recorder shutting off , didn't use to

you were recommended as a solution by a IT pro.

I had a working WMP now its quirking.
On my Windows 7 NV54 Gateway laptop, I recorded hours and hours of video using my built in webcam while I was away, specifically a TV sports program simply pointing it at he TV. and recording balcony scenes in my absence. I put the program on lock so noone would disrupt the recording but when I return to the computer and click the movie to stop the recording , its only saving the last several minutess, it just plays the last 10 percent or so like thats all I have .I have video 0001, video 0002 and video 0003 but its only a short movie. But my 221GB computer says 11GB of hard disc left. Nowhere on my computer can I find the recorded video. It should be several hours but the .avi files are just a few minutes. Anyone know where I can find my recordings? Some might say that the computer slept and you lost it. But I used to do this all the time. like 9 hours or so and it only auto stopped because I had only 1GB left on the drive. It appears like I have the recordings somewhere because my drive is almost full, but it didnt save it as an avi file. I do have other editing and video programs on my drive but how could that have done anything?
Today I recorded for hours but when I got back it shows me the last 5 minutes but says its 98 Gigabytes. I did have trojans etc but I think I.ve cleaned and chkdsk'ed everything.
2:21 PM Checking configuration...
2:21 PM Connecting...
2:21 PM Connected. A support representative will be with you shortly.
2:22 PM Support session established with Monique.
2:22 PM Monique: Thank you for contacting AnswersBy. My name is Monique. My badge number isGWAH405. How may I help you today?
2:22 PM JohnBaycroft: I am recording with windows media player
2:23 PM Monique: Ok.
2:23 PM JohnBaycroft: I want it to stay on during "lock"
2:23 PM JohnBaycroft: it seems to be shutting off
2:23 PM JohnBaycroft: even when I reset power options
2:24 PM JohnBaycroft: to keep hard drive on
2:24 PM JohnBaycroft: It worked at one time I would record several hours under " lock"
2:25 PM JohnBaycroft: it would stop automatically with 1GB left
2:25 PM JohnBaycroft: now it wont stay on
2:26 PM JohnBaycroft: when I log back in it says its still recording
2:26 PM JohnBaycroft: but the nove is only a few minutes long
2:26 PM JohnBaycroft: even though it shows my disc almost full
2:26 PM Monique: Ok.
2:27 PM Monique: One moment.
2:28 PM JohnBaycroft: it shows 5 minutes of recording is 98GB
2:29 PM JohnBaycroft: but my hard drive is 200GB and I used record 6 or more hours with it
2:32 PM Monique: Ok. John the techs can help you here.
2:33 PM Monique: We do charge for technical support.
2:33 PM Monique: A 5 issue plan is good for 5 issues. Each issue is open for 72 hours, which means that you can call in and get help for 3 days on the same issue. Each new problem requires an issue to be used, decreasing the amount of issues left. The charge for this plan is 149.99
2:34 PM JohnBaycroft: no thank you that is too much money
2:34 PM Monique: Ok. I'm sorry I couldn't be better help, John.
2:34 PM JohnBaycroft: ok ty
2:34 PM Monique: Have a great day.
2:34 PM Monique has ended the session.

IT pro response
Right, the video optimization message you got was probably related to compression of the video. The fact that your hard drive is being filled in five minutes indicates that there is no video compression taking place, hence why you are unable to record more than 5 minutes.
I have never tried recording video with Windows Media Player, but if you're dead set on using it rather than this other program I suggested, I can do some research.
But I'll tell you now, this software will probably be easier to use and have video compression enabled by default. In addition, it will pause and start recording based on activity/events in the cameras field of vision.
Also I might add for anyone who might know, I have a 10 second video reorting as 41.4 Gigabites, and a 1.51 minute video reporting as 748 Megabites. Maybe remnants of the Trjan I had is showing up. but C:/chkdsk shows no errors found.
Thanks