Try system-rescue-cd at http://www.system-rescue-cd.org. It has a full set of Linux commands (boots several versions of Linux kernels) and some hardware diagnostics including memtest86 you mentioned. It is a full Linux OS even with a graphical mode (run startx or select on main menu) to run a browser and other graphical tools.
One of the tools is a disk scan and repair utility. It even has a remap mode to remap bad sectors. I have used this disk (burned to CD or put in a flash drive) for years repairing my Linux or Windows OS's (mostly XP). It has a grub boot utility to help repair grub installations. The ultimate disk repair utility is spinrite (at grc.com). It is a $89 pay program but when you need data off a failing drive its worth it. There are many testimonials about how a Windows installation can be made bootable again after running a spinrite scan. *...Bob* On 11/18/2016 09:25 AM, Richard Owlett wrote: > As noted in the "Invoking ddrescue" thread > [https://lists.debian.org/debian-user/2016/11/msg00641.html], my laptop > [dedicated to educational/experimental projects which could fail > spectacularly] used to apparently successfully run ddrescue, malfunctioned. > > <*BACKGROUND*> > The laptop is a used Lenovo R61 running Debian 8.6.0 with MATE D.E. installed > from purchased set of DVDs. The "damaged" and destination drives were > connected by separate USB adapters [each powered by separate wall warts]. > > Sequence of events: > A. Run ddrescue > 1. Power on laptop, responding "root" at login prompt. > 2. To force predictable /dev/sdX assignments, sequentially connect > destination > and "damaged" drives. > 3. Apparently run ddrescue to a successful conclusion. > 4. Disconnect "damaged" drive. > 5. Power down for the night. > B. Setup to extract data in useful format from the rescued partitions > [There are missing details as I report from memory, log files do *NOT* > exist] > 1. Power up sequence fails to run successfully > a. systemd reports it's checking a partition with mounting problems > [it is the same message as when the UUID of the swap partition does > not have the expected value.] I > b. I notice that wall wart for the destination drive is unplugged. > I power down, plug it in, power up laptop. > c. systemd again reports mounting problem. I allow sequence to continue. > I never receive login screen and assume fatal error related USB > drive. > d. Power down, disconnect USB drive, attempt reboot from scratch. > i. Don't recall if systemd complained that USB was not present. > [It is mentioned in /etc/fstab -- see previous thread.] > ii. Boot sequence appears to run to point where appearance of login > screen expected. It does not. I'm not able to glean useful > information > from log files. > 2. Decide to reinstall as there is no valuable data on the hard-drive. > a. Neither the Install nor Live DVD's will load. > b. On a second machine dd the Install DVD to a flash drive. > It installs as expected. > < end *BACKGROUND*> > > > > > QUESTIONS: > > A. Hardware diagnostics [as CD has already proved unreliable] > 1. Memory - I have memtest86+, will have to put it on flash drive > 2. Hard disk - Somewhere I have a Seagate specific diagnostic which has > proved useful on non-Seagate drives. Is there a recommended more > generic diagnostic? > 3. Are there recommended [for want of a better term] board level > diagnostics > that do not depend on an OS already being installed? > B. OS integrity checks > I would assume that being able to login without noticing any thing is a > fairly good check. However, I have experience symptoms which may have > multiple > unrelated causes. Is there a suggested system integrity check? > C. Other > I have a typical collection of diagnostic CD/DVDs from which I can create > equivalent iso files. I have a vague recollection of a procedure to put > GRUB > [or was it LILO?] on a bootable flash drive with multiple iso files and > being > able to choose which to boot. Ring any bells? Suggested search terms? > > TIA > > >
