deleting files

[chiswicik]

I'm in dire need of help and hope someone will be able to advise me. I need to install some programs on my computer but the problem is; there is not enough space on the hard drive. How do I recognize or know which files to delete in order to make space? I know nothing about a PC so please tell me in baby language.

Thanks for your help.

[peanut]

Its impossible for any of us to tell you what files are safe for you to delete because we dont know what you have. The best you can hope for from us is to do a disc cleanup and a defrag. Do these by going to start, programs, accessories, system tools. Then select disc cleanup. and let it delete anything it comes up with. Then do the same for a defrag. the defrag may take a while so be patient. You may also delete any unwanted music and or video files. other than that you would need someone to be there with you to see what you need and what you dont need.

[Ethel]

I suggest you also go into

Start - control panel - add/remove programmes.

When the list appears you will be able to see if there are any large programmes that you no longer use.

If you are sure they are not vital, delete them and free up the space.

If you are unsure, ask first.

[fo3nix]

I also suggest downloading and installing this free program:
http://windirstat.sourceforge.net/

It's free and only a small download, so it should certainly fit on your computer. Basically it analyses your computer and shows you what stuff is taking up the space. It makes a pretty picture with lots of coloured squares, each one representing a file. The larger the square the larger the file, and so you can click the large squares to see what and where on your hard drive they are, and if you don't need them, delete them.

[RATTER15]

You need to get a bigger hard drive!

[gary baldy]

Ratter has a point.
If you have the money perhaps you could invest in a small external hard drive. They are about 60 quid (i'm sure someone will find a cheaper one) but you can dump all you non essentilal files on there and free up your hard drive for programs and the like.

[chiswicik]

Thanks everyone for your help and answers.

Ethel I did the disc cleanup and defrag

Fo3 I will download that suggestion

Gbaldy I will look into geting an external hard drive. Can you tell me it work?

Rat I do have another pc with xp and a much larger hard drive but I much prefer using win. '98

[fo3nix]

Why do you prefer 98? If it's just due to the horrible color scheme, you can right-click a blank space on your desktop, click properties, and then in the window that opens up click the appearance tab, and then in the 'windows and buttons' box choose windows classic style.

XP is a big improvement over 98. With some tweaks, it can also run about as fast as 98 too.