Break out/hot key for Linux

[Jay Suttiruttana]

I, sometime, run into problem with my linux box. Sometime the thing freezes up on me and will not allow me to open a terminal window. I can still move the mouse pointer around but it will not open any application when I click the mouse. However the applications that're are already open still work fine.

Anybody know a hot key or combination of keys that will let me open a terminal window in Linux when this happen.
[ August 31, 2006: Message edited by: Jay Suttiruttana ]

[Ernest Friedman-Hill]

Not sure about this particular broken state you're describing -- how are you trying to open a new terminal, and it's not working? Is the window manager gone, or is it just frozen?

But one handy thing to know: on many systems, Ctrl-Alt-F2 will give you a new virtual terminal -- i.e., switch display to text mode, let you log in again. Your original diaplay is still there: Ctrl-Alt-F7 should get it back.

[Jay Suttiruttana]

how are you trying to open a new terminal, and it's not working? Is the window manager gone, or is it just frozen?

Here's the situation, I'm switching back and forth between desktop and all the sudden I get this quick freeze. Nothing would response for may be 1 or 2 seconds. Then I can move between desktop again; however, when I try to open a terminal window nothing would happen. Then I try to log out by clicking on my log out icon - again nothing would happen. I'm now stuck. However, whatever applications (XMMS, Thunderbird, Firefox) I have open still function fine. But once I close it, it's gone for good. I can't get it to start again. However, if I can get my terminal window to open, I'm hoping that I can investigate where the problem comes from.

[ August 31, 2006: Message edited by: Jay Suttiruttana ]
[ August 31, 2006: Message edited by: Jay Suttiruttana ]

[Jay Suttiruttana]

Thanks Ernest