Getting a new server might seem like an easy job, unless our friend Murphy is watching, as always. After months of hard work, gathering money from all possible sources, we’ve finally reached our 2000 euro target. New server buying time! Saving up for the new server took some time, so we had all the time to dream about what our new configuration should look like. We were not quite sure on the exact hardware choices, as that depended on the time we’d be able to buy the server (hardware prices seem to fluctuate on a nearly daily basis). One thing we were sure about is that the new machine should contain at least 2 Intel Xeon Quadcores, a Tyan motherboard, 8GB of ram and a kick ass 15.000RPM SAS harddisk. With those requirements in our heads, and the money on the bank, we could now finally go ahead. We’ve ordered our new configuration at a local Tyan reseller nearby as it’s the only decent shop around here with Tyan equipment. We’ve ordered the server on Monday and the shop informed us that the server would be ready for use on Friday, tested and approved. It took a while before it was Friday. Technically seen, just 4 days. But as a excited as we were, it felt like bloody ages! Friday arrived, time to pick up the server! The shop assistant informed us that they had tested the machine, and found out one of the chips on the motherboard was damaged. Luckily, they were in time discovering it so they could drive to Tyan the day before to get the mobo swapped around for a new revision equipped with a not-yet-released BIOS installed on it. The shop reported that the new installed motherboard worked fine, and they had tested it for faults. It looked like we’ve successfully beat Murphy this time in wreaking our party! (in the past, with each new upgrade or change, ALWAYS something goes wrong with the hardware. Incompatible standards, wires too short, mismatching layouts etc etc.) Friday evening. At home with my girlfriend and the server. First problem, no empty CD’s to burn VMware and the OS’ses on to install. Crap. Jumped into the car, drove to a local supermarket, bought CD’s. Problem solved! Second problem. Girlfriend. When I powered on the machine, it more felt like a boeing 747 taking off then a server being turned on. Girlfriend pissed. Crap. Decided to grab the server, spare keyboard and monitor, and locked myself up in the bedroom where I finally could enjoy the flight on the server Connected the server, time for its first boot. RAM checking…. Slowly…. Normally not a problem, but with 8GB in it, it gets boring real quick. After a minute or 3 it went pass its initial memory check, to surprise me with a ‘Keyboard not found, press F1 to enter setup’ error. Crap. Grabbed a new keyboard, connected it, rebooted it (took a nap during RAM check), Keyboard error. CRAP! Conclusion after a lot of testing? Murphy found us once again. Mobo seemed to be broken. No output power on the PS2 or USB ports, and no detection on the second installed Quadcore. Crap crap crap. No other choice, then to return the server, on Monday that is… The shop turned out to be closed during the weekend. Crap! To be continued…..