Out of memory while booting?

[Charles G Montgomery]

On Wednesday 01 April 2009, Mark Komarinski wrote:
> On 04/01/2009 12:59 PM, Charles G Montgomery wrote:
> > I have a machine with what I suspect is a hardware problem, but
> > I'm not a hardware person.  Perhaps someone might have a
> > suggestion if I describe the problem.
> > (snippage)
> >
> > If anyone has an idea what the problem might be, or just
> > suggestions of things to test, that would be greatly
> > appreciated.
>
> Try one of the live CDs to see if that works.  Alternately, try
> installing lenny and see if it gives you the same problem (you
> can 'upgrade' to squeeze later if you want).
>
> -Mark

Well, the OpenCD with Ubuntu is a live CD (intended to let Windows 
users experience Linux), and it failed.  The failure of two 
different kernels and the Ubuntu disk is what leads me to suspect 
hardware rather than software as the problem, and hesitant to do a 
full reinstall.  (There hadn't been any recent updates to testing 
that should have anything to do with the boot process.)

The fellow at Compucare had found a Knoppix disk, and started trying 
to boot from it while we were talking on the phone.  By the end of 
our conversation he hadn't reported successful completion, and it 
seemed to me there had been enough time to boot if it was going to, 
but I don't know what the final result was.

Anyhow, thanks for your suggestions.

cgm