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Post by The Doctor on Apr 13, 2008 19:43:22 GMT
My hard drive is showing as filling up and almost full, yet I delete most stuff when I'm done with it. I am most puzzled. Help!
I'm on Windows Vista Home.
-Ralph
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Post by Andy Turnbull on Apr 13, 2008 19:47:34 GMT
Check that the recycle bin is actually deleting the files. I dunno if Vista incorporates some form of protection on it to stop files being deleted accidentally.
If not then I'd pop into control panel or equivalent and defrag the thing and you should be okay and whatever other system maintenance things that can be done. Chances are the thing is reading that the files are still there despite having been deleted.
Andy
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Post by Grand Moff Muffin on Apr 14, 2008 6:09:20 GMT
The things I do from time to time to keep my Windows XP hard drive clean, which may or may not exist in Vista: 1. Start - Programs - Accessories - System Tools - Disk Cleanup (do all the default actions, plus, under 'More Options', remove all but the most recent restore point) 2. Start - Programs - Accessories - System Tools - Disk Defragmenter 3. In Internet Explorer, Tools - Internet Options... - Delete Cookies... / Delete Files... / Clear History 4. In TalkTalk Assist & Go, One-click tools - Clear Internet Explorer cache Also, under Control Panel, Add or Remove Programs - remove any software you're not using, and then go and delete the program folder and any residual contents if it isn't deleted completely. Also, back up essential files on multiple CDs and delete from hard drive if not used on a regular basis. That's all.  Edit: Ooh! Ooh! Also, Start - Search - For Files and Folders... - All files and folders - What size is it? Then you can find the really big files, and get rid of them if you know you don't need them. (I wouldn't be surprised if your PC is storing all your viewed YouTube files somewhere in some silly format without your knowledge.) Martin |
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Post by The Doctor on Apr 14, 2008 8:24:26 GMT
I found the Disk clean-up, which cleared some space. Buggered if I can find where the disk defrag is on vista.
Gah! Computers stress me out.
-Ralph
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kayevcee
Fusilateral Quintro Combiner
The Weather Wizard
Posts: 5,527
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Post by kayevcee on Apr 14, 2008 13:29:47 GMT
It's possible (as mentioned in Martin's first point) that System Restore is saving your setup and God knows how much data every few days and not deleting the old versions. I would only turn it on when I'm doing something worrying like adding new components, and the rest of the time it stays off because it was munching hard drive space at a terrifying rate.
-Nick
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2008 17:02:32 GMT
One problem with all of the Windows operating systems is that when you send deleted items to the recycle bin and then subsequently delete them from there it doesn't delete all 100% of them. It will usually delete about 90% of each file you ask to delete and these residual files can really clog up your computer from time to time. 'File Shredding' programs exist that can be downloaded off the net or taken off free disks given away with computer magazines that go one better than the Recycle Bin and delete all 100% of everything you ask it to delete.
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Post by The Doctor on Apr 14, 2008 17:12:23 GMT
I shall try all of the above after the current essay of doom is out the way out of sheer paranoia after deleting something vital.
-Ralph
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