My yet to be built MythBuntu HTPC/Vid Recorder is intended to be used unattended at my home in NZ to record stuff while I am working overseas, with me popping onto the net to access the recording schedules etc.

Long ago I learnt that there is no such thing as reliable software or hardware and one is often forced to hit the reset or worse, power things down and start again. 

Very often, the lockup is caused by periperal hardware cards and simply resetting the PC is not enough to clear the card's problem - I am looking at a mains power disconnector/auto restorer using an external relay and timer, triggered by something in the PC/HTPC.

Have any of you wise people used watchdogs or other mechanisms to perform automatic resets?     

Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated.