Linux Mint 13 keeps freezing (AMD CPU)

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avoura
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Linux Mint 13 keeps freezing (AMD CPU)

Post by avoura »

My Linux Mint 13, 64-bit, keeps freezing.

There is a similar thread re Intel CPU Ivy Bridge here
http://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?f=47&t=112543


What happens is that everything at random just freezes, cannot move the mouse, pressing Num Lock does nothing, cannot type anything. Only thing I can do is press Alt + SysRq + {in sequence} R E I S U B and then it reboots the PC.

Here is the output about my hardware from typing

Code: Select all

inxi -F
(thanks to zerzero http://forums.linuxmint.com/memberlist. ... le&u=26535 for telling me about this on the other thread):

Code: Select all

System:    Host: mintstudio Kernel: 3.2.0-32-generic x86_64 (64 bit) Desktop: N/A Distro: Linux Mint 13 Maya
Machine:   Mobo: Gigabyte model: GA-MA790FX-DS5 Bios: Award version: F2 date: 11/23/2007
CPU:       Dual core AMD Athlon 64 X2 4800+ (-MCP-) cache: 1024 KB flags: (lm nx sse sse2 sse3 svm) 
           Clock Speeds: 1: 1000.00 MHz 2: 1000.00 MHz
Graphics:  Card: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] nee ATI Device 683f 
           X.Org: 1.11.3 driver: fglrx Resolution: 1152x864@50.0hz, 1152x864@60.0hz 
           GLX Renderer: AMD Radeon HD 7700 Series GLX Version: 4.2.11627 - CPC
Audio:     Card-1: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] nee ATI SBx00 Azalia (Intel HDA) driver: snd_hda_intel
           Card-2: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] nee ATI Device aab0
           Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture ver: 1.0.24
Network:   Card: Realtek RTL8111/8168B PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet controller driver: r8169 
           IF: eth0 state: up speed: 1000 Mbps duplex: full mac: 00:1a:4d:5d:44:4f
Drives:    HDD Total Size: 7001.4GB (74.8% used) 1: /dev/sda Hitachi_HDS72105 500.1GB 
           2: /dev/sdb SAMSUNG_HD501LJ 500.1GB 3: /dev/sdc WDC_WD20EARX 2000.4GB 
           4: /dev/sdd SAMSUNG_HD203WI 2000.4GB 5: /dev/sde WDC_WD10EADS 1000.2GB 
           6: /dev/sdj HDS721010DLE630 1000.2GB 
Partition: ID: / size: 29G used: 7.6G (28%) fs: ext4 ID: /home size: 71G used: 38G (56%) fs: ext4 
           ID: swap-1 size: 4.56GB used: 0.00GB (0%) fs: swap ID: swap-2 size: 4.24GB used: 0.00GB (0%) fs: swap 
           ID: swap-3 size: 4.90GB used: 0.00GB (0%) fs: swap 
Sensors:   System Temperatures: cpu: 27.0C mobo: N/A 
           Fan Speeds (in rpm): cpu: N/A 
Info:      Processes: 239 Uptime: 1:21 Memory: 3278.7/7986.1MB Client: Shell inxi: 1.7.33
Last edited by LockBot on Wed Dec 28, 2022 7:16 am, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: Topic automatically closed 6 months after creation. New replies are no longer allowed.
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bigj231

Re: Linux Mint 13 keeps freezing (AMD CPU)

Post by bigj231 »

First, let's try to eliminate hardware problems.
Also, do you have a way of monitoring you CPU temperature? If it's getting too hot, it could cause lockups. 29C is not an issue (actually surprisingly low), but if it gets to about 80C, you might notice stability problems. Try cleaning out your heatsink.
If your CPU is fine, try removing 1 RAM stick at a time (if you have 2 or more) or testing another known good RAM stick in your system. This is what fixed it for me when I was having similar issues. Make sure your computer is off before you start unplugging anything. You can also try a memory test, but this is the only sure way to diagnose a bad RAM stick.
Has your hard drive recently started making funny noises? Clicking, ticking, grinding, etc.
Is there a newer BIOS available for that motherboard? It seems kind of old. Maybe they released a patch for this issue.
Also, I see you are using an ATI graphics card. Don't rule out FGLRX causing instability.

Barring any hardware issues, it sounds like a kernel panic. Do your keyboard lights flash? You could try updating your kernel, but be prepared for stuff to break.
Do you have another operating system on this machine? Does it work normally? You could try running another distribution from a live CD or live USB to test your installed system (this will also rule out a bad hard drive). If it's only Mint that has problems, then you will need to see exactly what causes the issue. Try looking at system logs as soon as possible after a crash.

Your RAM usage seems kind of high. My system only uses 889MB.while running 8 Firefox tabs, Transmission, and all the background stuff. I also have my browser cache in RAM.
avoura
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Re: Linux Mint 13 keeps freezing (AMD CPU)

Post by avoura »

When using Ubuntu Studio 12.04 on the same PC I do not have these problems. Although I do not have the FGLRX driver installed in that. I am thinking that the AMD FGLRX driver is maybe causing it in Mint as I recently installed an AMD graphics card.

RAM usage is high as I am a power user, got about 80 tabs open in Firefox, 20 in Chromium, plus other programs running as well.
Buy someone something for them online once and they will be happy for a day. Get them to get their own Internet connection and they will be happy for the rest of their life.
bigj231

Re: Linux Mint 13 keeps freezing (AMD CPU)

Post by bigj231 »

That definitely explains the high RAM usage. I thought that that was at idle.
Back on topic, either try updating FGLRX to another version directly from AMD, or go back to the open source driver. I think the latest FGLRX is 12.9 or 12.10. Don't quote me on that. Make sure that you backup everything, and be prepared to remove or reinstall the driver from the command line.
avoura
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Posts: 28
Joined: Thu Aug 16, 2012 5:14 am
Location: London, UK
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Re: Linux Mint 13 keeps freezing (AMD CPU)

Post by avoura »

I uninstalled fglrx, so far it seems okay without any further freezing.
Buy someone something for them online once and they will be happy for a day. Get them to get their own Internet connection and they will be happy for the rest of their life.
bigj231

Re: Linux Mint 13 keeps freezing (AMD CPU)

Post by bigj231 »

Glad you got it working. I know FGLRX caused me lots of headaches when I was running an AMD system. Could you mark the thread as [SOLVED] if you got it fixed?
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