If a kernel isn't accessible for memory testing might redirecting console output to say ttyS0 where a speech synthesier lives and with the use of tee to script so even if the speech dies there's a log of information saved make sense? If the speech could be brought up and the kernel permitted it dmesg >memory.log might be tried once the kernel had been allowed to run for a time to capture information. As difficult as this is, a windows 98se install without sighted assistance is far worse on an accessibility testing scale.
