10.5: Avoid syslogd CPU usage when using AppleScript

Jul 08, '08 07:30:01AM

Contributed by: Anonymous

Since the release of 10.5, I've seen that the execution of AppleScripts triggers heavy activity of syslogd, basically causing it to take over the CPU. I've found that by killing the syslogd process (which will automatically restart) and removing the asl.db file from the /var/log directory, I can at least temporarily solve the problem.

Here's a two-line AppleScript to do just that:

do shell script "sudo launchctl stop com.apple.syslogd" with administrator privileges
do shell script "sudo rm /var/log/asl.db" with administrator privileges
Run that, and CPU usage by syslogd should drop to normal levels again, at least for a while.

[robg adds: This older hint covers another issue with a runaway syslogd process, this one apparently caused by Time Machine.]

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