Hard drive space disappears.

My ACER ASPIRE 5720-4258
No matter what how much space I free up/uninstall, my hard disk fills up and I cant run windows right.

When I take something off, it gives only temp relief .

Has two drives of 111 gb. C: is full, d: unused

Thank you

 

Greetings, brianc.

A few quick questions:

What operating system version and Service Pack # are you using, and do you have installation and/or recovery disks available?

Do the same symptoms appear while in Safe Mode? If not, try disabling all startups in msconfig > Startups, then selectively enabling until you find the culprit(s).

What type of data is filling up your drive, and under what conditions?

And, do you suspect malware is causing the problem? If so, then go through the Malware Forum's Read & Run Me First thread, perform all of the suggested steps, and attach the requested logs to a new thread in that forum.

 

Thank you for the fast responses.

-I use P2P-extratorrent and torrentz.com
-I do not have installation or back up discs available.
-I'm using 'windows vista home premium
w service pack 2, cpu t2330 @ 1.60ghz, 32 bit

Doing a scan with 'registry mechanic' shows 771 errors. Should I purchase and fix?

This just started to be a huge problem in last few days. Basically, no matter how much memory I have on C drive, it eventually runs out. I get low disc space message and then windows doesnt look right and runs like hades.( So far, no crashes)
I use this system basically for windows and internet, I have very little media on there (maybe 4 dvds worth)

I did space sniffer: what do i look for?
Where to start?

Here is the log
WARN 10:59:49 - Unable to examine C:\$RECYCLE.BIN\S-1-5-21-2629152104-3830098365-3798095007-1004 ( - code 5)
WARN 10:59:49 - Unable to examine C:\$RECYCLE.BIN\S-1-5-21-2629152104-3830098365-3798095007-1005 ( - code 5)
WARN 10:59:49 - Unable to examine C:\$RECYCLE.BIN\S-1-5-21-2629152104-3830098365-3798095007-1006 ( - code 5)
WARN 10:59:49 - Unable to examine C:\$RECYCLE.BIN\S-1-5-21-2629152104-3830098365-3798095007-1007 ( - code 5)
WARN 10:59:49 - Unable to examine C:\$RECYCLE.BIN\S-1-5-21-2629152104-3830098365-3798095007-1008 ( - code 5)
WARN 10:59:49 - Unable to examine C:\$RECYCLE.BIN\S-1-5-21-2629152104-3830098365-3798095007-1009 ( - code 5)
WARN 10:59:49 - Unable to examine C:\$RECYCLE.BIN\S-1-5-21-2629152104-3830098365-3798095007-1010 ( - code 5)
WARN 10:59:49 - Unable to examine C:\$RECYCLE.BIN\S-1-5-21-2629152104-3830098365-3798095007-1011 ( - code 5)
WARN 10:59:49 - Unable to examine C:\$RECYCLE.BIN\S-1-5-21-2629152104-3830098365-3798095007-1012 ( - code 5)
WARN 10:59:49 - Unable to examine C:\$RECYCLE.BIN\S-1-5-21-2629152104-3830098365-3798095007-1013 ( - code 5)
WARN 10:59:49 - Unable to examine C:\$RECYCLE.BIN\S-1-5-21-2629152104-3830098365-3798095007-1014 ( - code 5)
WARN 10:59:49 - Unable to examine C:\$RECYCLE.BIN\S-1-5-21-2629152104-3830098365-3798095007-1015 ( - code 5)
WARN 10:59:49 - Unable to examine C:\$RECYCLE.BIN\S-1-5-21-2629152104-3830098365-3798095007-500 ( - code 5)
WARN 10:59:49 - Unable to examine C:\$RECYCLE.BIN\S-1-5-21-2629152104-3830098365-3798095007-501 ( - code 5)
WARN 10:59:53 - Unable to examine C:\found.000 ( - code 5)
WARN 10:59:53 - Unable to examine C:\MSOCache ( - code 5)
WARN 10:59:53 - Unable to examine C:\PerfLogs ( - code 5)
WARN 10:59:58 - Unable to examine C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Crypto\RSA\S-1-5-18 ( - code 5)
WARN 10:59:58 - Unable to examine C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Network\Downloader ( - code 5)
WARN 10:59:58 - Unable to examine C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Search\Data\Applications\Windows ( - code 5)
WARN 10:59:58 - Unable to examine C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Search\Data\Temp\usgthrsvc ( - code 5)
WARN 10:59:58 - Unable to examine C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WER\ReportQueue\Report0d3f5fae ( - code 5)
WARN 10:59:58 - Unable to examine C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows Defender ( - code 5)
WARN 11:00:03 - Unable to examine C:\ProgramData\Symantec\SRTSP\SrtETmp ( - code 5)
WARN 11:00:04 - Unable to examine C:\System Volume Information ( - code 5)

 

I used 'aml disc cleaner' to fix the registry errors and did disc cleaner, a defrag and virus check (norton)

 

The log you posted shows numerous items in Recycle Bin. Do you know what they are? How large are they? Can you delete them? If you empty your Recycle Bin and then monitor it carefully, do you see it accumulating files which you did not deliberately put there?

 

I emptied the recycle Bin. It was all put in there by me.

I have NOT seen anything random in recycle bin yet.

 

When you use Space Sniffer on C: in the main window are there any very large files you don't recognize? Usually, when HD space suddenly disappears it is one enormous file that is causing the problem.

I'm not sure about your log--I've never generated a log and am unsure what error 5 means. I'll take a look later today to try to find the meaning of that error.

****

Also you might do a chkdsk on C: to see if that finds any errors. The found.000 seems to indicate you had some filesystem errors in the past.
In Computer>right-click C: drive icon>Select Properties>Tools>Check drive for errors>tick both boxes and hit OK. Restart the computer to let it run.

When Vista restarts then right click on the C: drive and see if any change in the amount of used space.

 

"Also you might do a chkdsk on C: to see if that finds any errors. The found.000 seems to indicate you had some filesystem errors in the past.
In Computer>right-click C: drive icon>Select Properties>Tools>Check drive for errors>tick both boxes and hit OK. Restart the computer to let it run."

I was unable to get through the chkdsk process. PC froze up multiple times in step 1 52% through. I had to turn off to reboot.

 

Problem solved, some combination of everything below.

Thank you.

 

Sorry I never got back to this thread. Glad you got some space back.

May I ask how much space your recovered--was it an appreciable amount?

Did you ever get chkdsk to run fully through? You really should try to get it to run through the first 3 stages (this would be with only the first box checked under the tools>check drive for errors window) The surface scan isn't critical. But the basic chkdsk looks for errors in your filesystem and should be able to complete without errors.

 

I went from ZERO in drive C and windows not working to 76.8 GB free.

Not sure what it was:
1)The temp internet files had NEVER been done. My old disc cleaner reported it wrong.
-PC is three years old. Ccleaner is great.

2)I did the malware removal, etc.

3)I changed the system restore and shadow copies.

I had a thought, all these problems started after I had a DVD in my e:drive
It was Weider Elite Powerbell Workout. I bought the powerball retail at a Syracuse, NY area Walmart.

 

With 76gb freed up, I concur problem solved. There was definitely a problem somewhere.
Good work!

 

May I ask what you used? I'd like to be able to tell people what to avoid.