[cobalt-users] high CPU load (idle CPU) ???

[cobalt@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Hey Everyone,
I have one raq with 150 sites on it that is having a strange problem.
The CPU Load average starts at 0.00 when it boots. In a span of about
3 days, it will creep to > 20.00. The machine stays very responsive 
during the entire time, but sendmail shuts down at 20.00.

The thing that has me puzzled is that the CPU idle time (via top)
is ALWAYS around 98% idle.

in.qpopper was taking up 20% CPU with each process, but I replaced with
another popd which uses 0.3% CPU with each process (viewing with `top`)
and gives the machine a couple extra days to run before it must be rebooted.

This still has me baffeled as the CPU load will never back down once it goes up.
It will be 99% idle with minimum processes and will stay pegged at whatever load it happens
to be on. When the CPU usage goes up, the load will go on up. But never come back down.

Could I have a bad CPU?
I have about 10 raqs and they all have similar usage and users, but this is the only one doing anything
like this at all.

ANY help appriciated. I've been struggling to keep this thing afloat.

Thanks!

Ghostie