How to revert "Erase Free Space"

I've read in a blog how you can protect the erased files in your computer from being reopened by erasing the free space and out of curiosity decided to try it. Little did I knew that I can't reverse this easily. Now, my 1TB hard drive is full to the top and I can't save anything else. I've try to look around for an useful advice but nothing work so far.
Can anyone help me please?

Vereya said:

I've read in a blog how you can protect the erased files in your computer from being reopened by erasing the free space and out of curiosity decided to try it. Little did I knew that I can't reverse this easily. Now, my 1TB hard drive is full to the top and I can't save anything else. I've try to look around for an useful advice but nothing work so far.
Can anyone help me please?

Click to expand...

May be an easier way to do this, but if you have another drive you can transfer your files to, all you have to do is reformat the 1TB drive. Just realize that when you do that all the files on the drive will go, so back them up first.

I do have a back up hard drive, but I don't know how to reformat the main one and honestly I'm a bit scared to do it.

Which version of OS X are you using? We can show you to do the format but first we need to know the version of OS X you're running.

10.5.8
I just did a check up how many GB are saved on my back up hard drive. It's about 207GB. And my main HD shows over 900GB. I guess I manage to screw up about 700GB of free space. Somebody advice to check for large files, but I can not find any. They must be hidden in some of the locked folders where I have no access.

If you're still using Leopard, you'll have to boot with your original Leopard install DVD and run Disk Utility from the DVD. From there you can erase and format the hard drive. Be sure to format it as Mac OS Extended Journaled. Partitioning should default to GUID but make sure it says that before you proceed.

Remember to backup all your data first off the internal hard drive before formatting.

My last back up is from today, so I guess that will do.
Should I unplug my back up hard drive from the computer?
I have 2 installation disks, do I have to run both of them?
Is there a chance I can call you on the phone, so you can guide me through the whole process? If I screw up something I wouldn't have any way to ask you for an advice again.

It's a very easy process and you won't mess it up. Print this post out if don't have access to another machine.

Remove the external hard drive from your Mac first. The disk you want is #1 which contains the utilities and installer. Insert that disk, reboot the machine and hold down the C key as soon as you hear the bong sound. Continue holding it until it begins to boot from the disk.

Once it boots, accept the license, and English as the language. Don't proceed with the installer but instead go to the top menu that appeared. Click on Utilities, and then on Disk Utility. Now highlight your hard drive on the left side. Highlight the line that shows the disk capacity (GB).

Click on erase and select the format to use: Mac OS Extended Journaled.

Name the hard drive MacIntosh HD

Click on erase at the bottom of the screen, then click erase again on the second window. The drive will be formatted and ready to use. After this is done you can proceed with the install of Leopard 10.5.X. You should then be asked if you wish to transfer data from another Mac. Reply yes and attach your Time Machine backup and then select OK. Time Machine will restore your data and apps.

Vereya said:

I've read in a blog how you can protect the erased files in your computer from being reopened by erasing the free space and out of curiosity decided to try it. Little did I knew that I can't reverse this easily. Now, my 1TB hard drive is full to the top and I can't save anything else.

Click to expand...

????
I erase the free space once in awhile and it never caused the hard drive to fill up. I don't see how that can be a consequence of that procedure.

Thanks chscag,
it really worked. I'm so happy, but still can't believe I manage to go through it.
I appreciate all your help.

Big Thank you!!!

Thanks for posting back. Glad to hear you're up and running again. Good experience for future reference.