Please help with debugging - launching some applications causes system freeze

Hey guys!

My father’s Haswell Thinkpad W541 is showing some weird behaviour after a somewhat (he doesn’t remember) recent system update. Gnome starts normally and some applications don’t cause any trouble. Others do reproducibly so every time launched, causing the mouse and keyboard to stop reacting and the current screen to freeze as it is, leaving you with the only option to hit the power button option.

As I have to do everything remotely it’s kind of a pain in the ass and is taking me more time than I expected to find out what it could be. So please help :slight_smile:
Things I’ve tried:

  • Both Wayland and Xorg sessions fire up smoothly.
  • All gnome extensions are disabled via extensions…gnome…org
  • Animations are disabled via $ gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.interface enable-animations false
  • intel_iommu=on kernel parameter set permanently through grub as indicated by some similar issues solved by that as per some googling

Things that I’d like to do but have difficulties:

  • accessing logs as the gnome log viewer is one of the applications that freeze the system and I don’t really know how to access most recent logs via the terminal
  • disable any graphical hardware acceleration for the affected applications

Please, if anybody could point to things I could try, look for, check etc and from where I can continue googling my way out of this mess?

Thanks in advance!

try different kernels…

provide system info:
inxi -zav7

reboot, launch the app that causes the freeze, reboot again, and check logs with:
journalctl -b-1 -p5 --no-pager
this will show the logs from the previous boot with the freeze, and hopefully there will be some hints…

1 Like

wow, didn’t know inxi yet… [off topic] i wonder if chatgpt one day might give optimization recommendations based on that output. :slight_smile: [/off topic]

but back to topic:

System:
  Kernel: 5.9.16-1-MANJARO arch: x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: gcc v: 10.2.0
    parameters: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-5.9-x86_64
    root=UUID=e4b5c773-fea4-4314-b75a-f14838841008 rw quiet
    cryptdevice=UUID=5f4f4e22-2236-4426-8ee4-fc653ec2fdb8:luks-5f4f4e22-2236-4426-8ee4-fc653ec2fdb8
    root=/dev/mapper/luks-5f4f4e22-2236-4426-8ee4-fc653ec2fdb8
    udev.log_priority=3 intel_iommu=on
  Desktop: GNOME v: 43.2 tk: GTK v: 3.24.36 wm: gnome-shell dm: GDM v: 43.0
    Distro: Manjaro Linux base: Arch Linux
Machine:
  Type: Laptop System: LENOVO product: 20EG000AMS v: ThinkPad W541
    serial: <superuser required> Chassis: type: 10 serial: <superuser required>
  Mobo: LENOVO model: 20EG000AMS v: SDK0E50510 WIN
    serial: <superuser required> UEFI-[Legacy]: LENOVO v: GNET75WW (2.23 )
    date: 09/01/2015
Battery:
  ID-1: BAT0 charge: 49.4 Wh (57.6%) condition: 85.8/99.5 Wh (86.2%)
    volts: 10.7 min: 10.8 model: SANYO 45N1779 type: Li-ion serial: <filter>
    status: discharging
Memory:
  RAM: total: 30.99 GiB used: 1.82 GiB (5.9%)
  RAM Report: permissions: Unable to run dmidecode. Root privileges
    required.
CPU:
  Info: model: Intel Core i7-4810MQ bits: 64 type: MT MCP arch: Haswell
    gen: core 4 level: v3 note: check built: 2013-15 process: Intel 22nm
    family: 6 model-id: 0x3C (60) stepping: 3 microcode: 0x28
  Topology: cpus: 1x cores: 4 tpc: 2 threads: 8 smt: enabled cache:
    L1: 256 KiB desc: d-4x32 KiB; i-4x32 KiB L2: 1024 KiB desc: 4x256 KiB
    L3: 6 MiB desc: 1x6 MiB
  Speed (MHz): avg: 2587 high: 2796 min/max: 800/3800 scaling:
    driver: intel_cpufreq governor: schedutil cores: 1: 2794 2: 2793 3: 2738
    4: 1198 5: 2794 6: 2796 7: 2794 8: 2794 bogomips: 44718
  Flags: abm acpi aes aperfmperf apic arat arch_perfmon avx avx2 bmi1 bmi2
    bts clflush cmov constant_tsc cpuid cpuid_fault cx16 cx8 de ds_cpl dtes64
    dtherm dts epb ept ept_ad erms est f16c flexpriority flush_l1d fma fpu
    fsgsbase fxsr ht ibpb ibrs ida invpcid invpcid_single lahf_lm lm mca mce
    md_clear mmx monitor movbe msr mtrr nonstop_tsc nopl nx pae pat pbe pcid
    pclmulqdq pdcm pdpe1gb pebs pge pln pni popcnt pse pse36 pti pts rdrand
    rdtscp rep_good sdbg sep smep smx ss ssbd sse sse2 sse4_1 sse4_2 ssse3
    stibp syscall tm tm2 tpr_shadow tsc tsc_adjust tsc_deadline_timer vme vmx
    vnmi vpid x2apic xsave xsaveopt xtopology xtpr
  Vulnerabilities:
  Type: itlb_multihit status: KVM: VMX disabled
  Type: l1tf mitigation: PTE Inversion; VMX: conditional cache flushes, SMT
    vulnerable
  Type: mds mitigation: Clear CPU buffers; SMT vulnerable
  Type: meltdown mitigation: PTI
  Type: spec_store_bypass mitigation: Speculative Store Bypass disabled via
    prctl and seccomp
  Type: spectre_v1 mitigation: usercopy/swapgs barriers and __user pointer
    sanitization
  Type: spectre_v2 mitigation: Full generic retpoline, IBPB: conditional,
    IBRS_FW, STIBP: conditional, RSB filling
  Type: srbds mitigation: Microcode
  Type: tsx_async_abort status: Not affected
Graphics:
  Device-1: Intel 4th Gen Core Processor Integrated Graphics vendor: Lenovo
    driver: i915 v: kernel arch: Gen-5.75 process: Intel 45nm built: 2010 ports:
    active: eDP-1 empty: DP-1, DP-2, HDMI-A-1, HDMI-A-2, VGA-1 bus-ID: 00:02.0
    chip-ID: 8086:0416 class-ID: 0300
  Device-2: NVIDIA GK106GLM [Quadro K2100M] vendor: Lenovo driver: nouveau
    v: kernel non-free: series: 470.xx+ status: legacy-active (EOL~2023/24)
    arch: Kepler code: GKxxx process: TSMC 28nm built: 2012-18 pcie: gen: 1
    speed: 2.5 GT/s lanes: 16 link-max: gen: 3 speed: 8 GT/s ports:
    active: none empty: DVI-D-1,eDP-2 bus-ID: 01:00.0 chip-ID: 10de:11fc
    class-ID: 0300 temp: 43.0 C
  Device-3: Acer Integrated Camera type: USB driver: uvcvideo bus-ID: 2-12:4
    chip-ID: 5986:026a class-ID: 0e02
  Display: x11 server: X.org v: 1.21.1.6 with: Xwayland v: 22.1.7
    compositor: gnome-shell driver: X: loaded: modesetting alternate: fbdev,vesa
    dri: crocus,nouveau gpu: i915 display-ID: :0 screens: 1
  Screen-1: 0 s-res: 1920x1080 s-size: <missing: xdpyinfo>
  Monitor-1: eDP-1 model: ChiMei InnoLux 0x15c3 built: 2013 res: 1920x1080
    hz: 60 dpi: 142 gamma: 1.2 size: 344x193mm (13.54x7.6") diag: 394mm (15.5")
    ratio: 16:9 modes: 1920x1080
  API: OpenGL Message: Unable to show GL data. Required tool glxinfo
    missing.
Audio:
  Device-1: Intel Xeon E3-1200 v3/4th Gen Core Processor HD Audio
    vendor: Lenovo driver: snd_hda_intel v: kernel bus-ID: 00:03.0
    chip-ID: 8086:0c0c class-ID: 0403
  Device-2: Intel 8 Series/C220 Series High Definition Audio vendor: Lenovo
    driver: snd_hda_intel v: kernel bus-ID: 00:1b.0 chip-ID: 8086:8c20
    class-ID: 0403
  Device-3: NVIDIA GK106 HDMI Audio vendor: Lenovo driver: snd_hda_intel
    v: kernel pcie: gen: 1 speed: 2.5 GT/s lanes: 16 link-max: gen: 3
    speed: 8 GT/s bus-ID: 01:00.1 chip-ID: 10de:0e0b class-ID: 0403
  Sound API: ALSA v: k5.9.16-1-MANJARO running: yes
  Sound Server-1: JACK v: 1.9.21 running: no
  Sound Server-2: PulseAudio v: 16.1 running: yes
  Sound Server-3: PipeWire v: 0.3.64 running: yes
Network:
  Device-1: Intel Ethernet I217-LM vendor: Lenovo driver: e1000e v: kernel
    port: 5080 bus-ID: 00:19.0 chip-ID: 8086:153a class-ID: 0200
  IF: enp0s25 state: down mac: <filter>
  Device-2: Intel Wireless 7260 driver: iwlwifi v: kernel pcie: gen: 1
    speed: 2.5 GT/s lanes: 1 bus-ID: 03:00.0 chip-ID: 8086:08b2 class-ID: 0280
  IF: wlp3s0 state: up mac: <filter>
  IP v4: <filter> type: dynamic noprefixroute scope: global
    broadcast: <filter>
  IP v6: <filter> type: dynamic noprefixroute scope: global
  IP v6: <filter> type: noprefixroute scope: link
  IF-ID-1: wwp0s20u10i6 state: down mac: <filter>
  WAN IP: <filter>
Bluetooth:
  Message: No bluetooth data found.
Logical:
  Message: No logical block device data found.
  Device-1: luks-5f4f4e22-2236-4426-8ee4-fc653ec2fdb8 maj-min: 254:0
    type: LUKS dm: dm-0 size: 429.69 GiB
  Components:
  p-1: sda4 maj-min: 8:4 size: 429.69 GiB
RAID:
  Message: No RAID data found.
Drives:
  Local Storage: total: 476.94 GiB used: 84.41 GiB (17.7%)
  SMART Message: Required tool smartctl not installed. Check --recommends
  ID-1: /dev/sda maj-min: 8:0 vendor: Samsung model: MZ7LN512HCHP-000L1
    size: 476.94 GiB block-size: physical: 512 B logical: 512 B speed: 6.0 Gb/s
    type: SSD serial: <filter> rev: 4L0Q scheme: MBR
  Optical-1: /dev/sr0 vendor: PLDS model: DVD-RW DU8A6SH rev: DU51
    dev-links: cdrom
  Features: speed: 24 multisession: yes audio: yes dvd: yes
    rw: cd-r,cd-rw,dvd-r,dvd-ram state: running
Partition:
  ID-1: / raw-size: 429.69 GiB size: 421.94 GiB (98.20%)
    used: 84.41 GiB (20.0%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/dm-0 maj-min: 254:0
    mapped: luks-5f4f4e22-2236-4426-8ee4-fc653ec2fdb8 label: N/A
    uuid: e4b5c773-fea4-4314-b75a-f14838841008
Swap:
  Alert: No swap data was found.
Unmounted:
  ID-1: /dev/sda1 maj-min: 8:1 size: 50 MiB fs: ntfs label: System-reserviert
    uuid: CE06AD8506AD6EE1
  ID-2: /dev/sda2 maj-min: 8:2 size: 46.69 GiB fs: ntfs label: N/A
    uuid: B8ACB1AEACB16790
  ID-3: /dev/sda3 maj-min: 8:3 size: 521 MiB fs: ntfs label: N/A
    uuid: E49220FF9220D836
USB:
  Hub-1: 1-0:1 info: Full speed or root hub ports: 3 rev: 2.0 speed: 480 Mb/s
    chip-ID: 1d6b:0002 class-ID: 0900
  Hub-2: 1-1:2 info: Intel Integrated Rate Matching Hub ports: 6 rev: 2.0
    speed: 480 Mb/s chip-ID: 8087:8008 class-ID: 0900
  Hub-3: 2-0:1 info: Hi-speed hub with single TT ports: 15 rev: 2.0
    speed: 480 Mb/s chip-ID: 1d6b:0002 class-ID: 0900
  Device-1: 2-10:2 info: Ericsson Business Mobile Networks BV N5321 gw
    type: Communication,Abstract (modem),CDC-Data
    driver: cdc_acm,cdc_mbim,cdc_wdm interfaces: 11 rev: 2.0 speed: 480 Mb/s
    chip-ID: 0bdb:193e class-ID: 0202 serial: <filter>
  Device-2: 2-12:4 info: Acer Integrated Camera type: Video driver: uvcvideo
    interfaces: 2 rev: 2.0 speed: 480 Mb/s power: 500mA chip-ID: 5986:026a
    class-ID: 0e02
  Hub-4: 3-0:1 info: Full speed or root hub ports: 3 rev: 2.0
    speed: 480 Mb/s chip-ID: 1d6b:0002 class-ID: 0900
  Hub-5: 3-1:2 info: Intel Integrated Rate Matching Hub ports: 8 rev: 2.0
    speed: 480 Mb/s chip-ID: 8087:8000 class-ID: 0900
  Hub-6: 4-0:1 info: Super-speed hub ports: 6 rev: 3.0 speed: 5 Gb/s
    chip-ID: 1d6b:0003 class-ID: 0900
Sensors:
  System Temperatures: cpu: 46.0 C mobo: 0.0 C gpu: nouveau temp: 43.0 C
  Fan Speeds (RPM): cpu: 1612
Info:
  Processes: 272 Uptime: 3m wakeups: 1 Init: systemd v: 252 default: graphical
  tool: systemctl Compilers: gcc: 12.2.1 clang: 15.0.7 Packages: pm: pacman
  pkgs: 1342 libs: 423 tools: gnome-software,pamac pm: flatpak pkgs: 0
  Shell: Zsh v: 5.9 running-in: gnome-terminal inxi: 3.3.24

Full journalctl output for xorg session (as I can’t link please type it manually, I’m sorry):
https :// pastebin . com/D0ADNxD4
a shorter version (let the system froze immediately):
https :// pastebin . com/CKuBKTMw

Full journalctl output for wayland session:
https :// pastebin . com/Vsqps0Mx

Thank you so much!

you have:

this kernel is dead - no longer supported…

you also dont have installed the nvidia drivers:

so lets install a proper kernel and drivers, but first provide output from:
mhwd -l -li

and you can provide links by using formatting, just like you used for the inxi output…

1 Like

Tomatoes on my eyes as we say here. (Or just not expecting that regular updates wouldn’t guarantee a recent kernel)
Requested output:

> Installed PCI configs:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  NAME               VERSION FREEDRIVER           TYPE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           video-linux            2018.05.04 true            PCI


Warning: No installed USB configs!
> 0000:01:00.0 (0300:10de:11fc) Display controller nVidia Corporation:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  NAME               VERSION FREEDRIVER           TYPE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
video-hybrid-intel-nvidia-390xx-bumblebee 2021.11.26               false            PCI
    video-nvidia-390xx            2021.11.26 false            PCI
           video-linux            2018.05.04 true            PCI
     video-modesetting            2020.01.13 true            PCI
            video-vesa            2017.03.12 true            PCI


> 0000:00:02.0 (0300:8086:0416) Display controller Intel Corporation:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  NAME               VERSION FREEDRIVER           TYPE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
video-hybrid-intel-nvidia-390xx-bumblebee 2021.11.26               false            PCI
           video-linux            2018.05.04 true            PCI
     video-modesetting            2020.01.13 true            PCI
            video-vesa            2017.03.12 true            PCI

Sorrry for the delay.

Thank you!!

so you have bumblebee, which is a mess, rather not install them…
install the 5.10 kernel:
sudo mhwd-kernel -i linux510
reboot and select it in grub menu/ advanced options (dont select the fallback one!);
uninstall then the 5.9:
sudo mhwd-kernel -r linux59
and test how it works with the linux 5.10

1 Like

Thanks so much!
The issue is resolved. However, remembering your words

so you have bumblebee, which is a mess, rather not install them…

I’m concerned there might be other issues. My father is currently unable to watch some videos online. As I haven’t investigated yet I’m mentioning this just in case there’s some general advice and best practice regarding bumblebee…

Again, thank you very much. I’ll mark this as solved, if you don’t say otherwise :wink:

> Installed PCI configs:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  NAME               VERSION          FREEDRIVER           TYPE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           video-linux            2018.05.04                true            PCI


Warning: No installed USB configs!
> 0000:01:00.0 (0300:10de:11fc) Display controller nVidia Corporation:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  NAME               VERSION          FREEDRIVER           TYPE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
video-hybrid-intel-nvidia-390xx-bumblebee            2021.11.26               false            PCI
    video-nvidia-390xx            2021.11.26               false            PCI
           video-linux            2018.05.04                true            PCI
     video-modesetting            2020.01.13                true            PCI
            video-vesa            2017.03.12                true            PCI


> 0000:00:02.0 (0300:8086:0416) Display controller Intel Corporation:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  NAME               VERSION          FREEDRIVER           TYPE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
video-hybrid-intel-nvidia-390xx-bumblebee            2021.11.26               false            PCI
           video-linux            2018.05.04                true            PCI
     video-modesetting            2020.01.13                true            PCI
            video-vesa            2017.03.12                true            PCI


you dont have them installed… you are on open source drivers…
so with kernel 5.10 everything is working except the videos?
you could install also the 5.4 kernel:
sudo mhwd-kernel -i linux54
reboot, select it in grub menu and test with it if the apps work and the video too…

Exactly, everything works fine.
I’ll try 5.4

[edit: my father wasn’t able to reproduce the video errors, so I’d consider the solution above 100% valid and no need for 5.4]

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