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Thread ID: 124910	2012-05-27 01:33:00	Linux machine crashing constantly	adslgeek (14687)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1277600	2012-05-27 01:33:00	Hey there I have a Linux (Ubuntu) machine, and it has started locking up and crashing all the time, and I am not as familar with crash logs on Linux / Ubuntu as windows servers / machines - where is the best place to start? Also when the mouse and keyboard freezes what is the same step to unlock it as CTRL ALT DEL? Pardon the newbie questions..	adslgeek (14687)
1277601	2012-05-27 02:39:00	Depends on which version of Ubuntu you are using. I've switched to Kubuntu (KDE desktop environment). I would look for System Log Viewer (or similar) in the System menu (from memory). Have a look at the syslog or kernel log for segfaults or other obvious crash reports. You can restart the X-windows system by using Ctrl-Alt-Backspace (I've used that before myself when a game or something stuffed the screen output). Ctrl-Alt-Delete usually logs you out. Another thing to try would be Ctrl-Alt-F1 (or F2 or F3, etc) which gives you a terminal/command line environment to use commands like top which allow you to kill misbehaving processes, etc. You can switch back to your still running gui environment by type Ctrl-Alt-F7 (usually F7 in (K)Ubuntu).	Rod J (451)
1277602	2012-05-27 03:49:00	Could be something with video drivers. Or a faulty hardware component (I had a hard drive once which was faulty and occasionally causing lock ups) Logs are stored in /var/log, have a look around in there	forrest44 (754)
1277603	2012-05-27 06:47:00	I guess it could be a lot of things - but one of the most likely in this situation is RAM - do you have 2 sticks with enough RAM on each to run one stick at a time and test? Usually the <CTRL><ALT><BACKSPACE> is not enabled by default in Ubuntu. I am running Ubuntu 10.04 (GNOME) at the moment - see unixlab.blogspot.co.nz but it may be different on a later version?	johnd (85)
1277604	2012-05-27 11:20:00	Usually the <CTRL><ALT><BACKSPACE> is not enabled by default in Ubuntu. Yes, you're right John, I forgot it isn't set by default. I'm running Kubuntu 12.04 now and it isn't set by default here either. The setting for it is in System Settings, Keyboard Settings, Advanced in Kubuntu 12.04. I still have Ubuntu 10.04 on another partition though.	Rod J (451)
1277605	2012-05-27 13:54:00	Did you recently install some new updates or did it just happen by itself? I have not had Linux crash except due to driver issues or faulty hardware. Run Memtest which should be listed in GRUB if you have Ubuntu, try removing\disabling other hardware especially 'interesting' devices like WiFi and TV Tuner cards	Agent_24 (57)
1277606	2012-05-28 11:43:00	All these answers are awesome, in the end I enabled better aircirculation (removed case lid) and it has been fine since so I am going to buy either bigger fans or a new case.	adslgeek (14687)
1277607	2012-05-28 13:06:00	I guess something was overheating then .. check for dust in your heatsinks\fans .. install a sensors program to monitor temperature perhaps.	Agent_24 (57)
1277608	2012-05-28 23:31:00	Yeah try installing "lm-sensors" to monitor your temperatures, then run "sensors-detect" to scan your system for all temperature sensors. For most Q's you can just hit Enter to use default answers :) Then run 'sensors' to show the temperatures.	Chilling_Silence (9)
1277609	2012-05-30 23:34:00	I dusted it off, but I think the fans have been crappy for years, I think I am going to focus on the root cause, and replace them as well as the case, rather than the symptom :-) The actual PC is ancient, but with Ubuntu it has run like a dream until I put it under the desk without as much airflow. Protip: buy a crappy old PC for $200 and a $500 monitor - you will feel like you have a fast PC, it will almost never crash, and it looks amazing. It feels like a Mac under usual conditions, and it looks so pretty (cause that is important!) ;-)	adslgeek (14687)
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