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    (Ubuntu 9.04) system freeze on Dell Optiplex GX280

    Discussion in 'Linux Compatibility and Software' started by Bog, Jul 19, 2009.

  1. Bog

    Bog Losing it...

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    Hello NBR members,

    Recently I purchased a used Optiplex GX280 system for use as a home server; since receiving it, I have set it up as a LAMP and Samba server over my LAN, and I can login remotely using a VNC or NX connection to do any system administration. Everything is working smoothly except for one thing:

    Whenever I start up the machine and enter the keyring password for the network manager to automatically connect to my home network (which uses WPA-PSK encryption), the entire system will *sometimes* freeze just as the network manager appears to be attempting a connection. The mouse, keyboard, and display becomes totally unresponsive and I am forced to manually reboot the system.

    The computer has a D-Link WDA-1320 PCI wireless G adapter installed and is using the MadWifi driver.

    I'm assuming this isn't related to the reported problems that Ubuntu 9.04 is having with Intel video chipsets reported in the release notes, but I can't be absolutely sure since the Optiplex does use the ever-so-amazing 915G Express chipset (which has a Intel GMA 900, unless I'm mistaken).

    Thanks for taking the time to read about my problem!

    EDIT: apparently Ubuntu had the Madwifi driver listed as deactivated in the Hardware Driver app and was using some other driver, so I'm going to try the Madwifi driver to see if this freezing problem persists. I'll report back if the problem persists.
     
    Bog, Jul 19, 2009
    #1
  2. joeelmex

    joeelmex Notebook Evangelist

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    You know I was having issues like that with my wireless intel nic, Once I disabled it and used the hardwire Ethernet I had no issues. At the end it was using an older intel nic card and updated to new drivers and all issues went away. To see if its your wifi card you should disable it and used the hardwire to help you pin point the problem.
     
    joeelmex, Jul 19, 2009
    #2
  3. Zaraphrax

    Zaraphrax Notebook Consultant

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    This is good advice. I'd try doing this before I did anything else. Also make sure everything is up to date.
     
    Zaraphrax, Jul 20, 2009
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  4. Bog

    Bog Losing it...

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    OK, it looks like the freezing has gone away with the use of the MadWifi driver.

    Incidentally, does anyone know of a good network manager that can deal with wireless connections and yet does not experience problems with static IPs the way the default GNOME Network Manager does?

    Also, does anyone know of other methods to remotely connect to a Linux box besides an SSH, VNC, or NX connection?
     
    Bog, Jul 21, 2009
    #4
  5. virtuoosi

    virtuoosi Notebook Enthusiast

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    You should try out wicd ( http://wicd.sourceforge.net/)
     
    virtuoosi, Jul 22, 2009
    #5