[PC-BSD Testing] Laptop Works Better with UFS + Softupdates

[Kris Moore]

Ian Robinson wrote:
> Dear Kris --
> 
> This report concerns a PCBSD 7.0 Alpha 08082008 on a laptop computer
> running the Intel Centrino chipset, P4 1.5 Ghz, and Intel 82855 built
> in video.  I had previously reported that the laptop had repeated
> freezes and reboots whenever I ran programs, especially Dolphin.  This
> experience contrasted greatly with using the Alphas on a desktop which
> was stable.  I am pleasantly surprised (after acting on your
> announcement that you would revert to the previous UFS file system in
> the next release) to report the entire laptop situation has improved
> after reinstalling the same Alpha using UFS +Softupdates as the file
> system instead of UFS +Journal.
> 
> I have been running about four hours and have not crashed Dolphin,
> even though I have looked on other slices and some mega-sized
> directories.  Both these functions were prone to crash Dolphin and
> cause a freeze or reboot.  I've also surfed the web, searched Google
> and Google images.  These activities were also prone to cause a freeze
> or reboot under a the UFS +journal file system.  I've had up to six
> active programs running without even a hiccup.
> 
> I am also pleased about performance, the ability to update ports and
> source using system administrator, and to install various software
> using ports.
> 
> I had only one freeze when I clicked on four mpg video files and
> opened them simultaneously with Dragon.  I'm currently installing
> Kaffeine to see if that cures the problem.
> 
> In summary, I am happy that changing only the file system has made a
> huge improvement for the laptop and eliminated the critical problems I
> was having.  Your instinct about the journaling file system was
> insightful.
> 
> Ian Robinson
> Salem, Ohio


Ian,

Glad to hear this report! I'm hoping that the defaulting back to 
UFS+Softupdates will address many problems, and it sounds like in your 
case it did work :)



-- 

Kris Moore
PC-BSD Software
http://www.pcbsd.com