Thursday 15 September 2016

How to fix Windows 10 internet connection issues






There could be ample reasons for having an unsteady internet connection on your PC running Windows 10. They include problems with the cable modem, or the service provider itself, firewalls, antivirus software or even the network adapter driver. As part of troubleshoot, you might check out the following fixes.

The first thing you should do is generate a wireless network report, which will find out the root cause of the problem.

=> For this, go to the search box on the task bar then type Command prompt, press and hold Command prompt then select Run as administrator then Yes
=> At the command prompt type netswlan show wlanreport


Doing the above steps will create an HTML file that you can open in the browser from the location listed under command prompt. Also ensure the connection problem is not related to your modem or internet service provider (ISP). If yes, then check with your internet provider.

In the search box on the taskbar type Command prompt, then press and hold Command prompt and select Run as administrator, finally select Yes.

=> At the command prompt type ipconfig
=> Look for the IP address listed next to Default gateway and write down the address
=> At the Command prompt, type ping and press Enter. You should see the following results

Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes=32 time=5ms TTL=64

Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes=32 time=5ms TTL=64

Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes=32 time=5ms TTL=64

Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes=32 time=5ms TTL=64


If you see results as listed above, but still cannot connect to the internet, the problem must be with the modem or your internet provider.

=> Keep your network adapter driver updated

Sometimes internet problems could be due to incompatible network adapter driver. Perform the following steps to find out if an updated driver is available;


=> In the search box type Device Manager and select it
=> Select Network adapters
=> Do a right-click on the network adapter, then select Update Driver Software>> Search automatically for updated driver software. Follow the on-screen instructions and then select Close
=> Once the updated driver is installed, select Start>> Power>> Restart.


If you cannot find a new driver, head over to your PC manufacturer's website and download the latest driver.

=> Downgrade to previous network adapter driver

Installing a previous version of the driver could also resolve the connection issue, in case the new driver fails to do so.

=> In the search box type Device Manager then select it
=> Select Network adapters >> network adapter name
=> Press network adapter then select Properties
=> Select Driver then Roll back driver, and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the process
=> Restart your PC once the the driver is installed

=> Use network troubleshooter

Consider using network troubleshooter to fix common internet connection issues. To run it,

=> Type Network troubleshooter in the search box on taskbar, then select Indentify and repair network problems
=> Perform the steps in the troubleshooter to see if that fixes the issue


If it does not resolve the problem, then reset TCP/IP stack, release the IP address, renew the IP address, and finally flush and reset the DNS client resolver cache. You need to run these commands in a command prompt window. Just run the command prompt as admin then execute the command in an orderly manner.

Type netshwinsock reset then press Enter
Type netsh int ip reset then press Enter
Type ipconfig /release then press Enter
Type ipconfig /renew then press Enter
Type ipconfig /flushdns then press Enter


=> Disable firewalls

Firewalls might sometimes prevent you from establishing a connection. Try turning them off and see if that helps

=> Open a Command prompt and then run it as admin
=> Type advfirewall set allprofiles state off in the command prompt and press Enter


Now open a browser to see if you can connect to the internet. To turn the firewall software on, at the command prompt type netsh advfirewall set allprofiles state on and then press Enter.


=> Disable antivirus

=> In the search box type System and security then select Review you computer's status and resolve issues
=> Select the arrow next to Security
=> Check the documentation for the antivirus and turn it off


=> Uninstall network adapter driver

As part of the fix, try to uninstall the network adapter driver. But do not forget to create a backup for that before uninstalling it.

=> Type Device Manager in the search bar and then select it
=> You will see the name of the network adapter
=> Right-click on the network adapter, select Uninstall>> Delete the driver software for this device then click Ok to confirm the process. At the end restart the PC if it asks to.


=> Use network reset

As the last and final step consider using network reset to reinstall network devices. But note that your PC must be running Windows 10 version 1607 to use network reset.

=> Select Start>> Settings>> Network & Internet>> Status>> Network reset
=> Select Reset now then Yes to confirm the process. Wait for a while until the PC restarts.

Android vs. iPhone for Business






1. Android vs. iPhone: Hardware

The big difference between iPhone vs. Android when it comes to hardware is the number of choices available. On the Android side, you have literally hundreds of smartphones with a wide range of price points. As the Android website says, "Whether you’re looking for a waterproof phone, the longest battery life or a low-light camera, there’s an Android phone for you." If you want the latest iPhone, you have basically two choices: the iPhone 6s or the larger iPhone 6s Plus. Still, while Apple doesn't offer a lot of choices, these are two exceptionally well-made smartphones. So in this category, we're declaring a tie.


2. Android vs. iPhone: Apps

At this point, Apple's App Store and Google Play have so many thousands of apps available that it's pointless to compare them; nearly all of the top business apps are going to be available for both platforms. Apple has a partnership with IBM that might make the iPhone slightly more attractive for enterprises that use a lot of IBM software, but on the other hand, Android integrates with Google's Web-based productivity apps, making Android attractive for companies that use Google's products. Again, this category is a virtual dead heat.


3. Android vs. iPhone: Storage

When you first purchased your most recent smartphone, it probably seemed like it had plenty of storage. But it usually doesn't take too long before all that storage space gets filled, even if you purchased the maximum available. This is one area where the iPhone vs. Android debate becomes a little more one-sided. Some (but definitely not all) Android devices give users the option of adding a flash card for extra storage. While you can buy an iPhone with up to 128 GB of storage space, you can add a card to expand the Samsung Galaxy S7 storage to 256 GB, giving the Android phone a clear advantage.


4. Android vs. iPhone: Customization

When it comes to customization, Android is again the clear winner. The iPhone offers only limited options for changing the look of your phone's screen, but Android lets you customize almost everything. In addition, the Android homescreen gives you the option of adding widgets, which allow you to see up-to-the-minute data without opening an app. For example, you can add widgets that track the weather or your company's stock price. It's a definite advantage for busy office workers.


5. Android vs. iPhone: Security

On the security question, iPhone comes out ahead. Apple vets every app that it allows into its App Store, making it much, much less likely that any apps business users download will be malware. In addition, Apple builds security features like Touch ID and encryption right into its hardware. On the Android side, built-in security features vary by phone model, so it's up to buyers to make sure that they get the level of security they need. And despite Google's efforts to crack down on malicious apps, malware still crops up in the Google Play store.


6. Android vs. iPhone: Backup

If you have sensitive business information on your smartphone, having a backup is an absolute must. After all, if your device gets lost or stolen, you need a way to keep working. Here the iPhone again has an advantage because it automatically backs up your data to iCloud. With Android phones, various apps give you the option of backing up some of your information, but it's simply not as seamless and comprehensive as what the iPhone offers.


7. Android vs. iPhone: Management

In recent years, both Apple and Google have taken steps to make their mobile operating systems more attractive to enterprise IT managers. The latest version of iOS offers features that seamlessly manage both corporate and personal data on the user's device, offering the security protections necessary for business data without hampering user productivity. It also offers features for streamlining app deployment for corporate employees and managing corporate-owned devices. Android at Work also separates business and personal data and gives IT a way to erase corporate data if a device goes missing. In this category, the iPhone vs. Android race is again a tie.


8. Android vs. iPhone: Personal Assistant

Both Apple and Google offer personal assistants. The iPhone has Siri, and Android has Google Now. Comparing these two is a little more difficult because Siri does a better job of recognizing some voices and accents, while Google Now does a better job with others. Siri can sometimes do a better job of responding to colloquial expressions, but Google Now learns your habits and offers information before you even ask for it. When critics and publications compare the two head-to-head, Google Now generally (but not always) comes out ahead. In this category, we're going to give a slight edge to Android.


=> Android vs. iPhone: Summary

If you've been keeping score, here's how things stand: iPhone came out ahead in the security and backup categories; Android won for storage, customization and personal assistant; hardware, apps and management were a tie. On a straight points basis, that would make Android the winner, but that doesn't really tell the whole story.
Different business users will have different priorities. If you work in the financial industry, perhaps security is such a big issue that you feel you need to go with an iPhone. Or perhaps you have a very fast-paced job where productivity is extremely important, making Android more attractive because of its customization capabilities and personal assistant.
Both mobile platforms offer features important to business users—it's a matter of your priorities. In your particular line of work, perhaps a category we haven't covered here, such as ruggedness or battery life, is more of a priority. In the end, it really is a personal decision, and you'll have to weigh the relative merits iPhone vs. Android for yourself.

Wednesday 14 September 2016

5 tips to successfully pitch your IT project





1. Nail the first 90 seconds

The first minute and a half of your pitch can be crucial. I've known projects to get commissioned this quick based on the passion for a business change initiative.

I've also known projects to flounder just as quickly.

You can have all the data in the world to back up your case but if you don't grab their interest early on you could have lost before you even get to deliver it.

Apply elevator pitch, movie trailer thinking to the first 90 seconds of your pitch to hook them in.


2. Pitch the business benefits first


One way to nail the first 90 seconds is to ensure that you're pitching the business benefits first.

You may be terribly excited about a cloud migration or replacing desktops with tablets but chances are these aren't the things that will move your CEO or CFO to sign off on your mission.


Hard to believe, I know, but some people just don't get tech the way you do. It's OK, the transport manager can't understand why no one loves his fleet of vans the way he does — we're all different.

Your proposed project will already be aligned to business strategy — or you wouldn't be pitching it — so why lead with anything other than business case?!

Tell them how much your project will save, how much more efficient it will make your operation, how much better the customer experience will be.


3. Talk the same language


Have you ever switched on a local music radio station on holiday abroad? How much of the bit between the songs could you follow? For instance, you're in Denmark and the DJ says something like, "Godmorgen, det er klokken 8 og du lytter til morgenmad show. Kommer op efter nyheden, musik fra Abba og din chance for at vinde en ferie, men først Madonna."

If you concentrated hard, you might pick up something about Abba and Madonna, but you'd not know anything about the chance to win the holiday!

Many IT project pitches fail because of similar language problems. I mean, everyone is speaking English, but if you're a CIO waxing lyrically about ITIL, gold plating and RACI charts, you sometimes may as well be talking Danish.

Put your listener first: always talk in terms that are readily understood by the people receiving your pitch.


4. Be passionate and authentic


Passion is infectious. Passion is what separates the best pitchers from the majority of mediocre IT project proposers.

With passion, you will motivate, inspire, engage and electrify your audience. Without passion, you might as well have just sent them an email.

Passion with authenticity is a potent mix — it's easier to buy into. So, figure out what your authentic connection to the proposed project is, identify the fire that it has ignited in your belly and find the best way to communicate that. Be real.

One CIO I know ditched dry PowerPoint presentations in favor of eye contact and spoken words to create powerful pictures. She said, "When you ask the waiter to describe a meal from the menu, he doesn't fire up a PowerPoint presentation. He makes your mouth water. When you look into the eye of your CEO and tell him his company is hemorrhaging money through inefficient IT you make his mouth water. You grab his attention a million times better than even the most animated slideshow."


5. Stakeholder testimonials bring the business change you envisage to life

I'm amazed how well this works. I'm equally amazed how infrequently this simple trick is used.

If your IT project addresses a major end user issue that is costing your business, like PCs that take forever to boot up, who better to sell the frustration and the value of your solution to the C-suite than the person who lives the problem every day.

The slow booting PC case is a real-life example, by the way. What swung it for the project wasn't the data or the project teams vision of a better future or the benefits of state of the art tech — it was an unrehearsed, off-the-cuff comment from a customer facing member of staff who said that he couldn't properly deal with any customer inquiry until fifteen minutes into his shift. You could see the CFO's brains ticking over: 15 minutes ... 5 days a week ... 10 team members ... twelve and half hours a week wasted waiting for PCs to boot up ... across 52 weeks ... he couldn't sign off quick enough.

These are just five ways to a better IT project pitch.

If you have a sales division your company will have invested a small fortune training them to be the best pitchers in your business, go and knock on their door and sponge up some of their knowledge. If they share some amazing insights with you, share them with the rest of us.

I look forward to hearing about the business change driven by your next green lighted IT project.

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