Hi -

Could you list some computer spec information in your next post please.

Also, download Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and install then /scan to check for any infection and post back results. Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware: Malwarebytes

Regards, - GJ

 

have you run scans, sounds a little fishy to me...
Malwarebytes Special Offer!
SUPERAntiSpyware.com | Remove Malware | Remove Spyware - AntiMalware, AntiSpyware, AntiAdware!
did she run disk cleanup>more options>delete shadow copies? should give a few extra gb's to install these programs, if not try running from a cd/flashdrive..

good luck.

 

Hi GamingJon,

Thanks for the quick reply - the malware scanner is whirring away on her laptop next to me.

Sorry for not providing enough spec - what particulars would you like?

Cheers,


matt

 

Malware Scan:

"Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.50.1.1100
www.malwarebytes.org
Database version: 5363
Windows 6.0.6001 Service Pack 1
Internet Explorer 7.0.6000.16681
13/03/2011 13:35:37
mbam-log-2011-03-13 (13-35-37).txt
Scan type: Quick scan
Objects scanned: 153227
Time elapsed: 5 minute(s), 32 second(s)
Memory Processes Infected: 0
Memory Modules Infected: 0
Registry Keys Infected: 0
Registry Values Infected: 0
Registry Data Items Infected: 0
Folders Infected: 0
Files Infected: 0
Memory Processes Infected:
(No malicious items detected)
Memory Modules Infected:
(No malicious items detected)
Registry Keys Infected:
(No malicious items detected)
Registry Values Infected:
(No malicious items detected)
Registry Data Items Infected:
(No malicious items detected)
Folders Infected:
(No malicious items detected)
Files Infected:
(No malicious items detected)"

 

Hi Kenny, thanks for your reply too.

I'm trying to find the additional options to check the shadow copy removal but I don't get any options.

'Start/Accessories/System tools/disk cleanup' - only prompts a dialog to select 'my files only' or 'files from all users on this computer' - selecting either of these options then gives the 'select drive' options - both c:/ and d:/ are available.

I never actually get to see the tabbed window you can see on this page: Delete files using Disk Cleanup

Increasingly odd, this problem..

Cheers,


Matt

 

Hi -

Thanks for carrying out the tasks required. I have found out enough specs for the MBAM results (I was after the Service Pack - SP1). Scan found nothing which is good.

Next stage,

Check 'Windows Update' - Scan for updates/install if found. Should be able to find and install SP2 if not, I will link you do a download source. Post back results of that. Have you actually exainamed the HDD? - 'My Computer' - C: - Right Click - Properties - List free space/Used space in the next post please.

Regards, - GJ.

 

Hi again GJ, yeah I've examined the HDD through the WinDirStat when she said that the HD was too full to install the PS CS5 trial (which is what we're trying to do), and found nothing that jumped out as untoward, instead of the massive amount of DLL files and the odd 'partitioning' of the HDD.

The C:/ properties are Used: 31.7GB, Free 802MB
The D:/ properties are Used: 6.58GB, Free 25.6GB

The C drive has freed up a bit now as I've just ran the diskcleanup operation again.

Doing the SP2 update now...

Thanks again.

Matt

 

Vista: Reclaim and Release Disk Space from System Restore and Shadow Copies » My Digital Life
see if this helps..

 

Hi -

Thanks again for being so prompt and carrying out task when asked - Really does help!

SP2 update may take a while, while we wait, could you download and install 'CCleaner' - A handy little program that will remove temporary files and internet history - cookies etc. - CCleaner - Optimization and Cleaning - Free Download

This should also assist in freeing up some space.

Once SP2 update is downloaded and install we will look at why Application Extensions appears so large.

Regards, - GJ

 

You'll probably find as with a majority of laptops, the D: Drive is a recovery drive, storing all vital drivers, and vista recovery files.

Has she ever had to recover the system if so, all her old programs/files etc will still be there just hidden.

 

Hi Kenny,

I've followed those steps and the cleanup/delete of the system restore and shadow copies hasn't appeared to increase HDD size at all on either C or 'D' drives.

Do you know why this 'DATA (D:\) drive even exists?

I am thoroughly stumped.


Matt

 

Hi -

Like Jimmyavr stated, The D: drive, is most commonely the recovery drive and does not need to be touched. C: is your main partition. Hows the SP2 install going? Instructions in my previous post may help.

Regards, -GJ

 

Hi Matt,

Have you considered formatting the C: drive? As i said in my previous post, has a recovery been made on the system before? If so her previous programs/files/folders etc may still be stored on the system, im not to familiar with the Vista layout, but if its the case, usually you can find all the previous files, within document & settings on the C: drive.

 

data D is just that, someone/something has partitioned this...the recovery drive never exceeds 10 gb's, if you look in disk management it should show all your partitions...start>RIGHT click computer>manage>disk management(left hand side) ...take a screenshot, if possible...see screen shot, extend the screen all the way to the right..

 

But should it not have a recovery drive? The vast majority of laptops do as they do not often come with a recovery disk, or xp/vista/win7 installation disk.

 

yes it should, but no larger than about 10 gb's and wouldn't be seen through start>computer...

 

I own 2 laptops, each have a recovery drive, accessible via My computer which you can see in the attachment, are they only hidden in vista then?

 

hi
im not an expert at computers but i have a couple of ideas.

this is the info you posted on the windirstat pic -
The ACER bar is red (full) with '6.35MB free of 32.5GB' but the DATA bar is blue with 26.2GB free of 32.2GB - it's almost like the drive has been partitioned. but she has never told the computer to do so. Oddly, word documents for example can be saved into a D:\ location, and dragging files out of a C:\ location to a D:\ location copies the files to that destination, not moves them.

this is showing the drive divided into 2 partitions but there is about 10gig missing.
on the windirstat pic it is showing windows dir at 65.7% (of 32 gig ?) this seems to be very high jjust for the OS.

i would use chkdsk to see if you have bad sectors and check the windows dir to see what is using up that much disc space.

i hope this is some help .
wildy