Question:
Is my Linux setup unstable?
I know that I've been posting tons of threads in this area of the forum lately, but Kubuntu 6.10 is my new primary OS and, being closely familiar with the inner workings of XP, I am equally curious to learn just as much about the Linux system.
The problem is this; sometimes my GUI freezes. It usually happens when I'm running several programs at once, and it mostly happens in Beryl, although it has happened in KDE before. I can't launch programs, including my performance monitor or konsole to kill any processes. The only thing I can do is restart my computer.
It's not a common occurrence, but I expect more from an OS that I will come to use for hours at a time. Does anyone know whether this is a specific issue, or if there is a place I can start hunting to fix this problem?
Unfortunately re-installation is not considered a viable solution at the moment. It's like nuking a mosquito. Any suggestions are welcome.
Answer:
Re: Is my Linux setup unstable?
I had the same problem when I ran Beryl on my T60 in ubuntu 6.10. It would freeze the xserver once in a while. I never did figure it out, and currently am only running windows :mad:
Good luck, i'll be keeping an eye on the topic; hopefully someone knows what's up.
Answer:
Re: Is my Linux setup unstable?
If it usually happens in Beryl then it stands to reason that it's a problem with AIGLX or the ATi drivers. Neither one would surprise me, but I don't have this problem, so maybe someone with an ATi card (ahem... Lysander) can chime in a bit more. Vespoli's experience on a Thinkpad (also ATi) would support this conclusion. To be honest with you, I don't really run Beryl that often cause I just don't see the need, and it causes more problems than it's worth IMO; I can't suspend or hibernate with Beryl/Compiz enabled (conflict with the nVidia-glx drivers).
Answer:
Re: Is my Linux setup unstable?
I'm running Kubuntu's default "ati" drivers, if its worth mentioning.
I do have a Crash plugin enabled for Beryl, and I thought it would fix the problem until my latest freeze; when I checked the plugin settings, I found that the plugin will only only issue a command that YOU specify in the event that Beryl crashes. I've put in the command field "startkde" in the hopes that, when Kubuntu does freeze, it will properly startup KDE.
Answer:
Re: Is my Linux setup unstable?
yeah... I'm thinking it's most likely a driver problem, unfortunately. hard lockups like that are almost always related to low-level, hardware stuff.
next time it happens, see if you can get into one of the TTY sessions by hitting ctrl+alt+f2. if you can, then it's X that has somehow locked up totally, if you can't, then the drivers made the kernel take a dump.
I've also had a similar problem happen on my mother's computer. it's some cheap e-machines/gateway thing, and every once in a long while it will just totally lock up, and you have to manually power it down. I've re-installed windows, run memtest86+ for like 12 hours, changed the HSF to a copper-cored p4c one, no dice.
Answer:
Re: Is my Linux setup unstable?
Beryl, while pretty, is in no way ready for prime time.
Rather than a full restart, you can "zap" the xserver by hitting Ctrl-Alt-Backspace on most distros... which will should drop you back at the login screen or desktop.
Answer:
Re: Is my Linux setup unstable?
If executing 'startkde' with the plugin doesn't work, try 'killall X'
KDM should respawn and bring you back to a login screen. If not, you can write a very simple script that kills X, sleeps for a few seconds, and then starts KDM. Of course, if it is a driver issue it's very likely that your kernel is locking.
Answer:
Re: Is my Linux setup unstable?
The problem is this; sometimes my GUI freezes. It usually happens when I'm running several programs at once, and it mostly happens in Beryl, although it has happened in KDE before. I can't launch programs, including my performance monitor or konsole to kill any processes. The only thing I can do is restart my computer.
It's not a common occurrence, but I expect more from an OS that I will come to use for hours at a time. Does anyone know whether this is a specific issue, or if there is a place I can start hunting to fix this problem?
If you can successfully CTRL + ALT + Backspace when it freezes, this will help us narrow down the problem between Xorg and Beryl. Are you using AIGLX or Xgl? Because that could have a bearing on the solution too.
I'm running Kubuntu's default "ati" drivers, if its worth mentioning.
I only have experience using the FGLRX drivers, as the X1000 series is still not supported by the open sourced drivers. I know that until recently, the Radeon 9000 (which is what you're running, right?) was supported by the FGLRX set. Perhaps you could test their stability.
Beryl, while pretty, is in no way ready for prime time.
This is absolutely correct. AIGLX and Xgl are also in their infancy stages. So you are running beta software on top of beta software.
Answer:
Re: Is my Linux setup unstable?
Yay, I love beta software! When it breaks, I get to keep both pieces! :D
Answer:
Re: Is my Linux setup unstable?
I'm at school right now Lysander, but when I return home I will check whether I am using XGL or AIGLX.