[lug] debugging workstation issue

[Davide Del Vento]

Folks,

My workstation, a desktop-sized server computer used as a desktop, is
having a very annoying problem, which is even more severe these days that I
have to rely to it for basically everything (so far the only thing I don't
use it for is for when I use the restroom, but that may change soon)...

Anyway, the problem is that sometimes at boot and sometimes after the
screensaver is engaged the machine goes into a "dead" status. I suspect it
can be an hybernation mode or something like that, which does not awake
when I hit the keyboard, mouse or power button. A long press on the power
button does trigger a reboot, with all the usual consequences of such a
thing (possible files not closed, filesystem checks, loss of not-saved
data, etc). When it is in this status, trying to ssh into it from another
machine hangs with no response.

It's been a long time since I debugged something like this and dmesg shows
only messages since last reboot, which are clearly useless. Any clues on
how to look at the logs immediately BEFORE that? Bonus points if you have
any ideas on what might be going on or specifically what to look for.

Thanks,
Davide

PS: in my settings I already have to never put the computer to sleep (plus
the problem happening immediately after boot seems unlikely to be a problem
with power management - or overheating)
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