I'm a newbie to Linux and I'm having bad luck. Every time I install Linux, it crashes shortly thereafter. I've tried Mint, Kubuntu, and Zorin, all with the same result. Sometimes it lasts overnight before crashing, sometimes not. What I get is a text screen, no GUI. It prompts for my user name and password, then it dumps me into a cryptic prompt. I've reserved 20 GB of space for Linux, which should be enough. The system is set up for dual boot, Linux and Windows Vista. I've also had a couple of frightening instances of GRUB RESCUE, but I finally worked that out. I'm running a homebrew Athlon X2 with 6 GB RAM and a 150 GB HD. I've tried selecting RECOVERY MODE from the GRUB menu, but that never works. I'm on the verge of giving up on Linux and returning to Windows. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
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Re: System Crash
My first suspicion is video problems -- what kind of graphics are you using?
You might try booting from a live cd -- kubuntu, or maybe even knoppix.We only have to look at ourselves to see how intelligent life might develop into something we wouldn't want to meet. -- Stephen Hawking -
Re: System Crash
In addition to what the dr. says, you would be well advised to run memtest86 (available from Live CD menu) on your system, and let it run for at least 2 full passes, which might mean let it run overnight. Hard crashes from multiple OS installation suggests a hardware issue to me. If it's not memory or video, the next suspect would be the PSU.Originally posted by rwhubertComment
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Re: System Crash
Onboard ATI Radeon graphics, using system memory. It has never caused any trouble with Windows. I booted from the live CD before installing Kubuntu. No problems there. I've also had frequent mouse pointer freeze-ups with all versions of Linux that I've tried. Last night, Kubuntu crashed after refusing to SHUT DOWN the computer. That was a first. Then today it wouldn't boot up. This is my third go-around with Kubuntu. The distro doesn't seem to matter, it always crashes. If it's a hardware problem, I don't know what I can do about it. Thanks for your suggestions.Originally posted by doctordruidphdComment
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Re: System Crash
Interesting. That you can run the live CD, and that you can install, says to me that the kernel is working OK with your hardware, though there still could be memory issues. What I don't get is why the live CD works, but the installed system does not, unless it really is a video issue, which could explain your mouse problems as video and mouse are both managed by X. I know nothing about ATI, maybe others here do.
A few suggestions, mostly shots in the dark, but you might get lucky:
Have you tried booting into the recovery console? That should be text only.
You might try installing the latest stable release of debian. When the installer prompts for default software to install, don't install a graphical desktop. See if you can get that to boot. If it does, then you can install the kde desktop, which will drag in all of the video packages. That would at least tell you if it really is a kernel or video problem.
You could try forcing vesa mode on the video, see
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BootOptions
Maybe try some of the other boot options listed there (noacpi, etc)
We only have to look at ourselves to see how intelligent life might develop into something we wouldn't want to meet. -- Stephen HawkingComment
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Re: System Crash
Thanks for all the suggestions. As of now, I cannot get Kubuntu (or any other distro) to survive a restart or a shutdown/startup. It crashes on shutdown, then of course it won't restart. Judging by the text messages that appear on-screen during a crash, it's looking like a memory problem. "Such-and-such address is already in use," and on and on. For now, I'm giving up on Linux. It's obviously not compatible with my hardware. Soon I will build a second computer, and maybe Linux will run on it. Thanks again for all the input.
Robert in AtlantaComment
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Re: System Crash
What it sounds like is a problem with the shared memory. You need to protect the memory area that is being shared with the video card. I know it can be done with kernel boot options, but I have never had to do it. Google might be your friend on that one.
Yeah, if you build another machine, don't use shared video ram. Too many headaches.
We only have to look at ourselves to see how intelligent life might develop into something we wouldn't want to meet. -- Stephen HawkingComment
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Re: System Crash
Another problem could be multiple devices assigned to the same IRQ. Normally, that is handled OK by the kernel, but sometimes there are problems. Perhaps in the BIOS you could change some IRQ assignments, if your BIOS allows such. Not all do."A nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people.”
– John F. Kennedy, February 26, 1962.Comment
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Re: System Crash
Thanks for that, I didn't think about the possibility of an IRQ conflict. I think I will first try installing a dedicated graphics card, turning OFF the shared memory architecture. My machine has 6 GB of RAM. Windows Vista can only use 4 GB, so it does not have a problem. Apparently Linux tries to grab all of it, then runs into conflicts where the RAM is used for graphics. Unfortunately, Linux is not intelligent enough to avoid the RAM that is already in use. And so, I've had nothing but constant crashes with Linux so far, no matter what the distro.
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Re: System Crash
You were right. I installed a pci-e ATI Radeon graphics card and Kubuntu now works fine. This should serve as a lesson: If you want to run Linux, do not use a motherboard with on-board graphics! I wish I'd known that sooner.Originally posted by doctordruidphd
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Re: System Crash
That's an over-generalization and not true in all cases.Originally posted by rwhubertWindows no longer obstructs my view.
Using Kubuntu Linux since March 23, 2007.
"It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data." - Sherlock HolmesComment
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Re: System Crash
+1 ..... I have 2 box's that have on-board graphics 1 intel 1 nvidia and thay both run fine.Originally posted by Snowhog
VINNYi7 4core HT 8MB L3 2.9GHz
16GB RAM
Nvidia GTX 860M 4GB RAM 1152 cuda cores
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Re: System Crash
Yeah, but it seems like it's becoming more of a problem, and not less of one, as manufacturers try to skimp on hardware, and push what used to be hardware operations into software that is usually windows-specific. Like "winmodems", only at a more basic level.That's an over-generalization and not true in all cases.
Example: nvidia optimus, which allows switching between onboard intel and nvidia graphics. Nice idea, bad execution, at least as far as linux is concerned, as it doesn't work. You get a board that uses this, and you won't have hi-res graphics. I understand NVIDIA is working on linux drivers that will fix this, but for now, you're hosed.
Point is you have to be real careful about hardware that depends on OS specific features. Especially when all vendors have to say is "Our systems are designed for windows" and click! hang up.
We only have to look at ourselves to see how intelligent life might develop into something we wouldn't want to meet. -- Stephen HawkingComment
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Re: System Crash
This might be a problem with ATI Radeon chipsets. The internal ATI graphics controller did not work with Linux. The external ATI card does work. Therefore, I assumed shared memory was causing the trouble. I am no longer sharing any memory and Kubuntu runs fine.Originally posted by vinnywright
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Re: System Crash
Hi...Originally posted by rwhubert
Glad Kubuntu is working well for you now.
I too have never had a problem getting Ubuntu/Kubuntu to work with onboard chipsets, although I can't recall ever installing Linux on a system that used ATI, just Intel and possibly Nvidia.
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