Linux Lite Forums

Hardware - Support => Hard Drives and SSDs => Topic started by: Dave Adam on November 22, 2020, 07:01:17 AM

Title: usb MyBook stops working overnight
Post by: Dave Adam on November 22, 2020, 07:01:17 AM
so, I had thought my computer was crashing overnight. however:

Sounds like it could be a hardware fault.

Can you confirm that if the PC is left without the USB drive connected that it works ok and doesn't lock up ?

has lead me to see that it's the harddrive.  I found another tread where it was noted that someone else had this problem and the fix was to unmount the drive before rebooting.

When mine locks up terminal is locked up also, so no way to unmount it.  Anyway I will see if I can figure this out. Keep it posted.
Title: Re: usb MyBook stops working overnight
Post by: stevef on November 22, 2020, 09:20:01 AM
In some lock up scenarios pressing CTRL + ALT + F3 together may switch you from GUI to a console mode logon screen.  From here you log on with your normal name/password.  Once in the console made you may be able to diagnose the problem.

Press CTRL + ALT + F7 to return to the GUI if you manage to fix the problem while in console mode.   Even if you can't fix it, you may be able to initiate a safe shutdown and reboot.

If you can't get to a console prompt try holding down ALT + SYSRQ (also marked Print Screen or some variation) together.  Whilst holding them both down press the 'r' 'e' 'i' 's' 'u' 'b' keys in that order.  Allow a couple of seconds between each letter.  This may initiate a tidy shutdown if enough of the system is still working.

If it is a hardware fault, then replacement is usually the way forward.
Title: Re: usb MyBook stops working overnight
Post by: Dave Adam on November 22, 2020, 10:51:26 AM
In some lock up scenarios pressing CTRL + ALT + F3 together may switch you from GUI to a console mode logon screen.  From here you log on with your normal name/password.  Once in the console made you may be able to diagnose the problem.

Press CTRL + ALT + F7 to return to the GUI if you manage to fix the problem while in console mode.   Even if you can't fix it, you may be able to initiate a safe shutdown and reboot.

If you can't get to a console prompt try holding down ALT + SYSRQ (also marked Print Screen or some variation) together.  Whilst holding them both down press the 'r' 'e' 'i' 's' 'u' 'b' keys in that order.  Allow a couple of seconds between each letter.  This may initiate a tidy shutdown if enough of the system is still working.

If it is a hardware fault, then replacement is usually the way forward.


Okay, when it jambs up overnight I will try this in the morning.  Thanks
Title: Re: usb MyBook stops working overnight
Post by: Dave Adam on November 23, 2020, 06:09:44 AM
The ctrl - alt F3 will let me log in then it freezes also.  ctrl-alt F7 brought me back to the GUI  alt - prntscreen  r-e-i-s-u-b did restart the computer.

thanks for the help, still want to figure out what's feezing it though, I'll post whatever I find out.
Title: Re: usb MyBook stops working overnight
Post by: stevef on November 23, 2020, 06:34:10 AM
You're welcome.  Obviously, if there's anything important on the USB drive then make sure to back it up while the drive still works.

Good luck.
Title: Re: usb MyBook stops working overnight
Post by: Dave Adam on November 24, 2020, 06:10:50 AM
Okay so I read in another thread about terminal freezing and the fix was to delete zram, I didn't delete it but turned it off, still froze.

Just putting this here as information.
Title: Re: usb MyBook stops working overnight
Post by: TheDead on November 24, 2020, 08:52:45 AM
Hi,

Maybe changing some power saving features in the BIOS could prevent it from freezing.
Like deactivating  it of changing from S5, to S4 or S3, etc.

Also check the SMART status of your hard drive (maybe this can be done in BIOS, or using a tool or the OS, I haven't done this in linux yet) . If it's faulty, it could show from there.
Title: Re: usb MyBook stops working overnight
Post by: Dave Adam on November 24, 2020, 06:05:03 PM
Couldn't find anything in bios, but I did find some upgrades to grub etc so I figured I'd try that. I'll post result if any

Title: Re: usb MyBook stops working overnight
Post by: Dave Adam on December 02, 2020, 06:15:51 AM
nothing new to report, and I'll keep trying.  It is very time  consuming because after I try something I have to wait until the next morning to see if it help. 

Just for the record, I still like Linux Lite.

Shout out to Jerry for all he does
Title: Re: usb MyBook stops working overnight
Post by: TheDead on December 02, 2020, 08:24:05 AM
Hi!

Have you checked the SMART status of the hard drive. Just to know if it's (semi)defective. ;)
Title: Re: usb MyBook stops working overnight
Post by: Dave Adam on December 09, 2020, 06:08:54 AM
so I've switch to a laptop with 5.2 and the drive works fine, didn't freeze up overnight, still don't know what caused it.