5

I've just noticed that I have 342 MB of log files in /var/log

In particular /var/log/bootchart takes 329 MB of this space!

As I'm only running a home desktop environment, I can't see how I need this amount of "history", and perhaps don't need bootchart at all.

How can I limit/prevent this bootchart logging (and what purpose does it serve)?

Peter.O
  • 24,681

1 Answers1

3

First, what is bootchart? Bootchart allows you to check the boot sequence and generate a chart showing how long each process ran during the boot process, and how much CPU/IO they used.

Once installed, bootchart runs on every boot. However, you can edit the variable GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT in '/etc/default/grub' to include bootchart=disable, which stops bootchart from running at all. Don't forget to run sudo update-grub afterwards to update GRUB's configuration file.

If you want to run it at a later point, edit the GRUB entry at boot (by pressing the 'c' key at the GRUB menu you can edit the highlighted entry), and remove bootchart=disable from the the 'linux' line. This will enable bootchart once for the following boot.

htorque
  • 64,798
  • htorque: Thanks... That works nicely... The only thing is that I don't have the "Press C" option at my GRUB menu ...(because I don't have a GRUB menu :) ... but I assume I can just revert via the GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT variable in '/etc/default/grub'. – Peter.O Dec 03 '10 at 13:11
  • 1
    Oh, in that case I don't know if it's not faster to simply install and uninstall bootchart/pybootchartgui everytime you need it. :*) Doesn't BURG or whatever you are using allow you to edit the boot entries? – htorque Dec 03 '10 at 13:13
  • I'm using a stock-standard 10.04 install from CD; running on the "metal" (no dual-boot), and pressing "c" feverishly (for two reboots) had no effect.... GRUB is one of those arcane anciliary tools that I indulge in on a "need-to-know only" basis .. It is probably quite simple, but there are lots of other things to learn first :) .. – Peter.O Dec 03 '10 at 13:23
  • 2
    Ah, in that case your boot menu stays hidden. Try to press the left shift key during your next boot and the menu should show up. – htorque Dec 03 '10 at 13:34
  • 2
    Yes! I just tried left Shift on boot; it works; That's a handy bit of info.. Thanks again ;) – Peter.O Dec 03 '10 at 13:44
  • @fred.bear I am surprised no one has asked how to get to the grub menu as it's hidden by default, you should ask that as a separate question! – Jorge Castro Dec 03 '10 at 14:30
  • @htorque .. as per Jorge's suggestion, I've just now asked a question specifically about the Grub menu... (you may want to answer it yourself) – Peter.O Dec 03 '10 at 15:08