OS 10.4 - full hard drive, but no files!

rob long · rob long #1 (**permalink**)

11-24-2007, 12:37 AM

hi -

I'm running an old g4 466mghz using os9.1 an osx - tiger i think...

Anyway -
The osx partition reads as having 15gig of info, leaving about 84mgb ! So I'm getting an error saying 'boot disk is nearly full - delete some files' .

however - I don't store much on this drive - I'm basically recording audio files to an external drive, and using the onboard h/drive as operating system...

When I look thru the folders on the osx partition, I se nothing even remotely close to 15gig.....in fact, it looks more like about 5gig....

Help!

Thanks
rob

novicew · novicew #2 (**permalink**)

11-24-2007, 03:48 AM

That could be the swap partition. The OS X needs about 5-15GB to store information when the RAM lacks enough space. This can be stored somewhere else but if you are not a computer savvy, this is not recommended.

louishen · louishen #3 (**permalink**)

11-24-2007, 12:05 PM

Download and Run ONYX and clean up all logs and caches

see if that helps

cradom · cradom #4 (**permalink**)

11-25-2007, 05:51 PM

Tiger has lots of files you cant see. If you only have 85 megabytes free, you don't have enough free space to run anything. You need to keep at least 1 or 2 gigabytes free for virtual memory space.

If you look with Terminal, and go to the root of the drive you will see all the hidden stuff.
cd /
ls -lag
Note: do NOT delete any of this stuff, OS X needs it to run.
You can do as louishen suggests, run Onyx or some other util to clean out log files and caches.

Sherman Homan · Sherman Homan #5 (**permalink**)

11-25-2007, 06:09 PM

Check out WhatSize. It will tell you what is eating your hard drive space.
http://www.id-design.com/software/whatsize/

novicew #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 04, 2006 Location: Hamburg, Germany Posts: 1,385 Mac Specs: MacBook Pro \| iMac(2.1 G5) \| MacBook(2.16 C2D) \| MacMini (1.67 CD) \| iPhone 4 \| iPad (3rd Gen)	11-24-2007, 03:48 AM That could be the swap partition. The OS X needs about 5-15GB to store information when the RAM lacks enough space. This can be stored somewhere else but if you are not a computer savvy, this is not recommended. finiteloops.com
	QUOTE Thanks

cradom #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 14, 2004 Location: South-East Texas Posts: 1,805 Mac Specs: 21in Dual core 3 ghz iMac, 13in Macbook - Mountain Lion on both	11-25-2007, 05:51 PM Tiger has lots of files you cant see. If you only have 85 megabytes free, you don't have enough free space to run anything. You need to keep at least 1 or 2 gigabytes free for virtual memory space. If you look with Terminal, and go to the root of the drive you will see all the hidden stuff. cd / ls -lag Note: do NOT delete any of this stuff, OS X needs it to run. You can do as louishen suggests, run Onyx or some other util to clean out log files and caches. Craig in Texas ---You did WHAT!? Close the Terminal and step away slowly.
	QUOTE Thanks

Sherman Homan #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 27, 2006 Location: Norwell, MA Posts: 897	11-25-2007, 06:09 PM Check out WhatSize. It will tell you what is eating your hard drive space. http://www.id-design.com/software/whatsize/ Sherman Homan http://macintoshsolutions.com http://shermanhoman.com http://grumblefix.com http://www.merchantcircle.com/busine...s.781-749-9162 http://www.merchantcircle.com/busine...x.781-424-5722
	QUOTE Thanks

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
help me convert something, please.	krrose27	Switcher Hangout	4	05-25-2007 02:10 AM
DIY: Trick out your Intel Mini	kaidomac	Apple Desktops	53	02-17-2007 02:40 AM
Hard drive Question	melmation	Apple Notebooks	4	09-03-2006 07:36 PM
upgrading the internal hard drive in an old iMac	Conrad D	Apple Desktops	6	05-06-2006 08:13 AM
From PC to Mac: transferring files, Mac Mini hard drive	djmitch	Other Hardware and Peripherals	4	03-23-2005 12:56 PM

OS 10.4 - full hard drive, but no files!

Internet Services

Web Development

Digital Marketing

Consumer Tech

rob long #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 24, 2007 Posts: 1	11-24-2007, 12:37 AM hi - I'm running an old g4 466mghz using os9.1 an osx - tiger i think... Anyway - The osx partition reads as having 15gig of info, leaving about 84mgb ! So I'm getting an error saying 'boot disk is nearly full - delete some files' . however - I don't store much on this drive - I'm basically recording audio files to an external drive, and using the onboard h/drive as operating system... When I look thru the folders on the osx partition, I se nothing even remotely close to 15gig.....in fact, it looks more like about 5gig.... Help! Thanks rob
	QUOTE Thanks

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)