I have exactly the same behaviour here with Kubuntu 8.04 x64 (upgraded successively from 7.04 and then 7.10 without any problems). The problem goes on for many months now. Last year I had the same issue with extremely high usage of swap, but I found out it was a memory leak from Xorg (the bug is here: https://bugs.launchpad.net/xorg-server/+bug/186354, I have also contributed, so you can see the details I posted). Unfortunately, after upgrading from 7.10 to 8.04 the behaviour of the system remained the same: Extreme usage of swap! But this time I don't even have a clue about what's causing it! ps, top or similar point that everything works fine. Something strange though happened some days ago: I 've done two changes to the system. First, I formatted one of the two ntfs partitions I used to have to ext3 (I don't use ******* anymore for the last 4 years or so, and in the rare case of needing them I have Virtualbox). Second, I had a problem running gns3 (a python gui frontend for dynamips, the latter being a Cisco emulator), that was solved by deleting /etc/ld.so.cache. I don't know which of these actions contributed, but my system was 100% fine for 3 days or so. But then again the last days the problem reappeared. I created a new user, but nothing new. I also freed around 4GB of space in my root partition, because it was almost full, but again nothing new (I thought that without free space, the system would have to use swap for tmp data. Because as I read in an article about virtual memory, it's not only processes that make the system use swap, but sometimes file or network activity). Tried with rt and server kernels, but the problem is still here! For various reasons, I didn't do anything to solve the problem all these months, but now it started getting on my nerves!!! Below you can see what's going on now on my system...
Code:
ps -eo pmem,pcpu,rss,vsize,args | sort -k 1 -r -n
%MEM %CPU RSS VSZ COMMAND
6.9 2.1 142312 376276 konqueror [kdeinit] --silent
3.4 3.7 70128 152800 /usr/bin/X -br -nolisten tcp :0 vt7 -auth /var/run/xauth/A:0-ilk0a5
3.2 0.1 67488 327768 kmail -caption KMail -icon kmail -miniicon kmail
3.0 4.2 63624 587776 amarokapp -session 10145e5ecdb000123595248800000216600054_1236046133_764848
1.9 0.0 39956 232676 /usr/bin/python /usr/share/python-support/kde-guidance-powermanager/guidance-power-manager.py
1.8 0.0 38464 217636 krusader -caption Krusader -icon krusader_blue -miniicon krusader_blue
1.7 0.3 35164 73852 skype -session 10145e5ecdb000123595282600000108390016_1236046133_618402
1.4 0.1 29960 248000 kded [kdeinit] --new-startup
1.4 0.0 30520 280044 kmess -session 10145e5ecdb000123595282600000108390017_1236046133_617926
1.4 0.0 29248 187772 katapult -session 10145e5ecdb000123596072800000108390034_1236046133_617765
1.3 0.3 27392 320496 kicker [kdeinit]
1.3 0.0 28804 216356 python -O /usr/lib/wicd/wicd-client.py
1.2 2.0 26540 156552 superkaramba -session 10145e5ecdb000123594350100000108310028_1236046133_619081
1.2 0.0 25468 214052 python /usr/bin/system-config-printer-applet-kde
1.0 0.0 22132 224648 kdesktop [kdeinit]
0.9 0.0 19804 161060 /usr/bin/python /usr/share/python-support/kde-guidance-powermanager/gpmhelper.py
0.8 0.1 17136 149252 kget -session 10145e5ecdb000123595283500000108390018_1236046133_617607
0.8 0.0 18532 166408 yakuake -session 10145e5ecdb000123570480600000090370030_1236046133_617432
0.8 0.0 16552 195252 knotify [kdeinit]
0.7 0.0 15028 139220 kshutdown -session 10145e5ecdb000122540756000000118910073_1236046133_617149
0.7 0.0 14924 152192 kwin [kdeinit] -session 10145e5ecdb00011987913210000005841
0.7 0.0 14908 154928 kmix [kdeinit] -session 10145e5ecdb00012047533660000009231
0.7 0.0 14844 139268 kwalletmanager --kwalletd
0.7 0.0 14820 165764 kio_uiserver [kdeinit]
0.6 0.0 13780 138556 oooqs2
0.6 0.0 13636 138996 kkbswitch -session 10145e5ecdb000120475337400000092310068_1236046133_616987
0.6 0.0 12576 144152 konqueror [kdeinit] -session 10145e5ecdb000123518307100000
0.5 0.2 12032 22456 /usr/sbin/preload -s /var/lib/preload/preload.state
0.5 0.1 12160 179408 /usr/bin/artsd -F 10 -S 4096 -s 60 -m artsmessage -c drkonqi -l 3 -f
0.5 0.0 12112 138388 kweatherservice
0.5 0.0 12012 145344 klipper [kdeinit]
0.4 0.0 9956 142476 ksmserver [kdeinit]
0.4 0.0 9368 137944 kaccess [kdeinit]
0.4 0.0 9128 183296 kio_pop3 [kdeinit] pop3s /tmp/ksocket-grinder/klauncherf5O
0.4 0.0 10276 185976 kio_imap4 [kdeinit] imaps /tmp/ksocket-grinder/klauncherf5
0.4 0.0 10196 186052 kio_imap4 [kdeinit] imaps /tmp/ksocket-grinder/klauncherf5
0.3 0.0 7840 121368 python /usr/share/hplip/hpssd.py
0.3 0.0 7792 170000 kio_http [kdeinit] http /tmp/ksocket-grinder/klauncherf5Ou
0.3 0.0 7772 169868 kio_http [kdeinit] http /tmp/ksocket-grinder/klauncherf5Ou
0.3 0.0 7712 135864 klauncher [kdeinit] --new-startup
0.3 0.0 7616 81348 python -O /usr/lib/wicd/wicd-daemon.py
0.3 0.0 6812 71268 python /usr/lib/wicd/monitor.py
0.3 0.0 6740 134128 kio_file [kdeinit] file /tmp/ksocket-grinder/klauncherf5Ou
0.2 0.0 5712 22112 ruby /usr/share/apps/amarok/scripts/lyrics_lyrc/lyrics_lyrc.rb
0.2 0.0 5264 129936 kdeinit Running...
0.2 0.0 4904 36100 /usr/sbin/hald
0.2 0.0 4684 35212 aspell -a -S -B -d el -Tutf8 --encoding=utf-8
0.2 0.0 4476 104356 /usr/sbin/console-kit-daemon
0.1 0.0 4072 7384 /sbin/klogd -P /var/run/klogd/kmsg
0.1 0.0 4056 134040 dcopserver [kdeinit] --nosid
0.1 0.0 3712 20804 /bin/bash
0.1 0.0 3340 17692 ruby /usr/share/apps/amarok/scripts/score_default/score_default.rb
0.1 0.0 2588 72444 /usr/sbin/cupsd
0.1 0.0 2560 194488 /usr/lib/ipsec/charon --use-syslog
0.1 0.0 2500 54900 /usr/lib/ipsec/pluto --nofork --uniqueids --debug-none --nat_traversal
0.1 0.0 2492 35212 aspell -a -S -B -d el -Tutf8 --encoding=utf-8
0.1 0.0 2336 30396 /usr/lib/hal/hald-addon-dell-backlight
%MEM %CPU RSS VSZ COMMAND
0.0 0.7 296 1392 /bin/busybox sh /bin/bootchart bottom
0.0 0.1 236 1392 /bin/busybox sh /bin/bootchart bottom
0.0 0.1 236 1392 /bin/busybox sh /bin/bootchart bottom
0.0 0.0 996 16672 hald-addon-acpi: listening on acpid socket /var/run/acpid.socket
0.0 0.0 988 16244 /sbin/mount.ntfs-3g /dev/sda2 /media/sda2 -o rw,locale=en_US.UTF-8
0.0 0.0 952 21188 /usr/bin/dbus-daemon --fork --print-pid 9 --print-address 11 --session
0.0 0.0 888 4020 /sbin/init
0.0 0.0 856 6644 ps -eo pmem,pcpu,rss,vsize,args
0.0 0.0 800 6272 /usr/sbin/dhcdbd --system
0.0 0.0 772 10208 /sbin/rpc.statd
0.0 0.0 764 26056 /usr/bin/kdm -config /var/run/kdm/kdmrc
0.0 0.0 724 9116 sort -k 1 -r -n
0.0 0.0 724 12296 /sbin/syslogd -u syslog
0.0 0.0 704 25768 dbus-launch --autolaunch 9c00e184b02941ca9e6012004686b240 --binary-syntax --close-stderr
0.0 0.0 640 10200 /usr/sbin/inetd
0.0 0.0 624 33600 /usr/bin/ssh-agent /usr/bin/gpg-agent --daemon --sh --write-env-file=/home/grinder/.gnupg/gpg-agent-info-tuxlaptop x-session-manager
0.0 0.0 604 3944 /bin/sh /usr/bin/x-session-manager
0.0 0.0 596 3864 /sbin/getty 38400 tty5
0.0 0.0 596 3864 /sbin/getty 38400 tty4
0.0 0.0 596 3864 /sbin/getty 38400 tty3
0.0 0.0 592 8132 /bin/dd bs 1 if /proc/kmsg of /var/run/klogd/kmsg
0.0 0.0 592 3864 /sbin/getty 38400 tty6
0.0 0.0 592 3864 /sbin/getty 38400 tty2
0.0 0.0 592 3864 /sbin/getty 38400 tty1
0.0 0.0 540 8084 /sbin/portmap
0.0 0.0 532 16108 /usr/bin/gpg-agent --daemon --sh --write-env-file=/home/grinder/.gnupg/gpg-agent-info-tuxlaptop x-session-manager
0.0 0.0 504 29580 avahi-daemon: chroot helper
0.0 0.0 448 3848 kwrapper ksmserver
0.0 0.0 420 3940 /usr/lib/ipsec/starter
0.0 0.0 412 7916 _pluto_adns
0.0 0.0 36 188 /bin/sleep 0.2
0.0 0.0 32 188 /bin/sleep 0.2
0.0 0.0 32 188 /bin/sleep 0.2
0.0 0.0 1812 53464 -:0
0.0 0.0 1748 13076 /usr/sbin/acpid -c /etc/acpi/events -s /var/run/acpid.socket
0.0 0.0 164 3712 start_kdeinit --new-startup +kcminit_startup
0.0 0.0 1472 29700 avahi-daemon: running [tuxlaptop.local]
0.0 0.0 1388 55588 /usr/sbin/winbindd
0.0 0.0 1328 13532 /usr/sbin/hcid -x -s
0.0 0.0 1328 13428 /usr/lib/bluetooth/bluetoothd-service-audio
0.0 0.0 1292 21512 /usr/bin/dbus-daemon --system
0.0 0.0 1272 17160 /sbin/udevd --daemon
0.0 0.0 1244 19940 /usr/lib/hal/hald-addon-cpufreq
0.0 0.0 1188 17820 hald-runner
0.0 0.0 1184 55588 /usr/sbin/winbindd
0.0 0.0 1176 13352 /usr/lib/bluetooth/bluetoothd-service-input
0.0 0.0 1172 19928 hald-addon-input: Listening on /dev/input/event6 /dev/input/event10 /dev/input/event8 /dev/input/event1 /dev/input/event3 /dev/input/event4 /dev/input/event5
0.0 0.0 1156 19928 hald-addon-storage: polling /dev/scd0 (every 2 sec)
0.0 0.0 0 0 [watchdog/1]
0.0 0.0 0 0 [watchdog/0]
0.0 0.0 0 0 [scsi_eh_1]
0.0 0.0 0 0 [scsi_eh_0]
0.0 0.0 0 0 [pdflush]
0.0 0.0 0 0 [pdflush]
0.0 0.0 0 0 [pccardd]
0.0 0.0 0 0 [migration/1]
0.0 0.0 0 0 [migration/0]
0.0 0.0 0 0 [kthreadd]
0.0 0.0 0 0 [kswapd0]
0.0 0.0 0 0 [ksuspend_usbd]
0.0 0.0 0 0 [ksoftirqd/1]
0.0 0.0 0 0 [ksoftirqd/0]
0.0 0.0 0 0 [kseriod]
0.0 0.0 0 0 [krfcommd]
0.0 0.0 0 0 [kpsmoused]
0.0 0.0 0 0 [kondemand/1]
0.0 0.0 0 0 [kondemand/0]
0.0 0.0 0 0 [knodemgrd_0]
0.0 0.0 0 0 [kjournald]
0.0 0.0 0 0 [kjournald]
0.0 0.0 0 0 [kjournald]
0.0 0.0 0 0 [kjournald]
0.0 0.0 0 0 [khubd]
0.0 0.0 0 0 [khpsbpkt]
0.0 0.0 0 0 [khelper]
0.0 0.0 0 0 [kblockd/1]
0.0 0.0 0 0 [kblockd/0]
0.0 0.0 0 0 [kacpi_notify]
0.0 0.0 0 0 [kacpid]
0.0 0.0 0 0 [iwl3945/1]
0.0 0.0 0 0 [iwl3945/0]
0.0 0.0 0 0 [iwl3945]
0.0 0.0 0 0 [events/1]
0.0 0.0 0 0 [events/0]
0.0 0.0 0 0 [btdelconn]
0.0 0.0 0 0 [btaddconn]
0.0 0.0 0 0 [ata_aux]
0.0 0.0 0 0 [ata/1]
0.0 0.0 0 0 [ata/0]
0.0 0.0 0 0 [aio/1]
0.0 0.0 0 0 [aio/0]
Code:
free
total used free shared buffers cached
Mem: 2061396 1999704 61692 0 25884 856672
-/+ buffers/cache: 1117148 944248
Swap: 2096440 569996 1526444
Code:
fdisk -l
Disk /dev/sda: 160.0 GB, 160041885696 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 19457 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes
Disk identifier: 0xd0f4738c
Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sda1 1 18 144553+ de Dell Utility
/dev/sda2 * 19 3934 31455270 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda3 3935 6010 16675470 83 Linux
/dev/sda4 6011 19457 108013027+ 5 Extended
/dev/sda5 6011 6663 5245191 83 Linux
/dev/sda6 6664 16454 78646176 83 Linux
/dev/sda7 16455 19196 22025083+ 83 Linux
/dev/sda8 19197 19457 2096451 82 Linux swap / Solaris
Code:
cat /proc/sys/vm/swappiness
10
My machine is a Dell Latitude D820 (Intel T5600, 2GB RAM, nVidia Quadro NVS110M with 256MB dedicated RAM) and as I said above I use Kubuntu 8.04 x64 with all the latest updates.
In case the problem is not going to be resolved, I am afraid I will install everything from scratch, but I really want to avoid this, since I am really short of time and also I have done some configuration for LaTeX and I don't really remember which things I have changed... In the worst scenario of reinstalling everything I think this time will go for 32bit? What's your opinion for that?
Thanx in advance and sorry for this huge post...
Bookmarks