Advan/Disadvan of Compressing Files to Save Disk Space

[frank1492]

I have an old Dell Inspiron laptop with a 20GB hard drive. Since
installing SP2, I only have about 700M left. I was thinking of
compressing the files to save space which is a "check box"
option in XP.
(1) Does compression involve *any* data loss
risk?
(2) Overall, what are the advantages/disadvantages?
(3) Any good free programs that can help me make the
decision of what files I can safely delete?
As usual. thanks very much for your advice!
Frank

 

[Terry R.]

On 9/6/2007 8:35 AM On a whim, frank1492 pounded out on the keyboard

I have an old Dell Inspiron laptop with a 20GB hard drive. Since
installing SP2, I only have about 700M left. I was thinking of
compressing the files to save space which is a "check box"
option in XP.
(1) Does compression involve *any* data loss
risk?
(2) Overall, what are the advantages/disadvantages?
(3) Any good free programs that can help me make the
decision of what files I can safely delete?
As usual. thanks very much for your advice!
Frank

Hi Frank,

1. There is *always* a risk of data loss. That is why you need to
backup. But compression shouldn't make it a bigger risk.

2. You save space.

3. Free programs? No. Free information via the internet.

My suggestion is to buy a 2nd hard drive. You can get a small one at
Pricewatch for around $40 USD. Compression will never get you the
storage a 2nd drive can.


--
Terry R.

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[Unknown]

You should first investigate why you only have 700 M left. That is unusually
small. What is eating up about 11 Gigs on your computer?

 

[Tim Slattery]

I have an old Dell Inspiron laptop with a 20GB hard drive. Since
installing SP2, I only have about 700M left. I was thinking of
compressing the files to save space which is a "check box"
option in XP.
(1) Does compression involve *any* data loss risk?

There's always a risk when you mess with your disk. IMHO, the risk in
this case is very low.

(2) Overall, what are the advantages/disadvantages?

It will take a bit longer to write to and read from your disk. It will
save some space on your disk, but I really don't think it's going to
save enough to really help you. IMHO you need to add a new, large
disk.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I have an old Dell Inspiron laptop with a 20GB hard drive. Since
installing SP2, I only have about 700M left. I was thinking of
compressing the files to save space which is a "check box"
option in XP.

(1) Does compression involve *any* data loss
risk?

Certainly.


(2) Overall, what are the advantages/disadvantages?

Advantages: only one--less disk space used.

Disadvantages: Increased risk, possible decrease in performance
(especially on an older computer).

(3) Any good free programs that can help me make the
decision of what files I can safely delete?
As usual. thanks very much for your advice!

Anything you do will at best be a stopgap measure. For almost
everyone, these days a 20GB drive is insufficient. Unless your use of
this computer is minimal, my advice is to bite the bullet and buy a
larger drive (or perhaps even a newer computer).

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

On 9/6/2007 8:35 AM On a whim, frank1492 pounded out on the keyboard


Hi Frank,

1. There is *always* a risk of data loss. That is why you need to
backup. But compression shouldn't make it a bigger risk.

2. You save space.

3. Free programs? No. Free information via the internet.

My suggestion is to buy a 2nd hard drive. You can get a small one at
Pricewatch for around $40 USD. Compression will never get you the
storage a 2nd drive can.

This is a laptop, and almost certainly can not take a second drive. He
would need to replace the existing drive with a bigger one. For almost
everyone, I would recommend at least a 60GB drive, which typically
runs somewhat over $100 US. Here's one for $120, for example:
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-CF-VHDJ600GB-60GB-Laptop-Drive/dp/B000FTEE6M
or http://tinyurl.com/32t8dn

 

[Terry R.]

On 9/6/2007 12:11 PM On a whim, Ken Blake, MVP pounded out on the keyboard

This is a laptop, and almost certainly can not take a second drive. He
would need to replace the existing drive with a bigger one. For almost
everyone, I would recommend at least a 60GB drive, which typically
runs somewhat over $100 US. Here's one for $120, for example:
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-CF-VHDJ600GB-60GB-Laptop-Drive/dp/B000FTEE6M
or http://tinyurl.com/32t8dn

Thanks for the correction. I completely spaced on it being a laptop.

--
Terry R.

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[Ken Blake, MVP]

On 9/6/2007 12:11 PM On a whim, Ken Blake, MVP pounded out on the keyboard


Thanks for the correction. I completely spaced on it being a laptop.

You're welcome. It's easy to miss details like that; I've done it too.

 

[Plato]

Anything you do will at best be a stopgap measure. For almost
everyone, these days a 20GB drive is insufficient. Unless your use of

Not only that, but its a very old drive and is already living on
borrowed time

 

[Plato]

I have an old Dell Inspiron laptop with a 20GB hard drive. Since
installing SP2, I only have about 700M left. I was thinking of
compressing the files to save space which is a "check box"
option in XP.

No, dont compress any files. What you really need is a larger HDD.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Not only that, but its a very old drive and is already living on
borrowed time

Yes, good point.

 

[frank1492]

Thank you all for your help. I guess I will try not to
do a compression and will look for other options first.
I will leave my 20G hard drive alone for now.
There are files that I can delete/move to a portable
HD, but I would prefer not to.
I believe I asked if there are any programs that
can help me make the decision of what I can safely
delete, including duplicate files. Any ideas?
Thanks again.
Frank