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Never use a compressor to blow out a PC. Air from a compressor can build up static electricity and can actually damage the motherboard. The damage may not be immediately apparent and over time you might have problems as you are currently experiencing. Use canned air.
Okay good to know thank you.
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The logs are in /var/log but since the PC is freezing it might not provide much but it might help. As posted it could be the hard drive, check its built in status with smartctl. I would also run a memory test to see if there is bad RAM. Might be video related. You might try a live USB to see if it continues to freeze and maybe eliminate or prove it is a software problem.
I entered, "/var/log", in the search at the bottom left of the desktop with no result.
I typed, "/var/log", into terminal and get, "bash: /var/log: Is a directory".
How do I check the log? Where is the log? I do not understand what it is I am to do.
What is smartctl? Where do I find that? How do I use that?
How do I run a memory test? Or video test?
I have loaded lubuntu and used it from the flash drive ISO and it does not freeze. I wasn't on all that long so I can't be certain it would not have frozen but my hunch is that it is related to one of the updates because it began immediately afterward.
All advice given heretofore appears relevant.
Freezing up sounds like a RAM problem (too little for the distro, perhaps?).
I'll have to go with @rokytnji in recommending antiX I'd go to the site given and choose antiX-22_x64-base.iso, install and run without additions to see how you like performance.
Look at documentation for a swap file if freezing up continues. Join the forum and learn.
Also be aware of the handy script for true debian distros called smxi, for post-install tweaks. It's handy but don't tell it to do something not understood or it can become a nightmare maker.
Best wishes and don't get discouraged should reinstalls beome necessary -- it's all part of the learning curve, as I am sure you are aware.
I suggest learning APT should one want to become really proficient at Linux usage. Also, something about permissions. Linux Handbook (in link) is a good place to start.
Best wishes!
I have 16GB DDR3 RAM – is this inadequate?
My understanding was that using the flash drive ISO method, one is able to test out a flavor/distro/insert appropriate term here without installing immediately? Maybe that’s a misunderstanding on my part? And is that why I could not open a web browser, open a word document or folder, etc...within Archbang possibly?
Is GIMP the image program? I believe I have it, if so. If not, what does it do or what’s the rationale for installing it?
I’ve looked up documentation on the Manjaro forum and online generally for over a month now and all results seem to point to a year ago or so and before then – so maybe it’s not the update? No idea. I am a member on the Manjaro forum but haven’t used it for some time. I’m not well-versed in how to use the forums, linux, etc…so it’s been discouraging generally.
I’ll have to look into the APT and handbook and file swap.
Thank you for your reply and best wishes to you also!
/var/log is a directory (and sub-directories) that contain text files from running processes and applications with various information that can be used for troubleshooting system problems.
Memtest86+ is a standalone tool. It might be installed and if so is usually a grub boot option that you can select when you boot the computer. https://www.memtest.org/
Anything is possible, could be a kernel, video problem with the update.
/var/log is a directory (and sub-directories) that contain text files from running processes and applications with various information that can be used for troubleshooting system problems.
Memtest86+ is a standalone tool. It might be installed and if so is usually a grub boot option that you can select when you boot the computer. https://www.memtest.org/
Anything is possible, could be a kernel, video problem with the update.
I'm in the Manjaro repositories and AUR but it seems there's one option for testing HDD SSD and two others which interact with smartctl. When I go into terminal smartctl -c /dev/sda gives nothing so I don't think I have it.
I downloaded the tz from the link and extracted but do not know how to get it to open/function.
Not sure how to view/interact with the directory of /var/log.
Grinning as the clothes you wear. The computer you are on. Our oil companies relationship and manufacturers.
None of your quote seems to affect them or you from using their gear.
The "BEST" distribution long-term will always be the one that meets your expectations and does not change HOW it meets your expectations over the long run.
Those expectations are the problem, we all define them differently.
If you expect not to have to reinstall, as in EVER, then you need one that never updates or one that uses rolling or semi-rolling updates so that a reinstall is never needed. (DEBIAN SID based (VSIDO, Sparky Rolling, etc), ARCH based (Manjaro...), etc))
If you expect one that is on the cutting edge, ALWAYS, then it needs to be a rolling release.
If it never requires a reinstall because it never CHANGES then you need one that is out of development (possibly out of support) and can be run from read-only media. (Puppy, Tiny Core, DSL, etc)
One that you seldom update and is VERY stable over the long run might serve (Slackware Linux, any BSD, LFS, etc)
If you EXPECT to reinstall then something like RHEL, SUSE, or DEBIAN might serve, but realize that these regularly CHANGE things so that they no longer work. Commercial ones to meet government or commercial/enterprise requirements, DEBIAN for technical or political reasons.
Ubuntu sometimes changes things in the middle of the road and without adequate warning or documentation, so 'i would avoid that as what expectations it might meet is seriously variable.
BEST is a term that cannot be locked down until you have a clear idea of what hardware you will use (forever), and what EXACTLY you want your OS to do (FOREVER), and how you expect it to achieve those goals.
In my world, there is no BEST. I like distributions that meet my needs WELL ENOUGH, and that maintain some reasonable standards for stability and reliability. I also recognize that even among people with that standard, no two are likely to settle on the same distribution for the same reason. As a result giving anyone specific pointed advice is never a good idea! I advise people to try a few for themselves, look up the properties and characteristics on sites like DISTROWATCH. I used to send people to read reviews, but most of those are trash and wasted bandwidth these days. I miss distrotest, and hope someone will have the resources to open a new site somewhat like that one, so you can pop over and start up an instance of the one you want to see and give it a run. (Although, it is always MORe informative to actually run it in a live session on YOUR OWN hardware!)
The rolling releases are constantly interrupting whatever I'm working on and it seemed the update awhile back caused the issue with freezing repeatedly I'm dealing with now over and over again here..
I went and looked at the download section of devuan but don't know which to use.
The Debian Stable sounds good - how do I do that? The Lubuntu I loved because of how fast it was was LXDE if I'm not mistaken - how then do I add in LXDE and applications I'd mentioned?
No rolling release EVER interrupts what I am doing, because I only let it check when I tell it to and it updates on MY schedule. You might consider running it that way.
Deuvan is good, but not rolling.
You want the latest one that fits your processor. i386 is 32-bit intel/amd, AMD64 is 64-bit intel/amd, the ARM ones are for ARM processor platforms like the Raspberry Pi, and the PPC one can load some PPC MACs I believe (never tested those myself).
The only real rolling Debian is SID, which is unstable. Debian Testing is a compromise, and has some of the advantages (and disadvantages) of both. Debian stable does not change for long periods of time and is very well tested: it gets only security patches for its life. You CAN update in place when a new version becomes "stable", but it is not recommended: more normal to reinstall every few years.
I entered, "/var/log", in the search at the bottom left of the desktop with no result.
I typed, "/var/log", into terminal and get, "bash: /var/log: Is a directory".
How do I check the log? Where is the log? I do not understand what it is I am to do.
What is smartctl? Where do I find that? How do I use that?
How do I run a memory test? Or video test?
Using one of those and just a bit of hands on practice will assist you a lot.
You can learn 99% of everything you are asking about linux and using the bash command line by online research and trying out the commands so you see the results. We can spout information until we are exhausted, but if you never make an attempt to learn for yourself you will always be like a little child that always needs momma to hold their hand when walking. Without actively making an effort for themselves one never learns.
Everyone learns by trial and error then trying again.
Open up one of those references, ask "How do I ...?"; "What does this do?", etc., then look up the answer. Try it out. Rinse and Repeat as often as needed to gain a basic understanding and working knowledge.
Last edited by computersavvy; 01-19-2023 at 07:46 PM.
its not very often i write a long winded explanation but here goes.
best long term operating system for you too use is the one you decide to stick with good, bad or ugly.
i started using computers with windows 95 then updated to win98 then win98se then winME (winME was the best if you understood it) i could do about anything i wanted or liked with them because i used them and come to understand them over the long term. it didn't make me clever just experienced with them.
the first Linux OS i used that worked fully was Ubuntu 'warty warthog' and when installed it just worked i stuck with it, updated it and used it, through thick and thin the good the bad and the ugly. i have come to understand its workings and can just about do what i want with it without blowing it out of the water. now im using Xubuntu because the XFCE reminds me of win9x.
in essence im saying find one you think you like taking all the advice into account. then stick with it until it becomes like a well worn glove then the OS will work for you ...
You did...then in post #23 you said:
"I think part of the difficulty for me is that there is all kinds of terminology use, of which I have no real understanding. Kernel, ISO, systemd, openBOX, fuse, distro, Desktop Environment, ICEfm(?), XFCE, KDM, GNU, GNOME, Shell, LXDE and on and on."
...which would seem to indicate you have/had no idea what XFCE was/is/did, wouldn't it?
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I didn't know I was looking for system logs or that those were needed or existed. This is why I have been asking repeatedly for the commands to put into terminal so that I can offer whatever output is useful. I entered the command in terminal shown at the URL you provided and get, "bash: /dev/log: Permission denied".
Did you actually read the link that was looked up for you?? You (again) don't provide details about what you're typing in, but journalctl runs just fine as any regular user, and is what's used to read the system logs. Again, you can read the man page on journalctl, or look up that command online
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My PC was blown out with my compressor from a reasonable distance not all that long ago so that's not the issue.
You seem to be suffering from an X/Y problem, because you seemingly are blaming your system problems on your system updates, and are laboring under the assumption that if you get rid of THAT, your system will be fine. Chances are, it won't. Everything you've posted indicates a problem in hardware, either with some memory going bad, a flaky PSU, or some other problem. You were asked about your video hardware...with no response.
Again, for someone who claims to have used Linux for eight years, it's VERY odd you have zero idea about a system log, any terminal commands, etc., and you seemingly cannot look anything up for yourself. You also say you don't want a 'c++ doctorate' to do anything, and list three programs you use...all of which run on Windows.
Again: You can load ANY version of Linux, and all of them will get updates. Whether you apply them or not is your choice. None of which are going to solve your problem and since you don't seem to want to learn on your own, running Windows would be a far better solution for you. You won't have to get a 'doctorate', learn any commands, etc....just use Firefox, libreoffice, and VLC.
Selecting the HARDWARE that will give you a long lasting solution is entirely a different discussion, and does not depend much upon the OS you plan to install.
My shop computer which is a old IBM M57. The only thing I would change from the advice above is the base iso recommend.
Basically because base is for challenged hardware and also for experienced users.
Heck. I'm experienced and run the full so.
Update on this box earlier ran round about between 177mb and 230mb of ram with no browser open.
My IBM likes this distro.
OP has been saying he is on manjero xfce. Pretty sure he can run the same command I did to show his specs.
Which he was unaware of. Hence my full iso recommend.
I just use KUbuntu LTS 22.04 (now, was 20.04) on all my laptops, desktops, and servers. Just works for the most part and no upgrading for a couple of years which 'I' prefer. I say "for the most part" because once in awhile I have to fight Nvidia problems now and then... But you'll have that with any Linux distro. I have the OS on 4 laptops, 2 desktops, and one server. No significant problems found and everything works. It does everything I want a computer to do and then some and quite reliable... solid as a rock (for my systems). That said, the 'best' is all relative though to your needs. For example gaming is not on my 'must have' or even 'slightly have' list. I am a software developer and general user. My wife is a general user. Both satisfied with the systems.
BTW, 16GB is more than enough memory for general computing and any of the Linux distros out there.
Most distributions should be reliable now-a-days. So to me, your computer problem seems to act like a hardware problem.
There is a such thing as 'bad' memory, or disk, or motherboard that can cause reboots and such - and hard to track down usually. Memory is cheap, so that might be a place to start (if replaceable)...
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