Should I up-grade kernel?

[Bald Brick]

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?
 

While I was typing T6 answered your question, but I want to make one extra point:

Your trouble doesn't sound like a kernel problem, but installing a new kernel is quite painless and doesn't take long. Just mark the new kernel for installation in Synaptic and Synaptic will insist that you install the matching kernel-devel package too. Then hit "Apply", and in the dialog window hit "Apply" once more.

Installing a new kernel will make it the default one but it will not remove any old kernel, nor should you. Keep the old one as a fallback until you are certain the new one works.

When you boot into the new kernel the first time, don't be impatient: rebuilding a few modules will take time. Your system has not hung. (Hit "Esc" if you want to see what's happening.)

[T6]

you didn't read my replies, i said that you can have multiple kernels installed

since you are testing, just add kernels, don't remove kernels yet

in synaptic, press search and write kernel, form the resutls you will find kernel2.6.38.8-pclos3.bfs, add that one

the a64 or pae and pae.bfs won't help because one is to support more than 4 gbs of ram and the other is meant to be used with hardware capable of run in 64 bit mode, your duron is not capable of that

[linuxist]

T6
Sorry if my post was not clear. I was thinking that, if after testing 3.bfs for a few months , I could safely uninstall 1.bfs because I would have no need for both.
Meanwhile I'll take your advice (& Bald Brick's) and have both installed.
Thanks again

[linuxist]

Some earlier posts mentioned hardware conflict.

I've just noticed this message during boot up:
fb: conflicting fb hw usage nouveaufb vs VESA VGA - removing generic driver
Do you have any thoughts please?

Or . . .maybe I should start a new subject?
Thanks

[T6]

what the message says is that is possible that you set the wrong driver for the video card but since we already discovered hardware problems in the cpu fan and possibly the psu and we still don't know if you found damaged capacitors that particular error can wait

as i said, first discard hardware errors

[linuxist]

T6
OK & thanks for your help & advice.
 

[djohnston]

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...??

Open Synaptic. Look for memtest. Install memtest86+-4.20-1pclos2011 package. Once installed, you will have an extra item in the GRUB boot menu at the bottom of the list. Select the memtest item from the GRUB menu to run it. It will keep running until you choose to shut down or reboot the PC.

[linuxist]

djohnston
I didn't know mem test was in synaptic. I have so much to learn ..  . . !!
Thanks very much

[linuxist]

After checking synaptic . . . mem test is already installed
I've opened a new subject about this

Also.....
Thanks to T6.... I have looked at capacitors. Most of the 7 capacitors situated around the cpu have light brown staining (the staining wiped off ok). Most have a domed (inflated) top). One of the capacitors is starting to imitate the leaning tower of Pisa!  
It's a V266B motherboard. What is your opinion?  How much usage could I get out of it? Looks like new/replacement mobo..? Would it be a good idea to replace these 7 capacitors?

[Just17]

If you can find someone to replace the caps, that could be a option.

I suggest a new motherboard ASAP.

Be sure everything you don't want to lose is backed up ....... 

[T6]

you can remove the damaged capacitors and put new ones with the same characteristics but the rest of capacitors on that mainboard will fail soon too

so it is a waste of time and money on a mainboard that doesn't deserve it

since this is the second hardware problem and i culd bet money that the psu is on the same state i only can tell you this, time to find a new psu, mainboard, cpu and ram

[linuxist]

Yep! At least I know where I stand now. Thanks for advice.
So . . . I store everything on the slave drive. Then, if the system fails I can just connect up the slave to another computer system as a slave. Am I correct? (remember I'm not techie). Thanks
p.s. The system hasn't frozen since I created a larger swap file, up-graded kernel. . . & the cpu is running about 5 degrees c cooler since I brushed out all the fluff out of the cooling fins!

[djohnston]

After checking synaptic . . . mem test is already installed
I've opened a new subject about this

Mark it for reinstallation in Synaptic and reinstall it. It will make a new GRUB entry. Check to see it is there:

su
cat /boot/grub/menu.lst

Is there an entry that reads:?

title memtest-4.20
kernel (hd0,1)/memtest-4.20 BOOT_IMAGE=memtest-4.20

Okay, then make a backup copy for the future. (Still in the terminal as root user.)

cp /boot/grub/menu.lst /boot/grub/menu.lst.backup
exit

[T6]

if your user doesn't have a password you can connect both hard disks to the new ps, boot the livecd and from it, copy, move or delete the files you need

i usually have two hard disks, one with the stuff i use the most and other with files i need to store

i recently got a external hard disk i use for work and for my personal use so i don't have a single place(don't put all your eggs on one basket)

if the hard disks are old too, maxtor by any chance, more than 8 years, time to replace them too, i don't trust on a hard disk much after 5 years

yes, it is clear what you can save and what not, i used to change the main 3 components alot, mainboard, cpu and ram and keep the rest including hard disks, psu, dvd drive, atx case, mouse, keyboard, monitor and speakers, are you on this same position or most of your hardware deserves a replacement?