[waynf]

Exactly what chews up free space on Hard drive? Is it programs or Files and Data. I have seen my free space dwindle over the past few months and never really understood the relationship between Hard Drive memory and Virtual Memory.

[Advertisements]

If it's in your hard drive, it chews up free space. But while there may be lots of data in the hard drive (in the form of files and such), there are also data in other storage areas (such as CDs, USB flash drives, and physical memory). Even the motherboard itself has data in it.

As for virtual memory, that's actually some space used by the hard drive itself to serve as "assistant memory" for the actual physical memory which is not a part of the hard drive. The physical memory usually handles the data for any program or file that's currently running, but it can't always handle all the data that's currently running on its own, so that's where the virtual memory comes to the rescue and saves the day. Thanks to virtual memory, some burden is eased off the physical memory and your computer can still run as perfectly as before even with more data running at the same time.

By the way, the file that's responsible for the virtual memory on Windows is pagefile.sys. Hard drive memory and virtual memory are basically the same thing.

[Amlak]

If it's in your hard drive, it chews up free space. But while there may be lots of data in the hard drive (in the form of files and such), there are also data in other storage areas (such as CDs, USB flash drives, and physical memory). Even the motherboard itself has data in it.

As for virtual memory, that's actually some space used by the hard drive itself to serve as "assistant memory" for the actual physical memory which is not a part of the hard drive. The physical memory usually handles the data for any program or file that's currently running, but it can't always handle all the data that's currently running on its own, so that's where the virtual memory comes to the rescue and saves the day. Thanks to virtual memory, some burden is eased off the physical memory and your computer can still run as perfectly as before even with more data running at the same time.

By the way, the file that's responsible for the virtual memory on Windows is pagefile.sys. Hard drive memory and virtual memory are basically the same thing.

[waynf]

So am I to understand that programs do not take up the memory of the hard drive. My hard drive free space is quite low 69.1 GB used, free space 5.38 GB so there's not much left, and was wondering if too many programs might be the problem.

[Amlak]

A program is usually a bunch of files that perform some major task together. So it's still files at the end of the day.

Yes, too many unnecessary programs can chew up a lot of free space.

Would you like some help and suggestions on what to remove?

[waynf]

Yes I would

[Amlak]

Download MiniToolBox Checkmark following boxes:


List last 10 Event Viewer log
List Installed Programs
List Users, Partitions and Memory size
List Devices (problems only)

Click Go and paste the resultant log in your next reply.

[waynf]

MiniToolBox by Farbar Version: 23-07-2012
Ran by Wayne (administrator) on 13-09-2012 at 07:23:35
Microsoft Windows XP Professional Service Pack 3 (X86)
Boot Mode: Normal
***************************************************************************

========================= Event log errors: ===============================

Application errors:
==================
Error: (09/11/2012 00:05:19 PM) (Source: COM+) (User: )
Description: The run-time environment was unable to initialize for transactions required to support transactional components. Make sure that MS-DTC is running. (DtcGetTransactionManagerEx(): hr = 0x8004d01b)

Error: (09/07/2012 07:49:50 PM) (Source: Application Error) (User: )
Description: Faulting application showtime.exe, version 3.9.0.1, faulting module vp6dec.ax, version 6.4.2.0, fault address 0x00001b02.
Processing media-specific event for [showtime.exe!ws!]

Error: (09/07/2012 00:04:35 PM) (Source: COM+) (User: )
Description: The run-time environment was unable to initialize for transactions required to support transactional components. Make sure that MS-DTC is running. (DtcGetTransactionManagerEx(): hr = 0x8004d01b)

Error: (08/31/2012 00:02:52 PM) (Source: COM+) (User: )
Description: The run-time environment was unable to initialize for transactions required to support transactional components. Make sure that MS-DTC is running. (DtcGetTransactionManagerEx(): hr = 0x8004d01b)

Error: (08/30/2012 00:02:56 PM) (Source: COM+) (User: )
Description: The run-time environment was unable to initialize for transactions required to support transactional components. Make sure that MS-DTC is running. (DtcGetTransactionManagerEx(): hr = 0x8004d01b)

Error: (08/29/2012 00:03:20 PM) (Source: COM+) (User: )
Description: The run-time environment was unable to initialize for transactions required to support transactional components. Make sure that MS-DTC is running. (DtcGetTransactionManagerEx(): hr = 0x8004d01b)

Error: (08/25/2012 00:02:48 PM) (Source: COM+) (User: )
Description: The run-time environment was unable to initialize for transactions required to support transactional components. Make sure that MS-DTC is running. (DtcGetTransactionManagerEx(): hr = 0x8004d01b)

Error: (08/20/2012 00:02:52 PM) (Source: COM+) (User: )
Description: The run-time environment was unable to initialize for transactions required to support transactional components. Make sure that MS-DTC is running. (DtcGetTransactionManagerEx(): hr = 0x8004d01b)

Error: (08/17/2012 00:02:49 PM) (Source: COM+) (User: )
Description: The run-time environment was unable to initialize for transactions required to support transactional components. Make sure that MS-DTC is running. (DtcGetTransactionManagerEx(): hr = 0x8004d01b)

Error: (08/16/2012 00:03:34 PM) (Source: COM+) (User: )
Description: The run-time environment was unable to initialize for transactions required to support transactional components. Make sure that MS-DTC is running. (DtcGetTransactionManagerEx(): hr = 0x8004d01b)


System errors:
=============
Error: (09/12/2012 09:24:55 AM) (Source: Service Control Manager) (User: )
Description: The Avira Realtime Protection service terminated unexpectedly. It has done this 1 time(s). The following corrective action will be taken in 0 milliseconds: Restart the service.

Error: (09/12/2012 09:24:55 AM) (Source: Service Control Manager) (User: )
Description: The ScRegSetValueExW call failed for FailureActions with the following error:
%%5

Error: (09/12/2012 09:24:55 AM) (Source: Service Control Manager) (User: )
Description: The ScRegSetValueExW call failed for FailureActions with the following error:
%%5

Error: (09/11/2012 00:05:31 PM) (Source: Removable Storage Service) (User: )
Description: RSM could not load media in drive Drive 0 of library Generic Flash Disk USB Device.

Error: (09/11/2012 00:05:28 PM) (Source: Removable Storage Service) (User: )
Description: RSM could not load media in drive Drive 0 of library Generic Flash Disk USB Device.

Error: (09/11/2012 00:05:20 PM) (Source: Service Control Manager) (User: )
Description: The Distributed Transaction Coordinator service depends on the Security Accounts Manager service which failed to start because of the following error:
%%1058

Error: (09/10/2012 06:18:38 AM) (Source: Service Control Manager) (User: )
Description: The IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service service failed to start due to the following error:
%%1053

Error: (09/10/2012 06:18:38 AM) (Source: Service Control Manager) (User: )
Description: Timeout (30000 milliseconds) waiting for the IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service service to connect.

Error: (09/10/2012 06:18:37 AM) (Source: Service Control Manager) (User: )
Description: Timeout (30000 milliseconds) waiting for a transaction response from the NVSvc service.

Error: (09/07/2012 05:18:31 PM) (Source: Service Control Manager) (User: )
Description: The IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service service failed to start due to the following error:
%%1053


Microsoft Office Sessions:
=========================
Error: (09/11/2012 00:05:19 PM) (Source: COM+)(User: )
Description: (DtcGetTransactionManagerEx(): hr = 0x8004d01b)

Error: (09/07/2012 07:49:50 PM) (Source: Application Error)(User: )
Description: showtime.exe3.9.0.1vp6dec.ax6.4.2.000001b02

Error: (09/07/2012 00:04:35 PM) (Source: COM+)(User: )
Description: (DtcGetTransactionManagerEx(): hr = 0x8004d01b)

Error: (08/31/2012 00:02:52 PM) (Source: COM+)(User: )
Description: (DtcGetTransactionManagerEx(): hr = 0x8004d01b)

Error: (08/30/2012 00:02:56 PM) (Source: COM+)(User: )
Description: (DtcGetTransactionManagerEx(): hr = 0x8004d01b)

Error: (08/29/2012 00:03:20 PM) (Source: COM+)(User: )
Description: (DtcGetTransactionManagerEx(): hr = 0x8004d01b)

Error: (08/25/2012 00:02:48 PM) (Source: COM+)(User: )
Description: (DtcGetTransactionManagerEx(): hr = 0x8004d01b)

Error: (08/20/2012 00:02:52 PM) (Source: COM+)(User: )
Description: (DtcGetTransactionManagerEx(): hr = 0x8004d01b)

Error: (08/17/2012 00:02:49 PM) (Source: COM+)(User: )
Description: (DtcGetTransactionManagerEx(): hr = 0x8004d01b)

Error: (08/16/2012 00:03:34 PM) (Source: COM+)(User: )
Description: (DtcGetTransactionManagerEx(): hr = 0x8004d01b)


=========================== Installed Programs ============================

1400 (Version: 50.0.206.000)
1400_Help (Version: 50.0.206.000)
1400Trb (Version: 50.0.206.000)
Adobe Flash Player 11 ActiveX (Version: 11.2.202.235)
Adobe Flash Player 11 Plugin (Version: 11.4.402.265)
Adobe Reader 9.5.1 (Version: 9.5.1)
Adobe Shockwave Player 11 (Version: 11)
Agere Systems PCI Soft Modem
AiO_Scan (Version: 50.0.206.000)
AiOSoftware (Version: 50.0.206.000)
Ask Toolbar (Version: 1.15.4.0)
Avira Free Antivirus (Version: 12.0.0.1199)
BufferChm (Version: 53.0.13.000)
Canon Camera Access Library (Version: 8.4.0.1)
Canon Camera Support Core Library (Version: 7.3.1.6)
Canon G.726 WMP-Decoder (Version: 1.1.0.4)
Canon MovieEdit Task for ZoomBrowser EX (Version: 2.6.0.4)
Canon RAW Image Task for ZoomBrowser EX (Version: 0.9.3.9)
Canon Utilities CameraWindow (Version: 7.1.0.2)
Canon Utilities CameraWindow DC (Version: 7.1.0.7)
Canon Utilities CameraWindow DC_DV 5 for ZoomBrowser EX (Version: 5.4.5.17)
Canon Utilities CameraWindow DC_DV 6 for ZoomBrowser EX (Version: 6.4.2.16)
Canon Utilities EOS Utility (Version: 1.1.0.8)
Canon Utilities MyCamera (Version: 6.4.0.5)
Canon Utilities MyCamera DC (Version: 7.0.1.8)
Canon Utilities PhotoStitch (Version: 3.1.21.45)
Canon Utilities RemoteCapture Task for ZoomBrowser EX (Version: 1.7.1.9)
Canon Utilities ZoomBrowser EX (Version: 6.1.0.20)
Canon ZoomBrowser EX Memory Card Utility (Version: 1.1.0.8)
CCleaner (Version: 3.17)
CP_Package_Variety1 (Version: 53.0.13.000)
CP_Package_Variety2 (Version: 53.0.13.000)
CP_Package_Variety3 (Version: 53.0.13.000)
CustomerResearchQFolder (Version: 1.00.0000)
dBpoweramp Music Converter (Version: Release 13.1)
Destinations (Version: 53.0.13.000)
DeviceManagementQFolder (Version: 1.00.0000)
DocProc (Version: 5.2.0.0)
eSupportQFolder (Version: 1.00.0000)
Fax (Version: 50.0.206.000)
FrostWire 4.17.2 (Version: 4.17.2.0)
Google Update Helper (Version: 1.3.21.123)
HP Extended Capabilities 5.3 (Version: 5.3)
HP Image Zone Express (Version: 1.5.1.29)
HP Imaging Device Functions 5.3 (Version: 5.3)
HP PSC & OfficeJet 5.3.B
HP Software Update (Version: 3.0.5.001)
HP Solution Center & Imaging Support Tools 5.3 (Version: 5.3)
HPProductAssistant (Version: 53.0.13.000)
Internet Call Manager
Java Auto Updater (Version: 2.0.7.1)
Java™ 6 Update 31 (Version: 6.0.310)
Junk Mail filter update (Version: 14.0.8117.416)
K-Lite Codec Pack 4.4.5 (Full) (Version: 4.4.5)
Ledger (Version: 1.10.0.0)
Logitech Desktop Messenger
Logitech Print Service
Logitech QuickCam Software (Version: 8.47.0000)
Logitech® Camera Driver
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
MarketResearch (Version: 53.0.13.000)
Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0
Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 (Version: 2.0.50727)
Microsoft Application Error Reporting (Version: 12.0.6012.5000)
Microsoft Choice Guard (Version: 2.0.48.0)
Microsoft Internationalized Domain Names Mitigation APIs
Microsoft National Language Support Downlevel APIs
Microsoft Office Live Add-in 1.3 (Version: 2.0.2313.0)
Microsoft Office Outlook Connector (Version: 12.0.6423.1000)
Microsoft Office Professional Edition 2003 (Version: 11.0.5614.0)
Microsoft Primary Interoperability Assemblies 2005 (Version: 8.0.50727.42)
Microsoft Search Enhancement Pack (Version: 1.2.123.0)
Microsoft Silverlight (Version: 4.0.60310.0)
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition [ENU] (Version: 3.1.0000)
Microsoft Sync Framework Runtime Native v1.0 (x86) (Version: 1.0.1215.0)
Microsoft Sync Framework Services Native v1.0 (x86) (Version: 1.0.1215.0)
Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable (Version: 8.0.56336)
Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable - x86 9.0.21022 (Version: 9.0.21022)
Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable - x86 9.0.30729.17 (Version: 9.0.30729)
Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable - x86 9.0.30729.4148 (Version: 9.0.30729.4148)
Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 x86 Redistributable - 10.0.40219 (Version: 10.0.40219)
Microsoft_VC90_CRT_x86 (Version: 1.0.0)
Mozilla Firefox 14.0.1 (x86 en-US) (Version: 14.0.1)
Mozilla Maintenance Service (Version: 14.0.1)
MSVCRT (Version: 14.0.1468.721)
Musette version 2.9.8
MyHeritage Family Tree Builder (Version: 6.0.0.5634)
Nero 7 Ultra Edition (Version: 7.02.8637)
neroxml (Version: 1.0.0)
NewCopy (Version: 50.0.206.000)
NTREGOPT 1.1j
NVIDIA Drivers
PCI Audio Driver
ProductContext (Version: 50.0.206.000)
Readme (Version: 50.0.206.000)
Recuva (Version: 1.43)
Scan (Version: 5.2.0.0)
ScannerCopy (Version: 5.2.0.0)
Segoe UI (Version: 14.0.4327.805)
SolutionCenter (Version: 50.0.152.000)
SpywareBlaster 4.1 (Version: 4.1.0)
Status (Version: 53.0.13.000)
TrayApp (Version: 53.0.13.000)
Unload (Version: 5.0.0)
Visual C++ 8.0 ATL (x86) WinSXS MSM (Version: 8.0.50727.762)
Visual C++ 8.0 CRT (x86) WinSXS MSM (Version: 8.0.50727.762)
VLC media player 1.1.5 (Version: 1.1.5)
WebFldrs XP (Version: 9.50.7523)
WebReg (Version: 53.0.13.000)
Windows Imaging Component (Version: 3.0.0.0)
Windows Internet Explorer 7 (Version: 20070813.185237)
Windows Live Call (Version: 14.0.8117.0416)
Windows Live Communications Platform (Version: 14.0.8117.416)
Windows Live Essentials (Version: 14.0.8117.0416)
Windows Live Essentials (Version: 14.0.8117.416)
Windows Live Mail (Version: 14.0.8117.0416)
Windows Live Messenger (Version: 14.0.8117.0416)
Windows Live Photo Gallery (Version: 14.0.8117.416)
Windows Live Sign-in Assistant (Version: 5.000.818.5)
Windows Live Sync (Version: 14.0.8117.416)
Windows Live Toolbar (Version: 14.0.8117.416)
Windows Live Upload Tool (Version: 14.0.8014.1029)
Windows Live Writer (Version: 14.0.8117.0416)
Windows Media Encoder 9 Series
Windows Media Encoder 9 Series (Version: 9.00.2980)
Windows Media Format Runtime
Windows Media Player 10
Windows XP Service Pack 3 (Version: 20080414.031525)
WinRAR archiver
Yahoo! Detect
Yahoo! Messenger
YouTube Clip Extractor 2.2.0.7

========================= Devices: ================================


========================= Memory info: ===================================

Percentage of memory in use: 74%
Total physical RAM: 446.42 MB
Available physical RAM: 116.02 MB
Total Pagefile: 1727.3 MB
Available Pagefile: 1382.2 MB
Total Virtual: 2047.88 MB
Available Virtual: 1973.98 MB

========================= Partitions: =====================================

2 Drive c: () (Fixed) (Total:74.53 GB) (Free:5.4 GB) NTFS
4 Drive e: () (Removable) (Total:3.8 GB) (Free:3.79 GB) FAT32

========================= Users: ========================================

User accounts for \\WAYNE-5BB001150

Administrator Guest HelpAssistant
SUPPORT_388945a0 Wayne


**** End of log ****

[Amlak]

Ok, let's see which folder is occupying the most space. We're going to have to do this step by step together.

Download the setup file for TreeSize Free here and save it to your computer.

Once downloaded, double-click the setup file that was just downloaded and follow the prompts to let it install itself.

Once it's installed, the TreeSize Free program should automatically launch.

In the open program window, click the Scan menu and select the C: drive.

A list of folders will be displayed arranged by size. If you could tell me which folder is mentioned at the top of the displayed list (and how much size it is), that would be great. We'll just go step by step from there.

[waynf]

Sorry for the delay as i had some non-pc domestic issues to deal with, however here is some info for you

The top folder Documents and Settings is reading out as 62,072 MB

[Amlak]

No worries, waynf.

I guess we can now rule out the fact that the programs are the issue.

I'm guessing it may be you have a lot of pictures in there or music files or movies/videos. Could that be the case?

Let's find out:

Click the Start menu and right-click My Documents.

Select Properties.

In the My Documents Properties dialog box, click on the General tab. You should see the size of the folder displayed.

Please state the mentioned size here.

[waynf]

58 GB

[Amlak]

I'm guessing there's the culprit. Do you have a storage medium to back up some data to? Like an external hard drive?

There seem to be a lot of files in at least one of the folders under My Documents. Either pictures, music, videos, or even documents. If you wish to free up some space, move them to an external hard drive and you'll thus have a lot of free space left.

[rshaffer61]

Just a simple suggestion that may open up a lot of free space.

Download TFC by OldTimer to your desktop

• Please double-click TFC.exe to run it. (Note: If you are running on Vista, right-click on the file and choose Run As Administrator).
• It will close all programs when run, so make sure you have saved all your work before you begin.
• Click the Start button to begin the process. Depending on how often you clean temp files, execution time should be anywhere from a few seconds to a minute or two. Let it run uninterrupted to completion.
• Once it's finished it should reboot your machine. If it does not, please manually reboot the machine yourself to ensure a complete clean.

Background info courtesy of DonnaB Thank you

As for TFC, this is a tidbit of an article I found a while back by a MicroSoft MVP.

TFC (Temp File Cleaner) will clear out all temp folders for all user accounts (temp, IE temp, java, FF, Opera, Chrome, Safari), including Administrator, All Users, LocalService, NetworkService, and any other accounts in the user folder. It also cleans out the %systemroot%\temp folder and checks for .tmp files in the %systemdrive% root folder, %systemroot%, and the system32 folder (both 32bit and 64bit on 64bit OSs). It shows the amount removed for each location found (in bytes) and the total removed (in MB).

Before running, it will stop Explorer and all other running applications. When finished, if a reboot is required the user must reboot to finish clearing any in-use temp files.
-- TFC only cleans temp folders.
-- TFC will not clean URL history, prefetch, or cookies. Depending on how often someone cleans their temp folders, their system hardware, and how many accounts are present, it can take anywhere from a few seconds to a minute or more. TFC will completely clear all temp files where other temp file cleaners may fail.

[waynf]

Well all this seems to be answereing my questions. I don't have an external hard drive, but i do have an older pc, namely a Windows 98SE that is functioning and I could use that for storing some of those GB Guzzlers. I do have a lot of music, video files in there so maybe that will solve the problem or invest in some flash drives to store those files on. I have tried storing files on DVD's but they only allow the retrieval of the latest data.

[Amlak]

Do keep in mind that your other computer also needs to have ample space to store those files. If not, you might have to end up buying an external drive big enough to store them.