Computer Hope

Microsoft => Microsoft Windows => Windows XP => Topic started by: jumbly on February 02, 2010, 10:30:54 AM

Title: My computer tells me I'm out of disk space even though I'm not
Post by: jumbly on February 02, 2010, 10:30:54 AM
Hello.  I'm trying to install a program, and I get an error message saying "Disk space required for the installation exceeds available disk space."  Then there is a little chart with column headings including "Available" (space)  and "Required" (space).  Under available it says 1193MB and under required it says 302MB.  It seems like I have more than enough space.  Why is it giving me this message? 

Thank you!
Title: Re: My computer tells me I'm out of disk space even though I'm not
Post by: Allan on February 02, 2010, 10:38:53 AM
Do you have more than one drive / partition? If so, are you certain the program is trying to install to the correct one?

Additionally, the fact that you don't have that much space left may be relevant. Have you tried deleting anything you don't need?
Title: Re: My computer tells me I'm out of disk space even though I'm not
Post by: BC_Programmer on February 02, 2010, 10:47:03 AM
Quote
Under available it says 1193MB

Are you sure it doesn't say -1193MB?

negative numbers might appear with older program installers on larger drives. It boils down to the fact that the older function used to acquire free disk space, GetFreeDiskSpace() can only return a Long integer, meaning the largest returnable value is in the range of about 2GB.
Title: Re: My computer tells me I'm out of disk space even though I'm not
Post by: jumbly on February 02, 2010, 11:18:47 AM
Hi.  Thanks for your responses.  It definitely says 1193, not -1193.  I have had low disk space for a long time, but I finally gave in and deleted a whole bunch of my music, so I know that there has to be that free space now.  The message it gives me seems contradictory - it says (in numbers) that less space is required than is available, but it still says (in words) that there is not enough available space. ???

I'm sorry, I don't know what you mean by "
Do you have more than one drive / partition?

Thank you again. 
Title: Re: My computer tells me I'm out of disk space even though I'm not
Post by: Geek-9pm on February 02, 2010, 12:27:26 PM
BC_programmer has the right idea.
But the function does not return a negative number.
It truncates the number.  8)
This should not happen it the partition is just at or under the 2GB limit. For that particular program. Newer programs will not have thet design error.

I read somewhere Windows now has a 1 Terabyte partition limit.
Title: Re: My computer tells me I'm out of disk space even though I'm not
Post by: Allan on February 02, 2010, 12:35:04 PM
Do you use system restore? If so, just for the heck of it disable it (this will IMMEDIATELY delete all restore points). Then go ahead and try to install the program again. Either way, when you are done you can re-enable System Restore.
Title: Re: My computer tells me I'm out of disk space even though I'm not
Post by: Broni on February 02, 2010, 12:46:15 PM
Open "My Computer", right click on hard drive letter, click "Properties". What are the numbers there?
Title: Re: My computer tells me I'm out of disk space even though I'm not
Post by: BC_Programmer on February 02, 2010, 01:03:50 PM
I read somewhere Windows now has a 1 Terabyte partition limit.

my 1.5TB drive begs to differ  :P
Title: Re: My computer tells me I'm out of disk space even though I'm not
Post by: Computer_Commando on February 02, 2010, 01:14:06 PM
...I read somewhere Windows now has a 1 Terabyte partition limit.
NTFS is 2TB volume limit.
Title: Re: My computer tells me I'm out of disk space even though I'm not
Post by: jumbly on February 02, 2010, 01:21:28 PM
Hi.  Thanks so much to all.  Unfortunately, almost all of that was over my head.  I do not use system restore, at least not to my knowledge.  When I open My Computer and right click on properties, it says that I have a capacity of 15.6 GB, Used Space is 14.4 GB and Free Space is 1.2 GB
Title: Re: My computer tells me I'm out of disk space even though I'm not
Post by: Broni on February 02, 2010, 01:25:44 PM
So, you're running out of free space.
You have very small hard drive, but in any case Windows need at least 15% of a free space to run correctly - 2.3GB in your case.
You need to move some stuff out, or get bigger drive.
Title: Re: My computer tells me I'm out of disk space even though I'm not
Post by: rthompson80819 on February 02, 2010, 01:36:00 PM
Have you run disk cleanup?
Title: Re: My computer tells me I'm out of disk space even though I'm not
Post by: BC_Programmer on February 02, 2010, 01:42:20 PM
NTFS is 2TB volume limit.

Only for MBR based volumes. GPT volumes can go to 256TB-64KB
So, you're running out of free space.
You have very small hard drive, but in any case Windows need at least 15% of a free space to run correctly - 2.3GB in your case.
You need to move some stuff out, or get bigger drive.

and yet, none of that explains the fact that the installer cannot do basic math.

Quote
Under available it says 1193MB and under required it says 302MB
Title: Re: My computer tells me I'm out of disk space even though I'm not
Post by: Broni on February 02, 2010, 01:47:04 PM
Quote
Under available it says 1193MB and under required it says 302MB
and yet, none of that explains the fact that the installer cannot do basic math.
I assume, the program needs 302MB installed, however installation process may need more than that.
Besides, when the computer runs out of space, all kind of things may happen.
Title: Re: My computer tells me I'm out of disk space even though I'm not
Post by: dahlarbear on February 03, 2010, 01:58:10 AM
When I open My Computer and right click on properties, it says that I have a capacity of 15.6 GB, Used Space is 14.4 GB and Free Space is 1.2 GB
1.  What drive "letter" did you check?  The "c:" drive?

2.  Are there other hard disk volume "letters" or multiple physical hard drives on your computer?
Title: Re: My computer tells me I'm out of disk space even though I'm not
Post by: Allan on February 03, 2010, 05:50:11 AM
1.  What drive "letter" did you check?  The "c:" drive?

2.  Are there other hard disk volume "letters" or multiple physical hard drives on your computer?
Been there done that (see my first post above) ;). Moreover, from the OP's responses it appears there is only one hd showing in "My Computer".

He or she needs to delete some apps / files or get a larger hd.
Title: Re: My computer tells me I'm out of disk space even though I'm not
Post by: dahlarbear on February 03, 2010, 06:45:03 AM
Been there done that (see my first post above) ;). Moreover, from the OP's responses it appears there is only one hd showing in "My Computer".
Okay, somehow I missed the earlier post.  A capacity of 15.6 GB seems like an "odd" size.  Makes me wonder what else is on the hard drive...  (And no, we never really got an answer to those questions.)
Title: Re: My computer tells me I'm out of disk space even though I'm not
Post by: patio on February 03, 2010, 07:01:00 AM
Post a screenshot of the Disk Management window...
Title: Re: My computer tells me I'm out of disk space even though I'm not
Post by: jumbly on February 03, 2010, 11:55:17 AM
Hi again.  Sorry, I guess I didn't answer the question before - I checked the C drive - it is the only hard drive that appears in "My Computer."  See the funny thing is, I feel like I've deleted everything non-essential. I really don't have very much stuff.  And yet my computer is still completely full.  I even got extra RAM for it a few years ago.  It is pretty old, I suppose.  I think I'm going to try taking all my music and word documents off and reformatting it (again).  Thank you all so much for all your help!
Title: Re: My computer tells me I'm out of disk space even though I'm not
Post by: Allan on February 03, 2010, 12:06:07 PM
Check in System Properties - System Restore. If it is enabled, disable it. That will immediately free up a LOT of space.
Title: Re: My computer tells me I'm out of disk space even though I'm not
Post by: jumbly on February 03, 2010, 12:09:57 PM
Ok, I will try that.  Where is system properties? I tried searching for it, but nothing came up. (If you haven't noticed by now, I am almost completely computer-illiterate)
Title: Re: My computer tells me I'm out of disk space even though I'm not
Post by: Allan on February 03, 2010, 01:24:41 PM
Either right-click on My Computer and click on Properties or go to Control Panel and open SYSTEM
Title: Re: My computer tells me I'm out of disk space even though I'm not
Post by: jumbly on February 03, 2010, 02:13:35 PM
Ok.  I did that and turned off System Restore.  It now says I have 1.47GB free.  And the program is installing!  It's working!!! That's great.  Thank you all SO MUCH for your help.  You are truly kind people, taking the time to help the computer challenged like me, and I haven't given you anything in return.  Really, THANKS!!!
Title: Re: My computer tells me I'm out of disk space even though I'm not
Post by: Allan on February 03, 2010, 02:15:51 PM
You're welcome. Keep in mind that System Restore is now disabled. I STRONGLY urge you to download and use a disk imaging utility on a regular basis (there are a number of good, free such apps from which you can choose). Ideally, the images should be stored on a second hd (internal or external) and updated weekly. Alternatively you can re-enable system restore and limit the space it uses.