Hey everyone, I'm having a frustrating issue with Linux installations on my desktop. I'm really tired of Windows and decided to try out a few Linux distros, but they all seem to freeze after a short while. I've tried Debian, Linux Mint XFCE 22, LMDE 6, and even Puppy Linux, but they either freeze after 10 minutes or around 30 minutes. Debian with GNOME is the only one that lasts a bit longer. My hardware seems fine since Windows 10 works perfectly, even under heavier loads. I've yet to try running any of these distros in a VM to see if the issue persists there. Here's a quick rundown of my specs: CPU: i5-2400 3.1 GHz, GPU: Nvidia GT 240, 12GB RAM, and a GoldenTec H61 M2 Motherboard. Any help would be appreciated!
5 Answers
I don't have a definite answer, but I've had similar issues and I'm also curious about what solutions you'll find. It's a real hassle when everything seems fine and then it just freezes!
This might sound simple, but I would suggest reseating your RAM sticks. Sometimes faulty memory can cause random freezes. Hopefully, it's just a loose connection!
It might be a compatibility issue with your hardware. Sharing your GPU and motherboard details can help others provide better suggestions. Can you list those?
Sure! I'm using an Nvidia GT 240 and a GoldenTec H61 M2 Motherboard.
It sounds like it could be related to the boot device you're using. Are you booting from a USB or a CD? Sometimes power-saving features on the hardware can cause freezes too, so that might be worth checking out. Also, there could be a hardware fault like a bad capacitor or resistor that kicks in after some time. Just some ideas!
Yeah, I'm booting from USB. Thanks for the tip!
Are you running on HDD or SSD? It's worth checking if either could be failing. I'd recommend running memtest86+ to check your memory, and maybe consider using gsmartcontrol on your drives. If you haven't, try booting with *nomodeset* to see if it helps with the freezing; your GPU could be the culprit. Also, it's a good idea to make sure there's no dust buildup and check the thermal paste on your CPU.
I'm using an HDD and memtest86+ showed no issues. I notice freezes even when using a live USB. Overall, my system isn't dusty or overheating, but I'll look into gsmartcontrol.
I'll give that a shot! The RAM is pretty new, though.