Missing Hard Drive Space? 50% of data unaccounted for!

sironside · #1 11-17-2003, 01:32 AM

Ok I am really quite confused with this now.......

If I open up my C:\ in explorer and select all items and then look at properties it comes up with 9 GB's of data.

When I right click on the C:\ icon and look at properties it comes up with 18 GB's of data.

I have absolutely no idea why there is a 50% discreprency between the two numbers.

As far as I can see there is only 9 GB's of data.........why the reading on the properties under the "My Computer" shows up 18GB's I have no idea.

Any ideas as to what is going on here?

LooseChippings · #2 11-17-2003, 02:21 AM

With Windows Explorer open ...

Tools > Folder Options > View ... Ensure Show hidden files and folders is checked > OK

Re-select your files and folders and do a recheck of the size.

inoesomestuff · #3 11-17-2003, 03:18 AM

same happens for me... i think its cuz of my problem ( i have a post on it) also, have the hidden files and system files shown

Dr Forinor · #4 11-17-2003, 05:40 AM

Also check your System restore points, they tend to take up a lot space depending on how it is set.

Right-click on My Computer -> Properties -> System Restore tab -> Set it to a percentage lower (if it is too high, I always have it at 8%).

You can also clean up your previous restore points and leave the last restore point recorded (only do this if you are sure that the last restore point is quite good and you would be happy if you were to go back to that point).

My computer -> Right click on C: -> Properties -> Click on "Disk Cleanup" (in the General tab) -> Click on the "More options" tab -> Click on "Clean up" under the System Restore heading -> Click Yes -> Click Ok -> Click ok

Now have a look. Hope this helped.

sironside · #5 11-17-2003, 01:50 PM

Ok, I already had the "show hidden files" option on, always do......but I never tried dumping the old restore points before.

I just finished running the disk cleanup on the previous restore points and here's my results now:

9.32 GB's using the right click-->properties of all folders located in the c:\

12.0 GB's using the right click-->properties of the c:\ in 'My Computer'

So that definately was a contributing factor.......cleaned up 6 GB's of old restore points!!

Now I am only down to 3GB's missing in action....

Dr Forinor · #6 11-17-2003, 02:43 PM

Lol, at least I saved you 6Gb. Now for the other 3Gb.... hhhmmm.... maybe system files and system folders are taking it up?

They would not come under "hidden files and folders", the option to view them is below the "hidden files and folders" option when you uncheck it.

Uncheck the "system files and folders" options and now have a look.

waresoft · #7 11-17-2003, 02:57 PM

Your recycle bin takes up 10% by default. Your paging file takes up 1 1/2 times your ram by default. Your hibernation file takes up the exact amount of your physical ram. Those 3 things could be acounting for alot of your disk space. Not to mention your system restore points as pointed out in a post above.

inoesomestuff · #8 11-18-2003, 01:11 AM

i have the same problem but mine is wayyy off

in c properties it says 36.0GB is used
by selecting all in c drive (with system files and hidden files shown) 18.8 GB. im running without pagefile because of this stupid error that i have (see other post) and i have system restore set at 4% (2887MB)

Paperbag · #9 11-23-2003, 02:50 AM

I'm having the same problem too. I selected all in C\ including hidden folders and files, it says I only used 2GBs. But The properties told me I used up 5Gbs?!?! Where did the other 3GBs went?

bsbozzy · #10 11-23-2003, 05:30 AM

ok check your hibernation, swap file, disk clean up, and worms, i had the same prob then ifix it all, now 120 gigs of freedom ahhh

Play_The_0dds · #11 11-23-2003, 10:27 AM

is it possible for the people with the problem to post the brand name of the computer, if the computers in question have onboard restore systems you will have mystery space that you cannot find files for, example, a hp computer with a D: drive with restore files will show a 5 gig partition with a little over 4 used, you can only account for about 1 gig of the space. they hid files for the software bundle so you can just pass out installers for the programs that came with your pc, for example, a compaq pressario(pre hp merger) look in the D: drive you will find many zip folders with numbers for names, open them up, may have to open several sub folders and you will find drivers, system setting scripts, micro soft works, money, win dvd, now the works and money will install on anything, but the windvd will only install on a compaq. anyway the point is they hide system backup files on your computer, the new models hide very well in a attempt to avoid virus corruption to restore files. as for inoesomestuff with half his drive unaccounted for have you ever used other defrag programs, drive cleaners before this started, if so could you list them.

polobunny · #12 11-24-2003, 12:52 AM

Maybe also there is just another admin on the computer and he hides his things (ya know privacy with password) . Duh , that sound to simple to be it thought

inoesomestuff · #13 11-24-2003, 01:21 AM

i have a custom made computer and i am the only one that uses it. when i try to go to C:\System Volume Information it says access is denied. i think most of the missing space is in this hidden folder

polobunny · #14 11-24-2003, 02:57 PM

It's normal that you can't access system volume

bsbozzy · #15 11-25-2003, 05:47 AM

you can, change your ntfs permissions to allow everyone to read it