My Computer Is Drunk

[IAIHMB]

Well, that is the only explanation I can come up with. On my master hard drive I only have one partition, the C drive. The C drive contains 5 folders and no files when displaying hidden system files also. It looks like this:

Documents and Settings; Size on disk: 20.7 GB (22,301,507,584 bytes)
Installed; Size on disk: 8.91 GB (9,569,247,232 bytes)
MSOCache; Size on disk: 510 MB (535,560,192 bytes)
Program Files; Size on disk: 517 MB (542,695,424 bytes)
WINDOWS; Size on disk: 2.26 GB (2,435,893,855 bytes)

If you are keeping track, we are at 32.87GB. Here is where it gets strange, these are coming from my master hard disks properties:

Capacity: 149GB (160,031,014,912 bytes)
Used space: 80.6GB (86,635,282,432 bytes)
Free space: 68.3GB (73,395,732,480 bytes)

The last time I checked a 149GB hard disk that has used 32.87GB would have 116.13GB of disk space left, where in hell would they get a number like 68.3GB? Going by my computers logic I only have 27.05GB of disk space left, looks like I need to upgrade. :P No jokes, any ideas on whats going on?

[Capmaster]

Any possibility that it's not counting your swapfile in the "free space" number?

A bug in Windows? (naaaahhhhh )

[Hardcoreruss]

Do you have any norton protected files ?

[ViRaL1]

That would have to be one helluva swap file. Here are some things to start off with.

1) When you first log on to Window$, click Start > Run and type %temp% in the Run box, then delete everything in that window.

2) Try clearing your browser cache and history.

3) Check the size of your swap file (COULD be huge, but I doubt it).

Are you running any filesharing or P2P software?
Do you have AV software and if so, is it up to date?
When was the last time you ran a full scan?

(Where did you get 27.05GB?)

[IAIHMB]

Any possibility that it's not counting your swapfile in the "free space" number?

A bug in Windows? (naaaahhhhh )

I'm still a newbie, once I figure out what this swapfile is I will tell you. :P

Do you have any norton protected files ?

None, at least I don't think so. The only Symantec programs I installed are Norton Internet Security 2004 and Norton Ghost 2003.

That would have to be one helluva swap file. Here are some things to start off with.

1) When you first log on to Window$, click Start > Run and type %temp% in the Run box, then delete everything in that window.

2) Try clearing your browser cache and history.

3) Check the size of your swap file (COULD be huge, but I doubt it).

Are you running any filesharing or P2P software?
Do you have AV software and if so, is it up to date?
When was the last time you ran a full scan?

(Where did you get 27.05GB?)

I have cleared the temperary internet files, there were 54MB of them. :S I am using Azureus, mIRC, and DC++. I'll try and explain the 27.05GB thing when I get my computer up and running, this 32MB RAM, 1996 paperweight is a pain in the ass. :P It was ment to be a joke though.

[gitreel]

A swap file is hard drive space used as virtual memory.

[IAIHMB]

My virtual memory is set at 1536MB.

[Ripper2860]

Windows System Recovery Files ???

[IAIHMB]

Hrm, I'll figure out where those are and get back to you. :-p Also, useing the check for disc error gave no luck.

[gitreel]

You could also check how much space your recycle bin is using and adjust accordingly.

[Ripper2860]

Try right clicking on MY COMPUTER and select PROPERTIES. The click on the SYSTEM RESTORE tab and check the settings for the drive(s). The reserved size could be several GB. Try paring that down or disable and see if your reported diskspace goes up.

** My recommendation is that you leave SYSTEM RECOVERY enabled as it allows you to roll-back if something were to go awry. You can make it smaller though.

[IAIHMB]

Haha, it looks like you have found a little bit of space.

Disk space to use: 12%(18314 MB)

Only 20 GB or so more to go.

[Greg12]

I recomind a scandisk. Sometimes the descritpors can become corrupted and the computer thinks their's less free space than their really is

[IAIHMB]

I tried it, no luck.

[Faustus]

Then this sound like a job for format command!

[IAIHMB]

Haha, I was afraid someone was going to say that. Now do you guys understand why I get stuck reformatting so much, all of these stupid little errors. :P I will leave it alone for now, it isn't doing to much harm.

[iooi]

mIRC have you tried deleting the log files as they can run to a hell of a lot....

[Faustus]

Don't give my comment to much weight... I just love formatting. I've got it down to an art.

[ViRaL1]

I guess would TECHNICALLY fall under formatting, but I like to install my OS, SPs, basic apps and then create a ghost image (stored on another machine if possible). Unless you have a horde of basic apps, it's usually small enough that you can burn the image along with the tiny ghost executable and DOS mode CD/DVD drivers onto a single DVD. It's a real time saver. I can have my system back up and running (barring new apps and documents) in less time than it takes just to install the OS.

[handyguy]

Restore uses 12% of your HD space. You can, of course, change that with a slider.

[Ripper2860]

Also -- if Enable Hibernation is selected (CONTROL PANEL | POWER OPTIONS | HIBERNATE), it will reserve space equal to the amount of RAM for a hibernation file.

[Shocker Milwaukee]

I found that Windows had exceeded the max size of my Temp. Internet Folder to the tune of 8 gigs. I had to manually delete the contents of the folder, but I got some space back doing it. Dunno if that's pertinent to your issue...

[IAIHMB]

Well, somehow my drive managed to fix itself, but yet another problem arose. :P Now I have a directory I cannot delete, I get this error:

Cannot delete file: Cannot read from source file or disk

I've tried deleting through command prompt, safe mode, and a program called moveonboot, It's almost like I am destined to reformat. :P

[Faustus]

2 drive problems in that short of a time? I hope your drive is ok. If a delete or move on reboot type program didn't get it then its not good.

I assume you already ran a chkdsk?

[gitreel]

You should also see if the folder is in read-only mode.

If it is in read-only mode, it can be almost impossible to move or delete.

[ViRaL1]

It's not the SystemVolumeInfo folder, is it?

[gitreel]

Flaystus,

I think there is something wrong if you love to format.

[IAIHMB]

I have tried everything you guys suggested with no luck. :P I googled it though, and this seems to be a typical problem for people who allow other people to upload files to a personal FTP server, but I don't have one.

[ViRaL1]

Flaystus,

I think there is something wrong if you love to format.

I do the same maybe once a quarter. There's just something about a nice fresh clean install free of all the other crap that eventually comes along and gets in the way.

[dxj40c]

After you reformat and have your OS and basic programs installed, you should do a Ghost backup at that point then you will be that far ahead on your next quarterly format. As someone said earlier in the thread, it will take less time to restore than it will to install the OS.