[Axel]

Hi all

Before I downloaded a big file, I chose to reboot my Mac after 13 days of uptime, to see if I could regain some hard disk space (I had only 1.2 GB left). After the restart, I was happy to find that 2 GB were available on my OS X partition.
I'd like to know why hard disk space is gradually lost, and not recovered until reboot. Is there another simpler way to get space back (not that rebooting is THAT much of a hassle, but still...)

Thx

[OpenStep]

Running the system maintenance scripts may regain the space without a reboot.

[Earth Mk. II]

Basically, it sounds like it's virtual memory swap files that's taking up the space.

The computer automatically cleans them up at boot and around 3:15 am every day - but it won't happen if your computer is asleep.

Out of curiosity - how much RAM do you have? The more memory you have, the fewer swap files you'll get.

[Axel]

Originally posted by Earth Mk. II:
Basically, it sounds like it's virtual memory swap files that's taking up the space.

The computer automatically cleans them up at boot and around 3:15 am every day - but it won't happen if your computer is asleep.

Out of curiosity - how much RAM do you have? The more memory you have, the fewer swap files you'll get.

I have 512 MB of RAM. But your theory makes sense, as my TiBook is always sleeping at that time. I guess I'll just change the crontab times.

Thx for your answers !

[3R1C]

I posted this in another thread but its pertinent here as well. Ever since upgrading to panther, my VM seems out of control. I have 1.5 gigs of physical ram, and frequently must reboot to regain the 3 to 5 gigs of space VM is taking for swap files.

[philzilla]

Originally posted by 3R1C:
I posted this in another thread but its pertinent here as well. Ever since upgrading to panther, my VM seems out of control. I have 1.5 gigs of physical ram, and frequently must reboot to regain the 3 to 5 gigs of space VM is taking for swap files.

notice they're different sizes also? pre-10.3, they were always about around 76Mb. now, they're 64Mb, then 128Mb, 256Mb, etc.

anyone know why this is?

[chris v]

I've noticed that running Mac Janitor's "weekly" task will clear out inactive memory relatively effectively, which might help to keep the number of swapfiles down. We had to restart a machine with 1.75 gig of RAM in it because it had toatally filled the available hard drive space (2.3 gig) with swap files, and was giving us "out of memory" messages. I'm thinking there's sonmething slightly askew with RAM allocation on 10.3, like inactive memory is not being properly cleared to make room for new processes when called for. Why should I be generating swap files if I've got a ton of inactive RAM?

CV

[Powaqqatsi]

Originally posted by chris v:
I've noticed that running Mac Janitor's "weekly" task will clear out inactive memory relatively effectively, which might help to keep the number of swapfiles down. We had to restart a machine with 1.75 gig of RAM in it because it had toatally filled the available hard drive space (2.3 gig) with swap files, and was giving us "out of memory" messages. I'm thinking there's sonmething slightly askew with RAM allocation on 10.3, like inactive memory is not being properly cleared to make room for new processes when called for. Why should I be generating swap files if I've got a ton of inactive RAM?

CV

Indeed and doing a "sudo periodic" does not delete the swapfiles.

I have now a total of 512MB in swap after 14 days of uptime (1GB RAM)