Deleting files...

Tetano

Tetano

Registered
Hi to all... i deleted something like 2 Gb of old documents on my user's account, but I didn't see differences in free disk space... since I really need this space, I want to free it, and I can't format the disk, 'cause other users are working on my machine.. can anyone help me?
Thanx in advance!
iBook G3 800 MHz
Panther 10.3.3
 
emptied... and before reading your post.... ;)....seriously, i've done the error of not securely deleting files, but now i can do something?
 
Tetano said:
....seriously, i've done the error of not securely deleting files, but now i can do something?
Click to expand...
I can think of two options
  1. Use Nortons or TechTool Pro and restore the files. Place them in the trash and then do the secure delete or
  2. Backup your user folder then erase the hard drive writing all zeroes, and finally re-installing and restoring your user folder.
 
Could it be the folder was deleted using another account and you didn't empty the trash from that certain account?
 
Yes, i am sure of that... but the problem is now solved, don't know how and don't know why... probably i have to restart many and many times... :-)
being serious for a minute, probably deleted files remains in a temporary folder for some time... thanx to all!
 
Tetano said:
being serious for a minute, probably deleted files remains in a temporary folder for some time... thanx to all!
Click to expand...
Unless you are running some third party application such as Data Recycler files do not "remain in a temporary folder" period. When a file is moved the to trash the volume directory is adjusted to show the new location as the .Trash folder. When you empty the trash, the files are not erased, but the directory entries pointing to them are deleted. Information on remaining disk space is obtained from the volume directory, not from scanning the entire drive.

Again, unless you are running some third party delete protection app, that does not explain why it took so long for your volume directory to reflect the deletion. On my system that is a matter of a second or two at most. If I were you, I would run TechTool Pro or DiskWarrior if you have them. If not, I would boot from the install CD and run Disk Utility > First Aid > Repair Disk. Just to be sure the volume structure of your HD is healthy.
 
Thanx, don't have a credit card, so would boot from the CD! but, let me ask, if the free space is determined, as you tell, by the volume directory, do you have this space phisically available?
 
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