Hardware Check Tutorial

Please follow the below steps to verify you hardware is working correctly

Verify test on all of the following return NO errors:

1. Hard Drive
   (manufactures all make free diagnostic tools)
2. RAM
   (use MemTest86 or MemTest86+ and run several passes)
3. Powersupply
   (use a cheap PowerSupply checker)
4. NICs
   usually any Linux Live CD will help
   • Put in one nic at a time
   • Boot from the Linux LIVE CD
   • Make sure it either gets a DHCP assigned IP or that if you assign a static IP it works
   • Surf around the web for a few minutes
   • Check with ’ifconfig’ to make sure it doesn’t show a boat load of errors

At this point (and only at this point) with your proven good hardware, do a fresh install of IPCOP. Be sure that you are using the latest version (currently v1.4.21) and that when you downloaded the ISO you also verified the MD5. Burn the install CD at a Slooooooow speed (it’s a small disk, even a slow burn at 2x will only take 10 minutes or so). Do a clean install, do not restore any data. At this point in time - DO NOT install ANY addon’s/mods/tweaks.

Now that you have a fresh install on a tested hardware platform, run it for several days. It should run without any problems. If it does, then it’s most likely a problem upstream (i.e. your modem, your carrier cables, your ISP, or your local switch, you local power, etc.).

Assuming you can get it to run without problems for a few days. Then install one (and ONLY one) addon/mod/tweak, and repeat the process. If at any point it ’breaks’ your IPCOP box, then you’ll know what addon/mod/tweak caused it.