Unknown files are taking over my C drive

kamiblue

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Jul 9, 2009
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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..
cdrive.png
.
treesize.png
windirstat.png

spacesniffer.png


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

Thanks
 
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.
 
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....

 
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
 
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....
 
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.
 
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.
 


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.