--- bin/mongrel_rails-orig      2007-04-13 09:44:11.000000000 +0300
+++ bin/mongrel_rails   2007-04-13 10:00:39.000000000 +0300
@@ -83,10 +83,18 @@
       config = Mongrel::Rails::RailsConfigurator.new(settings) do
         if defaults[:daemon]
           if File.exist? defaults[:pid_file]
-            log "!!! PID file #{defaults[:pid_file]} already exists.  Mongrel could be running already.  Check your #{defaults[:log_file]} for errors."
-            log "!!! Exiting with error.  You must stop mongrel and clear the .pid before I'll attempt a start."
-            exit 1
-          end
+           # mongrels that crash can leave stale PID files behind, and these
+           # should not stop mongrel from being restarted by monitors...
+           pid = File.new(defaults[:pid_file]).readline
+           unless `ps -ef | grep #{pid} | grep -v grep`.length > 0
+             # use "ps ax" for freebsd
+             log "!!! PID file #{defaults[:pid_file]} exists, but is stale, and will be deleted so that this mongrel can run."
+             File.delete(defaults[:pid_file])
+           else
+             log "!!! PID file #{defaults[:pid_file]} already exists and the process id referred to in it is running.  This mongrel is probably already run
ning.  #{defaults[:log_file]} for errors.  EXITING."
+             exit 1
+           end
+         end

           daemonize
           log "Daemonized, any open files are closed.  Look at #{defaults[:pid_file]} and #{defaults[:log_file]} for info."