Is Your Backup Plan Obsolete?

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Just because it’s still functional doesn’t mean it’s the ideal solution. Right? [Photo credit: Sunstarfire, on Wikimedia Commons.]

 

Technology is ever-evolving. In a blink of an eye, what was the latest and greatest is now unsupported and obsolete. Do you know anyone who uses a cell phone older than 3 or 4 years? Have you seen one recently and thought, “A flip phone, I can’t believe they still have one of those!” Or, “That old iPhone is too slow to do what I need to do.” The first iPad came out only 5 years ago, but tablets have become mainstream in that brief time. Now everyone not only seems to have one, but they’re on their second or third. It’s easy to recognize the benefits of improved/better/faster/safer machines.

In fact, you probably apply that same thought process to your Mac, PC, or server for your business.

You know that moment when you drop your phone in water? Or when your hard drive fails in your computer? The first thing that probably comes to mind is, “Shoot! I hope I can recover my pictures, contacts, documents, (etc.)! I don’t know what I will do if I’ve lost those.” You quickly realize that it doesn’t matter that you had the latest and greatest. If your data isn’t backed up properly, you now have bigger concerns than shelling out some money for replacement or hassling with a warranty repair. Data loss can be a huge inconvenience to your personal life.

But it can cripple your business.

Backup solutions, like every other technology, are also ever-evolving. What you bought back when it was considered cutting edge may have now fallen behind times. There may be new solutions out there that better fit your business. It’s a good idea to evaluate your backup plan as often as you do your smart phone or computer. Of the many options out there, it’s important to strike a balance between cost, features, and your business’s current needs.

For instance, one of our vendors, Datto, has a line of products called TDPs (total data protection) with scalable solutions that not only provide local backups every 15 minutes, for speedy recovery, but also sync offsite for disaster recovery situation, like a building fire, so your data is still safe. Another solution is the Datto NAS, in the event that you don’t have a server but need a central and reliable place to store files. (Think dedicated file server, plugged into your network, without the big cost.) The NAS, like its TDP brethren, also backs-up automatically offsite.

Everon monitors all of the backup devices we offer, 24/7. If a problem arises, we quickly address the issue to ensure your data remains protected. Monthly plans start at only $169, hardware included. Contact us today if you would like to discuss finding the right backup solution for your business! 888-244-1748 or [email protected]. We’re here for you.

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What Does Tech Support Look Like for the Next Generation of “Gadgets?”

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glasses

Hello again! As most of us have seen, there is an ever-growing population of new gadgets that are being produced and sold as the “next best thing.” And if you are like me in the fact that you have to have the latest, then this quick blog post may be one you are going to want to pay attention to. We are going to talk about these products and about what you should expect, regarding tech support for them, in the near future.

From wearable glasses, high tech watches, 3D printers, and (maybe) eventually hologram technology, there will be a product for literally everything you can want to do. With more technology, there is going to a higher percentage of help needed when something goes wrong. Unlike your normal desktop, laptop and laserjet printers, however, do not expect to be able to call up your local IT provider for help about your Google Glasses not rendering properly.

I will elaborate.

These new devices are going to be very specialized in their own way, and we in the IT world will have to adapt in our ways of support. We will obviously continue supporting your normal business products, but the manufacturers of these new devices should be your main points of contact for any issues relating the devices, themselves. (Here’s to hoping that their levels of support will be up-to-par.) Don’t get me wrong — over time, providers such as Everon will adapt, and these products will become the “norm” and we will support them. But since there are so many new devices coming out (some succeeding and some, well… not) it is hard to keep up.

The devices that come out that are newer versions of what we are already supporting will roll up in our support model, and we’ll be right there to help you make a seamless transition. But as for these glasses, watches, and crazy printers? Well, support will be limited. However, as we are techs, our curiosity will undoubtedly take over, and we will “tinker.” Our abilities to learn the products and know them in-and-out will increase the chances of us supporting them faster than most. And even if we’re not your main point of contact for a particular device, it will never hurt to give us a call and ask. (888-244-1748 :) )

Cheers to the what the future holds!

The Human Side of Tech Support

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Busy days have a way of inducing stress that seems to creep in unnoticed and then grows like a plague until you have had just about enough. On the particular day of this story, although I was busy and somewhat stressed, my entire week did not compare to my customer’s single afternoon.

Before calling, I reviewed the service ticket, which had been placed in the queue minutes before. It stated that after six hours’ worth of work, a woman’s Word document had mysteriously vanished. But the service ticket also noted that she’d saved her work along the way. Knowing that she’d saved as she’d gone, I figured the document should be easy to locate for someone who knows his way around a computer, like me. Piece of cake, I thought as I dialed. But I guess it was a good day for a curve ball.

Everon coat of arms by Austin (2)

(In addition to being a phenomenal tech, Austin is also an artist. He free-handed this on his lunch break.)

When she answered the phone I could tell there was some unsettled stress to her voice. I assured her that as long as she’d saved, her Word file, which she’d worked on ever-so-diligently for such a lengthy amount of time, would be found. We searched the machine and could not happen upon it. We searched all over her drives, checked her recently-changed items, and searched her work machine, via their login system, to still only find the original, unedited file. I thought maybe it had some sort of encryption, so I saved the original file separately. But, to my surprise, I was able to edit and change it. Decryption wasn’t the answer.

I started to run out of ideas and felt the grip of hopelessness closing in. We’d tried everything I could think of – and everything my fellow techs sitting nearby, listening with helpless empathy, could think of. I decided to do one last-ditch search and looked on her work network, even though we had already checked her work computer, and she’d done all of the editing at home.

There was one, odd find.

My heart started to thump, but I didn’t want to get her hopes up. Cautiously, I clicked on the file. Word blinked, and the file opened. It was indeed the edited version of the document that she had tweaked, re-written, and slaved over for six, whole hours. (Apparently, the computer was saving to their network the whole time, even though the file existed on her home computer.) I could tell by her inflections that she was relieved and smiling as she thanked me. The tears in her voice made the whole experience that much more meaningful and added a sense of accomplishment to my day.

It is a good day when you go home with victory. However, it is a grand day when you go home knowing you brought victory for others.

Very useful admin run Commands for Windows

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Good day all !

Today I decided to round up a list of very useful admin commands for CMD.

access.cpl - Accessibility Controls
hdwwiz.cpl - Add Hardware Wizard
appwiz.cpl - Add/Remove Programs
certmgr.msc - Administrative Tools
charmap - Character Map
chkdsk         -       Check Disk Utility
clipbrd   -        Clipboard Viewer
cmd -           Command Prompt
dcomcnfg - Component Services
compmgmt.msc - Computer Management
timedate.cpl - Date and Time Properties
ddeshare - DDE Shares
devmgmt.msc - Device Manager
directx.cpl - Direct X Control Panel (If Installed)
dxdiag - Direct X Troubleshooter
cleanmgr - Disk Cleanup Utility
dfrg.msc - Disk Defragment
diskmgmt.msc - Disk Management
diskpart - Disk Partition Manager
control desktop - Display Properties
desk.cpl - Display Properties
control color - Display Properties (w/Appearance Tab
Preselected)
drwtsn32 - Dr. Watson System Troubleshooting
Utility
verifier - Driver Verifier Utility
eventvwr.msc - Event Viewer
sigverif - File Signature Verification Tool
findfast.cpl - Findfast
control folders - Folders Properties
control fonts - Fonts
fonts - Fonts Folder
freecell - Free Cell Card Game
joy.cpl - Game Controllers
gpedit.msc - Group Policy Editor (XP Prof)
mshearts - Hearts Card Game
iexpress - Iexpress Wizard
ciadv.msc - Indexing Service
inetcpl.cpl - Internet Properties
ipconfig /all - IP Configuration (Display Connection
Configuration)
ipconfig /displaydns - IP Configuration (Display DNS Cache
Contents)
ipconfig /flushdns - IP Configuration (Delete DNS Cache
Contents)
ipconfig /release - IP Configuration (Release All
Connections)
ipconfig /renew - IP Configuration (Renew All Connections)
ipconfig /registerdns - IP Configuration (Refreshes DHCP &
Re-Registers DNS)
ipconfig /showclassid - IP Configuration (Display DHCP Class ID)
ipconfig /setclassid - IP Configuration (Modifies DHCP Class
ID)
javaws - Java Control Panel (If Installed)
control keyboard - Keyboard Properties
secpol.msc - Local Security Settings
lusrmgr.msc - Local Users and Groups
logoff - Logs You Out Of Windows
winchat - Microsoft Chat
winmine - Minesweeper Game
control mouse - Mouse Properties
main.cpl - Mouse Properties
netstat - Netstat
control netconnections - Network Connections
ncpa.cpl - Network Connections
netsetup.cpl - Network Setup Wizard
notepad - Notepad
nvtuicpl.cpl - Nview Desktop Manager (If Installed)
packager - Object Packager
odbccp32.cpl - ODBC Data Source Administrator
osk - On Screen Keyboard
password.cpl - Password Properties
perfmon.msc - Performance Monitor
perfmon - Performance Monitor
telephon.cpl - Phone and Modem Options
powercfg.cpl - Power Configuration
control printers - Printers and Faxes
printers - Printers Folder
eudcedit - Private Character Editor
QuickTime.cpl - Quicktime (If Installed)
intl.cpl - Regional Settings
regedit - Registry Editor
mstsc - Remote Desktop
ntmsmgr.msc - Removable Storage
ntmsoprq.msc - Removable Storage Operator Requests
rsop.msc - Resultant Set of Policy (XP Prof)
sticpl.cpl - Scanners and Cameras
control schedtasks - Scheduled Tasks
wscui.cpl - Security Center
services.msc - Services
fsmgmt.msc - Shared Folders
shutdown - Shuts Down Windows
mmsys.cpl - Sounds and Audio
spider - Spider Solitare Card Game
cliconfg - SQL Client Configuration
sysedit - System Configuration Editor
msconfig - System Configuration Utility
sfc /scannow - System File Checker Utility (Scan
Immediately)
sfc /scanonce - System File Checker Utility (Scan Once At
Next Boot)
sfc /scanboot - System File Checker Utility (Scan On Every
Boot)
sfc /revert - System File Checker Utility (Return to
Default Setting)
sfc /purgecache - System File Checker Utility (Purge File
Cache)
sfc /cachesize=x - System File Checker Utility (Set Cache Size
to size x)
sysdm.cpl - System Properties
taskmgr - Task Manager
telnet - Telnet Client
tracert - Traceroute to hostname or IP
nusrmgr.cpl - User Account Management
utilman - Utility Manager
firewall.cpl - Windows Firewall
magnify - Windows Magnifier
wmimgmt.msc - Windows Management Infrastructure
syskey - Windows System Security Tool
wupdmgr - Windows Update Launches
tourstart - Windows XP Tour Wizard
write - Wordpad

Control Panel

CONTROL: opens the control panel window
CONTROL ADMINTOOLS: opens the administrative tools
CONTROL KEYBOARD: opens keyboard properties
CONTROL COLOUR: opens display properties.Appearance tab
CONTROL FOLDERS: opens folder options
CONTROL FONTS: opens font policy management
CONTROL INTERNATIONAL or INTL.CPL: opens Regional and Language option
CONTROL MOUSE or MAIN.CPL: opens mouse properties
CONTROL USERPASSWORDS: opens User Accounts editor
CONTROL USERPASSWORDS2 or NETPLWIZ: User account access restrictions
CONTROL PRINTERS: opens faxes and printers available
APPWIZ.CPL: opens Add or Remove programs utility tool
OPTIONALFEATURES: opens Add or Remove Windows component utility
DESK.CPL: opens display properties. Themes tab
HDWWIZ.CPL: opens add hardware wizard
IRPROPS.CPL: infrared utility tool
JOY.CP: opens game controllers settings
MMSYS.CPL: opens Sound and Audio device Properties. Volume tab
SYSDM.CPL: opens System properties
TELEPHON.CPL: Opens phone and Modem options
TIMEDATE.CPL: Date and Time properties
WSCUI.CPL: opens Windows Security Center
ACCESS.CPL: opens Accessibility Options
WUAUCPL.CPL: opens Automatic Updates
POWERCFG.CPL: opens Power Options Properties
AZMAN.MSC: opens authorisation management utility tool
CERTMGR.MSC: opens certificate management tool
COMPMGMT.MSC: opens the Computer management tool
COMEXP.MSC or DCOMCNFG: opens the Computer Services management tool
DEVMGMT.MSC: opens Device Manager
EVENTVWR or EVENTVWR.MSC: opens Event Viewer
FSMGMT.MSC: opens Shared Folders
NAPCLCFG.MSC: NAP Client configuration utility tool
SERVICES.MSC: opens Service manager
TASKSCHD.MSC or CONTROL SCHEDTASKS: opens Schedule Tasks manager
GPEDIT.MSC: opens Group Policy utility tool
LUSRMGR.MSC: opens Local Users and Groups
SECPOL.MSC: opens local security settings
CIADV.MSC: opens indexing service
NTMSMGR.MSC: removable storage manager
NTMSOPRQ.MSC: removable storage operator requests
WMIMGMT.MSC: opens (WMI) Window Management Instrumentation
PERFMON or PERFMON.MSC: opens the Performance monitor
MMC: opens empty Console
MDSCHED: opens memory diagnostics tools
DXDIAG: opens DirectX diagnostics tools
ODBCAD32: opens ODBC Data source Administrator
REGEDIT or REGEDT32: opens Registry Editor
DRWTSN32: opens Dr. Watson
VERIFIER: opens Driver Verifier Manager
CLICONFG: opens SQL Server Client Network Utility
UTILMAN: opens Utility Manager
COLORCPL: opens color management
CREDWIZ: back up and recovery tool for user passwords
MOBSYNC: opens Synchronization center
MSCONFIG: opens System Configuration Utility
SYSEDIT: opens System Configuration Editor (careful while using this command)
SYSKEY: Windows Account Database Security management (careful while using this command)

Windows utility and applications

EPLORER: Opens windows Explorer
IEXPLORER: Opens Internet explorer
WAB: opens Contacts
CHARMAP: opens Character Map
WRITE: opens WordPad
NOTEPAD: opens Notepad
CALC: opens Calculator
CLIPBRD: opens Clipbook Viewer
WINCHAT: opens Microsoft Chat Interface
SOUNDRECORDER: opens sound recording tool
DVDPLAY: run CD or DVD
WMPLAYER: opens Windows Media Player
MOVIEMK: Opens untitled Windows Movie Maker
OSK: opens on-screen Keyboard
MAGNIFY: opens Magnifier
WINCAL: opens Calendar
DIALER: opens phone Dialer
EUDCEDIT: opens Private Character Editor
NDVOL: opens the mixer volume
RSTRUI : opens Tool System Restore (For Vista only)
%WINDIR%\SYSTEM32\RESTORE\rstrui.exe: opens Tool System Restore (for XP only).
MSINFO32: Opens the System Information
MRT : launches the utility removal of malware.
Taskmgr : Opens the Windows Task Manager
CMD: opens a command prompt
MIGWIZ: Opens the tool for transferring files and settings from Windows (Vista only)
Migwiz.exe: Opens the tool for transferring files and settings from Windows (for XP only)
SIDEBAR: Open the Windows (Vista only)
Sigverif : Opens the tool for verification of signatures of files
Winver : Opens the window for your Windows version
FSQUIRT: Bluetooth Transfer Wizard
IExpress opens the wizard for creating self-extracting archives. Tutorial HERE
MBLCTR: opens the mobility center (Windows Vista only)
MSRA : Opens the Windows Remote Assistance
Mstsc : opens the tool connection Remote Desktop
MSDT: opens the diagnostic tools and support Microsoft
WERCON: opens the reporting tool and solutions to problems (for Vista only)
WINDOWSANYTIMEUPGRADE: Enables the upgrade of Windows Vista
WINWORD : opens Word (if installed)
PRINTBRMUI : Opens migration wizard printer (Vista only)

Disk management

DISKMGMT.MSC: opens disk management utility
CLEANMGR: opens disk drive clean up utility
DFRG.MSC: opens disk defragmenter
CHKDSK: complete analysis of disk partition
DISKPART: disk partitioning tool

Connection management

IPCONFIG: list the configuration of IP addresses on your PC (for more information type IPCONFIG/? in the CMD menu)
INETCPL.CPL: opens internet properties
FIREWALL.CPL: opens windows firewall
NETSETUP.CPL: opens network setup wizard

Miscellaneous commands

JAVAWS: View the cover of JAVA software (if installed)
AC3FILTER.CPL: Opens the properties AC3 Filter (if installed)
FIREFOX: Mozilla launches Firefox (if installed)
NETPROJ: allow or not connecting to a network projector (For Vista only)
LOGOFF: closes the current session
SHUTDOWN: shut down Windows
SHUTDOWN-A: to interrupt Windows shutdown
%WINDIR% or %SYSTEMROOT%: opens the Windows installation
%PROGRAMFILES%: Opens the folder where you installed other programs (Program Files)
%USERPROFILE%: opens the profile of the user currently logged
%HOMEDRIVE%: opens the browser on the partition or the operating system is installed
%HOMEPATH%: opens the currently logged user C: \ Documents and Settings \ [username]
%TEMP%: opens the temporary folder
VSP1CLN: deletes the cache for installation of the service pack 1 for Vista
System File Checker (Requires Windows CD if the cache is not available):
SFC / scannow: immediately scans all system files and repairs damaged files
SFC / VERIFYONLY: scans only those files system
SFC / Scanfil = “name and file path”: scans the specified file, and repaired if damaged
SFC / VERIFYFILE = “name and file path”: Scans only the file specified
SFC / scanonce: scans the system files on the next restart
SFC / REVERT: return the initial configuration (For more information, type SFC /? In the command prompt CMD.

How to connect to a wireless network using Windows 8

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Windows 8 constantly searches for a working Internet connection. If it finds one that you’ve used previously, you’re set: Windows passes the news along to Internet Explorer, and you’re ready to visit the web.

When you’re traveling, however, the wireless networks around you will often be new, so you’ll have to authorize these new connections. Whenever you want to connect with a new network, you need to tell Windows that you want to connect, please.

To connect to a nearby wireless network for the first time, either one in your own home or in a public place, follow these steps:

  1. Summon the Charms bar and click or tap the Settings icon.Any of these three tricks summons the Charms bar and its Settings screen:
    • Mouse: Point at the screen’s top- or bottom-right edge; when the Charms bar appears, click the Settings icon.
    • Keyboard: Press Windows+I to head straight for the Charms bar’s Settings screen.
    • Touchscreen: Slide your finger inward from the screen’s right edge; when the Charms bar appears, tap the Settings icon.
  2. Click or tap the wireless network icon.Among the Settings screen’s six bottom icons, the one in the top left represents wireless networks. The icon changes shape, depending on your surroundings:
    • Available: When the icon says Available, like the one in the margin, you’re within range of a wireless network. Start salivating and move to the next step.
    • Unavailable: When the icon says Unavailable, like the one in the margin, you’re out of range. Time to head for a different seat in the coffee shop or perhaps a different coffee shop altogether. Then return to Step 1.
  3. Click or tap the Available icon if it’s present.Windows lists all the wireless networks within range of your PC. Don’t be surprised to see several networks listed; if you’re at home, your neighbors probably see your network listed, too.win8charms
  4. Choose to connect to the desired network by clicking its name and clicking the Connect button.If you select the adjacent Connect Automatically check box before clicking the Connect button, Windows automatically connects to that network the next time you’re within range, sparing you from connecting manually each time.If you’re connecting to an unsecured network — a network that doesn’t require a password — you’ve finished. Windows warns you about connecting to an unsecured network, but a click or tap of the Connect button lets you connect, anyway. (Don’t do any shopping or banking on an unsecured connection.)
  5. Enter a password if needed.If you try to connect to a security-enabled wireless connection, Windows asks you to enter a network security key — technospeak for password. If you’re at home, here’s where you type in the same password you entered into your router when setting up your wireless network.If you’re connecting to somebody else’s password-protected wireless network, ask the network’s owner for the password. If you’re in a hotel, pull out your credit card. You probably need to buy some connection time from the people behind the front desk.
  6. Choose whether you want to share your files with other people on the network.If you’re connecting on your own home or office network, choose “Yes, turn on sharing and connect to devices.” That lets you share files with others and use handy devices, like printers.If you’re connecting in a public area, by contrast, choose “No, don’t turn on sharing or connect to devices.” That keeps out snoops.