Basic Computer Maintenance

Hi All

I have done quite a few shows this year and have had problems caused by a lack of basic maintenance.

Keeping the inside of the computer clean has been a major issue - especially the cooling fins of graphics cards. As we come into the summer - make sure they are blown through with air duster regularly.

The other annoying problem that has reared its head is the battery on Apple Raid Cards. I have had two big shows where the rechargeable batteries are failing and cannot recharge. This means the machine cannot see ANY hard drives and then boot.

You have to leave the machine on in this error state for a few minutes while the battery gets some charge. Then hard power off and try again.

Just a couple of points to help you all have a good summer!!

regards

Nev

Heres a few more festival related tips:

Try and use video isolators when using video input cards in festival situations (a client destroyed 10x PE4 cards last year before installing a £100 isolator on each input)

Try and keep your server in the shade (and dry) - as they get hot in the sun and don't work well in the wet... Ensure they have good ventilation (and are not next to a hazer)

Also watch out for loose PCI cards and sub base... as it can cause the Mac to crash on the 1st cue... A Shock-mounted rack can help here to avoid vibration. Some foamed racks have been affected by this too.

UPS are a good idea too - especially on generator power when the LD flashes all his Molefays and the voltage drops by 20v - then goes over-voltage by 20v afterwards...

Keep a backup of your content and show file on an external HD with you (seperate from the server) - so when your server is delivered to the wrong festival site (or left in someone else's warehouse), you can borrow one from a colleague working with another band...


S