1. You are viewing our forum as a guest. For full access please Register. WindowsBBS.com is completely free, paid for by advertisers and donations.

No room to defrag

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by ILGal, 2006/05/16.

  1. 2006/05/16
    ILGal

    ILGal Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2006/04/03
    Messages:
    19
    Likes Received:
    0
    I have WinXP Home Edition installed on the C partition of an 80 GB hard drive. 13.9 GB has been allocated to C. I have 2.27 GB free on C. I've moved as many things over to the D partition as I can think of (except MS Office - I thought I remembered reading somewhere that Office and Windows need to be on the same partition??).

    Anyway, I can't defrag because I get an "out of room" message.

    Any ideas?

    ILGal
     
    ILGal,
    #1
  2. 2006/05/16
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/05/10
    Messages:
    28,896
    Likes Received:
    389
    You need about 25% free space on a drive to be able to fragment it - ~3.5 Gb on your drive.

    Apart from clearing out all temporary files and folders from

    Documents & Settings\User ....

    Start > Run > type in %temp% > OK which opens the temp folder - all files/folders are safe to delete (a couple will be in use and cannot be deleted)

    And C:\Windows\ Temp - same comment applies

    And Temporary Internet files

    You could move the pagefile from C:\ to D:\ which may free up enough room. To do this right click My Computer icon > Properties > Advanced > Performance > Settings > Advanced > Virtual Memory.

    Highlight the C:\ drive > click on Custom size and type in Min size 2 Mb, Max size 500 Mb

    Then click on D:\ drive and set a custom size equal to 1.5 x the installed RAM on your computer.

    The small pagefile remaining on C:\ is to allow a memory dump if the computer blue screens.

    Apply and OK out - you will need to reboot to enable the settings.

    Whether or not this will free up enough space I don't know for certain.

    As to having Office on the same partition as Windows - I have not heard of that before, but I don't see a problem in installing it on the D:\ partition.

    It is also possible to move the My Documents folder to D:\ - would help if it is of significant size - post back if you want to do this - it is not a straight copy procedure.
     
    PeteC,
    #2


  3. to hide this advert.

  4. 2006/05/16
    ILGal

    ILGal Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2006/04/03
    Messages:
    19
    Likes Received:
    0
    Pete, I've reset the swap file size and that gained me some room. I'll try a defrag and see what happens.

    I moved My Documents awhile back - thanks for that suggestion, though.

    ILGal
     
    ILGal,
    #3
  5. 2006/05/16
    charlesvar

    charlesvar Inactive Alumni

    Joined:
    2002/02/18
    Messages:
    7,024
    Likes Received:
    0
    Hello ILGal,

    Another file that you can work with is XP's System Restore files. The default max size is 12% of partition size. Its a hidden system file - don't bother trying to work with it manually.

    Right click My Computer > Properties > System Restore tab.

    Shrink the size of the SR file for the C Partition - highlight the C partition > settings. There under Disk space usage, move the slider to the left (Mn) to shrink the size. Minimum should leave about 3 / 4 days (if the file system is NTFS - less if FAT32) of the lastest restore points.

    Regards - Charles
     
    charlesvar,
    #4
  6. 2006/05/17
    mattman

    mattman Inactive Alumni

    Joined:
    2002/06/10
    Messages:
    8,198
    Likes Received:
    63
    I have read on that as well. I think it would relate to more "involved" programs. The ones I keep on C: are Internet Explorer, Windows Media Player and Messenger (that I can think of off-hand). I decided to put Office on another drive and have had little problem. If I may find any problem I just reinstall over the current install.

    You should find out what is "bulking out" your C: drive. It will only become more of a problem with time unless you can increase the free space.

    I found a small program that lists the size of all folders under a directory. I have not used it for XP, but find it is excellent for identifying oversized folders. Let me know if you would like the details.

    Matt
     
    mattman,
    #5
  7. 2006/05/17
    charlesvar

    charlesvar Inactive Alumni

    Joined:
    2002/02/18
    Messages:
    7,024
    Likes Received:
    0
    http://www.windowsbbs.com/showthread.php?t=50543&highlight=folder
    Adding Folder Size column to folder detail view

    Un hiding hidden files/folders and hidden system files:
    Bring up the drive > Tools > Folder Options > View tab and scroll down to and tick "show hidden files and folders ".

    For hidden System files, un-tick "hide protected system files ".

    Regards - Charles
     
    charlesvar,
    #6
  8. 2006/05/18
    mattman

    mattman Inactive Alumni

    Joined:
    2002/06/10
    Messages:
    8,198
    Likes Received:
    63
    Last edited: 2006/05/18
    mattman,
    #7
  9. 2006/05/19
    ILGal

    ILGal Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2006/04/03
    Messages:
    19
    Likes Received:
    0
    Hi, Matt. Yes, I would like details, thanks.

    After following everyone's good advice, I was able to successfully defrag my C drive. Thanks to everyone!!

    ILGal
     
    ILGal,
    #8
  10. 2006/05/19
    charlesvar

    charlesvar Inactive Alumni

    Joined:
    2002/02/18
    Messages:
    7,024
    Likes Received:
    0
    Hi ILGal,

    The program that Matt referred to doesn't work on XP.

    Read my post #6 about adding folder size column in XP.

    Regards - Charles
     
    charlesvar,
    #9
  11. 2006/05/19
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/05/10
    Messages:
    28,896
    Likes Received:
    389
    You may find that TreeSize (freeware) gives you the detail you need.
     
    PeteC,
    #10

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Accept Learn More...