Use Memtest86+ with serial console

After 20+ years I hit a memory problem with one of my remote servers. The recommended action is to replace the ram OR run Memtest86+ to find the affected regions of memory. No problem but how do you run it over a serial console?

Install memtest86+

apt-get install memtest86+

This will drop the binaries into your /boot directory ready to use with ext linux. Just select the correct one for your environment.

syslinux

Yes I’m old school and don’t use GRUB for servers. extlinux is far more straightforward to run and everything is in one easy to use file. In this case I am using old school Bios booting. According to the memtest86+ readme you can setup the console mode to run over serial ports.

LABEL memtest86+
        MENU LABEL memtest86+
        LINUX memtest86+x64.bin
        append console=ttyS0,115200n8

memtest86+ operation

One VERY important item left out of the documentation is that you DO NOT use the function keys in the serial interface. Instead use the number keys at the top of your keyboard. This will allow you to get to the config screens.
badram parameters are only avialable for GRUB boot loaders. You must use the memmap kernel parameters if you are using syslinux.

Created: 2024-08-17

Modified: 2024-10-15