Hard drive free space

[Guest]

My computer has 256 mb ram, which is enough for what i want to do. I have
quite a bit on my computer, my C Drive tells me that my total size is 76.6gb
and my free space is 65.0gb. i know this is not much. Now my partner has
exactly the same computer as me and not half as much as i have but it said
that she only has 30.0gb of free space. Why is this?

 

[R. McCarty]

Disk Drives and Memory use the same terminology to describe their
capacities. Computers can only do simple math (Add/Subtract) and
they count in Base2 (Zero & One). One Transistor or location on a
drive holds one BIT of data (Either a Zero or a One). 8-Bits of data
comprise a Byte. 1 Million Bytes equates to a Megabyte and one
Billion Bytes equates to a Gigabyte.

Disk usage varies based on Personal Data, 3rd-Party apps installed
and how well the System is maintained.

 

[Guest]

Thank you for explaining that for me. She barely uses anything and keeps it
well maintained. She is very careful. Is there anything that she can do or
can be done? Also what would you advice on this. She currently has Norton
Systemworks 2006 installed and the virus definition subscription has expired.
Can she just upgrade the antivirus or does she have to upgrade systemworks?

 

[R. McCarty]

You can purchase a yearly subscription renewal. Symantec raised their
prices this year, so I believe it will likely cost around $29. Personally,
I do not use nor recommend Symantec products.

Are you asking about routine Disk usage maintenance ?

 

[Guest]

What other antivirus software would you recommend to me? Im just wondering
about the free space storage, i dont have a clue what routine disk usage
maintenance is. If your able to explain it to me that would be great.

 

[R. McCarty]

For AV, there are two "Free" choices - AVG Free and Avast. I still use
and recommend Computer Associates eTrust 7.0. They (CA) have all
kinds of special offers and deals on their product line. For Firewall I use
and recommend Zone Alarm Free.

eTrust still has a 1-year free program, sign up found here:
https://store.ca.com/dr/v2/ec_Main....ID=55939&CUR=840&CID=183867&api1=78&api2=1360

Windows XP runs a Disk Cleanup utility that does a "Generalized" type
of Cleanup. Basically, I would reduce System Restore's allocated disk
space from 12% down to a more reasonable 2-3%. Purge the contents
of C:\Windows\Temp and under each Documents and Settings profile
you'll find a Local Settings\Temp folder (Which should be purged). Also,
I would dump the TIF (Temporary Internet Files) cache and set it to
only a size of 15-30 Megabytes, instead of it's normal high disk value.
There are a few more "Advanced" cleanups, like removing Windows
update roll-back modules and numerous logging files that can be safely
removed.

 

[Guest]

thank you so much for all your help. ill be c hecking her computer tonight.

 

[Guest]

CCleaner is a freeware system optimization and privacy tool.

http://www.ccleaner.com/

This is good tool for keeping your PC clean.

Just stay away from the included registry cleaner. I have never used a
registry cleaner that didn't cause more problems than it cured. but
everything else works fine.

Hope this helps.

Foxhole

 

[no_name]

Thank you for explaining that for me. She barely uses anything and keeps it
well maintained. She is very careful. Is there anything that she can do or
can be done? Also what would you advice on this. She currently has Norton
Systemworks 2006 installed and the virus definition subscription has expired.
Can she just upgrade the antivirus or does she have to upgrade systemworks?

She should be able to just subscribe to the definition updates.