C:/access Denied

Hello,

I need help!

I am using Vista on a HP laptop that was purchased in 2009.
This is a home computer purchased new with the programs preloaded.

The computer has locked me out to make changes to programs within the c: and d: drive(recovery drive).

When removing the temporary files, for all users, in an attempt to increase performance,
it now shows the prompt C:/access denied.
Also the d: drive has maxed out it capacity. Something I have not seen before.
About every month I have going in and deleting the temporary files in the c: drive with no problem.

The major problem is the d: drive is now overloaded, as an error message keeps popping up.
Access is denied for all program changes. I cannot access as an administrator.

Help!

 

Hell and Welcome!! I am one of those people who went directly to Windows 7 from XP so I am unfamiliar with exactly what the proper paths are in Vista.

I do have a few questions, however, that may get this going.
How large are the two drives you mentioned?
Is the external always or almost always attached?
Have you looked in your control panel and checked Users to make sure that you are, in fact, an administrator?
Finally is it blocking you from doing anything other than making changes to programs?

 

Just to add to BeeCeeBee's questions above, how does the problem react when you boot into safe mode?
What recent changes have been made to the system?
And last but not least, do you have any CDs/DVDs that came with the machine?