hard disk problem

[patdoc]

I am very new to computing and just bought a second hand one but my friend loaded up some software called tune up and we can see all the old files that have been deleted but they are still there in the background, is there some way I can get rid of these totally, I have Windows XP. Please explain in laymans terms, thank you.

[Lukus]

By "old files in the background" could you explain what you mean by these? Are you definately sure that they are old files, and not system files. If you go to My Computer, and then too "Tools - Folder Options" Click on the tab labelled "View"

Inside there, there should be some check boxes in the table below, check to see if the "Show hidden files" and "Hide protected operating system files" boxes are unchecked.

You may infact just be seeing system files that are neccessary for your computer to function, that are normally hidden.

Let us know if this helps :)

[patdoc]

By "old files in the background" could you explain what you mean by these? Are you definately sure that they are old files, and not system files. If you go to My Computer, and then too "Tools - Folder Options" Click on the tab labelled "View"

Inside there, there should be some check boxes in the table below, check to see if the "Show hidden files" and "Hide protected operating system files" boxes are unchecked.

You may infact just be seeing system files that are neccessary for your computer to function, that are normally hidden.

Let us know if this helps :)

I checked as you said but they are not system files, thanks for your help anyway

[dadyassa]

I just had a look at the program and would not reccomend it for a newbie, anyone new to computing should be very careful deleting files and making changes to the registery.

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

I concur with dadyassa's opinion. Much better use Ccleaner to clean a computer of old and unused files.

The really, really best would be to install Windows completely from scratch, but as an admitted newby this may be out of question for you.

[Lamb Chop]

I concur with dadyassa's opinion. Much better use Ccleaner to clean a computer of old and unused files.

The really, really best would be to install Windows completely from scratch, but as an admitted newby this may be out of question for you.

thanks Pat.

I downloaded this CCleaner as it looks great. I have cyberscrub and use it, it does good things but I toolk the

tour and Cclearner has more features.

I love to learn new things as I am a newbie too - well since April 2003 and self taught by lurking around and learning from people like you.

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

You're welcome, as always!

Ccleaner can basically be use right after installation without big hesitations. However - if you have safed userids and passwords in cookies (that log you automatically in to websites such as this forum), then it is advised to uncheck Cookie cleaning until you have configured the Cookies that you want to keep.

Options -> Cookies. Next carefully check all Cookies on the left side, and move those you want to keep (e.g. windowsforum.org and/or forums.windowsforum.org for this website) to the right.

The first time you do this, the list on the left can be huge. But it is worth doing it once; after that the ones on the left will be deleted.

[Lukus]

I just had a look at the program and would not reccomend it for a newbie, anyone new to computing should be very careful deleting files and making changes to the registery.

Sorry, I may have missed something, what program? Did someone turn over two pages at once? :P

Edit - Ahh tune up!! My bad, not reading through things properly again *blush*

[dadyassa]

I just had a look at the program and would not reccomend it for a newbie, anyone new to computing should be very careful deleting files and making changes to the registery.

Sorry, I may have missed something, what program? Did someone turn over two pages at once? :P

Edit - Ahh tune up!! My bad, not reading through things properly again *blush*

Tune up is what he saw the files in ;) it shows some folders (AVG vault was one on mine for example) misted over, i think this is what he thinks are the deleted files in the background.