Hard disk space

[DYahoo]

I recently bought a laptop that by description was supposed to have 30 GB hard disk but when I got it and went to Computer/C/Properties - it only lists 24.9 GB capacity with 18 GB available. Does Win XP take more than 5 GB of space? Why is it that the other almost 7 GB taken (I haven't installed any programs other than what came with the laptop like McAfee, etc. which shouldn't take too much space)
Has anyone else had a similar problem?
Thanks.

 

[LloydSev]

Well depending on the manufacturer of the PC, such as Dell or HP.. they put hidden partitions for restoring your computer there. That will take a few GB, plus Windows XP takes about 2.5GB of space. (mine is 2.46GB)

Computer/Network Technician
CCNA

 

[jimp56]

dont forget the swapfile and hibernation file (if enabled) - depending on your amount of RAM those files can be over 1 gig apiece.

 

[MasterRacker]

Also, most hard disks are listed by their raw size. The actual formatted size will be somewhat less - how much less will depend on the file system in use.

[purple]Jeff
It's never too early to begin preparing for [/purple]International Talk Like a Pirate Day

 

[pcs007]

DYahoo,
To see all the partitions on your harddisk. Goto Control panel - administrative tools - computer management - storage - disk management.

You will see all the partitions and their usage. Should add up to about 28Gb for a 30 Gb drive.

Have fun.

 

[mobajwa]

why dont you format the drive and reinstall again.This should rmeove all those hidden partitions ( if they exisit right now )

-
mobajwa

 

[bcastner]

A format will not remove the hidden partitions.

 

[mobajwa]

Hey Bill, just curious as to why a complete format of the hard disk will not remove the partitions. In the format process , If i go ahead and delete all the exisiting partitions and then make a new one , wont it delete all the HIDDEN ones LloydSev was talking about ?

-
mobajwa

 

[bcastner]

Note that a standard, DOS or Windows software "Format" command will not affect hidden partitions--- it will only work on "visible" partitions.

Wiping out Special Recovery Partitions

http://www.langa.com/newsletters/2003/2003-02-06.htm#1

 

[mobajwa]

Thanks for the clarification Bill. I was curious cause i have never had that problem before. Maybe its because of my not owning a branded computer !


-
mobajwa

 

[DragonQ0105]

30GB for manufacturers = 30,000,000,000 Bytes. The Value that XP Shows is in GiB (GibiBytes) which is basically what everyone refers to as "Computer Gigabytes". As you should know, in this format 1 KiB = 1024 Bytes.

So, 30GB should be 27.94GiB.

But in fact it is, as you said, 24.9GiB (which should be 26.74GB...maybe they just rounded it up...)

Assuming Windows XP takes up 2.5GiB of space, you're left with:

22.4GiB.

Now, there's still about 4.5GiB unaccounted for. That is most likely the Swap File (or Page File), and Bundled Software with your Windows CD....but it still seems there's more space to be had...

I suggest you just repartition + reformat the whole thing to get all of the disk back.