Why does my C drive fluctuate with storage?

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  1. Posts : 259
    Windows 7 Panasonic CF F9 (used to have CF F8)
       #1

    Why does my C drive fluctuate with storage?


    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
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 12
    Win 7 Home Premium x64
       #2

    lister said:
    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? 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.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 5,795
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
       #3

    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.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 2,528
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #4

    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).
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 259
    Windows 7 Panasonic CF F9 (used to have CF F8)
    Thread Starter
       #5

    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
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 9,606
    Win7 Enterprise, Win7 x86 (Ult 7600), Win7 x64 Ult 7600, TechNet RTM on AMD x64 (2.8Ghz)
       #6

    lister said:
    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.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Why does my C drive fluctuate with storage?-siw_memory.jpg  
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 259
    Windows 7 Panasonic CF F9 (used to have CF F8)
    Thread Starter
       #7

    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)
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 9,606
    Win7 Enterprise, Win7 x86 (Ult 7600), Win7 x64 Ult 7600, TechNet RTM on AMD x64 (2.8Ghz)
       #8

    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.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 259
    Windows 7 Panasonic CF F9 (used to have CF F8)
    Thread Starter
       #9

    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
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 3,300
    Win7 Home Premium 64x
       #10

    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.
      My Computer


 
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