Recovering space on drives when the files don't delete properly

Videot wrote on 5/14/2004, 4:37 PM
When I capture in DV format I can get very large files & up to 14 GB isn't too uncommon. When I go to delete these files Windows XP tells me that the file is too large for the recycle bin would I like to just delete it instead. As often as not if I say yes the file disappears but the quantity of free space on my drive doesn't increase. Running the various disk programs doesn't free up the missing space. Sometimes if that were the only file on the drive Windows can't or won't format the partition. What I have had to do was format using a program like Partition Magic 8. Is this a common problem with video & is there any way to overcome it?

Comments

busterkeaton wrote on 5/14/2004, 5:08 PM
Are you running an undelete utility like Norton's protected recycle bin?

In this case, it would still have the file in the recycle bin, even though you recieved a window message that it wouldn't fit
Videot wrote on 5/14/2004, 7:12 PM
I do have Norton's on the PC but the protected recycle bin is always off.
BillyBoy wrote on 5/14/2004, 7:25 PM
Norton's "protected' recycle bin is junk. I suggest you uninstall Norton then do a custom install being sure that it doesn't put it back. Even with the protected recycled bin set to off it can still scew up files making it difficult to delete them. Its not needed in the first place.

Couple suggestions:

From Windows Explorer set a folder called junk or garbage or something like that. When you're reasonablly sure you don't need a file MOVE it to this folder instead of the Recycle bin. As long as you have Norton Utilites it comes with another neat tool that is rather good called WipeInfo.

Unlike a recycle bin in overwrites what every file you put in it and frees up your drive space immediately. The only down side is once you drag a file to it and say OK it is unrecoverable. Period.

I typically wait till I have 3-4 GB worth of junk, then do a quick visual of the file names to be sure nothing I need got in there by mistake, then I simply pick 'select all' drag the whole contents to wipeInfo and it wipes the who mess, in the background if your want.

HalfDead wrote on 5/15/2004, 1:12 AM
Thanks for that suggestion. I wipe try using your wipe suggestion. I will also look at deleting or uninstalling the the protected recycle bin althought this mightn't be as easy. I suppose that one of the multitude of items that Nortons puts in your startup folder will relate to it so I just have to try & find out which one it is.