Damaged Recycler folder in Win 2000 Advanced Server

[Ken Chan]

I am trying to free up space in the recycler folder for a
partition in a Win 2000 Advanced Server. The recycler
folder is empty but taking 8.2Gb space when checking its
properties. Using disk space checking software like
Treesize Professional, it shows that there are links to
some 20+ files in that folder. I searched for those
files and it doesn't exist at all. Those file names
appear to be renamed by recycler after original files
have been deleted. I see file names like dg4.bak,
dg15.bak, info2, desktop.ini, etc... And it is those
files that still take up space even not existed. Do you
have any idea?

 

[Dave Patrick]

The recycle bin may contain a corrupt, or otherwise incorrect information
file. If format is FAT, then from a command prompt change to the recycler
directory, then do a dir to see what files you might find and delete any
files found, then
attrib -h info*
this should unhide the info* file that stores the information about the
original location of deleted files in the recycle bin. Delete this file.

If format is NTFS then change to the recycler directory then change to the
hidden directory named for your SID (this can be found from within Explorer,
(by expanding the recycler folder). Then
attrib -h info*
this should unhide the info* file that stores the information about the
original location of deleted files in the recycle bin. Delete this file

Then the next time you move files to the recycle bin another hidden info
file will be created.

Another option is to delete only the info or info2 file (in the recycler
dir) and then restart the pc, then a new and correct information file will
be created in the recycler directory.


--
Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft MVP [Windows NT/2000 Operating Systems]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect.

:
| I am trying to free up space in the recycler folder for a
| partition in a Win 2000 Advanced Server. The recycler
| folder is empty but taking 8.2Gb space when checking its
| properties. Using disk space checking software like
| Treesize Professional, it shows that there are links to
| some 20+ files in that folder. I searched for those
| files and it doesn't exist at all. Those file names
| appear to be renamed by recycler after original files
| have been deleted. I see file names like dg4.bak,
| dg15.bak, info2, desktop.ini, etc... And it is those
| files that still take up space even not existed. Do you
| have any idea?