Not enough space to use apt-get on default partition, how do i change default?

mmcm · 01-05-2013, 12:13 PM

I am using an ALIX board with debian installed and as the board only has a CF card the OS is loaded into ram when booted. This was set up this way by someone else and I am not sure how to change it or expand the ramdisk.

When trying to use apt-get, for example

Code:

apt-get install sun-java6-jdk

the ramdisk fills up before java is installed and apt-fails:

Code:

 failed in write on buffer copy for backend dpkg-deb during `./usr/lib/jvm/java-6-sun-1.6.0.26/lib/visualvm/platform/modules/org-netbeans-modules-options-api.jar': No space left on device

df -h returns

Code:

Filesystem            Size  Used Avail Use% Mounted on
tmpfs                 125M     0  125M   0% /lib/init/rw
udev                  121M   84K  121M   1% /dev
tmpfs                 125M     0  125M   0% /dev/shm
rootfs                125M  100M   26M  80% /
/dev/sda1             1.8G 1000M  694M  60% /ro
rootfs.tmpfs          125M  100M   26M  80% /rw
rootfs.aufs           125M  100M   26M  80% /

It is tmpfs and aufs which fill up while apt works (they seem to be the same ie fill up at the same rate) and as java needs 171MB they do not have enough space.

I tried downloading the package and then using dpkg -i root=<directory> to install java similar to in this post http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...r-path-386763/ but I had no success with that method.

ButterflyMelissa · 01-05-2013, 03:15 PM

Had this too, once, I stuck to the "out-of-the-tin" defaults, no more...
I resized the partition with GPartedLive...works like a charm. Make a backup though, better play it safe, and provide enough coffee, it takes a while...

Luck

Thor
Edit - did you try a forced logrotate to get rid of stale logs? Also, try to flush some cache space...

ukiuki · 01-05-2013, 03:34 PM

Consider tweaking your Debian for less RAM consumption, disable some ttys in inittab, I usualy only leave tty1 and disable tty2-tty6, tty7 is used by X. Also consider compile a custom kernel, remove all things not needed, you will gain performance and more RAM will be available, and if you have X running, consider also lightweight versions of the programs you have, it will drop as well the RAM consumption leaving enough RAM available for other tasks.
This link is a bit outdated but still have some useful hints:http://forums.debian.net/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=14129

Regards

michaelk · 01-05-2013, 06:37 PM

This is a single board computer running a port and not a typical x86 installation. All it has is one serial port used as a console device. I assume the link below is what you are running and it is possible to install other apps using a chroot environment. You might want to copy the CF disk just in case something goes wrong. I also assume the CF has the necessary space for JDK

The CF is configured as a read only device to prevent corruption when power is removed.

http://code.google.com/p/debian-for-...nAndFirstSteps