Not sure if this is the right section to put it in. I really like Zorin OS as my first dip into Linux but I noticed a massive issue over the almost year of using it on different computers. When a computer is processing a lot at once it completely locks up with no warning with the screen freezing. I haven't been about to pin point the exact causes but I'll explain the most recent incidences.
- On a laptop with a Intel Celeron processor and 8GB of RAM I was moving a lot of files from an external hard drive onto it. Around the same time I plugged in the charger as I was going to leave the laptop to transfer files and turned the WiFi off. I then noticed the laptop became non responsive as the screen froze.
- On a desktop with an Intel i9 processor and originally 8GB but now 16GB of RAM. While playing a mildly intensive game with a screen recording program running the game wasn't functioning well and the PC froze entirely. After doubling the RAM assuming it was caused by that it happened again in even less time.
This has happened on another laptop. All with different parts, manufacturers, processes running when it happened and on both Zorin Core and Pro. I had to switch the desktop to Linux Mint and had none of this crashes while running the same programs on the same hardware.
In short, I love the style of the OS but I can't keep using it if the system is so unstable that higher then normal workloads doesn't cause an app to crash but the whole OS to freeze and never start again unless you restart. It has caused file loss for things that were not saved and an external hard drive to corrupt.
For scenario 1, we would need to get more information about exactly what was going on and possibly logs from when it occurred. Seeing as this may not be available, we can only most likely get hardware info and go from there.
For scenario 2 however, I can almost certainly this sounds Wayland based as an issue most likely. Especially with the screen recording in the background.
For BOTH scenarios (and even using the OS in general) I would recommend switching to Xorg over Wayland (you can tell which you're using by going to Settings -> About -> Windowing System). Linux mint still defaults to using X, which is imo still the better choice in regards to daily usage. To switch to X:
Go to the login screen (either logout, or when you first login)
Select your user
When typing your password, there should be a cog in the bottom right of the screen
Select it, and click "Zorin on X"
Login as normal
Now whenever you login, it will default to the X version rather than Wayland, so you won't need to change every time you go to login to your machine. A lot of issues can be caused due to Wayland (newer implementations are better, but we will most likely have to wait for Zorin 18 for those), even including stuff as you described in Scenario 1. So my recommendation is to try that first.
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Agreed with @applecheeks37 Applecheeks. Please switch to XORG, that should solve a lot of issues.
Secondly, if you have an Nvidia GPU, it is wise to install your Nvidia drivers, as open Nouveau/MESA is garbage for properly leveraging your GPU.
If your GPU is AMD, the driver should already be in the kernel.
If your system only uses an integrated GPU inside the CPU, it might not be strong enough to do everything at once. PRO streamers use a separate streaming PC, and a gaming PC.
Most likely though, this is all caused by Wayland issues. Nice to know Mint works though.
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@applecheeks37 @StarTreker
I changed it to Xorg for the laptop in the examples I gave so hopefully it will stop future crashes. Here's the hardware info from before that change (forgot the RAM was 4GB and not 8GB 
).
As a side issue. I put Zorin 17 on a friend's laptop with the Cinnamon desktop environment. I have no idea if it's based on Xorg as the only options is Zorin and Zorin on Xorg (the 2 original options) then Cinnamon and Cinnamon (Hardware Accelerated). I'm now hoping Cinnamon uses Xorg by default as I can't find the windowing system in it.
Cinnamon uses there Xorg. Wayland comes now in the up-to-date Cinnamon Desktop up. That is the Reason why You don't see a Wayland Option for it.
