'Let's just shove a bigger fan in there and see what happens'

What happened

Robert worked at a small company that scanned newspapers and websites for stories about its clients. One of the server's three internal fans broke, and no replacement could be found. Robert put a bigger fan on top of the hot parts instead. The server kept working. When a second fan broke, he added another makeshift fan. Later, the third fan died, and only then did management buy a new server.

Key facts

• The server was a '2U pizza box' model. It is a flat, short server rack unit.
• The server had three internal fans. Two broke, one at a time.
• The second fan broke about six months after the first.
• Only one original fan was left after the second repair. The lid was off, too.
• The company was almost bankrupt when Robert left.

Why the company kept old gear

The company was short on money, so it wanted to keep its old hardware running. The server was so old that no spare parts could be bought. Servers need fans to move hot air away from their chips. Without the right airflow, parts can overheat and fail.

Why it matters

This story is funny, but it also shows a real risk. Makeshift fixes can work for a while, yet they can fail without warning. The server was important to daily work, so one bad shake could stop the business. Planning and replacing old equipment on time is safer.

What to watch

• The Register invites readers to share their own stories of office mistakes.
• The column runs as a regular feature each Monday.