8600 bus error: possible causes — #11

Post #11 by beachycove

Source Forum	68kMLA
Category	Troubleshooting
Post Date	Fri, 23 Oct 2009 - 12:36
Original URL	https://68kmla.org/bb/threads/8600-bus-error-possible-causes.18832/

Post

My 8600/200 604e with 256k cache, which has an Adaptec scsi pci card and 9 GB 68-pin drive, gives a repeated "bus error" message on cold startup in 8.6. Essentially, it gets to the welcome screen and then crashes with the bus error message (freezing at that point, as the Restart button on the message doesn't work at that point). The Adaptec Control Panel is installed, as is Silverlining.
If I restart often enough, it runs perfectly and stably ("warmed up"?). If I start from cold with Extensions off, it also starts up fine.

What is the likely explanation?

Click to expand...

Have you tested the RAM in the machine? The other suggestions are good ones, but a flawed RAM module is also consistent with the problems that you are having and would explain why changing VM settings affects the symptoms.

I have tested the RAM using TekTool Pro v. 3, and though I had one failure, it has passed maybe a dozen times. The documentation says that there can be occasional failures and not to worry, but it seems to me that this would be worth pursuing through other utilities. I have some software options available and will try them out over the weekend, along with installation of different RAM sticks.