kswapd0 using 100% CPU

[TobiasGWV]

This is apparently a long standing issue; I've seen multiple unresolved bug reports dating back to 2009. But instead of collecting all information in one place, apparently it is preferred that new reports are filled. So here it is.

The problem is still the same as what other user reported: seemingly at random, kswapd0 will start using 100% CPU. This happens regardless of whether or not a swap space is being used.

There is plenty more information about this bug in previous reports on this same issue here on launchpad. Maybe it would be a good idea to collect all this information into one bug-report, but I don't know how to do that.

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 14.04
Package: linux-image-3.13.0-24-generic 3.13.0-24.47
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.13.0-24.47-generic 3.13.9
Uname: Linux 3.13.0-24-generic x86_64
NonfreeKernelModules: wl
ApportVersion: 2.14.1-0ubuntu3.11
Architecture: amd64
AudioDevicesInUse:
 USER PID ACCESS COMMAND
 /dev/snd/controlC1: tobias 2883 F.... pulseaudio
 /dev/snd/controlC0: tobias 2883 F.... pulseaudio
CurrentDesktop: X-Cinnamon
Date: Thu Jul 23 20:52:43 2015
EcryptfsInUse: Yes
HibernationDevice: RESUME=UUID=913fc4bc-8ae0-401b-a43d-06ec493a9c1d
InstallationDate: Installed on 2014-05-26 (423 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Linux Mint 16 "petra" - Release amd64 20131126
MachineType: Hewlett-Packard HP Pavilion dv7 Notebook PC
ProcFB: 0 radeondrmfb
ProcKernelCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/vmlinuz-3.13.0-24-generic root=/dev/mapper/mint--vg-root ro UUID=913fc4bc-8ae0-401b-a43d-06ec493a9c1d quiet splash vt.handoff=7
RelatedPackageVersions:
 linux-restricted-modules-3.13.0-24-generic N/A
 linux-backports-modules-3.13.0-24-generic N/A
 linux-firmware 1.127.11
SourcePackage: linux
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)
dmi.bios.date: 08/22/2009
dmi.bios.vendor: Hewlett-Packard
dmi.bios.version: F.03
dmi.board.name: 3639
dmi.board.vendor: Quanta
dmi.board.version: 33.11
dmi.chassis.type: 10
dmi.chassis.vendor: Quanta
dmi.chassis.version: N/A
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnHewlett-Packard:bvrF.03:bd08/22/2009:svnHewlett-Packard:pnHPPaviliondv7NotebookPC:pvr039F200000241210000020000:rvnQuanta:rn3639:rvr33.11:cvnQuanta:ct10:cvrN/A:
dmi.product.name: HP Pavilion dv7 Notebook PC
dmi.product.version: 039F200000241210000020000
dmi.sys.vendor: Hewlett-Packard

[Joseph Salisbury (jsalisbury)]

Would it be possible for you to test the latest upstream kernel? Refer to https://wiki.ubuntu.com/KernelMainlineBuilds . Please test the latest v4.2 kernel[0].

If this bug is fixed in the mainline kernel, please add the following tag 'kernel-fixed-upstream'.

If the mainline kernel does not fix this bug, please add the tag: 'kernel-bug-exists-upstream'.

Once testing of the upstream kernel is complete, please mark this bug as "Confirmed".

Thanks in advance.

[0] http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v4.2-rc3-unstable/

[Brad Figg (brad-figg)]

This change was made by a bot.

[TobiasGWV (tobias-verhulst)]

jsalisbury, I tried to install the upstream kernel but ran into problems. As stated in the wiki page you linked, out-of-tree modules need to be disabled to use that kernel version. However, doing that disabled the wireless on my system (somewhat old laptop), so I had to revert.

Anyway, this problem is not occurring constantly. So even if it doesn't immediately appear when using another kernel that wouldn't mean it couldn't show up later.

I do have a little more information that might be helpful, though: I have a second, similar laptop running XUbuntu that never exhibits this problem. Here are the outputs of uname -a:

Problem does not occur: Linux 3.13.0-57-generic #95-Ubuntu SMP Fri Jun 19 09:27:48 UTC 2015 i686 i686 i686 GNU/Linux

Problem does occur: Linux 3.13.0-24-generic #47-Ubuntu SMP Fri May 2 23:30:00 UTC 2014 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux

So, the kernel versions are close to the same, both 3.13.0, but the architecture is not: i686 vs. x86.

[penalvch (penalvch)]

TobiasGWV, could you please provide the full computer model as noted on the sticker of the computer itself (not from the Bug Description)?

[TobiasGWV (tobias-verhulst)]

penalvch, Here it is: HP Pavilion dv7, model #: dv7-3099sb.

Also, the machine not having the issue has a different model #: dv7-2040eb.

[Launchpad Janitor (janitor)]

[Expired for linux (Ubuntu) because there has been no activity for 60 days.]

[TobiasGWV (tobias-verhulst)]

Well, that's not particularly helpful. I provided all the requested information, why the hell did the bug expire?

[penalvch (penalvch)]

TobiasGWV,is this an issue in Ubuntu (not Linux Mint) via http://releases.ubuntu.com/trusty/ ?

If so, please execute the following in Ubuntu a terminal:
apport-collect 1477726