One of the most common calls I receive relates to printing. The following tips could well save you an expensive (if not embarrassing support call).
If nothing has changed on your printer or in your printer settings on your computer then chances are that the problem is quite straightforward.
First check to see of the printer is on, especially if the trouble occurs first thing in the morning. Perhaps you or someone else turn the printer off when you finished your work the last time you sat down at you desk.
Check the printer status lights or status LCD screen. If there's a flashing light or if the status screen shows an error, then it's your first clue to a problem. Most printer manuals have a diagnosis process for alerts.
Check to see if the paper tray is empty. If so refill it. Make sure to feather the pages to eliminate static. Hold the pages in one had and flip through the pages at a fast rate with your thumb.
If the paper tray is not empty check for a misfeed. A sheet may have been caught in the mechanism. There may be a variety of printer access doors to check. Pull out any remnants. Even the smallest piece of paper could be causing the problem so check carefully. Tweezers are handy for this procedure.
If the problem is toner-related, check to see if the toner cartridge is empty or low. The printer warning should indicate this. Swap it for a new one and the unit should work.
Some laser toner cartridges have an ejected toner reservoir. There is usually a trap that can be emptied.
The toner drum on laser printers also needs to be replaced usually once a year depending on the volume of printing the device handles. The printer's error lights should indicate this if it is a problem. Print-outs will become fuzzy or faded when this starts to go.
If all the physical hardware on the printer seems to be fine check to see that it is connected to your computer. Personal printers connect via either a parallel or USB (universal serial bus) connector to the back of the printer. Follow the cable from the back of the printer to the back of the computer to make sure the connection is good.
If the printer is connect by what looks like an oversized telephone cable or coaxial cable (like the cable for cable television) then your printer is connected through a network. If this is the case the problem gets suddenly complicated. If your network based printer is acting up for everyone in the office then you'll need to call in your resident network expert. You probably have a print server, hub or cable problem. If it's just you that's having a problem with your network printer, make sure that your computer is connected to the network.
If the printer works but spews strange characters or it appears as if the PC and printer creates error, it likely that you have a printer driver problem. When a printer acts up and there is no hardware problem, the solution is often driver-related. A driver is a piece of software that allows a computer to "talk" to a printer. It's a kind of translator.
Occasionally if a printer has worked previously, but won't work with a newly installed program, there could be driver problems.
To remedy this, download a driver from the printer maker's Web site, remove the old driver and install the new driver. Drivers are normally available under the "support" area of a Web site.
If you have an inkjet printer and you get smudged or blurry images, you might want to look up the utility on the printer that cleans and or aligns the printer heads. Most inkjet printers either have software that can start this process or have a setting on the printer itself that can kick start it.
If all of these solutions fail, you might want to search the manufacturer's support area for printer issues. Often there will be bulletins issued on how to fix newly discovered bugs.
If you have a scanner and printer and experience printing problems take heart, this is easily solvable. Detach both devices and remove the software and drivers for both devices. Then reinstall the printer first and then add the scanner second.
Monday, February 06, 2006
Help - The printer's not working
One of the most common calls I receive relates to printing. The following tips could well save you an expensive (if not embarrassing support call).
If nothing has changed on your printer or in your printer settings on your computer then chances are that the problem is quite straightforward.
First check to see of the printer is on, especially if the trouble occurs first thing in the morning. Perhaps you or someone else turn the printer off when you finished your work the last time you sat down at you desk.
Check the printer status lights or status LCD screen. If there's a flashing light or if the status screen shows an error, then it's your first clue to a problem. Most printer manuals have a diagnosis process for alerts.
Check to see if the paper tray is empty. If so refill it. Make sure to feather the pages to eliminate static. Hold the pages in one had and flip through the pages at a fast rate with your thumb.
If the paper tray is not empty check for a misfeed. A sheet may have been caught in the mechanism. There may be a variety of printer access doors to check. Pull out any remnants. Even the smallest piece of paper could be causing the problem so check carefully. Tweezers are handy for this procedure.
If the problem is toner-related, check to see if the toner cartridge is empty or low. The printer warning should indicate this. Swap it for a new one and the unit should work.
Some laser toner cartridges have an ejected toner reservoir. There is usually a trap that can be emptied.
The toner drum on laser printers also needs to be replaced usually once a year depending on the volume of printing the device handles. The printer's error lights should indicate this if it is a problem. Print-outs will become fuzzy or faded when this starts to go.
If all the physical hardware on the printer seems to be fine check to see that it is connected to your computer. Personal printers connect via either a parallel or USB (universal serial bus) connector to the back of the printer. Follow the cable from the back of the printer to the back of the computer to make sure the connection is good.
If the printer is connect by what looks like an oversized telephone cable or coaxial cable (like the cable for cable television) then your printer is connected through a network. If this is the case the problem gets suddenly complicated. If your network based printer is acting up for everyone in the office then you'll need to call in your resident network expert. You probably have a print server, hub or cable problem. If it's just you that's having a problem with your network printer, make sure that your computer is connected to the network.
If the printer works but spews strange characters or it appears as if the PC and printer creates error, it likely that you have a printer driver problem. When a printer acts up and there is no hardware problem, the solution is often driver-related. A driver is a piece of software that allows a computer to "talk" to a printer. It's a kind of translator.
Occasionally if a printer has worked previously, but won't work with a newly installed program, there could be driver problems.
To remedy this, download a driver from the printer maker's Web site, remove the old driver and install the new driver. Drivers are normally available under the "support" area of a Web site.
If you have an inkjet printer and you get smudged or blurry images, you might want to look up the utility on the printer that cleans and or aligns the printer heads. Most inkjet printers either have software that can start this process or have a setting on the printer itself that can kick start it.
If all of these solutions fail, you might want to search the manufacturer's support area for printer issues. Often there will be bulletins issued on how to fix newly discovered bugs.
If you have a scanner and printer and experience printing problems take heart, this is easily solvable. Detach both devices and remove the software and drivers for both devices. Then reinstall the printer first and then add the scanner second.
If nothing has changed on your printer or in your printer settings on your computer then chances are that the problem is quite straightforward.
First check to see of the printer is on, especially if the trouble occurs first thing in the morning. Perhaps you or someone else turn the printer off when you finished your work the last time you sat down at you desk.
Check the printer status lights or status LCD screen. If there's a flashing light or if the status screen shows an error, then it's your first clue to a problem. Most printer manuals have a diagnosis process for alerts.
Check to see if the paper tray is empty. If so refill it. Make sure to feather the pages to eliminate static. Hold the pages in one had and flip through the pages at a fast rate with your thumb.
If the paper tray is not empty check for a misfeed. A sheet may have been caught in the mechanism. There may be a variety of printer access doors to check. Pull out any remnants. Even the smallest piece of paper could be causing the problem so check carefully. Tweezers are handy for this procedure.
If the problem is toner-related, check to see if the toner cartridge is empty or low. The printer warning should indicate this. Swap it for a new one and the unit should work.
Some laser toner cartridges have an ejected toner reservoir. There is usually a trap that can be emptied.
The toner drum on laser printers also needs to be replaced usually once a year depending on the volume of printing the device handles. The printer's error lights should indicate this if it is a problem. Print-outs will become fuzzy or faded when this starts to go.
If all the physical hardware on the printer seems to be fine check to see that it is connected to your computer. Personal printers connect via either a parallel or USB (universal serial bus) connector to the back of the printer. Follow the cable from the back of the printer to the back of the computer to make sure the connection is good.
If the printer is connect by what looks like an oversized telephone cable or coaxial cable (like the cable for cable television) then your printer is connected through a network. If this is the case the problem gets suddenly complicated. If your network based printer is acting up for everyone in the office then you'll need to call in your resident network expert. You probably have a print server, hub or cable problem. If it's just you that's having a problem with your network printer, make sure that your computer is connected to the network.
If the printer works but spews strange characters or it appears as if the PC and printer creates error, it likely that you have a printer driver problem. When a printer acts up and there is no hardware problem, the solution is often driver-related. A driver is a piece of software that allows a computer to "talk" to a printer. It's a kind of translator.
Occasionally if a printer has worked previously, but won't work with a newly installed program, there could be driver problems.
To remedy this, download a driver from the printer maker's Web site, remove the old driver and install the new driver. Drivers are normally available under the "support" area of a Web site.
If you have an inkjet printer and you get smudged or blurry images, you might want to look up the utility on the printer that cleans and or aligns the printer heads. Most inkjet printers either have software that can start this process or have a setting on the printer itself that can kick start it.
If all of these solutions fail, you might want to search the manufacturer's support area for printer issues. Often there will be bulletins issued on how to fix newly discovered bugs.
If you have a scanner and printer and experience printing problems take heart, this is easily solvable. Detach both devices and remove the software and drivers for both devices. Then reinstall the printer first and then add the scanner second.
Sunday, February 05, 2006
Computer Support
I was scanning my local free advertising supplement (Friday Ad) checking out the competition, when I noticed something disturbing.
Out of seven advertisers providing computer support, only one provided his name within the advert. Upon telephoning the other six, none of them answered with their name and had to be prompted to get this fairly important detail (I don't know about you, but I like to know who I'm dealing with).
This begs the question, do the six who withheld their name from the advert have something to hide, or are they too cheap to pay for another two words????
I personally have learnt from experience that in marketing, the brand precedes the service and most of my clients come from recommendations due to being open and not afraid to admit 'I dont know'.
Out of seven advertisers providing computer support, only one provided his name within the advert. Upon telephoning the other six, none of them answered with their name and had to be prompted to get this fairly important detail (I don't know about you, but I like to know who I'm dealing with).
This begs the question, do the six who withheld their name from the advert have something to hide, or are they too cheap to pay for another two words????
I personally have learnt from experience that in marketing, the brand precedes the service and most of my clients come from recommendations due to being open and not afraid to admit 'I dont know'.
Saturday, February 04, 2006
Five Tips for getting the best value out of your IT guy
Don't go to your IT guy with solutions, give him problems. A lot of clients might propose throwing extra storage into their computer system, when perhaps a better document storage format may suit the business better for example. A good IT guy will carefully fit the solution to your business model.
Give your IT guy the big picture. Computers and Information Technology are but a small part of business operations. You need a solution that integrates with your business seamlessly.
Manage the task. Do not rely on your IT guy. Ask for written progress reports and proposals/specifications. You don't want to waste the money you have spent on this task without retaining some knowledge after the IT guy leaves.
Understand the big picture yourself and how the details fit into this jigsaw. The key to most successful IT projects is to implement the key, essential parts first then work on an iterative process of optimisation and enhancement.
Get a proposal for the project in writing. Ask that a timeline or other indication of how the project should proceed is included. This can help identify any scheduling conflicts early on in the project so they can be resolved easily and with minimal expense.
Give your IT guy the big picture. Computers and Information Technology are but a small part of business operations. You need a solution that integrates with your business seamlessly.
Manage the task. Do not rely on your IT guy. Ask for written progress reports and proposals/specifications. You don't want to waste the money you have spent on this task without retaining some knowledge after the IT guy leaves.
Understand the big picture yourself and how the details fit into this jigsaw. The key to most successful IT projects is to implement the key, essential parts first then work on an iterative process of optimisation and enhancement.
Get a proposal for the project in writing. Ask that a timeline or other indication of how the project should proceed is included. This can help identify any scheduling conflicts early on in the project so they can be resolved easily and with minimal expense.
Surviving a computer crash
It's the day of the week when you run your invoices...You load up the paper in the printer, press print and....An error message pops up 'Unable to read drive'.
Sound like the stuff of nightmares? It could well signal the end of your business unless you plan for this eventuality. All computers are like cars – highly complex machines with many parts to go wrong at the worst possible moment.
How can you protect yourself against this nightmare?
In one word – Backup. Ensure all critical data is stored in at least one other location than on your server or main computer. This could be in the form of tapes, recordable CDs, floppy disks, external hard drives, online storage or many other options. Ensure that the backup is carried out at least daily and periodically check the backup by attempting to restore data (like computers all back-up media can fail).
Ensure you have a UPS (Un-interruptable Power Supply) running your main computer. This could buy the critical minutes you need to save open documents and shut down cleanly in the eventuality of a power outage.
Set your office applications to 'auto-save' every 5-10 minutes. This could also save hours re-creating documents, not to mention prevent the frustration should the computer lock up for no apparent reason.
Sound like the stuff of nightmares? It could well signal the end of your business unless you plan for this eventuality. All computers are like cars – highly complex machines with many parts to go wrong at the worst possible moment.
How can you protect yourself against this nightmare?
In one word – Backup. Ensure all critical data is stored in at least one other location than on your server or main computer. This could be in the form of tapes, recordable CDs, floppy disks, external hard drives, online storage or many other options. Ensure that the backup is carried out at least daily and periodically check the backup by attempting to restore data (like computers all back-up media can fail).
Ensure you have a UPS (Un-interruptable Power Supply) running your main computer. This could buy the critical minutes you need to save open documents and shut down cleanly in the eventuality of a power outage.
Set your office applications to 'auto-save' every 5-10 minutes. This could also save hours re-creating documents, not to mention prevent the frustration should the computer lock up for no apparent reason.
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
New attempt to halt spyware
Five computer security firms (ICSA Labs, McAfee, Symantec, Thompson Cyber Security Labs and Trend Micro) are joining forces to tackle spyware.
Spyware has become a huge problem as many hi-tech criminals, advertisers and vandals use various techniques to sneak their software onto users' PCs without the users being aware.
Some spyware gets in via email, although the bulk is by means of visiting booby-trapped websites or by downloading programs from the internet.
Some spyware is simply a nuisance as it bombards users with pop-up adverts they did not ask for or services they would never use.
However, other spyware programs are explicitly criminal and aim to hijack computers or steal confidential information.
The work of the group will be collected on the spywaretesting.org website and the prime aim is to remove confusion about "the origins of spyware and effectiveness of tools used to remove it" according to Larry Bridwell from ICSA Labs.
Full story on BBC News
Spyware has become a huge problem as many hi-tech criminals, advertisers and vandals use various techniques to sneak their software onto users' PCs without the users being aware.
Some spyware gets in via email, although the bulk is by means of visiting booby-trapped websites or by downloading programs from the internet.
Some spyware is simply a nuisance as it bombards users with pop-up adverts they did not ask for or services they would never use.
However, other spyware programs are explicitly criminal and aim to hijack computers or steal confidential information.
The work of the group will be collected on the spywaretesting.org website and the prime aim is to remove confusion about "the origins of spyware and effectiveness of tools used to remove it" according to Larry Bridwell from ICSA Labs.
Full story on BBC News
Spam Email bounced replies
Please people, turn off bounce replies for Spam email and whilst we're at it rejection messages for unknown recipients (who are often random strings of characters generated by spammers/viruses).
Over a twelve hour period last night, the generic in-box for my domain was bombarded by over 18,000 spurious emails that had to be filtered. This equates to one message being delivered every 2.5 seconds.
Whilst I have a fairly sophisticated automatic system for binning them, it still ate up considerable bandwidth downloading them. The total file size was approximately 15 Megabytes.
Over a twelve hour period last night, the generic in-box for my domain was bombarded by over 18,000 spurious emails that had to be filtered. This equates to one message being delivered every 2.5 seconds.
Whilst I have a fairly sophisticated automatic system for binning them, it still ate up considerable bandwidth downloading them. The total file size was approximately 15 Megabytes.
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