Even with a frozen system you can often still ensure data is written to inspect on the next boot. You may have a key labeled SysRq which likely needs an Alt modifier to trigger.
Alt+Shift+SysRq+s to sync data to disk. Alt+Shift+SysRq+u to unmount the disks.
Alt+Shift+SysRq+b to reboot the system.
Execute them in that order.
This can help ensure the data about the mishap is written to disk so it can be inspected after the forced reboot. I also check the logs in /var/log but I suppose all of those are in journalctl too these days.
I’m not sure that I would recommend a newer user use sysrq. It is a very powerful tool that you definitely should not be blindly following from a random internet post without knowing what each command does.
In a truly frozen system then it can be good, but only as a final last resort. If the system can be unfrozen by other methods then that should be preferred instead.
Totally switch to a terminal first like you suggested and see if you can work your way from there. My suggestion goes after yours. Always try to fix the running system first.
It’s probably wise to check man pages and other introductory documentation for most system administration tasks. Even though they’re super low-level, they are in my opinion better to send than just pulling the power plug.
Even with a frozen system you can often still ensure data is written to inspect on the next boot. You may have a key labeled SysRq which likely needs an Alt modifier to trigger.
Alt+Shift+SysRq+s to sync data to disk. Alt+Shift+SysRq+u to unmount the disks. Alt+Shift+SysRq+b to reboot the system.
Execute them in that order.
This can help ensure the data about the mishap is written to disk so it can be inspected after the forced reboot. I also check the logs in /var/log but I suppose all of those are in journalctl too these days.
I’m not sure that I would recommend a newer user use sysrq. It is a very powerful tool that you definitely should not be blindly following from a random internet post without knowing what each command does.
In a truly frozen system then it can be good, but only as a final last resort. If the system can be unfrozen by other methods then that should be preferred instead.
Totally switch to a terminal first like you suggested and see if you can work your way from there. My suggestion goes after yours. Always try to fix the running system first.
It’s probably wise to check man pages and other introductory documentation for most system administration tasks. Even though they’re super low-level, they are in my opinion better to send than just pulling the power plug.