11-12-2006, 10:30 PM
Although the symptoms don't really match a failing RAM stick, it might be worth running Memtest86 on the machine for a while anyway. That would let you leave it powered up and "active" using a known good (and very minimal!) OS that is actively stressing the system. It sounds like you don't entirely trust this system's history, so at nothing else, a memory test would let you validate that you got good RAM in the deal.
Memtest86 is traditionally run off of a CD or floppy, so it could be done before or after reimaging the machine. If you have not yet reinstalled it, it could be informative to boot it up (preferably without network access) and look around for any obvious signs of infestation. It's worth reinstalling even if you don't see anything (some infestations hide very well), but it could be useful knowing whether the donor was confusing software problems with hardware ones.
Memtest86 is traditionally run off of a CD or floppy, so it could be done before or after reimaging the machine. If you have not yet reinstalled it, it could be informative to boot it up (preferably without network access) and look around for any obvious signs of infestation. It's worth reinstalling even if you don't see anything (some infestations hide very well), but it could be useful knowing whether the donor was confusing software problems with hardware ones.