Server freeze logging in on tty

Issues related to hardware problems
welbo
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Server freeze logging in on tty

Post by welbo » 2014/08/07 18:49:58

I rebuilt my server with a new MB, memory, cpu and power supply. After starting it and using it successfully on a KVM switch during build, I put it back in it's location and connected to it's monitor with a VGA cable. Now when switching to a tty with CTRL-ALT-F2-6 and logging in as root, the computer freezes. There are no entries in any of the logs, there is no crash dump. Just an instant freeze. I can log in to the desktop and run the terminal app without issue.
With the only difference being the monitor, it seems the likely culprit. Is this a video driver issue? My grub boot entry is set for vga=791 and all of the boot time text appears properly.
Google searches and forum searches have not returned an issue like this.
Thanks.

getinfo.sh link:
http://pastebin.com/uWV0B2KZ

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TrevorH
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Re: Server freeze logging in on tty

Post by TrevorH » 2014/08/07 18:53:54

Is the machine still alive and usable via the network once it's done this or is it dead?
The future appears to be RHEL or Debian. I think I'm going Debian.
Info for USB installs on http://wiki.centos.org/HowTos/InstallFromUSBkey
CentOS 5 and 6 are deadest, do not use them.
Use the FAQ Luke

welbo
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Re: Server freeze logging in on tty

Post by welbo » 2014/08/07 19:07:05

Dead. No more ssh ability. The only observed activity are the eth link led's blinking and the fans running.

gerald_clark
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Re: Server freeze logging in on tty

Post by gerald_clark » 2014/08/07 19:19:06

You have a hardware problem, and you moved the machine after the initial load.
I would re-seat any interface cards, check that all the fans are running, make sure the AC cable is not loose.
Run memtest86 at least overnight, and if that doesn't solve or identify the problem, replace the power supply.

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TrevorH
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Re: Server freeze logging in on tty

Post by TrevorH » 2014/08/07 19:31:46

Changing the monitor certainly shouldn't result in a machine that you can kill stone dead so easily unless there is some weird bug in the X driver in use for the video card that causes a kernel panic when you switch terminals. Do you have any keyboard lights flashing at the time?
The future appears to be RHEL or Debian. I think I'm going Debian.
Info for USB installs on http://wiki.centos.org/HowTos/InstallFromUSBkey
CentOS 5 and 6 are deadest, do not use them.
Use the FAQ Luke

gerald_clark
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Location: Northern Illinois, USA

Re: Server freeze logging in on tty

Post by gerald_clark » 2014/08/07 19:33:36

I didn't see any mention of X running.

welbo
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Re: Server freeze logging in on tty

Post by welbo » 2014/08/07 19:39:41

The keyboard I have up there is a wireless usb with no lights. Probably a good idea to hook up an old fashion PS2 keyboard instead, but the machine is in a hard to reach location unless I have a keyboard with along cable.

It boots to runlevel 5 and gnome desktop. Maybe I used the wrong term calling it X. To restate more specifically, gnome runs properly with no issues unless I try to switch tty's, at which time the entire machine freezes.

gerald_clark
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Re: Server freeze logging in on tty

Post by gerald_clark » 2014/08/07 19:50:22

You didn't call it X. There was no mention of X that I can see.
If this is a server in a difficult to reach location why is it running X?

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TrevorH
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Re: Server freeze logging in on tty

Post by TrevorH » 2014/08/07 19:51:03

You might try booting to runlevel 3 and seeing if the issue persists. That might confirm or eliminate X as a possible cause.
The future appears to be RHEL or Debian. I think I'm going Debian.
Info for USB installs on http://wiki.centos.org/HowTos/InstallFromUSBkey
CentOS 5 and 6 are deadest, do not use them.
Use the FAQ Luke

gerald_clark
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Joined: 2005/08/05 15:19:54
Location: Northern Illinois, USA

Re: Server freeze logging in on tty

Post by gerald_clark » 2014/08/07 20:18:00

Well that is a good idea.
If the problem does not manifest at run level 3 it still may not be a driver problem.
It could still be a thermal or power supply problem that does not show up at a lower doad on the video board.
Trevor may be right though, because I don't see support for that embeded video in C5, but I do see the i915 driver supports it on C6.
Did you get a driver from some other source?

Next time it happens, see if there are any hints on the console.

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