text: 24 mb hidden files -- is this normal for windows 98 updated? running out of disk space, hardly any user files, already know disk housekeeping, defrag, cleanup, etc. why so many hidden files?  are they a part of software? 40 mb ram ems, pentium available space on drive c: 19mb of 517mb (fat32) windows-managed swap file on drive c (19mb free) please don't say buy a newer computer. don't delete any hidden files; they are almost always hidden for a reason (needed for programs or operating system).   if you don't want to buy a new computer you can buy a new hard drive if you need more space, which you do (you can probably find a new 40 gb for $20 if you try). having that little space left can significantly slow down your computer.  but i have to say it, buy a newer computer. ; )  seriously, i bought a computer at an auction (silent, not ebay) about a year ago that was at least 10 times better than that (pentium iii, 128 ram, 12 gb hard drive, cd-rw drive, monitor / keyboard / speakers), for only $16.67.