[olug] (BTW) My console has fallen and it can't get up

[ktb]

On Wed, Jan 31, 2001 at 04:40:30PM -0600, dbw wrote:
> So, I’ve got this linux server that is basically only a firewall 
> / IP Masquerade. There are no ports listening for connections on 
> telnet, ssh, rlogin or otherwise.  The box has been running for a 
> couple months now without restart and or incident.  (uptime approx.
> 65 days)  The distribution is Redhat and the kernel is 2.2.16 (or 
> in that neighborhood).
> 
> The box was running in Xwindows, the screensaver on, and after a 
> keystroke the screensaver password prompt appeared. I attempted to 
> enter my password so I could access the environment and do some work.
> I typed in my password and hit the ENTER key...
> 
> The console is frozen, no keyboard or mouse response.  I cannot change 
> consoles, I cannot even change the caps lock state on the box.  No 
> keyboard response, yet the caps lock and scroll lock lights are lit,
> and the keyboard connection is fine.  The keyboard works on other 
> computers also, so this is not a keyboard hardware problem.
> 
> However, the ipchains and firewall stuff is still working fine.  
> I can ping the box and it replies without delay.  The box is also 
> a cache name server and share the Internet to a lan of Windowze workstations.
> It is still serving in this capacity and working.  From this point 
> of view, the box is still functioning ok.
> 
> I simply cannot get a console to respond.  I can’t get a CNTRL-ALT-
> DELETE to work.  The only thing that I “could” do is to unplug the 
> unit or hold down the power button accomplishing the same thing. 
> The computer power supply is ATX architecture.  
> 

BTW I forgot to mention, it might be prudent to set up sshd to
listen to your *internal* network so you could ssh in 
and administer the box, if this happens again.    
hth,
kent

-- 
I'd really love ta wana help ya Flanders but... Homer Simpson


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