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Old 02-23-2010, 09:13 PM   #1
emile salem
LQ Newbie
 
Registered: Feb 2010
Distribution: Ubuntu 9.10
Posts: 7

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Ubuntu 9.10: installed 3 months ago, started freezing randomly after last updates.


What's even weirder is it unlocks when I press power on my desktop.

When it freezes, I have several windows opened, and I'm switching between windows.
I can still move the mouse, but cant click anywhere.
Cant select anything yet there are still cursors flashing (text editor or terminal).

The only thing that will unfreeze everything is the signal from pressing power (not rebooting, just quickly pressing power).

processor: I7
VGA compatible controller: nVidia Corporation G92 [GeForce GTS 250] (rev a2)

Last edited by emile salem; 02-23-2010 at 09:17 PM.
 
Old 02-23-2010, 09:44 PM   #2
Alex_Dc
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Registered: Oct 2009
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Uh-oh. I'm about to start a flame war.

www.archlinux.com

I could never get Ubuntu to work right after an update. Couple that with the horrible documentation, and that's when I decided to start using a "real" distribution. (No seriously, that's a joke. Please don't hurt me.)

How many windows are we talking here? And how many processes are you running at the same time?
 
Old 02-23-2010, 09:56 PM   #3
emile salem
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Distribution: Ubuntu 9.10
Posts: 7

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"How many windows are we talking here?"
It doesnt seem to be relevant, as it will freeze with at least 2 windows.
it froze with 10 just 5 minutes ago.

"And how many processes are you running at the same time?"
at least 2.
 
Old 02-23-2010, 10:09 PM   #4
emile salem
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Distribution: Ubuntu 9.10
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after a little research, I found out about the Ctrl-Alt-F1 shortcut keys to switch to the first console.

so last time it froze, I tried that, and it worked, I switched to the first console. Than switching back to Desktop mode with Alt-F7 shortcut keys, the thing wasnt frozen anymore.

Whats going on here?
 
Old 02-23-2010, 10:13 PM   #5
Alex_Dc
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All right. Are you using the default Gnome desktop? If so, the desktop should turn gray when this happens if Gnome is working properly. Is this the case, or is the computer just locking? Is there a particular program that you are running that could be causing, or is it happening with any random program? Is the occuring with a specific time frame, such as every ten minutes despite what you are doing? If so, if you leave the computer alone for this specified amount of time, will the error still occur, or does it only occur when you are actively using the computer?

EDIT: Please still answer the preceding questions, but it seems like there is a bug in the Gnome update (if you are using gnome). Most likely you will have to roll back to you previous update.

Last edited by Alex_Dc; 02-23-2010 at 10:15 PM.
 
Old 02-23-2010, 10:17 PM   #6
emile salem
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Registered: Feb 2010
Distribution: Ubuntu 9.10
Posts: 7

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" Are you using the default Gnome desktop?"
Yes.

"the desktop should turn gray when this happens if Gnome is working properly."
When what happens?

"Is this the case, or is the computer just locking? "
its just locking"

"Is there a particular program that you are running that could be causing, or is it happening with any random program?"
Random, but I just found out alt+tab was the culprit.

"Is the occuring with a specific time frame, such as every ten minutes despite what you are doing?"
no, its alt+tab.
 
Old 02-23-2010, 10:22 PM   #7
Alex_Dc
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Quote:
Originally Posted by emile salem View Post
"the desktop should turn gray when this happens if Gnome is working properly."
When what happens?
When the computer locks. If Gnome is working properly, the desktop should turn gray when the computer locks.

Let me google a little bit, but I'm almost sure it is a bug in the Gnome update now.
 
Old 02-23-2010, 10:37 PM   #8
Alex_Dc
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Registered: Oct 2009
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Are you using Copiz or Compiz features on your desktop? If so, this may be you solution: http://www.ivankristianto.com/2009/0...buntu-freezes/

If not, this appears to be a common and ongoing bug. Report the bug to the Ubuntu bug tracker, and they'll take care of it. Refer to this wiki page: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/ReportingBugs

If you NEED to get Ubuntu up and running, and can't take the time to report the bug (not recommended, if people don't report bugs they won't ever get solved), you can revert back to your last update. I was hoping to post a nice clean wiki page for you, bu there doesn't seem to be any easy way to do this. You'll have to consult google and hack your way through it.

Alternatively, there is always: www.archlinux.org (oops, I put ".com in my last post!)
 
Old 02-23-2010, 10:44 PM   #9
emile salem
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Distribution: Ubuntu 9.10
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Thanks, but I dont even know how to revert to last update...
 
Old 02-23-2010, 10:47 PM   #10
Alex_Dc
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Quote:
Originally Posted by emile salem View Post
Thanks, but I dont even know how to revert to last update...
Like I said, there doesn't seem to be an easy way to do this. If you google "ubuntu rollback update" you'll get some answers, but you're going to have to do some work to get back to your previous update (30 minutes at best, but probably quite a bit more).

Short of re-installing, your best bet is to report the problem to the Ubuntu bug tracker, as I posted the link to the wiki above. If you provide the information they ask you for, the Ubuntu team is pretty good about resolving bugs in a timely manner.
 
Old 02-23-2010, 11:07 PM   #11
emile salem
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Registered: Feb 2010
Distribution: Ubuntu 9.10
Posts: 7

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I guess I'll get to work then.

Thanks for your time, very much appreciated.
 
Old 02-23-2010, 11:21 PM   #12
Alex_Dc
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Registered: Oct 2009
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No prob. Good luck.
 
Old 02-24-2010, 02:49 AM   #13
emile salem
LQ Newbie
 
Registered: Feb 2010
Distribution: Ubuntu 9.10
Posts: 7

Original Poster
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I've been doing some tests, and its definitely emacs.

it turns out Alt+tab and emacs dont get along.
 
  


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