Arch Linux

parantapa

Member

Registered: 2018-12-21

Posts: 9

How to view journal logs in case of complete system freeze?

Question:
How to view journal logs in case of complete system freeze?

Background:
I am trying to debug why my laptop has started freezing up.
I can boot the system and get login prompt if I boot it with the kernel parameter nomodeset or i915.nomodeset=0.
In case I boot it up without nomodeset the system freezes completely: blank screen and non-responsive keyboard.
When booting without nomodeset, I can see some stuff on screen from systemd startup scripts.
Following the freeze I have to hard reset the laptop (holding the power button for long).
If I boot up after the freeze with nomodeset, the logs from previous boot are missing.
journalctl --verify shows corrupted logs.

What I have tried:
I have added SyncIntervalSec=5 in /etc/systemd/journald.conf to force it to sync every 5 seconds.
But that doesn't seem to work.

I have enabled SysRq via kernel parameter sysrq_always_enabled=1 and Alt+SysRq+REISUB works when I boot up with nomodeset.
But without nomodeset Alt+SysRq+REISUB doesn't work.

Last edited by parantapa (2018-12-24 06:14:12)

DinckelMan

Member

Registered: 2018-12-15

Posts: 4

Re: How to view journal logs in case of complete system freeze?

'journalctl --list-boots' should give you a list of older logs. Pick the one you want, and execute with 'journalctl -b #', where # is the id from the list

seth

Member

From: Won't reply 2 private help req

Registered: 2012-09-03

Posts: 76,127

Re: How to view journal logs in case of complete system freeze?

https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Kdump

However, the first step should be to ensure it's modesetting and not just your graphical target, so boot into the multi-user.target w/ modesetting enabled.
https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Sy … _boot_into

If that works, we should talk your default graphical.target.

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parantapa

Member

Registered: 2018-12-21

Posts: 9

Re: How to view journal logs in case of complete system freeze?

@DinckelMan The log from boots where the system freezes are missing.

parantapa

Member

Registered: 2018-12-21

Posts: 9

Re: How to view journal logs in case of complete system freeze?

@Seth I am currently debugging the system. I have made a fresh install of Arch. I dont have any desktop environments or login managers installed. The system right now just boots up to terminal login prompt without X.

I will try the Kdump suggestion.

seth

Member

From: Won't reply 2 private help req

Registered: 2012-09-03

Posts: 76,127

Re: How to view journal logs in case of complete system freeze?

You can also try https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/In … re-M_chips and look at the known issues around.

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How to upload text · How to boot w/o GUI · Disable Windows Fast-Start! · Fix your xinitrc