How to increase memoryspace

[kelfoan]

My computer has warned me I am low on memory. I have tried all the usual cleanups anf defrags, but think I may need extra disk space. I am yhinking of moving either my photos or i tunes library to an external hard drive. Is this an easy task for someone with limited computer knowledge. Are there any pitfalls in moving i tunes. any other suggestions to increase space

[ChuckFickens]

Your computer won't warn you "i am low on memory"

It will warn you I am low on virtual memory or my c drive is running out of space.

Can we have the proper error please?

[VHG]

Moving personal files like pictures to an external drive is fairly easy (cut and paste or drag and drop).

I do not use itunes but I think moving your itunes library to an external hard disk may cause problems as itunes will expect to find the files on your main hard disk and not your external hard disk.

Make sure you have not got any large video files on your hard disk as they can take up a lot of space.

[ChuckFickens]

Itunes works fine with the library on an external drive (obviously only when the drive is connected) you just have to tell it the new location of the library after it's moved.

But regardless, low on memory is not a proper error and any answer given based on paraphrasing an error message will probably not help.

[kelfoan]

The actual messge says " you are running low on disc space on local disk :C " . I am wary of just deleting programs that I do not know what they are used for, so want to increase disk space instead. If I just drag and drop my shortcut for photos onto an external hard disk will this free up the C drive, or is it more involved than that?

[ChuckFickens]

Dragging and dropping a shortcut will move the shortcut, not the files the shortcut points to, so no it won't help.

what sort of figures are we talking here? (open my computer, right click on the C drive and select properties, what is the total size, used and free space) and how large is your itunes collection?

[VHG]

>>>If I just drag and drop my shortcut for photos onto an external hard disk will this free up the C drive, or is it more involved than that?

A shortcut is just that, a LINK to your photos, not the actual photos themselves.

You need to find the ACTUAL folder or folders where the pictures are and move them.

Note for safety reasons I always COPY things first (rather than moving them), then once you have proved the copy has worked (by checking the pictures are there) then you can delete the originals.

Note if you delete the originals and they go in the recycle bin they are STILL on you hard disk so it wont free up space.

You need to delete them from the recycle bin to free up the space.

[VHG]

Just to back up your decision NOT to uninstall programs.

Most programs are very small so wont free up much space if you uninstall them.

Also many people dont always realise what some programs are used for so think "I never use that" so uninstal it.

Next thing they know one or more of their software products stops working.

Soi DONT delete programs to create space.

[kelfoan]

C drive:Used space 57GC, Free space 231 MB.
I tunes: size 2.08KB, Size on disk 4KB

Have another problem now. I have deleted a programme (before I was advised not to! ) and now I tunes wont open! Error is "Quicktime is not found". It asks me to reinstall it, but I can't as there is not enough disk space! I have tried system restore band also restoring items in recycle bin but still not fixed. I am creating more problems than I am solving!

[RAV1D]

It sounds like you need to get a bigger hard drive.itunes is no good without quicktime.It needs quicktime to work. Have you tried disk clean up option? its in start menu,then click all programs then you go to Accessories,system tools,then disc clean up,It may gain you a bit of extra disc space.

[galeck1947]

It sounds like you have a 60GB hard drive which is too small for what you are doing with your computer. You should copy all your stuff to a decent size external hard drive 1 TB seems to be the go these days and then consider a larger hard drive that will accomodate your needs