PCLOS locking up?

[MCP]

I have a new problem.  My pc will suddenly lose video and not respond.

My monitor appears not to be receiving a signal.

All fans in the case are still running.

I get no response from my keyboard.

Any attempt to restart x (ctl, alt, backspace (twice)) does nothing.

Any Idea's how to figure out what is happening?  It doesn't happen regularly, just now and then.  I thought it might be dust buildup causing heat, but I took the precaution to blow out all dust a couple of days ago.

Does this sound like equipment failure or could it be happening in PCLOS?  My install is fully updated.

What do you think?
MCP

[Rudge]

Someone might want more info.

Are you using a wireless mouse or keyboard?
What Desktop environment are you using?
Does this happen while you are using the PC or could it be a screen saver not waking up?

[MCP]

Someone might want more info.

Are you using a wireless mouse or keyboard?
What Desktop environment are you using?
Does this happen while you are using the PC or could it be a screen saver not waking up?

Hi Rudge,

I'm not using anything wirelessly.  I use KDE 4.5 and it just happened twice today.  Once as I was installing Sketchup in wine, and later when I came back from lunch.

I thought about the screensaver so I changed it.  Still same screensaver that comes with PCLOS. But I guess that won't change anything if it's not waking up.

I had left my pc running, left the house, came back after about 4 hours and the screensaver was on and clicked off as soon as I moved the mouse.  Then I went and got lunch, came back after about 30 min. and it appeared lockedup.  So it is a puzzeler.  Could this be related to the recent updates with KDE?

MCP

[Rudge]

I take it this is not a problem that you can recreate at will. 
Next time it happens, unplug the keyboard and plug it back in. See  if you get a response from that.

It could be related to a lot of things but the info you provided will be helpful.

Seems to be a slow night so be patient. Lots of smart people around. 

Good luck.

[MCP]

I take it this is not a problem that you can recreate at will. 
Next time it happens, unplug the keyboard and plug it back in. See  if you get a response from that.

It could be related to a lot of things but the info you provided will be helpful.

Seems to be a slow night so be patient. Lots of smart people around. 

Good luck.

No it's not something that I can cause or recreate.  But I have changed to a screen saver that is not GL based, and so far all is O.K.

I'll post back should something happen.

Thanks,
MCP

[T6]

you haven't mentioned if you are using any 3d desktop effects from compiz or kde4 and what hardware you have, especially the video card and the driver used, also if you have changed your kernel recently

[MCP]

you haven't mentioned if you are using any 3d desktop effects from compiz or kde4 and what hardware you have, especially the video card and the driver used, also if you have changed your kernel recently

Sorry about that.  I'm using the following:

AMD Phenom II X3 720 w/4 gig ram
Asus ENGTS250 (nVidia GTS250) video w/1gig ram using nVidia driver 256.35

I'm not using compiz but do have kde4 effects enabled.

I'm also using kernel-2.6.32.11-pclos2.pae.  I've been using this kernel since I installed ver. 2010.

I also use the latest VirtualBox, if that makes any difference.

Let me know if you need any other information.
MCP

[T6]

if you are not using virtualbox in the moment of the lockups then i don't see it as something important in this problem

i don't know if that is the right driver for your card, sounds like it is

about the kernel, why are you using pae?  is not better for you to use a64 kernel?  in synaptic you can find more recent versions, 2.6.33 and more recent (possibly soon)

do you have many kde desktop effects active?

there is some reports of blur effect not working properly, this depends also in the repo you are using and if you have your system updated to the latest kde4 version

[MCP]

if you are not using virtualbox in the moment of the lockups then i don't see it as something important in this problem

i don't know if that is the right driver for your card, sounds like it is

about the kernel, why are you using pae?  is not better for you to use a64 kernel?  in synaptic you can find more recent versions, 2.6.33 and more recent (possibly soon)

do you have many kde desktop effects active?

there is some reports of blur effect not working properly, this depends also in the repo you are using and if you have your system updated to the latest kde4 version

I'm using pae kernel so that I can access all 4 gig's of my ram.  From what others said the a64 kernel doesn't offer any other speed advantages.  Should I be using a64?

I only have the default desktop effects active, so no fancy ones.  I am using the latest kde4.

I may be able to rule out PCLOS.  Just as I posted my last message I went to maximize my tvtime window and I lost my video signal.  I could still hear the tv program, so PCLOS was still running and tvtime still operating.

I then pressed the reset button on the case and could hear PCLOS reboot, but still no video signal, even the basic post was not visible.  So does that mean, it may be that the video card is responsible?

After some time of staring at the running box and again hitting the reset button, it came back on.  That is how I'm posting this.

Any idea's how to narrow down the problem?

MCP

Just thought I would add since it may help.  When I lost video the last time I tried to access my desktop using TeamViewer.  I have it running on my desktop as well as have it installed on my iphone.  Normally I can access my desktop just fine.  But when I lost video TeamViewer keeps reporting that it cannot establish a connection.  Would the video card cause this type of interruption?  Or should I look elsewhere?

MCP

[T6]

"I'm using pae kernel so that I can access all 4 gig's of my ram.  From what others said the a64 kernel doesn't offer any other speed advantages.  Should I be using a64?"

afik the a64 can do many speed enhancements(i am using it for that) and use the extra 64 bit commands on your cpu while using 4 gbs of ram but i could be wrong, it is just a matter of install it and test it

you can have 3 or 4 kernels installed and system will let you boot from the one you wish to use in the boot menu

the problem you are describing, does your video card requires a extra power connector from the psu?

do you know if the psu you are using is the right one to power up that gt250?  you probably need a 450 w or bigger psu

about the reset button and no video, this sounds like a video card problem, possibly overheating issues, does it have a fan or a huge heatsink?

do you have proper system ventilation, at least one fan taking air out and another putting air inside?

that video card is recent isn't?

is still under warranty?  sounds like you could need to use it

[MCP]

the problem you are describing, does your video card requires a extra power connector from the psu?

do you know if the psu you are using is the right one to power up that gt250?  you probably need a 450 w or bigger psu

about the reset button and no video, this sounds like a video card problem, possibly overheating issues, does it have a fan or a huge heatsink?

do you have proper system ventilation, at least one fan taking air out and another putting air inside?

that video card is recent isn't?

is still under warranty?  sounds like you could need to use it

Yes the video card requires an extra power connector.

The power supply is 600w

The video card has an array of heatpipes to cool and a running fan. I'm also monitoring the gpu temp and so far it's not getting above 50C

The case has 2 large exhaust fans blowing out as well as one in the psu blowing in.

I assembled this machine last year following the system outline at Anandtech.com

What about not being able to log in via TeamViewer when the video stopped?  Shouldn't I still be able to login?

MCP

[djohnston]

One thing not mentioned is you BIOS settings. Have you checked them to see if any video-saving or sleep modes are enabled?

[MCP]

One thing not mentioned is you BIOS settings. Have you checked them to see if any video-saving or sleep modes are enabled?

I checked and I didn't see any.  I also took the precaution to disable any sleep modes in 'Configure Your Desktop'.

MCP

[YouCanToo]

if you are not using virtualbox in the moment of the lockups then i don't see it as something important in this problem

i don't know if that is the right driver for your card, sounds like it is

about the kernel, why are you using pae?  is not better for you to use a64 kernel?  in synaptic you can find more recent versions, 2.6.33 and more recent (possibly soon)

do you have many kde desktop effects active?

there is some reports of blur effect not working properly, this depends also in the repo you are using and if you have your system updated to the latest kde4 version

I'm using pae kernel so that I can access all 4 gig's of my ram.  From what others said the a64 kernel doesn't offer any other speed advantages.  Should I be using a64?

I only have the default desktop effects active, so no fancy ones.  I am using the latest kde4.

I may be able to rule out PCLOS.  Just as I posted my last message I went to maximize my tvtime window and I lost my video signal.  I could still hear the tv program, so PCLOS was still running and tvtime still operating.

I then pressed the reset button on the case and could hear PCLOS reboot, but still no video signal, even the basic post was not visible.  So does that mean, it may be that the video card is responsible?

After some time of staring at the running box and again hitting the reset button, it came back on.  That is how I'm posting this.

Any idea's how to narrow down the problem?

MCP

Just thought I would add since it may help.  When I lost video the last time I tried to access my desktop using TeamViewer.  I have it running on my desktop as well as have it installed on my iphone.  Normally I can access my desktop just fine.  But when I lost video TeamViewer keeps reporting that it cannot establish a connection.  Would the video card cause this type of interruption?  Or should I look elsewhere?

MCP

It could be either the video card or the monitor.

[MCP]

if you are not using virtualbox in the moment of the lockups then i don't see it as something important in this problem

i don't know if that is the right driver for your card, sounds like it is

about the kernel, why are you using pae?  is not better for you to use a64 kernel?  in synaptic you can find more recent versions, 2.6.33 and more recent (possibly soon)

do you have many kde desktop effects active?

there is some reports of blur effect not working properly, this depends also in the repo you are using and if you have your system updated to the latest kde4 version

I'm using pae kernel so that I can access all 4 gig's of my ram.  From what others said the a64 kernel doesn't offer any other speed advantages.  Should I be using a64?

I only have the default desktop effects active, so no fancy ones.  I am using the latest kde4.

I may be able to rule out PCLOS.  Just as I posted my last message I went to maximize my tvtime window and I lost my video signal.  I could still hear the tv program, so PCLOS was still running and tvtime still operating.

I then pressed the reset button on the case and could hear PCLOS reboot, but still no video signal, even the basic post was not visible.  So does that mean, it may be that the video card is responsible?

After some time of staring at the running box and again hitting the reset button, it came back on.  That is how I'm posting this.

Any idea's how to narrow down the problem?

MCP

Just thought I would add since it may help.  When I lost video the last time I tried to access my desktop using TeamViewer.  I have it running on my desktop as well as have it installed on my iphone.  Normally I can access my desktop just fine.  But when I lost video TeamViewer keeps reporting that it cannot establish a connection.  Would the video card cause this type of interruption?  Or should I look elsewhere?

MCP

It could be either the video card or the monitor.

Just to update.  I can't at this time mark this as solved.  But it seems to have either stopped or corrected itself.  That's not to say that it won't come back, but for now I haven't had any more occurrences.

Thanks for all your help,
MCP