[Tfug] Any tips for diagnosing possible hardware problems?

[Harry McGregor]

Glen Pfeiffer wrote:
> Can anyone offer any assistance on how to diagnose which (if any)
> hardware component is bad? Here is my problem...
>
> I have been trying to install either Ubuntu or Debian (preferred) on a
> PIII. I am confident the media is okay because both cd's have worked
> flawlessly in several other instances, but both are failing on this one
> PC. 
>
> Symptoms:
> * Ubuntu: Reaches the "mounting root file system" stage, and hangs
> forever (well, at least an hour). I can't figure out how to see
> detailed messages, so if you think that will help, can you give me a
> pointer on that? Remember, it's not booted yet, and I don't seem to
> have access to the other virtual terminals.
>
> * Debian: Starts the text based installer, allows me to choose my
> language, etc. Then it probes the hardware and hangs. Again, I don't
> know how to see detailed messages at this point either.
>
>   
You might want to try the install with either "linux26 noacpi" or
"linux26 noapic" or even "linux26 noapic noacpi"

For debug info, alt-f3 or alt-f4 might help
> I have removed most of the non-essential hardware (floppy, agp video
> card), and still have the same issue. I have also swapped out the hard
> drive as it was suspect. I have checked all the cables, and replaced
> many of them. I have tested the memory in another pc and verified that
> it is alright.
>
>   
Testing memory in another PC is NEVER a test of the memory, it's a test
of how well the other system/OS makes you think the memory is good.

Nothing takes the place of a run of memtest86+
> At this point I am thinking either the motherboard, cpu or possibly the
> CD drive. I haven't the first clue on how to diagnose them apart from
> replacing the part and trying again (and I don't have enough spare
> parts - these are my spares). Any help?
>   
Start with memtest86+ (www.memtest.org)

                               Harry
> Thanks!
> Glen
>
>
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