Linux system freezes

[Timon47478]

Hi,
Whenever i start my linux (currently qubes os but i had the same issue on ubuntu and arch linux), my entire system freezes to the point where i cant even access the ttys after about 5-10 seconds after logging in.
Nomodeset fixed the issue for me, but sometimes (now again on qubes os) my x server would just completely not start when i use nomodeset, and i cant resolve the issue without reinstalling the entire pc. It might be a result of a system update. Starting without nomodeset still works then but causes the freeze after 5 seconds again, so the system is unusable. I tried like hundreds of kernel parameters, xorg config files and so on but everytime eighter the x server wont start, or i get some fatal freeze just about instantly.

I am using a small desktop pc with an i5 6th gen with integrated graphics.
I also tried it on another pc with the same cpu and had the same problems.
If you need to know anything specific feel free to ask. Any help is appreciated.

 

[Timon47478]

Nice. I managed to remove all graphic drivers like fbdev and vulkan and so on and now i just cant reinstall them/ find them in the repos.

 

[Trml]

Best you grep in the package manager log file, it will (should) show the packages you purged. Something like

tail -n 500 /var/log/logfile |grep vulkan

Sometimes moving a custom trial-and-error xorg.conf out of the way helps more than trying to find an error.

Does Qubes load microcode?
Have you tried kernel parameters "intel_iommu=on intel_iommu=igfx_off"? I use them on 6th gen i5 for years and now.

 

[Timon47478]

Ok. I got the packages back.

Here is my xorg.log (this is what happens when i try to start x now with nomodeset):

I'll look into the microcode stuff tomorrow and give you another update on that.

 

[APTI]

Hi,
Whenever i start my linux (currently qubes os but i had the same issue on ubuntu and arch linux), my entire system freezes to the point where i cant even access the ttys after about 5-10 seconds after logging in.
Nomodeset fixed the issue for me, but sometimes (now again on qubes os) my x server would just completely not start when i use nomodeset, and i cant resolve the issue without reinstalling the entire pc. It might be a result of a system update. Starting without nomodeset still works then but causes the freeze after 5 seconds again, so the system is unusable. I tried like hundreds of kernel parameters, xorg config files and so on but everytime eighter the x server wont start, or i get some fatal freeze just about instantly.

I am using a small desktop pc with an i5 6th gen with integrated graphics.
I also tried it on another pc with the same cpu and had the same problems.
If you need to know anything specific feel free to ask. Any help is appreciated.

Most times when I find a system that randomly freezes like you described, I do a S.M.A.R.T. test on the drive. especially if it is a mechanical drive or off brand ssd. What I find is errors on the drive that cause lag or crashes depending on where they are located. You are so focused in on software issue it seems you may be ignoring a hardware issue. Do a test on your drive. use "badblocks" if you must but if you have problems on RAM or on the hard drive you will see issues like you described. No amount of configuration will fix that.
So before you go bald from this problem. make sure it is not a physical issue that you can replace a part. I am assuming you used the same drive in another computer, you did not specify and that would carry the problem with it to the other pc

 

[Brickwizard]

I concur with @APTI , this sort of problem is usually storage either some falt in the drive itself, or on a desktop a dry joint between the drive and data cable, as you are getting the same problem with different distributions start with a full drive health check

 

[Timon47478]

I think i give up, i tried memtest and smartctl and microcode and other stuff. Windows simply works. Long live Windows!

 

[Brickwizard]

I am using a small desktop pc with an i5 6th gen with integrated graphics.

I am using a Pro-desk of similar age, no problems at all installing various Linux builds,



Why Linux fails to load/install direct to HDD, common reasons

1] Corrupt download [check SHA sum]
2] bad burn to installation medium [try again] [if you used Rufus then try Balena Etcher or Ventoy]
3] Wind 8.2 and higher quick start/fast boot or secure boot not disabled [after disabling do a full power re-boot not a restart]
4] defective pen-drive/DVD
5] hardware fault,
5A] If old style HDD run integrity check
5B]if SATA SSD check for hidden partition at the beginning of drive [this will stop Grub from loading] and delete it before re-installing Linux
If New M2.NVMe check, your system is NVMe compatible [not all older kit is]

 

[APTI]

I think i give up, i tried memtest and smartctl and microcode and other stuff. Windows simply works. Long live Windows!

or perhaps windows just ignores drive errors. Which by the way it does.

 

[Condobloke]

I managed to remove all graphic drivers like fbdev and vulkan and so on and now i just cant reinstall them/ find them in the repos.

fbdev: This package provides the driver for the Linux framebuffer device
vulkan: Vulkan is a low-overhead 3D graphics and compute API. This package includes Vulkan drivers provided by the Mesa project.

why were you fiddling around with those ? They have zero to do with any freezing you encountered.

It might be a result of a system update

Unlikely

I tried like hundreds of kernel parameters, xorg config files and so on

That only caused a bigger mess

I also tried it on another pc with the same cpu and had the same problems.

At least that tells you the two pc's have something in common. Is the second PC a laptop or desktop.?
Has Secure boot been Disabled in either PC ?...Has Fastboot been Disabled?

Is the main drive a Hard drive or a SSD ?

Go into bios and make sure that fastboot and secure boot are disabled.

Then, download Linux Mint 22.2 form here , use balena Etcher to burn the downloaded .iso to a usb stick, then boot the pc to that usb stick. If you get any errors when doing that, stop and report them here

If it boots ok, install it...by double clicking on the "Install Linux Mint" on the desktop.

Do not go off course. Just stick to the basic install.

 

[The Duck]

Go into bios and make sure that fastboot and secure boot are disabled.

Then, download Linux Mint 22.2 form here , use balena Etcher to burn the downloaded .iso to a usb stick, then boot the pc to that usb stick. If you get any errors when doing that, stop and report them here


If it boots ok, install it...by double clicking on the "Install Linux Mint" on the desktop.

Do not go off course. Just stick to the basic install.

Agreed.

If it boots and runs without freezing than you know what the problem is.

Qubes has a recommended hardware compatibility list.

Qubes also states that non-supported hardware may require some troubleshooting to make it work.

Qubes ain't for the new to Linux user imo.

 

[bob466]

If I was having trouble with a Distro...I'd try another as there are heaps of them.