FC5 system lockup with video display frozen

[Jim Cornette]

Paul Johnson wrote:
> I've seen more posts about frozen systems in the past 2 weeks, and I
> could use any help/ideas you have.
> 
> I have two FC5 Dell desktop optiplex GX270 systems and both, possibly
> co-incidentally, started locking up and crashing about 2 weeks ago.
> These have a lot in common, but they were not purchased at the same
> time and so they don't have the same MOBO.  Both have software raid,
> usb keyboards and mice, nvidia 5200FX cards.

I had a similar problem that you describe with a GX270 awhile back. The 
problem was on a system with an integrated Intel 865G video.

The server crashed and displayed whatever was happening at the time ther 
X server crashed. No X server processes were reported when I ssh'ed into 
the box. You could also ctl-alt-Fn to a terminal, supply your login and 
password and reboot the system, copy logs and whatever you can do 
without a working display.

The bug has not effected me for a long time now. nobody fixed the bug 
intentionally. It was fixed when the Intel 810 driver was patched to 
accommodate dual-head for the Intel 830 graphics.

I think that it is related to the Nvidia driver or some odd 
characteristic of the GX270 motherboard which might be triggered by the 
changes.
I do not have problems presently with the GX270 which I currently use. 
It uses a PS2 mouse and keyboard and not USB devices. One thing about 
Dell and the GX270 MB, it uses the same number for many different 
variations. Good luck pinning down the problem.

Jim
-- 
'Martyrdom' is the only way a person can become famous without ability.
		-- George Bernard Shaw