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I know this might sound stupid coming from a person that sells DVR'S, but I always get different responses.

 

What exactly is WATCHDOG TECHNOLOGY?

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Watchdog is a routine in the DVR software that monitors the operation of the system and will automatically reboot the computer if it senses that the software has frozen.

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Ther are several meanings,

 

A hardware watchdog is a cable running to the reset switch of the computer if the card overheats or locks up.

 

A software watch dog makes sure that the software process is still running and that windows has not crashed and if it has it TRY's to reboot the system.

 

I used to use my own process monitor software watchdog called "fire daemon" but that was back with Windows 98, nowadyas things are pretty stable and I have no need to run it with XP.

 

Once again though more proof that if you know how to set a PC system you can avoid the downtime, most people dont think of these things.

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So, in your experience Windows XP is stable enough that you don’t bother hooking up the watchdog wires leading from a GeoVision card to the motherboard? Hope that is the answer? I can’t read the writing on this new motherboard to even see where I would even connect the PC reset wire.

 

And the other wire that is supposed to lead to the motherboard front panel jumper, Forgetta-Bout-It….

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The primary purpose of the hardware watchdog with the Geo system is to reboot the entire system in the event that "someone" shuts down the main software and decides to surf the internet or just be plain curious. Then they walk away from the machine without starting recording again......seen it a few times. If the watchdog reboots, then the system goes through the startup routine and will begin recording again. WAAAALAAAA

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I setup the Watchdog feature on every DVR we sell, but I'm not convinced it does anything...

 

Every once in a while you get a 'WatchDog rebooting system' message when it seems like nothing is wrong. And a couple of times I've seen a blue screen and no reboot???

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4 WORDS - They are my parents!

 

I am doing this job for them. I can't fire them! Ha, Ha. Anyway they know not to screw around with the computer system for anything but security monitoring purposes. It will only have software installed on it that is necessary for backup and maintenance purposes, so I don't have to worry about them.

 

My main concern is should I go through the trouble of contacting Dell to find out the motherboard used on this system? In order to hook up the wire leading off the Geovison card to the reset jumper on the motherboard?

 

Do you guys think the watchdog is necessary if you know nobody will exit the Geovison software and stop the recording? Or should I track down the jumper on this motherboard and connect it? From the other post I have read I am not sure that the reset feature is reliable itself. Has anybody else had unnecessary reboot problems by using the reset jumper wire connected to the motherboard?

 

 

Thanks.

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It is reliable if the system is built correctly. I wouldn't recommend a Dell, but sometimes I understand you have to work with what you have due to budget.

 

scottj

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4 WORDS - They are my parents!

 

I am doing this job for them. I can't fire them! Ha, Ha. Anyway they know not to screw around with the computer system for anything but security monitoring purposes.

 

hehe, if they are rich, they can come live with me lol

 

I personally run my geo with the reset plugged in to the motherboard along with the correct bios settings incase something does happen. can't you just change the access on the machine so that the recording part cannot be entered into and just use the remote monitoring software to review footage etc ?

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Jasper

 

Yah dont need to go through all that dude, just create 2 users, admin and user, user cant switch from full screen or access other parts, or exit the system. They would have to login again with admin to be able to do anything to the system. You set it to always start in full screen so when it does reboot and starts back up it goes right into user mode and full screen. They can see but not touch.

 

Also, you can just use the DSP RCA output to a TV or Monitor, then they wont even need to touch the PC at all, just watch the cameras.

 

Alot of my clients are pretty computer dumb / illeterate so yah know, it works foe me

 

Rory

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I originally setup two accounts, admin and user, then I removed the user account and bypassed the logon screen so I could load the Geovison software without them having to plug in a password. I also have the software log them in automatically as well so they go right into full screen monitor mode. I am trying to make it as simple as possible for them. The system will be locked in a room by itself and only they will have access.

 

So, the consensus is I don’t have to hook up the jumper? That is what I most want feedback on.

 

Hey BlahBlah, What’s wrong with Dell? I thought they were reliable, more reliable than me building one anyway. I learned a long time ago to let the other people figure out what parts are compatible together. I would think Dell is more expensive? What system do you recommend? Maybe I’ll try another system if the company has a good track record and it costs less?

 

Visar, How big is your house? LoL!

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with admin user though they can switch out of full screen mode and exit the program. Make it restart on system exit if you are going to leave it like that.

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LOL, I guess that means I have to hook up that wire, shoot!

Or can Geovison software initate a restart without the wire?

 

Rory, Should I hook up that wire or what? LOL

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Why???

 

Just create a user account, give them whatever access you want to give them, except for System Exit. Also log that user account in automatic and in full screen mode. If you make them a normal user then they cant exit the system, at least not easily.

 

I mean they can always just pull the plug to shut it down ...

 

What exactly are you worried about them doing? If you turn off all the services that arent needed, disable Internet Explorer, MSN Messanger, etc etc, then you will be good to go.

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I’m not worried about them at all, but I will setup and ID in the software that won’t allow them to exit because that is a good idea. I am worried that if Windows XP should lock up, which I personally don’t think it will unless you load a bunch of crap you don’t need on your system, like I do, if that dog-gone watchdog jumper wire should be used.

 

I guess what I am looking for is, Jasper I don’t use the jumper, I haven’t had any problems with system lockup’s or you better hook up the watchdog because Geovison locks up the computer or you need it for this reason???

 

You guys are funny. I won’t tell them about unplugging it Thanks.

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I havent had any problems, but I havent installed as many as others here, and I may turn off and disable alot more than others.

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hehe, if they are rich, they can come live with me lol

 

I personally run my geo with the reset plugged in to the motherboard along with the correct bios settings incase something does happen. can't you just change the access on the machine so that the recording part cannot be entered into and just use the remote monitoring software to review footage etc ?

Which BIOS settings are you talking about?

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i think he just means power settings, to restart automatically in the bios, if power loss.

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I guess what I am looking for is, Jasper I don’t use the jumper, I haven’t had any problems with system lockup’s or you better hook up the watchdog because Geovison locks up the computer or you need it for this reason???

 

Jasper, feel free to do whatever you want with the jumper. over here in australia, I call kangaroo's "jumpers". I wonder what would happen if i tried to put the kangaroo inside my computer ?

 

I have not had any lockup problems with my geovision. however, I suppose that if my parents tried to search porn on my machine they might get some funny images popping up on the screen and windows xp might shut down. is that the problem you are worried might happen ?

 

p.s I'm bored and been up for 37hours now so time for bed haha

 

CCTV dude, yes, by bios i mean to reset on power loss. I run a UPS as well but u never know it might fail.

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The primary purpose of the hardware watchdog with the Geo system is to reboot the entire system in the event that "someone" shuts down the main software and decides to surf the internet or just be plain curious.

 

The feature your taking about is not a watchdog setting, but is rather an option (F9) in System Configure. You can click or unclick the exit system to auto reboot the system or shutdown.

 

I also dig the keylock feature, pretty nifty, but have had strange behavior associted with that setting on a dvr, it pissed me off as it was two service calls to deal with it!

 

 

ARGHHHHHHHH!

 

AC

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Jasper

 

Yah dont need to go through all that dude, just create 2 users, admin and user, user cant switch from full screen or access other parts, or exit the system. They would have to login again with admin to be able to do anything to the system. You set it to always start in full screen so when it does reboot and starts back up it goes right into user mode and full screen. They can see but not touch.

 

-------------------

 

But Watch out for that start button on the keyboard it's a real pain in the ass, so when you can read up on the ver.7+ keylock function.

 

It's da' funk!

 

AC

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