[KLUG Members] RE: Old server spontaneously reboots

[Robert V. Kanaley]

Jamie and Adam,

>> I suspect that after running continuously for six plus years
>> the power supply is getting flakey and needs to be replaced.
>
>That seems very likely.  The bad news is that they're not a standard
>item, you can't just swap them for something from Best Buy.  And
>worse, they're expensive.  If it does turn out to be the PS, try
>?calling <http://www.californiadigital.com/>... they might be able
>to help you.
>
>Or, buy yourself a cheap-ass machine with similar architecture, swap
>the hard drives over, and see if it boots back to the same server
>you know and love.  It just might!  :)

Jamie,

Thanks for the heads up on the power supply.

Before I saw your post, I had called PC Power and Cooling. They went to the
Intel web site and looked up the spec's on the motherboard. They suggested I
order a Turbo 510 ATX 20-pin power supply. But, when I described the problem
they suggested checking out the VRM too. However, when I checked the Intel
site for info on the VRM I found that this mobo doesn't use a VRM unless you
have a second CPU. Since I don't have a second CPU that pretty much leaves
the power supply or the motherboard. I have a call in to California Digital,
but no response yet.

<aside/ Did you know Don Marti when he was at VAR|L? Don worked here back in
'97 when we ordered this machine. /aside>

Adam and Jamie,

I like the second idea, but the difference in technologies is the problem.
The mobo is an Intel PR440FX with an integrated SCSI controller for the boot
drive with the OS and the DDS3 tape drive. The /home directory is a Raid 5
array with a hot spare on a DPT 3334 SCSI ultra wide controller. This is a
full length PCI board and the hard disks are large. The last time a hard
disk failed in the Raid 5 array, I had a heck of a time finding a compatible
SCSI hard disk.

The chassis is a full size tower that doesn't have a removable drive cage. I
think it would take another full size tower to hold all the hardware. I will
do some looking, but I suspect it will cost a pretty penny to get a server
class full size tower chassis with a motherboard that has an onboard SCSI
controller.

Since the physical dimensions of today's servers are so different, I think
it might be smarter to look for a low end SCSI server that supports RAID 10,
just in case it turns out to be the motherboard.

Thanks for the feedback guys.


Regards,

Bob

Robert V. Kanaley
Manager Information Systems
Agdia, Inc.
rvk@agdia.com
http://www.agdia.com