RE: System Restore stores tooo much

augfl wrote:

Hello again Bert,
The System Restore function does not appear to be the problem. When I
reboot the computer,each time 0.8 GB is added to the disk. A series of
reboots shows total files on disk C properties window to be: 13.0 GB,
13.7, 14.5, 15.2, 16.0, 16.7, 17.5. All this on successive reboots and
without adding anything to the disk. That explains why the disk is
filling up, not the System Restore function. Any suggestions? Thanks
very much. Regards,
augfl

"augfl" wrote:

When System Restore (Windows XP, 80 GB disk, SP2, Dell Dimension
computer 2400 model) is turned on, it accumulates data in the 20+
gigabyte range, far more than it should, and far more than the 1 GB
that it is set to accumulate. Using Disk Clean Up to remove all but
the most recent Restore Point fails to delete this excess data. The
only way to remove the excess data is to turn off and then turn on
System Restore. The slider for System Restore is set to just 1
gigabyte, but wherever it is set doesn't matter. The same excess
accumulation occurs. How can the System Restore function be set so
that it doesn't accumulate more data than it is supposed to? And what
data is it accumulating? No downloads of files have occurred to fill
up the disk. The
files and programs only take up 10 GB. Only turning off and on the
System Restore will delete these excess files.

I'm not Bert, but I have some questions/suggestions.

1. What is the virus/malware-status of the machine? *Something* is
adding files; this doesn't happen "all by itself". Make sure the
computer is clean:
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

2. What type(s) of files are they? You can also right-click on some of
the files and choose Properties and see if you can find their owner by
looking on the Version tab. Make sure you are able to see all hidden
files and extensions (View tab in Folder Options). In XP, there are
four checkboxes to deal with:

a. Check "Display the contents of system folders".
b. Check "Show hidden files and folders".
c. Uncheck "Hide extensions for known file types".
d. Uncheck "Hide protected operating system files" and click "OK" to the
dialog box.

3. If the machine is clean and you can't figure out what program owns
those files, do clean-boot troubleshooting:

Clean boot in Windows XP - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353
Clean-boot advanced troubleshooting in Windows XP -
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316434
and How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP -
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=310560

4. Look in Event Viewer for clues:
Start>Run>eventvwr.msc [enter]

Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: "wasted" disk space?
    ... when i changed the System Restore allocation for D: ... Next in Windows Explorer make sure View, ... > You still will not see the System Volume Information folder. ... > disk space is being used. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.perform_maintain)
  • Re: disk space issue....
    ... I will go with Windows XP. ... that is your problem where System Restore is concerned. ... If I was looking over your computer I would first use Disk ... Empty your Temporary Internet Files and shrink the size it stores ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.work_remotely)
  • Re: disk space issue....
    ... I currently only have 1% disk space. ... I will go with Windows XP. ... First off - Windows System Restore does not *touch* your files, ... You can control how much space your Temporary Internet Files can utilize... ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.work_remotely)
  • Re: System Restore stores tooo much
    ... adds 0.8 GB to the disk everytime the computer is restarted. ... Norton, adds less than 0.1 GB for each restore point added. ... I have uninstalled the Norton using the Add/Delete program in Windows ... The System Restore function does not appear to be the problem. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: System Restore stores tooo much
    ... adds 0.8 GB to the disk everytime the computer is restarted. ... Norton, adds less than 0.1 GB for each restore point added. ... I have uninstalled the Norton using the Add/Delete program in Windows ... The System Restore function does not appear to be the problem. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
Loading