Redhat9 freezing randomly

[Nightmare03]

Hey guys i thought i would give linux a try again.

I installed linux redhat9 and randomly it would freeze my pc and i have to reboot.

My pc specs are:

1.3Ghz Duron
512MB SDRAM
soltek SL-75KAV motherboard
60GB master split into 3 partitions one running windows XP
40GB Slave split into 3 partitions one running linux redhat9.

It just happens randomly even after fresh install. Sometimes it would last for hours and smoetimes a few seconds.

I even install on same hdd as XP (on the master) and the same happens.

Can you guys please help me out ?

Oh yeah and when it freezez, the light on the keyboard flash.

[Opnosforatou]

That sounds familliar..
What size is you Swap space ?
I've noticed that if you have less swap-space then your total amount of memory this will happen.
Don't know why, this used to be a problem of the old kernels.
But I experienced this also with RH9 and Fedora Core 1..
Have 1GB of memory, needed a 2GB swap space to stop the random lockups.

[aytope]

mine exhibits the eratic behaviour too. it is an AthlonXP 2000+ processor
128MB DDR machie and 188mb of swap space. i am running redhat 8.0 with kernel 2.4.20-28.8 .it freezes and it takes time to have control back.
couldn't the problem be with AMD processors or is it a bug on the processor that is responsible

[Opnosforatou]

I'm using an Asus P4B800 motherboard with 1GB memory DDR-400 and a Genuine Intel P4 - 3Ghz.

Don't think it's a bug in the processor code..

Set you Swapsize to 256MB or 512 and the problem should be gone.
I'm using a 3,3 GB swap file.. Max used : 200MB...
Strange...
The GB's are not the prob, but it's still a waste of HD space...

[aytope]

well thanks for the lovely suggestion but how do i edit my swap space ? thanks

[Nightmare03]

Looks like im not the only one with this problem.

Ok, about this swap partition.

When i was installing linux, i had the choice of making a swap partition but then when i go to click next, it said that i need do make a something with the root in it. (sorry i forgot but im sure you know what i mean.)

SO instead of making a swap, i just chose ext3 and installed.

Is their a way i can make a swap without re installing redhat ??

[Brizzzer]

That funny I am have the same problems. It freezes from time to time and it freezes during loading of KDE and other envroments.

AMD Athlon 2000
Biostar M7NCD Pro
30GB Windows
10 GB Mandrake 10 with 2.4 Kernal
512 DDR

I have to check the swap space when I get home.

[big_k105]

i recommend making a swap partition that is double the size of the amount of ram you have. this should get rid of all the freezing up

[variant]

The size of the swap partition shouldnt make any difference to the stability. I have 512 MB ram with 200MB swap and my box has not crahsed - ever - and I have had it for years. The swap should only affect performance. If you have less than 512MB ram its advisable to double it with swapspace. If you have 512mb ram or over the need for swap space is greatly reduced and unless your doing something like really heavy image processing then there is no need for more than 512mb swap

In answer to nightmare03: If you have any partition whos size is 512MB or less hten that is a great candidate for swap: mkswap /dev/hd** (patition here)

swapon /dev/hd**

[loft306]

Just one thing to add here ...and nightmare03 that dosnt have a swap partition you deffenatly need it... it is like in windows your virtual memory. it is needed and explains why you are locking up!
so from here you can either use cfdisk or fdisk...both in linux. to create the swap partition