Start up Disk Full Error Message...How?

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Start up Disk Full Error Message...How?

Hi there, just today I've had an error message come up saying that my start up disk is full. I have a 2006 MacBook Pro, OSX 10.6.8, there SHOULD be 6GB left the last time I checked. I have been reading other forums about this same problem, and a common solution is to do with the mail folder and deleting the recovered messages, but I do not have a mail folder in my library. I have tried locating it and I just don't have it. Another thing, in my finder it says the memory left at the bottom of the window. If I wait, it gradually goes down without me even touching it. I don't know what it could be as the mail solution is irrelevant to me and I don't use Time Machine. Any kind of help would be hugely appreciated as I have lots of assignment deadlines soon and could do with my mac not acting up!

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Apr 17, 2013 11:16 AM

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Answer 1

AnaMusic

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Apr 17, 2013 11:20 AM in response to Abcdiane

Abcdiane wrote:

... there SHOULD be 6GB left the last time I checked....

this seems too little available Disc Space for your Mac to Perform as expected...

what-to-do-when-your-hard-drive-is-full.html

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Answer 2

Apr 17, 2013 11:23 AM in response to Abcdiane

1. Do you have any kind of a backup? The steps you need to take should not be done without a backup.

2. Do you have the OS 10.6 disk?

3. What is the capacity of the drive that has 6 gB free space?

Be aware that your Mac is going to "act up" sooner or later. It's like driving your car when the 'out of oil' warning light is on.

The best procedures here depend on your answers.

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Answer 3

Abcdiane Author

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Apr 17, 2013 11:29 AM in response to Eustace Mendis

I do not have a back up, but I do have an external hard drive I could back it up to.

I should have the disc from when I first installed it, hopefully!

It's 75GB.

I just find if strange that the memory keeps going down even though I'm not downloading anything or doing tasks that would take up memory. Worst case scenario, will I have to buy a completely new Mac since mine is deteriorating so badly?

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Answer 4

Abcdiane Author

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Apr 17, 2013 11:30 AM in response to AnaMusic

It's had the same memory of 6GB for maybe a month now and it's been running the same as ever, just today it seemed to be heating up a lot and the bizarre memory loss happened.

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Answer 5

Apr 17, 2013 11:36 AM in response to Abcdiane

I do not have a back up, but I do have an external hard drive I could back it up to.

Do that please, then post back. You can use Time Machine, in the Applications folder, to perform the back up.

The next step will be to boot from the OS 10.6 disc, so please look for it.

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Answer 6

Abcdiane Author

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Apr 17, 2013 11:39 AM in response to Eustace Mendis

Does booting from the OS 10.6 disc mean losing applications etc?

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Answer 7

Apr 17, 2013 11:44 AM in response to Abcdiane

No. Nothing will be lost.

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Answer 8

Abcdiane Author

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Apr 17, 2013 2:24 PM in response to Eustace Mendis

I think I worded that wrong, I meant to say will I have to install all of my applications all over again after rebooting te operating system?

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Answer 9

Apr 17, 2013 2:58 PM in response to Abcdiane

NO!

We are not going to reinstall the OS. Everything will remain intact.

After you complete the backup, you will go through the contents of your hard drive to find everythng there that you do NOT want. Only what you do not want. You will trash all that.

Then you will use Disk Utility to verify and repair the hard drive. That's where the OS disk is needed.

1. Back up

2. Empty the trash, clear the browser cache, clear browser history.

3, Run OmniDiskSweeper

4. Repair Disk.

For step 3. you need http://www.omnigroup.com/products/omnidisksweeper/

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