Out of memory - oom-killer

Codo · Apprentice Joined: 17 May 2004 Posts: 271

Hi all:

I am having problems while running usual tasks on a newly installed machine. It is a Pentium III celeron with 24MB of RAM and 1GB of swap space. When I run specified tasks (like compiling a kernel), the oom-killer kills gcc.

Now, I know the machine can do it because when I boot from the LiveCD I can compile the kernel. Why I am running out of memory? 1GB is not enough?

As soon as I boot, $> free shows that from the 24MB I am already using 22MB???

Any ideas? I am running a 2.6 kernel.

Thanks!

adaptr · Posted: Thu Dec 02, 2004 10:14 am Post subject:

What is the output of free when gcc has crashed ?
How much swap is then in use ?

24 MB is very, very little to work with a 2.6 kernel.
_________________
>>> emerge (3 of 7) mcse/70-293 to /
Essential tools: gentoolkit eix profuse screen

Codo · Apprentice Joined: 17 May 2004 Posts: 271

It usually says around 24MB of phisical memory, 22.5MB used.
Swap: 1GB available, 2MB used....

adaptr · Posted: Thu Dec 02, 2004 11:08 am Post subject:

Then it is obvious the kernel build deliberately doesn't use swap.
_________________
>>> emerge (3 of 7) mcse/70-293 to /
Essential tools: gentoolkit eix profuse screen

Codo · Apprentice Joined: 17 May 2004 Posts: 271

adaptr · Posted: Thu Dec 02, 2004 4:18 pm Post subject:

I'd open a second VC and let top run in it while you do a kernel build.
Sort it according to RSS and VM used, see what happens.
Set it to update as fast as possible, at least once a second.
_________________
>>> emerge (3 of 7) mcse/70-293 to /
Essential tools: gentoolkit eix profuse screen

Codo · Apprentice Joined: 17 May 2004 Posts: 271

I've done that, and the swap usage does not go beyond 6MB... Any ideas please? Is this a bug???

Paladine01 · Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2004 3:49 pm Post subject:

Kernel 2.6.9 has a more aggressive OOM-Killer. You would be better off downgrading to 2.6.8.1. I run linux on my Gamecube and I run into the same problem as you. 24 megs of RAM and a large network swap. Even with plenty of swap the kernel decides to kill my applications left and right.

2.6.10 is supposed to fix these problems, so you might want to try a prerelease version if you're brave.

Deranger · Veteran Joined: 26 Aug 2004 Posts: 1215

Codo · Apprentice Joined: 17 May 2004 Posts: 271

Jengu · Guru Joined: 28 Oct 2004 Posts: 384

Why a celeron with 24MB of RAM? That's like putting a jet engine in a horse carriage. Upgrade your memory

adaptr · Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2004 8:07 am Post subject:

Codo · Apprentice Joined: 17 May 2004 Posts: 271