Linux on Thinkpad Z61t: boot hangs, needs second attempt. Reason?

Hello,

I have ThinkPad Z61t with Intel GPU and Linux running on it (first Mint, now XUbuntu). Sometime ago (with MInt) it started to hang on boot: suddenly the HDD stops, Display remains black, Nothing happens. Sometimes it Restarts by itself, sometimes I Restart it. The second boot ist Always successfull.


I exchanged Mint with XUbuntu (because I needed it) and added one additional RAM module (so that I had 2GB + 1GB). In this constellation it still hangs and twice I observed some strage artifacts on the screen - coloured Stripes (first time) and deformed Login screen (second time). I removed added RAM module - no artifacts, but boot is still problematic.


I have to admit, I see only two reasons for it:
- GPU has electronical Problems - but why is my second boot Always successfull?
- one of 2 built-in RAM modules is corrupt

Can anyone give me hints, in which direction I should search? Actually, Z61t are considered as reliable and robust, so I'm a bit surprised that it happens. Can it have anything to do with Linux itself / graphical Driver?

I would appreciate any help,
thanks in Advance,
Andrey

P.S. Update: I never experience any crashes during the work. No problems, no visual artifacts or distortions.. It just need twice to start...

If you suspect a memory problem, the Grub menu at boot offers a memory test.

Hello,

Originally Posted by flshope If you suspect a memory problem, the Grub menu at boot offers a memory test.

good hint, thanks.
Regards,
Andrey