Recovery Drive D: almost full in one week

A

ann16

New member
I've been using my new notebook since last week. The allotted space for the Recovery drive D is 13G. After a week, I suddenly noticed that it is now almost full, with only 1.46G free. When I open the drive, I only see recovery folder (16KB) and HPSF_rep text document (4KB). When I viewed protected program files in that drive, I saw a lot of files which I did not dare to modify or anything.

What should I do? What will happen if D: becomes full?
 

My Computer

OS
Windows 7 Home Basic 64-bit
Welcome Ann to the Seven Forums.

As far as I know when working on a computer nothing gets added or removed from the recovery partition by default. Do you remember how much stuff was there when you first got the computer. Actually 11 gigabytes of data is quite normal for a Recovery Partition for HP Computers.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom Built
OS
Windows 7 Pro with SP1 32bit
Motherboard
Intel D845GVS1 X86-based PC
Memory
2 gigs of RAM
Graphics Card(s)
Intel(R) 82845G/GL/GE/PE/GV Graphics Controller
Sound Card
Realtek AC'97 Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung SyncMaster 931BF Black 19" LCD Monitor
Screen Resolution
1280X960
Hard Drives
1. SAMSUNG SP0822N ATA Device ~ 80 GigaBytes

2. Seagate FreeAgent Go USB Device ~ 500 GigaBytes
Keyboard
COMPAQ Standard PS/2 Keyboard
Mouse
iBall Laser Precise Speedster
Internet Speed
4 mb/sec
Check whether any shadows were written in that partition. The command is:

vssadmin list shadowstorage
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP, Dell, Gateway, Toshiba - 4 laptops and 2 desktops
OS
Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
CPU
from 1.6GHz Duo to i7
Monitor(s) Displays
2x HP w2207
Hard Drives
5x HDD, 7x SSD, 12x Externals
Keyboard
with trackball - no mices
Mouse
Trackball mice
Internet Speed
DSL 6000
I actually cannot remember what the original free space was when I first opened it. I just noticed it today after I noticed that a Q drive mysteriously appeared. But if you think it's quite normal, then maybe it would be ok.

BTW, will it reach a point of being totally full (how?) and what will happen if it does become full? Thank you for the replies.
 

My Computer

OS
Windows 7 Home Basic 64-bit
Hi Ann,

Please check the volume of data after a day or two to find out if it has changed.
If it hasn't then things are OK.

Amarnath Wanchoo


ann16 said:
I actually cannot remember what the original free space was when I first opened it. I just noticed it today after I noticed that a Q drive mysteriously appeared. But if you think it's quite normal, then maybe it would be ok.

BTW, will it reach a point of being totally full (how?) and what will happen if it does become full? Thank you for the replies.
Click to expand...
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom Built
OS
Windows 7 Pro with SP1 32bit
Motherboard
Intel D845GVS1 X86-based PC
Memory
2 gigs of RAM
Graphics Card(s)
Intel(R) 82845G/GL/GE/PE/GV Graphics Controller
Sound Card
Realtek AC'97 Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung SyncMaster 931BF Black 19" LCD Monitor
Screen Resolution
1280X960
Hard Drives
1. SAMSUNG SP0822N ATA Device ~ 80 GigaBytes

2. Seagate FreeAgent Go USB Device ~ 500 GigaBytes
Keyboard
COMPAQ Standard PS/2 Keyboard
Mouse
iBall Laser Precise Speedster
Internet Speed
4 mb/sec
ann16 said:
I've been using my new notebook since last week. The allotted space for the Recovery drive D is 13G. After a week, I suddenly noticed that it is now almost full, with only 1.46G free. When I open the drive, I only see recovery folder (16KB) and HPSF_rep text document (4KB). When I viewed protected program files in that drive, I saw a lot of files which I did not dare to modify or anything.

What should I do? What will happen if D: becomes full?
Click to expand...

If data is filling the drive, most likely it is due to either backup files or other files being downloaded to the D partition. Check your default settings for backup and download location.

You can download a free utility "Folder Size" which will provide drive storage data in an easy to read GUI, and a quick way to see the files and folders located in the D partition.

Download site for Folder Size;

Folder Size - Freeware file size analysis. Check the directory sizes, folder sizes and file sizes on your computer with this freeware tree size analysis tool.

HTH
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom Built
OS
Windows 7 Professional x64
CPU
Intel i5 quad processor
Motherboard
DP67BG
Memory
16 GB
Graphics Card(s)
Radeon HD 5770
Sound Card
Realtek High Definition Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung SyncMaster
Screen Resolution
1920X1080
Hard Drives
WD 2TB (SATA Internal)
WD 1TB (USB External)
PSU
Corsair GS800
Case
Tower (Generic)
Cooling
3 Internal Fans
Keyboard
MS Wireless
Mouse
MS Optical Wired
Internet Speed
54 mbps
Antivirus
Emsisoft
Browser
IE-Version 9, Palemoon-Version 24.2.0
I agree with Wanchoo, nothing should be writting to the recovery drive also you wouldn't expect a recovery partition to carry much more than the recovery image.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
DIY
OS
Windows 7 home premium x64
CPU
AMD FX-4100 AM3+ 3.6GHz 12MB Black Edition
Motherboard
Asus M5A97 Pro
Memory
Crsair vengeance 12Gb DDR3 1600MHz CL9
Graphics Card(s)
Asus GTX 560 1GB
Sound Card
Realtek onboard
Monitor(s) Displays
Hanns G 1680x1050 native
Hard Drives
OCZ 128Gb Petrol ssd
2x500 Gb Samsung
PSU
OCZ StealthXstream II 500W
Internet Speed
8Mb or better
1. did you check whether there were shadows

2. the Q drive is a virtual partition. It may have come from an Office 2010 installation. When you rboot, it should disappear.

3. nothing happens when the partition is full. The program that writes to it will not be happy and will tell you.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP, Dell, Gateway, Toshiba - 4 laptops and 2 desktops
OS
Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
CPU
from 1.6GHz Duo to i7
Monitor(s) Displays
2x HP w2207
Hard Drives
5x HDD, 7x SSD, 12x Externals
Keyboard
with trackball - no mices
Mouse
Trackball mice
Internet Speed
DSL 6000
Make your Recovery disks now which will tell you if the partition is corrupted.

The sizes you gave look wrong. What are the actual sizes of the folders. The other folder besides Recovery looks suspect. Post back a Screen Shot of the content after unhiding System and Hidden files in Control Panel>Folder Options>View tab.

This is also dealt with here: Error: Low Disk Space. You are running out of disk space on Recovery (D:) - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

As you have an HP which has the worst load of factory bloatware in the industry, you should also Clean Up Factory Bloatware
 
ann16 said:
I've been using my new notebook since last week. The allotted space for the Recovery drive D is 13G. After a week, I suddenly noticed that it is now almost full, with only 1.46G free. When I open the drive, I only see recovery folder (16KB) and HPSF_rep text document (4KB). When I viewed protected program files in that drive, I saw a lot of files which I did not dare to modify or anything.

What should I do? What will happen if D: becomes full?
Click to expand...

In addition to my prior post, how about checking this out;

Since it is a fact that the D drive, in this case, shouldn't be written to; First I'd disable SYSTEM RESTORE to it. Go to CONTROL PANEL, SYSTEM, SYSTEM PROTECTION on left side, select D: on the bottom pane and CONFIGURE to turn it off.

Then I'd look to see what files had the DATE changed to be today/yesterday and figure out the file(s) being written. With that info, you should be able to determine the cause. It might have been nothing more than a restore point being created on boot or after installing a program?

The advice in my first post can be beneficial as well...
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom Built
OS
Windows 7 Professional x64
CPU
Intel i5 quad processor
Motherboard
DP67BG
Memory
16 GB
Graphics Card(s)
Radeon HD 5770
Sound Card
Realtek High Definition Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung SyncMaster
Screen Resolution
1920X1080
Hard Drives
WD 2TB (SATA Internal)
WD 1TB (USB External)
PSU
Corsair GS800
Case
Tower (Generic)
Cooling
3 Internal Fans
Keyboard
MS Wireless
Mouse
MS Optical Wired
Internet Speed
54 mbps
Antivirus
Emsisoft
Browser
IE-Version 9, Palemoon-Version 24.2.0
Hi!

I have not done anything yet. I've just been monitoring if there would be any changes in the Recovery (D: )
So far, it hasn't changed (still 1.46GB free of 13.0GB)
Here is the screenshot of the contents of D:

582729_10150699933931960_613676959_10002305_1612190038_n.jpg


I did not get this even after unhiding hidden files. I got this after I clicked "Unhide protected operating system files (Recommended)" in the folder options.

Thank you for your suggestions! :)
 

My Computer

OS
Windows 7 Home Basic 64-bit
I don't see anything which obviously shouldn't be there. Make your HP Recovery Disks so you don't have to rely solely on running Recovery from the partition although it is the first choice if necessary since it's more stable and the disks should act as back up - if you really want the bloated factory install.

However since you've come here to the top place on the web for clean reinstalling bloated factory OEM preinstalls - of which HP is the worst - or cleaning up bloatware in the meantime, read over these resources when you have a chance and feel free to ask back any questions: Clean Up Factory Bloatware
Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7
 
Nothing unusual for a recovery partition. But HP always cut their recovery partitions very tight. I would not worry about it. You still have more than 10% free, so it should not show red in Computer. But even that would not be a drama.

PS: adding to Greg's suggestion: Make an image of your current system. Then you need not rely on the recovery partition at all. And if you want to always be up-to-date, image often. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/73828-imaging-free-macrium.html?ltr=I
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP, Dell, Gateway, Toshiba - 4 laptops and 2 desktops
OS
Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
CPU
from 1.6GHz Duo to i7
Monitor(s) Displays
2x HP w2207
Hard Drives
5x HDD, 7x SSD, 12x Externals
Keyboard
with trackball - no mices
Mouse
Trackball mice
Internet Speed
DSL 6000
One thing odd in that screenshot is the fact that the "$RECYCLE.BIN" and "System Volume Information" folders each have their modified dates set to today, indicating activity within those folders. I'd check System Properties to ensure System Restore for that drive is turned off.
 

My Computer

OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
sibbil said:
One thing odd in that screenshot is the fact that the "$RECYCLE.BIN" and "System Volume Information" folders each have their modified dates set to today, indicating activity within those folders. I'd check System Properties to ensure System Restore for that drive is turned off.
Click to expand...
Right. I suggested to do that in post #3. But he never reported back on that.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP, Dell, Gateway, Toshiba - 4 laptops and 2 desktops
OS
Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
CPU
from 1.6GHz Duo to i7
Monitor(s) Displays
2x HP w2207
Hard Drives
5x HDD, 7x SSD, 12x Externals
Keyboard
with trackball - no mices
Mouse
Trackball mice
Internet Speed
DSL 6000
Sir George said:
In addition to my prior post, how about checking this out;

Since it is a fact that the D drive, in this case, shouldn't be written to; First I'd disable SYSTEM RESTORE to it. Go to CONTROL PANEL, SYSTEM, SYSTEM PROTECTION on left side, select D: on the bottom pane and CONFIGURE to turn it off.

Then I'd look to see what files had the DATE changed to be today/yesterday and figure out the file(s) being written. With that info, you should be able to determine the cause. It might have been nothing more than a restore point being created on boot or after installing a program?

The advice in my first post can be beneficial as well...
Click to expand...

The System Restore is already OFF when I checked it.
 

My Computer

OS
Windows 7 Home Basic 64-bit
It should only be turned off on all other drives except C. On C I would have it configured for around 20% of disk space so you have more Restore options which hang around longer.
 
gregrocker said:
Make your HP Recovery Disks so you don't have to rely solely on running Recovery from the partition although it is the first choice if necessary since it's more stable and the disks should act as back up - if you really want the bloated factory install.
Click to expand...

How do I make HP Recovery Disks? I've been using HP laptops for so many years and yet I don't know/explore many of these things.
 

My Computer

OS
Windows 7 Home Basic 64-bit
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