Checking for Memory Errors with memtest86
Support knowledgebase (thallma_memtest86)
Applies to
SuSE Linux: All versions
Symptom:
Your system is unstable or it crashes sometimes.
Cause:
A defective memory module can cause your system to crash or freeze after
some time
if a broken module is accessed.
Solution:
Follow these steps to check your memory for errors. You will need a floppy
disk for this.
- Download the "Linux Memtest86 v2.4 Source Package" from the following
http://www.memtest86.com/
- Unpack the archive with
tar zxvf memtest86-x.y.tar.gz
- Change into the newly created directory
- Execute the command "make".
- Change to user root using the command "su".
- Insert an empty floppy disk into the drive.
- Execute the command "make install".
- Restart the machine with "shutdown -r now" and boot from the floppy disk.
Without further action, the default check will be performed after the
start of
memtest86. To run all available checks press c for
configuration in
the main view. Choose 3 for Test Selection in the
menu that appears. Select 3 again to select All Tests.
Note: It is not 100% certain that there are no memory
errors if all
tests run successfully!
Also review the hints in the article
General hardware problems.
See also:
General hardware problems
Keywords: MEMORY PROBLEMS, HANGS, CRASHES, ERROR MESSAGES, MEMTEST86
Categories:
Hardware
SDB-thallma_memtest86, Copyright SuSE Linux AG, Nürnberg, Germany
- Version: 02. May 2001
SuSE Linux AG - Last generated: 10. Oct 2002 by mjb (sdb_gen 1.40.0)