The Server Hardware Misconfiguration

Umm, it doesn't seem to be working correctly...

It's almost comical that nearly every technological addition or upgrade to our server room is fraught with one mindless defect or another upon arrival. Something may be missing, something may be broken, or the object itself is the wrong one, wrong size or even out of date.

I remember on one occasion we needed a simple power strip for a server rack to power some switches. Nothing fancy, but it needed to have certain connectors for it to do it's job. 5 months and 3 power strips (all wrong) later and we finally get one that we have to change the plug type on ourselves, because we couldn't afford to wait any longer for yet another product exchange.

We take every care to 'spec' out the equipment we need. We research what's available, we choose carefully to meet our needs and budget. Then we pass it on to the bean counters to mess it up in their own special way. Saving money is the name, buying crap, defective hardware is the game (as long as it's cheap).

New Computer

A while ago we spent an entire fortnight upgrading all the Computers and Monitors in an entire Office Block. Nice new flat screen monitors. Faster systems with double the RAM, faster, dual core processors and keyboards and mice that haven't yet been violated by coffee or a bacon 'n' egg sandwich.

The Monday morning after we get a phone call:

"My Computer won't work." comes the reply

"What seems to be the problem?" I ask.

"It won't switch on."

"OK" I say "Can you check the power cable for me and make sure it's plugged in to the wall and that the sockets are switched on."