Day Job Computers 

Hardware Failure--A Slow and Painful Death:
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   DayJob's main server is a 4-year-old machine.  Roughly six months ago, the motherboard started showing signs of wear in that roughly half of the USB ports in the back failed.  However, the few that still functioned were enough to carry on through for another six months--until last weekend.
   While working early on a Sunday morning, the internet connection just dropped. No matter how often the internet adapter was reset, it would not reassign an IP address.  I also tried a USB Wi-Fi dongle, but after about 30 seconds, the computer also refused an IP address there as well.  So, there was only one thing left to do--replace the motherboard.
   To be continued...