Lost 70GB of SSD space

[timbuck2]

I had to process about 70GB of PDF files which were compressed.  I printed them via cups-pdf to uncompressed format and moved them to mechanical hard drive.

This took several days of processing. After the PDF file would print, it took about 10 minutes before the actual file was created.  So I assume the data was spooled by cups.  The processing was done on my 256GB SSD which Linux Lite boots from.

The problem is I had around 135GB free before the processing and now I have 30GB free.  I tried rebooting to clear tmp files, but still don't have the space back.

What can I try to clean my drive up and get the space back?

[TheDead]

Hi,

*Important* : I suggest making a backup first if you have any important stuff on the computer. "Auto-Cleaners" can sometimes "clean" a little too much.

One easy thing to try would be installing and running BleachBit .
From Terminal type  :
sudo apt install bleachbit

It will then show up in your menu. Choose the BleachBit with admin.
For me I don't keep anything "saved" like caches, passwords, etc. so I usually select all check boxes except Memory cleaner (unstable) and Free Space wipe (takes a really long time).
I run this after installing updates and have rebooted once. No opened programs.

Good luck!

[richtea]

I would stay away from using BB as root straight away; it is a powerful tool, and caution had better be exercised.

Command line might be a safer start:

https://www.maketecheasier.com/8-ways-to-maintain-a-clean-lean-ubuntu-machine/

Read #3 in particular.

If not happy with the results, non-admin BB would be the way to proceed.

[Nyto]

Hello, Timpuc2.

You could check if it is not a "trim" issue, by running:

Code:

sudo fstrim -a -v

Please come back and tell us how did you solve it. Cheers!

PS: And of course you can always try and run Lite Tweaks and do all the cleaning options available there.

[firenice03]

If this is TMP/Cache data.. Have you tried Lite Tweaks and selecting the options to remove items, most are listed Safe, maybe a simple easy place to start. Or perhaps if /tmp is full/loaded with excess items you could delete items from within...

[Linuxkumpel]

For example, also try:
Open terminal and enter

Code:

sudo apt autoremove

> Enter
then

Code:

sudo apt autoclean

> Enter

[timbuck2]

Thanks for the tips everyone.  I have been offline with a power outage but now I am reading through the replies to decide the best way to proceed.

[Nyto]

So? What happened?
Did you resolve the issue?


Please share the knowledge.

[timbuck2]

So? What happened?
Did you resolve the issue?


Please share the knowledge.

Yes, problem solved. I installed the 'ncdu' package which is very nice for showing disk usage.

I used "sudo ncdu -x" to just show usage on my SSD...Top of the list for usage was "/var/spool/cups" which had over a 100GB used.

Deleted all the spool files from within "ncdu" with the 'd' key and now have gained my 100+GB back.

But I have no idea why the spool files were not automatically cleared out...anyone know why?