[COLUG] Boot problems

[jep200404]

Mark Erbaugh wrote:

> I had one good suggestion from the list to run a memory test program.

More particularly, to run memtest from a _Knoppix_ disk, 
(not from a hard drive). In this case, running memtest from the 
hard drive sufficed, but running memtest from a known good 
live-CD such as Knoppix is preferred. That bypasses possible 
problems with the hard drive. 

> Could [boot and memory test problems] indicate that something 
> (power supply or power distribution on the MB or something else) 
> needs to "stabilize" before it's able to handle the full load of 
> normal operation?

Well duh! 

What do you think the stuff about bulged caps was about? 
Did you read the stuff in the links provided? 
Note that the recommendation to inspect the caps was put 
_before_ the recommendation to run memtest. 

Inspect the caps and report what you see. 

There certainly are other thermally related causes for 
motherboards to fail, but bad caps is perhaps the most common one, 
after stuck fans and clogged heat sinks. 

   http://www.google.com/search?q=site%3Acolug.net+lubrication
   http://www.google.com/search?q=site%3Acolug.net+fan

> I bought the computer used a few years ago from a trusted friend. I
> believe the computer was new in 2000 or 2001, so the MB and power supply
> are 7 or 8 years old.

Read the links in the earlier email. 

Château 臺灣 二千 and 二千一 have the fine bouquet of fresh soil at night, 
... I mean the fine bouquet of night soil. 

Your motherboard is due.