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Tips/Techniques New to me (preowned) computer cautions?

Tips/Techniques
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Dan Dubeau

Ultra Member
I might be over thinking this, but it's been a long time since I've bought a used computer (about 20 years), and I'm out of touch on malware, and virus stuff out there. Maybe I watch too many spy movies :D, but is there anything I should be concerned about buying a used computer and connecting it to my network, and inputting personal information into? Computer in question is a small dell optiplex 3040 SFF with windows 10. I basically bought it for the garage to play youtube and music on. And maybe to try my hand at Linux and Linux CNC in preparation for my little lathe retrofit.

I've plugged it in, and it boots up fine, looks to be a clean install of windows 10 pro, but is there anything else I should be doing before I "let it into the house" so to speak? My knowledge of computers has devolved massively over the years to basically being a user of CAD and CAM software. The last couple computers I've bought have been brand new laptops, so it was just plug and play and I didn't worry myself too much about them being loaded with unknown nefarious software.
 
When I get a used laptop I always wipe the HD, partition it and do a fresh OS install. Takes some time but then you aren't dealing with bloatware and other junk.
 
Thanks. That was my first thought, but was going to look into it more when I got home tonight. There is a fresh install of windows 10 pro on it, but the product key on the case is for windows 7. Showing my computer illiteracy here, but was hoping I didn't run into any issues there, before wiping it out. The last operating system I've installed was windows XP......

Any concerns about connecting it to the house WIFI to do the download/install, or should I do it from another computer and thumb drive it over? Again, am I overthinking this?
 
Windows 7 upgrades to 10 for free, that is most likely why it has 10

Surprised win 10 even installed on a PC that was built when XP was around

I wouldn't be to concerned personally, I mainly do a fresh install just gets rid of the bloat wear, and any old reminents from prior software/drivers/etc
 
This "new" computer is only from 2015. I was referring to the last time I played around installing an OS or really anything computer related besides simply using them was back in the XP days. Obviously a lot has changed since then....

I was more concerned about a virus, or malware or something else that could infect my home network if I plugged this guy in. I don't know, what I don't know kind of thing....
 
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Dan Dubeau said:
This "new" computer is only from 2015. I was referring to the last time I played around installing an OS or really anything computer related besides simply using them was back in the XP days. Obviously a lot has changed since then....

I was more concerned about a virus, or malware or something else that could infect my home network if I plugged this guy in. I don't know, what I don't know kind of thing....
Click to expand...

oh sorry i missed that, i tend to miss quite a bit when im reading things on my phone

if you wanted to install a new copy of 10 or 11 its pretty easy these days, much easier than the days of xp thats for sure, doing it from a thumb drive is pretty simple if you are worried about hooking up that new to you pc to the network.,.... like really simple, just follow the instructions on the microsoft website

as for your home network, thats your call, its no big deal to re-install 7/10/11 if it concerns you
 
Dan Dubeau said:
This "new" computer is only from 2015. I was referring to the last time I played around installing an OS or really anything computer related besides simply using them was back in the XP days. Obviously a lot has changed since then....

I was more concerned about a virus, or malware or something else that could infect my home network if I plugged this guy in. I don't know, what I don't know kind of thing....
Click to expand...

In my humble opinion, you are perfectly right to be concerned.

I really don't care what is on it or where it came from. I'd do as David suggests and wipe the HD clean and then repartition it. You can also reformat it which detects disk errors as well as wipes any residual software.

I too am quite concerned about stuff getting into my side of my network fences.
 
Dan Dubeau said:
There is a fresh install of windows 10 pro on it
Click to expand...
For the really *really* paranoid, if you can get the manufacturer's BIOS and reflash that. *IF* it is for the exact model of your computer. Several malware loads also invade the bios. Highly unlikely, but still possible...
 
Dabbler said:
For the really *really* paranoid, if you can get the manufacturer's BIOS and reflash that. *IF* it is for the exact model of your computer. Several malware loads also invade the bios. Highly unlikely, but still possible...
Click to expand...

This is a very good point I've never considered. Do the majority of reflashes do the entire BIOS or just portions of it?

Most brand name PC's and Motherboards have BIOS Updates. And even if the one installed is the latest, you can always simply reflash it.
 
The only issue you will have with installing WIN-10 again is the Microsoft Virus. This is the requirement to sign into microsoft to continue installation. And it appears as if you can't do the install without allowing microsoft into your world because the ID you use to access microsoft is the one that becomes your sign on ID.

This link is old now and the issue is there for both home and pro but the process is much the same.

You can find other similar videos and instructions by googling "how to prevent win-10 from needing microsoft account" or something to that effect.
 
The other option is to buy a Raspberry Pi4. You can insert a different uSD card with LinuxCNC.
Regardless of laptop or Pi4 you will need an Ethernet based I/O card to talk to hardware.
But you will need keyboard, mouse and monitor for the Pi4. The laptop has all that.
 
A pi was on my list too, as was a Lenovo thinkcenter mini computer, But I wanted something a bit more familiar and plug and play than a Pi for this job. This one showed up locally for $100, so I popped out at lunch to grab it. I've seen these mini pc's go for a bit cheaper in/closer to Toronto but that means a trip into the city.....It'll do fine for what I want it for which was a basic media pc for the shop for around $100 with built in wifi and bluetooth and ability to run Linux without having to be overly computer literate. Which I am not. Who knows maybe I'll learn something and realize that figuring out linux isn't all that hard and I've been worried about it for no reason (what I'm actually hoping for)

I'd still like to pick up a Pi, as I have another use in mind for one, but one project at a time here......ok 50 projects at a time here.....I think a Pi might work for my lathe retrofit too, but I've read mixed results. Seems like a lot of work and more computer knowhow involved in using a pi, vs a regular computer.
 
If your laptop will boot from a USB memory stick then you can install Linux or LinuxCNC on the stick with something like balenaEtcher. Then hit the appropriate buttons while booting and you can boot into Linux from the USB drive and I believe without changing the hard drive.

There's probably someone on this list that is really proficient in Linux.
 
Dan Dubeau said:
optiplex 3040 SFF with windows 10. I basically bought it for the garage to play youtube and music on.
Click to expand...

Youtube is easy. Any version of Windows and/or any Linux distribution will get you there.

What is your plan for "music"? Are you subscribed to one of the online services (Spotify, Amazon Prime, ...)? Or do you have a bunch of CD's ripped to digital and you need player software? Want to play music from your phone via Bluetooth? Something else?

What you want to do for music might limit your choice of operating system.

Also, what is the plan for sound hardware? Are you going to connect the computer to an amplifier and speakers? Linux has come a long way but I think that getting it to play nice with an audio system can still be 'interesting'. ;)

Craig
 
trlvn said:
Youtube is easy. Any version of Windows and/or any Linux distribution will get you there.

What is your plan for "music"? Are you subscribed to one of the online services (Spotify, Amazon Prime, ...)? Or do you have a bunch of CD's ripped to digital and you need player software? Want to play music from your phone via Bluetooth? Something else?

What you want to do for music might limit your choice of operating system.

Also, what is the plan for sound hardware? Are you going to connect the computer to an amplifier and speakers? Linux has come a long way but I think that getting it to play nice with an audio system can still be 'interesting'. ;)

Craig
Click to expand...
I listen to youtube for music quite a bit at work. Obscure stuff, and Live concerts and other stuff like that. There's a ton of them on there. Also podcast stuff too, and long rambly youtubers that I wouldn't normally listen to, but would put on in the background when I'm out in the shop. Like Tom Liptons meatloaf stuff etc..... Watching Motogp races would be another use too.

I have a shop stereo with a line in, that I'd just plug in from the headphone jack. Not overly concerned with audio quality. But I do have bluetooth headphones I'd like to wear and tie in when doing noisy fab work, or mindless production stuff on the CNC. But most of the time, it would be simple background noise from the stereo. A replacement for the same boring old local radio station. I've taken my cad laptop out there a few times, but would like to have a more permanent solution now. And keep the expensive laptop out of the grinding dust......

We do have amazon prime. Honestly never realized there was music with that.......I've got some investigating to do now..... Mostly just watch shows on the firestick, as it and paramount+ are our only streaming services. We've become big Trekkies the last few months catching up on all the Star Trek series and movies over the years.....:D
 
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