Where is my Hard Disk space going?

So basically, something is guzzling up HDD space. I've moved the majority of my stuff onto an external drive with just my music and apps, and fair bit of stuff in my downloads folder left. When looking through what's using up space I found, first, that iTunes U was using up about 56GB of space. I deleted that and despite doing so, the free space on my HDD never appeared, as though I hadn't deleted it. Further inspection found an invisible folder in my users folder was using up over 250GB of space. I discovered that this was actually my Library, more specifically a folder inside called MobileSync was using up nearly 200GB of space. I deleted some of the old back ups, but the space never showed up as being cleared.
Now here goes the weirdest part. Space just disappears even when I'm not using it. It's keeps shrinking, and going to 0MBs left. If I do manage to clear some stuff off, it never goes more than 5GBs free. But then if I leave it, it'll go shrink. I was using it for an hour or so trying to get rid of stuff, trying things like OmniDiskSweep and Disk Inventory X even DiskWave. None of them did anything, but in that time it shrunk to just over 1GB free. I've not been using it for for about another hour and it's shrunk even more, it's now down to 353MBs free.  I've tried to fix it by delete iAntivirus as research shows that it could be the problem, but it's still persistent. I'm just lost for what could be going on, and how to fix it.
It's just so bizarre that it's using up space even when I'm not using it.

Hello JonasHamill,
You may need to empty your trash.
OS X Mountain Lion: Remove files and folders from your computer
http://support.apple.com/kb/PH10628
If the trash has been emptied, it may be that your Macintosh HD requires repair.
Using Disk Utility to verify or repair disks
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1782
Cheers,
Allen

Similar Messages

  • Missing hard disk space after sims 3 force quit

    Hi, I failed to notice I had to update to the latest version of Leopard to install the game with the result that the installer got stuck repeatedly half way through and I could only force quit the installer.
    The downside to this is that I did this twice and now I'm missing around 7 gigs of hard disk space....anyone know where I can find the files to delete or how I can regain that space?

    DiskWarrior, as suggests nerowolfe, won't hurt for sure. It will repair damages done to files and the directory.
    Maybe you could spot where the problem files are with this freeware, Disk Inventory X. You probably could identify files that are related to the game that are left on the hard drive. Did you do a Spotlight search to see if there any left?
    And I'm also wondering if it wouldn't help to clean out all the caches in case there are temp files stuck in there? Download MainMenu and use it to clean out all the caches like so:
    Uploaded with plasq's Skitch!
    For the system cache clean up, choose +Deep Clean+. You will need to restart after the caches have been cleared.
    Report back to let us know how it goes. Good luck!

  • Trying to free up Hard disk space

    I am trying to free up hard disk space but I cannot find what is eating up most of it 112GB are used and about and about 42 of it is alloted to music and photos. I cannot find what is eating the bulk of the rest. I can't find any other large blocks of used space when I check folders on my Hard Drive. Any Ideas.

    Use Whatsize. Same can be found on VersionTracker and MacUpdate.
    *A few tips:*
    Empty the trash!
    Open up your application folder & go through all your apps. Trash all the apps you no longer want and/or use.
    An easier way to do this is to open the Application folder in list view & press the Command+j keys.
    In the the dialog that appears, click the "This Window Only" button & the "Calculate All Sizes" check box.
    Wait a bit until your file & folder sizes have all been calculated, then click the "Size" column to sort your apps from the fattest to the most anorexic.
    Get rid of all your photo files you don't want and/or need. Same goes for those pics off the websites you downloaded (gifs, jpegs, etc.).
    I'm old fashion. I still keep my photos in a photo album. So when people come over my house, they can actually "touch" & "feel" my photos without me running to my computer to "show my photos".
    Get rid of all your music files you no longer listen too. Especially, if you already have the actual CDs and/or DVDs or you can later redownload from a website.
    Use Spotlight to make sure you got rid of everything. You can even trash directly from Spotlight!
    Drag what you don't want and/or need to the trash. Better yet, download this neat little shareware app demo called AppZapper. It basically does all the work for you by not only trashing the apps but the apps preference files, caches & all its associated files.
    Another software that does the above is AppDelete. Best of all this software is free!
    Burn what you want and/or need onto CDs or DVDs.
    Not everyone has the luxury of purchasing an external HD and/or a .Mac account to store their "stuff, junk, music & photos".
    You can check with your ISP to see if they offer free storage space. Most if not all do now-a-days. I store all 5000+ of my music (mp3s) files & 500+ music videos in my ISP storage bin.
    There are thousands if not millions of free storage facilities on the web also. Use your favorite search engine, Google &/or MacGoogle to search them out as they come in different storage sizes to fit your needs & wants.
    Check for duplicate fonts.
    Applications>Font Book
    Select “All Fonts”
    If you see any “black dots” next to any fonts this mean you have duplicates and/or multiple versions of these fonts.
    To clean this up, select a “black dotted” font or the Apple + click to select multiple dotted fonts;
    Edit>Resolve>Duplicates.
    What the above does is turns off the duplicates & multiple version fonts. Not delete them.
    More than likely the “extras” were installed by other programs and/or other users.
    Clear out font caches
    Use FontNuke. It does all the work for you. And, best of all it’s FREE.
    Printer Drivers
    Get rid of all the printer drivers you don’t need & use except the ones for your current printer(s)/scanner(s).
    HD>Library>Printers Folder
    If you accidently threw something out that you needed for your printer/scanner it can be easily obtained from the manufacturer’s website and/or from the CD that came w/the printer/scanner.
    Garage Band
    Has about 1GB of loops stored. Get rid of some some them. You surely don’t use, like and/or need them all.
    HD>Library>Audio/Apple Loops>Apple>Apple Loops For GarageBand
    Or just get rid of the Garage Band app altogether if you don’t use it.
    Get rid of extra languages
    Strip your computer down to your “native” tongue.
    You can do this with a FREE utility called Monolingual. Another app that apparently does all the work for you. I’ve never used it. However, a lot of users here swear by & recommend it highly.
    However, there is a warning for *native English speakers*. Make sure you keep BOTH English and English (United States).
    Other Resources:
    Knowledge Base Article http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303602 Mac Maintenance Quick Assist
    Scroll down to "4) Prune Through Your Files".
    Slimming your hard drive
    Rule of thumb: You should never let your hard drive get to where you have only 10-15% of space left.

  • Problem with Photoshop CS5. Memory and Hard disk space Mac OSX

    Just got CS5 Master Suite.  Whenever I open photoshop it takes a ton of memory 1 gig +. When I open  files it takes up more and more until it takes up all my memory and hard  disk space. I open a simple multi layered file that is 25 megs in size  to work on it. Before I know it photoshop is taking 20gigs+ of my hard  disk space along with 3+ gigs of system memory. Is there a memory  problem in photoshop cs5?
    Thanks!
    Joseph
    UPDATE:
    So I just opened the 25 meg file  in photoshop cs5 and watched my free space on my hard drive go down 8  gigs the instant I opened it. It went from 27 gigs of freespace to 19  instantly. As I open more files and close others it works till my harddrive goes to zero space... stalls the computer big time. Only way to correct it is to quit photoshop cs5 and wait a few minutes for the space to return... and it takes a few minutes for it all to return.
    I am running a Macbook Pro with OSX 10.6., 4 gigs of ram on board.
    anyone else having simular problems?

    http://forums.adobe.com/thread/681490?tstart=0
    Maybe this thread offers some information.
    And have you perused this page?
    http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/404/kb404440.html

  • Losing Hard Disk Space

    Hi All. I'm seriously losing hard disk space on my Macbook Pro 17 and it's been doing this heavily since I installed Lion.
    My laptop has a 160GB hard drive. Out of this, I can add up only 70GB of files. Add another 20GB of free disk space so that totals 90GB. What's happened to the remaining 50GB hard disk space? Are there invisible files being written that I need to look for? Please help as this is really frustrating. Even using WhatSize doesn't add up to all the hard drive space I should have.

    Naz Hussain wrote:
    On mobile backups I only have 1.3MB. I use Time Machine but that goes to an external hard drive.
    By default, Lion on notebook computers will also save backups to your local disk. If you have many large files that are changing, that could account for your space.
    If any software is creating directories then I can't see it.
    The curl and ffmpeg make me suspect that you have some torrent or peer-to-peer software. Such software would generate many large files that Time Machine's local snapshots would backup. It would also be likely to save such files in temporary directories that are hidden.

  • Managing Hard Disk space

    Hello all
    Well I'm glad to say I'm near the end of my first FC project, it has taken me a couple of months but I'm for the most part of happy with and, it has been a learning experience for sure...
    One thing I have learned is the amazing amount of hard disk space consumed, this has me questioning a few things.
    Is it normal for an average of 1 minute to consume 1 Gig of HD space ?
    What is the best way for one to manage HD space when working with FC ?
    I know I'll need to up-grade my HD to one much larger, my thought is going with an external HD. If all goes as planned I'll have a G5 and can retire my G4.
    Thanks for any and all advise....
    James

    "If you get an external HD make sure it is a Firewire one and not a USB 2.0."
    My advice (from bitter experience) is to get TWO separate external HDs, one for the Scratch and one as a backup of the Scratch, backed up regularly. If the Scratch disc fails you will have to re-capture from your camera and if you have several active projects that is a pain - in fact a disaster if the failure damages the captured files and you can't re-shoot.
    A RAID seems an attactive proposition because whenever you save a file to the RAID, (and I think that applies to capturing), the data are written simultaneously to the other drive in the RAID, so making a continuous and automatic backup at thast time. However, if the internal power supply circuitry in the RAID case failes, both drives fail. So two HDs, each in a separate case, seems safer.

  • 'private' hard disk space

    This question is mainly due to curiosity. The hard disk space on my MacBook is nearly full and I am trying to empty it. I have used Disk Inventory, as suggested on a discussion here, and have found 4Gb of something called 'private.' I assume this is something to do with the workings of the MacBook and I shouldn't touch it, if I could find where it was anyway. Am I correct?

    Hello Tim,
    You don't say what size your Hard Drive is. If it is getting to small, you might want to install a larger one. In the MacBook it is VERY easy. I just replaced mine with a Seagate Momentus 7200.3 ST9320421AS 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Notebook Hard Drive for only $90. I put the old hard drive in to a Nippon Labs USB-25SATA-BK 2.5" Black USB 2.0 External Enclosure for $11, so I can use it as a spare Hard Dive later. I then used Carbon Copy Cloner to transfer 100% of my old Hard Drive to the new Hard Drive.
    Best thing I ever did for this MacBook.
    -Apple //GS

  • Compressor 4 is using all my hard disk space?!

    I have a Mac Pro, 3.7 Ghz Quad-Core Intel, 12 GB Memory.
    Im trying to compress a video from FCP X (10.1.3), but Compressor (4.1.3) is using all of my hard disk space. The video I am trying to compress has 4 one minute HD interview segments and about 100 different photos. It's a tribute video that combines both forms of media into a presentation. The total time for the video is 11:23.
    The project library itself works off an external hard drive that has 1.45 TB available. The only thing that goes locally to my hard disk are the FCP X backup folders.
    I received a message saying that I needed more Virtual Memory, but am having a hard time understanding virtual memory and how to free up more of it.
    Any advice?

    This is the message from my last attempt.

  • Hello to you all, my Macbook Air won's boot up and upon diagnosis, i realized my startup disk is full to 99% even with 2GB Hard Disk space. It wont also enable me boot into safe mode too. Please help as all my work documents and project files are on HD

    Hello to you all,
    My Macbook Air won's boot up and upon diagnosis, i realized my startup disk is full to 99% even with 2GB Hard Disk space. It wont also enable me boot into safe mode too.
    when i power up, i get this prolong gray screen which wont change screen but remain so. Infact i am handicapped.
    Please help as all my work documents and project files are on this machine and i can't afford to loose them all...
    Please, should you have any solution please send me the details to [email protected]
    Thanks you a millionh times.
    Al.

    The MBA seems to cause several problems to several users on boot ups
    On start up my MBA would not boot up the apple logo came on but only a blank screen appeared no fan i followed several start up recommendations but to no avail so I  took the MBA to the nearest Apple repair centre again the same symptoms on start up ......very sorry sir you need a new mother board that will be $500 not feeling confidant in the product declined and was going to put it on ebay for spares.
    On return home I pressed the start up button and it started normally everything was working fine i decided to reinstall all the software what has caused the problem I have no idea but it is after several attempted reboots it finally started on its own so don't give up if you have this problem it may come to life

  • Disappearing Hard Disk Space

    For several days, I have watched my available hard disk space "disappear" before my eyes. I should have approximately 13 GB of free space available, but this number has gradually dropped to zero and then back up to 6 GB and currently hovers around 2-3 GB. This has happened over the last 3-4 days. I don't recall installing any new software, drivers, etc. A virus scan detected no viruses. Disk Utility detected no problems. System Profiler logs don't seem to show any processes that are unusually large and consuming. Where did my hard drive space go and how can I get it back?

    Are you using File Vault?
    Look at these links.
    Where did my disk space go?
    http://www.macfixitforums.com/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=Forum38&Number=770243
    Download & use WhatSize described in this link or Disk Inventory X @ http://www.derlien.com/
    Freeing space on your Mac OS X startup disk
    http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/freeingspace.html
    Amazing Disappearing Drive Space
    http://www.pinkmutant.com/articles/TigerMisc.html
    Increase HD Free Space
    http://macosx.com/forums/howto-faqs/275191-how-easily-increase-hd-free-space-lap top.html
    How to free up my disk space
    http://www.macmaps.com/diskfull.html
    Where Did My Disk Space Go?
    http://www.macfixitforums.com/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/770243/site_id/ 1
     Cheers, Tom

  • Serious hard disk space issue (9.2 on XP Professional, 56 GB not enough)

    Hello,
    I installed Oracle 9.2.0.1.0 on HP Pavilion running Windows XP Professional (Pentium 4).
    Following are the numbers about disk space:
    Space before starting Installation: 56.8 GB
    Universal Installer indicated Enterprise Edition needs 2.86 GB and I selected General purpose database.
    Universal Installer in summary before starting installation shows:
    Space requirements as
    C:\Required 2.57 (includes 90 MB temporary): Available 56.82GB
    After completion of installation: I had hard disk space available as 32.6 GB (Approximately 25 GB space was taken)
    Within couple of hours hard disk space dropped to 12 GB
    and some thing kept taking the hard disk space.
    Where is the problem? Oracle? XP? HP?
    After uninstall Oracle and deleting Oracle home space is 56.5
    Am I doing some thing wrong?
    Earlier I tried the same on XP home edition and within couple of hours I ran out of space on same computer after installing Oracle 9.2
    Any pointers, help greatly appreciated.
    Ganesh

    Hello,
    You were right HTTP was the problem. It keeps writing to
    error_log file in Oracle\ora92\Apache\Apache\logs folder till hard disk is full.
    First few lines from this log file and then rest of the file is filled with same line(separated with ===) is given here,
    [Sat Feb 22 15:54:08 2003] [notice] FastCGI: process manager initialized
    [Sat Feb 22 15:54:08 2003] [warn] FastCGI: server "c:/oracle/ora92/bin/isqlplus" started (pid 2400)
    [Sat Feb 22 15:54:08 2003] [warn] FastCGI: server "c:/oracle/ora92/bin/isqlplus" (pid 2400) terminated with exit with status '3373064'
    [Sat Feb 22 15:54:13 2003] [warn] FastCGI: server "c:/oracle/ora92/bin/isqlplus" restarted (pid 1716)
    [Sat Feb 22 15:54:14 2003] [warn] FastCGI: server "c:/oracle/ora92/bin/isqlplus" (pid 1716) terminated with exit with status '3373064'
    [Sat Feb 22 15:54:18 2003] [warn] FastCGI: server "c:/oracle/ora92/bin/isqlplus" restarted (pid 2600)
    [Sat Feb 22 15:54:18 2003] [warn] FastCGI: server "c:/oracle/ora92/bin/isqlplus" (pid 2600) terminated with exit with status '3373064'
    [Sat Feb 22 15:54:23 2003] [warn] FastCGI: server "c:/oracle/ora92/bin/isqlplus" restarted (pid 2508)
    [Sat Feb 22 15:54:23 2003] [warn] FastCGI: server "c:/oracle/ora92/bin/isqlplus" (pid 2508) terminated with exit with status '3373064'
    [Sat Feb 22 15:54:28 2003] [warn] FastCGI: server "c:/oracle/ora92/bin/isqlplus" restarted (pid 2864)
    [Sat Feb 22 15:54:28 2003] [warn] FastCGI: server "c:/oracle/ora92/bin/isqlplus" (pid 2864) terminated with exit with status '3373064'
    [Sat Feb 22 15:54:33 2003] [warn] FastCGI: server "c:/oracle/ora92/bin/isqlplus" restarted (pid 3268)
    [Sat Feb 22 15:54:33 2003] [warn] FastCGI: server "c:/oracle/ora92/bin/isqlplus" (pid 3268) terminated with exit with status '3373064'
    [Sat Feb 22 15:54:33 2003] [error] [client 127.0.0.1] File does not exist: c:/oracle/ora92/apache/apache/htdocs/_vti_bin/owssvr.dll
    [Sat Feb 22 15:54:33 2003] [error] [client 127.0.0.1] File does not exist: c:/oracle/ora92/apache/apache/htdocs/msoffice/cltreq.asp
    [Sat Feb 22 15:54:38 2003] [warn] FastCGI: server "c:/oracle/ora92/bin/isqlplus" restarted (pid 1660)
    [Sat Feb 22 15:54:38 2003] [warn] FastCGI: server "c:/oracle/ora92/bin/isqlplus" (pid 1660) terminated with exit with status '3373064'
    [Sat Feb 22 15:54:43 2003] [warn] FastCGI: server "c:/oracle/ora92/bin/isqlplus" restarted (pid 2432)
    [Sat Feb 22 15:54:43 2003] [warn] FastCGI: server "c:/oracle/ora92/bin/isqlplus" (pid 2432) terminated with exit with status '3373064'
    ===
    [Sat Feb 22 15:55:03 2003] [warn] FastCGI: server "c:/oracle/ora92/bin/isqlplus" can't be restarted:exceeded max restarts
    ===
    How to fix this? I tried to read about HTTP server but unable to figure out the proble.
    ALl help will really be appreciated.
    One more thing, path mentioned in file does not exist message, folder vtibin and msoffice does not exist.
    Is this IE 6.o problem?
    File does not exist: c:/oracle/ora92/apache/apache/htdocs/_vti_bin/owssvr.dll
    [Sat Feb 22 15:54:33 2003] [error] [client 127.0.0.1] File does not exist: c:/oracle/ora92/apache/apache/htdocs/msoffice/cltreq.asp
    Ganesh

  • Running out of hard disk space - hidden files?

    I have a G4 PB with 80 GB hard disk that is now running out of space. According to disk utility, I only really have 74.5 GB usable hard disk space that now is down to 10.11 GB of space available. I figured out through th eFinder I have 44.42 GB tied up in my home folder (Documents, Music, Pictures, Movies) and another 7.2 GB in Applications. So my question is, where's the other 13 GB or so hiding?
    Does anyone have any suggestions where I can find hidden files that are eating up my hard disk space? Any strategies for keeping hard disk space down (I am thinking of moving my iTunes folder (20GB) to an external HD)?
    I tried Filelight (http://www.cnet.com.au/downloads/0,239030382,10580243s,00.htm) to map out where files may be hiding but it is a little tedious...
    Thanks in advance for any help out there....
    15 PowerBook G4 1.25 GHz   Mac OS X (10.4.8)  

    Look at Where did my disk space go?
    http://www.macfixitforums.com/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=Forum38&Number=770243
     Cheers, Tom

  • I am deleting files through my trash in my macbook pro (2010) and then emptying the trash can, but my hard disk space is not increasing! i recently upgraded to lion and the problem is new, wasn't the same with snow leopard! HELP!!!!!

    i am deleting files through my trash in my macbook pro (2010) and then emptying the trash can, but my hard disk space is not increasing! i recently upgraded to lion and the problem is new, wasn't the same with snow leopard! HELP!!!!!
    When i press command+I (Get Info) i see that there is 140 GB "Available Space" on my hard disk but when i click on my hard disk icon on the desktop, and then press "space" i only see 102 GB free!! What the f*???
    Please HELP!!!!!! Getting second thoughts on Lion!!!!

    Hi b,
    Have you restarted yet?

  • Problem with hard disk space

    I don't know what the problem of my macbook pro mid 2010. When I erased a program or files, my hard disk spaces become full but when I installed program or download files my hard disk space diminish. My mac running OS X Maverick 10.9.2.

    Pranyana,
    do you regularly make Time Machine backups? If so, then the apparent discrepancy could be explained by the behind-the-scenes creation and deletion of local Time Machine snapshots.

  • Re: Hard Disk Space

    Hi,
    After dropping a couple of tables, the system does not free up hard disk space.
    How can I resolved this issue ?
    kindly advise.
    thanks.
    andrew

    My server has 19 GB disk space and 49MB free space. There are about 450 tables with live data. The size of each tables varies from 1.7GB to 10MB.
    1. Auto resize of datafiles will not decrease the space but increase the datafiles.
    2. If resize the datafiles to 100MB will prevent the data growth
    I am stuck.
    What would be the recommended solution ?

Maybe you are looking for

  • Syncing problem

    Okay I don't know if this is an Apple problem or a Windows problem, so I hope this is the right place to post this. I recently (i.e. yesterday) purchased a 32GB 5th generation iPod Touch. When I try syncing music to it (I sync music manually), it syn

  • IPhone will not sync music, movies etc since upgrading to Mavericks...

    Upgrade to Mavericks on Tuesday.  I also upgraded to iTunes 11.1.2 and iOS 7 7.0.3.  Since this time iTunes will not sync my music movies or TV shows to my iPhone five. I have tried everything  can't find a solution. Is anyone else having this issue?

  • Auto-Confirm Business Partner

    Hello Everyone, I have a situation and I was hoping someone can help me out.  When an agent first logs into the ICWeb they are taken to the screen BuPaSearchB2B.htm.  I added a new button on this screen called "Continue".  When this button is clicked

  • Dr Watson Errors on Printing.

    Hello, I am getting Dr. Watson errors when I attempt to print or even go into printer setup. This happens on both reports and forms. It does not matter what report I use. It is VERY consistant. The printer is an HP and other applications have no prob

  • GATHER_STATS_JOB / WEEKNIGHT_WINDOW ORA-20003

    Hi all, Oracle 10g R2 after on SLES 10 Linux. After I installed the PSU from Jan. I get a daily ORA-20003 from maintains windows reguarding the GATHERER_STATS JOB Sat Mar 13 06:00:13 2010 GATHER_STATS_JOB encountered errors. Check the trace file. Sat