# [SAVAL_PID_FILE_LOCK](https://apps.juniper.net/syslog-explorer/?msg=SAVAL_PID_FILE_LOCK)

## SYSLOG Details
- **Message**: Unable to lock PID file; another <variable>program-name</variable> was running
- **Help**: mac-validate could not lock PID file
- **Description**: The MAC SA Validate system process (jsavald) attempted to lock the file that records its process ID (PID), which serves to prevent multiple instances of the jsavald process from running simultaneously. The attempt failed.
- **Type**: SNO: Should Not Occur
- **Severity**: error
- **Cause**: Another instance of the jsavald process is running.
- **Action**: Check whether another jsavald process is running, and stop it if appropriate.
- **Attributes**: program-name
- **Facility**: LOG_DAEMON

## Found this message in the following releases:
- [Junos OS 24.2R1](https://apps.juniper.net/syslog-explorer/?msg=SAVAL_PID_FILE_LOCK&sw=Junos%20OS&rel=24.2R1)
- [Junos OS 23.4R1](https://apps.juniper.net/syslog-explorer/?msg=SAVAL_PID_FILE_LOCK&sw=Junos%20OS&rel=23.4R1)