Guest dmanwqal@msn.com Posted June 21, 2008 Posted June 21, 2008 I apologize if this question has been asked before but I have a Dell Laptop PC with XP Service Pack 2-Version 2002. I have 32.7 GB of used space with only 1.46 remaining GB. I have moved all pics and music to a USB drive and have decreased the allotted space for system restore, recycle bin, etc. as well as uninstalling all unused programs. I had noticed that my pc was always trying to install windows updates but it always failed. Any suggestions?
Guest JS Posted June 21, 2008 Posted June 21, 2008 Re: low hard drive space The $NtUninstallKBxxxxxx$ 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. Is it safe to delete the $NtUninstallKBxxxxxx$ folders: http://www.pagestart.com/ntuninstall.html Also: $NtServicePackUninstallIDNMitigationAPIs$ $NtServicePackUninstallNLSDownlevelMapping$ Created when you installed IE7. If you delete them you will no longer be able to uninstall IE7 $NtServicePackUninstall$ Created when you install a service pack. If you are currently using XP with SP2 then if you remove the folder you can no longer uninstall SP2. When and if you install SP3 this folder grow in size as it will contain both SP2 and SP3 uninstall files. If you have already installed SP3 then I would leave this folder as is until you are certain that no bugs have cropped up after installing SP3. Note: Once you delete this folder you are stuck with SP3 Warning: One folder you should not delete is: $hf_mig$ (and any folders that a part of/contained in $hf_mig$) It is a necessary folder for future updates See the "Notes" near the bottom of the following KB article: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;824994 Also See Doug Knox's page on this issue: http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_hotfix_backup.htm JS http://www.pagestart.com "dmanwqal@msn.com" <dmanwqal@msn.com@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:F5847840-8D3C-47FD-8CF5-E54BFA39736E@microsoft.com... >I apologize if this question has been asked before but I have a Dell Laptop > PC with XP Service Pack 2-Version 2002. I have 32.7 GB of used space with > only 1.46 remaining GB. I have moved all pics and music to a USB drive and > have decreased the allotted space for system restore, recycle bin, etc. as > well as uninstalling all unused programs. I had noticed that my pc was > always > trying to install windows updates but it always failed. Any suggestions? >
Guest DL Posted June 21, 2008 Posted June 21, 2008 Re: low hard drive space In Internet Options, set temp files to 50mb From the Run command type %temp% hit return, delete all files found Your PC wont function correctly with less than 15% free space, and you dont mention what the drive size is. "dmanwqal@msn.com" <dmanwqal@msn.com@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:F5847840-8D3C-47FD-8CF5-E54BFA39736E@microsoft.com... >I apologize if this question has been asked before but I have a Dell Laptop > PC with XP Service Pack 2-Version 2002. I have 32.7 GB of used space with > only 1.46 remaining GB. I have moved all pics and music to a USB drive and > have decreased the allotted space for system restore, recycle bin, etc. as > well as uninstalling all unused programs. I had noticed that my pc was > always > trying to install windows updates but it always failed. Any suggestions? >
Guest dmanwqal@msn.com Posted June 21, 2008 Posted June 21, 2008 Re: low hard drive space I had already moved the storage down to 50mb and I regained very little space. I did try to delete all the temp files through the run %temp% command but it said that it was a read only file and access was denied. You are right though, I can't even defrag with less than 15% free space remaining. The drive space is 34.2 GB and now I only have 4% free space left on the C drive. > In Internet Options, set temp files to 50mb > > From the Run command type %temp% > hit return, delete all files found > > Your PC wont function correctly with less than 15% free space, and you dont > mention what the drive size is. > > "dmanwqal@msn.com" <dmanwqal@msn.com@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in > message news:F5847840-8D3C-47FD-8CF5-E54BFA39736E@microsoft.com... > >I apologize if this question has been asked before but I have a Dell Laptop > > PC with XP Service Pack 2-Version 2002. I have 32.7 GB of used space with > > only 1.46 remaining GB. I have moved all pics and music to a USB drive and > > have decreased the allotted space for system restore, recycle bin, etc. as > > well as uninstalling all unused programs. I had noticed that my pc was > > always > > trying to install windows updates but it always failed. Any suggestions? > > > > >
Guest Lem Posted June 21, 2008 Posted June 21, 2008 Re: low hard drive space dmanwqal@msn.com wrote: > I apologize if this question has been asked before but I have a Dell Laptop > PC with XP Service Pack 2-Version 2002. I have 32.7 GB of used space with > only 1.46 remaining GB. I have moved all pics and music to a USB drive and > have decreased the allotted space for system restore, recycle bin, etc. as > well as uninstalling all unused programs. I had noticed that my pc was always > trying to install windows updates but it always failed. Any suggestions? > The best solution is to buy a larger hard drive. More than likely, it will come with utility software that will permit you to clone your existing hard drive to the new one. If you have a laptop (or don't want to open your desktop), buy an external USB case that you can use to temporarily hold the new drive. After you're done, you can reformat your original nominal 40 GB drive, put it in the case, and use it for backup. Note that if you have an OEM computer with a "restore" partition on the hard drive, you may want to create a restore CD from this before doing the above. Short of a new drive, and assuming that you have run Disk Cleanup, you need to find out what's taking up the space. Download and run JDiskReport: http://www.jgoodies.com/freeware/jdiskreport/ -- Lem -- MS-MVP To the moon and back with 2K words of RAM and 36K words of ROM. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer http://history.nasa.gov/afj/compessay.htm
Guest Daave Posted June 21, 2008 Posted June 21, 2008 Re: low hard drive space "dmanwqal@msn.com" <dmanwqal@msn.com@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:F5847840-8D3C-47FD-8CF5-E54BFA39736E@microsoft.com... >I apologize if this question has been asked before but I have a Dell >Laptop > PC with XP Service Pack 2-Version 2002. I have 32.7 GB of used space > with > only 1.46 remaining GB. I have moved all pics and music to a USB drive > and > have decreased the allotted space for system restore, recycle bin, > etc. as > well as uninstalling all unused programs. I had noticed that my pc was > always > trying to install windows updates but it always failed. Any > suggestions? How many user accounts are on this laptop? Transferring pics and music is a start, but you have tons of other data, too, including (more than likely) word processing documents, spreadsheets, videos, e-mails, etc. Move as much as these as possible and see what happens. It's crucial you remove temp files and empty the Recycle Bin. My favorite tool for this is Ccleaner, but you can certainly use XP's own Disk Cleanup (for each user). Do you use the Hibernate feature? If not, be sure to turn it off. That will free up a big chunk of your drive. Once you are done removing the detritus, be sure to perform a defrag.
Guest DL Posted June 21, 2008 Posted June 21, 2008 Re: low hard drive space You did; Start > Run, type in, %temp%, didnt you? But having said that unless you have an enormous number of temp files your unlikely to gain dramatically. You can, provided show hidden files is enabled, in explorer delete temp files "dmanwqal@msn.com" <dmanwqalmsncom@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:899F5F86-177A-4266-A364-E58508F58A67@microsoft.com... >I had already moved the storage down to 50mb and I regained very little > space. I did try to delete all the temp files through the run %temp% > command > but it said that it was a read only file and access was denied. You are > right > though, I can't even defrag with less than 15% free space remaining. The > drive space is 34.2 GB and now I only have 4% free space left on the C > drive. > >> In Internet Options, set temp files to 50mb >> >> From the Run command type %temp% >> hit return, delete all files found >> >> Your PC wont function correctly with less than 15% free space, and you >> dont >> mention what the drive size is. >> >> "dmanwqal@msn.com" <dmanwqal@msn.com@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in >> message news:F5847840-8D3C-47FD-8CF5-E54BFA39736E@microsoft.com... >> >I apologize if this question has been asked before but I have a Dell >> >Laptop >> > PC with XP Service Pack 2-Version 2002. I have 32.7 GB of used space >> > with >> > only 1.46 remaining GB. I have moved all pics and music to a USB drive >> > and >> > have decreased the allotted space for system restore, recycle bin, etc. >> > as >> > well as uninstalling all unused programs. I had noticed that my pc was >> > always >> > trying to install windows updates but it always failed. Any >> > suggestions? >> > >> >> >>
Guest Pete D. Posted June 21, 2008 Posted June 21, 2008 Re: low hard drive space Run the windows update manually and see what the error code is. MS offers super help on solving problems but you need the error code or word for word message of the error. Then search MS web/Google for the error again word for word! "Daave" <dcwashNOSPAM@myrealboxXYZ.invalid> wrote in message news:eayVHR%230IHA.5564@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl... > "dmanwqal@msn.com" <dmanwqal@msn.com@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in > message news:F5847840-8D3C-47FD-8CF5-E54BFA39736E@microsoft.com... >>I apologize if this question has been asked before but I have a Dell >>Laptop >> PC with XP Service Pack 2-Version 2002. I have 32.7 GB of used space with >> only 1.46 remaining GB. I have moved all pics and music to a USB drive >> and >> have decreased the allotted space for system restore, recycle bin, etc. >> as >> well as uninstalling all unused programs. I had noticed that my pc was >> always >> trying to install windows updates but it always failed. Any suggestions? > > How many user accounts are on this laptop? > > Transferring pics and music is a start, but you have tons of other data, > too, including (more than likely) word processing documents, spreadsheets, > videos, e-mails, etc. Move as much as these as possible and see what > happens. > > It's crucial you remove temp files and empty the Recycle Bin. My favorite > tool for this is Ccleaner, but you can certainly use XP's own Disk Cleanup > (for each user). > > Do you use the Hibernate feature? If not, be sure to turn it off. That > will free up a big chunk of your drive. > > Once you are done removing the detritus, be sure to perform a defrag. >
Guest dmanwqal@msn.com Posted June 22, 2008 Posted June 22, 2008 Re: low hard drive space Thanks, now I am weary to download anything as it will eat up more space. Two questions: how do I turn off the Hibernation feature and what is a USB case? Is that the same as a USB drive? I have 2 USB drives. Can I just drag the C drive onto another large capacity drive and then reformat the hard drive with the origianl CD's that came with the PC? "Pete D." wrote: > Run the windows update manually and see what the error code is. MS offers > super help on solving problems but you need the error code or word for word > message of the error. Then search MS web/Google for the error again word > for word! > "Daave" <dcwashNOSPAM@myrealboxXYZ.invalid> wrote in message > news:eayVHR%230IHA.5564@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl... > > "dmanwqal@msn.com" <dmanwqal@msn.com@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in > > message news:F5847840-8D3C-47FD-8CF5-E54BFA39736E@microsoft.com... > >>I apologize if this question has been asked before but I have a Dell > >>Laptop > >> PC with XP Service Pack 2-Version 2002. I have 32.7 GB of used space with > >> only 1.46 remaining GB. I have moved all pics and music to a USB drive > >> and > >> have decreased the allotted space for system restore, recycle bin, etc. > >> as > >> well as uninstalling all unused programs. I had noticed that my pc was > >> always > >> trying to install windows updates but it always failed. Any suggestions? > > > > How many user accounts are on this laptop? > > > > Transferring pics and music is a start, but you have tons of other data, > > too, including (more than likely) word processing documents, spreadsheets, > > videos, e-mails, etc. Move as much as these as possible and see what > > happens. > > > > It's crucial you remove temp files and empty the Recycle Bin. My favorite > > tool for this is Ccleaner, but you can certainly use XP's own Disk Cleanup > > (for each user). > > > > Do you use the Hibernate feature? If not, be sure to turn it off. That > > will free up a big chunk of your drive. > > > > Once you are done removing the detritus, be sure to perform a defrag. > > > > >
Guest Daave Posted June 22, 2008 Posted June 22, 2008 Re: low hard drive space "dmanwqal@msn.com" <dmanwqalmsncom@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:F78FDB3D-CDF7-4DA7-B683-FC29EE53035E@microsoft.com... >> "Daave" <dcwashNOSPAM@myrealboxXYZ.invalid> wrote in message >> news:eayVHR%230IHA.5564@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl... >> > "dmanwqal@msn.com" <dmanwqal@msn.com@discussions.microsoft.com> >> > wrote in >> > message news:F5847840-8D3C-47FD-8CF5-E54BFA39736E@microsoft.com... >> >>I apologize if this question has been asked before but I have a >> >>Dell >> >>Laptop >> >> PC with XP Service Pack 2-Version 2002. I have 32.7 GB of used >> >> space with >> >> only 1.46 remaining GB. I have moved all pics and music to a USB >> >> drive >> >> and >> >> have decreased the allotted space for system restore, recycle bin, >> >> etc. >> >> as >> >> well as uninstalling all unused programs. I had noticed that my pc >> >> was >> >> always >> >> trying to install windows updates but it always failed. Any >> >> suggestions? >> > >> > How many user accounts are on this laptop? >> > >> > Transferring pics and music is a start, but you have tons of other >> > data, >> > too, including (more than likely) word processing documents, >> > spreadsheets, >> > videos, e-mails, etc. Move as much as these as possible and see >> > what >> > happens. >> > >> > It's crucial you remove temp files and empty the Recycle Bin. My >> > favorite >> > tool for this is Ccleaner, but you can certainly use XP's own Disk >> > Cleanup >> > (for each user). >> > >> > Do you use the Hibernate feature? If not, be sure to turn it off. >> > That >> > will free up a big chunk of your drive. >> > >> > Once you are done removing the detritus, be sure to perform a >> > defrag. > Thanks, now I am weary to download anything as it will eat up more > space. Two > questions: how do I turn off the Hibernation feature and what is a USB > case? > Is that the same as a USB drive? I have 2 USB drives. Can I just drag > the C > drive onto another large capacity drive and then reformat the hard > drive with > the origianl CD's that came with the PC? 1. Right-click a blank area of the desktop and choose Properties. Click Screen Saver tab. Click the Power button. Click the Hibernate tab. If Hibernation is enabled, uncheck the box. Click OK. You will also need to reboot. This should buy you a few GBs. 2. If you didn't already have two USB external drives but had a spare drive without an enclosure, you could buy a USB case to house the drive in. But you apparently don't need to be concerned about that! 3. Dragging the entire contents of C: is a waste of time. You just need to transfer your data. You should be able to find that on your own. Be sure to copy your broswer Favorites (mine is here: C:\Documents and Settings\[user]\Favorites ) and e-mails, etc. If you use Outlook Express, look here: http://www.insideoe.com/backup/ 4. IMO, a clean install is a last resort. Unless you are absolutely convinced this is necessary, I would instead perform regular maintenance. Make sure you are free of malware! Here are some useful pages: http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/slowcom.htm http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Viruses_Malware 5. In the event you decide to perform a clean install, you may use this page as a guide: http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html Good luck!
Guest DL Posted June 22, 2008 Posted June 22, 2008 Re: low hard drive space No you cannot do that. You use a cloning application to clone your C drive to an eg a new large externally connected drive. Shutdown PC immediately. Replace the C drive with your new external drive. Reboot PC. Of course your new drive has to be of a physical size that will fit your laptop. "dmanwqal@msn.com" <dmanwqalmsncom@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:F78FDB3D-CDF7-4DA7-B683-FC29EE53035E@microsoft.com... > Thanks, now I am weary to download anything as it will eat up more space. > Two > questions: how do I turn off the Hibernation feature and what is a USB > case? > Is that the same as a USB drive? I have 2 USB drives. Can I just drag the > C > drive onto another large capacity drive and then reformat the hard drive > with > the origianl CD's that came with the PC? > > "Pete D." wrote: > >> Run the windows update manually and see what the error code is. MS >> offers >> super help on solving problems but you need the error code or word for >> word >> message of the error. Then search MS web/Google for the error again word >> for word! >> "Daave" <dcwashNOSPAM@myrealboxXYZ.invalid> wrote in message >> news:eayVHR%230IHA.5564@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl... >> > "dmanwqal@msn.com" <dmanwqal@msn.com@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote >> > in >> > message news:F5847840-8D3C-47FD-8CF5-E54BFA39736E@microsoft.com... >> >>I apologize if this question has been asked before but I have a Dell >> >>Laptop >> >> PC with XP Service Pack 2-Version 2002. I have 32.7 GB of used space >> >> with >> >> only 1.46 remaining GB. I have moved all pics and music to a USB drive >> >> and >> >> have decreased the allotted space for system restore, recycle bin, >> >> etc. >> >> as >> >> well as uninstalling all unused programs. I had noticed that my pc was >> >> always >> >> trying to install windows updates but it always failed. Any >> >> suggestions? >> > >> > How many user accounts are on this laptop? >> > >> > Transferring pics and music is a start, but you have tons of other >> > data, >> > too, including (more than likely) word processing documents, >> > spreadsheets, >> > videos, e-mails, etc. Move as much as these as possible and see what >> > happens. >> > >> > It's crucial you remove temp files and empty the Recycle Bin. My >> > favorite >> > tool for this is Ccleaner, but you can certainly use XP's own Disk >> > Cleanup >> > (for each user). >> > >> > Do you use the Hibernate feature? If not, be sure to turn it off. That >> > will free up a big chunk of your drive. >> > >> > Once you are done removing the detritus, be sure to perform a defrag. >> > >> >> >>
Guest Daave Posted June 22, 2008 Posted June 22, 2008 Re: low hard drive space "dmanwqal@msn.com" <dmanwqalmsncom@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:F78FDB3D-CDF7-4DA7-B683-FC29EE53035E@microsoft.com... > Thanks, now I am weary to download anything as it will eat up more > space. > Two > questions: how do I turn off the Hibernation feature and what is a USB > case? > Is that the same as a USB drive? I have 2 USB drives. Can I just drag > the C > drive onto another large capacity drive and then reformat the hard > drive with > the origianl CD's that came with the PC? I may have misunderstood that last question the other time I responded to it. I had thought you wanted to copy everything on C: to one of your USB drives. If instead you meant you want to purchase a larger internal hard drive to *replace* your current 40GB drive, then all you need to do is use the cloning software that comes with the new drive (or you could use a program like Acronis True Image). Cloning is a different process than merely copying files. And cloning will result in a perfect copy (bootable, as well) of your current drive. So, if you have another hard disk that is in an external USB enclosure (it would have to be compatible with your laptop, too), you can clone your current 40GB disk onto that. Once you are finished, merely remove both disks and be sure to place the newer, larger one in your laptop.
Guest dmanwqal@msn.com Posted June 22, 2008 Posted June 22, 2008 Re: low hard drive space Thanks to everyone. I have one more question: it seems like the bulk of the hard drive space is being taken up by hundreds of files under windows/$NtUninstall. Would I be asking for trouble if I just deleted those files? "Daave" wrote: > "dmanwqal@msn.com" <dmanwqalmsncom@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in > message news:F78FDB3D-CDF7-4DA7-B683-FC29EE53035E@microsoft.com... > > Thanks, now I am weary to download anything as it will eat up more > > space. > > Two > > questions: how do I turn off the Hibernation feature and what is a USB > > case? > > Is that the same as a USB drive? I have 2 USB drives. Can I just drag > > the C > > drive onto another large capacity drive and then reformat the hard > > drive with > > the origianl CD's that came with the PC? > > I may have misunderstood that last question the other time I responded > to it. I had thought you wanted to copy everything on C: to one of your > USB drives. If instead you meant you want to purchase a larger internal > hard drive to *replace* your current 40GB drive, then all you need to do > is use the cloning software that comes with the new drive (or you could > use a program like Acronis True Image). Cloning is a different process > than merely copying files. And cloning will result in a perfect copy > (bootable, as well) of your current drive. > > So, if you have another hard disk that is in an external USB enclosure > (it would have to be compatible with your laptop, too), you can clone > your current 40GB disk onto that. Once you are finished, merely remove > both disks and be sure to place the newer, larger one in your laptop. > > >
Guest JS Posted June 22, 2008 Posted June 22, 2008 Re: low hard drive space The $NtUninstall* 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. $NtServicePackUninstallIDNMitigationAPIs$ $NtServicePackUninstallNLSDownlevelMapping$ Created when you installed IE7. If you delete them you will no longer be able to uninstall IE7 $NtServicePackUninstall$ Created when you install a service pack. If you are currently using XP with SP2 then if you remove the folder you can no longer uninstall SP2. When and if you install SP3 this folder grow in size as it will contain both SP2 and SP3 uninstall files. If you have already installed SP3 then I would leave this folder as is until you are certain that no bugs have cropped up after installing SP3. Note: Once you delete this folder you are stuck with SP3 Warning: One folder you should not delete is: $hf_mig$ (and any folders that a part of/contained in $hf_mig$) It is a necessary folder for future updates See the "Notes" near the bottom of the following KB article: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;824994 Also See Doug Knox's page on this issue: http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_hotfix_backup.htm And: http://www.pagestart.com/ntuninstall.html JS "dmanwqal@msn.com" <dmanwqalmsncom@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:647E3738-B525-45CD-B5B0-5440A0B73DAB@microsoft.com... > Thanks to everyone. I have one more question: it seems like the bulk of > the > hard drive space is being taken up by hundreds of files under > windows/$NtUninstall. Would I be asking for trouble if I just deleted > those > files? > > "Daave" wrote: > >> "dmanwqal@msn.com" <dmanwqalmsncom@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in >> message news:F78FDB3D-CDF7-4DA7-B683-FC29EE53035E@microsoft.com... >> > Thanks, now I am weary to download anything as it will eat up more >> > space. >> > Two >> > questions: how do I turn off the Hibernation feature and what is a USB >> > case? >> > Is that the same as a USB drive? I have 2 USB drives. Can I just drag >> > the C >> > drive onto another large capacity drive and then reformat the hard >> > drive with >> > the origianl CD's that came with the PC? >> >> I may have misunderstood that last question the other time I responded >> to it. I had thought you wanted to copy everything on C: to one of your >> USB drives. If instead you meant you want to purchase a larger internal >> hard drive to *replace* your current 40GB drive, then all you need to do >> is use the cloning software that comes with the new drive (or you could >> use a program like Acronis True Image). Cloning is a different process >> than merely copying files. And cloning will result in a perfect copy >> (bootable, as well) of your current drive. >> >> So, if you have another hard disk that is in an external USB enclosure >> (it would have to be compatible with your laptop, too), you can clone >> your current 40GB disk onto that. Once you are finished, merely remove >> both disks and be sure to place the newer, larger one in your laptop. >> >> >>
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