Recycler folder [can't empty Recycle Bin]

Un-be known to me my C drive suddenly flagged "running out of space etc, etc," After searching for cause, it turns out that the recycler folder as 18.8 gb stored in it. I think it is something to do with backing up with "Retrospect" which should have gone to my external H/d. I have tried every which way to remove it, it will not let me.....Help

 

Hello Old creeky,

Have you tried by right clicking on an individual file and deleting file by file?

I've modified your thread title.

Regards - Charles

 

Old creeky--There is a difference between the Recycler folder and the Recycle Bin.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/171694/EN-US/
Note that Recycler contains the deleted files for each User (in separate folders). You may have to be logged on as the individual User before emptying that User's Recycle Bin files in Recycler.
Have you tried just emptying the Recycle Bin (for each User)?
Or using DiskCleanUp (for each User)? Start|Programs|Accessories|System Tools|DiskCleanUp.
Or try deleting the Recycler Folder's files from Safe Mode (again when logged in as each User)? I do not think you want to delete the Recycler folder itself.
If none of this helps, are you getting any error messages when you try to empty the Recycler folder or the files it contains?

 

recycler

When I right click to try and delete individual files I get " cannot read from the source file or disk "

Regards Derek

 

Did you rename the folder that the files were in or move the folder?

Ok, try something simple - right click on the closed recycle bin > empty.

That's one of the tips from Kellys Korner: http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_abc.htm and scroll down to Recycle Bin. There is also a command line to try emptying it.

In properties, how much space devoted to the RC? If less than a 100%, try that - later you can reset it.

Regards - Charles

 

Old creeky sent me an e-mail stating that can't solve the problem. Asked him to continue here.

Hi Derek,

One idea is: can you hook your HD to another system? Thru the USB or internally? That would probably allow that system to delete the recycler folder and once back in your system, XP will re create it.

Regards - Charles

 

Old creeky--I wonder if this would help in your situation
http://forum.ccleaner.com/index.php?showtopic=5598&pid=42231&mode=threaded&show=&st=&
If not, of possible help
http://ezinearticles.com/?A-White-P...t-Read-from-the-Source-File-or-Disk&id=267705
And an overkill of ideas here
http://www.google.com/search?source...en&q=cannot+read+from+the+source+file+or+disk

There also are two programs that often are useful in removing files that otherwise will not delete
http://www.snapfiles.com/get/moveonboot.html
http://www.jrtwine.com/Products/DelFXPFiles/index.htm

 

Forgive me for asking the obvious but is your external hooked up? Have you configured the recycle bin to use one bin for all drives or are you allowing individual drive configuration. Is this a "protected bin" as in a Virus program such as "Norton Protected Bin" or for that matter does this backup program "Retrospect" have an option to protect the bin in some way (for recovery of deleted files)? Have you tried something even as simple as a reboot, (personal experience with a jump stick and recycle bin was cleared up on a reboot for me. Simple, I know, but it worked.) How about sliding the maximum size for the recycle bin to 0 (zero). Just tried that myself, and it immediately emptied the bin.

 

Re:Recycler

Thanks to all who sent their suggestions, I will be working through them all until I find a answer. I have even invited "Microsoft" on board, but to-date there as been no reply, maybe it's a toughie even for them. Maybe if I write down here just what exactly I get when I have tried to get rid of the offending files. I have to admit, I am very naive when it comes to files & folders etc. OK, here goes: open 'c' drive, open 'recycler' in there, their is 'recyce bin' & 'RECYCLER'. Open 'RECYCLER', now it is '~18545...temp. open this folder, and I am confronted by hundreds of files all of which are about 7.03mb in size if I try opening anyone of them, I get something to the effect "cannot open file: cannot find source file or disk, make sure you type correct path. Now sometimes when I look for correct path by opening properties, I get " c:/recycler/recycler" What does that mean; if I cannot do anything.
To answer Godezz's question, ( thanks for taking the time) yes the external drive is connected, but.... and it is a big but, I have now reformatted the drive hoping for a good clean fresh start, is this where I have gone wrong?
Regards to all. Old creeky