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Got a desktop XPH machine with a huge pile of files in the Recycle Bin. I figure the bin is holding about 3.7gb, going by the 40gb HDD size and the 10% RCBin setting. However, I can't measure it accurately until I get some more ram into the machine, which is currently running like a frozen maggot.
What I'd like to do is retrieve every jpg from the Bin, but I don't want to just restore them, as they'll scatter all over the drive, back to their original locations.
Does anyone know if it's possible to copy selected RCBin files to a specific location? If it is, I could copy all the jpgs from the bin to a temp location then burn them to a disc.
Thanks, WinBBS gurus
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WOW. As easy as that, huh? Another priceless gem of info, SurferDude2 :-)
OK, I'll push my luck here......How about if I mounted the hard drive from that machine into another host? (Which I'm doing now to virus-check the drive, as it's almost impossible to do this in its own environment, because of the clutter and lack of ram)
Possible to drag those files from the bin when it's not in its own Windows environment?
It it's possible, that would be a bonus, but if not, no problemo, I'll do it when I reinstate the HDD.
I advise against trying to manipulate files in the Recycler folder while slaving the drive to another system. There is a very real possibility of losing access to the files even when restoring the original drive configuration. I have had it happen several times. You end up with a corrupt Recycle Bin - the icon will show that it contains files but none will be available for recovery.
Best to avoid any attempts at accessing the Recycler folder while slaving the drive.
All very wise words, guys, thanks very much. I'm gonna archive the lot into my bulging 'HowTo' folder :-)
BTW, while I'm on that subject, I've often thought how much more info would be on the net if it were easier for the average joe to post snippets of information.
Think about it; Joe (or maybe Jane) Doe has a glitchy computer. So he googles around and finds some stuff that seems to be relevant to his problem. However, despite his best efforts, the solution escapes him because the information he's getting isn't quite what he needs. Finally, weeks later, he manages to fix it himself. Turns it it was a combination of things (as we know is often the case, and the hardest to fix)
My point: Joe probably won't document his saga. There could be a lot of reasons; he might be shy, he might hate typing, he might be worried about getting flamed on some of the more aggressive boards etc etc.
But I believe the main reason is that, short of going to the trouble of actually registering on a board, there's no easy way for Joe to share his information on the net.
Like, imagine how much more information might be forthcoming from Joe and his ilk, if all they had to note was open say, Notepad, bash off a few succinct words and hit a key or two to consign it to cyberspace. OK, I'm oversimplifying, but I'm sure you all know what I mean.
Maybe what we need is a 'Glitchipedia', but something that's super-easy to contribute to. I love Wiki but man, it's not user-friendly.
What you describe is/should be the case here, if people post back, but many don't - one of our pet peeves around here.
Your idea is a good one but the devil is in the details
Simple "noise" - you need some sort of screening mechanism/structure, otherwise for most the search would be tedious and far more time consuming than it is now.
I have used Linux to access Windows partitions and deleted the Recycler dirs on them. Windows auto recreates them when next booting Windows. You can even copy the entire Recycler then rename it and grab the files from it, but I don't believe copying can be done from within Windows. But any other op sys will just recognize Recycler as a standard dir because other op systems don't use the hidden Windows files called desktop.ini and INFO2.
The Recycle Bin actually contains a minimum of 2 files and a sub folder. There can be many sub folders, depending on how many files have been deleted. The files are:
desktop.ini
INFO2
The folder is a specialized name and is not seen when in Windows, you just see the files in the folders. example name of a Recycled sub dir:
S-1-5-21-1644491937-884357618-725345543-500
The reason I cautioned against manipulating the files via drive slaving is because of the risk of losing access due to the security features of the XP system when running the NTFS file storage system. Once that happens, it takes some real hot licks by an advanced user to get the files back. Even then, one small slip can put them out of reach except to the trained recovery specialist.
The XP security system, which uses an arbitrarily created SID number, can be a formidable obstacle when trying to gain access to certain files. Sometimes this security system turns on itself and cripples even those who are supposed to have full access. The key is to know what triggers such action and avoid doing that. The study of such and testing of methods can be quite frustrating since MicroSoft expended great effort to make it extremely difficult to crack their security features.
It's great pastime to play with file recovery from the Recycler folder when you have nothing to lose but some file you created for the purpose. On the other hand, if you have important data to recover, consider all of the foregoing before proceeding.
Here's a heads-up (odd term, that. Head's up where?) on the RCBin prob I described in my original post.
I decided to play it safe and put the HDD back into its own bed before I started messing with its RCBin.
I created several desktop folders with names like rcbinpics, rcbinmusic etc. and started moving files from the opened bin into the folders. I'd thought that these would be copyable but there was no 'copy' option on the right-drag menu so I moved them instead, which worked fine, and eventually I'd emptied the bin. Seems like there was about 2.5GB in it. The customer is a great hoarder - the HDD is a 40GB and there's only about 5GB of free space. Which might explain why it took around 14 hours to defrag (XPH SP2) using PerfectDisk Pro. And this was after boosting the ram from 256 to 512.
It's still not lightning fast (Celeron 2.4) so maybe I need to look somewhere else. Don't think it's bugged as I've checked it thoroughly......
The reason I cautioned against manipulating the files via drive slaving is because of the risk of losing access due to the security features of the XP system when running the NTFS file storage system. Once that happens, it takes some real hot licks by an advanced user to get the files back. Even then, one small slip can put them out of reach except to the trained recovery specialist.
Agreed completely!
Quote:
It's still not lightning fast (Celeron 2.4) so maybe I need to look somewhere else.
A celeron 2.4 w/ 512 RAM **should** be pretty darn snappy! There are several of those in my home. I would wager that the system could be greatly speeded up by:
0. getting rid of unnecessary startup programs.
1. configuring Services. (see SAFE column at http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm )
2. deleting ALL folders and files in c:\windows\temp
3. deleting ALL folders and files in c:\docs & settings\username\local settings\temp
4. deleting ALL folders and files in c:\docs & settings\username\local settings\temporary internet files
5. thorough scans w/ anti-spyware apps like Adaware, Spybot S&D, antivirus.
TonyT, thanks. Yeah, I would have thought that the Celeron would perform better, 'specially with 512ram.
Re your good suggestions, a couple of points:
There's a great free app for cleaning temp files and other junk, ATFCleaner, here: http://www.atribune.org/content/view/25/2/
It's probably the most used app in my toolkit. There only seems to be one version on the publisher's site but I've got two versions, 2.0.0.2 (for XP) and 3.0.0.2 (for Vista). If anyone can't get them, let me know and I'll up 'em somewhere (or can I attach 'em here? 45k?)
Just park the exe somewhere and run a shortcut from it and Bob's Your Relative. (Check all the boxes)
Re the Services tweaks, I routinely do those 30 or so Black Viper recommendations on all my builds, but I hadn't bothered with this problem pc so far. Good call, it could make a difference.
I think the main problems are in the background stuff he insists on keeping, like Skype, Incredimail, Windows Live Messenger with every possible add-on and a few other French apps I don't have info on. Also, he has an el cheapo Brother 4-in-1 inkjet, and I'm afraid that I can say nothing commendatory about this particular piece of merde (wonder if that'll get asterisked, lol?). Brother make some good mono lasers but their color inkjets insist on loading up a bunch of drivers and assorted junk on startup.
Personally, I subscribe to the 'Weekday' theory. This asserts that anything which has had to be assembled, ie, car, toaster, lawnmower, computer etc, will contain inherent assembly faults if it was built on a Monday or Friday (and to a lesser extent, Tuesday or Thursday).
This is because the assemblers are either recovering from the weekend on a Monday, or planning the next one on a Friday. So, if you own a Wednesday-assembled piece of equipment, you're in luck.
It wouldn't surprise me to find that the Brother 4-in-1 Inkjet Factory only opens on Mondays and Fridays .
PS: Mickzer - thanks for the heads-up on 'Heads-up'! Most informative...
Last edited by masonite; 29th November 2007 at 22:34.
Reason: incipient senile decay
At the risk of beating a dead topic, suggest you simply restore the contents of the recycler or just the jpegs (which shouldn't use any additional space), then search for jpegs and tag all (ctrl-a) and copy/move them where you wish.
It will either work or not - my guess is it will work.
.
