No power on: 

This is used to describe a laptop or desktop where the power LED lights do not display and there is no image on the screen. For a laptop, a broken charger connector, failed motherboard,  failed power supply or dead battery will prevent startup. Test using a replacement charger and battery.

For a desktop, a failed motherboard or failed internal power supply will prevent power on. Some desktop/tower computers also have a power switch on the back of the computer that must be turned on in addition to the front panel power switch.

For desktop computers and servers connected to a “UPS” (uninterruptible power supply) the UPS unit relies on the internal battery power to start unit, even when there is sufficient utility power from an outlet. When a UPS cannot be turned on, this is an indication the internal batteries are failed and require replacement.

Power on, no video:

This is used to describe a laptop or desktop where the power LED lights indicate that the computer is turned on but nothing displays on the screen. For a laptop, power on without any image on the screen can be caused by a failed CCFL backlight inverter or failed LCD panel.

For a desktop, when no image is present on the screen, the screen may be failed. Also, a loose power cord or monitor cable may prevent an image from displaying. Test by replacing with a known good working monitor.

When a computer is using both the Hibernate and Standby power saving options, it is possible for a computer to first go into standby mode and then hibernate and shutdown. This can result in a blank screen when the computer resumes from Hibernate, and then fails to resume from standby mode, leaving the user with a black screen and no cursor.  This can be resolved by forcing a shutdown by holding down the power button for more than 4 seconds and then turning the computer back on.

Power on, scrambled video: 

This is commonly seen on laptops with a cracked LCD panel. LCD panel replacement is required. This is rarely seen on desktops but occurs where there is bad video memory or a failing video card.

Power on, Windows XP restarts:

The default behavior in Windows XP is to restart when there is an error that stops Windows from working. The result is that Windows will briefly flash a blue screen with white writing, and then restart the computer. The restarting can be caused by a bad motherboard, overheating CPU, failing RAM memory, hard disk drive error, virus, or corrupt NTFS file system.

Any of these problems will generate a Windows stop code 0x7B, preventing Windows from starting up until the problem is diagnosed and resolved. The automatic restart option can be disabled to allow display the stop error code, which will aid in diagnosing the type of problem.

Power on, Windows Vista/7/8 startup repair:

Windows Vista/7/8 try to perform a startup repair that checks for common problems and tries to fix them. This startup repair can take 5-20 minutes and will restart Windows when finished attempting the repairs. For problems including overheating, failed components, bad RAM, virus and hard disk drive error, the startup repair will not resolve the startup failure and Windows will continually repair and restart until the problem is diagnosed and resolved.

Instead, they plan to stop issuing security fixes to Windows XP in April 2014. It is possible and likely this deadline will be extended, and its also likely that Microsoft may issue security fixes for problems that significantly affect large groups of Windows XP users. The best course of action is to begin upgrading or replacing Windows XP computers to Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8.

There are no direct upgrades from Windows XP to Windows 7/8; instead, computers must first be upgraded from XP to Vista, and then from Vista to Win7 and then Win8. Performing an upgrade preserves all programs, data and settings, replacing only the operating system files.

When changing to a 64-bit version of Windows Vista/7/8, there is no upgrade path available. Instead, a new copy of Windows must be installed, requiring all applications to be re-installed. The previous version of Windows can be retained and the computer can be dual-booted to allow switching between versions of Windows on restart.

Writing a computer disaster recovery plan starts with deciding if failures will be treated on a system or component level. For example, a desktop computer can either be entirely replaced or repaired by diagnosing the failing component. Generally, the most failure prone part of any system are the moving parts. In computers, these items include fan motors and hard disk drive motors.

Part of a disaster plan for computers and phones should also include a maintenance plan. Many of the internal disasters that happen to a business computer system are a result of delayed or overlooked maintenance. Common maintenance items include:

• software updates: weekly or monthly.
• fan cleaning: annually
• hard drives: test annually, with replacement every 5 years or 50,000 power-on hours.
• UPS batteries: test monthly, replace every 2-4 years.

Workstation and laptop hard drives:

Every computer has an internal hard drive that stores all of the programs and data. Hard drives can fail in many ways, either gradually or suddenly without warning. In addition, they are susceptible to viruses and software malfunctions that can disable a station or entire network.

For workstation backup, we recommend installing a second internal hard drive or connecting a USB backup drive and using Ghost to create a single off-line mirror image, or Novastor backup software to create multiple compressed backup files while the system is in use.

While newer solid state storage devices (SSD’s) are more reliable, they are still subject to failure for different reasons. For laptops, replacing a hard disk drive with an SSD provides improved protection from shock and movement damage. When upgrading an existing computer from hard disk drive to solid state storage, retaining the original hard drive along with the SSD can be a useful and effective way to provide a second drive for backup storage in each station.

We recommend Novastor Professional workstation backup software, since it includes all of the features necessary for disaster recovery, including: open file backup, compressed backup files, scheduled backups, bare metal disaster recovery and e-mail notification.

For the ultimate in workstation recovery, Novastor can be configured to copy all files from a primary drive to a secondary drive, along with storing image recovery files in a folder on the secondary drive. The backup copy option ensures the secondary drive is immediately usable during a primary drive failure, while the additional backup files can be valuable for restoring missing or corrupt files.

Server hard drives:

Windows 2000/2003/2008 server software includes disk mirroring as an option. Disk mirroring requires two hard drives. Data is saved to both hard drives simultaneously, but can be read back from the drives separately (called “split seeks”) for improved performance. This provides protection from both disk errors and disk failure in a single drive.

While many high-end servers include hardware features for RAID disk mirroring or striping, we recommend avoiding them due to their complexity. Hardware RAID features also mask the SMART attributes on a hard drive, making it difficult or impossible to diagnose or predict a failing hard drive.

When planning the backup of a server, image backups will provide a faster restore better suited to rebuilding an entire server. Individual file backup will permit restoring files but requires more work when rebuilding a system from an empty hard drive, also known as a bare metal disaster recovery.

In additional to a local USB backup drive that remains connected to the server, we recommend two additional portable USB drives that can be exchanged and removed off-site. These portable drives maintain a copy of all of the backup files.

While off-site backup is possible using an Internet connection, these services create a recurring cost and rely on overnight shipping using a USB hard drive when a full system restore is required.

Backup monitoring:

Backup systems should be regularly monitored for failure. Frqeuently, backup systems are found to have stopped working without notice, resulting in wider data loss. Choosing backup software that provides an e-mail notification is a valuable method for monitoring a backup. In addition to reporting, the actual backup files should be checked to confirm the creation date and size.  Significant changes in backup size or duration should be investigated.

Spare computer systems:

Every office should have at least one spare computer and monitor, so that when an existing computer fails and is removed for repair, the spare can be setup as a replacement.

Internal phone systems:

Traditional phone systems rely on a controller or “PBX unit” that is subject to wear and failure. Having a single “POTS” jack available near the phone controller, along with a long cable and handset, can provide a simply and effective work-around to receiving calls while a phone controller is being repaired.  In addition, we recommend connecting phone systems to a battery backed UPS to provide power to run the phone system during an outage.

For newer VOIP phones and service, the phones are frequently powered using a Power-Over-Ethernet switch, so connecting both the POE switch and Internet connection (router and Internet service) to a UPS is necessary to provide phone service during a power outage.

We recommend avoiding the use of POE switches, since they are much more expensive than regular Ethernet switches. They typically run warm and have multiple fans due to their high power output, requiring a larger UPS and additional cooling.  POE switches are also a significant single point of failure, disabling all phones and computers when they fail.

For existing systems that already have a POE switch, a good disaster plan includes power transformers with battery backup (UPS) for important phones, such as a reception desk.

External phone service:

For traditional analog phone service, an external failure can be caused by an equipment outage at the telephone company central office (CO) or in the lines between the CO and phone system. In either case, phone companies are generally aware of these outages immediately, since the circuits are monitored for disruption. While re-routing phone service to a cell phone or voice mail is possible, there can be delays of up to 24 hours for the phone company to process these requests.  We recommend contacting your telephone service provider to review the available options for handling outages in advance of a failure.

Voice-over-IP service (VoIP):

VOIP services rely on an Internet connection instead of a traditional central office for communication. While an Internet outage can disable both voice and data, many VoIP systems include a “network availability number” feature. The VoIP provider can automatically re-direct incoming phone calls to designated phone number, ensuring no calls are lost.

VoIP systems can also be configured to automatically send incoming calls to voice mail when there is an excessive number of incoming calls or unavailable additional lines. These options can usually be found in the web page control panel provided by the VoIP provider.

Web sites:

In addition to backing up the files from a web-site, a common point of failure is the zone file. This is a configuration file that stores names and IP addresses for all of the Internet options for a domain. Zone files can easily become defaulted during a system upgrade, resulting in e-mail and web-site outages.

Simply printing a copy of the zone file can be invaluable in restoring e-mail and web-sites during an outage.  This can be done using a zone file utility, or by request from the hosting provider.

E-mail can be stored locally in an office, either on a workstation (typically Microsoft Outlook) or a server. Generally, a backup of the e-mail files is included in any full system backup.

When e-mail is accessed using IMAP4 or web-mail from an external mail server or service (such as Gmail, Yahoo, MSN, etc.) it can be more difficult to arrange a replacement service or restore missing data.

Here are some tips on how to become a better anti-virus user:

Start by treating all new and unrecognized e-mail as fake. Whether an e-mail comes from a known friends e-mail address or a corporation, it can be a fake message.

Watch for multiple extensions on attachments. When an attachment to an e-mail has a compound filename with multiple extensions, its a sure sign its a fake. For example, an attachment named “readme.pdf.exe” is actually an executable file due to the .EXE extension, and not a PDF that would be opened with Acrobat.

Preview e-mail links by pointing to them with the mouse, rather than clicking on them to see what web-site they display. Clicking will launch the web page and start the virus installation, but pointing to a link will reveal the destination and help identify a fake web-site.

2012 totals:

630 pounds of computers.
1509 pounds of computer components.
718 pounds of small electronic equipment.
104 pounds of televisions.

Total collected: 2961 pounds.

We have the capability to collect far more, so we’ll continue to encourage anyone to bring in their computers and televisions for recycling.

However, Java software is also a frequent source of virus problems. Virus software programs will exploit and take advantage of features or limitations in the Java software, allowing a program to jump from a web-site and take control of a PC. This results in advertising or malware software infecting a PC.

Because Java software is widely used and installed on hundreds of millions of computers, it is the prime source of attacks by virus programmers.

What makes the Java exploit more significant than other problems is that the software and instructions for exploiting Java are available to rogue programmers in the form of an exploit kit. This kit allows a rogue programmer to add their particular virus or advertising to the exploit software. Rather than a single programmer discovering a software loophole and exploiting it for their own use, the Java exploit kits allow a wider group of rogue programmers to quickly unleash their malware.

Use these tips for avoiding a Java exploit problem:

1. Update Java often and run the latest version.
2. Remove old versions of Java using Windows add/remove programs.
3. Avoid clicking on advertisements or fake warning messages when visiting web pages.
4. Use Malwarebytes to scan and remove files that interfere with web browsing but aren’t detected by anti-virus software.

Unfortunately, Java software doesn’t remove older versions, so updating Java doesn’t always provide protection from viruses that exploit previously installed or older versions of Java. Using Windows add/remove programs (inside Control Panel) provides an option to list and remove older versions of Java software.

Java software for your computer, or the Java Runtime Environment, is also referred to as the Java Runtime, Runtime Environment, Runtime, JRE, Java Virtual Machine, Virtual Machine, Java VM, JVM, VM, or Java download. Any of these names may be listed in the Windows add/remove programs and should be removed, leaving only one copy of Java.

Use this link to get the latest version of Java: http://www.java.com/en/download/index.jsp

Removing Java entirely is not recommended, since it will prevent many web-sites from working properly.

All offers to find out who unfriended you on FaceBook are fake. Clicking them will install advertising or fake anti-virus software. Also, there is no feature in Facebook that will tell you if or when someone removed you as a friend.

2. Never carry a laptop with the cords connected.

Moving a laptop with the power cord connected will bend and break the power jack inside the laptop, leading to charging failure and a costly motherboard repair. Unplug a laptop before moving it.

3. Never put a laptop in your luggage.

When travelling with a laptop computer, always carry it on the plane with you. When a laptop is stored inside luggage, the glass LCD screen will crack as other luggage is stacked on top.

1. Shutdown and restart the computer
2. Press F8 repeatedly before Windows starts loading; choose Safe mode for startup.
3. In safe mode, right-click on the System Protection desktop icon and choose the “find target” selection.
4. The “find target” selection will open a file manager window listing the numbered folder with the numbered System Protection program files.
5. Delete all three files in the folder and use the “up folder” icon to go up a level and remove the numbered folder created by the System Protection software.
6. Delete any remaining icons for System Protection from the desktop and start menu.

The System Protection software is a fake repair utility that will display spurious warnings and fake scans. Do not accept any of the reports this software produces. The software is installed as a result of clicking on links inside a fake e-mail message. To avoid receiving fake e-mail messages, we recommend using Cloudmark Desktop anti-spam software for protection.

The first clue of a fake e-mail is the sender e-mail address. For the Facebook e-mail, the sender address name was “Facebook” but the e-mail address was “notification+oar81v5njwoo@logical.it.” The key thing to focus on is the domain name, where logical.it is not related to Facebook.

The second clue of a fake e-mail is the link destination. Pointing to the icons and links inside the e-mail reveals that the destination address is not a Facebook address but a different address. This confirms that the e-mail is a fake and will lead to advertising or malware software. Even the “unsubscribe” link is fake, pointing to the same address as the “1 friend request link.”

All four service providers are known as “MNO” (mobile network operators) that own the cell phone towers and equipment. They also have comparably high rates, typically starting at a minimum of $69 per month or more when combining voice and data.

For a comprehensive list of US mobile providers, visit Wikipedia.com.

Due to market de-regulation, a new type of cell phone provider now exists, known as an “MVNO” — mobile virtual network operator. An MVNO leases access from an existing cellphone system, such as Sprint, and then resells the service at a lower price. We found www.Ting.com to be an excellent MVNO, providing very low cost service using the Sprint system with a wide range of Android handsets.

Ting.com requires purchase of a phone from their web-site. They have both basic phones and refurbished smart phones for under $100, along with a wide range of new smart phones at higher prices. Phones are sold only with the manufacturer warranty; there is no extra coverage for damage or accidents. Ting.com does co-ordinate warranty returns, so a malfunctioning phone will get replaced under warranty.

Their monthly service rate uses a full credit system, so that unused time is rolled into the next month, while overages are charged at the next discount level rather than at a penalty rate. All service is done through their well designed web-site. As of October 2012, they do not support or sell iPhones, but they have a wide range of Android phones that include support for 3G and LTE high speed data.

Ting.com counts all minutes; there are no free minutes. Calls between Ting.com users (for example, family members) gets counted on both sides; caller and receiver. This means a 30-minute call between two ting.com users results in 60 minutes of account usage time. This can result in higher usage than plans that offer free calling between users or free nights and weekends.

However, their rate plans don’t have a usage penalty, so increasing minutes are charged at a lower rate. Above 5000 minutes per month, additional time is charged at 2-cents per minute, which is far better than the 45-cents per minute penalty rate charged by the big four “MNO” providers.

Regarding coverage, phones using Ting.com roam free of charge on the Verizon network where Sprint service is unavailable. However, data service is not available when roaming. Data service requires either Sprint service or local wi-fi (wireless B/G/N.)

Order service from Ting.com and get a $25 first month credit.

We also evaluated another new MVNO service, Republic Wireless. They offer a flat-rate, unlimited service plan for $19/month that also requires phone purchase. Unlike Ting.com, they offer only one phone, the Motorola DEFY XT. They also do not offer wi-fi hotspot or laptop tethering on their phones.

Instead, they have custom designed their Android phone software to utilize any available wi-fi signal to route phone calls using VoIP over the Internet. This helps reduce the Sprint cellular service usage. Their unlimited service is best suited to a high volume cell phone user that is frequently near a home or office wireless B/G/N (wi-fi) signal.