"Raising Skinny Elephants Is Utterly Boring" is a mnemonic device for remembering a particularly important keystroke sequence in Linux. In the event of a total system freeze up, this is the failsafe way to safely reboot a near-frozen computer. A mnemonic (pronounced in American English, in British English) is a memory aid. ... Linux (also known as GNU/Linux) is a Unix-like computer operating system. ... ReBoot poster. ... A Lego RCX Computer is an example of an embedded computer used to control mechanical devices. ...

Usage

The first two key sequences to deal with a frozen machine are:

• Alt + Ctrl + <function key> to enter a command prompt. Normally the function keys F1 to F6 can be used.
• Control-Alt-Delete. This performs a regular shutdown, if possible, which allows running services to shut down normally.

Using 'RSEIUB' follows these two steps as a last resort. The sequence is performed as follows: While holding Alt and SysRq, press they keys R, S, E, I, U, and then B, in sequence, leaving some time between keystrokes. The Alt key on a modern Windows keyboard The Alt key on an IBM PC keyboard is either of two keys located next to the Space bar, used to change the function of other pressed keys. ... Model showing the current redevelopment of the Kings Cross area with the Channel Tunnel Rail Link terminal behind the barrel vaulted St Pancras Station on the left. ... This article is about Control-Alt-Delete, the keyboard shortcut. ... SysRq or SysReq (short for System Request) is a key on keyboards for PCs that no longer has a standard use. ...

Meaning

• R places the keyboard in raw mode
• S synchronizes the disk
• E terminates all processes
• I kills all processes
• U remounts all filesystems read-only
• B reboots the machine

See Also

• Serial console
• Console Server
• KVM switch
• Remote power boot switch

The console is the text output device for system administration messages, particularly those from the BIOS or boot loader, the kernel, from the init system and from the system logger. ... A console server or Console Access Server (CAS) is a service that provides access to the operator console of an IT asset via networking technologies. ... A diagram of how a KVM switch functions. ... Remote Power Boot Switch is a device that can switch power outlets on and off. ...

External Link

• Documentation/sysrq.txt in the Linux kernel source tree