Dear Client:

Approximately one month ago Microsoft released Service Pack 3 (SP3) for Windows XP. In addition to including all previously released security updates and hotfixes, SP3 also contained a few new features such as “Black Hole” Router Detection, NAP and changes to the way in which Windows Activation operates. After diligently testing SP3 and all of these new features on several workstations with different configurations, Help Now has concluded that SP3 does have compatibility issues with certain mainstream software applications. The issues range from software installation programs failing to install common programs to certain applications no longer running at all.

Because these new features can cause certain software to stop working altogether, Help Now has made the decision not to install SP3 at this time. Although SP3 is not installed, all workstations protected by our Guardian services will still receive all of the security updates and hotfixes supplied with SP3. SP3 will be installed automatically once these new features have been determined not to cause any general application problems.

If an application that is used within your company requires SP3 in order to function, please contact our Client Support Center for further assistance. The support department will assess the situation and, if SP3 is truly required, schedule the installation on all necessary workstations.

If you have any additional questions regarding this communication, please contact the Guardian Support Team for more information.
Thank you,

The Guardian Support Team
Help Now

Our mission is to create Raving Fans

Dear Client:

Please don’t forget to check the temperature of your server room during the recent heat wave. ideally workstations and servers should not operate in an environment that is hotter than 75 degrees.

We undersatnd that it is not always possible to maintain 75 degrees, so we would advise that if a room is over 75 degrees to generate some air flow by opening the door or placing a fan in the room to reduce the temperature.

Heat generates that greatest number of hardware failures. Hardware failures generate the greatest amount of unrecoverable data loss.

If you have any additional questions regarding this communication, please contact the Guardian Support Team for more information.
Thank you,

The Guardian Support Team
Help Now

Our mission is to create Raving Fans

Dear Client:

Microsoft has announced that Windows XP will be officially retired in June 2008. If you have any plans to purchase a workstation or laptop we would recommend that you try to do it before January 2009. System builders such as Dell and HP can ship XP until January 2009. This deadline could be extended by Microsoft. Most of you already have Windows XP, Microsoft will continue to support the XP operating system long after the June 30th retirement date. Microsoft Software Support will last until April 2009 and Microsoft Extended Software Support should last through April 2014. This means that you will be able to keep your environment patched with security hot fixes and updates for quite some time. As of now there is no need to worry about the retirement of Windows XP. However, we would recommend that if you are buying machines for your business make your purchase before the end of the year. After January 2009 you may be forced to migrate to Vista.

If you have any additional questions regarding this communication, please contact the Guardian Support Team for more information.
Thank you,

The Guardian Support Team
Help Now

Our mission is to create Raving Fans