What tools can I use to check that my memory and hard drive are still working correctly?
Hardware – How to Check RAM and Hard Drive for Errors
diskhardwareram
Related Solutions
To mount /tmp /var/log and /var/tmp in RAM. Add these lines to the end of fstab to mount /tmp (temporary files) as tmpfs (temporary file system):
tmpfs /tmp tmpfs defaults,noatime,mode=1777 0 0
tmpfs /var/log tmpfs defaults,noatime,mode=1777 0 0
tmpfs /var/tmp tmpfs defaults,noatime,mode=1777 0 0
Save, then: sudo mount -a
Reboot for the changes to take effect. Running df, you should see a new line with /tmp, /var/tmp and /var/logs mounted on tmpfs.
Note: all log files will be lost after a reboot, to back them up manually run this in terminal:
rsync -av /var/log/* ~/saved_logfiles
To move Firefox Cache Into RAM:
Type about:config in firefox address bar and click I'll be careful,I promise!.
Right click on blank area and create a new string value called:
browser.cache.disk.parent_directory
Set its value to /tmp
Restart Firefox.
The Ubuntu Live CD includes a tool called Memtest86+ that will do just that—test your computer’s RAM. Boot up from the Ubuntu LiveCD, press and hold the Shift key, which will bring up the GRUB menu. Select Memory Test
Best Answer
Boot with Ubuntu Live CD/USB stick (or press & hold Shift before the splash screen, to enter GRUB menu), and select
TEST MEMORY with memtest86+! See this illustration, don't wait for graphical UI!Illustration:
To test HDD, you can use S.M.A.R.T. data reader, palimpsest disk utility, press Super/Dash button, start typing Disk Utility (for Gnome: System > Administration > Disk utility), and check your S.M.A.R.T. data (YOU MUST UNMOUNT THAT DISK FIRST, YOU WANT TO CHECK ITS FILESYSTEM - that's why, use a Live CD/USB stick - for S.M.A.R.T. reading, the disk could be mounted/used)!
Illustration: