how to free the cache memory?

adamruss · 08-24-2007, 12:44 PM

hello, after i leave my laptop on for a while (usally amule is running) when i come back i see the the memory is 13% in use and 87% cache:

Code:

adam@adam-laptop:~$ free
             total       used       free     shared    buffers     cached
Mem:       2075964    2011448      64516          0      78804    1620308
-/+ buffers/cache:     312336    1763628
Swap:      1285160          0    1285160
adam@adam-laptop:~$

and i dont know why. i got 2GB memory... and this gives me shit when i try to burn anything (fails) and the overall comp seems a bit slower...

is there anyway to free or clean the cache memory?

b0uncer · 08-24-2007, 01:12 PM

Burning failing with that RAM amount has got to be something else than the cache (or rather, free RAM). I've burned unsuccessfully with a bad (read: old) drive with lots of (free) RAM, and after that successfully with a new, good drive with very little (free) RAM.

As long as you have free RAM available, it shouldn't be a problem. 2G is enough for home use if you ask me (servers run happily with 2G at many workplaces); maybe you should find out what exactly is the real reason behind failed burns, for example. It could be the memory issue you're referring to, but I doubt it on behalf of my experience.

Sorry that I can't actually help on your last-line question on how to free the cache (except for a reboot, or killing the processes that reserve the memory), but I'd just think the problem from another perspective. None of my personal machines has at the moment 2G of RAM, not even 1G, and all of them burn cds and dvds happily with even less free RAM than you have.

I hope you're not using amule for illegal purposes, because in that case I'm just happy if your machine gets stuck

ilikejam · 08-24-2007, 01:26 PM

Hi.

You don't want to clear the cache - it's cleared automatically when it's needed, and Linux is (to be honest) smarter than you or me when it comes to handling memory.

I'd check that DMA is switched on for you burner for a start:

Code:

hdparm /dev/hdX

Dave

adamruss · 08-24-2007, 03:38 PM

first to make it clear i only use amule for legal purpse (linux software, movie previews, etc.. downloading slack 12 at the moment.. nearly 4GB)

second, the thing is if i restart my system, the burning is fine. only after a while it starts failing and i have no idea how to check why it failed after it does.

ilikejam · 08-25-2007, 10:23 AM

How are you burning? K3b? cdrecord?

Dave

adamruss · 08-25-2007, 11:36 AM

nero and if it fails k3b and if that fails gnomebaker and if all fails nautilus-burn