Laptop hangs with Linux Mint 13 Mate. What is the algorithm for identifying the cause?

Question

linux

I have a Dell Latitude E6430 laptop with Linux Mint 13 Mate.
It freezes intermittently, not responding to mouse or keyboard input. Only forced shutdown by the power button.
If I understand correctly, the cause of the freeze can be either software or hardware, but I'm not good at diagnosing.
Suggest an algorithm for its detection.
Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Look at the logs:
/var/log/syslog
/var/log/messages
If the system freezes, immediately look at dmesg
Also look at the hard drive with smartctl: smartctl -a /dev/sdX, where X is the drive name. If there are pendings (Current_pending_sector), then things are bad

Answer 2

Try switching to the console by pressing ctrl+alt+f1. Perhaps the problem is only in the x.

Answer 3

Boot from any live Linux (ubuntu or mint) - and work.
If it hangs, then most likely the hardware, if not, the wrong settings or the driver.
From experience, as already said, check the memtest memory or rearrange / configure the video driver.

Answer 4

You can also check the RAM just in case. I had a similar experience (albeit at 7), after a while everything just hung up, it turned out that one RAM bar was to blame.