Hi there, I'm Nick

I would like some help please on how to make space on my computer.

I have a Packard Bell - EasyNote C3 223 Laptop computer. Which I purchased in 2003 But I am finding that I am now running out of memory Badly!!!

I am not very good at understanding computers either, so I'm struggling on what to do about it basically.

I shall try and be as specific as I can and show you where my computers memory seems to have gone
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I have 12.6 GB total capacity on my computer.

12.2 GB used space
326 MB free space

Which ain't much really - I'm panicking !!!!!
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I clicked on Start then My Computer I then (double-clicked) on HDD(C)

Then I saw 19 x folders ammounting to 13,840 size and 11,679 MB size on disk

I basically righ-clicked on each folder and then clicked on Properties which showed me the size of each one.

I shall list each below, with the size and size on disk next to each okay!

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.................................................. ...........................SIZE..............SIZE ON DISK

1.. AB13472C8 etc............................................... ...........8.62MB..........4.77MB
2.. ACTIVDOC.......................................... .....................55.30MB.........51.90MB
3.. APPS.............................................. ......................253.00MB.......213.00MB
4.. BINARIES.......................................... ........................0.11MB..........0.12MB
5.. C543DI etc............................................... ..................1.14MB..........0.77MB
6.. CASINO............................................ ..........................empty............empty
7.. CONFIG MSI............................................... ..............27.50MB........16.40MB
8.. D350AE etc............................................... .................0.28MB..........0.28MB
9.. DOCUMENTS & SETTINGS....................................3750.0 0MB.....3600.00MB
10.OA91655CD etc............................................... ...........1.15MB..........0.78MB
11.EPSON.......................................... ...........................16.50MB........15.80MB
12.MY DOWNOADED FILES............................................8 .23MB..........8.23MB
13.MY GAMES............................................. .................10.90MB........10.00MB
14.PROGRAM FILES............................................. .....1580.00MB....1230.00MB
15.SET UP................................................ .....................36.20MB.......35.50MB
16.TEMP........................................... ..............................0.12MB.........0.12M B
17.TEMP 0001.............................................. ...................1.15MB.........1.15MB
18.WINDOWS........................................ ....................8090.00MB....6490.00MB
19.WU TEMP.............................................. .....................empty...........empty

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Any help on how I can sort this out will be greatly appreciated thanks

Oh and just one more thing....

It says 3750.00MB (size).....3600.00MB (size on disk) BUT..

I right-clicked on My Documents then clicked Properties and came up with this:-
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SIZE..............791 MB

SIZE ON DISK...781 MB

1.372 files....78 folders
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then

I right-clicked on My Pictures then clicked Properties and came up with this:-

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SIZE..............551 MB

SIZE ON DISK...546 MB

1.080 files....29 folders
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So, where is the rest of the 3750.00MB (size).....3600.00MB gone

To begin with, try this...

Suggestion you download and install this program (it's free) CCleaner ... Alternative Download.
1. After installing...run the program...click on Analyzer...then click on Run Cleaner.
2. On the left side of the window, click on Registry...click on Scan for issues...click on Fix selected issues.

This program will cleanup your temp files and cookies.

Your Windows folder is taking up about 75% of your hard drive, as for your "My Documents" folder, the folder list you posted says that the "Documents and Settings" folder is taking up 3gb, not the "My Documents" folder alone, do this:
Go to "My Computer" and click on the C drive, then right click on the "Documents and Settings" folder and hit properties, see what it says, IE my Docs & Settings folder takes up 22.5gb where as my "My Docs" folder takes up 21.5
This difference can and will vary by what you have stored outside of your My Documents folder (ex on your Desktop, Favorites, Cookies from websites, etc...)
I highly recommend you do what Gandalf said and run CCleaner, it freed over 3gb on my friend's HD.

You might also look to getting a new hard drive or an external one because 12gb isn't a lot by today's standards

Hi there ClicketyClick

Another great way of finding out exactly where all that space is being used up is this Treesize Free: JAM Software - Windows Freeware

Thanks for the link Gandalf it certainly freed a bit of space 430 MB only, but it's something.

Usually I do disk cleanup which I have to do every other day, as my computer is reaching critical point I also delete my temporary files through my control panel, cookies, history, saved passwords, forms too. But still I'm struggling for room.

Hello,have you enabled disk compression?

Also defragment your hard drive.

Could you put some older files onto CD/DVD floppy and store them that way?

Uninstall programs you no longer use or need?

Some files can be put into ZIP folders?

It's ridiculous I'm sure that it has grown massively since I first bought it in 2003.

I guess it's them neverending windows updates we get all the time.

Someone told me that there's always the Windows update backup files that could be blatted, too. But it's something only an expert should try and attempt. and I'm nowhere near that

I did what you said already, (right-clicking on the Documents and Settings folder - then clicking properties) it does indeed come up with 3.6gb. Also there are 4095 files & 784 folders, which is much more.

I have just run CCleaner and it freed only 430 + MB. Not a great deal achieved

I have a 500 GB Maxtor external drive and on there I put loads of pictures/documents/videos etc.. which is real handy and essential. So I've basically left my Documents with only 791 MB which is pretty small in comparison to what I used to have on my computer, but as time has gone by, I'm losing more and more and more and god knows where it's going It must be Windows, or (as someone has suggested to me) perhaps it's System Restore points??