Windows not showing files moved to external drive.

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  1. Posts : 10
    Windows 7 64Bit Home Premium
       #1

    Windows not showing files moved to external drive.


    I decided to move of my music files onto one external hard drive. The drive (FAT32) has a capacity of 372 Gb and properties show 58.9 Gb has been used.

    However I can only see 5Gb of files - the others are taking up the disk space but I just can't see them. I've tried searching, refreshing, etc. Any ideas on how I can gain access to the files??

    Thanks in advance
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 1,814
    XP / Win7 x64 Pro
       #2

    Try taking ownership of the drive:

    http://www.caspianit.co.uk/how-to-ta...-in-windows-7/
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 10
    Windows 7 64Bit Home Premium
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Thanks FliGi7

    I get the message :

    ERROR:File ownership cannot be applied on insecure file systems; there is no support for ACLs.

    Mike
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 1,814
    XP / Win7 x64 Pro
       #4

    Oh, you're right! It's a FAT32 file system. I forgot about that. Do you have your system configured to show hidden files and folders?
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 10
    Windows 7 64Bit Home Premium
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Yes it's set to show hidden files, folders and drives.

    Mike
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 1,814
    XP / Win7 x64 Pro
       #6

    Are you an administrator on the computer?

    When you right click on the drive in My Computer and go to the Security Tab, is your username in the list? If not, try adding it.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 10
    Windows 7 64Bit Home Premium
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Hi. I don't have a security tab. My "I:" drive options are General, Tools, Hardware, Sharing, Readyboost, Previous Version and Customize. My other NTFS external drives have a security tab but not, it seems this FAT32 drive.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 1,814
    XP / Win7 x64 Pro
       #8

    Yea, didn't think it would, but wanted to make sure. There aren't really any security controls in a FAT32 system, so the theory of not having ownership or access to them doesn't apply here. Due to this, you should be able to see everything on the drive.

    How did you copy the files over to it?
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 10
    Windows 7 64Bit Home Premium
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Hi. Highlighted folders in the FROM folder, dragged to the TO drive with right mouse held down and chose "Move here" from pop up menu. Mike
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 1,814
    XP / Win7 x64 Pro
       #10

    Can you view them from the command line via the "dir" command?
      My Computer


 
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