Running processes, which ones, how many

[bob17]

I an a new user of Ubuntu, and it is working very well. I did a UNIX terminal command “ps -ef” and found about 250 processes running. I am concerned that in the process of learning, I have loaded and *NOT* unloaded software which needs to be cleaned up.




Is there an easy way to determine what should and shouldn't be running? This, of course, depends on the software loaded.

Is there a Ubuntu tool to help newbies clean up their machines?


Should one expect this many processes?



Aforum search yielded a post by MikeCyber “what processes are normalon 13.04?” In his example, there are also a significant number ofrunning processes; however, his question and the answer is particularto a Union Bank process, and does not address the large number ofprocesses also running on his machine.

I have reviewed many other postswhich are unrelated to my question.

[sudodus]

I have 160 processes running in a 32-bit installation of Ubuntu 12.04.2 LTS running lubuntu-desktop as found by


ps -ef|wc -l

The corresponding figure for a 64-bit installation of Ubuntu 12.04.2 LTS running Unity is 166 (in another computer).

It could be perfectly normal with 250 processes, but if you are more specfic, you can get a better reply. How are you using the computer?

It will make a difference what computer it is (what hardware has drivers etc) and of course what services you have running. So please post the specification of your computer: Brand name and model, cpu, ram, graphics, network. And please post the list file that you get from the command


ps -ef > psef.txt

if there are no secrets there (for example: you can change the user name) or post the output of


ps -A > psA.txt

Please post the output between code tags like this


output

to get output like this


output

I might not be able to give a good answer afterwards, but I think someone, who sees that information can.

You can install htop with the command line


sudo apt-get install htop

and run it in a terminal window.


htop

[bob17]

Well, here it is, I have installed htop, but haven't run it yet, thanks Bob

Computer:
Homebrew ASUS mother board rampage iii exterme (?),
intel I7 processor,
8GB ram,
GeForce GTX260 graphics one hi res monotor attached,
only one Western Digtial 500GB drive,
only one OS, Ubuntu 12.04.2 AMD64,
CD-DVD blueray
a single 100 base T network, not a server, connected hardwire to a router
have used Synaptic, load lots of stuff, it has worked perfectly and no errors, except once it failed to load, reboot solved problem.
KDE kickoff desk top
user, administrator "kels"




UID PID PPID C STIME TTY TIME CMD
root 1 0 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 /sbin/init
root 2 0 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 [kthreadd]
root 3 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:02 [ksoftirqd/0]
root 6 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:01 [migration/0]
root 7 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 [watchdog/0]
root 8 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:04 [migration/1]
root 10 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:01 [ksoftirqd/1]
root 11 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 [watchdog/1]
root 12 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:01 [migration/2]
root 14 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:01 [ksoftirqd/2]
root 15 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 [watchdog/2]
root 16 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:04 [migration/3]
root 18 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:01 [ksoftirqd/3]
root 19 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 [watchdog/3]
root 20 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 [migration/4]
root 22 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 [ksoftirqd/4]
root 23 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 [watchdog/4]
root 24 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 [migration/5]
root 26 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 [ksoftirqd/5]
root 27 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 [watchdog/5]
root 28 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 [migration/6]
root 30 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 [ksoftirqd/6]
root 31 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 [watchdog/6]
root 32 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 [migration/7]
root 34 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 [ksoftirqd/7]
root 35 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 [watchdog/7]
root 36 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 [cpuset]
root 37 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 [khelper]
root 38 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 [kdevtmpfs]
root 39 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 [netns]
root 41 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 [sync_supers]
root 42 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 [bdi-default]
root 43 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 [kintegrityd]
root 44 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 [kblockd]
root 45 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 [ata_sff]
root 46 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 [khubd]
root 47 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 [md]
root 50 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:07 [kworker/2:1]
root 51 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:07 [kworker/3:1]
root 52 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:01 [kworker/4:1]
root 55 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:01 [kworker/7:1]
root 57 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 [khungtaskd]
root 58 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 [kswapd0]
root 59 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 [ksmd]
root 60 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 [khugepaged]
root 61 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 [fsnotify_mark]
root 62 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 [ecryptfs-kthrea]
root 63 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 [crypto]
root 72 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 [kthrotld]
root 74 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 [scsi_eh_0]
root 75 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 [scsi_eh_1]
root 76 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:04 [kworker/u:2]
root 77 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 [scsi_eh_2]
root 78 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 [scsi_eh_3]
root 81 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 [scsi_eh_4]
root 82 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 [scsi_eh_5]
root 85 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 [binder]
root 105 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 [deferwq]
root 106 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 [charger_manager]
root 107 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 [devfreq_wq]
root 253 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 [scsi_eh_6]
root 254 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 [scsi_eh_7]
root 255 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 [firewire]
root 303 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:01 [jbd2/sda1-8]
root 304 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 [ext4-dio-unwrit]
root 386 1 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 upstart-udev-bridge --daemon
root 390 1 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 /sbin/udevd --daemon
root 624 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 [edac-poller]
root 675 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 [kvm-irqfd-clean]
root 756 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 [kpsmoused]
root 759 1 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 upstart-socket-bridge --daemon
root 777 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 [hd-audio0]
root 821 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 [ttm_swap]
syslog 851 1 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 rsyslogd -c5
root 874 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 [rc0]
102 912 1 0 08:13 ? 00:00:03 dbus-daemon --system --fork --activation=upstart
root 938 1 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 /usr/sbin/modem-manager
root 940 1 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 /usr/sbin/bluetoothd
root 983 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 [krfcommd]
root 984 1 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 /usr/sbin/cupsd -F
root 999 1 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 NetworkManager
root 1010 1 0 08:13 ? 00:00:01 /usr/lib/policykit-1/polkitd --no-debug
avahi 1014 1 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 avahi-daemon: running [kels-ASUS.local]
avahi 1015 1014 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 avahi-daemon: chroot helper
root 1025 1 0 08:13 tty4 00:00:00 /sbin/getty -8 38400 tty4
root 1032 1 0 08:13 tty5 00:00:00 /sbin/getty -8 38400 tty5
root 1043 1 0 08:13 tty2 00:00:00 /sbin/getty -8 38400 tty2
root 1044 1 0 08:13 tty3 00:00:00 /sbin/getty -8 38400 tty3
root 1051 1 0 08:13 tty6 00:00:00 /sbin/getty -8 38400 tty6
root 1072 1 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 acpid -c /etc/acpi/events -s /var/run/acpid.socket
whoopsie 1082 1 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 whoopsie
root 1083 1 0 08:13 ? 00:00:07 /usr/sbin/irqbalance
root 1091 1 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 lightdm
root 1114 1 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 cron
daemon 1115 1 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 atd
root 1118 1091 0 08:13 tty7 00:05:56 /usr/bin/X :0 -auth /var/run/lightdm/root/:0 -nolisten tcp vt7 -novtswitch -background none
colord 1154 1 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 /usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/colord/colord
root 1317 1091 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 lightdm --session-child 12 15
root 1328 1 0 08:13 tty1 00:00:00 /sbin/getty -8 38400 tty1
root 1330 1 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 /usr/lib/accountsservice/accounts-daemon
root 1355 1 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 /usr/sbin/console-kit-daemon --no-daemon
kels 1430 1317 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 /bin/sh /usr/bin/startkde
root 1458 999 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 /sbin/dhclient -d -4 -sf /usr/lib/NetworkManager/nm-dhcp-client.action -pf /var/run/sendsigs.omit.d/network-manager.dhclient-eth0.pid -lf /var/lib/dhcp/dhclient-7eac0a1c-f865-4a5d-b670-16b3c348be90-eth0.lease -cf /var/run/nm-dhclient-eth0.conf eth0
kels 1475 1430 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 /usr/bin/ssh-agent /usr/bin/gpg-agent --daemon --sh --write-env-file=/home/kels/.gnupg/gpg-agent-info-kels-ASUS /usr/bin/dbus-launch --exit-with-session /usr/bin/startkde
kels 1476 1430 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 /usr/bin/gpg-agent --daemon --sh --write-env-file=/home/kels/.gnupg/gpg-agent-info-kels-ASUS /usr/bin/dbus-launch --exit-with-session /usr/bin/startkde
kels 1479 1 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 /usr/bin/dbus-launch --exit-with-session /usr/bin/startkde
kels 1480 1 0 08:13 ? 00:00:13 //bin/dbus-daemon --fork --print-pid 5 --print-address 7 --session
kels 1522 1 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 /usr/lib/kde4/libexec/start_kdeinit +kcminit_startup
kels 1523 1 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 kdeinit4: kdeinit4 Running...
kels 1524 1523 0 08:13 ? 00:00:02 kdeinit4: klauncher [kdeinit] --fd=9
root 1528 2 0 08:13 ? 00:00:01 [flush-8:0]
nobody 1529 999 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 /usr/sbin/dnsmasq --no-resolv --keep-in-foreground --no-hosts --bind-interfaces --pid-file=/var/run/sendsigs.omit.d/network-manager.dnsmasq.pid --listen-address=127.0.0.1 --conf-file=/var/run/nm-dns-dnsmasq.conf --cache-size=0 --proxy-dnssec
kels 1562 1 0 08:13 ? 00:00:03 kdeinit4: kded4 [kdeinit]
kels 1566 1 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 /usr/bin/kglobalaccel
kels 1568 1 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 /usr/bin/kwalletd
kels 1573 1 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 /usr/bin/kactivitymanagerd
root 1575 1 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 /usr/lib/upower/upowerd
kels 1594 1430 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 kwrapper4 ksmserver
kels 1595 1523 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 kdeinit4: ksmserver [kdeinit]
root 1620 1 0 08:13 ? 00:00:05 /usr/lib/udisks/udisks-daemon
root 1625 1620 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 udisks-daemon: not polling any devices
kels 1631 1595 0 08:13 ? 00:02:55 kwin
kels 1780 1 0 08:13 ? 00:00:01 /usr/bin/knotify4
kels 1783 1 0 08:13 ? 00:05:31 /usr/bin/plasma-desktop
kels 1787 1 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 /usr/bin/kuiserver
kels 1809 1783 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 ksysguardd
kels 1812 1 0 08:13 ? 00:00:02 /usr/bin/akonadi_control
kels 1814 1812 0 08:13 ? 00:00:03 akonadiserver
kels 1817 1814 0 08:13 ? 00:00:07 /usr/sbin/mysqld --defaults-file=/home/kels/.local/share/akonadi/mysql.conf --datadir=/home/kels/.local/share/akonadi/db_data/ --socket=/home/kels/.local/share/akonadi/socket-kels-ASUS/mysql.socket
kels 1831 1 0 08:13 ? 00:00:01 /usr/bin/kaccess
kels 1845 1523 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 /usr/bin/nepomukserver
kels 1848 1845 0 08:13 ? 00:00:04 /usr/bin/nepomukservicestub nepomukstorage
kels 1849 1523 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 /usr/lib/deja-dup/deja-dup/deja-dup-monitor
kels 1854 1523 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 /usr/bin/zeitgeist-datahub
kels 1857 1523 0 08:13 ? 00:00:01 python /usr/bin/printer-applet
kels 1864 1 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 /usr/bin/pulseaudio --start --log-target=syslog
rtkit 1868 1 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 /usr/lib/rtkit/rtkit-daemon
kels 1869 1 0 08:13 ? 00:00:18 /usr/bin/krunner
kels 1870 1 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 /usr/lib/kde4/libexec/polkit-kde-authentication-agent-1
kels 1873 1 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 /usr/bin/akonaditray
kels 1877 1 0 08:13 ? 00:00:05 /usr/bin/zeitgeist-daemon
kels 1879 1 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 /usr/bin/korgac --icon korgac
kels 1881 1 0 08:13 ? 00:00:01 /usr/bin/nepomukcontroller
kels 1883 1 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 /usr/bin/klipper
kels 1885 1 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 /usr/bin/kmix
kels 1890 1 0 08:13 ? 00:00:05 /usr/lib/zeitgeist/zeitgeist-fts
kels 1898 1890 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 /bin/cat
kels 1901 1 0 08:13 ? 00:00:01 /usr/lib/gvfs/gvfsd
kels 1903 1 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 /usr/lib/gvfs//gvfs-fuse-daemon -f /home/kels/.gvfs
kels 1905 1 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 /usr/lib/gvfs/gvfsd-http --spawner :1.46 /org/gtk/gvfs/exec_spaw/0
kels 1918 1 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 /usr/lib/gvfs/gvfs-gdu-volume-monitor
kels 1920 1 0 08:13 ? 00:00:01 /usr/lib/gvfs/gvfs-afc-volume-monitor
kels 1923 1 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 /usr/lib/gvfs/gvfs-gphoto2-volume-monitor
kels 1931 1864 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 /usr/lib/pulseaudio/pulse/gconf-helper
kels 1933 1 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 /usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/gconf/gconfd-2
kels 1941 1848 0 08:13 ? 00:00:11 /usr/bin/virtuoso-t +foreground +configfile /tmp/virtuoso_hX1848.ini +wait
kels 1953 1812 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 /usr/bin/akonadi_agent_launcher akonadi_akonotes_resource akonadi_akonotes_resource_0
kels 1954 1812 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 /usr/bin/akonadi_agent_launcher akonadi_ical_resource akonadi_ical_resource_0
kels 1955 1812 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 /usr/bin/akonadi_agent_launcher akonadi_maildir_resource akonadi_maildir_resource_0
kels 1956 1812 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 /usr/bin/akonadi_maildispatcher_agent --identifier akonadi_maildispatcher_agent
kels 1957 1812 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 /usr/bin/akonadi_mailfilter_agent --identifier akonadi_mailfilter_agent
kels 1958 1812 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 /usr/bin/akonadi_nepomuk_feeder --identifier akonadi_nepomuk_feeder
kels 2017 1845 0 08:13 ? 00:00:03 /usr/bin/nepomukservicestub nepomukfileindexer
kels 2018 1845 0 08:13 ? 00:00:01 /usr/bin/nepomukservicestub nepomukfilewatch
kels 2019 1845 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 /usr/bin/nepomukservicestub nepomukbackupsync
kels 2020 1845 0 08:13 ? 00:00:00 /usr/bin/nepomukservicestub nepomukqueryservice
kels 2096 1 0 08:17 ? 00:00:00 /home/kels/Eclipse/eclipse/eclipse Kepler
kels 2097 2096 0 08:17 ? 00:02:45 /usr/bin/java -jar /home/kels/Eclipse/eclipse/plugins/org.eclipse.equinox.launcher_1.3.0.v20130327-1440.jar -os linux -ws gtk -arch x86_64 -showsplash -launcher /home/kels/Eclipse/eclipse/eclipse Kepler -name Eclipse Kepler --launcher.library /home/kels/Eclipse/eclipse/plugins/org.eclipse.equinox.launcher.gtk.linux.x86_64_1.1. 200.v20130521-0416/eclipse_1506.so -startup /home/kels/Eclipse/eclipse/plugins/org.eclipse.equinox.launcher_1.3.0.v20130327-1440.jar --launcher.overrideVmargs -exitdata 178027 -vm /usr/bin/java -vmargs -jar /home/kels/Eclipse/eclipse/plugins/org.eclipse.equinox.launcher_1.3.0.v20130327-1440.jar
root 2617 2 0 08:54 ? 00:00:00 [kworker/2:0]
root 2631 2 0 08:55 ? 00:00:00 [kworker/5:0]
kels 2856 1783 0 09:03 ? 00:00:12 /usr/bin/nautilus
kels 2862 1 0 09:03 ? 00:00:00 /usr/lib/gvfs/gvfsd-trash --spawner :1.46 /org/gtk/gvfs/exec_spaw/1
kels 2866 1 0 09:03 ? 00:00:00 /usr/lib/gvfs/gvfsd-burn --spawner :1.46 /org/gtk/gvfs/exec_spaw/2
kels 2868 1 0 09:03 ? 00:00:00 /usr/lib/dconf/dconf-service
kels 2873 1 0 09:03 ? 00:00:00 /usr/lib/gvfs/gvfsd-metadata
root 2888 2 0 09:06 ? 00:00:00 [kworker/7:0]
root 3030 2 0 09:21 ? 00:00:01 [kworker/6:2]
kels 3248 1523 0 09:40 ? 00:00:00 /usr/lib/kde4/libexec/kio_http_cache_cleaner
kels 10375 1 0 10:21 ? 00:00:06 /usr/bin/khelpcenter
root 15976 2 0 14:31 ? 00:00:00 [kworker/4:0]
root 16034 2 0 14:33 ? 00:00:00 [kworker/1:2]
root 16078 2 0 14:35 ? 00:00:00 [kworker/5:2]
root 16145 2 0 14:38 ? 00:00:09 [kworker/1:0]
root 16176 2 0 14:40 ? 00:00:00 [kworker/3:0]
kels 16255 1523 0 14:47 ? 00:00:01 /usr/bin/dolphin --icon system-file-manager -caption Dolphin
root 16497 2 0 16:16 ? 00:00:00 [scsi_eh_17]
root 16498 2 0 16:16 ? 00:00:00 [usb-storage]
root 16501 2 0 16:16 ? 00:00:00 [kworker/u:1]
root 16502 390 0 16:16 ? 00:00:00 /sbin/udevd --daemon
root 16503 390 0 16:16 ? 00:00:00 /sbin/udevd --daemon
root 16515 2 0 16:16 ? 00:00:00 [kworker/6:1]
kels 16524 1523 0 16:16 ? 00:00:06 /usr/bin/dolphin --icon system-file-manager -caption Dolphin /media/28C8-4B54
kels 16552 1523 0 16:17 ? 00:00:42 /opt/google/chrome/chrome
kels 16557 16552 0 16:17 ? 00:00:00 /opt/google/chrome/chrome
kels 16558 16552 0 16:17 ? 00:00:00 /opt/google/chrome/chrome-sandbox /opt/google/chrome/chrome --type=zygote
kels 16559 16558 0 16:17 ? 00:00:00 /opt/google/chrome/chrome --type=zygote
kels 16563 16559 0 16:17 ? 00:00:00 /opt/google/chrome/nacl_helper_bootstrap /opt/google/chrome/nacl_helper --reserved_at_zero=0x0000000000000000 --r_debug=0x0000000000213000
kels 16564 16559 0 16:17 ? 00:00:00 /opt/google/chrome/chrome --type=zygote
kels 16641 16564 0 16:17 ? 00:00:23 /opt/google/chrome/chrome --type=renderer --lang=en-US --force-fieldtrials=AsyncDns/AsyncDnsA/ForceCompositingMode/disable/InfiniteCache/No/OmniboxStopTimer/UseStopTimer/Prerender/PrerenderEnabled/SendFeedbackLinkLocation/alt-location/Test0PercentDefault/group_01/UMA-Dynamic-Binary-Uniformity-Trial/default/UMA-New-Install-Uniformity-Trial/Control/UMA-Session-Randomized-Uniformity-Trial-5-Percent/group_03/UMA-Uniformity-Trial-1-Percent/group_43/UMA-Uniformity-Trial-10-Percent/group_03/UMA-Uniformity-Trial-20-Percent/group_04/UMA-Uniformity-Trial-5-Percent/group_01/UMA-Uniformity-Trial-50-Percent/default/ --renderer-print-preview --disable-webgl --disable-pepper-3d --disable-gl-multisampling --disable-accelerated-compositing --disable-accelerated-2d-canvas --disable-accelerated-video-decode --channel=16552.1.1812550338
kels 16700 1523 0 16:18 ? 00:00:03 /usr/lib/kde4/libexec/kdesu -u root -c /usr/sbin/synaptic
kels 16702 1 0 16:18 ? 00:00:00 /usr/lib/kde4/libexec/kdesud
root 16705 16700 0 16:18 pts/1 00:00:00 /usr/bin/sudo -u root /usr/lib/kde4/libexec/kdesu_stub -
root 16710 16700 0 16:18 pts/2 00:00:00 /usr/bin/sudo -u root /usr/lib/kde4/libexec/kdesu_stub -
root 16711 16710 0 16:18 pts/2 00:00:00 /usr/lib/kde4/libexec/kdesu_stub -
root 16714 16711 0 16:18 ? 00:00:00 sh -c /usr/sbin/synaptic
root 16715 16714 0 16:18 ? 00:00:10 /usr/sbin/synaptic
root 16720 1 0 16:18 ? 00:00:00 dbus-launch --autolaunch=82a25e2145f13c205076674500000006 --binary-syntax --close-stderr
root 16721 1 0 16:18 ? 00:00:00 //bin/dbus-daemon --fork --print-pid 5 --print-address 7 --session
root 16739 16715 0 16:20 ? 00:00:00 [synaptic] <defunct>
kels 17302 1783 0 16:37 ? 00:00:05 /usr/bin/pdfedit
kels 17374 16564 0 16:52 ? 00:00:09 /opt/google/chrome/chrome --type=renderer --lang=en-US --force-fieldtrials=AsyncDns/AsyncDnsA/ForceCompositingMode/disable/InfiniteCache/No/OmniboxStopTimer/UseStopTimer/Prerender/PrerenderEnabled/PrerenderFromOmnibox/OmniboxPrerenderEnabled/SendFeedbackLinkLocation/alt-location/Test0PercentDefault/group_01/UMA-Dynamic-Binary-Uniformity-Trial/default/UMA-New-Install-Uniformity-Trial/Control/UMA-Session-Randomized-Uniformity-Trial-5-Percent/group_03/UMA-Uniformity-Trial-1-Percent/group_43/UMA-Uniformity-Trial-10-Percent/group_03/UMA-Uniformity-Trial-20-Percent/group_04/UMA-Uniformity-Trial-5-Percent/group_01/UMA-Uniformity-Trial-50-Percent/default/ --renderer-print-preview --disable-webgl --disable-pepper-3d --disable-gl-multisampling --disable-accelerated-compositing --disable-accelerated-2d-canvas --disable-accelerated-video-decode --channel=16552.7.1676980507
kels 17499 1 0 17:07 ? 00:00:00 /usr/lib/gnome-settings-daemon/gnome-settings-daemon
root 18025 2 0 19:57 ? 00:00:00 [kworker/0:2]
kels 18140 16564 0 20:43 ? 00:00:00 /opt/google/chrome/chrome --type=renderer --lang=en-US --force-fieldtrials=AsyncDns/AsyncDnsA/ForceCompositingMode/disable/InfiniteCache/No/OmniboxStopTimer/UseStopTimer/Prerender/PrerenderEnabled/PrerenderFromOmnibox/OmniboxPrerenderEnabled/SendFeedbackLinkLocation/alt-location/Test0PercentDefault/group_01/UMA-Dynamic-Binary-Uniformity-Trial/default/UMA-New-Install-Uniformity-Trial/Control/UMA-Session-Randomized-Uniformity-Trial-5-Percent/group_03/UMA-Uniformity-Trial-1-Percent/group_43/UMA-Uniformity-Trial-10-Percent/group_03/UMA-Uniformity-Trial-20-Percent/group_04/UMA-Uniformity-Trial-5-Percent/group_01/UMA-Uniformity-Trial-50-Percent/default/ --renderer-print-preview --disable-webgl --disable-pepper-3d --disable-gl-multisampling --disable-accelerated-compositing --disable-accelerated-2d-canvas --disable-accelerated-video-decode --channel=16552.14.792576213
kels 18160 16564 1 20:44 ? 00:00:08 /opt/google/chrome/chrome --type=renderer --lang=en-US --force-fieldtrials=AsyncDns/AsyncDnsA/ForceCompositingMode/disable/InfiniteCache/No/OmniboxStopTimer/UseStopTimer/Prerender/PrerenderEnabled/PrerenderFromOmnibox/OmniboxPrerenderEnabled/SendFeedbackLinkLocation/alt-location/Test0PercentDefault/group_01/UMA-Dynamic-Binary-Uniformity-Trial/default/UMA-New-Install-Uniformity-Trial/Control/UMA-Session-Randomized-Uniformity-Trial-5-Percent/group_03/UMA-Uniformity-Trial-1-Percent/group_43/UMA-Uniformity-Trial-10-Percent/group_03/UMA-Uniformity-Trial-20-Percent/group_04/UMA-Uniformity-Trial-5-Percent/group_01/UMA-Uniformity-Trial-50-Percent/default/ --renderer-print-preview --disable-webgl --disable-pepper-3d --disable-gl-multisampling --disable-accelerated-compositing --disable-accelerated-2d-canvas --disable-accelerated-video-decode --channel=16552.16.1577193365
kels 18168 16564 0 20:44 ? 00:00:01 /opt/google/chrome/chrome --type=renderer --lang=en-US --force-fieldtrials=AsyncDns/AsyncDnsA/ForceCompositingMode/disable/InfiniteCache/No/OmniboxStopTimer/UseStopTimer/Prerender/PrerenderEnabled/PrerenderFromOmnibox/OmniboxPrerenderEnabled/SendFeedbackLinkLocation/alt-location/Test0PercentDefault/group_01/UMA-Dynamic-Binary-Uniformity-Trial/default/UMA-New-Install-Uniformity-Trial/Control/UMA-Session-Randomized-Uniformity-Trial-5-Percent/group_03/UMA-Uniformity-Trial-1-Percent/group_43/UMA-Uniformity-Trial-10-Percent/group_03/UMA-Uniformity-Trial-20-Percent/group_04/UMA-Uniformity-Trial-5-Percent/group_01/UMA-Uniformity-Trial-50-Percent/default/ --renderer-print-preview --disable-webgl --disable-pepper-3d --disable-gl-multisampling --disable-accelerated-compositing --disable-accelerated-2d-canvas --disable-accelerated-video-decode --channel=16552.17.1410378084
root 18186 2 0 20:47 ? 00:00:00 [kworker/0:1]
kels 18196 16564 0 20:49 ? 00:00:01 /opt/google/chrome/chrome --type=renderer --lang=en-US --force-fieldtrials=AsyncDns/AsyncDnsA/ForceCompositingMode/disable/InfiniteCache/No/OmniboxStopTimer/UseStopTimer/Prerender/PrerenderEnabled/PrerenderFromOmnibox/OmniboxPrerenderEnabled/SendFeedbackLinkLocation/alt-location/Test0PercentDefault/group_01/UMA-Dynamic-Binary-Uniformity-Trial/default/UMA-New-Install-Uniformity-Trial/Control/UMA-Session-Randomized-Uniformity-Trial-5-Percent/group_03/UMA-Uniformity-Trial-1-Percent/group_43/UMA-Uniformity-Trial-10-Percent/group_03/UMA-Uniformity-Trial-20-Percent/group_04/UMA-Uniformity-Trial-5-Percent/group_01/UMA-Uniformity-Trial-50-Percent/default/ --renderer-print-preview --disable-webgl --disable-pepper-3d --disable-gl-multisampling --disable-accelerated-compositing --disable-accelerated-2d-canvas --disable-accelerated-video-decode --channel=16552.19.333639441
kels 18632 1523 0 20:51 ? 00:00:00 /usr/lib/libreoffice/program/oosplash --writer
kels 18649 18632 0 20:51 ? 00:00:00 /usr/lib/libreoffice/program/soffice.bin --writer --splash-pipe=6
kels 18663 1523 0 20:51 ? 00:00:00 kdeinit4: kio_file [kdeinit] file local:/tmp/ksocket-kels/klauncherhX1524.slave-socket local:/tmp/ksocket-kels/dolphinW16255.slave-socket
kels 18664 1523 0 20:51 ? 00:00:00 kdeinit4: kio_file [kdeinit] file local:/tmp/ksocket-kels/klauncherhX1524.slave-socket local:/tmp/ksocket-kels/dolphinh16524.slave-socket
kels 18668 1 0 20:51 ? 00:00:00 /usr/bin/konsole
kels 18670 18668 0 20:51 pts/7 00:00:00 /bin/bash
root 18728 2 0 20:52 ? 00:00:00 [kworker/0:0]
kels 18729 18670 0 20:52 pts/7 00:00:00 ps -ef

[sudodus]

I see that you have a lot of KDE stuff running. Do I understand correctly, that you have installed Ubuntu, and are running KDE kickoff desk top (not any 'standard Ubuntu' desktop like Unity)? In that case I think the high number of processes is because of that.

You could check if a clean Kubuntu install would result in fewer processes, but on the other hand, if your system is doing fine, I don't see any reason to worry.

-o-

As usual, take backups regularly, so that you can at least restore all your personal files. If you don't want to reinstall your system, you should consider a full backup of your personal files as well as the system.

Edit: You can also install Ubuntu-Tweak according to this link
http://www.ubuntugeek.com/how-to-install-ubuntu-tweak-0-7-0-in-ubuntu-12-04-precise.html

[VMC]

I'm not running kubuntu right now, but my ubuntu 12.04 has 159 processes. I'll kubuntu later on. For one thing, I noticed, you have "ibreoffice, klipper, dolphin" and several other programs running.

I have disabled "nepomukserver, akonadi, zeitgeist" on my system, so they are not running.

Ok, I'm on Kubuntu Saucy right now, and I have 144 processes. Several are from Chrome.

[tgalati4]

From your GRUB menu boot into a Rescue Console--which is a root terminal. Run htop and look through the processes--those would be the bare minimum for your setup. Be mindful that Chrome spins out a lot of threads (processes). Each tab is a jail and gets its own thread. Most linux machines will do OK until you get to around 4,000 processes, then things fall apart quickly.

[bob17]

Thanks everyone for spending time on this thread, I think looking forward i need the following:
1) a link for a manual for "htop" describing the column meanings and etc. (perhaps a "top" is what i should search for)
2) a link describing Ubuntu start up scripting.
With this info i think i can work on my own and if necessary request more information with a better description.

[sudodus]

You can find a lot browsing the internet for htop tutorial for example

http://xahlee.info/linux/linux_monitor_processes.html

http://xahlee.info/linux/linux_monitor_processes_htop.html

I'll pass on the second question.

[SeijiSensei]

I don't see anything out of line in that list you presented above. I'm using Kubuntu 13.04, and top reports I have about 235 processes running. You can see which processes belong to you in that listing above since they have user "kels" listed as their owner rather than "root."

To see the minimal number of processes you would use in a standard session, close all the programs currently running in the task bar, then reboot. After you log in, open Konsole and run "top". I'd bet you'll see a number in the 150-200 range even before running any desktop applications like Chrome or LibreOffice.

As for startup scripts, you should begin by reading about Upstart (http://upstart.ubuntu.com/), Ubuntu's replacement for the traditional SysV init system used on *nix. You can also browse the scripts that came with your machine for hints about structure; they are stored in /etc/init.d/.

However many processes are managed by KDE itself (http://techbase.kde.org/KDE_System_Administration/Startup), not Upstart. You can also specify scripts to run when KDE starts up using its Autostart (http://docs.kde.org/stable/en/kde-workspace/kcontrol/autostart/) functionality.

[vasa1]

I don't see anything out of line in that list you presented above. ....
OP has processes for both Nautilus and Dolphin. Then there's zeitgeist and nepomuk (the KDE equivalent)? It's almost as if OP has two DEs going at one time. At least that's the impression I get going through the list.

[SeijiSensei]

So zeitgeist is some GNOME-based program? Nepomuk is a desktop search engine that comes by default with KDE.

We're still not talking about many processes, though, from his 250 or so. My earlier comment had more to do with whether there were any suspect processes running. While I didn't recognize zeitgeist and didn't notice Nautilus, I didn't see anything disturbing.

Yes, it would probably be better if he didn't run both GNOME and KDE applications that duplicate functions, like Dolphin and Nautilus do, since it would limit the number of libraries in use. I use Firefox and Thunderbird by default, so I'm used to running GTK+ applications in a KDE environment and don't think of it as all that unusual.