Ultra stable voice automation PC

[skwhig]

I'm quadriplegic, I use voice controlled HomeSeer software to control X-10 and Inspiron devices all over my house, including fans, lights, alarms, heaters, an air-conditioner, etc. I can control anything that uses infrared as well.

I also use the same computer as an HTPC, running programs like MediaPortal and Boxee and storing all my media.

Stability is a huge issue for me. When my voice recognition crashes or freezes I'm screwed. I have to resort to yelling and hoping someone hears me who can reboot me.

I want to build a new rig, maybe two. I think it might be a good idea to have separate rigs for HTPC and HomeSeer, is this a good idea or am I just doubling my chances of a problem occurring?

Are there any good ways to monitor certain processes from another computer and restart them so I have a fail-safe in case my voice control stops listening?

Also, will an Opteron CPU crash/freeze less than a Phenom?

 

[Dangman]

I want to build a new rig, maybe two. I think it might be a good idea to have separate rigs for HTPC and HomeSeer, is this a good idea or am I just doubling my chances of a problem occurring?

It's a very good idea to keep the HTPC and server separately as shown in this thread:
http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1419906

Are there any good ways to monitor certain processes from another computer and restart them so I have a fail-safe in case my voice control stops listening?

Remote Desktop maybe?

Also, will an Opteron CPU crash/freeze less than a Phenom?

Theoretically yes. However the consumer grade Phenom II CPUs are pretty stable as is unless you have a crappy motherboard, RAM or power supply or defective CPU.