# Objective Monitor dirty files memory, Change to more suitable values. What it does: change from default 10 and 50%.
My understanding: If `(vm.dirty_background_ratio/100) * memory size > largest file size`, then it should be ok.[reference needed] Note: `memory size` may be *available* memory size. Closing your memory- eating browsers may help.[reference needed] After editing the dirty values, reboot your system. It helped me. # Sources: - https://lonesysadmin.net/2013/12/22/better-linux-disk-caching-performance-vm-dirty_ratio/ - http://fooo.fr/~vjeux/github/github-recommandation/db/doc/manual/html/linux-performance-guide.html # Helpful commands ``` # View one dirty setting sudo sysctl -n vm.dirty_ratio # default 10 sudo sysctl -n vm.dirty_background_ratio # default 50 # View/monitor several settings cat /etc/sysctl.conf | egrep "dirty|writeback" # config file's dirty, if loaded. cat /proc/vmstat | egrep "dirty|writeback" # print dirty cat /proc/vmstat | egrep "nr_" # print all nr # View/monitor several settings : dynamic watch grep -A 1 dirty /proc/vmstat # Soft edit dirty ratios sudo sysctl vm.dirty_background_ratio=50 # set variable's value sudo sysctl vm.dirty_ratio=80 # set variable's value # Hard edit config file sudoedit /etc/sysctl.conf # hard edit config file. #vm.dirty_background_ratio = 50 # add without the hashtag #vm.dirty_ratio = 80 # add without the hashtag # # Save with nano : CTRL+X, then y sudo sysctl -p # reload current config file. Resets soft variables. # Check changes cat /etc/sysctl.conf | egrep "dirty|writeback" # cat /proc/vmstat | egrep "dirty|writeback" # ``` # Proposed diagnosize for your steps Before and after changing dirty values. ``` # 1. System is waiting cat /proc/vmstat | egrep "dirty|writeback" # 2. Just started copy cat /proc/vmstat | egrep "dirty|writeback" # 3. Copy is staled cat /proc/vmstat | egrep "dirty|writeback" # 4. Just cancelled copy via mouse cat /proc/vmstat | egrep "dirty|writeback" # 5. Waiting = nr_dirt goes down cat /proc/vmstat | egrep "dirty|writeback" # 6. Back to normal. cat /etc/sysctl.conf | egrep "dirty|writeback" ``` -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Kernel Packages, which is subscribed to linux in Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1208993 Title: Ubuntu slows down and hangs while copying file from/to USB Status in linux package in Ubuntu: Confirmed Bug description: Hi While copying many and large files to and from a USB drive, the system becomes incredibly slow and sometimes hangs. I watched the system monitor while it was running slowly but cpu was not above 50% at any time, the same for memory. I'm using the "WD my passport" HD with a USB3 port of my "ASUS K55VD" laptop. Description: Ubuntu 13.04 Release: 13.04 nautilus: Installed: 1:3.6.3-0ubuntu16 Candidate: 1:3.6.3-0ubuntu16 Version table: *** 1:3.6.3-0ubuntu16 0 500 http://ubuntu-archive.mirror.nucleus.be/ raring/main amd64 Packages 100 /var/lib/dpkg/status Steps to reproduce: 1) Aquire many large files (like your totally legit moviecollection) 2) Copy files to external HD 3) Open your browser and be sad when your system becomes incredibly slow after a few minutes This is my first bugreport so if I'm missing something, please tell me. ProblemType: Bug DistroRelease: Ubuntu 13.04 Package: nautilus 1:3.6.3-0ubuntu16 ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.8.0-27.40-generic 3.8.13.4 Uname: Linux 3.8.0-27-generic x86_64 ApportVersion: 2.9.2-0ubuntu8.1 Architecture: amd64 Date: Tue Aug 6 22:56:34 2013 EcryptfsInUse: Yes ExecutablePath: /usr/bin/nautilus GsettingsChanges: b'org.gnome.nautilus.window-state' b'geometry' b"'656x715+154+151'" b'org.gnome.nautilus.window-state' b'maximized' b'true' InstallationDate: Installed on 2013-05-31 (67 days ago) InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 13.04 "Raring Ringtail" - Release amd64 (20130424) MarkForUpload: True SourcePackage: nautilus UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install) To manage notifications about this bug go to: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/+bug/1208993/+subscriptions -- Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~kernel-packages Post to : kernel-packages@lists.launchpad.net Unsubscribe : https://launchpad.net/~kernel-packages More help : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp
