Never fails...walk out the door and computer crashes - Page 3

Chuck · 2013-10-11, 15:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdbardwick

Not quite rebooting, but look at section 3.7.6 APM Configuration and the Power On By RTC Alarm option.

Thinking back a week, when I got home the computer was on, but nothing was processing and I couldn't see what state it was in since the screen had blanked and I couldn't wake it up. It was somehow hung up and I had to cold start it.

Thanks for mentioning that paragraph, I read about the settings.

only_human · 2013-10-11, 15:41

What I do not like about APM settings to restart after a power outage, is I don't trust power right away after it just failed. The RTC alarm wake/power-up sounds better to me but I haven't noticed that in BIOS settings in recent years, is it still there?

Mark Rose · 2013-10-11, 19:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by only_human

What I do not like about APM settings to restart after a power outage, is I don't trust power right away after it just failed. The RTC alarm wake/power-up sounds better to me but I haven't noticed that in BIOS settings in recent years, is it still there?

Many UPSes have the feature of waiting until the power has been back for x minutes before turning the battery-backed circuits back on. Using that in conjunction with the power-last-state setting in the BIOS can accomplish what you're looking for.

EdH · 2013-10-11, 19:57

I believe that a "watchdog" is more appropriate for at least several of the above posts. I have made such hard-wired computers in the past for inexpensive security systems that allowed access to buildings. In my systems, the security software periodically sent a signal to a parallel port pin (older systems, indeed), and that signal tripped a watchdog timer circuit installed within the computer. If no signal was detected within a configured time span, the watchdog sent a hard reset to the motherboard.

A watchdog program can be made to do a similar task - there are probably such programs already in existence. But, they would depend on the OS continuing to run while a "watched" program is hung. In order to respond to a hung OS, you would need an external (to the OS) solution.

I suppose a (rather awkward) solution could be a remotely controlled UPS with the control managed by a program running on the system to be "watched," perhaps via a USB port. If the program stops sending the signals, the UPS can be switched off and on with a delay between states.

Perhaps someone knows of these types of equipment/programs already available...

chalsall · 2013-10-11, 20:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by EdH

Perhaps someone knows of these types of equipment/programs already available...

There are many such solutions available COTS. I can't remember the manufacturer I used several years ago for our wireless relay sites, but http://www.pc-watchdog.de/ is just one of many examples.

Note I've not used this particular model, nor do I have any financial relationship with them; it's just an example. Search around.

Chuck · 2013-10-13, 14:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by chalsall

There are many such solutions available COTS. I can't remember the manufacturer I used several years ago for our wireless relay sites, but http://www.pc-watchdog.de/ is just one of many examples.

Note I've not used this particular model, nor do I have any financial relationship with them; it's just an example. Search around.

Thanks, I didn't know such products existed. It's probably not worth it for me to invest in this technology, but interesting to see what's available.

Uncwilly · 2013-11-27, 04:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncwilly

So, I take a couple of extra days off from work....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncwilly

They will be doing it after I leave work on friday.

And they will be doing it again this long weekend......

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2013-10-11, 15:41	#24
only_human "Gang aft agley" Sep 2002 2×1,877 Posts	What I do not like about APM settings to restart after a power outage, is I don't trust power right away after it just failed. The RTC alarm wake/power-up sounds better to me but I haven't noticed that in BIOS settings in recent years, is it still there?

2013-10-11, 19:57	#26
EdH "Ed Hall" Dec 2009 Adirondack Mtns 11·347 Posts	I believe that a "watchdog" is more appropriate for at least several of the above posts. I have made such hard-wired computers in the past for inexpensive security systems that allowed access to buildings. In my systems, the security software periodically sent a signal to a parallel port pin (older systems, indeed), and that signal tripped a watchdog timer circuit installed within the computer. If no signal was detected within a configured time span, the watchdog sent a hard reset to the motherboard. A watchdog program can be made to do a similar task - there are probably such programs already in existence. But, they would depend on the OS continuing to run while a "watched" program is hung. In order to respond to a hung OS, you would need an external (to the OS) solution. I suppose a (rather awkward) solution could be a remotely controlled UPS with the control managed by a program running on the system to be "watched," perhaps via a USB port. If the program stops sending the signals, the UPS can be switched off and on with a delay between states. Perhaps someone knows of these types of equipment/programs already available...