Need help diagnosing 4000

[tmalik]

I had this snap server 4000 for over several years now. Few weeks ago there was power interuption and now server would not boot up. No light. No fan movement. How do i tell if the power supply is blown up or some kind of fuse/circuit? I desperately need to recover data off but can't afford to pay $$$.

Thanks for your help.

[blue68f100]

You will need to wait for Phoenix32 (andy) to answer your question. He is our hardware guy. I believe there is a fuse in the power supply, but andy will know for sure.

As a quick test disconnect ALL drives and see if it boots. You should have access to the admin page. And 4000 have a history of bad power supplies. Make sure all drives are disconnected, other wise you will break your raid set. Not Good.

[Phoenix32]

Sounds like a pooped out power supply to me.

This means, recovering data will require another 4000 to install the drives into (at same OS version), or a new powere supply.

I have seen some SNAP 4000 on eBay. There is also a substitute power supply available on eBay. Sorry, I don't build them anymore since I no longer have a SNAP 4000 to test with...

[MarlboroMan]

A couple of options I can suggest.

I have a 4000 that I can ship to Phoenix to test with if he wants to build me another backup 4000 PSU and at the same time you can have him build you one as well. This depends on if he wants to do it and he is willing to do it. (You can read my review of the other two PSUs that I purchased from him in another thread)

Second option. I have a working 4000 PSU that was pulled from one of my working Snap 4000 units that I would be willing to sell if you want to buy it. I would not suggest this as an option if you are going to upgrade the hard drives or have already upgraded the hard drives in the 4000.

Personally, based on my experience and the reccomendations from Phoenix, I would not consider using a 4000 long term with upgraded hard drives unless you have an upgraded PSU and the only source of I know that can produce PSUs for the 4000 of high quality is Phoenix.

[Phoenix32]

Wow, I am blushing...


Honestly, I do not really want to do any more of those power supplies. They take quite a bit of time to do them, and the last time I did them up for people, nobody seemed to want them after I built them or felt I should be doing all that work for free. I suppose if the price is right, I can/would, but it would have to be pretty decent. I have moved out of the SNAP OS units to Guardian units and they keep my hands busy most of the time. I am not saying no, but I am saying it will require some convincing. (hey, at least I am honest about it).

[MarlboroMan]

Understood, but you can't blame me for trying.

I would still like to have a backup on the shelf just in case. I will email you so we can discuss, but I do think this guy's options are limited because it is a bad or failing PSU.

[Phoenix32]

I agree...

[systemcommander]

I just picked up a couple of 4000s - and would be interested in getting the power supplies (qty 2) updated - if that in any way helps sweeten the "i'll pay too" pot!

[Phoenix32]

Okay simple then, so how many people want how many and what are you willing to pay for them?

[Phoenix32]

And there you have it...

One guy wants one as a spare, and another contacted me in PM and wants 2, and that is the only interest...

Given that power supplies would have to be bought and shipped, a 4000 would have to be shipped (twice), and so on, does it really seem worth it?

[systemcommander]

so - since there is so little intereset - what options do i have - will the stock power supply work - driving 4 x 250gb drives - or am i setting myself up for failure soonest?

[blue68f100]

Andy may add more, But you are setting your self up for failure. The most load accors on startup, so do not be turning it off and on. These were design for 24/7 operation.

[Phoenix32]

Originally Posted by blue68f100

Andy may add more,

Sadly, I had 10+ of these units (all revisions) and various 250GB drives to test with, and every one of them were problem prone without an upgraded power supply (the 12V Rail). Some will tell you it works fine, but I will tell you it is hard core FACT that they don't work fine and will have problems with drives of that size. The OEM power supply just can't take it. A little simple math will prove it also.

Options? For more power? None. There are some replacement power supplies out there, but they don't provide any more power than the OEM power supply does.

I am not trying to be an ass here, honest. But it is a lot of effort with very little payoff for me. Add in that a 4000 will have to be sent to me (and then sent back) and this just seems to be a project not worth doing.

I will do it for you guys, but it is going to have to have more interest than has been shown, at least 5 or so of them, or it is going to be a little more expensive for you guys. You two send some PMs back and forth and discuss it. Try to see if anyone else wants them. Then post me a PM with your suggestions in a few days. That is the best I can offer right now.

And for those of you thinking I am just being mean, keep this in mind. In the time it takes me to do just one of these power supplies, and net me maybe $20 if I am lucky, I can do a couple hundred $ worth of work on Guardian Units and other Servers. It comes down to about $4/hour to do one right (quality). I do them for people to help out, not make a profit, clearly.

[Phoenix32]

Originally Posted by Phoenix32

Try to see if anyone else wants them. Then post me a PM with your suggestions in a few days.

Nothing, Zip, Zilch, Nada... And now you know why I hesitate to do any more of them. There just does not seem to be any real interest in them, and what little interest there is, appears to be shakey... Sorry, I gotta call it like I see it. If/when there is some real interest some day, I will do them then maybe.

[dgoodrich]

I don't have a 4000, so I am just speculating but... for data recovery purposes only, wouldn't it be relatively simple use a standard PC power supply (externally) long enough to boot the 4000, and copy the data off of it?

[Phoenix32]

Originally Posted by dgoodrich

I don't have a 4000, so I am just speculating but... for data recovery purposes only, wouldn't it be relatively simple use a standard PC power supply (externally) long enough to boot the 4000, and copy the data off of it?

Can it be done? Yes.

Simple? No.

Why? Because the 4000 uses proprietary plugs and power control circuirty.

But yes, it can be done (with jumpers and splices) for data recovery.

[MarlboroMan]

I still want a spare and I would consider going one beyond the spare and supplying the 4000 to use for testing.

[Phoenix32]

Originally Posted by MarlboroMan

I still want a spare and I would consider going one beyond the spare and supplying the 4000 to use for testing.

Send me an e-mail and let's see if you and I can get you fixed up. You have been persistant and willing to get it done, I respect that. If others get in quickly while I do this for you, good for them, but this will be the last time I do them.

[MarlboroMan]

OK - Let me see what I can do to get people on board for this last run of 4000 PSU units.

Can anyone who wants one of these great kick ass PSU units for the Snap server 4000 built by our own Snap guru Phoenix, can you either PM myself or Phoenix so that we can get a count of how many we are talking about.

As Phoenix has said this will be the last run of high quality PSU units for the 4000 and those who are looking to upgrade your 4000, this is simply the best PSU that you could have to extend your 4000. (If you want to know more, please see my review in another thread.) If you are going to replace the hard drives in your 4000, you simply need to get a high wattage PSU if you want your SNAP 4000 to be stable.

Let get this going so that we don't waste Phoenix's time.