Assistance please?

KevIndy · #1 12-05-2002, 05:08 PM

Ok here goes again. I know you computer geeks (Finman) :eek: love helping us computer morons. I have a puter problem I need assistance with.

I have a Dell Inspiron 3200 laptop I use. It has very little hard drive left and I have deleted everything from it I can without losing the functionality I need. I use Norton System Works and have cut everything I need to the bone to free up more space. It's still not enough. I am always in the "danger zone" as far as hard disk is concerned. I need to use this puter for another couple months until I can afford a new one so I have to make due with this.

In My Computer I have noticed it says I have a "D" drive in addition to my "C" drive. Am I to assume that I can format this "D" drive to obtain additional space? If so, how? Maybe one of you (Finman) could talk to me on AIM to accomplish this? I know how you fellow Reaganites would love to help with this problem.

Seriously though, can someone help? It sure would be appreciated. Waiting for a response. [img]graemlins/popcorn.gif[/img]

The Finman · #2 12-05-2002, 05:43 PM

I suspect that the D: drive that you see is not actually a seperate physical drive, but a partition on your C: drive created by either Windows or Dell to store backup files.

What version of Windows are you using?

Also, do you have some type of "restore" software on your computer such as "GoBack"? (Windows XP automatically has a restore feature).

Dutch · #3 12-05-2002, 05:45 PM

I am not trying to sound like a smart A$$, but typically your D: drive is your CD Rom.

Did you partion your hard drive? I am assuming that you have not installed an additional hard drive based upon your last PC topic.

KevIndy · #4 12-05-2002, 06:04 PM

I am using Windows 98. Also, my CD ROM drive is E. It actually states that this D drive is a hard drive.

The Finman · #5 12-05-2002, 07:09 PM

Yep that's what I thought...your D: drive is just a partition on your C: drive where Dell has a bunch of their propietary stuff mixed in with some backup Windows files.

I suspect (if memory serves me right) that you simply can delete that stuff...but it's been so long since I've used WIndows 98 that I can't remember...it may depend on what all Dell has on there...Compaq did that to me and stuck all their factory image garbage on there.

I really don't want to give you a "bum steer" especially if there is something important on there, but I really think that you can get rid of it...I do know that you can use the D: drive for extra storage (just create a folder in there and put stuff like files in it).

My honest recommendation is to go buy a nice big hard drive and transfer everything on to it, and then when you buy your new computer just move your new drive over to it.

But yeah, your D: drive is simply a save partition on your C: drive (Windows just reads it as a seperate drive because of the partition)...in it you should find both backup stuff from Dell & Windows.

You might want to post in the Software Help Forum, I'm sure one of the guys in there (bunch of them are professional tech support) can confirm this.

I seem to remember someone that not only formated that partition but remerged it back with C: and Windows wasn't to happy about that.

The Finman · #6 12-05-2002, 07:26 PM

Also why is your hard drive so full?

Do you download a lot of programs?

And if you do, what do you do with intial install file once you have run it?

Number one reason I've found for people clogging up their hard drive is keeping that huge install file on their hard drive after they have run it and installed the actual program.

The next reason is that they're a music fanatic and have downloaded their entire favorite music collection onto their hard drive. [img]graemlins/lazy.gif[/img]

KevIndy · #7 12-05-2002, 07:45 PM

I use it to run my business. Invoicing, banking, diagnostic software, etc. Plus, every document I get from a customer I save everything. CYA ya know. I don't store any music on it and yes I delete the install files every time. The hard drive is only a tad bit over 2G. [img]graemlins/blank.gif[/img]

The Finman · #8 12-05-2002, 07:54 PM

Do you have a USB port?

KevIndy · #9 12-05-2002, 07:55 PM

Yes I use it for my printer.

Simply Emo · #10 12-05-2002, 08:10 PM

Well I guess I'll hop in here...

The D: drive is only a partition of your main hard drive... Dell does use this for their restore information and other things but if this is Windows XP system restore is used... You said that you're HD is only a bit over two gigabytes is what Windows XP takes so I can rule that out.... If you're laptop does have a USB Port; what you could do is get an external hard drive to connect to the port where you can transfer programs; music; movies; documents; and other files to a larger external hard drive which is more secure in case your laptop is stolen and they do have small ones that can be carried the size of a PDA or remote... These are affordable and will save your important documents in case of system failure... But to make do with your internal hard drive I would use a utility like PowerQuest Partion Magic 8 to move the data to your C drive and merge the partions to make only one and free up as much space as you need... But I would recommend an external USB HD for your business purposes and just the ease of use...

If you would like; I'll be on for the next 2 1/2 hours and you can contact me on AIM: [Quantum Cathexis] without the brackets it the screenname...

Good Luck [img]graemlins/popcorn.gif[/img]