Disk size

This is similar to some posts, but I got a new computer. Looking at properties of c: I see 298 GB as reported by Windows XP Media Edition. It shows I have approximately 152 GB used, only I haven't put that much on it. Yes, I have my properties set to show hidden files. Looking at the individual folders they don't come anywhere close to the 152 GB.

I downloaded partition manager just to look. It said the same thing. Then I found out about JDiskReport and downloaded it. It shows 63 GB used (about right)

Since the 152 is waaaaay wrong, anybody knows what gives? Where is the space used if it is used. Even swap space doesn't even add up.

Thank much,

 

You can try SpaceSniffer which gives a graphical view of the HD and look for large files that way. If something shows up you don't recognize ask about it. In general you want to stay out of the WINDOWS folder but that is probably not where the problem lies.

Windirstat is another similar program but I've switched to SS. Both are fine--it is a matter of preference.

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You said new computer--XP Media Centre isn't a new OS. If you mean new to you then that explains it. I only mention it because there was a Lenovo backup program that ate up a great deal of space on some recent models. But if yours isn't Lenovo then it doesn't apply.

 

Could it be counting space still around after file deletion you think?

 

Actually Media Center was put on it because that is what I had before legally. Because of that it we had the ability to put it on. If I had not had it before I'd have ended up with Win 7.

 

That's fine I just wanted to rule out it was a new computer from Packard Bell (I had the company wrong) preloaded with their software. Their backup software was creating multiple full images of the HD which took up HUGE amounts of space and they were super hidden from all most all file system utilities.

Give one of the programs I suggested a quick try and see if something obvious jumps out.

 

I think the default setting for Win XP is to send all deleted files to the Recycle Bin.
The disk space is still occupied by the file(s) until they are deleted from the Recycle Bin.

 

I did have one other thought on this in that I believe XP reserves 12% of the OS partition for System Restore and 10% for the Recycle Bin regardless of how big the HD is. In reality 2-5gb is enough for several Restore Points and 2gb should be enough for Recycle Bin for most users.

If my default sizes are correct then you could have 30gb each for the Recycle Bin and System Restore. It doesn't account for all the space and later SP2-3 versions of XP may have lowered those defaults but it might be worth looking into.

*You can right-click Recycle Bin and select Properties and it should tell you how much space it is reserving.
Opening System Restore should give you a settings option to check that percentage.