[maemo-users] A scary story with a happy ending
Yesterday I installed a couple of games into my 770. And one of the
games didn't fit--I've filled up the partition. Scary things started
happening--the user interface became very nonresponsive, I couldn't
switch between tasks, I couldn't open the task menu, I couldn't tap on
the globe icon. I could switch to the desktop, but it wouldn't even
display my wallpaper--instead I got a white background and a dialog
saying "memory full, free some memory".
I had File Manager open. I could finally switch to it somehow. I tried
to delete something, and got an error ("Unable to complete operation").
Uh oh.
Finally I noticed that the user interface was becoming responsive again.
I could go online and ssh into my 770. I still could not delete any
files:
$ rm filename
rm: filename: No space left on device
dmesg was full of kernel messages about the JFFS2 garbage collector
being unable to find any free space. Uh oh.
I made backups and prepared for reflashing.
I rebooted. Opened up xterm, tried to delete a file. I could do it!
Then df showed me I had 11 megs freespace. The garbage collector must
have worked better after a fresh boot.
Moral:
* don't fill up your flash, or you'll be sorry
* I need more disk space, as usual
* the user interface was unresponsive because the 770 was very busy
writing to flash (or running the garbage collector), not because it
was out of disk space
I reflashed anyway, since it was way past time for me to upgrade to OS 2006.2.
I've written up a page with instructions for myself to make the
backup/restore less painful after a reflash:
http://mg.pov.lt/770/reflash.html
The most interesting bit is probably the single-click install file for
OpenSSH. Although you do need to set the application manager into
red-pill mode to use it.
Marius Gedminas
--
Q: Why do mountain climbers rope themselves together?
A: To prevent the sensible ones from going home.
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Re: [maemo-users] A scary story with a happy ending
Marius Gedminas wrote: $ rm filename rm: filename: No space left on device Yes, this one is very funny. I noticed this when playing with initfs too. Moral: * don't fill up your flash, or you'll be sorry * I need more disk space, as usual * the user interface was unresponsive because the 770 was very busy writing to flash (or running the garbage collector), not because it was out of disk space Moral: * install bootmenu [1],[2] and boot from mmc This will solve all those problems plus few others - easy complete backup, easy recovery from reboot loop when something goes wrong, lower cpu usage, much faster (especially with mmcplus card and high speed patches). You can use internal flash to keep reference stable system for emergency or when you need to remove the card. Frantisek 1. http://fanoush.webpark.cz/maemo/#initfs 2. http://maemo.org/maemowiki/HowTo_GetStartedWithSardine (except the sardine part if you don't feel so) ___ maemo-users mailing list maemo-users@maemo.org https://maemo.org/mailman/listinfo/maemo-users
Re: [maemo-users] A scary story with a happy ending
Frantisek Dufka wrote: 1. http://fanoush.webpark.cz/maemo/#initfs Oh, sorry for confusion, forget this one and use http://fanoush.wz.cz/maemo#initfs ___ maemo-users mailing list maemo-users@maemo.org https://maemo.org/mailman/listinfo/maemo-users
Re: [maemo-users] A scary story with a happy ending
Hi,
ext Marius Gedminas wrote:
Yesterday I installed a couple of games into my 770. And one of the
games didn't fit--I've filled up the partition. Scary things started
happening--the user interface became very nonresponsive, I couldn't
switch between tasks, I couldn't open the task menu, I couldn't tap on
the globe icon. I could switch to the desktop, but it wouldn't even
display my wallpaper--instead I got a white background and a dialog
saying "memory full, free some memory".
I had File Manager open. I could finally switch to it somehow. I tried
to delete something, and got an error ("Unable to complete operation").
Uh oh.
Finally I noticed that the user interface was becoming responsive again.
I could go online and ssh into my 770. I still could not delete any
files:
$ rm filename
rm: filename: No space left on device
Normal user shouldn't be able to fill the device rootfs this full,
only root should be able to do that. And Application installer
(which runs dpkg as root) should handle the case of installed
package not fitting on the device. It's possible that the packager
has botched the package and it creates at installation files that
won't be removed when the package install is canceled. This is the
worst bug a package can have on a devices with limited disk space,
on par with making Desktop to continuously crash.
Had you any extra packages installed which might be running as root
and e.g. logging things onto Flash?
dmesg was full of kernel messages about the JFFS2 garbage collector
being unable to find any free space. Uh oh.
I made backups and prepared for reflashing.
I rebooted. Opened up xterm, tried to delete a file. I could do it!
Then df showed me I had 11 megs freespace. The garbage collector must
have worked better after a fresh boot.
Moral:
* don't fill up your flash, or you'll be sorry
* I need more disk space, as usual
* the user interface was unresponsive because the 770 was very busy
writing to flash (or running the garbage collector), not because it
was out of disk space
There's no free space until files been both removed *and* garbage
collected by JFFS2. Some N770 users have also encountered the problem
where the device enters reboot loop because the garbage collection
on the device bootup triggers the device HW watchdog.
If you encounter this again, I would recommend backing up any important
information before reboot if you can, just in case. (besides reporting
it here...)
I reflashed anyway, since it was way past time for me to upgrade to OS 2006.2.
I've written up a page with instructions for myself to make the
backup/restore less painful after a reflash:
http://mg.pov.lt/770/reflash.html
The most interesting bit is probably the single-click install file for
OpenSSH. Although you do need to set the application manager into
red-pill mode to use it.
- Eero
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Re: [maemo-users] A scary story with a happy ending
On Wed, 2007-01-24 at 11:19 +0200, Eero Tamminen wrote: > There's no free space until files been both removed *and* garbage > collected by JFFS2. Some N770 users have also encountered the problem > where the device enters reboot loop because the garbage collection > on the device bootup triggers the device HW watchdog. > > If you encounter this again, I would recommend backing up any important > information before reboot if you can, just in case. (besides reporting > it here...) I opened a bugzilla from a similar experience (I did not fill the card, but JFFS2 recovery after boot made it look like it was full so same symptoms): https://maemo.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=922 My last remark as wishlist: << Note that I didn't add anything, so it's probably the unclean mount that created the "full disk" state, I didn't remove anything and now it's back to 30MB free and my Nokia looks stable again. May be the situation could be handled more gracefully at boot in some future version: window with progressbar mentionning "cleaning the file system", plus warning to the user to free some space if after cleanup it's still near full. >> If the Nokia N800 hits commercial success that will probably because there are tons of applications to install, and this means this problem of filling up will just become more common over time :). Laurent ___ maemo-users mailing list maemo-users@maemo.org https://maemo.org/mailman/listinfo/maemo-users
Re: [maemo-users] A scary story with a happy ending
On Wed, Jan 24, 2007 at 11:19:12AM +0200, Eero Tamminen wrote: > ext Marius Gedminas wrote: > > $ rm filename > > rm: filename: No space left on device > > Normal user shouldn't be able to fill the device rootfs this full, > only root should be able to do that. And Application installer > (which runs dpkg as root) should handle the case of installed > package not fitting on the device. The package (bomberman from garage) was unpacked successfully, then ran out of disk space in the configuration phase. I've saved the log: osso-application-installer 4.22, UI version 1 /usr/bin/dpkg-deb -f '/media/mmc1/bomberman_0.98_armel.deb' /usr/bin/dpkg --install '/media/mmc1/bomberman_0.98_armel.deb' Selecting previously deselected package bomberman. (Reading database ... 12546 files and directories currently installed.) Unpacking bomberman (from .../mmc1/bomberman_0.98_armel.deb) ... Setting up bomberman (0.98) ... Cache file created successfully. dpkg: error processing bomberman (--install): unable to flush updated status of `bomberman': No space left on device dpkg: failed to open `/var/lib/dpkg/status' for writing status information: No space left on device /usr/bin/dpkg --purge `/usr/bin/dpkg-deb -f '/media/mmc1/bomberman_0.98_armel.deb' Package` dpkg: unable to open/create status database lockfile: No space left on device apt-worker: Can't remove /var/lib/dpkg/lock: No space left on device E: Could not open lock file /var/lib/dpkg/lock - open (28 No space left on device) E: Unable to lock the administration directory (/var/lib/dpkg/), are you root? apt-worker: Can't remove /var/lib/dpkg/lock: No space left on device E: Could not open lock file /var/lib/dpkg/lock - open (28 No space left on device) E: Unable to lock the administration directory (/var/lib/dpkg/), are you root? I hope that's useful. > It's possible that the packager > has botched the package and it creates at installation files that > won't be removed when the package install is canceled. This is the > worst bug a package can have on a devices with limited disk space, > on par with making Desktop to continuously crash. > > Had you any extra packages installed which might be running as root > and e.g. logging things onto Flash? No. The only log file in /var/log was fontconfig.log. > There's no free space until files been both removed *and* garbage > collected by JFFS2. Some N770 users have also encountered the problem > where the device enters reboot loop because the garbage collection > on the device bootup triggers the device HW watchdog. I do not remember this reboot taking longer than usual. > If you encounter this again, I would recommend backing up any important > information before reboot if you can, just in case. (besides reporting > it here...) Yep, that's what I did. A bit of a shame that tar in the 770 does not support pathnames longer than 100 characters. But those few files that could not be tar-ed up in my ~ were unimportant. Marius Gedminas -- As easy as 3.14159265358979323846264338327950288419716 signature.asc Description: Digital signature ___ maemo-users mailing list maemo-users@maemo.org https://maemo.org/mailman/listinfo/maemo-users
Re: [maemo-users] A scary story with a happy ending
Marius Gedminas wrote: > Yesterday I installed a couple of games into my 770. And one of the > games didn't fit--I've filled up the partition. Scary things started You said it was the package "Bomberman". Did the game install right with enough memory left (after you rebooted)? -Klaus-- Klaus Rotter * klaus rotters de * www.rotters.de ___ maemo-users mailing list maemo-users@maemo.org https://maemo.org/mailman/listinfo/maemo-users
Re: [maemo-users] A scary story with a happy ending
On Wed, Jan 24, 2007 at 11:47:51PM +0100, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > Marius Gedminas wrote: > > Yesterday I installed a couple of games into my 770. And one of the > > games didn't fit--I've filled up the partition. Scary things started > > You said it was the package "Bomberman". Did the game install right with > enough memory left (after you rebooted)? I didn't try installing it again -- I was busy with other things for quite some time ;) Can you *please* upload it into the Maemo Extras repository? Hunting down the .deb file manually, downloading it, then hunting for it again on the file system to install it is tedious. And it can make the difference between someone installing the game or not installing it. http://maemo.org/maemowiki/ExtrasRepository Cheers, Marius Gedminas -- Writing about music is like dancing about architecture. -- Frank Zappa signature.asc Description: Digital signature ___ maemo-users mailing list maemo-users@maemo.org https://maemo.org/mailman/listinfo/maemo-users
Re: [maemo-users] A scary story with a happy ending
On Thu, Jan 25, 2007 at 01:17:55AM +0200, Marius Gedminas wrote: > On Wed, Jan 24, 2007 at 11:47:51PM +0100, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > > Marius Gedminas wrote: > > > Yesterday I installed a couple of games into my 770. And one of the > > > games didn't fit--I've filled up the partition. Scary things started > > > > You said it was the package "Bomberman". Did the game install right with > > enough memory left (after you rebooted)? > > I didn't try installing it again -- I was busy with other things for > quite some time ;) I installed bomberman 0.99 now. It works. During installation it asks me to choose a menu location, and offers "Extras" by default. It would be better to offer "Games" by default -- and I've seen games that do that. It would be best to not distract the user with silly questions and always add the menu item in the Games menu. Marius Gedminas -- If you want to trick a pointy-haired boss into letting you write software in Lisp, you could try telling him it's XML. -- http://www.paulgraham.com/icad.html signature.asc Description: Digital signature ___ maemo-users mailing list maemo-users@maemo.org https://maemo.org/mailman/listinfo/maemo-users
Re: [maemo-users] A scary story with a happy ending
Am 25 Jan 2007 um 1:17 hat Marius Gedminas geschrieben: > Can you *please* upload it into the Maemo Extras repository? Hunting > down the .deb file manually, downloading it, then hunting for it again > on the file system to install it is tedious. And it can make the > difference between someone installing the game or not installing it. I will talk to the managers at the Maemo Extras repository... -Klaus -- Klaus Rotter * klaus rotters de * www.rotters.de ___ maemo-users mailing list maemo-users@maemo.org https://maemo.org/mailman/listinfo/maemo-users
Re: [maemo-users] A scary story with a happy ending
Marius Gedminas wrote: > Can you *please* upload it into the Maemo Extras repository? Quoting from http://maemo.org/maemowiki/ExtrasRepository: > The admins also select from existing garage users, but in order > to ensure that you will receive the necessary rights you must > have a "proven track record" as a maemo developer. It means > that you have been programming and preparing good quality > software(s) for maemo. Don't know if I fit this need... ;-) > Your packages are installable with the Application Manager > and naturally they do not brick one's device after installing Maybe this... -Klaus-- Klaus Rotter * klaus rotters de * www.rotters.de ___ maemo-users mailing list maemo-users@maemo.org https://maemo.org/mailman/listinfo/maemo-users
(Fwd) Re: [maemo-users] A scary story with a happy ending
Marius Gedminas wrote: > I installed bomberman 0.99 now. It works. Fine... > During installation it asks me to choose a menu location, and offers > "Extras" by default. It would be better to offer "Games" by default -- Hm... I installed it also today ;-) and I remember it asks for "Games". Two possible reasons: Maybe it is because I use 2006-39-14 and you not (just guessing) or application installer remembers the place where a package was installed before. Don't know... > and I've seen games that do that. It would be best to not distract the > user with silly questions and always add the menu item in the Games > menu. Anyone from nokia/maemo team who knows the answer? -Klaus -- Klaus Rotter * klaus rotters de * www.rotters.de ___ maemo-users mailing list maemo-users@maemo.org https://maemo.org/mailman/listinfo/maemo-users
Re: (Fwd) Re: [maemo-users] A scary story with a happy ending
On Thu, Jan 25, 2007 at 01:59:36AM +0100, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > > During installation it asks me to choose a menu location, and offers > > "Extras" by default. It would be better to offer "Games" by default -- > > Hm... I installed it also today ;-) and I remember it asks for "Games". Two > possible reasons: > Maybe it is because I use 2006-39-14 and you not (just guessing) or I also use this version. > application installer remembers the place where a package was installed > before. Don't know... Could be. I installed a game, chose "games", installed another game, noticed that it offers "games", thought "hmm, nice, but it'd be even nicer if it didn't bother me with silly questions", then reflashed and the installer offered the default choice -- "extras" -- for bomberman. > > and I've seen games that do that. It would be best to not distract the > > user with silly questions and always add the menu item in the Games > > menu. > > Anyone from nokia/maemo team who knows the answer? Time to RTFM? http://maemo.org/platform/docs/howtos/howto_making_an_application_package.html#utilities - maemo-select-menu-location .desktop [default-folder] ... The default-folder parameter is optional, and when given determines the default folder of the menu entry. If you omit it, the menu entry will appear in "Extras". So, it *is* possible. Marius Gedminas -- I saw `cout' being shifted "Hello world" times to the left and stopped right there!! -- Steve Gonedes signature.asc Description: Digital signature ___ maemo-users mailing list maemo-users@maemo.org https://maemo.org/mailman/listinfo/maemo-users
Re: (Fwd) Re: [maemo-users] A scary story with a happy ending
Marius Gedminas wrote: > Time to RTFM? Argh... I feared it... ;-) > http://maemo.org/platform/docs/howtos/howto_making_an_application_package.html#utilities > > - maemo-select-menu-location .desktop [default-folder] [...] > The default-folder parameter is optional, and when given > determines the default folder of the menu entry. If you omit it, > the menu entry will appear in "Extras". Ok, I am still learning... next version will have it. ;-) -Klaus -- Klaus Rotter * klaus rotters de * www.rotters.de ___ maemo-users mailing list maemo-users@maemo.org https://maemo.org/mailman/listinfo/maemo-users
Re: (Fwd) Re: [maemo-users] A scary story with a happy ending
"ext Marius Gedminas" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: > - maemo-select-menu-location .desktop [default-folder] > > ... > > The default-folder parameter is optional, and when given > determines the default folder of the menu entry. If you omit it, > the menu entry will appear in "Extras". I realize I need to update this to: If you omit it, the menu entry will reappear in its old place, or in "Extras" when the .desktop file was never installed before. ___ maemo-users mailing list maemo-users@maemo.org https://maemo.org/mailman/listinfo/maemo-users
