And now Ubuntu refused to boot up

[Erik Groothuijzen]

Mu latest Ubuntu distro refused to boot because it looks as though my 500Gb hard drive partition is too full and this seems to be with var/log files which I am unable to delete as Linux seems to use some of these files to operate. I am getting more and more fed up with Linux because there is always some or other issue which needs terminal wth 1001 different options to find what is going on (I hated DOS and loved Windows when it came out) , and I just want to use my computer, not re-invent it. Just getting 7zip to work took me half a day where in Windows 10 it worked seamlessly.(sorry but true). How can I stop these var/log files from clogging up my computer? I did not loose anything of value as I use external drives to back everything up, and I would truly like for Linux to be my solution. At this stage it is still a hard sell, and a new computer and Windows 11 o not look that attractive to me either. I now want to re-install Ubuntu from the ISO and try again. I am now running Fedora from a 16G usb stick.

 

[tpkusr]

After a fresh Ubuntu install, open a terminal and run these commands once. Journal logs will never grow beyond ~100–200 MB total

sudo sed -i 's/#SystemMaxUse=.*/SystemMaxUse=100M/' /etc/systemd/journald.conf
sudo sed -i 's/#SystemKeepFree=.*/SystemKeepFree=500M/' /etc/systemd/journald.conf
sudo sed -i 's/#SystemMaxFileSize=.*/SystemMaxFileSize=10M/' /etc/systemd/journald.conf
sudo sed -i 's/#MaxRetentionSec=.*/MaxRetentionSec=2week/' /etc/systemd/journald.conf


sudo systemctl restart systemd-journald

Source:

journald.conf

 

[Erik Groothuijzen]

This is what I get back. I just love Linuux.

 

[CaffeineAddict]

var/log files which I am unable to delete as Linux seems to use some of these files to operate.

You can't delete log files from file manager (file explorer) because root privileges are needed for 99% of logs.

Therefore if you can boot to system fire up your terminal and first list largest directories in /var/log with:

sudo du -sh /var/log/* | sort -hr | head -n 10

Then delete contents of the largest directory, if that directory is /var/log/journal clear it with:

sudo journalctl --vacuum-size=1G

According to man journalctl:

--vacuum-size= removes the oldest archived journal files until the disk space they use falls below the specified size.

If it's some other directory clear it with:

sudo rm -r /var/log/<dirname>/*

Just replace <dirname> with directory name you want to clear.

 

[Erik Groothuijzen]

And whilst I am reading this message in a new install, my computer shuts down and re-boots. I am beginning to dislike Linux with a passion. Nothing but head aches, no seamless enjoyment.

 

[CaffeineAddict]

And whilst I am reading this message in a new install, my computer shuts down and re-boots.

If your OS is unstable due to full disk then boot from live USB and clear some disk space.
Hopefully Ubuntu isn't on encrypted disk because there is procedure to unlock it from live USB.

I am beginning to dislike Linux with a passion.

I am getting more and more fed up with Linux because there is always some or other issue which needs terminal wth 1001 different options to find what is going on

I can't help with this but it sounds like you aren't fond of fixing problems and expect things to just work without any maintenance from your side and no willingness to learn how to maintain and troubleshoot your OS.

It's time to switch to Debian if you want zero intervention.
Although software that you install and use is likely problem in your case, it could also be a caused by lack of safe computing, who knows.

 

[Erik Groothuijzen]

I have just reformatted the drive that Ubuntu was installed on, i.o.w. a clean install on +500G. I have hardly installed any additional software and am not aware that I have to maintain a brand new installation. I have been computing for many years without any problems with windows, but their drive for a new computer (lack of finances) and their new bloated software necessitated me to investigate Linux, and now I am running into all sorts of unwanted problems which detract form me enjoying my computer. From all the talk I get, Linux is the answer, but so far it has not come up to expectations, on three different distros. This is after having used Windows without problems and costs for over forty years.

 

[CaffeineAddict]

Linux is the answer, but so far it has not come up to expectations, on three different distros.

Distro's are one huge problem for new users, every distro comes with nuances that one needs to get over.

I'm 100% sure if I switch from Debian to something else I wouldn't survive for more than a week days using it.

I tried to replace KDE with GNOME and was suffering for a week until I switched back.
I tried to go for Fedora and that was failure before it was even installed.
I also tried to replace Debian with Kali and that was fail too.

Everything sucks for me because it doesn't work the way I want, I want software to work without issues and as expected, so now nothing and nobody would convince me from dumping Debian + KDE, simply because it doesn't work good enough for my taste and I hate to adapt to stuff that requires extra work, extra software or comes with software pre-installed which I didn't ask for nor want to have.

Do as you please, you may even want to go back to spyware Windows, who am I to stop you?

I have just reformatted the drive that Ubuntu was installed on, i.o.w. a clean install on +500G.

Let's hope it doesn't bloat you disk again.

 

[Erik Groothuijzen]

So what has worked for you so far? I have now tried Mint and Ubuntu through various upgrades with various issues, both DEB packages as far as I can establish. Have a Fedora on a stick for evaluation but am not impressed so far. Cannot come to terms with Terminal and the correct syntax unless it is spelled out to me. Could possibly go back yo Windows 10 with security issues due to lack of support. and upgrades. Do not want to and cannot afford a new computer. How now brown cow? I am 78 years old, have lots of time but not too much money.

 

[CaffeineAddict]

I have now tried Mint and Ubuntu through various upgrades with various issues

Based on help threads posted on this forum I've read so far, people have problems mostly with exactly those 2 distros, Ubuntu much less than Mint though.

But just search some threads for yourself and you'll see, no need to believe me, it's like 75% of threads are either Mint or Ubuntu problem.

However there are other distros that throw out issues to users every now and then but there aren't users who use them as often, Kali for instance, you'll have plenty of issues with it.

So what has worked for you so far?

I told you, for me only Debian with KDE desktop works and this is because I don't need to suffer with random issues every now and then, because it doesn't ship packages as soon as they're released.
New packages, or any software that's freshly released will always have some bugs, and then you have issues with them.
But Debian ships only those which are known to work well, the cost of this is however software few versions behind.

You can read more about reasons why here

I am 78 years old, have lots of time but not too much money.

You don't need to upgrade your computer, the screenshot you posted can run any distro or DE you want, it's very good.
MS Windows is not an option if you ask me. that's 2 steps back.

 

[tpkusr]

If you have lots of time, try various Linux distros until you find one of your choice. The more you try, the more you will start to like Linux.

You can try these one after another

Linux Mint
Ubuntu
Zorin OS
Pop!_OS
MX Linux
Fedora Workstation
elementary OS
KDE Neon
Manjaro
Debian

 

[bob466]

It's very easy to blame Linux...when the user is the problem. You say your Drive is full...I have a 500GB SSD, and it never gets beyond 50% full because I do a little maintenance now and then and so should you.

Timeshift snapshots...old Kernels and other things take up space. If you install your Distro on a small partition also will create problems...I install Mint to the whole Drive as above and never have problems.

You might want to look at this...
https://www.linux.org/threads/do-you-really-need-to-clean-mint.43752/

 

[MzQ1NjExN2]

I recommend MX Linux for you. It has a lot of GUI tools (you don't need to know the command line in other words). Its probably the closest thing to Windows. You can also make super easy back ups of your entire system and then install that back up image on another computer no matter the differences.

"MX’s graphical tools provide an easy way to do a wide variety of tasks, while the Live USB and snapshot tools inherited from antiX add impressive portability and remastering capabilities."

From:

http://mxlinux.org/

Download:

Download Links – MX Linux

mxlinux.org

The above link has a few options but this is the recommended one to download and install:

https://sourceforge.net/projects/mx-linux/files/Final/Xfce/MX-25_Xfce_x64.iso/download

 

[MzQ1NjExN2]

How can I stop these var/log files from clogging up my computer?

Also MX Linux has a tool for that called MX Cleanup. See post #3 of the following link:

https://forum.mxlinux.org/viewtopic.php?p=839187&hilit=clean+up#p839187

 

[Condobloke]

But just search some threads for yourself and you'll see, no need to believe me, it's like 75% of threads are either Mint or Ubuntu problem.

Possibly because their popularity is greater than other distros ?

In your searching, Eric, take a close look at LMDE 7 (Linux mint Debian Edition)

Also, as mentioned by @MzQ1NjExN2, MX Linux

Try putting LMDE 7 on a usb stick and try it out without installing.....the same with MX

Do you have problems updating these various distros ?

Only Update when they are fully installed......not when using on the usb stick.

There will be many 'actions' that you are perhaps used to using in windows , which do not translate to Linux.

This is sometimes a bit confronting to read, but read it anyway

Linux is NOT Windows

 

[theLegionWithin]

mx linux is a good one, I switched to that when I migrated to linux last year. I've since switched to Arch and I like that much better

 

[f33dm3bits]

I used to run Ubuntu on my workstation at work for years with a disk that was smaller than 500G. I never experienced /var or root file-system being filled up to the point where my system couldn't boot anymore. I'd be curious to know what filled up your /var.

 

[Condobloke]

How to disable logging to /var/log/syslog and use only systemd logs

My last question What are the options to manage the size of /var/log/syslog of an embedded system was not answered so I am asking this question to see if it is possible to stop using /var/log/syslo...

askubuntu.com

How to Clean Linux Mint Safely

Easy tips, tweaks and tricks for Linux Mint and Ubuntu, both for beginners and for advanced users. Complete starter's guide with simple how-to's.

easylinuxtipsproject.blogspot.com

 

[The Duck]

I used to run Ubuntu on my workstation at work for years with a disk that was smaller than 500G. I never experienced /var or root file-system being filled up to the point where my system couldn't boot anymore. I'd be curious to know what filled up your /var.

I'm running Ubuntu 24.04.3 LTS on a desktop using a mechanical HDD and mine isn't filling up at all.

I agree with @f33dm3bits about wanting to know what's using up HDD real estate.

If used Time Shift can use up a lot of space if not kept up with the restore points it creates over time.