Backups
Sometimes clients ask us about options for backups. A good starting point is the 3-2-1 rule. Basically it states the following;
- There should be 3 copies of data
- On 2 different media
- With 1 copy being off site
If you need help with this please reach out to us.
Still in business RE:COVID19
Just a quick update to let you know that we have been still helping clients onsite throughout COVID19.
Computer recycling contact information updated
Recently I was contacted by the Victoria Park Lions Club about the computer recycling project who are continuing the project. You can find updated details here:
Save your computer from going to landfill – Lions Club PC Refurbishment Project
Solved: Lost and forgotten passwords and Microsoft account issues in Perth
Recently I’ve helped a few clients recover their lost/forgotten/mistaken passwords preventing them from logging into Windows. One of the problems came when a client linked their windows account to their microsoft account when trying to setup email, this is a common problem on windows 10. Microsoft likes to link user profiles to their Microsoft profiles but you can avoid this if you know where to look in windows.
When you go to setup your email account in Microsoft Mail on windows 10 it will try to connect your account causing you to need to enter your Microsoft password every time. Look out for the “switch to a local account instead” text almost hidden under the user profiles.
Along with this there are two methods to recover your account if you no longer know the password in Windows 10 or Windows 8 (also Windows 7), one method uses the command prompt and ‘net user’ commands and another method uses a boot cd found here; https://pogostick.net/~pnh/ntpasswd/
Getting lost keeping track of alot of passwords?
You can manage your passwords with a program like http://www.lastpass.com – this gives you the advantage of using ‘2 factor’ authentication which usually means you log in via your computer and confirm with your phone to get into your password vault. This makes it easier to use different passwords for different sites and they are managed for you in a secure space without needing a password file on your desktop or for you to find a special note pad.
If you aren’t sure how secure your passwords are or if someone might have it, I recommend checking if your email address has been compromised at some point, you can put your email address into this website and see if your account details may have been hacked somewhere https://haveibeenpwned.com/
Updates to the computer recycling project in Perth
Today I received some updated information around the Lions computer recycling project, please see below for more info;
Save your computer from going to landfill – City of Perth Lions Club PC Refurbishment Project
Solved – “the version of iphoto installed on this mac must be updated through the mac app store”
I was recently helping a client who had lost access to his iphoto through an update to osx mavericks (and also sierra, which removes iphoto altogether) and it wouldn’t launch due to that version not being compatible with the OSX. When I found an update to iphoto it also wouldn’t install due to the mac thinking it was linked to an app store account. Fortunately I found this awesome workaround if you are comfortable working with the console in osx;
sudo rm -r /Applications/iPhoto.app/Contents/_MASReceipt
hopefully this will help anyone else with this same error: the version of iphoto installed on this mac must be updated through the mac app store. This solution was found here; https://acdesigntech.wordpress.com/2013/03/06/disable-mac-app-store-receipts-to-reenable-downloaded-update-packages/ thanks for sharing it guys!
also I found these individual links for iphoto upgrades;
1 – update to iPhoto 9.2.1
2 – update to iPhoto 9.3
3 – update to iPhoto 9.3.2
4 – update to iPhoto 9.4
5 – and finally to iPhoto 9.4.3
Yahoo mail server pop and imap settings
Recently I was setting up a yahoo mail account for a client and required the settings, these are the same with the yahoo.com.au (yahoo7) email addresses, for reference;
IMAP / POP server settings for Yahoo7 Mail
IMAP is the best way to connect your Yahoo7 Mail account to a desktop mail client or mobile app. It allows 2-way syncing, which means everything you do remotely is reflected in your Yahoo7 Mail account no matter where or how you access it. Here are the settings you’ll need to configure your mail client or app.
Incoming Mail (IMAP) Server
- Server – imap.mail.yahoo.com
- Port – 993
- Requires SSL – Yes
Incoming Mail (POP) Server
- Server – pop.mail.yahoo.com
- Port – 995
- Requires SSL – Yes
Outgoing Mail (SMTP) Server
- Server – smtp.mail.yahoo.com
- Port – 465 or 587
- Requires SSL – Yes
- Requires authentication – Yes
Your login info
- Email address – Your full email address (name@domain.com)
- Password – Your account’s password
- Requires authentication – Yes
Recovering lost emails & myob files from a re-installed PC
Yesterday I arrived at a client’s place to help with missing myob & email files. It turns out the computer had been having problems including a cryptolocker virus and someone had re-installed the operating system using the system recovery mode for the Samsung all in one screen based computer.
It was tricky one because when a system recovery is done through the Samsung software it wipes out all existing files on the disk. Fortunately my data recovery software was able to find the important files, I actually started the process on the PC and then later finished off the job using remote support. I was really glad I was able to help this client find the missing files because after a complete system restore there is a chance that these files would have been gone for good, often this happens when the drive is re-formatted.
Installing Myob without the installer disk…
I recently wanted to install myob on my new tablet but can’t find the original disk, so I stumbled upon this guide with instructions to install or transfer it without the original installer.
We are often helping people to re-install software so this guide might be helpful for you (or us) in the future.
http://mediarealm.com.au/articles/2012/12/moving-myob-new-computer-error-9004-m-powered-services/
looking for Windows 10 Install files ? some places to get the links
Here are some good links to download the Windows 10 Install files. You will usually need to be a technician to understand how to use these to upgrade your computer and you will need a valid windows license, but here they are for reference;
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/techbench
https://www.reddit.com/r/Windows10/comments/3ee1gx/windows_10_10240_esd_download_here/