Ubuntu Unity 12.04 64bit
Kernel Linux 3.8.0-36-generic
GNOME 3.4.2
Memory: 1.7G
Processor: Intel® Pentium(R) CPU P6200 @ 2.13GHz × 2



Suddenly, my system was running incredibly slow. utilizing 97% of my RAM on a constant basis with nothing active running. Poking around I found the majority of the resources were going to a process called "convert". After killing the process, I'm running smoothly at only 43% with several programs going running. Killing the processes has had no other visible effect on my system, and it only runs smoother now. Though it takes a few minutes to get there because reboots bring this right back up again. I ca

I don't know what this process is, and it doesn't sound familiar for anything I've installed. Google has not provided any answers as to what this process is. Have I somehow stumbled upon a malware of some sort, or can someone provide me with what this process is supposed to do and why it's eating every bit of my resources? Perhaps how to kill it for good, or reset it to a normal level?

Hi,

convert is part of imagemagick. It is a commandline utility for manipulating graphics files. I can imagine a scenario where something like a file manager was using it to create thumbnails of your image files.

Evo2.

Hi,

one more thing, you can probably use ps and/or pstree (or some gui equivalent) to find out what is starting convert.

Evo2.

Interesting that I've don't remember installing that program, but my system does have it. I'm gonna wipe it off (since I obviously don't use it anyway) and see if that solves the problem next reboot. I'll keep this post updated on the result. Thanks.

SOLVED!

I removed Imagemagick and the issue hasn't returned. Found out how it got onto my computer too. I had installed a program called Variety, desktop background changer. This was forcefully uninstalled during removal of imagemagick, thus they must have been bundled together. To be honest, it had been slowing down my resources already, so I'm not suprised it was the source of the problem. Thanks for your help evo2!

Hi,

variety must have been using it to manipulate images to for your desktop. Is it an official Ubuntu package? If so, then a bug should probably be filed.

Evo2.

Not official Ubuntu can be found at http://peterlevi.com/variety/ and was recommended a couple places, but Wallch was higher rated just with less options. I'm filing a bug with them.