Technical

Aug

2015

Win XP Mode won’t start

If you are running some older software, not compatible with new versions of Windows, in XP Professional you can install a virtual machine “Windows XP Mode”, from which you can install and run the older software. If you find one day that your XP Mode won’t start…
Locate the .VSV – (from desktop, hit F3, search C: drive for .VSV)
Delete the .VSV file (will be named something like WinXP Mode.VSV, didn’t take note!)

If that doesn’t solve it, go to the Task Manager (Go to your Control Panel, then top right corrner Search Box, search for Task Manager. Results give you a link to Task manager, OR, right-click on an empty spot in the Taskbar and then choose “Task Manager” from the popup menu).
Scroll down the list on the “Processes” tab, find the process referring to VPC, and bottom right corner I think it was, “End Process”.

Your Virtual machine XP Mode should now start :)

Mar

2015

Add new user

If you’d like to add a new user to your website, so that they can login and edit pages etc, just login to your Dashboard, navigate to “Users”, then “Add New”. Fill in the form with the new users details, ie username, email address, first and/or last name, password, and then choose what role they will have from the drop down list. If you want them to be able to add and edit pages etc then they must have the Role of Administrator.

You can also choose to “Send this password to the new user by email.” or email the new user directly, with their username and password details.

Then click the “Add New User” button and they have been added.

They can login and change their password at any time, if they wish.

Feb

2015

Security upgrade

Due to the increase in hacking attempts on my own and clients websites, I am now offering a security upgrade to current clients websites hosted with Redback Graphics or Jamncream.

The upgrade includes:

Backup your website
Upgrade your WordPress to latest
Provide a new login portal (hackers typically strike through the standard login portal)
Install a selection of plugins that will detect and block hackers (IP addresses) from accessing your website

Any client who participates in the security upgrade will have their “block” list updated on an ongoing basis, so that collectively, all websites participating gather more data and can be increasingly secure against further hacking attempts.

If you’d like the Security upgrade implemented, email sales@redbackgraphics.com.au, cost of $75, only available to Redback Graphics clients using a Redback Graphics installed theme.

+13

Nov

2014

Updating WordPress

The old days of a scary update have pretty much gone thankfully. WordPress is an extremely stable framework, and extremely well supported with regular updates. Some updates are more important than others, but I recommend that all Redback Graphics clients with WordPress sites update their WordPress around once per year.

Make sure to do a backup of your site prior to updating.

See article creating a website backup.

To update your WordPress is very simple. Login to your Dashboard, and at the top centre of the Dashboard home screen you will see “WordPress 4.x.x is available! Please update now.”

Click on “Please update now”.
The next screen will offer the opportunity to “Update Plugins” and “Update Themes”. DO NOT update these at this time, only choose “Update Now” button to update the WordPress.
Importantly, WAIT and watch as the WordPress enables Maintenance mode (site offline for a few seconds), then disables maintenance mode and your site is back online. Dashboard will then log you out and ask you to login again, to use the updated Dashboard.

If you have any problems please let me know asap.

Sep

2014

Blocked by firewall

“…your IP address has been blocked.”

If you try and access your cpanel/FTP/Email or website using the incorrect password or username too many times, you may be blocked by the firewall. This is an automated process to prevent hackers to your services. Contact your website host (Redback Graphics clients ONLY email jill@redbackgraphics.com.au), with your IP address and you will be unblocked.

Your blocked IP address will be displayed on the screen that displayed you are blocked. It will be a number eg 203.xxx.xxx.xxx.

If you have closed that screen and can’t locate the error message, go to http://whatismyipaddress.com and copy your IP address, email it to your host to get your IP address unblocked.