Unable to do a "disk cleanup"

Recently I have been unable to complete a "disk cleanup "
(as in PROGRAMS->ACESSORIES->SYSTEM TOOLS-->DISK CLEANUP). When the operation starts , it posts its window showing the amount of files that are eligible for disposal, however none of the boxes/squares on the left are checked.
It will not manually allow "check-mark" any of the boxes. Subsequent
disk-cleanup operations are showing an increasing amount of files piling up. The "XP Home" system is up-to-date Windows maintenance-wise. And yes, at one point this operation did work..I cannot identify a specific time or update operation that caused this operation to stop functioning. Appreciate any advice.

 

In this order:

- start~run~cmd then chkdsk c: /r and do the stuff so it will run at next boot then reboot.

- after it restarts, dump all your temporary internet files and temp files.

- do a virus scan from an online scanning site like RAV.

- try the cleanup again.

- if it fails, start~run~cmd then sfc /scanonce. If problems are found, you'll need to have your XP Install CD handy since you will need to insert it.

 

If Newt's doesn't work here is one, back up the registry first: This is from an old post John Candy provided to someone. It works in Windows 2000 also. This I know from experience.

Disk Cleanup hangs

1. Type Regedit in Start - Run
2. Navigate to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersi
on\Explorer\Volume Caches
3. Open "Compress Old Files" folder
4. Delete all files in this folder
5. Reboot
6. Run Disk Cleanup

 

I followed the procedures outlined by Newt and Maggie and
I still cannot check the boxes on the "disk cleanup" window. I must admit that the number of files eligible for disposal have significantly diminished. The "compress old files" option has disappeared from the list of clean-able files. I run a weekly regimen of Spy-Bot, System Mechanic and Ad-Aware, several of which manipulaate the registry. Could any of those have a negative effect on my system? BTW thanks very much for the prompt honest replies to my plea. W-BBS is invaluable!

 

OMG that didn't happen to me. I still had all the options.
To get rid of the temp files go to the run box and type temp the select all and delete. This is supposed to fix disk cleanup also. But it might be your only way to clean those files out.

 

thanks Maggie, I did not know that I could do a RUN-->TEMP
to delete files. Did that, deleted the files. Disk Cleanup still says that a significant number of files are eligible for disposal. WOW! talk about Windows ignorance on my part! BTW the procedure that you outlined in your previous post is described in
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article - 812248, also new news to me.
I guess the only option at this point is to use the dreaded
H-P Pavillion hidden partition that restores the system to an ice age level of code (XP day 1). thx again.

 

I've had that fix since right after windows 2000 came out Microsoft finally put that on their website recently. Maybe they got enough complaints through support to post it.

This usually happens when you have upgraded the install. Not always ,but I did a lot of searching when it happened to me and got it off an old thread at the Tek-Tips Forum. Lost the link but they got it off a groups.google.com search.

There is more to the deleting temp that I forgot.
If you receive an error because some files are in use, press OK. Delete as many objects as you can individually.
Use Control Panel to open the Internet Options applet.
Press Delete Files on the General Tab.
Check the Delete all offline content box and press OK.
Close the dialog.
Open My Computer from the Start menu.
Right-click the drive you wish to clean and press Properties.
Press Disk Cleanup.