Drive "full" problem

[Simon]

I've been asked to look at a computer which keeps telling it's owmer that the C drive is full, when it isn't.  This is a two year old Dell desktop, running XP.  Any ideas?

[zappaDPJ]

It could be a whole number of things but it would be helpful to know how and when that information is being reported.

I'd probably first check to see just how much free space there is on the drive, could it be that it's running out of room because of the virtual memory (page) file? If there's a lot of room then I'd be inclined to run defrag which in addition to compacting the data might actually flag any disk corruption. Running chkdsk from a command prompt could be worth a try although if I recall correctly the defrag utility may auto run this if it encounters a problem?  Something else to check is that there is no failed drive data/image backup as that would take a huge amount of space but if the file was not fully written it may not be that obvious but still flag space in the FAT.

I would be a little careful and check there is nothing important to lose (assuming no backups) as it could be symptomatic of a hard drive about to go west or at least lose data integrity. You might also want to check for viruses and the like.

[Gary]

All what Zap said, check for Metatdata degramentation as well and look into system restore as that can eat up space. Also if its a copy of Vista depending on the version there could be a great deal of shadow copies of files.

[Simon]

It's XP, Gary. 

Thanks for the tips, guys, I'll look into it later.  Might just start by clearing the Temp and System Restore folders, and see if that improves things, and also run CCleaner.

[Rik]

Also check for memory dumps, turn off hibernation and delete the file...

[Simon]

Also check for memory dumps, turn off hibernation and delete the file...

Wouldn't know where the file is to delete it, Rik. 

[Rik]

Root of C:, hyberfil.sys or something like that - it will be the same size as the installed memory.

[Simon]

OK, that sounds a bit dangerous - I'll try the basics first. 

[Rik]

It's not dangerous, the file is replaced every time a machine is hibernated.

[somanyholes]

use this for finding whats where etc. you wont find a better tool


http://windirstat.info/

this image sums it up quite well



it's in english

[Rik]

You could have fooled me, So.

[David]

Thanks for the question Simon I have a pc sitting in my bedroom which kept giving this out and I just gave up that is running xp....think its worth having a go,well its either that or a club hammer...which wont fix it but will make me feel betterc

[Gary]

Wouldn't know where the file is to delete it, Rik. 

on xp you can just turn hibernation off and reboot cant you? Then the hibernation file is deleted from what I remember.

[Rik]

I've seen it left, even after turning it off, Gary.

[Gary]

I've seen it left, even after turning it off, Gary.

Running Disc cleanup after should remove it though if you tick the hibernation box.

[Rik]

I find it quicker to do it manually, but then I unhide system files.

[Gary]

I find it quicker to do it manually, but then I unhide system files.

I was thinking for Simon Rik, if he is cleaning the drive up he may as well tick the box at the same time 

[Rik]

I'd take a Dyson to it myself.

[Gary]

I'd take a Dyson to it myself.

I used to on my old PC, a Belkin Blaster can and the hoover nozzel between my legs aiming at the pc to suck the dust out of the way as I fired the air in 

[Rik]

The fun things we find to do, eh?

[Gary]

The fun things we find to do, eh?

yes, and I'm so glad I don't do it anymore 

[David]

You two need to get out more without a doubt 

I did try the disc cleanup on that machine but to no avail

[Gary]

You two need to get out more without a doubt 

I did try the disc cleanup on that machine but to no avail

I would if I could David but I'm STILL waiting for my wheelchair they have had it miss delivered it and its now vanished, and it was only coming from 4 miles away 

[David]

oops ,and reason given gary ?

[Gary]

oops ,and reason given gary ?

They could not find my house  oh and I was on the phone so they could not call me, even though there are no calls listed for that day on my end  that was two weeks ago and it was marked urgent