Ubuntu

Now and then the system won't accept any input from mouse/keybord; only solution is restart

Asked by nicola dmt

Hi,
I use Ubuntu 12.04 64 bit server (with ubuntu-desktop, so my desktop experience is the same as a standard Ubuntu desktop) on a desktop PC.

Occasionally the system stops receiving any input from the peripherals (mouse and keyboard):
- the mouse red laser light remains active, and the "num lock" led on the keyboard too, so they're still properly connected; they're wired, not wireless;
- no gesture and no button pressing seems to have any feedback: hitting "caps lock" won't turn on the corresponding light; I won't be able to go to a terminal Ctrl+Alt+1, as well as to call a SysRq;
- every process is still working, as I can see via ssh from outside.

I couldn't find a way to recover it, so I can only power off to have the system working (interacting) again..

It happens every 3 or 4 days, either when idle or I'm working on it (a browser is often open when it happens, but it also happens with only the desktop loaded, and once it happened on the login screen!).

I don't know what log file to read to have more informations; I don't know how you can reproduce this too :) But wait a few days and it will happen again to me!

Thanks
n

Question information

Language:
English Edit question
Status:
Answered
For:
Ubuntu Edit question
Assignee:
No assignee Edit question
Last query:
Last reply:
Revision history for this message
Gary (gary+ubuntu) said : 		#1

I have occasionally encountered this too, when logged in; if you are not even logged in and this happens, ignore the rest of this post. I found that killing my login session was all it took. Granted I was not using 12.04 64 bit, but here is a simple test. My solution used CTL-ALT-1, but you say that fails. So when you ssh in from outside, try killing just your current login or the display manager. I was able to login from CTL-ALT-1 so our situations vary, but it is worth trying to collect more details. If restarting the display manager works, then you have eliminated half the potential problem. Also try creating a new account and login there to see if this happens.

Revision history for this message
actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#2

Have you tried installing xfce4 and using the XFCE desktop

Revision history for this message
nicola dmt (nicola-dmt) said : 		#3

No, I didn't try any other desktop environment: I'm fine with unity and I want to use it! I can't just change for a while and wait for the problem to happen again on the new DE!
I'd just like to know if there's a log to watch to know what's happening

Revision history for this message
actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#4

You could look in dmesg maybe. If you install the desktop OS as opposed to the server then add the desktop it may be different. Have you tried the generic kernel and not the server kernel? why did you install server when you wanted a desktop OS?

Revision history for this message
nicola dmt (nicola-dmt) said : 		#5

I have not tried the generic kernel, not on this machine.
This used to be mainly a server for me, then I started using it also as a desktop. But I can't change OS now, I prefer to find a solution without reinstalling the whole.
In other words: I think that the problem is a wrong behaviour of the system, not of me! Of course I can be wrong about this :)

I'll check dmesg

Can you help with this problem?

Provide an answer of your own, or ask nicola dmt for more information if necessary.

To post a message you must log in.