*facepalm*

[jprocksmyworld.livejournal.com]

For a couple of weeks now, on random days, the server in the P office has been dropping off the network. It's been happening between 5:30 and 6PM. The staff finish at 5:30. It's not the cleaner. There's a sign on the server "Do Not Turn Off". There's apparently a sign on the plug "Do Not Unplug". I've got no idea since they swear blind they aren't unplugging it or turning it off. It always comes up when they push the power button in the morning.

We clean the server internals. I ship a "hot swap" replacement. It stays up over the Xmyth period.I'm thinking it was an overheat problem or the like....

Today, when the P branch staff are leaving at 3:30PM, the server drops off the network again at 3:35. I notice. I call the branch. I get them just as they are leaving. I ask them to check it. It's off. They plug a radio into the socket. Dead. I'm thinking blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker. Maybe dodgy wiring that when they turn the lights out... Then I get told that the server's plugged into an extension cable. I tell them to trace it back. It's plugged into another multi-way. Which also has a users PC plugged into it. The user is turning their PC off at the wall. Which has the multi-way plugged in.

The user doesn't always turn their PC off at the wall. The user isn't always in the office. Sometimes their machine doesn't get turned on. This explains the apparent randomness.

When they come in in the morning, the first thing she does is turn her PC on - this means the server's got power- so when they come to check it for me, it powers up on the push of the button.

Todays lesson: get them to trace the cable *all* the way back to the *wall* socket, not just "the socket".

[x-posted to my journal]