[wplug] What to do with a flaky machine

[Bryan J. Smith]

Michael Semcheski <mhsemcheski at gmail.com> wrote:
> No, the machine has been more or less untouched physically in the
> last year.  Except for one thing.  Someone attached it to a KVM
last
> week.
> I don't believe in coincidences, but I really doubt that affected
> it.

I do.  Especially if the KVM is USB-based.  But even if not, yes,
PS/2 controllers (especially Intel's and ViA's) can bring down
systems.  ;)  Even worse is when someone uses a "cheap" KVM which
doesn't have a separate power supply or "optional" 5V or 9V in. 
Guess what?  It's now tapping your PS/2 line for power!

<rant>
Maybe it's because I'm an EE (and went to a college, like many
including the local, that force some basic microelectronics, not just
digital or basic controls, but real microelectronics, on their CS
majors -- whereas 75% of CS colleges and over 95% of IT programs do
not), I would love to force IT people to attend a basic electronics
technology seminar on elementary concepts, issues with transients,
unnoticed loads (especially on grounds), etc...
</rant>

And I don't even consider myself a "practice" electrical technologist
myself.

> But no -- no usb devices in our entire server room.  As Bryan
> mentioned, there's a good chance that this could be power supply
> related.

Power supplies lose efficiency over time.
 
> Does anyone know of a simple and easy way to check SMART values?

You're running SMARTd, right?  ;)
 
Or if it's an intelligent storage controller, their event handler? 
(or possibly both in the case of products like 3Ware's).


-- 
Bryan J. Smith   Professional, Technical Annoyance
b.j.smith at ieee.org    http://thebs413.blogspot.com
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     Fission Power:  An Inconvenient Solution