Startup Disk is Full

[FRESHCORN]

I keep getting the message that my startup disk is full. I tried deleting a lot of files and emptying my trash, but that didn't help. When I look at how my memory is being used, it says that I have "Zero KB free out of 499.25GB", and this is how it is being used:
Audio- 43.93 GB
Movies- 9.56 GB
Photos- 1.38 GB
Apps- 4.58 GB
Backups- Zero KB
Other- 439.8 GB
So, I'm assuming that "other" is the problem, and I can't figure out what "other" is. I've tried downloading OmniDiskSweeper, but because my Startup Disk is full and I can't seem to make more space by deleting things, I can't download it. So basically I'm in a very aggravating pickle, and I would really appreciate some help.

 

[JavaTheHut]

Just going to have a wild stab at this and its not to be considered an insult - Has your trash been emptied ever?

 

[Loa]

Hello,

Are you using OS X Lion?

Loa

 

[FRESHCORN]

Read the second sentence dude.

----------

Yep, Im using Lion.

 

[FRESHCORN]

I figured it out!

I deleted the caches on my browser and that freed up enough room to download OmniDiskSweeper, and then I used that and discovered that I had hundreds of gigs of deleted and recovered emails in Mail! So I deleted those, and now everything is honky-dory! Hopefully this helps some other people!

 

[Loa]

Hello,

Glad to see that you found the culprit.

Since you're using Lion, the OS will keep "hidden" versions of the files you delete. Look it up if you think it's a problem as there's a way to turn this "feature" off.

Loa