The original post: /r/homelab by /u/highphiv3 on 2024-04-29 21:50:27.

Background:

A year or so ago, I converted my old Gaming PC to a multi-purpose home server. I did this by clearing it out, installing a mainstream packaged-up Debian image on it, and then configuring it with everything I needed (a lot of media server stuff, etc.).

The Problem:

I have had incessant issues with what seem to be undiagnosable crashes. It has never ever happened while I am actively accessing it, but once every ~1-10 days it becomes completely unavailable. I can’t ssh, access any service, or go plug a monitor in and see anything (I am running a desktop environment). The computer, from the outside, seems to be running fine, the fans are spinning just as if it was on. But the only way to fix it is a hard shutdown and restart with the power button.

I have done so much diagnosis and troubleshooting: I’ve updated everything, checked journalctl and other system logs and found nothing suspicious. I’ve heard computer and network sleep settings can be a problem so I’ve edited those.

It seems like nothing I do ultimately has a positive effect. Has anyone ever run into anything like this? Is there something obvious I’m missing? Do I possibly have bad RAM or BIOS that is spontaneously flaking on me?

I’ve put so much effort into this server build, setup, and configuration that I really don’t want to let it go, but my options are running thin. Any thoughts or ideas would be greatly appreciated.