Files that I have deleted keep coming back on their own!

[Barneyboy48]

My computer runs Windows 7 Home Premium.

I have been going through my Library directories, (in particular my Document directory), doing some housekeeping. You know the procedure, deleting old files which are no longer relevant and deleting stuff that I no longer want and stuff that somehow I have repeatedly located in different directories, getting everything rationalised and organised.

The sort of files that I am deleting are Word and Excel files, .pdf Adobe files, downloaded program files that I scan prior to installing, zip files and folders and folders containing files - nothing out of the ordinary really!

A couple of days later I notice those damned files that I know I deleted, (and I made sure that the Recycle Bin was cleared out too), have all somehow been reinstated to exactly where I deleted them from.

I repeat the exercise and it happens again!

I don't understand why - it's like the candle you can't blow out!

I'm not sure if the same thing has happened with any other areas of the Library.

I do perform a backup to an external hard drive once a week. The drive is a Seagate and I am using the Seagate backup software, but this shouldn't be causing this - should it? I'm only backing up, I'm not asking for it to restore anything.

Can anyone tell me what is going on and how I can fix it?

 

[bigmck]

My computer runs Windows 7 Home Premium.

I have been going through my Library directories, (in particular my Document directory), doing some housekeeping. You know the procedure, deleting old files which are no longer relevant and deleting stuff that I no longer want and stuff that somehow I have repeatedly located in different directories, getting everything rationalised and organised.

The sort of files that I am deleting are Word and Excel files, .pdf Adobe files, downloaded program files that I scan prior to installing, zip files and folders and folders containing files - nothing out of the ordinary really!

A couple of days later I notice those damned files that I know I deleted, (and I made sure that the Recycle Bin was cleared out too), have all somehow been reinstated to exactly where I deleted them from.

I repeat the exercise and it happens again!

I don't understand why - it's like the candle you can't blow out!

I'm not sure if the same thing has happened with any other areas of the Library.

I do perform a backup to an external hard drive once a week. The drive is a Seagate and I am using the Seagate backup software, but this shouldn't be causing this - should it? I'm only backing up, I'm not asking for it to restore anything.

Can anyone tell me what is going on and how I can fix it?

Try deleteing your files and check to see if they are in the recycle bin. Reboot your system and if they appear again, see if they are in the recycle bin and your system also. I don't see how it could be happening, but do this little excercise and it might tell you something.

 

[Barneyboy48]

I can't perform what you say at present as i've cleared the unwanted files out again. I have checked and cleared them out of the Recycle Bin and I've also had a look in the Public Folders under my name and they have deleted from there also.

I have a strange feeling in the pit of my stomach that it may be something to do with my weekly backup to my external Seagate hard drive. I run Seagate's software to perform the weekly backup.

I'll report back to this thread after the next backup operation which is due next Monday 20, September, so keep a watchout!

 

[Barneyboy48]

Hi Bigmck,

Remember that sick feeling I had in the pit of my stomach?

Well the Seagate drive ran the backup using the Seagate software (for a Seagate 500GB Desktop External hard drive), today and guess what - all my housework was for nothing!

Its all there - all the old files and folders I deleted are all back where they came from.

So it is something to do with the Seagate stuff. I have sent a query off to the Seagate support team so it remains to be seen what they come up with.

In the meantime, if anyone knows anymore about this I would really appreciate it.

 

[bigmck]

Hi -- That is really strange. When Seagate replies to you, let us know what they say. You have my curiousity up now.

 

[chev65]

My computer runs Windows 7 Home Premium.

I have been going through my Library directories, (in particular my Document directory), doing some housekeeping. You know the procedure, deleting old files which are no longer relevant and deleting stuff that I no longer want and stuff that somehow I have repeatedly located in different directories, getting everything rationalised and organised.

The sort of files that I am deleting are Word and Excel files, .pdf Adobe files, downloaded program files that I scan prior to installing, zip files and folders and folders containing files - nothing out of the ordinary really!

A couple of days later I notice those damned files that I know I deleted, (and I made sure that the Recycle Bin was cleared out too), have all somehow been reinstated to exactly where I deleted them from.

I repeat the exercise and it happens again!

I don't understand why - it's like the candle you can't blow out!

I'm not sure if the same thing has happened with any other areas of the Library.

I do perform a backup to an external hard drive once a week. The drive is a Seagate and I am using the Seagate backup software, but this shouldn't be causing this - should it? I'm only backing up, I'm not asking for it to restore anything.

Can anyone tell me what is going on and how I can fix it?

One problem I see here is that you are trying to delate files from the Homegroup rather than the User folders. Remember that the Homegroup folders only represent the actual files contained in your User folders, they are not the actual file but mearly an icon that represents the actual file. Therefore it usually works best to delate those files directly from the User folders instead of the Homegroup folders.

It seems that depending on the size of the file, they do not delate correctly from the Homegroup. Hope this helps.

You can also try using the menu to delate files from the Homegroup. In Homegroups try enabling the menu first, go to organize tab>layout>enable menu bar>then highlight file>file delate may work.

 

[Barneyboy48]

Hi -- That is really strange. When Seagate replies to you, let us know what they say. You have my curiousity up now.

Hi BigMck,

I have had a short response from Seagate, (surprisingly quick off the mark!).

Only a couple of simple questions including, "are you deleting from the computer also after you delete it from the hard drive", and "are you doing a back-up or a sync of the drives"

In answer to these questions I have replied that I am only deleting files from the computer, the external hard drive is only connected when I am doing my weekly back-up.

As far as the second question is concerned, I said back-up only, as far as I am aware. I have only followed the standard back-up instructions and all the settings are as recommended. The only thing that I have set differently is the day and time of the back-up.

I am a bit confused by his first question. I am not deleting anything from the external hard drive before I start on the computer. I would have expected the external hard drive to back-up exactly whatever files and folders are on my computer regardless of whether I have deleted, created shifted around and generally reorganised them.

I think, from reading the software bumpf, that the first time back-up takes everything as it is, and then subsequent back-ups only look at files that have been amended or added. Perhaps I have confused it by all of my intense housekeeping - I don't know! Perhaps after I had finished the big house keeping exercise I should have started the back-up as though it was a "virginal" one, (for want of a better term).

But surely, it should be capable of dealing with this sort of eventuality - I mean we all tidy up our computer hard drives from time to time don't we, (don't include my missus in that generalisation!).

Keep your eyes peeled, I will come back to you when Seagate respond again.

 

[bigmck]

That first question stumps me also. Not sure what Seagate means. You are correct that after the first backup, only new items are backed up. I have an online service that backs up my HD everynight and I am sure I have deleted some files, but have never seen them reappear, but they might if I ever have to do a restore. I am not sure. In your case you are not doing a restore so it is a mystery how they keep showing up. I will keep my eyes peeled for your next chapter.

 

[Barneyboy48]

That first question stumps me also. Not sure what Seagate means. You are correct that after the first backup, only new items are backed up. I have an online service that backs up my HD everynight and I am sure I have deleted some files, but have never seen them reappear, but they might if I ever have to do a restore. I am not sure. In your case you are not doing a restore so it is a mystery how they keep showing up. I will keep my eyes peeled for your next chapter.

Hi BigMck,

I think I am dealing with an imbecile again!

I cannot seem to get through to this guy that it isn't my computer that is at fault, and I don't think the hard drive is faulty either - it's seems fairly obvious that it is the actual software that Seagate have supplied to set up the back-up procedure and perform it.

I've already written back telling him this and asked him if he can consult someone higher up the ladder.

I've also told him that I have performed backups using two other software packages, (i.e. FBackup and the backup facility within Windows 7), using a different hard drive and had no similar problems.

I thought by sticking with the Seagate software using the Seagate Desktop external hard drive, it would make life easier when I requested technical back-up.

Obviously I was being unreasonaable with myself!

Out of interest, here's the latest reply exactly as it came, (he sounds as if he comes from a Spanish or Portugese speaking country, then again I might be wrong and its probably Mumbai again!

Dear Sir;

Thank you for your response.

However if your problem is with the computer and not your hard drive you will need to contact the manufacture of the computer.

It is not that I dont want to assist you but Seagate policy prohibits me from this because if I misdiagnose the issue then Seagate would be responsible for the errors.

Please i hope you understand. But issues with the hard drive I can assist but issues with your computer i cannot.

Best Regards

 

[bigmck]

Hi -- I think that you best forget Seagate. You have some guy that doesn't want to "stick his neck out" and say anything. Win 7 has a backup. Check it out here and this might be the way to go. Windows 7 Features: Backup and Restore

 

[Barneyboy48]

Hi -- I think that you best forget Seagate. You have some guy that doesn't want to "stick his neck out" and say anything. Win 7 has a backup. Check it out here and this might be the way to go. Windows 7 Features: Backup and Restore

Hi BigMck,

I must admit I am still trying to understand the file structure with Windows 7. Having had a few days to look over it I realise there is something going on that may be connected with this and I would like to learn more about it. I am trying my hardest to plough through the book "Windows 7 - Inside Out", I suppose the answer must be in there somewhere, it's just getting to understand the lingo!

Is this problem I have got, all because the Seagate back-up s/w package is backing up both the Library files, (i.e. Documents, Public Documents, Music, Public Music, Pictures, Public Pictures and Videos, Public Videos) and the files in under my name as the user, (i.e. listed as Contacts, Desktop, Downloads etc. and My Documents, My Music, My Pictures and My Videos, blah, blah, blah)?

Am I confusing the situation by carrying out a complete housework overhaul in between scheduled back-ups? Or should I discard the original back-up and start a new back-up after such an exhausting exercise?

Also, do you know and can you tell me in simple terms how in Sam Hill does the system decide and select what goes in the My Documents and what goes in Public Documents?

If I can get my head around this I might start beginning to understand the problems I am facing with the Seagate back-up.

I have disabled the Seagate back-up for the time being. What I have done is run a seperate back-up using FBackup 4.4. Although it seems a bit more complicated during the wizard setup, it at least prevents you from picking certain folders for backup because it is repeating, (at least that's what it saying).

I have run the integral backup facility included with Windows 7, which is OK if you don't want to subsequently restore just one or two specific files. I can't see how you could do it but I haven't gone that deeply into it, (yet!).

Answers on a postcard please!

 

[Jacee]

Hi BarneyBoy ... see if "RecycleBinEX" works for permanent deletion and Seagate can't back up the deleted items.
RecycleBinEx - Enhanced Windows Recycle Bin Manager

 

[bigmck]

If you are only backing up and not restoring, I don't see how the Seagate program could create the file again. Since I am not sure how the Seagate program works, I am running out of ideas. As I said before, I would forget about Seagate since it is causing so many problems for you. Let's us know what you find out. Thanks,

 

[karlsnooks]

Barney Lad,

First I'd throw the Seagate software in the trash can.

Now if you are performing data backups, then I use SyncToy.
Download details: SyncToy 2.1

You will notice that download is from Microsoft. This is a flexible and reliable backup program when performing data backups.

If you are interesting in backing up your computer in case of a disaster, then you should seriously consider Win 7's Backup and Restore which is very sound, reliable and easy to use. I've used this to backup and to 100% restore my computers with nary a problem.

 

[Barneyboy48]

Hi BigMck and Chev65!

I must admit I am still trying to understand the file structure with Windows 7. Having had a few days to look over it I realise there is something more to this than meets the eye and I would like to learn more about it.

I am trying my hardest to plough through the book "Windows 7 - Inside Out", I suppose the answer must be in there somewhere, it's just getting to understand the lingo!

Do you think that this problem might be because the Seagate back-up s/w package is backing up both the Library files, (i.e. Documents, Public Documents, Music, Public Music, Pictures, Public Pictures and Videos, Public Videos) and the files in under my name as the user, (i.e. listed as Contacts, Desktop, Downloads etc. and My Documents, My Music, My Pictures and My Videos, blah, blah, blah)?

Am I confusing the situation by carrying out a complete housework overhaul in between scheduled back-ups? Or should I discard the original back-up and start a new back-up after such an exhausting exercise?

Also, do you know and can you tell me in simple terms how does the system decide and select what goes in the My Documents folder and what goes in Public Documents folder?

If I can get my head around the reasoning behind the file structure and the intentions behind the design, I might start beginning to understand the problems I am facing with the Seagate back-up.

I have disabled the Seagate back-up for the time being. What I have done is run a seperate back-up using FBackup 4.4. Although it seems a bit more complicated during the wizard setup, it at least prevents you from picking certain folders for backup because it is repeating, (at least that's what it saying).

I have run the integral backup facility included with Windows 7 as you have suggested, which is OK if you don't want to subsequently restore just one or two specific files. Perhaps it is possible, I can't see how you can do it, but I haven't gone that deeply into it, (yet!).

Answers on a postcard please!

 

[1Bowtie]

You also might try running disk cleanup with all boxes checked after emptying the recycle bin. Read the boxes when you do disc cleanup and it will tell you whats needed and what's not

 

[Barneyboy48]

Barney Lad,

First I'd throw the Seagate software in the trash can.

Now if you are performing data backups, then I use SyncToy.
Download details: SyncToy 2.1

You will notice that download is from Microsoft. This is a flexible and reliable backup program when performing data backups.

If you are interesting in backing up your computer in case of a disaster, then you should seriously consider Win 7's Backup and Restore which is very sound, reliable and easy to use. I've used this to backup and to 100% restore my computers with nary a problem.

Hi Karlsnooks,

Welcome to the fray and thanks for your contribution.

I have only just picked up your post after sending in my latest post. It sounds as though you are extremely knowledgable and could help me through my confusion.

I have had no more comms with Seagate since the last email claiming it was a fault at my end - to be expected I suppose. I want to uninstall and delete the Seagate software and backups from my ext hard drive and my computer and try something else.

Am I correct in assuming that Windows 7 Backup and Restore is to be used only as complete system backup and not as a data backup whereby I can retrieve the odd file when I need to?

It took me a while but I have done it! I now have a 500GB external hard drive that is completely clear of everything.

Could I store both my data backup, (using say SyncToy), and a complete system backup, (as provided for by using Windows 7 Backup and Restore), i.e. would I have enough room, given my computer hard disk is 500GB also, (although it is nowhere near full)?

Having asked all that, could you shed some light on the directory/folder/file structure subject and the difference between the Library and the Personal Folders?

Have you any idea why MS decided that the way they have gone with the Library directories and the folders there in and the apparent repeat of all those storage areas/folders in the username directory area featured below it as you look at the tree structure in Windows Exporer? To what purpose would they have they gone down this route?

In the MS book, "Windows 7 Inside Out", it is recommended that you seperate the username directory to a seperate drive or volume, (say the D: drive) and make it so that the Library can reference or include those folders.

This is recommended for various reasons but mainly so that the O/S is seperate from user created data folders. The arguement against this, which was simply put to me last time I asked about it, is that if you are using seperate volumes on the same hard disk to store O/S and user data, if the hard disk goes down it takes everything with it anyway so what's the point.

I really need to learn more about this, but I don't want a migraine from information overload! I need it feeding a bit at a time!

Your help and anyone else willing to spend time explaining would be most gratefully appreciated!