Odd HD problem

[ReadyMan]

Today at work our server HD got full.
It's a 396GB drive.
Most of the files that are copied to it are pictures copied to a directory on the desktop.
I plugged in an external/portable HD and cut/pasted the files from the server to this external drive.
However, the server drive still shows as full, even though the files I cut are not on the drive any longer,
and they ARE on the external HD.

Any ideas for me?

(I never copy files to the desktop, so I not sure what the issue is)

Thanks!

RM

[Krom]

What operating system is the server using?

[ReadyMan]

Vista.

And I did check the recycle bin, which was empty. I also refreshed the screen, and closed the windows out before checking the disk size again.

[Krom]

What version of Vista? Anything bigger than Home Premium could have the shadow copy service maintaining backup copies of everything in "my documents" and on the desktop.

[ReadyMan]

hrm. Never even heard of that. I'm not sure what version of vista, but it's a cheap computer bought probably from costco (generic hp with no frills), so it's probably the "home" version.
How can I check if it is using shadow copying?
and if so, how do I stop it?

--EDIT-- Just called the office: it's vista home premium

[Krom]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadow_Copy

Open disk cleanup and in the "more options" tab use the "clean up" button for "System Restore and Shadow Copies".

[ReadyMan]

Where does it copy the snapshots it takes? That's the immediate problem...no room.

[Krom]

They would be in "System Volume Information" on C:\... Which is hidden, system protected and not user accessible (and shouldn't be messed with manually).

Try deleting the temporary files (start ---> run: %temp% ) or the internet cache to get some space, they wouldn't be as protected and it should probably get you enough space to run disk cleanup (included with windows) and purge all older restore points & shadow copies.

[ReadyMan]

Thanks Krom!