These days just about every program you see is written for the Windows graphical user interface but there are times where it’s not necessarily the best way to go. Seti is one such instance. The Windows screensaver may look interesting but actually means very little and takes up a great deal of your processor’s resources. Admittedly you can set it to run all the time and blank after one minute but why bother when you can do the same thing with the easy to set up and more efficient command line client. There is another major benefit to using the DOS based version, unit caching, but we’ll come to that a bit later on. If you need more persuasion to convert then think about this – just about everyone at the top end of the table uses it.

This is quickly achieved by clicking on the following link: http://setiathome.ssl.berkeley.edu/unix.html. You will now find yourself on the Unix page, don’t worry, you’re not lost, just scroll down the page until you come to a list of clients for a myriad of operating systems.

Locate the file called "i386-winnt-cmdline.exe" and click on one of the purple coloured, numbered mirror sites to the right hand side. This will then download the client. Don’t worry, it gets easier from here on in, honest. If you’ve already got the Graphical (GUI) version loaded it’s going to have to be un-installed which you can do from the control panel. Once it’s been un-installed you’ll more than likely still be left with the Seti@home directory within your program files folder. Don't worry about it. You can delete it. If there is a unit in there, it will not be lost, it will be re-allocated to another user.

Create a Seti folder somewhere, for ease of use, just create it in your root directory using Windows Explorer, then copy the client executable file into your new folder. You are now almost ready to begin crunching.

You now need to run Seti@home, so ensure that your modem is switched on, go to your "Start button" and select run. In the pop-up dialogue box hit the browse button and locate the Seti client within your Seti folder and hit "Ok". A Dos window will then open with the client running inside. DO not close this window (minimizing it is okay) or the program will stop running.

You must choose option one, the Seti server needs some details from you so that you can log in and have your units allocated to the right country. The first thing you will be asked for is your e-mail address, this must be active as it will be used to return your password. You will then be asked if you want your address to be shown on the Seti web site. It’s probably best to say no to this option (they don't do this at this time, but if this option is still available, you probably want to answer no). Next you will be asked for your nickname, this is the name that will be shown on the Team DSL Reports stats pages, so choose wisely otherwise it can cause confusion at a later date. You will then be asked if you want your nickname to be shown on the Seti web site. Answer yes to this otherwise you won’t show up on any lists they publish, when you reach your first hundred units for instance. You must then enter your country number, 1 for USA, 213 for United Kingdom -- if you are from any other country simply hit the key until your country shows up.

We’re nearly there now.

Just input your post code and the location from where you will run Seti, I just use 3 for this option as it’s not that important. Finally you will be shown a summary of your details and if you are sure that they are correct hit the key. You will then be connected to the Seti server and the software will download your first unit. The window won’t show any progress or in fact any useful information, so you might as well minimize it.

On completion of the unit, the program will automatically send the data back to the Seti server and download a new unit, so it can be left unattended, just set your internet connection to disconnect after 10 minutes of idle time.

This is much easier -- just choose the second option when the program first starts, after which you will be required to enter your e-mail address and that’s all. You will be connected to the server and the transfer will commence.

For this you will need the password e-mailed to you by the Seti server. Sometimes this can take a while but be patient and it will arrive. Once you’ve got it go to the DSL Reports Seti page located at: http://setiathome.ssl.berkeley.edu/stats/team/team_85242.html and click on the join button at the top of the page. You will be asked to input your e-mail address and your password. All you have to do then is click on the join button and you’ve finished.

Congratulations you are now a fully functioning member of Team DSL Reports, one of the fastest rising teams in the Seti@home league.