free space on hard drive inconsistency

[Michael Borsky]

When I right-click 'Properties' on my C: drive, the
system reports that I have just over 41GB free space and
just over 14GB used on the drive. But when I go into the
C:\ root directory and select all (including all hidden
and system files, which I am viewing) the total size of
all the files and folders is reported as only 8.6GB.
Dir /s from the cmd line also shows 8.6GB in total files
but only 41GB free space.

I have turned off System Restore (because I thought that
might be taking up several gigabytes unreported as a file
or folder). I have also completed a full Disk
Defragmentation and run a Chkdsk to confirm that there
are no lost or bad clusters.

I also have Norton Antivirus, Sygate Firewall and iTunes
installed. Could they be causing any problems?

Many many thanks for any assistance.

 

[Kelly]

Hi Michael,

How to Locate and Correct Disk Space Problems on NTFS Volumes in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=315688

Windows XP Does Not Recognize All Available Disk Space
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-gb;316505&ln=en-gb

Hard Disk Performance Is Slower Than You Expect
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q308219

 

[Alex Nichol]

When I right-click 'Properties' on my C: drive, the
system reports that I have just over 41GB free space and
just over 14GB used on the drive. But when I go into the
C:\ root directory and select all (including all hidden
and system files, which I am viewing) the total size of
all the files and folders is reported as only 8.6GB.

You need also to have Folder Options - View set *not* to hide Protected
mode system files. that is most of the system, page file, restore
points, and could easily make the difference. In that size drive you
will have about 6 GB allowed for restore points which is really too much
for its own good. Go to Control Panel - System - System restore,
highlight the drive, click settings and reduce to say 1GB