The Case for a Purpose-Built Silent HTPC

Many users default to gaming consoles or streaming sticks for their media needs. However, a dedicated home theater PC (HTPC) offers unmatched flexibility: support for every codec, full control over upscaling, integration with smart home systems, and the ability to run powerful software like MadVR or Kodi with custom skins. Yet, the moment you place a conventional desktop in your living room, you introduce an unwelcome soundtrack of its own. Fan noise, coil whine, and hard drive clatter can ruin a quiet dialogue scene or a delicate piano passage.

The solution is not to simply buy a “quiet” laptop or a mini PC, but to design a system where silence is engineered from the ground up. This involves careful selection of every component, from the power supply to the storage medium, and a focus on passive cooling or near-inaudible airflow.

Core Principles of a Silent Build

1. Fanless or Low-Speed Cooling

The most effective way to eliminate noise is to remove moving parts. Modern processors, especially low-power models like Intel’s T-series or AMD’s G-series, can be cooled passively with large heatsinks. For more demanding setups, a high-quality 140mm fan running at 300-500 RPM is virtually inaudible, especially when housed in a case with sound-dampening material.

2. Solid-State Storage Only

Traditional hard drives are a primary source of both noise and vibration. A 2.5-inch SSD or an NVMe M.2 drive is completely silent, faster, and generates less heat. For a media library, consider a network-attached storage (NAS) unit placed in another room, or a large-capacity SATA SSD for local storage.

3. Efficient Power Delivery

A power supply with a silent or hybrid fan mode is crucial. Look for units with a zero-RPM mode that keeps the fan off under low loads. Alternatively, an external DC-to-DC power supply, often found in fanless HTPC cases, eliminates the internal PSU fan entirely.

4. Thermal Headroom and Case Design

A well-ventilated case with large, slow-spinning fans is better than a cramped case with high-speed fans. Aluminum cases with heat-pipe towers, such as those from Streacom or HDPLEX, are designed specifically for passive cooling. If you prefer a traditional case, add acoustic foam panels and choose a model with thick, dampened side panels.

Recommended Silent Components for 2025

Intel Core i5-13400T or AMD Ryzen 5 7600 (with a large low-profile cooler)

Noctua NH-P1 (passive) or be quiet! Dark Rock TF 2 (semi-passive)

Streacom FC10 (fanless chassis) or Fractal Design Node 605 (with tuned fans)

Seasonic Prime TX-650 (fanless) or HDPLEX 250W GaN (external)

Samsung 990 Pro 2TB NVMe SSD

A passively cooled GTX 1650 or an Intel Arc A380 with a custom fan curve

Software and Configuration for Quiet Operation

Hardware alone is not enough. Software configuration plays a vital role in maintaining silence. Set your BIOS to enable “silent” fan profiles, and use tools like FanControl to create custom curves based on CPU and GPU temperatures rather than motherboard defaults. Additionally, undervolting your CPU can reduce heat output by up to 20% with no performance loss, allowing fans to remain off for longer periods.

For media playback, choose software that leverages hardware acceleration, such as VLC or MPC-HC with LAV Filters, to keep CPU usage low. This minimizes heat generation and ensures that your system remains in its silent envelope during playback.

The Listening Room Factor

Remember that a silent PC is only part of the equation. Acoustic treatment of the room, proper speaker placement, and a well-calibrated audio interface are equally important. A silent desktop allows the subtleties of your sound system to shine, revealing details that were previously masked by mechanical noise. The result is a more engaging, emotional, and realistic home theater experience.

Conclusion

Building a silent desktop for home theater is an exercise in restraint and precision. It requires a shift in mindset—from raw power to efficiency, from noise to purity. But the reward is profound: a system that disappears into the room, leaving only the film, the music, and you. In a world full of distractions, true silence is the ultimate luxury. Your home theater deserves nothing less.

1. Seagate IronWolf (4TB – 12TB)

The Seagate IronWolf series is a top contender for home NAS setups. It features AgileArray technology, which optimizes drive performance in multi-drive environments. The drives are equipped with rotational vibration sensors to maintain stability, even when your NAS is working hard. For home users, the 4TB to 8TB models offer an excellent balance of cost and capacity. The IronWolf also includes a three-year limited warranty and a three-year Rescue Data Recovery Services plan, giving you peace of mind.

2. WD Red Plus (2TB – 14TB)

Western Digital’s WD Red Plus drives have long been the gold standard for home NAS systems. They use CMR (Conventional Magnetic Recording) technology, which is essential for reliable RAID performance. Unlike SMR drives, CMR drives do not suffer from performance degradation during heavy write operations. The WD Red Plus is whisper-quiet and runs cool, making it ideal for a living room or home office NAS. For 2-bay or 4-bay enclosures, these drives are a safe, proven choice.

3. Seagate IronWolf Pro (16TB – 20TB)

If you need maximum capacity for a home media server or a large photo library, the Seagate IronWolf Pro is the premium option. It offers higher workload ratings (up to 550TB per year) and a five-year warranty. The drives include RV sensors for up to 16 bays, meaning they can handle future expansion. For home power users who run Plex servers or 4K video editing storage, the IronWolf Pro delivers consistent speed and durability.

4. WD Red Pro (14TB – 22TB)

Western Digital’s WD Red Pro series is designed for high-capacity home NAS systems with up to 24 bays. These drives feature a 256MB cache and a 5-year limited warranty. They are built for sustained workloads and include vibration protection. The Red Pro is slightly faster than the standard Red Plus, making it a good match for users who run multiple virtual machines or heavy database applications at home.

5. Toshiba N300 (4TB – 16TB)

The Toshiba N300 series is an underrated but excellent choice for home NAS users. It offers a 3-year warranty and features ramp loading technology for shock protection. The N300 is designed for 24/7 operation and includes rotational vibration sensors. It often costs less than comparable Seagate or WD drives, making it a strong value option for budget-conscious home builders.

Key Considerations for Home NAS Drives

• CMR vs. SMR: Always choose CMR drives for RAID arrays. SMR drives can cause rebuild failures and slow performance.
• Warranty: Look for at least a 3-year warranty. A 5-year warranty is ideal for long-term investment.
• Noise and Heat: Home NAS units are often placed in living areas. IronWolf and WD Red Plus are known for quiet operation.
• Capacity: For most home users, 4TB to 8TB per drive is optimal. Larger drives (12TB+) are better for media hoarders.

Final Recommendation

For the average home user running a 2-bay or 4-bay NAS, the Seagate IronWolf 4TB or WD Red Plus 4TB are the best choices. They offer proven reliability, quiet operation, and excellent value. If you need more capacity or plan to run a high-performance home server, step up to the Seagate IronWolf Pro or WD Red Pro.

Investing in the right NAS drives ensures your data remains safe, accessible, and fast for years to come.

Building a Network Attached Storage (NAS) for your home is one of the smartest investments you can make for data storage, media streaming, and backup. However, the performance and reliability of your NAS depend heavily on the drives you choose. Unlike standard desktop hard drives, NAS drives are engineered for 24/7 operation, vibration resistance, and error recovery. Here are the best NAS drives for home use in 2024.

1. Seagate IronWolf (4TB – 12TB)

The Seagate IronWolf series is a top contender for home NAS setups. It features AgileArray technology, which optimizes drive performance in multi-drive environments. The drives are equipped with rotational vibration sensors to maintain stability, even when your NAS is working hard. For home users, the 4TB to 8TB models offer an excellent balance of cost and capacity. The IronWolf also includes a three-year limited warranty and a three-year Rescue Data Recovery Services plan, giving you peace of mind.

2. WD Red Plus (2TB – 14TB)

Western Digital’s WD Red Plus drives have long been the gold standard for home NAS systems. They use CMR (Conventional Magnetic Recording) technology, which is essential for reliable RAID performance. Unlike SMR drives, CMR drives do not suffer from performance degradation during heavy write operations. The WD Red Plus is whisper-quiet and runs cool, making it ideal for a living room or home office NAS. For 2-bay or 4-bay enclosures, these drives are a safe, proven choice.

3. Seagate IronWolf Pro (16TB – 20TB)

If you need maximum capacity for a home media server or a large photo library, the Seagate IronWolf Pro is the premium option. It offers higher workload ratings (up to 550TB per year) and a five-year warranty. The drives include RV sensors for up to 16 bays, meaning they can handle future expansion. For home power users who run Plex servers or 4K video editing storage, the IronWolf Pro delivers consistent speed and durability.

4. WD Red Pro (14TB – 22TB)

Western Digital’s WD Red Pro series is designed for high-capacity home NAS systems with up to 24 bays. These drives feature a 256MB cache and a 5-year limited warranty. They are built for sustained workloads and include vibration protection. The Red Pro is slightly faster than the standard Red Plus, making it a good match for users who run multiple virtual machines or heavy database applications at home.

5. Toshiba N300 (4TB – 16TB)

The Toshiba N300 series is an underrated but excellent choice for home NAS users. It offers a 3-year warranty and features ramp loading technology for shock protection. The N300 is designed for 24/7 operation and includes rotational vibration sensors. It often costs less than comparable Seagate or WD drives, making it a strong value option for budget-conscious home builders.

Key Considerations for Home NAS Drives

• CMR vs. SMR: Always choose CMR drives for RAID arrays. SMR drives can cause rebuild failures and slow performance.
• Warranty: Look for at least a 3-year warranty. A 5-year warranty is ideal for long-term investment.
• Noise and Heat: Home NAS units are often placed in living areas. IronWolf and WD Red Plus are known for quiet operation.
• Capacity: For most home users, 4TB to 8TB per drive is optimal. Larger drives (12TB+) are better for media hoarders.

Final Recommendation

For the average home user running a 2-bay or 4-bay NAS, the Seagate IronWolf 4TB or WD Red Plus 4TB are the best choices. They offer proven reliability, quiet operation, and excellent value. If you need more capacity or plan to run a high-performance home server, step up to the Seagate IronWolf Pro or WD Red Pro.

Investing in the right NAS drives ensures your data remains safe, accessible, and fast for years to come.

Why Silence Matters in a Home Theater

The difference between a good home theater and a great one often lies in the dynamic range of sound. From the quietest whisper to a thunderous explosion, every decibel counts. A noisy desktop introduces a constant, low-frequency baseline that compresses this range. Fan noise, coil whine, and hard drive chatter can mask subtle audio details, making dialogue harder to understand and reducing the emotional impact of a film. In a dedicated theater room, where ambient noise levels are typically below 20 dB, any system noise above 25 dB becomes intrusive.

Beyond audio fidelity, silence also enhances the visual experience. A completely silent system allows the user to focus entirely on the screen, free from the subconscious awareness of a machine working nearby. This is particularly important for long viewing sessions, where fatigue from constant noise can diminish enjoyment.

Core Principles of a Silent Build

Achieving a truly silent desktop requires a shift in mindset from traditional PC building. Raw performance must be balanced against thermal efficiency and acoustic engineering. The following principles guide every component choice:

• Passive Cooling First: Whenever possible, eliminate moving parts. Fanless CPU coolers, passive GPU heatsinks, and solid-state drives (SSDs) are the building blocks of a quiet system.
• Oversized Low-Speed Fans: If active cooling is unavoidable, use large-diameter fans (140mm or 200mm) running at low RPM. They move the same amount of air as smaller fans but with significantly less turbulence and noise.
• Decoupling and Damping: Vibration is a primary source of noise. Use rubber grommets for fan mounting, foam padding for case panels, and anti-vibration mounts for storage drives.
• High-Quality Power Supply: A power supply with a silent or semi-fanless mode is critical. Look for units with a 0 RPM mode at low loads, as HTPCs rarely draw maximum power during movie playback.

Recommended Component Selection

Building a silent HTPC requires careful selection of every part. Below is a recommended configuration that balances performance for 4K playback, light gaming, and audio processing, all while remaining inaudible in a quiet room.

1. Case: The Foundation of Silence

The case plays a pivotal role in both airflow and sound dampening. Look for models with sound-dampening foam on side panels, a solid top panel (no vents), and a drive cage designed for vibration isolation. Cases like the Fractal Design Define series or the be quiet! Silent Base series are excellent choices. For a more compact solution, consider a passively cooled chassis like the Streacom DB4, which uses the entire case as a heatsink.

2. CPU and Cooler

For pure media playback and light productivity, a low-power CPU like the Intel Core i5-12400T (35W TDP) or an AMD Ryzen 5 5600GE (35W TDP) is ideal. These processors generate minimal heat and can often be cooled passively with a large heatsink. If you need more power, choose a CPU with a 65W TDP and pair it with a premium low-noise cooler like the Noctua NH-P1 (passive) or the be quiet! Dark Rock TF 2 (low-speed fan).

3. Graphics Card

For 4K HDR playback, a modern integrated GPU (iGPU) is often sufficient. Intel’s Iris Xe or AMD’s Radeon 680M can handle high-bitrate video with hardware acceleration. If you require a discrete GPU for light gaming or AI upscaling, choose a model with a large, finned heatsink and a 0 dB fan mode. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 with a triple-fan design, or a passively cooled variant like the Palit GeForce RTX 3050 KalmX, are excellent options.

4. Storage

Solid-state drives are mandatory for a silent build. Use an NVMe SSD for the operating system and applications, and a large SATA SSD for media storage. Avoid mechanical hard drives, as their spinning platters and seeking heads generate both noise and vibration. For massive media libraries, consider a network-attached storage (NAS) located in another room.

5. Power Supply

A high-quality power supply with a semi-fanless mode is essential. The be quiet! Straight Power 11 or the Seasonic Prime Fanless series are top contenders. These units only spin their fans under heavy load, which is rare during typical movie playback. Ensure the PSU has enough headroom for transient spikes, but avoid oversized units that may run inefficiently at low load.

Assembly and Tuning Tips

Even with the best components, assembly technique matters. Here are a few professional tips:

• Cable Management: Tidy cables improve airflow and reduce turbulence noise. Use zip ties and route cables behind the motherboard tray.
• Fan Curve Optimization: Set fan curves in the BIOS to prioritize silence. Keep fans at 0% RPM until the CPU reaches 60°C, then ramp slowly.
• Use a Fan Controller: A hardware fan controller allows manual adjustment of fan speeds without entering the BIOS.
• Under-volt the CPU: Reducing core voltage by 50-100 mV can lower temperatures and allow for lower fan speeds without sacrificing stability.
• Test for Coil Whine: Run stress tests to identify any coil whine from the GPU or power supply. If present, consider replacing the component or using a line conditioner.

Software Configuration for Silent Operation

Software plays a key role in maintaining silence. Use media player software that supports hardware acceleration, such as MPC-HC with madVR or Kodi with DXVA. This offloads video decoding to the GPU, keeping the CPU cool and fans idle. Additionally, disable unnecessary background processes and set Windows power plan to “Power Saver” to reduce CPU clock speeds during playback.

For audio, consider using a dedicated sound card or external DAC to bypass the potentially noisy onboard audio circuitry. This not only improves sound quality but also reduces electrical noise that can affect system stability.

Conclusion

A silent desktop for home theater is an investment in immersion. By prioritizing passive cooling, low-noise components, and careful assembly, you can create a system that disappears into the background, allowing the film to take center stage. Whether you are building a dedicated HTPC or repurposing an existing machine, the principles outlined here will help you achieve a level of acoustic performance that transforms your viewing experience. In the quiet darkness of a home theater, the best computer is the one you cannot hear.

Why Silence Matters in Home Theater

Ambient noise is the enemy of audio fidelity. Even a low hum from cooling fans or hard drives can mask subtle sound details in a film’s soundtrack—the rustle of leaves, a distant whisper, or the nuanced score of a dramatic scene. Moreover, the psychological disruption of mechanical noise breaks immersion. A truly silent desktop ensures that the only sounds you hear are the ones intended by the filmmakers.

Key Components of a Silent Desktop

Building or selecting a silent PC for your home theater involves careful component choices:

1. Fanless Cooling Solutions
The primary source of noise in most computers is fan vibration and airflow. Opt for:

Large heatsinks that dissipate heat passively.

Units with no internal fan, rated for higher efficiency (80 Plus Platinum or Titanium).

With no moving parts, SSDs are inherently silent and faster than traditional hard drives.

2. Noise-Dampened Cases
Specialized cases feature sound-absorbing foam, anti-vibration mounts for drives, and optimized airflow pathways that minimize turbulence. Brands like Fractal Design, be quiet!, and Nanoxia excel in this niche.

3. Low-Noise or Fanless Graphics
For 4K video playback or light gaming, consider:
– Integrated graphics (like AMD’s Ryzen APUs or Intel’s latest processors) which require no additional card.
– Fanless, passively cooled graphics cards for more power without noise.

4. Efficient, Low-Power Components
Less heat generated means less cooling required. Modern, efficient processors (like Intel’s T-series or AMD’s low-TDP chips) are ideal, as they deliver ample performance for media tasks while staying cool.

Software and Connectivity

Your silent desktop should be as easy to use as any other component in your rack:

Software like Kodi, Plex, or Jellyfin turns your PC into a seamless media hub.

Use a universal remote (via USB IR receiver) or a smartphone app for control without a keyboard.

Ensures support for 4K/120Hz, VRR, and eARC, allowing a single cable connection to your AV receiver or TV for both video and high-quality audio.

Placement and Integration

Even a silent machine needs thoughtful placement:

Ensure the case has some space to breathe, even with passive cooling.

Many silent cases are designed with HTPC (Home Theater PC) form factors to fit neatly alongside other components.

The Result:

Uninterrupted Enjoyment

A silent desktop for home theater is more than a technical achievement; it’s a commitment to purity in your viewing experience. It empowers you to stream the latest 4K HDR content, manage a vast local media library, and even handle light gaming—all without a single audible distraction.

By investing in a silent PC, you ensure that the drama, excitement, and emotion of your films remain front and center, where they belong. In the world of home theater, sometimes the most impactful upgrade isn’t about adding something new, but about removing the noise you never knew was there.

My two cats have taught me many good home office habits. Most of these lessons have been learned the hard way, so maybe I can help you avoid the heartbreak of blank computer screens and other home office disasters by sharing a few tips I have learned along the way.
1. Save your work…again, and again, and again…
There are many ways to lose all your computer work. One of them is if your cat falls off the monitor onto your keyboard. (One for Bugger…)
2. Always treat your cat with the utmost respect (you are allowed to be excessive in this matter; the more subservient you are, and sometimes even downright grovelling, the better).
If you toss your cat off your desk out of anger, her first reaction is to take all paperwork with her. (Two for Bugger…)
3. If anything at all EVER goes wrong with your computer, first check the location of your cat.
One day I suddenly could not keep a window open on my computer. No matter what I did, no window would stay open, one would flicker on for a moment then disappeared again. I rebooted, that didn’t help. Finally I moved my cat 1 centimeter to the left, away from the keyboard. Voila, problem solved. The cat was ever-so-slightly leaning on the Esc key. (One for Pesto…)
4. At the end of every work session, file all your paperwork. Do not leave a single scrap of paper on your desktop.
In this case, the excuse “the dog ate my homework” needs to be corrected by exchanging “cat” for “dog”. (Two for Pesto…)
5. Never drink while sitting at your desk.
When your cat tries to drink out of your glass, she may get her head stuck in it and then…you don’t want to hear the rest, it’s not pretty… (Three for Pesto…)
6. Work when it’s time to work, play when it’s time to play.
And don’t play in your office, or your cats will come to expect it. Once your cat discovers the cursor, or anything else that moves on the computer screen, she will insist on playing. Typical behavior will include planting herself in front of the computor screen, mere millimeters away, for hours.
Or, if you play “offline” in your office with your cat, she may develop the habit of climbing your chest and oh-so-gently pushing your face away from looking at the monitor and towards looking at her. (One for Pesto, one for Bugger, respectively…)
And of course if you have more than two cats, the lessons multiply exponentially.
If you do find that your furry friends are preventing you from conducting your home business, here is a helpful link, guaranteed to buy you some much-needed alone time:
“Cat Bathing as a Martial Art” by Bud Herron
Even cat bathing teaches valuable lessons to a home business owner, for cat bathing requires perseverance and courage of conviction.
Now that you’ve learned these valuable lessons, good fortune with your home business (and with your pets). You are now armed withjhgj (The rest of this article has been deleted by Bugger)

In this world of baby boomers and empty nesters, many a child’s bedroom, which became a guestroom, is now being converted into a home office. With the bedroom furniture stowed away, a bare wall or an entire room awaits renovation into workspace. So where should one start to furnish the perfect office for years to come?

A buyer could go from office store to department store, and spend days surveying the styles and types of office furniture available. But to save energy, automobile gasoline, and time, go online. A huge array of bookcases, desks, comfortable office chairs, and file cabinets (even fireproof ones) are just awaiting a cyber space purchase.

It is definitely advisable to purchase a computer desk, whether one has a desktop computer or a laptop one. There is such a large selection of computer desks available that the perfect one for each person can be found. Even a laptop computer, which can be used anywhere, will work best when at a desk. In addition, the desk drawers are ideal for storing computer paper, ink cartridges, and writing implements. It’s also very handy to have the printer placed on a slide-out shelf of the desk or on top of it.

The prices online are right, too! One company offers corner desks, ranging from about a hundred dollars to over two thousand dollars, with sixteen styles from which to choose. And that’s just for corner desks. There are literally dozens of other desks to fulfill one’s requirements.

Better yet, there are online office furniture companies that send all their products with FREE shipping! If a person picks out what is needed at a store, there is often a delivery charge to one’s home. Or if the buyer opts to take it home right from the store, will it fit into his vehicle? And who will help haul it into the house once it gets there? Free shipping is much simpler!

Office furnishings are fashioned from every known material imaginable, and they can readily fit the style of any home. From glass and steel to solid wood or veneers, an ideal desk, bookcase, or other piece of office furniture is awaiting each and every customer. If one’s home is colonial style or ultra-modern, there is the right office furniture, online, for it. Pictures and dimensions of all the furniture make it easy to select the style, color, size, and grade of furniture anyone might want.

There are actually online establishments that offer a free Lifetime Warranty for all office furniture purchases. Along with a comprehensive selection of products, and free delivery, how can these advantages be overlooked? The added plus of shopping day or night, in the comfort of one’s own home cannot be ignored. So when a person is contemplating turning that extra bedroom into a home office, the first stop should be the Internet!

Word processing and spreadsheets were the first of the killer apps for home computers when PCs first started to propagate to the millions of households out there. Then, there were Internet Browsers that took everyone by storm. So what are the hot categories and hot products now? There are more products then ever out there for the home shopper and many of them not that good. We looked over many, many different products and product categories to find the best home products, the hot home product categories, and the best software products period. The list is neither exhaustive nor scientific, but the products listed here are definitely great! If you have a computer at home, take a look at these products!

The Hot Product Categories

When searching reviews and products out there on the web some of these categories were not the top on my list, but nevertheless, they are not only out there, but getting a lot of attention. Here are ten top selling software categories for the home computer:

* Home design and gardening software
* Spyware and Adware
* Family Tree Legends
* Video Sharing
* Website builders
* Speech to text conversion
* Parental control and Internet filtering
* Disk-imaging utilities
* Spam Blockers
* Internet Security

Top 10 Best Software Products

The home software market has never had so many choices and for the categories listed above there are too many products to mention. Below are ten standout products for each of these areas.
* Home design and gardening software – Home Designer Pro 7.0
* Spyware and Adware – CounterSpy 1.5
* Family Tree Legends – Family Tree Legend 5.0
* Video Sharing – Grouper
* Website builders – SiteMaker
* Speech to text conversion – Dragon Naturally Speaking 8
* Parental control and Internet filtering – ContentProtect 2.0
* Disk-imaging utility – Acronis True Image
* Spam – Cloudmark Desktop
* Internet Security – ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite 6

For each of these products there are additional information in the following articles. Take a look at these home software products!

There are a number of indicators you can watch for which will suggest that your computer has been infected by spyware or adware. Please note that some of the symptoms listed below are not unique to just a spyware or an adware infection.

1) PC Performance – Both Spyware and adware consume your PC’s resource like computer memory. A bad spyware infection could dramatically slow your computer’s performance including causing your system’s to become increasingly unstable. Spyware also can affect your internet connection speed as it takes up bandwidth to communicate information back to its creator.

2) Pop up Ads – It is highly likely that your computer is infected by Adware if you notice more pop up ads appearing than usual. In some cases pop ads start appearing on the desktop even if you have not opened a web browser. Alternatively, search results may appear in a pop up or another browser window relative to the website you are visiting or keyword term you have typed into a search engine.

3) Browser Toolbars – These programs are commonly bundled with free software which the publisher often describes as “advertiser supported.” The toolbar then feeds adverts based on the website you visit. They are usually very difficult to uninstall. “180 Search Assistant” and “Huntbar” are example programs.

4) Browser Settings – Your internet favourites or bookmarks and start page are two main settings which are targeted by spyware authors. Web sites are inserted into your list of internet favourites in the hope that you will visit them. Browser hijackers change the start page which is visited when the browser loads. Any unexpected change to your start page is a sign of infection.

5) Start Up Programs – Some spyware variants will try to add themselves to your Windows start up program list. If you boot up time becomes noticeably slower then review your program start up list to check for applications you are not familiar with and remove them. This program list can be review using the “MS Config” option from the Windows XP Run command.

6) Software Failure – A spyware infection can cause some of your programs to crash or stop working. In particular watch if your Internet Explorer browser refuses to work all of a sudden.

7) Hosts File Changes – The Hosts File is a Windows file that maps the numerical IP Address to the Host Name very much like the address book on your cell phone “maps” your friend’s name to their telephone number. Some spyware programs can change these setting so that when you type in “www.yahoo.com” for example you are re-directed the spyware author’s website.

Hey Guys! Don’t raise your eyebrows or fear by hearing the word Linux. It is as user friendly as windows. Just take a look at the articles below and all myths about Linux in your mind will disappear.
Introduction to Linux:
It’s a free operating system available to download but you have to pay a tiny bit to mail order it or buy it from a company. Linux came into being about 11 years ago- it was developed by Linux Tornados of Finland along with a group of programmers from the open source software movement.
Linux is growing steadily year after year. With a passionate community backing it, with big companies Like IBM and HP pledging their support for it, it’s no wonder Linux- the wonder operating system for servers of the past, has also made it to the desktops of today.
Linux is based on the commercial OS, UNIX. All the operating systems try to pack in command line management of systems. System administrators of companies use command lines all the times as their lifeline, but it’s not really meant for regulars users.
Tips for Home Users:
If you want to get comfortable with Linux, you don’t have to let go of windows. Get Linux installed on a separate partition and you can switch between Windows and Linux. For new users who don’t have any computer background learning windows or Linux both takes same time and sitting.
It is suggested that new PC buyers should get both operating systems installed and should use them equally. If you’re getting Linux for more than 2-3 PCs, you can also get training and support at a small free, if you choose to have it. Else it’s the Linux community on the Net to your rescue.
You don’t have to be a great computer user to work with Linux. There are Desktop environments that let you work in Linux as you work in Windows. As you work with windows, same is the case with Linux.
Linux hands in decreasing PC prices.
PC prices are already on their way down. And you get more choice with operating systems and applications. From being an OS only computer professionals had heard about, Linux, in a short time, has made a transition into the lucrative and high profile home PC segment.
The PCs bundle the operating system. Linux being a free open source operating system means that the code that runs is open for everyone to see, work with, modify and develop their own innovative applications for it. But this is nothing compared to the money people spend on Operating Systems like windows. And a company bundles Linux and applications based on it with a computer, quite a bit of the PC cost comes down. Presently some branded PC’s coming with Linux are available for Rs: 25000/- onwards.
Linux is better than other OS
Linux users won’t even bat an eyelid before they say an emphasis comes from a deep dislike of Microsoft’s practice of changing the earth for software. But a lot of it comes from the fact they are ready to swear upon-that Linux is more stable. According to a latest survey Web Hosts are using Linux Based Servers for hosting purposes.
One note here though: the free in Linux stands for freedom of choice, to redistribute, to install a feature, freedom to modify the source code. That’s the spirit of Linux being free.
Security:
Linux has a better security support for multi-users, lets you set up a stable server, internet gateways etc, and still lets it-self to be used as a desktop workstation. There are no blue screens and no viruses to speak of. It is rarely attacked by any viruses and there are very less number of viruses written for Linux. It can be given 10+ points on a 10 point scale for security.
Myths about Linux
Installation:
Linux is hard to install, isn’t it? Not really. Most people haven’t ever installed Windows on their computers either-since it comes preloaded. Linux is as easy-some say easier-to install compared to Windows. You can install it through a graphical user interface like Windows. These days Linux Versions are easier to install than Windows. But what really stumps most people in installing Linux on a second partition on their hard disk, when they want to be able to use both operating systems.
A partition is a way of organizing space on your hard disk by creating virtual sections that are separate from each other. Most computers that are running Windows or MS DOS have one large chunk of space holding the OS. This space is the C drive. If you have a large hard disk, it’s likely that it has been divided up into smaller bits called partitions to help you organize your data better. These partitions are usually called D:\, E:\ etc. you could have Linux on any of these.
Windows 98 creates a file system called FAT32 on the entire hard disk, DOS and Win95 use FAT16. Linux has many file systems-on the most popular is ext3. But you could have Linux installed on Fat32 partitions also.
Linux is very difficult and based on text command
Linux has come a long way from being the system of brilliant computer users. It has extremely advanced X Windows systems that have a complete graphical user interface-you know, like Windows. It also has a large number of window manager that let you work with different levels of customization of your desktop.
Linux has a robust character-cell interface where commands need to be typed in. x Windows is a free program that runs with Linux to provide a GUI where the mouse and keyboard can be used extensively. But the X system itself is quite primitive and needs a window manager, or a desktop environment- like GNOME or KDE- to be really usable. Window managers are programs that let you interact with the underlying X system and Linux OS by relaying commands. The popular window managers are Sawfish, Enlightenment, Black box, after step and Window maker.
As for desktop managers, they have their own window manager and other tools that make you feel that you are working in Window! GNOME and KDE are the most popular of these. GNOME stands for GNU Network Model Environment and KDE for K desktop Environment. They have tools that allow drag and drop, have panels and taskbar- almost like clones of windows.
Hardware compatibility problem and few applications that run on Linux
Well, most new distributions will detect and configure your hardware in a jiffy, unless you have some really old or exotic piece of hardware. All hardware are properly detected and their drivers installed. Only Win modems (internal modems driven by Window drivers) face problems.
As for software, there’s plenty. And most of it comes free-free for you to use, modify and configure according to your needs. Almost all excellent software for Linux is free and you don’t lose anything by giving it a try. You get free support on the Net quickly on any query you may have. And you don’t even have to wipe out your Windows. Just get Linux on a different hard disk partition and free to switch between them as you please.
Other packages are commercial and you have to buy the software-but this is mostly for the software and training you need, and not for the software itself. Sometimes, if you have the Windows version (as a doom) you can download a small program that will allow you to play the game in Linux. The games in Linux are of very high quality and features. You’ll enjoy them. Here what’s available?
Office suites: Star Office, Open Office, Applixware, Corel WordPerfect
Graphics: GIMP, Corel Photo paint
Music: XMMS, Free amp, Real Player
Video: MTV, Xine
Games: FreeCiv, Tux racer, Doom, Quake, Heretic, Unreal And the list is growing.
Linux varieties for Home Users:
If there are so many people working on it. There’s likely to be many Linux versions too. Many companies working on Linux have come up with what are called Linux distributions. There are Linux versions that are compiled and packaged and released with additional software.
RedHat: Probably the most popular and in many ways the leading version. It’s currently in version 9. The installation and configuration is easy. A blue curve file manager and the default GNOME desktop make it look simply stunning. It comes with a host of tools that allow usage as a server and as a workstation. The Red Hat Package Manger(RPM) format developed by Red Hat has almost become the defector for software distribution in Linux world. Installing new software is a breeze. It also has an advanced and easy font management system that makes fonts in X Windows look cool.
Mandrake: Mandrake Linux is now in its 10 version. It can be installed on a native Windows Partition using the Lin4Win tool, but this may slow the machine down. It also lets you do a traditional Linux install into its own dedicated partition. Mandrake’s configuration and software installation is painless. It follows a slightly modified RPM architecture called mdk.rpm but most Red Hat software can also be used for Mandrake. The outstanding feature in this version is the collection of window managers-eye-candy freaks will have a great time.
SUSE: From Germany comes the Chameleon, SUSE. Now in its 8.x avatar, it has one of the most extensive software packages compiled, and getting them installed is easy with yast (Yet another Software Tool) which gives a centralized interface from where you can pick and choose the software to be installed. Among other things, SUSE comes with some stunning 3D games that showcase Linux gamming prowess
Corel/Xandross: Corel entered the Linux market with Corel Linux a few years ago. Now it has merged into Xandross OS, which is based on Corel Linux. This is a Debian-type version, and can be installed without much fuss after resizing the Windows partition. Xandross contains Crossover office, which is a refined retail version of WINE that lets you install and run many Microsoft apps.
Windows applications in Linux
Some applications have been ported over to Linux, other run with a program called WINE (Wine is Not an Emulator). Crossover, commercially available software also lets you use your Windows programs on Linux. VMWare is another program that lets you run Windows under Linux. Now many software companies have started developing high end software for Linux.
Bottom Line:
The cool thing about Linux is that most software is free, and you can legitimately use them without worrying about piracy. If you’re worried that Linux won‘t look as pretty as windows can, all you have to do is check out some of the cool Linux interfaces and Window managers. But you don’t find a lot of multimedia titles for Linux. And if you’re into a lot of these, Windows is in the way to go. So if you have a PC that runs both, you can easily switch between the two, and get the best of both worlds.

Having a home office with the right furniture is a major component of ensuring your continued productivity – regardless of whether or not the pieces you decide to use are new, or they’re things that are just plain comfortable! What matters is that the furniture you choose is functional, usable, and safe for the environment.

Choosing a Desk
Your desk is where you’ll be spending most of your time, so this needs to be large enough to accommodate your computer, keyboard, space for papers and actually doing paperwork, a telephone, and extra spots for things like mail, pens, business cards, and so forth. Needless to say, the larger you can go with a desk is typically better – but in a home office, you can often be working within a confined space. Try to pick a desk with drawers – it helps to minimize the inevitable clutter.

Choosing a Chair
This is one area you can’t compromise on. You’ll be sitting in your chair for 8 hours – or maybe more – each day, and the last thing you need is something hard on your back or rear. Stress on the spine, day in and day out, can cause serious health problems. A chair should have a slight contour to follow the curve of your back, and should have enough padding on the bottom to remain comfortable for several hours. That said, you also need some wiggle room – don’t get a chair that’s too snug.

Choosing Storage Space
Storage space is where everything else goes when you’re not working on it! This includes things like filing cabinets and bookshelves – both of which are very important elements of home office furniture. Without these pieces, you’ll find that papers and projects pile up in various places in the room in random order – inevitably leading toward the loss of some key paper or telephone number at a crucial moment. Do yourself a favor and invest in some solid, lockable filing cabinets and sturdy bookshelves. You’ll thank yourself for it later.