good diagnotics tools for processor & graphics card sought
 

Hi,

I am trying to fix a compter which used to run Windoze and regularly simply freeze up. I tested under Knoppix and the same thing happens. So does not seem to be OS -related. I ran MEMTEST-86 for over three hours and no error was reported. So the RAM is out. Since the problem occured when the hard drives were not mounted, they are also not the cause of the problem. That leaves me with either the processor, or the graphics card (I doubt that the soundcard is responsible). Speaking of the proc (a Pentium III - Coppermine - 800MHz, 256MB cache) - it is not overheating as its fan words fine and there are three more fans in the box.

I am unable to trigger the error, it seems intermittent.

Could you reccommend a good diagnostic tool for diagnosing the graphics card and processor? Ideally, something I could run on Knoppix, but otherwise any application existing for Debian is fine.

Many thanks!

Re: good diagnotics tools for processor & graphics card sought
 

I keep winbloke around for my games..........it started freezing up on occasion......So I made images of both of my drives and put them on new hard disks, just in case the drives were starting to go bad..........So you may want to backup everything you deem important -- just in case.

Run a modified Knoppix that has Unreal Tournament installed on a hard drive and Knoppix running off a CD. Setup Unreal Tournament to run benchmarkings for a day. If it freezes, then it is a heat problem. Use compressed air to clean the system and try again. Try different maps because each map puts different loads on the system.

Creative Labs cards do screw up systems so take them out.

Usually all computer problems is the power supply. A crappy power supply will not work well.

Try running memtest86 for a day (24 hours) because 3 hours is not enough.