topic Re: Why doesn't my 8gb reflect deleted content (i.e. space doesn't increase) when using PC to delete files? in Other/General

Why doesn't my 8gb reflect deleted content (i.e. space doesn't increase) when using PC to delete files?

Sat, 30 Apr 2011 01:46:13 GMT

As it says on the tin, I've deleted content from my drive (over 1gb) of data from my 8gb card, but it is not reflected in the system menu for the sd-card /storage. When i check the 'settings/ SD card & phone storage settings" it still claims i'm using xx% of the card with only 700mb free - when in fact I should now have closer yy% at nearly 2gb of free space.

Can anyone advise?

Re: Why doesn't my 8gb reflect deleted content (i.e. space doesn't increase) when using PC to delete files?

gwhispererz — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 06:27:20 GMT

Hi Antimisandry, not sure if a phone reboot will help but give it a try.

Re: Why doesn't my 8gb reflect deleted content (i.e. space doesn't increase) when using PC to delete files?

Sat, 30 Apr 2011 10:38:11 GMT

Tried that - no joy, unfortunately.

Re: Why doesn't my 8gb reflect deleted content (i.e. space doesn't increase) when using PC to delete files?

gwhispererz — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 11:10:24 GMT

No idea why .... is it reading the same when viewed from PC (connected to PC).

Re: Why doesn't my 8gb reflect deleted content (i.e. space doesn't increase) when using PC to delete files?

Sat, 30 Apr 2011 11:14:58 GMT

Yep

At first, it showed new free space - so i unplugged it and checked it against the phone's own claims. The phone said it hadn't budged - so I plugged it back in and although it originally stated it had more free-room, this time it showed the same as the phone's claims..

It's almost as if a logfile is being read and not updated (or overwritten by the old data/information).

The actual deleted data is still deleted.

Is there a recycle-bin type of thing i need to delete on the phone??

ETA: When I delete from within the phone (which is not practical for hundreds of images/short videos of my kids etc.) it reflects the changes correctly, i.e. if i delete 100mb of images, it shows free-space has increased by 100mb.

Re: Why doesn't my 8gb reflect deleted content (i.e. space doesn't increase) when using PC to delete files?

gwhispererz — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 11:43:04 GMT

Hmmmm .... 'recycle bin'! that rings a bell!

Search for a folder 'LOST>DIR' in your SD Card, you can delete files in the Folder but DON'T delete that folder.

I guess the next best thing to do is to delete files using your phone, at least you don't have this annoying problem.

Re: Why doesn't my 8gb reflect deleted content (i.e. space doesn't increase) when using PC to delete files?

Sat, 30 Apr 2011 11:46:59 GMT

Thanks for the tip on which folder to look for... I'll give it a try.

However, regarding the 'use the phone to delete' idea, tht's fine - but i've still got hundreds of MB (or well over 1GB) missing and unaccounted for in the meantime

Re: Why doesn't my 8gb reflect deleted content (i.e. space doesn't increase) when using PC to delete files?

Sat, 30 Apr 2011 11:55:30 GMT

the LOST.DIR had 1gb of data in it.

I deleted it (using PC to test if it works) - and it's still reporting only 700MB free space

Re: Why doesn't my 8gb reflect deleted content (i.e. space doesn't increase) when using PC to delete files?

gwhispererz — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 11:58:46 GMT

Reboot phone again, just try.

Re: Why doesn't my 8gb reflect deleted content (i.e. space doesn't increase) when using PC to delete files?

Sat, 30 Apr 2011 12:14:53 GMT

yep tried that already mate, no joy

Re: Why doesn't my 8gb reflect deleted content (i.e. space doesn't increase) when using PC to delete files?

Sat, 30 Apr 2011 12:43:11 GMT

OK, I got it figured out - thank Goodness for Linux

Using disk analyzer I found two huge areas, the Lost.Dir that you pointed out earlier and then another 'trash-1000'. between them they were hogging a whopping 3.7GB.

Once emptied via direct access on the PC (i.e using a card-reader instead of the phone) i managed to fully empty both folders of junk that shouldn't have even been there. If the Android 2.1 OS offered an 'undelete' function, I could understand these folders necessity, but as the OS doesn't offer an undelete - I fail to see why they exist.

Anyway, problem solved

Thanks for your help.

Re: Why doesn't my 8gb reflect deleted content (i.e. space doesn't increase) when using PC to delete files?

Sat, 30 Apr 2011 12:44:57 GMT

Now I've rebooted my phone - and it's claiming I can't access the phonecard as it's allegedly "damaged"

It would seem SE have incorporated some stupid system to ensure people can't properly free up their space without using the phone to do it.. I guess this is a 'feature' of android OS eh..

Problem solved by taking the card out, blowing it and putting it back in - I now have 4.36GB space avialable, as it should be

Thanks for the pointers that got me started and ultimately resolved.

Message was edited by: antimisandry

Re: Why doesn't my 8gb reflect deleted content (i.e. space doesn't increase) when using PC to delete files?

gwhispererz — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 13:01:47 GMT

Welcome, glad to be of help.