Should I up-grade kernel?

[linuxist]

I am running AMD processor 1200. 1gb RAM
Using Kernel 2.6.38.8-pclos1.bfs
I've just read that maybe pclos3.bfs may be better.
Could you advise please? Thanks.

[Bald Brick]

I am running AMD processor 1200. 1gb RAM
Using Kernel 2.6.38.8-pclos1.bfs
I've just read that maybe pclos3.bfs may be better.
Could you advise please? Thanks.

If you old kernel gives you trouble: yes. If it doesn't I'd wait for the 3.2 kernels to get out of testing before upgrading.

[T6]

1200 is the reference of the amd processor or the cpu speed?

is it single core or 2 cores?

this is important because you could use a64 kernel, it offers some improvements over bfs

[linuxist]

AMD Duron 1200mhz

The problem I get is that the computer freezes often & I have to restart.
It often locks up when using Firefox

Is frequent freezing a typical problem while using kernel pclos1.bfs?
What other signs would there be that would indicate I should change to pclos3.bfs?
How do I up-grade from synaptic?

[YouCanToo]

I think I would look for a hardware issue or a memory issue before going out and changing my kernel. This really doesn't sound like a kernel caused problem.

[linuxist]

Thanks . . . .but I'm a newbie, definitely not a tekky!
I wouldn't know where to start to look for those kind of issues unless someone taught me step by step.
Nevertheless, I'm also interested to know what problems (mentioned by Bald Brick) I would experience because I am using pclos1.bfs
Thanks

[T6]

a duron is a 11 year old cpu, yours maybe 10 or 9

i agree here, your problem sounds like a hardware issue and not a kernel issue

open the case, verify electrolytic capacitors in the mainboard, psu voltages, pc133 or ddr 266 ram modules

if you have a video card, check capacitors there too

when a mainboard is this old, remove screws and check soldiering points is a good idea too, after some time those welding points on old mainboards using that old tin soldiering with lead can be fissured or fractured

how old is the psu?  if it is the original psu, i would just change it, i wouldn't bother opening it and verifying fans and capacitors in there, it should be simpler to replace it

the duron is a cpu that works very cold, your shouldn't reach 45 c.

if it is working hotter than that, maybe new thermal compound is required but most durons used a heatsink that is so hard to remove that you can break the cpu removing it or installing it again

the hard disk and ram, memtest and fsck to verify both

Thanks but I'm a newbie, definitely not a tekky!
I wouldn't know where to start to look for those kind of issues unless someone taught me step by step.
Nevertheless, I'm also interested to know what problems (mentioned by Bald Brick) I would experience because I am using pclos1.bfs
Thanks

a old kernel can create errors in some hardware but mostly is new hardware or uncommon hardware, on old hardware you have to first discard hardware errors

[linuxist]

OK. . . but as I said  . . . I'm not a tekky
I fitted a nvidea video card recently. The previous one was not nvidea. The nvidea is 4x. Previous one was only 2x. That's why I swapped.
But . . . I was having same problem before I swapped the video card anyway.
I have a mem test 86 cd from a friend but it's Windows iso.zip file. So I assume I can't use it...??
Last time I looked at the temperature whilst booting up it said 45 degrees c.
Ahaaa... what would happen to the computer if it was running too hot?
Sometimes, when it crashes, the screen just goes black. When I reboot quickly the screen remains black. When I reboot again after a few minutes it the boots up ok. I that a symptom of overheating?

[Just17]

Sounds like a heat problem to me ....

[linuxist]

I've just check temp again. 46 degrees c. Both sides of my case are removed. Lazy.... haven't replaced them since I fitted new video card. Inside is dust free. The fan is noisy. So a new fan may solve the problem . . .??
What is the ideal temp range?

[T6]

if you say that the temperature is 45 celsious, that is ok, it can go up to 55 and remain ok, that cpu works that way

about the 2x and 4x, on agp i never found deep diferences untill i played games, on normal tasks, there is no diference

before you changed the video card, did you cleaned agp slot?

the capacitors, this are the capacitors when are in good shape



when damaged or inflated or leaking fluids





it means that those are not working, between their multiple functions is regulate voltage to some components but when they fail, you can experience random failures like the ones you describe

those components can be changed but when one fail, the others will fail too, probably withing weeks after the first one fails so i normally recomend to change the mainboard

since this is a old amd mainboard, it is cheaper and better for you to replace mainboard, cpu and ram

you say you are not a techie, but don't worry, just ask and we will try to answer as best as we can

"The fan is noisy. So a new fan may solve the problem"

what fan, where is located, how much noisy?  depending on the speed it spins, it determines if it is working or not

if it is not the cpu fan but it is the video card fan, that is a problem, if it is a case fan, in this machine, i would just unplug it, a duron overheating is uncommon but if you live in a hot area then replace it or we can explain how to clean it if you like

if it is the psu fan, better change the psu

[linuxist]

Anyhow . . . to get back to the subject. . . .
Should I up-grade to pclos3.bfs?
What would be the advantage/benefit if I did?
If I installed it, does it mean I would have the option to choose between pclos1.bfs & pclos3.bfs?
Or . .  would I have to remove 1.bfs after installing 3.bfs?
Or. . . . . . simply not bother due to the spec of ancient system?
 

[linuxist]

Thanks T6
I was typing my post when yours came in.
It's the cpu fan that's noisy. My simple test was to stop it spinning for just a couple of seconds . . .silence!!!
Video card does not have a fan. No, I didn't clean the slots. I can do that.
Do I use a pencil eraser to clean the card card pins?
I'll look at the capacitors. . . your pics were very helpful
I assume the power supply unit is the original
Sorry, I don't understand your comment: if it is a case fan, in this machine, i would just unplug it,
I can see only a cpu fan inside the case
Thanks

[T6]

"If I installed it, does it mean I would have the option to choose between pclos1.bfs & pclos3.bfs?"

yes, if you keep pclos1 you will have 3 options at least, you can try more kernels

"What would be the advantage/benefit if I did?"

each new kernel offers improvements in speed and stability, fixes for some hardware and new drivers for some hardware

"Or. . . . . . simply not bother due to the spec of ancient system?"

a old hardware benefits from new kernel for the previous reasons mentioned

"It's the cpu fan that's noisy. My simple test was to stop it spinning for just a couple of seconds . . .silence!!!"

if the cpu fan is failing, you need to replace it, a heatsink and fan kit shouldn't cost much

"Do I use a pencil eraser to clean the card card pins"

those contacts, use a eraser is not as important as to clean the slot itself, the part in the mainboard, dust and fluff in there can do weird errors so better discard that

if the contacts in the video card are rusted, that is a problem

[linuxist]

Thanks T6
That's very clear. So, I'll install 3.bfs to try it. If, after using 3.bfs without any problems, could I just uninstall 1.bfs or would that cause a technical problem?
As I am not a technie it wouldn't bother me if I had only the one kernel; pclos3.bfs
I'll clean the video card slot using my can of 'air duster'. The video card pins were bright & shiny when I installed the card only a few weeks ago. I'll visually check all the capacitors on the board, cards etc
I hope a new cpu fan will solve my problem.
A non-technical person, like me, struggles to understand how the computer system 'freezes' because it overheats!! 
Thanks for your help