Total memory

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  1. Posts : 115
    Windows 7
       #1

    Total memory


    I know when you delete a file it isnt gone from your computer, its just made very very tiny. but overtime, do all the files start to build up? I have 143GB (initially) on my internal hardrive, but will that number ever decrease?

    Also, if I got a new internal hardrive I would need to back up everything to my external hard drive first correct? theres no other way to transfer my files?
      My Computer


  2. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #2

    1. Don't worry about the deleted files. They are marked as available space but they are still there in their entirety until the space is needed. If you do a disk defrag, they disappear too. Files of your own that you delete will hardly make a dent in the disk space because they are usually tiny compared to the total disk space. You would have to delete Gigabytes (which you usually don't have) to see it in the freespace amount.

    2. Your second problem is more complicated. If you want to change the harddrive, you have to clone your current drive. Programs like Norton Ghost, Acronis, Paragon and a lot of others can do that. Yes you have to clone to an external drive (unless you have a second internal drive) - where else, since you take the disk away. You also have to burn a recovery CD to pull the clone back in. But all of that is explained if you study any of those programs. Here is some reading to give you an idea: Disk cloning - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

    BTW: your topic is misleading. Disk space is no memory. RAM is memory.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 846
    Windows 10 Pro
       #3

    steveseven said:
    I know when you delete a file it isnt gone from your computer, its just made very very tiny. but overtime, do all the files start to build up? I have 143GB (initially) on my internal hardrive, but will that number ever decrease?

    Also, if I got a new internal hardrive I would need to back up everything to my external hard drive first correct? theres no other way to transfer my files?

    Hi and Welcome.
    1. If you are looking for a program to delete unneeded files?
    I suggest running CCleaner which is a free program and helps find and deletes garbage from you HD as well as your Registry.
    Google it. Ccleaner.

    2. About the HD question. Are you talking about a desktop computer or laptop?
    If it is a desktop I'd make the HD my backup drive for storage of backup data.
    Now if you have alot of DATA you should backup to a CD or DVD and reinstall after the new HD is installed and Win7 installed properly.


    I'm sure you have more questions now. Just ask.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 6,618
    W7x64 Pro, SuSe 12.1/** W7 x64 Pro, XP MCE
       #4

    whs,

    1. Don't worry about the deleted files. They are marked as available space but they are still there in their entirety until the space is needed. If you do a disk defrag, they disappear too. Files of your own that you delete will hardly make a dent in the disk space because they are usually tiny compared to the total disk space. You would have to delete Gigabytes (which you usually don't have) to see it in the freespace amount.
    I realize that I'm picking nits, but defrag doesn't totally eliminate deleted files, it just writes over them. If a person really want to ensure that no fragments of a previous file are erased beyond a trace, they must use a program such as a shredder that performs multiple pass over the file to totally eliminate them.

    Your response was quite adequate, but I guess that I was bored and wanted to rattle on.
      My Computer


  5. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #5

    seekermeister said:
    whs,

    1. Don't worry about the deleted files. They are marked as available space but they are still there in their entirety until the space is needed. If you do a disk defrag, they disappear too. Files of your own that you delete will hardly make a dent in the disk space because they are usually tiny compared to the total disk space. You would have to delete Gigabytes (which you usually don't have) to see it in the freespace amount.
    I realize that I'm picking nits, but defrag doesn't totally eliminate deleted files, it just writes over them. If a person really want to ensure that no fragments of a previous file are erased beyond a trace, they must use a program such as a shredder that performs multiple pass over the file to totally eliminate them.

    Your response was quite adequate, but I guess that I was bored and wanted to rattle on.

    LOL Seekermeister. I totally agree if you want to be 100% correct. But the issue here was not military strength erasure. The OP was only wondering about the freespace. I like to tune my answers to the "customer" and not confuse them with too many sidelines. But your point is well taken. And I only answered to your observation because I am bored too - what else can you do on a Sunday.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 115
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #6

    IggyAZ said:
    steveseven said:
    I know when you delete a file it isnt gone from your computer, its just made very very tiny. but overtime, do all the files start to build up? I have 143GB (initially) on my internal hardrive, but will that number ever decrease?

    Also, if I got a new internal hardrive I would need to back up everything to my external hard drive first correct? theres no other way to transfer my files?

    Hi and Welcome.
    1. If you are looking for a program to delete unneeded files?
    I suggest running CCleaner which is a free program and helps find and deletes garbage from you HD as well as your Registry.
    Google it. Ccleaner.

    2. About the HD question. Are you talking about a desktop computer or laptop?
    If it is a desktop I'd make the HD my backup drive for storage of backup data.
    Now if you have alot of DATA you should backup to a CD or DVD and reinstall after the new HD is installed and Win7 installed properly.


    I'm sure you have more questions now. Just ask.
    I have CCleaner and use it often.

    I just upgraded from Windows XP to Windows 7, and im deleting a lot of stuff from the .old folder. I dont have a lot of mem left on my laptop (only 25GB out of the 146GB), so i want to make space but dont want to lower the maximum amount of mem (146GB) at the same time
      My Computer


  7. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #7

    the maximum amount of mem (146GB) at the same time
    You must have quite a system. Usually PCs come with 1,2 or 4GB of memory. But one with 146GB of memory I have never seen.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 115
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #8

    whs said:
    the maximum amount of mem (146GB) at the same time
    You must have quite a system. Usually PCs come with 1,2 or 4GB of memory. But one with 146GB of memory I have never seen.
    ok, got the sarcasm. i have 2 gigs of mem, but 25GB free of 146GB
      My Computer


  9. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #9

    steveseven said:
    whs said:
    the maximum amount of mem (146GB) at the same time
    You must have quite a system. Usually PCs come with 1,2 or 4GB of memory. But one with 146GB of memory I have never seen.
    ok, got the sarcasm. i have 2 gigs of mem, but 25GB free of 146GB
    I was just joking. It is a common confusion. RAM is memory and what's on the disk is "disk space". This is not a big deal, but precise acronyms help to understand a posting. Forgive me for pulling your leg.

      My Computer


  10. Posts : 115
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #10

    no prob. do u know the answer to my question tho?
      My Computer


 
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