Home Forums Discussions Problems SERVER Specifications ?????

I may have to end up buying a Server Server Computer if the present freezing problem is not due to a software conflict between the several SQL based programs loaded on it. Let me explain.

My Dell Computer which we use it as a Server, which has 100HD Drive, 2Gb Ram, Dual Core is FREEZING soon after I load Amazing Charts. I have uninstalled & reinstalled it several times with the help of very helpful guys at Amazing Charts. So far I have been unsuccessful & my local Computer Guy ($$$)is working on it.

I have the present Server already loaded with 1) Medware PMS (SQL based) & soon to be our ex EMR which is a word based basic program called 2) Medtemps (Sql based) & has our last 2 yrs of Patient Records.

The SERVER used to freeze about once a month or so before I tried to load the Amazing Charts, which would get corrected if rebooted.

What SPECIFICATIONS one would one like to be in a SERVER, and with what Raid, etc etc to prevent a Computer Outage. The Programs loaded on it would be the 2 sql based mentioned above and the AC, with some room for any future programs. My budget is upto $1500.

Any and all opinions would be appreciated. Thanks

Raj,

First your initial issue. Although it would be helpful to know more about your computer such as how old it is, how much processing speed you have (dual core probably means you have enough) and what OS you are running on it as well as any other information you can offer. Bottom line is that computer should have more than enough power to run AC with SQL Server Express no matter what other programs are on there.

I suppose the first thing I would check is do you have a memory leak. 2GB of RAM is plenty, and it almost sounds as though you are not getting the benefit of that. Certainly, installing AC will require more RAM, but it shouldn't require enough to cause your computer to crash. Even before it was crashing, which is a red flag in and of itself. Rebooting may have helped because you recovered all your RAM. Run your computer and see how much memory is available right after rebooting. Task Manager --> Performance Tab --> Available physical memory (the top right square at the bottom). You should have nearly the same amount or at least 2/3 of the total. You can open a memory hog program (probably any Microsoft app -- Word will do) and see the available memory go down. Now every six hours or so with use check on how much is left. Check the next day and the day after. If you notice that the available physical memory (RAM) drops rapidly, you probably have a memory leak. Also, you say you have 2GB of RAM. Make sure you do at the very beginning after bootup. Look in the same place and make sure there is 2GB in the same quadrant under Total.

Also, you have a 100GB hard drive. That's great if it is has 50GBs of empty space. But, it could be completely used up and installing AC may put you down to 50Mbs or less. That would be an issue.

Do you have every single Microsoft update installed? Are all of your drivers up to date?

You also say your local computer person (and no offense to him or her -- I have no idea who that person is), but do you have a reputable computer store in the area that are trained to work on computers like this? This computer should be able to handle AC. Can you call Dell?

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Now for the server question. Again, that question is a little like asking what kind of car should I buy and what packages should I add? You can go crazy or just purchase the smallest you need. As far as RAID, same thing. Some will say RAID 1, others RAID5. Just as long as you use RAID and not RAID0, you are OK. You can't go wrong with either 1 or 5. I actually use both.

Any actual server you purchase from Dell or HP will server you well. Personally, I have a Dell PowerEdge 2900, but that will cost you double what you have budgeted. You will find it hard to purchase a decent server for that amount. You could probably get a low end HP for around $1200. But, this is before you even purchase a server OS. And, I hope you don't put out the dough to buy a real server and then not run 2003 or 2008 or SBS on it.

Disclaimer: There are some who will tell you about building yourself or Ebay. That's fine, but I don't have much experience with that. You are really doing well if you have HP or Dell overnight support for 3 years. Imagine having this problem. You just call them up and say, hey, my computer is crashing -- I will see you tomorrow -- what kind of coffee do you like.

But, really, the best thing to do is go on Dell or HP and start with a lower end server and configure it. But, it will add up a bit once you start getting enough hard drives for RAID at least two -- maybe more, plus RAID controllers, etc.

As far as the individual choices as you go along, I would be more than happy to help as you go.

Thanks Bert, I will check for the Memory Leak as you mentioned. If I could use the present setup of Win XP Pro Network going, that will be great.

I will keep updating this issue.

Thanks again

Do you have any other programs running?

Curious about Medtemps. How was it? Why did it not meet your needs?

Hi Peter,

The Programs running on our Server - (Which is comparitively a little more powerful CPU which has Dual Core AMD, 200 HD & 2Gb Ram running XP Pro) are

1)Emedware - PMS

2)Medtemps - Which is a basic Word based EMR with limited features & functionality, & I would say is 1/2 a step towards a full EMR. It served us well for 3+ yrs, to digitize all our records - but it is time to go to better ones.

3)Pay Clock Easy

Now over time I plan to migrate the Data from Medtemps into Amazing Charts, which has matured over the last few years into a very easy & functional EMR

Warm Regards

RAJ,

As I see it, you have three chocies:

Choice 1 and 2 (based on the fact that the Dell you are talking about (would love to know make and model and how old) has plenty of firepower to run all of those programs and more. My computer has over 150 programs on it, but I don't run all of them at once.

1. Take it to a very reputable computer store and ask them to fix it. Make it very clear that it should be working, and you just want to know why it isn't and a quote to fix it. They may charge you $60 or so no matter what.
2. This is not a bad choice. Call Dell and see if you can get an extended warranty on it. I remember when I had my HP Server and it went belly under with no warranty. I called them and told them that and they said I had no warranty. So, I bought a $149 same day service 1 year warranty and had a guy out the next day. They replaced over $500 of parts and I got the labor and it was all free. I couldn't believe it. Completely the opposite of insurance and pre-existing conditions. Basically, it goes like this. The people who sell warranties, sit in one place of Dell with their Dunkin' Donuts coffee. Their job is to sell warranties. They couldn't care less about what I described above.
Then support gets a call and looks up the warranty and says, yes, I guess we gotta come out with a new video card, motherboard and new RAM.

2. Decide you need a server and then buy one that will run $1500 to $3,000 without the OS and licenses. That's just reality.

I would at least give Dell a call or chat with them.

If you know a good person who can have it built, you can pay around $2100 for a Raid 10 2TB total harddisk xeon quad server with Server 2003, (server 2007) is more expensive.

It would be much more expensive as they don't make a server in 2007. It's 2008. But, we knew what you meant.

That's a lot of space by the way.

Thanks guys for your helpful Input.

We upgraded the IE to 7 & the freezing of the Server seems to have stopped for now. I have downloaded the Amazing Charts 4 into another Dell Desktop for now, which also has DNS, so far so good. If I make changes one at a time, things seem to work better

Now if this works out, I will forget about the Server for now.

Thanks

Raj

I'm glad that helped, but my bet is it will start freezing again if all you did was update to I.E.7

I love a happy ending. Bert what a great thread!

Thanks. But, I don't think I did much.

Bert you have no idea how far some of us are behind you! It is VERY helpful to have someone explain things in simple, but CORRECT terms! Keep up the good work.

Thanks Martin. I read your latest post about your friend at medical records. Priceless!

Thanks Bert,
You have been very helpful to me with this one, as many times in the past.

Raj

yw