Ubuntu

System program problem message without any indication of what it is

Asked by Not Telling

I have just installed Ubuntu 16.04 LTS and have been getting the message on the login screen and desktop as soon as I login "System program problem detected". I am not told what the problem is and asked if I want to report the problem.

This is a pretty stupid design telling me there is a problem and nothing else.

In Windows family operating systems there is an Event Log which logs system messages, including error messages. I had a look into settings and in the Ubuntu logo, but couldn't find anything like it in this operating system. Is there such a thing in Ubuntu 16.04 LTS? If not, how would I go about finding out what the problem is?

Thanks

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actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#1

apport messages are generated from the logs in /var/crash/, so first try to remove all the files in that directory by running:

sudo rm /var/crash/*

and then reboot the computer.

If you want to disable these alerts permanently you need to disable apport. To do so, open the file by running:

sudo gedit /etc/default/apport

now change the line 'enabled=1' to 'enabled=0' and reboot.

Disabling apport is not recommended.

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Not Telling (c4529218) said : 		#2

That doesn't tell me what the problem is though. I want to fix the problem.

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actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#3

The crash could have happened months ago. The fact that there are files in the folder makes the dialogue popup. If you remove them and there is still an issue then there will be a new crash file from today. If there is no popup then the issue is old and has ceased been resolved.

Try reading between the lines a little....

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Not Telling (c4529218) said : 		#4

No it couldn't have. I only installed Ubuntu yesterday. How do you know there are files a folder on my computer? I have not shown you the content of any folder.

Try not to assume.

I found out what the problem is by proceeding to report the error (I didn't report it). The problem is with a package relating to the VPN technology PPTP that I use. The problem was classed as a crash.
There are updates available for this version of Ubuntu. I am downloading them now and I am hoping they will fix the issue. If not I will accept there is a problem and move on.

Thanks

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Not Telling (c4529218) said : 		#5

The update solved the problem.

Thanks

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actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#6

Clearing the crash folder then generating up to date crash logs is part of troubleshooting. It's not assumed. It's what you do...

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Not Telling (c4529218) said : 		#7

I thought the problem was solved as the message didn't appear after the update, but the message has returned.

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actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#8

Did you clear the folder?

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Not Telling (c4529218) said : 		#9

Hi again. Sorry I have taken a bit to reply, my car and phone decided to die at once so I have been running around sorting that out.

Nah, how do I do it?

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Not Telling (c4529218) said : 		#10

Ok, so I read over your reply #1 again.

So they are generated by the log files... deleting these log files won't help because the error messages come later on during using Ubuntu, long after I have clicked 'OK' (or what ever it is) which means they are being freshly generated.

I remember when reading the crash report that it is related to a package containing in the name 'pptp'. PPTP related to the VPN service I connected to, so I think it has something to do with that.

From what you said in reply #1, 'sudo rm /var/crash/*', it looks like something related to the directory located at '/var/crash/'. There is a file in there called '_usr_sbin_pptp.0.crash'. I tried to open it in Text Editor to see what's going on, but I get the message telling me I don't have permission to open the file.

You are getting us closer to finding out what the problem is. :) Do you know how I can get permission to see the file?

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Launchpad Janitor (janitor) said : 		#11

This question was expired because it remained in the 'Open' state without activity for the last 15 days.