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[macca]

Lately my old Toshiba Laptop (1.73 Ghz processor, 1 gb RAM, 57Gb HD Win XP Home SP3) has been running slowly, at times freezing for anything up to 1/2 minute. I thought it might be time to perform a defrag. but I got a message saying Windows needed 15% (abt 8Gb) free disk space to do so. I only had 2.3gb available and moved several folders onto an external Hard drive. I am still well short of the free disk space required but I noticed, (in the C: drive "properties" box under 'My Computer') that I can compress the drive to save disk space.

Question 1: How does this "compression" affect general computer operations?
Question 2: If I still can't achieve the required 15% free disk space, is there any other way to defrag, or will I have to move more files off the Tosh onto the ext HD to get to 15%?

[Jimbob]

Personally I wouldn't compress any hard drive files ... not a good option...

Run Tree Size and see what is taking up space ... http://www.jam-software.com/treesize_free/

By checking *Hotfix Uninstallers" in CCleaner will delete service pack installation files you shouldn't need and give heaps more space... .

[macca]

Thanks Jimbob. "Treesize" found a folder (My music) that contained a helluva lot of stuff (8 Gb) my son had downloaded at some stage. Moved it onto the ext HD and carried out  the defrag with no probs. The computer seems quite a bit faster. 

[Jimbob]

  all good then ...

[pinkcloud]

Jim I hope macca won't mind me putting my Treesize result on here.

Does this say anything significant please?

pinkcloud

[macca]

Pinkcloud,
Hope you wont mind me putting my "two bobs worth" in to your query.
 
Firstly, my Treesize output showed "System Volume Information" as having 0 filesize and with a following note saying ("access denied"). This may, or may not, be significant.

Secondly, before I was able to find the folder taking up unnecessary space ("My Music" - 8gb), and which I subsequently transferred to the external HD, I had to expand the "Documents and Settings" Folder and then the "Main User" subfolder.

I guess it depends on what comments you are looking for when you ask  Jimbob if your output says anything "significant"

[Jimbob]

That is right ... looking at that I can't see anything significant ... it doesn't show me much ...

Nothing is "Right or Wrong" as it is just a tool to show you where the space is being occupied on your hard drive.

[pinkcloud]

That is right ... looking at that I can't see anything significant ... it doesn't show me much ...

Nothing is "Right or Wrong" as it is just a tool to show you where the space is being occupied on your hard drive.

Thanks Jim

I'm asking you because I don't understand it...........

pinkcloud