SP3 install space problem

[Guest Don Williams]

I am limited to 8 GB on my C: drive because I have to be able to boot Unix

from within the first 1024 virtual cylinders.

 

I generraly can get around 1GB free on drive :

 

SP3 install runs to near completion but then reports a space problem and

then does a full self un-install-

 

I always install programs on my other very large drives, but some must go in

C:

 

1. What files can I safely relocate temporarily during SP3 installation?

 

or

 

2. Is there a way to use another drive to handle part ov the install

process?

 

Thanks,

 

DAW

[Guest JS]

Re: SP3 install space problem

 

First use Windows 'Disk Cleanup' to create more space on your C: drive.

Description of the Disk Cleanup Tool in Windows XP:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310312

 

Next: Empty the Recycle Bin.

 

You can also free up more disk space by reducing

the number of 'System Restore' points:

Select Start/Control Panel/System, then in the System Properties window

click on the System Restore tab.

Next select the drive letter where Windows is installed (usually C:),

Then click on the Setting button

Now in the Drive Settings window move the Disk space usage slider to the

left to reduce the amount of drive space System Restore points will use.

This will remove some of the older restore points and free up some space.

 

Disable Hibernation and delete hiberfil.sys file (If you have it enabled):

http://www.mydigitallife.info/2007/10/25/how-to-delete-and-remove-hiberfilsys-hibernation-file-in-windows-xp-and-vista/

and:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/mobility/getstarted/hibernate.mspx

 

Next if you still need more space:

Remove the files used to uninstall updates to Windows

These folders and associated files in these folders are safe to remove,

however once deleted you will no longer be able to un-install a patch or

update that was associated with the deleted folder/files.

I would keep the most recent set (last two months just in case) of folders

and delete the older updates.

As a safety net I burned these folders to a CD before deleting them.

These files are located in the Windows folder and have folder names

like $NtUninstallKBXXXXXX$.

They are hidden folders so enable viewing of hidden files in Windows

Explorer.

Warning: One folder you should not delete is: $hf_mig$

Also See Doug Knox's page on this issue:

http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_hotfix_backup.htm

 

Finally - You can reduce the size of the Internet Explorer Disk Cache:

How and Why to Clear Your Cache:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/ie6/using/howto/customizing/clearcache.mspx

Just follow the instructs but instead of increasing the size (as stated in

the article) decrease it.

 

If you have more than one partition or drive then:

How to Change the Default Location of Mail and News Folders:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/175037

 

Change the Default Location of the My Documents Folder

(Example: move it to the D drive)

See: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310147

Also:

http://www.techsupportalert.com/how_to_move_my_documents.htm

 

How to move the Spool folder in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q308666

 

JS

 

"Don Williams" <sds10@cox.net> wrote in message

news:OQwvhPhvIHA.1768@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>I am limited to 8 GB on my C: drive because I have to be able to boot Unix

>from within the first 1024 virtual cylinders.

>

> I generraly can get around 1GB free on drive :

>

> SP3 install runs to near completion but then reports a space problem and

> then does a full self un-install-

>

> I always install programs on my other very large drives, but some must go

> in C:

>

> 1. What files can I safely relocate temporarily during SP3

> installation?

>

> or

>

> 2. Is there a way to use another drive to handle part ov the install

> process?

>

> Thanks,

>

> DAW

>

[Guest Gerry]

Re: SP3 install space problem

 

Don

 

You will need to watch System Restore. During the Update process it

creates a restore point of what exists before the update and a second of

what exists after. The one before is very large i.e. on my system 798 mb

compared to 42 mb after. After installation you can compress restore

points and on my system the 798 mb reduced to 495 mb. In my opinion you

need to retain the restore points for a while as if it emerges that you

have a problem then removal will prevent you easily undoing the update.

 

JS has made a number of suggestions. In the light of what I have said

above I would ensure that the disk space allocation to system restore is

at least 1 gb. Then

select Start, All Programs, accessories, System Tools, Disk CleanUp,

More Options, System Restore and remove all but the latest System

Restore point. You can then compress the contents of the System Volume

Information folder in Windows Explorer by right clicking on the Folder

and selecting Properties, General, Advanced, check box before Compress

Contents to save Disk Space, OK, Apply, OK.

 

In Outlook Express place the cursor on Local Folders and select File,

Work Offline followed by File, Folder, Compact All. Do not attempt to

interupt or stop the process until it has completed. Close Outlook

Express when it has completed.

 

If you have cCleaner then run it otherwise elect Start, All Programs,

Accessories, System Tools, Disk CleanUp to Empty your Recycle Bin and

Remove Temporary Internet Files. Running Disk CleanUp after compacting

Outlook Express is important as the compacting process fills the Recyle

Bin and you need it empty before running the SP3 update.

 

Two other suggestions which are worth mentioning but I suspect will not

help with free disk space for the SP3 update.

 

Another default setting which could be wasteful is that for temporary

internet files, especially if you do not store offline copies on disk.

The default allocation is 3% of drive. Depending on your attitude to

offline copies you could reduce this to 1% or 2%. In Internet Explorer

select Tools, Internet Options, General, Temporary Internet Files,

Settings to make the change. At the same time look at the number of days

history is held.

 

The default allocation for the Recycle Bin is 10 % of drive. Change to

5%, which should be sufficient. In Windows Explorer place the cursor

on your Recycle Bin, right click and select Properties, Global and

move the slider from 10% to 5%. However, try to avoid letting it get

too full as if it is full and you delete a file by mistake it will

bypass the Recycle Bin and be gone for ever.

 

If you have the capacity to move files from C to another location here

are some further suggestions.

 

You can generate more space in the system partition by relocation of

folders.

 

For Temporary Internet Files select Start, Control Panel, Internet

Options, Temporary Internet Files. Settings, Move Folder.

 

To move the Outlook Express Store Folder select in Outlook Express

Tools, Options, Maintenance, Store Folder, Change.

http://www.tomsterdam.com/insideoe/files/store.htm

 

How to Change the Default Location of the My Documents Folder:

http://support.microsoft.com/?id=310147

 

You may also need to change Default File locations in the Microsoft

Office programmes you choose to move the My Documents folder. For Word

go to Tools, Options, File Locations, highlight Documents, click on

Modify and change file path. For Excel go to Tools, Options, General

and change default file path.

 

My Documents is one of a number of system created Special Folders

including My Pictures and My Music. These can more easily be relocated

using Tweak Ui. Download TweakUI, one of the MS powertoys, from here:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/downloads/powertoys.asp

 

In TweakUi select My Computer, Special Folders. You can scroll down to

see the full list of Special Folders to the left of the Change

Location button.

 

You can move programmes but to do this you have to uninstall and

reinstall.

 

 

 

--

 

 

 

Hope this helps.

 

Gerry

~~~~

FCA

Stourport, England

Enquire, plan and execute

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Don Williams wrote:

> I am limited to 8 GB on my C: drive because I have to be able to boot

> Unix from within the first 1024 virtual cylinders.

>

> I generraly can get around 1GB free on drive :

>

> SP3 install runs to near completion but then reports a space problem

> and then does a full self un-install-

>

> I always install programs on my other very large drives, but some

> must go in C:

>

> 1. What files can I safely relocate temporarily during SP3

> installation?

> or

>

> 2. Is there a way to use another drive to handle part ov the

> install process?

>

> Thanks,

>

> DAW

[Guest Don Williams]

Re: SP3 install space problem

 

Thanks to both JS and Gerry-

 

I had deleted some programs and ran a lot of the cleanup suggested, but not

all, and I had not moved some of the default folders as suggested. I will

to that next.

 

One worthwhile comment was that during the installation of the service pack,

more than one restore point is generated. I did note that things were going

along merrily, nearing what I thought was the end, and all of a sudden the

available space on the drive dropped dramatically.

 

I'll do the things suggested, do a cleanup with the downloaded cleanup

program available from Microsoft and see just what happens.

 

Thanks again,

 

DAW

============================

"Don Williams" <sds10@cox.net> wrote in message

news:OQwvhPhvIHA.1768@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>I am limited to 8 GB on my C: drive because I have to be able to boot Unix

>from within the first 1024 virtual cylinders.

>

> I generraly can get around 1GB free on drive :

>

> SP3 install runs to near completion but then reports a space problem and

> then does a full self un-install-

>

> I always install programs on my other very large drives, but some must go

> in C:

>

> 1. What files can I safely relocate temporarily during SP3

> installation?

>

> or

>

> 2. Is there a way to use another drive to handle part ov the install

> process?

>

> Thanks,

>

> DAW

>

[Guest JS]

Re: SP3 install space problem

 

You're welcome

 

JS

 

"Don Williams" <dwilli10@cox.net> wrote in message

news:OtpWIwqvIHA.5448@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

> Thanks to both JS and Gerry-

>

> I had deleted some programs and ran a lot of the cleanup suggested, but

> not all, and I had not moved some of the default folders as suggested. I

> will to that next.

>

> One worthwhile comment was that during the installation of the service

> pack, more than one restore point is generated. I did note that things

> were going along merrily, nearing what I thought was the end, and all of a

> sudden the available space on the drive dropped dramatically.

>

> I'll do the things suggested, do a cleanup with the downloaded cleanup

> program available from Microsoft and see just what happens.

>

> Thanks again,

>

> DAW

> ============================

> "Don Williams" <sds10@cox.net> wrote in message

> news:OQwvhPhvIHA.1768@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>>I am limited to 8 GB on my C: drive because I have to be able to boot Unix

>>from within the first 1024 virtual cylinders.

>>

>> I generraly can get around 1GB free on drive :

>>

>> SP3 install runs to near completion but then reports a space problem and

>> then does a full self un-install-

>>

>> I always install programs on my other very large drives, but some must go

>> in C:

>>

>> 1. What files can I safely relocate temporarily during SP3

>> installation?

>>

>> or

>>

>> 2. Is there a way to use another drive to handle part ov the install

>> process?

>>

>> Thanks,

>>

>> DAW

>>

>

>