Executing memory intensive tasks on your computer and your kernel panics? Does it happen frequently? Do you see stack traces and message like ‘PREEMPT SMP’?  It’s probably an issue with your RAM.

Use Memtest86+ to locate bad Memory

Download, burn and start your favorite Linux iso and select memtest, or if your run Arch Linux, you can boot directly into memtest by installing the package:

sudo pacman -S memtest86+

and updating your grub config:

sudo grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg

If you are using a sandy- or ivy-bridge architecture, you must have at least version 4.20 of memtest. Do not worry if your RAM speed is is higher than what your motherboard can support; it will be clocked down automatically.

The particularly hard part of running these tests on Shuttle SH67H3 barebones computers is that you are unable to test RAM sticks by themselves. You cannot even use one dual-channel option. All four slots must be in use to properly test the memory, otherwise memtest will throw errors at the same address every time for each RAM stick.

It’s not my RAM, what’s next?

Arch Linux recently switched to version 6 of cifs-utils. If you are loading large files through the network (like virtual machines), make sure you switch to the latest unc syntax in your mount commands and fstab entries. Failing that, it could be an issue with your motherboard or CPU. I recommend installing prime95 to stress test your PC to try to locate further issues. On Arch Linux, execute:

sudo packer -S mprime

You should also use lm_sensors to keep an eye on things while the test is running so you don’t overheat/overpower your system. See the stress test wiki page for more suggestions.