So what should I do first when my new Aurora arrives

Don't have comments on all your questions, but here's a suggestion on initial start up and use:

Check your hardware (device manager works) to make sure you have what you ordered. Apply for any rebates before you forget .

I'd run 3DMark05 or 06 before loading games or downloading new drivers (the systems don't always come with the latest drivers). Running the benchmark early gives you a baseline, and also let's you see that everything is working.

Load up a game you know runs well, and play it for a bit to see that everything is as you expect. Then start loading other software and possibly drivers.

imho, it's always better to run the machine as is for a few hours before you start messing with it. Can save some heartache later if you know the system was basically stable before you start tweaking.

Good Luck, and Have FUN!!!

1. Check that WindowsXP, any firewalls and AV programs are installed and patched up to date. Make sure you're protected BEFORE going online. Make a System Restore Point NOW, so if anything gets borked, you can restore.
2. Download 3DMark05 and 06 and run them to establish baseline.
3. Install latest chipset and graphics-card drivers.
4. Run 3DMark05 and 06 to see if there was any improvement.
5. Defrag and defrag and defrag until your disc is completely defrgmented.
6. If you want, make a System Restore Point again. I would recommend it.
7. Install, as Shazza says, a game you know well. Play it, tweak it, mess around with it until you get a feel for what your system can do.

That's basically what I would do first time out. You never mentioned whether this is a SLI system or not. If it is SLI, and you are new to it, I would advise reading up about it at Nvidia's web-page.

Also something to do...install SpyBot Search and Destroy, Spyware Blaster, Ad-Aware, and Microsoft Defender...good basic anti-spyware programs.

Another excellent point Shazza made...run the machine for a day or so before installing all your software, get a feel for how it performs, how it handles basic and advanced tasks. If you are using a Asus motherboard...on the Asus website is a program called NTune, download it, it's a useful little program able to monitor basic system temps and settings, also enables you to OC your system, but as with all programs of this type, READ ALL THE HELP AND DOCUMENTATION FILES BEFORE DOING ANYTHING.

Once you are comfortable messing with your system, load up your games and software.

Any questions? Post your query or PM us, we'll be glad to help.

Things you should do first when your Aurora arrives:

1) Send to 1822 Amelia Way, SC, CA
2) ...

except nebby is a lil off on the address....it's Lubbock, TX.

Post pics

Oh yeah, and post pics of the delivery and the Fedex guy too. (it's a tradition here).

Send it to me for a 3 year inspection period....FREE!!

Constant Defrags are bad for your system

I've never heard that before. Why is that?

I've heard that constant defrags are bad though I can't rmember why...

Here's my take:

I believe that in most cases, regular defragging reduces the wear and tear a drive suffers during normal use. Using a program like Disk-keeper or my own personal favourite PerfectDisk, does help. After all, it's easier for the drive head to retrieve a file from one location than from eight. PerfectDisc also doesn't do a full defrag, it only re-arranges the newer data to fit into the current data-store. Once the drive defragmentation exceeds (user-selected) 10%, it will recommend a full defrag.

I tried it with running just defragging every time it hit 10% and it seemd to recommend once a week. Running it with it doing the basic re-arrangement and it now recommends defragging much less frequently.

So that's just my opinion, I could be wrong. Anybody know anymore?

I know I am late....but, did you plug it in yet?.....

Aurora m7700
AMD Athlon™ 64 FX-60 Processor
17" WideUXGA 1920 x 1200 Display
1GB Dual Channel DDR SO-DIMM at 400MHz
NVIDIA® GeForce™ Go 7800GTX with 256MB of DDR3 memory
80GB 7200 RPM SATA

i am so excited it tickles! went into assembly phase today! dreaming of my not so little blue box nightly!

Hi there, succubi. Why don't you post your own thread in the Phase section - then we can all cheer you on to delivery! Congrats on the system.

Be patient these things can take time (especially when you are waiting for one of these, minutes can seem like hours/days), be diligent, and above all else if things go wrong (they probably won't since bad things seem to happen to me first so you should be in the clear) know you have help here with us.

You will end up with a great system.

PS: gosh ! Am I slowly becoming a "veteran" ?

thanks folks and sorry about the hijack

no problem, succubi! It's always good to see people excited about their new systems.

CyberP - not only are you a veteran, you must surely qualify for Ambassador status now!