> I noticed that (with 256 megs RAM) that I really have only 248 usable -- > 8M is showing up as 'reserved' by the kernel. That's with mandrake 8.1, and > I haven't noticed that before -- usually it should 'reserve' about 384 > K - because of the unusable region in pc low memory. My best guess its > shared video, but I've got a Matrox Millenium with 16 megs RAM here and > I didn't notice the missing 8M until somewhat recently. > I've noticed the same on my Linux box here as well, I have (2) 128 sticks installed, and likewise see 8M being reserved by the kernel. In my case, it's with 8.2, download iso installation. The video card is a Creative 3D Graphics Blaster (RIVA TNT) with 16M onboard. The CPU is an Intel P3/800, socketed into an Azza 693ATX mobo, and two PC100/128M DIMMs. My Windog box, running an Intel P3/1000 and two PC133/256M DIMMs shows 511M available for some reason, and unlike ML, gives me no clue as to where the missing meg might be. > > > true enough about heat, probly the most common cause of truly "random" > > lockups especially if you include broke CPU fans in the "heat" catagory, > > however taking the sides off, while an acceptable temporary test method, in > > Doesn't removing the top (or side?) negate one of the purposes of fans - > that is to pull out the heat from inside? > That would depend in part on the case design, and the location of the system. Usually, the air inside the case runs several degrees above the ambient air outside it. A good case will take air flow into consideration to some extent, while others exhibit less desirable properties in the interests of cramming as much hardware into as small a space as possible. In the case of the former, removing the sides or top may or may not do much for cooling, and in the case of the overpacked case, can help a bit in getting the heat out... which is the primary concern in the first place. Electronic devices tend to draw more current as they overheat, which in turn begets more heat, which has been known to turn one's shiny new CPU into an expensive keychain ornament. Cooling, next to power supplies, is one of the more overlooked sources of problems with systems, in my years of working with hardware. As a rule of thumb, on systems I work on, I routinely take the time to route the cables out of the way of airflow, and when possible, try to place the bigger heat producers away from each other as much as possible. Don't rely on just the power supply's fan to be able to move enough air to pull the heat out, if at all possible, install at least one additional case fan - most cases will have a mounting point at the front for a standard case fan. A little common sense coupled with an understanding of what produces the most heat, will go a long way in insuring the shiny new toy doesn't suddenly become a rather costly toaster oven. Several good references on cooling can be found in most overclocking guides.
With apolgies for the bandwidth, Belgarius "Without the player, there is no game..." Registered Linux User #271587 http://counter.li.org --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.373 / Virus Database: 208 - Release Date: 7/1/02
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