ccm

My brother-in-law is unable to boot his computer. When he presses the power button, the processor fan spins wildly (like it should when you first turn the computer on)... but continues to spin at high RPMs, even after the standard 2-5 seconds.

Nothing ever appears on screen -- even at the BIOS level, which makes me think the problem is related to the motherboard. The motherboard is only a couple of months old though, so I find it highly unlikely that one of its components has already failed.

Any thoughts?

I'm trying to customize the links bar in Internet Explorer for new users. I'd like to add several of my own links, which I have done by adding the URL shortcuts to two directories.

%system root%/Documents and Settings/All Users

%system root%/Documents and Settings/Default User

Problem is, when a new users logs on, the default IE6 links (Customize Links, Free Hotmail, Windows Marketplace & Windows Media) are imported also -- I do not want these URLs in the new users' Links. I don't know where they're coming from. I'm guessing they're embedded in the registry somewhere, but I haven't been able to find them.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

How can I turn a NeoWare terminal client into an independent PC? I wanted to put Damn Small Linux on a USB drive, and boot to that -- but I can't enable the USB port as a boot device in the NeoWare's BIOS. Is there anyway around this?

I'd like to build an automated house with PoE. (I want to be able to remotely power lights and other appliances through-out the house.) Do I need a special PoErouter/switch? Will I need special PoE appliances?

Is there a better automated house method? I've heard a lot about the X-10, Insteon, ZigBee and Z-Wave standards, but I can't seem to make much sense of any of it. The standards don't offer appliances -- so where do I find the appliances?