Arch Linux

Cyorg

Member

Registered: 2010-02-05

Posts: 16

Computer dies (Really strange issue)

I have a Toshiba Satellite A215 with an AMD Athlon X2 Processor, and ATI RS690M [Radeon X1200 Series] video card.
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This issue started very recently, and doesn't happen when I use sidux (or any other distro, so far).
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The problem is that it doesn't matter what I'm doing, my computer will just shut down. I can be typing a paper for school, or surfing the web, it makes no difference. I'll just be using it, and it'll turn off. It won't go through the proper shut-down sequence, but it just dies... As though someone held down the power button.
At first I thought that it was my computer, but I decided to do a fresh reinstall of Arch. I still had the same problem. I tried the 32 bit version of Arch, and it still happened. It also happens with Chakra.
Then I decided to try some non-Arch based distros, and the problem went away. So far I've tried Ubuntu, Fedora, Suse, and sidux, and they each run properly. Right now, I'm using sidux, and it works fine, but I much prefer Arch. Does anyone have an idea what could be happening?

I'm not sure if this is in the correct section of the forum. If it's not, Mods please move.

Thanks.

Last edited by Cyorg (2010-07-27 14:51:57)

df3n5

Member

Registered: 2009-04-08

Posts: 25

Re: Computer dies (Really strange issue)

Does your computer start up again afterwards? Does your laptop have a dial up modem?

Is there any chance that the battery or power supply is damaged?

Last edited by df3n5 (2010-07-27 15:08:42)

hokasch

Member

Registered: 2007-09-23

Posts: 1,461

Re: Computer dies (Really strange issue)

Monitor the cpu temperatures. Did you install cpufreq-utils?

Cyorg

Member

Registered: 2010-02-05

Posts: 16

Re: Computer dies (Really strange issue)

Yes the computer starts up again afterwards. No I don't think the battery or power supply is damaged, because other distros work just fine.
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No, I didn't install cpufreq-utils.

Last edited by Cyorg (2010-07-27 15:15:20)

knopwob

Member

From: Hannover, Germany

Registered: 2010-01-30

Posts: 239

Website

Re: Computer dies (Really strange issue)

have you installed and setup cpufreq-utils?

Maybe your cpu is getting too hot, when the frequency isn't scaled down on idle. Since the problem starts just recently, maybe it got too dusty in there.
Try installing acpi and watch the temperatures with

acpi -V

Most other distributions set up frequency scaling by default, this would explain why this only occures with arch linux

edit:
too slow

Last edited by knopwob (2010-07-27 15:17:47)

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github -- dunst

hokasch

Member

Registered: 2007-09-23

Posts: 1,461

Re: Computer dies (Really strange issue)

If it is overheating, cpufreq-utils should help a bit. You can use something like gkrellm to monitor temps. [wiki]Lm_sensors[/wiki]

Cyorg

Member

Registered: 2010-02-05

Posts: 16

Re: Computer dies (Really strange issue)

Thanks guys. I'll reinstall Arch later, and give that a try. I'll come back and let you know if it works.

Cyorg

Member

Registered: 2010-02-05

Posts: 16

Re: Computer dies (Really strange issue)

Configuring cpufrequtils worked like a charm... Mark this one off as solved.