Something is wrong with my file server hardware.

[SiM]

OK, the problem is that the server crashes after about 2 mins of being on. It is not an OS problem because it crashes even 2 mins with just the bios screen up. Only symptom is that the screen goes completely black.

Where could the problem lie?

My guess is PSU or mobo... Probably the mobo which is a shame as I just sold my 2 spare s939 mobos

[Jay]

are you 100% sure its not a temp issue?

[SiM]

are you 100% sure its not a temp issue?

Well the bios temp was below 40C and it has been working for a month without problem. I'll open it up and check that the fans are spinning up correctly...

It could also be the graphics card actually...

[nichomach]

Is it still pingable over the network?

[SiM]

Stuck my spare 9600gt in and it is working!

Looks like my 7600gs has gone dead... which is unfortunate because it was barely used...

Now I need to get a cheap replacement graphics card

[SiM]

Is it still pingable over the network?

Hmmm... I never tested that? I guess it wouldn't be...

Can you run a server without a graphics card? (my mobo does not have onboard either)

[TAKTAK]

Hmmm... I never tested that? I guess it wouldn't be...

Can you run a server without a graphics card? (my mobo does not have onboard either)

yeah you should be able to...

it's just like using a computer without a gfx card.. you can still do everything... you just can't see what the hell you are doing

(i had great fun when my GFX card b0rked, cos all my music was on the PC [i think my CD player was under RMA] so i just had to try and guess where i was putting the mouse [or use keyboard shortcuts] to get to media player, luckily i had a media centre remote so i could just whack that and play straight away... and then i realised i was being a pillock and had onboard on the mobo )

[Jay]

I don't think it will boot without one.

[TAKTAK]

I don't think it will boot without one.

depends if he fiddled the BIOS before hand to stop it 'halting on all errors'

i'm guessing that this is your rig running buntu? hook some speaks up and see if you get the monkey jungle sounds on boot (unless you've disabled them...)

or take your GFX card out your main (if the file server has a PCI-e slot) and just use it to change the settings in the BIOS so that it doesn't halt on errors (having said that, you said you get 2 mins usage before the death, so you could change the settings with that...

[SiM]

its all command line - no sound afaik... but I think I will just get a £10 card for it anyway... its useful to have the ability to hook up to a monitor if needed...

Thanks for the input guys

[llololloy]

depends if he fiddled the BIOS before hand to stop it 'halting on all errors'

Really? Didn't think any PC would work without some form of video adapter installed. Even cli needs to be displayed.
Only options I've seen in bios are halt on all errors, halt on all but keyboard, halt on all but floppy, halt on all but keyboard/floppy.
Will have a look at the bios on my tyan mobo later.

[SiM]

Halting on no errors didn't work without a video adapter... it definitely needs one to work

[Agent]

depends if he fiddled the BIOS before hand to stop it 'halting on all errors

I've seen this many times across various forums, but have never got it to work on any motherboard I've tried. On the Abits uGuru would give a graphics card error code. I'm close to putting it on the pile labelled 'myths'

Have you actually got it to work mate?

[Jay]

I am the same Agent, never seen it get past post without a graphics card.

[Splash]

That's why it's always nice to keep an old PCI card handy - I'm another who's yet to see standard PC hardware boot without a display device.