File No Longer Exists, But Still Taking Space

nirm · Post by **nirm** » 2004-07-16 19:23

Hi Everyone,

I recently downloaded a Video File(About 1.5 Gb in Size) using Direct Connect Plus. While downloading it came in Really Fast(about 22 MB/s). When I tried to play it didn't work. I've come across files that downloaded really fast but didn't work, so it didn't bother me much. So I just deleted it. But, even though I deleted it, its still taking up the 1.5 GBs of space on my Hard Drive. I couldn't see the file at all in Windows Explorer. I then rebooted my computer a few times, hoping that would fix the problem. I also did a Scan Disk on the Partition in question. I even scanned my entire computer for Spyware/Malware and for Viruses. But, none of these processes helped and its still taking up space even though the file doesn't exist. I was just wondering if there was a way to fix this problem, or if i have to format the partition to reclaim the space. Any Help would be Greatly Apreciated. Thanks for taking The Time to read my post.

P.S. - I'm not saying this is DC++ problem, but I wasn't sure where else to ask.

TheParanoidOne · Post by **TheParanoidOne** » 2004-07-16 19:45

Recycle bin?

nirm · Post by **nirm** » 2004-07-16 20:05

No its not in the recycle bin either. I also did a Disk Clean Up and the Space still isn't free.

TheParanoidOne · Post by **TheParanoidOne** » 2004-07-16 20:10

Search?

How are you detecting free disk space?

Lundis · Post by **Lundis** » 2004-07-16 21:20

If the file doesn't exist, how can you be sure it's THAT one that's taking up the space?
And how can you be sure something IS taking up more space than usual?

But good that you delete those fake files and don't share them.

nirm · Post by **nirm** » 2004-07-16 21:44

Well when i started downloading this particular file, i had close to 1.3GBs of space left on my partition. But, after it finished downloading and I deleted it, I had only 18MBs of Space left. Just to be sure that it was that file that was taking up the space i found out how much space all of my folders were taking up, on that partition. Which turned out to be 59.9 GBs, the capacity of the partition though is 61.4 GBs. When subtracted there should be about 1.5Gbs of free space left. But, instead there is only 18MBs of space left. I understand though, that there are hidden files on partitions and im geussing thats whats taking up the difference of 200mbs or so. So the fact that the file i downloaded is 1.3Gbs of space, it confirms that the file is somehow still taking up space as if it existed.

I Used "My Computer" and its property window of that partition to determine its capacity and free space, so it should be accurate. Im going to try a defragmentation late tonighr. Also, the file when i was dowloading it, DC+ said that there wasn't enough free space on the disk to finish downloading it. But, dont take that to mean i may have thought i had 1.3 gbs of space when i actually only had 18mbs. I know for sure, because i literally watched the status bar of DC++ as I downloaded the file, and i know it download more then a GB of the file. Sorry this sounds a little confusing, its a confusing problem, but thanks for the suggestions.

P.S. I also tried a search for the file like TheParanoidOne suggested, but it didn't find the file.

TheParanoidOne · Post by **TheParanoidOne** » 2004-07-16 22:22

What file system are you using? FAT32 or NTFS?

nirm · Post by **nirm** » 2004-07-16 23:44

I use a NTFS File System.

TheParanoidOne · Post by **TheParanoidOne** » 2004-07-17 00:43

What were the results of chkdsk? Did you use the "fix" (/f) option?

nirm · Post by **nirm** » 2004-07-17 00:58

I just managed to fix it. I have Norton System Works and my Norton Protected Recycle Bin holds on to files that it thinks I may have deleted accidentally. Its to ensure i can get back important system files if i accidentally delete them. But, its never protected a video file before, so im not really sure how it qualified for protection. In any case I have the space back. Thanks again for all the suggestions and help.

Todi · Post by **Todi** » 2004-07-17 01:14

When i used it, Norton Protected Recycle Bin held onto an additional copy of EVERY file i deleted.. which was crap really, because that's what the stupid recycle bin is for (which i never use anyway). But the best time was when the right-click on it broke, so it was virtually impossible to empty it.. hehehehe. Suffice to say i've since disabled the feature.

Post by **GargoyleMT** » 2004-07-17 01:48

Todi wrote:But the best time was when the right-click on it broke, so it was virtually impossible to empty it.

That happened to me too.

PseudonympH · Post by **PseudonympH** » 2004-07-17 02:02

I do all my deleting through bash.exe anyway. :wink:

<3 cygwin

TheParanoidOne · Post by **TheParanoidOne** » 2004-07-17 11:25

Todi wrote:which was crap really, because that's what the stupid recycle bin is for (which i never use anyway).

Actually, it does more than the recycle bin. It keeps files from deletions that the recycle bin doesn't catch. It also saves revisions. It's helped me out many times. Most of the time I can safely ignore it, but when I need it, it's always there for me, as with all good utilities.

Just like you, I don't use the Windows recycle bin any more.

File No Longer Exists, But Still Taking Space

File No Longer Exists, But Still Taking Space

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