Quad Pentium pro 200Mhz 1MB cache. What should I do to it ??

[azev]

Hey, I've got like 2 of these server sitting in my garage. They are pretty powerfull server once upon a time, but they are just sitting there collecting dust in my garage. Now since I am getting a server rack later in my new house, I wonder if I should still use this server or just donate it; so that I can get a tax write off.
I think they are Proliant 6500 with multiple scsi drives, raid controller, atleast 1GB ram, and mint condt.
They are used to host Exchange server and SQL server for a start up company that my friend and I setup long2 time ago. Actually I wouldnt mind using them as they are in a really good condition and can still host exchange server (for my house about 8 users), but the only things that concern me is the power utilization on this thing.
It came with 2 750W huge power supply; and keeping them on 24x7 for a whole month probably will cost more for electricity than what they worth. So what do you think I should do to them ? Btw, I also found one quad xeon netserver, but I dont know if it is running or not. More on that later.

 

[skyking]

hook that bad boy up to a multimeter that has a throughput option for testing amperage. I built a power cord for just that purpose.
start it up and get a true reading of power consumption. I have done that with all of my computers, and am setting up a solar installation based on the data I collect. I do this because I have a source for free batteries, which i recycle later.

 

[azev]

hook that bad boy up to a multimeter that has a throughput option for testing amperage. I built a power cord for just that purpose.
start it up and get a true reading of power consumption. I have done that with all of my computers, and am setting up a solar installation based on the data I collect. I do this because I have a source for free batteries, which i recycle later.

More details on that please. I always wondered how to check the actuall power consumption off all my equipment. Especially later when I have a full 42U rack filled with stuffs.

Thanks

 

[skyking]

any multimeter that has an amperage reading capability will work, but I suggest using one that has at least 10 amps capacity. You wire one leg of the power through the multimeter, using the proper jacks and settings. I stress, you must use the proper jacks and settings, or you will toast the multimeter.
you can use a standard 3 wire extension cord to set it up, cutting one leg and inserting the meter there. Now anything that you run on that cord will give you a power consumption in amps. watts= amps x volts, so now you know the watts of consumption.
My p120 machine (firewall) 43 watts.
p166 fileserver (more drives) 75 watts
Edit: After you find out the power consumption, you may decide to get rid of them after all. At least you will know if they are the hogs that you think they are.

 

[Stealth1024]

I have a power strip who's cord has the outer layer of insulation stripped off so that a clamp on amp meter may be used, much safer...

 

[azev]

Well I am not that experienced with high voltage stuff, they scared the heck out of me. (I remembered one time I got shocked with a 220V outlet while testing the current with a testpen) that was a scary experience.

Edit: After you find out the power consumption, you may decide to get rid of them after all. At least you will know if they are the hogs that you think they are.

I thought when a power supply is rated x watts, it will actually draw that much power and put it in a reserve for when the computer needs some extra power.

 

[Pudgygiant]

If I paid shipping would you be willing to "donate" one to me?

 

[Zucarita9000]

Originally posted by: Pudgygiant
If I paid shipping would you be willing to "donate" one to me?

Same here.

 

[p1800volvo]

Tie a line to it. Go fishing. Use it as a boat anchor.

 

[ProviaFan]

Originally posted by: azev
I thought when a power supply is rated x watts, it will actually draw that much power and put it in a reserve for when the computer needs some extra power.

Incorrect. A power supply will only draw as much as it needs, plus a certain percentage of "extra" (PSUs, like all electrical devices, are somewhat inefficient - that's why they have a fan to remove the heat). Those servers may only be using 300 to 400 watts, instead of the 1500.

FWIW, what you're describing sounds more like a UPS when it's recharging. 😉

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

You folks are all forgetting about Power Factor when you're doing your power calculations. A/C wattage is not simply volts * amps unless the power factor is 1.0, very unlikely with a switching power supply.

 

[skyking]

Originally posted by: gunrunnerjohn
You folks are all forgetting about Power Factor when you're doing your power calculations. A/C wattage is not simply volts * amps unless the power factor is 1.0, very unlikely with a switching power supply.

Exactly. That is why I measeure the actual amperage being used.

 

[skyking]

Originally posted by: Stealth1024
I have a power strip who's cord has the outer layer of insulation stripped off so that a clamp on amp meter may be used, much safer...

that only works with inductive loads, not resistive. In other words, you can only measure motor loads acccurately with a clamp on device.