Low disk space message.

[Frank Martin]

I have WindowsXP pro with a 2.4gzPentium4, 1gb RAM.

The C partition of my HDD has a rating capacity of 15Gb and is now giving an
error message saying that there is only 5% free space left.

This cannot be true because when I go to Explorer and highlight all the
folders & files there and select the Properties, I get a content of only 6Gb
which is about 40% of this partition's capacity.

And If I count up all the software in the C partition I still get the low
value of about 40% used-disk.

Sometimes in the past the capacity indicated on the C partition (from disk
properties) has fluctuated wildly, and today I removed some large items of
software and explorer has indicated a DECREASE in capacity.


Is there something I can use to check this out; e.g. is the disk 'reserving'
space for some unknown reason?

I cannot even run Defragment because this requires a large amount of free
space on C to function.

Pleasae help, Frank

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi Frank,

I suspect you are not set to see system and hidden files. Go to the Control
Panel/Folder Options, and on the View tab, set the options so you can see
hidden and system files. Specifically:

Enable (check) "Display the contents of system folders"
Enable (check) "Show hidden files and folders"
Disable (uncheck): "Hide protected operating system files (recommended)"

I also recommend that you disable (uncheck) "hide extensions for known file
types". Now take a fresh look at the disk space.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Frank Martin]

Thank you for the quick reply.

I have just fixed it by going to "System Resore" and turning it off.

This made Explorer give the true capacity of about 7Gb, and allowed me to
defragment (which wasn't required after all).

Then I went back and turned "System Restore" back on, though at only 1/2 the
former setting.

Explorer now still gives the real capacity of about 7Gb.

Therefore it seems that "System Restore" should be tweaked occasionally,
though the problem in question has never occured on my other "D" and "G"
partitions!

Thanks again for your reply which I have filed for future reference.

Regards, Frank

 

[witan]

I am not an expert, but here is my 2-cents worth.
1) I have an 80GB hd, with C: partition of 20GB, exclusively for
Windows-XP. I *try* to install other programs (like, say, Nero suite,
Winamp etc) on partition D, and have kept the third partition E
exclusively for data files.
2) I believe that the best way to see diskspace of a disk is to open My
Computer and look at "Properties" of the disk one is interested in. My
C: drive, for example, gives Used Space: 6.12GB; Free Space, 13.4GB;
and Capacity, 19.5GB.
Regards
Witan

 

[Gerry Cornell]

Frank

Incorporate the following into your routine housekeeping. Select Disk
CleanUp, More Options, System Restore and remove all but the latest
restore point.


--


Hope this helps.

Gerry
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[Plato]

The C partition of my HDD has a rating capacity of 15Gb and is now giving an
error message saying that there is only 5% free space left.

XP PC's should always have at least 10 gigs free on C: