There is some suspicion that our server-crashes-all-the-time problem is
related to the hard disk and/or SCSI controller.
Here's a diagnostic program for the disk (DOS program, runs from a
floppy... do we have a floppy drive?):
http://www.hgst.com/hdd/support/download.htm
Here's the detailed specs for the drive:
http://www.hgst.com/tech/techlib.nsf/techdocs/85256AB8006A31E587256A78005A3…
Is the SCSI controller built-in to the motherboard? What's the motherboard
manufacturer? Do they have any diagnostics? Or is there something we could
get direct from Adaptec (Adaptec AIC-7899 Ultra 160/m SCSI host adapter)?
I'd also recommend upgrading our old kernel to a current 2.4.x to ensure
that drivers are current; Jason may be recompiling anyway for serial
console support, so two birds with one stone.
It's also high time we move the mailing lists to the other server so we
can still communicate during downtime...
-- brion vibber (brion @
pobox.com)