Hard Disk Drive Full But Shouldn't Be

[mark59]

The computer seemed to be stable since I did the system restore. Yesterday evening I put an anti-virus back on it, namely avast! I then updated avast! Then, I did a full scan of the computer with avast! and it was found to be free from malware. The computer restarted fine on each occasion I tried. Then later last night I reinstalled the firewall, namely Outpost. It was also working fine after that. This afternoon I have installed CCleaner. After I had installed it I restarted the computer. Since then all it does is keep freezing. It seems that there is still some problem with it. I am stuck now with where to go with this or what to do. Help and suggestions will be gratefully received.

[pwillener]

I would suggest to make sure Windows Firewall is active, and install Microsoft Security Essentials (if not already installed).

[mark59]

There is a firewall installed on the computer, it is up-to-date, and is active. Microsoft Security Essentials is on the computer. Can you please tell me how these will stop it from freezing and crashing. Because it is still freezing and crashing despite these applications being installed and active.

[plodr]

When the free space on a hard drive drops below 20% it will start to act weird. I think that's why you are exeriencing the freezeups. Her computer requires less than 25GB used.

The computer only has a 31GB hd which is too small for a modern version of Windows, a firewall and an antivirus program (about 72MB before updates) that gets lots of updates. The security updates and patches to Windows once or twice a month will eat up the small amount of space remaining.

[mark59]

It looks like the best solution is going to be a new hard drive. I also think that while that is being done it would be worth getting Windows 7 installed. It runs on Windows Vista and I don't think that was the best version of Windows to say the least.

[mjnc]

For reference purposes, here are the System Requirements.

Windows Vista:
wikipedia: Vista requirements
Microsoft: Vista requirements

Windows 7:
wikipedia: Minimum hardware requirements for Windows 7
Microsoft: Windows 7 system requirements

[mark59]

Originally Posted by mjnc

For reference purposes, here are the System Requirements.

Windows Vista:
wikipedia: Vista requirements
Microsoft: Vista requirements

Windows 7:
wikipedia: Minimum hardware requirements for Windows 7
Microsoft: Windows 7 system requirements

Those, of course, state the minimum space required on the hard drive for Windows itself. What sort of size hard drive would be needed for a PC to be able to have Windows 7 installed and allow for its growth. We also need to keep in mind that the full choice won't be possible due to economic reasons.

[mark59]

Originally Posted by pwillener

... install Microsoft Security Essentials (if not already installed).

Is Microsoft Security Essentials necessary? There is a firewall and anti-virus programme on the computer (let's forget for now, it's playing up). Is Microsoft Security Essentials required if such applications are installed? Is it necessary? Is it overkill? Would they conflict?

[LancashireLass]

You don't say which anti virus program you are using.
Some of these create huge log files.
I recently upgraded Kaspersky Pure to Kaspersky Pure2 and did not realise Pure2 was set to create all log files by default, within days it had used up over a hundred gig of C: drive.
If the problem PC also uses Pure2 then you need to make sure it is not set to log none critical reports.
Also check that the support log files are not being created and the solution to that is here:
http://forum.kaspersky.com/index.php?showtopic=233578

[mark59]

Thank you for your suggestion. It isn't Kaspersky. I don't think anything that you suggest is going to help. Gaining a little bit of space here or there is too little. It needs significant more space than can be gained in this way. I think it's going to take a new hard drive to fix it.

[mark59]

I went to a computer shop today run by a very honest man. I asked him to quote a price for upgrading my mother-in-law's laptop with a larger hard drive. He asked me if I had any external storage. I told him yes I had a 500 Gb external hard drive. He said take everything you want off the laptop onto that. Then use the recovery disk to re-set the laptop to the factory settings and you will acquire a lot of space. So, a completely free way to solve the issue. Another place wanted UK£50 before they even looked at it. Nice to know there's some really honest folk out there if you look.