same program running multiple times

While trying to reinstall Opera on my system, I got an error message that the installation required root priveleges but my password was denied recognition (yes, I was typing the correct password, as I have the machine configured for a single user and have used the same password for both user and root access). I then noted that both KPackage Manager and Install-KPackage Manager were running and thinking they might be in conflict with each other, I opened TaskManager with the intent of killing the former, but in scrolling down to find KPackage Manager, I noticed that I had 6 copies of getty running with PID (whatever the h-ll that is supposed to mean) of 5048, 5051, 5052, 5053, 5054, and 5055, 3 reporting a VmSize of 1560, the other 3 a VmSize of 1564. The latter 3 all report a VmRss of 504 as does one of the former 3, but the other two report a VmRss of 508. I presume Vm refers to Virtual memory, I have no idea what VmRss is supposed to be, and I cannot seem to find any reference to either in any of the manuals I have purchased. Could the multiple copies of getty running be the problem behind my being unable to reinstall Opera? If not, should more than one copy be running at one time even if the only programs I have actually opened myself are the KPackage Manager, Process Table and Konqueror to be able to ask this question? Do I even need to have getty running at all? I use my computers primarily for business purposes, with desktop publishing being the primary activity, followed by e-mail and web-browsing, then some editing of graphic images of documents I may download for inclusion in my reports