[xubuntu-users] Total system freeze, hard reboot.

[Petter Adsen]

On Fri, 4 Sep 2015 00:09:11 -0400
Fred Roller <fredroller66 at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi all,
>      This one has me almost stumped and I am looking for some new 
> insight please.
> 
> Symptom:
> Absolute system freeze.  No Keyboard. No mouse. No SSH. No REISUB. 
> Screen at last spot shown w/ no artifacts.  Only option is a hard 
> reboot.  Logs from Mate suite show no errors around time of crash.
> 
> Through a week of web search and T&E issue seems to be tied with video 
> in some way.  Idle on w/ nothing running produces no freeze.
> 
> Reproducible on thumb drive boot "try before install" option. After boot:
> ctrl+alt+t
> sudo apt-get install xubuntu-restricted-extras vlc -y
> /usr/share/doc/libdvdread4/install-css.sh (to enable dvd play)
> open vlc -> play movie
> 
> This will cause a total system freeze. Hard boot required.

Every time? Sounds like a bug in either the kernel driver for your GPU
or the X server. Have you filed a bug report? Also, try newer/older
kernels, you can find them here:

http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/

> from this bug report:
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/xserver-xorg-video-intel/+bug/993187

I didn't read the whole thing, but this is really old, and a fix has
been released. I suggest you file a new one.

> decided to turn off composer:
> All settings --> Windows Manager Tweaks --> Compositor --> Uncheck 
> "Enable display compositing"

You can also try running VLC with another backend, I think it uses
VDPAU by default. Or try another player.

> This is where I am atm.
> 
> My system is:
> Acer ES1-711-P14W
> Xubuntu 15.04
>      Kernel 2.19.0-26-generic (x86_64)
              ^
I hope that's a typo?

> Intel Pentium CPU N3540 @ 2.16 GHz x4
> 8 GB Ram
> gpu Intel atom processor z36xxx/z37xxx
> Ethernet Realtek RTL8111/8168/8411 Express Gigabit Ethernet Controller
> 
> Note: There is some discussions on the gigabit connections causing a 
> total freeze up.  This was dismissed when I disengaged all connections 
> and still reproduced the freeze.

What do you mean "disengaged all connections"? Just that you weren't
actively using the network? If you suspect the NIC, you could try
unloading the kernel module, 'lsmod -k' will show you what module is in
use. But if this happens when you try to play a DVD, I wouldn't really
suspect the NIC unless I had some indication it was involved. Have you
installed the Realtek firmware package?

> Loaded MATE system log and psensor early on to monitor.  Logs, as 
> mentioned show no errors; so I presume the crash does not give the 
> system time to register. psensor was showing over heating (no air 
> conditioning here) and processors were set for "performance". I reset 
> the processors for "powersave" and have had normal temps and still am 
> freezing up. This dismissed the overheating theory.  I have no way to 
> monitor GPU temperatures but given the freezes are random in time, i.e. 
> 5 min to 2 hrs. I have put this at a "not likely" status.

Are you saying the freezes are random, or happening when you play a DVD?

> Status: waiting while I push the system with compositor turned OFF.
> 
> Any ideas would be appreciated if this fails.  If this works, then ideas 
> to fix.  I don't like having to turn off functionality to make the 
> system work.

Nor should you. I would try a newer kernel. There is information on the
Ubuntu wiki on how to do this if you don't know how, start here:

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Kernel/

Also, file a bug. It's the only way to get it fixed (if it isn't
already in a newer release), but you need to be very clear on how and
when it happens.

Petter

-- 
"I'm ionized"
"Are you sure?"
"I'm positive."
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