Linux crashes

Kladizkov

New Member
Joined
Apr 9, 2020
Messages
4
Reaction score
3
Credits
6
In my 2 year old PC, Linux is crashing at random times. It just freezes the GUI. I already tried Ubuntu 16, Ubuntu 18, Xubuntu 16 & 18, Linuxmint 18 and Linuxmint 19. There are no errors in syslog during the crash time. The machine works perfectly in Windows 10. It was also working quite well in Ubuntu 14. So I'm sure there are no hardware issues.

There are no custom compiled kernel modules. A very basic fresh installation of Ubuntu, Xubuntu or Linuxmint results in crash. The absence of errors in syslog makes it difficult to troubleshoot.

Already tried Linux kernel 4.15, 4.18 and 5.0. All have the same issue.

In order to get XWindows upgraded, Hardware Enablement (HWE) was enabled in Ubuntu. Still it crashed with the latest XWindows.

My understanding is a complete freeze of the machine can be only due to kernel or XWindows issues. But here I have tried different versions already.


System Information:

Installed Kernel:

Code:
root@d37:~# uname -a
Linux d37 4.15.0-96-generic #97-Ubuntu SMP Wed Apr 1 03:25:46 UTC 2020 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux
root@d37:~#

lspci
Result of lspci

Code:
root@d37:~# lspci
00:00.0 Host bridge: Intel Corporation Atom Processor Z36xxx/Z37xxx Series SoC Transaction Register (rev 0e)
00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation Atom Processor Z36xxx/Z37xxx Series Graphics & Display (rev 0e)
00:13.0 SATA controller: Intel Corporation Atom Processor E3800 Series SATA AHCI Controller (rev 0e)
00:14.0 USB controller: Intel Corporation Atom Processor Z36xxx/Z37xxx, Celeron N2000 Series USB xHCI (rev 0e)
00:1a.0 Encryption controller: Intel Corporation Atom Processor Z36xxx/Z37xxx Series Trusted Execution Engine (rev 0e)
00:1b.0 Audio device: Intel Corporation Atom Processor Z36xxx/Z37xxx Series High Definition Audio Controller (rev 0e)
00:1c.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation Atom Processor E3800 Series PCI Express Root Port 1 (rev 0e)
00:1c.1 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation Atom Processor E3800 Series PCI Express Root Port 2 (rev 0e)
00:1c.2 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation Atom Processor E3800 Series PCI Express Root Port 3 (rev 0e)
00:1c.3 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation Atom Processor E3800 Series PCI Express Root Port 4 (rev 0e)
00:1f.0 ISA bridge: Intel Corporation Atom Processor Z36xxx/Z37xxx Series Power Control Unit (rev 0e)
00:1f.3 SMBus: Intel Corporation Atom Processor E3800 Series SMBus Controller (rev 0e)
04:00.0 Ethernet controller: Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. RTL8111/8168/8411 PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet Controller (rev 11)
root@d37:~#

lsusb

Code:
root@d37:~# lsusb
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0003 Linux Foundation 3.0 root hub
Bus 001 Device 004: ID 04ca:0061 Lite-On Technology Corp.
Bus 001 Device 003: ID 04f2:0760 Chicony Electronics Co., Ltd Acer KU-0760 Keyboard
Bus 001 Device 002: ID 05e3:0608 Genesys Logic, Inc. Hub
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
root@d37:~#

CPU Info

Code:
root@d37:~# ls /proc/cpuinfo
/proc/cpuinfo
root@d37:~# cat  /proc/cpuinfo
processor    : 0
vendor_id    : GenuineIntel
cpu family    : 6
model        : 55
model name    : Intel(R) Pentium(R) CPU  J2900  @ 2.41GHz
stepping    : 8
microcode    : 0x838
cpu MHz        : 1512.924
cache size    : 1024 KB
physical id    : 0
siblings    : 4
core id        : 0
cpu cores    : 4
apicid        : 0
initial apicid    : 0
fpu        : yes
fpu_exception    : yes
cpuid level    : 11
wp        : yes
flags        : fpu vme de pse tsc msr pae mce cx8 apic sep mtrr pge mca cmov pat pse36 clflush dts acpi mmx fxsr sse sse2 ss ht tm pbe syscall nx rdtscp lm constant_tsc arch_perfmon pebs bts rep_good nopl xtopology tsc_reliable nonstop_tsc cpuid aperfmperf tsc_known_freq pni pclmulqdq dtes64 monitor ds_cpl vmx est tm2 ssse3 cx16 xtpr pdcm sse4_1 sse4_2 movbe popcnt tsc_deadline_timer rdrand lahf_lm 3dnowprefetch epb pti ibrs ibpb stibp tpr_shadow vnmi flexpriority ept vpid tsc_adjust smep erms dtherm ida arat md_clear
bugs        : cpu_meltdown spectre_v1 spectre_v2 mds msbds_only
bogomips    : 4831.40
clflush size    : 64
cache_alignment    : 64
address sizes    : 36 bits physical, 48 bits virtual
power management:

processor    : 1
vendor_id    : GenuineIntel
cpu family    : 6
model        : 55
model name    : Intel(R) Pentium(R) CPU  J2900  @ 2.41GHz
stepping    : 8
microcode    : 0x838
cpu MHz        : 1412.572
cache size    : 1024 KB
physical id    : 0
siblings    : 4
core id        : 1
cpu cores    : 4
apicid        : 2
initial apicid    : 2
fpu        : yes
fpu_exception    : yes
cpuid level    : 11
wp        : yes
flags        : fpu vme de pse tsc msr pae mce cx8 apic sep mtrr pge mca cmov pat pse36 clflush dts acpi mmx fxsr sse sse2 ss ht tm pbe syscall nx rdtscp lm constant_tsc arch_perfmon pebs bts rep_good nopl xtopology tsc_reliable nonstop_tsc cpuid aperfmperf tsc_known_freq pni pclmulqdq dtes64 monitor ds_cpl vmx est tm2 ssse3 cx16 xtpr pdcm sse4_1 sse4_2 movbe popcnt tsc_deadline_timer rdrand lahf_lm 3dnowprefetch epb pti ibrs ibpb stibp tpr_shadow vnmi flexpriority ept vpid tsc_adjust smep erms dtherm ida arat md_clear
bugs        : cpu_meltdown spectre_v1 spectre_v2 mds msbds_only
bogomips    : 4831.40
clflush size    : 64
cache_alignment    : 64
address sizes    : 36 bits physical, 48 bits virtual
power management:

processor    : 2
vendor_id    : GenuineIntel
cpu family    : 6
model        : 55
model name    : Intel(R) Pentium(R) CPU  J2900  @ 2.41GHz
stepping    : 8
microcode    : 0x838
cpu MHz        : 1407.260
cache size    : 1024 KB
physical id    : 0
siblings    : 4
core id        : 2
cpu cores    : 4
apicid        : 4
initial apicid    : 4
fpu        : yes
fpu_exception    : yes
cpuid level    : 11
wp        : yes
flags        : fpu vme de pse tsc msr pae mce cx8 apic sep mtrr pge mca cmov pat pse36 clflush dts acpi mmx fxsr sse sse2 ss ht tm pbe syscall nx rdtscp lm constant_tsc arch_perfmon pebs bts rep_good nopl xtopology tsc_reliable nonstop_tsc cpuid aperfmperf tsc_known_freq pni pclmulqdq dtes64 monitor ds_cpl vmx est tm2 ssse3 cx16 xtpr pdcm sse4_1 sse4_2 movbe popcnt tsc_deadline_timer rdrand lahf_lm 3dnowprefetch epb pti ibrs ibpb stibp tpr_shadow vnmi flexpriority ept vpid tsc_adjust smep erms dtherm ida arat md_clear
bugs        : cpu_meltdown spectre_v1 spectre_v2 mds msbds_only
bogomips    : 4831.40
clflush size    : 64
cache_alignment    : 64
address sizes    : 36 bits physical, 48 bits virtual
power management:

processor    : 3
vendor_id    : GenuineIntel
cpu family    : 6
model        : 55
model name    : Intel(R) Pentium(R) CPU  J2900  @ 2.41GHz
stepping    : 8
microcode    : 0x838
cpu MHz        : 1400.165
cache size    : 1024 KB
physical id    : 0
siblings    : 4
core id        : 3
cpu cores    : 4
apicid        : 6
initial apicid    : 6
fpu        : yes
fpu_exception    : yes
cpuid level    : 11
wp        : yes
flags        : fpu vme de pse tsc msr pae mce cx8 apic sep mtrr pge mca cmov pat pse36 clflush dts acpi mmx fxsr sse sse2 ss ht tm pbe syscall nx rdtscp lm constant_tsc arch_perfmon pebs bts rep_good nopl xtopology tsc_reliable nonstop_tsc cpuid aperfmperf tsc_known_freq pni pclmulqdq dtes64 monitor ds_cpl vmx est tm2 ssse3 cx16 xtpr pdcm sse4_1 sse4_2 movbe popcnt tsc_deadline_timer rdrand lahf_lm 3dnowprefetch epb pti ibrs ibpb stibp tpr_shadow vnmi flexpriority ept vpid tsc_adjust smep erms dtherm ida arat md_clear
bugs        : cpu_meltdown spectre_v1 spectre_v2 mds msbds_only
bogomips    : 4831.40
clflush size    : 64
cache_alignment    : 64
address sizes    : 36 bits physical, 48 bits virtual
power management:

root@d37:~#

Memory:

Code:
root@d37:~# free -m
              total        used        free      shared  buff/cache   available
Mem:           3778        2874         206         288         696         384
Swap:          3905           0        3905
root@d37:~#

When it is stuck, it is not possible to take virtual console. The keyboard won't work. It is not due to any specific software like browsers as I understand. It can happen anytime even when it is idle for some time.

I have already tried xfce, cinnamon and gnome. But as far as I know these environment doesn't freeze a PC.

Already magic sysrq and it is not possible to recover.

Already tried watchdog service to reboot the machine if network ping is not working, but watchdog doesn't get a chance to reboot.

Already tried disabling hardware acceleration using the below settings. That too failed to fix the issue.

Code:
nano /usr/share/X11/xorg.conf.d/90-disable-gpu.conf

Section "Extensions"
    Option "GLX" "Disable"
    Option "DRI2" "Disable"
    Option "DRI3" "Disable"
EndSection

Any one have any idea what the issue can be? There are no logs of any sort. Sometimes the syslog contains some strings like @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

Any help is appreciated.
 


In my experience, instability is usually a hardware or electrical problem, stemming from any one of several things.
Power supply.
Hard drive failing.
Motherboard power modulation.
RAM module issues.

I've fixed such things with simply pulling, cleaning, swapping RAM module positions.
Or.
Replacing the power supply.
Or.
Checking the hard drive(s) with a tool such as gsmartcontrol, to discover a failing drive.
Or.
Worst case scenario rebuild the whole thing.

Those outputs you showed already are factual, but not as concise as the inxi tool, plus we need to know exactly what you currently have installed on your system. Assuming you have the most recent of your listed distros actually installed, please run
Code:
inxi -FxxxxZ
in a terminal and post the results here.

Also, you do know that the *buntu 14, 16, and non-LTS 18 version are beyond end of life and no longer supported.
 
The fresh installation of Ubuntu 18.04 LTS has the problem.

Result of inxi -FxxxxZ

Code:
System:    Host: d37 Kernel: 4.15.0-96-generic x86_64 bits: 64 gcc: 7.5.0 Console: tty 0 dm: lightdm
           Distro: Ubuntu 18.04.3 LTS
Machine:   Device: desktop System: Acer product: Veriton Series serial: UXBTDSI017F4318441
           Mobo: Acer model: Q2900M serial: N/A UEFI [Legacy]: American Megatrends v: P1.20Q
           Chassis: type: 3 serial: N/A
CPU:       Quad core Intel Pentium J2900 (-MCP-) arch: Silvermont rev.8 cache: 1024 KB
           flags: (lm nx sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 ssse3 vmx) bmips: 19325
           clock speeds: min/max: 1332/2665 MHz 1: 2674 MHz 2: 2666 MHz 3: 1337 MHz 4: 1481 MHz
Graphics:  Card: Intel Atom Processor Z36xxx/Z37xxx Series Graphics & Display bus-ID: 00:02.0 chip-ID: 8086:0f31
           Display Server: X.org 1.19.6 drivers: modesetting (unloaded: fbdev,vesa)
           tty size: 190x43 Advanced Data: N/A for root out of X
Audio:     Card Intel Atom Processor Z36xxx/Z37xxx Series High Definition Audio Controller
           driver: snd_hda_intel bus-ID: 00:1b.0 chip-ID: 8086:0f04
           Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture v: k4.15.0-96-generic
Network:   Card: Realtek RTL8111/8168/8411 PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet Controller
           driver: r8169 v: 2.3LK-NAPI port: e000 bus-ID: 04:00.0 chip-ID: 10ec:8168
           IF: enp4s0 state: up speed: 1000 Mbps duplex: full mac: d0:50:88:7b:b1:c8
Drives:    HDD Total Size: 500.1GB (9.5% used)
           ID-1: /dev/sda model: WDC_WD5000AAKX size: 500.1GB serial: WD-WCC2E0SVD6T3 temp: 33C
Partition: ID-1: / size: 92G used: 14G (16%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda1
           ID-2: swap-1 size: 4.00GB used: 0.21GB (4%) fs: swap dev: /dev/sda5
RAID:      System: supported: N/A
           No RAID devices: /proc/mdstat, md_mod kernel module present
           Unused Devices: none
Sensors:   System Temperatures: cpu: 34.0C mobo: N/A
           Fan Speeds (in rpm): cpu: N/A
Info:      Processes: 216 Uptime: 2 days Memory: 517.8/3778.3MB Init: systemd v: 237 runlevel: 5 Gcc sys: 7.5.0
           Client: Shell (bash 4.4.201 running in tty 0) inxi: 2.3.56
 
Have you checked to see if there are any BIOS updates from the manufacturer which may address this?

I see there is a lot of "Intel Atom Processor" stuff such as;
00:1c.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation Atom Processor E3800 Series PCI Express Root Port 1 (rev 0e)
00:1c.1 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation Atom Processor E3800 Series PCI Express Root Port 2 (rev 0e)
00:1c.2 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation Atom Processor E3800 Series PCI Express Root Port 3 (rev 0e)
00:1c.3 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation Atom Processor E3800 Series PCI Express Root Port 4 (rev 0e)
00:1f.0 ISA bridge: Intel Corporation Atom Processor Z36xxx/Z37xxx Series Power Control Unit (rev 0e)
00:1f.3 SMBus: Intel Corporation Atom Processor E3800 Series SMBus Controller (rev 0e)
and
Graphics: Card: Intel Atom Processor Z36xxx/Z37xxx Series Graphics & Display bus-ID: 00:02.0 chip-ID: 8086:0f31 Display Server: X.org 1.19.6 drivers: modesetting (unloaded: fbdev,vesa) tty size: 190x43 Advanced Data: N/A for root out of X
Audio: Card Intel Atom Processor Z36xxx/Z37xxx Series High Definition Audio Controller driver: snd_hda_intel bus-ID: 00:1b.0 chip-ID: 8086:0f04 Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture v: k4.15.0-96-generic
and there are known bugs with Atom processors and Linux but whereas you have a Pentium processor I don't know if those bugs would apply. May be worth checking out.

I found this information interesting but whereas it applies to the Intel Atom processor I don't know if it would be appropriate to your issue:
Code:
Edit /etc/defaults/grub:
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="intel_idle.max_cstate=1"
From here: https://discourse.ubuntu.com/t/intel-atom-d425-1-8ghz-in-the-linux/4788

Here are some links to other posts which may lead to some good ideas:
 
Even some of my 2010 Frankenstein build computers have had hardware issues with the newer kernels and eventually the developers will get it fixed.

Unfortunately kernel support for newer hardware can be slow in Linux.

Unlike Microsoft Windows the hardware manufactures just don't have the interest in hardware support for Linux as there is no money to be made from doing so.

Linux servers are mainly command line interface and therefore don't need GNU driver support.

This is why older computers / hardware are a better choice with Linux. (sigh)
 
Even some of my 2010 Frankenstein build computers have had hardware issues with the newer kernels and eventually the developers will get it fixed.
Well, maybe. It kinda depends on what the issue is and how prevalent it may be. Also on how difficult it would be to 'fix'. It is amazing how much hardware and peripherals they are able to make work! Especially when considering that some manufacturers don't care to help. An "issue" on 10 year old hardware may not be something high on the 'priority' list.
 


Latest posts

Top