Set Up a New PC

I recently bought a laptop to replace my aging desktop computer and the migration process has been quite fun. It wasn’t difficult by any means, but was so tedious that I had Google running all the time to look for solutions. I’m going to post some of the work I did, to either help you or bore you to tears if you’re not interested.

The notebook I got is a Lenovo Thinkpad L412. With an Intel Core i5 processor, 14″ anti-glare screen and excellent build quality, it fits my needs perfectly for Word/Excel, Internet, Python, some CAD, and Web development (no gaming, though). It will be used mostly as a desktop replacement, but its 5.1lb weight isn’t too bad for mobility either. It did, however, come pre-installed with a 32-bit Windows 7 Professional. So the first thing I’ll do is to clean install the 64-bit version. Some people would clean install the OS anyway just to remove the bloatware loaded by PC manufacturers. I don’t feel Lenovo installed too much junk, compared to HP and Dell computers I owned before, but it does have Norton which I’ll do everything in my power to get rid of.

While I’m at it, I might as well slap a Solid State Drive (SSD) in for its speed, reliability, quietness and free-falling prices in recent months. Here it goes:

Part I: Get Ready

1. Burn recovery disks
2. Backup data on old PC
3. Download 64-bit Windows 7
4. Burn a bootable Windows installation disk

Part II: Install Hardware

5. Prepare SSD
6. Replace hard drive with SSD
7. Upgrade memory

Part III: Install Software

8. Install Windows
9. Install drivers
10. Install software programs
11. Install Python and xlrd

Part IV: Install Peripherals

12. Print through router
13. Use laptop cooler
14. Displayport to DVI
15. Attach a NAS

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