Gongalong

There is the folder MSSQL10.SIMS\MSSQL\Backup. For us this currently has 10 .BAK files, all around 3GB each. 5 of them are dated 13th Sep, 3 are dated 17th Aug, 1 is 30th Jul, and the last is 18th May Edit: there's also D:\SIMS\SIMS\SQL DATA BACKUP which has an EXE file in (dated 22 Oct) around 500MB. There are other folders though with lots of data e.g. D:\SIMS\SIMS\DOCSTORAGE, which has around 6GB. Our SIMS.LDF file in D:\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL10.SIMS\MSSQL\DATA is 58GB (!).

Thanks. Presumably it could be setup as a scheduled task over the weekend, when it's likely not to be in use.

Hi folks, I know that backing up SQL Server (and therefore SIMS) isn't that straightforward. Is it possible to backup the SIMS database from one folder to another while it's in use? TIA

Thanks all. I finally got around to doing this, and used GP to create them under User Configuration > Preferences > Windows Settings > Shortcuts (created both on Desktop and in Explorer Favorites).

Yep, the current guide only has the general testing frequencies, rather than by environment. Perhaps the new version will have this table? It's very useful as at least an indication. Edit: I can't imagine they'll increase the frequency for schools though!

Andrew_C: when you get your 4th edition, would you be able to confirm the table in the book is the same as the examples on the web e.g. PAT Testing Frequency as Set Out by the IET ?

The irony though is we only need this one table, the rest of the testing process is relatively (!) straightforward.

Well they could charge £54 for the digital download at least

Ah, well that's interesting that it might change. Definitely worth hanging on for v4 then! I'll check re. ordering through the library. I'm bemused that they don't offer a digital download.

Yep, the 3rd's about £35 new. The 4th (out next month) is £55.

Yes, it's one of these slightly frustrating "not required by law but you'll be sued to bits if you don't do it and someone gets electrocuted" situations. Thanks for the link. It's one of several similar links I've found, which seem to reference back to the IET book linked in my original post. We might just have to buy the book, but it's a bit expensive for this one reference table.

Hi folks, We're looking into PAT Testing, which seems to have been mostly ignored here for several years. I appreciate it's all about risk assessment, and the responsibility is on the tester to define frequency of testing, but what frequencies are people out there using for desktops (and also laptop chargers)? There appear to be a number of tables out there on the Internet that are sourced from this book (new edition currently launching next month ironically Code of Practice - IET Electrical ), which in turn suggests desktops need to be tested every year. Thoughts and practical experience welcomed! TIA

Thanks for the detail. Much appreciated.

Hi folks, We're reviewing some of the IT policies and procedures we have in place (we're a comprehensive), which aren't a great deal, and just the whole topic of good practice and training in this area. So far we have: Staff AUP Student AUP Data Protection Policy (just implemented) We also have a number of documents that are issued with laptops, including something that's signed to indicate receipt. We're looking at getting staff trained on the DPA and FoIA. Is anyone happy to reveal what policies, procedures, and/or training they have in place and/or whether there's any statutory requirement? Does anyone have a Password Policy and/or Procedure? TIA

Ah yes, I installed the trial at home. Although perhaps the business software is different? The bare minimum is 2TB of file shares and SIMS (although I have no idea how we backup SQL data correctly). So I suspect it's easiest just to back this up direct, and then presumably it monitors and does incremental updates at a defined frequency. Whole VMs would be fab, but (a) I can't see how it could be done incrementally and (b) it's probably just too much data, even with 100Mb/s. Exactly. This is a destroyed site scenario.

Ours is about 2TB. I'm wondering with a 100Mb/s connection whether this would be doable with Crashplan (once the initial backup is done)...

OK, spotted there's a Software Assurance section under the Product Library. Cue "You Stupid Boy!" quote.

Via this link? https://www.microsoft.com/Licensing/servicecenter/SoftwareAssurance/SABSummary.aspx I get this list of shtuff: 24x7 Problem Resolution Support E-Learning – Applications E-Learning – Servers E-Learning – Systems Home Use Program Office Multi Language Pack Planning Services Problem Resolution Support (SAB 2.0) TechNet Plus Direct TechNet SA Subscription Services Training Vouchers Windows 7 Enterprise Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs Media/Download Windows Vista Enterprise Media/Download Windows Vista Ultimate Media/Download

Hi folks, We have the educational volume license (quite common among schools I suspect), although I don't know whether this includes Software Assurance. I can see Windows 8 Pro for download, but no Enterprise version. Under the information for the Pro version it says "Note: See Software Assurance submenu for Enterprise Edition". Under the Software Assurance there's no mention of Windows 8. Anyone know where it is for download? TIA

RTFM: can I ask what you pay for CrashPlan? (presumably the business version?) I've emailed them for a quote.

Crashplan looks of interest, although you have to contact a local rep for business pricing. Anyone got experience of them? Backup Software Features Comparison - Online Storage, Data Recovery, Security - CrashPlan

This is the version I've tried. We do have an older version we use ordinarily, so I might give that a whirl if I can get the laptop back for more testing. Ah OK, I'll give that a try. It seems odd though because this works on all the other PCs I've been able to test with, without needing any additional configuration. It suggests something's wrong on this PC, but the £64M question is what?

Hi folks, I'm getting frequent backup failures with DPM. We use it to backup shares, system states, and complete VMs. The DPM server is an HP ProLiant DL120 G6 running 2008 R2 (fully updated) and DPM 2012. It's connected via iSCSI to a Buffalo Terastation NAS. The daily failures are typically only the complete VMs (often the same VMs), and the errors are also typically the same (example below), although there is a little variation. Affected area: \Backup Using Child Partition Snapshot\VC-DC1 Occurred since: 05/10/2012 12:28:04 Description: Recovery point creation jobs for Microsoft Hyper-V \Backup Using Child Partition Snapshot\VC-DC1 on SCVMM VC-DC1 Resources.HyperV.domain.local have been failing. The number of failed recovery point creation jobs = 1. If the data source protected has some dependent data sources (like a SharePoint Farm), then click on the Error Details to view the list of dependent data sources for which recovery point creation failed. (ID 3114) DPM failed to access the volume \\?\GLOBALROOT\Device\HarddiskVolumeShadowCopy473\ on HyperV-2.domain.local. This could be due to 1) Cluster failover during backup or 2) Inadequate disk space on the volume. (ID 2040 Details: The device is not ready (0x80070015)) There aren't space issues on the SAN or NAS. Both the Hyper-V hosts (ProLiant DL385 G7's) have the latest Support Packs installed and have the latest Windows Updates. The DPM server has had its network drivers updated, but doesn't seem to have a Support Pack. If I keep manually retrying the backup jobs they eventually complete. Anyone got any ideas on where to continue troubleshooting this? TIA

Thanks both. It's local content on the hard disk so I can't seem to add it to trusted sites. The odd thing is our student PCs are relatively locked down, yet it works fine. Unfortunately it's only happening on this teacher's laptop, and he needs it most of the time, so I'll have to wait before troubleshooting again. One further thought is that we normally install Flash from a version we have here, so perhaps updating it caused more problems?

Hi folks, I'm tearing my hair out here trying to resolve an issue with a web page showing blank Flash objects. The page(s) in question are actually from a locally installed electronics encyclopaedia (Absorb Electronics by Crocodile Clips). They will only work properly in IE9, and work fine both on test installs (including my PC), and our entire student network. They fail to work on a specific teacher's laptop. I have reset IE9, tried it in safe mode, reinstalled and updated Flash, and still cannot get them to load. Any ideas? TIA