Scan to file not working on 2008 Server - Fix

Starting to migrate stuff to our new 2008 Server, we transferred the shared Scans folders and reconfigured the MFDs (scanners) to point to the new Hostname - 2008SERVER.
Everything appeared to be set up correctly, all permissions applied on the shared folders, shares visible on \\2008SERVER etc. but communication errors every time any of the machines tried to scan.
It turns out that there's a default setting on the 'Default Domain Controllers' Group Policy that is throwing a spanner in the works.

Open your Server Manager and drill down as follows:
Features
  Group Policy Management
    Forest:.....
      Domains
        YourDomain.local
          Group Policy Objects

Highlight 'Default Domain Controllers Policy' and click show all in the right pane.
You will see that the Policy 'Microsoft network server: Digitally sign communications (always)' is Enabled.

Right clicking on 'Default Domain Controllers Policy' in the left pane and selecting Edit will allow you to drill down and change this policy to 'Disabled' as below:

Clck Start -> Run, type 'gpupdate /force' ond click OK to ensure the change is made and your MFD/Scanner should now be able to scan to file on your new 2008 server.

Apple releases printer drivers for Canon, Samsung, others

Apple has released a slew of updated printer drivers, but chances are the only ones most of us will care about are those for Canon, Ricoh, and Samsung printers.
For Canon, Apple released Printer Drivers 2.8, providing the latest printing and scanning software for OS X Lion and OS X 10.6; those drivers will help those same OSes work with roughly a jillion different Canon printers and multifunctions. Ricoh owners can get version 2.2 of their drivers for the same OSes and covering an equally enormous roster of machines. And for Samsung, Apple provided version 2.3 of its drivers, again for the last two versions of OS X; ditto on the enormity of the list of supported hardware.
At the same time, Apple also released drivers for printers from Gestetner, Infotec, and Lanier, but those are likely to be of less interest to most Macworld readers: Gestetner and Lanier both specialize in selling "document solutions" systems to enterprise customers, while Infotec is a reseller catering to that same market.

QR Codes- 2D Barcodes - How cool?!

Have you noticed these square blocky things on telly and in various other places and wondered what they're all about?

They are 2 dimensional barcodes known as QR Codes (Quick Response Codes) which can contain a lot more information than the barcodes you're used to.
For example, the one above contains UKBITS Limited contact details, name, phone number, website details and email address.
If you scan it using a suitable app on your smartphone (see below!) it will display these details and offer the choice of adding them into your contacts - no need to type it all in manually!
The ones on the TV are for such things as Recipes on cooking programmes.

You can use these codes to convey various different types of information such as:
Text
Website URL
Telephone number
SMS Message
Email Address
Email Message
Contact Details (VCARD) - as above
Calendar Event (VCALENDAR)
Google Maps Location - works with phone mapping for sat nav.
Wifi Login (Only on Android)
Paypal Buy Now
Facebook Profile/LikeLinkedIn Profile/Share
Myspace Profile
Twitter Profile/Status update
iTunes Link
YouTube Video

We've tested various smartphone scanner apps with this and the most impressive by far was 'i-nigma'.
Give it a go, download it and try scanning something like this link below to WikiPedia's page about these QR Codes!

HP 1TB, 4GB, 20" Touchscreen All-in-One Windows 7 PCs

Well they arrived and are as fantastic as we'd hoped!
The touchscreen works as you would expect, you control the cursor with your finger and tap to click.
Very CSI!
It has two touch points which means you can use the iPhone-style 'pincer' movement to expand and shrink certain things but this will only work with software designed to do so which means it won't zoom in on your windows desktop.
Having said that, there is an HP application installed which replaces your desktop while it's running and has a sliding selection bar at the bottom of the screen.
This gives you access to all the usual windows gadgetry - music player, photos, DVD player, TV etc.
This does have the two touch point functionality and will pretty much give you most of the things the casual home PC user requires.
There is a built in camera on the top of the screen and when you take a snapshot, there are several effects with which you can 'fairground mirror' your face!
The DVD drive is Lightscribe so you can burn professional looking disks with your own pictures/images on the back (using lightscribe disks, obviously).
The TV is also pretty impressive.
There is an aerial socket in the back of the screen and it has a freeview tuner built in - it even records programmes to the hard drive.
All in all, an impressive gadget.
No home should be without one!

New 1TB, 4GB, 20" Touchscreen All-in-One PCs - Arrival Imminent!

We've got a new toy coming in within the next day or so and are quite excited!
They are HP All in Ones similar to our last special but with touchscreen and higher spec.
We've ordered the last three our supplier had in stock and can't wait to give one a good test run and report back here.
They should be available for less than £600 including VAT.

Watch this space!

You can view HP's trailer for these below:

UKBITS teams up with Gigasoft to provide Online Data Backup

The most important part of your business backup and disaster recovery planning must be to ensure that a copy of your critical business data is kept secure offsite.

At UKBITS we understand the importance of protecting data, with the help of Gigasoft we can offer a secure online backup solution specifically for businesses that need to store their valuable data offsite at reasonable rates. Cost is usually a predominant factor and with this in mind we have formulated a very cost effective solution, enabling you to have a comprehensive enterprise level disaster recovery solution in place for the minimum of expense and effort.

Read more about our online backup

June's special offer.

Another great item we have discovered and would like to share with you.
These HP All-in-One units are available on our website now: http://www.ukbits.net/product.php?equip=193

HP All-in-One 200-5110uk Desktop PC 

Intel Dual Core E5400 2.7GHz/800MHz/2MB

21.5" TFT LCD High Definition Display (1920X1080)

2GB DDR3 1333MHz SDRAM, up to 8GB

500GB SATA Hard Disk, 7200 rpm

SATA SuperMulti LightScribe DVD Writer Drive

Intel integrated graphics onboard

Integrated Webcam with microphone

6-in-1 Media Card Reader, 2W internal speakers

Gigabit LAN, Wireless LAN 802.11 b/g/N

7x USB 2.0, Mobile PCI Express (MXM 3.0), 2x PCIe

HP wireless keyboard & HP wireless mouse

Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit

PRICE £459 inc VAT & Del