Vorinostat, Temozolomide, and Radiation Therapy in Treating Patients With Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma Multiforme

Inclusion Criteria: * PRE-REGISTRATION: * Central pathology review submission; this review is mandatory prior to registration to confirm eligibility; it should be initiated as soon after surgery as possible * Treatment should begin \>= 2 weeks and =\< 5 weeks following surgery * REGISTRATION: * Histologically confirmed glioblastoma multiforme as determined by pre-registration central pathology review; Note: gliosarcomas and other grade 4 astrocytoma variants (e.g., giant cell) are eligible * Measurable or evaluable disease by gadolinium magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or contrast computed tomography (CT) scan; Note: patients who have had a gross total resection (GTR) are eligible on the basis of evaluable disease * Must begin partial brain radiotherapy on the same day that vorinostat and temozolomide begin * Karnofsky performance status of \>= 60 * Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0, 1, or 2 * Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) \>= 1,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count \>= 100,000/mm\^3 * White blood cell (WBC) \>= 3,000/mm\^3 * Hemoglobin \>= 10.0 g/dL; Note: this level may be reached by transfusion * Total bilirubin =\< 2.0 x institutional upper limit of normal (ULN) * Serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) (aspartate aminotransferase \[AST\]) =\< 2.0 x ULN * Creatinine =\< 1.5 mg/dL * Life expectancy \>= 12 weeks * Negative serum pregnancy test done =\< 7 days prior to registration, for women of childbearing potential only * For Phase I establi…