30Gb of my harddrive is missing!

Hello guys, I recently discovered that 30Gb of my harddrive are gone! I checked the partitions and everything, but 30Gb always comes up short.

Now, I'm quite efficient at computers, yet this problem plagued me. I know it's nothing basic like windows taking over with hidden files (already shown those). It's an IBM Lenovo laptop, and I know IBM likes to install a bunch of **** on your computer, but I checked the partitions and it only took out 5Gb of my HDD, what happened to the 30Gb???

Any ideas? What can make that 30Gb invisible? Here is a little more info. My HDD is 100Gb, but I only get to use about 88Gb. When I right click my C (my only partition by the way.) I see 20Gb free out of the 88Gb, but when I select ALL the files (even hiddens) it comes up 38Gb and not 68 like it's supposed to be.

Anyone know how this problem can be solved? THANKS!
Derg

 

Hi dergyll,

It's still there, we just have to find it.

In Control Panel, click on Administrative Tools, then click on Computer Management, then click on Disk Management.

There's two boxes. In the first box, post back with:

Layout; Type; File System; Status (and whether it's System or Boot.

In the second box it'll show "DISK 0 "; what size does it show below that? Then to the right of that it'll show your "C" drive and it's size.

Keep in mind that IBM has an area set aside if you need to repair or reinstall your system in case of a crash (and it's usually hidden). That'll take up some room. Plus, System Restore Points can eat a lot of real estate, too. And your Recycle bin size can take space.

As far as the actual size goes, HDD mfg.'s and MS measure the sizes differently. For instance, my one HDD is 80GB's, but only shows as 74.53GB's in size. My second HDD is 120GB's, but only shows 111.79GB's.

 

Haha thanks guys

But your missing my point! I said the INITIAL was 88Gb (I don't care abou the 12Gb there, pretend that 88Gb is my max capacity), and that I only have 20Gb of free space. ALL my files TOGETHER is only 38Gb, so I'm missing 30Gb.

I know sometimes Gb is defined differently, but 30Gb difference? Comon...

88Gb (usable space) + 5Gb IBM junk + 7Gb Other partitioned space = 100Gb HDD

I'm only concerned about the 88Gb which is missing 30Gb, forget about the other partitions.

HELP, if it's like a few Gbs missing I would care less, but 30Gb, you know how many Richard Simmons videos that is? Only joking

ANY advice is greatly appreciated!
Derg

EDIT: Here's how I came across the problem. I drag and select everything in my C, including hiddens, and it comes up as 20Gb. When I right click on my C, it shows that I'm using 50Gb out of 88Gb...HMMMM...Then I did the same with all my other computers AND Lenovo IBM laptops and they all add up, like for example on my other laptop I drag-select everything and it says 25Gb out of 89Gb, and when I right click C and view the properties I see 26 out of 89....

 

I see your point dergyll - I've come across this sort of thing before, caused by a corrupt recycle bin - happened to me once, and I've fixed it for others on several occasions. In one case there was 100Gb missing - deleted video files mostly (I've got a file utility which can show the files in the Recycler folder).

See this - My recycle bin is corrupt? for a fix. Can't do any harm, and you'll get a brand new shiny recycle bin.