Irreproducible errors, much like snowflakes

[pseydtonne]

I'm trying to turn this dual-celeron box into a music server for the apartment. I figured this would be the best chance to experiment with Gentoo Linux, a distro with a lot of cool DIY aspects yet a sizable support community. I've already learned a lot from the work I've already done.

I can't compile a damn kernel successfully. I picked some settings (nothing too crazy) and got this seg fault that even admitted I couldn't reproduce it. I have to take a dare like that, don't I?

Upshot: mostly the same error, never at the same step twice. I tried some tweaks and got nowhere. I tried stepping it to one processor and didn't see a real difference. Perhaps something really is burned out inside. Any of you Linux folk familiar? I tried to log into Gentoo Forums, but their server seems to be in maintenance mode.

This is frustrating. I realize how little I actually know about Linux when things like this happen. I've never had success when I brewed my own kernel. I'm glad I have no deadline for this. I'd still prefer to have it working.

Comments

[hakamadare.livejournal.com]

which kernel version? also, are you using the software referenced in this document?

just some initial thoughts.

-steve

[metahacker.livejournal.com]

we call 'em heisenbugs.

[pseydtonne.livejournal.com]

I'm not using genkernel, since everyone and his dog said it's fubar.

I finally got through to Gentoo Forums. The answer I received was "check for bad RAM or a faulty PSU". So I ran memtest86 and did in fact get errors around the 115 and 119 mb points. Sounds like I have a crapppy stick. I may also have an underpowered power supply (I think it's only a 250-watt). Either way, time to winnow.