Dumping OS Files

You need a new larger drive as the present HD is full.

I don't mind it being full, I could always transfer some files to one of my other 6 computers. I want to know how to stop it putting OS files in the recycle bin, do you know how this problem could be rectified?

There are several problems here.

1) Drive too full to allow defrag

2) Virus or "dirty" file system (drive not properly shutdown)

These could be related but 1) cannot allow Windows tools (such as scan, defrag, etc.) to be fully implemented.

How much (sys files) is getting dumped into the recycle bin ? Maybe you can reduce it's size and gain enough free to defrag.

OK geeks - butcher my naivity !

I think it is everything that is getting dumped, if you try to empty the recycle bin it says cannot delete the read only file...

What about restoring files out of the recycle bin, then minimizing it's size ?

Because if the OS is still working, it must still have the files it needs. Hence I try to delete the files from the recycle bin

You need to start the system before mounting the files. Use a recovery disk, CD, or make the drive a slave and start from another master.

Take it to a shop.

Maybe you can get some general hints/help here. Why not just transfer data off the drive, freeing up space to defrag ? A few more bug scans might not go amiss either.

Let me check if I understand this - are you saying that the o/s is running off files that exist in the recycle bin (and nowhere else) ? I'm losty as to what's going on with the thing .

No sorry, the OS is running off files which are in the normal system files place on C drive, but it has also made replicas of the files, and put them into the recycle bin. Sounds like a virus to me, but not AVG, malwarebytes or spybot have picked anything up...

Defrag sounds like the least of your worries. Empty the recycle bin (if you can) and full of some junk folders of your own. That'll stop the o/s being copied in. Run system file checker. Try more freeware (m/s online scan, A-squared, PCTools etc etc). I dunno, where's a geek when ya need one !

Hi,

It definitely sounds like a virus. Boot up with Linux that is mounted on a CD, then empty the recycle bin with that. Clamwin is a free virus checker that comes with Linux, but windows versions are available. Another idea is to boot up in protected mode, then empty recycle bin. Good luck.

-S

I have deleted all the recycle bin contents with the help of unlocker. You've gotta love it. It doesn't seem to have added the files to the recycle bin again, so thanks. I will keep you posted if it goes wrong again