C: is out of disk space

Schwagg · 10-23-2008, 12:12 PM

I have a PC running Windows XP sp2 that is having problems with disk space. It has an 80GB hard drive that keeps popping up messages saying that it is out of disk space. When I check out the properties of C:, it says that it is currently using 69GB (this is after freeing up all available space). However, when I open the C: drive and select all of the folders and check the properties, it says we are only using 34.3GB.

It appears as though Windows thinks I am using twice as much disk space as I am actually using. Is there a solution to this other than reimaging the whole drive?

clyde123 · 10-23-2008, 12:55 PM

Is there more than one User setup on the computer ? Have you checked the usage for any other users ?

Schwagg · 10-23-2008, 12:59 PM

There is only 1 user on the computer. Under "Documents and Settings", there is "All Users" and "Default User" (as well as the current user), but those folders combined only take up 182MB (not including the current user).

Cleffer · 10-23-2008, 02:33 PM

In my experience, using explorer does not work accurately to determine drive space. I'm not sure where the issue is (seeing all files? buggy? drive partitions?,) but I've seen one before with some computers and I don't use that as a judge. I would trust the My Computer as the best tool for an end user because it takes *all* space into account.

Are you certain that you don't have a hidden partition on the drive (ie for an OS installer or something similar?)

What I would do (and not saying that it's the most effecient method by any means) is sit back some night and figure out where all my space is going. I'd invest in an external storage source such as a USB drive or the like and move all non-pertinant files (music, pics, docs, etc) over to the external source. This would not only gain/save space, but put your memorables in a safer location in case of HD failure. if you're HD is anything like mine, you'll gain half your drive back. :D

Hope that helps.

Schwagg · 10-23-2008, 03:07 PM

I ran a program called treesize, and it also says that my C: drive is only 34.3GB. I'm not sure why Windows is thinking that all of these files are taking up twice as much space as they really are. Unfortunately, this is on a notebook computer that travels quite a bit, so an external hard drive is not much of an option...

dai · 10-23-2008, 03:38 PM

being a laptop it will most likely have a restore partition 8-10g
formatting loses more space so you are down to around 68g
you need 13g free space for the operateing system to have room to work
so you have out of 80g,only 55g for the general running
if the system is running with no problems
delete the windows restore points and the create a new one
do a disk cleanup
defrag the disk
then see what you have

10-23-2008, 12:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
Schwagg Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 3 OS: Windows XP	C: is out of disk space I have a PC running Windows XP sp2 that is having problems with disk space. It has an 80GB hard drive that keeps popping up messages saying that it is out of disk space. When I check out the properties of C:, it says that it is currently using 69GB (this is after freeing up all available space). However, when I open the C: drive and select all of the folders and check the properties, it says we are only using 34.3GB. It appears as though Windows thinks I am using twice as much disk space as I am actually using. Is there a solution to this other than reimaging the whole drive?

10-23-2008, 12:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
clyde123 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Glasgow Posts: 382 OS: xp sp2	Re: C: is out of disk space Is there more than one User setup on the computer ? Have you checked the usage for any other users ?

10-23-2008, 12:59 PM	#3 (permalink)
Schwagg Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 3 OS: Windows XP	Re: C: is out of disk space There is only 1 user on the computer. Under "Documents and Settings", there is "All Users" and "Default User" (as well as the current user), but those folders combined only take up 182MB (not including the current user).

10-23-2008, 02:33 PM	#4 (permalink)
Cleffer Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Mid-West Posts: 180 OS: 2003/XP/Vista	Re: C: is out of disk space In my experience, using explorer does not work accurately to determine drive space. I'm not sure where the issue is (seeing all files? buggy? drive partitions?,) but I've seen one before with some computers and I don't use that as a judge. I would trust the My Computer as the best tool for an end user because it takes all space into account. Are you certain that you don't have a hidden partition on the drive (ie for an OS installer or something similar?) What I would do (and not saying that it's the most effecient method by any means) is sit back some night and figure out where all my space is going. I'd invest in an external storage source such as a USB drive or the like and move all non-pertinant files (music, pics, docs, etc) over to the external source. This would not only gain/save space, but put your memorables in a safer location in case of HD failure. if you're HD is anything like mine, you'll gain half your drive back. :D Hope that helps.

10-23-2008, 03:07 PM	#5 (permalink)
Schwagg Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 3 OS: Windows XP	Re: C: is out of disk space I ran a program called treesize, and it also says that my C: drive is only 34.3GB. I'm not sure why Windows is thinking that all of these files are taking up twice as much space as they really are. Unfortunately, this is on a notebook computer that travels quite a bit, so an external hard drive is not much of an option...

10-23-2008, 03:38 PM	#6 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,185 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: C: is out of disk space being a laptop it will most likely have a restore partition 8-10g formatting loses more space so you are down to around 68g you need 13g free space for the operateing system to have room to work so you have out of 80g,only 55g for the general running if the system is running with no problems delete the windows restore points and the create a new one do a disk cleanup defrag the disk then see what you have __________________