Just when you think your computer will work forever, it happens. For example, I have a fourth home PC and yet others at work. The same update should be with all server types but company owners think that devices never break and work forever. As a result of this  position one company had a server that burnt out with a failed UPS. That server operated with security software and provided access control for 150 employees.

Sometimes it’s hard to fix something if you don’t know how it works. When you need to solve a jigsaw puzzle to make a picture which you cannot see, you need to guess what this picture is. So in this case I have two wires that are sticking out of the wall, one RS-485 to USB converter and a dozen rooms and doors with electric locks and card readers. I don’t know anything about controllers that are concealed within the ceiling. Do they have batteries?   How long can they retain the user card numbers? You don’t know! First, I email everyone about the problem with the phonea number of electricians  who can switch them off. Then I plan my work and what I need to do: check HDD, operating system, software name, type of saving data, converter connection parameters. Disk looks good, but the system is Windows XP. It is a first sign that someone does not care about staying up to date if the server is still running. It is very common for sysadmins who don’t want to be botherzzed with new software. It is a good idea to change the whole access system but nobody will pay for it, that is quite another problem.  Laziness and penny-pinching. At the very least I need to extract all user data before OS reinstallation. Before experimenting I must make an HDD backup then just change the power supply and downgrade the motherboard (sounds crazy but I have found only one suitable). It is not hard to reset Windows XP admin and MYSQL sa passwords but it takes time reading the documentation that is about 700 pages and also googling. And of course you need to read all configuration files and compare information. I spent about 12 hours before I was able to add a new user over the security system interface. So now I need to prove to the company owners that they should order new hardware and software even though the old one is still working.  

PS. I have found hidden cams in their office that record the sales managers in the main office area.