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After You Receive Your New/Rebuilt PC

Intended AudienceThis document is intended to provide information and tips related to:

  • Getting a new computer
  • Getting an operating system upgraded
  • Getting an operating system rebuilt to Windows XP Professional

Once you start your computer and log in, you will notice that your desktop looks slightly different. However, restoring icons, favorites, and documents can be done quickly and easily to make your workstation feel just as comfortable as before.

Your new computer will be installed with the IPFW standard software configuration for Windows XP. Unfortunately, it is not possible for us to duplicate, identically, your old configuration. That is the "Personal" part of a personal computer. Here are some helpful tips available to help you tweak your new PC once you get it.

[Desktop Icons] [Arrange Icons] [Screen Flicker] [Screen/Text Size] [Background/Wallpaper]
[IE Favorites] [ Bookmarks] [Restore Files] [Install Printers] [Migrating Dreamweaver Sites]

To create new desktop icons:

To arrange the desktop icons:

  • Right-click the desktop
  • Click "Arrange Icons By"
  • Select Auto Arrange (you could also select By Name, or whichever choice suits you best)

To stop the screen from flickering (may cause fuzziness on flat panel monitors):

  1. Right-click the desktop
  2. Click Properties
  3. Click the Settings tab
  4. Click the Advanced button to the lower right
  5. Click the monitor tab
  6. Under the words "Screen Refresh Rate", click the drop down box
  7. Select a number different than your current setting (60 Hz is generally ideal for flat panel monitors, 72 or 75 Hz may be more ideal for "traditional" monitors)
  8. Click Apply
  9. Click OK
  10. Click OK again to close the Display Properties

To change the size of items on the screen (may cause fuzziness or distortion on flat panel monitors):

  1. Right-click the desktop
  2. Click Properties
  3. Click the Settings tab
  4. Under Screen resolution, move the slider to the left or right (it is best to keep the aspect ratio the same by selecting 1280x1024, 1024x768 or 800x600)
  5. Click Apply
  6. Click OK

To change your desktop background:

  1. Right click the desktop
  2. Click Properties
  3. Click the Desktop tab
  4. Choose a new background. If you do not wish to use a personal image for the new background go to step 8.
  5. If you wish to use a personal image for your back ground, click Browse.
  6. Select the image you’d like to use for your back ground
  7. Double-click the file name, or single-click and click Open.
  8. Click Apply
  9. Click OK

Restoring Internet Explorer Favorites:

  1. Open Windows Explorer
  2. Double-click My Computer and then Local Disk (C:)
  3. Double-click Files to be Restored
  4. Look for your username and double-click your profile. EX: cartera.profile
  5. Right click Favorites and select copy
  6. From Folders column in Windows Explorer double-click C:\Documents and Settings\Your Username EX: C:\Documents and Settings\cartera
  7. Paste Favorites into this directory by right-clicking and selecting Paste

To restore your documents:

  1. Double-click the My Computer icon on the desktop
  2. Double-click Local Disk (C:)
  3. Double-click Files to be Restored
  4. Double-click your username.profile folder
    1. You should see the same folder names you used before. If you used "My Documents" you will see a folder named "My Documents" if you used "Jane Doe", you will see a folder named "Jane Doe".
    2. Files you have saved on the I: drive and the O: drive will not appear here. They will be on your I: drive and O: drive as usual.
  5. Right-click on one of your folders
  6. Select Copy
  7. To save to your desktop:
    1. Right-click any open space on your desktop
    2. Select Paste
  8. To save somewhere other than your desktop:
    1. Double-click My Computer
    2. Double-click Local Disk (C:)
    3. Select the location of your choice by left-clicking through the drive and right-clicking to paste.

To reinstall networked printers:

Migrating Dreamweaver Sites

These instructions are published at http://www.its.ipfw.edu/training/howto/web/dw-migrate-site.shtml.