It started freezing maybe a month or two ago. It happens anytime between a few seconds after the OS loads, to hours or days later. I do not recall downloading anything around when this issue began that could be suspect.

I’ve put off fixing this because I have no idea how to even begin troubleshooting it. Internet searches for “Linux freezes” returns practically countless potential problems.

What are some recommendations? I have my root directory on a 30 GB partition separate from my home directory, which I think makes reinstalling my base image (Debian) easy without losing personal data, so that’s an option. Maybe there’s a system log file that would provide some insight?

I’m Linux dumb so please teach me how to fish!

I’ll add that my Windows install (on a separate drive) doesn’t freeze, and my Linux install is on a new Samsung drive that didn’t report issues, so the problems unlikely hardware related.

  • Korkki@lemmy.ml
    0·
    2 months ago

    If you’re stuck in the frozen state, you can Ctrl+alt+delete 7+ times quickly to tell systemd to try to restart the system.

    Less destructive way would be to try to open a terminal session with ctr+alt+f3 (or any f key) If it’s only the gui that’s frozen. Makes it also possible to troubleshoot things from there. I had this issue recently. AMD core boost caused random freezes to kwin.

    • GooseFinger@sh.itjust.worksOP
      0·
      2 months ago

      It froze again tonight. Neither ctrl+alt+del spam nor trying to change terminal session worked unfortunately. Seems to be 100% locked up.