firefox question

[ivan]

This question comes from running out of disk space for the mozprofile directory.
Digging through the files I found a cache2 dir which has a sub dir entries which had several thousand files in it.  I deleted that subdir and got the disk space back.  The problem is it keeps on being created and I don't see a way of killing its reproduction.

Why is it created and how does one get rid of it permanently?

[Andi B.]

With Seamonkey there is Options - Advanced - Cache where you can limit max. size and directory where cache should be stored.

[Dave Yeo]

I have my cache on the ram disk. For Firefox, you have to set up things in about:config.
Interesting entries include,
browser.cache.disk.capacity, you can shrink the cache here,
browser.cache.disk.parent_directory, point to somewhere you don't mind filling up, ram disk, etc.
browser.cache.disk.filesystem_reported, I seem to have set this previously.

Search for cache for other preferences while wondering why this stuff is no longer in the options.

[Andi B.]

Search for cache for other preferences while wondering why this stuff is no longer in the options.

This is one reason I like to stay with SM. These FF folks tend to change (and hide) things only cause they can.....

[Dariusz Piatkowski]

So FF has three kinds of cache:

1) memory
2) disk
3) app

Take a look at 'about:cache'; to see the individual allocations, although really the 'disk' part is what you are lookign for given your quesiton.

The 'browser.cache.xxx' is a rich set of config options...do a little reading up on this and you can configure your setup to just suit your needs. Most of these options are controllable through the GUI, although not all.

[ivan]

Thank you Dariusz.  You are correct about the disk cache being what I am concerned about.  Now to find out how to auto clear it when firefox closes and I will be happy.

[Dariusz Piatkowski]

Hi ivan,

...Now to find out how to auto clear it when firefox closes and I will be happy...

What has always worked for me was bringing up the GUI setup screens (so within FF: Tools => Options => Advanced => Network => Cached Web Content) and selecting the 'Clean Now' button.

FF does some internal house-keeping, so this (also depending on how BIG your current cache is) may take a minute or two, but in my case I always do this when I run a quarterly backup of my FF profile (no sense copying all that cache right? LOL).

BUT...if you want an automated way of doing this, I think Dave's suggestion to put the cache on the ramdisk is just about the only viable option?

[Tom]

Thank you Dariusz.  You are correct about the disk cache being what I am concerned about.  Now to find out how to auto clear it when firefox closes and I will be happy.

In Firefox/2 45.9.0: go to Tools --> Options --> Privacy --> History --> check "Clear history when Firefox closes".
Behind that: use the "Settings" button to indicate *what* you want to be cleared when closing Firefox.

[ivan]

Thanks again.  Your thought of using a ram disk won't work because my computer is on 24/7/360, it gets shut down twice a year to allow for dust removal and physical checking.

[Dave Yeo]

Thanks again.  Your thought of using a ram disk won't work because my computer is on 24/7/360, it gets shut down twice a year to allow for dust removal and physical checking.

Having a small cache on the ram disk shouldn't hurt, or if really worried just reduce the cache to zero