Author Archives: Andrew

Windows Batch File – Copy Folder from an Existing Template with User Input

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Paste the following code into a .bat text file to create a runnable script that copies an example template folder with contents to a new folder with a name entered by the user. There are an additional couple of lines that then rename and delete files in the new folder as an example of further customisation that could be automated.

@echo off
pushd %~dp0
REM request a Directory Name
set /p UserInput= "Create Directory: "
REM create directory using a source folder template
if not exist "%UserInput%" (
mkdir "%UserInput%"
xcopy /e SourceTemplateFolder "%UserInput%"
REM customise contents
rename "%UserInput%\Content.txt" NewContent.txt
del "%UserInput%\FileToDelete.txt"
)
popd

Economical Previously Used Compact Desktop PC

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Ex corporate desktop PCs, fast, small, latest Windows Pro OS with Office Suite and a guarantee, upgraded and tested SSD drive  & RAM working memory  – which makes them very snappy to boot and run applications. Neat and quiet. Delivered and installed locally – call for a quote.

Typical Inclusive guide price: £ 250

Subject to availability and exact specification required

WiFi 4G Broadband SIM Router – Local Short Term Rental

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TP-Link SIM Router

If your fixed line broadband is not available – rent a WiFi Wireless Portable Router with full data allowance using the cellular 4G network to connect to the internet and with built-in WiFi for a maximum of 32 devices to share the service. This might cover temporary, emergency or back-up requirements. All you need is a mains power socket, no telephone or other physical connection is required. You must be within service range of a Cellular 4G provider such as Three, EE, O2. This rental service will include use of a single 4G network and should provide connection reliability similiar to a fixed line ‘wall socket’ service and will make use of any high speed LTE availability.

Weekly rental £24.00 inc VAT

Service Terms & Conditions: A refundable deposit will be required against failure to return, damage etc. Charges apply for any date when the equipment has been in the customer’s possession, not just days-in-use or powered. Delivery & collection if available will be charged extra, local hand-over & installation can be arranged. Total charges will be calculated daily at one seventh of the weekly rate BUT a minimum hire charge of one week will apply.

PC Refresh service – your computer renewed

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These days a PC that is a few years old will most likely still be quite capable of useful work, but might be held-back by particular components or original specification that can be easily updated. This is especially true for work-horse systems used for web access, database or document processing – rather than high end media work or gaming systems which do generally benefit from the latest processors & technology.

An internal spring clean with battery or main drive replacement or memory boost might be all that’s required to rejuvenate your system for a few more productive years at a fraction of the cost to buy new.

LAN Device Analyser

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O&O Lanytix is ​​a portable application that enables quick and easy analysis of the local network (LAN = Local Area Network) at the push of a button. This not only enables devices in the network to be recognized, but also their properties such as IP address, MAC or the manufacturer of the network card.

Features

  • Search and detection of devices in the local network (LAN)
  • Determination of name, IP address, MAC, operating system, manufacturer of the network card, response times
  • Logging of search results
  • Possibility to export search results
  • Free

System requirements

  • Windows 8 or higher
  • Microsoft .NET Framework 4.7.2 or higher
  • Portable, therefore no installation necessary
  • Available in German, English and French

Clearing & formatting a drive from the command line using Diskpart

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Run diskpart from the Commmand prompt – Run CMD from the Start Menu or Run dialogue box using WinKey + R to get to the command prompt

Then use the commands below in sequence within the diskpart interface

list disk

select disk [#] (adding the reference number from the list command above)

clean (permanent delete content)

create partition primary

format fs=ntfs

assign (gives a drive letter – unspecified)

exit to leave diskpart

Managing Windows Device Drivers with Powershell

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Exporting the third party device drivers from your running windows installation.

Export-WindowsDriver -online -Destination D:\path\folder

Exporting the third party device drivers from a windows image

Export-WindowsDriver -Path E:\ -Destination D:\path\folder

See Microsoft documentation

Add all device drivers from folder tree to a windows image

Add-WindowsDriver -Path "E:\offline" -Driver "D:\drivers" -Recurse

Add an unsigned device driver to a windows image

Add-WindowsDriver -Path "E:\offline" -Driver "D:\driver.inf" -ForceUnsigned

See Microsoft documentation