Screen goes dark gray, Libreoffice stops

users
#1

I am running Ubuntu 12.04, the Libre Office 3.5.3.2 with 1 GB ram. I rarely go into my swap partition. When in calc, often the system grinds to a halt. Usually it takes about 15 seconds to allow mouse pointer change, etc. Meanwhile, I can run Freecell with no slowdown while I am waiting, so that tells me it is not as universal as an overutilized processor or low on ram, or an Ubuntu issue.

Help?

John

#2

John,

I am running Ubuntu 12.04, the Libre Office 3.5.3.2 with 1 GB ram. I
rarely go into my swap partition. When in calc, often the system
grinds to a halt. Usually it takes about 15 seconds to allow mouse
pointer change, etc. Meanwhile, I can run Freecell with no slowdown
while I am waiting, so that tells me it is not as universal as an
overutilized processor or low on ram, or an Ubuntu issue.

Help?

John

I notice hanging when working with relatively large files in Calc. Also,
I have seen spreadsheets "hang" when there are complex calculations
being done.

How big is your spreadsheet? Also, can you post a copy to nabble? I
understand if you can not post because of the nature of the information.

#3

I went back to see which sheets were giving me problems, but I could not remember specifics, so:
Most of my calc files are 3-5 pages long. I have simple math (MDAS) type calcs, sometimes with links between pages. My payroll file is about 25 pages long. I use it twice a month minimum and I haven't had a problem with it. This all just started about a month ago. I have been using this box for about 2 years. Of course Ubuntu 12.04 is also about a month old.

I wonder if this is a Java issue. When I ran Suse, there was a monitor that I could have on the screen showing CPU use, Swap use, Ram use, etc. graphically. It would be nice to be able to go backwards in time about 10 minutes to see what was the issue.

John

#4

Hi :slight_smile:
In Ubuntu you can get that "task monitor" by

System - Administration - "System Monitor"

You can change which version of java you are using in LibreOffice by

Tools - Options - Java

or even switch it off completely from there.  If the thing still works but the slow-downs stop then you know it's java slowing it down.  It would be interesting to know which version of java you are using. 
Regards from
Tom :slight_smile:

#5

java 1.6.0_26.
I now have the monitor up in a corner I watch it as activity occurs in thunderbird. I haven't tried it in LO yet. I thought LO was written in Java, so turning it off I thought was not an option.
What do I loose when I turn it off, and how do I do that?

John

#6

Hi :slight_smile:
Open Lo and go to

Tools - Options - Java

At the very top of the page is a tick-box or something that lets you not "use a java runtime environment".  One of the main missions of the devs has been to write-oput any dependance on Java.  Some of the Extensions still need it and Base (if you use the embedded HSqlDb) but most of the rest is completely free of it now :slight_smile:

f you try to do soemthing that does need it then an error message pops-up and grumbles so you just go and switch it back on and then re-try whatever strange unusual thing you were doing that earned the grumble.  I am fairly sure you don't lose data but i would always try to keep a reasonably recent back-up jic of fire, famine or floods anyway.

Regards from
Tom :slight_smile:

Hi :slight_smile:
In Ubuntu you can get that "task monitor" by

System - Administration - "System Monitor"

You can change which version of java you are using in LibreOffice by

Tools - Options - Java

or even switch it off completely from there.  If the thing still works but the slow-downs stop then you know it's java slowing it down.  It would be interesting to know which version of java you are using.
Regards from
Tom :slight_smile:

<snip />

java 1.6.0_26.
I now have the monitor up in a corner I watch it as activity occurs in
thunderbird.  I haven't tried it in LO yet.  I thought LO was written in
Java, so turning it off I thought was not an option.
What do I loose when I turn it off, and how do I do that?

John

#7

Hi :slight_smile:
Sorry, just noticed that java version is fairly old already.  I don't think it usually creates problems in LO 3.5.x but it used to in 3.3.x and i think in 3.4.x.  It might be worth upgrading your version of java if you do want to use java with LO.  I think the _32 is probably the most recent version that is reasonably easy to get in your Ubuntu. 
Regards from
Tom :slight_smile:

#8

Am 23.06.2012 20:54, Tom Davies wrote:

Hi :slight_smile:
Open Lo and go to

Tools - Options - Java

Once again: Not a single built-in Calc feature depends on Java.
Like any other type of document, spreadsheets can be exported to XHTML which depends on Java, but all this has nothing to do with the creation, editing, and normal operation spreadsheet documents.

#9

Well, I turned off Java. If that is the problem, I will know in a few days of use. I'll report back so others can benefit from all of this. Of course, if the 'gray outs' continue, I guess it wasn't Java after all. Thanks for all of the help.

John

#10

Tom,
For the record, I just checked my Mozilla Firefox add-ons and it reported my Java 1.6.0_30 has bad security vulnerabilities. So, stay away from it. Your _32 suggestion is a good one.
Girvin

Tom Davies wrote:

#11

Hi :slight_smile:
I think the _31 or was it the _29 was a tfn for some Apples?  Surely part of the reason for writing-out dependence on Java is the way it has become a bit of a pain over the last couple of years?  The _32 should be fine on a Gnu&Linux such as Ubuntu but i agree it's a good idea to avoid java, if that is possible. 
Regards from
Tom :slight_smile:

#12

John R. Sowden wrote

...
When I ran Suse, there was a monitor
that I could have on the screen showing CPU use, Swap use, Ram use, etc.
graphically. It would be nice to be able to go backwards in time about
10 minutes to see what was the issue.

John
...

John, you could install *Psensor. *With it, you can see "%CPU usage" for the
last ten minutes. Another possibility is *System Load Indicator* which sits
nicely in your top panel but I can't figure out how much "back" it displays
. Something more elaborate like *Conky* is also available. All are in the
Ubuntu Software Center.