( solved) hardware freezing

[waynus]

From time to time my computer freezes. Nothing on mouse or keyboard works.

Sometimes it will just return to normal at other times a hard reset is needed.

I am running 18:3 Cinnamon. It happens every 2 to 3 days otherwise I leave the machine on 24/7.

I figure it is probably a hardware fault or driver issue but I am not sure where and what to look at in terms of logs etc to start to track down the problem.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

[Pjotr]

Please generate an overview of your system like this:

- Launch a terminal window (this is how to launch a terminal window);

- make the terminal window full screen, to avoid chopped lines;

- copy/paste this command into the terminal:

Code: Select all

inxi -Fxz

(if you type: the letter F is a capital letter)

- Press Enter.

- Copy/paste the output in your next message.

[waynus]

Code: Select all

System:    Host: wayne-P55-USB3 Kernel: 4.13.0-36-generic x86_64 (64 bit gcc: 5.4.0)
           Desktop: Cinnamon 3.6.7 (Gtk 3.18.9-1ubuntu3.3)
           Distro: Linux Mint 18.3 Sylvia
Machine:   Mobo: Gigabyte model: P55-USB3 v: x.x
           Bios: Award v: F5 date: 04/28/2010
CPU:       Quad core Intel Core i7 870 (-HT-MCP-) cache: 8192 KB
           flags: (lm nx sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 ssse3 vmx) bmips: 23449
           clock speeds: max: 2927 MHz 1: 1197 MHz 2: 1197 MHz 3: 1330 MHz
           4: 1596 MHz 5: 2927 MHz 6: 2927 MHz 7: 1330 MHz 8: 1463 MHz
Graphics:  Card: NVIDIA GM107 [GeForce GTX 750 Ti] bus-ID: 01:00.0
           Display Server: X.Org 1.18.4 drivers: (unloaded: fbdev,vesa) FAILED: nouveau
           Resolution: 1920x1080@60.00hz, 1920x1080@60.00hz
           GLX Renderer: Gallium 0.4 on NV117
           GLX Version: 3.0 Mesa 17.0.7 Direct Rendering: Yes
Audio:     Card-1 Intel 5 Series/3400 Series High Definition Audio
           driver: snd_hda_intel bus-ID: 00:1b.0
           Card-2 NVIDIA Device 0fbc driver: snd_hda_intel bus-ID: 01:00.1
           Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture v: k4.13.0-36-generic
Network:   Card: Realtek RTL8111/8168/8411 PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet Controller
           driver: r8169 v: 2.3LK-NAPI port: de00 bus-ID: 03:00.0
           IF: enp3s0 state: up speed: 100 Mbps duplex: full mac: <filter>
Drives:    HDD Total Size: 16003.2GB (71.1% used)
           ID-1: /dev/sda model: WDC_WD40EZRX size: 4000.8GB
           ID-2: /dev/sdb model: WDC_WD20EZRX size: 2000.4GB
           ID-3: USB /dev/sdd model: Expansion_Desk size: 2000.4GB
           ID-4: USB /dev/sdc model: Expansion_Desk size: 4000.8GB
           ID-5: USB /dev/sde model: Expansion size: 4000.8GB
Partition: ID-1: / size: 555G used: 121G (23%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sdb7
           ID-2: swap-1 size: 12.88GB used: 0.00GB (0%) fs: swap dev: /dev/sdb6
RAID:      No RAID devices: /proc/mdstat, md_mod kernel module present
Sensors:   System Temperatures: cpu: 72.0C mobo: N/A gpu: 44.0
           Fan Speeds (in rpm): cpu: N/A
Info:      Processes: 257 Uptime: 50 min Memory: 3056.5/12004.5MB
           Init: systemd runlevel: 5 Gcc sys: 5.4.0
           Client: Shell (bash 4.3.481) inxi: 2.2.35

[Pjotr]

Try this:

1. Install the latest kernel from the 4.4 series (4.4.0-116):
Update Manager - panel: View - Linux kernels

2. Boot from it (it's under the header Advanced in the Grub bootloader menu) and remove all installed kernels from higher series (probably 4.10.x and 4.13.x);

3. Launch Driver Manager and install the closed non-free Nvidia driver it recommends;

4. Reboot again.

[waynus]

Thank you for the help. I have done as you suggested. I am hoping that may fix the problem.

However I could not work out how to remove the old kernels, did not seem to be an option in grub.

It now looks like this.

Code: Select all

System:    Host: wayne-P55-USB3 Kernel: 4.4.0-116-generic x86_64 (64 bit gcc: 5.4.0)
           Desktop: Cinnamon 3.6.7 (Gtk 3.18.9-1ubuntu3.3)
           Distro: Linux Mint 18.3 Sylvia
Machine:   Mobo: Gigabyte model: P55-USB3 v: x.x
           Bios: Award v: F5 date: 04/28/2010
CPU:       Quad core Intel Core i7 870 (-HT-MCP-) cache: 8192 KB
           flags: (lm nx sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 ssse3 vmx) bmips: 23451
           clock speeds: max: 2927 MHz 1: 1197 MHz 2: 1197 MHz 3: 1197 MHz
           4: 2261 MHz 5: 1330 MHz 6: 1197 MHz 7: 1330 MHz 8: 1330 MHz
Graphics:  Card: NVIDIA GM107 [GeForce GTX 750 Ti] bus-ID: 01:00.0
           Display Server: X.Org 1.18.4 drivers: nvidia (unloaded: fbdev,vesa,nouveau)
           Resolution: 1920x1080@60.00hz, 1920x1080@60.00hz
           GLX Renderer: GeForce GTX 750 Ti/PCIe/SSE2
           GLX Version: 4.5.0 NVIDIA 384.111 Direct Rendering: Yes
Audio:     Card-1 Intel 5 Series/3400 Series High Definition Audio
           driver: snd_hda_intel bus-ID: 00:1b.0
           Card-2 NVIDIA Device 0fbc driver: snd_hda_intel bus-ID: 01:00.1
           Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture v: k4.4.0-116-generic
Network:   Card: Realtek RTL8111/8168/8411 PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet Controller
           driver: r8169 v: 2.3LK-NAPI port: de00 bus-ID: 03:00.0
           IF: enp3s0 state: up speed: 100 Mbps duplex: full mac: <filter>
Drives:    HDD Total Size: 12002.4GB (37.4% used)
           ID-1: /dev/sda model: WDC_WD40EZRX size: 4000.8GB
           ID-2: /dev/sdb model: WDC_WD20EZRX size: 2000.4GB
           ID-3: USB /dev/sdd model: Expansion_Desk size: 2000.4GB
           ID-4: USB /dev/sdc model: Expansion_Desk size: 4000.8GB
Partition: ID-1: / size: 555G used: 122G (24%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sdb7
           ID-2: swap-1 size: 12.88GB used: 0.00GB (0%) fs: swap dev: /dev/sdb6
RAID:      No RAID devices: /proc/mdstat, md_mod kernel module present
Sensors:   System Temperatures: cpu: 61.0C mobo: N/A gpu: 0.0:43C
           Fan Speeds (in rpm): cpu: N/A
Info:      Processes: 258 Uptime: 9 min Memory: 1849.4/12010.7MB
           Init: systemd runlevel: 5 Gcc sys: 5.4.0
           Client: Shell (bash 4.3.481) inxi: 2.2.35

[Pjotr]

Removing unwanted installed kernels:
Update Manager - panel: View - Linux kernels

[waynus]

Thank you!

[waynus]

Well the result of updating the x server and using the latest kernel has been no lock ups .

What happens now are temporary lock ups for 30 seconds or so, and then the screen returns to normal. It does not seem to matter what I have running and it will happen a few times and then not at all for hours and then it happens again. If I am running a process in the background it continues without a hitch.

Better than it was and I am thinking it must be an x-server issue but unsure.

[Pjotr]

It might help to disable all visual effects in Cinnamon:
https://sites.google.com/site/easylinux ... n-Cinnamon
(item 7.1, right column)

[waynus]

Thanks I have given that a go, fingers crossed.

[waynus]

Sadly that made no difference, still shuddering (little freezes where images, mouse etc just stop for a split second).

[ClixTrix]

When was the last time you removed the processor heatsink - cleaned and applied fresh thermal-grease?

I ask, because those posted temps, especially the 1st one at 72.0C, are HIGH for idle. And, those stops and stutters could certainly be related to over-temp on CPU.

[waynus]

The last time all that was done was in a big over haul in 2015, including new video card and ram.

It really wans't idle doing a backup and playing a video. However 72 is not that high when the ambient temperature is well into the 90s. Living in Sydney Australia we get some hot humid weather in late summer.

I do think the problem is to do with the xserver.

process running have no problems and i can share video files to other computers without and priblem and the file plays smoothly.

[ClixTrix]

I respectfully disagree. 72 Celsius is too hot for that CPU and suggests a cooling problem at the low/moderate-loads showing. I'd expect a temp at/near that only under full load. The CPU Fan isn't showing on the snapshots, but I'd check that too (clean it with air duster if needed and any other case fans).

Just as a test: turn the system off and let it set for 30 minutes, then turn it on and let it sit idle for 30 minutes. What's the CPU temp?

If you need a second opinion on normal CPU temp range for your CPU......

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/29441 ... temp-intel

Is it possible you upgraded the processor on that overhaul, but didn't upgrade the heatsink to one rated for that CPU?

[waynus]

I had a usb hard drive plugged in for a backup drive. It was a drive that powers of the USB port. Since disconnecting it the problem has not recurred. i wonder could that have been the cause?

[waynus]

Clixtrix - I see what you mean about that being high. I will investigate further. Even if it is not the cause of the problem it is something I need to address. Thanks I was unaware of this being considered high for moderate loads.

[waynus]

Well all seems to be working well.

The external USB i think was the problem, not sure why drawing too much power ???

I cleaned the cpu fan (very clogged with dust) now runs at a comfortable 52 when under moderate load.

Thanks to all for the help and patience with my lack of knowledge.