Posts Tagged ‘Teltek IT Services’

Ask The Teltek Tekspert – How Do I Test My Bandwidth?

Thursday, May 2nd, 2013

 

Question

Charles in Baltimore, MD asks:

My computer at home seems very slow and a friend told me it could be a bandwidth problem. What is bandwidth and how can I find out if this is what’s causing the issue?

Bandwidth is defined as the maximum data transfer rate of a network or Internet connection. It measures how much data can be sent over a specific connection in a given amount of time. (TechTerms.com)

To find out if you are receiving the amount of bandwidth you are paying for, test this online. I recommend Speed Test to accomplish this. It is free, fast and easy to use. This service performs over 50 million tests every month. If you create an account on the Speed Test site, you can log in to test your bandwidth and then compare that to previous tests you have done to see a history.

Go to http://www.speedtest.net/. You will see a laptop graphic in the middle of the home screen with a green “Begin Test” button. When you click on that button, a large speedometer appears and your ISP (Internet Service Provider) is identified. In our case, it’s Comcast Business Communications. Then the test begins. Your computer will be tested for ping, upload and download speeds and you will be shown the results when the test is complete. Compare these to the speeds you were promised by your ISP.

You are given the opportunity to share the test results via Twitter or Facebook. Results can also be shared by copying the url and pasting it into an email.

For more tips and advice on how to ensure that your internet connection is as fast and secure as possible, call Teltek IT! We would be happy to come to your home or business for a site survey to evaluate your equipment, configuration and other factors.

Teltek is proud to offer IT services as the fourth component to our multi-systems approach as your single source technology services company. This Managed Service Provider (MSP) offering completes our longstanding goal to provide our clients with a one-call resource for all of their business technology needs. IT outsourcing, remote back up and disaster recovery, helpdesk support, computer network relocations, security products and server/desktop virtualization are just a few of the services now available.

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Dell Announces End Of Support For Some SonicWALL Products

Thursday, May 2nd, 2013

Dell recently released a 60-Day Notification regarding some of their SonicWALL products. Support will end for Gen4 (and older) firewalls on July 1, 2013.

What does this mean if you are currently using a SonicWALL firewall? It means that after July 1st, you will no longer be able to receive technical support, software or firmware updates or hardware replacement from Dell or other vendors for these specific products.

Please refer to the chart below to see if your SonicWALL product will be affected by this notice:

 

Sonicwall chart

 

All Gen4 firewalls that are covered under a Comprehensive GMS support contract are subject to this End of Support date. For Gen4 firewalls covered under a stand-alone support contract, Dell SonicWALL will honor the support contract until its expiration date, even if that date extends beyond July 1, 2013.

End of Support is also planned for the TZ 180 and TZ 190 series of firewalls. Sometimes referred to as “Gen4.5″ products, the TZ 180 Series and TZ 190 Series continued to be sold after the products listed above were no longer available to purchase. Therefore, the End of Support date for these particular products is July 1, 2014.

 

If your firewall can be found in this chart, please call Teltek IT as soon as possible so we can evaluate your situation and get a plan in place before July. To maintain the integrity and security of your system, it would be best to either replace or upgrade your firewall well before July 1st, but we would be happy to conduct a site survey of the equipment at your office and review all options with you.

 

Teltek is proud to offer IT services as the fourth component to our multi-systems approach as your single source technology services company. This Managed Service Provider (MSP) offering completes our longstanding goal to provide our clients with a one-call resource for all of their business technology needs. IT outsourcing, remote back up and disaster recovery, helpdesk support, computer network relocations, security products and server/desktop virtualization are just a few of the services available.

As a Microsoft Certified Partner and Dell Registered Partner, Teltek has the knowledge and resources necessary to keep your computer network and IT infrastructure current and functioning efficiently with the personalized service Teltek clients have grown to admire. With office locations in Baltimore, Bethesda and Westminster, Maryland, we serve clients across MD, DC and VA.

 

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Upgrade Windows XP And Other Microsoft Programs Before Support Ends In 2014

Tuesday, April 16th, 2013

You have a full year to prepare for this, but Microsoft support of Windows XP SP3 and other programs ends April 8, 2014. After this date, no new patches or bug fixes will be issued.

Windows XP isn’t the only Microsoft product that will cease to be maintained. Internet Explorer 6 on XP, Office 2003, Exchange Server 2003 and Exchange Server 2010 Service Pack 2 are also on the list of programs with support ending

According to Microsoft’s web site, there will be no new security updates, non-security hotfixes, free or paid assisted support options or online technical content updates following the deadline. Since the average enterprise deployment can take 18 to 32 months, it would be best to begin the upgrade process ASAP.

Some companies are planning to continue using these programs after 2014. While the reasons for upgrading clearly outweigh the reasons not to, the expense and learning curve could prevent widespread stoppage of program usage.

A year from now, help will be hard to find no matter where you look. When Microsoft drops support, so will outside vendors, so users will be left high and dry in the event questions or problems arise.

Users who continue to utilize this software will be more susceptible to hackers, who will have plenty of time to find vulnerabilities in the programs and exploit them. With no upgrades or patches in sight, they will have free reign to wreak havoc. If you plan to continue usage, it would be wise to make sure you have all the proper intrusion protection measures in place to protect yourself.

If you are currently using any of these programs, call Teltek IT today! The sooner we can consult with you, the better off your company will be. We will evaluate your business practices and equipment, identify any vulnerabilities in your system and find a solution.

Should you choose to deploy a new program, we will guide you through that process and make it as easy for you and your employees as possible. As a Microsoft Certified Partner, Teltek has the knowledge and resources to keep your computer network and IT infrastructure current and functioning efficiently with the personalized service Teltek clients have grown to admire.

Teltek is proud to offer IT services as the fourth component to our multi-systems approach as your single source technology services company. This Managed Service Provider (MSP) offering completes our longstanding goal to provide our clients with a one-call resource for all of their business technology needs. IT outsourcing, remote back up and disaster recovery, helpdesk support, computer network relocations, security products and server/desktop virtualization are just a few of the services available.

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Ask The Teltek Tekspert – Need For Speed

Thursday, February 21st, 2013

Question

Barbara from Harrisbug, PA asks:

My PC is running much slower than usual. Is there something wrong? How do I get the processing speed back?

A slow computer can signal a number of problems. Here are a few steps to get the Mach back in your machine:

Diagnose the Problem: Run a diagnostic tool such as Soluto, Hiren’s BootCD or SIW. These tools will identify the source of your slowness so you can take action. Google is also a great resource for this. Type in your issue and see what Google finds!

Check for Viruses: Typically, a virus is not the problem, but if you don’t have antivirus software running already, you can download Microsoft Security Essentials software for no charge. Something you want to consider though, antivirus software may be the cause of your computer’s lethargy, so make sure the antivirus software you are running is fast.

Ensure all Software is Updated: Software updates include fixes and improvements. If you fall behind on updates, your programs may not be running as effectively as possible.

Delete Your Cookies: Web cookies are small text files that are stored on your computer’s browser directory or program data subfolders and allow your browser and websites to track your browsing sessions and save certain useful information, such as account names and passwords, for later retrieval. Getting rid of cookies can save space and increase speed. Go to Google and search for how to do this based on your operating system.

Reduce Web Page History: Internet Explorer stores an archive of all Web sites you have visited. If it gets too big, the browser will be slowed. Microsoft recommends keeping no more than a week’s worth of Web history.

Disable Unused Applications or Add-Ons: To disable add-ons, go to the Internet Explorer option Tools -> Manage Add-ons. Other browsers have similar configuration controls. Please see our previous blog on bloatware and how to get rid of it.

Defragment your Computer: You can find the tool in your Control Panel. Run it monthly for optimum speed.

Free up some Space: A disk that’s running out of space can slow Windows significantly. Run the Disk Cleanup tool to remove Internet cache files, clear the Recycling Bin and delete unused programs. You should also delete emails, photos and videos you no longer need. As a general rule, keep 10% of the disk space unused.

If you are still not able to get your speed back, call Teltek! Our certified engineers can inspect your machine and figure out what is getting in the way of optimum performance.

Teltek is proud to offer IT services as the fourth component to our multi-systems approach as your single source technology services company. This Managed Service Provider (MSP) offering completes our longstanding goal to provide our clients with a one-call resource for all of their business technology needs. IT outsourcing, remote back up and disaster recovery, helpdesk support, computer network relocations, security products and server/desktop virtualization are just a few of the services now available.

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Ask The Teltek Tekspert – Do I Need To Delete Unused Software?

Wednesday, January 2nd, 2013

 

Rudolph in North East, MD asks:

My computer has all kinds of applications and programs I don’t use and some that I never even wanted. Should I delete whatever I don’t need or just leave it alone?

The start of a new year is a great time to do some virtual housekeeping. Computers, phones and other devices are often bogged down with what is know as “bloatware” or extra, unused applications that take the form of games and apps intended to assist you with everything from predicting the weather to navigating the world. At a time when many of us are feeling bloated from too many cookies and glasses of wine enjoyed over the holidays, both humans and machines could benefit from having a little less extra.

Most bloatware is pre-installed on devices by the manufacturer who is often paid by software vendors to push basic versions of their products in hopes that the end user will be wooed into purchasing the full versions. Urban Dictionary defines bloatware as follows; “A piece of software, hardware or website that attempts to do too much and becomes utterly useless for users. An example of bloatware would be a word processing application that also tries to be your page layout program, drawing tool, and web browser; absorbing half your hard drive and all your RAM in the process.”

Unused applications can take up valuable memory and could conflict with other applications. Some retailers will elimate the bloatware for a fee, but with a few simple steps, you can shed much of it yourself and you will be left with a leaner, less cluttered and faster machine!

1. Take Inventory: If you haven’t used it, you probably don’t need it; take stock of what you have and if you have not used a certain program or application in a long time, it can probably go the way of the dinosaurs.

2. Find Suitable Replacements: it’s not always about giving the boot to programs you don’t need, sometimes you can find an application that performs the same function, but takes up less RAM. In some situations, Microsoft Outlook can be replaced by Thunderbird and iTunes can be dropped in favor of DoubleTwist.

3. Enlist the Decrapifier: PC Decrapifier (www.pcdecrapifier.com) is a free program that can remove unwanted programs and trial offers on your PC. It will list the programs and then prompt you to select which ones to kick to the curb.

4. Start At the Beginning: If only it were always this easy. Go to Start > Control Panel > Uninstall a Program and you will see a list of all the programs you’ve installed on your computer and you can select the ones to go.

5. For Really Stubborn Ones: A few programs will not have uninstall options or the uninstall feature is unresponsive. In these cases, you can boot the PC into Safe mode by holding down the F8 key after you power on the computer. Look for the offending program in Add or Remove Programs (XP) or Programs and Features (Vista) and try to uninstall it.

6. Wipeout as a last resort: If none of the other tips has solved your bloatware problem, another option is to erase your hard drive and reinstall Windows. WipeDrive removes data by overwriting it with random information. This tool will erase everything on the drive, so back up what you need to a disc or an external drive and make sure you have the discs for the operating system before wiping so you can reinstall them on the clean hard drive.

7. Call Teltek IT! Our expert technicians are here to help you and your devices slim down for 2013. Bring us your machine and we’ll take out the stuff you no longer need.

Teltek is proud to offer IT services as the fourth component to our multi-systems approach as your single source technology services company. This Managed Service Provider (MSP) offering completes our longstanding goal to provide our clients with a one-call resource for all of their business technology needs. IT outsourcing, remote back up and disaster recovery, helpdesk support, computer network relocations, security products, computer repair and server/desktop virtualization are just a few of the services available.

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Ask The Teltek Tekspert – When Can I Dispose Of Old Hardware?

Tuesday, June 12th, 2012

Many of Teltek’s customers ask questions that are universal inquiries, topics that affect nearly everyone. When we receive queries like these, we will address them in this column so all readers can benefit from the advice we provide to our customers.

Veronica in Washinton DC asks:

“Recently, we upgraded our computer equipment and we are preparing for an office relocation. Our Office Manager wants to dispose of as much unnecessary hardware as possible prior to our move. I told him I didn’t think we needed any of the old equipment.  Could you please verify this? Also what will we do with the old computers, hard drives etc?”

Answer: You will not need to keep any of the old hardware once all of the data has been migrated. However, you will want to ensure that you keep it long enough to make sure everything migrates properly and also that the hard drive is properly erased or destroyed before disposing of the computers that the new equipment is replacing. We can take care of everything from data migration to hard drive wiping for you. As far as actual disposal is concerned, there are authorized recycling centers that are specifically equipped to properly salvage what can be reused and safely eliminate the rest. Teltek can facilitate the proper disposal of your unwanted equipment.

Do you have a question for the Teltek Tekspert? Contact us today!

Teltek is proud to offer IT services as the fourth component to our multi-systems approach as your single source technology services company. This Managed Service Provider (MSP) offering completes our longstanding goal to provide our clients with a one-call resource for all of their business technology needs. IT outsourcing, remote back up and disaster recovery, helpdesk support, computer network relocations, security products and server/desktop virtualization are just a few of the services now available.

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What Exactly Is Total Care Assurance?

Friday, February 17th, 2012

Teltek’s new IT Service offerings are part of the package we like to call Total Care Assurance. We thought it would be helpful to define what it means to Teltek so there’s no ambiguity about it.

Total Care Assurance is one-stop technology support for the systems your office relies upon to stay in contact with co-workers, clients and your strategic partners. It’s a multi-system approach that includes your phone system, cabling, voice & data carriers, network support, disaster recovery, etc.

This graphic displayed on our Total Care Assurance page sums it up best:

Teltek IT Services is at the center with all of the systems it supports radiating out. Think of it like this; Teltek is the sun and the various aspects of your technology are the planets. Does it make sense to leave the solar system for tech support? Not if it’s available locally and delivers consistent and expert upgrades and repairs with stellar customer service!

Our process begins with an in-depth analysis of your existing technology, future business plans and budget. Then we determine how frequently your business should have an onsite preventive maintenance visit. Next, primary and secondary technicians and project managers are assigned to you and we document the details of your network, settings and preferences. Finally, all systems and software are upgraded to a manageable level and your ongoing support begins.

Trust Teltek to manage all of your technology to eliminate confusion and save time and energy. For a free consultation, contact Teltek IT Services today!

 

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