Category: Support News

Posted on

Happy New Year 2019!!!

Win 7 users get the shaft from Microsoft (01-09-2019)

Droves of Our clients are Win 7 users and Microsoft was nice enough to give them a gift (LOL) at the beginning of January.

Watch out for Windows 7 updates “Monthly Rollup update, KB4480970, and the security-only update, KB4480960” as both kill networking.

After hours of troubleshooting and finally discovering the issues, POS Support has determined that these 2 updates renders networks unworkable.

There are a couple of workarounds, and ???Hopefully?? Micosoft will fix it eventually. Here is the image of the Microsoft “Known Issues” page.

Fixes????

  • Remove the Update (KB4480970 / KB4480960
  • Reinstall the drivers for the NIC cards
  • Use a different set of credentials to access and share the share (??)
  • A workaround which modifies the Windows Registry and should be run on the system that hosts the share. Note that you need to run from an elevated command prompt.
    • reg add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\system /v LocalAccountTokenFilterPolicy /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
    • Reboot the PC.
  • The Registry entry defines how administrator credentials are applied for remote access. A value of 1 sets the restrictions to Audit mode.
  • OR Call POS Support at 800-646-34767 option 2 (a current support contract is rrequired)

Good Luck, and thanks Microsoft!!!

Posted on

Backup?-No Way!

My Computer crashed during a Windows Update.

Support Tech >> Hi, How can I help you?

Client>>My computer crashed during a Windows update and I have been told that the only thing I can do is do a system refresh.  I tried that but Windows then said it was unable to refresh my system, so my only choice was to reinstall Windows.  I did that, and now I can get into Windows, but my Power folder is gone.  Does that mean I lost all my data?

Support Tech>>Not if you have a backup on another computer, a flash drive, or some other separate media.  Have you used the backup that is available with the PowerPOS?

Client>>No.

Support Tech>>Then, I am afraid you have lost your data.  The only data that could possibly be recovered would be in the user’s document folder, and that is NOT where the Power Program is usually installed.
The PowerPOS is either installed in the ROOT of the C: drive (C:\power) or in the PowerDOS subfolder called power (C:\powerDOS\power).  We do have a record of your ownership of the software and are happy to give you a download link so you can reinstall, but you will have to reenter all the data in your system to “catch back  up”.

Client>> So what is it going to cost me to buy a backup system?

Support Tech>>It doesn’t have to cost you anything.  POS International INCLUDES a manual backup system in Power POS, and it should be part of your end-of-day routine. In fact, it is shown in the “System Setup->End-of-Day->Backup PowerPOS” menu (ver1.4g has this feature, and you get a update to this version with any paid support contract).  Also Windows comes with a complete hands off (automatic by schedule) backup system, which will do unattended backups.
When using either of these FREE backup methods it makes NO SENSE to backup to another place on the same hard drive, so please either backup to an existing computer on your network or, if you don’t use a network, backup to a USB stick.  The USB stick should be large enough to handle all of your PowerPOS data and program files.  The size gets larger all the time, but an 8 – 16 Gig USB stick, should be all you need.
There are also FREE backup apps that will backup your data to the Cloud (read, somewhere on the internet). Examples are Mozey, Dropbox, Box, Google Drive, Degoo, and others.  Some are free for up to a certain amount and then are fee based, some are automatic, while others are manual.
One of the biggest issues with backups are multiple versions. Multiple versions means that you have many backups, several days worth, so that you can wind back the clock to before the time you had a data problem. This can be accomplished by having several USB sticks (7, 1 for each day of week) or by the backup software that you choose to use, has this feature.

Bottom Line!!!!

DO NOT be caught without a backup of your PowerPOS.  A small investment (or maybe none at all) can save hundreds of hours of trying to rebuild your business information.

Need Help?

If you need help with backups, or if your PowerPOS software does not have a backup option, please, give us a call. 800-646-4767 Option 2.
A support contract is required for in depth discussions.

 

Thanks,

POS Support.

 

 

 

Posted on

NEWS FLASH – POWER POS NOW Runs in 64Bit Windows!!!!

Unbelievable but true.

PowerPOS will NEVER go obsolete because of Windows 64 bit architecture!

The truth is that Microsoft is phasing out DOS and its “NTVDM” (New Technology Virtual DOS Machine), and it will also retire the 32 bit architecture in the next 5-10 years. In fact, Intel, has recently stated that it will no longer be making 32bit drivers for their next crop of new processors.  So the idea that 32bit will continue on into the future is clouded by the possibility of obsolescence.

The answer is HERE!  We now have a Virtual DOS Emulator that we can install for you that works in ANY windows version, either 32Bit or 64Bit.  It is called PowerDOS.

We NOW can include PowerDOS along with Power POS to allow it to run in ANY windows version.

These are the features and how they would compare with a Virtual Machine installed on Win 64.

PowerDOS Emulator 32 bit Virtual Machine running in a 64 bit environment.
Native Support for Printers, and pop up printer selection, including PDF output “Net use” must capture windows printer and sometimes needs DOSPRN. Captured printers disconnect easily, no on the fly printer selection
Full screen mode or window Clunky window in window with poor window resolution
Disabled “X” in windows, will not allow the window to close if files are opened The dreaded “X” will close a window with files opened and damage PowerPOS files.
Smooth, wide awake, timeslicing, because it is a 64bit compatible program. Windows VM can fall asleep and become unresponsive.
Affordable;  installed, configured and supported by our support team. Must Pay for someone or take the time yourself to configure a virtual machine
Supported By POS Support. Supported by others.
Use all the memory capabilities of a 64 bit OS for speed and other programs. Limits Virtual Machine use to 4megs. Dual stacked operating systems slows the software down.
PowerPOS window allows for easy use of windows clipboard. Limited clipboard support

PLUS you can also get all these features with the 32bit windows OS as well.

PowerDOS is available  to ALL PowerPOS users, and works in ALL new and OLD versions of windows.  Its also available to anyone else who wishes to run a DOS or 16bit Text based app on their windows 64 bit computer.

Call us for details…. 800-646-4767 option 2, for Support.

Posted on

Modern Windows Networking PROBLEMS

Recently, networking has become “dicey” between Windows 10 machines as well as Windows 7.  We have spent many support hours trying to figure out the problem and then coming up with a “unified” solution.  There is another article Here, however things have become worse and not better, since then.

PROBLEM:

After configuring all the network connection properties for sharing without a password in a LOCAL network, the other computers can NOT see or connect to the “Shared” folders and printers.

After trying MANY things, here is a remedy that we found and it seems to be repeatable.

Continue reading “Modern Windows Networking PROBLEMS”