Now, when it comes to a new beginning, that very first startup moment, you know, feels like a total mystery for me. It’s like opening a box for the first time, not knowing what’s inside, excited but also a bit anxious. Starting up a computer for the first time is actually just like that. The click sound, the illumination of the screen… Isn’t it beautiful? But then, the basic settings start. Think of it like the first step of a project you work on for days, coding through the nights. At first, everything seems perfect, shining brightly, like emitting a light. But once you dive in, you realize you’re still at the beginning, with many things to do ahead.
This initial startup and basic configuration process is, in my opinion, somewhat like building a house. You first build the walls, then plaster them, and finally furnish the inside. When you turn on your computer, you are essentially doing the same. Installing the operating system is like building the walls, then loading necessary drivers is like plastering, and finally installing programs is like furnishing. Those initial steps, the basic settings, are incredibly important to ensure everything works smoothly later on. If you make mistakes here, they’ll follow you around and cause errors everywhere. Of course, I tend to think of every detail, maybe I overdo it, but well 🙂
Anyway, let’s come to those basic settings. First, of course, is installing an operating system. Are you going to install Windows, Linux, or macOS? That’s entirely your choice and depends on what you want to do. I usually start with Windows because it’s familiar. But Linux is a whole different world, especially that command line, which can blow your mind. Currently, I mostly use Windows Server for my C# projects, but Linux still holds a special place for me.
After installing the operating system, things speed up. Next comes loading drivers. Graphics card driver, sound card driver, network card driver… Without these, your computer won’t perform optimally, and some things may not work at all. Think of it like a car with an engine but without wheels. These drivers are like the ‘wheels’ of the system. Usually, they are downloaded from the motherboard manufacturer’s website or the graphics card’s site. But you need to be careful, installing the wrong drivers can make your system unstable. I consider this one of the most critical steps, like building a strong foundation for a building.
Meanwhile, the ‘Windows Updates’ screen that appears during the initial setup can seem like a waste of time. But don’t skip that step! Because these updates fix security vulnerabilities and bring performance improvements. Sometimes new features are added too. Yes, it can be lengthy and boring, but skipping it is not advisable. I tend to postpone it initially but regret it later, wishing I had done it. Just like delaying something in life can make it more complicated later on.
Then, of course, our indispensable need is an internet connection. You set up the modem, connect your computer… but that’s not enough. Network settings need checking. IP address, DNS servers… When these are not correctly configured, your internet can run slowly or not at all. Usually, the modem manages this automatically, but sometimes manual intervention is needed. Especially if you are using VPN, DNS settings become very important, or you might not be able to access certain sites. I think deeper into this topic is necessary, but for now, knowing this much is enough.
The process of installing programs is another adventure. What programs will you install? Office suits, design software, or IDEs for coding? For someone like me who writes code, Visual Studio Code or Visual Studio are indispensable. Sometimes I also use Sublime Text because it’s fast and lightweight. When installing these programs, it’s important to be mindful about where they are installed and which plugins are added. These can affect your performance later. For example, I sometimes install unnecessary plugins and then realize the program has slowed down, so I have to clean them out one by one. That was probably a mistake I made in the beginning.
In my early computers, I would always install programs to C:\. One day, I had to format the system, and I had to reinstall everything. Now I install programs on different drives to avoid that risk. It’s like lessons we learn in life; the same applies to computers. By the way, the license agreements we accept during installation—nobody really reads them, right? 🙂 But it’s actually important to understand what you accept there, as some crucial information might be written there.
Ultimately, this initial setup and configuration process is like starting a journey. Everything seems smooth at first, but there are many things to do. Drivers, updates, network settings, program installations… when combined, they create a stable, fast system. It’s like tuning a car engine in detail so it runs smoothly on the road—responsive when you press the accelerator. Yes, it can be a bit troublesome initially, but it saves you time and makes your work easier later. That’s why skipping these foundational steps can cause problems later.
Let me give an example of a common mistake during this initial setup. Suppose you install the wrong graphics driver. What happens? Your screen resolution is very low, games lag, or some applications won’t even open. It’s like building a building where the columns are wrongly placed, leading to cracks in the walls. To fix this, you must remove the old driver first and then install the correct one.
Incorrect installation example:
// WRONG: Incorrect driver installation (for example purposes only) // This code doesn't actually run; it simply represents the mistake. // Actually, driver installation is more complex. public void InstallWrongDriver() { Console.WriteLine("Installing wrong graphics driver..."); // System becomes unstable, errors occur. throw new Exception("Wrong driver error!"); }Now, let’s move to the correct installation method. Since this is a manual process, it’s hard to show with code, but I can explain the logic: first, completely uninstall the existing driver with tools like Program Uninstaller or DDU. Then, restart the computer. Next, download the latest driver from the graphics card manufacturer’s website (like NVIDIA or AMD). Run the installer and follow the instructions. Once installation is complete, restart the computer. Following these steps ensures your system runs stably.
The correct installation process (in steps, not code):
// CORRECT: Proper driver installation steps // 1. Remove current driver (using Program Uninstaller or DDU) // 2. Restart the system // 3. Download the latest driver from the GPU manufacturer's website // 4. Run the downloaded setup and follow the instructions // 5. Restart the computer after installation. // These steps help maintain system stability.In fact, these initial settings are not only valid for computers but are a universal principle in life. Whether establishing a relationship, starting a new task, or even cooking a meal, those first steps and preparations influence everything. Isn’t it wonderful? Given all this detail, some might wonder what to do if their internet is slow during these processes. Feel free to ask me about it 🙂
In conclusion, the initial setup and basic configurations of a new computer require patience and attention. Properly performing these steps not only prolongs your device’s lifespan but also ensures a more enjoyable user experience. Trust me, careful initial installation prevents many future issues.