Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

PC Not Booting Until a Different Phase is Used?

Posted by Cliff on from the mysteries-of-the-server-room dept.

2by4 asks: "I run at IT Dept for a small firm, our network room houses production & development servers. Some machines are plugged straight into a strip with no UPS. Here is the Mystery Problem: When the power glitches, the strip machines go down, and some of these machine WILL NOT come up again until I switch them to a new outlet. Once this happens, I can put them back on the original outlet and they will work. Unplugging & replugging on same outlet is not enough. I have seen this on at least 5 machines so far, with independent confirmation. We can narrow the 'fix' to plugging into an outlet of a different phase (there are 3 separate 120v phases powering the room). The symptoms vary from no powerup, to frozen at the BIOS (depends on motherboard make), etc, but consistently, switching to a new phase fixes them. I tried the 'unplug-wait-&-replug' cycle, to no avail. Using a new outlet w/ a different phase is the only solution. Any theories? I assume the new phase is causing something to 'reset', but what? I can provide more details, but I am wondering if anyone has seen this before? I am completely and absolutely stumped. Our power is healthy, lightly loaded, evenly distributed and the power strips are new. I know I should have at least a simple UPS, but this mystery is causing me to lose sleep."

8 of 130 comments (clear)

  1. As an EE student, my professional opinion is: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Gnomes?

    (Flunking, in case you couldn't tell)

    1. Re:As an EE student, my professional opinion is: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      In his defense, he did say that he was flunking.

  2. What Would Jordi Do? by Akito · · Score: 4, Funny

    Did you modify the phase variance?

    1. Re:What Would Jordi Do? by pthisis · · Score: 2, Funny

      Did you modify the phase variance?

      Alternatively, try modulating the frequency of the deuterium drive. If that fails, try reversing the polarity of the neutron flow--you'll need a sonic screwdriver (like $10 at Home Depot/Lowe's). If that fails, your dilithium crystals are probably dead and you'll need to find replacements (should take about 60 minutes, minus commercial breaks--you'll need someone in a red shirt to help you, best if it's not a close friend).

      --
      rage, rage against the dying of the light
  3. Thank you! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

    BOFH excuse #3456 (Phase of the moon) can now be supplemented by BOFH excuse #3456b (Phase of the power supply).

  4. Re:Bad Power by TeknoHog · · Score: 3, Funny
    I've had my parents on the other side of the house start a vaccum cleaner and I've bluescreened at the same time..quite a few times..before. Obviously not a coincidence.

    Obviously, your electrical system can only support a finite amount of suction at a given time. Consider switching to an OS that doesn't bluescreen ;)

    --
    Escher was the first MC and Giger invented the HR department.
  5. Hmm-Willy Watt says... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    "Obviously, I mean that you should do this with the plug UNPLUGGED."

    Man! You're just trying to take all the fun out of electricity, aren't you?

    1. Re:Hmm-Willy Watt says... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      Hmmm, I think he's trying to take the electricity out of the fun!