Dilemma: Large Shared Folder Eating Up HD
 

So I've got quite a bit of files amassed and I'd love to keep sharing, but between the space occupied and the uploads, my computer is severely constipated. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can keep sharing my files without affecting PC performance?

Inquiring minds wanna know!

Hello Wild Peach
The amount of files you share should not affect your computer preformance. There are some things associated with the files that may be. When you DL from P2p networks the files placed on your hard drive are usually fragmented and you may need to defrag IE Start/Programs/Accesories/System Tools/Disc Defragmenter. Also you may be running out of hard drive space the only cure for this is to either burn files to CD and deleate from hard drive, or put anothe hard drive in your computerand and move your incoming and share folder to that drive. Sorry I do not know of any other solutions hope it helps.

Latter Grandpa

Thanks, Grandpa, I was afraid of that. I defrag regularly but either I've caught some nasty bug that I'm unable to isolate or I guess I'm just going to have to get an external hard drive, 'cause I don't wanna be a freeloader! :D I've got a 40GB HD (I know, please hold the snickers, techies!), but since I've joined this wonderfully dysfunctional family, I'm gonna need a lot more! Peace!

Wild Peach

For some with lagging performance I might recommend more RAM memory. With you saying you have a 40 GB HDD you most likely have a basic comp with 128 megs of RAM. If you can expand this to 512 or even 1 Ghz if your motherboard (computer) will support it. And also, only if you have WINXP as Win98 will not recognize it.

Also I might also recommend shutting down any unnecessary background programs you may have running. Be careful but only you will know what you need and Antivirus is one you need.

Also, if you preview files, check your incomplete folder later to delete the preview files. Whenever you preview a file a replica is created within the incomplete folder called eg: PREVIEW - xxxx.avi
Previewing video files can end up using up lots of space.

Good suggestions all, you may have something there on the RAM thing, I'm gonna kick it up a notch( add a new M/B) and see where that leads....no, I don't preview at all actually, but I didn't know it ate up that much space, good to know, LOTR. Maybe Santa will be merciful and bring me a new desktop! PC's have issues, too, I suppose...thanks all, great ideas, will let you know how it turns out.