Derailing Runaway IMAP Processes

1. Problem
   

   Temporary loss of functionality in E-mail clients using the IMAP protocol (e.g., deleted messages won't delete, or a mailbox is referred to as 'read-only'.)

2. Solution
   
   1. Shut down any open E-mail applications (Netscape, Outlook Express, etc.)
   2. Log into mail.pa.msu.edu using ssh (preferred) or telnet (discouraged for security reasons).
   3. After logging in, at the prompt type ps -u  username | grep imapd
      (replacing username with your mail.pa.msu.edu login ID).
   4. Type kill XXXXX where XXXXX is the process id or ids (numbers in the first column) reported by the above command.
   5. Repeat step 4 until all the processes are killed.
   6. Repeat step 3 to check that all the processes are killed.
   7. Log out of mail.pa.msu.edu with the exit command.
   8. Re-open your E-mail client.

Questions not covered in this FAQ? Make sure to send them in!

Last Updated: 2005.03.21 by G J Perkins