February 7, 2011 at 8:30 am
I have a windows 2008 / SQL 2008 enterprise SQL server with 8 data drives / 1 log drive.
Each drive is exactly the same size in windows 149 gb's.
The only thing on the drive is a database file which is currently 143 gb's in size.
In 'My Computer' the drive is listed as FULL with no space available.
My first instinct was something in the recycling bin, nothing showed up...I used a program that has always worked for finding what is consuming the space called spacesniffer and that also just shows the sql database file as the only file listed on the drive(s).
Does the SQL server create some sort of snapshot / log file / shadow copy that is consuming the other 5-6 gb's of space? .
I can't find anything remotely close on Google and hope someone here can point me in the right direction.
Thanks in advance,
Lee
February 7, 2011 at 8:45 am
Have you tried a windows search, looking for all files, listed by size?
Don't forget to check options so you can search for hidden and system files
February 7, 2011 at 9:00 am
I had not until your post (didn't even think about it since windows explorer seemed to show the correct size...and the same with spacesniffer.exe.
SO...
Control+F on the drive...add criteria for files greater than 1 kb...
search and two files show up.
database file = 150,016,000 kb
tracking file = 20 kb
looking in windows explorer it shows the same database file as 143 gb's in size.
SO...it looks like a component of the SQL server inside the file. Is there a method to view what it is? I would assume something like a snapshot / sql shadow file / log internal to that file but I have no idea at the moment.
Thanks for the tip...at least now I can take it to my boss and show him it is inside the SQL file.
Lee
February 7, 2011 at 9:17 am
Leo, are you sure the problem is solved?
150,016,000 kb = 146500 mb = 143.0664 gb
(Dividing by 1024 each time.)
February 7, 2011 at 9:23 am
GAH!...I was using an online converter and it displayed to values Binary and SI...
Didn't look at the Binary which is indeed correct and displays 143 gb's
Thanks for the check for me (brain not totally on at the moment)...
So now I am back to a windows kind of system file that is hidden and not able to be displayed...
For reference I did check the shadow copy settings for this drive but it is showing as disabled.
February 7, 2011 at 9:32 am
Make sure you can see hidden files and folders - have a look here for how to do that in Windows 2008:
There must be more files than you're seeing...
February 7, 2011 at 9:47 am
HowardW (2/7/2011)
Make sure you can see hidden files and folders - have a look here for how to do that in Windows 2008:There must be more files than you're seeing...
Hi Howard,
I have enabled 'show hidden files in the 'Folder Options' menu. Initially I thought there might be something hiding in the "System Volume Information" directory which I didn't have access to.
I added the account logged into the server into the security tab and was able to browse the folder and nothing showed up except that tracking file 20 KB's in size).
I agree there is something not displaying but I am currently at a loss as to what option I might be missing to display this missing space.
'Show Hidden files' is unchecked and 'Hide protected operating system files' is unchecked.
February 7, 2011 at 9:49 am
'Show Hidden files' is unchecked and 'Hide protected operating system files' is unchecked.
Show Hidden Files should be checked, not unchecked.
February 7, 2011 at 9:50 am
Don't mean to repeat myself, but are you sure the disk is really 149gb and not 149000000 kb?
February 7, 2011 at 9:51 am
Sorry the radio button is selected to 'Show hidden files and folders'
February 7, 2011 at 9:55 am
David McKinney (2/7/2011)
Don't mean to repeat myself, but are you sure the disk is really 149gb and not 149000000 kb?
Yes sir...a right click on the drive --> properties displays the following value
161,059,172,352 bytes
Which if the converter site I use is correct displays a value of 149.99804306 GB's for binary
February 7, 2011 at 10:01 am
It's not a hidden partition, per chance.
If you go to Disk Management in the control panel under Computer Management, do you see the same thing?
February 7, 2011 at 10:11 am
going Computer Management --> Disc Management and reviewing the 8 drives that are for the SQL server data files all are showing the same exact size (150 gb's)
February 7, 2011 at 10:13 am
Are shadow copies enabled on the drive?
Edit: Never mind, you've already answered that
February 7, 2011 at 10:16 am
Shadow copies are disabled on all drives for this server with the exception of 3 (12 total drives)
The SQL install drive, the C:\ drive, application install drive.
The limits are set to 300 mb's
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