Anyone with a Benq 5000 colour scanner who is having difficulty finding drivers that work with Windows Vista or Windows 7 you can download them off the Benq EU website. Get them here.
Note: The Vista driver work quite happily with Windows 7.
During the installation of AVG security application, such as AVG Antivirus or AVG Internet Security, the following error may occur:
Local machine: installation failed
Initialization:
Error: Connecting to item registry root HKCU (username) failed.
Error 0×80070005 or Access Denied
The solution is to run the installer from the command prompt with the following parameter tagged on the end of the command line:
/IGNORE_USER username
The AVG application will hopefully now install.
Technorati Tags: AVG, AVG Antivirus, AVG Internet Security, installation failed
Windows 7 has been officially released to manufacturing in preparation for the October 22nd general release.
The pre-orders for Windows 7 have been unprecedented and make it look like this will be the most successful version of Windows ever. Microsoft has spent considerable time, effort and resources ensuring the bad press and experience of the Windows Vista release won’t be repeated this time around.
We’ll be deploying Windows 7 to all our systems in late August, Microsoft Partners get access to Microsoft software before general release, and will be reporting back on our experiences. Keep an eye on this blog for more information.
Anyone purchasing a Windows Vista computer at the moment should ensure they are buying one that qualifies for the free copy of Windows 7 when it is released.
Technorati Tags: Microsoft, Windows, Windows 7, Windows Vista
Microsoft Office 2000 is coming to the end of the extended support period very soon, 14th July 2009 to be precise. On this date Microsoft officially retire this version and no longer provide security updates to keep users safe from the threats exploiting security vulnerabilities in Office 2000.
To quote Microsoft from their Office Lifecycle webpage:
Office 2000 – Microsoft will continue to offer mainstream support for Office 2000 through June 30, 2004. The Office 2000 extended support period will last from July 1, 2004 through July 14, 2009. The latest Office 2000 service pack is required for hotfix support.
What does this mean for user of this version of Office? Well you need to plan to upgrade to a more recent version of Office or uninstall it by or on the 14th July 2009. More recent versions of Office include Office XP, Office 2003 and Office 2007.
Alternatively, uninstall Office 2000 and try Open Office, which is free to use both for commercial and non-commercial use. It is pretty good for people with simple needs, but there are still compatibility issues with swapping the files with users of Office!
Continuing to use Office 2000 after the end of life date will see your computer becoming more and more insecure to the bad guys as time passes! Doing nothing isn’t an option unless you are happy for your system to be compromised.
Technorati Tags: Microsoft, Office, Open Office
Java 6 Update 13 has just made available from the Java download website so it was time to download it here in Freuchie!
The near 16MB file came down at over 600KB/sec which is stunning performance from an ADSL Max connection three miles from the Falkland Exchange.
It will be interesting to see the speed on the Speedtest.net website.
A little on the low side compared with the real world file download speed test done above. However, it still shows a very fast connection for us in Freuchie, Fife.
As an aside, we also completed a remote install on a Tiscali connection at 7am that came down at 800KB/sec. But don’t try to get this kind of speed out of Tiscali later on in the day, especially between 4pm and 10pm.
Technorati Tags: ADSL Max, broadband, Falkland, Falkland Exchange, Fife, Freuchie, Microsoft, speed test, SpeedTest.net, Tiscali
Just to prove the Falkland Exchange isn’t congested we repeat our earlier tests at 8:50pm – results below.
A little down on the earlier Speedtest.net test, but this could easily be attributed to busy Speedtest.net servers. Regardless, the speed is still about 4.5Mbps.
Oh dear, our earlier download from the Microsoft website is really slow at the moment. In fact, dial-up speed slow!
This is a problem with the Microsoft download servers at peak times. Who’d have thought they wouldn’t be able to keep their servers ticking over at decent speeds?
We can confirm this by downloading a file from FileHippo:
… and a few minutes into the download it had settled down to:
There we go, proof positive that one website can be having problems, even one as big as Microsoft, and others will give you full speed out of a decent ISPs ADSL Max broadband connection.
Try these same types of test for yourself and let us know how you get on.
Same tests at 10pm:
Even better than earlier just as the kids of Fife are sent to bed!
Technorati Tags: ADSL Max, broadband, Falkland, Falkland Exchange, Fife, Freuchie, Microsoft, speed test, SpeedTest.net
In a follow-up to our earlier post on the perceived problems with broadband in Freuchie, let’s look again at using Speedtest.net to see how the broadband in Freuchie is performing today.
Doesn’t look too sluggish does it? But then again, ISPs can manipulate results from speed test websites to make them look better than the true speed when used for real world purposes. Let’s check that by downloading a file from the Microsoft website at approximately 1pm.
… and a few minutes and 88MB of file download later…
Starts off really fast then drops off slightly, but these speeds are still incredibly quick for an ADSL Max broadband connection 3 miles away from the exchange.
Let’s hear some of your results from similar tests on the Falkland Exchange using some of the big boy providers.
Technorati Tags: ADSL Max, broadband, Falkland, Falkland Exchange, Freuchie, Microsoft, speed test, SpeedTest.net
Throughout the years many customers and other residents in Freuchie, and the surrounding areas of Fife, have complained about the poor performance and speed of the broadband supplied through the Falkland exchange. Very few users actually understand how their broadband connection is provisioned – a simple guide to ADSL is available from thinkbroadband.com.
They usually indicate sub 1Mbps performance at best during peak hours! Some broadband users would be better on dial-up on some occasions! What is going on?
Let’s first look at the technology available in the Falkland exchange:
That’s it! No SDSL, 21CN capability or Local Loop Unbundling (LLU) but then again it is a fairly small rural exchange!.
Still, residents of Freuchie should be getting somewhere around about 3.5 – 5.5 Mbps if they are on ADSL Max connection. Shown below is some proof from our own connection that demonstrates fast download speeds for a broadband connection about 3 miles away from the exchange.
Most of the people who complain don’t get anywhere near the performance out of their broadband connection that the exchange is capable of supporting! Go check your own speed by downloading from a fast download website or check it at Speedtest.net and see if you should also be complaining!
Our test above shows speeds approach 5Mbps performance on this test.
Let’s now discuss some of the reasons for the poor speeds and general performance issues!
The choice of ISP is usually the most significant factor in performance. Big boy providers who offer cheap deals usually have congested networks during peak hours.
FIX: Change to a decent ISP
Your ISP is using Traffic Shaping technologies in an attempt to balance their congested network..
FIX: Change to a decent ISP
You are in breach of your ISP’s fair usage policy and they have slowed down your connection.
FIX: Check the contract T&Cs regarding fair usage and contact your ISP to clarify anything that isn’t clear .. or change to a decent ISP
The broadband connection is plugged into the first generation ADSL equipment at the exchange thereby limiting the maximum down speed to be 2Mbps.
FIX: Ask to be upgraded or change to a decent ISP
The general configuration of user’s computer.
FIX: Get an IT professional to look at your computer.
Hardware or software problems on the computer.
FIX: Get an IT professional to look at it.
Viruses and other malware installed on the user’s computers.
FIX: Get an IT professional to look at it.
Cheap routers or modems (usually supplied free by ISPs) that aren’t up to the job and have been badly configured/set-up.
FIX: Purchase a decent quality router and have an IT Professional set it up.
Telephones being plugged into extension outlets without going through an ADSL filter.
FIX: Fit additional ADSL filters as needed.
There are many other things, but the ones above are the biggies, with the choice of ISP being the most significant factor. You can check and also rate your ISPs on the independent website thinkbroadband.com. Try their Compare Tool to check out your ISPs performance against others.
Time after time we are called out to IT support calls due to broadband problems. The improvement in broadband speed is usually very noticeable after we have moved people over to Zen Internet, installed AVG Antivirus or AVG Internet Security, performed some housekeeping and reconfigured the computers and router.
Contact us if you are interested in us visiting you to get the best performance out of your broadband experience or wish to move to Zen Internet or purchase one of the AVG security products.
A closing thought…there’s no such thing as unlimited full line speed broadband!
Technorati Tags: 21CN, ADSL, ADSL Max, antivirus, AVG, broadband, Falkland, Freuchie, Fife, IT Professional, IT Support, LLU, SDSL, ThinkBroadband, Zen Internet
Microsoft’s latest baby has just been released: Internet Explorer 8.
The latest incarnation of the world’s most used browser is for Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2008.
Don’t miss out on enhancing Internet Explorer with some add-ons.
Wikipedia has loads of information on IE8 here. Well worth a look if you want to get quickly up to speed.
We will be testing IE8 over the coming weeks and will provide some information on its benefits, features and how to get the best from it in due course. IE8 will be rolled out to our contract customers once we’re happy it isn’t going to cause any issues.
Technorati Tags: IE8, Internet Explorer, Microsoft, Vista, Windows, Windows XP, Windows Server
Older computers may have been built during a time when the electronic components used in their construction were of poor quality. In particular, a large number of capacitors suffer from a syndrome called the “Capacitor Plague” where they swell, bulge, burst and may even blow up with quite a bang!
Photos: A motherboard with the Capacitor Plague
Before these components fail catastrophically, they will likely cause stability problems with the computer. frequent lock-ups and crashes. The computer may even fail to boot or fail POST, amongst all manner of other issues.
How this came to pass is a story straight out of a James Bond movie. Several Taiwanese manufacturers used a stolen formula that had vital details missing, which resulted in the components not being manufactured to the correct construction or grade. The result was the supply of components to electronic device manufacturer that were destined to fail given some time and use!
The Wikipedia entry for the “Capacitor Plague” makes for interesting and comprehensive reading on this topic.
If you’ve got an older computer and are experiencing strange problems that don’t seem to be down to the usual Operating System, drivers and software causes then it is worth a quick inspection of your components for signs of this condition. Roundtrip Solutions can perform this inspection for you if you suspect it is the cause of your computer problems. This is a part of our computer support and repair service offering that covers Edinburgh, Fife, and Tayside. We will advise you of the necessary repair required to get your computer operating again both stably and safely.
Technorati Tags: capacitor, capacitor plague, computer repair, computer support, Edinburgh, Fife, Tayside, Wikipedia
Most people believe the banks will reimburse any losses from their accounts even when the fault lies squarely with the customer. This honourable position by the banks has been the case up until now, with many people seeing the banks reimburse losses that are the result of fraudulent transactions on their accounts. But, this period of generosity may be coming to an end!
From the latest Banking Code:
Online banking
12.9 Online banking is safe and convenient as long as you take a number of simple precautions. Please make sure you follow the advice given below.
• Keep your PC secure. Use up-to-date anti-virus and spyware software and a personal firewall.
• Keep your passwords and PINs secret.
• We (or the police) will never contact you to ask you for your online banking or payment card PINs, or your password information.
• Treat e-mails you receive from senders claiming to be from your bank or building society with caution and be wary of e-mails or calls asking you for any personal security details.
• Always access internet banking sites by typing the bank or building society’s address into your web browser. Never go to an internet banking site from a link in an e-mail and then enter personal details.
Lots of sound recommendations that everyone should be following today. However, the big one from a customer perspective is the requirement to keep your PC secure and using up to date security software. But, many people are simply users that don’t always understand if their computer is fully secure and meets the recommendations made in the Banking Code. The vast majority of PCs will have at least one issue that could allow the banks to use their “get out of jail free card” and avoid having to reimburse the customer.
The banks will likely publish new terms and conditions that limits their liability whenever they are able to show you haven’t been following their recommendations for keeping your computer secure. Now to see how long before we see them applying this new culture to secure their profitability… the credit crunch and challenge of bank charges may speed along the real world implementation of this new culture!
Roundtrip Solutions is able to provide a service to secure your systems on an ongoing basis through a support contract. The ongoing option ensures the latest security updates are applied, your computer is running up to date security software and the latest best practices are applied. Computer support customers in Dundee, Edinburgh, Fife and surrounding areas may find our service to be extremely useful.
Technorati Tags: anti-spyware, anti-virus, banks, Banking Code, firewall, online banking
The BBC’s Panorama show features an alarming report tonight to do with the seedy side of the online world. Every parent should be watching this important public service programme tonight on BBC1 at 8:30pm to ensure their kids don’t fall victim to the predatory nature of pedophiles.
Many parents will remember the “Charlie Says..” public service announcements of the late 70’s, so let’s take that advice and update it for today! Don’t remember it, well here’s a little reminder for you…
Our support staff have already provided assistance and support to Fife parents that have discovered grooming like activity in time and wanted to ensure their kids were safe in the future. The first few times we have came across such instances it was with some disbelief that we approached the issue and a feeling of remote detachment and denial as we tried to get our heads around the actions from the worst scum of society. Many parents will also go through these feelings and believe it won’t happen to their little darling! Be warned that it could unless you are vigilant.
We recently delivered an IT Security talk to the Institution of Engineering and Technology in Edinburgh. One of the sections within that presentation was on Child Protection issues, along with all manner of advice to make computers and the Internet a safer environment for the children who reap great benefits from its use. Even taking our first hand experience into account, we were alarmed by some of the resources and statistics discovered to do with online grooming whilst performing further research for the presentation. Needless to say, the advice and protection resources form a vital section of our presentation.
A copy of the presentation is available in pdf format (requires Acrobat Reader to view).
You shouldn’t believe banning your kids from using the Internet is the solution, when the key is education, how the computer is set-up and the trust relationship you have with your children. The benefits from the Internet are numerous and the risks can be mitigated thereby preventing these scumbags from depriving our children of the wonderful advantages of the online world. We must do everything possible to get these predators removed from society and banged up in prison for a very long time. Report any suspicious behaviour and preserve the evidence of the offense for the authorities.
Please feel free to contact us for further information, advice or help in securing your computer to better protect the children from this most deviant part of society.
Technorati Tags: BBC, BBC1, child protection, IET, Institution of Engineering and Technology, Panorama, pedophiles
For a while now, Apple Software Update will tell you the related update for a Quicktime only install is iTunes + Quicktime! No it isn’t, it is Quicktime that is installed and it is Quicktime that should be kept up to date. Not everyone wants to use iTunes!
However, we suppose it could be argued that a dependency exists that makes for a better computer set-up, so we’ll concede that one. But, now for the real gripe of this post and it is a peach and a half!
When did all Apple customers/users install Safari?
For those who don’t know, Safari is Apple’s Internet browser, in competition with Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox. Why is this update being offered to everyone running Apple Software Update? Proof below of how this works even on a system that hasn’t even looked at the Safari webpage, never mind going to the length of downloading and installing the browser.
The slightly good news is you can ignore the update by going into:
Tools -> Ignore Selected Update
We’re betting it won’t ignore the fact that we don’t want Safari and we’ll be offered it again and again and again as they release new versions!
However, the irritation isn’t over yet! Now Apple Software Update is popping up with a message inferring it can’t take a telling. No means NO! What part of that don’t you understand Apple?
This behaviour is totally unacceptable and reminds us of the kind of misleading approach used by the nasty people that peddle malware. Our message to Apple is to STOP this immediately and redesign your update application to be honest and only offer updates where updates apply and make it explicitly clear when the software install being offered is an optional (read as unnecessary) extra that doesn’t really affect the Apple software running on your computer at the moment.
The majority of computer users will simply install this Safari update when it is offered, even although they may never use it or even understand what it does. Perhaps we’re now starting to see the real face and business practices of Apple! The marketing droids at Apple want to be able to say they have a higher marketshare through the number of installs of iTunes, Quicktime and Safari, even if it is done in a deception and misleading way. Naught, very naughty indeed!
Apple is now betraying its customers and users. Mac fanboys feel free to convince us otherwise and comment on how this kind of behaviour wouldn’t make them flame if it was being done by Microsoft.
Update: John Lilly, CEO of the Mozilla Foundation, has posted a similar complaint about this issue on his blog. He makes some interesting points that expand upon our blog post… we heartedly recommend it to you.
Technorati Tags: Apple, Apple Software Update, iTunes, Quicktime, Safari
Some versions of Windows Vista don’t come with an MPEG-2 decoder / addin for watching movies, other MPEG-2 video sources and recorded TV. Vista Home Basic, Vista Business and Vista Enterprise customers are going to be a little upset when they try to play a DVD movie, watch certain TV channels or have a must see video clip and all they get is a message from Windows Media Player saying it can’t play the clip. Only Vista Home Premium and Vista Ultimate have support out the box!
However, there are a number of options available ranging from FREE to mega bucks. Let’s look at some of the common options.
VLC Media Player
Free – yes, that’s correct, it costs £0. With versions available for many different platforms and operating systems. Simply install on the problem system and you’ll be able to use VLC Media Player to watch your movies and video clips. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have a DirectShow MPEG-2 Filter, so you can only watch MPEG-2 content using the player.
"Microsoft Approved" DVD Decoders Plugins
A couple of plugins from Roxio and Cyberlink come with the blessing of Microsoft. Around about £10, these are an inexpensive option from a couple of the biggest companies in the 3rd party multimedia application marketplace.
NVIDIA PureVideo Decoder
Three different varieties ensure there is an option that suits both your wallet and your need.
3rd Party DVD Playback Software
Think PowerDVD and WinDVD, which most users of previous versions of Windows will be familiar with.
Microsoft DVD Playback Pack
Recently announced, this option only looks to be available to Volume License customers. A word of warning straight from the mouth of Microsoft:
DVD Playback Pack for Windows Vista is designed to be used by IT professionals and should only be distributed as part of an operating system image.
Doesn’t sound like many people outside of corporate-land will be using this option!
Upgrade Windows
Order a Windows Vista Anytime Upgrade pack from Microsoft to allow you to upgrade to one of the supported versions. Only worth pursuing if you require some of the other features and functions that are only available in a "higher" (more expensive) version of Windows Vista.
Warning
You will need to run an upgrade set-up, which could result in the corruption or complete trashing of your current Windows Vista installation. Ensure you know what this involves and what options you need to select before performing this upgrade. And don’t forget to backup anything you can’t afford to lose before kicking off the upgrade.
For most people, we recommend going with VLC Media Player and consider donating some time or money to help support the project. Remember you need to watch the movie (clip) in the VLC Media Player application.
If you would like features that are only available in a higher version of Windows Vista then consider the Windows Vista Anytime Upgrade option.
Technorati Tags: Cyberlink, DVD, DVD decoder, DVD Playback Pack, Microsoft, MPEG-2, NVIDIA, PowerDVD, Roxio, Vista, VLC Media Player, Windows, Windows Vista Anytime Upgrade, WinDVD
Happy Easter everyone.
Since it is a holiday, we though you’d like to see this amusing little Apple Mac vs PC spoof that is performed South Park style.
Technorati Tags: Apple, Easter, Mac, PC, South Park
