my computer says that i am using 30 GB on my C drive, but when i add up all the stuff that it shows in the drive it only equals 16. where are the other 14 GB coming from?
i need help please.
2007-05-20 09:24:07 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Other - Computers
A hidden partition most likely wouldn't apply. It's hidden, and windows isn't going to count that while you're looking at how much space you're using on drice C:.
If you're making your calculation solely based on the size of your "My Documents" folder or a downloads folder, you're not taking into account all the other things that can take up disk space.
Computers need an Operating System (Like Windows XP) to run, which consumes disk space. The Windows System Restore utility uses a considerable amount of space. Every program you install uses space. If you use a bittorrent client, and you start a download, the client will allocate the disk space whether you've completed the download or not. Your web browser keeps a cache which uses disk space. The swap file that windows uses for virtual memory takes up space. The windows temp folders can also take up tons of disk space.
As you can see, there's so many things that can be eating up your disk space. In today's world of ultra-fast downloads, what you're experiencing is not uncommon.
If you're running out of disk space, external hard drives are fairly affordable and easy to use. Internal hard drives are even cheaper if you or someone you know can install it for you. If you're not running out of space, there's no need for concern.
2007-05-20 09:51:31 · answer #1 · answered by digitalanarchy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hey audi,, Im not sure how tech savvy you are, but you may be asking the same thing ive been asking HP. I am pretty much a master of windows xp and the current 32 bit programs and hardware for it, been online since 94 and pcs since before windows.
I have the same issue, 10 gig hidden, and even a scan with several different hard drive programs tell me i have more space that windows doesnt show me on my womans pc. I have no clue what it is, ive tried many things beyond whats mentioned here, and i will likely contact microsoft next about it. But you should try everything mentioned here. Sometimes it can be a bad Hard drive, but it usally will just say your drive is smaller than it is, rather than not letting you access a certain part.
Using ace utilities, im missing a bit over over 10 gig of space comaperd to what windows says, and my second partition is only 6 gig.
Windows is kinda crappy, what else is weird,, is i deleted about 12 gig of music a long time ago,, and when i run panda online virus scan I see it scanning music for a longggg time, and its the music i deleted, but i cant find it when i use windows to search for it, ive reduced my system recovery to only 1 gig, even turned it off, and ran many defraggers/cleaners, I actually noticed a slowdown during a recent windows update,, mabey it has something to do with them.
PARTITIONS DO NOT TAKE SPACE AWAY FORM THE c: drive, it takes away from the overall space of the drive but under my computer C: it will display the partition beside it usually as D: and the C: will say your total MINUS a partition, so the total of the first partition will not display incorrectly, however the space left has obvisouly been appearing incorrectly for others too.
2007-05-20 16:52:47 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a tool in your pc called System Restore (start > all programs > accessories > system tools > system restore) - this puts your pc back to a previous date if you needed to do this such as if something went wrong with your computer or you had mistakenly deleted a file that you needed to get back.
As such, your computer has to store deleted files in order for it to be able to restore them in such an event - this takes up the space you are talking of.
Other users of space include hardware drivers and the Operating System itself. So it is not just programs and files that take up space, there are all kinds of hidden files backing up your pc that you do not normally see or have access to but are there to keep your computer running optimally.
2007-05-20 16:36:09 · answer #3 · answered by fuelpay.co.uk 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
MOST computers from major mfgrs have a hidden partition where they keep a backup of your OS. It's there to protect you. Some also have a "media direct" partition too.
If you need more space just buy a new HD to add to it.
2007-05-20 16:28:07 · answer #4 · answered by Harrison H 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It probably is partion , It saves room for system restore.get a external hard drive or up-grade your drive, By the sounds of the size of the drive I would get a new system, Cheap now days,Is it a note book or pc......
2007-05-20 16:40:33 · answer #5 · answered by perkie_up 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
May b Hidden files goto explorer and in tools>folder options>view hidden files tick it!
2007-05-20 16:28:39 · answer #6 · answered by Deepak 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi,
Don't worry just do a disk cleanup and defrag your HD to get all your free space back again.
2007-05-20 16:28:47 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is probably your hidden files like your reformatting files, your system files.
2007-05-20 16:28:25 · answer #8 · answered by Gor K 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
did you include your sound card and things like that that also take up space that might not be shown ?
2007-05-20 16:28:08 · answer #9 · answered by LYNN W 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋