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[anewaname]

When the CPU appears to be doing something "extra", I cut the internet for 20 seconds to see if there is a change. Knowing if it is using the internet is just another piece of info that can help.

[ArchimedesWojak]

It was bloatware i had installed back when i first got the PC before i learned computer safety i handled it

[coalboat]

Recently my computer froze for a couple of times. The alt+sysrq+REISUB didn't work. When it's not freezing, reisub does work. What should I do the next time it freezes? The distro is Ubuntu 18.04.3 LTS.

[wierd]

Check the old syslogs, and the contents of /var/crash

[methylatedspirit]

Ninja'd.

If REISUB doesn't work, that means the kernel itself is unresponsive, so I'm willing to bet a hardware/system config issue first rather than a kernel issue (assuming you're not running bleeding-edge kernels). I'll wait for the syslogs, though.

[wierd]

It's possible he is running Out-of-tree kernel modules, or otherwise has a tainted kernel, et al.

That would show up prominently in the old syslog.

[coalboat]

I run "less /var/log/syslog" in terminal and it shows log of today only. How do I check the previous ones? I don't remember the exact date when it happened. What things should I look for?

[wierd]

They will be gzipped in the /var/log folder.

You will see many files with names like syslog.1.gz, syslog.2.gz, etc.

Sort by date, and pick the one appropriate to the date of the crash.

[coalboat]

There are only 7 syslog files. So my computer only keeps them for a week? The crash happened at least more than a week ago.

[wierd]

Dunno what to tell you if you have had your logs roll over since then.

Wait for it to happen a second time, then be johnny on the spot with the syslog.

[coalboat]

Thanks. What should I do to shut down the computer if it happens again?

[wierd]

If the kernel is panic'ed, there is little else to do but a forced ACPI shutdown, followed by fsck.

Graceful shutdown requires the OS to be able to service clearing the FS cache, and comitting the journal before unmounting the filesystems.
If the kernel is too bonkers to do that, the only option is hard off.

[coalboat]

Thanks. I'll copy the syslog the next time it happens.

[King Zultan]

I have a probably stupid question.

There is a Microsoft label on the bottom of a laptop I have and on this label it says product key, is this key the one needed to install Windows on the computer?

I'm asking because the original drive with the OS from the computer is dead and I was wondering if I could use that key to put a new copy on the laptop.



I did ask some stuff about this earlier but it's looking like I won't be able to get the key from the drive.

[methylatedspirit]

I think if it's a fresh drive, Windows won't recognize that it was activated before when it asks you for the key. Once the system's up and running, it'll activate automatically. That's for Windows 10. I can't confirm, but I think the installer should also let you use Windows 7 or 8 keys for Windows 10.

For Windows 7 and 8, you will need to have that key on hand. I don't think they have any kind of automatic, hardware-tied activation that works as soon as you connect to the Internet.

(Of course, if they don't work, Windows keys cost next to nothing from third-party sellers online. I don't know about the ethics of it, but the option's there.)