Very Computer

Hello,

My Linux box has been freezing up recently. I was using my modem
two of the times it happened.  No messages were written to the console
or /var/adm/messages.  Therefore I have a couple questions:

        1.  How can I find the cause of problems like this?
            I am using a new motherboard, and I wonder if it could
            be a hardware problem.  Is there a way to distinguish
            hardware vs. software problems?

        2.  Are there particular kernels which are known to be
            more stable than others?  I have tried 1.0.9 (which
            I am running right now) and 1.1.50.  Both exhibit
            the problem.

My system:
        AMD 486DX2/80 VLB motherboard
        4 megs RAM
        ISA IDE multi I/O controller (16550 UARTs)
        2 Western Digital hard drives
        Mitsumi CDROM drive/controller
        Generic ET4000 ISA video card

I did not have any problems with my old 486SX/25 motherboard,
which make me somewhat suspicious of the new one.

Any comments and advice appreciated.

Dave

[ stuff about computer crashing deleted ]

The trouble was that the memory I took out of the SX/25 was too
slow (80ns!).  I got a 70ns 16 meg SIMM, and *presto* a fast and
stable box.

M*of the story: after installing a fast new motherboard, make
sure your old components can keep up.

Dave, happily running 1.0.9 again