Member Avatar for timbur

I operate Windows XP Home Edition.
My Recyle Bin Icon is on the desktop and the folder is in My Computer. But I cannot access it.
Whenever I try to send a file to the Bin I get this message. "Cannot delete ---. The dir or file cannot be created."
This started a few days ago and I have tried various actions in "Safe Mode", several different virus scan programs. No luck.
Oh, yes. When I click on the Icon, the Bin opens but is empty. But when I go to System/Disk Cleanup, it says there is 1,953,722 Kb in the Bin but doesn't empty it!
Anybody have ideas?
Thanks.

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by majestic0110

Dani AI

Generated

Quick summary: the symptom you saw — the Recycle Bin appearing empty while Disk Cleanup reports a large amount of deleted data — is exactly the sort of mismatch that shows up when the file system or the disk itself is failing. Several members (, , , ) offered solid troubleshooting ideas; those can fix logical corruption but, as found, hardware failure is often the real root cause.

Why this happens: Windows keeps deleted files in a hidden system area plus an internal index. If that index or the file system metadata becomes inconsistent, Explorer can’t list items even though the space is still allocated. Bad sectors or a failing drive can produce the same behavior — utilities see used space but can’t create or update the recycle-bin records, so normal emptying fails.

Recommended, in order of priority:

  • Stop using the drive for anything you care about; do not write more files.
  • Back up essential files immediately to another disk or USB stick. If files are critical, make a sector-by-sector image first (use an imaging tool that supports recovery from failing media).
  • Check the drive’s SMART status and run the manufacturer’s diagnostics.
  • After imaging, attempt file-system repair (for NTFS, a chkdsk C: /f /r) — but only after you have an image or backup, since repair can further stress a dying drive.
  • If diagnostics report hardware faults, replace the disk and restore from your backup/image.

Once the disk is healthy or replaced, Windows will recreate the recycle-bin area if the damaged hidden folder is removed — do that only after you’ve secured data. Regular backups and SMART monitoring are the best defenses against this class of problem.

Recommended Answers

All 22 Replies

Member Avatar for majestic0110

right click the bin and tell me if you see anything odd. Look at "Max size of recycle bin" slider

Member Avatar for timbur

Sorry- I got interrupted. Max size of recycle bin is 10% and the size of the drive is 35.7 MG

Member Avatar for timbur

Sorry again I'm new at this: it's 35.7 GB, with 8.9 GB free.

Member Avatar for majestic0110

ok, have you got antivirus software installed? If so I would recommmend a scan....if not get this (the free version):

http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1

Perform a full scan (it might take an hour or so) and let us know what happens. Good luck hope this helps. AVG is fairly simple to use and removes many viruses with little or no effort on your part so don't fret lol

Member Avatar for timbur

I'm not doing very well - It's my first attempt at a discussion. So, my aoplogies. I did as you asuggested .. found nothing surprising .. the Bin size is 10% and the drive size is 35.7 GB .. so there should be plenty of spece.

Member Avatar for timbur

Appreciate the recommendation .. but AVG is what I run - the free 7.5 version. I run it daily.

Member Avatar for majestic0110

hmmm ok...will investigate - I will get back to you soon

Member Avatar for majestic0110

hmm puzzling. I have been researching this and some people have suggested enlarging the size (&age allocation) of the recycle bin - might be worth a try. not sure if it will help though and if you try it I would recommend only to increase the allocation a small amount (upto 20%)

Member Avatar for timbur

Thanks for the reference. I tried that a couple of days ago. But I just tried again. It doesn't work. But I noticed that when I clicked "Empty Recycle Bin" and was asked the usual "do yopu want to do this?", there was a circle with a red exclamation point on the file symbol. Does this perhaps mean there's omething bad/corrup with the file?

Member Avatar for majestic0110

hmmm I am not sure I will investigate further and reply tomorrow at some point. Good luck

Member Avatar for timbur

No, no other file removal software that I know of. But, hey, I'm a 67 year old neophyte and came to this site as a last resort when my neighbour's grandson recommended it. I'm fairly comfortable working in around in Windows, but I'm no geek.

Member Avatar for GrimJack

Have you tried going into the wastebasket and hand deleting files? You might be able to find what the trouble is this way.

Member Avatar for majestic0110

it might be worth your time phoning microsoft Tech support - Im baffled.

Member Avatar for majestic0110

how are you getting on with this problem now timbur?

Member Avatar for timbur

Thanks to both Majestic and Grim Jack for suggestions but I too am stumped. So, off I will go to Microsoft. I apprecaiated your time and thoughts.

Member Avatar for majestic0110

ok good luck with microsoft

Member Avatar for caperjack

I operate Windows XP Home Edition.
My Recyle Bin Icon is on the desktop and the folder is in My Computer. But I cannot access it.
Whenever I try to send a file to the Bin I get this message. "Cannot delete ---. The dir or file cannot be created."
This started a few days ago and I have tried various actions in "Safe Mode", several different virus scan programs. No luck.
Oh, yes. When I click on the Icon, the Bin opens but is empty. But when I go to System/Disk Cleanup, it says there is 1,953,722 Kb in the Bin but doesn't empty it!
Anybody have ideas?
Thanks.

give ccleaner a try ,see if it gets rid of the diskcleaner reporting that the bin has stuff in it .
http://www.ccleaner.com/

the folder in mycomputer can you right click and go to properties ,does it show any amount as being in the folder .

Member Avatar for cwarn23

If the recycle bin software is currupted then try the following. Open my computer from the desktop.
Then at the top of the window you will notice a wide bar like the address bar in a webpage. Select everything in it and type:
C:\Recycled
Then press the enter key. After that, select everything in it by pressing Ctrl+A
Then press 'shift+delete'. That should delete what is in the recycle bin without using the recycle bin.

Member Avatar for timbur

Sorry for not replying. Have been in hsopital for surgery and subsequent complications. Anyway, the problem was the first sign of a failing hard drive - and, sure enough, it failed.
I'm back in action - but am not much of a geek. So, don't expect me to be very active. Still and again, thanks to all for your help.

Member Avatar for majestic0110

Well I am glad you got to the root of the problem, even though a failing hard drive is less than desirable. Hope you recover well from the surgery, all the best!
Maj.

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