It is trivial to set things up so you are able to select memtest86 as a boot option in GRUB:

Download the latest memtest source from http://www.memtest86.com.

Extract and follow the instructions in the README that comes with it to compile. Copy the resulting memtest.bin to /boot and edit /etc/grub.conf to have the following 3 lines:

title Memtest86
        root (hd0,0)
        kernel /boot/memtest.bin

Make sure you reboot to test.

In theory this should work with any x86 OS + bootloader. I am doing this with RHEL 4 + GRUB.

If you want to propose a new (or repeat) workshop for LISA this year please send your proposal to lisa08workshops@usenix.org in the next few days. I'll be putting the slate together just after the PC meeting.

Looking for proposals for workshops to be held at LISA '07.

One-day workshops are hands-on, participatory, interactive sessions where small groups of system administrators have an opportunity to discuss a topic of common interest. Workshops are not intended as tutorials, and participants normally have significant experience in the appropriate area, enabling discussions at a peer level. However, attendees with less experience often find workshops useful and are encouraged to discuss attendance with the workshop organizer.

I'm working on a talk about the big lies in our field. What is your favorite "truism" in SA that just isn't true? I'm looking for things like "adding just one more won't hurt", not so much the "I'll be right over" kind.

What's your nominee?