Fileserver Troubles Part 5

At last, the finale. After purchasing and installing a new motherboard (which necessitated new RAM and an added video card) the system is finally back up and running with stability. After all has been said and done, the repairs on the Filserver cost:

New 500GB Maindrive: $50 + tax
New 850W PSU: $189 + tax
New motherboard: $109.99 + tax + S&H
New video card: $64.99 + tax + S&H
New RAM: $46.99 + tax + S&H
---------------------------------------------
Total: $492.83

As you can see, losing stability on a computer can be quite devastating financially, quite like having your car break down. Fortunately, we were able to limp along without the Fileserver for longer than we would be able to do so without a car. The parts came in piece-meal and could have been cheaper if I had jumped to the conclusion that the issue lay with the motherboard sooner. Alas, the motherboard was the most expensive proposition to fix, so I opted to explore other avenues first. The hard drive, it turns out, was completely unnecessary but by the time I established that fact, it could not be returned. Additionally, who is to say that the old power supply was not damaged by the initial incident? I know I can't say that for certain until I have an opportunity to thoroughly test it.

It is humbling to note that the lion's share of the cost of this problem could have been avoided if only I had been able to identify the exact nature of the problem sooner and more accurately. Perhaps this is due to my own failings, but I really don't think that's entirely true. Computers are complex machines and it can be very difficult to find their particular problems with certainty. Until I had replaced the power supply and witnessed the Fileserver's continued instability, I was absolutely convinced that the power supply itself was the issue at the heart of our difficulties. It was only through testing and experience that I was able to find differently.

$500 in repairs are nothing to sniffle at. This kind of money could have been used to provide the computer with more space or features instead. That is why we lament the cost of these repairs. That aside, I am happy to put this issue well behind us and move onward with life. Perhaps my next step should be to track our Fileserver-related expenses.