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Startup disk is almost full

  • 16-07-2015 11:31pm
    #1
    galljga1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,938 ✭✭✭


    Currently, I have 43 GB free of a 120 GB drive. When I try to erase free space, after a few minutes it tells me that the startup disk is almost full and when I check, sure enough, I have only 6 MB available. When I abandon the process, I again have 43 GB available. Any ideas?

    Macbook Air approx 8 months old.


Comments

  • #2
    challengemaster
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,930 ✭✭✭✭challengemaster


    When was the last time you restarted? I reckon it's all cache files.


  • #3
    galljga1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,938 ✭✭✭galljga1


    I shut down a couple of times in the last few days, verified, repaired disk permissions etc. I can see that there is ample space available but it disappears when erasing free space for some reason.


  • #4
    galljga1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,938 ✭✭✭galljga1


    When the erase process kicks off, I have 43 GB free. A temporary file is created. Gradually, all free space disappears and the erase process fails after trying to create a second temporary file. I have actually copied large folders (25 GB, 10 GB) to prove the space is available and this works.

    Stumped.


  • #5
    Sad Professor
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 22,679 CMod ✭✭✭✭Sad Professor


    Is the erase failing or are your stopping it? Because it's normal to get that warning. If you can let it finish.


  • #6
    galljga1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,938 ✭✭✭galljga1


    It tries to create a second temporary file but at that stage there is no available space.

    It fails with the following message

    Secure erase free space failed with the error:
    Couldn't create temporary file.


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  • #7
    Sad Professor
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 22,679 CMod ✭✭✭✭Sad Professor


    Stupid bug. Disk Utility is plagued with them.

    Despite the error, I'd say the free space has been erased anyway. Afaik the way it works is by overwriting the data with a temporary file, which is then deleted. So once you get the startup disk is almost full warning and the temporary file is gone, it was a success.


  • #8
    galljga1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,938 ✭✭✭galljga1


    Yeah, I thought so.
    Cheers Prof.


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