how can I tell how much free space I have on my computer?

3/7/2006 1:31:12 PM

format c:

3/7/2006 1:32:37 PM

open it up and look inside.

3/7/2006 1:38:27 PM

^That is the hard way.

Make a small hole in the top of the case, then slowly fill it with water. Once the water reaches the top of the hole, pour it out into a graduated cylinder and that will tell you how much space is left inside.

3/7/2006 1:47:04 PM

well maybe she doesn't have a drill, duh.

3/7/2006 1:48:09 PM

you guys are idiots

she said on her computer

3/7/2006 1:48:11 PM

oh my bad.

just measure the length and width of the top and multiply them together

that will give you the ammount of space availible on top.

3/7/2006 1:49:11 PM

open up your C: drive you should see a pie chart on the left part of the window.

3/7/2006 1:58:27 PM

Quote :

"you guys are idiots she said on her computer"

Easy.

Measure the length and width of the case and multiply.

3/7/2006 2:26:11 PM

You guys are forgetting the height. Most computer cases are three-dimensional.

3/7/2006 2:27:26 PM

yes but you cant put anything on the side duh. so theres no space

3/7/2006 2:30:00 PM

^^ she didn't ask for the volume.

[Edited on March 7, 2006 at 2:30 PM. Reason : Shaggy already said it]

3/7/2006 2:30:08 PM

you guys are idiots

she said free space

3/7/2006 2:34:55 PM

obviously she will have to take into account anything already on top of the computer when doing her measurements.

3/7/2006 2:35:50 PM

^^ In that case:

Total Area (TA) minus Shit on Top (ST) minus Overhang of the Shit (OS) equals Free Space.

FS = TA - ST - OS

or, just measure the little bits that aren't covered

[Edited on March 7, 2006 at 2:37 PM. Reason : +]

3/7/2006 2:37:27 PM

the ability to get to this website and not being able to determine the answer to this question is boggling

3/7/2006 2:39:09 PM

well honestly theres no real reason to know where to look for the info.

i mean these days computer use in class is taught as "clicks teh intarweb explorer" or "open word"

which from an ease of use standpoint is fine, but you're not learning about the computer, you're learning about specific software applications.


but yea "google your question first" should be taught as standard procedure

3/7/2006 2:48:01 PM

Quote :

"but yea "google your question first" should be taught as standard procedure"

see, I don't know ...

I still think that being able to find answers like that on your own is a matter of 'survival of the fittest'. You should have to drill common sense into peoples heads.

3/7/2006 2:58:31 PM

well maybe she doesn't have a drill, duh.

3/7/2006 3:09:09 PM

lol i love threads like this

3/7/2006 3:21:22 PM

technically uggos are the only ones who really need to know this stuff.


hot chicks are entitled to free tech support.

3/7/2006 3:23:18 PM

give her a break

obviously she means myspace

3/7/2006 3:26:43 PM

"The files are IN the computer?"

/zoolander quote

3/7/2006 3:30:56 PM

screw on, i store inside as already suggested. my rare coin collection resides atop my video card. the cables act as a slide for gi joes.

3/7/2006 3:37:05 PM

^^^^ http://www.syncmag.com/article2/0,1895,1887761,00.asp

3/7/2006 4:06:28 PM

well thanks anyway...but if ya'll could actually help me out on this...I'm thinking about gettin an external hard drive for my computer...can ya'll tell me if this is what I need?

http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/product_detail.do?product_code=DQ550A

3/7/2006 8:10:45 PM

that is expensive as fuck.

3/7/2006 8:21:59 PM

No. It's overpriced.


Here's a 100gb one for the same price:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822136016

And that's from a 2 minute search. It might be possible to find one cheaper.


If you can handle getting a large HDD (3.5" instead of 2.5") then you'll save more money. You pay for mobility.

3/7/2006 8:23:22 PM

^^^yea, that'll work, but you can get one for as little as $80 at Tiger Direct on Capital Blvd in North Raleigh. (and I'm sure cheaper online somewhere as well)

To see how much space is left on your current hard drive:

Hold down the Windows Flag key on your keyboard and press the "E" key. The windows explorer program will pop up, showing all your files(it will probably say "My Computer" at the top. Right-click your "C:" drive, and click "Properties" from the little menu. Tada, pie chart. If you see less than 10 GB free, it's time to start looking for a new drive. Less that 1 GB and your system will start acting funny.

[Edited on March 7, 2006 at 8:31 PM. Reason : .]

3/7/2006 8:29:43 PM

Her laptop might not have a windows key.

3/7/2006 8:32:46 PM

so there are really two types of external hdds you'll be looking at

1) self powered ultra portable drives. Smaller drives, usually can fit in a cargo pocket or easily portable in a backback or laptop bag. Powered by the computer they connect to.

2) externally powered drives. Probably physically larger. portable in a backback or laptop bag. Powered by an external power supply that you plug into the wall.


the hp in that link would be of type 1. Its also probably more expensive than if you bought one from newegg or amazon or some other retailer.


While type 1 is really portable, its generally slower. They generally use 5400 rpm notebook drives that require less power. They're also generally smaller capacity wise.

If you are just looking for external storage that will spend most of its life sitting at your desk plugged into your computer, definately go with type 2. They're cheaper, faster, and hold more than those of the first type. But then again they're bigger. These use normal desktop hdds.

Western digital, maxtor, seagate are all good brands.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144372

thats just one of many external drives availible at newegg.


The only other thing you want to look at when making a purchase is the connection type. You need to know if your computer has USB 1.1, USB 2.0, and/or Firewire connections. USB 1.1 is slow as balls, so if your computer is old and only has USB1.1 you might consider purchasing a USB2 or firewire expansion card. If you computer has usb 2.0 or firewire you're good to go. Just make sure the drives you look at have the same connectors as you comp.

3/7/2006 8:34:14 PM

^^
Then:

click
"Start"->"All Programs"->"Accessories"->"Windows Explorer"

[Edited on March 7, 2006 at 8:35 PM. Reason : .]

3/7/2006 8:34:29 PM

All this legitimate help in tech talk is starting to worry me.

3/7/2006 8:37:52 PM

so, one usb for data, one for power?

I've never seen a drive requiring two usb connections.

3/7/2006 8:39:45 PM

Probably.

3/7/2006 8:40:13 PM

saw,

Click on the Start Button, Click Run
Type "cmd" without quotes
Type "dir" without quotes

It should say near the bottom some number of bytes free ... post that number here. We'll go from there on recommendations/etc. for a new hard drive.

3/7/2006 8:41:26 PM

All these steps, when she could just hover over the C: drive in my computer and it will tell her Used/Free space.

3/7/2006 8:44:39 PM

But no pie chart.

3/7/2006 10:15:13 PM