Diskspace not released

[Karin Willems]

Hi !

recently I removed the /etc/rc.log because my root volume (/) was 97% used. The file was quite large (>100Mb) so I expected to have enough space again. However, after deleting the file, no space was released. The file is gone (except for a link in /var/adm/), but my diskspace too! I don't get it, what has happened? I can't find any other large file which can cause this.
I am afraid that, if the system reboots, it will have a problem with this full lvol3.

What can I do to get my diskspace back?

[Ivan Krastev · Accepted solution]

You deleted a file, but it is still used by some application - so the space is showed as usable. Use fuser to see what process use that file and locked it. After reboot new file will be created rc.log and space will be free.

regards,
ivan

[Gary Cantwell]

Hi Karin,

Please take a moment to assign points to those who have taken the time to assist you, here's how:

http://forums1.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/bizsupport/helptips.do?#33

Thanks,

Gary

[Karin Willems]

Thnx, something went wrong. I thought I already assigned the points.

Bye!

Karin

[Bob_165]

I had this happen several times.

I know this sounds like a Microsoft thing...but you do get the disk space back after a reboot..

[James R. Ferguson]

Hi Karin:

This is absolutely normal UNIX behavior. The manpages for 'unlink(2)' [the system call to remove a file] tell the tale.

Removing the file decremented its link count, yet one or more processes had the file open. Hence, until such time as there are no users of the file, the disk allocated to the file remains allocated.

Regards!

...JRF...