Buying second-hand items are one of the best ways to save money on your next gadget purchase. If you are wise about your approach when buying these things, you can easily score a bargain. After having successfully purchased a second-hand device, you will typically have to set it up for your own use. In this article, we are going to talk about the proper setup procedure for second-hand devices. This list will include a guide on how to wipe a PC, how to set up Windows for first-time use, what essential apps you have to install, and how to do a post-wipe system diagnosis to ensure that your device will run smoothly.
Start fresh with a complete wipe.
Some computers listed in online marketplaces will be sold “as is.” Basically, this means that the owner would not be doing anything to the device and would sell it in the state that it is currently in. This would also mean that all the files and programs installed by the previous owner will be left on the device. Most of the time, you can get away with deleting these files yourself and then go along your way. However, this process leaves a lot of unnecessary data in the background, and it will not do a thorough wipe of the system.
If you really want to get that “fresh” feel in your device, it would be wise to do a complete wipe after buying it. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of available guides online on how to do a safe wipe for Windows computers. It is a rather straightforward procedure, so you don’t have anything to worry about. Once you have accomplished this, you are now ready to proceed to the next steps.
Initial setup
After having completely wiped your drives, it’s now time to set up your Windows operating system. As with the previous step, there are also plenty of guides online for how to set up your Windows device. Some people like to get really thorough and in-depth with their Windows setup. This could involve having to set up authentication measures, changing the looks of the elements in the system, removing animations and other visual effects to have better speed, etc. When it comes to this step, it is really up to you how you want your device to feel. Regardless of how you set it up, the main point with this setup procedure is for you to be able to enhance your user experience even though it’s essentially a used device.
Essential apps to have
Depending on the type of wipe you do, you may have to reinstall some applications. Some of the things that you would definitely have to install are your drivers. This could be audio, graphics, keyboard, touchpad, and even internet-related drivers. Drivers enable the different components in your computer to function as intended. If this step is skipped or forgotten, you may end up having issues, or errors pop up every now and then. Another app you should consider installing is an antivirus or anti-malware program. Although Windows already has a baked-in security feature, we’d still recommend doing this step just to add another layer of security to your system.
Post-wipe system diagnosis
The final thing that you should do after your initial setup is to do a post-wipe system diagnosis. This involves the use of specialized applications that can monitor the performance of the different components in your device. For one, it allows you to identify the components installed in your computer. With this, you can verify if the components inside are the actual parts that you have paid for. Moreover, this also allows you to check if said parts are running as intended. During this stage, check for excessive heat, throttling, and suspiciously lower clock speeds. If you have encountered any issues during this diagnosis stage, immediately contact the seller for any solutions that may be negotiated.
