MacBook - Hard Disk space decreased!! HELP

livelong · livelong #1 (**permalink**)

12-08-2008, 06:01 AM

Hi I bought a 13in macbook, 2.4Ghz duo core, 4GB RAM upgrade, 160GB 5400-rpm harddrive, Super drive.

Apparently as seen in the screen shot, my disk capacity has decreased to 148.7GB. As seen in disc utility, Capacity: 148.7GB (159,697,911,808 Bytes). The one in bracket is my original capacity! but why is it restricted!!

How do I restore it back to original capacity?

B&O · B&O #2 (**permalink**)

12-08-2008, 06:33 AM

Ok this is a problem with the way hardware manufactures and computers count memory.

To a hardware manufacture, they count a gig as 1000MB and a computer count it as 1024MB. So it is a 160GB HDD to a hardware company and 148.7GB to a computer. Either way you look at it you have enough space but is sure is annoying. My 320GB is 298GB.

bobtomay · bobtomay #3 (**permalink**)

12-08-2008, 06:49 AM

Ahh, the eternal question.

159,697,911,808 Bytes = 159.7 GB or 160 GB rounded off in Base 10 as reported by drive manufacturers.

159,697,911,808 Bytes = 148.7GB in Base 2 used by computers.

livelong · livelong #4 (**permalink**)

12-09-2008, 04:35 AM

I don't get it? The computer can detects its 159,697,911,808 Bytes, but it allows me to use 148.7GB? it's 12GB DIFFERENCE, it's way too much! So there's nothing wrong with the hard drive or anything? I did use bootcamp before and restored the partition, maybe it could be I did something wrong and the disk partitioned away invisible space?

Is there anyway I can use the full 160GB?
What's base 10 and 2 anyway?

bobtomay · bobtomay #5 (**permalink**)

12-09-2008, 06:23 AM

Suggest asking your math teacher.

In Base 2, the way computers calculate:
1024 bytes = 1 KB
1024 KB = 1 MB
1024 MB = 1 GB
1 GB =1,073,741,824 bytes

livelong · livelong #6 (**permalink**)

12-10-2008, 05:26 AM

So I didn't lose any space? I do remember when I first partitioned the mac for bootcamp, it was 80 80, now it's 74 74.

mrplow · mrplow #7 (**permalink**)

12-10-2008, 08:04 AM

You definately didn't lose any space.
Maths aside I've never, ever (in 20 years of system building) seen a hard disk on unix, OSX, windows, dos etc etc that had the 'advertised' disk space figure fully available to use in a formatted state.

Can't explain why you saw 80 80 (mis-remebered?). Can you recreate and screenshot that?

livelong · livelong #8 (**permalink**)

12-12-2008, 09:40 PM

I can't partition equally now because my mac side doesn't have enough space. The capacity is still 148GB. B&O's Space is 298GB of a 320GB harddrive. why is there such a little difference and mine a 12GB difference!

Quote:

Originally Posted by B&O

Ok this is a problem with the way hardware manufactures and computers count memory.

To a hardware manufacture, they count a gig as 1000MB and a computer count it as 1024MB. So it is a 160GB HDD to a hardware company and 148.7GB to a computer. Either way you look at it you have enough space but is sure is annoying. My 320GB is 298GB.

Dysfunction · Dysfunction #9 (**permalink**)

12-12-2008, 09:55 PM

I fail to see what you mean, it's all the same number of bytes (159,697,911,808 of them). Period. It's just a difference in how it's expressed to humans.

Tofuik · Tofuik #10 (**permalink**)

12-13-2008, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by livelong

I can't partition equally now because my mac side doesn't have enough space. The capacity is still 148GB. B&O's Space is 298GB of a 320GB harddrive. why is there such a little difference and mine a 12GB difference!

dude, he "lost" 22gb how is that a little difference hahahah.

livelong · livelong #11 (**permalink**)

12-17-2008, 01:46 AM

oh haha. okay. thanks guys

B&O #2 (permalink)
Member Since: May 18, 2007 Location: Brit in Tokyo. Posts: 745 Mac Specs: MBP i7, Mac Mini & iPhone 3G.	12-08-2008, 06:33 AM Ok this is a problem with the way hardware manufactures and computers count memory. To a hardware manufacture, they count a gig as 1000MB and a computer count it as 1024MB. So it is a 160GB HDD to a hardware company and 148.7GB to a computer. Either way you look at it you have enough space but is sure is annoying. My 320GB is 298GB. MacBook Pro 2.66Ghz i7. Mac Mini 2.26Ghz C2D iPhone 3G 16GB iPad 3G 64GB Check out my flickr
	QUOTE Thanks

bobtomay #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 22, 2006 Location: Texas, where else? Posts: 21,828 Mac Specs: 15" MBP 2.33 C2D 256 4GB, MBA 13" i7 1.8, MB 2.0 2GB, Nano 4th, 3GS, iPad 1	12-09-2008, 06:23 AM Suggest asking your math teacher. In Base 2, the way computers calculate: 1024 bytes = 1 KB 1024 KB = 1 MB 1024 MB = 1 GB 1 GB =1,073,741,824 bytes I cannot be held responsible for the things that come out of my mouth. In the Windows world, most everything folks don't understand is called a virus. Place your vote for our Member of the Month Last edited by bobtomay; 12-09-2008 at 06:48 AM.
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mrplow #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 01, 2007 Location: UK Posts: 5,398 Mac Specs: 27" iMac i7 (2011), iPhone5, iPad3, AppleTV2	12-10-2008, 08:04 AM You definately didn't lose any space. Maths aside I've never, ever (in 20 years of system building) seen a hard disk on unix, OSX, windows, dos etc etc that had the 'advertised' disk space figure fully available to use in a formatted state. Can't explain why you saw 80 80 (mis-remebered?). Can you recreate and screenshot that? External hard disk acquisition addict - but admitting the problem is the first step to a robust backup Please use the reputation system if you think you've been helped - top right of this post
	QUOTE Thanks

Dysfunction #9 (permalink)
Member Since: Mar 17, 2008 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 6,534 Mac Specs: 2008 and 2011 15" mbps, late 11 iMac, iPhone 4s, and too many ipods and other stuff	12-12-2008, 09:55 PM I fail to see what you mean, it's all the same number of bytes (159,697,911,808 of them). Period. It's just a difference in how it's expressed to humans. mike This machine kills fascists Got # ? phear the command line!
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livelong #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 08, 2008 Posts: 6	12-09-2008, 04:35 AM I don't get it? The computer can detects its 159,697,911,808 Bytes, but it allows me to use 148.7GB? it's 12GB DIFFERENCE, it's way too much! So there's nothing wrong with the hard drive or anything? I did use bootcamp before and restored the partition, maybe it could be I did something wrong and the disk partitioned away invisible space? Is there anyway I can use the full 160GB? What's base 10 and 2 anyway?
	QUOTE Thanks

livelong #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 08, 2008 Posts: 6	12-10-2008, 05:26 AM So I didn't lose any space? I do remember when I first partitioned the mac for bootcamp, it was 80 80, now it's 74 74.
	QUOTE Thanks

livelong #11 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 08, 2008 Posts: 6	12-17-2008, 01:46 AM oh haha. okay. thanks guys
	QUOTE Thanks

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