[mythtv-users] Please help! My mythbackend started to crash sporadically

Brian Wood beww at beww.org
Tue Jul 1 15:35:39 UTC 2008


On Tuesday 01 July 2008 09:04:28 Andrew Junev wrote:
> Tuesday, July 1, 2008, 6:50:40 PM, you wrote:
> >> *** glibc detected *** mythbackend: malloc(): memory corruption (fast):
> >> 0x08dec407 ***
> >
> > Not a dev but I'd reboot the machine and let memtest loose on it for a
> > few hours (at least one full cycle).  I'd also break open the case and
> > check for dust build up (along with jammed fans, buldging/leaking caps
> > and fouled cables).  RAM modules can go bad.
>
> Thanks a lot for the fast response! :)
>
> So you say it's likely to be a hardware problem?
> I thought it's something in the software, as the only application that
> fails is my mythbackend. I have also a frontend running on that
> machine and I haven't had such kind of problems with it...

When I initially read your post I though "hardware problem" as well, and the 
suggestion to run memtest is a good one.

Then I read the "after the last upgrade" part, which would indicate a software 
issue.

However, checking your hardware is a good idea. Remember that just because a 
problem only happens with a specific program does not prove it's a software 
problem. I've seen a machine run Windows with no indication of any problem at 
all for weeks only to crash immediately when trying to run Linux, the problem 
turned out to be bad RAM, some programs stress the hardware more than others.


> P.S. To clean some dust inside the case is probably a good idea.
> I'll do some maintenance / cleaning today anyway.

Never a bad idea, it's astounding how many problems are related ultimately to 
dust and other cooling problems like bad fans.

I really wish the manufacturers would quit trying to save a penny or two by 
using cheap fans (the other big problem is cheap PSUs). I for one would 
happily pay for good quality ball bearing fans so I would not have to worry 
about the matter, but that's not an option with most vendors.

I have seen more machines brought down by bad fans than any other cause.

beww





More information about the mythtv-users mailing list