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Thursday, 03 March 2016 19:15

WHMCS Setup Instructions (Video Walkthrough)

Configuration instructions are based on WHMCS v4.2.1

Follow these instructions in order which will guide you through the setup procedure outlined in the next section and WHMCS will be installed easily and correctly setup. This is base on a video series from you tube by EatMemo / webhostingtutorial on youtube / http://www.webhostingbusinessbook.com/ / Abrahim Ikasud , who also wrote a book, 'Getting & Managing Your First 1,000 Clients in Web Hosting', with resources outlining in detail what follows (also free with hostgator accounts). There is a notes section at the bottom of this document.

Don't forget if you get stuck click on the help links from within WHMCS as they are well written and relevant

Fresh install of WHMCS and WHM/CPanel with optional WHM/cPanel client import

These instructions utilise the Video walk through below and are for fresh installs only.

  1. create packages on WHM and setup as required i.e. bandwidth space etc.

  2. install WHMCS on to your web server

  3. check automation settings before anything else, do not configure bridge or integration yet, just check settings – to prevent data loss

  4. go through 'WHMCS - Part 3 General Settings' section

  5. go through 'WHMCS Part 4 - Domain Names Setup' section if reselling (need to check if this should be setup even for manually adding TLD – all domain TLD used on WHMCS should have a domain configured in this section )

  6. go through 'WHMCS Part 5 - Payment Gateway Setup' , setup as required

  7. configure a product as per 'WHMCS Part 6 - Product & Services'

  8. configure Product module settings as per 'Module Settings Tab' in 'Configuring a Web-sense/cPanel/WHM aware Product (Example 4)' to provide WHM/CPanel integration

  9. run 'cPanel/WHM Import' script (Utilities/cPanel/WHM Import), correct any errors and correctly populate clients data paying special attention to dates, product they have bought etc..

  10. go through 'WHMCS - Part 7 Automation'

  11. configure any support departments if required as per 'WHMCS - Part 8 Support Departments'

  12. Install Google Analytics Addon and configure

  13. Import WHM/CPanel Accounts – see 'WHMCS - Part 9 Importing (Lancastrian IT)' section

  14. Check Client Data

  15. Enable Automation CRON Job if not already – Command found in 'Automation Settings'

  16. Select both required templates as prefered: (General Settings/General Tab) template and (General Settings/General Tab) Default Order Form Template

  17. Read notes section at the end of this tutorial

  18. Backup

  19. Customise a template if needed

  20. Backup again

  21. DONE

Full WHMCS Setup Instructions (Video Series Walkthrough)

video series from you tube by EatMemo / webhostingtutorial

WHMCS - Part 1 Getting WHMCS (Not Needed)

WHMCS - Part 2 Installing WHMCS (Not Needed)

Before you start read the following section and check the appropriate settings about automation to prevent data loss 'WHMCS Automation Settings Page '

WHMCS - Part 3 General Settings

  • Location - (Setup/General Settings)

  • Go through general settings changing email and other contact details.

  • Leave everything as default unless instructed

General Tab:

  • Fill in company details

  • The email address set here will replicate through the email templates

  • Company address box should also have the company name at the top

  • upload logo i.e. http://www.example.com/whmcs/images/logo.jpg

Localisation Tab: @ 4:00 mins

  • change to UK, GBP and £ etc..

  • the first currency is the default and cannot be deleted

Ordering Tab:

@ 4:21 mins and

  • enable and setup a 'terms of service' (TOS) and 'privacy page' (download here)

  • automatically take user to the invoice,

  • eatmemo recommends not blocking existing domains

  • eatmemo recommends to skip fraud checking for existing

  • eatmemo recommends web20 cart theme (default on the version he is using)

  • 'Monthly Pricing Breakdown' untick it, this sets billing pricing breakdown to yearly

Domains Tab:

  • setup purchase/transfer/renewal options for clients domain names

  • setup rest as required

  • Bulk Domain Search - this allows you to search for domain name availability on the order page

  • Bulk Check TLDs - this adds ' Do you want to buy this domain as well while you are at it' below the domain availability search

  • Bulk TLD section cannot configured until 'Domain Pricing' and TLD has been setup

Mail Tab: (watch Video above)

  • configure mails settings

  • configure SMTP email - phpmail is used by default but not secure, SMTP is also preferred because of spam

  • setup mail signature

  • Pre-sales Contact Form Email , I used hosting@lancastrian-it.co.uk because only small company and departments not yet setup

Support Tab:

  • eatmemo recommends 'ticket reply list order' should be changed to 'Descending (newest to oldest)' – watch video for explanation

  • KB SEO Friendly URLs + change htaccess.txt

  • eatmemo recommends adding pdf,doc,docx,zip,tar,gz,xls as allowed file attachments

Invoicing Tab:

and then

  • eatmemo recommends turning on 'Sequential Paid Invoice Numbering' this adds sequential invoice number using the template below it. I used HOSTING-{NUMBER} , will generate HOSTING-001, HOSTING002 etc...

  • I enabled just the sensible UK credit cards, this setting might be used by some gateways

  • disable late fees

  • if starting new hosting business, best not to start at 1 and maybe use invoice increment of 17

Credit Tab:

  • I am leaving this off until I use a payment gateway and clients can add funds themselves

Affiliates Tab:

Watch video @ 3.20

  • dont use, for reference only.

Security Tab:

Watch @ 3:30 mins

  • enable captcha, google recaptcha is probably better but needs a code from google

  • eatmemo recommends 'Required Password strength' of 30, so not to annoy customers

  • increase 'Failed admin ban' to 60 mins, 25 mins is to short

  • 'Admin Force SSL Access' – turn this on

  • disable credit card storage in database – if considering storing credit card numbers in the database make sure you have high security e.g. big passwords, to be safe don’t store. paypal etc.. does not need to store credit card details in your database etc..

  • allow a customer to delete their cards, after all it is their card. (if you store them)

Social Tab: (not covered in videos)

  • twitter and facebook integration

Other Tab:

  • on large sites 'Disable Full Client Dropdown'

  • disable 'Show cancellation link' , this is so you can get valuable information why they want to cancel by having the customer contact you

  • Admin Client Display Format – My prefered option is: Show company name if set, otherwise first name/last name

  • Client Dropdown Format – my preferred option is: [Company Name] - [First Name] [Last Name]

  • 'Monthly Affiliate Reports' – ignore this as affiliates is turned off.

WHMCS Part 4 - Domain Names Setup

This section sets up a domain registrar (i.e. enom) and your WHMCS install so they talk to each other.

Setting up an enom account:

Do the following at enom:

  1. Configure your enom account. Sign up for one if you do not have it (you can use other providers from the list in WHMCS but the following setup is for enom)

  2. make a note of the cost of domains - http://www.enomcentral.com/pricing.asp

  3. make sure you have a valid credit card on file at enom

  4. load your enom account with some money – My Account

  5. request your IP to be put on enoms white list This is done via a support ticket. The global Justhost server rs4.justhost.com IP address is most likely already on. E.g. 'Please white list my IP for live production server' include IP and account name @ General Reseller Info

Now go back to WHMCS:

Goto Setup/Products and Services/Domain Registrars

Registrar Tab:

Watch @ 6:30 mins

  1. Select Enom

  2. enter you enom user name and password

  3. enable SyncNextDueDate so dates match up

Other Settings Tab: @ 7:55 mins

  • make sure the default name servers are your nameservers

Domain Pricing:

Watch @ 1:29 mins

Goto Setup/Products and Services/Domain Pricing

This should be setup even for manually adding TLD – all domain TLD used on WHMCS should have a domain configured in this section.

  1. pop-up the price list - http://www.enomcentral.com/pricing.asp

  2. pick which TLD domains you are going to do. Do not do them all. If there is to much on the plate the customer will not know which to go for

  3. you should consider Domain registration as a complementary service as you cannot make much money reselling these up. (I personally will put some on each domain)

  4. now add each TLD Domain that you want to provide selecting enom for those domains. You can use different suppliers for different TLDs.
    Watch @ 1:29 mins

  5. to set the prices click on the 'Open Pricing' link and configure options as needed. As a security recommendation do not do more than 2 years because of fraud.

  6. Do not forget 1 year = $9.95 and 2 years = $19.90.

  7. I am not sure what should happen now as this video ended to quickly. Watch video @ 4:18

WHMCS Part 5 - Payment Gateway Setup

This section deals with setting up a payment gateway

Goto Setup/Payments/Payment Gateway

  1. select, add and configure the gateway

  2. 'Mail In Payment' can be used for offline payments. The details in the box can be modified

  3. eatmemo recommends that when setting up a gateway or in this case paypal the description line should more reflect the types of card payment you can take via these methods as it is better for a customers awareness.

    I.e. Paypal → Paypal (Visa/Mastercard/AMEX/Discovery/eCheck)

In the Paypal Gateway settings

  1. Enable 'Force Subscription'

  2. Configure Paypal API details – only required for automated refunds

WHMCS Part 6 - Product & Services

This section covers setting up a product and part of the details tab

Configuring a Product

Goto (Setup/ Products/Services / Products/Services)

  1. Firstly you need to create a Product Group to hold your products and services. It is a category e.g. 'Shared Hosting Services','VPS, 'Non Client Packages'

  2. Create a new product. Select from the 'Product Type' drop down (don’t know if this can be edited). Also select the 'Product Group' which you have just created. Give the package a name.

  3. Hit continue

  4. Fill in the tabs as outlined below

Details Tab:

  • fill in product description – this will show on the shopping cart

  • don’t put to much information in the shopping cart description. Otherwise it will confuse the customer

  • welcome email – this is a per product welcome email

  • require domain – this is for products that do not require a domain name

  • Starts ½ though details and includes , , custom fields tab  Watch video @ 4.53

  • if you charge tax - click enable

Pricing Tab: Watch @ 2:30 mins

  • setup your required pricing for each product

  • use -1 to disable terms. In the example video at the end of this section it shows eatmemo only disabling the price

  • leave prorata billing off (unless you really need it)

Module Settings Tab: Watch video @ 3:44 mins

  • this is where you do cpanel integration

  • FILL IN LATER

Custom Fields Tab: Watch Video @ 4:53 mins and then

  • these are custom fields you can have customers fill in when they sign up - e.g. how did you find us?

  • these are per product

Configurable Options Tab: Watch video @ 2:35 mins

  • POSSIBLY add later in the process

Upgrades Tab: Watch Video @ 3:12 mins

  • POSSIBLY add later in the process

  • i.e. from free accounts to paid accounts

  • other products need to be setup first before this can be used

  • this is a simple select box where you choose which products clients can upgrade/downgrade to. They can do this from their control panel

Free Domains Tab: Watch Video at @ 3:51 mins

  • You can give customers free domains

Other Tab: Watch Video @ 4:15 mins

  • you cannot compete with the big companies so you need to focus on supplying a personalized service to your customers so don’t set Soft Bandwidth and Soft Disk Limit unless you have to where you have limited resources as Eatmemo recommends. My account packages have limits so I will add them here

  • don’t set over usage costs (unless you really want to)

Configuring a Product (Example 2 & 3)

Setting up a second and third product example starts watch video @ 5:35 mins and continues with this as marked out below:

  • Pricing Watch Video @ 0:24 mins

  • Pricing – Monthly/Annual price display on cart Watch Video @ 2:44 mins

  • Free Domain Watch Video @ 7:12 mins

  • Other - not setup Watch Video @ 8:12 mins

  • Upgrades Watch Video@ 8:30 mins

Configuring a Web-sense/cPanel/WHM aware Product (Example 4)

  1. First you need to create the product

  2. follow the steps outlined below

  3. this shows you how to configure a product to interact with you WHM/cPanel hosting packages from fresh and does not cover importing but has similar setup routines for reference.

Details Tab: Watch Video @ 1:11 mins

  • setup as required, this is a reference only

Pricing Tab: Watch Video @ 2:24 mins

  • setup as required, this is a reference only

Module Settings Tab: (This is also part of Cpanel/WHM integration)

This section is going to show how to use a cpanel server with WHMCS and these setting will be fairly typical

Hosting Package Watch Video @ 4:45 mins

  • edit your web hosting package you want to deal with

  • go to the modules tab and select Cpanel as 'Module Name'

  • don’t set all the settings, leave them to be set in the WHM (integration is bad anyway)

  • (I added this) enter the 'WHM Cpanel Package Name' i.e. svchost1_Bronze

  • If the package does not exist continue to follow these instructions from 5.33 to create a package through WHM (or just do it)

  • Make a note of the package name you have just created

Now link the WHM Server to WHMCS Watch Video@ 8:11 mins

  • before we can assign a server we need to setup a server in WHMCS (Setup / Products/Services / Servers)

    NB: so it knows where to talk to before we can assign 'Server Group' which is required for the Cpanel module to be able to control the packages

Create Server Group Watch Video @ 8:35 mins

  1. create new group – i.e. 'cPanel Servers (EatMemo)'

  2. select fill type – leaving as default is fine

Create a Server

  1. Click 'Add New Server'

  2. fill in the name of the server, hostname, IP, Monthly Cost, Date Center (just a text description of location), maximum number of accounts (this is really for load balancing if you have more than one server), name servers and their IPs,

  3. 'Server Details' should be set as follows: 'Type' = Cpanel, user name is your reseller account name, use the 'WHM Access Hash' instead of your password. The hash is found in the WHM. Use SSL mode

  4. even if you do not have a SSL, use SSL mode and accept the certificate prompt in your browser

  5. after you save changes you are returned to the server page. Next to the server is a new 'WHM' button. Press this to see if your settings work

  6. because I am using lancastrian-it.co.uk I will most likely need to change the hostname to lancastrian-it.co.uk while leaving the nameservers as svchost.co.uk and I can use SSL

Now you can finish editing your WHMCS Product by adding your Cpanel details Watch Video @ 4:10 mins

  1. goto (Setup / Products/Services / Products/Services )

  2. select the web hosting package you are dealing with

  3. goto the modules settings tab

  4. enter the 'WHM Package Name' – you should have this noted down from before

  5. all other details have been set in the WHM Package so do not change anything

  6. choose the 'Server Group' – this you setup earlier most likely with one server

  7. The bottom section 5.26 – This deals with when the Cpanel account is created. My preferred option is 'Automatically setup the product when you manually accept a pending order ' or because I have only 'Mail in Payments' on I would have to acknowledge the first payment which is the same thing so I could use 'Automatically setup the product as soon as the first payment is received ' which would give the same affect but only be useful if my hosting was open to the rest of the world for sign up without my intervention

Custom Fields Tab: Watch Video @ 7:10 mins

  • N/A

Configurable Options Tab: Watch Video@ 7:10 mins

  • N/A

Upgrades Tab: Watch Video @ 7:10 mins

  • N/A

Free Domains Tab: Watch Video @ 7:20 mins

  • if you were including a free domain with the account now is the time to add it

Other Tab:

  • N/A

WHMCS - Part 7 Automation

This section will go through WHMCS automation settings (Setup/Automation Settings). For WHMCS to run its automation you need to setup a CRON job in cpanel that create and mails all invoices, calculates billing and suspends accounts etc..

Setup CRON Job:

  1. If you will be importing data only activate the CRON only when WHMCS is completely setup, i.e. finished importing clients and you have sorted their account dates etc.. so customers do not get random invoices

  2. goto (Setup/Automation Settings) in WHMCS

  3. copying the top line from 'Create the following Cron Job using PHP: '

  4. login the CPanel of the domain WHMCS is hosted on i.e. cpanel.lancastrian-it.co.uk

  5. goto the advanced section and select 'Cron Jobs'

  6. Email - make note that every time the CRON Job is run by default an email is being sent to the default system email account (i.e. catch all). Possibly look at turning this off or set to send to one of your own email accounts to make sure it is running correctly

  7. add a new CRON job, set to once a day, add the CRON Job line from the WHMCS into the command line and then click 'Add New Cron Job'

  8. IS THIS THE BEST TIME TO RUN – I am sure eatmemo mentioned selecting a better time somewhere in the 24 hour clock i.e. 03:00 in the morning

WHMCS Automation Settings Page

Watch video @ 4:04 mins

Automatic Module Functions

  • Leave Enable Suspension On (except while importing clients from WHM for the first time as you might have clients you have not billed etc.. Enable this when you have sorted your client import)

  • MAKE SURE 'Enable Termination' IS OFF – this prevents any data loss by automated systems, I do not want this on as I can delete them manually. If you have a large site you should consider this later. It should be off by default – This prevents accidental data loss by bad settings.

Billing Settings Watch video @ 5:52 mins and then

  • leave 'Payment Reminder Emails' on

  • 'Add Late Fee Days' - late fees should already be disabled in General Setup so is ignored

  • 'Overage Billing Charges' - This setting determines how Fees to the client when they exceed their bandwidth or disk space is handled.

    • Determines how clients are billed for their overage (if enabled). The first setting will calculate the bandwidth overage costs on the last day of each month and create an invoice due immediately. This will create a separate invoice.

    • The second setting will still calculate the overage change on the last day of the month, but it will not create a separate invoice, instead it will be added to the client's next invoice.

Credit Card Charging Settings Watch video @ 2:30 mins

  • credit card details are not being stored in the system so these reminders and charging events are irrelevant. If needed leave as default

Currency Auto Update Settings Watch video @ 3:02 mins

  • 'Exchange Rates' - When enabled WHMCS will connect with the European Central Bank and obtain the latest exchange rates. Leave enabled (enabled by default)

  • 'Product Prices' – seeing as I have only one currency and this option is not needed. If your currency is not volatile then this option would not be needed, or perhaps should be run every once in a while to maintain some similarities in cost.

Domain Reminder Settings Watch video @ 3:37 mins

  • if your system is setup for full automation there is no need to send reminders out to customers because it is more they have to deal with and it puts questions in their heads.

  • In my case I am using a offline billing method so I will need to send out reminders

Support Ticket Settings Watch video @ 4:37 mins

  • 'Close Inactive Tickets' – leave this disabled on small site like mine but on a large site set to 7 days (7 x 24 = 168) this is recommended by EatMemo

Miscellaneous Watch video @ 5:07 mins

  • 'Cancellation Requests' - I will leave this option disabled for now. I can always terminate manually, which I will be doing at the minute because of my clients. Earlier in this tutorial I think I removed the cancellation option from clients. (Default is on)

  • 'Update Usage Statistics' – leave enabled, why you would turn this off is beyond me

WHMCS - Part 8 Support Departments

  • On larger sites you will want to have a proper ticket system, the following shows you how to setup WHMCS to parse emails into a ticket system.

  • The video deals with setting up 3 departments

  • The video shows you how to setup the CRON Piping Method

  • Forwarder Method - This is the preferred method and is recommended by WHMCS if you use cPanel or DirectAdmin and are piping in emails from the same domain that your WHMCS is installed on.

  • Forwarder method is instant but the CRON method will only check every 5 minutes (or whatever the pole rate is set at)

Configure Email Piping:

This is how to setup an email ticket system using the 'Forwarder' (Preferred Method)

This is how to setup an email ticket system using the 'CRON Piping Method '

This method is recommend if you use any control panel other than cPanel or if you are wanting to pipe emails from domains other than just where your WHMCS system is installed.

To use this method:

  1. Goto (Setup / Support Departments)

  2. copy the line of code ' Ticket Importing using POP3 Import (Requires IMAP installed on server): '

  3. Now create a CRON job with that command minus */5 * * * * because time is setup above with drop down menus and will cause an error otherwise watch video @ 3:00 mins

    • This should run every 5 minutes

  4. EatMemo recommend that you check IMAP is installed, this is pointless as most all hosting packages with cpanel come with this. Watch video @ 6:20 mins and then


    However if not on cpanel or you just want to check, here is the quick version

    1. create a php that calls <? phpinfo() ?>

    2. load the php info file and search for IMAP

    3. IMAP should be present in the 'Configure Command' section if installed and possible in its own configuration setting later on in the php info page.

Setup Support Departments:

Now that the CRON job is setup, we now need to configure the support department(s) (i.e. Sales / Support / Billing)

  1. Goto (Setup / Support Departments) watch video @ 3:03 mins

  2. Click 'Add New Department'

  3. Fill in the details watch video @ 3:44 mins

    The following is an example with correct settings:

    'Department Name' – Support
    'Description' – Technical Support
    'Email Address' – support@example.com
    'Clients Only' – should be unticked to allow all
    'Pipe Replies Only' - should be unticked because we are using the IMAP
    'No Auto Responder' – should be unticked so there is a auto response
    'Hidden?' - do not hide from clients

POP3 Importing Configuration: watch video @ 4:46 mins and then

(Only required if using POP3 Import method)

  1. fill in the email account details for the address you are using.

    • EatMemo says that an email address should be in the format hosting+lancastrian-it.co.uk but using hosting@example.com is preferred and probably works

  2. change the port number from 110 to 995 for secure email. NB that you will need to use the secure email server settings i.e. rs4.justhost.com for them to work properly

  3. make sure the appropriate email address have been setup

Make Tickets visible to staff or administrators Watch video @ 1:32 mins

Before you can actually administrators can see tickets submitted to those email addresses we have to give them access right.

  1. Goto (Setup/Administrators)

  2. Edit an account (there should only be one at the minute), the main one from when you setup WHMCS

  3. 'Assigned Departments' - There will now be 1 – 3 departments (depending what you setup on the section above) that you are not assigned to

  4. Assign the new departments or appropriate selection to your account

  5. Every new account will need these departments assigning to be able to see the tickets

  6. 'Support Tickets Notifications' – leave this off unless you need to monitor

  7. Test the ticket system to make sure it works Watch video @ 2:58 mins

Published in WHMCS
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Sunday, 21 February 2016 19:41

Image Flip

On hover the image will flip to another image of your choosing. A logo is usually best.

  • This can be done manually or you can use the advanced options in JCE editor (right click on the image) to get the effect.
  • I would also try and get the images to be the same size to keep things smooth, at least the width should be the same.
  • It is also advisable to put a bit of a border or gap on the image at the edges so it does not get cut of. this is not mandatory
  • You can also add frames arounf the images. See the Image Frames article for the code.

quality 150 trash 150 administrator 150

HTML

<p style="text-align: center;">
	<img src="/images/modules/755/quality_150.png" alt="quality 150" style="margin: 10px;" onmouseover="this.src='/images/kb/2016/755/demo-logo-rollover.png';" onmouseout="this.src='/images/kb/2016/755/quality_150.png';" />
	<img src="/images/modules/755/trash_150.png" alt="trash 150" style="margin: 10px;" onmouseover="this.src='/images/kb/2016/755/demo-logo-rollover.png';" onmouseout="this.src='/images/kb/2016/755/trash_150.png';" />
	<img src="/images/modules/755/administrator_150.png" alt="administrator 150" style="margin: 10px;" onmouseover="this.src='/images/kb/2016/755/demo-logo-rollover.png';" onmouseout="this.src='/images/kb/2016/755/administrator_150.png';" />
</p>

 

Published in Packages
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Sunday, 21 February 2016 19:24

Forward a domain in eNom

  • Change DNS servers to use eNom (if not already)
  • Edit the Host records
  • Set the following Records to:  Record type  ‘URL Redirect’ and set the address to the FQDN of the target site
    • www (domain has the www subdomain)
    • @ (no subdomain)
    • * (everything else)
Published in WHMCS
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Sunday, 21 February 2016 19:14

Blackjack Solderwerks BK 3000LF-T Notes

I bought a

BK 3000LF-T 70W digital solder station hot tweezer soldering iron combo     BK 3000LF-T    1

with the following tips (which are compatible with the BK 6000)

  • BK 3000LF-T 70W digital solder station hot tweezer soldering iron combo     BK 3000LF-T    1
  • Cartridge soldering tip conical type with heating element WQ-LI     WQ-LI    1
  • Cartridge soldering tip for solder iron bevel style including heating element WQ-12D     WQ-12D    1
  • Cartridge soldering tip for solder iron chisel type with heating element WQ-4C     WQ-4C    1
  • Cartridge soldering tip for solder station sharp bent type with heating element WQ-02J     WQ-02J    1
  • Cartridge soldering tip for solder station blade type with heating element WQ-K     WQ-K    1
  • Cartridge soldering tip for solder iron bevel style including heating element WQ-24D     WQ-24D    1
Published in Electronics
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Sunday, 21 February 2016 19:09

Blank screen on my Dell E6540 laptop

my laptop dell e6540 on windows 10 pro is connected to 2 external Dell u24h... via display ports.

I came back to my computer and all screens were blank, but on. I ejected my laptop from the docking station and the laptop panel came on as normal.

I tried the following which did not work:

  • presing ctl+alt+del
  • rebooting laptop
  • turning monitors on and off
  • updated both amd and intel drivers

Solution

I unplugged the display port cables fromn the back of the docking station, the laptop panel came back on. I then plugged in the external monitors 1 by 1 and they came back on.

You can also try using HDMI or VGA connections if available. This issues is common with Display Port and HDMI connections where the monitor talks back to Windows.

Published in Windows 10
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Sunday, 21 February 2016 19:07

Make Windows Dark

When you use a computer fpr most of the day you do not want a galring screen murdering your eyes. This is why I have started putting together somne instructions on how to make Windows 10, and some Apps use Dark Themes.

  • notepad++ custom dark theme
  • firefox that drakener plugin
  • explorer use QTTabs and set the colours, turn on compatability mode
  • * change default colour via registry hack for word pad and notepad
  • office set to black/dark theme vis options/apperance / copy theme and make dsark
  • windows hidden dark theme (or what of there it is)
  • netbeans use dark theme

Other software use inbuilt dark themes

Use a dark themen for windows 10 when the patchign thing comes out

Published in Windows 10
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Sunday, 21 February 2016 19:03

DLNA, Streaming, Miracast, Casting, MHL and Media Servers explained

So you want to cast/stream your media/phone/pc to another device, what now?

I will go through all the available technologies which allow you to do this and by the end of this article you will be able to pick and choose the setup which is best for you. I will be using an android phone and a Windows 10 PC but a lot of the information can be translated to IOS and Mac as we will be using standard technologies.

Basic Technology Groups

It is important to know the different terms and technologies before starting doing any streaming.

  • Streaming (via DLNA/UPnP) - Streaming is playing media file from a remote device on the local device (i.e. the one you are using)
  • Screen Casting / Screen Mirroring - Is used to transmit/send your whole to another device to get displayed there.
  • MHL – This is a technology to allow usually phones to display HDMI via the USB port and also for the TV to supply power to the phone or device. The only different between a HDMI socket and a MHL sockets is that the MHL enabled HDMI socket supplies power. Both the HDMI socket types can be used by any HDMI device. This requires a physical connection between the phone and the TV via a MHL cable (basically a micro-USB to HDMI cable)
  • Remote Control – This is where you use software to establish remote connection to the target device which is then displayed on your computer usually with the ability to control it. This is almost like Remote Desktop for windows.
  • Other Streaming – There are other ways of streaming but they are not covered here.

These technologies have many parts to them which I will go into more depth below and how they work and then ultimately how to use them.

DNLA (Streaming Via DNLA/UPnP protocol)

DLNA Components
Thousands of "DLNA Certified" devices have been produced, falling into four broad categories:

  • Digital Media Server. These store media and make it available on the home network.
  • Digital Media Players. These can play content pulled from a Digital Media Server.
  • Digital Media Controllers. These can find content on a Digital Media Server and push it to a Digital Media Renderer.
  • Digital Media Renderers. These can play content pushed from a Digital Media Controller.

A DLNA App can be any combination of the components above.

Notes

  • UPnP/DLNA server
  • DNLA client - this is a software that can push media to a device to be played or read files from a DNLA server and watch locally
  • Renderer functionality - this allows you to push media to it and then that device plays it on its screen. Not all DLNA servers support this. I.e. BubbleUPnP and Samsung TVs. If the device does not have this feature or advertise it windows 10 will not find it when adding a device or be able to cast to it.
  • Don’t forget if you are in the other room your windows 10 will need authorizing on the TV for connection.
  • TVs generally are not holders of media and might not come up as a DNLA media server (my computer--> add device) with content when running as a TV and even when you have the AllShare app open, but only as an endpoint via cast screen because the DNLA server is pushing the fact it is a renderer endpoint and not a media server. What features that are on which television will change from model to model.
  • Renderer endpoints announce themselves and are  part of the DLNA protocol set.
  • the Windows thing is called "Play To" in Windows 8 and  "Cast To Device" in Windows 10
  • DNLA is for casting files and media, not your devices screen. This is know as Screen Mirroring or Screen Casting
  • UPnP is another name for DNLA. DLNA is the common name everyone uses though.
  • My Samsung TV appears under context menu when you right click on a media file the "Cast To Device" when you are watching TV (this is not the DNLA mode) but fails to respond.
  • DLNA does not require hardware but you can only cast files and videos, not the whole screen. There are workarouns but they are not perfect because DNLA was not designed for casting your screen, just media.
  • windows 10 does not receive but you can buy a small app to allow windows 10 to become a media renderer

Issues

  • don’t forget to mention about me running as a standard user I had to change to an administrator to turn this on, return as a standard user and then every things works as it should including permission upgrade (UAC prompt)
  • "media streaming not turned on" read the message properly and enable the "Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service" in the services by click on the link below the message or go to the services.msc
  • in windows  you can right click on videos and cast them to DNLA devices

Links

General

Windows

Android Media Center

DNLA MKV Support

Kodi - Media Center

Cross Platform DLNA Apps

These apps will have installers for various platforms

Android DLNA Apps

Windows DLNA Apps

iPhone DLNA Apps

 

MHL

This technology only requires a MHL cable which can be specific to your phone to be connected, from your phone to a TV’s HDMI socket. If the HDMI socket is not a MHL socket the only thing that will not happen is that the phone will not get charged. There are no specific settings for this feature. When you connect the phone the image is then mirrored on your screen (assuming you have the HDMI channel selected)

Notes

  • There are 2 types of MHL connector that Samsung uses. 5p and 11p. For some reason later Samsung phones use the 11p configuration. (add phones here)
  • 5p is a standard MHL standard that most phones use
  • MHL is a standard that involves 2 parts
    • HDMI sockets (on TVs and monitors) that supply power down the cable to the device at the other end.
    • MHL is usually delivered through the micro USB socket on the mobile phone supplies a HDMI signal
  • You can get a 5p to 11p adapter that simply converts the pin configuration. This purely changes the location of the HDMI wires/pins
  • OTG (host USB) adapters are the same for both Samsung connection types (5p/11p)
  • If you plug in a 5p adapter to an 11p phone, the phone will charge normally but you will not have any HDMI output.
  • The HDMI output can be lost by a poor quality HDMI cable
  • I have confirmed that a HDMI v1.3 (shielded) works fine on my phone but a purported v1.4 premium cable did not work. You might also find that the cable can display a picture but can be intermittent. This is most likely down to a poor cable. Some TVs might also exhibit the same sort of intermittent display because their HDMI pickups are not that brilliant. The HDMI signal on older phones is about 500Ma and on the newer MHL standard about 900Ma so you can see there might be some issues arising from this as well.
  • The multi adapter I got is ok but you cannot plug in a USB pen drive and charge at the same time because the sockets are too close together. I would us a small USB extender in the adapters USB socket which will then allow you to use all devices at once.
  • The Samsung s2 adapter that I got is a 5p adapter with a 5p à 11p adapter. This means you can probably use it for more phones that the Samsung because most other phones will use the standard 5p arrangement. The charge feature should always use the same pins so should be safe. I am guessing that the USB (OTG) is a standard pinout as well.
  • If you are going to move your setup about often, using the adapter might not be the best for you because you could bust the socket on your phone, but for permanent setups or occasional use it is great.
  • You can buy an multi adapter and as long as it is 5p standard you can use a 5pà11p adapter to convert it to use later version of the Samsung phone ranges

Links

Miracast / Screen Casting / Screen Mirroring

This generally needs specialist hardware, compatible WIFI cards on both the sender and receiver ?

Notes

  • you can cast to Miracast devices from windows win+p
  • windows does not have an inbuilt Miracast receiver, there is airplay software you can but that works + another
  • there is a project to turn Raspberry Pi into a Miracast device called Piracast
  • Chromecast possibly support Miracast standard
  • AirServer (Finally a software Miracast receiver) for windows - http://www.airserver.com/PC#features
  • Miracast uses Wi-Fi Direct technology so it requires hardware

Links

General Articles

Windows Articles

Android Articles

iPhone Articles

Android Apps

  • EZCast - Official App and Hardware

Windows App

 

Android Remote Software

With this method you use software usually comprising of a client and a server application which talk to each other. Once the connection is established you can control the remote your device as well as seeing the screen on your client device.

Links

Remote Android Apps

Although the section is called android apps there is client on a Windows PC to connect to the service on the android phone

Other Streaming

Stream PC desktop with VLC to DLNA  /  VLC Player Streaming to DNLA method

These methods tend to  uses an intermediary to transmit a raw compatabile DNLA stream to a DLNA device. You are able to select your desktop to be streamed. Why this is not a standard feature is beyond me.

Stream Desktop To DLNA Renderer

Other desktop streaming/mirroring

 

Kindle Cast

 

Published in Android
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Sunday, 21 February 2016 18:59

To enable Media Sharing in Windows 10

When you go to enable Media sharing, it is greyed out. This is most likely because you are running as a standard user (This is a good thing).

Solution

  • Change your account type to an administrator account
  • Log back in to your account
  • Enable media sharing
  • Log out and put your account back to standard (optional but I would)
Published in Windows 10
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Sunday, 21 February 2016 17:42

Blank HTML Template

This is basic HTML template with some items added in to show you how to add them. This is not the most modern version of the code so I might update this.

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en-GB">

	<head>
		<base href="http://quantumwarp.com/">
		
		<meta charset=utf-8">
		<meta name="keywords" content="">
		<meta name="description" content="">
		<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0, maximum-scale=1.0, user-scalable=no">
		
		<title>HTML Skeleton - Blank Page</title>
		<link rel="icon" href="/images/favicon.ico">
		
		<link rel="stylesheet" href="/css/styles.css">
		<style>
			.cssClass {color: red;}
		</style>
		
		<script src="/js/jquery.skitter.js"></script>
		<script>
		 // Code Goes Here
		</script>
		
		<script>
		// Code Goes Here - Google Analytics uses this.
		</script>
	</head>	
	
	<body>	
		<div>
			<p>You Main Content Goes Here</p>
		</div>		
	</body>
	
</html>

 In HTML5 it is optional to self close tags, but XHTML and XML expects theme to be closed (only for void elements).

Published in HTML
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Sunday, 21 February 2016 12:50

Company Pointers Horizontal

This is a Company Promo 4 point Grid with Icons.

Established 1955

sand clock 128

We remain a genuine local company, employing local trustworthy employees, some who have been with us now for over 5 years and take massive pride in their work.

Family Business

administrator 128

This family run business have been going for more than 50 years.

 

Quality Workmanship

quality 128

We became a full members of the Computer Society, are fully insured. We keep up to date with all new computer issues.

Enviromentally Friendly

trash 128

We are a environmentaly friendly company. We recycle and use reclaimed computers where possible. We are committed to cutting down on the carbon footprint were ever we can.

 

HTML

<div id="company-pointers-horizontal" style="text-align: center;">

	<div style="display: inline-block;">

		<div style="float: left; width: 180px;">
			<div>
				<h3>Established 1955</h3>
				<p><img src="/images/modules/745/sand_clock_128.png" alt="sand clock 128" style="margin: 10px;" /></p>
				
				<p>We remain a genuine local company, employing local trustworthy employees, some who have been with us now for over 5 years and take massive pride in their work.</p>
			</div>
		</div>

		<div style="float: left; width: 180px;">
			<div>
				<h3>Family Business</h3>
				<p><img src="/images/kb/2016/745/administrator_128.png" alt="administrator 128" style="margin: 10px;" /></p>						
				<p>This family run business have been going for more than 50 years.</p>
				<p>&nbsp;</p>
			</div>
		</div>

		<div style="float: left; width: 180px;">
			<div>
				<h3>Quality Workmanship</h3>
				<p><img src="/images/kb/2016/745/quality_128.png" alt="quality 128" style="margin: 10px;" /></p>				
				<p>We became a full members of the Computer Society, are fully insured. We keep up to date with all new computer issues.</p>
			</div>
		</div>

		<div style="float: left; width: 180px;">
			<div>
				<h3>Enviromentally Friendly</h3>
				<p><img src="/images/kb/2016/745/trash_128.png" alt="trash 128" style="margin: 10px;" /></p>				
				<p>We are a environmentaly friendly company. We recycle and use reclaimed computers where possible. We are committed to cutting down on the carbon footprint were ever we can.</p>
			</div>
		</div>

	</div>

</div>

 

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