Seems the issues I’m having with it becoming unresponsive to administrative-level tasks/matters using Timbuktu (remote control software), ssh (the “exciting” terminal stuff you probably see in the movies) and even simple file sharing (I like to connect remotely to put files on it).
So when one of us (Somara or me) gets home first, the Mini will be turned off for a minute, then powered back up. Hopefully I can regain control, update it to 10.4.11 which leads to another restart and maybe a security patch appears to tighten up against Russian mobsters. Lastly, I will probably run something to keep an open line (more like a tether) to ensure communication happens until I get home. The long-term, last resort will be putting a display on it; if it’s having a freak out, I can actually go to it and see if there’s a stronger hint via Activity Monitor.