Computer jamming up or crashing?
 

I really do not know what the term is, so I will describe what happens.

There is no set time for this to happen, it will happen anytime in any program or internet site but not in a "patience Card Game" I play.

The cursor will be moving all right and then it will stop somewhere on the page. No amount of button pushing will fix the problem, so I turn everything off at the wall and after a little bit, turn it back on.

If I am writing anything it is lost but the program will come back up again.

The jamming up thingo has been happening for a few months now.

'Tain't funny ya' know....Not for this old bugga.

Just as a PS: Now when I press the left button or right on the mouse the page here goes orange for a sec, or until I lift the button.

To help others solve your problem, can you please let us know which type and version of Linux you're running, and (if you know) which desktop environment you're using?

Also, whether you're using a desktop or a laptop computer?

Many thanks.

Lplater38,

I notice from your earlier post that you are using Ubuntu 16.04 and Firefox:
http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...er-4175596878/

As per hydrurga’s request, do you have a laptop or a desktop PC?
What is the make and model number?

You may or may not know the answers to these two questions:
How much memory does the machine have?
Which CPU do you have?

It is possible, depending on your hardware, that you may be better saving all your personal data and installing a lighter Linux distribution instead of Ubuntu 16.04.

Without the relevant information we can only hazard a guess at what your problem may be.

Thanks.

What you are experiencing is a 'freeze' up.
However, with your screen turning 'orange' when you press a button, there is a lot more going on with your system.
Probably the easiest solution for you would be to copy all of your data, (the files & directories in your /home directory), to external media, & either do a re installation of your O/S, or install a different distro. Then copy back your data to your machine. :)

Have you tried a different mouse?

A wired USB mouse is polled 125 times/sec - or even more often.
Don't know about wireless mouses. :)

To Htydrungra and others
 

Linus Ubuntu 16.04 LTS Memory 7.7GiB Intel Pentium (R)CPU J2900 @ 2.41 GHz x 4 Graphics Intel @ Bay Trail. OS Type 64 bits.Disc. 976.0GB

I was not happy with the purchase in the first place. It was a very good special, they said. I paid almost $500,tower, keyboard and wired mouse. they said this is the end of the line. A week later the same device came out at a $100 cheaper.



Desk top. Bought from Harvey Norman, have had lots of trouble since purchase, but I had Linux loaded so my warranty is void. It cost me $100 to have it checked for Freezing last year, but they assured me that nothing was wrong.

Yes, went from wireless to new wired. Mouses, Micies, or Mice.lol

I am not sure what all that means. Wouldn't it be better to fix what is broken where I am, If it is possible. I tried Linux mint, but my learning curve is too flat.

I doubt it's the issue here, but have you made sure all the vents are clear of dust and that air can move freely to cool the internal components? Overheating is more likely to cause unexpected shutdowns than freeze-ups, but it's worth a check.

Have you had a look at the log files, particularly /var/log/syslog, to see whether they contain any hints as to what's going on?

Lplater38,

As I see it, you have 2 choices:

1. I do not know the terms of your warranty and whether the seller will refund you in any event, but it IS possible to reinstall Windows (10 or 8.1?) on your PC. Since the machine ran W10/8.1 from new, a fresh installation will automatically be recognised and the system activated.

You have already spent additional money on this machine so what you need is a local neighbourhood computer geek to help you in return for some beers etc instead of taking the machine to a shop.

Get W8 ISO from MS:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/soft...ad/windows8ISO

Get W10 ISO from MS:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/soft...d/windows10ISO

OR

2. Save all your personal data and do a fresh Linux installation using Linux Mint MATE 18.1 64 bit or similar.

Funny you should include GEEK in your comment, It was a local computer fixer called the Computer Geeks. They suggested that I put Linux Mint on the machine...$100, once it was on and windows was gone I found that Mint was far above my usage rational so I said can you put Ubuntu on the machine...."Yep" another $100.

I have been using Linux for about 14 years now, and I like it. I have never got really carried away with the guts of the system and have just done things easy.

I wrote a Best Seller book on Amazon Books on linux, and a few other stories. Look for "The life and Loves of Tiger Williams" on Amazon Books. or, Around the Campfire with Old Pete my old blog site.

My thoughts on this problem is to save my pennies and buy a laptop. I have looked at the Leno Laptops at around $350AU. What do you reckon.

The main thing with this machine is the freezing up and losing the content I have written in some places.

Your system crashing may be indicative of some hardware problem. The first thing I would do is run Memtest86+ to check your RAM (you should see it as an option in your initial Grub boot screen if you're using Grub). Then I would check your hard disk's SMART info and run some checks on it, followed up by a check of your filesystem(s). Once we've got that out of the way, we can look at other factors such as swap, distro, software etc.

Other things to do include frankbell's option of cat /var/log/syslog, immediately after a reboot following a crash (so that the info doesn't get lost in the noise), to see if any error was generated prior to the crash.

Also, can you see if you can find some way to force a crash? Perhaps by opening a large number of Firefox tabs running YouTube videos or something like that. If you can find a way of doing this, it will be much easier to check whether or not any remedial actions work or not.

Lplater38,

hydrurga's suggestion to test the RAM is a good one.

Try:
http://askubuntu.com/questions/59148...mtest86/591502

You could be going from the frying pan into the fire with a new laptop, with regard to Linux compatibility, so try and get the PC fixed first.

Use Google for "Lenovo XYZ123 ubuntu" and see if there are any problematical areas.

Linux generally works better on more mature hardware where the wifi card in particular works out of the box etc.

Look out for locals upgrading their machines and chucking out older hardware.

Just to add these two links:

Review of new Lenovo E530 by OMG Ubuntu:
http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2012/10/l...-laptop-review

Used E530 for sale:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Lenovo-Th...cAAOSw-0xYN8yv

It is only an example, don't start spending more money!

How do you feel about taking the covers off?

Do a visual check for dust and check the seating of the RAM & the video card.
If those "Geeks" have left any dust inside you should be asking for your money back.

The machine is new, I had left it sitting in the box for a few months while I saved up to have windows taken off and Linux put on. The Geek site was clean, visually and I doubt that dust, to the extent of hurting the computer, is a problem.

One of my older towers developed a noise in the fan, a big noise, so I squirted some canola oil into the vent and that cured the problem. ( I am available for cheap computer repairs if you wish to have innovative ways to fix something lol)

The problem is that this computer doesn't seem to have vents to do the canola oil trick. I use the oil to refresh the paper shredder, and if you don't know about this one try it. I squirt canola oil onto a A4 sheet of paper, both sides ad then put it through the shredder. After that the shredder works like a new one until it needs another oiling.

Back to the topic. I have explained before I am not very clever on computers, I just use them for documents mainly and looking up subjects on the net.

The Membtest site gives me a few things that are free that can download one is Membtest86 - 4.3.7 but is that Okay for me?

Lplater38,

memtest86+ is installed in Ubuntu by default. There is no need to download it.

Switch off your PC.

Switch on the PC whilst holding down the Shift key to bring up the GRUB menu.

Use the arrow keys to move to the entry labeled Memory test (memtest86+).

Press Enter.

The test will run automatically, and continue until you end it by pressing the Esc key.

Allow the test to run for at least one full pass. This may take some time, so leave it until it has finished.

If the memory is faulty you will see portions of the output highlighted in red, otherwise it is okay.

^ memtest can take a looooong time, just saying.
best to start it, go out, come back in the evening...


ouch.
it's good you did that to another machine.
if it was the machine we're talking about right now, i wouldn't be inclined to try to help you anymore.
a computer is not a shredder. you can't "oil" it.

Computers have multiple fans.
If you tried oiling case fans it's probably OK - but they are cheap to replace anyway.

Do NOT try oiling any fans attached to your motherboard, CPU or video card.

Do not give that "Geek" organisation any more money for something you could easily do yourself.

I tried that by going to "Shut Down" and then trying to turn computer on by pressing the button, nothing. I tried doing it by "restart" holding down the shift key, nothing, no grub.

Your instructions are clear and uncomplicated so I don't know what to do now except wait for our monthly Kerb side Council Clean up. I reckon that would be a good 'Clean up system for this bit of junk'

Lplater38,

Don't throw in the towel just yet.

You need “hands-on” assistance from a real live person locally and preferably one who is not going to charge you $100 a time.

There is at least one organisation that can provide you with help and that is U3A (The University of the Third Age).

Just ignore the term university, you are not going to be studying for a degree!

Here as an example are some local U3As in NSW:
http://www.nsw.u3anet.org.au/?page_id=209

U3As exist all over Australia (and the UK etc), so use Google to find a local U3A in your area.

Contact them and explain that you need help with your Linux/Windows computer.

It will be worth joining to find an IT specialist to help you get this fixed.

U3As are always looking for speakers on a variety of subjects, so you may find that you are much in demand with your tales of the Outback!

You can then trade your skills for their’s.

Thank you, I was a foundation member of the local branch of U3A along with a good friend, now dec, Ian Kensett-Smith. That was a lot of years gone.

David Chapman and I started the Coffs Harbour Linux Club,others came along after the first 12 months, like a person from the current club who did the logos and has kept the interest going with the club.Matthew Davidson, who is also running a computer business. but I do not attend now as they are all experts and they leave me for dead when they get talking.

I was always on to them in running a learners school, even at a reasonable cost to students, but each time t hey attempted to train newbies the talk would skyrocket to the moon and the learners were lost.

David Chapman was keen to get the club going for his personal business concerns, but did put a lot of free time into the early days of the club. I see I do not get a mention in the CLublinux page, but that is the way it goes.

So yes, there are avenues.

I must admit, I had not thought of them as yet, but will give them a go. Having Linux does have its problems