My Suse7.0 is unstable

[knight]

I currently have have a P166 with 64 MB and 6GB HD.
It is around 6yrs old.
The windows always crashes and I learned to live with it.
Then at one point I decided to convert to Linux, not for its stability or speed but mainly because it is a challange to me.
I almost stopped getting any new useful 'knowledge' from windows, and every day I discover how stupid is the OS. But with Linux I am learning new things every day, and every day I discover how smart and excellent is the OS.

enought intro.

I tried installing Mandrake 7.0, Corel Linux 1, Linux2000 and Suse 7.0 all from magazine's cover CDs

The only distro that made it through the second install screen on my pc is Suse. It finishes the Installation with few errors, but then, after the system runs I reinstall those packages to make sure everything is there and OK.

Now, my pc is alot worse than it was with windows, it crashes for no reason even in the console.

I tried to compile many packages I downloaded from the internet with no luck and even tried to compile the kerlen 2.2.17 and 2.4 that I downloaded with the same luck.

I always get segmentation errors and some time the system just exits from X.

I am a fighter and I am still using Linux since around 6 months ago. But I need help.

* Is it because of the mag CD?
(I installed the same cd on a friends pc and it is stable)

* Is it because Suse 7.0?
(see above point)

* Is it because of my pc?
(well, maybe, but windows is working better, and recently I had longer sessions with no crashes, I boot installed)

Please help

Thank you

[MBMarduk]

DooD! It almost for sure is your comp!

SuSE -as a distro- is stable as hell.
6 years old you say? then that P166 is a new addition from 3-4 years ago right?
How's that mobo? do you make it a habit of constantly plugging cards 'n' stuff in and out of the slots so to wear'em out?
Have you tried SuSE on another comp to make you a believer?

But this sounds like your memory might be the culprit. Try this: http://reality.sgi.com/cbrady/memtest86
It should bring out any errors your modules might have.

Good luck!
-Mike

[knight]

Sorry, that was a typo, I mean 4years, I purchased it on 21 of Feb 97

This comes with an old PCPartener mobo. and Intel chipset, VX as I remember.
I used to play with the expansion slots alot removing and replacing cards, but this was never a problem with me, and windows is still working reasonably stable, I am carful with hardware

and btw, thanks Mike for the great utility
I run the program for more than 18 hrs, and I had 34 Pass and 0 Fail/errors, with the default settings.
So, I think this means that my memory chips are ok.

what is next?

I've read on LinuxFormat's forum from many users having problem's with their Cover CD distros, maybe..

I don't have access to other way to get Linux, yet

Thank you

[This message has been edited by knight (edited 27 January 2001).]

[This message has been edited by knight (edited 27 January 2001).]