Why does my computer turn off?

lucmove · 10-25-2021, 03:23 PM

I have this old notebook that was kept in storage for a long time. I decided to use it for some special services I want to have running 24/7 while I can keep turning off my main machine at night.

First, it was "kind of" turning off (the LED indicator lights were still on) when I closed the lid. I solved that.

https://www.linuxquestions.org/quest...ed-4175702560/

I left it on for the first night and alas, it was off in the morning. Not completely off. Again, the LED indicator lights were still on. But I couldn't SSH into it and pressing keys wouldn't reactivate the screen. I had to hard reset it.

My question here is, is there some log file somewhere that could perhaps clue me in to what's going on, hoping that it's the system (Debian) and not hardware failure that is causing it to go off?

TIA

camorri · 10-25-2021, 05:14 PM

Old systems that lay around unused often power off because they overheat. Do the basics, clean the air vents, make sure any fans are spinning, and if there is a cooler attached to the CPU chip, the paste may need replacing.

lucmove · 10-25-2021, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camorri

Old systems that lay around unused often power off because they overheat. Do the basics, clean the air vents, make sure any fans are spinning, and if there is a cooler attached to the CPU chip, the paste may need replacing.

What about the log? Is there any log right before shutoff?

enigma9o7 · 10-25-2021, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucmove

My question here is, is there some log file somewhere that could perhaps clue me in to what's going on, hoping that it's the system (Debian) and not hardware failure that is causing it to go off?

/var/log has lots of logs in plain text. I dunno which might be relevant tho...

You can also use a gui to browse them...

Code:

sudo apt install gnome-logs

boughtonp · 10-25-2021, 06:10 PM

Which version of Debian?

If it's v11 (Bullseye) then persistent journal is enabled by default, which means "sudo journalctl --list-boots" will list more than one entry, and "sudo journalctl -b -1" can be used to show the previous one, then press either end key (or shift-G) to jump to the end and see what it says.

If it's not enabled, see man systemd-journald for how to turn it on.

jefro · 10-25-2021, 06:12 PM

I tend to start by using memtest for a few days.

lucmove · 10-25-2021, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boughtonp

Which version of Debian?

If it's v11 (Bullseye) then persistent journal is enabled by default, which means "sudo journalctl --list-boots" will list more than one entry, and "sudo journalctl -b -1" can be used to show the previous one, then press either end key (or shift-G) to jump to the end and see what it says.

Code:

#> journalctl --list-boots
 0 b87e177764164ab89d1064f4618b79a2 Mon 2021-10-25 15:42:21 -03Mon 2021-10-25 21:55:01 -03
#> journalctl -b -1
Specifying boot ID has no effect, no persistent journal was found

Only one boot is available. Where is it? How do I read it?
I was rather looking for an "unboot" log. Something written at shutdown.

ondoho · 10-26-2021, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucmove

Only one boot is available.

Have you even read boughtonp's reply, let alone clicked the links they provided?

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucmove

Where is it? How do I read it?
I was rather looking for an "unboot" log. Something written at shutdown.

The answer to all these questions/misunderstandings is "journalctl".