If you’re a Ubuntu/Debian user, and Gnome has crashed, Ctrl-Alt-Backspace & Ctrl-Alt-F1 are not working, apparently there are some further steps you can take before going for the power button and risking dataloss.
The first command to try is:
ALT + SysReq + k
That command is meant to kill all running processes, thereby terminating your session safely. But what’s that “SysReq” key? Look at your Print Screen key and you’ll find a second label on it.
What if stopping all system processes doesn’t do the trick?
If the above command doesn’t work, then try the following set of keystrokes, in order:
ALT + SysReq + r
This stands for Raw keyboard mode.
ALT + SysReq + s
This syncs the disk.
ALT + SysReq + e
This terminates all processes.
ALT + SysReq + i
Kill’s all processes that weren’t terminated nicely.
ALT + SysReq + u
Remounts all filesystems as read only.
ALT + SysReq + b
This last one will reboot the system.
Think you’ll have difficulty remembering all that? Well, there’s a mnemonic for memorizing it: Raising Skinny Elephants is Utterly Boring.
Posted in Technology, Ubuntu
