Version: 3.2.1 (using KDE 3.2.1, SuSE) Compiler: gcc version 3.3.3 (SuSE Linux) OS: Linux (i686) release 2.6.5-7.75-smp When a directory size is checked with ContextMenu "Properties", if this directory contains a big amount of files (say, 10000 or more), the memory used by the system rises abnormally (100 Mb or more) and is not released anymore (even by restarting X).
How did you check the memory rise? If it is only the buffers, it is normal. You are accessing a file system so Linux tries to cache it up to filing most of the available memory. Linux releases it when other needs arise. Have a nice day!
I checked by KDE System Guard. It's actually the application memory, not buffer nor cache. And the system will use the swap file (and slow down drastically) if the physical memory is filled.
Well, it would be nice if you told us which application is eating the memory.
Well, the problem is, KDE System Guard does tell me (in System Load) that appl. memory is being used, but neither the process table, nor "ps aux" from console, show me which application uses it. As though it was reserved by the file system driver (btw, I use ReiserFS, this could be the problem).
Could you please attach output from some text memory usage tool before and after the problem shows up and comment what makes you think there's any problem?
output from "free" before ContextMenu "Properties": total used free shared buffers cached Mem: 1034680 974868 59812 0 39396 192600 -/+ buffers/cache: 742872 291808 Swap: 1052216 59728 992488 output from "free" after running "Properties" on a directory containing around 50000 files (total 2.4 Gb): total used free shared buffers cached Mem: 1034680 1019076 15604 0 58404 150812 -/+ buffers/cache: 809860 224820 Swap: 1052216 101472 950744 As you can see, the application memory rises from 742872 to 809860 Kb. The swap file also rises. Please notice that konqueror was closed before running "free" again. Everytime I check the "Properties" of a directory, something (ReiserFS file system driver?) eats some of the computer's application memory, and doesn't release it back.
I just did a test on my system (KDE 3.5.4, FC5, ext3) with about 50.000 files in one folder. With calling three times "free". 1. Before starting konqeror: total used free shared buffers cached Mem: 1555588 1402344 153244 0 28560 861640 -/+ buffers/cache: 512144 1043444 Swap: 787144 105232 681912 2. After showing the properties: total used free shared buffers cached Mem: 1555588 1434288 121300 0 28632 862136 -/+ buffers/cache: 543520 1012068 Swap: 787144 105232 681912 3. After closing konqueror: total used free shared buffers cached Mem: 1555588 1404836 150752 0 28668 862224 -/+ buffers/cache: 513944 1041644 Swap: 787144 105232 681912 So I think that this bug is invalid or not reproducable. Closing Konqeror results in releasing the used memory. However, it might be better, if Konqeror would release the used memory, when the "properties"-dialog is closed.
I'm afraid we can't help you with "something" eating your memory when we can't reproduce and you can't point out what this something could be.