switch users --> black screen, no response [in 12.04]

[chris]

On Fri, 2013-05-17 at 13:06 -0700, rikona wrote:
> Friday, May 17, 2013, 7:34:23 AM, Liam wrote:
> 
> > On 16 May 2013 19:54, rikona <rikona at sonic.net> wrote:
> >> I can confirm that the box is still running - a Win2k box on the
> >> net can see and access files, so it's not a complete crash.
> 
> > For future reference - install the ssh server, then on your Windows
> > box, use Putty to ssh in and restart the machine cleanly.
> 
> Thanks - a good idea. If I 'shutdown/restart now' will it safely
> disconnect the USB drives and save my current work [say edits] before
> stopping [for each user]?
> 
> If not, how do I do those first? 
> 
> -- 
> 
>  rikona        
> 
> 

Try from the keyboard
holding ctr alt syrq  the press in sequence rseiub
This is the sysreq command for a clean shut down and reboot which should
safely close the usb drives.

has saved my bacon on more than one occasion