PassMark BurnInTest for Linux - What's New?

Here’s a summary of all the changes that have been made in each version of BurnInTest Linux. Click here to return to the BurnInTest Linux product page.

Version 3.0 build 1003 - 5 October 2011

• Changed how available disks are detected and displayed in the test preferences in order to display large numbers of available disks
• Changed how disk test preferences are stored
• Fixed a bug in the command line version where the correct number of CPU tests were not started in some cases
• Fixed a bug with the network test where in some situations a checksum error could be logged even though no error occured.

Version 3.0 build 1002 - 9 September 2011

• Fixed a bug with the scripting where when launching a script from the command line sometimes the script would launch the tests twice at the same time
• Changed the behaviour of the serial port test to prevent situations where the test could freeze rather than throw an error (only when using custom test plugs)
• Fixed a bug in the parallel test where if the port address was not set to a default value the sent/received count would not be displayed correctly
• Some changes to the serial port test were made to match the windows behaviour, if an error is encountered the test will now continue after closing and re-opening the serial connection
• Some timeout changes were made in the serial test to prevent the test pausing rather then timing out in some cases
• Fixed a bug where the test configuration window could crash if there were more than 40 hard disks / partitions detected on the system
• Fixed a bug where multiple "Device" keywords could be added to the same "<Test>" module of the disk test section of the command line configuration. This would cause the disk test to start with incorrect parameters.
• Changed how the disk test files were deleted to improve the speed of deletions when cleaning up old test files

Version 3.0 build 1001 - 10 June 2011

• When no system info is able to be retrieved a N/A is now displayed
• Removed incorrect warning message being shown before welcome dialog when evaluation time has expired
• Changed behaviour so disk test files will be created in the root directory '/' if startup disk is selected for testing
• Fixed a bug in the command line version when using a non default serial port
• Fixed a bug in the command line version where raw disk tests could report 0 operations while the test was running
• Fixed a bug where the CPU test was not always creating the right amount of test threads
• Fixed a bug where an error message would sometimes not be displayed correctly if an invalid key was used
• Fixed a bug where some previously saved configuration options would not be loaded correctly next time configuration options were opened
• Removed some stderr output shown when running the gui version from a terminal

Version 3.0 build 1000 - 17 August 2010

• New licence keys will be required for version 3 of BurnInTest Linux, please see this page for information to check if you qualify for a free upgrade and more information about upgrading
• Updated CPU tests to be more inline with current Windows version, including general instructions, FPU, SSE, SSE2 and primes tests
• Updated user interface to use QT4 (4.6.2)
• Updated main window to included system information (where available), test results and event log to allow easier access to these items
• Main window can now be resized
• Changed event log to color code information and error lines based on severity
• Added edit error classification function
• Changed some menu item names and location to be more consistent with the current Windows version
• Changed the optical CD/DVD/BD test so files should be minimally cached by the operating system during testing (previous versions resulted in much higher than expected read/verify speeds)
• Increased max limit for Memory test in 64bit version to 256GB and increased the maximum amount locked for testing to 97% of free RAM
• Changed behaviour of -M (show machine ID and notes entry) command line parameter when used with -R (auto-start tests) so the tests will not execute until the machine ID and notes dialog is closed
• Added ext4 support for disk test
• Added test certificate option to logging and HTML template file to the download package
• Added “Test all hard disk” option to test configuration options in GUI version and new TestAllDisks option in command line config
• Fixed a bug where the serial port test was not starting correctly in some distributions of linux
  
• Fixed a bug in the USB test where a batch of recent USB2 test plugs were not correctly recognised by BurnInTest
• Fixed a bug in the CD "Data read and verify" test where the test could freeze during the checksum creation if it encountered a 0 length file
• Fixed a bug where when exiting from a script BurnInTest was not returning the correct error/success code
• Changed how BiT detects the IP address for a network card to take into account aliased entries, eg when using an IPv6 and an IPv4 address with an aliased entry for the same network card, originally BiT would not pick up the IPv4 address from the alias

Version 2.0 (build 1006) - 10 July 2009

• Added NTFS to the list of recognised partition types for the disk test, please note that some Linux distribution might not support NTFS or writing to NTFS so the test will not be able to run unless the Linux distribution support read/write for NTFS (for example those that use ntfs-3g)
• Added -K command line option to keep disk test data files on disk when an error occurs (rather than delete them), best used with the "Stop on error" option
• Added extra information to trace level 1 logging when a disk verification error is detected
• Removed disks from the disk test selection when using aufs/unionfs, so BurnInTest won't select these virtual partitions for the disk test by default in live environments
• Fixed a bug where the CD/DVD test could generate a checksum error after the test had finished when running the Data Checksum & Verify test and the test finished halfway through check summing a file
• Fixed a bug where the memory test could be run in the wrong mode and not generate any operations during the test, due to a corrupt config setting
• Corrected some output for trace level 2 of the disk test where some information was not being written out correctly

Version 2.0 (build 1005) - 3 June 2009

• Fixed a bug where running the CPU test on a machine with more than 16 CPUs could result in corruption of the results
• Fixed a bug where a corrupt config file could cause odd test behaviour, for example an increasing cycle count but no increase in results or errors. BurnInTest was converting older versions of config files but not flagging them as new, causing them to be converted again next run and therfore corrupting it.

Version 2.0 (build 1004) - 24 April 2009

• Removed the 2GB file limit for the disk test on 64bit versions
• Fixed a bug where multiples warnings about having a floppy disk in the drive could be displayed when testing a floppy drive and multiple disk partitions
• Fixed a bug where opening the test preferences window and starting the tests could add the USB test to the log file even if it wasn't selected to run in the duty cycle / test selection options.
• Removed CD drives from being listed in the disk test preferences
  
• Increased number of disk tests that can be run from 20 to 40
  
• Lowered minimum duty cycle for network test, when set to 1 will send ~1 packet / second
• Added -M command line option to display Machine ID and Notes dialog when BurnInTest is started (GUI version only)
• Added scrolling in command line version, use up arrow and down arrow to scroll through the displayed test results in some display areas

Version 2.0 (build 1003) - 27 February 2009

• Fixed a bug where some keys did not register correctly in the 64bit build

Version 2.0 (build 1002) - 11 February 2009

• Added vmhgfs to the list of partitions types BurnInTest will recognise and display in the Disk tab
• Fixed a bug where the Pre-Test option to hide/display the warning dialog had the opposite values
• Fixed a bug where CD's mounted at certain points might not be recognised as a CD drive and not appear in the CD-RW/DVD tab
• Fixed a bug in the memory test where the cycles count was incresed after the test was flagged to finish, making the final cycle count 1 higher than expected
• Fixed a bug in the memory test where the One's pattern could sometimes be skipped when cycling through all test patterns
• Fixed a bug in the command line version where the serial test could display the wrong operations count on the summary screen if there was a disk test running at the same time
• Fixed a bug with the logging where RAW disk tests could log 0 operations in the command line version
• Fixed a bug with matching network cards to their IP if each network card isn't connected or doesn't have a current IP
• Fixed a bug where BurnInTest could exit if the disk test tried to create a test file bigger than 2GB.

Version 2.0 (build 1001) - 10 December 2008

• Fixed a bug in the random seeking disk test where the same block could be read/written several times in a row instead of another random block
• Fixed a bug in the random seeking disk test where a read verify error could occur, more likely to happen in small partitions (<50mb)
• Fixed a bug with the scripting where multiple instances of the same test could be launched
• Fixed a bug with the scripting where a segfault could occur when using logging
• Fixed a bug with key entry where extra spaces before/after user name were not being ignored and causing some users name / key pairs to fail validation
• Fixed a bug where BurnInTest would not launch on SUSE11
• Removed some warning and message dialogs from the GUI version when running a script

Version 2.0 (build 1000) - 19 November 2008

• Converted help file to browser based html format
• Added support for reiserfs and XFS in disk test (previously these were being ignored) and ext4
• Added -F font size command line parameter
• Added -D duration (minutes) command line parameter
• Added -X duration (cycles) command line parameter
• Added -S script command line paramter
• Added -p command line parameter to cmd line version, allows update interval to be set
• Added command line parameters to command line version to match
• Added USB2 loopback test for use with Passmark USB plugs
• Added scripting
  • In command line version use command line flag
  • GUI version new menu item under Test menu
• Removed the default behaviour of BurnInTest to create a debug log and print debug information which reduces load times, on some systems this was the cause of a long pause when starting BurnInTest. Debug mode can be entered by using the -d command line parameter.

Memory Test

• Improved memory test execution speed significantly
• Added option for memory test to select test pattern

Disk Test:

• Added ability to test hard disks that are un-partitioned (Raw hard disk test)
• Changed disk test window design, added total drive capacity
• Changed references of MBytes to MB
• Added ability to display GB instead of MB when a drive is greater than 1 GB
• Tweaked hard disk duty cycle effect so effect is more linear, decreasing by a small amount from 100 will no longer result in a drastic cut to the speed of the test

Network Test:

• Increases number of test IP slots to 6
• Added option "Test All NICs" to bind each network card to an entered IP
• Tweaked network duty cycle effect so effect is more linear, decreasing by a small amount
  from 100 will no longer result in a drastic cut to the speed of the test
• Changed MB sent/received to packets to give a clearer picture of how many packets are being
  sent/received
• Changed flow rate MB/S to packets/s
• Network test name will now include which eth device is being tested

Bug Fixes

• Fixed a bug where tests could not automatically stop after a certain set amount of cycles when running the CPU test on multi core cpus
• Fixed a bug with network test errors not displaying correctly
• Fixed a bug with the 2D graphics test where the total operations count was incorrect and
  being inflated each cycle resulting in a higher operations count than there actually were
• Fixed a bug with command line version of disk test when testing multiple devices if the underlying device block size differed the available and total space counts could be calculated wrong and could lead to the disk test causing a "Device Full" error rather than detecting when the device was running out of space and cleaning up files
  

Version 1.0 (build 1007) - 04 Oct 2006

1. Hang reported when running 2D Graphics test, resulting in 2D Graphics thread and
main thread hanging. All windows will not being updated (grayed out) and remaining
threads continue to run and needs to be killed. This version should fix this issue.

2. Fixed bug where number of CPU is not reported right.

3. Limit maximum file size of Disk test to 2GB.

4. Fixed a bug in Memory test whereby if your attempted test buffer size is less than 128MB,
memory test does not run.

5. If RTS/CTS is disabled, hardware flow control will not be turned on in Serial Port testing.

Version 1.0 (build 1006) - 05 Jul 2006

1. Removed paintEvent function from 2DGraphicsTest. Function is not in used but is being called
everytime the widget needs to paint itself.

2. Removed a while loop in bitmainapp.cpp, whereby it is calling Sleep and processEvent for 1 sec
once memory test thread is created.

3. We now compute parameter for OpenGL redraw outside of the paintGL function. Previously,
if user were to drag a window over the Open GL widget (window), you will see a "speed-up"
effect whereby the spheres will be moving faster. This is now no longer the case.

4. Commented InitSignalHandling() from InitEnv_Main().

5. We show() newly created child test window before we create the thread for the test
(Before, we show() after the thread creation).

6. Re-implemented main thread's paintEvent(). Previously, it is checking to see which thread is
suppose to run and then updating each test window. This is a bug because suppose only 1 thread
has been created so far (and 5 threads are suppose to run), and system wants to update the
main window, it will attempt to update a 5 child windows even though only the 1st window has
been created. Individual child window is now being updated outside the paintEvent function.

Version 1.0 (build 1005) - 04 May 2006

1. Corrected bug whereby the 2D Graphics Test is updating its windows (window->update())
from the main GUI thread!

2. Added optional argument for -R option.
-R: optional argument
Auto-start after delay_msecs. Minimum (and default) is 3000, i.e. 3 secs.
If you specify anything less than 3000 msecs, it will default to 3000 msecs.

Example:
./burnintest -R 10000
Auto-start after 10 secs
./burnintest -R
Auto-start after 3 secs (default)

Version 1.0 (build 1004) - 09 March 2006

1. Changed behaviour of how burnintest reports devices. Before, it attempts to
parse the mount point and the mount name to try and extract the last token after "/".
Example, if it is mounted as "/dev/fd0" at "/media/floppy", burnintest reports it
as Media floppy [fd0]. It now reports the full path, i.e. Media (/media/floppy) [/dev/fd0].
There is no gurantee that the monunt point or mount name has a "/" in its path.

2. Added "-R" (or "--autostart") and "-C" (or "--config") command line option.
-R: (no argument)
Auto start without needing to press "Start Test".
-C: (argument needed)
Determines which config file to use.

Example:
burnintest -R -C testall.cfg
burnintest --autostart --config=testall.cfg

3. Removed "-d" (or "--debugmode") option. "debug.log" is always created in executable's
directory for debugging purposes. If there is no write permission in executable's
directory, an error prompt will be displayed (instead of segfault).

Version 1.0 (build 1003) - 09 February 2006

1. Changed default settings for Serial Test. Default speed is now 9600baud
and default timeout is 3500 ms.
2. Changed default settings for Network Test. Default error mode is now by ratio.
3. Standardized data type used for RAM.
4. Added glFlush in OpenGL test to force execution of OpenGL commands in finite time.
5. Fixed Pre-Test warning that prompts for Serial Loopback Plugs to be attached to
test unit even though it is a "Detect Only" test.
6. Added texture to 3D Graphics' Spheres.
7. Adjusted material properties and lighting to enhance shadows on spheres for
3D Graphics Test.
8. Changed step size for displacement and rotation so spheres move faster in OpenGL Test.
9. Light source is now rotated to enhance effects.
10. Fixed bug in Preferences: CD-RW/DVD whereby even if a CD/DVD drive is not tested,
it will appear in the main window (not suppose to).
11. Put in extra trace logging for memory test.
12. Put in extra debug logging for memory reporting and system resource limits during startup.
13. Memory test now probes available physical RAM as well as available high RAM.

Version 1.0 (build 1002) - 22 December 2005

1. Released BurnInTest for Linux Version 1.0 (build 1002).
2. Removes excessive debug messages.

Version 1.0 Beta 2 (build 1001) - 24 November 2005

1. Included collect application to help collect debug log for start-up errors.
2. Fixed bug in Disk Test where files are not deleted properly after test finished.
3. #include <X11/Xthreads.h> instead of <pthread.h>.
4. Added "Thank you" dialog once user enter correct username/key.
5. Fixed negative cycle number for serial detect test.
6. Fixed floppies failing because of limited number of files at root directory of floppy.
7. Added build date/time in -v option.
8. Added Linux Distribution name in system header log...whatever appear in your login screen will be here.
9. Fixed bug whereby accumulate log and machine id files were saved in current working directory, which may or may not be the  
application's directory.
10. Fixed bug where in SUSE 10.0, "Clear all results" only clear if "No" was clicked.
11. Synchronized icons with Performance Test as much as possible.

Version 1.0 Beta 1 (build 1000) - 10 November 2005

1. First version released to the world.