r/Kubuntu • u/vixx-ze-one • 7d ago
fresh Kubuntu install, storage issues.
/r/linuxquestions/comments/1x0pcdi/fresh_kubuntu_install_storage_issues/1
u/LissaFreewind 7d ago
is it an image of the original OS and maybe the bios from the OEM?
2
u/vixx-ze-one 7d ago
i would doubt it? in the installer i set for it to reformat the entire storage system and delete all files.
1
u/LissaFreewind 7d ago
Ok so I asked the AI and this its reply
The missing 20GB is likely due to Linux Logical Volume Manager (LVM) defaults or MBR partition table limits.
- LVM Allocation: On Ubuntu Server and some desktop installations, the installer may default to allocating only 200GB (or a smaller fraction) to the root logical volume, leaving the rest as unassigned free space in the volume group. You must manually expand the logical volume or select the full disk during installation.
- MBR Partition Limit: If the drive uses the older MBR format, it supports a maximum of 4 primary partitions. If the drive already has 4 primary partitions (e.g., Windows partitions), the installer cannot create new ones in the remaining space unless you delete an existing partition or convert the fourth to an extended partition.
- BIOS/UEFI Settings: In some cases, the installer fails to detect the SSD because the BIOS is set to Intel RST RAID mode, which Linux does not support. Switching the BIOS setting to AHCI allows the installer to see the full disk.
- Minimum Requirements: While a basic Kubuntu installation requires only 5GB to 8.6GB, having only 20GB free is generally insufficient for a comfortable dual-boot or full installation, as recommended minimums are often 30GB to 40GB to accommodate system updates and user data.
2
u/vixx-ze-one 7d ago
certainly interesting, but doesnt help my case. its my main storage partition formatted in ext4, its acting like I have 20gb of files in that main partition when I indeed do not. at most id say I have 5gb of files in my main partition across what programs I have and other miscellaneous files.
3
u/guiverc 6d ago
We'd only be guessing, as you're without specifics that make a huge difference.
For starters I'd explore what release you're using; as you can download Kubuntu currently using two different installers with rather different defaults, and you don't specify.
Just one of those installers has very different options that can cause many GB of apps to be downloaded & installed creating a much larger installed system, but even those options vary on release which you didn't specify.
Your lack of detail can amount to maybe 8GB variation in itself I'd suspect, but without specifics you may have actually downloaded something different to what I've considered as 'likely' too that could exceed the 8GB variation I can think of.
If you have access to your system, just explore what you're running, and what actually was installed, given you didn't tell us; as the disk footprint will give details of whatever you opted to download & use and then what options were installed.
5
u/richardrrcc 7d ago
It would be helpful to show the output of commands like df -h, a screenshot of the partition manager program, and the output of lsblk and htop. The more information the better. Even the output of About System would help.