Screen goes black at random intervals and won't come back on.

[47_MasoN_47]

I'm running an IBM x236 server at work that we just put Ubuntu 8.04.1 on to be our new file server via Samba.

Here's the problem. So far it has only done this 3 times, but it is annoying just the same. While I'm using it browsing config files via webmin or looking for something on the web, right after I click a button in Firefox the screen will just turn off. It will then turn back on for a second (nothing on display though) then the monitor will go into powersave mode and I am unable to get it back out of that. I can CTRL+ALT+F1 and get to the terminal to shut it down and turn it back on again, but why does it do this and how can I make it stop?

Thanks.

[47_MasoN_47]

Please?

[47_MasoN_47]

Bump. I desperately need a fix for this!

[dca]

You didn't install desktop edition on the server did you? Are you saying you access this server remotely from another Ubuntu station using webmin or you're logged in to the server and using FF to webmin into other servers or you're using localhost webmin to config same server? So you have a GUI/DE installed on this server and if so, is 'Visual Effects' turned off in 'System -> Preferences -> Visual Effects [TAB]'???

Also ,if this is not the case, try accessing server from remote system using webmin utility and see if you get same results...

I'm not going to be much help because it sounds too difficult to determine if it's some kind of add-on in FF or something relative to graphics or even ACPI...

What's listed in the syslog when this happens?

[dca]

By the by, try using openSSH if you're going to change text files on remote server.

[47_MasoN_47]

It's running server edition but I installed the ubuntu-desktop package. That's what I do on all my servers, I just prefer a GUI. I'll check that visual effects tab, I won't get to restart it until 5 when everyone leaves so it'll be another hour or so before I can post results.

I just use webmin on the local machine.

Sorry for being a noob, but where do I access the syslog? I'll have to wait until I have GUI back for that too, for me trying to use vi is about as fun as [insert any number of off-color metaphors here].

Thanks for the replies, and I generally do use OpenSSH but I don't have it on this one yet, it's only been setup for about a week now and I have 3 other servers to deal with.

[47_MasoN_47]

Confirmed visual effects are set to none.

[cariboo]

You don't need the gui to check the logs. You are using webmin already to administer the server. To check the logs click on System then at the bottom click System Logs, this will show you a list of logs that you can peruse at your leisure. If a log isn't in the list you can add it.

With all the functions available in Webmin, I would suggest shutting down gdm, just to see if this is what is causing the problem. TO do this, from a remote computer ssh into your server and type:

sudo /etc/init.d/gdm stop

Just let it run with no gui for a couple of days to see if the problem persists.

Addendum: you don't need vi to look at logs, I use mc, it is a dual paned file manager and it also will do ftp and has a builtin editor.

[47_MasoN_47]

Shutting down gnome sortof defeats the purpose though. Gnome appears to be the part that is crashing out or whatever is happening because I can CTRL+ALT+F1 and get to the terminal. I can still use the system and access files over the network after the Gnome problem. I've been trying to get our accounting server running again today, but after lunch I'll post up what shows up in the logs.

[gammypoofle]

This'll be my first post..woo .

Hi, I'm actually having the same problem.

I'm using Ubuntu Desktop (8.04) on an Intel Mac Mini(Intel Mobile 945GM/GMS, 943/940GML Express Integrated Graphics Controller (rev 03)) running GNOME and Firefox 3.0.1.

Just a few minutes ago it happened(screen went blank) exactly at the same time as I clicked the "Save" button in Firewfox (to start downloading songbird!).

I went in to a console (CTRL+ALT+F2 in my case) and had a look at the logs (Xorg, dmesg, syslog) but could not see anything of interest. I restarted GDM twice, first by a kind-spirited /etc/init.d/gdm restart, and after confirming (the 'welcome' chime) I also tried CTRL+ALT+BS - Still just a blank screen. I had to reboot for it to come back.

I wonder, what hardware are you using?

Cheers