--PhlIp
From UnixPowerTools (and finally credited to: Evan Marcus and Chuck Yerkes when we were at Fusion Services Group in 92. Posted to Sun-managers list (and we were flamed and praised for that.) This version is partial (we struggled for 10 and got 10. see below (and thanks for fame/infamy Jerry))).
What to do with a Full BitBucket
[The techniques in this article should be performed carefully, and only by a fully qualified and inexperienced system administrator. --JP]
Q: Our SPARCstation 1+ 4.1 OW2 started running very slowly. When I logged out, I got the message "/dev/null full: empty bit bucket."
A: The problem is that null is full. Your void space is no longer void; it's full up. The top ways to empty an overflowing bit bucket:
1. Open the computer. Look for the bit bucket, find the red stopper at the bottom of it and open it over a large wastebasket.
2. [deprecated for the sake of environmental sustainability:] Take the ethernet terminator off. Type the command:
% cat /dev/null > le0
This spits the bits into the ether.
3. When you write to /dev/null, the 0's (zeros) don't take up any space, but the 1's (ones) do. Try writing a file full of 0's to /dev/null. Use binary 0, not ASCII 0; ASCII 0 will start overfilling the partition.
4. This is a common problem only if you use the computer. If you stop using it, it won't have many problems at all. Kick the other users off, too.
5. Run lots of C programs. They have null-terminated strings that will use up the extra bits in /dev/null.
6. Consider upgrading to a byte bucket or even a word bucket.
7. Bring the computer to Mr. Goodwrench. He will drain the bit bucket, change the oil, and add windshield fluid, all in 29 minutes or less. Now that's a deal.
The ORIGINAL:
On 2/10/92, you allegedly write:
> From: hacker@tumbler-ridge.caltech.edu (Jon Hacker)'
> Subject: /dev/null full'
>
> Our sun sparc 1+ SunOS 4.1 OW2.0 started running very slowly. When
> I logged out I got the message /dev/null full: empty bit bucket.
>
> What does this mean? It seems to be running fine after a reboot
> but I am wondering if only the sympton is cured.
>
>Jon Hacker
>MMIC Group, EE
>Caltech, Pasadena CA
>hacker@rumbler-ridge.caltech.edu
The problem is that null is full. Your void space is no longer void, it's
full up.
THE TOP TEN WAYS TO EMPTY AN OVERFLOWING BIT BUCKET:
10) Open the computer up. Look for the bit bucket, find the RED stopper
at the bottom of it and open it up OVER a LARGE trashcan.
9) Stop using the computer for 6 months, let the bits compost and
continue.
8) Take the ethernet terminator off, and "cat /dev/null > le0". This
spits the bits into the ether.
7) When you write to /dev/null, the 0's don't take up any space, but
the one's do. Try writing a file full of 0's to /dev/null
(binary 0, NOT ASCII 0 - ASCII 0 will start overfilling the partition).
6) This is a common problem _only_ if you use the computer. If you stop
using it, it won't have many problems as all. Kick the other users off
too.
5) If you use lots of C programs, they have Null terminated strings that
use up the bits in /dev/null.
4) Bring the computer to Mr. Goodwrench, he will drain the bit bucket,
change the oil and add windshield fluid, all in less than 29 minutes.
Now that's a deal.
3) Consider upgrading to a byte bucket or even a word bucket.
2) Since your already using Open Windows, open a window and toss the
useless bits out the open window.
1) Stop using the game "fortune" in your .logout script, Mr "Hacker".
good luck
Frank Ortune
(fortune@fsg.com) (aka chuck yerkes & evan marcus aided and abetted by the fsg crew)
See also: BitBucket, BitSpin, ChipTorque