Solved How do I recover my free space?

S

snarfman

Member
I recently had to restore my laptop to factory settings and since then I've noticed a pretty big chunk of space thats normally free isn't there anymore. It's close to about 20gb. Vista is my OS. I'm guessing there is some file that was created when I did the restore and am wondering where I can find it and if it is safe to delete it. I don't need to recover anything I don't have now. Or if there is another issue that can explain the missing space?
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    ASUSTeK Computer Inc.\N80Vb (Socket 478)
Download and use windstat, I use it too. It will show what is on your HD. If you have further questions others will help, too. just remove what you do not want
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
Hi snarfman,

Please follow richc46's suggestion above. If there was some file that was created once the restore was completed, WinDirStat will find it and display the results as a graphical display so you can see just what is taking up the space and where it is located in a tree type list.

Excellent tool to find where your free space has disappeared to! As richc46 stated, if you have any questions at all, other members will be more than happy to assist. :)
 

My Computer

System One

So I downloaded this and have absolutely no idea what I am actually looking at or what I am supposed to be looking for? How do I use this program and find what I need?
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    ASUSTeK Computer Inc.\N80Vb (Socket 478)
just download the software, take a screen shot of the result and then take a screen shot and upload to us and we will advise you.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
Ok...how to I take a screenshot and upload it? Never had to do that before.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    ASUSTeK Computer Inc.\N80Vb (Socket 478)
figured out the screenshot but not sure if this was the result yer looking for?
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    ASUSTeK Computer Inc.\N80Vb (Socket 478)
Click on the small + signs so I can see what makes up the larger catergories.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
That really the only one I noticed. One thing I did notice that I wondering about is that it shows the size of my C drive at 186.4 GB when here it shows at 222GBView attachment 27623 Is there an explanation for that?
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    ASUSTeK Computer Inc.\N80Vb (Socket 478)
That difference is due to what is known as differences in allocation and is most likely not the source of your problems.
Check all of the software that is listed on WinDirStat and if there is anything that you do not want or recognize, get back to us.
If you used the factory CD to restore Vista, it may be that they have installed Bloatware that will show in Windirstat. It is also possible that your Hard Drive has some unused bad sectors. We will check that next. If that is positive, back up your stuff immediately, as your hard drive is failing. I do not think that is the reason, however.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
richc46 said:
That difference is due to what is known as differences in allocation and is most likely not the source of your problems.
Check all of the software that is listed on WinDirStat and if there is anything that you do not want or recognize, get back to us.
If you used the factory CD to restore Vista, it may be that they have installed Bloatware that will show in Windirstat. It is also possible that your Hard Drive has some unused bad sectors. We will check that next. If that is positive, back up your stuff immediately, as your hard drive is failing. I do not think that is the reason, however.
Click to expand...

I couldn't find anything substantial. How would I recognize this bloatware you speak of? Is it usually in a certain location or folder?
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    ASUSTeK Computer Inc.\N80Vb (Socket 478)
Bloatware is the "crap" that computer manufactuers put on your computer. It could be anything like a trial program; they usually install anti virus etc.
Go to control panel, programs and take a look at all the programs that are installed, anything that you do not recognize?
I do not think that this test will go anywhere, but lets test your hard drive.
Download and give me a screen shot of crystal disc
CrystalDiskInfo - Software - Crystal Dew World
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
ya I'm pretty sure I got rid of all the bloatware already...not a whole lot came back after the restore compared to what was on there when i bought it. Could you give me a step by step on how to check the restore points? I have no idea what you mean by that.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    ASUSTeK Computer Inc.\N80Vb (Socket 478)
I gave you a link on how to adjust the restore point allocation space, see my previous post.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
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