Missing HD space?

[Specialized]

I'm running Windows XP SP1 with WD400JB using the NTFS file system.

When I check the hard drive using CHKDSK it reports:

39078080 KB total disk space.
6838604 KB in 35885 files.
11364 KB in 1963 indexes.
0 KB in bad sectors.
107072 KB in use by the system.
65536 KB occupied by the log file.
32121040 KB available on disk.

4096 bytes in each allocation unit.
9769520 total allocation units on disk.
8030260 allocation units available on disk.

Which is about 7GB of disk space used but when I use "dir /a /s" it shows that I'm only using around 4GB of hard drive space. So my question is: What is using up the 3GB of hard drive space?!?!!?

 

[Lord Evermore]

Are you doing the dir/a/s from the root directory? What do the properties for the drive show in Explorer?

 

[Specialized]

Originally posted by: Lord Evermore
Are you doing the dir/a/s from the root directory? What do the properties for the drive show in Explorer?

Yes, I did the "dir /a /s" command in the root directory and the properties for the drive in Windows Explorer shows it to be about 7GB used space or to be exact 6.71GB. If I 'select all' in the root dir of Windows Explorer it shows it as appox 4GB (hidden & system files shown). Still a 3GB difference. Any ideas?

 

[pmigunner4879]

do you have norton system works 2003? if you do right click it and emtpy the protected files. if you are ripping something to your computer and putting something on like that and it messes up it goes in there. like for example, i am ripping one of my dvd movies that i am backing up with my dvd burner and 3 gb rips to my computer but it messes up at the end, the 3 gb is in the protected files and when i emtpy them i get them back.

 

[Specialized]

Originally posted by: pmigunner4879
do you have norton system works 2003? if you do right click it and emtpy the protected files. if you are ripping something to your computer and putting something on like that and it messes up it goes in there. like for example, i am ripping one of my dvd movies that i am backing up with my dvd burner and 3 gb rips to my computer but it messes up at the end, the 3 gb is in the protected files and when i emtpy them i get them back.

Nope, I don't have Norton System Works.

 

[pmigunner4879]

then its not that.

 

[Specialized]

I think I found my answer:

Ever wondered where a large chunk of your hard drive disappeared to? If you run XP (this may apply to 2000 and ME) then you have included in the OS a Restore feature.

This feature takes a snapshot of your system and stores it allowing you to revert back to that time should something go amiss.
Here's the catch. Microsoft allocates, by default, up to 12% of you hard drive for these files.

To regain this wasted space and still keep more than enough restore points do the following.

Before you do this make sure your system is stable as this process will delete any current restore points.

Access the System Restore Wizard, click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click System Restore.

Choose the "System Restore Setting" item and Under the System Restore tab check the "Turn Off System Restore" box and reboot.

Repeat the above but this time move the slider to the left to reduce the amount of space reserved. Anywhere between 200-400 meg will give you up to 30 restore points (depending on your system).

Close the dialog box and in the main area create a new restore point.

Reboot and just look how much extra available disk space you have.

I saved 4 gigs on a measly 20 gig drive.

One note you must log on as an administrator or have Administrator rights.