How to install advance fingerprint control with old latch system

Information technology has spread its wings across many facets of life, be it personal, social or professional. Businesses and institutional outfits have become heavily dependent on the smooth functioning of information systems and the network formed by connecting them with each other.

One of our valued customers called us for replacement of the fingerprint access control. The last fingerprint Access control was installed by us about 2 years ago. It has been working well until a power surge blew up the system.  The old biometric lock was controlled by connecting only 05 cables: 

• 2 Red for DC 12v,
• 2 Black for GND, and
• 1 door lock COM connected with latch

Below is a picture of the old device:

The new Biometric Fingerprint Access standalone we were given to install was a Dahua DHI-ASI1212D as seen in the picture below.

This Fingerprint Access has 24 cables and Rj45 Network port. This device should be able to export the signal to the latch after the fingerprint is read to unlock the door. Door sensor will detect on/off state.

If the door is opened by force or improperly closed, the alarm signal will be triggered.  

   

The new Dahua device should normally be used with the below magnet strike:

The client did not provide this item and we were left with the challenge to install the device using the dead locking tubular latch that was used with the older device as shown in the picture below:

Let me explain how it is possible to install and connect an advance Fingerprint Access Standalone using only 05 cables out of 24 and operate and make it work with the dead locking tubular latch.

There are 24 cables coming out of the new Dahua device as follows:

• 3 Red
• 3 Black
• 3 Green
• 3 Blue
• 3 Brown
• 3 Yellow
• 3 Purple
• 3 White 

And there are 5 cables from the old latch and push button switches as follows:

• 2 Red
• 2 Black
• 1 Black and Red

The connections are done in the following 3 simple steps:

1. The 3 Red cables and the COM1 Green cable from the new Dahua are combined together and connected to the 2 Red cables from the latch,
2. The 3 Black cables are combined together and are connected to the 2 Black cables from the latch,
3. The Blue COM 1 cable is connected to the Red and Black cable from the latch.
4. The lock was tested by the customer and it was working well as expected.

One more happy NATC customer.

Prepared By: Farman Elahi

Installation of eScan Anti-Virus

We installed a trail version of eScan Total Security for Business Anti-Virus on 3 client computers about a month ago. We informed the customer that they should enjoy the free 30-day trial version and we would provide license keys at the end of the 30 -day period.

We got the license keys from eScan and planned to go to the client to update the license from trial to a full one-year valid anti-virus protection. The customer was happy that I had come to complete the job. They provided 2 out of the 3 laptops to me to begin the update.

I powered on the first laptops and when i opened the eScan application to insert the keys manually, I noticed that but the feature ‘License Information’ was disabled. I tried many means of resolving this by clicking on one feature to another but it still didn’t work out, so I reported this situation to eScan TAC Support.

They decided to take remote control of the PC. TeamViewer access was given to the tech I spoke to. It took him two to three minutes moving the mouse cursor from one feature to another then later informed me that since the trial period was over for some time the license cannot be updated, and that the AV would have to be uninstalled completely and a new AV would have to be downloaded and installed.

A link was sent to download; They sent a different version of eScan (Total Security Solution for Windows). We downloaded and copied the setup file of the application on a USB drive, uninstalled the AV from the control panel and restarted the laptop. The installation ran smooth and the license keys were accepted which shows 1-year validation period. A full system scan was carried out on the laptop and turned over to the end user.

I moved out to the next laptop. I did not uninstall the old AV app instead used the new setup to detect and uninstall. During this process, the laptop shutdown by itself due to low battery. The end user brought the power adaptor and connected it to the laptop. I then powered it on but the old setup was not showing in the control panel. I ran the new setup file but it kept prompting to uninstall old app. I restarted the laptop again but still it didn’t work. We could not get the old app to completely uninstall from the computer.

We then checked the app directories to see if there any patches of the old app left. A few patches were found in the system, in application folder.

We tried several ideas to uninstall the AV but were unsuccessful. There was no solution found online as well.

Then we decided to use the Windows Command Prompt which is last option for resolving Windows issues sometimes. Here are the few steps shown below that was used to solve this issue.

Opened Windows CMD by administrator by typing 'Windows key +R.'

Typed ‘dir’ and hit 'enter'. This allows you to see all installed app in the system.

Typed ‘escan’ and 'enter'

Typed unis000.exe and hit 'enter'

The uninstallation progress was displayed and gradually the remaining patches were successfully uninstalled. We then installed the downloaded eScan Total Security for Windows, and activated the license keys.

I was glad that the customer had that patience to wait and see the installation ending with success. 

This was tested and was working well after running full system scan in the customer’s midst.

They have informed me that their other colleague will be back anytime soon to have the 3rd PC activated. I can clearly say the other PC will take me less than two minutes from this experience I had.

Another happy NATC customer! Another day of learning and improving our knowledge base!

Daniel Collins 

Rainy Wednesday ☔

It somehow feels like 2018 was the rainiest rainy season to date. Feels like it. 

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 

Repair of the office floor

Business is slow these days. Still, we have to repair our office floor. Our staff worked over the Flag Day weekend to oversee the repairs the carpenter did.

These photographs are by Farman.

Fixing the back wall to prevent water flooding

During every rainy season, rain water seeps into our office through the back wall. We have had water go under our wooden floor and damage the electrical wiring. A few years ago, we split costs with neighbours to reinforce the back wall but it looks like the problem is still there. So, this year after the heavy flooding in our office, we have filled the gaps outside our back wall with cement. Until  now, no rain water has entered our office again. Let's hope it holds out. 

Thanks to our staff for working over the weekend. 

These photographs were taken by Farman. 

None of these costs will be deducted from our rent because the landlord claims that damages or repairs are not in the original agreement.