Acer TravelMate lost BIOS password

User forgot what the BIOS access password was for their Acer TravelMate 5720.  Acer doesn't want to hear about this type of problem and won't be much help.  Google shows a lot of possible solutions. You don't have to deal with the pay sites since most of them just resell the work done by 'dogbert'.

Just download the  pwgen-5dec.zip  tool, unzip, and run it.  Enter the 5-digit code shown after 3 wrong password attempts.  The result shown for Generic Phoenix BIOS should work and allow you to access the Acer BIOS setup screens where you can then clear (or set a new) BIOS password.

Use a GPS tracking key to create "Duration of Stop" data?

Land Air Sea GPS Tracking Key

The main feature of this product that is of interest to me is the ability to record "Duration of Stop".  This would help keep track of time spent at various clients during the day and provide data for billing for time spent on site.  The supplied software integrates with (and relies on) Google Earth to produce the results. The software is erratic at downloading data from the key.  Sometimes it doesn't recognize the key.  Occasionally it claims there's no data to download, other times the data downloads OK but is corrupt and unable to create reports.  The Google Earth integration quit working.  There's no power off/on switch, so it uses AAA batteries every week or so.  There's four very small screws next to the magnet base that need to removed every time the batteries need changing.  The tiny screws are easily attracted to the magnet and are easy to loose if dropped.  Overall, the product is a great idea, but the hardware and software both need improvement.

Warning - NTBackup & Simply Accounting company files

.. learned something today.  Don't count on NTBackup to create useable copies of Simply Accounting company files when restored.  Problem is due to NTBackup not backing up all the 0-byte files that Simply Accounting uses.  Apparently there's a setting that can be changed to have NTBackup copy all files (including 0-byte ones). I think this issue applies to Simply Accounting 2009 and later versions (where you need both .SAI and SAJ folder).  Typical symptom when attempting to open a 'restored' company file is "required data file is missing". Talk to Tony at Code 6 for help on resolving this problem. Recommended backup method is to use Simply Accounting to create backup files, then let NTBackup backup those files. 

Microsoft Small Business Server 2003, 2008, 2011

SBS 2003, SBS 2008, SBS 2011

Remote Access , Exchange Email, SharePoint, SQL Server

for Windows XP Pro, Vista Business, Windows 7 Pro

Switchvox VoIP PBX system

 Switchvox Unified Communications - SMB or SoHo

Web Netcam for website

Stardot Tech Netcam XL 1.3 Mp  ex: Safari Beach Resort - Osoyoos, BC
- easy integration with your website

5.8 GHz point-to-point wireless link.

5.8 GHz point-to-point wireless link.

Tranzeo TR-5A  or  Engenius EOC-1650