File system bafflement

[Rashkae]

On 14-09-02 03:30 PM, R Kimber wrote:
> OK. I rebooted, but df still says 100% use for root filesystem, and I get a
> window that says:-
> The volume "filesystem root" has only 0 bytes disk space remaining.
>
> And this means that I can't do any security updates because the software
> updater doesn't think there's enough space.
>
> It's starting to look like a complete re-install .....
>
> - Richard.

That's drastic for what is probably something very simple.

Since it seems to have gotten lost, I'll repeat my last message:

I would suggest booting from a live cd and examining your root file 
system from there. My best guess: you have some large amount of data 
hiding behind one of those mount points. What do I mean?

Suppose on your root filesystem, you have a really big file called 
/home/bigfile.bin Then your system mounts the other partition as /home, 
effectively hiding bigfile.bin from your view, but that space is still 
being used.