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General discussion

Recycling Bin

Dec 8, 2004 7:50AM PST

I have had problems with my recycling bin for quite some time now. Each time I go and deleat something, and to save space, I'd like to deleat the things on my recycling bin, it shows nothing is there. Which, as I know isn't possible, so I click on empty recycling bin and it asks if I'm sure I would like to deleat the 72 files? And even after I try and say yes, I try again just to make sure, and it does the same thing. I would like to know whats happnening if anybody knows, and how I can fix it.

Discussion is locked

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Re: Recycling Bin
Dec 8, 2004 8:07AM PST

Loveahlulbayt14,

Which version of Windows are you using?

Do you have Norton Utilities programs installed?

If you're using Windows 98 or ME, have you tried running Scandisk using the instructions below?:

After opening Scandisk, place a CHECK mark in ?Automatically Fix Errors. Click on the "Advanced" button, then make sure the settings look like this:
Display Summary=Always
Log File=Replace Log
Cross-linked File=Delete
Lost File Fragments=Free
Check Valid Files For=Place a check in ALL of the options
Check Host Drive First


If you're using Windows 2000 or XP, please run Error Checking/Chkdsk using the link below:

How To Run 'Error Checking/Chkdsk' On Win2000/XP
___________

Have you tried emptying the Recycle Bin from within Windows Explorer? The Recycle Bin is normally a "hidden" file, but if you change your settings so you "show all files", then you should be able to open it from within Windows Explorer and delete the files manually.

HOpe this helps and let us know more.

Grif

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Instead of the 2 actions to delete, just Shift+Delete
Dec 8, 2004 2:16PM PST

Hey, Lovey, instead of going through the 2 step process to delete something,
(1. delete something - which then goes to Recycle Bin,
2. open the Recycle Bin and then really delete it, to recapture the space)
just hold down the SHIFT key when you go to delete something. It will not go to the Recycle Bin, it gets really deleted and you immediately regain the space.

While you could change the properties of the Recycle Bin to not have things go there, and that they do get deleted on the first go-round, I would not suggest it. By keeping the "2-stage" process you get that little bit of recovery possibility. And the few times you absolutely know you will not ever want to recover the file, you just use the SHIFT+delete trick.