"oval3720" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:A12ACDBA-E1AD-4AD0-BE2E-(E-Mail Removed)...
> If i knew how to access any of the old information i wouldnt be here
> asking
> the question.
Unfortunately it's not really clear what exactly you are missing, or why,
since it is unlikely to be because of System Restore.
> I dont understand what you need from me as to answer the
> question. I had what most people have on their PC's, a computer game,
> pictures, lots of music, messenger (msn and yahoo), a music and video
> d/load
> program. The problem is i cant actually FIND any of it from prior to Sept.
> 7th, just when i go to defragment my disk, it says i now only have 1%
> space
> left, which should be impossible if it erased everything
System Restore doesn't erase anything. It doesn't add much, either; it
mostly swaps in and out currently existing registry files. After running
System Restore, you should find virtually no change in drive space.
> from prior to Sept.
> 7.
System Restore doesn't erase any user data, or back it up or restore it.
It deals with system settings - hence the name.
> i havent downloaded even half as much info and things since the debacle,
> and even then i had 40% disk space.
40% of how big a drive?
> Sept. 7th is my restore point, and i cant
> back up my system any further than that, when i had all my pictures,
> programs, games ect. the way i wanted them. All i need to know is how to
> clear that 60% of lost information
Is that "lost information" music, pictures, programs, etc? It's not clear
what it is you can't find.
> that seems to be floating around somewhere
> on my C drive,
It should be exactly where it was. System Restore won't have moved it.
> and i have no clear idea as how to access it to delete it, if
> indeed it is still there.
System Restore doesn't move your user data, so it shouldn't have caused you
to lose drive space like this. It does nothing with music or
pictures. It *could* cause problems with an application by backdating the
registry, but it won't remove or restore the actual application files, so
the change in disk usage will be very small.
Something else, not related to System Restore, has apparently happened.
Log onto your Administrator account - if you're using XP Home this has to be
done in Safe Mode - and go through the disk folders and see what's where.
Unfortunately there really isn't a way around doing that at this point. If,
for example, you can't find the music files, do a search for *.mp3 files on
the entire drive.
Percentages can be misleading unless you take into account the real disk
space. 10% of a small drive is a lot less space than 10% of a big drive.
This may give you a clue as to what you are looking for.
Finally, if you are stuck you may find it helpful to attach your disk to
another XP system (one with lots of clear space) via USB2 drive case or
adapter, locate your files and copy them there, then delete them from your
drive. You can then put the drive back, fix the problem, and finally copy
your files back into place.
HTH
-pk
>
> "Bruce Chambers" wrote:
>
>> oval3720 wrote:
>> > All the information that was on my computer prior to my system restore,
>> > which
>> > was on Sept. 7, is the "old information" i spoke of. All of my old
>> > downloads,
>> > pictures, programs, everything.
>>
>>
>> Well if you know what it al is, and don't need it, simply delete it.
>>
>> > And i dont know how to answer the system
>> > restore question, it was one of the programs i got from my start menu.
>>
>>
>> Perhaps you'd like to tell us the name of this mysterious program? Or
>> would you prefer we make random guesses?
>>
>> I'm afraid that no one can help if you don't provide at least a
>> modicum of pertinent information.
>>
>> Help us help you:
>> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375
>> http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>>
>> Bruce Chambers
>>
>> Help us help you:
>> http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
>>
>> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375
>>
>> They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
>> safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin
>>
>> Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand
>> Russell
>>
>> The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
>> killed a great many philosophers.
>> ~ Denis Diderot
>>