Automatically restart Webmin/Virtualmin in case of failure

Linux   / / / 1 comment

Running out of memory sometimes happens on swap-less VPSes, and it seems Webmin (together with its twin, Virtualmin) are among the first processes to die in out-of-memory cases.

Setting up a little script to check for and restart Webmin if it is no longer running is a pretty simple (workaround) solution – but should never replace the proper procedure of adjusting the settings or upgrading the VPS to avoid running out of memory in the future.

How to fix the Windows Updates available but list empty

Windows   / / / Leave a comment

Every once in a while Windows 7 manages to lose the list of available updates, and while it displays the correct number, the list for both important and optional updates are empty.

The only actual solution seemed to be a computer restart. However, there is an additional way to restore the updates list to proper functionality…

Restarting USB subsystem in CentOS

Linux   / / / / 3 Comments

After a long uptime specific (cheap) devices or components connected to the USB ports lock up or malfunction. Unplugging and plugging them usually fixes issues, but physical access to the system (especially a remote server) is neither always possible or desirable.

In cases like this, Linux (unlike Windows) can trigger a USB subsystem restart by deactivating and reactivating the USB controller(s).