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Old 03-12-2005, 04:26 PM   #1
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Lost HD space?

Hi,

I just reinstalled my computer using XP pro. I have the following problem:
I use a partition around 7 GB, which should be more than sufficient. However after some reinstalles I see my HD is using more space then the folders sizes summed up.

I can't find the problem, can somebody tell me what is eating up all my HD space. Are is some invisible files, causing this? How can I clean this "overhead".

Thanks in advance,

PiC
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Old 03-12-2005, 04:43 PM   #2
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10% of your partition is used by Recycle Bin!!!(check in properties) and large amount by system restore+ page file.
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Last edited by macko72; 03-12-2005 at 04:46 PM.
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Old 03-12-2005, 04:46 PM   #3
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Here is a screenshot of my situation (attachment).

Left window: 7.21 GB used according to disksize diagram.
Right window says: 3.29 GB used according to folder sizes.

I can't make sense of that. All folders are visible by the way.

PiC
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File Type: jpg disk space vs folder space.JPG (59.3 KB, 74 views)
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Old 03-12-2005, 04:51 PM   #4
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I set my trash can to 3% of the partition size and did the same for system restore. So now I got a little bit more breathing room... 700MB free. There's still something wrong if those options only free up 500MB.

PiC
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Old 03-12-2005, 04:56 PM   #5
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Your image shows C: drive against Program files folder what about Windows folder????
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Old 03-12-2005, 05:00 PM   #6
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No I selected all 3 folders (including windows folder). And when I take the sum of those 3 folders I get 3.29GB

Strange....

PiC
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Old 03-12-2005, 05:07 PM   #7
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Lightbulb

I have tried same thing you did when I show hidden files and folders I get exactly the same amount on both properties!!!
P.S. You have to select all folders + hidden files and folders and you should get same amount because you basicly doing same thing in two ways!!!

Last edited by macko72; 03-12-2005 at 05:17 PM.
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Old 03-12-2005, 05:13 PM   #8
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I don't know if this could have anything to do with the problem:

I have another XP partition from where I tried to format the C: drive before reinstalling. Some how it gave me an error and it said for some unclear reason that it was not possible to continue formatting C:
So I thought; no problem, XP will correct this during install. But maybe this didn't happen. Strange thing is that I should have ended up with a corrupt partition, allowing me not even to start installing XP. Which I still could

Hope somebody can help me out here. If nesecery I will reinstall the whole thing again. But than I need to format C: from within DOS. Is there an NTFS formatting program for DOS?

PiC
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Old 03-12-2005, 05:21 PM   #9
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No htere is no NTFS formating in DOS maybe you can try using partition magic or some similar program and yes probably cos of all this is that partition is corrupted!!!
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Old 03-12-2005, 05:44 PM   #10
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That's really not great, cause I just had everything set up. But then a message appeared saying: low disk space.

I tried defragmentation, scandisk. They all had no effect. Scandisk not even reported any problems or what so ever. Still, about 3,5 GB is being taken up by some kind of gost files. Strange strange strange.

I'll see if partition magic can do some diagnostic work. Maybe it'll find something.

PiC
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Old 03-13-2005, 04:16 AM   #11
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What should I do with the clustersize in Partition Magic 8? What does changing it do?

PiC
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Old 03-13-2005, 04:31 AM   #12
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I think I found my problem. There are 2 files wchich are not displayed (although I checked the "show system files" box):
- Pagefile.sys
- Hiberfil.sys

I used SequoiaView to see what is on the partition (http://www.win.tue.nl/sequoiaview). This program showed me 2 huge files namely:
- 1.5GB for the pagefile.sys
- 1 GB for the hiberfil.sys

Are these sizes normal?

I'm searching for some tips on how to resize these files. I'll post some links back when I find any good ones.

PiC
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Old 03-13-2005, 05:06 AM   #13
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I'll say it's normal but you can resize page file on system properties + advanced tab + performance click on settings then on advanced tab at botom is page file options if you wona change click change!!!

quote:
PHP Code:
1. Start the Control Panel Power Options applet (go to StartSettingsControl Panel, and click Power Options).
2. Select the Hibernate tabclear the "Enable hibernation" check boxthen click OKalthough you might think otherwiseselecting Never under the "System hibernates" option on the Power Schemes tab doesnt delete the hiberfil.sys file.

Windows will remove the "System hibernates" option from the Power Schemes tab and delete the hiberfil.sys file

Last edited by macko72; 03-13-2005 at 05:10 AM.
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Old 03-13-2005, 07:46 AM   #14
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Thanks. I found the same solutions on the net as you did. It worked very well, I now have 3 GB free.

Using Sequoia I also saw that some hidden recyclebin is taking up a some space. Can delete something in same way?

PiC
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Old 03-13-2005, 08:49 AM   #15
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I always recommend a minimum 10gb partition for XP, more if you don't want to play around with hibernate files, pagefiles, and recycle bins. If you have PM8, why don't you just adjust the partition size bigger? I'd make it 20gb just so you don't have to sweat it again.
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Old 03-13-2005, 09:44 AM   #16
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Good idea. I used these 7GB settings for 2.5 years now (using an 80 GB HDD). A few weeks back I installed an 160GB disk. Offcourse back then I wanted to max out the room for data on that 80 Gig disk.

Well positive thing about this is, I've learned something again. I hope this thread helps somebody else to some day.

PiC
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