very slow deletions on ext3 USB drive

Karl F. Larsen klarsen1 at gmail.com
Fri Sep 18 18:54:38 UTC 2009


Steve Flynn wrote:
> On Fri, Sep 18, 2009 at 1:31 PM, Karl F. Larsen <klarsen1 at gmail.com> wrote:
>> Flynn, Steve (L & P - IT) wrote:
>>>> Problem is, it is taking literally hours to remove each backup
>>>> directory. Why is this so? Is there any faster way than "rm -fr" to
>>>> remove a directory? Should I use a different filesystem type next
>>> time?
>>>
>>> [snipped Karls advice to copy everything to a new drive and format the
>>> original - not entirely sure what this was supposed to achieve other
>>> than moving data unnecessarily]
>>        BIG SNIP
>>
>>        Your advice is way too complex. I know how to do it with my advice.
> 
> If you find my advice to mount the filesystem with two additional
> parameters "too complex", then really you shouldn't be attempting to
> give any advice to anyone. All you suggested was cloning the drive to
> another drive and then formatting the first one... what does that
> achieve precisely?
> 
> The OP asked for a means of deleting files more rapidly. You got him
> to clone the drive. Genius.
> 
> 
> 
	Just so you quote me correct, He said he wanted to save the latest 10% 
of the backups. I suggested he save the 10% he wants to keep on another 
hard drive. Then reformat the original drive. Then put the 10% back on 
the original drive. Delete it from the temporary hard drive.

	I stated correctly that a format will delete his files far faster than 
your complex method. Let us drop this subject since he has already done 
what he wanted!

73 Karl


-- 

	Karl F. Larsen, AKA K5DI
	Linux User
	#450462   http://counter.li.org.
         Key ID = 3951B48D





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