For the past few weeks my system has been exhibiting some strange behavior. The first of these instances has been in the form of a total system lockup necessitating a power cycle -- ie. no kernel panic or oops, but cessation of all on-screen activity and an unresponsive mouse and keyboard. ( The first lockup occurred when the monitor was powered down)

Just a few days ago, I started noticing something else : Launching Firefox (3.6.4pre) resulted in it locking up near start-up especially if I was logged into Gmail. After that I experienced a total system lockup and then another one which has placed me in the situation as suggested in the title.

Specifically, KDM and the KDM login manager will start-up and I will be allowed to type my password. Immediately after that when the first of the icons in the KDE start-up animation starts to come into focus the screen goes black and I am returned to the KDM login manager -- I can enter my password again and continue this process ad infinitum.

Trying to diagnose the issue, I attached GDB to KDM. It seems that after I enter my password one or more of the KDE start-up processes dies with signal 1 or to be more specific :

Code: Select all

GNU gdb (GDB) 7.0-ubuntu
Copyright (C) 2009 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
License GPLv3+: GNU GPL version 3 or later <http://gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html>
This is free software: you are free to change and redistribute it.
There is NO WARRANTY, to the extent permitted by law.  Type "show copying"
and "show warranty" for details.
This GDB was configured as "x86_64-linux-gnu".
For bug reporting instructions, please see:
<http://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/bugs/>.
Attaching to process 2764
Reading symbols from /usr/bin/kdm...(no debugging symbols found)...done.
Reading symbols from /usr/lib/libX11.so.6...(no debugging symbols found)...done.
Loaded symbols for /usr/lib/libX11.so.6
Reading symbols from /usr/lib/libXau.so.6...(no debugging symbols found)...done.
Loaded symbols for /usr/lib/libXau.so.6
Reading symbols from /usr/lib/libXdmcp.so.6...(no debugging symbols found)...done.
Loaded symbols for /usr/lib/libXdmcp.so.6
Reading symbols from /lib/libpam.so.0...(no debugging symbols found)...done.
Loaded symbols for /lib/libpam.so.0
Reading symbols from /usr/lib/libck-connector.so.0...(no debugging symbols found)...done.
Loaded symbols for /usr/lib/libck-connector.so.0
Reading symbols from /lib/libdbus-1.so.3...(no debugging symbols found)...done.
Loaded symbols for /lib/libdbus-1.so.3
Reading symbols from /lib/libc.so.6...(no debugging symbols found)...done.
Loaded symbols for /lib/libc.so.6
Reading symbols from /usr/lib/libxcb.so.1...(no debugging symbols found)...done.
Loaded symbols for /usr/lib/libxcb.so.1
Reading symbols from /lib/libdl.so.2...(no debugging symbols found)...done.
Loaded symbols for /lib/libdl.so.2
Reading symbols from /lib/libpthread.so.0...(no debugging symbols found)...done.
[Thread debugging using libthread_db enabled]
Loaded symbols for /lib/libpthread.so.0
Reading symbols from /lib/librt.so.1...(no debugging symbols found)...done.
Loaded symbols for /lib/librt.so.1
Reading symbols from /lib64/ld-linux-x86-64.so.2...(no debugging symbols found)...done.
Loaded symbols for /lib64/ld-linux-x86-64.so.2
0x00007f4ae742d3c3 in select () from /lib/libc.so.6
(gdb) continue
Continuing.

Program received signal SIGUSR1, User defined signal 1.
0x00007f4ae742d3c3 in select () from /lib/libc.so.6
(gdb) bt full
#0  0x00007f4ae742d3c3 in select () from /lib/libc.so.6
No symbol table info available.
#1  0x000000000040fe90 in ?? ()
No symbol table info available.
#2  0x0000000000410b3f in main ()
No symbol table info available.
(gdb) quit
A debugging session is active.

   Inferior 1 [process 2764] will be detached.

Quit anyway? (y or n) Detaching from program: /usr/bin/kdm, process 2764

Also, in my .xsession-errors one or more of the KDE start-up processes segfaults :

Code: Select all

Xsession: X session started for jdb2 at Fri Apr 16 09:20:27 CDT 2010
Setting IM through im-switch for locale=en_US.
Start IM through /etc/X11/xinit/xinput.d/all_ALL linked to /etc/X11/xinit/xinput.d/default.
grep: /home/jdb2/.kde/share/config/plasma-desktop-appletsrc: No such file or directory
Segmentation fault
startkde: Starting up...
kdeinit4: preparing to launch /usr/lib/libkdeinit4_klauncher.so
kdeinit4: preparing to launch /usr/lib/libkdeinit4_kded4.so
kdeinit4: preparing to launch /usr/lib/libkdeinit4_kcminit_startup.so
kdeinit4: preparing to launch /usr/lib/libkdeinit4_ksmserver.so
<unknown program name>(2921)/ KStartupInfo::createNewStartupId: creating:  "aleph0;1271427628;877742;2921_TIME0" : "unnamed app"
startkde: Shutting down...
klauncher: Exiting on signal 1
startkde: Running shutdown scripts...
startkde: Done.

If anyone can offer any advice in how I might go about tracking down this problem I would be most grateful.


As of now, I am at a total loss as to what the specific problem is.


Thanks,

jdb2

EDIT : I forgot to examine kdm.log . I think I might have stumbled upon something useful.

Code: Select all

Thread tried to wait on itself
QThread: Destroyed while thread is still running
KCrash: Application 'kdmgreet' crashing...
 ddxSigGiveUp: Closing log
drkonqi: cannot connect to X server :0.0

Looks like kdmgreet is having issues. kdm.log follows :

Code: Select all

 ddxSigGiveUp: Closing log

X.Org X Server 1.6.4
Release Date: 2009-9-27
X Protocol Version 11, Revision 0
Build Operating System: Linux 2.6.24-23-server x86_64 Ubuntu
Current Operating System: Linux aleph0 2.6.31-21-generic #59-Ubuntu SMP Wed Mar 24 07:28:27 UTC 2010 x86_64
Kernel command line: BOOT_IMAGE=/vmlinuz-2.6.31-21-generic root=UUID=18febdfe-207f-43a4-80fc-270d83492346 ro crashkernel=384M-2G:64M,2G-:128M quiet splash
Build Date: 04 March 2010  09:57:23AM
xorg-server 2:1.6.4-2ubuntu4.2 (buildd@)
   Before reporting problems, check http://wiki.x.org
   to make sure that you have the latest version.
Markers: (--) probed, (**) from config file, (==) default setting,
   (++) from command line, (!!) notice, (II) informational,
   (WW) warning, (EE) error, (NI) not implemented, (??) unknown.
(==) Log file: "/var/log/Xorg.0.log", Time: Fri Apr 16 08:08:05 2010
(==) Using config file: "/etc/X11/xorg.conf"
The XKEYBOARD keymap compiler (xkbcomp) reports:
> Warning:          Symbol map for key <RALT> redefined
>                   Using last definition for conflicting fields
> Warning:          Type "ONE_LEVEL" has 1 levels, but <RALT> has 2 symbols
>                   Ignoring extra symbols
Errors from xkbcomp are not fatal to the X server
The XKEYBOARD keymap compiler (xkbcomp) reports:
> Warning:          Symbol map for key <RALT> redefined
>                   Using last definition for conflicting fields
> Warning:          Type "ONE_LEVEL" has 1 levels, but <RALT> has 2 symbols
>                   Ignoring extra symbols
Errors from xkbcomp are not fatal to the X server
(EE) Logitech Logitech Illuminated Keyboard: failed to initialize for relative axes.
The XKEYBOARD keymap compiler (xkbcomp) reports:
> Warning:          Symbol map for key <RALT> redefined
>                   Using last definition for conflicting fields
> Warning:          Type "ONE_LEVEL" has 1 levels, but <RALT> has 2 symbols
>                   Ignoring extra symbols
Errors from xkbcomp are not fatal to the X server
The XKEYBOARD keymap compiler (xkbcomp) reports:
> Warning:          Symbol map for key <RALT> redefined
>                   Using last definition for conflicting fields
> Warning:          Type "ONE_LEVEL" has 1 levels, but <RALT> has 2 symbols
>                   Ignoring extra symbols
Errors from xkbcomp are not fatal to the X server
KCrash: Application 'kdmgreet' crashing...
 ddxSigGiveUp: Closing log
drkonqi: cannot connect to X server :0.0

X.Org X Server 1.6.4
Release Date: 2009-9-27
X Protocol Version 11, Revision 0
Build Operating System: Linux 2.6.24-23-server x86_64 Ubuntu
Current Operating System: Linux aleph0 2.6.31-21-generic #59-Ubuntu SMP Wed Mar 24 07:28:27 UTC 2010 x86_64
Kernel command line: BOOT_IMAGE=/vmlinuz-2.6.31-21-generic root=UUID=18febdfe-207f-43a4-80fc-270d83492346 ro crashkernel=384M-2G:64M,2G-:128M quiet splash
Build Date: 04 March 2010  09:57:23AM
xorg-server 2:1.6.4-2ubuntu4.2 (buildd@)
   Before reporting problems, check http://wiki.x.org
   to make sure that you have the latest version.
Markers: (--) probed, (**) from config file, (==) default setting,
   (++) from command line, (!!) notice, (II) informational,
   (WW) warning, (EE) error, (NI) not implemented, (??) unknown.
(==) Log file: "/var/log/Xorg.0.log", Time: Fri Apr 16 09:08:01 2010
(==) Using config file: "/etc/X11/xorg.conf"
The XKEYBOARD keymap compiler (xkbcomp) reports:
> Warning:          Symbol map for key <RALT> redefined
>                   Using last definition for conflicting fields
> Warning:          Type "ONE_LEVEL" has 1 levels, but <RALT> has 2 symbols
>                   Ignoring extra symbols
Errors from xkbcomp are not fatal to the X server
The XKEYBOARD keymap compiler (xkbcomp) reports:
> Warning:          Symbol map for key <RALT> redefined
>                   Using last definition for conflicting fields
> Warning:          Type "ONE_LEVEL" has 1 levels, but <RALT> has 2 symbols
>                   Ignoring extra symbols
Errors from xkbcomp are not fatal to the X server
(EE) Logitech Logitech Illuminated Keyboard: failed to initialize for relative axes.
The XKEYBOARD keymap compiler (xkbcomp) reports:
> Warning:          Symbol map for key <RALT> redefined
>                   Using last definition for conflicting fields
> Warning:          Type "ONE_LEVEL" has 1 levels, but <RALT> has 2 symbols
>                   Ignoring extra symbols
Errors from xkbcomp are not fatal to the X server
The XKEYBOARD keymap compiler (xkbcomp) reports:
> Warning:          Symbol map for key <RALT> redefined
>                   Using last definition for conflicting fields
> Warning:          Type "ONE_LEVEL" has 1 levels, but <RALT> has 2 symbols
>                   Ignoring extra symbols
Errors from xkbcomp are not fatal to the X server
QThread::wait: Thread tried to wait on itself
QThread: Destroyed while thread is still running
KCrash: Application 'kdmgreet' crashing...
 ddxSigGiveUp: Closing log

X.Org X Server 1.6.4
Release Date: 2009-9-27
X Protocol Version 11, Revision 0
Build Operating System: Linux 2.6.24-23-server x86_64 Ubuntu
Current Operating System: Linux aleph0 2.6.31-21-generic #59-Ubuntu SMP Wed Mar 24 07:28:27 UTC 2010 x86_64
Kernel command line: BOOT_IMAGE=/vmlinuz-2.6.31-21-generic root=UUID=18febdfe-207f-43a4-80fc-270d83492346 ro crashkernel=384M-2G:64M,2G-:128M quiet splash
Build Date: 04 March 2010  09:57:23AM
xorg-server 2:1.6.4-2ubuntu4.2 (buildd@)
   Before reporting problems, check http://wiki.x.org
   to make sure that you have the latest version.
Markers: (--) probed, (**) from config file, (==) default setting,
   (++) from command line, (!!) notice, (II) informational,
   (WW) warning, (EE) error, (NI) not implemented, (??) unknown.
(==) Log file: "/var/log/Xorg.0.log", Time: Fri Apr 16 09:10:01 2010
(==) Using config file: "/etc/X11/xorg.conf"
The XKEYBOARD keymap compiler (xkbcomp) reports:
> Warning:          Symbol map for key <RALT> redefined
>                   Using last definition for conflicting fields
> Warning:          Type "ONE_LEVEL" has 1 levels, but <RALT> has 2 symbols
>                   Ignoring extra symbols
Errors from xkbcomp are not fatal to the X server
The XKEYBOARD keymap compiler (xkbcomp) reports:
> Warning:          Symbol map for key <RALT> redefined
>                   Using last definition for conflicting fields
> Warning:          Type "ONE_LEVEL" has 1 levels, but <RALT> has 2 symbols
>                   Ignoring extra symbols
Errors from xkbcomp are not fatal to the X server
(EE) Logitech Logitech Illuminated Keyboard: failed to initialize for relative axes.
The XKEYBOARD keymap compiler (xkbcomp) reports:
> Warning:          Symbol map for key <RALT> redefined
>                   Using last definition for conflicting fields
> Warning:          Type "ONE_LEVEL" has 1 levels, but <RALT> has 2 symbols
>                   Ignoring extra symbols
Errors from xkbcomp are not fatal to the X server
The XKEYBOARD keymap compiler (xkbcomp) reports:
> Warning:          Symbol map for key <RALT> redefined
>                   Using last definition for conflicting fields
> Warning:          Type "ONE_LEVEL" has 1 levels, but <RALT> has 2 symbols
>                   Ignoring extra symbols
Errors from xkbcomp are not fatal to the X server
(EE) XKB: No components provided for device Virtual core keyboard
[config/dbus] couldn't register object path
The XKEYBOARD keymap compiler (xkbcomp) reports:
> Warning:          Symbol map for key <RALT> redefined
>                   Using last definition for conflicting fields
> Warning:          Type "ONE_LEVEL" has 1 levels, but <RALT> has 2 symbols
>                   Ignoring extra symbols
Errors from xkbcomp are not fatal to the X server
The XKEYBOARD keymap compiler (xkbcomp) reports:
> Warning:          Symbol map for key <RALT> redefined
>                   Using last definition for conflicting fields
> Warning:          Type "ONE_LEVEL" has 1 levels, but <RALT> has 2 symbols
>                   Ignoring extra symbols
Errors from xkbcomp are not fatal to the X server
(EE) Logitech Logitech Illuminated Keyboard: failed to initialize for relative axes.
The XKEYBOARD keymap compiler (xkbcomp) reports:
> Warning:          Symbol map for key <RALT> redefined
>                   Using last definition for conflicting fields
> Warning:          Type "ONE_LEVEL" has 1 levels, but <RALT> has 2 symbols
>                   Ignoring extra symbols
Errors from xkbcomp are not fatal to the X server
The XKEYBOARD keymap compiler (xkbcomp) reports:
> Warning:          Symbol map for key <RALT> redefined
>                   Using last definition for conflicting fields
> Warning:          Type "ONE_LEVEL" has 1 levels, but <RALT> has 2 symbols
>                   Ignoring extra symbols
Errors from xkbcomp are not fatal to the X server
(EE) XKB: No components provided for device Virtual core keyboard
[config/dbus] couldn't register object path
The XKEYBOARD keymap compiler (xkbcomp) reports:
> Warning:          Symbol map for key <RALT> redefined
>                   Using last definition for conflicting fields
> Warning:          Type "ONE_LEVEL" has 1 levels, but <RALT> has 2 symbols
>                   Ignoring extra symbols
Errors from xkbcomp are not fatal to the X server
The XKEYBOARD keymap compiler (xkbcomp) reports:
> Warning:          Symbol map for key <RALT> redefined
>                   Using last definition for conflicting fields
> Warning:          Type "ONE_LEVEL" has 1 levels, but <RALT> has 2 symbols
>                   Ignoring extra symbols
Errors from xkbcomp are not fatal to the X server
(EE) Logitech Logitech Illuminated Keyboard: failed to initialize for relative axes.
The XKEYBOARD keymap compiler (xkbcomp) reports:
> Warning:          Symbol map for key <RALT> redefined
>                   Using last definition for conflicting fields
> Warning:          Type "ONE_LEVEL" has 1 levels, but <RALT> has 2 symbols
>                   Ignoring extra symbols
Errors from xkbcomp are not fatal to the X server
The XKEYBOARD keymap compiler (xkbcomp) reports:
> Warning:          Symbol map for key <RALT> redefined
>                   Using last definition for conflicting fields
> Warning:          Type "ONE_LEVEL" has 1 levels, but <RALT> has 2 symbols
>                   Ignoring extra symbols
Errors from xkbcomp are not fatal to the X server
 ddxSigGiveUp: Closing log

X.Org X Server 1.6.4
Release Date: 2009-9-27
X Protocol Version 11, Revision 0
Build Operating System: Linux 2.6.24-23-server x86_64 Ubuntu
Current Operating System: Linux aleph0 2.6.31-21-generic #59-Ubuntu SMP Wed Mar 24 07:28:27 UTC 2010 x86_64
Kernel command line: BOOT_IMAGE=/vmlinuz-2.6.31-21-generic root=UUID=18febdfe-207f-43a4-80fc-270d83492346 ro crashkernel=384M-2G:64M,2G-:128M quiet splash
Build Date: 04 March 2010  09:57:23AM
xorg-server 2:1.6.4-2ubuntu4.2 (buildd@)
   Before reporting problems, check http://wiki.x.org
   to make sure that you have the latest version.
Markers: (--) probed, (**) from config file, (==) default setting,
   (++) from command line, (!!) notice, (II) informational,
   (WW) warning, (EE) error, (NI) not implemented, (??) unknown.
(==) Log file: "/var/log/Xorg.0.log", Time: Fri Apr 16 09:19:11 2010
(==) Using config file: "/etc/X11/xorg.conf"
The XKEYBOARD keymap compiler (xkbcomp) reports:
> Warning:          Symbol map for key <RALT> redefined
>                   Using last definition for conflicting fields
> Warning:          Type "ONE_LEVEL" has 1 levels, but <RALT> has 2 symbols
>                   Ignoring extra symbols
Errors from xkbcomp are not fatal to the X server
The XKEYBOARD keymap compiler (xkbcomp) reports:
> Warning:          Symbol map for key <RALT> redefined
>                   Using last definition for conflicting fields
> Warning:          Type "ONE_LEVEL" has 1 levels, but <RALT> has 2 symbols
>                   Ignoring extra symbols
Errors from xkbcomp are not fatal to the X server
(EE) Logitech Logitech Illuminated Keyboard: failed to initialize for relative axes.
The XKEYBOARD keymap compiler (xkbcomp) reports:
> Warning:          Symbol map for key <RALT> redefined
>                   Using last definition for conflicting fields
> Warning:          Type "ONE_LEVEL" has 1 levels, but <RALT> has 2 symbols
>                   Ignoring extra symbols
Errors from xkbcomp are not fatal to the X server
The XKEYBOARD keymap compiler (xkbcomp) reports:
> Warning:          Symbol map for key <RALT> redefined
>                   Using last definition for conflicting fields
> Warning:          Type "ONE_LEVEL" has 1 levels, but <RALT> has 2 symbols
>                   Ignoring extra symbols
Errors from xkbcomp are not fatal to the X server
(EE) XKB: No components provided for device Virtual core keyboard
[config/dbus] couldn't register object path
The XKEYBOARD keymap compiler (xkbcomp) reports:
> Warning:          Symbol map for key <RALT> redefined
>                   Using last definition for conflicting fields
> Warning:          Type "ONE_LEVEL" has 1 levels, but <RALT> has 2 symbols
>                   Ignoring extra symbols
Errors from xkbcomp are not fatal to the X server
The XKEYBOARD keymap compiler (xkbcomp) reports:
> Warning:          Symbol map for key <RALT> redefined
>                   Using last definition for conflicting fields
> Warning:          Type "ONE_LEVEL" has 1 levels, but <RALT> has 2 symbols
>                   Ignoring extra symbols
Errors from xkbcomp are not fatal to the X server
(EE) Logitech Logitech Illuminated Keyboard: failed to initialize for relative axes.
The XKEYBOARD keymap compiler (xkbcomp) reports:
> Warning:          Symbol map for key <RALT> redefined
>                   Using last definition for conflicting fields
> Warning:          Type "ONE_LEVEL" has 1 levels, but <RALT> has 2 symbols
>                   Ignoring extra symbols
Errors from xkbcomp are not fatal to the X server
The XKEYBOARD keymap compiler (xkbcomp) reports:
> Warning:          Symbol map for key <RALT> redefined
>                   Using last definition for conflicting fields
> Warning:          Type "ONE_LEVEL" has 1 levels, but <RALT> has 2 symbols
>                   Ignoring extra symbols
Errors from xkbcomp are not fatal to the X server
(EE) XKB: No components provided for device Virtual core keyboard
[config/dbus] couldn't register object path
The XKEYBOARD keymap compiler (xkbcomp) reports:
> Warning:          Symbol map for key <RALT> redefined
>                   Using last definition for conflicting fields
> Warning:          Type "ONE_LEVEL" has 1 levels, but <RALT> has 2 symbols
>                   Ignoring extra symbols
Errors from xkbcomp are not fatal to the X server
The XKEYBOARD keymap compiler (xkbcomp) reports:
> Warning:          Symbol map for key <RALT> redefined
>                   Using last definition for conflicting fields
> Warning:          Type "ONE_LEVEL" has 1 levels, but <RALT> has 2 symbols
>                   Ignoring extra symbols
Errors from xkbcomp are not fatal to the X server
(EE) Logitech Logitech Illuminated Keyboard: failed to initialize for relative axes.
The XKEYBOARD keymap compiler (xkbcomp) reports:
> Warning:          Symbol map for key <RALT> redefined
>                   Using last definition for conflicting fields
> Warning:          Type "ONE_LEVEL" has 1 levels, but <RALT> has 2 symbols
>                   Ignoring extra symbols
Errors from xkbcomp are not fatal to the X server
The XKEYBOARD keymap compiler (xkbcomp) reports:
> Warning:          Symbol map for key <RALT> redefined
>                   Using last definition for conflicting fields
> Warning:          Type "ONE_LEVEL" has 1 levels, but <RALT> has 2 symbols
>                   Ignoring extra symbols
Errors from xkbcomp are not fatal to the X server


Does this happen if you create a new user?
( this can be done using "useradd" using a virtual terminal )

bcooksley wrote:Does this happen if you create a new user?
( this can be done using "useradd" using a virtual terminal )

I don't know but after installing some updates ( I'm using KDE 4.3.5 ) which included updates to chromium, firefox and libboost, whatever was wrong seems to have "fixed itself" -- ie. I was able to log in after the apt-get upgrade.

Strangely though, all my KDE specific settings were wiped/nuked -- it took about 20 minutes to restore them.

Cheers,

jdb2