[nzlug] Unkillable process

[Johann Schoonees]

Hi List

`kill -9' (with pid arg, as root) is apparently ineffective in killing 
a process called `kjournald' on my FC3 box, even on attempts spaced 
several hours apart.

Background info:

Kernel 2.6.12 (I think), FC3 legacy version.

ADSL connection is out of commission until Telecom does its broadband 
thing in the exchange (we moved house).

Other computer, which is a very thin client using XDMCP, is not yet 
connected, and gdm on main FC3 box is still configured to offer 
missing remote computer a login screen.

The unkillable process belongs to a new account created a few hours 
earlier for a visiting kid.  The new account belongs to no groups 
except its own unique numbered-but-unnamed group.

Other rambling:

The kids do tend to give the old box a good thrashing out of ignorance 
and enthusiasm, not malice.  I am left to clear up the mess 
afterwards.  (I think I detect a correlation between heavy Tux Racing 
and events such as disappearing mouse pointer.)

I use `ps -U accountname' on their accounts from time to time because 
they leave a fair bit of debris.  One which might be causing long 
hang-ups during log-out is `artsd' (perhaps in conjunction with 
missing local network or internet connection) but at least I can kill it.

And why do I see so many lurking `ssh-agent' processes belonging to 
all the accounts?  They seem harmless though.

Johann

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