Random lockups - hardware or software?

[cyrwyn]

My Toshiba laptop has had a few random lockups in the past month, usually when either moving the pointer or clicking on a link in Firefox. But it's not always in Firefox, it might be email or something else. I've been able to successfully to shut down cleanly by using Alt + SysRq reisub routine, sometimes as much as 3 times before the computer would respond. With this in mind I assume that the kernel is still running and that this is probably a software problem. Am I right in that assumption? Could this be a video driver problem?

My pute is fully updated. Using kernel 2.6.38.8-pclos1.a64,  KDE. Video chip is AMD/ATI 4100 using latest Catalyst driver from pclos repository. 3 MB memory. Neither memory or HD space is taxed.

[bicol_willem]

First thing I would check is the memory (memtest)

[T6]

i think your assumption is correct if the system responds to the keyboard but you have to make more tests first

you have the previous kernel, pclos1, you can install 2.6.38.8-pclos3

how much ram do you have?

since you mention flrefox, any flash videos were opened?  maybe disable hardware acceleration in flash

[cyrwyn]

3MB ram. No flash videos were opened at the times the lockups occurred. Flash plays OK. I might try the newer kernel and run memtest.

[T6]

3mb or 3gb?

talking of video card ram or system ram

[bicol_willem]

3MB ram. No flash videos were opened at the times the lockups occurred. Flash plays OK. I might try the newer kernel and run memtest.

I don't think "newer kernel" as the system seems to work well before it hangs.... Memtest! 

[cyrwyn]

Yes, 3GB system mem.

[bicol_willem]

Yes, 3GB system mem.

Yes, understood but it is not clear to me is: did you test it? (Did you run memtest?)

[T6]

kernel?

[CaptainSarcastic]

Did you make any changes to the system prior to these lock-ups starting?

In addition to memtest, I'd suggest running a check on your hard drive, or at the very least checking the SMART diagnostics on it.  A couple bad sectors can cause similar symptoms to bad memory.

Have you cleaned out the vents on the laptop recently?  Thermal events can cause lock-ups, too, but in that case I would expect a total shutdown more than anything else.

What wireless drivers are you using?

Assuming your hardware checks out okay then I would definitely try another kernel, not just newer but you might also try one of the non-a64 kernels.  I run almost exclusively AMD processors, but have run non-a64 kernels more often than not.