ICT Maintenance Helps Improve the Lifespan all IT Equipment

Hello reader,

It’s nice being back.

Every time I visit a client who have maintenance contract signed with us, I always see some 2-3-year-old PCs looking brand new, as if it was purchased a month or two ago. Not only that the outside looks new, but the systems are well updated, too.

Our ICT Maintenance for clients has been going well since and is not limited to laptops, desktops, printers and scanners only. We also maintain CCTV cameras, Security lock, battery bank etc. The formation used in taking off for site maintenance shows the uniqueness/professionalism of the team.

We first send out kind email notifications to remain clients of schedule dates and if there’s any change of date from client side, it can be rescheduled at a convenient time. When date (s) are approved, we gather all tools that include the following below:

• Electrical Blower: This is to blow dust from PCs and all components around the system unit
• Anti-static Foam Clean liquid: This spray is used to clean/remove stubborn dirt from any equipment
• Soft brushes for keyboards and cooling fans: This is gently used to remove hidden dust/dirt
• Screw drivers for laptops, desktops, printers etc. these are used to open any kind of equipment
• Soft wipe for computer screen and other devices: The anti-static spray is applied on the soft wipe to clean equipment and make them appear new as always
• All necessary software: Include OS of all editions

ICT Maintenance begins 10:00 AM prompt. That is, we are present on site before the time and if there will be any delay, it is incumbent on one of the techies to have the client informed ahead and this keeps us abreast with our client.

Here are the operations that are performed on the system unit by blowing all components around the system unit below:

1. Hardware Maintenance: equipment is power off before performing the following. power interface, USB Ports, VGA, Serial cable slots and a cross check of proper connection of all cables.

2. System Maintenance: Inform client to free disk space on hard drive, update all drivers in System Device Manager, launch defragmentation tool to scan and remove for error or bad sectors on hard drive, remove viruses by scanning the entire system. If anti-virus is not found on the PC, request customer to have it installed. (for windows PC), delete temporary internet or downloaded files, empty recycle bin and making sure all indoor wireless access points/routers are running on the latest firmware/updates.

3. Digital Sender: e.g. Printer or scanner input screen/key are cleaned or wiped thoroughly, reseat all connections that include expansion card, CPU, memory and data cable. Turn on printer and send a test page. These tasks are demonstrated everywhere the team is scheduled for maintenance visit and what amazes me most is when end users are handling over their machines to watch the techies do the job. One of our customers (IT Officer) from EPO/Palmbay in Grand Bassa County said to me that he has been working with several big companies but never seen such operations performed out there like NATC does in Liberia and, that is why he’s always eager to know our next schedule dates.

Unflinchingly, with a courageous spirit battling these challenges in the economy where today we like what tomorrow we hate, today we desire what we fear tomorrow and even tremble at the apprehensions of, we remain focus performing our duties and always give our customers first privilege. Reach out for New Africa Technology Company (NATC) for all your IT needs.

Daniel Collins 

October blog post 📝

Hello everyone,

As an IT technician, there’s a lot of amazing small and complex issues I encounter on a daily basis and I embrace them with interest as technology is improving every passing day.

On Friday evening we got call from one of our clients in Buchanan which we have a 3-day monthly ICT maintenance contract with.

They informed us that their network had been down for a day. We advised the client to informing the Internet Service Provider (ISP) as they have no IT person on site to be sure before taking an action. The ISP than confirmed that they could ping the network from their server so there was no problem from their end.

I quickly arranged the next morning with all necessary equipment (RB 951 MikroTik router, RJ 45 connectors, Crimper and pitched network cable in case there was any power failure of the core router.

I got to the customer’s Head Office at about 9:30 am. They quickly arranged a vehicle to take me to the effected site, about 1-hr drive.

They were quite happy when I arrived and welcomed me by saying ‘’NATC’’ is here.   Well, this is how most of our client/staff called me even though they know my full name but some prefer calling me that way.

I opened the server rack and found the main Juniper router on with all status led(s) linking green. That was good enough to know that internet was reaching the device but not being distributed. I started by pinging the switches IP addresses and surprisingly the main Cisco switch could not be reached, but the power adaptor led of the switch was blinking. Immediately I replaced the adaptor with a new one, I could ping the switch, desktops and laptops were connected, and network printers automatically started printing out stored job and so on. All the departments I checked were working okay accept for the Field Department. The switch was on but there were no sign of signal.

By using my cable tester found out that one of the RJ 45 connecters was damaged. I replaced both ends using my crimping tool to restore network for that department.

I informed the Site Manager and Head Office on progress made.

When heading to have my lunch, an accountant staff complained that any Microsoft Excel email attachment received in her inbox opens blank and really don’t know what could be the issue. I told her, me take a look. She turned on her computer and displayed the problem to me.

I have seen this issue several times before. So, I knew exactly how to figure it out in less than a minute. The lady insisted that I show her how to resolve this issue in case it happen and I’m not around. Though we have an ICT contract with them and wouldn’t be an issue even if she complains hundreds times. As a technician, I’m there to resolve problem. For me, she sounded very smart. I told her yes we can do it together.

Here are the few steps to go on resolving issue like this for any Microsoft version. Now, open the Excel again that opens blank.

Open Microsoft Excel.

Click the File tab and select Options from the drop-down menu.

Click Advanced, then locate the ‘’General’’ section.

Uncheck the box next to Ignore other applications that use Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE).

Click OK and restart the Excel.

In a joking and friendly manner I asked her. ‘’Now everything works fine. Anything else I could help you with? Can I get back at the canteen and have lunch now’’?

After a heavy lunch, I drove back to Monrovia the same day and resumed work at my office the next day.

Reach out for NATC, the one stop IT Solution Company!

Prepared by: Daniel W. Collins (Senior IT Technician) New Africa Technology Company (NATC)

Upgrading a Windows 2008 Server to 2012 R2 Standard

We have a client, Population Services International Liberia (PSI). All of their ICT infrastructure is being managed by us as a consultant.

There’s a file sharing server (HP ProLiant Server T620) that has been configured and setup for years running Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard. Last week, I was forced to upgrade the (OS) Operating System to Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard for below reasons.

I have had issues with RAM failure twice in the past and the RAM was replaced.

A monthly preventive ICT maintenance is also carried out on all their IT equipment including Anti-virus full system scan, defragmentation of disk space, deleting temporary internet files, Windows updates, checking all wireless access points, switches & routers, making sure everyone is seamlessly browsing the internet and system backups in case of disaster recovery or any other future problems.

One morning, I was just back in office from one of our clients sub office out of Monrovia, Sanniquillie Nimba County and doing the routine checks. I got an email request from PSI to creating new users and access to the said file sharing server. To be specific, Human Resource Department folder. I quickly arranged my tools and left for their site.

I typed in the administrative password for the server and got an incorrect password warning over and over. I couldn’t believe it because even if you woke me up at night I could read it out loud. I phoned the guy who’s in charge of the server room keys and whom I relate every sensitive information including Wi-Fi password, desktop administrative passwords, including the server just in case I am unable to get there on time due to emergency if he made any changes on the server password. He responded that yes he did, but can’t remember where he place it neither remember. I was so frustrated that why would he make changes without securing a system password or sharing it with me. I had no alternative but to get Windows Server 2012 software in resetting my password. Now if you don’t have this idea you will end up running a fresh installation, structuring files, configuring Active Directory, Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), and creating all users over. This would have been more than a pain.

These steps are very easy and simple to follow once you have your software installation disk or USB available. (Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard)

·      Boot from you Microsoft Windows Server 2012 DVD

·      From the Windows Setup menu, Click “Next’’.

·      Select “repair Your computer’’

·      Under Choose and option, click on “Troubleshoot”.

·      Under Advance option, click “Command Prompt”.

At the command prompt, run the following commands:

• d: and hit enter
• cd windows\system32 and hit enter
• ren Utilman.exe Utilman.exe.old and hit enter
• copy cmd.exe Utilman.exe

·      Close the command prompt and click “Continue.”

·     The server should boot and display a logon screen. In this case you only hold Windows Key + U.

·     At the prompt you can now change the password you wish by entering the following commands:

net user administrator ‘’Adm1n1str8t1ve” for example.

Close the command prompt, you will now be able to log back onto the server using the password you entered in the command prompt. Once you verified that you can log on to the server. That’s really cool. You still need to repeat the steps in getting to the command prompt by restarting the server and running these commands:

          · d: and hit enter

          · cd windows\system32, and hit enter

          · ren Utilman.exe Utilman.exe.new, and hit enter

          · copy cmd.exe Utilman.exe

Here are photos of my password reset. The server is now running without causing any inconvenience to our customers.

Reach out for NATC for all your IT needs and support!

Prepared by:

Daniel W. Collins

Senior IT Technician

New Africa Technology Company (NATC)

Monthly Maintenance

Dear reader:

It is a pleasure to have you being updated on my monthly technical activities every month. I am glad that you’re following with keen and great interest. Amongst my regular monthly maintenance on customer sites, travelling to the ‘’Birth Place of Nation Hospitality’’, Grand Bassa County, Buchanan City Liberia 2 h 12 min (137.3 km) via Tubman Blvd every month has become very amazing and interesting especially when I arrive on both sites, Equatorial Palm Oil and LIBINCO PALMBAY, all the staff embrace me by saying ‘’welcome Daniel… thank God you have come’’.  Meeting new staff, expats and consultants is always being good.

My technical visit consists of:

1. Hardware Maintenance for desktop/laptop

• Blow dust from the PC using a blower: All components around the system unit

·       Power interface
·       USB
·       VGA
·       Serial cable slots
·       Check proper connection of all cables
·       Clean

2. System Maintenance for desktop/laptop

       ·       Check free space on hard drive and inform customer if necessary    
       ·       Check system device manager and inform customer if driver is missing    
       ·       Scan hard drive for error using windows defragmentation tool    
       ·       Scan system to remove viruses using Anti-virus software
       ·       Delete temporary internet files    
       ·       Empty recycle bin 

3. Maintenance for Printer/Scanner

·           ·        Turn off printer/scanner

·       Clean input screen/keys using Anti-static Foam Cleaner

·       Remove toner/cartridge and blow using blower

·       Clean flat board/glass with soft cloth using Anti-static Foam clean

·       Reset all connections including CPU, Memory card, Data cable and Expansion card

·       Turn on printer/scanner

·       Send/scan text document to make sure all is okay

Concluding on the above, I move on to the next stage by checking all internet connections LAN/WAN and resolve any relating issues with end-user. Update wireless routers/switches, printers and other software firmware if required and all power sources. I do this for both sites: Equatorial Palm Oil (EPO) and Palmbay which is about 30km from Buchanan city.

The main purpose of our technical monthly maintenance is to avoid and prevent future problems such as:

 1.     Loss of data
 2.     Corrupt windows/mac Operating System
3.     Slowness
4.     Viruses
5.     Smooth cooling system
6.     Power surges etc…

Our maintenance contract is open to NGOs, Banking Institutions, Mining Companies, Palm Oil industries, Private and Government entities. Precaution is better than cure. Contact us anywhere in Liberia for 24H service and save yourself the stress!

Prepared by:

Daniel W. Collins

Senior IT Technician

New Africa Technology Company (NATC)

End of the year Blog Post

I am Louise W. Gray Office Manager of New Africa Technology Company for the past two (2) months.

My experience with New Africa Technology Company is great and quite different from my last place of work and I love it so much.

I am getting familiar with technical work because this is what we are into.

New Africa is really the best IT company in Liberia. We give out Wide Area Connectivity, Local Area Network, Technical Support, Network Security, Services and Maintenance, Supplies of IT Equipment, VSAT ISP and Wireless fibers and more. 

The most amazing experience is that, the day to day transactions can be collected either from the general ledger or the company;s WhatsApp channel. Every employee will have to get online as often as possible so as to get the daily happenings in and out of the office.

What interests me most is that I am the Office Manager /Accountant. My Responsibility is straightly financial work and office upkeep. But can you imagine, I was in the office one day and a client brought in a laptop for repairs, all our technical staffs had gone on site and I was the only one at the office. I received the item and made a delivery note and the client went away. After some hours, Rita who is one of our technical staff came and I told her about the laptop and give her the form that I filled to receive the laptop.

She smiled and said “You should have filled the Equipment Pickup form instead of Delivery note form." She went on to explain that the Delivery Note will only be used when we are returning the item to the client after we must have solved the problem for which they brought it.

I grabbed the idea and was wishing for a day to come that no technical staff will be around then I will applied what I learned from Rita. After some weeks another client came and I used the Equipment Pickup Form to collect the item from him.

The whole logic behind this scenario is that, I am the office Manager and Accountant but I also feel happy to learn other things outside my job experience.

Finally, like I told you before in my Introductory Post, that my main objective is to move New Africa Technology Company Reports from Excel to QuickBooks.

My Bosses had given me the opportunity to achieve this goal by hiring a consultant who did our QuickBooks software setup and is conducting an excessive training on how to operate my financials in QuickBooks and generate my reports. I have devoted my time from 5pm -7:30pm every day after work.

Presently I am 90%  done because we are reviewing all the reports and making sure that our balances are up to date and I am very happy that I am making progress and very soon my goal will be accomplished.

I want to appreciate the New Africa Technology Company family for believing in me and giving me this great opportunity in making this dream come true.