[CentOS] Memtest86+ running time

[Keith Roberts]

On Sun, 7 Nov 2010, Keith Roberts wrote:

> To: CentOS mailing list <centos at centos.org>
> From: Keith Roberts <keith at karsites.net>
> Subject: Re: [CentOS] Memtest86+ running time
> 
> On Wed, 3 Nov 2010, Bob McConnell wrote:
>
> _snip_
>
>> And make sure you button the cabinet back up, with all covers in place
>> and put it back on the rack where it normally sits. Running this test
>> with the case open or sitting in free air is a waste of time unless that
>> is how the system usually operates. All memory testing has to be done
>> under normal working conditions to get the maximum benefit.
>>
>> Bob McConnell
>> N2SPP
>
> Of course. I noticed that with the side cover off the hard
> drive is not as cool. Probably due to the air flow not being
> drawn over the drive, but in from the side of the cabinet.
>
> It's an ASROCK K7S8XE Rev. 3.01 M/B with 3 DDR(1)
> memory slots.
>
> 2 x 1GB PC2100 DIMMS, and a 512MB one.
>
> I tested and replaced the BIOS battery as well. That was
> getting a bit low, just under 3 volts. Been in the machine
> since Jan 2006.
>
> So far, testing each memory module in slot 1 has clocked no
> errors. Each test ran for at least 20 hours.
>
> I now have the 512MB module in slot 2, to test that slot.
>
> Then I'll put it in slot 3 and test that one.
>
> The first 1GB DIMM was tested with the side cover off.
>
> So I might test that again, with the side cover on this
> time.
>
> Once these test are completed, I'll post the results.
>
> Thanks for all the help so far.

I have done the following tests on the memory.

Tested each memory module in DDR1 slot for at least 20 
hours.

Tested each slot with the 512MB module for another 20 hours. 
Should I have used the 1GB module for this?

Put a 1GB module into slot 3, and tested again for 20+ hours 
OK.

Added another 1GB module to slot DDR2 and there are 
literally millions of errors!

Do I need to put the memory modules back in the lowest 
numbered slots?

I rebooted the machine, and it gave me a stream of errors 
within 30 seconds.

Rebooted again, and has run for 10 minutes without any 
errors.

Would be an indication of an unstable power supply?

Keith