Part II

Part I covers your laser printer, copier printer or all in one office equipments spooler basic print spooler configurations. Other printer configurations including delayed printing of letters and other documents from your copier printer will greatly increase your productivity.

If the noise bothers you when you use the laser printer scanner or the laser printer or copier is near your computer and you don’t want to be disturbed by printer noise, you can pause the printer. Right-click on the printer’s or Copier’s icon and in the popup menu click on “Pause Printing”. Then when you are ready to go to break or lunch, click on “Pause Printing” again to let the printer work while you are away.

If your computers operating system is Windows 2000, Visa or XP, you can schedule exactly when the print will start. First you will need to pause or stop the copier scanner printer before you print the letter. Then double-click on the printer’s icon to open the printer’s queue window. Then Right-click on the name of the letter in the queue and select “Properties” in the popup window. On the “General” tab, in the “Schedule” section, set the radio button for “Only from” and set a time interval during which you want the letter to print.

If you have the required rights, rather than schedule when the letter will print through your copier printer, you can set a time interval during which the printer is available. In the print queue windows “Printer” menu, select “Properties”. In the windows printers Properties dialog box, on the “Advanced” tab, set the “Available” time interval for the printer.

If you want quick access to these various printer or copier scanner configurations, click on the “Add Printer” icon and use the “Add Printer Wizard” to install another copy of your printer. On the “Add Printer Wizard” where you select “Keep existing driver” or “Replace existing driver”, set the radio button to “Keep existing driver”. Give the printer copier a descriptive name on the “Printer name:” page. Example of names HP LaserJet lunchtime, sharp copier after hours, etc…

When you print, select the desired configuration from the “Print” dialog box of you copier printer scanner.  An easier way is to create desktop short cuts to the configurations.  Make a shortcut for lunch time, after hours or first thing in morning.  Yes, you can drag the letter to the “Lunchtime LaserJet” shortcut at any time and the print will be ready when you return from lunch.

Remember you don’t have to accept Windows default configurations for printing. You can have your letters printed immediately or at a time of your choice through short cuts or selecting for the configuration screen of the printer copier scanner.

When you start using the lunch time and after hours printer spooling commands it’s essential that your laser printer, copeir printer and other all in one office equipment is always in great working order.

Just like you car that needs oil changes and new tires, your laser printer, digital copier printers and all in one office equipment needs maintenance to provide quality prints and years of service before breakdowns.

Ask Advanced Business Computers Inc. how to get 100% FREE maintenance on your office equipment now!  In fact, they will provide a FREE maintenance of your laser printer just for trying a toner cartridge.

Please feel free to contact us, leave blog comments or ask questions.

Sincerely,

Advanced Business Computers Inc

www.abctechsolutions.com Have a fantastic weekend!

How to Recovery Windows XP Problems

When XP arrived several years ago it was a pain in the XXXXX.  Recovering for system crush of Windows XP took hours and cause major frustration . Windows XP technicians had to discover tricks to get the system back up and running after a system failure.  One trick to repair your computer XP problem or command not well known by many end-users is the XP Rebuild command.  This is only good if you have your Windows XP CD’s or recovery Cd’s that came with your system.

The better known Last Good Configuration reboot works to repair some of the computers’ XP failures. However, when you have a corrupt HAl.DDL or Boot.ini you need a better method of recovering (usually a complete Windows XP system reload).

First, if at all possible BACKUP your Windows XP system (the data files).  If you have important data there is a very good chance that it will be lost once you start this Windows XP system recovery procedure. If you need help backing up your contact us first!

If you are comfortable with some basic Windows XP OS commands next time you get one of these errors try this if the version of XP is the same as presently installed in your system:

1. Put in your XP setup CD and enter the recovery console.

2. Go to you root directory C:  of your computer

3. Type the following   attrib boot.ini -H -R -S

4. Use the rename the boot.ini file to boot.old

5. Run bootcfg  /rebuild

6. Run Fixboot

Now reboot your Windows XP system and see if it worked. If this does not work then you may need to take a few additional steps or procedures.

If your version of Windows XP in your system is newer than the on ones the CD’s then you need to create or obtain a new setup CD to match the current version in your system first.  Or go throght the Microsoft Windows XP online update process.

If the above process does not work then you may need to expand your usage of the Windows XP recovery console. In that case you either need to be well versed in its usage or have a professional handle the problem.

IMPORTANT:  What you should not do if you value your data and you do not have a valid backup of your data:

Use the recovery CD’s reinstall XP over your current corrupt version of XP.

Most system recovery CD’s are designed to get you back to a clean system as if you just purchased the computer.  It does not fix a corrupt system or save your valuable information.  In some cases using the recovery CD’s corrupts your system even more or places a second version of XP on your system and sets you for future problems.
Also, make sure you always have a valid backup of your data (documents). A few minutes backup time a week could save your business in the future.

If you have a problem with your system it is better to get some advice before attempting a fix it yourself. Feel free to call us or request help through our blog or go ahead to our website or call us for a quick response.

I hope this Windows XP recovery article was helpful. If you have questions please feel free to contact us or visit us on the web.

Sincerely,

Your Friends
Advanced Business Computers, Inc.

Part I

You have the ability under the Windows 2000, XP and Vista operating system to exert great control over your printers, copiers and MDF print copier scanners. You can by pass printer spoolers and default printer configuration to achieve copier printer scanner greater productivity. You do this by configuring your HP printer “Spool Settings” and “Print Queue”.

Your software program can transfer its information much faster than any laser printer can create the document on paper. When you print a letter or document, whether from a laser printer, copier printer all in one or other MFD the information goes to a “spooler” which acts as a buffer between your application and the printer. The printer spooler is a buffer area that controls when the document/letter goes to the selected laser printer, digital copier printer or other all in one device.

If you need a print immediately, you can set the spool to start printing as soon as it gets enough data to create the first page of the document. But this forces your application to wait until that first page is transferred to the spool.

If you prefer to continue working with your application, you can set the spool to start printing after it has received the entire letter. This moves the printing operation to the background.

How to Configure your Printer Copier or All in One Spooler

To configure the HP printer Spool Setting, select Start Settings | Printers. In the Windows Laser printer window, right-click on the icon for the printer you want, and in the popup window select “Properties”. In the laser printer Properties dialog box, on the “Details” tab, click on the [Spool Settings...] button.

Go to the Spool Settings dialog box of Microsoft of the copier printer scanner, set the radio button for “Spool print jobs so program finishes printing faster”. You will need to   set the radio button for either “Start printing after last page is spooled”, or “Start printing after first page is spooled” for the laser printer.

You can bypass the printer spooler of the copier printer scanner if you set the radio button for “Print directly to the printer”. This will bypass the spool entirely.  You may not have the rights to do this if the printer copier scanner is shared. If you have the required rights, you can temporarily disable copier printer sharing for your HP printer scanner or other brand.

Other printer configurations including delayed printing of letters and other documents from your copier printer will be covered in Part II. Knowing how to configure you laser printer or digital copier will greatly increase your productivity.

Also, to keep you equipment in top running order you will need to maintain it through annual procedures of cleaning, lubrication of the moving parts and adjustments.

Just like you car that needs oil changes and new tires, your laser printer, digital copier printers and all in one office equipment needs maintenance to provide quality prints and years of service before breakdowns.

Ask Advanced Business Computers Inc. how to get 100% FREE maintenance on your office equipment now!  In fact, they will provide a FREE maintenance of your laser printer just for trying a toner cartridge.

Free help, Free Trial and the Best Service.  Look for Part II of this article soon from Advanced Business Computers printer copier fax computer Help Center.

Your friends at Advanced Business Computers Inc.

Data Recovery/Backup/Protection

Are you Truly Protected?

by Michael Klein Advanced Business Computers, Inc.

Data security, due to federal liability laws, is serious business. You are liable to protect your clients’ data information from unauthorized access and usage. However, many companies have even a far worse problem – no set procedure for data storage, backup, recovery and recovery testing.

Many small companies from the small home based business to ones with 50 plus systems either overlook the potential of computer data loss or just ignore it.

When was the last time you tested your backup recovery procedures? Do you even have a back up procedure.  Where do you keep your backup copies? What happens if your building suffers damage and you need to start up at a temporary location with all new equipment?

First, let’s define data protection in relation to back-ups. Backing up does not mean using software to make another copy on the same hard drive or a mirror drive or another computer on the same network. True backup means data archival on an external storage media (tape, DVD, external device that is removed from the network) for future retrieval and business continuance.

Here are the top 10 steps all companies, no matter what size, should review, update and implement:

1. Identify all business critical data and systems within the company.
2. Perform a business disaster impact review to determine revenue and costs associated with the lost of data.
3. Determine how long data and records need to be retained with easy access.
4. Establish a data recovery procedure in case of system failure.
5. Train your staff on data recovery.
6. Test the recovery of data process. Do a full recovery of all data from the backup tape, DVD or other external storage media.
7. Automate your computer backup system.
8. Rotate the backup data media so you have at least 2 months of data backup in at least 1 week intervals or shorter depending upon your company size.
9. Store the computer data in a secure off site location.
10. Review and update your plan semi-annually.

The preparation of the procedure requires looking at all aspects of your business.  Many smaller companies fall into the trap of “I do not have the time” or “It will not happen to me.”  However, it happens all the time to companies every day and it costs them several hundreds of dollars to complete business closures.

Just ask yourself a few questions:  What would happen if you lost all your account receivable documents? What about your need to maintain client renewals, billing, previous work or contracts? What is it worth? How much would it cost you in income if you can not retrieve the information?  $1000, $5000 or $50,000?

Can you afford to play Russian roulette with your business?  If you are looking for the easy way out and desire a low cost automated secure data backup and recovery program fro you and your businesses Peace of Mind – Only $4.95/Month! Get Mozy Unlimited Online Backup.

If you have may questions please feel free to contact us.  See our website for additional information. Feel free to request help through our blog or go ahead to our website or call us for a quick response.

Have a fantastic day:

Sincerely,

You’re Friends

Advanced Business Computers, Inc.

www.abctechsolutions.com

Ok – I know you have heard this before Back-up your data on a regular basis. However,over 67% of all small businesses between 1 and 10 employees do not backup their data. In addition, 53% of the ones who do data up their computer information data fail to do it on a regular basis.

Your computer information is critical to your business. What would happen if you lost all of your account receivable data or your customer files.  How long will it take to retrieve or recreate the information  on your computer? Can you afford the time and loss of income?  What’s holding you back from protecting your company’s data from loss?

WAIT:  DO Not Stop Reading

Backup is not rocket science.

Backing up data is not putting it on a USB drive that can go bad!

Backing up does not mean to moving data information to another computer in your office that has the same risk as your main computer.

Data backup means to put your company information in  a off site safe location that you can access anytime anywhere you need it!  It disaster protection from fires, water, storms and even employees that have a grudge. It’s computer data backup is remote backup online 24/7 encrypted and secure.

OK what doe sit cost? Around $8 per month depending upon the amount of date you need to secure.  When you back up data it’s the documents we are referring to. Financial data, word documents, spreadsheets, photos, and other NON-program files.

Most remote backup services provide software that automatically transfer the data encrypted to a remote system that you only have access. The data is stored and requires passwords keys to retrieve.  The software tracks changes you make during the day and only uploads the changed data to the remote backup sit. This way the backup precess is fast.

Here are some remote data backup storage service recommended and tested over the past three years:

Name                                   Fee type

Peace of Mind – Only $4.95/Month! Get Mozy Unlimited Online Backup.

Backuponline.com Monthly or yearly starting at $17.00

The above services are setup once and let it fly. No hassles of remembering to bring in your extra storage device,  more more security issues, more no location problems (you can access the stored data anywhere) and  extremely inexpensive when compared to the alternatives.

Is this article helpful to you? Please post a comment or any questions. Feel free to call us or request help through our blog or go ahead to our website for a quick response.

Have a fantastic day:

Sincerely,

You’re Friends

Advanced Business Computers, Inc.

sales@acbtechsolutions.com

All rights reserved Copyright Advanced Business Computers, Inc. 2009

P.S. One thing I forgot to mention. Do you have a website. Who is doing the wet site coding. Do you have the actual code  or does a 3rd person have it? What happens if the person leaves or has a problem?  How much did it cost your to create and maintain your site?  Just like your data on your business computer your website needs to be backup too!

Check this out  site vault to solve the website problem.

Computer Data Security – The Most Overlooked Aspects

by Michael Klein Advanced Business Computers, Inc.

Most companies fall in three basic security categories:

(1) Why worry about it?  In other words, wait until my business gets clobbered and my computer data is corrupted  before I do anything beyond basic virus scanning.

(2) Yes, I have purchased computer data security backup software Protection and backup on a regular basis; which means I have spent money on a software suite usually recommended by a store clerk – not an IT professional, plus, I back up but I have not tested the backup.

(3) We take security seriously and our IT people are on top of all computer security theft issues plus all their regular workload. This is the best case, however, how much time does the person actually invest in research and review security procedures and client data liability (legal) issues with the company’s staff? How do they enforce remote data access and disposal of paper and equipment?

No matter what the size of your organization there are some basic and not so basic security anti-theft computer  procedures which your company needs to incorporate to protect against intrusion, data liability and equipment security.

Here are two of the most overlooked areas in businesses:

Physical Security – this is a major lethal oversight by many companies. Ask yourself what would happen if somebody took your computer data with all your client information? Do you maintain credit card, medical, financial or other personal information in your system? Did you know that you are legally liable for the information? You may say, “I have passwords”.  On many systems you can bypass passwords using free software downloaded on the internet. Have you thought about idenity theft?

As of this date, I know of 15 people who fell victims to credit card identity theft due to the data theft. It didn’t cost them a cent; except for many months of frustration, wrecked credit, and headaches to get it straighten out and they were the lucky.  most of the time people lose thousand of dollars due identity theft.

However, the credit card company lost thousands. Every year MAJOR companies all over the US are attached by data theft.

How do you protect your equipment? Lock doors, secure access doors, cameras, security devices?  Who has access to facilities and workstations? These are just some of the physical computer security  issues you should review to protect your business.

Equipment and media Disposal – How often do you throw away CD’s, DVD’s and old equipment? Many companies shred some documents. However, have you looked in your company’s dumpster to see what is missing and what about those CD’s and DVD containing company information?  You may be surprised at to what you may find.

How do you set a policy and check to see if your staff follows them? Do you have a centralized collection bin to collect paper, CD’s and DVD’s to shred? What about old equipment?

Cell phones, PDA, hard drives are just a few pieces of equipment that may have valuable information (passwords, pin, card numbers, etc). “Purge them before you dispose of them.” Protect your business. In the next issue we will cover 2…3 more security issues.

If you have may questions please feel free to contact us.  See our website for additional information. Feel free to call us or request help through our blog or go ahead to our website or call us for a quick response.

Have a fantastic day:

Sincerely,

You’re Friends

Advanced Business Computers, Inc.

All rights reserved Copyright Advanced Business Computers, Inc. 2008