DW Support Guidelines for Troubleshooting OS Issues
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Affected Roles: Administrator, Power Users
Related Digital Watchdog VMS Apps: DW Spectrum
Last Edit: May 13, 2025
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DW Blackjack OS Issues
Digital Watchdog’s Blackjack Server products primarily operate using a Windows or Ubuntu Linux operating system (OS). These operating system are virtually the same as any other home computer – you can install or uninstall software, update software, save documents and pictures, or perform any other actions that may normally be performed with your personal computer.
However, DW Blackjack Servers are configured in a specific manner for optimal performance to act as media servers for the DW Spectrum application. If the Blackjack Server is used purely as a server, not as a workstation, it is expected that the machine will have no issues as there will be no changes made to the overall factory configuration. However, if problems do arise and the machine is operating within the parameters that it was designed for, the problem may be related to the operating system.
In this type of scenario, the most effective method for resolving OS issues is to run the provided recovery process if troubleshooting methods are ineffective.
When the recovery process is used, the OS will be reset and returned to its factory default state, resolving all issues related to the operating system.
Common Reasons To Run Recovery
- Unexpected pop-up windows
- Slow startup and degraded system performance
- Suspicious hard drive activity
- Lack of storage space on the operating system
- Unexpected data loss not caused by the DW Spectrum software
- Sudden freezing, crashing, or OS error messages
- Unusually high network activity
- Unexpected computer behavior
- Browser issues
- Security attacks
- Virus infection
Recovery Disclaimer
While some of the above issues may be resolved through additional troubleshooting by the system user, Digital Watchdog Technical Support team will be limited to ensuring that the DW Spectrum Software and other stock programs are functioning as expected. Any other issues regarding the operating system will be met with the recommendation to run the recovery process.
System Recovery Articles
- Reporting DW Spectrum Issues
- USB Recovery for a Non-RAID System (Ubuntu/Linux)
- USB Recovery for a DW Blackjack System (Ubuntu/Linux)
- Integrated Recovery for a Non-RAID System (Windows)
- Integrated Recovery for a Non-RAID System (Ubuntu/Linux)
- DW Blackjack RACK 2U – Windows 10 IoT System Recovery
- DW Blackjack RACK 2U – Windows Server 2019 System Recovery
- DW Blackjack RACK 2U – Ubuntu 20.04 LTS System Recovery
- DW Blackjack CX – Ubuntu 20.04 LTS System Recovery
RAID5 Configuration
After recovering the operating system, Blackjack servers equipped with a RAID 5 array will need to have its storage configured.
- Configuring RAID 5 Using Avago LSI MegaRAID Manager
- Configuring RAID 5 Using MegaRAID WebBIOS
- DW Blackjack RACK – Configurating Dell PowerEdge RAID with Dell HII Utility
For More Information or Technical Support
DW Technical Support: 866.446.3595 (option 4)
https://www.digital-watchdog.com/contact-tech-support/
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DW Sales: 866.446.3595 [email protected] www.digital-watchdog.com
