Thunderhorse wrote:

So I finally got a computer today. It's an HP laptop with 3 Gb RAM and 320 Gbs of Memory. I have never owned a computer of my own and I just did the recommended setup. Any suggestions? Virus protection? Games? Programs? I'm waiting GP...

Step 1-6 should be done behind a router, not on the open internet. If you don't have a router, you need one for wireless anyways:

Step #1
Uninstall whatever antivirus they gave you.
Norton, McAfee, Panda, whatever.

Step #2
Use Ninite to install everything you need. Once every two weeks re-run this link to update everything.

http://ninite.com/air-audacity-ccleaner-chrome-defraggler-dotnet-essentials-filezilla-firefox-flash-flashie-gimp-googleearth-imgburn-irfanview-itunes-java-jdk-libreoffice-malwarebytes-notepadplusplus-picasa-putty-quicktime-reader-recuva-sevenzip-silverlight-skype-steam-super-utorrent-vlc-winscp/
(Microsoft Security Essentials is in there and will do the trick for you)

Step #3
Once you are done with the install, begin to use Chrome as your browser

Step #4
Use MyWot to make sure you don't go to websites that will fuck your machine up.
Install: http://www.mywot.com/en/download

Step #5
Make sure you change your computer password:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Change-your-Windows-password

Step #6
Setup wireless. Make sure you use WPA2 and not WEP/WPA. Make sure that the router's password is changed too so that it isn't the default.


--------------------
So, what did all that just do?
It covered you for Music, Video, Games, Photos, Photo Editing, Security, Browser Frameworks, Communication and more.

I suggest you also get Dropbox and store your most important documents in it. Ninite has that too, but you are better off going to Dropbox's main website to get it since it requires a signup.

For games on the PC, you really need STEAM. It is part of the installer I hooked you up with. Even if you don't buy a game (which you will when you see an awesome sale), there are a few free ones.
For Example:
Alien Swarm: http://store.steampowered.com/app/630/

Well, that should get you started, no doubt you'll have questions. Feel free to ask.


Edit: FNJ... why?

Thunderhorse wrote:

Okay...So Disconnedt before beginning, right? and my router must remain in WEP for my DS. Thank you GP.

You can't because you need Ninite off the net. I would change the computer's password first. I can't recall if your version of Windows disables the Administrative Account in favor of the first user account. If it does, then great, if not, you should disable the generic admin account or at least change it's password.

What kind of router do you have... it might be time to get a dual band one.

Thunderhorse wrote:

So...Security essentials will be good enough to uninstall norton then? My windows password is the one I enter everytime I restart, right? And what makes chrome better than Firefox? Thanks again GP. I really am lost when it comes to advanced Computer stuff and security.

Sadly, I had a great answer written and I deleted it by accident... Here we go again...

• Yes, Security Essentials is adequate protection against viruses and malware compared to Symantec's offerings.
  
• Yes, your Windows password is the one you enter every time you restart and login to Windows.
  
• Instructions on how to change a users account type - they should also lead you to enabling and disabling accounts:
  http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Change-a-users-account-type
  
• Firefox is a good browser. Chrome is a good browser. So why do I like Chrome more than Firefox?
  
  
  
  • Chrome uses the WebKit browser engine. I personally beleieve that this engine more correctly presents html than the Mozilla Geko engine.
    
  • Chrome's tabs are awesome. When you run out of room, they shrink to fit more, but when you begin to close them, they do not grow until you remove the mouse. This allows you to keep closing tabs without having to move the mouse. Tabs can be closed from the left or right side of the window in this mannor. As far as I am aware, no other browser does this. It seems trivial, but it is a hidden gem in the browser that people don't recognize, it is simply perceived as "working". I love it.
    
  • Chrome got rid of the search bar and made the address bar handle search and addresses
    
  • Extensions aren't as plentyful on Chrome, but the quality is decent. More importantly, the quality is improving as the browser is updated.
    
  • The most important thing... Chrome is on version 10. Version 1 was released 12/11/2008. Version 10 was released 3/8/2011. That is 10 versions in 2 years 2 months 25 days. Firefox version 1 was released 11/9/2004. Firefox version 3.6 was released 1/21/2010. That is 3.6 versions in 5 years 2 months 12 days. Firefox hasn't released a major update in over a year.
    * Some people would argue that Chrome's major updates would equate to point releases for Firefox. I disagree. Chrome is pushing major features in each update, but is not waiting for groups of major features. This is awesome because it means we don't have to wait for 10 things to be developed to receive 1 new one.

Edit: Can't help you with a Comcast router. I only use their modems. I can tell you that if you wanted dual band you could get a WNDR3700 for about $130 and then put the 5ghz band on Wireless N with WPA2 and the 2.4GHz band on mixed with WEP. But you would need to deal with your modem-router and turn off DHCP before you could do that.