Troubleshooting the Server

The server doesn't turn on

Symptom: the server doesn't turn on when you press the button

  • Verify that the power cord is correctly plugged in. Unplug it and plug it back in.
  • Verify the battery is charged.
  • Try with the power block (supplied with the server) plugged into the 220 V main power.
  • If it still doesn't work, the server is defective, and needs to be returned to the manufacturer for repairs. Contact BSF headquarters.

The Ideas Box hotspot doesn't show up

  • Connect a screen to the server (a video projector would also work), and verify that the graphical interface is working.
  • Restart the server and check if the hotspot has appeared after several minutes.
  • Contact Bibliothèques Sans Frontière for remote assitance.

The screen displays some white text on a black background

The message says UNEXPECTED INCONSISTENCY and also suggests that The root filesystem on /dev/sda1 requires a manual fsck. The server was probably shut down brutaly, and the filesystem needs to be checked. At the (initramfs) prompt, enter this command:

fsck -y /dev/sda1

Lines start to flood, a bit or a lot, then the (initramfs) prompt comes back. At this point, enter this command:

sync

When the prompt comes back again, you can shut down the server by keeping the Power button pushed down for a few seconds. The next boot should be flawless.

I forgot the admin password

  • Attach a keyboard, mouse, and screen to the server to access the graphical interface
  • Once the screen is connected, use the login name ideascube and the password that BSF sent you
  • Once connected, click on the icon menu at the lower left and select System Tools > LXTerminal
  • In LXTerminal, typeideascube changepassword admin (admin can be replaced with another username to change their password).