Unknown files are taking over my C drive

[kamiblue]

Hi,

I have a Windows 8 Pro with Media Center system with 1TB C drive.

Lately, I've noticed my C drive keeps filling up..It's a terabyte drive and has ~200 GB filled...The rest(nearly 800 GB) is being filled up by I don't know what--Ran CCleaner..cleaned temp files..took off Restore protection on the C drive all to no avail--It's just keeps getting more and more filled up--ran a bunch of virus scans too..Also, ran chkdsk /r which stuck on 27% for like 3 hours, but finally finished.I've seen people with similar problems using WinDirStat to locate the files..but I can't seem to find them..Can anyone tell me how to do that? Tried to run WinDirStat from a CMD prompt, but didn't get any additional info...

Please see screenshots from WinDirStat, TreeSize and SpaceSniffer, but am unable to determine what or where the Unknown files are..

.

Please help it's getting more and more used up by the min...

Thanks

 

[nukemaster]

You should try chkdsk /f, this will most likely setup to run on next boot before you get to Windows(assuming this is your Windows drive). With Windows 8, you should restart and not just shut down then reboot for this check to happen.

It honestly looks like a file system error. With any luck chkdsk /f will clear it up for you, please post back with the results.

 

[kamiblue]

Thanks nukemaster-will try--Just this moment noticed something very strange though--I had turned Computer Protection off on the C drive and it was back on and set to like 464GB. I had restarted since I turned off System Protection...Right now, turned it off again and it said it would remove all my Restore Points--Unfortunately, the C drive(Windows) is still nearly filled and getting more filled....

 

[kamiblue]

Ran chkdsk /f--still the same--actually a little more memory gone...

 

[nukemaster]

I have never seen that happen.

If you are loosing space at all times, does the Resource Monitor show what program is the cause? Anything eating space all the time should show up.

 

[kamiblue]

Hi Nukemaster--Have watched the Resource Monitor, but I couldn't gain any info from it--the programs just seem to switch around...Should I be watching the Disk tab and then the Processes with Disk Activity?--Just seems like System keeps writing...Can I suspend that? I'm guessing not---and now avgfws.exe seems to be writing a lot...What can I do? avg not writing any more --I would say the one constant is System...any suggestions?

If I look at the area below the Processes(Disk Activity)--it changes constantly..but C:\$LogFile is showing up a lot--actually, hard to narrow anything down in that panel..

Thanks again

 

[JPNpower]

Aaah, please don't reset. The system restore was exactly what you needed in weird situations like this. try it.

 

[kamiblue]

Thanks, but there are no restore points that I can find

 

[nukemaster]

For the hell of it, Try to remove AVG to see if it is the cause of this problem.

The problem is you need to see what is doing the writing as well(reading is not an issue.).

This would be an extreme example of something writing to the disk.

 

[kamiblue]

Thanks Nukemaster--did that before and got like 50 or GB back, but that was all--here is a screen capture:

actually, you can view it better if you just go to the link:
http://www.kamiblue.com/resources.png

Thanks

 

[nukemaster]

Strangely, nothing looks out of place.

 

[kamiblue]

oh no, in this case that doesn't sound like good news...
down to 53.1 available GB--losing like 200 MB every time I refresh Explorer to view the C drive--maybe every few hours....

 

[JPNpower]

OK, shutdown. Waiting while thinking isn't going to help anything. do you have another computer?

 

[kamiblue]

Hi JPNpower--yes, but all my software is on this one--trying to make it through today and then may do a reinstall or what's the other option in Windows 8? refresh?

Thanks

 

[JPNpower]

Basically your PC is dying from a serious infection. You need to put it in the ER (Safe mode) and use some powerful drugs (extreme antivirus, searching for bad stuff). If you don't have a backup, make one immediately.

Then try Malwarebytes. free bad stuff busting software that has found what antivirus left behind in so many cases.

 

[kamiblue]

oh no, ok, I'll try that though I think I ran it before...Can I still work in Safe mode? use software, internet, etc?

Thanks much

 

[JPNpower]

When starting up, enter the booting options. never mind. listen to this guy. http://www.howtogeek.com/107511/how-to-boot-into-safe-mode-on-windows-8-the-easy-way/

Yes you can use internet, probably software too. Now the experts on this topic are on a website called bleepingcomputer. look them up. Then, make an account and plead for help. They'll ask for stuff like hijackthis logs and stuff, and would root out your problems.

 

[kamiblue]

Thanks--Yeah, I've gone to that site before--they want some logs and such...ok, thanks am running Malwarebytes and will reboot in Safe mode...

 

[JPNpower]

Thanks--Yeah, I've gone to that site before--they want some logs and such...ok, thanks am running Malwarebytes and will reboot in Safe mode...

Yeah, not much privacy. One google search and I have all the information about your personal computer that I could ever imagine... But they are pros at that stuff, and nothing can argue with professional knowledge and help, for free. You could also try the fat man behind the desk at Microcenter. My local guy is very friendly and helps me often.

 

[kamiblue]

Thanks for all your help--much appreciated--will definitely try all of your suggestions