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

Andrew Junev a-j at a-j.ru
Tue Jul 1 15:58:26 UTC 2008


Tuesday, July 1, 2008, 7:35:39 PM, you wrote:

> 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.

memtest is already running. :)
Let's see how it goes, but I have a feeling it won't show any
problems on this machine.

I'm using Fedora 8 and I'm not using any special software. Every
installation or update is done via 'yum', so I don't think I screwed
something up by doing a wrong installation. At the same time I didn't
see any similar complaints from Fedora users which means my problem is
probably specific to my machine or to my configuration...

> 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 fully agree!

>> 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.

The fans on this machine are fine. I already checked that.
But cleaning is still on my actions list for today. :)

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

This is an off-topic, but from my experience most crashes are related
to HDD problems. At the same time many HDD failures are actually
caused by bad cooling. :)


As I'm writing this, the first round of memtest is finished. No
problems detected. Of course, it doesn't mean the problem isn't
there. I will leave it running for some hours.

-- 
Best regards,
 Andrew



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