[K12OSN] odd reboot issue

[Keith Olson]

If the drive isn't actually failing, but only has developed some bad 
sectors, (or if you have data you need off of it) then Spinrite 
http://www.grc.com/sr/spinrite.htm could be a /huge/ help.

Angus Carr wrote:

> This one sounds like a failing drive - you mentioned something about a 
> IO error (ok, I've responded to a message where that's been trimmed. 
> Drat.) on some drive or another.
>
> At a guess, it's blocking on reading a file which is partially on a 
> failed sector of the disk. gdm is probably waiting for it, and 
> eventually gives up and authenticates (that's why logging in would be 
> slow). I would book a weekend to baby your server, or an evening, or 
> something.
>
> Boot off a livecd of some sort, and see what you can do. Perhaps 
> replacing the drive is in order. That usually works for me.
>
> Of course, you have your important data all backed up somehow, as all 
> of us always do...:-)
>
> If not, then make that your first priority off a livecd boot. Back it 
> all up. Especially /home.
>
> Angus Carr.
>
> Calvin Park wrote:
>
>> Alrighty. I just found something interesting. I was checking top and 
>> noticed
>> one particular gdm-binary taking up 95% CPU. I joyfully said "Aha!" and
>> pkilled the sucker. Which promptly locked my system until. The terminals
>> upstairs went down and SSH no longer works. My server is now in the 
>> midst of
>> a cold reboot. Ick, ick. But, that is a bit more information.
>>
>> Also, I'm including below the body of another one of my messages. I 
>> attached
>> an image that was a bit too large (a screenshot) and so it's sitting 
>> waiting
>> for moderation. Anyway, below is the body...if anyone wants the 
>> screenshot
>> I'll send it to you privately.
>>
>>
>> --------
>> dmesg didn't tell me too much (though it is possible I'm missing 
>> something.
>> I plan to go through it again). I took a look at /var/log/messages, 
>> and I've
>> attached a screenshot (I beg forgiveness for using XP) of the last 
>> minute or
>> so before it died last night. No problem that I could see.
>>
>> I've checked the KVM, and that particular port is working with our other
>> Linux servers. :(
>>
>> -Calvin
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: k12osn-bounces at redhat.com [mailto:k12osn-bounces at redhat.com]On
>> Behalf Of Les Mikesell
>> Sent: Wednesday, October 05, 2005 8:48 AM
>> To: Support list for opensource software in schools.
>> Subject: RE: [K12OSN] odd reboot issue
>>
>>
>> On Wed, 2005-10-05 at 07:46, Calvin Park wrote:
>>  
>>
>>> As an addendum to this, I'm in the process of rebooting all 
>>> terminals, and
>>> I've noticed that it waits quite a while at
>>>
>>> loading 192.168.0.254:/lts/vmzlinux.ltsp
>>>
>>> After that it boots like normal, but runs fairly slow...and still no 
>>> luck
>>> getting the monitor hooked to the server to display anything.
>>>   
>>
>>
>> Ssh in and run 'dmesg |less'.  Do a 'G' to go to the end and
>> scroll backwards with the page-up or control-b keys.  You
>> might see something to explain what went wrong.  If not,
>> look in /var/log/messages for anything unusual. The display
>> problem could be the KVM, too.
>>
>> -- 
>>  Les Mikesell
>>     les at futuresource.com 
>

-- 
Keith Olson
K-Soft Consulting