Top 5 Pro Tips for a New Puget System

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So your new Puget System arrived and needless to say you're more than a little excited to get it unboxed and operational. Let's dive in shall we? We have compiled a list of some frequent issues encountered during the setup process and would love to help alleviate some woes during this process. These might seem simple and obvious to some but these computers are highly advanced workstations with components you might be unfamiliar with.

Setting up your new system

1. The single most common question is: "Where do I hook up my monitors"

• Onboard vs Dedicated video card – As seen below the onboard display outs are located on the motherboard and are usually HDMI or DisplayPort variety and oriented vertically. Alternatively if you have a dedicated video card the connections will be similar however they will be horizontally oriented and located below the motherboard. **Even if you have onboard, if there is a dedicated video card the onboard will be disabled.**
• If hooking up multiple displays it's best to avoid adapters whenever possible; using direct end to end (HDMI to HDMI / DP to DP) cables are the best solutions. If you don't have end to end cables please let us know and we can help you find the right ones, we may even have some! **We also include cables with all new systems so check your accessories box for fun toys!**

2. "How many USB devices do I need and WHERE do I plug them in?"

• For the first boot we recommend connecting as few USB/peripheral devices as possible in an effort to avoid common first boot issues. 

• We recommend using Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor, Network and Power for the first boot then gradually adding devices such as external HDDs, DigitalAudioControllers, additional monitors, gaming controllers, bluetooth controllers, etc. **There is an exceptional article detailing our recommendations for USB devices that is worth a read if you have additional questions: Helpful hints for Wireless devices and peripherals

3. "How does power affect my system?"

• There are a plethora of different factors that influence system stability when it comes to power: UPS (Uninterruptable Power Supply), Battery backups, power strips vs directly into the wall; overall power draw at idle and under load. Wattage load information is recorded during the benchmarking phase here at Puget, if you would like those number please reach out to the support department and we can provide that. 
• Plugging into a surge protector is always our first recommendation unless you have a UPS. Plugging directly into the wall is generally only recommended as a diagnostic test in the event of power concerns. If you're interested in purchasing a UPS or battery backup we have a wonderful article detailing these options as well as explanations of numerous terms; the article can be found here: How To Select The Right Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) For Your Computer

4. "Should I create a local account or a Microsoft account?"

• We highly recommend creating a local account during the initial setup process. Since Windows 8, Microsoft has been encouraging setting up a Microsoft account during the setup process and some features of Windows 10 require access to Microsofts cloud. The primary use case is OneDrive so if Microsoft OneDrive is a critical component of your workflow then a Microsoft account is useful otherwise try starting with a local account.
  • During the Windows 10 setup you will be asked to sign into your Microsoft account, please select "Don't have an account?" and on the next page select "Sign in without a Microsoft account". **If you already created a MS account or signed in with one during the setup we have an article detailing how to switch over to a local account: How to switch from a Microsoft account to a local user in Windows 10

5. "Do I need to install the Antenna for WiFi and Bluetooth usage on the system"

• Absolutely! If you intend to use WiFi and/or Bluetooth then the antenna will need to be secured into the rear of the system and is included in your accessories box. You may find that your system can detect nearby WiFi networks even without the antenna connected, but it is not able to maintain a stable connection without the antenna attached. If you aren't sure how to connect the antenna we also have instructions in the following article: Attaching a Wifi Antenna

BONUS. "How do I remove The Puget Tools application?"

• During the installation process here at Puget Systems, we install the 'Puget Systems Support Tool'. We do this to help make it easier on you if you ever need to get in touch with our Support department. However, we also recognize that some users may not desire this feature in their system. This guide offers step-by-step instructions for those that wish to remove the tool: How To Remove The Puget Tools Application