Recover from a Maxed-Out Hard Drive

Over the years, I've run across users who max-out their hard drives, causing the systems to run very slow and in worse cases, causing file-related erorrs. Here are tips to help recover enough space to allow you move, transfer, delete files on your system.

First, try running Disk Cleanup:

Start - All Programs - Accessories - System Tools - Disk Cleanup

Select all options, particularly Compress Old Files. It takes a long time to run. You'll know it's finished when the progress box disappears. After that, reboot, delete all unnecessary files (music, videos, etc.), be sure to empty the recycle bin and then try running a defrag (Start - All Programs - Accessories - System Tools - Disk Defragmenter).

Still need more space? Uninstall any unnecessary programs:

Start - Control Panel

Open the Add/Remove Programs applet. Look for programs that YOU have installed which may no longer be needed. Click on each and select to uninstall them. Be sure to run a defrag after you have uninstalled all of the programs.

System Still Slow?

If you have freed up significant space and the system is still running slow, your browser may have been hijacked, you could have a virus, or you could have registry errors. Download the following programs to a clean PC, burn them to a CD and then install them on the bad PC:

- AVG Free Anti-virus: If you don't have up-to-date anti-virus and anti-malware, then download, install, update and run AVG Free (http://www.grisoft.com/ww.product-avg-anti-virus-free-edition).

- Firefox (free browser): Start using Firefox (http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/) instead of Internet Explorer, especially if you do any promiscuous browsing. LOL Firefox is a bit safer than IE - be sure to use the pop-up blocker.

- CCleaner (file and registry utility): Get rid of the crap that Disk Cleanup missed by downloading and running CCleaner (Crap Cleaner - http://www.ccleaner.com/). After running the file cleaner from the main tab, click on the Registry tab and Scan for Issues and have CCleaner fix them.

Be Aware! There are thousands of threats out there. You don't necessarily need to know exactly "what" they are, but if you practice safe computing you'll never need to know. Bone up on your knowledge at Stay Safe Online Dot Org