Re: Postgresql.conf getting corrupted

"Jason K. Ergle" <jason.ergle@camotion.com> writes:
> I am having a problem with postgreql.conf becoming corrupted.  We are using
> version 8.2.9 in embedded systems running Fedora Core 7.  Basically, the
> postgres server holds the data that our embedded systems need to run.  They
> are all using industrial solid state disk drives on the ext3 file system.
> The systems are cold booted occasionally by the operators if something
> becomes unresponsive.  I am not having a problem with the actual database,
> but it seems as though the postgresql.conf file becomes corrupted on
> occasion.   What happens is a random character in the file, such as an =
> will be replaced with another character, such as a 5.  Then the server
> refuses to start because of a syntax error in the file.

I'd bet lunch you have bad RAM that's dropping a bit every so often.
It's worthy of note that ASCII '=' is 0x3D while '5' is 0x35, just
one bit different.

            regards, tom lane