Why is the Recycle Bin acting like this?

[Neil Barras]

Hi,

I have Windows XP Home SP2. When I first got my machine (HP Pavilion
zt3350EA), everything worked fine. But now, whenever I delete a file, it
just disappears without appearing in the Recycle Bin first. I have
unchecked the option to delete files without placing them in the Bin, so I
am now baffled. Also, no matter what I do, the Bin always claims it has
something in it. I open it, and there is nothing there...But when I click
to empty it, it asks me if I want to empty it as if it is housing deleted
files.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

Neil

 

[Kelly]

Hi Neil,

Suggestions:

Files Do Not Show Up in Recycle Bin When Deleted
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;168570

This seems to work for many: Make sure that something is in the Recycle Bin
(delete any file). With the Recycle Bin closed, right click and choose:
Empty Recycle Bin. When the confirm box appears, click ok. Reboot. Now the
Recycle Bin should work correctly.

If the above didn't help:

Files not being listed in the Recycle Bin seem to be related to a corrupt
info2 file. To correct the issue (Fat32):

Go to Start/Run and type in CMD:

Type CD \RECYCLED, and then press ENTER.
Type ATTRIB -r -s -h info2, and then press ENTER.
Type DEL INFO2, and then press ENTER.

NOTE: This deletes the damaged INFO2 file. Windows will recreate this file
as needed, automatically.

You can often restore files even if it is not being listed in the Recycle
Bin by searching (Start/Search) for the files by name, once found rename
them. If the files still cannot be recovered, follow the steps above, then
reboot. They should now be listed.

More information here:

Troubleshooting the Recycle Bin
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_qr.htm#rb

Good luck and keep us posted.


--
All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com