From owner-freebsd-questions@FreeBSD.ORG Mon Apr 13 19:11:51 2009 Return-Path: Delivered-To: freebsd-questions@freebsd.org Received: from mx1.freebsd.org (mx1.freebsd.org [IPv6:2001:4f8:fff6::34]) by hub.freebsd.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id 3A155106564A for ; Mon, 13 Apr 2009 19:11:51 +0000 (UTC) (envelope-from jalmberg@identry.com) Received: from mx1.identry.com (on.identry.com [66.111.0.194]) by mx1.freebsd.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id DF0EC8FC18 for ; Mon, 13 Apr 2009 19:11:50 +0000 (UTC) (envelope-from jalmberg@identry.com) Received: (qmail 97537 invoked by uid 89); 13 Apr 2009 19:12:26 -0000 Received: from unknown (HELO ?192.168.1.4?) (jalmberg@75.127.142.66) by mx1.identry.com with ESMTPA; 13 Apr 2009 19:12:26 -0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 (Apple Message framework v753.1) In-Reply-To: <20090413183147.GA82769@slackbox.xs4all.nl> References: <648C2025-CD72-4BA1-8D5D-48D4CC781250@identry.com> <20090413183147.GA82769@slackbox.xs4all.nl> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed Message-Id: <0234CF40-42D1-461E-A074-CA5C32EC8BCE@identry.com> Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit From: John Almberg Date: Mon, 13 Apr 2009 15:11:49 -0400 To: freebsd-questions@freebsd.org X-Mailer: Apple Mail (2.753.1) Subject: Re: How to diagnose hardware problem? X-BeenThere: freebsd-questions@freebsd.org X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.5 Precedence: list List-Id: User questions List-Unsubscribe: , List-Archive: List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , X-List-Received-Date: Mon, 13 Apr 2009 19:11:51 -0000 > > First things first; if the machine is still in warranty, don't mess > with > it but send it back to the manufacturer and demand a replacement. It is in warranty and I am following their process. I'm hoping to short-circuit that process by finding the problem on my own, if possible. Plus, I've never really had to deal with a hardware failure before, so it's a good learning process. > > If the machine is out of warranty, you might consider replacing it > altogether. My employer's IT department ditches PC's and servers at > the first > failure after the warranty runs out. Accordinf to them it's cheaper > than > repairing them. > > > But if you want to have a go, this might help: > http://www.daileyint.com/hmdpc/manual.htm > > Basically, it's just a problem of elimination. > > First check if your machine is the only one having problems at the > hosting site. Maybe they have unstable electrical power. > > Then make sure that all expansion cards and RAM are well-seated, and > that all connectors are OK. Also check that there is no dust build- > up on > e.g. fans and heatsinks. If necessary, clean carefully with (dry, oil > free) compressed air. Dust can lead to short circuits or reduced > cooling. Next, look for capacitors that have leaked fluid, or have > bulging metal end plates on the motherboard; those are dead or > dying. It's a leading cause of motherboard failure. It is possible to > replace them, but you'll need the right equipment: > http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/fixing-motherboard,1606.html > > Install a monitoring program like mbmon or healthd, and have it log to > another machine or a USB stick mounted syncronously. Monitor CPU > temperature, fan speeds and the different voltages. Not all power > supplies are created equally. See the articles at tom's hardware: > http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/Components,1/Power-Supplies,6/ > > If you've found nothing so far, it's time to start swapping out > components, starting with the power supply. This is all good stuff to try. Thanks. -- John