HP2600N Print Quality Problems

Ever had a problem with a HP2600N colour laser printer where the Magenta is faded, even when you print the demo pages or supplies status print outs the Magenta is faded or washed out?

 

The self test and cleaning page come out fine?

 

There seems to be a design flaw with these printers. The Magenta cartridge sits in the bottom of the printer and over a period of time, Magenta toner leaks out through apparent normal use.

 

Toner dust builds up on the mirrors and lens inside the laser unit causes the fading. The only way to resolve this problem is to get the lens and mirrors cleaned.

 

I would advise getting this work carried out by a skilled technician, this procedure is not for the in-experienced. Incorrect repair of the laser unit can cause blindness , cancer or electric shock.

 

 

Century IT Services - Getting IT Right
Providing Computer Support & Network Support to businesses in Hampshire, Dorset, Surrey, Wiltshire, Sussex & Berkshire

Business Continuity

 Swine flu is the current biological disaster which is threatening to become a worldwide problem, before that I seem to remember it was bird flu, blue tongue or foot & mouth disease.

 

 

For many businesses, in the least it will probably mean workers not turning up for work or the government enforcing quarantine or restricted travel arrangements. Complying with any rules will obviously be everyone’s duty and moral responsibility, but after that where does this leave British businesses and the U.K economy?

 

 

Short term we could be just talking about losing trade & business, perhaps an accountable financial loss. Longer term, the question has to be how long can British businesses survive without service or sales especially in the current global economy.

 

 

Large or corporate companies who have embraced globalization probably have a tried & tested business continuity plan, but what about the millions of small & medium sized businesses? What business continuity options are open to them? Every business is different, each having different priorities and concerns.

 

 

Many businesses nowadays are heavily reliant on information technology, even though IT can be a large part of the business continuity subject, business continuity is not just about the topic of information technology, it should cover a vast range of issues for example:-

 

 

• Do you have all your employee contact details & next of kin?

 

• Do you have your customer, supplier or banking details to hand?

 

• Can your employees do anything productive working from their homes?

 

• What essential business functions must continue in any emergency?

 

• How will you communicate the plan to everyone involved?

 

 

There are many questions to consider, some will probably require much debate among your key staff. Many small and medium sized business simply do not have a business continuity plan or have considered what if scenarios. In the current competitive world out performing your competitors is often key to survival.

 

 

 

Century IT Services can help you address the IT issues. We can advise on computer systems and infrastructure to enable remote users to access business critical applications and help your company continue trading. We can also advise on how remote users can use VoIP technology telephones to communicate with each other, the office, your customers & suppliers.

 

 

Being a remote user or home worker need not mean being disconnected from your business, colleagues, clients or suppliers. Being in a situation where you have to force your employees to work from a remote location or their homes doesn’t mean that business should stop.

 

 

Careful planning could see your business continue trading in some of the most difficult times. If you don’t see this opportunity, the risk is your competitors will and seize the moment and leave your business behind.

 

 

Should you wish to have a confidential & without obligation discussion of your needs, contact the writer, Paul Marsh, Century IT Services 

Tel. 023 80 070101

 

Useful Links

Hampshire County Council - Hants Web Business & Economy

 

Century IT Services - Getting IT Right
Providing Computer Support & Network Support to businesses in Hampshire, Dorset, Surrey, Wiltshire, Sussex & Berkshire

Computer Network Security

Hampshire & Isle Wight Partners In Business 

 

With an economic downturn history tells us there is an increase in crime. As well as the traditional notions of crime, this year has been cited for an explosion of cyber crime and online identity fraud. Were you aware that the majority of I.T security breaches come from within? Protecting your company by ensuring your computers are secure from internal as well as external threats should be your priority.

 

“Around 830,000 businesses in the UK suffered an online/computer related security incident in 2007/08″

Would you know if a disgruntled employee copied confidential data to a memory stick, or uploaded it to a web site? Do you know if emails are being sent containing confidential company information?

 

When considering the subject of computer network security a holistic approach should be taken.  Properly installed and supported computer networks should have layered security; starting at the perimeter of the network, and ending with robust security policies on the user’s computers.

 

“Often reliable computer networks are not the largest, or ones that have had the most money spent on them, it’s just they were properly planned and considered”

 

Improving your computer systems can increase productivity.  These increases can be made in several ways; by making your computers more secure, by allowing remote access for workers away from the office, and also computerising manual processes to save you time. These changes will make your systems slicker, high tech and more importantly secure.

 

Century IT Services offer a range of support options to suit different types of business and budgets. We are particularly skilled in fault finding on some of the most troublesome computer networks.

 

 

Useful Links

Hampshire & Isle Wight Partners In Business Publication

Century IT Services - Getting IT Right

 

 

 

Century IT Services - Getting IT Right
Providing Computer Support & Network Support to businesses in Hampshire, Dorset, Surrey, Wiltshire, Sussex & Berkshire

 

Printers that use ports that do not begin with COM, LPT, or USB are not redirected in a remote desktop or a terminal services session

When you use remote desktop to connect to a terminal server, certain types of printers are not automatically connected to the terminal server session.

 

Follow these steps:

1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.
2. Locate and then click the following key in the registry: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Terminal Server Client\Default\AddIns\RDPDR
3. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click DWORD Value.
4. Type FilterQueueType, and then press ENTER.
5. On the Edit menu, click Modify.
6. Type FFFFFFFF, and then click OK.
7. Close the Registry Editor.
8. Restart your computer.

This enables all ports on the client to be redirected.

 

For more information, refer to the following Microsoft support article:-

 

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/302361#LetMeFixItMyselfAlways

 

 

Century IT Services - Getting IT Right
Providing Computer Support & Network Support to businesses in Hampshire, Dorset, Surrey, Wiltshire, Sussex & Berkshire

When I delete files from my hard disk is it really deleted or can someone access it?

Were you aware that when you delete files from your computer that the files are not really deleted and can be undeleted? Defragmenting your hard disk after deleting files or rebooting your computer will make no difference.

 

Some companies, when disposing of their IT assets don’t even bother erasing the contents of their computer or server hard disks, or ensuring their IT support company properly erases the contents.

 

There has been a lot of bad press recently about hard disks, computers and servers being sold on EBay, found in computer auctions or sold on from companies which recycle computers. This IT equipment has been found to still contain the previous owner’s data and the data is still readable by the new owners!

 

Basically this occurs because when you delete a file from your computer, only the information which maps the location of the file on the hard disk is erased, the location of the file still exists and the file still exists. These files can be retrieved using a range of readily available software titles on the internet or from your local computer shop. Undelete or un-erase software programs basically search the hard disk for files which can be undeleted and restore the ‘bookmark’ or location information so the files can be accessed again.

 

When disposing of computers and servers, you should ensure that the hard disks are professionally wiped, this means that some specialist computer hardware or software is used to properly erase the contents of the hard disks. The contents are erased by writing a sequence of meaningless data to each area of the hard disk, often several times over, this is normally enough to stop the opportunists or even an experienced computer technician.  More intensive and a more complicated pattern of writes means the less likely a 3^rd party will be able to see your data after you have disposed of the computers or servers.

VoIP Terminology Explained

Call Logging - Reports can be produced for calls either from an extension or to a specific number.

 

Call queues - allow many lines to be held with your message prompts.

 

Call recording - Calls from extensions can be recorded by the phone system for use later.

 

CLI - caller line identification - allows you to see who is calling you before you lift the receiver.

 

DDI - Direct Dial In - An external phone number rings an extension directly

 

DID - Direct Inward dialling - Same as DDI

 

Digital receptionist - can route calls through to the correct department with ease.

 

Exchange Unified Messaging (UM) - Microsoft (R) Exchange provides for Voice Mail in exchange mail.

 

Integrated fax server - Users can receive and send faxes using Windows (R) Computers

 

IP - Internet Protocol - The language that all computers use over the internet.

 

 

 

 

ISDN - Integrated Services Digital Network - Digital Lines supplied as 2 or 30, allows for clearer speech and more features like DDI

 

Music on hold - when you want to transfer a call music, or indeed an advert, is played to your caller.

 

Night Service - Allows ringing patterns to change at a particular time of the day.

 

PBX - Private Branch eXchange - Is a telephone exchange that serves a business or office

 

PSTN - An analogue phone lines

 

Remote access or working from home is easily configured, allowing calls to be made and received from anywhere you are.

 

SIP - Session Initiation Protocol - Allows different types of IP Telephony to communicate seamlessly

 

Voice mail integrated with email - means that when a message is left for you an email is sent to your chosen email address.

 

VoIP - Voice-over-Internet protocol - Used by all IP Telephones to make calls over the internet.

 

VOIP enabled - giving you the power of the internet to communicate easily to you customers

 

 

 

Century IT Services - Getting IT Right
Providing Computer Support & Network Support to businesses in Hampshire, Dorset, Surrey, Wiltshire, Sussex & Berkshire

What is VoIP and how can it benefit me?

VoIP is a technology which converts speech into computer data packets so it can be transmitted over computer networks and the Internet. For years msn messenger, Skype and Microsoft net meeting (to name a few) have been providing software that utilises VoIP technology to enable users to communicate over the internet with phones and video calls. Use of these technologies has boomed since the advent and more widely take up of broadband solutions for home and business users.

 

Traditionally for a business, a telephone system would have involved a piece of telephone system hardware where all your office telephones would have been wired back to. For many this was probably one of the biggest investments a business might make.

 

With the evolution of computing, the internet, broadband and network technologies, computer networks are being used for a wider range of functions than the traditional file and print.

 

A software based business VoIP telephone system can be installed for a fraction of the cost of a traditional hardware PBX/PABX telephone system. It can utilise existing computer network cabling without the need for separate phone wiring. You can also choose from a wide range of VoIP handsets, often mixing and matching different handsets as your business requires. The benefit here is you are not fixed to a single provider or manufacturer.

 

With a VoIP telephone system you can enjoy features which would only normally be present in large or corporate phone systems i.e. call queuing, music on hold, digital receptionists and integration into your CRM solution to name a few.

 

These additional telephone features can help your business by ensuring it is more productive

• The digital receptionist can route call to the correct person or department, increasing efficiencies rather than your customers or suppliers waiting for a ringing phone to be answered.
• The call queuing feature may be useful if you receive a lot of calls and don’t want to miss a call, incoming calls can be queued and then answered in turn.
• The CRM integration maybe useful if when the telephone rings, the callers information is displayed on your CRM system, i.e. account number, credit limit, order details etc

 

 

 

Another advantage of VoIP telephone systems is the ability to place telephone extensions at remote locations:-

 

• The Director’s home office
• A remote or home worker
• An out of hours emergency telephone
• A branch office

 

These remote telephone extensions can be a part of the office telephone system and can be used in the same manner as the office telephones, i.e. to take or make telephone calls, transfer calls, conference calls. As the VoIP technology works over the internet, as long as the remote location has a suitable internet connection, all that is normally needed is a VoIP compatible telephone.

 

Besides making and receiving telephone calls via your traditional phone lines (i.e. Analogue or ISDN) you can also have the benefit of making telephone calls out over the internet. Using a VoIP provider on the internet you can make telephone calls to anywhere for a fraction of the cost of a traditional land line. There are a lot of VoIP providers on the internet, all seeming offering a similar service, I would recommend seeking professional advice before choosing one.

 

To discuss which phone system and features are suitable for your company, call Century IT Services on 02380 070101, if you mention this blog article you can claim 10% off your order!

 

 

 

Century IT Services - Getting IT Right
Providing Computer Support & Network Support to businesses in Hampshire, Dorset, Surrey, Wiltshire, Sussex & Berkshire

 

 

 

TO FIND OUT MORE ON COSTS CLICK HERE

 

 

 

 

 

Have you become a Zombie?

New computers or freshly wiped and reinstalled computers pose little or no threat to your online safety, it is not until you start surfing the internet, downloading files or perhaps receiving emails that you start to be at risk. The majority of people simply don’t realise or are unaware that the internet poses a security risk to your computer network and privacy.

 

• Have you ever had an email from the bank asking for your passwords? Really?

 

• Do you often get SPAM emails?

 

• Have you ever downloaded something from the internet?

 

• Have you ever sent a private or sensitive email thinking no one would read it?

 

• Ever surfed the internet and ended up at suspicious website?

 

• Ever received a funny joke email from a friend?

 

If you have answered yes to any one of the questions above then your computer security could be compromised!

 

Banks never send emails asking you to confirm your account details; they already know your details and go to great lengths at sending you secure letters via the royal mail postal system. If you have mistakenly replied or given your details, I would suggest you urgently contact your bank.

 

There are varying different types of SPAM emails, some maybe from legitimate companies you have registered your details with, e.g. suppliers, partners or customers. These emails, although they maybe flagged as SPAM or potential SPAM by your computer system, are probably only being sent to you after you consented to be included on mailing lists.

 

You may receive other emails which include subjects such as Rolex watches, Viagra or online chemists, these are probably SPAM and you should be careful opening these emails or clicking on links or attachments.

 

If you click on one of these links, many things can happen, you could inadvertently:-

 

• Download and install a Trojan horse
• Install a Malware program
• Install a Key loggers
• Install Spyware

 

[For information on the above see our blog article]

 

 

A lot of people think that they can send a private email and it will remain private as long as no one looks over their shoulder before they hit the send button, this is very important misconception.

 

The ability to send a letter electronically via Email has become a major convenience to many people. Before the wide take up of Email, historically we would have sent letters via the Royal Mail postal system, secure in the knowledge that the letter would not be opened until it was received by the recipient.

 

In the electronic world, as your email travels from source to destination it travels through many computer systems, people can intercept, read your emails, take copies, tamper with them or even forward them to someone else without your knowledge.

 

I have been in the IT industry for many years and have seen many things; a couple of recent notable events were two separate, unrelated email correspondences from a Solicitor and an Accountant, both obviously containing private and sensitive information. It made me pause to consider whether my data protection rights were being violated and if the Accountant or Solicitor were aware of the dangers. As a rule you should not send private or sensitive emails as they will not be private for long!

 

Were you aware that a lot of jokes forwarded by your friends and family, even if they are Excel or Word documents can contain macro viruses?

 

Most people are aware that Internet Explorer records a history of which websites you visit and when and then clears down the history when the information expires. Were you also aware that there is a hidden internet surfing history log which is not normally deleted, this logs contains the ‘forever log’, all the surfing history!

 

Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 now includes a new feature called “In Private Browsing”. When you visit an online banking or other secure web site, would you want a record of where you went and how often you went there? The “In Private Browsing” options allows you to surf the internet more securely by preventing Internet Explorer from storing data about your browsing session. This includes cookies, temporary Internet files, history, and other data. Toolbars and extensions are disabled by default.

 

When considering the subject of computer network security a holistic approach should be taken.  Properly installed and supported computer networks should have layered security; starting at the perimeter of the network, and ending with robust security policies on the user’s computers.

 

Century IT Services offer a range of support options to suit different types of business and budgets. We are particularly skilled in fault finding on some of the most troublesome computer networks.

 

Do you know what software is installed on your computer systems?

 

 

Century IT Services - Getting IT Right
Providing Computer Support & Network Support to businesses in Hampshire, Dorset, Surrey, Wiltshire, Sussex & Berkshire

Secure your data or lose it!

Have you considered the implications to your business if one of your employees lost their laptop or PDA device or had it stolen from their car?

 

 

• Do your employees routinely have company data on their portable computers?

 

• Is it backed up or are there copies on your server?

 

• If lost, can the data be retrieved by someone else?

 

• Is the data of a sensitive nature? i.e. financial or personal identifying details?

 

• Would it be a problem if your company data suddenly became public?

 

• Could your company recover from adverse publicity surrounding the loss of personal data?

 

• Could your company continue trading after this?

 

Don’t rely on Windows passwords alone to secure your laptops and think this is sufficient, any computer techie worth his salt could crack a windows password in a few minutes with an amateur cracker taking only slightly longer.

 

To protect your company against loss of a laptop, you should be ensuring that each laptop or mobile computer is adequately encrypted. This means that there is a mechanism in place which will encrypt the computer hard disk making it very difficult for the computer to be accessed by someone else.

 

A good encryption system can encrypt the whole drive, not just specific folders or files, it would also automatically encrypt new files as they are added to the laptop rather some manual or user operated method. This will ensure that the hard disk cannot be removed and put into another computer system and then accessed.

 

 

If your laptops and portable computers are not properly secured, it is in your best interest  ensure it is done as soon as possible.

 

Give us a call today on 02380 070 101 for a full, confidential and without-obligation discussion of your needs.

 

 

Century IT Services - Getting IT Right
Providing Computer Support & Network Support to businesses in Hampshire, Dorset, Surrey, Wiltshire, Sussex & Berkshire

60 Second Cram of tape drive capacities

DDS/DAT Drives

DDS1   2GB/4GB

DDS2   8GB/16GB

DDS3   12GB/24GB

DDS4   20GB/40GB

DDS5   36GB/72GB

DDS6   80/160GB

 

AIT Drives

AIT1   40Gb/100GB

AIT2   80GB/200GB

AIT3   100GB/260GB

 

LTO/Ultrium Drives

LTO1   100GB/200GB

LTO2   200GB/400GB

LTO3   400Gb/800GB

LTO4   800Gb/1600GB

 

Tape drive compression (confusion)

 All tape drive manufacturers list 2 capacity figures in the specification of their tape drives, a lower capacity and a higher capacity. This is confusing and catches a lot of people out.

 

For example a DAT72 might imply it can backup 72GB of data to tape, but in the real world you could expect to see probably somewhere between 40-55GB of data being backed up.

Again a Ultrium 100GB/200GB might imply that you could backup 200GB of data onto tape, in the real world you might expect to see probably somewhere between 130GB to 160GB of data going to tape.

 

Why is this? It is important to remember that the reason 2 different capacity values are listed is due to the type of technology used in these modern tape drive’s hardware. The lower capacity value is generally the guaranteed capacity. The higher value can be misleading, but basically modern tape drives use compression. As data is transferred to tape, the tape drive hardware will compress data in order to use the tape media more efficiently.

 

Different types of data can compress at different rates. I.e. databases can be compressed more efficiently than say pictures or mp3s.

 

The higher capacity rating is generally the total capacity of the tape drive assuming — it can compress all your data at a 2:1 ratio. We all live in the real world where we can have a range of different applications and data stored on our computer systems, in our experience the higher capacity has never been attained and you should not rely on the higher compressed capacity to backup all of your data.

 

 

Century IT Services - Getting IT Right
Providing Computer Support & Network Support to businesses in Hampshire, Dorset, Surrey, Wiltshire, Sussex & Berkshire