>From LinuxSA "Zombies are dead processes. You cannot kill the dead. All processes eventually die, and when they do they become zombies. They consume almost no resources, which is to be expected because they are dead! The reason for zombies is so the zombie's parent (process) can retrieve the zombie's exit status and resource usage statistics. The parent signals the operating system that it no longer needs the zombie by using one of the wait() system calls."
The problem processes I was refering to _were_ consuming resources. This makes them more important to clean up than just a zombie. One instance was ssh to a remote host via a temperament network. Connection lost but ssh process [client side] would not return, die or stop maxing the CPU [P4 1.6Ghz]. >>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] 01/16/03 09:52 AM >>> On Thu, 16 Jan 2003 09:48:45 +1300 John Blance <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Yeah reboot works > > No they aren't re-spawning processes, but rather hung ones. The type > that if you kill off the process that started then [usually a shell] > they become owned by init [i.e. PID 1] > > Back in the old days kill -9 would stop anything!!! Not so sure you are right there. Zombies have always been difficult to kill (search google or google groups for "killing zombies linux" if you want to waste an afernoon LOL) > ********************************************************************** ** This email and attachments have been scanned for content and viruses and is believed to be clean ** This email or attachments may contain confidential or legally privileged information intended for the sole use of the addressee(s). Any use, redistribution, disclosure, or reproduction of this message, except as intended, is prohibited. If you received this email in error, please notify the sender and remove all copies of the message, including any attachments. Any views or opinions expressed in this email (unless otherwise stated) may not represent those of Canterbury District Health Board **********************************************************************
