What Is Taking Up So Much Space?

[Danno]

Hello All,

A week or so ago, I tried to get some guidance on this concern I have, but
mainly...I just got ridiculed by a couple of the MVP's. Quite out of the
ordinary, since my experience in getting help here had been stellar up until
then. But I want to try again. So here goes:

At one time, when my computer was running very well, I had several hundred
audio files and at least 200 video files (comedies, not porn) on my hard
drive, along with all the usual downloads (little utilities, etc.), emails,
and Microsoft Flight Simulator (huge). At that state, my 40 gig hard drive
had approximately 11 gigs of space used up. I got that figure by right
clicking on Local Disk (C) and selecting properties. I'm nearly certain
that at that time, it was neither showing hidden files and folders, nor was
it showing operating system files.

Recently I had to do a re-format, re-install. I have absolutely no audio
files yet, nor any video files yet. I have downloaded a minimal amount of
little utilities, but DO have that huge Microsoft Flight Simulator
installed. But at this time, when I right click on Local Disk (C), it shows
12 gigs of hard drive space being used. Again, this time it is not showing
hidden files and folders, nor is it showing operating system files.
However, when I opt to show hidden files and folders, and to show operating
system files, the result is the same. It shows 12 gigs of hard drive are
being used.

And next....I took the advice of a user on this newsgroup and downloaded a
nifty little utility called JDiskReport that gives it's opinion of where
space is being taken up on the hard drive. It shows a total of 10.5 gigs of
space being used up. Of that 10.5 gigs...2.7 is taken up by Windows, 1.5
gig is taken up by hiberfil.sys and 2.0 gig is taken up by pagefile.sys. I
would have guessed that hiberfil.sys and pagefile.sys are part of windows?
I admit...I just don't know, but they are shown as separate folders...not
necessarily part of Windows. If they ARE part of Windows, then the total of
those three would be 2.7+2.0+1.5=6.2 gigs of space for Windows. Is that
possible?

My question is this: With all the audio files, and video files no longer on
my computer, why is more hard drive space being taken up than before when
they WERE installed?

Maybe I don't even have a problem here. I just would like some reassurance.

Thanks for reading this, and thanks for any suggestions or advice.

Best Regards,
Danno

 

[M and D]

JDiskReport is not part of the Windows operating system nor is it supported by Microsoft. If you want to interpret what JDiskReport is telling you, contact the authors of JDiskReport.

No one - yourself included - can draw conclusions based on the information you provided. There are an almost unlimited number of reasons why the two installations occupy varying amounts of disk space.

Steven

 

[Shenan Stanley]

A week or so ago, I tried to get some guidance on this concern I
have, but mainly...I just got ridiculed by a couple of the MVP's. Quite
out of the ordinary, since my experience in getting help here
had been stellar up until then. But I want to try again. So here
goes:
At one time, when my computer was running very well, I had several
hundred audio files and at least 200 video files (comedies, not
porn) on my hard drive, along with all the usual downloads (little
utilities, etc.), emails, and Microsoft Flight Simulator (huge). At that
state, my 40 gig hard drive had approximately 11 gigs of
space used up. I got that figure by right clicking on Local Disk
(C) and selecting properties. I'm nearly certain that at that
time, it was neither showing hidden files and folders, nor was it
showing operating system files.
Recently I had to do a re-format, re-install. I have absolutely no
audio files yet, nor any video files yet. I have downloaded a
minimal amount of little utilities, but DO have that huge Microsoft
Flight Simulator installed. But at this time, when I right click
on Local Disk (C), it shows 12 gigs of hard drive space being used.
Again, this time it is not showing hidden files and folders, nor is
it showing operating system files. However, when I opt to show
hidden files and folders, and to show operating system files, the
result is the same. It shows 12 gigs of hard drive are being used.

And next....I took the advice of a user on this newsgroup and
downloaded a nifty little utility called JDiskReport that gives
it's opinion of where space is being taken up on the hard drive. It shows
a total of 10.5 gigs of space being used up. Of that 10.5
gigs...2.7 is taken up by Windows, 1.5 gig is taken up by
hiberfil.sys and 2.0 gig is taken up by pagefile.sys. I would have
guessed that hiberfil.sys and pagefile.sys are part of windows? I
admit...I just don't know, but they are shown as separate
folders...not necessarily part of Windows. If they ARE part of
Windows, then the total of those three would be 2.7+2.0+1.5=6.2
gigs of space for Windows. Is that possible?
My question is this: With all the audio files, and video files no
longer on my computer, why is more hard drive space being taken up
than before when they WERE installed?

Maybe I don't even have a problem here. I just would like some
reassurance.
Thanks for reading this, and thanks for any suggestions or advice.

Use this..
http://www.win.tue.nl/sequoiaview/

And this..
http://www.jgoodies.com/freeware/jdiskreport/index.html
(Wait - you have that.)

I assume you have done a disk cleanup..
---------
How to use Disk Cleanup
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310312

How to scan your disks for errors
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315265

How to Defragment your hard drives
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314848
---------

I assume you have used the utilities from your hard drive manufacturer to
confirm nothing is wrong with the drive..

I assume that Disk Manager shows the drive as being a 40GB drive - does it
show the proper amount free?
---------
1. Log on as administrator or as a member of the Administrators group.
2. Click Start, click Run, type compmgmt.msc, and then click OK.
3. In the console tree, click Disk Management. The Disk Management window
appears. Your disks and volumes appear in a graphical view and list view. To
customize how you view your disks and volumes in the upper and lower panes
of the window, point to Top or Bottom on the View menu, and then click the
view that you want to use.
---------

The two large files you point out have to do with hibernation (you can turn
that feature off) and the windows page file (virtual memory.) Other things
possibly taking up space would be your system restore files.

You have never said (or I missed it) how much free space you have... ?

My Windows directory takes up 3.05GB. Add that to your hibernation and
pagefile - and yes - Windows can take up 5+GB easily. Why do you think
250+GB drives are almost the norm now? (I know Dell's default low-end is
80GB, the rest start at 160GB.. heh)

You can turn off your system restore and free up that space.
I suggest turning it back on and setting it for 5% instead of whatever its
setting may be now.
---------
- Turn off System Restore.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310405
- Reboot the Computer.
- Review the first bullet to turn on System Restore
- Make a Manual Restoration Point.
http://snipurl.com/68nx
---------

You can turn off hibernation if you don't use it..
---------
When you hibernate your computer, Windows saves the contents of the system's
memory to the hiberfil.sys file. As a result, the size of the hiberfil.sys
file will always equal the amount of physical memory in your system. If you
don't use the hibernate feature and want to recapture the space that Windows
uses for the hiberfil.sys file, perform the following steps:
Start the Control Panel Power Options applet (go to Start, Settings, Control
Panel, and click Power Options).
Select the Hibernate tab, clear the "Enable hibernation" check box, then
click OK; although you might think otherwise, selecting Never under the
"System hibernates" option on the Power Schemes tab doesn't delete the
hiberfil.sys file.
Windows will remove the "System hibernates" option from the Power Schemes
tab and delete the hiberfil.sys file.
---------

In general - you *don't* have a problem. You say you are using up 12GB of
space (assuming that is what you are saying) and i hate to be the one to
tell you - but that is *nothing* and you should expect the amount you use -
no matter what you do - to increase if you stay updated at all, play games,
listen to music, watch videos, surf the internet, get email, etc. Space is
cheap - I don't know why people not trying to supply it to hundreds of
people worry about it so much. *grin* (Heck - I am unsure why they worry
about it other than convincing the bosses that they should buy more - three
times what they need now.)

Get yourself a larger hard disk drive - install it and let other people
worry about space issues.. You just worry about how you are going to back up
all that stuff you collect! *grin*

--
For Pricing/Opinions/Reviews on various products:
- http://www.pricewatch.com/
- http://www.techbargains.com/
- http://www.dealsites.net/
- http://www.resellerratings.com/
- http://www.epinions.com/

 

[DP]

Hello All,

At one time, when my computer was running very well, I had several hundred
audio files and at least 200 video files (comedies, not porn) on my hard
drive, along with all the usual downloads (little utilities, etc.),
emails, and Microsoft Flight Simulator (huge). At that state, my 40 gig
hard drive had approximately 11 gigs of space used up. I got that figure
by right clicking on Local Disk (C) and selecting properties. I'm nearly
certain that at that time, it was neither showing hidden files and
folders, nor was it showing operating system files.

I believe that number is the total of ALL space used up, including space
used by hidden files, whether or not you have selected the option to show
the hidden files.
In other words, tho you may not see a hidden file or folder, it is still
being counted in the space-used number.

However, when I opt to show hidden files and folders, and to show
operating system files, the result is the same. It shows 12 gigs of hard
drive are being used.

I think this supports what I just said above.

Of that 10.5 gigs...2.7 is taken up by Windows, 1.5 gig is taken up by
hiberfil.sys and 2.0 gig is taken up by pagefile.sys. I would have
guessed that hiberfil.sys and pagefile.sys are part of windows?

I believe hiberfil is the file that keeps track of your computer when you
put it in hibernate mode.
Group: Would it be safe to delete that file? I would think so, but don't
take my word for it.
I'm guessing pagefile is your virtual memory.

I realize none of this answers the main question you're trying to get
answered.

 

[Danno]

Thanks for the input all!

M and D, of course JDiskReport is not part of the operating system. So
therefore, it is not supported by Microsoft...I realize that. So what? I
told you it was a little utility that I downloaded and used as a second
opinion. In fact, it was that little utility that is possibly exposing part
of the problem and solution. I'm not a Microsoft groupie as you seem to be.
Your input was useless and was only meant to insult. I don't need your kind
of help. lol

Shenan, thanks for the links. I will surely look into them. The
solution...or at least the answer I'm looking...for might well be available
there. Thanks!

DP, your input is so much appreciated. And thanks for the question you
posed to the group. That is the question I am most interested in hearing an
answer to. Please...keep the suggestions coming.

Best Regards,
Danno




JDiskReport is not part of the Windows operating system nor is it supported
by Microsoft. If you want to interpret what JDiskReport is telling you,
contact the authors of JDiskReport.

No one - yourself included - can draw conclusions based on the information
you provided. There are an almost unlimited number of reasons why the two
installations occupy varying amounts of disk space.

Steven

 

[Danno]

Thanks for the input all!

M and D, of course JDiskReport is not part of the operating system. So
therefore, it is not supported by Microsoft...I realize that. So what? I
told you it was a little utility that I downloaded and used as a second
opinion. In fact, it was that little utility that is possibly exposing part
of the problem and solution. I'm not a Microsoft groupie as you seem to be.
Your input was useless and was only meant to insult. I don't need your kind
of help. lol

Shenan, thanks for the links. I will surely look into them. The
solution...or at least the answer I'm looking...for might well be available
there. Thanks!

DP, your input is so much appreciated. And thanks for the question you
posed to the group. That is the question I am most interested in hearing an
answer to. Please...keep the suggestions coming.

Best Regards,
Danno

 

[Danno]

Sorry, I meant to reply to group, but twice sent it to M and D. My
apologies.

 

[Nepatsfan]

ia7Nf.82628$H%4.33637@pd7tw2no,

Hello All,

A week or so ago, I tried to get some guidance on this
concern I have, but mainly...I just got ridiculed by a
couple of the MVP's. Quite out of the ordinary, since my
experience in getting help here had been stellar up until
then. But I want to try again. So here goes:
At one time, when my computer was running very well, I had
several hundred audio files and at least 200 video files
(comedies, not porn) on my hard drive, along with all the
usual downloads (little utilities, etc.), emails, and
Microsoft Flight Simulator (huge). At that state, my 40 gig
hard drive had approximately 11 gigs of space used up. I
got that figure by right clicking on Local Disk (C) and
selecting properties. I'm nearly certain that at that time,
it was neither showing hidden files and folders, nor was it
showing operating system files.
Recently I had to do a re-format, re-install. I have
absolutely no audio files yet, nor any video files yet. I
have downloaded a minimal amount of little utilities, but DO
have that huge Microsoft Flight Simulator installed. But at
this time, when I right click on Local Disk (C), it shows 12
gigs of hard drive space being used. Again, this time it is
not showing hidden files and folders, nor is it showing
operating system files. However, when I opt to show hidden
files and folders, and to show operating system files, the
result is the same. It shows 12 gigs of hard drive are
being used.
And next....I took the advice of a user on this newsgroup
and downloaded a nifty little utility called JDiskReport
that gives it's opinion of where space is being taken up on
the hard drive. It shows a total of 10.5 gigs of space
being used up. Of that 10.5 gigs...2.7 is taken up by
Windows, 1.5 gig is taken up by hiberfil.sys and 2.0 gig is
taken up by pagefile.sys. I would have guessed that
hiberfil.sys and pagefile.sys are part of windows? I
admit...I just don't know, but they are shown as separate
folders...not necessarily part of Windows. If they ARE part
of Windows, then the total of those three would be
2.7+2.0+1.5=6.2 gigs of space for Windows. Is that
possible?
My question is this: With all the audio files, and video
files no longer on my computer, why is more hard drive space
being taken up than before when they WERE installed?

Maybe I don't even have a problem here. I just would like
some reassurance.
Thanks for reading this, and thanks for any suggestions or
advice.
Best Regards,
Danno

If you've left System Restore set to the default 12 % then
C:\System Volume Information could be taking up as much as 4.8
GB of hard drive space. When you check the size of this folder
does it say 0 bytes? If so, you might want to take a look at
this article:

How to gain access to the System Volume Information folder
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/309531

Good luck

Nepatsfan

 

[Danno]

Hi Nepatsfan,

Thanks for the input. I did go to the link you suggested, and I still can
not get access to the System Volume Information folder. I am the only user
of this computer...it is not in an office or domain. It is simply a smokin'
computer in my home. And Yes, I do have the allotment for System Restore
set at 12%, although there are only 4 SR points at this time.

Before I go nuts and delete them all...I'd like to see the results of Volume
Information.

Danno

 

[Danno]

Screw it! I deleted the previous 3 system restore points and it made little
difference. By right clicking on LocalDisk(C), and selecting properties, it
shows now that the total space taken up is 10.5 Gigs. That little utility
JDiskReport shows same...10.5 gig.

I dunno what's going on, but I'm pretty sure there are either duplicated
files (hard to imagine on a fresh re-format install), or....I dunno what in
hell is going on. Do I sound frustrated? Sorry about that!

I look forward to any further suggestions.

Danno

 

[Shenan Stanley]

Screw it! I deleted the previous 3 system restore points and it
made little difference. By right clicking on LocalDisk(C), and
selecting properties, it shows now that the total space taken up is
10.5 Gigs. That little utility JDiskReport shows same...10.5 gig.

I dunno what's going on, but I'm pretty sure there are either
duplicated files (hard to imagine on a fresh re-format install),
or....I dunno what in hell is going on. Do I sound frustrated? Sorry
about that!
I look forward to any further suggestions.

I think you are worrying over nothing - as I stated in my previous post.
You are only using 26.25% of your hard disk drive.

Also - did you reboot after turning off System Restore?
(Wait - you didn't say you turned it off - you said you deleted the last
three - sounds like disk cleanup. Mys suggestion is to turn it off and
reboot. If there is nothing wrong with your system - you won't need it for
this experiement - and you can turn it back on and make a mnual restore
point immediately after checking the size of the files on the disk if you
like.)

You can free up hibernation space (that is as much as you have in RAM. So if
you have 1GB RAM, that is 1GB of space being taken up.. You stated the
hiberfil.sys files was 1.5GB in size.. You can get rid of that *if* you
actually do not use Hibernation - bringing you down to 9GB used. See my
previous response. That brings you down to only using 22.5% of your hard
drive.

You said your pagefile was using 2GB and your Windows directory was using
2.7GB. That's 4.7GB - or over 1/2 the space remaining if you get rid of the
hibernation file.

Where's the rest..? Easy to find out. I would bet in one of two places..

Open "My Computer" and open the "C" (Local Drive). Right-click on the
"Documents and Settings" folder and choose properties.. Wait for it to
calculate the space taken up and report that here.

Open "My Computer" and open the "C" (Local Drive). Right-click on the
"Program Files" folder and choose properties.. Wait for it to calculate the
space taken up and report that here.

 

[M and D]

Like Shenan - and I - said: "I think you are worrying over nothing."

There are many variables that determine the size of an installation, and as a result there are hundreds of reasons why your installations could be different sizes. But you don't want to accept that. You're determined to make a computer fit into your logic.

More: You're drawing conclusions from some program you found. How much do you know about the particular methods your program uses? Do you know how many different programs there are that calculate disk space? Do you expect this newsgroup to know how they perform their calculations?

No wonder you're so frustrated.

Steven

 

[Pflueger]

There is a small neat freeware application here:
http://www.steffengerlach.de/freeware/index.html
that uses a pie-shaped graph you click into, to whatever depth you wish,
that shows the space being used on the disk by everything. I don't think
anything would be able to hide from it and if it did it would probably be
obvious.

Pflu


Like Shenan - and I - said: "I think you are worrying over nothing."

There are many variables that determine the size of an installation, and as
a result there are hundreds of reasons why your installations could be
different sizes. But you don't want to accept that. You're determined to
make a computer fit into your logic.

More: You're drawing conclusions from some program you found. How much do
you know about the particular methods your program uses? Do you know how
many different programs there are that calculate disk space? Do you expect
this newsgroup to know how they perform their calculations?

No wonder you're so frustrated.

Steven

 

[Danno]

Shenan,

Thanks again for the input. You were right, I only deleted the last 3
system restore points. I had not shut it off. I did that experiment of
shutting off system restore and then rebooting. The result is that
properties now shows LocalDisk space being used is 10.5 gigs, as opposed to
12 gigs as shown before this little experiment.

As per your suggestion, just now I checked properties and it shows Documents
and Settings taking up 701 megs of space. Program files is taking up 3.39
gigs (most of that in Microsoft Flight Simulator).

Thanks for all the advice Shenan. If you think there is no problem, I will
drop the topic now. I was mostly only concerned because properties shows my
disk as full as before, even though the 3 gigs of audio files and video
files are not currently on the disk. In other words, I feel that have much
less data on the computer than before, yet show as much disk space being
used up. If things seem to be in the ballpark, I have no more concerns
about this. I appreciate your patience.

Pfleuger, thanks for the link. I already have a very similar utility that
was suggested on this newsgroup. I got it at
http://www.jgoodies.com/freeware/jdiskreport/

Best Regards,
Danno