFRARECORDER:powerful but simple CD/DVD burning tool.

infrarecorder.org