Look at the files in /var/log and see what was going on at the time of the crash/slowdown. If you can get to a text screen, control-alt-scroll lock is a magic combination, I think.
Err. If you mean 'magic sysrq', then it's ALT+PrtSc+command. You need to have a kernel compiled with the right support, but if you do have, then this may save your bacon as far as data loss is concerned...
Alt+PrtSc+:
s - sync filesystems.
u - remount filesystems read-only.
b - reboot the system.
So, if you press Alt+PrtSc+s, then Alt+PrtSc+u, then Alt+PrtSc+b, you stand some chance of doing slightly less damage to your filesystems. Only use magic sysrq if you have *no* alternative other than a hard reboot.
Paul
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