can i delete the data in the system log? it takes up 26 GB of my hard disc! help please!
can i delete the data in the system log? it takes up 26 GB of my hard disc! help please!
macbook pro, Mac OS X (10.6.8), 2.16 GHz Intel Core Duo 2GB DDR2 SDRAM
Apple Event: May 7th at 7 am PT
can i delete the data in the system log? it takes up 26 GB of my hard disc! help please!
macbook pro, Mac OS X (10.6.8), 2.16 GHz Intel Core Duo 2GB DDR2 SDRAM
Yes you can. Log files are one of the few system files you can delete without shame. If you are having trouble because its permissions are messed up, go into the Terminal and type:
chmod 777
Followed by a space without hitting anything, and drag the log file into the terminal. It will then put the full path of the log file in. Once that's there, hit return. You should then be able to delete the file.
Thanks for your help Brody. I have onyx in my utilities and I'm trying hat to get the permissions all straight. I think t will help. I' ll let you know how hat goes! Will that not delete the log data correctly or is your suggestion better? Thanks!
Onyx is overkill. Don't use it for caches. That can actually slow your system down. If you can use it just to eliminate logs that will help. But there might be some logs it doesn't touch, which is why I say, if you find the log you want, it is better to kill it directly.
Hi Brody.
I am nervous of deleting the log file without using onyx or another programe. I am a novis with computers. I have done all the clean ups in onyx. I still have bad problems. I had a new motherboard about 2 years ago. I give new a snippet of my consul, it looks like everything is going wrong and thats why the cosol messeges take upa so much space. I have tried to delete from the consul but the trash is unavailable/greyed out.?
This is a tiny snippet from today!
Jan 26 09:06:36 Denise-Clarks-Computer CleanMyMacHelperTool[177]: Mounted devices (\n)
Jan 26 09:06:36 Denise-Clarks-Computer CleanMyMacHelperTool[177]: CleanMyMacHelperTool exited...
Jan 26 09:06:36 Denise-Clarks-Computer rapportd[148]: *** __NSAutoreleaseNoPool(): Object 0x83b330 of class NSCFString autoreleased with no pool in place - just leaking
Jan 26 09:06:36 Denise-Clarks-Computer rapportd[148]: *** __NSAutoreleaseNoPool(): Object 0x83b3e0 of class NSPathStore2 autoreleased with no pool in place - just leaking
Jan 26 09:06:36 Denise-Clarks-Computer rapportd[148]: *** __NSAutoreleaseNoPool(): Object 0x83a700 of class NSConcreteData autoreleased with no pool in place - just leaking
Jan 26 09:06:36 Denise-Clarks-Computer rapportd[148]: *** __NSAutoreleaseNoPool(): Object 0x83b250 of class NSCFArray autoreleased with no pool in place - just leaking
Jan 26 09:06:36 Denise-Clarks-Computer rapportd[148]: *** __NSAutoreleaseNoPool(): Object 0x83a9e0 of class NSCFData autoreleased with no pool in place - just leaking
Jan 26 09:06:36 Denise-Clarks-Computer rapportd[148]: *** __NSAutoreleaseNoPool(): Object 0x83ab80 of class NSCFData autoreleased with no pool in place - just leaking
Jan 26 09:06:36 Denise-Clarks-Computer rapportd[148]: *** __NSAutoreleaseNoPool(): Object 0x83abc0 of class NSCFData autoreleased with no pool in place - just leaking
Jan 26 09:06:42 Denise-Clarks-Computer SystemUIServer[127]: MenuCracker: Allowing "iStatMenusCPU".
Jan 26 09:06:43 Denise-Clarks-Computer SystemUIServer[127]: MenuCracker: Allowing "iStatMenusDisks".
Jan 26 09:06:43 Denise-Clarks-Computer SystemUIServer[127]: MenuCracker: Allowing "iStatMenusMemory".
Jan 26 09:06:44 Denise-Clarks-Computer SystemUIServer[127]: MenuCracker: Allowing "iStatMenusNetwork".
Jan 26 09:06:44 Denise-Clarks-Computer SystemUIServer[127]: MenuCracker: Allowing "iStatMenusTemps".
Jan 26 09:06:45 Denise-Clarks-Computer SystemUIServer[127]: MenuCracker: Allowing "iStatMenusDateAndTimes".
Jan 26 09:06:46 Denise-Clarks-Computer SystemUIServer[127]: MenuCracker: Allowing "iStatMenusDiskActivity".
Jan 26 09:06:47 Denise-Clarks-Computer SystemUIServer[127]: MenuCracker: Allowing "iStatMenusBattery".
Jan 26 09:06:47 Denise-Clarks-Computer SystemUIServer[127]: MenuCracker: Allowing "iStatMenusCombined".
Jan 26 09:06:48 Denise-Clarks-Computer com.apple.SystemUIServer.agent[127]: objc[127]: Class IXSCNotificationManager is implemented in both /Library/Application Support/iStat local/extras/iStatMenusNetwork.menu/Contents/MacOS/iStatMenusNetwork and /Library/Application Support/iStat local/extras/iStatMenusCombined.menu/Contents/MacOS/iStatMenusCombined. One of the two will be used. Which one is undefined.
Jan 26 09:06:48 Denise-Clarks-Computer com.apple.SystemUIServer.agent[127]: objc[127]: Class TCMNATPMPPortMapper is implemented in both /Library/Application Support/iStat local/extras/iStatMenusNetwork.menu/Contents/MacOS/iStatMenusNetwork and /Library/Application Support/iStat local/extras/iStatMenusCombined.menu/Contents/MacOS/iStatMenusCombined. One of the two will be used. Which one is undefined.
Jan 26 09:06:48 Denise-Clarks-Computer com.apple.SystemUIServer.agent[127]: objc[127]: Class TCMPortMapping is implemented in both /Library/Application Support/iStat local/extras/iStatMenusNetwork.menu/Contents/MacOS/iStatMenusNetwork and /Library/Application Support/iStat local/extras/iStatMenusCombined.menu/Contents/MacOS/iStatMenusCombined. One of the two will be used. Which one is undefined.
Jan 26 09:06:48 Denise-Clarks-Computer com.apple.SystemUIServer.agent[127]: objc[127]: Class TCMPortMapper is implemented in both /Library/Application Support/iStat local/extras/iStatMenusNetwork.menu/Contents/MacOS/iStatMenusNetwork and /Library/Application Support/iStat local/extras/iStatMenusCombined.menu/Contents/MacOS/iStatMenusCombined. One of the two will be used. Which one is undefined.
Jan 26 09:06:48 Denise-Clarks-Computer com.apple.SystemUIServer.agent[127]: objc[127]: Class TCMUPNPPortMapper is implemented in both /Library/Application Support/iStat local/extras/iStatMenusNetwork.menu/Contents/MacOS/iStatMenusNetwork and /Library/Application Support/iStat local/extras/iStatMenusCombined.menu/Contents/MacOS/iStatMenusCombined. One of the two will be used. Which one is undefined.
Jan 26 09:06:51 Denise-Clarks-Computer com.trusteer.rapport.rapportd[148]: objc[148]: Class application_notofications is implemented in both /Library/Rapport/bin/rapportd.app/Contents/MacOS/rapportd and /Library/Rapport/bin/RapportKobo6.dylib. One of the two will be used. Which one is undefined.
Jan 26 09:06:52 Denise-Clarks-Computer com.trusteer.rapport.rapportd[148]: objc[148]: Class application_notofications is implemented in both /Library/Rapport/bin/rapportd.app/Contents/MacOS/rapportd and /Library/Rapport/bin/RapportDaishi.dylib. One of the two will be used. Which one is undefined.
Jan 26 09:06:52 Denise-Clarks-Computer rapportd[148]: *** __NSAutoreleaseNoPool(): Object 0xbe9830 of class NSCFString autoreleased with no pool in place - just leaking
Jan 26 09:06:52 Denise-Clarks-Computer rapportd[148]: *** __NSAutoreleaseNoPool(): Object 0x847430 of class NSPathStore2 autoreleased with no pool in place - just leaking
Jan 26 09:06:52 Denise-Clarks-Computer rapportd[148]: *** __NSAutoreleaseNoPool(): Object 0xbe9730 of class NSConcreteData autoreleased with no pool in place - just leaking
Jan 26 09:06:52 Denise-Clarks-Computer rapportd[148]: *** __NSAutoreleaseNoPool(): Object 0xbe97b0 of class NSCFArray autoreleased with no pool in place - just leaking
Jan 26 09:06:52 Denise-Clarks-Computer rapportd[148]: *** __NSAutoreleaseNoPool(): Object 0xbe9890 of class NSCFData autoreleased with no pool in place - just leaking
Jan 26 09:06:52 Denise-Clarks-Computer rapportd[148]: *** __NSAutoreleaseNoPool(): Object 0xbe98e0 of class NSCFData autoreleased with no pool in place - just leaking
Jan 26 09:06:52 Denise-Clarks-Computer rapportd[148]: *** __NSAutoreleaseNoPool(): Object 0xbe9750 of class NSCFData autoreleased with no pool in place - just leaking
Jan 26 09:06:52 Denise-Clarks-Computer rapportd[148]: *** __NSAutoreleaseNoPool(): Object 0xbe9a60 of class NSCFData autoreleased with no pool in place - just leaking
Jan 26 09:06:58 Denise-Clarks-Computer SystemUIServer[127]: iStat Menus loading extra - cpu
Jan 26 09:06:58 Denise-Clarks-Computer SystemUIServer[127]: iStatMenus Daemon version 3.27 (103)
Jan 26 09:06:58 Denise-Clarks-Computer SystemUIServer[127]: iStat Menus loading extra - diskusage
Jan 26 09:06:59 Denise-Clarks-Computer SystemUIServer[127]: iStat Menus loading extra - memory
Jan 26 09:06:59 Denise-Clarks-Computer SystemUIServer[127]: iStatMenus Daemon version 3.27 (103)
Jan 26 09:06:59 Denise-Clarks-Computer SystemUIServer[127]: iStat Menus loading extra - network
Jan 26 09:07:00 Denise-Clarks-Computer SystemUIServer[127]: iStat Menus loading extra - sensors
Jan 26 09:07:01 Denise-Clarks-Computer SystemUIServer[127]: iStatMenus Daemon version 3.27 (103)
Jan 26 09:07:02 Denise-Clarks-Computer SystemUIServer[127]: deamonConnectionReady
Jan 26 09:07:02 Denise-Clarks-Computer SystemUIServer[127]: (\n {\n fan = F0Ac;\n speed = "2730.769";\n },\n {\n fan = F1Ac;\n speed = "2016.484";\n }\n)
Jan 26 09:07:02 Denise-Clarks-Computer SystemUIServer[127]: iStat Menus loading extra - time
Another snippet from this morning.
Jan 26 09:07:04 Denise-Clarks-Computer SystemUIServer[127]: iStat Menus loading extra - diskactivity
Jan 26 09:07:05 Denise-Clarks-Computer SystemUIServer[127]: iStat Menus loading extra - battery
Jan 26 09:07:05 Denise-Clarks-Computer SystemUIServer[127]: iStat Menus loading extra - combined
Jan 26 09:07:09 Denise-Clarks-Computer SystemUIServer[127]: deamonConnectionReady
Jan 26 09:07:09 Denise-Clarks-Computer SystemUIServer[127]: (\n {\n fan = F0Ac;\n speed = "2730.769";\n },\n {\n fan = F1Ac;\n speed = "2016.484";\n }\n)
Jan 26 09:12:42 Denise-Clarks-Computer com.apple.usbmuxd[36]: _handle_timer heartbeat detected detach for device 0x3-192.168.1.79:0!
Jan 26 09:16:23 Denise-Clarks-Computer /System/Library/CoreServices/CCacheServer.app/Contents/MacOS/CCacheServer[158]: No valid tickets, timing out
Jan 26 09:18:17 Denise-Clarks-Computer loginwindow[42]: loginwindow SleepWakeCallback WILL sleep
Jan 26 09:18:20 Denise-Clarks-Computer ntpd[31]: sendto(17.72.255.11) (fd=26): Network is down
Jan 26 09:18:20 Denise-Clarks-Computer com.apple.launchd[1] (com.apple.SystemStarter): Failed to count the number of files in "/System/Library/StartupItems": No such file or directory
Jan 26 09:18:20: --- last message repeated 1 time ---
Jan 26 09:18:20 Denise-Clarks-Computer configd[15]: network configuration changed.
Jan 26 09:18:20 Denise-Clarks-Computer SystemUIServer[127]: -[TCMPortMapper networkDidChange:] NSConcreteNotification 0x195bd0 {name = State:/Network/Global/IPv4; object = <IXSCNotificationManager: 0x1b64c0>}
Jan 26 09:18:43 Denise-Clarks-Computer loginwindow[42]: loginwindow SleepWakeCallback will power on, Currenttime:1/26/2013 9:18:43.005 AM - Waketime:1/26/2013 9:18:43.000 AM = Deltatime:0.004955053
Jan 26 09:18:44 Denise-Clarks-Computer com.apple.launchd[1] (com.apple.SystemStarter): Failed to count the number of files in "/System/Library/StartupItems": No such file or directory
Jan 26 09:18:45: --- last message repeated 1 time ---
Jan 26 09:18:44 Denise-Clarks-Computer airportd[195]: failed to snag beacon
Jan 26 09:18:44 Denise-Clarks-Computer configd[15]: Sleep: Success - AC 95 - Idle Sleep
Jan 26 09:18:44 Denise-Clarks-Computer configd[15]: Wake: Success - AC 95 - USB1
Jan 26 09:18:44 Denise-Clarks-Computer configd[15]: Hibernate Statistics
Jan 26 09:18:45 Denise-Clarks-Computer configd[15]: network configuration changed.
Jan 26 09:18:47 Denise-Clarks-Computer SystemUIServer[127]: deamonConnectionReady
Jan 26 09:18:47 Denise-Clarks-Computer SystemUIServer[127]: (\n {\n fan = F0Ac;\n speed = "2730.769";\n },\n {\n fan = F1Ac;\n speed = "2016.484";\n }\n)
Jan 26 09:18:48 Denise-Clarks-Computer SystemUIServer[127]: -[TCMPortMapper networkDidChange:] NSConcreteNotification 0x6696e0 {name = State:/Network/Global/IPv4; object = <IXSCNotificationManager: 0x1b64c0>; userInfo = {\n PrimaryInterface = en1;\n PrimaryService = "114B839E-7328-4BC7-8EA8-F39785F9DB68";\n Router = "192.168.1.254";\n}}
Jan 26 09:18:48 Denise-Clarks-Computer BatteryUpdater[201]: Battery does not need the BatteryUpdate v 1.2 (0x2)
Jan 26 09:18:53 Denise-Clarks-Computer SystemUIServer[127]: deamonConnectionReady
Jan 26 09:18:53 Denise-Clarks-Computer SystemUIServer[127]: (\n {\n fan = F0Ac;\n speed = "2730.769";\n },\n {\n fan = F1Ac;\n speed = "2016.484";\n }\n)
Jan 26 09:19:04 Denise-Clarks-Computer [0x0-0x1e01e].org.mozilla.firefox[207]: XPCOMGlueLoad error 4:0 for file libxpcom.dylib:
Jan 26 09:19:04 Denise-Clarks-Computer [0x0-0x1e01e].org.mozilla.firefox[207]: image not found
Jan 26 09:19:13 Denise-Clarks-Computer loginwindow[42]: no spins reported for this wake
Jan 26 09:19:13 Denise-Clarks-Computer [0x0-0x1c01c].backupd-helper[199]: Not starting Time Machine backup after wake - failed to resolve alias to backup volume
Jan 26 09:20:10 Denise-Clarks-Computer kextloadlogger[214]: /Library/Rapport/bin/gakl_driver.kext
Jan 26 09:22:30 Denise-Clarks-Computer Xmarks for Safari[162]: *** __NSAutoreleaseNoPool(): Object 0x3950e10 of class OC_PythonString autoreleased with no pool in place - just leaking
Jan 26 09:26:48 Denise-Clarks-Computer [0x0-0x1e01e].org.mozilla.firefox[207]: NOTE: child process received `Goodbye', closing down
Jan 26 09:37:28 Denise-Clarks-Computer Xmarks for Safari[162]: *** __NSAutoreleaseNoPool(): Object 0x3950e10 of class OC_PythonString autoreleased with no pool in place - just leaking
Jan 26 09:43:58 Denise-Clarks-Computer [0x0-0x1e01e].org.mozilla.firefox[207]: NOTE: child process received `Goodbye', closing down
Jan 26 09:44:21 Denise-Clarks-Computer ntpd[31]: time reset +0.725635 s
Jan 26 09:44:44 Denise-Clarks-Computer com.apple.backupd-auto[278]: Not starting scheduled Time Machine backup - time machine destination not resolvable.
Jan 26 09:48:25 Denise-Clarks-Computer [0x0-0x1e01e].org.mozilla.firefox[207]: NOTE: child process received `Goodbye', closing down
Jan 26 09:52:29 Denise-Clarks-Computer Xmarks for Safari[162]: *** __NSAutoreleaseNoPool(): Object 0x3950e10 of class OC_PythonString autoreleased with no pool in place - just leaking
Jan 26 09:54:59 Denise-Clarks-Computer com.apple.usbmuxd[36]: _handle_timer heartbeat detected detach for device 0x6-192.168.1.79:0!
Jan 26 10:03:18 Denise-Clarks-Computer [0x0-0x1e01e].org.mozilla.firefox[207]: NOTE: child process received `Goodbye', closing down
Jan 26 10:06:18 Denise-Clarks-Computer com.apple.launchd.peruser.502[122] (com.apple.AddressBook.abd): The following job tried to hijack the service "com.apple.AddressBook.abd" from this job: [0x0-0x2f02f].com.apple.AddressBook.abd
Jan 26 10:06:39 Denise-Clarks-Computer mobilemesyncclient[313]: POST /Info.woa/wa/XMLRPC/accountInfo?username=deniseclark1 (FAILED), httpStatusCode:301, errorType:100 (domain=DAVErrorDomain, code=2), transactionState:5, txnId:4A5CA0E6-8FD4-4320-AEF0-F7AB71FCFEDA, auto-retries=0, manual-retries=0
Jan 26 10:06:39 Denise-Clarks-Computer PreferenceSyncClient[312]: Preference plist was NOT a dictionary.
Jan 26 10:06:39: --- last message repeated 1 time ---
Jan 26 10:06:39 Denise-Clarks-Computer mobilemesyncclient[313]: POST /Info.woa/wa/XMLRPC/accountInfo?username=deniseclark1 (FAILED), httpStatusCode:301, errorType:100 (domain=DAVErrorDomain, code=2), transactionState:5, txnId:4ED902FC-832D-44F3-9CAB-6012D1AF75B4, auto-retries=0, manual-retries=0
Jan 26 10:06:39 Denise-Clarks-Computer mobilemesyncclient[313]: (null) (null) (FAILED), httpStatusCode:301, errorType:100 (domain=DAVErrorDomain, code=2), transactionState:5, txnId:B0F0D973-FBF3-4ED4-ABF1-8DE32C361FB3, auto-retries=0, manual-retries=0
Jan 26 10:06:40 Denise-Clarks-Computer PreferenceSyncClient[312]: Preference plist was NOT a dictionary.
Jan 26 10:07:29: --- last message repeated 3 times ---
Jan 26 10:07:29 Denise-Clarks-Computer Xmarks for Safari[162]: *** __NSAutoreleaseNoPool(): Object 0x3950e10 of class OC_PythonString autoreleased with no pool in place - just leaking
Jan 26 10:10:40 Denise-Clarks-Computer mobilemesyncclient[313]: POST /Info.woa/wa/XMLRPC/accountInfo?username=deniseclark1 (FAILED), httpStatusCode:301, errorType:100 (domain=DAVErrorDomain, code=2), transactionState:5, txnId:0D4B6EE0-FD10-4B91-86A1-5699DA93B756, auto-retries=0, manual-retries=0
Jan 26 10:10:41 Denise-Clarks-Computer mobilemesyncclient[313]: POST /Info.woa/wa/XMLRPC/accountInfo?username=deniseclark1 (FAILED), httpStatusCode:301, errorType:100 (domain=DAVErrorDomain, code=2), transactionState:5, txnId:A650D324-806A-46DA-9B40-E3F6F12361A6, auto-retries=0, manual-retries=0
Jan 26 10:10:41 Denise-Clarks-Computer mobilemesyncclient[313]: (null) (null) (FAILED), httpStatusCode:301, errorType:100 (domain=DAVErrorDomain, code=2), transactionState:5, txnId:13800C28-A1E4-4362-AFD2-07E642B99C97, auto-retries=0, manual-retries=0
Jan 26 10:13:29 Denise-Clarks-Computer com.apple.usbmuxd[36]: _handle_timer heartbeat detected detach for device 0x7-192.168.1.79:0!
Jan 26 10:14:41 Denise-Clarks-Computer mobilemesyncclient[313]: POST /Info.woa/wa/XMLRPC/accountInfo?username=deniseclark1 (FAILED), httpStatusCode:301, errorType:100 (domain=DAVErrorDomain, code=2), transactionState:5, txnId:798960C8-DB6E-4FA6-8F13-7F7289C78A8F, auto-retries=0, manual-retries=0
Jan 26 10:14:42 Denise-Clarks-Computer mobilemesyncclient[313]: POST /Info.woa/wa/XMLRPC/accountInfo?username=deniseclark1 (FAILED), httpStatusCode:301, errorType:100 (domain=DAVErrorDomain, code=2), transactionState:5, txnId:9F2296BB-4924-444C-947F-D6A7F20651AA, auto-retries=0, manual-retries=0
Jan 26 10:14:42 Denise-Clarks-Computer mobilemesyncclient[313]: (null) (null) (FAILED), httpStatusCode:301, errorType:100 (do
Hi Brody,
I just tried your advice. Im not sure that i did this correctly, can I please clarify, is the 'terminal the space where you type? thanks Brody!
Yes!
Changing the permissions of the system log file will have no effect whatsoever on your ability to delete it. All it will do is make the file insecure. You should not delete the file at all, and you should never change the permissions of any system file, for any reason.
What you should do, first, is back up your data, if you haven't already done that. Then you need to figure out why the log is not being rotated as it should be, if indeed it isn't.
How do you know the size of the log?
Hi Linc, thanks for your advice, I agree , I didn't feel happy about just deleting the log even if I could. I can see the size at the bottom of the log window. I was alerted to the log files taking up all my disc space when I used disc sweeper Programe. I was advised at the apple shop that I could just delete the log files that t's no big deal! And the best way to deal with it is to re enstall my osx. Then my upgrade discs( snow leopard). What do you think?
Some of my instructions may have be modified a little, because it's been a long time since I used 10.6 and I don't necessarily remember all the differences.
from the contextual menu. An Info dialog should open.
Ok I'll try that, thanks!
Sorry I've tried that and a window comes up but no general section available. I've been trying to do a screenshot of my log window so you can see at the bottom its big size. It doesn't look like its growing too much, it's now 27.87 GB, but i cant get it on here.
I'm not very keen to put on the osx original discs and wipe the drive, then I'd have to put on snow leopard box set to upgrade, , I'd like to get this fixed in an easier way if poss. thanks again for your help.
Triple-click anywhere in the line below to select it:
ls -hl /var/log/system.log*
Copy the selected text to the Clipboard (command-C).
Launch the Terminal application in any of the following ways:
☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)
☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.
☞ Open LaunchPad. Click Utilities, then Terminal in the icon grid.
Paste (command-V) into the Terminal window.
Post any lines of output that appear below what you entered — the text, please, not a screenshot.
Ok thanks very much, I have to go out now so will try it later!
can i delete the data in the system log? it takes up 26 GB of my hard disc! help please!