Problems with "Startup Disk Memory"

I'm having issues with hard drive storage.
My spotify account is telling me it can't play music because my hard drive is full. Applications won't run because my "startup disk space is full." I can't download ANYTHING because there is no space.
Before anyone tells me to delete some files, I have already backed up all my files and deleted ALL OF THEM. The only thing on my computer at the moment is my software. Does anyone have a solution to this problem? I'm at the end of my rope. My computer is basically good for nothing right now. I'm also having extreme problems booting it up, and connecting to Wi-Fi. I'm running Lion OS X, fyi.

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Having problems with Startup Disk Installing Panther

I'm having problems installing Panther, I currently have a 9.2 OS. I get a message that the startup disk could not select the new os as the start up disk. Has anyone had this problem before? I've done all my updates, firmware included. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Julie

I bought the disc on ebay, its for an emac.
That disk isn't compatible with your computer; it will only work on a specific eMac model. You need a retail Mac OS X installation package, which is available here.
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Problems with startup, disk utility, everything else (it seems)

So I've been having problems with my iMac for about a week (I believe I'm running OSX 10.5 with whatever the most recent update is) (also, it's a 24" that I bought refurbed last October). I kept getting the ?file screen upon startup, but eventually it would start just fine.
I thought I managed to start and restart in safe-boot yesterday, but now I'm not so sure.
This morning I tried to do a Disk Utility from the install disk, only I'm a bit confused. This is supposed to find the hard drive, right? so I can do the tests to it and hopefully fix whatever problem there is? Because the utility was only finding the install disk, and then that got stuck and won't even eject (this is where I stopped because I had to leave for work). And when the install to where screen came up, there were no options for where to install the OS.
I haven't been able to get anywhere to run the hardware test or do a safe-boot or any of those options. I also have not yet called Apple or taken the mac into a store.
So I am starting to think that perhaps my hard drive is screwed. Am I right, or are there other things I should try first? (And if anyone has any suggestions for how to get that install disk to eject, I'd love to hear them--every time I tried that from the Disk Utility screen, I got an error.)

Hello b:
Welcome to Apple discussions.
To eject the disk, restart the computer while holding the mouse button down.
The rest of it sounds like hardware, but without being able to boot from the software install DVD, I cannot think of a way to go further. I would take the computer to an Apple store for diagnosis.
Barry

When login, i see a error message saying " there is a eminent problem with hard disk " smart check

G72-250US Notebook , Win 7 64 Home Premium,
Error :
When i login " There is a eminent problem with Hard disk, SMART check faled" ,Prmary hard disk self test failed .
Please help me with ths problem

Hi,
If this message is coming up in a black screen.
Then the harddrive in the system is about to go bad or already bad.
If you are able to boot to windows, FIRST BACKUP DATA.
Also run a startup test by tapping F2 as soon as you power on the system.
The smart test is a BIOS feature in most of the computer which is designed to keep cust informed if the HDD is about to go bad. But their are instances where the SMART will only let you know that the HDD is bad only when the HDD has bad.
More Info: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01443317&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&jumpid=reg_R1002_US...
Although I am an HP employee, I am speaking for myself and not for HP.

Problem With Target Disk Mode

Folowing upgrade of my Mini and Powerbook to Tiger I have a problem with target Disk Mode when I attempt to eject the transfer to disk following transfer of my user file. I get an error message to the effect that files are in use and the disk can not be ejected. I try force quit (finder only is running) usually to no effect. Sometimes attempting to verify disk permissions in disk utility will clear the problem and allow me to eject the disk. One time it took close to an hour attempting to eject the disk. Is there another way?
PB Mac OS X (10.4.3)

I had this problem with external volumes like ZIP discs and also external hard drives. Sometimes it was an app used on one of the external files still being open (eg. Word for a text file) which had to be quitted first. The "trackpad" button equals the mouse button which is on the PowerBook. Repairing the target disk via disk utility might also help.

I'm having problem with hard disk problem. I recently purchased HP pavilion G series notebook.

There is error displaying that there is a problem with hard disk please back up your data and contact manfature. I purchased these recently in 2011 december in india. Please help me what to do.

The error usually means what it says. Back up your data to a thumb drive or something before it crashes and call HP Support for a hard drive replacement.

Mac startup disk memory problems

Hello Apple Community.. I have a trouble starting up my mac and I thought entering startup disk mode would solve my problems.. There are two disks named Untitled, placed the one under the other. The first one says that I have 19 MB (!!!) available and the second one 388 GB.. What have I done?

Thanks for your immediate response!
This is how my disks appear.. Is it normal? I had my disk changed on Monday, but still the same numbers..
Did I do something wrong?
I'm using a MacBook Pro from mid 2012 with a 2,5 GHz i5 Processor and 4GB RAM
Thanks a lot!

I have a IMac 10.7.4 with startup disk is full problems

I have a IMac 10.7.4 with 1TB of space I'm getting that my startup disk is full when i only using about 60 gigs any ideas for me

First step would be to empty the caches on the computer. To do this:
1. Click on the Finder
2. Click on 'Go' in menu bar across the top of the screen.
3. Click on 'Go to Folder'
4. In the box that appears type '~/Library' (without the ' apostrophes)
5. A list with a lot of folders should appear. Locate the 'Caches' folder and open it.
6. Drag everything in this 'Cache' folder to the Trash.
7. Empty the Trash.
8. Restart the computer.
Still getting the same message?
Keep us posted!

SOS!! PROBLEM WITH MY DISK DRIVES. I'M TOTALL CONFUSED

it looks like my last problem was just the tip of the iceberg. To recap: At the time my goal was to rescue files from the two hard drives in my Mac G4, which I was ready to part with, when I learned dhow much repairs would cost. Can't remember how far along I was in the process when I requested help, but eventually was able to transfer the files from both drives to a much larger Seagate external drive. Before disposing of the drives, I figured I had better erase them, as well. Had I known it was going to take 5 days to run 7 passes, I might have had second thoughts, but once it was completed successfully, I decided to do the same for the second drive, which was much smaller.
My current problem started when I connected that drive to my iMac (via a USB to IDE & SATA cable) and brought up the image; then got cold feet, thinking of the possibility I might accidentally erase everything on my iMac.
Before erasing the larger drive I had "colored " the icon orange in order to differentiate it from the drive on the iMac, but got spooked when the new drive also showed up orange this morning. Also thought I remembered seeing a choice of drives to erase the first time, but this time did not see an icon for the iMac. Also could not find it on the desktop, since it was not where I remembered having seen the last time I looked (probably ages ago — buried in the upper right hand corner — usually under a stack of other files).
After much searching, I found an icon elsewhere on the desktop, but with the name I recalled having given to my G4 — not that of the iMac, which I don't think I ever renamed. . . And when I clicked on its desktop, the files looked familiar, but definitely different than the ones I expected to find. . . On the other hand, clicking on the finder's desktop, brought up all the files I expected. The number of files on drive each also was different. The icon's desktop showed 111 documents; the finder's desktop twice that many . . . but the total unused capacity for both was identical.
All I can think of is that I must have messed up when I first got the iMac several years ago and used a crossover cable to transfer files onto it from the G4. I do recall that my intention was to copy only the files I really wanted, but suddenly ended up with everything from the G4's drive. But even if I did, I suspect but am not sure I understand why I ended up with the G4's icon and not just a bunch of files in a folder. . . Also, if the icon was there from Day 1, does that mean I somehow renamed the iMac's icon, or was there ever an icon for the iMac drive in the first place?
Finally, can someone reassure me that if I just go ahead and erase the "orange" drive, I won't destroy any of the files on my iMac desktop today? Since all I could find in the icon was a bunch of old files, I would sort thru them at my leisure and get on with my life today. I

Still trying to follow last suggestion, but am starting to feel like a Mac newbie. I'm relly not, which makes it even more frustrating.
Have been trying since the weekend to start up from my install disk. (Holding "C" key down while rebooting . . . but the Install searched the Startup Disk Folder, bu it only shows System X and Network.disk is not booting; just sitting on the desktop with the option to install). Have also searched the "Startup Disk fodler" but it only shows system X and Network.
Meanwhile, I contacted Seagate Tech support, which was amazingly helpful, considering their internal drive was added to my now deceased Powermac G4 at least 8 years ago. Technician agreed that the memory probably was "clipped" some way, but emailed a links to 2 files that should work on Mac (http://www.seagate.com/staticfiles/support/seatools/SeaToolsDOS217EURO.ISO
User Guide. and http://seagate.custkb.com/seagate/crm/selfservice/search.jsp?DocId=201271 . . . suggesting that I burn the first one to a separate disk and boot from that. But since my iMac won't recognize another Mac startup disk, am just a little reluctant to try with one that's "outside the family."
Any chance I could end up making my current problemn worse, rather than better?

Startup Disk Memory Inexplicably Low/Missing

I normally keep a close eye on the amount of info going into my partitioned Mac HD (presently: capacity 29.88 GB, 27.64 Used, 2.23 Available), but I received a message today to the effect that "your startup disk is low in available memory..." while only running Safari... The last time I had checked (about 1 month ago) I had between 9 and 10 GB of available space, so needless to say I was rather surprised to get this message. I immediately did a "Get Info" on the drive and was SHOCKED for TWO reasons! 1) that the available memory was so low... but ALSO as I checked and RE-checked the memory was DISAPPEARING before my eyes! I was only running Safari (although a couple hours prior I had worked on and saved a 5+ page site in iWeb with a fair amount of imagery... I have 1 GB of RAM. I restarted and the drive has since stabalized at 2.22-2.23 GB Available. I restarted in Safe Mode and restarted again and ran a repair permissions on it. All seems to be ok for now BUT I haven't reopened iWeb for fear that that may be eating up what little memory is left AND then there is this OTHER issue of where these other 8 or so GB have gone to???? When I calculate Finder items in the HD they total 19.5 GB not the 27.64 that "Get Info" pulls up for it. One more note: I installed iLife '06 about a month ago... What is happening here?
PowerBook G4 17" Mac OS X (10.4.5)

Hi, O.
1. IMO, with only 2-3 GB of available (free) space, you're critically short of free disk space. Cache files and virtual memory swap files could readily and quickly consume that. See my "Problems from insufficient RAM and free hard disk space" FAQ.
2. A runaway process constantly writing to log files can chew up disk space. Check these Console logs for clues, specifically large blocks of repeating messages that recur at high-frequency. If you find such blocks, post some samples for diagnosis. Again, do not post the entire log or logs, just copy/paste samples of blocks of repeating messages that recur at high frequency.
Common causes of runaway processes writing to logs include software associated with Canon and HP scanners, software for HP All-In-One devices, and Adobe Acrobat version 7.x prior to version 7.0.5. Depending on the messages you post, I can give you specific actions to take if one of those apply.
3. See also my "Freeing Space on your Mac OS X startup disk" FAQ.
Good luck!
Dr. Smoke
Author: Troubleshooting Mac® OS X
Note: The information provided in the link(s) above is freely available. However, because I own The X Lab™, a commercial Web site to which some of these links point, the Apple Discussions Terms of Use require I include the following disclosure statement with this post:
I may receive some form of compensation, financial or otherwise, from my recommendation or link.

What does this error message mean? (startup disk memory)

Hello,
I am running OS 10.7.2 (Lion) on a new'ish 27 inch iMac, and I am getting the following error message appearing randomly on my screen:
"Your Mac OS X startup disk has no more space available for application memory"
There is a yellow exclamation point, and then all of my open applications are listed with a button for "Force Quit" or "Resume". I tried to attach a picture of the error window into this message, but it was rejected and said that I am not allowed to post that type of content (Huh???). I used the "Grab" application to take a shot of the error message, and I thought that was how I could attach the picture but I must be doing something wrong.
I went into "About This Mac", and then I clicked on "More Info". From there, I clicked on "Storage" to see how much memory I have left. It shows that I have 830.19 GB available of 999.35GB, so there is a ton of memory remaining.
Any suggestions? Thanks!

Try resetting PRAM
If that doesn't work WhatSize or OmniDisksweeper may help you find the problem.
smitty195 wrote:
I tried to attach a picture of the error window into this message, but it was rejected and said that I am not allowed to post that type of content (Huh???). I used the "Grab" application to take a shot of the error message,
Grab produces tiffs which do not work with this software, instead use command-shift-3 or 4 for a screenshot jpg.

Can't free up enough startup disk memory

Hi,
"Your Mac OS X startup disk has no more space available for application memory."
I am trying to free up space to stop this message from popping up on my screen. I've emptied my trash, but the problem isn't gone.
I have a iMac with OS X 10.6.8, with 4GB of Memory.
My local disk capacity is 499.76 GB and i am only using 179.07GB.
I am unsure how to remove temporary files, even though i am clearing temp files from my browser's history.
I don't know which program can be reliable and safe to remove the temp files for me
I'll appreciate if someone can help.

Reboot to clear out virtual memory.
Your problem is excessive swapping of data between physical memory and virtual memory.
That can happen for two reasons:
You have a long-running process with a memory leak (i.e., a bug), or
You don't have enough memory installed for your usage pattern.
Tracking down a memory leak can be difficult, and it may come down to a process of elimination. In Activity Monitor, select All Processes from the menu in the toolbar, if not already selected. Click the heading of the Real Mem column in the process table twice to sort the table with the highest value at the top. If you don't see that column, select
View ▹ Columns ▹ Real Memory
from the menu bar.
If one process (excluding "kernel_task") is using much more memory than all the others, that could be an indication of a leak. A better indication would be a process that continually grabs more and more memory over time without ever releasing it.
If you don't have an obvious memory leak, your options are to install more memory (if possible) or to run fewer programs simultaneously.
The next suggestion is only for users familiar with the shell. For a more precise, but potentially misleading, test, run the following command:
sudo leaks -nocontext -nostacks process | grep total
where process is the name of a process you suspect of leaking memory. Almost every process will leak some memory; the question is how much, and especially how much the leak increases with time. I can’t be more specific. See the leaks(1) man page and the Apple developer documentation for details:
Memory Usage Performance Guidelines: About the Virtual Memory System

Slow system – problem with OS, software, memory, hard drive?

I am running a MacBookPro5,3 (Intel Core 2 Duo – 2.8 GHz, Memory = 2 x 4 GB, Hard drive = NVidia 500 GB - 100GB of which is free space), using Mac OS X 10.6.3.
I was running 10.6.6. Then attempted a software update to 10.6.7 and the system essentially stopped working, Was able to back up data using target disk mode, and then reinstalled 10.6.3 using a purchased snow leopard DVD (had lost the disk that came with the computer). Worked for a while but have been having issues with increasingly long and frequent system slow downs (spinning beach ball). Recently attempted another system update, and the update failed and wasn't able to do anything. Used the 10.6.3 dvd and did a disk utility check – it initially said there was a problem with the hard drive – but on another restart from the DVD this issue disappeared (but still no working OS). Attempted connection of my computer to another laptop using target disk mode – this failed to show the target hard drive and only showed the dvd which was in the computer booted up in target disk mode.
At this point rebooted using the DVD and was able again to install system 10.6.3. However, there are still occasions of sporadic slow-downs associated with specific applications (spinning beach ball for anywhere from 5 – 120 sec). Ran disk utility from the DVD again – states that the permissions and the hard drive is OK. Also, ran a memory test (using Rember) which stated that everything was fine (although the test took nearly 2 hours to run and was punctuated by much spinning beach ball activity).
At this stage i am not sure whether I have a problem with memory, the hard drive, the OS or the software. Clearly something is not right – are there any other options to test my system (since I don't have the original dvd – I haven't been able to run a system hardware test) - other third party options?
Thanks in advance for any advice, and apologies for long post.
Rob

Sounds like a failing hard drive or SATA controller. It's not clear whether you have a backup of your data. If not, you should remove the hard drive from the machine and install it an external enclosure or dock, then back it up using another Mac. Then take the unit to an authorized service outlet for testing.

ITouch Get Stuck and after restore problem with hard disk

some days before the stuck my iTouch begin to give me an error when i connect it to iTunes: the sync starting and when was time of backup it said that isn't possible to backup my iPod because it was disconnected (what?!?! it's plugged in and he see it a few second ago!!)
Then the iTouch stop to run
when i try to turn on it stay on the apple (for about 10 minute then it reboot himself with a white flash)
i've tried to plug in but iTunes never see it
So i try to put the iPod in DFU Mode...after a few attemps iTunes reveal it
First i try with 3.1.2 (2 times) but it give me some error such as "memory unavailable"
Then i have downloaded 3.1.3 and all goes well apart a little error on sync iTunes
today i have put into 1400 contacts with itunes in sync with my company and now iTunes give me this error - I can't sync because memory disk was full
if i go on my iPod -> Setting ->General -> Info -> Space Available -> 0 byte
what file are included in this voice??
how i can fix it??
there was some problem with my hardware?
thanks a lot

Welcome to the discussions,
if you connect your ipod to itunes and look at the colored info bar at the bottom of the window, does it show different colors or just one orange "other" part? As you got errors while syncing, there might be corrupt data files on your ipod filling it up. Try to restore again to get rid of the great orange part. After that the "other" section should be reduced to max. of 500MB or less.

Problem With Low Disk Space - Message - Email and ...

Hi all,
I have a N97 and i noticed that when i have around 200 stored messages in my sent and my received in box then i get the e-mail disconnecting and saying to me that it's been disconnected due to low disk space.
So i tried changing the location of the folders for the e-mails and then i got a warning about the folders not being correct and had to restore them to the original settings.
I'm sure this is also related but some one tried to send me a small video via blue tooth and it told me that the memory was full but for the life of me i can't seem to change where a blue tooth message would go too.
Thanks in advance for any tips.
i know i may have 2 separate issues here but it's all the same low disk space or out of disk space etc etc
it would seem that it's a problem so how can i go about fixng it, it's poor...
The first offering is Nokia's new 'Messaging' client. If you really, really have been looking forward to this then by all means install it, but beware that it will, between application and messagebase, use up a lot of disk C: on its own. And you can't switch the messagebase to 'mass memory', because that gets locked out when you connect your N97 up to your PC or Mac, switching Nokia Messaging back to C:. As a long time Gmail user, I still find it easier to use either the 'old' S60 Messaging application (in IMAP4 mode) or just use the standalone Gmail (Java-based) application, which has the benefit of speed and of an utterly minimal footprint in daily use.
Also offered via 'Sw update' is Ovi Maps 3.1, which also insists on ensconcing itself on C:. If version 2.0 is working well for you then there really isn't a compelling reason to update, to be honest. Or at least not one that's compelling enough to warrant signing over at least 7MB of C: to it. If version 2 isn't working for you, you still shouldn't install v3.1, as offered, but go for the very latest v3.3, from the Nokia Beta Labs Maps page. It's faster and slicker and at least you'll be getting extra functionality for your lost Megabytes, including less troublesome GPS performance. See below for more on the GPS.
Next is Ovi Contacts, a beta-quality social integration system that's yet to take off in any meaningful way. Again, just avoided unless you really, really want to get involved. You don't need to lose the vital Megabytes.
Then there's the N-Gage games client, another C: biggie, seemingly swallowing up 6MB or so in a real world installation - if, like me, you're rather underwhelmed by N-Gage titles (in fact, underwhelmed by gaming on Symbian in general, but that's another rant for another day), then just say no and, again, give your internal disk a break.
The final optional 'Sw update' was Quickoffice 6, bringing compatibility with Office 2007 documents. This also takes up the best part of 10MB on C:, so unless you get a lot of Docx or Xlsx files by email then I'd strongly suggest holding fire on this update - you'll probably get it anyway in the v20 firmware in a few months time.
Message Edited by mowax on 02-Dec-2009 02:38 PM
Message Edited by mowax on 02-Dec-2009 02:39 PM
Solved!
Go to Solution.

Hi, don't know wether you've done this, but go into messaging/options/settings/other/memory in use/set as E:mass memory. If this causes a problem with email, simply delete mailbox and re-install it, it only takes a couple of minutes. One other thing , if you want to save any txt messages, sync with ovi first.Also to get C memory back delete all messages sent , recieved, reports etc before selecting Memory in use as E. Also go to web browser and clear privacy data regularly. One other thing to note is that usually when connected to computer via usb, messaging memory will revert to C, and you won't be able to see any messages , so reset to E again and they are all there. Best taskmanager from Ovi store is also a real help with memory on phone.
Hope this helps, and my appologies for the somewhat eratic layout nof the advice. Should have mentioned clearing messages from C before using E !
Good Luck
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Problems with "Startup Disk Memory"

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