Hi,
I have a computer running Ubuntu 5.10 Breezy. On a regular basis (several times per day), it crashes, and the only way to recover is a hard reset.

Viewing /var/log/messages, there is a repeated line, along the lines of "CPU Temperature above threshold: Running in modulated mode". This makes me think that the machine may be overheating, however the BIOS is reporting the temperature as about 55 - 60 degrees. According to datasheet for this processor, the maximum temperature is about 75 degrees so there shouldn't be a problem there.

It has worked fine, with no problems at all for about 2 years. This problem has only been occuring for the last week or so.

The processor is a Intel Celeron 1.6GHz, with 512Mb RAM.

Does anyone have any ideas on what the problem is, and how to fix it.

Thanks in advance
--Ian

Just a hunch....

(Carefully--with anti-static procedures)..
Open up the case and blow out all the accumulated dust. Clean the CPU cooler as required. If necessary, rinse off MB with isopropyl alcohol.
Reassemble and try again.

Dirt can cause overheating and can also cause electrical leakage.

Thanks.

I have cleaned the heat sink and all the fans, and blown a small quantity of dust off the motherboard (there was not enough to cause problems I think). Unfortunately, the problem has not gone away.

Could it be a software problem? A bug in the kernel?

--Ian

I just had a similar problem that seems to be solved now. I found I had an IDE cable on the hard drive go bad. Replaced the IDE cable with a new one and I have been up for about 2 weeks without a single lock up. I replaced the cable on a hunch (I couldn't see any visible damage) and the problem seems to have been solved. You might try this. Hope it helps.