8.04 randomly freezing requiring hard shut down, caps and scroll lock flash

[useResa]

I am running Ubuntu on a Dell Latitude D620 and today I performed an upgrade in which for me the new kernel was installed (2.6.24-19-generic).
Since this upgrade I have been experiencing the same issue as is described in the (archived) thread 7.10 randomly freezing requiring hard shut down, caps and scroll lock flash.

Due to the fact that I am running Hardy and the fact that the other thread is archived I decided to start this new thread.

What I would like to know is how I could diagnose this issue. Are there -- for example -- any log files I could look into to see what happens just before the freeze?.
Any help to resolve this very annoying issue would be highly appreciated.

[useResa]

From the archived thread

The caps and scroll lock flashing indicates a kernel panic. This almost always means hardware issues, and most commonly (in my experience) the problem is with RAM.

Run Memtest86+ for a while. It should alert you if there are bad segments.

I did run Memtest86+ (for those who like to do this as well, makes sure you have time on your hands. My test ran for just over 2 hours) ... no errors where detected.

Any other suggestions will be highly appreciated.

[jimbofluffy]

I had one wifi card (Linksys) that caused this problem on multiple computers. On each computer it used Ubuntu's drivers. I bought two new cards of different brands. One used Ubuntu's drivers and the other required Ndiswrapper. I have yet to have this problem again.

Thats all the help I can give.

[jimbofluffy]

(Forgot to subscribe to the thread)

[usererror]

I am also experiencing this problem with 8.04. I don't remember if I had it on 7.10.

As indicated above, I don't believe it is a RAM issue because I dual boot to use Windows at work and have not had any issues.

Are there any logs to check for this that might indicate anything?

[useResa]

I had one wifi card (Linksys) that caused this problem on multiple computers. On each computer it used Ubuntu's drivers. I bought two new cards of different brands. One used Ubuntu's drivers and the other required Ndiswrapper. I have yet to have this problem again.

I am using the cards that are integrated with the laptop. So changing it will be out of the question
Thanks for the info anyway

Are there any logs to check for this that might indicate anything?

That indeed would be helpful.

@ usererror: Saw in your signature that you also have a Dell Latitude D620.
Is that where you are experiencing this issue on?
What may indicate that it is make/model related.

[Zorael]

On a side note, I just want to point out that before doing a *hard* shut down (holding power button until it dies), try the Skinny Elephants command first, to avoid filesystem corruption.

http://www.brunolinux.com/01-First_T...Elephants.html

That is all. Carry on.

[Pathfinder_]

I have the same problem with one of my computers. Could not figure out how to solve it so I just installed gutsy's kernel and use it instead and it hasn't crashed at all.

[useResa]

I have the same problem with one of my computers. Could not figure out how to solve it so I just installed gutsy's kernel and use it instead and it hasn't crashed at all.

So the remedy is to install an old kernel?
Is there a (known) issue with the current one? If there is, I could not find it.
Anyone else did?

[usererror]

@ usererror: Saw in your signature that you also have a Dell Latitude D620.
Is that where you are experiencing this issue on?
What may indicate that it is make/model related.

Which logs would I look at?

Yes, the issue I am having the freeze on is my D620. My desktop works fine.