Posted on December 23rd, 2008 by Rachel Baker
Being able to access a computer that is in need of support without actually having to be on-site is most used tool of an IT Consultant. Using remote access tools leads to increased number of billable hours as well as decreased response time for clients. Not every issue can be solved remotely, but I like to try whenever possible.
Here are the tools that I use:
- Logmein Free- The connection is fast and easy with no interaction required by the remote user. Sign up for a Logmein account and you can install the free client on as many computers as you like. Works on both PCs and Macs.
- CrossLoop - Crossloop is a simple program that both you and the remote user must have downloaded and installed. With the user giving you a remote access code you can access their machine. PC only.
- Logmein Rescue - No pre-downloaded software needed. Sign up for a paid account ($129/month) and from the technician console you can send clients an email with a link they can click on for support. This is not a cheap option but it has saved me many times from having to make an on-site visit. The console is PC only, but you can support PCs and Macs.
- Windows Remote Desktop - This is the free method I use to remotely access supported servers. To access any machine using Remote Desktop, port 3389 on the firewall will need to forward to the LAN address of the machine you are trying to access.
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Posted on September 16th, 2008 by Rachel Baker
I will admit to being addicted to Twitter. Twitter is a micro-blogging service where you can update your “status” using 140 characters or less.
As an IT Consultant I use Twitter to:
- Read Tech News - I follow ArsTechnica, TechMeme, TechCrunch, and others
- Report technical issues I encounter - Just today I reported an issue I discovered with email for Network Soltuions domain names.
- Ask for help or suggestions with technical issues - When I am stuck with a computer issue and Google is of no help, I like asking my Twitter friends. They will usually have some insight.
- Meet like-minded people - Using the search feature on Twitter or sites like Twellow you can find other Twitter users in your field.
- Help from Vendors - I have received assistance from Comcast and Dell from Twitter. In both instances I was not having any luck resolving an issue via the normal communication channels. I twittered a complaint and received a response offering to help.
- Being social - There are some days when I am out of the office all day at a client holed up in a server room. Twitter gives me a way to stay sane when watching a server patch.
- Free advertising - Twitter is a great way to get your business and expertise known. I have already gotten a few clients just from posting.
You can follow me on Twiiter at http://www.twitter.com/rachelbaker
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Posted on September 9th, 2008 by Rachel Baker
GetData offers a free utility for repairing damaged or corrupted Microsoft Word files. It will work on Microsoft Word 6.0, Word 95, 97, 2000, XP, and 2003 for Windows. Word 2007 for Windows or Office for Mac files are not supported.
Recovering a file takes just 5 easy steps:
- Download WordRepair v1.1
- Run the .EXE file
- Open your corrupted .doc file from within the WordRepair program
- Wait while it retrieves the data from your document
- Save the recovered file as a rich text document to your computer
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Posted on September 8th, 2008 by Rachel Baker
With the recent update to Microsoft’s Genuine Advantage verification for Windows XP, some users are experiencing black screens with notifications telling them that their copy is using a product key that has been flagged as counterfeit. You wouldn’t have to be using a pirated copy of Windows in order to fail the new WGA, your system may be using a product key that has been determined to be fake or possibly stolen.
If this happens, use the Windows Product Key Update Tool to change the product key for your installation of Windows. Most computers that were purchased with Windows XP pre-installed have a sticker with a valid product key on them. If you are an IT Administrator and Microsoft believes your volume license key has been stolen you can contact them for a new one.
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Posted on August 28th, 2008 by Rachel Baker
1. Call or Email them back in a timely manner - This is the top reason I get new clients. They leave their previous IT Consultant because they feel as though their needs are ignored. During a busy day it can be difficult to return all phone calls and emails, but try.
2. Don’t overbook yourself - If you pack your schedule with onsite client visit after onsite client visit you will have no time to attend to any emergencies that can, and will, arise throughout the day. You will also find yourself rushing your work.
3. Give yourself secure remote access to their systems - Being able to log into someone’s server or desktop (with their permission and knowledge, of course) provides the ability to put out small fires very quickly without requiring an on site visit. When someone’s email isn’t flowing and you can provide the fix in 15 minutes you seem like a hero.
4. Tell the truth - Try to keep all of your appointments and your word. If your client is moving to an environment that you don’t feel comfortable supporting, tell them. In the IT Consulting business we are given the highest level of access to companies information, your clients have to trust you.
5. Enjoy what you do - No one likes talking or dealing with grumpy people. When you are passionate about your work it shows.
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Posted on August 23rd, 2008 by Rachel Baker
When working on someone else’s computer you will often come across instances where passwords to access vpn connections, email, routers, files, etc are hidden and have long been forgotten due to the “Remember my password” checkbox. There is a way to reveal the password that is masked from you behind the dots or asterisks.
I use the freeware utility Asterisk Key to show the masked passwords for websites and other login boxes. Install the program and run Asterisk Key with the login box where you wish to have the hidden password revealed. You will receive your answer in a few seconds. Just be sure to write down the password for the future.
Download Asterisk Key
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Posted on July 28th, 2008 by Rachel Baker
IPJudo is a suite of eight TCP/IP tools for a PC.
My favorite of the tools is LAN. LAN will scan your subnet and will show you the IP addresses of any network connected device. This is very useful for finding the local IPs of firewalls, routers, etc.
Some other tools that I have found useful for troubleshooting network issues are:
Netstat-Quick and simple process and port information
iSpeed-Speed test
GeoRoute-Graphical traceroutes
Ping-Graphical ping tool
They have a no-install .exe version that I just leave on my desktop. There is a 60 day trial, after 60 days it is $19.95 for personal use or $29.95 for business use.
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Posted on July 15th, 2008 by Rachel Baker
Posted on July 8th, 2008 by Rachel Baker
| The thought of losing clients data keeps me up at night. When something does go wrong I need to know that I will be able to get the server back up and running with minimal data loss as quickly as possible.
Recently, R-Drive has become a disk imaging tool that I cannot live without. R-Drive is a $45 application that will image disks or partitions. You can even mount the backups and restore folders or a single file.
R-Drive along with a USB drive or NAS is a great for making everyday or just emergency backups. If I am working on a server to install Windows patches, or install a new application, or do some hardware maintenance I feel much better knowing that with a disk image I can restore the operating system much quicker than any other backup method.
There are other disk imaging tools out there, but if your client doesn’t have the money to spend on the bloated Symantec System Recovery I recommend R-Drive.
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Posted on July 2nd, 2008 by Rachel Baker
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As more and more users are seductively lured into buying an Apple to replace their old Windows machine I found myself needing to be "Apple Ready." I had an old clamshell mac notebook that wasn’t exactly equivalent to the modern Apple machines. I have been able to in the past get through helping the occasional mac client with a problem here or there, but I would often take twice as long to fix a minor issue than I should have. I needed to get better.
It was the new Bootcamp feature of Leopard that really sold me. I make my living primarily by supporting Windows workstations and servers. Carrying around a laptop that only ran an Apple operating system was just not an option for me. Primarily because Remote Desktop Connection, how I remotely connect to the servers I support, on the Mac doesn’t work as well for me as it does in Windows. I bought a 15" Macbook Pro and must say that I love it!
I did install Windows XP onto it and use the Windows partition probably about 75% of the time. I do enjoy using the Leopard partition more and more everyday. Most importantly, I can now support the growing number of my clients that are switching to Macs.
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