Here's what it looks like in OmniDiskSweeper:
I found a previous thread about this problem (http://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/112100/what-is-the-use-of-snapshot-db), but no way to stop this issue given that I'm not comfortable going into Terminal and messing around.
MacBook Air, OS X Mavericks (10.9.3)
yes, local snapshots.
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4878
how to turn them off:
http://osxdaily.com/2011/09/28/disable-time-machine-local-backups-in-mac-os-x-li on/
Local snapshots are useful in a very narrow almost non-existent perspective. Essentially they are not useful.
make constant time machine backups and they will not build up, either that or turn them off.
PlotinusVeritas, thank you for the suggestions. Can you indicate how long the files might "eventually" be cleared by making Time Machine backups?
Linc Davis, just realized that your thread meant your comments were linked not by yourself but by PlotinusVeritas. I would still like to know: what caused this problem and what is the snapshots.db file (a log of what?)
PlotinusVeritasWhat does "Mavericks faux pas mean"? Who is right - does it or does it not have to do with Time Machine?
The precise function of the log isn't publicly documented. It contains statistics on energy use, presumably used for power management. I don't know why the file sometimes becomes very large. It's some kind of bug.
Great, thank you. I am now running the "vacuum" command line you supplied. During this, the computer warned me that the computer is running out of memory but gave me no option but to say "OK." It has been 10 minutes and it has not yet given me a new $ prompt. How long should I wait before giving up and closing Terminal?
It just gave me this message:
Error: database or disk is full
Any further tips? I guess I should take it to the Genius Bar
Back up all data.
Triple-click anywhere in the line below on this page to select it:
/var/db/systemstats
Right-click or control-click the highlighted line and select
Services ▹ Reveal in Finder (or just Reveal)
from the contextual menu.* A folder should open with an item selected. Move the selected item to the Trash. You may be prompted for your administrator login password. Restart the computer and empty the Trash.
*If you don't see the contextual menu item, copy the selected text to the Clipboard by pressing the key combination command-C. In the Finder, select
Go ▹ Go to Folder...
from the menu bar and paste into the box that opens by pressing command-V. You won't see what you pasted because a line break is included. Press return.
Snapshots.db is 5.2 GB and won't stop growing; how can I stop this?
