Why Does My C Drive Keep Filling Up?

Wingnut · Aug 4, 2001

looks like you got every suggestion possible already Glennmac ... but I don't think I saw this one mentioned ... and I've found it to be a problem at work with all the machines I'm called to lay hands upon.
Most people using Windoxe use the defaults and especially for Windoze Exporer or "My Computer" views.
This means that all extension are hidden ... and hidden files are hidden, too. To see if you're actually finding all the files ... you need to go to options (on file view) and change the settings so that you see everything. Then look for those "H" files ... one of the real biggies (already mentioned) is the good ole pseudo-hard drive know as the swap drive.
Hope you get your box back in better shape than you handed it over in ...

too bad that common sense ain't

bbse · Aug 4, 2001

Glennmac
I have been in the computer building and repair business for 8 years. Since you toasted your hard drive this may be irrelevant. You do need to do a search for any temp files. Do this by going to (start) then (search) and type in *.tmp. Delete any file that ends in .tmp. Also go to the control panel and enter internet options and delete temporary internet files. However, it sounds to me that the main problem is you probably have your hard drive partitioned in FAT16 instead of FAT32. FAT, by the way, is the file allocation tables. Simply stated a FAT16 drive has a maximum partition size of 2.1GB and each unit is set to hold a 32K. It doesn't matter if the file is only 1K it takes up 32K of space. This mean 1 Meg of very small files takes up a whole lot of space. When Windows 95B came out they increased the partition size to 8.4 GB and broke each unit down to 4K using the new FAT32 partition. As you can see it is 8 imes more effecient, kinda. There will always be some wasted space. I've filled up 4GB drive with 2GB when I kept a lot of small files like pictures and internet cache. And you can check the drives properties but it only gives you the data amount which is usually correct. If you go to a DOS prompt you can type chkdsk in the command line and it will give you a better idea of how much space youe data is taking up. It will show you all the info in allocation units. The problem you face is that to change your drives partition to FAT32, if that is the problem, you will have to redo the harddrive or use a utility program that can convert FAT16 to Fat32. I hope your I.T. guys did this for you since they were going to have to reinstall the OS anyway. If they didn't backup any important data because it could fry the drive (data only) if the program crashes in the middle. I'm on the phone most everyday M-F so if I can help call me at 615-838-9386. I will be glad to give any advice I can.

scruffy · Aug 5, 2001

Windows 98 has a utility to convert from FAT16 to FAT32 built into it. Problem may be the BIOS does not allow recognition of a H/D over 2 gig. That is something that should be explored. I've got one ol' 200mhz computer around here that has a 20gig drive, and it will recognize and allow 2 gigs per. Why waste a 20 gig drive? The 4 gig drive took a dump, and that is what I had laying around at the time.
Point being, sometimes it is cost effective to just buy a new one that is up to date and has the bells and whistles. For less than a grand, you can have a very nice 'puter', of course, I would build two of them for that, but it takes me longer to chase the parts at a price I want to pay.

PBMAX · Aug 6, 2001

Looks like they covered the Hard drive issues.Abody out there run into problems with the nortons soft ware yet?We have at work.Seems it does a lot of scanning when you open files etc in the back ground.We use some software that has really big files.And were having problems.would take for ever to open a file or files.So after evry thing else was tried being a gamer I turned off nortons and rebuted.Wal-la!!!3times faster.atleast.See the file we use average in the 30-50 meg range and larger.Open them up merged as one file and you are easily opening a 200meg file...Plus the software we use dosn't run at top speed either its a real processor hog...So if any of you run nortons or others check you software for the following.Turn off ANY VIRUS software before installing...yes it is common...The virus soft ware will usually see it when you turn it back on and notice the change.Just except it...Unforrtunatly for me this means I have to remember to open nortons and tell it what to do insrtead of the auto feature....

Laziness is the Father of invention.../w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif
Lil' Paul
Proud owner of TC21D

Bird · Aug 6, 2001

Yep, Paul, I run Norton in the auto mode all the time. And it's caught some viruses for me, too. I guess it slows things down a bit, but out here in the country most things are a bit slow; my old IBM, phone lines, and even me./w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Bird

Charlie_Iliff · Aug 6, 2001

Glennmac:
Any report from the gurus yet?

Charlie Iliff

r0GuE · Aug 7, 2001

I don't havre time to read the whole thread but I'll kick this in and it might help:
Netzero (and I assume others like it) fill your pc with crap. If you are on them, this will happen. Just a thought, good luck.

Rogue

uppermich · Aug 7, 2001

Good suggestion. Wingnut, about the hidden file types. Three more options to consider: 1) Empty your mailbox trash folder ( I just checked mine and had 468 messages to get rid of ). 2) Clean out you email attachments directory. 3) Empty your browser cache directory. In IE5.50 you go to "tools", "internet options", "general", and then "delete temporary files" Check your settings while you are there.

Pat (Techno-Tractor Mom)

PBMAX · Aug 8, 2001

My Dad would tell you his not getting slower....Just more GRACEFULL/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Laziness is the Father of invention.../w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif
Lil' Paul
Proud owner of TC21D