Getting started with your Dell Linux personal computer

Once you are over the excitement of receiving your new Dell personal computer, it is time to unbox the equipment. Seems simple? It should be, but let us walk you through that process to ensure you do not miss anything or discard important items.

1. Carefully open the outer box

2. Remove all packaging from this as you may find your charger and paperwork are in this outer packaging

3. If the laptop is boxed individually your paperwork and guides are included there

4. Do not discard any packaging until you are completely up and running

Your operating system guides you through the set-up but let us help you on your way by detailing the key points:

Are you connected to the Internet? Ensure you have an active connection in the area where you are setting up as your computer must be connected to complete the set-up process. This can be a Wireless (Wifi) or Wired connection and if you have a password you should have this available.

Only plug in the essential items and limit any peripherals and accessories during set-up. (For example: Connect your mouse, external keyboard, and so on.) Ensure that these peripherals are plugged in and turned on.

Connect your power adapter, and turn on! The Set-Up guide on computers bought with Linux installed is a series of windows asking for information and providing instructions to customize your experience. Follow these on-screen steps to completion.

(For those who have chosen to install Linux on their Dell personal computer, we recommend you read through our configuration article.)

Even though you have a new device it may require updates. This is perfectly normal. Updates to your Operating System regularly deliver enhancements and fix potential issues. You receive prompts on your computer for these as and when they are required. Complete the required changes before moving on.

You must configure your software center to access the open-source drivers and programs developed and released for your operating system.

You have anti-virus protection ready to be loaded on your new computer. Protect your device by setting up your Security Tools as part of the start-up process. You can also select an anti-virus from those offered in your computers support center. Your online security is vitally important these days and a robust program to protect your data is vital.

Activate any software that you have purchased from our Dell Download Center using the options available depending on your needs.

Backing up your devices data is vital to ensure that you never lose items that are important to you. It also helps your speedy recovery should something go wrong. Back-up options are offered as part of the start-up process but you can use an alternative method if you prefer a different application. You can learn more about Linux back-up solutions by visiting our Back-Up and Recovery knowledge base articles.

You should now have a fully configured and functioning personal computer, with the only additional changes being your customization. To learn more about your computer, one of the best resources is your Manual and User Guide. Alternatively, if the changes are related to your Operating System, there are our dedicated support pages with links and videos to give you more information.

If you have not yet, we recommend you create a: Dell Account

A Dell Account allows you to control your personal information and postal addresses, account settings, subscriptions, and manage your different Dell orders and products. You can get the list of service tags.

The Dell Support site has a lot of information about your Dell products.

We have many Linux Dell Knowledge Base articles available online for help with specific issues or topics. There is a comprehensive Support Library at your disposal which contains dedicated pages hosting the following information:

• Dell Knowledge Base articles
• How-to guides
• A Video Library for instructional guides on many topics