May 2011 - How to backup and restore your files

These days data is critical to the daily operation of your business. It is vital that you always have access to a backup of the most current data possible.
There was a case in Christchurch in February where a large corporate only had data backed up from a week earlier – can you imagine how much work they would have/could have lost? Just consider all the sales / purchases / information that you and your company entered into the computer system yesterday – how would you cope if you lost it? Here are some tips to ensure you have all bases covered.

• AUTOMATION
  Ensure you have an automated daily backup – and make sure it is backing up everything needed. PST (email) files are often missed.
  Murphy’s Law says it always going to be on the day you forgot to backup that you really need it. 

• OFFSITE
  Your backup needs to be physically away from the data you’re protecting. There is no point having the backup in your hand bag if there is a massive earthquake, and likewise – your laptop backup won’t help if it’s kept in your laptop bag! Try keeping a backup at someone’s home or secure location, and then have one that is transported between the two.

• ROTATION
  You need to ensure that you are not using the same drive to backup each day. Using multiple drives means you can access backup as far back as your rotation allows, meaning your data is safer for longer. Click here to see a template for a recommended monthly backup rotation. 

• CONFIRM AND TEST RESTORE
  Check your backup status each day to ensure it is being completed each night. It could be showing errors that some files may be being skipped due to file size/type. If you have a NEOS Support Agreement then we take care of this for you. It is also vital that you do a test restore every now and then to check the backup is working correctly, and you are not missing any fundamental files that will prevent you from doing a full restore. 

• NEOS ONLINE BACKUP
  The other option you have is the new NEOS Online Backup solution. This will all be taken care of for you, and multiple copies will be encrypted and saved in both Wellington and Auckland data centres.
  It is a cost effective solution that is just based on the amount of data you want backed up. See our website for more information or email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

March 2011 - Power Saving Tips for your computers

• Try setting your monitor to standby rather than a screensaver. Screensavers were initially designed to prevent phosphor burn on CRT monitors, which was the result of a static image being left on screen for a long time. These days, screensavers are mainly used for entertainment and can actually reduce the lifetime of your monitor because it remains constantly backlit, rather than being switched off.  

• Set your monitor to a shorter standby time, and switch your monitor off when you go to lunch – especially if you are prone to taking long lunch breaks! You can choose whether you need to enter a password when coming out of standby, an easy way to increase security.

• Consider upgrading any old CRT monitors to LCD. LCD screens use half the power of CRTs, while also offering more advanced power management features. 

• Do you really need to print that email? How about instead you read it on screen and save attachments to file when you can – you’ll be saving power, ink and the trees!

• When you buy new PCs and monitors, check they are ENERGY STAR® certified. This shows they are environmentally friendly and will save you money over their lifetimes. The EECA website has lists of energy-compliant models, and the models in our current range of HP products are all ENERGY STAR® certified.

January 2011 - Getting the most out of your laptop battery on the road

There is nothing worse than running out of battery life while working on the road. They always seem to run out while you are in a meeting with a client, or when you have that last urgent email to send. Here are some tips to maximise the life of your laptop battery.

The display and hard disk on your laptop are the two biggest consumers of battery power. By choosing a power plan (called a power scheme in Windows XP) you can easily extend your battery life. 
A power plan is a collection of hardware and system settings that control how your laptop manages power, and most settings are able to be customised to your specific needs.

 - Adjust screen brightness
 - Turn off wireless
 - Turn off scheduled tasks
 - Keep the use of tools in the notification bar to a minimum
 - Limit power-intensive activities
 - Add memory
 - Carry at least one spare battery
 - Charge your battery often

For more information about these power-saving schemes read more here.