Notes…

  • In the below directions if you see anything referencing “C:\Program Files\” that could be different on some systems.  For example a 64bit Windows 7 system might use “C:\Program Files (x86)” for 32 bit applications.  Do not let this confuse you.  If you see the program using an alternate Program Files folder go with the flow and do not change that part.
  • We will always instruct you to remove the version number off of the destination folders.
  • We will almost always combined the manufacturer folder name with the program name in folders so “C:\Program Files\AdobeReader” becomes “C:\Program Files\Adobe Reader”.  Note the “” between Adobe and Reader was changed to a space.
  • This documents assumes that..
    • you have done the pre setup process where you have already setup remote control access and the tech tools.
    • you are operating from an Administrator profile.
    • you have already created the users profile and are configuring it from the user profile.
  • Some applications configurations are on a global level and some are on a user profile level.  Configurations on a profile level need to be done for each user profile that is setup to log into the computer.  Configurations that are on a profile level are noted with (Profile).
  • When Install folders are references they are always referring to Sub-Folders of the Folder you copied the core installs into.
  • Any time the “Tech Folder” is referenced it is mean to be the “Tech” folder off the Public or Shared files folder that you have created.  It is not to be confused with the “Tech Tools” folder off the “Program Files” folder.
 

Install Preparation and Cleanup Process…

  1. Disable (or uninstall) any existing antivirus programs if installed
    • Note: Use the “My Uninstaller” tool from the “Tech Tools” Menu.
    • Uninstall Virus Scanner if it is a free program that isn’t Microsoft Security Essentials
    • Uninstall other similar scanners such as Adaware
    • Uninstall Toolbars
  2. Check for Microsoft Updates for updates to the operating system
    • Note: Do not install Security Updates that affect the Microsoft Genuine Advantage authentication tools
    • After applying updates, reboot the computer and check for more updates.
  3. Create the “Tech” folder to store our random files and installs..
    • On Vista/Win7 Go to “C:\Users\Public” and create a folder called “Tech”
    • On WinXP Go to “C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents” and create a folder called “Tech
      • Note: If you cannot create the folder it might already exist and be hidden.  If skip the next sub-step and go into the folder.
    • Hide the Tech folder but only apply to folder, not subfolders and files
    • To get into the hidden tech folder while in the Public/Shared folder click into the right side of the address bar and add Tech to the end and hit enter.
      • Note: On Win7/Vista you click to the right of the location and it switches to file path edit mode.
  4. Transfer the core files.
    • Use WinSCP Portable from the “Tech Tools” launcher
    • Copy the files from DesktopMasters.com to the “Tech” folder you just created off the Public or Shared folder area.  We suggest making a “TechCore Setup” folder and transferring the files to there.
    • If you do not have your own username for a shell account use the “tech” login name in lower case and the password you were supplied.
    • Notes…
      1. The transfer can be done in background while installing Updates from above
      2. If you are doing multiple computers on the same local network transfer the files from a shared folder off the main computer.
      3. When you select the files to transfer do not transfer the Win7 folder if you are on XP.  See what version of Office they will use and transfer the patch folder for that version and not the others.
      4. You can select all files with “CTRL-a” and then deselect files and folders by clicking while holding the CTRL key.
  5. Uninstall all trialware programs and tools like the backup program the computer comes with and any other tool that would be replaced by the things we are installing below.  Do not bother to restart the computer even though you might be prompted to each time.
 

Installation Process…

  1. Copy the DLL files from the DLLSystem32 folder to the System32 in the Windows directory.
    • Notes…
      1. If you run (Start/Run) “System32” (Quotes not required and not case sensitive) it the computer should automatically browse to and open the system32 folder for you
      2. If prompted to Over write files answer no.
  2. Install VB Runtimes also from the DLL folder in the Core Setup files
    • This is an automated install with an automation script.  To kick off the script answer Yes to all the prompts until the script starts.
    • If prompted to over write a newer file select “No to All”
  3. Install Adobe Acrobat Reader
    • Uninstall all previous versions of Acrobat Reader unless they are purchased or (Pro) versions.
    • After it is installed run “Acrobat Reader” and go to Options (Preferences from the Edit Menu) and set the following options…
      1. “Page Display” -> “Default Layout and Zoom” -> “Zoom” = “Fit To Width”
      2. “Updater” -> “Check for updates” -> = “Do not download or install updates automatically”
        1. Note: If *NOT* on on service contract select “Automatically Install Updates” instead.
    • Remove the Desktop Icon the install created.
  4. Install GhostScript
    • Rename default installation directory from “C:\Program Files\Gs” to “C:\Program Files\GhostScript”
    • Notes..
      1. Installation supplied is the full version not the light version.
      2. GhostScript is used by Bullzip PDF Printer and IrfanView for the PDF Format.
      3. Install for “All Users”
  5. Install Bullzip PDF Printer
    • from the “PDF Printer” Folder
    • You should have installed the full version of GhostScript above so uncheck the option to install GhostScript Lite and disregard the scary warning after.
    • Do not create a quick launch icon or desktop icon.
    • After install, In the Printer Settings, rename the printer driver from “Bullzip PDF Printer” to “Create PDF”
    • Rename the shrotcut called “Options”  in the start menu to “Create PDF Options”
  6. Install K-Lite (Skip this I am trying computers without this now)
    • K-Lite may prompt you to uninstall players and fix codecs that you no longer need.  Answer Yes to all the prompts.
    • Throughout the install just go with the prompts and be sure when prompted that “Media Player Classic” is the video default player.
    • If OS is 64 bit, also install the “K-Lite_Codec_Pack_64bit_???.exe” from the “x64” Sub-Folder under the “K-Lite” Install Folder.  But be *sure* to install the 32-bit version *first*.  You must install both versions with the 32-bit version first.
  7. Install Extract Now
    • The installer for this will try to install spyware and adware so BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN YOU DOWNLOAD THIS.
    • If you have run the download tool be sure to extract the installer (choose install later when asked after the downloader grabs it) so you do not need to bypass all the adware installs again.
    • When you go to install this it may show you “Special Offers”, Uncheck and Decline/Skip them.
    • On “Choose Components” uncheck the “Desktop Icon”
    • “Select Additional Tasks” -> “Create a desktop icon” = Unchecked
    • After install Run “Extract Now”
    • Make the dialog larger.
    • Drag the progress column to the left side in front of the other columns.
    • Make the File column longer
    • Note:  The idea is to configure this program so if an archive (like a .zip) file is run or double clicked on it is decompressed into a folder with its name and then the folder is opened and the extract now program terminates.  So to the user it is as if the folder just magically opens and their are their files.  Then the archive is sent to the recycle bin as it is usually no longer needed and will just sit there anyhow.
    • In the Settings, configure it in the following manner….
    • General…
      1. “Minimize to System Tray” = Unchecked
      2. “Turn off all sounds” = Unchecked (We want to hear sounds)
      3. “Allow Multiple Instances” = Checked
    • Destination…
      1. “Extract to same directory as archive” = Checked
      2. “Append archive name” = Checked
    • Post Extraction…
      1. “Recycle the archive” = Checked
      2. “Open Destination Folder” = Checked
      3. “Close Program” = Checked
    • Explorer…
      1. Associate with all common archives types (zip / bz2 / bzip2 / tbz2 / tbz / rar / arj / z / taz / lzh / lha / 7z / nsis / lzma / lzma86 / xar / mub / wim / swm / tar / gz / gzip / tgz / tpz / ace)
      2. Check everything under context menu
  8. Install IrfanView
    • Install the main IrfanView application first.  (That would be the “iview???_setup.exe” file. )
      • “Welcome to IrfanView Setup” -> Uncheck All But “Create Irfan View Icon in Start Menu Programs”
      • “Welcome to IrfanView Setup” -> Select “For all users”
      • “File Association Extensions” -> “For all users (XP)” = Checked
      • “File Association Extensions” ->”Plugins” = Images Only (Button)
      • “Google Toolbar” = Unchecked (We never ever ever install toolbars)
      • “Ready to install” -> “Set INI file folder” = “User Application Data Folder”
      • Yes you really do want to change the file associations
      • “Installation Successful” -> “What to do next” -> “Start IrfanView” = Unchecked (We need to install the plugins still)
      • (Close the webpage that opens after you click done)
    • Remove the desktop icon for IrfanView
    • Install the “All Plugins” package for IrfanView (irfanview_plugins_???_setup.exe).
      • Just use the defaults.
    • Run IrfanView and Configure the following options…
    • Start / Exit options
      1. Only 1 instance
      2. Ask to save on program exit
    • Extensions
      1. Associate with images only
      2. Add IrfanView to “Send To” shell menu = Checked
    • Browsing / Editing
      1. turn on loop browsing
    • Video / Sound
      1. use external player for video/sound
    • File Handling
      1. jump to next file after deleting moving
      2. don’t display save dialogue
      3. don’t ask to overwrite on save
      4. don’t change directory index after file renaming
  9. Install Flash
    • Note: Installers are in the “Web Components” Folder.
    • Install only the flash for Internet Explorer. The non-ActiveX installer will mess up Chrome since Chrome has its own built in plugin.
      • Note: One is for ActiveX browsers the other is for non-ActiveX browsers like FireFox and Chrome.
  10. Install Java (Java is one HUGE security hole and I would not install it unless you plan on cleaning nasty viruses all the time)
    • Notes…
      • Installer is in the “Web Components” Folder.
      • If you are prompted to install any toolbars or web browers be sure to select NO.  (We do not install toolbars)
  11. Install “Avast” (If not already installed)
    • Custom Install
    • Remove Redundant “\Avast Softare” from install Path.
    • Remove Components: “SecureLine”, “Avast! Gadget”, “GrimeFighter”
    • After quick scan install backup config file.
    • Register Avast with client eMail address.
    • Set email address to send virus notifications from and set password to send notification eMail.
  12. Install Skype
    • From the ”Web Components” folder.
    • On the first install screen click “Options” at the bottom and..
      1. “Options” -> Uncheck everything
      2. “Free – Google Chrome” -> “Include Google Chrome” = Unchecked (We do not install google Chrome)
    • After  Skype installs, set the Skype system  tray icon to always show.
    • If the user is not currently using skype, using  the options at the  bottom of the skypes login dialog..  set skype to not o automatically log in and not to start Skype when the computer starts.
  13. Install ZipGenius (Not necessary any longer)
    • Note: Do not install this on Windows7 or Vista.  We use this tool to create archives and the built in “Send To” -> “Compressed Folder” works well enough.  This is only needed on Windows XP.
    • “Select Destination Location”…
      • Remove the version number off the Destination Install folder.  Change “C:\Program Files\Zip Genius 6” to “C:\Program Files\Zip Genius”.
    • “Select Start Menu Folder” -> Also remove the version number from the end of the path.
    • “Select Additional Tasks” -> Uncheck Everything
  14. Install FreeCalc
    • Create a shortcut for the application on the profile desktop titled “Calculator With Tape”.
  15. Install Converter
    • Create a shortcut for the application on the profile desktop titled “Unit Converter”.
  16. Install Firefox (Using Chome Now)
    • There are separate instructions for loading a premade profile for this.
    • If you do not install the premade profile you must install the “adblock_plus” extension and configure it with one of the blocking profiles.
  17. Install Thunderbird (Not required for most users)
    • If client is not using outlook or webmail you may need to install the profile and configure it for the user.
  18. Install VirtualCloneDrive
    • “Desktop Icon” = Unchecked
    • Run VirtualCloneDrive and set the following options…
      1. Virtual Sheep On
      2. Show Tray Icon Off
      3. 1 Instance (Should already be the default)
    • Remove the Desktop Icon the install created.
  19. Install IDrive
    • Note: This must be configured for the client but requires an account be setup and configured with their password.  This is a separate set of directions and is often done while the client is present.
    • Remove the Desktop Icon the install created.
  20. Install SpeedFan (Stopped installing this because it slowed down some computers)
    • Components -> Create Desktop Shortcut = Unchecked
    • Run SpeedFan
    • When it loads the display may look funky that is expected.
    • Turn off hints.
    • Go to the Configuration
    • “Configure” -> “Start Minimized”  = Checked
    • “Configure” -> “Static Icon” = Checked
    • “Configure” -> “Minimize on close” = Checked
    • “Configure” ->”Debug Mode” = Unchecked
    • Select the ‘SMART” Tab.
    • Wait for a moment while the page comes up.
    • Select the hard drive with the dropdown.
    • Click the short test button.  (Wait the 2 minutes for the test to complete)
    • Start the extended test and check back on it after about an hour.  The test is run inside the hard drive and not dependent on the software but you should not reboot till it completes.
    • Copy the SpeedFan shortcut into the Startup group so it loads when the user logs in.
  21. Install Big Blue Arrows
    • Click Okay and yes to everything during install.
    • Set profile to use the Big Blue Arrows from the Mouse settings in the Control Panel.
  22. Install Microsoft Office (if not already installed)
  23. Patch Office…
    • Install Patches for Office 2003/2007/2010 (Whatever version is currently installed)
  24. Install Quicktime (Leaving this out now)
    1. There is a 64bit install that you should use INSTEAD if you are on a 64bit system.
    2. Note: If you install the x86/32bit version of QuickTime on a Win7 64bit system the Aero Transparency my stop working for the operating system.
    3. Uncheck everything
    4. Finish Install
    5. Choose no thanks after install
  25. Copy Wallpapers into system.
    1. Run Web
    2. On WinXP Move the contents of the Core Setup “Wallpapers” Folder into the “Wallpaper” folder under the “C:\Windows\Web” folder.