gnome-shell freezes randomly

[Hiruna Wijesinghe]

+++UBUNTU RELEASE+++

Description: Ubuntu 17.10
Release: 17.10

+++PACKAGE VERSION+++

gnome-shell:
  Installed: 3.26.1-0ubuntu5
  Candidate: 3.26.1-0ubuntu5
  Version table:
 *** 3.26.1-0ubuntu5 500
        500 http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu artful-proposed/main amd64 Packages
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status
     3.26.1-0ubuntu4 500
        500 http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu artful/main amd64 Packages

First found this bug when I copied some files into /opt/ via root access nautilus. After clicking on another window, Ubuntu froze.

This happened again and possibly recreated by performing root operations and navigating around gnome.

Here is something I found interesting in the /var/log/syslog:

Oct 22 19:03:14 hiruna-ubuntu-XPS kernel: [ 9031.695578] traps: gnome-shell[1813] general protection ip:7f91e14a6de2 sp:7ffd8ed31070 error:0 in libgobject-2.0.so.0.5400.1[7f91e1471000+52000]

This ^ was about the time when it froze the laptop.

Also it should be noted that this keeps repeating over and over:

Oct 22 19:03:13 hiruna-ubuntu-XPS gnome-shell[1813]: WARNING: addSignalMethods is replacing existing [0x564478e7a990 Gjs_ShowAppsIcon.dash-item-container] connect method
Oct 22 19:03:13 hiruna-ubuntu-XPS gnome-shell[1813]: WARNING: addSignalMethods is replacing existing [0x564478e7a990 Gjs_ShowAppsIcon.dash-item-container] disconnect method
Oct 22 19:03:13 hiruna-ubuntu-XPS gnome-shell[1813]: WARNING: addSignalMethods is replacing existing [0x564478e7a990 Gjs_ShowAppsIcon.dash-item-container] emit method
Oct 22 19:03:13 hiruna-ubuntu-XPS gnome-shell[1813]: unable to create file '/run/user/1000/dconf/user': Permission denied. dconf will not work properly.
Oct 22 19:03:14 hiruna-ubuntu-XPS gnome-shell[1813]: message repeated 60 times: [ unable to create file '/run/user/1000/dconf/user': Permission denied. dconf will not work properly.]
Oct 22 19:03:14 hiruna-ubuntu-XPS gnome-shell[1813]: [AppIndicatorSupport-DEBUG] Reload detected, destroying old watchdog
Oct 22 19:03:14 hiruna-ubuntu-XPS gnome-shell[1813]: unable to create file '/run/user/1000/dconf/user': Permission denied. dconf will not work properly.
Oct 22 19:03:14 hiruna-ubuntu-XPS gnome-shell[1813]: message repeated 568 times: [ unable to create file '/run/user/1000/dconf/user': Permission denied. dconf will not work properly.]
Oct 22 19:03:14 hiruna-ubuntu-XPS gnome-session[1763]: gnome-session-binary[1763]: dconf-CRITICAL: unable to create file '/run/user/1000/dconf/user': Permission denied. dconf will not work properly.
Oct 22 19:03:14 hiruna-ubuntu-XPS gnome-session-binary[1763]: dconf-CRITICAL: unable to create file '/run/user/1000/dconf/user': Permission denied. dconf will not work properly.
Oct 22 19:03:14 hiruna-ubuntu-XPS gnome-shell[1813]: unable to create file '/run/user/1000/dconf/user': Permission denied. dconf will not work properly.
Oct 22 19:03:14 hiruna-ubuntu-XPS gnome-shell[1813]: message repeated 30 times: [ unable to create file '/run/user/1000/dconf/user': Permission denied. dconf will not work properly.]
Oct 22 19:03:14 hiruna-ubuntu-XPS gnome-shell[1813]: unable to create file '/run/user/1000/dconf/user': Too many open files. dconf will not work properly.

I will attach a syslog below.

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 17.10
Package: gnome-shell 3.26.1-0ubuntu5
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 4.13.0-16.19-generic 4.13.4
Uname: Linux 4.13.0-16-generic x86_64
ApportVersion: 2.20.7-0ubuntu3
Architecture: amd64
CurrentDesktop: ubuntu:GNOME
Date: Sun Oct 22 19:18:47 2017
DisplayManager: gdm3
InstallationDate: Installed on 2017-05-24 (151 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 17.04 "Zesty Zapus" - Release amd64 (20170412)
SourcePackage: gnome-shell
UpgradeStatus: Upgraded to artful on 2017-10-19 (2 days ago)

[Hiruna Wijesinghe (hiruna)]

Here is a snip of the syslog where the issue occurred.

[Daniel van Vugt (vanvugt)]

We're going to need to analyse the hung gnome-shell process. Please
try to do this:

1. Install openssh-server:
   sudo apt install openssh-server
2. Using a second machine, log into the offending machine via SSH:
   ssh <USERNAME>@<HOSTNAME>
   where <USERNAME> is your username, and <HOSTNAME> is either hostname or the machine's IP address.
3. Reproduce the freeze.
4. From your ssh login, run:
   killall -TRAP -u $USER gnome-shell
5. Look in /var/crash for a newly created file, something like '_usr_bin_gnome-shell.1000.crash'
6. Upload the crash file using this command or similar:
   ubuntu-bug /var/crash/_usr_bin_gnome-shell.1000.crash
7. Tell use the new bug ID that was created.

[Hiruna Wijesinghe (hiruna)]

Hi Daniel,

Sorry for this late reply, I've been studying for college finals.

I followed your steps and here is the .crash file as requested.

How I was able to recreate the crash multiple times:

1. Login
2. Open terminal, run sudo nautilus
--> I get this error :

Invalid MIT-MAGIC-COOKIE-1 keyUnable to init server: Could not connect: Connection refused

(nautilus:4129): Gtk-WARNING **: cannot open display: :0

3. Run su, login and run nautilus
4. Navigate to /opt/<some app folder>
5. Open a file and close it
6. Copy that file to my non root desktop (/home/hiruna/Desktop in my case)
7. Open the file normally from the non root user
--> Immediate freeze

[Daniel van Vugt (vanvugt)]

Thanks but please do:

6. Upload the crash file using this command or similar:
   ubuntu-bug /var/crash/_usr_bin_gnome-shell.1000.crash
7. Tell use the new bug ID that was created.

[Hiruna Wijesinghe (hiruna)]

Hi Daniel,

When I try to report the bug, I get this error :/ (see attachment)

[Daniel van Vugt (vanvugt)]

OK, sorry to hear. Please retry, or try making a whole new .crash file?

[Hiruna Wijesinghe (hiruna)]

I will re-create the crash and try to make/upload a new file by tonight

On Wed, Oct 25, 2017 at 2:52 PM, Daniel van Vugt <
<email address hidden>> wrote:

> OK, sorry to hear. Please retry, or try making a whole new .crash file?
>
> --
> You received this bug notification because you are subscribed to the bug
> report.
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1725932
>
> Title:
> gnome-shell freezes randomly
>
> Status in gnome-shell package in Ubuntu:
> Incomplete
>
> Bug description:
> +++UBUNTU RELEASE+++
>
> Description: Ubuntu 17.10
> Release: 17.10
>
> +++PACKAGE VERSION+++
>
> gnome-shell:
> Installed: 3.26.1-0ubuntu5
> Candidate: 3.26.1-0ubuntu5
> Version table:
> *** 3.26.1-0ubuntu5 500
> 500 http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu artful-proposed/main amd64
> Packages
> 100 /var/lib/dpkg/status
> 3.26.1-0ubuntu4 500
> 500 http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu artful/main amd64 Packages
>
> First found this bug when I copied some files into /opt/ via root
> access nautilus. After clicking on another window, Ubuntu froze.
>
> This happened again and possibly recreated by performing root
> operations and navigating around gnome.
>
> Here is something I found interesting in the /var/log/syslog:
>
> Oct 22 19:03:14 hiruna-ubuntu-XPS kernel: [ 9031.695578] traps: gnome-
> shell[1813] general protection ip:7f91e14a6de2 sp:7ffd8ed31070 error:0
> in libgobject-2.0.so.0.5400.1[7f91e1471000+52000]
>
> This ^ was about the time when it froze the laptop.
>
> Also it should be noted that this keeps repeating over and over:
>
> Oct 22 19:03:13 hiruna-ubuntu-XPS gnome-shell[1813]: WARNING:
> addSignalMethods is replacing existing [0x564478e7a990
> Gjs_ShowAppsIcon.dash-item-container] connect method
> Oct 22 19:03:13 hiruna-ubuntu-XPS gnome-shell[1813]: WARNING:
> addSignalMethods is replacing existing [0x564478e7a990
> Gjs_ShowAppsIcon.dash-item-container] disconnect method
> Oct 22 19:03:13 hiruna-ubuntu-XPS gnome-shell[1813]: WARNING:
> addSignalMethods is replacing existing [0x564478e7a990
> Gjs_ShowAppsIcon.dash-item-container] emit method
> Oct 22 19:03:13 hiruna-ubuntu-XPS gnome-shell[1813]: unable to create
> file '/run/user/1000/dconf/user': Permission denied. dconf will not work
> properly.
> Oct 22 19:03:14 hiruna-ubuntu-XPS gnome-shell[1813]: message repeated 60
> times: [ unable to create file '/run/user/1000/dconf/user': Permission
> denied. dconf will not work properly.]
> Oct 22 19:03:14 hiruna-ubuntu-XPS gnome-shell[1813]:
> [AppIndicatorSupport-DEBUG] Reload detected, destroying old watchdog
> Oct 22 19:03:14 hiruna-ubuntu-XPS gnome-shell[1813]: unable to create
> file '/run/user/1000/dconf/user': Permission denied. dconf will not work
> properly.
> Oct 22 19:03:14 hiruna-ubuntu-XPS gnome-shell[1813]: message repeated
> 568 times: [ unable to create file '/run/user/1000/dconf/user': Permission
> denied. dconf will not work properly.]
> Oct 22 19:03:14 hiruna-ubuntu-XPS gnome-session[1763]:
> gnome-session-binary[1763]: dconf-CRITICAL: unable to create file
> '/run/user/1000/dconf/user': Permission denied. dconf will not work
> p...

[Hiruna Wijesinghe (hiruna)]

I will re-create the crash and try to make/upload a new file by tonight

[Hiruna Wijesinghe (hiruna)]

Hi again,

I removed the old crash file and re-created and trapped the crash. It's not corrupted anymore. however, I just tried to report the bug 3 times but I keep getting 502 error. :/ (see attachment)

[Daniel van Vugt (vanvugt)]

Ugg. Sorry about that. I don't fully understand the Ubuntu policy on that myself, but it did change over night:

  https://launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/apport/2.20.7-0ubuntu3.1

You might have some luck by downgrading your apport packages to the previous version first:

  https://launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/apport/2.20.7-0ubuntu3/+build/13569366

Again, sorry about that. I need to get in contact with the relevant Canonical staff and ask what the rationale for periodically disabling crash reports is...

[Daniel van Vugt (vanvugt)]

Please try this:

  https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Apport#Why_is_apport_disabled_by_default.3F

[Hiruna Wijesinghe (hiruna)]

Hi Daniel,

After downgrading apport to the version you specified, I was able to submit
a new bug 1727603 :

https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/gnome-shell/+bug/1727603

I was notified that this report contains private information and it was
automatically selected as private. I changed the visibility to public after
going through the .txt files. Please let me know if I should change the bug
visibility back to private.

Thanks

On Thu, Oct 26, 2017 at 2:22 PM, Daniel van Vugt <
<email address hidden>> wrote:

> Please try this:
>
> https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Apport#Why_is_apport_disabled_by_default.3F
>
> --
> You received this bug notification because you are subscribed to the bug
> report.
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1725932
>
> Title:
> gnome-shell freezes randomly
>
> Status in gnome-shell package in Ubuntu:
> Incomplete
>
> Bug description:
> +++UBUNTU RELEASE+++
>
> Description: Ubuntu 17.10
> Release: 17.10
>
> +++PACKAGE VERSION+++
>
> gnome-shell:
> Installed: 3.26.1-0ubuntu5
> Candidate: 3.26.1-0ubuntu5
> Version table:
> *** 3.26.1-0ubuntu5 500
> 500 http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu artful-proposed/main amd64
> Packages
> 100 /var/lib/dpkg/status
> 3.26.1-0ubuntu4 500
> 500 http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu artful/main amd64 Packages
>
> First found this bug when I copied some files into /opt/ via root
> access nautilus. After clicking on another window, Ubuntu froze.
>
> This happened again and possibly recreated by performing root
> operations and navigating around gnome.
>
> Here is something I found interesting in the /var/log/syslog:
>
> Oct 22 19:03:14 hiruna-ubuntu-XPS kernel: [ 9031.695578] traps: gnome-
> shell[1813] general protection ip:7f91e14a6de2 sp:7ffd8ed31070 error:0
> in libgobject-2.0.so.0.5400.1[7f91e1471000+52000]
>
> This ^ was about the time when it froze the laptop.
>
> Also it should be noted that this keeps repeating over and over:
>
> Oct 22 19:03:13 hiruna-ubuntu-XPS gnome-shell[1813]: WARNING:
> addSignalMethods is replacing existing [0x564478e7a990
> Gjs_ShowAppsIcon.dash-item-container] connect method
> Oct 22 19:03:13 hiruna-ubuntu-XPS gnome-shell[1813]: WARNING:
> addSignalMethods is replacing existing [0x564478e7a990
> Gjs_ShowAppsIcon.dash-item-container] disconnect method
> Oct 22 19:03:13 hiruna-ubuntu-XPS gnome-shell[1813]: WARNING:
> addSignalMethods is replacing existing [0x564478e7a990
> Gjs_ShowAppsIcon.dash-item-container] emit method
> Oct 22 19:03:13 hiruna-ubuntu-XPS gnome-shell[1813]: unable to create
> file '/run/user/1000/dconf/user': Permission denied. dconf will not work
> properly.
> Oct 22 19:03:14 hiruna-ubuntu-XPS gnome-shell[1813]: message repeated 60
> times: [ unable to create file '/run/user/1000/dconf/user': Permission
> denied. dconf will not work properly.]
> Oct 22 19:03:14 hiruna-ubuntu-XPS gnome-shell[1813]:
> [AppIndicatorSupport-DEBUG] Reload detected, destroying old watchdog
> Oct 22 19:03:14 hiruna-ubuntu-XPS gnome-shell[1813]: unable to create
> file '/run/user/1000/dconf/user': Permission denied. dconf will not work
> properly.
> Oct...