Win ME - No matter how much I delete HDD keeps filling

[JTH]

Recently my hard drive continously fills to between just 150-30mb. remaining. I haven't made an major changes, although this problem has been going on for sometime. I've removed programs (for example a 400mb. program) and seen the effect of it giving me 550mb. free, only to see it go back down to say 27mb. free after a re-boot. As you can imagine having this little space free is quite hazardous to my computer, as well as annoying, but no matter how much I delete my HDD keeps filling up again.

I've also checked that my Temp. Internet Files And TEMP folder are within norms. I'm using a WD 20gb. on Win ME.

Can anyone help?

[HAL9000]

Its probably the system restore filling the drive... you can try reducing how much space is allocated to the system restore which will reduce the available restore points... or disable system restore completely.

[JTH]

I checked... System Restore is disabled because I need a minimum of 25mb. free to run it! And anyway the slider of space taken by S/R was furthest to minimum.

So what can I do now? I'm sure it's none to good for my O/S to have no space to breath and it's tough not being able to install new programs etc.

Thanks in advance,

JTH

[eldon]

Also heres a nice little free utility that may help you. http://www.cmdiskcleaner.com/Download.html It`s a disk cleaning tool that cleared out alot of empty space for me and I thought I had cleared out as much as possible and this saved me over 100 mb of space.

[andyms18a]

do a full anti virus scan as well as some viruses fill your hard drive all so get spybot and check for spying programs

[JTH]

Okay I'm downloading the Disk Cleaner program now, although I suspect I'm looking for one program that keeps consuming space rather then a few that take up a bit of space.

Andyms18a, I've already run a full virus scan and run Spybot, neither of which can find my problem.

JTH

[JTH]

...Just used Disk Cleaner and I have now got 135mb free. When I reboot though I know for sure it'll give me some other figure entirely, like 22mb free for example.

One thing I did notice however is that Windows doesn't seem to be removing programs correctly (maybe the cause of my problem?) I've taken out programs in Add/Remove in Control Panel but all of the the files and folders for that program remain on my disk. For example I removed the game Commandos II (which consumes 2gb of space) from my directory, and although it isn't listed there, it's still on my computer. The same with other programs.

So if this is my problem how can I get rid of programs fully... or re-instate programs already on my disk onto the registry? (I might as well have them at my disposal if they're taking up space)

Hope I'm making sense, thanks again,

JTH

[andyms18a]

to remove them compleatley just deleat the foldre affter runing the add remove program in control panall to keep them you need to reinstall them the reason the uninstall dont remove the folder is it leaves all the saved games and other bits and bobs in case you want to reinstall it i normaley just copy the saved games to cd then deleat the folder

[JTH]

Yes but in this case it's keeping the entire game!

Anyways I might go ahead and delete the folder seeing as it's off the registry anyway. Should clear up some space that I hope isn't quickly filled up again!!

[andyms18a]

check in msconfig for programs loading at startup and post a list hear

[GaryRouth]

It certainly does sound like you've had some incomplete uninstalls. For those games that you know you don't want anymore, and have either uninstalled or tried to uninstall and received an error message, you can start Windows Explorer and delete their folders from either C:\Windows\Program Files\[unwanted game folder] or C:\Windows\[unwanted game folder]. Do this for all games and programs that you've tried to uninstall already. Then do a run of RegClean 4.1, that should help rid the Registry of leftover entries for those. RegClean 4.1 was updated to work with Win9x http://download.com.com/3000-2094-88...ml?tag=lst-0-1

. . . and 80gb drives can be had for $50-$60 USD these days
. . . Gary

[p.s. . . . don't forget to empty the Recycle Bin after you delete the folders, or you won't gain the space back!]

[Brona]

Hello,

I recommend using KillDisk to completely erase your HDD and start from scratch so any possible hidden program will be erased. Head to www.killdisk.com for more info and download. You will then be able to use HDD again, clear of unnecessary soft.

[GaryRouth]

Hi Brona -

and Welcome to the PC Mechanic forums.

Killdisk is a fine tool, and it's recommendation is always welcome.
. . . Gary

[Side note: the original thread for this question was two years ago, sometimes the dates are easy to overlook. . . . We don't usually resurrect threads this old. But there are plenty of current threads to help out on!]

[JTH]

Wow, my old thread from 2 years ago!

Just to give an update for fun... well I've since upgraded to XP Pro and bought an 80gb hard drive and have never looked back since! I had even forgotten I ever had this problem... until I got an e-mail telling me someone replied to this thread