Solved SSD space is disappearing. Troublshooted almost everything already.

[pooch]

I have been talking with essenbe about the SSD alignment and I remembered that I saw the perfect tool for this which I have just found again here; SSD Tool - free space trimmer - Crucial Community
All you need do is download it run it select your drive and it will tell you if your alignment is correct or not.



The trim free space is not necessary but if you want to try it feel free it shouldn't do any harm

 

[pooch]

If he made an image, or even started to, and left the compression off, it should show him what the size of the backup will be. If it is the same as the used space he has. I'd say make an image, then restore it to the boot drive. That "should" leave him with all his free space back.

If however the imaging program tells him the size of backup will be everything but his current free space!!! I believe this is a good idea. He would need a 2nd hard drive to back up to, but by restoring that image to his SSD, it should then just be the correct used space. Then monitor to see if it starts growing again :shock:

A Guy

I do not know if this will work or not but it is certainly an interesting idea and I see no reason not to try it out

 

[SNsCPU]

I have been talking with essenbe about the SSD alignment and I remembered that I saw the perfect tool for this which I have just found again here; SSD Tool - free space trimmer - Crucial Community
All you need do is download it run it select your drive and it will tell you if your alignment is correct or not.

View attachment 174375 View attachment 174376

The trim free space is not necessary but if you want to try it feel free it shouldn't do any harm

Ran it, thanks. Says my alignment is A-OK.

 

[SNsCPU]

If he made an image, or even started to, and left the compression off, it should show him what the size of the backup will be. If it is the same as the used space he has. I'd say make an image, then restore it to the boot drive. That "should" leave him with all his free space back.

If however the imaging program tells him the size of backup will be everything but his current free space!!! I believe this is a good idea. He would need a 2nd hard drive to back up to, but by restoring that image to his SSD, it should then just be the correct used space. Then monitor to see if it starts growing again :shock:

A Guy

I do not know if this will work or not but it is certainly an interesting idea and I see no reason not to try it out

This sounds like it will take a bit of aptitude on my part. Is this really worth a try or am I just better off formatting?

 

[pooch]

This sounds like it will take a bit of aptitude on my part. Is this really worth a try or am I just better off formatting?

Wait on the formatting I have asked someone else to have a look to confirm that this is not malware/virus related

 

[SNsCPU]

This sounds like it will take a bit of aptitude on my part. Is this really worth a try or am I just better off formatting?

Wait on the formatting I have asked someone else to have a look to confirm that this is not malware/virus related

Sounds good, thanks. Shouldn't be either as this is a clean install only two months old. Nothing out of the ordinary was opened or installed. At least I hope not haha.

FWIW, karlsnooks on page two was suspicious about malware/virus potential as well and recommended I run Malwarebytes. I did a FULL scan and everything checked out okay.

 

[1Bowtie]

Hi SNsCPU sorry i'm late to the party

There's one other thing that automaticly use's space without your knowledge, System Restore, did you manually go to control panel / Recovery and physically turn off Sys Restore to that drive, if not that could be why free space is decreasing. Just a thought

PS. After turning off Sys Restore you do a restart to set it in stone.

 

[pooch]

This sounds like it will take a bit of aptitude on my part. Is this really worth a try or am I just better off formatting?

Wait on the formatting I have asked someone else to have a look to confirm that this is not malware/virus related

Sounds good, thanks. Shouldn't be either as this is a clean install only two months old. Nothing out of the ordinary was opened or installed. At least I hope not haha.

FWIW, karlsnooks on page two was suspicious about malware/virus potential as well and recommended I run Malwarebytes. I did a FULL scan and everything checked out okay.

Yeah I read that but I am still not convinced that it is not caused by malware

 

[karlsnooks]

Although for malware to get by malware bytes, such is possible.

An idea would be to run Microsoft's Standalone System Sweeper and once again, the full scan by the sweeper.

Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper
How to Use the Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper

Two other pieces of info which may throw light on the matter is the attaching of the startup.txt and install.txt files mentioned in the following:
LIST OF STARTUP AND INSTALLED PROGRAMS USING CCLEANER
STARTUP PROGRAMS
CCleaner | Tools icon | Startup button |
click on Save to text file button (bottom right side)

Using the PAPER CLIP icon (top panel of a Message Reply),
attach the startup.txt file generated by CCleaner
CCleaner - Optimization and Cleaning - Free Download

INSTALLED PROGRAMS
CCleaner | Tools icon | Uninstall button |
click on Save to text file button (bottom right side)

Using the PAPER CLIP icon, attach the install.txt file
generated by CCleaner. CCleaner - Optimization and Cleaning - Free Download

 

[SNsCPU]

Although for malware to get by malware bytes, such is possible.

An idea would be to run Microsoft's Standalone System Sweeper and once again, the full scan by the sweeper.

Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper
How to Use the Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper

Two other pieces of info which may throw light on the matter is the attaching of the startup.txt and install.txt files mentioned in the following:
LIST OF STARTUP AND INSTALLED PROGRAMS USING CCLEANER
STARTUP PROGRAMS
CCleaner | Tools icon | Startup button |
click on Save to text file button (bottom right side)

Using the PAPER CLIP icon (top panel of a Message Reply),
attach the startup.txt file generated by CCleaner
CCleaner - Optimization and Cleaning - Free Download

INSTALLED PROGRAMS
CCleaner | Tools icon | Uninstall button |
click on Save to text file button (bottom right side)

Using the PAPER CLIP icon, attach the install.txt file
generated by CCleaner. CCleaner - Optimization and Cleaning - Free Download

Here is the install text file. I will run the sweeper and see if anything comes up. Here is the raw info from the text file for those not wanting to open it:

Yes HKCU:Run Google Update "C:\Users\Steven\AppData\Local\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe" /c
Yes HKCU:Run AdobeBridge
Yes HKLM:Run ZyngaGamesAgent "C:\Program Files (x86)\Splashtop\Splashtop Connect\ZyngaGamesAgent.exe"
Yes HKLM:Run XFastUsb C:\Program Files (x86)\XFastUsb\XFastUsb.exe
Yes HKLM:Run STCAgent "C:\Program Files (x86)\Splashtop\Splashtop Connect IE\STCAgent.exe"
Yes HKLM:Run SmartViewAgent "C:\Program Files (x86)\DeviceVM\SmartView\SmartViewAgent.exe"
Yes HKLM:Run avast "C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\avastUI.exe" /nogui
Yes HKLM:Run NBAgent "D:\Program Files\Nero 10\Nero BackItUp\NBAgent.exe" /WinStart
Yes HKLM:Run QuickTime Task "D:\Program Files\Quicktime\QTTask.exe" -atboottime
Yes HKLM:Run SwitchBoard C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\SwitchBoard\SwitchBoard.exe
Yes HKLM:Run AdobeCS5.5ServiceManager "C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\CS5.5ServiceManager\CS5.5ServiceManager.exe" -launchedbylogin
Yes HKLM:Run Adobe ARM "C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\ARM\1.0\AdobeARM.exe"
Yes HKLM:Run Adobe Acrobat Speed Launcher "D:\Program Files\Acrobat 10.0\Acrobat\Acrobat_sl.exe"
Yes HKLM:Run Acrobat Assistant 8.0 "D:\Program Files\Acrobat 10.0\Acrobat\Acrotray.exe"
Yes HKLM:Run Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware "C:\Program Files (x86)\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\mbamgui.exe" /starttray
Yes HKLM:Run RtHDVCpl C:\Program Files\Realtek\Audio\HDA\RAVCpl64.exe -s
Yes HKLM:Run BCSSync "D:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office14\BCSSync.exe" /DelayServices
Yes HKLM:Run AdobeAAMUpdater-1.0 "C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\OOBE\PDApp\UWA\UpdaterStartupUtility.exe"
Yes Startup Common WD Quick View.lnk C:\Program Files\Western Digital\WD SmartWare\WDDMStatus.exe

 

[karlsnooks]

Ok. Now this will, at the very least, improve your startup and system performance:

rb: | MSCONFIG | ENTER | STARTUP tab |

Uncheck ALL except for:
avast "C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\avastUI.exe" /nogui
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware "C:\Program Files (x86)\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\mbamgui.exe" /starttray

REBOOT

Personally, I'd get rid of Avast and use MSE (Microsoft Security Essentials) Link in my sig. Smaller footprint, least interfering AV. updated regularly by Microsoft.

Now you posted and zipped the Startup.txt file.

Would you please Attach the install.txt file. When I download the file, then I change the extension to .csv and read it using Excel. Works like a charm.

 

[karlsnooks]

Forgot to add,
When you uncheck all of those you are only telling Win 7 to not run them at startup time. You are not deleting them ir disabling them by unchecking them.

 

[SNsCPU]

Ok. Now this will, at the very least, improve your startup and system performance:

rb: | MSCONFIG | ENTER | STARTUP tab |

Uncheck ALL except for:
avast "C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\avastUI.exe" /nogui
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware "C:\Program Files (x86)\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\mbamgui.exe" /starttray

REBOOT

Personally, I'd get rid of Avast and use MSE (Microsoft Security Essentials) Link in my sig. Smaller footprint, least interfering AV. updated regularly by Microsoft.

Now you posted and zipped the Startup.txt file.

Would you please Attach the install.txt file. When I download the file, then I change the extension to .csv and read it using Excel. Works like a charm.

Oops, sorry. My day off today and I just hardly woke up. Missed it . Thanks for the tip on Microsoft Security Essentials. I'll def switch over to that at some point.

Again, here's the raw info. Attachment is below as well.

Adobe Acrobat X Pro - English, Français, Deutsch Adobe Systems 8/12/2011 2,025 MB 10.0.0
Adobe AIR Adobe Systems Inc. 8/11/2011 2.5.1.17730
Adobe Community Help Adobe Systems Incorporated. 7/3/2011 3.4.980
Adobe Content Viewer Adobe Systems Incorporated 7/3/2011 1.4.0
Adobe Creative Suite 5.5 Master Collection Adobe Systems Incorporated 8/12/2011 4,008 MB 5.5
Adobe Flash Player 10 ActiveX Adobe Systems Incorporated 8/12/2011 6.00 MB 10.3.183.5
Adobe Flash Player 10 Plugin Adobe Systems Incorporated 8/11/2011 2.68 MB 10.2.153.1
Adobe Story Adobe Systems Incorporated 7/3/2011 1.0.571
Adobe Widget Browser Adobe Systems Incorporated. 7/3/2011 2.0 Build 230
AIM 7 7/2/2011
Apple Application Support Apple Inc. 8/2/2011 52.8 MB 1.4.1
Apple Software Update Apple Inc. 8/2/2011 2.16 MB 2.1.1.116
avast! Free Antivirus AVAST Software 7/2/2011 6.0.1125.0
Brother HL-2040 Brother 7/4/2011 1.00
CCleaner Piriform 7/26/2011 3.09
CPUID CPU-Z 1.58 7/3/2011 3.23 MB
CuteFTP 8 Professional GlobalSCAPE 7/22/2011 8.0.5
DAEMON Tools Lite DT Soft Ltd 7/5/2011 4.40.2.0131
Etron USB3.0 Host Controller Etron Technology 7/13/2011 5.23 MB 0.101
Google Chrome Google Inc. 7/2/2011 13.0.782.220
Intel(R) Management Engine Components Intel Corporation 7/2/2011 7.0.0.1144
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware version 1.51.1.1800 Malwarebytes Corporation 9/4/2011 13.4 MB 1.51.1.1800
marvell 91xx driver Marvell 7/2/2011 1.0.0.1047
Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2010 Microsoft Corporation 8/11/2011 14.0.4763.1000
Microsoft Primary Interoperability Assemblies 2005 Microsoft Corporation 7/5/2011 7.71 MB 8.0.50727.42
Microsoft Silverlight Microsoft Corporation 8/12/2011 20.5 MB 4.0.60531.0
Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable Microsoft Corporation 7/5/2011 0.33 MB 8.0.59193
Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable - x64 9.0.30729.4148 Microsoft Corporation 7/2/2011 0.77 MB 9.0.30729.4148
Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable - x86 9.0.30729.17 Microsoft Corporation 7/5/2011 0.23 MB 9.0.30729
Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable - x86 9.0.30729.4148 Microsoft Corporation 7/2/2011 0.58 MB 9.0.30729.4148
Nero BackItUp 10 Nero AG 7/5/2011 107.6 MB 5.4.11600.19.100
Nero Burning ROM 10 Nero AG 7/5/2011 162.3 MB 10.0.11100.10.100
Nero BurnRights 10 Nero AG 7/5/2011 6.42 MB 4.0.11000.12.100
Nero CoverDesigner 10 Nero AG 7/5/2011 77.1 MB 5.0.10900.11.100
Nero DiscSpeed 10 Nero AG 7/5/2011 7.47 MB 6.0.10800.7.100
Nero Express 10 Nero AG 7/5/2011 159.5 MB 10.0.11000.10.100
Nero InfoTool 10 Nero AG 7/5/2011 8.35 MB 7.0.10800.8.100
Nero MediaHub 10 Nero AG 7/5/2011 158.0 MB 1.0.13400.11.100
Nero Multimedia Suite 10 Nero AG 7/5/2011 1,335 MB 10.0.13100
Nero Recode 10 Nero AG 7/5/2011 80.0 MB 4.6.10900.4.100
Nero RescueAgent 10 Nero AG 7/5/2011 6.83 MB 3.0.10900.9.100
Nero SoundTrax 10 Nero AG 7/5/2011 95.6 MB 4.6.10600.2.100
Nero StartSmart 10 Nero AG 7/5/2011 110.2 MB 10.0.11200.12.100
Nero Update Nero AG 7/5/2011 1.97 MB 1.0.10900.31.0
Nero Vision 10 Nero AG 7/5/2011 214 MB 7.0.11100.8.100
Nero WaveEditor 10 Nero AG 7/5/2011 76.6 MB 5.6.10600.2.100
NVIDIA 3D Vision Controller Driver 275.33 NVIDIA Corporation 7/2/2011 275.33
NVIDIA 3D Vision Driver 275.33 NVIDIA Corporation 7/2/2011 275.33
NVIDIA Graphics Driver 275.33 NVIDIA Corporation 7/2/2011 275.33
NVIDIA HD Audio Driver 1.2.23.3 NVIDIA Corporation 7/2/2011 1.2.23.3
NVIDIA PhysX System Software 9.10.0514 NVIDIA Corporation 7/2/2011 9.10.0514
NVIDIA Update 1.3.5 NVIDIA Corporation 7/2/2011 1.3.5
QuickTime Apple Inc. 8/2/2011 73.7 MB 7.69.80.9
Realtek Ethernet Controller Driver For Windows 7 Realtek 7/2/2011 7.23.623.2010
Realtek High Definition Audio Driver Realtek Semiconductor Corp. 7/2/2011 6.0.1.6167
Revo Uninstaller Pro 2.5.3 VS Revo Group, Ltd. 9/4/2011 34.9 MB 2.5.3
SES Driver Western Digital 7/12/2011 28.00 KB 1.0.0
Splashtop Connect IE Splashtop Inc. 7/2/2011 1.1.12.1
SSDlife Pro BinarySense Inc. 9/6/2011 2.39 MB 2.1.29
StarCraft II Blizzard Entertainment 7/28/2011 1.3.6.19269
TreeSize Free V2.5 JAM Software 8/10/2011 3.24 MB 2.5
VLC media player 1.1.10 VideoLAN 7/6/2011 1.1.10
Vuze Vuze Inc. 7/3/2011 4.6
WD SmartWare Western Digital 7/12/2011 38.2 MB 1.5.0
WinDirStat 1.1.2 9/2/2011
Windows Driver Package - Western Digital Technologies (WDC_SAM) WDC_SAM (01/19/2011 1.0.0009.0) Western Digital Technologies 7/12/2011 01/19/2011 1.0.0009.0
WinRAR 4.01 (64-bit) win.rar GmbH 7/3/2011 4.01.0
XFastUsb 7/2/2011

 

[SNsCPU]

Hi SNsCPU sorry i'm late to the party

There's one other thing that automaticly use's space without your knowledge, System Restore, did you manually go to control panel / Recovery and physically turn off Sys Restore to that drive, if not that could be why free space is decreasing. Just a thought

PS. After turning off Sys Restore you do a restart to set it in stone.

Sorry, missed this post. I've already addressed the possibility of it being system restore. Thanks!

 

[karlsnooks]

After, and only after, the full scan by the Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper finished, then attach a copy of:
the log files in--
\Windows\Standalone System Sweeper\Support

Files with a LOG extension which can be viewed with Notepad.

 

[SNsCPU]

After, and only after, the full scan by the Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper finished, then attach a copy of:
the log files in--
\Windows\Standalone System Sweeper\Support

Files with a LOG extension which can be viewed with Notepad.

Sounds good. It's currently running the scan. I don't want to jump the gun, but it does say:

"Preliminary scan results show that malicious or potentially unwanted software might exist on your system."

This could just be an over zealous warning. We shall wait and see.

 

[whs]

I did not read the whole thread. So forgive me if I repeat something.

But did you look at the shadowstorage (where the restore points are stored)??

 

[SNsCPU]

I did not read the whole thread. So forgive me if I repeat something.

But did you look at the shadowstorage (where the restore points are stored)??

Yes we looked at shadowstorage

 

[SNsCPU]

This system sweeper scan is taking forever. I only selected my C:, but it's actually scanning my storage drives as well.

 

[karlsnooks]

EXCELLENT!

The wait is time very well spent.

Think about how long you have been trying to fix this problem and the time that many others have put in trying to help.

I guarantee you we will all very gladly wait for each and every drive to receive a full scan.