Strange memory usage - Processes

**vwgtiturbo** · 02-10-2004, 03:36 AM

I posted in another forum on this board about my INSANE memory usage, so I will recap here and add something...
Basically, my system, Slack 9.1 with a full-install, seems to use ALOT of memory. The sysem has 512Mb, and if I log in (INIT3) and just let it run with apache, proftpd, and sshd, my memory gets eaten up by about 100Mb every couple of hours. Finally, the memory will be used up, and it will start to use the swap.
Now, something I noticed today... I usually open up alot of 'vi' sessions during my time on Slack, in a VAIN attempt to learn that POS editor... Anyway... ummm... Oh yeah... Well, I open vi or I run 'top', and get the info I need and close them out. After a while, my system will run slow, so I do another 'top'. Lo and behold, I have 'vi' sessions still going and several instances of top, that are using all of my resources. Two questions... Why aren't these processes ending when I close the app, and, with them not closing, what is causing them to use 90%+ of my CPU? I also have problems with 'iptraf'. I will use this to see if someone is downloading from my server (so I don't cut someone off if I need to reboot, or whatever) and ever since I ran it the first time, every time I open it and try to see option one (can't remember what it is off the top of my head) I can't see the info, as it tells me 'iptraf is already listening on that device". Keep in mind that, at this point, I haven't run iptraf during this session, and it is not set to autorun on boot (to my knowledge). If I run 'top' it doesn't show up, so... Maybe this relates to the 'vi' and top stuff above??? Fun stuff...

**SkyNet** · 02-10-2004, 04:41 PM

To close vi the command :q should be issued. Plain q will get you out of top.

If those processes remain running after you've closed them, then use the kill command to shut them down. You can check for processes still running by issuing the command ps aux. Once this is done find the PID (Process ID), and use kill in this manner: kill -9 PID

If you do find for some reason that these programs are still running, even after you've shut them down with the proper command, then there is probably something wrong with your systems, and it might be your home directory since you saved that.

**vwgtiturbo** · 02-10-2004, 04:51 PM

Yeah, I knew that stuff (as far as how to close the apps), and that is why I am being thrown for a loop... Drives me nuts. I am just really getting fed up with this thing... I don't mind fiddling with something to get it working right, but spending more time fiddling with it, then I actually get to USE it... is getting a little out of hand...
I guess I could format the /home, then setup all of my stuff again, and see if that helps...

**SkyNet** · 02-10-2004, 06:00 PM

What I mean by your home dir, is mainly the hidden folders. There is probably a .vi or .vim or something like that. Have you tried removing it, and letting the OS create a new one. Perhaps the carry over isn't going to smoothly.

Although that really doesn't explain top though. Give this thread a little while longer before you go with a format. Maybe someone will come up with something.

One last thing. Try to re-compile a new kernel for yourself to see if that helps.