PC problem

[steve_b_wales]

I usually run Disk Defragmenter once a month. I tried it just now (using the tools option on Windows) and it stated that 'Volume (C:) has only 2% free space available for use by Disk defragmenter. To run effectively, Disk defragmenter requires at least 15% usuable free space to operate.

Delete some unneeded files and try again.

 

How do I know what files are not needed and where do I find them?

[LiTtLe YeLlOw DaFfOdIl]

Try doing a "Disc Cleanup" first.

 

Right Click on the Icon for your "C:" Drive, click on the General Tab then click on Disk Cleanup.

 

Let us know how much memory you have free after you run that.

 

DaFfY

[castletyne]

You could copy onto an external drive or delete photos or music files

[oscarsdad]

Delete your "art collection" that will free up loads of room

[steve_b_wales]

I've moved quite a few files/documents onto my external hard drive. Now, if I go onto disk defragmenter, it says, Capacity 146Gb, Free Space 7.23Gb (4%)

 

This is after I clicked onto 'Disc Cleanup' and ran it.

 

 

EDIT: My daughter used the computer 2 days ago to scan a load of CD covers and DVD covers. Would these be kept somewhere on the drive?

[oscarsdad]

I've moved quite a few files/documents onto my external hard drive. Now, if I go onto disk defragmenter, it says, Capacity 146Gb, Free Space 7.23Gb (4%)

 

This is after I clicked onto 'Disc Cleanup' and ran it.

 

 

EDIT: My daughter used the computer 2 days ago to scan a load of CD covers and DVD covers. Would these be kept somewhere on the drive?

They could very well be stored as temporary files as well as saved in iTunes or whatever so could be taking up a lot of room depending on what resolution they were scanned at.

[castletyne]

Have a look in My Documents

 

Or if im scanning stuff I just create a new folder on the desk top

[steve_b_wales]

I've got it cleared a bit more and now have 8% free space. Still not enough to use disk defragmenter though.

 

If,say, a CD is copied for own use, and the disc is inserted then read, then a blank disc is inserted to copy, does the data remain on the hard drive after it has been transferred, and if so, could I arrange it so that all data is sent to my external drive, which has 146Gb of free space?

[aris]

Download this free software:

 

http://www.jam-software.com/treesize_free/

 

It will show you exactly where all the space is being used - just drill down until you find which directories are using all your space. You can then delete/mode/compress what isn't needed.

 

Edited October 11, 2013 by aris

[steve_b_wales]

I installed Treesize, and got these results.

 

136,776 Mb C:\

 

87,584 Mb Documents & Settings

 

22,722 Mb Program Files

 

10, 202 Mb Windows

 

7,685 Mb System Volume Information

 

There are loads of other smaller Mb ones, but these are programs that I need.

 

I'm still none the wiser how to find the files that are clogging up my PC, and how to get of them.

 

I do appreciate everyone's help and advice so far though.

[aris]

Click on documents and settings (the biggest culprit) - it should show you all the sub-directories there. Drill down until you see which directory and/or files are eating all your space.

Edited October 11, 2013 by aris

[deaquire]

So you can usually defrag. each month? But it's now saying you only have 2% available and need 15%? In about a month you've used up 13%...that's a hell of a lot to use, even if you're using a small HD, say...100GB, that would mean you've downloaded/installed 13GB worth of data in the last month, that would be the equivalent of 15 films ish. Try anti-virus?

[bruno22rf]

Try downloading C/cleaner free version and run it-see what it finds.

[steve_b_wales]

So you can usually defrag. each month? But it's now saying you only have 2% available and need 15%? In about a month you've used up 13%...that's a hell of a lot to use, even if you're using a small HD, say...100GB, that would mean you've downloaded/installed 13GB worth of data in the last month, that would be the equivalent of 15 films ish. Try anti-virus?

 

Usually a month, yes, but not set in stone. Not sure how that amount of GB has been used, but will delve deeper if possible.

Try downloading C/cleaner free version and run it-see what it finds.

 

Got it and have run it earlier.

[steve_b_wales]

I've now run CCleaner again, and also disk cleaner, and have got 12.24GB of free space which is 8%.

 

Not sure where to go now.

[deaquire]

Have you downloaded anything in an email or from a website since you last defragmented?

 

A lot of disc clean up programs will target and delete software you haven't used in a while. If it's something that is actively used then a disc clean up program may not recognise it as an unwanted file.

Edited October 11, 2013 by deaquire

[steve_b_wales]

Have you downloaded anything in an email or from a website since you last defragmented?

 

No. And it's only me who has access to websites/email.

[deaquire]

Ok, try:

 

My computer -> Control Panel -> Add/remove program OR Uninstall Program (Depending on your pc) and then click the "Installed on" tab. This will sort everything by date and you should be able to see if anything has been installed recently that you don't recognise.

[amateur]

I had the same problem last week

 

Have you cleaned out your recycle bin?

 

and

 

move all your pictures/videos to your external drive

 

I found 40Gb that way

[deaquire]

I've got it cleared a bit more and now have 8% free space. Still not enough to use disk defragmenter though.

 

If,say, a CD is copied for own use, and the disc is inserted then read, then a blank disc is inserted to copy, does the data remain on the hard drive after it has been transferred, and if so, could I arrange it so that all data is sent to my external drive, which has 146Gb of free space?

If you ripped it to your hard drive then yes. You should be able to locate those files and delete which will free up space. It just depends on where you saved the music files.

[aris]

I've now run CCleaner again, and also disk cleaner, and have got 12.24GB of free space which is 8%.

 

Not sure where to go now.

 

Did you drill down in the documents & settings folder in Treezsze? What did it show?

[HDAV]

136gb drive 87gb of documents answer buy a 250gb or larger drive!or delete a load of documents (or DVD and cd rips)

Edited October 11, 2013 by HDAV

[steve_b_wales]

 

No. And it's only me who has access to websites/email.

 

 

136gb drive 87gb of documents answer buy a 250gb or larger drive!or delete a load of documents (or DVD and cd rips)

 

I agree with getting a bigger drive. The one that's in my computer is 146GB, with 134GB used.

If I bought a bigger drive, would I be able to transfer all my programs etc onto it?

[HDAV]

Yes there are products you can get free or that come with the drive which do it all for you not done one for years but pretty straight forward. Just use a tool to check compatibility with motherboard and fit new drive then clone old one to new one keep old one as a backup.....

 

Go as big as motherboard will support or add additional drive.

[steve_b_wales]

Now I have a bigger problem!

 

I have a seperate portable hard drive that plugs into one of the USB ports on my computer. The one that I have it plugged into is ' I ' drive. I can this drive my 'X' drive. Now, when I go to open the drive, I get this message.

 

The drive or network connection that the shortcut 'X Drive ink refers to is unavailable. Make sure that the disk is properly inserted or the network resource is available and then try again.

 

 

It's plugged in okay, and I've even tried it in a different USB port.

 

If I've lost all the stuff on this drive, I'll be totally gutted, as it holds many 1000's of photographs and other files.

 

How do I get this to work again?

 

I appreciate any help and advice.

Steve.