01-26-2007, 06:34 AM

Even though I am only conciously using about 50 gig of my hard drive, 75 of 80 gig is full already! So I am trying to check what is taking the space. I found under "Library" a folder called "Audio", and under that a folder called "Apple loops", which is taking up 2.49GB! Is it important? Can I just delete it, will no ill effect?
And if there is anything else which the system comes with that you think I can delete (to create space) please do tell!
Thanks very much
Justin

01-26-2007, 06:38 AM

If you have GarageBand, this is where all the audio loops are stored used to make songs in GarageBand. You might consider uninstalling GB for the time being if you don't use it. You do have a CD, anyway, don't you.

01-30-2007, 09:16 AM

Originally Posted by yogi

If you have GarageBand, this is where all the audio loops are stored used to make songs in GarageBand. You might consider uninstalling GB for the time being if you don't use it. You do have a CD, anyway, don't you.

Great, thanks. Is there any other stuff you reckon I can uninstall too? And any tips on uninstalling things, for example this GarageBand? Do I just drag the icon into the trash?
Thank very much
Justin

01-30-2007, 09:45 AM

Originally Posted by Justin

Great, thanks. Is there any other stuff you reckon I can uninstall too? And any tips on uninstalling things, for example this GarageBand? Do I just drag the icon into the trash?
Thank very much
Justin

Yep - or you can completely remove all traces using a program like AppZapper.

01-30-2007, 09:56 PM

Originally Posted by cwa107

Yep - or you can completely remove all traces using a program like AppZapper.

That implies that removing a program by dragging it to the trash doesn't remove all traces. So what is usually left over? Random parts? Is it then advisable to never remove a program by dragging it to the trash from the applications folder?
Thank you!
Justin

01-30-2007, 10:04 PM

There are app support files and prefs from the app that dont get deleted when you just drag the app to the trash.

01-30-2007, 10:04 PM

Originally Posted by Justin

That implies that removing a program by dragging it to the trash doesn't remove all traces. So what is usually left over? Random parts? Is it then advisable to never remove a program by dragging it to the trash from the applications folder?
Thank you!
Justin

An application in the mac world is a .app file, which is actually a library, housing the entire program. The parts that don't get deleted are any user preferences that are stored in a separate file.

01-31-2007, 05:14 AM

Originally Posted by nukemm

An application in the mac world is a .app file, which is actually a library, housing the entire program. The parts that don't get deleted are any user preferences that are stored in a separate file.

Is it bad to not delete them? What do folks usually do with them? Is there any harm in not bothering with them (those abandoned preferences)? And I guess they barely take up any space right?

01-31-2007, 07:37 AM

Before you go crazy and delete important program files, get hold of Omnidisksweeper and see just what is taking up space on your HD. You may well find that you have all sorts of data files that you no longer require. PS If you want to delete them from Omnidisksweeper, you get 24 hours to do it for free. After that you have to shell out a few pennies to use it freely. Cheers Mitcherooney

01-31-2007, 08:30 AM

Originally Posted by Justin

Is it bad to not delete them?

No.

What do folks usually do with them?

I'd imagine most people don't realize they're there.

Is there any harm in not bothering with them (those abandoned preferences)? And I guess they barely take up any space right?

Personally, if I have to spend $15 to make sure my computer is free of any residual garbage that will build up over time, it's worth it - especially if it's easy and convenient to use. But you're right in that usually residual stuff outside of the .app file usually takes up a nominal amount of space.

01-31-2007, 09:19 PM

Originally Posted by cwa107

Yep - or you can completely remove all traces using a program like AppZapper.

Do you know any alternative to appzapper? I just tried it now and it's not working. Everytime I try to zapp Garageband it says "All te apps you dropped on AppZapper were safe or currently open. [...]" There are no applications on the safe list, and it is most certainly NOT open. I tried both methods also, of dropping the app onto it, and also going through file> zap application. Neither are working. So, do you know another application that does the same thing?

Thank you!
Justin

01-31-2007, 09:25 PM

Run a search of the app's name using Command-F or Spotlight to find the residual files and trash them.

01-31-2007, 09:30 PM

Originally Posted by Justin

Do you know any alternative to appzapper? I just tried it now and it's not working. Everytime I try to zapp Garageband it says "All te apps you dropped on AppZapper were safe or currently open. [...]" There are no applications on the safe list, and it is most certainly NOT open. I tried both methods also, of dropping the app onto it, and also going through file> zap application. Neither are working. So, do you know another application that does the same thing?

Thank you!
Justin

I don't. I've never had that problem before. Have you tried rebooting the system?

01-31-2007, 09:50 PM

OK folks, I just got back home from a business trip, perhaps feeling a little punchy, and I read the title of this thread.

Perhaps I should apologize in advance for this groaner, but here goes...

what is apple loops? ...a flavor of Fruit Loops? :-)

Sorry, I couldn't resist!

Sort of reminds me of that line from Forrest Gump, where Forrest learns that his partner has "got us invested in some fruit company", as he gazes upon an Apple Computer stock certificate! I loved that line! :-)

Forrest of course is independently wealthy after this, since we all know that the "fruit company" in question did quite well for a while ...and is doing very well again!

02-01-2007, 03:48 AM

Originally Posted by Justin

Do you know any alternative to appzapper? I just tried it now and it's not working. Everytime I try to zapp Garageband it says "All te apps you dropped on AppZapper were safe or currently open. [...]" There are no applications on the safe list, and it is most certainly NOT open. I tried both methods also, of dropping the app onto it, and also going through file> zap application. Neither are working. So, do you know another application that does the same thing?

Thank you!
Justin

A good alternative, that is totally FREE is AppDelete Really easy to use because it works like the trash bin, you just drag the app to delete to the bin, and it finds all relevant files/references for that program and deletes them. Another free alternative is to just do a quick search via spotlight for any .plist files or support files that may be left over (that is all that usually is.)