Strange x-windows

[Paul O'Malley - gnu's not unix -]

Karl Larsen wrote:
> Paul O'Malley - gnu's not unix - wrote:
>> Karl Larsen wrote:
>>   
>>>     I have problems with x-windows. Most of the time it works fine and 
>>> no complaint. But when it goes bad the entire screen changes to a 
>>> strange pattern and my mouse and keyboard do not work. This sounds to me 
>>> like a problem with the x-windows files, since the screen and mouse and 
>>> keyboard are all made useless. The only repair is to hit the power 
>>> switch and start over.
>>>
>>>     My question is, does anyone else have this same problem?
>>>
>>> Karl
>>>
>>>     
>> Firstly,
>> http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=617349
>>
>> If this fails, go to another machine, try to ssh in.
>> sudo apt-get install ssh-server
>> would prepare the machine so it would be available remotely.
>>
>> To be honest, strange things like this tend to be hardware related.
>>
>> For instance, some item of hardware failing. Strongly suggest you make a 
>> backup of anything that is valuable to you.
>>
>> Check it is not one of the peripherals by swapping them for known good 
>> ones, mouse keyboard etc.
>>
>> Make sure the power lead is firmly inserted into the monitor.
>>
>> Remove and plug back in mouse/keyboard.
>> (Hope you are not on a laptop or this advice more than likely becomes moot.)
>>
>> If you are on an externally secured lan and can and and willing to trust 
>> the other occupants of the network you could run XDMCP, and then from 
>> another working machine try to connect to X on the problem machine.
>>
>>
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> Paul
>>
>>   
> Thanks for the URL Paul. That key sequence is interesting! Be 
> interesting to try next time.
> 
>     The system at fault has been failing for 6 months and is a table 
> model PC with Hardy at the moment. It started with Fedora 8 and through 
> Gutsy. I think it is hardware but not sure how a hardware failure 
> effects all three, the screen and keyboard and mouse. The keyboard 
> Ctrl-Alt-1 does not work.
> 
> Karl
> 
> 
The suggestion was - try another keyboard/moust - as I said I think it 
becomes a hardware issue, perhaps I should have said inside the box, try 
memtest and see if it is flaky, check your on board temp, lm-sensors, 
try anything, but be prepared to buy a new box.
I don't think that changing the mouse and keyboard will impact anything.
It does have to be tested, or you won't know.
P.