3D-Analyze Most Wanted Gamming Tool!

3D-Analyze is a tool for transform and lightning hardware emulation. So it is very useful for running TnL games on video cards that have not on board dedicated circuits for TnL calculations (like all Voodoo, Kyro, some Radeon and older). It uses power of central processing unit to do emulation.

I’ve been using this tool for almost 6 months…and believe me when i say ” This tool ROCKS” lets say, you want to play PainKiller on a crapy intel graphic card “or so called graphic card” using this tool you can emulate one of the most important subject of running this game which is “Hardware Texture & Lightning” that is required by most of the modern 3D games until now,
With this tool you can even emulate a “graphic card” in one piece, like the (GeForce 5900 Ultra, and Ati Radeon 8500 & 9800 Pro)

It doesn’t matter if your running on windows XP or Vista, because this tool is compatible with both platforms, but what it does require is for you to have a very good processor speed to perform the emulation, above the main game requirements.

I was playing Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, and the game is so HARD ROCK am telling you, using this little tool to do so much is just….UNBELIEVABLE to be true…lol

Try it now and the best thing is…..its totally FREE!

New Antivirus Rankings?Kaspersky Still on Top

One of the most popular articles on the net is in regards to the best antivirus software, More than 160,000 people have read articles, and so I thought it is a good time to write a follow-up on it.

The latest test from virus.gr includes 52 different antivirus applications. They were rigorously tested using 174,770 virus samples, and the settings of each application were tweaked to ensure that they all caught maximum number of viruses (despite increasing the possibility that the the software would be more likely to return a false positive).

So let?s take a look at the condensed list that I put together. On it I list the top 20 antivirus applications followed by some of the other well-known solutions. If you look closely you might also notice that the top 5 options on the list are all powered by Kaspersky!

Note: I have hyperlinked all of the antivirus solutions to their respective websites. None of the links contain a referral code.

1. Kaspersky version 7.0.0.43 beta – 99.23%

2. Kaspersky version 6.0.2.614 – 99.13%
3. Active Virus Shield by AOL version 6.0.0.308 – 99.13%
4. ZoneAlarm with KAV Antivirus version 7.0.337.000 – 99.13%
5. F-Secure 2007 version 7.01.128 – 98.56%
6. BitDefender Professional version 10 – 97.70%
7. BullGuard version 7.0.0.23 – 96.59%
8. Ashampoo version 1.30 – 95.80%
9. eScan version 8.0.671.1 – 94.43%
10. Nod32 version 2.70.32 – 94.00%

11. CyberScrub version 1.0 – 93.27%
12. Avast Professional version 4.7.986 – 92.82%
13. AVG Anti-Malware version 7.5.465 – 92.14%
14. F-Prot version 6.0.6.4 – 91.35%
15. McAfee Enterprise version 8.5.0i+AntiSpyware module – 90.65%
16. Panda 2007 version 2.01.00 – 90.06%
17. Norman version 5.90.37 – 88.47%
18. ArcaVir 2007 – 88.24%
19. McAfee version 11.0.213 – 86.13%
20. Norton Professional 2007 – 86.08%
?
23. PC-Cillin 2007 version 15.00.1450 – 84.96%
?
27. Sophos Sweep version 6.5.1 – 69.79%
?
33. Comodo version 2.0.12.47 beta – 53.94%
34. Comodo version 1.1.0.3 – 53.39%
35. A-Squared Anti-Malware version 2.1 – 52.69%
?
38. ClamWin version 0.90.1 – 47.95%
?
52. Abacre version 1.4 – 0.00%

There aren?t many free antivirus solutions that made the list, or were even tested for that matter. Active Virus Shield, at number 3, is not only one of the highest-ranked antivirus solutions on the list, but it is also completely free. Both AVG and Avast have a free version that they offer, but their paid solutions were tested instead.

So if you?re just looking for an antivirus application that gets the job done well, Active Virus Shield is probably the route you want to go. Of course the software is provided by AOL which is probably what holds most people back from immediately downloading it, but in my opinion it is a great application. After all, the software itself is created by Kaspersky and the only thing AOL did was put their logo on it. For right now I?m using Avast, but when Active Virus Shield becomes compatible with Vista I?ll probably be switching over.

How to Format a Hard Drive With Windows XP

If you want to format a hard drive while using or installing Windows XP, you’ve come to the right place. This can be very useful for clearing everything off a secondary drive or when installing a fresh copy of Windows. Formatting a computer hard drive is simple and can help eliminate viruses, storage issues and other hard-to-resolve problems.

Instructions:

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Step1

When you format a computer hard drive you will lose everything that is on the drive. Therefore, it is very important to back up anything you might want later. Additionally, if you are going to be formatting and installing XP you need to make sure you have the discs for any applications or third party hardware you use since you will need to re-install your programs and drivers after re-installing Windows.

Step2

Take a moment to think of anything that you have on the computer that you wouldn’t want to lose. Generally, you probably want everything in your My Documents folder, and you also want to save things like your favorites or bookmarks from your Web browser. Remember that each user on the computer has his or her own My Documents folder, Desktop items and Favorites/Bookmarks.

Step3

Save everything to a CD, DVD or a hard drive that you won’t be formatting.

Formatting a Secondary Hard Drive

Step1

Right-Click on the ?My Computer? icon either on your desktop or in the Start Menu and select ?Manage.?

Step2

A new window titled ?Computer Management? comes up. Select ?Storage? from the left hand side by clicking it once, then select ?Disk Management(local)? from the right side by double-clicking it.

Step3

Now in the lower part of the main frame (right side) of the window you should see a nice visual of all your hard drives. Each line is a different drive. Each box on a line (with a colored bar at the top and a size displayed in MB or GB) is a partition on the drive. Partitions are separations of space on a drive. Unless you are doing something specific that requires multiple partitions, you only want one partition per drive.

Step4

First you must delete any existing partitions on the drive you are going to format. Do this by right-clicking on the partition’s box and selecting ?Delete Partition…? Since you already know that you will be deleting everything on the drive, and have already backed everything up, you can safely say yes to any warning the computer presents you with.

Step5

If there are multiple partitions make sure you have saved everything off them since they might each have different drive letters (i.e. ?D:? or ?F:?). Then repeat the above step for each of them. If you only want to format one partition that is OK and you can continue to the next step without deleting the other partitions.

Step6

The box for the drive to be formatted should now have a black bar at the top of it and should say ?Unallocated? under its size (see picture). Right click on it and select ?New Partition…? The New Partition Wizard comes up.

Step7

In the New Partition Wizard click next. On the next page make sure ?Primary Partition? is selected and click next. Now make the size equal to the maximum (it should already be set to it), and click next again. On the next page the computer will automatically choose the first available drive letter for the new drive. However, if you like you can choose another drive letter from the drop-down menu, and then click next.

Step8

Finally the New Partition Wizard asks if you would like to format the new partition and if so what format. Choose ?NTFS? as it is faster and more secure. Leave the ?Allocation unit size? as ?Default.? In the ?Volume label? field enter whatever name you want the drive to have. Simple is better. Avoid using spaces. Lastly, if the drive is brand new and has never been used before check the ?Perform a quick format? box. If the drive has been used before leave this box unchecked. Leave the ?Enable file and folder compression? box unchecked and click next. Then on the next page click finish.

Step9

The wizard will now spend a little while formatting the drive. On old or large drives this may take a while. Do not close the ?Computer Management? window until it finishes. You will know it is done when the word under the size of the drive changes from ?Formatting? to ?Healthy? and the name and drive letter you chose for the new drive show up.

After it is finished you can proceed to use your newly formatted drive

Formatting and Installing from the Windows XP CD

Step1

This section explains how to reformat a drive from the Windows XP installation CD. This can be used when installing a fresh copy of Windows onto a computer. Here it is especially important to backup all of your important information because upon formatting you will lose EVERYTHING that used to be on the drive. This includes all applications and device drivers, so you must back up everything you can.

Step2

Insert your Windows XP installation disc into your CD drive (Home or Pro–it does not matter).

Step3

Now as you computer boots a little more it will say ?Press any key to boot from CD..? press a key to do so.

Step4

The CD will load up a blue screen and then spend a while loading files it needs. When it is finished it will list a few options, mainly ?Press ENTER to set up Windows XP.? Press Enter or Return.

Step5

Now you will be at a screen to select where to install Windows to. This is where you can delete old partitions and format drives. The box in the bottom half of the screen shows all your drives and the partitions that exist on them. Use the Up and Down arrow keys to highlight your ?C:? partition and press the ‘D’ key (if all that shows up is ?Unpartitioned space? and you have no C: or D: partitions, skip this step). On the next screen press the ‘L’ key to finalize deleting the partition.

Step6

Now you are back on the screen to choose where to install Windows. The box on the lower half of the screen should no longer show a partition but simply have an entry ?Unpartitioned space xxxxxMB.? Select this with the arrow keys and press the ‘C’ key to create a partition on the drive. The next screen tells you the minimum and maximum sizes the partition can be and lets you pick the size. The default size is the maximum, but double check that the number entered is the maximum and hit enter.

Step7

Now you will again be back at the choose where to install Windows screen. But this time you will have a partition that looks something like this ?C: Partition1 [New (Raw)]xxxxxxMB.? Highlight this entry and press enter.

Step8

The next screen lets you choose which file system to format the drive with. Choose NTFS as it is faster and more secure. If the drive is brand new and has never been used before then use one of the options that ends in ?(Quick).? Or, choose one of the lower down options. Use the arrow keys to select the proper one and press Enter or Return.

Step9

From here you are all set and the installation of Windows will proceed starting with a format of your drive. This will take a while (over half an hour) so you can take a little break.

How to Clean Your Laptop & Keeping it Safe and Functional !

Regular cleaning of your laptop computer is easy, and might save you tons of trouble in the long run. Learn how to clean your laptop with a homemade solution.

Cleaning the Laptop!

Keeping it Safe and Functional !

how to keep your laptop computer safe. Using your laptop safely will help it work properly.

Prevent Laptops From Overheating

It is best to shut your laptop down when it is not in use for a long period of time. This prevents overheating.

Adjust Laptop Power Settings

Adjusting your power settings can help prevent overheating if your laptop is not in use, even for a short period of time. Power Settings are found in the Control Panel on Basic PCs, or System Preferences on the Mac. When you open up Power Options on your PC , or Energy Saver on your Mac, you will find options that allow you to control the timing of the monitor, standby, and hibernation settings.

The shorter the amount of time it takes for your monitor to turn off, your computer to go into standby or hibernation, the more energy your computer will save. For example, I will adjust my settings to 5 minutes. This way, after 5 minutes, my computer will automatically begin to use less energy. On PCs, click OK when you are done adjusting the settings.

Clean Laptop Vents and Fans

You can also prevent overheating by inspecting and cleaning the various air vents and fans with forced air dusters, which you can buy at any office supply store. This should be done when the computer has been off for at least a few minutes. The fans and vents are located at the bottom and sides of your laptop. Make sure to blow the air out of the vents.

Proper Laptop Ventilation

It is best to use a laptop on a hard surface, like a desk, which allows ventilation. Avoid placing your laptop on soft spots like a couch or pillow. This could block airflow, which can cause overheating. You can also purchase an optional heat sink base or a laptop desk at office supply stores.

Tips for Traveling With Laptops

If you are traveling, turn off your computer before putting it into its carrying bag. Also, unplug any computer accessories, such as flash drives, when you’re traveling with your laptop. They can scratch, break, or damage your laptop while traveling.

Panasonic Toughbook Laptop Review

Top 9 Laptop Computer Safety Tips

Safely using your laptop will help ensure that your laptop works properly and you don’t get hurt. Improper use or not being aware of safety issues can cause your laptop irreparable damage. These safety tips should be added to your weekly laptop maintenance routine and will help you stay productive and safe no matter where you are working.

1. Shut It Down

Unlike a desktop computer a laptop computer needs to be shut down when not in use. Shutting down when not in use prevents the laptop from overheating and it also needs the rest.
2. Adjusting Power Settings
Adjusting your power options will help your laptop from heating up when not in use even if for short periods of time. You can set your hard drive and display to turn off after a set time period. Another option is to set the laptop to go into standby or hibernate mode.

3. Before You Pack It Up

Make sure that you before you put your laptop into its carrying bag that it is shut down. A notebook that has been left on can melt. When enclosed in a notebook bag there is no air circulation and the results can be worse than melting. Don’t find out the hard way and just be sure to turn off your laptop.

4. Vent Maintenance

Part of your weekly routine should be to inspect and clean the air vents in your laptop. Forced air dusters can be used to keep the air vents clean and free from debris. It’s important to know that you should never push anything into the air vents.

5. Checking the Fan

Overheating problems can be caused by the laptop fan not working properly. Always check the laptop manufacturer’s online support and your warranty information. It may be possible to download software to test your laptop fan.

6. BIOS Updates

Some laptops control the fans through the BIOS. Check online with the laptop manufacturer for BIOS updates. If you aren’t comfortable updating the BIOS yourself, have someone in your IT dept. or have an outside Computer Technician do it for you.

7. Avoid Lap Burn

Using a laptop desk or cooler will prevent you from being burned when using your laptop. A good laptop desk will have large enough vents for allowing air circulation between you and the laptop. Some laptop desks have additional fans which use power from the laptop itself to stay cool.

8. Soft Spots

It’s a wise idea not to use any soft material as a buffer between you and your laptop. Always operate your laptop on a hard surface, preferably one that allows ventilation. Soft materials can block the airflow vents and cause it to overheat. If it is not possible to avoid using a soft surface, an optional heat sink base should be used to maintain cooling.

9. Unplug Accessories

Whenever your laptop will not be in use, even for short periods of time remember to unplug any accessories. Not only do they use power but they could cause the laptop to overheat. It’s especially important to unplug any accessories before packing your laptop in its carrying case. While you may believe it will make it quicker to use, it could damage your laptop, the accessory and/or your laptop bag.

Next Gen Consoles; Who Wins?

Gaming is more mainstream than ever, but what console should you go for? Are you a casual or hardcore gamer, do you like playing online, what about getting interactive? Well the good news is that there is a console for you out there that will offer exactly what you need, you’ve just got to work out what that actually is.

Xbox 360 Elite.

Microsoft’s flagship gaming console offers a large hard drive to store games and movies on and a HDMI connection so you can connect it to a HDTV and watch high-definition movies or play games with crystal clear graphics. The Xbox 360 has been around for almost 3 years now so the games library that is on offer is pretty deep and this means there is bound to be something for everyone be it racing games, platformers or good old shoot-em ups. Where the Xbox 360 edges out over the competition is the focus on online gaming. While it doesn’t strangely have wireless connectivity built in as standard you can connect online and play against other gamers from around the world. In fact you can play millions of gamers everyday as most people do. Additionally you can also download movies and TV shows via Microsoft’s Video Marketplace. Until recently you could also get a HD DVD drive for the console however following Toshiba’s shutting down of the format this is no longer available. Rumours circle the web that Microsoft will be announcing a Blu-ray player for the console in the near future.

PlayStation 3.

Sony’s next generation console and follow up to the PlayStation 2, it’s a supercomputer in the making coming with a Blu-ray drive built-in and the option of a 40GB or 60GB hard drive. Considerably more expensive than the Xbox 360 even after a price cut at the end of 2007, the PlayStation also has a limited offering of games being only still under a year old on the market. However with a plethora of good games either just landing or schedule to land in 2008 all that is about to change. Metal Gear Solid, GT5, Drake, Killzone 2 and a couple more should ignite some much needed interest and what with Sony winning the next generation DVD battle with its Blu-ray format against Toshiba’s HD DVD, the PS3 is positioned to eventually come out on top.

Nintendo Wii.

While the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3 pride themselves on being at the cutting edge of the gaming sphere with the latest graphics, demanding gaming and offering games gamers would want to play, Nintendo has chosen a different tactic for it gaming offering. Instead the Wii focuses on interactive game play, ditching the multimedia aspects, the video downloads or online communities instead for fun short games that involve the whole family. Most of the best games on the Wii are short lived affairs and anyone looking to buy the console should invest in Wii Play, its fitness focused game Wii Fit (complete with balance board) and Mario Kart with the Wii Wheel, a wheel that you can clip the motion sensor controller into so you can pretend to drive while sitting on the sofa. The Nintendo Wii also has the benefit of being super cheap, at just 180 pounds it’s fast becoming the new board game for the connected dinner party generation.

These next generation consoles while expensive are ultimately worthwhile. the gaming experiences they provide are constantly shifting the boundaries of what we consider gaming.

WRITTEN BY Thomas Pretty

Software; Without It Nothing Would Work

Just think without software nothing would work. It’s the be all and end all of how we interact with computers. Beyond the rather boring element of the operating system itself, I mean who wants to get excited about Windows Vista, software allows you to manage your music, edit your photos, write documents, view the web. It’s everywhere.

So what makes a good software package and what are the ones you should be using to do the task at hand? Here are some suggestions for both PC and Mac users:

Storing and managing photos.

When it comes to storing and managing your photos on your computer there are lots of options both online and offline. Online there are a number of photo services such as Photobox or Kodak’s EasyShare gallery, including the newly launched Adobe Photoshop Express service, and that’s before you start looking at Flickr from Yahoo and Picasa from Google. Offline and one of the best solutions for the PC is Adobe’s Photoshop Elements software. Simple yet effective there is plenty here for the digital photographer. The interface is clean and crisp and there are some really good features like the photo merge option and the flash based web galleries that will make this appeal to lots of people. On the Mac the best option for consumers is Apple’s own iPhoto application. Although you can now get Adobe’s elements for Mac, iPhoto does virtually everything you need including allowing you to make and publish your own book or website.

For Music.

Chances are you have a large music collection and there are two really good music programs for the PC and the Mac to help you manage it. For the PC it’s the incumbent music application; Windows Media Player 10. The software will manage you music, let you connect it to virtually every MP3 player (apart from Apple’s iPod) to transfer songs and also is again virtually guaranteed to work with music subscription services (although again not with Apple’s iTunes) so you can buy tracks or rent tracks online. On the mac there is really only one option, Apple’s iTunes. It allows you to manage your music, is the only player to work with the company’s iconic iPod MP3 player and also allows you to buy video and music through its iTunes store, which has recently become the number one music store in the US.

For the Office.

Like storing and managing your photos, their are a number of solutions on and offline to help you write documents, manage spreadsheets and give presentations. Microsoft’s office for Windows and Mac is very impressive, offers lots of features and will get the job done. The trouble is that it’s also very expensive. If budget is tight, as in non-existent then you can opt for Google’s online offering, which has the benefit of being able to be managed by a number of different workers at the same time. Alternative there is Open Office a free office application that offers a document writer, spreadsheet program and other bits and bobs so you can still write letters of resignation or find out much you’ve got in the bank.

For Surfing.

Although there are plenty of browsers for surfing the web and the market leader is Microsoft’s Windows Internet Explorer you really want to be surfing the Internet using Mozilla’s Firefox. Firefox is an open source browser that allows you to bolt on third party applications it’s the way to surf the web quickly and effectively, and tab browsing, if you aren’t already using it, will revolutionise the way you surf the internet forever.

Without these essential pieces of kit undoubtedly our computer usage would be considerably more difficult.

WRITTEN BY Thomas Pretty

What Would A Computer Be Without Hardware?

When the first PCs started turning up in the late seventies and early eighties they where designed to help businesses manage spreadsheets and if you were lucky help you write a letter to the bank manager asking, no doubt for more money, because you needed to re-mortgage the house for the latest breakthrough in cutting edge computing.

Nowadays computers come in all shapes and sizes and are capable of far more than just adding up a couple of sums. You can surf the web, play games, edit photos, listen to your music, make music even, oh and still of course get them to help you with your spread sheets and perhaps rather than a letter to your bank manager, simply manage your bank account online yourself.

But hardware doesn’t just cover computers and laptops but the multitude of accessories to go with it. The latest monitors that let you enjoy your desktop more, the 1TB hard drives that let you store all the data. Then there are the keyboards and mice that let you control it and that’s before you’ve got to the speakers to let you listen to it, the network modems that let you connect to the internet or the other massive plethora of USB devices that will do everything from letting you read a memory card to warming up a pair of slippers so you don’t get cold feet when doing your work.

The ultimate computer set up at home in my mind would consist of the following:

Apple MacBook Pro laptop.

Apple’s MacBook Pro laptop is one of the best laptops around allowing you to manage your work and play on the go with ease. Using the Apple Leopard OS you don’t have to worry about viruses as the system is so far know to be immune to them. Additionally the software just works letting you get on with your work and play. Used by creative types around the world the laptop is great for managing music and images. Time Machine, its backup software solution is by far the best offering out there meaning your data will be safe always.

Seagate hard drive.

If you’ve got lots of data and you backup regularly (which of course you should, it goes without saying) then you’ll need a decent hard drive to back up to. Seagate’s range of FreeAgent drives come in sizes of up to 750GB, more than ample enough, and offer fast performance for both Mac and PC users via USB 2.0 or Firewire.

Samsung 22-inch monitor.

Your laptop might come with its own screen, but you’ll want to maximise your working capabilities in the office with a massive monitor. Get yourself a widescreen monitor with a good resolution. You can then use your laptop monitor as a second screen for chat or email windows leaving the main large screen solely for working on documents or whatever your main focus should be. And before you eek with “isn’t it going to be expensive?” the answer is no – you can get a 24-inch for under 250 pounds.

Logitech Keyboard and Mouse.

Logitech have long been making decent keyboards and mice so it’s good to invest in something from the company. Mac owners might do better to opt for a Mac keyboard and a Logitech mouse however to get the best of both worlds. Something like the MX revolution or the MX Air.

Computers form a vital component in our lives today and with the wide selection of hardware out there this trend is only set to continue.

WRITTEN BY Thomas Pretty

Get the Most Out of Your Nanny Spy Cameras – Use Them For Other Purposes!

Lest you think that nanny spy cameras are only good for spying on the nanny, think again. The term is another designation for hidden surveillance cameras, supposedly because these are now more commonly used to monitor childcare providers in an increasingly nanny-paranoid society.

Nanny spy cameras are usually innocuous-looking as a teddy bear, or an alarm clock, or a book, or a box of cereal. As such, the possibilities beyond nanny surveillance can be endless.

Unfaithful Spouse

You can become a total spy on your husband with strategically placed nanny spy cameras. Or at least, when he is at home. You can install a hidden camera in your bedroom, in the kitchen, in the living room, and outside the house. You might spend a little on the cost of these hidden cameras but the divorce settlement can recover it many times over!

And if he is cheating with the nanny and playing house behind your back, then your surveillance will have paid off. It is very painful, yes, but at least you know what happens behind your back in your own house.

Erring Teenager

Your teenage son (or daughter, for that matter) will definitely not like it when he knows you have been spying on him. Then again, for a parent, worrying comes with the territory.

You can install nanny spy cameras around the house to monitor his movements while you are away at work or on a short trip. At the very least, you will know if he is inviting suspicious people and doing suspicious activities in the house. Also, you can decrease worrying about his safety and security while you are away from home. Indeed, the movie “Home Alone” is just a make-believe movie!

Sexual Spice

You can transfer one of your nanny spy cameras to your bedroom. You can videotape yourself doing a sexy dance or imitating the sex act, which you can then send to him via his cell phone. If you are successful, you will whet his sexual appetite by your teasing gestures.

You can even videotape yourselves while doing your thing. How is that for self-pornography and self-voyeurism?

Special Child

Video footages of your special child can help you to monitor his progress. Since children tend to be more self-conscious when cameras are around, a hidden camera might do the trick of videotaping him in his natural element.

For example, you can make progress videos of your autistic child as he undergoes therapies. This way, you can truly appreciate the progress he is making in his speech, social interaction and other mental developments; plus, you have videos for posterity’s sake.

Invalid Relative

If you are the type who does not wish to consign your beloved relative to an impersonal nursing home (or you do not have money for long-term institutionalized care), then nanny spy cameras can help you monitor your patient while you work.

The cost will be worth it when you start thinking in terms of less worrying about what is happening as well as the security of knowing that your substitute caregiver knows that he is being monitored and is unlikely to do anything suspicious.

Indeed, you can make your hidden surveillance cameras to suit your own needs, nanny or no nanny.

WRITTEN BY: Nahshon Roberts

10 ways to make Linux boot faster

#1: Disable unnecessary services

Depending upon the use of the machine, plenty of services won?t be needed. Using Linux just for a desktop? Then you won?t need sendmail, httpd, and many other services. If your server is only a Web server, you can shut off many services as well. To do this, you can go to the Administration menu and take a look at the Services entry. Just deselect all of the services you don?t want to start.

#2: Disable unnecessary kernel modules

If your desktop is wired to the Ethernet, you don?t need to have a wireless kernel module loaded. This task is a bit more difficult and will require a kernel recompilation, which is not the easiest task to undertake. To do this, you will need the kernel sources. Then, follow the standard steps for compiling a kernel. The difference is that you?re going to go through your system and disable all of the modules you don?t need.

The best way to find out what kernel modules currently install and run on your system is to install Bootchart. Not only will this give you a good list of modules, it will illustrate for you what is happening during your system boot. You can also issue the command chkconfig ?list | grep 3:on to find out what services are running. Once you know what loading modules you don?t need, you can remove them during a kernel recompilation. While you?re at it, compile the kernel to exactly match your architecture.

#3: Use a lightweight window manager instead of GNOME or KDE

I plug smaller footprint window managers for a reason ? they drastically reduce graphical boot time. Instead of having to wait that extra 30 to 60 seconds for GNOME or KDE to boot up, why not wait two to 10 seconds for Enlightenment or XFCE to boot up? Not only will they save you boot time, they will save your memory and the headache of dealing with bloatware.

#4: Use a text-based login instead of a graphical login

Most of my Linux machines boot to run level 3 instead of run level 5. This will halt at the text-based login, where I only have to log in and issue startx to start my desktop of choice. The graphical logins do two things: increase load times and create headaches trying to recover from an X windows fubar.

#5: Use a lighter-weight distribution

Instead of loading the heavyweight Fedora, why not try a Gentoo, Arch, or Puppy Linux? The boot times for these smaller distributions are far faster than the more bloated Fedora (and even Ubuntu). Of the larger distributions, OpenSuSE claims to boot the fastest, but I have not personally tested this. Between the latest Fedora and Ubuntu, Ubuntu blows Fedora?s boot times away (and that is out of the box).

#6: Use an OpenBIOS

If you?re savvy enough to upgrade your PC?s firmware, you might consider migrating to an open source BIOS. One caveat to using open firmware is that it allows Linux to actually initialize the hardware as it boots (instead of relying on the BIOS). On top of that, many open BIOSes can be configured to meet your machine?s specific needs. If you don?t go the open BIOS route, you can at least configure your BIOS to not search for a floppy drive that?s not there or to boot directly to the first hard drive (instead of the CD drive first).

#7: Avoid dhcp

If you are working on a home network (or a small business network) where address lease isn?t a problem, go with static IP addresses. This will keep your machine from having to call out to a dhcp server to get an IP address. If you take this approach, make sure you configure your /etc/resolve.conf to reflect your DNS server addresses as well.

#8: If you can spare it, get rid of hotplug

Hotplug is the system that allows you to plug in new devices and use them immediately. If you know your server won?t need this system, delete it. This will cut down on boot time. On many systems, hotplugging consumes much of the boot time. Removing hotplug will vary depending upon the distribution you use. NOTE: udev has, for the most part, replaced hotplug. But if you?re running an older distribution, this does apply.

#9: If you are REALLY daring, you could give initng a try

The initng system serves as a replacement for the sysvinit system and promises to drastically decrease boot times in UNIX-like operating systems. If you would like to see the initng system in action, you can give the Pingwinek livecd a try.

#10: Use a hack with Debian

If you?re using Debian, there is a simple hack you can use to switch your startup scripts to run in parallel. If you look at the /etc/init.d/rc script, you will see: CONCURRENCY=none around line 24. Change this line to CONCURRENCY=shell and you should see a reduction in boot times.

That?s about it. Of course there are always more and better hacks out there. But the above should mostly cover everything. The good news is that you?re most likely already running Linux, so the burden of boot times is generally eased by the infrequency of reboots.