xsession: warning: unable to write to /tmp

root@kali:~# · 04-18-2021, 06:35 AM

hi fellas. technically im facing a little problem that maked me awake all night since yesterday tryna solve it. i really crawled the webs before posting this thread but all of them explains other cases not like mine.so when i boot my system (basic os) that message pop-up to me again. tbh it happened last month and i tab this commands into the root account to clean my cache files and the unused packages and it already works:

Code:

 apt-get autoclean ~ apt-get clean ~ apt-get autoremove

here's some info at my drive:

Code:

root@kali:~# df -h
Filesystem      Size  Used Avail Use% Mounted on
udev            975M     0  975M   0% /dev
tmpfs           201M  1.4M  200M   1% /run
/dev/sda1        11G   11G     0 100% /
tmpfs          1003M   12M  991M   2% /dev/shm
tmpfs           5.0M     0  5.0M   0% /run/lock
tmpfs           4.0M     0  4.0M   0% /sys/fs/cgroup
/dev/sda6        62G  8.5G   50G  15% /home
tmpfs           201M   60K  201M   1% /run/user/0

also this command shows that the /dev/sda1 is 100% which it means it can’t write to a full disk:

Code:

root@kali:~# df -h /tmp
Filesystem      Size  Used Avail Use% Mounted on
/dev/sda1        11G   11G     0 100% /

any solution for this case? and thank you all

wpeckham · 04-18-2021, 06:52 AM

Well, #1 if you are going to use a system as a desktop do not partition the space to give less than 20G to root "/" partition unless you have a clear plan.

A clear plan might include separate partitions for /var and /tmp, something only normal for servers, or
A tmpfs memory mount for /tmp so that the space it needs is not taken up on root "/". or
Another such plan.

Before you install a distribution you want to read the minimum space requirements and make certain that you allocate space to exceed that standard. You do not mention what distribution, or version of that distribution, that you have installed.

To recover in-place you will need to find what is taking space, and address that issue. DO NOT just delete or remove files that might be open by another process, as that can result in allocated space that you cannot easily recover. One way is to shot it down and boot form a live image (on usb or cd) and search for and remove or reduce the large files during that session.

sasongko · 04-18-2021, 06:55 AM

I think you need to remove unnecessary files manually. Maybe this command useful to figure it out

Code:

df -h | sort -h

Btw, have you read the docs before installing kali linux (i.e. https://www.kali.org/docs/installati...isk-install/)?

root@kali:~# · 04-18-2021, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wpeckham

Well, #1 if you are going to use a system as a desktop do not partition the space to give less than 20G to root "/" partition unless you have a clear plan.

A clear plan might include separate partitions for /var and /tmp, something only normal for servers, or
A tmpfs memory mount for /tmp so that the space it needs is not taken up on root "/". or
Another such plan.

Before you install a distribution you want to read the minimum space requirements and make certain that you allocate space to exceed that standard. You do not mention what distribution, or version of that distribution, that you have installed.

To recover in-place you will need to find what is taking space, and address that issue. DO NOT just delete or remove files that might be open by another process, as that can result in allocated space that you cannot easily recover. One way is to shot it down and boot form a live image (on usb or cd) and search for and remove or reduce the large files during that session.

oh i got you thanks, btw i am using kali linux 2020.4
i moved all my files to a 8G usb stick to make a free space and i cleared the tmp/ directory too by bleachbit still not worked. would you suggest me to shrink some gigabytes from /dev/sda6 to the root? i think this is the easiest way than live booting because it can be risk to corrupt any system-file check out here: https://pixeldrain.com/u/USad1aLK

root@kali:~# · 04-18-2021, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sasongko

I think you need to remove unnecessary files manually. Maybe this command useful to figure it out

Code:

df -h | sort -h

Btw, have you read the docs before installing kali linux (i.e. https://www.kali.org/docs/installati...isk-install/)?

i tried this command for finding the supernumeraries directories

Code:

 sudo du -x / | sort -n

but looks like the /dev/sda1 is full and needs to resize because the unsused space on it is 480mb!

wpeckham · 04-18-2021, 04:40 PM

The about description of KALI from the web site: "Kali Linux is a Debian-derived Linux distribution designed for digital forensics and penetration testing."

Using KALI as a desktop is discouraged, as it is oout of parameter for the intended design usage. The best way to use forensic tools and distributions of from a live image. I recommend running it from a VENTOY USB device set up for persistence. Run this way you need not worry about installation errors or options. (or getting them wrong)

Unless your daily life and the use for your harware is forensics and ethical hacking ONLY, this is the better way.

Tonus · 04-22-2021, 02:38 AM

I'd have a look to logs in /var/log as some might grow huge, especially with misconfigurations...

Anyway, as adviced previously, you have already backed up your data : just install a desktop oriented distro on wich you can install some pentest software.

I personnaly would choose slackware and slackware live to learn. But that's me

Emerson · 04-22-2021, 06:47 AM

Wat? Kali can be used for pentesting?

Kali related posts here in these forums are usually about Linux basics, I was under impression Kali is some n00b-oriented distro.

But I see now, it may seem "cool" for immature people. Gee, maybe it is a business idea. Start selling modified Kali, easy-to-use-for-noobs. Comes with tutor videos and such. And has written "Kali" everywhere, to make sure friends can see it.