Hard Drive Help

M

mattg333

New Member
Wasn't sure where to post this, sorry.

I have a fairly old computer with very little hard drive space. I have about 100mb or so free space, but when I enter a program like photoshop, that will eat about 50mb. That's fine, but when I exit the program, that 50mb doesn't come back until I reset the computer. It's not a photoshop problem but a general problem with the computer.

I think the problem could be fixed by going into the task manager and ending the processes that are probably sticking around, but my task manager doesn't work.

So can anyone tell me if there's another way to end the process of programs without using the task manager. Or if there's a way to get the task manager working, or if there's a way to wipe the temporary files.

Thanks.

I'm using Windows 2000.
 
Have you tried pressing the ctrl-shift-esc buttons together to bring up the task manager box? The problem you are most likely seeing has to do with the lack of hard drive space for the page file Windows creates for virtual memory. Deleting unused files with some programs like CCleaner can be a help as well as deleting all offline content in IE.

The msconfig utility is often used to reduce the number of programs that start along with Windows. You simply type msconfig at the Run command prompt and press enter to open that up. The last two tabs on the right are the one to be concerned with. The last is the Startup group where all installed programs are listed. The Services section next to that has the option to hide all microsoft background services. Programs like antivirus utilities will often have a few items there.
 
PC eye said:
Have you tried pressing the ctrl-shift-esc buttons together to bring up the task manager box? The problem you are most likely seeing has to do with the lack of hard drive space for the page file Windows creates for virtual memory. Deleting unused files with some programs like CCleaner can be a help as well as deleting all offline content in IE.

The msconfig utility is often used to reduce the number of programs that start along with Windows. You simply type msconfig at the Run command prompt and press enter to open that up. The last two tabs on the right are the one to be concerned with. The last is the Startup group where all installed programs are listed. The Services section next to that has the option to hide all microsoft background services. Programs like antivirus utilities will often have a few items there.
Click to expand...

Oh wow, I wish someone had told me about CCleaner before. It did a lot more than I was hoping for. I now have 1.38 gig spare.

Thanks a lot for your help.
 
I have one more question.

I used to have a button on my task bar that would minimise all windows, but something happened to it and it stopped working.

So I was just wondering how I can get that button back.

Thanks.
 
In notepad open c:\documents and settings\<username>\appication data\microsoft\internet explorer\quick launch\show desktop.scf (you may not be able to see the extension) and paste this in and save it:
Code: 
[Shell]
Command=2
IconFile=explorer.exe,3
[Taskbar]
Command=ToggleDesktop
If the file doesn't exist create it and put a shortcut to it on the quick launch bar.

You can do the same thing by pressing the windows key + d
 
The WIN key + "D" key works ok here. But I have to edit two not one "desktop.scf" files on the two current installations of XP Home + Pro editions. The edit worked instantly when tried.
 
Cromewell said:
In notepad open c:\documents and settings\<username>\appication data\microsoft\internet explorer\quick launch\show desktop.scf (you may not be able to see the extension) and paste this in and save it:
Code: 
[Shell]
Command=2
IconFile=explorer.exe,3
[Taskbar]
Command=ToggleDesktop
If the file doesn't exist create it and put a shortcut to it on the quick launch bar.

You can do the same thing by pressing the windows key + d
Click to expand...

I put the file in my quick launch bar, and that code was already there, but the button is still a little windows sign that wants to know which application I want to open it with. How can I fix that?
 
It should be fine, that file was supposed to reassociate the file with the program that runs it. The quick launch directory location shouldn't cause problems if it's not default.
Try start->run->cmd then type assoc .scf=SHCmdFile
 
Cromewell said:
It should be fine, that file was supposed to reassociate the file with the program that runs it. The quick launch directory location shouldn't cause problems if it's not default.
Try start->run->cmd then type assoc .scf=SHCmdFile
Click to expand...

Oh, I reset and it's working now.

Thanks for your help, it's really appreciated.
 
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