How to install the Recovery Console

In this section I am going to discuss about How to Install Recovery Console. You can install the Recovery Console on your computer to make it accessible if you cannot restart Windows. You can then select the Recovery Console option from the list of available operating systems for the duration of startup. Install the Recovery Console on important servers and on the workstations of IT personnel. This addition describes how to install the Recovery Console to your Microsoft Windows XP-based computer. To install the Recovery Console, you have to be logged on as an administrator.
Although you can run the Recovery Console by starting directly from the Windows XP CD, it is generally more suitable to set it up as a startup option on your startup menu. To run the Recover Console directly from the CD, see the "How to use the Recovery Console" section.

Follow the steps given below:

1. Insert the Windows XP CD into the CD-ROM drive.
2. Click Start, and then click Run.
3. In the Open box, type d:\i386\winnt32.exe /cmdcons where d is the drive letter for the CD-ROM drive. In the case of 'Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, type d:\amd64\winnt32.exe /cmdcons where d is the drive letter for the CD-ROM drive.
4. A Windows Setup Dialog Box appears. The Windows Setup Dialog Box describes the Recovery Console option. To confirm the installation, click Yes.
5. Restart the computer. The next time that you start your computer, "Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" appears on the startup menu.
Alternatively, you can use a Universal Naming Convention (UNC)-established connection to install the Recovery Console from a network share point.
Note You may receive an error message that is similar the following:
Setup cannot continue because the version of Windows on your computer is newer than the version on the CD.
Resolve this problems get use Microsoft Support article Recovery Console on a Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2-based computer

How Stop 0x9F Error On Windows Vista and Windows XP

I am staring my Computer Help Canada blog with new updates.In addition we discuss about 0x9F error in windows Vista and 0x9F error in Windows Operating System. This error occurs in windows vista when your computer wakes up from sleep mode and in windows XP it occurs when one or more driver install on your computer are unable to handle power state.
Stop 0x9F Error On Windows Vista

The following Stop 0x9F error message may be displayed on your Windows Vista computer when your system wakes up from sleep mode:

"STOP 0x0000009F (parameter1, parameter2, parameter3, parameter4) DRIVER_POWER_STATE_FAILURE"

Cause of the Error

This error message is usually displayed if a device using Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (IEEE) 1394 connection is attached to your Windows Vista PC. Some of the examples of such devices are an Apple iPod and Maxtor One Touch II 300 GB model external hard disk.

Resolution Method

You can resolve this problem by installing the 929762 on your system. To download the update package for Windows Vista 64-bit computer, click here

You can also resolve the issue by downloading and installing the latest Windows Vista Service Pack on the PC. You can obtain information about the latest service pack from the Windows Update


Stop 0x9F Error On Windows XP

You may receive the following Stop 0x9F error message on your Windows XP computer:
"STOP 0x0000009F DRIVER_POWER_STATE_FAILURE"

Cause of the Error

The cause for this error when drivers are unable to handle power state transition requests when the system is:

• shutting down.
• going in to Standby mode or resuming from it.
• going in to Hibernate mode or resuming from it.

Steps for Resolution:

To resolve this issue, you need to find out the offending device or file system filter driver and repair or remove it from the system. You can do this by performing the following steps:
1. Check to make sure that your computer and all installed devices are on the Hardware Compatibility List (HCL). You can view the HCL at the following Microsoft Web site:
http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/hcl/default.mspx

2. Check for drivers that are not designed for use with Windows. You can use the Sigverif.exe tool to do this. For information about how to use the Sigverif tool, HOW TO: Verify Unsigned Device Drivers in Windows XP
3. Check for driver updates that may be available for your hardware.
4. Update any software that uses filter drivers (for example, antivirus, remote control, and backup software).
5. Remove any non-critical devices and software to help isolate the device or software that is causing the error.
6. Install Windows in a new folder. Add drivers one by one, and restart the computer after each addition, to try to locate the driver that is causing the error.

To prevent stop errors, such as the Stop 0x9F error, it is essential that you keep your computer and device drivers updated with the latest releases. You must also take care not to install incompatible software, hardware, and drivers on the system.

How to Back Up the System State on a Domain Controller

This addition gets information about How to take back up of system state on a domain controller. Here some steps given below these provide help for computer repair and create back up of system state.

These steps are following:

1. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Backup.
2. Click the Backup tab.
3. Click to select the System State check box. (All of the components to be backed up are listed in the right pane. You cannot individually select each item.)

NOTE: During the system state backup, you must select to back up the Winnt\Sysvol folder. You must also select this option during the restore operation to have a working sysvol after the recovery.
The following information applies only to domain controllers. You can restore member servers the same way, but in normal mode.

If any of the following conditions are not met, the system state is not restored. Backup attempts to restore the system state, but does not succeed.
• The drive letter on which the %SystemRoot% folder is located must be the same as when it was backed up.
• The %SystemRoot% folder must be the same folder as when it was backed up.
• If sysvol or other Active Directory databases were located on another volume, they must exist and have the same drive letters also. The size of the volume does not matter.

How to STOP 0x0000000A" Error Message

Today learn about a new error solution and get best Computer Repair tips. In this section find out about 0x0000000A error massage. When you change between AC power and DC power on your laptop computer, you may receive a "STOP 0x0000000A" error message on a blue screen. This is more likely to occur when you unplug or replug the power supply into the computer while it is in Standby mode, and then resuming.
Resolution Steps:
To resolve these problems, you need to latest service pack for windows XP. How to obtain Windows XP service Pack.
Hotfix information
A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.
If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.
Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support
Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

How to Debug "Stop 0xC2" or "Stop 0x000000C2" Error Messages

Hi, Today I am going to add a new tips in our computer help services which is help to fix the problem related to BAD_POOL_CALLER. In addition to BAD_POOL_CALLER_Stop 0xC2 error. This error when you try to print a document in windows 2000 or open a document in windows explorer. Windows 2000 contains many included features that enhance the pool allocation process. A number of new stop codes have been added that help you find drivers that do not function correctly. Because of these extra features, you may be able to find the root cause of the driver's malfunction by simple debugging.

The following procedure describes how to debug a OxC2 stop.

First, check the stop documentation. For example:
BAD_POOL_CALLER (0xC2)

The current thread is making a bad pool request. Typically this is at a bad IRQL level or double freeing the same allocation, etc.

1 - type of pool violation the caller is guilty of.
6 - the pool address being freed is already free.
7 - the pool address being freed is already free.
8 - parameter 2 is the IRQL allocating at, parameter 3 is the pool type
9 - parameter 2 is the IRQL freeing at, parameter 3 is the pool type

Parameter 1 = 0x1, 0x2, or 0x4 : Pool header has been corrupted
Parameter 2 = Pointer to pool header
Parameter 3 = First part of pool header contents
Parameter 4 = 0

Parameter 1 = 0x6 : Attempt to free pool which was already freed
Parameter 2 = Reserved (__LINE__)
Parameter 3 = Pointer to pool header
Parameter 4 = Pool header contents

Parameter 1 = 0x7 : Attempt to free pool which was already freed
Parameter 2 = Reserved (__LINE__)
Parameter 3 = Pointer to pool header
Parameter 4 = 0

Parameter 1 = 0x8 : Attempt to allocate pool at invalid IRQL
Parameter 2 = Current IRQL
Parameter 3 = Pool type
Parameter 4 = Size of allocation

Parameter 1 = 0x9 : Attempt to free pool at invalid IRQL
Parameter 2 = Current IRQL
Parameter 3 = Pool type
Parameter 4 = Address of pool

Parameter 1 = 0x40 : Attempt to free usermode address to kernel pool
Parameter 2 = Starting address
Parameter 3 = Start of system address space
Parameter 4 = 0

Parameter 1 = 0x41 : Attempt to free a non-allocated nonpaged pool
address
Parameter 2 = Starting address
Parameter 3 = physical page frame
Parameter 4 = highest physical page frame

Parameter 1 = 0x50 : Attempt to free a non-allocated paged pool address
Parameter 2 = Starting address
Parameter 3 = Start offset in pages from beginning of paged pool
Parameter 4 = Size in bytes of paged pool

Parameter 1 = 0x99 : Attempt to free pool with invalid address (or
corruption in pool header)
Parameter 2 = Address being freed
Parameter 3 = 0
Parameter 4 = 0


After you have collected detailed information about the 0xC2 stop, use the debugger:
E:\bin>i386kd -z K:\DOWNLOAD\memory.dmp
Loading Dump File [K:\DOWNLOAD\memory.dmp]
Full Kernel Dump File
...
0: kd> !reload GOOD HOUSEKEEPING DONE HERE

0: kd> dd kibugcheckdata l8 DUMPING THE ERROR

8047fba0 000000c2 00000007 00000b68 815bade0
8047fbb0 815bade8 e1007000 00000000 818988c0

0: kd> kv DUMPING STACK

ChildEBP RetAddr Args to Child
bdce0348 be11dc84 e1fff000 a08d0008 000007f8 banshee!vH3ImageTransferMm32
bdce037c be116f18 be85fd78 00000001 bdce03dc banshee!vMmXferNative
bdce03ac be113eec e1fff000 e25e2a38 bdce03dc banshee!vPutBits
bdce03e8 a008e47f e1ff86f8 e25e2a38 e1fef908 banshee!DrvCopyBits
bdce0430 a008e899 be113d40 bdce04d8 e1ff86f8 win32k!OffCopyBits
bdce04e4 a008e4d1 e1ff86f8 e25e2a38 00000000 win32k!SpBitBlt
The stop documentation indicates that memory is being freed. This information is indicated by the following line:
Parameter 1 = 0x7: Attempt to free pool which was already freed.
But the stack shows that the video card is in the process of a write, so you must continue to investigate. First, you must determine if this computer is a multiprocessor.
0: kd> ~1 SWITCH PROC

1: kd> kv DUMPING STACK

ChildEBP RetAddr Args to Child
bde81b7c 8046894d 815bade8 00000000 be03bb2b ntkrnlmp!ExFreePoolWithTag
bde81b88 be03bb2b 815bade8 be03ca94 815bade8 ntkrnlmp!ExFreePool
00000128 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 BADDRIVER

The preceding text indicates that memory is freed through the driver drivername. This could be the possible root cause.

Next, define the driver:

1: kd> !drivers
Loaded System Driver Summary

Base Code Size Data Size Driver Name Creation Time
80400000 139f40 (1255 kb) 4f3c0 (316 kb) ntoskrnl.exe Tue Dec 07 14:05:26 1999
80062000 ffe0 ( 63 kb) 3d60 ( 15 kb) hal.dll Tue Nov 02 20:14:22 1999
ed410000 1760 ( 5 kb) 1000 ( 4 kb) BOOTVID.dll Wed Nov 03 20:24:33 1999
ed49c000 1b00 ( 6 kb) 680 ( 1 kb) gameenum.sys Sat Sep 25 14:35:57 1999
ed080000 a000 ( 40 kb) 20c0 ( 8 kb) VIDEOPRT.SYS Sat Nov 06 16:55:20 1999
bfdcf000 1d480 ( 117 kb) 7520 ( 29 kb) mga64m.sys Mon Nov 29 20:47:46 1999
bfdbc000 11600 ( 69 kb) 1600 ( 5 kb) el90xnd5.sys Fri Oct 29 17:54:34 1999
ed090000 3a60 ( 14 kb) 5980 ( 22 kb) banshee.sys Fri Oct 29 19:00:56 1999
ed5df000 2e0 ( 0 kb) 4a0 ( 1 kb) audstub.sys Sat Sep 25 14:35:33 1999
ed370000 33e0 ( 12 kb) a40 ( 2 kb) raspti.sys Fri Oct 08 16:45:10 1999
ed0c0000 c5e0 ( 49 kb) 20e0 ( 8 kb) parallel.sys Fri Oct 22 18:00:54 1999
ed5e0000 580 ( 1 kb) 540 ( 1 kb) swenum.sys Sat Sep 25 14:36:31 1999
be552000 72a60 ( 458 kb) 13c40 ( 79 kb) mga64d.dll Tue Nov 30 04:33:19 1999
be113000 36f00 ( 219 kb) 7a20 ( 30 kb) banshee.dll Tue Nov 30 04:31:18 1999
be031000 FFFF ( FF kb) FFFF ( F kb) BADDRIVER.sys Mon Feb 30 23:22:43 2000

TOTAL: 7f8dc0 (8163 kb) 172140 (1480 kb) ( 0 kb 0 kb)

The preceding text indicates that the driver is used by a third-party software package. This driver is most likely the cause of the error. To further investigate this issue, search the Microsoft Knowledge Base for more information. Also, check the file properties with Windows Explorer or by using a Hex editor on the file itself. You can also check the vendor's Web site for any updates or known issues.
Note: If you have any problem relates to Printer you can follow my another blog Computer Printer Repair.

How to Troubleshoot a Stop 0xC0000218 Error Message

In this addition learn about how to troubleshoot (Registry File Failure) error. Windows Based Computer System some time given an error Stop 0xc0000218 (0xe11a30e8, 0x00000000, 0x000000000, 0x00000000) UNKNOWN_HARD_ERROR. In addition discussed about computer support to fix registry file failure. A Stop 0xc0000218 error message means that a necessary registry hive file could not be loaded. This error message can happen if the file is corrupt or missing. To resolve this problem, you can reinstall the operating system and restore the registry files from a backup. The registry files may have been corrupted because of hard disk corruption or some other hardware problem. To resolve this issue follows the steps given below:
1. Start your computer by running the Recovery Console, run the chkdsk /p command on the drive, and then restart your computer. Test to determine whether the issue is resolved. If the issue is resolved, do not complete the remaining steps. If the issue is not resolved, go to step 2.
2. When Windows loads, press SPACE BAR when the "Load Last Known Good" message appears.
3. Complete a parallel installation, and restore the registry files from a tape backup. To do so:
o Reinstall Windows in a separate folder.
o Restore the damaged registry hive from backup. This procedure is specific to the backup application that you used to make a backup. Consult the documentation of your backup application or consult the vendor if you need assistance. Typically, this procedure requires you to restore a system state backup to an alternate location, and then copy the appropriate registry files to the %SYSTEMROOT%\System32\config folder of the damaged operating system.
o If you do not have a tape backup, include the backup of network servers and production workstations.
NOTE: If Windows is stored on a FAT partition, you can restore the files by using another computer and by copying the registry hive files to the %SYSTEMROOT%\System32\Config subfolder.

If computer facing registry error and you facing too much problems you can take help from Microsoft Support Center Articles

Installation Process Of Windows XP

Windows XP operating system is very user friendly for use with computer system. If youi want r to Install Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows NT and later version of XP you can. But mostly people do not know installation process for the windows XP. Mostly computers come new PC already installed Windows XP. But If due to any reason your OS is corrupted and you want to reinstall fresh Windows XP on your computer you can follow the steps of Installation Process of XP.

Installation Process

Installing Windows XP can take up to two hours. To make the process more manageable, it has been broken up into several sections. When you are ready, install Windows XP:

Section 1: Begin the Installation
1. Insert the Windows XP CD into your computer and restart your computer.
2. If prompted to start from the CD, press SPACEBAR. If you miss the prompt (it only appears for a few seconds), restart your computer to try again.

3. Windows XP Setup begins. During this portion of setup, your mouse will not work, so you must use the keyboard. On the Welcome to Setup page, press ENTER.


4. On the Windows XP Licensing Agreement page, read the licensing agreement. Press the PAGE DOWN key to scroll to the bottom of the agreement. Then press F8.

5. This page enables you to select the hard disk drive on which Windows XP will be installed. Once you complete this step, all data on your hard disk drive will be removed and cannot be recovered. It is extremely important that you have a recent backup copy of your files before continuing. When you have a backup copy, press D, and then press L when prompted. This deletes your existing data.

6. Press ENTER to select Unpartitioned space, which appears by default.

7. Press ENTER again to select Format the partition using the NTFS file system, which appears by default.

8. Windows XP erases your hard disk drive using a process called formatting and then copies the setup files. You can leave your computer and return in 20 to 30 minutes.

Section 2: Continue the installation

9. Windows XP restarts and then continues with the installation process. From this point forward, you can use your mouse. Eventually, the Regional and Language Options page appears. Click Next to accept the default settings. If you are multilingual or prefer a language other than English, you can change language settings after setup is complete.
10. On the Personalize Your Software page, type your name and your organization name. Some programs use this information to automatically fill in your name when required. Then, click Next.
11. On the Your Product Key page, type your product key as it appears on your Windows XP CD case. The product key is unique for every Windows XP installation. Then, click Next.
12. On the Computer Name and Administrator Password page, in the Computer name box, type a name that uniquely identifies your computer in your house, such as FAMILYROOM or TOMS. You cannot use spaces or punctuation. If you connect your computer to a network, you will use this computer name to find shared files and printers. Type a strong password that you can remember in the Administrator password box, and then retype it in the Confirm password box. Write the password down and store it in a secure place. Click Next.
13. On the Date and Time Settings page, set your computer’s clock. Then, click the Time Zone down arrow, and select your time zone. Click Next.
14. Windows XP will spend about a minute configuring your computer. On the Networking Settings page, click Next.
15. On the Workgroup or Computer Domain page, click Next.
Section 3: Complete the installation
16. Windows XP will spend 20 or 30 minutes configuring your computer and will automatically restart when finished. When the Display Settings dialog appears, click OK.
17. When the Monitor Settings dialog box appears, click OK.
18. The final stage of setup begins. On the Welcome to Microsoft Windows page, click Next.
19. On the Help protect your PC page, click Help protect my PC by turning on Automatic Updates now. Then, click Next.
20. Windows XP will then check if you are connected to the Internet:
•If you are connected to the Internet, select the choice that describes your network connection on the Will this computer connect to the Internet directly, or through a network? page. If you’re not sure, accept the default selection, and click Next.
•If you use dial-up Internet access, or if Windows XP cannot connect to the Internet, you can connect to the Internet after setup is complete. On the How will this computer connect to the Internet? page, click Skip.
21. Windows XP Setup displays the Ready to activate Windows? page. If you are connected to the Internet, click Yes, and then click Next. If you are not yet connected to the Internet, click No, click Next, and then skip to step 24. After setup is complete, Windows XP will automatically remind you to activate and register your copy of Windows XP.
22. On the Ready to register with Microsoft? page, click Yes, and then click Next.
23. On the Collecting Registration Information page, complete the form. Then, click Next.
24. On the Who will use this computer? page, type the name of each person who will use the computer. You can use first names only, nicknames, or full names. Then click Next. To add users after setup is complete or to specify a password to keep your account private, read Create and customize user accounts.
25. On the Thank you! page, click Finish.
Congratulations! Windows XP setup is complete. You can log on by clicking your name on the logon screen. If you’ve installed Windows XP on a new computer or new hard disk drive, you can now use the File and Settings Transfer Wizard to copy your important data to your computer or hard disk drive.

After logon, take a few minutes to validate your copy of Windows. Validation gives you access to hundreds of free downloads from the Microsoft Download Center. To learn about the new features Windows XP provides, click the Start button, click All Programs, click Accessories, and then click Tour Windows XP. I hope that it is useful for XP users who want to install Windows XP.

Hard disk space required for installing Windows XP SP3 on more than one computer

If you want to install Windows XP SP3 on more than one computer over a local network, you can use the Universal Naming Convention (UNC) mode of installation. Windows XP Installation Process is more typical so it need careful instruction.

To install Windows XP SP3 by using the UNC mode of installation, follow these steps:

1. Copy the contents of the Windows XP SP3 CD to a shared folder on the network.
2. Click Start, click Run.
3. Type cmd, and then press ENTER.
4. At the command prompt, type the following command, and then press ENTER:
windowsxp-kb936929-sp3-x86-enu.exe /x:shared folder name
Note In this command, shared folder name is a placeholder for the folder on the network to which you want to extract Windows XP SP3.
5. Under the shared folder on the network, locate and then double-click the Update folder.

Note The Update folder is located under the i386 folder.
6. Double-click the Update.exe file to install Windows XP SP3.

How to Install Windows 98

If you want to install windows 98 on your computer you have to create partition and then format the disk then you can install Windows XP 98. To install Windows XP 98 follow the steps given below:

1. Insert the Windows 98 Startup disk in the floppy disk drive, and then restart your computer.
2. When the Windows 98 Startup menu is displayed, choose the Start computer with CD-ROM support option, and then press ENTER.
3. If CD-ROM support is provided by the generic drivers on the Startup disk, you receive one of the following messages, where X is the drive letter that is assigned to your CD-ROM drive:
Drive X: = Driver MSCD001

Drive X: = Driver OEMCD001
NOTE: If your CD-ROM drive is not available after you boot from the Windows 98 Startup disk, install the CD-ROM drivers that are included with your CD-ROM drive. For information about how to obtain and install the most current driver for your CD-ROM drive, view the documentation that is included with your device, or contact your hardware manufacturer.

4. Insert the Windows 98 CD-ROM in the CD-ROM drive, type the following command at a command prompt, and then press ENTER
X:\setup
where X is the drive letter that is assigned to your CD-ROM drive.

5. When you receive the following message, press ENTER, and then follow the instructions on the screen to complete the Setup procedure:
Please wait while the Setup initializes. Setup is now going to perform a routine check on your system. To continue press Enter.

If you want to replace windows 98 and want to Install Windows XP it would be easily.

Computer mouse an endangered species support new technology

Analysts are expecting that computer mouse will no longer exist , because more and more computer users are using touch screen , this is very common in mobile phones .

There is also computer support canada technology in which you have to shake the phones or other handheld devices themselves to manipulate them.

Most mobile phone makers are adopting new technology support , nokia , sony ericsson , motorolla

On an iPhone or iPod touch, a user can scroll through album covers by flicking a finger across the screen, or tilt and turn the device to control actions in a game.

This capability support allows system administrators the ability to manage multiple OS’s and push out site wide policy from a single console. Now, users can group Solaris servers by functional commonality, run scans to determine the level of compliancy against industry security standards, automatic compliance configuration as well as run baseline reports to identify changes over time.

Already, hp makes a TouchSmart personal computer with a touch-screen monitor. Apple's new laptop computers have trackpads that support gestures with two, three or four fingers. And also windows 7 will support touch screen feature.

Physically, a mouse consists of a small jude, held under one of the user's hands, with one or more computer buttons. It sometimes support features other elements, such as "wheels", which allow the user to perform various system-dependent operations, or extra buttons or features can add more control or dimensional input.
The history of the mouse dates to 1968, originating at what was then known as Stanford Research Institute.

Source: http://www.newsday.com/technology/ny-bzmous185931842nov18,0,4804792.story

Perry suspends computer services contract

Texas has suspended its contract with IBM because IBM was not able to accurately handle the project which the texas govt has outsourced to IBM.

In a letter to state technology chief Brian Rawson, Perry says IBM "has failed to implement a system of checks and balances that ensures data security." Perry says that's "jeopardizing the ability of state agencies to deliver services to their constituencies."

The huge contract is not being revoked, but Perry spokeswoman Katherine Cesinger says further privatizing shouldn't take place until problems are addressed.

A massive computer crash destroyed thousands of the attorney general's confidential documents. That was after more than 10 state agencies complained about network breakdowns and server backup problems with the state's newly expanded outsourcing of computer optimization services.

Source:http://www.kdbc.com/Global/story.asp?S=9253219&nav=menu608_2

Remote Access Software Can Reduce Help Desk Agent Turnover

According to a recent study, replacing a call center worker costs the equivalent of three to four months of that worker's pay. As Bomgar's remote access software helps increase job satisfaction and can thereby reduce staff turnover and the associated costs, it may enable companies to operate within current budgetary constraints.

The study, conducted by the Global Call Center Network study and published as The Global Call Center Report: International Perspectives on Management Employment, gathered information from nearly 2,500 call centers in 17 countries of varied economic status.

In addition to the information on the cost of replacing a worker, the study found that call centers with low quality jobs have a significantly higher rate of turnover than those with high quality jobs. A high quality job is defined as one in which the worker is able to exercise discretion in the execution of their duties and is held responsible for their performance rather than being micro-managed.

According to the study, the major benefit of discretionary powers is the ability to satisfy a customer's needs and thereby derive a greater sense of accomplishment.

Customers deploying Bomgar's remote access software have consistently reported a higher level of job satisfaction. The agent is able to connect with the end-user within seconds to deliver true on-demand support and, as the agent can see the customer's computer help canada as if it were on his own desk, he is able to resolve problems much more quickly and with a minimum of complexity.

Bomgar's remote access software has enabled companies to realize a reduction in total call times of up to 90%, an increase in first call resolution by 20 - 85%, and a 90% reduction in second tier escalation.

As a result, the end user is able to return to work more quickly, and has enjoyed an outstanding customer experience.

According to the study, turnover rates for call centers with low to very low quality jobs, which describes roughly half those in the U.S., Canada and the UK, are four times higher than centers with high to very high quality jobs -- a significant amount of money is going down the drain.

source: http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/remote-access-software-can-reduce/story.aspx?guid={2A3DA373-BC62-4F36-A599-86C92119A212}&dist=hppr

The Mac Moment: Apple Advice for IT Support Professionals

The Apple iMac, Apple Mac Pro, Apple MacBook Pro and other Macintosh desktops and notebooks are increasingly replacing Windows-based PCs in the enterprise. IT professionals need to know how to provide great Mac support in their organization. In this Knowledge Center article, contributor Ivan Drucker gives the Windows-oriented IT professional some hands-on techniques and advice about how to support the Apple iMac, Apple Mac Pro, Apple MacBook Pro and other Apple technology.

This is the Mac Moment. Five years ago, Macs were still a fringe product for their fans. Today, Mac market share is 8 percent and shows no signs of slowing down. Effective advertising, attractive retail stores, the iPod and the bad rap on Windows Vista canada have millions looking at Macs when they decide that their PCs need replacing, rather than automatically buying another Hewlett-Packard or Dell machine.

What does this mean for you, the IT professional? It means that Macs are coming to your users' desktops, if they aren't there already. And those users will be coming to you for support. Macs in the enterprise have often been treated as second-class citizens, sequestered in the graphics department, a foreign platform to be avoided whenever possible. That isn't going to cut it anymore. Macs are valuable business tools too, despite their "creative" reputation. It's time to make friends.

This article is intended to give the Windows-oriented IT pro some hands-on techniques and advice about Apple technology. We'll look at what Macs do well and not so well. We'll explain how to maintain Macs, how they interact with Windows and other platforms. We'll take a glimpse at Apple's forays into cloud computing and lots more—all to help you get the most out of the Macs in your business. We're not here to sell you on Apple; our purpose is to give you the tools you need to provide great Mac support in your organization.

What is a Mac?

Let's start off by talking about what a Mac is. A modern Mac has hardware that is 99 percent identical to any PC running Windows. In fact, a Mac can run Windows, but we'll discuss that in depth in a future article. Current Macs use Intel Core 2 Duo or Xeon CPUs, standard RAM, hard drives and peripherals, and have most of the same ports and slots you'll find on a PC.

What really makes a Mac a Mac is its operating system, Mac OS X (currently Version 10.5, aka "Leopard"). Mac OS X is actually the most widely used variant of Unix in the world. Unix, of course, is a multiuser operating system that dates back to the early 1970s, so it's tried and tested—a known quantity. Mac OS X is carefully designed to hide its Unix engine from everyday users, but reveals tremendous power when you pop the hood by opening a command shell.

What can Mac OS X do?

Conceptually and functionally, Mac OS X does pretty much the same things that Windows does. It manages files, launches applications, prints, browses networks and so on. The interface is largely similar to Windows, so learning it is not difficult. It's well known that the user interface of Windows was inspired by the Mac and, many years later, Microsoft has repaid the favor by introducing ideas that Apple has adopted. When working with a Mac, keep in mind that it does most of the same things as Windows but it does them a bit differently.

Why would someone want a Mac?

There are many reasons someone in your organization might want to use a Mac. Security is one of the most common. Though new Mac security holes are always discovered (as they are with every platform), malware is still practically nonexistent. There have been no outbreaks to date. Exploits have been theoretical, not in the wild. This doesn't mean that you can afford to be complacent about security with a Mac. But it does mean that there's nothing remotely approaching the teeming hive of dangerous code that exists in the Windows universe. After all, if you wanted to spread your malicious software as far and wide as possible, would you rather attack 90 percent of the world's computers or 8 percent?

Another common reason people get Macs is for their "ease of use." Whether or not Macs are actually easier to use is a matter of opinion, of course. However, you might notice that setting up a wireless network is quick and dependable. Printers on your network just become available for use automatically; you're rarely asked hard-to-answer questions (such as whether or not to replace a given .DLL).

There are also numerous small details intended to make using the computer more pleasing to the user. Why is that important? For the same reason people buy comfortable cars. If I'm using something for 8 hours a day, shouldn't I like it? If your users find the Mac experience a pleasant one, the relationship between the user and the machine is changed. Their computer becomes something to enjoy—not something to deal with. And when your users are happy, your job is easier.

Who usually uses Macs?

Because Macs are often associated with "creative types," graphics, photography departments and other creative departments often do their work on Macs. Though most of the major software titles (such as Adobe Creative Suite) are available for both platforms, users of those applications often prefer Macs. This is, in part, historical: Apple has long been the brand of choice for many creative people. But there are some packages that are only available for Macs (particularly, Apple's own line of professional video and audio production tools).

Finally, there's the "cool factor." You may laugh, but Macs are "in," so people want them. The CEO likes her iPod, and she sees that the guy in the next office just got a Mac and it looks good. She's seen the ads. She's curious about whether they're really easier to use, and she wants the "cool factor." So she decides to give the new platform a try. This is happening all the time and is a phenomenon that didn't exist even two years ago. Macs are in.

PrinterShare Eases Remote Printing Across Operating Systems

Free peer-to-peer printer-sharing tool PrinterShare cuts out the network fiddling and router tweaking necessary to share a printer from, say, a Mac system at home to your Windows PC at work. The PrinterShare system requires signing up each computer on your network and assigning it a name, but once you're set up, sharing and accessing printers is truly simple. Files you send to be printed remotely are encrypted by default, and free accounts print, unfortunately, with a cover sheet that includes an ad. For those trying to make connections between troublesome systems, PrinterShare might save some frustration. Got another, non-ad-supported GUI tool? Share it in the comments. PrinterShare is a free download for Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Update: Vista systems require a UAC work-around for full two-way printing

source: http://www.lifehacker.com.au/tips/2008/09/29/printershare_eases_remote_printing_across_operating_systems-2.html

SmarterTools Products Support Google's Chrome Browser

PHOENIX, Sep 09, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- SmarterTools, Inc. announced that the entire suite of SmarterTools' Web-based software products, SmarterMail mail server, SmarterTrack customer service software, and SmarterStats Web log analytics, support and operate within Google's new Chrome browser platform. Future versions of all three products will be optimized to take full advantage of Chrome's unique features.

Customer's Rely on Portability and Cross Browser Compatibility

"More than 15,000,000 end users worldwide count on our software to communicate and collaborate, manage customer interactions, and report on their online marketing performance," said Tim Uzzanti, CEO of SmarterTools. "SmarterTools is committed to fully support Google's Chrome browser because we believe that end users should not have their Web application options limited by their choice of browser platform."

Worldwide Access

SmarterTools products are designed to be accessed by end users anywhere in the world through popular Web browsers. SmarterMail, SmarterTrack, and SmarterStats are already thoroughly tested and optimized for Microsoft's Internet Explorer, Apple's Safari, Firefox, and Opera. Google, with its sizable existing user base in their core offerings, will no doubt be able to bring a large number of users to the Chrome browser platform. SmarterTools' support of the Chrome browser will ensure that these Google users will have equal access to its enterprise-class Web applications.

Choice is Good

"We imagine a technological future not dominated by one or two controlling mega-technology companies. Web 2.0 (and later) is all about empowerment and choice," continued Mr. Uzzanti. "We see a world where consumers will be able to open virtually any browser on any computer in the world to access SmarterMail, and push email and collaboration to their Apple iPhone, BlackBerry, or other mobile device--and we think this is a good thing."

Microsoft Silverlight and Other Technologies

Although there are concerns in the Web application community about Chrome's lack of compatibility with Microsoft's new Silverlight framework, these issues do not apply to SmarterTools' products because they have been designed from the ground up to support multiple technologies--allowing customers to choose the browser, platform, and charting component that best suits their environment.

source: http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/smartertools-products-support-googles-chrome/story.aspx?guid={4D08B70F-79F6-4410-BAA8-7387E65A698D}&dist=hppr

US firms donate $100,000 to help save Bletchley Park

LONDON — The Americans have joined the campaign to save Bletchley Park, the home of code breaking during the Second World War, as well as of Britain's computing heritage, with IBM and computer security specialist PGP already pledging £57,000 (about $100,000) to secure the facilitys future.

The donation will help restore exhibits at the National Museum of Computing in Bletchley Park, (Buckinghamshire, England).

The two firms said they hoped the money would kick-start further donations from the technology industry to make up an estimated £7million needed to run the museum.

Exhibits include Colossus, thought by many to be the world's first computer.

Today, Bletchley is home to the National Museum of Computing  but a lack of funding has sadly made the facilities fall into a state of decay.

PGP said as an encryption firm, the company has a strong connection to the pioneer work that went on at Bletchley Park. PGP CEO Phillip Dunkelberger said the company also believes the technology industry as a whole owes a huge historical debt to Bletchley Park and has a duty to preserve and protect the site for future generations.

Andy Clark, a director and a trustee at the museum, said he was thrilled by the donation.

"This is a kick-start, these guys are really helping us out by getting us the support of the technology community really for the first time."

He said of the £7 million the museum hoped to raise, about £1million would go towards restoration and curation and the rest would be entrusted to a fund to allow the museum to run without charging an entrance fee.

The British Computer Society had already donated £75,000 and about £50,000 had come through personal donations.

Earlier this year, about 100 academics signed a letter to The Times saying the code-cracking centre, and crucible of the UK computer industry, was being allowed to fall into decay.

Source : http://www.eetimes.com/news/latest/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=210600420

Students targeted by phishing scams

The "foreign dignitary" contacting students via e-mail may not be who he says he is, and probably does not have millions of dollars to give away.

College campuses are prime targets for phishing e-mails, and Illinois State is no exception.

Carla Birckelbaw, director of Computer Infrastructure and Support Services at Illinois State, explained that many e-mails have been sent out claiming to be from "The ILSTU Team."

These phishing e-mails ask students to supply their password in order to verify their account, letting the hackers into the system.

"These attacks are directed at all of ISU, anyone who has an e-mail account," Birckelbaw explained.

"They are smart and they demonstrate that they know about the university in order to gain your trust."

Though she did not know the exact number of students who had succumbed to these predatory schemes, Birckelbaw commented that enough students were sending in their passwords to warrant a serious response from the school.

"Preventing problems like this is a major focus of [Computer Infrastructure and Support Services] security and education," Birckelbaw said.

"In fact, this is our number one priority right now."

Erin Shaw, a sophomore graphic design major, is glad that there are people on-campus working to prevent "phishers" from being successful.

"I hate getting those e-mails because they look so convincing," Shaw said. "I'm glad that someone at ISU cares to inform us about them so that we don't give in."
Birckelbaw offered a few suggestions to help students recognize when they are being scammed.

"On the iCampus home page is an alert feed that will notify students of any recent suspicious activity. The latest information is posted immediately," Birckelbaw said. "If you do receive something suspicious, report it immediately. We can detect these scammers."

"Never give out your password, not even to large corporations like eBay or PayPal," Birckelbaw said. "They will never ask for your password. Legitimate companies cannot ask for that information.

Source: http://media.www.dailyvidette.com/media/storage/paper420/news/2008/09/08/News/Students.Targeted.By.Phishing.Scams-3418501.shtml