need a good and easy solution for freeing up alot more space on my laptop.

so I've had this laptop since 2 xmas's ago and since then I have never been able to get most of my memory back so anybody got a solution for me to get all my memory back?


thing's I've done allready to restore my memory.

disc cleanup and defrag!


free memory cleanup software!


it only seems to free up a small portion of memory on my laptop.

my model: hp pavilion6000

disc space: 2.69GB free of 140GB

I know, I've crammed my laptop full of crap, but now I want to get rid of it all.

any help with this?:\

 

Try using stuff from here to figure out where the majority of your disk space is.

Do you have more than one partition on the disk? Often that's a cause of memory being chewed up.

 

Clear out temporary files! Not all tempfiles go away when you shut down your computer and eventually it'll back it up.

 

And then there's just outright deleting stuff; essays from previous school years, pictures you saved for no apparent reason, stuff like that really builds up over time. If you want a completely fresh start you could reinstall your operating system (thus formatting your hard drive), but you'd lose all data, programs, everything.

If you still need all of those files, you could compress them into a zip, rar, 7z, what have you. There's tons of software out there to do that.

And you could look into buying an external hard drive--they're not *terribly* expensive.

 

if by partition you mean more then one of the same programs then the answer is yes so I will try the link you gave me and see if it helps.^ ^

I've tried that and I still only free up a small portion of memory.:\

hmmm, how do I reinstall my operating system because I've backed up all the files on my desktop that want to keep and that I could fit onto a usb pendrive so reinstalling my operating system will probably do the trick?

 

Have you still got the disc used to install the operating system and the serial code for the operating system?

 

For removing temporary files on Windows, I recommended the free program CCleaner.

A quote from thier site:

It's been over a year since I last used CCleaner, because I no longer run Windows at home. But I remember having great results with this program.

Another suggestion is using a disk usage analyzer. Using one will let you easily find which directories take up the most space on your hard drive. Attached is an example of one that I ran on my computer. I believe there's one that's similar for Windows called WinDirStat.

 

A partition is when you logically separate a drive into two. If you into 'My Computer', you should have the C: drive. If there is more than that listed, you have a partition, or a second internal hard drive. That would be something you would probably have set up on your own, though, so I doubt that's the case.

To reinstall your operating system, you first need to back up all of your files because you will lose them. I'd recommend just tossing them onto another computer. This would also be a good time to sift through them, delete what you don't need, and perhaps organize them. Then you would need the operating system disc. Some manufacturers provide them for you, others don't, in which case you would have to order them or download them. You clearly have a product key since you are running the operating system now--it's probably printed on a sticker somewhere on the computer. If not, there are ways to retrieve it.

But, I don't think reinstalling your OS would solve your problem if you're just going to move your files right back on. You'd still be using the same amount of hard drive space.

 

Misty brought up a good point, an external HDD. I HIGHLY (yes, it's emphasized) to buy an external HDD. I have 1,5TerraByte of external HDD and they are nearly filled up. I just emptied my laptop onto one of em, I had 10GB space left, after removing installed games that I don't play anymore, and some other crap I don't necessarily use, but I'd prefer to keep, I have over 300GB free space (out of 500GB)
Check out IOmega externals, they are really cheap and good. Though keep in mind you'll need an external poweroutlet unless you buy a smaller one, I prefer the big guns :)

 

I'm not entirely sure about this, but can't you set up a folder or something as a drive on your computer, to act as a shortcut? I think I recall seeing something like that when I poked around in XP, but Windows isn't my forte.

 

I need a disc? if that's the case then no my dad bought this laptop for me at a pawn shop because we can't afford to purchase a brand new one so he bought me a pre-owned one.:\ but when I first got this laptop it still had all it's memory until I downloaded a bunch of crap onto it that I NOW want to get rid of.:\

I tried that but it turns out it's not free like they say it is, reason is they asked me to pay for the actual version right off the bat.:\ which is 50 effin bucks which is bull ****, I'm not paying 50 bucks just for a damn memory cleaning software.>:[

hmmm, you know....this idea could work, the only issue is I don't know how to do set up a folder as a backup, plus my laptop uses vista home premium not XP.

 

Well if you already have a copy of Windows, you could reinstall from a downloaded version burned to a disc, but that could be difficult to get working legally, depending on whether your current copy is an OEM version or not.

Oh, and the thing about the folder was a question to Misty about the drives, not a suggestion on how to help you. It wouldn't be able to help you.

 

hmmm I guess I could download a copy of windows, plus what the heck does OEM mean? I've never heard of that sort of thing.:\

 

It means that the operating system was installed by a company (e.g. Dell) and OEM serial numbers don't activate disc versions, meaning that if you were to discover your serial, it may not work with the version you download, because the downloaded version won't be OEM, meaning you'd need to use an activator to circumvent the anti-piracy measures.

 

so does hp use OEM serials? because I have an hp pavilion laptop.:\

 

I've reinstalled operating systems over various computers, don't think I ever did an HP but I did do a Compaq, who I believe are owned by HP. Just make sure that, if you order or download the discs, you get the right version. If your serial number is for Vista Home Premium, you have to reinstall Home Premium. I never had a problem, though I never did it with Vista, only XP.

If you call HP they may send you the discs for free.

 

kk thanks misty I'll take that under advisement.^ ^