Comments on: Fixing No space left on device error in Ubuntu Linux

By: Arun

Arun — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 15:14:05 +0000

@Ian Thanks for the info Ian.

By: Ian

Ian — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 05:12:22 +0000

Hey,
I had same problem but needed and found different solution.

No space left on / — no apparent reason.

I’m using xubuntu but likely similar for ubuntu.
When xubuntu upgrades it’s own kernel online to new kernel
eg linux-image-2.6.24-26 to linux-image-2.6.24-27
it leaves the old kernel plus all necessary support files libs, headers etc. as a fall back option in case any problems with the new kernel.

Ever noticed in your grub boot menu a list of older kernel options?

This adds up bigtime on disk space. I had 7 or 8 old kernels coming to more than 1 gig!
If this is your problem too, get rid of the old ones.
Best way – synaptic package manager and “mark for complete removal” the old kernel versions. They are all named “linux-image-2.6.24-27-generic” for example. Once you delete the image package all the libs, headers etc. will be deleted too.
Good luck!

By: Arun

Arun — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 14:37:02 +0000

You are welcome Maya.

By: Maya

Maya — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 10:46:31 +0000

Arun thanks! Worked like a charm!

By: Arun

Arun — Sun, 17 Dec 2006 19:02:44 +0000

I had the same problem with my other desktop where I installed the backup software and it filled up the space under /var/backup. I uninstalled the backup program.

By: Trevor

Trevor — Sun, 17 Dec 2006 06:56:04 +0000

Dude, you’re my hero. I’ve got a couple big projects I’m in the middle of and I can’t afford to be locked out of my Ubuntu system all day today. Thanks a million for posting your solution. BTW, in my case the problem was caused by an install of Simple Backup that apparently began its work with the default directory of /var/backup before I told it to backup to another (larger) partition.

By: Arun

Arun — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 19:45:54 +0000

Welcome to the world of Linux. Print the ATI driver installation guide from (boot into Windows and print)
http://wiki.cchtml.com/index.php/Ubuntu_Edgy_Installation_Guide
#Method_1:_Installing_Edgy.27s_Included_Driver_.288.28.8.29
When you boot, select recovery mode from the Grub menu. You’ll be greeting with command prompt. Do as explained in the guide. Reboot and see if it works. If not, reboot into recovery mode and try running the following command:
sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg
Go by default selections. Once it’s done, follow the ATI driver installation again and reboot. It should work.

By: digital camera

digital camera — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 17:06:00 +0000

heyas all.
my 40 gig drive is going to good use now. I have installed UBUNTU and have ordered KUBUNTU.
I dont know how to install the driver for my ati radeon 9600xt.
Actually i dont know if i am meant to be downloading and installing XFREE86 or the XORG version of the driver. I am downloading them both but i dont know how to do anything in Linux really.
I dont know where I am meant to set up my modem or set up a net account. (no INETWIZ.EXE)
So yeah, can someone help me out with getting my ATI driver installed?
and does anyone know of a good long PDF file i can read and wrap my brain around.
I’m still a Windows user, but I want to use Linux as much as possible.
Thanks.

By: Arun

Arun — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 16:38:18 +0000

I checked. sudo passwd root does ask you to enter password for the root account. It’s not insecure.

By: Arun

Arun — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 15:00:47 +0000

Thanks for the details.
As far as root passwd, I remeber it asked me for a root password. I’ll double check.