Where is all my memory.

[Squarecle]

I wanted to system restore, but don't have the discs with me, so I concluded that I'd just go about and delete things I don't use, so 130,000 files later, I have free'd 126/250GB, and I deleted EVERYTHING I could find MINUS MY MUSIC, which amounts to around 18GB, so if I deleted that, I'd still be deprived of around 106GB.

WHERE IS THIS 106GB?

I cannot find it at all, I did a search for all files over 500MB, and only came back with 6 results, they amounted to 14GB.

Does the "Trash" keep copies of all my deleted files or something?

 

[simsaladimbamba]

You have to empty the Trash to free storage capacity, like with emptying the real trash bin in your kitchen.
Btw, "memory" is not the same as "hard drive capacity":
What is Computer Memory? RAM vs Hard Drive
RAM vs. Hard Disk

Take a look at DiskInventory X (will not work in Mac OS X 10.7 Lion), OmniDiskSweeper, JDisk Report or GrandPerspective to see where your HDD space went to.

 

[Detrius]

Take a look at DiskInventory X (will not work in Mac OS X 10.7 Lion)

You just have to get the universal binary version, which is listed on the page you linked. http://www.derlien.com/dixforum/viewtopic.php?t=62

 

[simsaladimbamba]

You just have to get the universal binary version, which is listed on the page you linked. http://www.derlien.com/dixforum/viewtopic.php?t=62

I know, but since there are better alternatives, OmniDiskSweeper, I just include it for completeness' sakes, but I guess I can add the UB part, if users find that link, and I often have seen, that users need to be spoonfed, as they can't find the information on the site I linked to, especially when it includes scrolling.

 

[TMA]

Some general thoughts that go through my mind when I'm clearing out files:

Check for music duplications in iTunes.
Also check that I've deleted the original downloaded music files as I have iTunes set to copy new files to it's own library when adding.
Check for large downloads/download temp files.
If free space still seems suspicious, I then start using utility programs as others have mentioned - these will help you find the culprits.
To squeeze a little more space out of my HD I have removed all the language packs I don't use. I've also deleted printer drivers I don't use. This saves a fair amount.
Use a maintenance/cache deleting program like Onyx.

 

[minifridge1138]

if you really want to know where all of your hard disk space has gone, then here's what you do...


As a user with administrative access:
Open a terminal (Applications -> utilities -> terminal).
cd to /
run du -hd 1

That will list every directory and the amount of disk space it is taking up.
One or more of those directories will be big.
cd into the largest directory.
run du -hd 1 again.

This will take you to the directory with the most stuff.

 

[sammich]

I prefer to use http://www.omnigroup.com/products/omnidisksweeper/

Note, there are several directories that you shouldn't mess with, they're mostly on the root of the drive (like etc/private/bin/usr/var...). Do not mess with those.