Why does my C drive fluctuate with storage?

[lister]

Hi I have a dual booted PC, Windows 7 and Linux Ubuntu.

On the C Drive, my memory total size is 20 gig and sometimes if is freed by upto 2 gig and then suddenly the storage space left becomes very small like 500mb.

what is making this fluctuation? Is it RAM? Then it disappears...

Does anyone know how to bring this to a consistent level or is a "natural" occurrence?

Thanks, Lister

 

[Curzon]

Hi I have a dual booted PC, Windows 7 and Linux Ubuntu.

On the C Drive, my memory total size is 20 gig and sometimes if is freed by upto 2 gig and then suddenly the storage space left becomes very small like 500mb.

what is making this fluctuation? Is it RAM? Then it disappears...

Does anyone know how to bring this to a consistent level or is a "natural" occurrence?

Thanks, Lister

Hi Lister,
Are you saying your Hard Drive (storage) is only 20GB? :shock: Even if you have 2 partitions of 20GB each, that's tiny mate! You don't say how much RAM (Memory) you have. Win 7 32 bit needs a min of 1GB RAM, but you'd be much better off with 2GB.

Windows uses something called a Page File. It is located on the hdd. When windows runs low on memory, it starts to use the Page File a lot more, swapping data between memory and storage, & vice versa. This inevitably uses more space on your hdd and, slows things down a lot.

Cheers.

 

[DeaconFrost]

It is natural, but usually unnoticed because not many people run a system drive that tiny. Temp files are created, virtual memory may increase/decrease, etc. I would look more into the reaosn why you set your computer up with such a small drive size, and look to see if it can be expanded.

 

[cluberti]

The absolute minimum disk space required for just running Windows 7 is 16GB for x86 and 20GB for x64 - in general, you want to take that number and multiply it by at least 4 to make sure you have enough space for everyday usage (and of course that assumes you're storing your user data on another volume or disk).

 

[lister]

ok thanks....how can i check how much RAM i have? And also, is it possible to just buy more RAM and slot it in? That should work right?

One issue I have though is this....I have a dual booted PC and I dont think I can increase a partition without causing issues to the other partition

 

[DocBrown]

ok thanks....how can i check how much RAM i have? And also, is it possible to just buy more RAM and slot it in? That should work right?

One issue I have though is this....I have a dual booted PC and I dont think I can increase a partition without causing issues to the other partition

Try running Software Info for Windows to find out some of your system specs & post them.

 

[lister]

Hey thanks for that - that is a really great tool.

Memory Top
Property Value
Memory Summary Top
Property Value
Maximum Capacity 4096 MBytes
Memory Slots 2
Error Correction None
DRAM Frequency 332.5 MHz
Memory Timings 5-5-5-15 (CL-RCD-RP-RAS)
Device Locator Slot 1 Top
Property Value
Capacity 1024 MBytes
Memory Type DDR2 (PC2-5300)
Speed 333 MHz (DDR2 667)
Supported Frequencies 200 MHz, 266 MHz, 333 MHz
Memory Timings 3-3-3-9-12 at 200 MHz, at 1.8 volts (CL-RCD-RP-RAS-RC)
Memory Timings 4-4-4-12-16 at 266 MHz, at 1.8 volts (CL-RCD-RP-RAS-RC)
Memory Timings 5-5-5-15-20 at 333 MHz, at 1.8 volts (CL-RCD-RP-RAS-RC)
Data Width 64 bits
EPP SPD Support No
XMP SPD Support No
Device Locator Slot 2 Top
Property Value
Manufacturer Elpida
Part Number EBE11UE6ACSA-6E-E
Serial Number 30FD6531
Capacity 1024 MBytes
Memory Type DDR2 (PC2-5300)
Speed 333 MHz (DDR2 667)
Supported Frequencies 200 MHz, 266 MHz, 333 MHz
Memory Timings 3-3-3-9-12 at 200 MHz, at 1.8 volts (CL-RCD-RP-RAS-RC)
Memory Timings 4-4-4-12-16 at 266 MHz, at 1.8 volts (CL-RCD-RP-RAS-RC)
Memory Timings 5-5-5-15-20 at 333 MHz, at 1.8 volts (CL-RCD-RP-RAS-RC)
Data Width 64 bits
Manufacturing Date 2009, Week 22
EPP SPD Support No
XMP SPD Support No

***********************************************************************************

How does the above look to you?

Cant I just solve this by buying more RAM and slotting it in?

Thanks!!!

PS, I have a Japanese toughbook which I hope doesnt complicate things!!

I should say that the machine works perfectly, just I am constantly getting the "running out of memory" message.

The set-up is

Windows 7 C Drive 19.5 Gig
Ubuntu Linux Partition 19.5 Gig

The the above share

D Drive 107 Gig (by making linux read NTFS)

 

[DocBrown]

Looks like you are limited to 4gb Ram total by the MB capacity. So you could buy 2 x 2gb ram (DDR2) sticks to replace the 2 x 1gb you currently have.

 

[lister]

ah amazing news.

So that would solve my constantly fluctuating C Drive? (My understanding is that the C Drive fluctates in terms of storage owing to the swap files that are forced onto the C drive owing to a lack of RAM)

I like the idea of buying that more RAM as a solution.....

Should do the trick...

THANKS

 

[Thorsen]

I would still advise a bigger hard drive. They are not that expensive right now. an 80G IDE HDD would cost about 25-30 bucks.

I am not sure what your system is compatible with though.

 

[DocBrown]

Use SIW to list your MB for us.

 

[lister]

omg...the RAM i need is like £300 - is that possible? Its from DABS -

is it always that pricey?

Seems way tooooo much

 

[DocBrown]

Have you check on eBay ?

 

[lister]

Hey sorry i hadnt refreshed my page hence the out of place message above...

OK, my motherboard details are:


Motherboard
PropertyValueManufacturerPanasonic CorporationModelCFF8-3Version1Serial NumberNone

North BridgeIntel GS45 Revision 07South BridgeIntel 82801IM (ICH9-M) Revision 07

CPUIntel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU U9400 @ 1.40GHzCpu SocketSocket P (478)

System Slots1 PCMCIA

Memory Summary
Maximum Capacity4096 MBytesMemory Slots2Error CorrectionNone

Warning!Accuracy of DMI data cannot be guaranteed

Thanks for the advice guys i really appreciate it.

 

[DocBrown]

I can't find a listing for the MB. What is the make & model of the Panasonic on the case ?

 

[whs]

ah amazing news.

So that would solve my constantly fluctuating C Drive? (My understanding is that the C Drive fluctates in terms of storage owing to the swap files that are forced onto the C drive owing to a lack of RAM)

I like the idea of buying that more RAM as a solution.....

Should do the trick...

THANKS

No, No, you got this all wrong. if you buy more RAM, you will also get a bigger pagefile. So that will reduce the space on your C partition.
However, the space fluctuation on C that you see now has nothing to do with RAM. It could have several causes:
1. temporary files that disappear at times
2. Restore points that get purged
3. files that you delete at times

To get a picture on what is on C, I recommend 2 actions:
a) run WinDirStat. That will show you all system and user files and the totals thereof
b) Go to Start > right click on Computer > Properties > System protection (on top in the left pane) > highlight C > click "Configure". That will show you the "Current usage" of the disk space on C that is used for restore points (also called shadows).

And as was already said, you have to increase the size of C to at least 50GBs - else you will not be a happy camper in the future. The best is to use this program for rearranging tha space on your drive: BEST FREE Partition Manager Software for Windows supports all 32-bit & 64 bit Windows No-server OS.

 

[brianzion]

TRY THESE FOR RAM

RAM Memory Upgrade: Dell, Mac, Apple, HP, Compaq. USB drives, flash cards, SSD at Crucial.com

 

[DeaconFrost]

I know I've been on a rant about this for a little while, but to me, people owning their computers should know the specs of those computers off the top of their heads.

That being said, you should know what hard drive is in the computer, so you'd know what it would cost to get a bigger one. I'm not sure a hard drive upgrade is needed, as it sounds to me like you just have a very small C drive partitioned. What would be most helpful is if you posted a screen shot of your Disk Management screen.

 

[lister]

ah amazing news.

So that would solve my constantly fluctuating C Drive? (My understanding is that the C Drive fluctates in terms of storage owing to the swap files that are forced onto the C drive owing to a lack of RAM)

I like the idea of buying that more RAM as a solution.....

Should do the trick...

THANKS

No, No, you got this all wrong. if you buy more RAM, you will also get a bigger pagefile. So that will reduce the space on your C partition.
However, the space fluctuation on C that you see now has nothing to do with RAM. It could have several causes:
1. temporary files that disappear at times
2. Restore points that get purged
3. files that you delete at times

To get a picture on what is on C, I recommend 2 actions:
a) run WinDirStat. That will show you all system and user files and the totals thereof
b) Go to Start > right click on Computer > Properties > System protection (on top in the left pane) > highlight C > click "Configure". That will show you the "Current usage" of the disk space on C that is used for restore points (also called shadows).

And as was already said, you have to increase the size of C to at least 50GBs - else you will not be a happy camper in the future. The best is to use this program for rearranging tha space on your drive: BEST FREE Partition Manager Software for Windows supports all 32-bit & 64 bit Windows No-server OS.

Thanks for the above advice which I will do and post but in the meantime enclosed is a screenshot of the Disk Management App.

Again, cant say how much I appreciate your help with all of this.

 

[Petey7]

The page file is on the D drive, so that has nothing to do with it. I recommend getting a new 80GB hard drive to have Windows on, then delete the current windows partition and let Ubuntu have the whole 40GB on your current hard drive.