> Where should I look for log files or similar to determine the cause? My 0.02$CURRENCY. The dead network I've seen a few times when certain ethernet devices (eg ADSL modem with PC's ethernet card) get confused with each other. Power cycling either probably restarts it, power cycling both always restarts it. It doesn't fix it though - there is no fix, other then not having a direct cable between these two ethernet devices. Ie put a $35 switch in between. Or change ethernet card. I never found a log entry anywhere, and that's expected if both ends deadlock on something. Reloading the card drivers on the PC might also restart it because it forces a card init.
Your init respawning problems may be caused by missing software, easily done on a stripped-down system. If init can't start the configured getty program (look in /etc/inittab) it is counted as a program exit with immediate restart. This respawning would however happen immediately you boot the machine, and doesn't affect ssh login. Faulty software isn't so likely as it's a showstopper bug, unless the getty is spawned on some hardware with a funny driver. As pointed out, the possibility of a hardware error is a high one. It's possible the error only shows after some time, eg when the box has heated up. Volker -- Volker Kuhlmann is possibly list0570 with the domain in header http://volker.dnsalias.net/ Please do not CC list postings to me.
