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MP 7,1 How do I reclaim SSD memory?

machenryr

machenryr

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jan 25, 2016
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I deleted a bunch of files on an SSD. Maybe this should be in the OS forum, IDK. I'm doing a big recording project next week. I deleted about 1 TB from a 2TB SSD, but when I check Disk Utility it still says I only have 171 GB available. It was explained to me once that it was time machine that keeps it cached for recovery. If this is the case how do I free it up? If it's something else what do I do? If I'm recording will it just record over the stated unavailable space? I used to be able to just "get info" and the available memory would almost immediately be stated.
 
Was the SSD used for Time Machine backups? And if so, and you deleted the files using the Finder, that would be the reason why the space does not show up. The only way to delete files from a Time Machine backup is to enter Time Machine and do the deletions that way.

If that SSD was used for Time Machine, it's messed up for good. Reformat it to get the space back.
 
machenryr said:
I deleted a bunch of files on an SSD. Maybe this should be in the OS forum, IDK. I'm doing a big recording project next week. I deleted about 1 TB from a 2TB SSD, but when I check Disk Utility it still says I only have 171 GB available. It was explained to me once that it was time machine that keeps it cached for recovery. If this is the case how do I free it up? If it's something else what do I do? If I'm recording will it just record over the stated unavailable space? I used to be able to just "get info" and the available memory would almost immediately be stated.
Click to expand...
When you say that you deleted files, did you just move to trash? If so, you need to empty the trash to recover disk space.
I'm no TM expert, but have not heard of it keeping information cached in that manner. Is TM on the same volume as the files you moved?
 
This is usually from TM snapshots, which are saved on your boot drive.
When you delete stuff, it usually shows the space after a couple of days.
 
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chscag said:
Was the SSD used for Time Machine backups? And if so, and you deleted the files using the Finder, that would be the reason why the space does not show up. The only way to delete files from a Time Machine backup is to enter Time Machine and do the deletions that way.

If that SSD was used for Time Machine, it's messed up for good. Reformat it to get the space back.
Click to expand...

It’s not a time machine back up drive but I am back up the drive using TM. DAMN. OK. Thanks. Everything is also backed up with Carbon Copy Cloner. So it’s alright. Also backblaze.
 
Rich B22 said:
When you say that you deleted files, did you just move to trash? If so, you need to empty the trash to recover disk space.
I'm no TM expert, but have not heard of it keeping information cached in that manner. Is TM on the same volume as the files you moved?
Click to expand...

Thanks. I’ll check. I thought I emptied the trash. And yes. That’s what I meant.
 
MarkC426 said:
This is usually from TM snapshots, which are saved on your boot drive.
When you delete stuff, it usually shows the space after a couple of days.
Click to expand...

That’s what I thought. But I deleted the files Saturday. It’s now Thursday.
 
ignatius345 said:
Have you restarted? Sometimes that refreshes things.
Click to expand...
A lot. I'm just worried that as the day for my two day sessions is here whether Mac Pro will get confused. Even though I've made more than enough room on the SSD. Will it stop or crash because it's keeping some for TM?
 
machenryr said:
A lot. I'm just worried that as the day for my two day sessions is here whether Mac Pro will get confused. Even though I've made more than enough room on the SSD. Will it stop or crash because it's keeping some for TM?
Click to expand...
You mean snapshots? The Mac will keep local snapshots of files up until it backs up to a Time Machine drive, at which point I think they're supposed to get dumped.

I think there are a bunch of ways to do this, but Carbon Copy Cloner will show you all your snapshots and how large they are, if that's the culprit, and even delete them for you. You can get a 30 day trial, and it should be able to handle this, just so you can see if you've got a bunch of snapshots piling up.
 
ignatius345 said:
You mean snapshots? The Mac will keep local snapshots of files up until it backs up to a Time Machine drive, at which point I think they're supposed to get dumped.

I think there are a bunch of ways to do this, but Carbon Copy Cloner will show you all your snapshots and how large they are, if that's the culprit, and even delete them for you. You can get a 30 day trial, and it should be able to handle this, just so you can see if you've got a bunch of snapshots piling up.
Click to expand...
I also have and use CCC. I thoink they're both culprits! LOL. User error.
 
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Not the answer you probably want, but would the upcoming project you have fund additional storage...?
You can never have too much....;)
 
You can also use Method 2 from the following article: https://appletoolbox.com/how-to-manage-or-delete-purgeable-storage-on-your-mac/ . I have actually done this once or twice, when I believed I needed to recover the purgeable space on a drive. I don't care for this method in general, because it pointlessly uses up the finite write-cycle life of the flash memory that makes up the SSD. It is very akin to killing a gnat with a flamethrower. But if you have to have the space show up as free space, this will clear it out. Use with caution, and only when absolutely necessary, IMNSHO. Your mileage may vary.
 
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