Vista 32 bit ... Disk full? but only 35GB files on a 108 GB c:\ partition.

[edDV]

I finally solved this but am posting here to get the solution into Google search*. Current search results are not specific.

History: This is a Compaq Vista 32 laptop with a 108 GB c:\ OS partition. OS plus apps add up to only 35GB. I had the rest filled with video captures but moved those a few months ago. Recently I've been getting disk full warnings but a file scan shows only 35GB of files but explorer reports 107GB used.

Solution: Vista help says System Restore should only consume 15% of a partition and should delete older restore points when 15% is reached. This didn't happen with this computer. System restore ate over two thirds of the disk space and the restore files were not visible to Explorer file search.

In C disk properties, "disk cleanup", "more options", "system restore and shadow copies" you can delete all system restore points except the most recent. When I did this the partition showed 35GB used and 73GB free in explorer. Most of the system restore points in there resulted from automatic updates.

Update: One day later additional updates (Vista and others) created 20GB more system restore files (58GB used space, 45GB free). Thus system restore again has quickly exceeded 15% of disk space.

Maybe I need to do more. Any ideas?


* VideoHelp seems to be respected by Google. Forum posts show there almost immediately.

[redwudz]

I think we have resident Google bots.

There's a hidden program in Vista called VSSadmin that controls the restore system. When run from a command line on that PC it will probably show: Maximum shadow copy space: UNBOUNDED. If so, it will use all available space.

Nice video here about all this and a fix: http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/itdojo/?p=1026

[El Heggunte]

Another possible solution: the user must learn to do without the "System Restore" feature and the "Shadow Copy" service.

[edDV]

I think we have resident Google bots.

There's a hidden program in Vista called VSSadmin that controls the restore system. When run from a command line on that PC it will probably show: Maximum shadow copy space: UNBOUNDED. If so, it will use all available space.

Nice video here about all this and a fix: http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/itdojo/?p=1026

Thanks for the video link. It made the VSSadmin syntax more clear. This must be HP/Compaq's fault since my other Vista and the Win 7 machines limit restore files to the advertised 15% partition capacity. Hope this works.

BTW: Would you correct my spelling error in the thread title or tell me how to do it? "Visa" should be "Vista".

[vhelp]

I'm on XP Home Edition, but same thing though differnt terms, files, or whatever it is to remove on Vista.

I wrote about this issue some time ago and resolved it: disable system restore. It is worthless.

I first reported it here, it was a pain seeing my hdd space disapear even after regaining some of it through other usual means, but it wasn't enough.

I found through observation that when you leave your computer on unattended, system restore kicks in and starts eating at one's hdd space. Anytime I see a hdd light activity while I'm away from the keyboard is a warning sign something is not right. And, I don't mean while you're working on a project and the usual caching and whatnot of the system and swap file and so on. I mean, when you aren't even doing anything for long periods. Anyway, I solved it by disabling it.

REgarding editing post/title: when you log in, click on the [Edit] link, botton right, in your post and fill in your new Title.

-vhelp 5399

[redwudz]

I corrected the title typo. Since I only use the Mod login here, not sure how to do it otherwise. But vhelp's suggestion sounds right.

I've never really had a problem with the restore feature filling up my hard drive, but it has saved me more than a few times and I keep it running for the boot drive on all my systems.

But an alternative, which I would recommend even with restore working, is a backup program like Acronis True Image or similar to image your boot drive. Then if you do have a major OS disaster, or your boot drive dies, it's easy to recover and have the system up and running in a short time.

[edDV]

Thanks redwudz.

To complete the story, VSS was set by Compaq to "UNBOUNDED" hence the problem. I reset it to maxsize=12GB.

For others reading this, be sure to right click on cmd line icon and "run as administrator".