I have a 120g and a 160g harddrive. What I've noticed is say for example, I have used 100g (so approx 20g left) on the 120, and I delete say 10g, I should be left with 30g free space. But that is not the case. I still have 20g free, and 90g used. My hd space is being unaccounted for after I delete files! I have cleared recycling bin, temp files etc but those shouldn't matter anyways. Help would be greatly appreciated. If this sounds like a virus, norton isn't picking it up. Any suggestions?
2007-12-04 02:22:36 · 6 answers · asked by Hurly 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Other - Hardware
Clean the Recycle bin...
2007-12-04 02:25:16 · answer #1 · answered by psychopiet 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Have you emptied the Recycle Bin? When a file is deleted, it is moved to the Recycle Bin rather then actually deleted to give you a "failsafe" should you need to "undelete" the file. The space is not actually freed until the Recycle Bin is emptied. (Or files within deleted again from the bin, if you do not want to empty everything.)
Also try defraging the hard drive. Sometimes if the files you deleted were badly fragment (scattered in parts around the hard drive), the freed up sections will be so small that they are not freed for reuse. A defrag will move the files around on your drive so that all the parts of each file are together, and any tiny free spaces are all moved together.
2007-12-04 02:27:12 · answer #2 · answered by dewcoons 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I see most posts here have beat me to explaining all possibilities.
1. All hard drives uses about 10% or so for the files system and other important OS files, so it will get listed with a bit less than whats written on it.
2. If you deleted it, emptied the recycle bin and still dont have your space back, try the following few things:
Right click on Recycle bin->Click the square tick box saying "Do not move my files to recycle bin...." and click apply. You can then uncheck it again and apply again.
Also try a reboot after this.
Try using scandisc and after that defrag.
If all else fails, format+reinstall
2007-12-04 02:52:07 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the size of a drive is not as what you would think. I have a 350gb hard drive hooked up as a second, and i use it for music ect. when I formatted it it said there was only 338gb. some of the drive is used for system files and instructions for the pc. its nothing to worry about its just the manufactures dont tell you that you will have full access to all the drive. hope this helps
2007-12-04 02:28:11 · answer #4 · answered by flikapotamus 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
maybe it's a file system error, try running checkdisk from DOS, or partition the whole thing with partition magic, backing up all your files of course.... I also STRONGLY recommend using ccleaner...............com
2007-12-04 02:27:20 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try defragging your hard drive.
2007-12-04 02:26:03 · answer #6 · answered by Imarai 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋