freeing disk space on C:\ - not being released after clean up

[macgerailt]

I running out of freespace on my C:\ which is now seriously impacting on my ability to send email etc. I need some input for someone more knowledgable than I. I have cleared out .tmp & bak files, cookies, IE history and temp internet files. I've also moved other large data files to drives D and E (hard drive is partitioned with D, E, F) and uninstalled 2 applications both of which have large data files associated with them. However the consequent free space from this clean up is not being released. Prior to running disk maintenance (which is supposed to delete unecessary files and defrags the drives), explorer gave me a freespace of 2.18gb on C:\(post moving the files and removing apps). However post running disk maintenance I was back to 545Mb!
I running Win98 se.
Any suggestions or ideas?

 

[macgerailt]

Forgot to say use it for Inetrnet access and believe I am virus free. AV protection is Norman AV and is maintained via web downloads and is web enabled. Modem is has to be physically connected for Inet access so therefore PC not available for random access by hacker -though no gurantee of protection.
All recommendations/suggestions appreciated.

 

[micker377]

After you "empty" the recycle bin, right click on the recycle bin and see if you have an entry to "clean protected files". If you do, go ahead and delete them.

 

[micker377]

Forgot to ask: what OS?

 

[macgerailt]

Operating sys = Win98SE

 

[micker377]

Did you rightclick on the recycle bin icon?

 

[macgerailt]

Yes - done that as well as moving pagefile to another drive. Does it sound like I've been hacked?

 

[micker377]

Go into "Windows Explorer" (C: drive). In the "view" tab, click on "Details". Sort by size. List what some of the larger folders/files are.

 

[jlshelton]

Do a Google search for TreeSize, an application that helps you find out where disk space is consumed. It looks by location, filetype, owner, etc, presenting very easy-to-read views. In a couple of minutes, you can find the disk hogs. Demo copy is free for limited use.

 

[mainegeek]

macgerailt,

I wouldn't rely on disk cleanup when it comes to removing temp and temp internet files.

Go to windows explorer, browse to these folders and delete the files manually.

Also, try adjusting your recycle bin to "Do not move files to the recycle bin". This should free up some space. If it doesn't then you may have an issue with a virus as well.