freeing up space

[ian]

so much rubbish on my lap top now. tried to defrag. message reads ' defrag
needs 15% usable disk space to operate. only 1% available. remove unwanted
items from hard disc to continue.' I've tried disc clean up and program
uninstal. no joy. any ideas???????

 

[Lem]

so much rubbish on my lap top now. tried to defrag. message reads ' defrag
needs 15% usable disk space to operate. only 1% available. remove unwanted
items from hard disc to continue.' I've tried disc clean up and program
uninstal. no joy. any ideas???????

http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=380&name=Laptop-Hard-Drives

--
Lem -- MS-MVP

To the moon and back with 2K words of RAM and 36K words of ROM.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer
http://history.nasa.gov/afj/compessay.htm

 

[Richard Urban]

Keep on uninstalling those programs that you really don't need. 1% free
space will not allow any disk defragmenter to function properly. If you
can't find it within yourself to uninstall anything you are in need of a
larger hard drive. How big is your current drive?

 

[ian]

add/remove programs. i've taken out just about everything. is there some
other way to remove old stored junk? old mobile phone progs, cameras and
other assorted rubbish

 

[Tim Meddick]

You will have to find and delete *some* files, to start off with.

Then you can search for and download this [small] program :

windirstat1_1_2_setup

WinDirStat is a small [630KB] program that shows you all of your hard
drive usage in terms of various sized blocks of colour, each
representing a different file on your drive.

Thus, after starting the utility, you can see instantly what files are
taking up the space, and in what areas of your drive they are hiding.

It is very important to have some free space on your [system] drive for
many reasons (background file defragmentation that should be in
operation all the time probably wont happen; automatic updates will be
unobtainable ; Windows swap file will not be able to vary it's size to
name a few).

Being unable to perform file defragmentation will result in files on
your hard-drive becoming so fragmented that operations will take so much
longer to complete and could compromise the whole computer's stability.

Suffice to say, if you have less that 1% free space on your system
drive, your operating system [XP] will not last you very much longer.

You can download WinDirStat directly from :

http://kent.dl.sourceforge.net/sourceforge/windirstat/windirstat1_1_2_setup.exe

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

so much rubbish on my lap top now. tried to defrag. message reads '
defrag needs 15% usable disk space to operate. only 1% available.
remove unwanted items from hard disc to continue.' I've tried disc
clean up and program uninstal. no joy. any ideas???????

How much drive space does the drive in question (and partitions) have?

If you are comfortable with the stability of your system, you can delete the
uninstall files for the patches that Windows XP has installed...
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/spack.htm
( Particularly of interest here - #4 )
( Alternative: http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_hotfix_backup.htm )

You can run Disk Cleanup - built into Windows XP - to erase all but your
latest restore point and cleanup even more "loose files"..

How to use Disk Cleanup
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310312

You can turn off hibernation if it is on and 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.

You can control how much space your System Restore can use...

1. Click Start, right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
2. Click the System Restore tab.
3. Highlight one of your drives (or C: if you only have one) and click on
the "Settings" button.
4. Change the percentage of disk space you wish to allow.. I suggest moving
the slider until you have just about 1GB (1024MB or close to that...)
5. Click OK.. Then Click OK again.

You can control how much space your Temporary Internet Files can utilize...

Empty your Temporary Internet Files and shrink the size it stores to a
size between 64MB and 128MB..

- Open ONE copy of Internet Explorer.
- Select TOOLS -> Internet Options.
- Under the General tab in the "Temporary Internet Files" section, do the
following:
- Click on "Delete Cookies" (click OK)
- Click on "Settings" and change the "Amount of disk space to use:" to
something between 64MB and 128MB. (It may be MUCH larger right
now.)
- Click OK.
- Click on "Delete Files" and select to "Delete all offline contents"
(the checkbox) and click OK. (If you had a LOT, this could take 2-10
minutes or more.)
- Once it is done, click OK, close Internet Explorer, re-open Internet
Explorer.

You can use an application that scans your system for log files and
temporary files and use that to get rid of those:

Ccleaner (Free!)
http://www.ccleaner.com/

Other ways to free up space..

SequoiaView
http://www.win.tue.nl/sequoiaview/

JDiskReport
http://www.jgoodies.com/freeware/jdiskreport/index.html

Those can help you visually discover where all the space is being used.

In the end - a standard Windows XP installation with all sorts of extras
will not likely be above about 4.5GB to 9GB in size. If you have more space
than that (likely do on a modern machine) and most of it seems to be used -
likely you need to move *your stuff* off and/or find a better way to manage
it.

 

[JS]

First use Windows 'Disk Cleanup' to create more space on your C: drive.
Description of the Disk Cleanup Tool in Windows XP:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310312

Next: Empty the Recycle Bin.

If you recently installed Windows XP Service Pack 3:
Look for an odd folder name which is located here
C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\Download\cf8ec753e88561d..........\
Note: the apparent random set of letter and number may vary from my
example above but whatever the name is, it will be more than
600MB in size and can be safely deleted.
You may also see a number of other folders or files located in the:
C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\Download\ directory
They also can be deleted.

You can also free up more disk space by reducing
the number of 'System Restore' points:
Select Start/Control Panel/System, then in the System Properties window
click on the System Restore tab.
Next select the drive letter where Windows is installed (usually C,
Then click on the Setting button
Now in the Drive Settings window move the Disk space usage slider to the
left to reduce the amount of drive space System Restore points will use.
This will remove some of the older restore points and free up some space.

Disable Hibernation and delete hiberfil.sys file (If you have it enabled):
http://www.mydigitallife.info/2007/...sys-hibernation-file-in-windows-xp-and-vista/
and:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/mobility/getstarted/hibernate.mspx
and: http://www.softwarepatch.com/tips/hiberfil-sys-xp.html

If you are using IE7 and then installed SP3 read the info below.
IE7 users will find the folders listed below on their hard drive:
$NtServicePackUninstallIDNMitigationAPIs$
$NtServicePackUninstallNLSDownlevelMapping$
They are needed to uninstall IE7. However, if you installed IE7 and
then installed XP SP3 you can no longer uninstall IE7 and these
folders can also be deleted.

Note: The recommended procedure before installing XP SP3 is to
uninstall IE7, then install XP SP3. Now you still have the ability to
install and uninstall IE7.

Next if you still need more space:
Remove the files used to uninstall updates to Windows
These folders and associated files in these folders are safe to remove,
however once deleted you will no longer be able to un-install a patch or
update that was associated with the deleted folder/files.
I would keep the most recent set (last two months just in case) of folders
and delete the older updates.
As a safety net I burned these folders to a CD before deleting them.
These files are located in the Windows folder and have folder names
like $NtUninstallKBXXXXXX$.
They are hidden folders so enable viewing of hidden files in Windows
Explorer.
Warning: One folder you should not delete is: $hf_mig$
Also See the following web pages on this issue:
http://www.pagestart.com/ntuninstall.html
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/spack.htm
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_hotfix_backup.htm

How to delete unused folders and files located within the $hf_mig$ folder:
http://www.pagestart.com/hfmigpart2.html

If you upgraded your PC from Windows 98 to Windows XP.
The $Win98UpdateUninstall$ can be deleted.

You can reduce the size of the Internet Explorer Disk Cache:
How and Why to Clear Your Cache:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/ie6/using/howto/customizing/clearcache.mspx
Just follow the instructions but instead of increasing the size
(as stated in the article) decrease it.

Can I move or delete my C:\I386 directory to free up some space?
See:
http://ask-leo.com/can_i_move_or_delete_my_i386_directory_to_free_up_some_space.html
Note: C:\i386 is not to be confused with the
C:\Windows\ServicePackFiles\i386 folder which should not
be moved or deleted as Windows File Protection needs those files

Finally: Check the Recycle Bin one more time and empty it
if necessary as some of those files you deleted in the steps
mentioned above may find there way into the recycle bin.

If you have more than one partition or drive then:
How to Change the Default Location of Mail and News Folders:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307971/en-us

Change the Default Location of the My Documents Folder
(Example: move it to the D drive)
See: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310147
Also:
http://www.techsupportalert.com/how_to_move_my_documents.htm

How to move the Spool folder in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q308666

MS Office: Move the Local Install Source (MSOCache) location
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/825933
(See the section titled: Move LIS Cache folder to a new drive location)
Note: If your computer already had more than one hard drive or partition
when you installed MS Office, Office will place the MSOCache on the drive or
partition with the most available free space during the install process.

 

[ian]

thanks mate. i'll give it a try. probably shouldn't keep installing games on
this eh

You will have to find and delete *some* files, to start off with.

Then you can search for and download this [small] program :

windirstat1_1_2_setup

WinDirStat is a small [630KB] program that shows you all of your hard
drive usage in terms of various sized blocks of colour, each
representing a different file on your drive.

Thus, after starting the utility, you can see instantly what files are
taking up the space, and in what areas of your drive they are hiding.

It is very important to have some free space on your [system] drive for
many reasons (background file defragmentation that should be in
operation all the time probably wont happen; automatic updates will be
unobtainable ; Windows swap file will not be able to vary it's size to
name a few).

Being unable to perform file defragmentation will result in files on
your hard-drive becoming so fragmented that operations will take so much
longer to complete and could compromise the whole computer's stability.

Suffice to say, if you have less that 1% free space on your system
drive, your operating system [XP] will not last you very much longer.

You can download WinDirStat directly from :

http://kent.dl.sourceforge.net/sourceforge/windirstat/windirstat1_1_2_setup.exe

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.

so much rubbish on my lap top now. tried to defrag. message reads '
defrag
needs 15% usable disk space to operate. only 1% available. remove
unwanted
items from hard disc to continue.' I've tried disc clean up and
program
uninstal. no joy. any ideas???????

 

[ANONYMOUS]

Ignore what you have read so far. Try this:

1) Go to this folder: "C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Local
Settings\Temp"
Delete everything from this folder because it is all crap!

2) No go to: C:\WINDOWS\temp
Again delete everything from this folder.

3) Next go to: C:\WINDOWS
Can you see any folders in blue color? If so these can be deleted
because these folders are backups created by Microsoft Windows Update in
respect of old files replaced by new patches.

If you can't see any of the blue files then in Windows Explorer go to:
TOOLS, FOLDER Options, VIEW tab, Scroll down and tick the item "Show
hidden Files and folders".

By following this you will release about 3GB of crap!

Hope this helps.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

<snipped>

Ignore what you have read so far. Try this:

1) Go to this folder: "C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Local
Settings\Temp"
Delete everything from this folder because it is all crap!

*Note* - You may be unable to uninstall some things once you do this.

2) No go to: C:\WINDOWS\temp
Again delete everything from this folder.

Anonymous meant "Now" I am sure. Same warning.

3) Next go to: C:\WINDOWS
Can you see any folders in blue color? If so these can be deleted
because these folders are backups created by Microsoft Windows
Update in respect of old files replaced by new patches.

This is just wrong. I gave the actual tip for removing these earlier.

If you can't see any of the blue files then in Windows Explorer go
to: TOOLS, FOLDER Options, VIEW tab, Scroll down and tick the item
"Show hidden Files and folders".

By following this you will release about 3GB of crap!

Almost a $10 thumb drive. ;-)

Hope this helps.

I would say you have gotten better advice elsewhere. Safer if not better.
Wiser if nothing else - with documentation.

 

[ANONYMOUS]

Almost a $10 thumb drive. ;-)

Have you stopped taking your medication? It is dangerous for an aussie
to stop prescribed medication. At least one Aussie has some sense and
he is here:

http://www.abc.net.au/science/k2/lint/

4x is not going to help you!

 

[Shenan Stanley]

<snipped>

*Note* - You may be unable to uninstall some things once you do
this.

Anonymous meant "Now" I am sure. Same warning.


This is just wrong. I gave the actual tip for removing these
earlier.

Almost a $10 thumb drive. ;-)


I would say you have gotten better advice elsewhere. Safer if not
better. Wiser if nothing else - with documentation.

Have you stopped taking your medication? It is dangerous for an
aussie to stop prescribed medication. At least one Aussie has some
sense and he is here:

http://www.abc.net.au/science/k2/lint/

4x is not going to help you!

Aussie? Really? You looked at my post and were able to determine that
(incorrect bit of information) all on your own?

You should learn to do proper research before - well, in your case - just
start there, research long and hard and in 15-100 years, come back and share
what you know about, well, whatever page you were able to get through, or
line on the page (A is for Aardvark...) ;-)

For that last comment - about the $10 thumb drive...
http://www.pricewatch.com/flash_card_memory/

 

[Bruce Chambers]

so much rubbish on my lap top now. tried to defrag. message reads ' defrag
needs 15% usable disk space to operate. only 1% available. remove unwanted
items from hard disc to continue.' I've tried disc clean up and program
uninstal. no joy. any ideas???????

A primary space waster within each user profile would be IE's
penchant for storing copies (or significant portions thereof) of nearly
every web page you've has ever visited. Try reducing the amount of
temporary Internet files cached, which is huge by default. I always
reduce it to a maximum of 50 Mb. In Internet Explorer, click Tools >
Internet Options > General, Temporary Files > Settings.

Same principle for the Java cache. Start > Control Panel > Java >
Temporary Internet Files > Settings.

The System Volume Information is the folder in which WinXP's System
Restore feature stores information used to recover from errors. By
default, WinXP sets aside a maximum of 12% of the partition's size for
storing System Volume Information, but the amount of space set aside for
this purpose can be adjusted by the user. Start > All Programs >
Accessories > System Tools > System Restore > System Restore Settings,
select the pertinent partition and click Settings. If you don't want to
use System Restore at all, and have another back-up/recovery measure in
place, simply turn off the System Restore feature (Start > All Programs

Accessories > System Tools > System Restore, System Restore Settings)

and reboot. This will delete all of your Restore Points, freeing up the
hard drive space.

Another great waster of space can be the Recycle Bin. By default,
this takes up to 10% of your hard drive capacity. On today's large hard
drives, this is tremendously wasteful. It can be set to a lower limit
by right-clicking the desktop Receycle Bin icon, selecting Properties,
and using the slider bar to lower the maximum size to something more
reasonable -- 1% to 2% should be more than enough space.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


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