My server's gone down and will not reboot following a power cut. What should I do?

Firstly, don't panic. Sometimes this can be as simple as a blown fuse or a loose power lead.

First thing to do is to ensure the power cable is securely inserted into the back of the server, the wall outlet and that the wall outlet is switched on. Next press the power button on the front of the server. If the server fails to power on, change the power cable for one from a PC you know works and try switching it on again. If this fails, plug something else into the wall outlet. If that works then the power supply on the server has failed and requires replacing. Contact tlp for IT assistance.

If the server boots up ok and you can log in, but are still having access issues, you can use the live remote support service. It may be possible that you have a hard disk failure which would require replacement and restoration from your backup.

However, tlp recommend that all servers are protected by a UPS, which will enable the server to be shutdown in the correct manner, should a power cut occur.


There was an attempted break in at the office last week and I realised I've done no back ups for ages. Should I have a plan for this sort of thing?

Ideally your backup should be performed on a regular basis, preferably daily. The general rule with backups is: how much is your data worth? If you backup every Friday, in the event of a disaster on a Thursday could you afford the time to re-enter all the data that had been originally entered between Monday and Thursday? tlp can specify, supply and install a backup solution tailored to your needs. Contact us to discuss further. If your hard drive crashes or you permanently delete data by accident, it can be very expensive to recover. Remember, prevention is always cheaper than the cure.

Contact tlp for more advice and assistance.

Is backup software expensive?

Some of the Microsoft Operating systems have a built in backup application. However, please be aware that this may not be able to back up all of your data, as some programs like Microsoft Exchange require a physical backup program to enable backup and recovery. Don't forget USB external hard drives can provide an inexpensive solution for backups.

We've switched on our computers and no one can receive or send any email?

Check to see if you can access the internet. If you can go to the website of your service provider; look for a "service status" page. Check there to see if the email service is running ok. (Sometimes even ISP's servers have problems or are down for maintenance.)

Does my computer need antivirus?

Yes. Currently there are over 60,000 known viruses that can alter/delete your data and send personal information over the internet. Click here for more information.

My computer is running very slowly and/or keeps shutting down on its own. Do I need a new one?

Not necessarily. Can you identify what programmes or applications are running when the computer is slow or crashes? Does this apply to one application or document? Have you installed any new software recently or updated any existing applications? (Most of the time computers can be restored to their original factory state in less than two hours- but this does not include Microsoft updates or restoration/recovery of data you have).

I have bought a new computer but I've lost the original software and installation cds. Can I transfer the applications from one pc to another?

No. Software cannot be transferred in the same way data can. You must have the original cds to install your programs on a new pc which is why it's important to safely store installation CD's and key numbers. Please note this does not include any OEM software purchased with the original computer, for example Microsoft Office OEM.