disk/processsor utilization oscillation
 

I am running RH 9.0.
I know very little about linux, but was able to install Manhattan, a web based learning management system on it.

I don't believe my problem is with Manhattan.

About every 5 seconds there is disk activity. Using System Monitor, I can see that the processor oscillates in a regular pattern from about 6% utilization to about 12% utilization every 5 seconds. This occurs when there is absolutely nothing for the OS do do.

Looking at the list of processes running there is a process name that is simply called "X" It has a floppy disk icon next to it. This process appears to be using cpu time and is fluxuating (approx. 5-6%). The process details shows this process is sleeping, its priority is normal (nice 0).

The gnome system monitor process is using 30-31% and also fluxuating.

The system startup log shows an entry
kjournald starting commit interval 5 seconds.
I don't know if this has anything to do with it.

A process called python also appears to have a fluxuating utilization.

How do I stop this extraneous activity? I have checked with a system admin using Linux. It is not normal for there to be disk/processor activity when there is nothing for Linux (or Manhattan) to do.

T.

You may want to check out this thread: RH9 is very slow