laptop is bogged down ever since...

[patio]

Start backing up some data and free up some drive space...
Windows needs approx. 15% free space to run properly or you will continue to have issues...

[joepinger]

Start backing up some data and free up some drive space...
Windows needs approx. 15% free space to run properly or you will continue to have issues...

I have some other problems with the computer I didn't mention that don't have any solutions.  How do I backup my data?  Can I use a usb drive?  What can I backup?  I have program files that are taking up thousands of kbs of space. Thanks.

[rthompson80819]

Have you checked to see if all memory sticks are properly seated?  One may have come loose.

[joepinger]

Have you checked to see if all memory sticks are properly seated?  One may have come loose.

All are in place.  Which files do I backup?  I don't have any real important information on my computer.  All that's in here is in the program files which is taking up a considerable amount of space.  Something called MOVIEMAKER is taking up most of the space.  I don't even make movies and I think it's a waste of space.  Can I take it out? Here is some of the files that are the largest: MOVIEMK.dll 10,671KB, omdbase.dll 8,878KB, OmdProject.dll 4,041KB, Capturewizard.exe 2,876KB, DVDMaker.exe 1,917KB, Pipeline.dll 1,560KB, Pipetran.dll 1,465KB.  These are the files in which I am wondering if I can get rid of.  Thanks.

[patio]

If you no longer use them then yes i would get rid of them...
Use Control Panel/Add/Remove to do so...
Then run disk cleanup reboot and run defrag.

[joepinger]

If you no longer use them then yes i would get rid of them...
Use Control Panel/Add/Remove to do so...
Then run disk cleanup reboot and run defrag.

Not to be a pain or anything, but these particular files weren't in here when I purchased this computer.  So I imagine that it won't hurt to remove them then as you said.  These were created on different dates.  The MOVIEMAKER file itself was created on 3/12/2010, the others were created earlier.  Thanks.

[patio]

No pain at all...glad to be of service...

[joepinger]

You know something, that these files are not in Programs and Features.  These are in fact here: COMPUTER>ACER (C) DRIVE>MOVIEMAKER>PROGRAM FILES.  Can I remove them that way and still proceed the way you described in the last post?  Just trying to make it clear and understandable in my head is all and not mess up anything. Thanks again.

[obchris]

It sounds like you're system is in a bit of a death spiral..  I would 1st and foremost be totally sure you have all your data backed up because at this point,  one of these times it just may not start up for you.

Generally,  because of how poorly windows cleans up after itself due to both windows and bad application deinstall routines,  if you use your system heavily, especially if you install/deinstall programs somewhat often,  it's just a good idea to re-core your system every couple of years, or more frequently.   

As was posted earlier,  if you're only running 2GB ram,  your system is probably caching a good bit, and with the disk so full,  if you don't regularly defrag,  the caching will really bog down performance.   To run windows with any decent performance, I never let the boot/caching disk get below 25GB free.

If you have not defragged, I would certainly try that,  it alone may help the speed due to the above.

[joepinger]

I have defragged just recently, yesterday and no change.  I was wondering if I could get an answer to my post above the reply.  If I can do that, then I will see if it works faster then.  Thanks.

[Allan]

Generally,  because of how poorly windows cleans up after itself due to both windows and bad application deinstall routines,  if you use your system heavily, especially if you install/deinstall programs somewhat often,  it's just a good idea to re-core your system every couple of years, or more frequently.  

As was posted earlier,  if you're only running 2GB ram,  your system is probably caching a good bit, and with the disk so full,  if you don't regularly defrag,  the caching will really bog down performance.   To run windows with any decent performance, I never let the boot/caching disk get below 25GB free.

WHAT?

[obchris]

As long as you don't care about that program, you can delete them.  The best option is to try to go to control pannel add/remove,  and remove moviemaker,  but if it's not there,  then have at it.

By deleting the files though,  you may still have an Icon or so laying around in your start menu that will likely not be connected to anything so if you try to launch that after deleting the files,  of course, it won't work.

If that subdirectory will really get you a lot of space,  and you don't care about the program,  go for it..

[obchris]

Sometimes badly written install routines do not conform to the standards,  and they install their application in a subdirectory not under program files.   As long as it seems that the files in there are all related to the moviemaker application and you don't see other obvious program names or directories,  you should be ok per my last post.

[joepinger]

I just tried to delete the biggest file when I go to the Acer (c) drive>program files>moviemaker>then moviemaker.dll 10,671KB.  It says this when attempt this action: " Destination folder access denied", "You need to confirm this action." Then it says:MOVIEMK.dll FILE DESCRIPTION WINDOWS MOVIE MAKER, COMPANY MICROSOFT CORPORATION, FILE VERSION 6.0.6002.18121, DATE CREATED 3/11/2010 AT 11:06PM SIZE 10.4MB then Continue, skip, or cancel.  How do I get around that, call or email Microsoft?  Thanks.

[obchris]

That just means that the file is likely loaded upon boot so when you try to delete it, it's actually open and in use by the operating system.

One way to get around that is to boot into safe mode.

Here's a link if you're not sure how to boot into safe mode at will.  http://pcsupport.about.com/od/fixtheproblem/ss/safe-mode-windows-7.htm

Once your up and running in safe mode,  it should let you delete that file.  If after you selected to boot in safe mode it ask's what you want to load as it boots,  be sure to say no to any optional DLL's or specifically anything to do with moviemaker.

Give that a try.