Desktop gone mad sometimes

[hal_sk]

Hi,
I don't know how to exactly describe this issue, but I will try.
It happens sometimes, once per 20 to 50 days.
This is what happens: part of desktop environment suddenly stops responding to user input. For example when trying to control opened apps (browser, file manager, text editor, etc), they do not react. Only thing that seems to react on my input is "start" button in left bottom corner. Audio playing in the background if it was turned on before the issue appears. It seems the apps are still running correctly, only front-end and ability of user inputs is partially broken. But still - when I open any app from the menu that I am able to roll up, the app does not react. I am forced to restart computer using "Start" > "Quit" > "Shut Down".
I usually browse internet or using Caja file manager when this happens.

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OS Linux Mint 20 Ulyana 64-bit
Kernel Linux 5.4.0-172-generic x86_64
MATE 1.24.0

[1000]

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inxi -Fxxxrz

Will show you more.
I see it is based on 20.04 LTS and it is supported to 2025-04.
Of course you can try to debug and report the problem.
But I don't know if it will be considered a critical bug and fixed quickly and added to the update.

Example help / tips.
viewtopic.php?p=2435481&hilit=firefox#p2435481

I see that sometimes Firefox is unstable.
( maybe sometimes I used up all the RAM - I don't know )
Turning this program off and on helps for me.
Maybe the problem is more extensive.
For example only on Mate. I don't know.
We need debug problem, get error from log or from terminal.

[hal_sk]

inxi -Fxxxrz
Will show you more.

Should I run that command when problem occurs again? Not sure if I will be able to do that.
But next time I at least try to investigate logs in

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/var/log/syslog

and make screenshots System Monitor dialog window.
Or maybe are there logs specifically related to desktop environment that I can investigate?

Turning this program off and on helps for me.

I don't think I am able to even close opened programs. Mouse pointer is moving as I move the mice, but it seems that everything except "Start" button is not reacting on click input. Also keyboard shortcuts like alt+F4 do not seem to have any effect. But next time problem occurs I will try to observe more details about the behavior and post it to this thread.

[1000]

1 . I've always used Ctrl-Alt-Backspace to restore system.
This is safer than a push-button reset.
But it didn't work for me on Ubuntu operating system when the system hangs.
But it works when the system works.
I don't know why it doesn't always work.

2. I use sometimes
Ctrl+Alt+F1 , login, top , k key + number of process to kill process
then , logout , Ctrl+Alt+F7 to back to my desktop.
Example guide ( Maybe you'll find a better one )
https://ostechnix.com/how-to-switch-bet ... -in-linux/

3. About inxi
viewtopic.php?t=318644

more in " man "
For exmaple

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man inxi

4. Try check check log with journalctl
example

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journalctl --since "2020-07-10 15:10:00" --until "2020-07-12"

Example tutorials
- https://linuxhandbook.com/journalctl-command/
- https://github.com/tele1/LinuxTutorial/ ... in/Menu.md
- this forum contains many problems and many valuable tips on how to fix the problem

Edited
5. Try use Conky
or "system monitor" on the taskbar . Add CPU , RAM inside settings, the you will see usage.

Good luck !

[mikeflan]

Hi,
I don't know how to exactly describe this issue, but I will try.
It happens sometimes, once per 20 to 50 days.
This is what happens: part of desktop environment suddenly stops responding to user input. For example when trying to control opened apps (browser, file manager, text editor, etc), they do not react. Only thing that seems to react on my input is "start" button in left bottom corner.

So when this happens your mouse will move around freely?

I have something similar that happens less frequently - maybe every 4 - 6 months or so. In my case the mouse moves VERY slowly, in 5 mm jerks. I actually got all the way through one of those and the machine was fine after that, but most of the time I need to restart. I suspect Chromium might be at fault, but I'm not sure.

Oh, wait. I am on Cinnamon, not MATE.